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People are just realizing you can rent cars from Costco, and the cost savings are astounding

"Saved over $200 plus upgraded to a larger SUV."

Image via Wikimedia Images/Canva/milindri

Costco rental cars are super cheap, and people are just finding out.

Costco is the mecca for good deals, but even Costco's most loyal customers were shocked to recently learn that the beloved big box store also offers car rentals.

The well-kept secret about Costco car rentals is leaving its customers shook, but those who have been in the know are opening up about the incredible savings (and perks) they've received by renting cars through the member-only business.

Last month, Alex Petrakieva (@alexonabudget on TikTok) shared with her followers about her experience renting a car through Costco that saved her almost $400 compared to renting the same car for the same amount of time through rental car company Alamo.

@alexonabudget
Costco is at it again #car #rental

After showing her followers the price breakdown, she concluded: "So if you’re traveling, take it from me and just use Costco. Somebody told me the best quote ever: 'Costco is a mindset,' And I just need to adopt that."

Needless to say, viewers were shocked by the story. "Costco has car rentals?!?!" one commented. Another added, "girl... the way I gasped.... and yes thank you for sharing. I had no idea!!!!!" One more stunned viewer also shared, "Girl you just saved me $350 with this tik tok … I’m shook."

So, how does Costco keep their costs so low? "Costco can offer such low rental car rates because of its enormous buying power," Kristen Markel, founder of Warehouse Wanderer, a blog dedicated to Costco shopping strategies, tells Upworthy. "With over 130 million members, they have the leverage to negotiate steep discounts with major rental car companies—savings that individual consumers could never secure on their own. That collective demand is what drives the rates down."

costco, costco warehouse, costco rental car, rental car costco, costco travel Costco offers rental cars to members. Photo by Grant Beirute on Unsplash

Other Costco members offered more tips on how to get the best deal on a car rental at Costco. "Keep checking the prices before your trip. The price may come down, I will make a new reservation and cancel the old one," another viewer wrote.

Available through Costco Travel, the store offers deep discounts on car rentals through a number of car rental companies, including Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and more.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Costco fans have also taken to Reddit to brag about the incredible savings they've had. "I get corporate rates with Avis and Hertz, like $32+tax a day, but those are only on round trip rentals. Costco Travel was the same $32+tax for an Alamo with unlimited miles on a one-way rental recently for me 🥳. Costco saved me approx $200 in mileage fees," one member shared.

Another Costco member excitedly wrote, "Costco Travel rental car benefits are seriously underrated. Decided last minute to recheck my rates for a trip next weekend after getting emailed a reminder, saved over $200 plus upgraded to a larger SUV."

Besides saving on base rental rates, there are other benefits to renting a car through Costco. "My favorite part of using Costco Travel for car rentals is you can continue monitoring the site since prices fluctuate, and if your booking gets cheaper, you can cancel and rebook with zero hassle. You're never locked in to a higher price," another member shared. This jazzed Costco Travel user wrote, "Also Costco car rentals include an additional driver," while another stated, "In addition to the second driver being included, most other sites tease a pre tax and fee price, Costco is out the door."

costco, costco gif, costco deals, costco car rental, renting car costco Hype Bryce GIF by Granarly Giphy

Another thrilled renter explained, "And they're always unlimited mileage. My corporate rates that we can use for personal travel are awesome, except 25c per mile one-way. Costco allows one way between airports with mileage included." Still another added, "Plus the amount you spend goes to your 2% cash back reward! (For Executive Members)."

Booking your rental car through Costco Travel also allows you to utilize loyalty programs. "Loyalty programs, LPT, if you have any travel 'status' through a credit card ask for a status match," another happy customer wrote. "Booked a car through Costco, put in my Enterprise loyalty card #, free upgrade and 20% bonus points. Then with the Enterprise Platinum, status match to the others."

rental car, renting a car, car rental, renting cars, costco car rental Woman waits for her rental car.Image via Canva/RossHelen

However, other Costco Travel users noted some negative experiences renting cars. "WARNING! Make sure you look at reviews for the location you are renting from though before you book," one commented. "Rented recently from Budget via Costco and yes it was cheaper than the others but that location had a ton of reviews about wait times, I never thought to look because how bad could it be and I was saving money. Ended up waiting an hour with two kids and luggage for our car (which didn't look like it was cleaned very well). I probably would have spent a little more to avoid that."

Another less-than-pleased customer shared, "We've had a lot of normal rentals through Costco Travel, but our absolute worst was also through Costco Travel. My husband is very tall and we reserved a full size car at a Budget. Showed up and gave us an economy car. Also argued that it was 'full size' and would not give us another vehicle or any money back. Costco did nothing."

It's a mixed bag for sure, so bear all this in mind next time you're traveling> Costco Travel seems to be a great option overall, but it never hurts to shop around.

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Frugal grocery shoppers share 25 tips for cutting down grocery bills

"It's amazing how much we can save."

Image via Canva/SDI Productions

Frugal people share their best money-saving grocery shopping tips.

Groceries are more expensive than ever. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, food prices increased 23.6% from 2020-2024. And the average monthly costs for groceries in an American household of 4 people ranges from $996-1,603.

So saving money on groceries in more lucrative than ever. And frugal shoppers are full of tips, tricks and hacks to keep food costs low.

Looking to cut down on your grocery bill the next time you make a trip? These are 25 of the best money-saving grocery tips from frugal people.

grocery store, grocery, groceries, grocery shopping, grocery trip supermarket groceries GIF by Justin Timberlake Giphy

"Shop your pantry, fridge and freezer 1st. See what meals you can make from what you have on hand. It's fun to be creative. Meal plan using what you have, make a grocery list with what you need. Avoid recipes that need lots of ingredients you don't have on hand. Stick to your list when shopping. Ordering on line helps me from impulse buying at the store. Use the first in, first out method in pantry/fridge to cut down on food waste. Batch cook, soups, stews, casseroles, so you get more than one meal out of cooking. Avoid buying lots of snacks, individually packed items. These are tried and true methods for saving money on food. Like others have posted, shop fliers, sales. May need to use more than one store. I do Aldi weekly, Walmart on line order ever 6 weeks or so. Like anything else, the more you do it, the better at it you get!" - catjknow

"Check ethnic groceries. The Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Hispanic groceries near me have amazing prices on produce and meat, bulk spices and dried beans, etc. Plus a lot of things that are bougie or health foods are really just a normal food from another culture with a bigger price tag." - kaizenkitten

"Frozen vegetables. If you eat meat, be flexible and shop what’s cheap that week. If something’s reduced because it’s older, you can freeze it the day you buy it if you can’t cook it right away." - BanditSpark

"Get something in your stomach before you go. Never shop hungry. You'll tend to buy things you wouldn't normally get or opt for junk/ready to eat foods rather than affordable ingredients." - sassysaba

groceries, grocery, grocery shopping, grocery gif, grocery bill Shop Til You Drop Shopping GIF Giphy

"I use an app called Flipp to shop the sales ads in my area, then plan meals around what I have on hand + sales items. When things like chicken leg quarters, boneless chicken thighs, and beef/pork roasts are on sale, I buy twice what I need and freeze leftovers for an easy midweek meal, like tacos/quesadillas/casserole/pasta." - TN_Lamb888

"Start a 'Price Book' spreadsheet. Make a tab for every item you regularly purchase. Log the store, brand, price, weight, and price per unit. Start by logging the regular price of those items and then research every week and log what the sales are on those items. Eventually you learn what is an actual good sale, what is not actually a sale, and how often these things go on sale, so that you can buy in bulk at the best price. You also learn what stores consistently have the best price on your item, so you can plan a trip to go to that store when you are already close to it (example: if you don’t have a Costco or Sam’s Club where you live, you plan on going as part of an out of town trip when you are already traveling). The trick is to stick to buying the items that are really the best price and to not overbuy amounts that you won’t be able to use before they expire (though if you did you could always donate to a local shelter or food bank). I admit, it is tedious but it’s also interesting." - Victoriafoxx

"We eat way more plant protein than animal protein now. We aren’t trying to be vegetarian. But beans and lentils are so much cheaper than meat." - FoxUsual745

beans, eating beans, beans gif, bean can, can of beans Kristen Wiig Vegan GIF Giphy

"Also, reframing your mind to envision meat as a condiment instead of the centerpiece of the meal is super helpful for traditional meat & potato people. My guys love a good slab of steak and mashed potatoes, but are also just as satisfied with a baked potato loaded with hearty bean lentil corn chili, with 1/4 of a good steak roughly chopped and sprinkled on top. One steak for a 3person family, plus enough for someone to have it for lunch tomorrow, is much more doable than 3 steaks for a single meal." - Jena_TheFatGirl

"I volunteer for a stop food waste organization. I eat mostly organic whole-foods and haven't bought groceries since 2020 because I get to fill a shopping basket free in exchange for a 2–3 hour shift. That's my best hack. Second best is dumpster diving, which may or may not be legal in your area." - LittleEdithBeale

"Check and see if you have any salvage grocery stores in your area! They’re not super common everywhere but they have a wide range of food, even high quality stuff, at very reduced prices because the items are damaged or past their expiration date." - DS30y

"Buy in season. Look for end-of-day sales at the farmers markets. Make nutrient-dense food." - DaysOfParadise

"Read your grocery store’s circular, clip coupons from their app, and if they have a rewards program use it. With one of the stores near me, I can get a free 12 dozen eggs by redeeming 200 reward points." - muad_dibs

My Big Fat Fabulous Life Breakfast GIF by TLC Giphy

"I use a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for purchasing vegetables. Not sure if CSAs everywhere are cheaper, but it is for me. There's a website called localharvest.org that has a CSA locator. I cook seasonally based on what my CSA has available. In May and early June it was a lot of salads, right now we're getting a lot of things like bok choy, broccolini, and carrots, so we're eating stir fry dishes or chicken with a side of sauteed or roasted vegetables. I quick pickle as much as I can from our weekly order to make things last (For example, we got a TON of chard at one point, and I pickled the stems with siracha. We've been using the pickles as a relish for tacos and sandwiches.). I also am in a small household, so I don't like buying anything perishable in bulk. We do have a chest freezer, so I buy meat in bulk at Costco. I also get things like cooking oils, vinegar, rice, and seasonings there. I try to keep us stocked up on anything we might need to supplement our veggie order for the week." - OK_Computer_152

"If grocery stores near you have an app, use it! On the Safeway app at least there's a lot of good coupons and deals that are only served in-app - I often pre-plan my shopping by plugging everything into the Safeway app and then comparing to other stores and that's how decide where I'm shopping that week." - sadhoursthrowaway409

"I use Instacart to make my shopping lists. I don’t use it to deliver groceries. It shows me what’s in the store and what’s not available. I can put together meals in advance and the BEST PART is that you can stay within your budget because it shows you your total as you add to the cart. It’s been a huge help these last few years for me to stay on budget. The app is also free." - jpp3252

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36 middle class money-saving hacks that frugal folks swear by to keep spending in check

"The savings definitely add up."

Image via Canva/bogdankosanovic

Middle class people share their best money-saving hacks.

People who earn a middle class income understand that paying attention to every penny that comes in and goes out is a smart money strategy. According to Pew Research, the median household income for middle class people in the United States in 2022 ranged from $56,600 to $169,800.

And frugal middle class people are full of money-saving tips and hacks. To boost their savings, middle class people offered their best money-saving habits to those looking to boost their savings accounts.

From grocery shopping, cooking habits, and bills, they shared their best financial wisdom. These are 36 middle-class money saving hacks that can help everyone save more money.

saving money, save money, money, putting money away, money Saving money gif Giphy

"For me, it’s the simple habits passed down from family. Cooking at home instead of eating out, carrying a water bottle instead of buying one, and reusing jars or old cloth as cleaning rags. Even shopping during discount seasons instead of impulse buying has been a huge saver. These little things may not look like much, but over time they add up and keep life grounded." - NoMedicine3572

"Cooking beans and legumes from dry buying in bulk." - LiterallyKath

"I have an old Toyota is pretty messed up now, but it makes me laugh because it looks kind of like shit lol. But I don't have a car payment and I still get 25 miles per gallon or so. I'll drive that thing into the ground. As long as the car has air-conditioning music and drives decent, I don't really care." - renerdrat

"Stop being snobby about your cell phone service and go to cheaper ones that use the same towers. Mint Mobile has blown me away ... had it for 2 years now, can't believe I was paying AT&T $100/month before. Now I pay $25/month and everything works the same." - mordiaken & wezvidz

"I’ll add to this. We don’t need a new phone every year. Still rocking my 13 mini. Not planning to buy a new one anytime soon." - no_car1799

"Take Amazon off your phone- all orders need to be done on a laptop. Pay for groceries in cash- it tends to take down impulsive purchases. Coffee at home. Make your own cold brew. End of each quarter is use up what is in the fridge and pantry- only purchase are for what completes a meal. Talk about a budget each month. Actively look at places to cut." - Door_Number_Four

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Look at the grocery store flyers and plan your meal prep around what's on sale that week. Base most of your meals on canned goods, frozen veggies, and tofu/inexpensive protein options. Wash/clean whatever you can using baking soda and or vinegar. Don't bother with paper towel use rags. Don't impulse buy research beforehand. Get a library card and use that sucker. Ensure your hobbies aren't too expensive for your lifestyle. Find weekend activities that are basically free. Don't attempt to keep up with other people in order to maintain some weird social status. Keep it simple when it comes to hygiene showers everyday and have your staple products you know work well for your hair skin and teeth and buy them in bulk when they go on sale. Look at your wardrobe and figure out what you actually need to replace before you go clothes shopping (write a specific list before you leave your place). Find frugal friends ;). " - RangerAndromeda

"Buying a sewing kit and learning basic hand sewing can help save pieces of clothing that need minor fixes for almost no additional investment. I can replace buttons, hem slacks, and reattach zippers with the same needles and thread I've had since 2016." - Iceonthewater

"Pack your lunch at home. Don’t eat out. I have a mini fridge under my desk. I’ll bring 2-3 lunches at a time, plus they are healthy." - smack4u & wpbth

"Door Dash [don't do it]. A $20 meal now costs $50 with tip and delivery." - Cucharamama

@miarosemcgrath
part 2 the ‘frugal chic’ #savingmoney #splurgevssave #personalfinance

"Learn how to fix simple shit safely. Leak under the sink? It’s 150+ just to have a plumber come out to look at it. Half the time it’s just a twist or swapping out a standard part that costs $5. And if you can’t fix it yourself you can still call the pro. It’s the same with most shit, I’ve learned with YouTube videos how to fix most of my appliances, change out outlets (TURN OFF THE BREAKER FIRST I KNOW) and repair a lot of things around my home that would cost me $100s of dollars for just a few bucks. Also, if you know handy people just ask them how. I had a sprinkler line split and it would have cost me $1000s for a professional repair. My neighbor works on gas lines for the city and he came over with a bag of spare joinings and told me to go grab some pvc and that blue glue shit they use. Cost me $20 bucks and half a case of modelo (we split it while he stood there watching me dig it up and then directing me how to cut out the compromised piece and fix it)." - JoefromOhio

"Buying popcorn in bulk and popping it on the stovetop, instead of prepackaged popcorn." - CBased64Olds

"Evaluation of my bills regularly- and tracking that the expected amounts are deducted. Example: my Comcast bill is normally $70/mo. $77 came out. The following month the invoice said $95 would be deducted. These companies creep up the bill and if you aren’t watching it will climb. In my experience, Comcast has been the worst offender of this. I called them and was refunded and my bill is back to $70. Also price shopping. I pay $15/mo for my phone service (Visible by Verizon- my service is better than when I was paying $179/mo T-Mobile or $250/mo att!) and $2.17 for Disney + Hulu. I use alternate suppliers for my electric. My bill was almost $300/mo, now it’s down to $110-$120/mo. Your bill is still generated through the regular electric company. You are just buying the electric from a cheaper supplier. I check/switch providers for any and every service every 3-6mo for the best savings. I was with AT&T for 20 years. Then I asked myself why am I loyal to them? Or any company? Bc it’s just easier. But now I view comparing prices for these things as a side hustle. Some of my bills are so low (like my cell bill or my streaming) that I don’t price shop them anymore. It’s a small time investment for thousands saved. I like to keep my money!" - Thor_StrngstAvenger

"Automation. You gotta find your number and then give yourself a little cushion and then the rest of your money needs to be automated out. Basically you learn to live on the money in your checking account. People who don't do this usually never realize that they can easily live on less." - scottie2haute

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"When I see something I like my first thought is 'but what am I gonna do with it?' If the answer is primarily 'Idk, I just think it’s neat', then I don’t buy it." - DeepDot7458

"Sounds silly, but we got my husband a nice cooler for Christmas, and I’ve taken to packing it when I go on outings/errands with the kids. “Mom’s random bag of shelf-stable snacks” doesn’t have as much appeal as that Chick-Fil-A sign, and I found myself easily convinced to order nuggets for myself, a medium fry or Mac and cheese for each of the kids, etc. $30 later, we’re satiated, but I’m kicking myself. Turns out turkey subs, chips, and snackle boxes with fruit, cubed cheese, crackers, mini pepperoni, etc ARE more appetizing than CFA, especially when they help pack the cooler." - Snoo-669

"IMO, it's not the habits around the small spends. It's the habits around the big spends. I focus on keeping my housing, transportation, food, and utility costs down -- in that order. Making my own coffee at home is trivial in comparison. But I do that too. And shop at Aldi. I keep a mental list of the good price on all the things I buy and try to always hit those prices and stock up when they do." - Cannelli10

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Single woman who makes $24,000 a year shares 12 smart ways she saves money

"These are some of my best tips to save a lot of $$ in the long run."

Image via Canva/baseimage

Single woman shares 12 ways she saves money on low income $25,000 salary.

Saving money is possible, even on a low income. While every penny matters, saving money on a small salary can be achieved with smart budgeting and being mindful about spending.

To help others save money, a single woman who makes $24,000 offered her best money-saving tips. From smart strategies for saving money on groceries to creative ways she leverages her community, she shared 12 of her best money-saving habits.

Plus, her advice inspired others to share the financial tips that helped them save money when funds were tight. Start saving more money with these tested ways to save money with a low income.

budget, budgeting, save money, saving money, how to save money Budget Saving Money GIF Giphy

12 ways to save money on a $24,000 salary

- Make DIY dawn power wash with 2 tbsp of rubbing alcohol mixed with 4 tbsp of dawn dish soap.

- Use a bidet before using toilet paper. The bidet does all the hard work the toilet paper is mostly just to dry off - depending on how much money you need/want to save you can use old cut up t-shirts to dry off instead of tp then throw them in the wash once every few days.

- Use period panties diva cup and reusable pads instead of disposable period products.

- Don't be afraid to buy used furniture - just be sure there are no bed bugs.

save money, money saving tips, money saving advice, financial advice, low income Money Invest GIF by Sara Dietschy Giphy

- Used electronics are just as good as new.

- Thrift store are amazing places for pretty much any home goods item.

- Home made cold brew is amazing...one part coffee to 4 parts water.

cold brew, cold brew coffee, homemade cold brew, cold brew gif iced coffee art GIF Giphy

- Simple syrup is also pretty good...there's tons of recipes all over the internet

- Shop your cupboards for food to eat before going shopping for more food.

- Use beans or tofu instead of meat, but if you find meat on sale BUY IT!

- The cook books Good and Cheap and Food Substitutions Bible are amazing cook books.

- FRIENDS ARE AMAZING!!!! I needed a new tv a month ago because the sound box on mine went out. So I messaged some friends asked if anyone had a old tv they needed to get rid of and a friend showed up with a nice lg flat screen that's nearly double the size of my previous tv & I only paid $40 for it.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

More money-saving tips for low incomes

"Go to the library and look for https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-P...https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Tightwad-Gazette-Promoting-Alternative/dp/0375752250 books. It was written in the 1990’s so some of the information is outdated but much of it is relevant today. I started following The Tightwad Gazette back when it was just a newsletter. I am a single female, raised 2 kids myself, retired at 60, 100% debt free and I credit my success to those books!!" - BENKACY

"Use the library for Internet access, printing off paper copies of legal docs, study material, etc. If you live in a large apartment complex they often have a community board in the main office or in the main hall- you can post ISO notes or advertise side hustle work you offer." - Adorable-Flight5256

"When buying used furniture always ask the person if they have anything else they’re selling if you’re looking for other items. I had posted a recliner for sale & a very young, sweet, newlywed couple came to pick it up. In conversation it came out that they had just been married two weeks before, and they were furnishing their first apartment. On a whim I asked if they needed anything else. They left my house with a recliner $25 less than the initially agreed upon price, a like brand new coffee table that I had been thinking about selling (heavily discounted) & a free complete set of dishes and some other nice kitchen items that I had. I joked that it was my wedding gift to them, as I remember what it was like when my husband & I were first starting out." - RBAloysius

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"I thought that I had a terrible selection for thrift stores. Then I needed a costume that looked well worn. Checked the thrift store that I knew about and found nothing. Googled 'thrift stores near me' got like 10 results. All within about 10 miles. So yeah, even if you think you know all the free / cheap local options check Google periodically." - No_Gear_1093

"Reusable anything has been a game changer. Making the switch to cloth paper towels means no added expense every month and we have a handful to use in rotation when the rest are in the hamper waiting to be washed. We also use our local Buy Nothing group on Facebook. We’ve scored an air conditioning unit, an Ikea Poang Rocking chair, a queen sized bed frame with storage, and a few other helpful items. I’ve also borrowed items there, as well as saved money going to the florist for my Ikebana class by asking people in the BN group if they have flowers or other materials I can use for my assignments." - radioflower525

"If you're in the US, please look into WIC and SNAP. WIC covers basic groceries, formula, and I'm sure you'd qualify if your county has it - the income requirements aren't as difficult because it's a more limited plan on other ways (what it covers, who can qualify)." - sunnysidemegg

"I work as a window tinter I make about 22k a year, I am 23 with no kids and I live alone with no roommates, I am fortunate to have worked out a cheap rent situation with my landlord by taking care of our properties he is my next door neighbor and lets me run an ethernet from his place for free and we share a common water system that he pays for. So I am only responsible for my electricity which is about 60 a month in winter and 160 in summer. I drive a paid for 20 year old car with 180k on it. It has no heat, AC, or power locks. I do all of my own work on it so that saves a lot of money. As for clothing I buy Walmart clothes, which works out since my job has me ruining a lot of clothes, and I prepare my meals from base ingredients. I eat out maybe once a week and that's somewhere cheap like Whataburger. As for a sit down meal at a nice restaurant that is once a moth at the most. I can save about 500 a month comfortably without having to restrict my way of living. I don't spend alot of money to begin with. No traveling. No fancy shoes, (I own two pairs of shoes my boots I wear at work and flip flops for the beach. Lol.). I also don't drink. When I spend money its mostly on dates and video games. Currently saving up for welding school, once I get certified I should be able to double my income with the first welding job I get." - User Unknown

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20 frugal people share their most underrated and unexpected money-saving habits

These overlooked tips can save you lots of money.

Image via Canva/David-Predo

Frugal people share their best unexpected money-saving tips.

Frugal people are experts at saving money. From being mindful about how much and how often they make purchases to adopting no-buy lifestyles, they know all the practical ways to save money

But they also have some creative and overlooked ways to save even more. In the subreddit thread r/Frugal, members opened up about some of the most underrated and self-proclaimed 'weird' ways they've been able to put more money away.

These are some of the most unexpected and underrated ways to save money, according to 20 frugal people.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Multiply supposedly low monthly costs by 12. The yearly cost is often a wake up that I don’t need something." - SCNewsFan

"Buying or making snacks, meals and drinks ahead of time for road trips." - ReadingConstantly

"To ease the transition to eating out less, try to recreate similar meals at home as a treat. If you try to go cold turkey from eating out frequently to nothing but beans at home, it’ll be hard to sustain long term. Store bought frozen chicken tenders (for example) are more expensive than homemade lentil soup, but they’re also a lot cheaper than chicken tenders at a restaurant." - PollardPie

"Being content and not going in an inner complaint spiral." - kehrw0che

@alisontalksmoney
More unhinged hacks for saving money #personalfinance #moneytips #budgetingforbeginners

"I started saving veggie scraps in the freezer to make broth, and it’s cut down on food waste and my grocery bill." - radik266

"Use the app toogoodtogo as well for cheap takeout. If you’re flexible, you basically sign up for a cheap meal of whatever excess a restaurant has. I’ve done this with Indian joints and it’s great. Usually $7-10 for multiple servings of food." - treedoct-her

"The public library. Many now offer free streaming services, audio books, and ebooks for free." - ObjectiveUpset1703

"I think mine would be hauling my own trash to the landfill. I used to have trash service that cost $33 a month with recycling picked up twice a month. So the cost came out to $7.50 per week for household trash and $1.50 biweekly for recycling. I haul my own trash 2-3 a month and spend less than $5 total." - Ok-Box6892

"Borrow this book from the library: Make The Bread , Buy The Butter. The woman has gone to great lengths to figure out the cost of making tons of different things (including gas for the stove). She's straight up if something is worth the cost and or hassle to make it from scratch or purchase it. Her everyday bread recipe is super easy, makes two loaves in under 15 minutes (plus only 2 hours to rise, then an hour to bake) I make it once a week and use one, freeze one. It's delicious toasted and I've started adding in extras like chopped walnuts for a taste change." - k8ecat

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"As a gardener, I got tired of wasting money on annuals, especially the modern kind of seed that doesn't reseed itself. Flower companies hate selling plants that reseed themselves. I started buying old-fashioned, heirloom annual and perennial seeds that reseed themselves yearly. Google heirloom or reseeding seeds to find places that sell the older kind of flowers - I go with Seed Savers in Iowa. Additionally, I buy annuals that can be taken indoors during the winter (geraniums and begonias mainly). After the summer, take them inside and prune them back by 1/3 to keep them healthy. Many gardeners will also share starts or extra bulbs with other people - get to know your neighbors for this, or go on a neighborhood website and ask if anyone has perennials they need to divide or extra bulbs. Using seeds does mean a slower growing time, so you have to learn to be patient and live like our great grandparents did, with the rhythm of nature instead of forcing it to move ahead of schedule with pre-grown nursery plants." - StartledDungbeetle

"I don't buy any drinks or snacks at the grocery store. I buy meal food only, and tea bags. I make fresh fridge tea every day, a small thing of caffeinated and a small pitcher of SleepyTime or some other decaf for the evenings. It's delicious, no sugar, and VERY cheap. My grocery bills are about half of what they once were." - Soft-Craft-3285

"I spend money on just 1 day per week." DutchBelgian

"Buying things second hand from Facebook marketplace or while it's on liquidation. Also getting free stuff from the free local Facebook groups. I got so many helpful things over the years! Buying Christmas and birthday gifts for people throughout the year when I find the gifts on sale. Not being addicted to alcohol and soft drinks is a big money saver too :) Also knowing how to do own aesthetic services (I do my own eyebrows, I shave my own legs, I don't get my nails done, I straighten my own hair instead of getting salon blowouts, etc). Freezing leftovers!" - psykolojist

"Same answer I always give; switching away from cartridge razors and going to double-edge (DE). It's a bit more upfront (anywhere from $50-$100 trying to find the best razor/blade/soap combination that works for you) but the long term savings more than make up for it." - neekogo

- YouTube www.youtube.com

"Get at least a basic tool kit. That along with YouTube and Amazon and you can learn how to fix basic things instead of calling someone or throwing it away and buying another. Just fixed the wheel on my suitcase instead of spending on a new one." - rich22201

"See if there any 'discount grocers' in your area. We're lucky to have several. They buy food in lots from supermarkets that are near or past expiration, discontinued items, damaged packages, etc. We've rarely gotten any food that was stale and the savings can be pretty big. They'll also have restaurant-sized items like huge cans of baked beans for a couple of bucks, which we'll divide out and freeze." - p38-lightning

"Ordering groceries online. I’m guilty of impulse buys and simply ordering groceries for pickup saves me $20+ dollars each time." - RightToBearGlitter

"When I go grocery shopping, I only buy sensible things. Except I allow myself one candy/cake/treats every time. It feels like splurging and a bit of cheating. It makes it much easier for me to stay on track with the strict buying habits." - Sagaincolours

"When I get a rotisserie chicken from Sam's Club, I save the skin, bones, etc. to use to make chicken stock. They're already roasted and seasoned so they make great stock." - gt0163c

"Double check your insurance policies annually. Do you still drive x amount of miles a year? Some people who now work from home drive much less, but are still paying commuter rates. Consider removing collision insurance from very old vehicles, unless you absolutely need it. If you are paying separately for an emergency roadside assistance program, see if your auto insurance offers similar coverage for less." - BestReplyEver

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30 things frugal folks have stopped buying to save big time

Because saving money starts with re-evaluating your money habits.

Photo credit: Canva

Getting rid of some unnecessary purchases can pay off big time.

Saving money is never a bad thing. And for those looking for economical solutions for how to cut back on spending, a smart place to start is taking an inventory of your spending habits and what you buy.

In an online forum of frugal people, member TS1664 posed the question to fellow savvy financial members: "What’s something you stopped buying completely and don’t miss at all?"

They continued, "For me it’s paper towels. Switched to rags and microfiber cloths a year ago and haven’t looked back. I used to go through a roll a week without thinking, now I just toss the cloths in with regular laundry. Saves money and space."

And they ended the post with some more insight. "It made me realize how many things I was buying out of habit, not need. What things others have cut out completely that turned out to be no big deal or even better without. Could use some inspiration!"

The callout garnered some excellent real-life advice from frugal people. These are 30 things that thrifty people shared they stopped buying completely that helped save them money.

"Dryer sheets." Super-Examination594

"Starbucks - bought an espresso machine, took some time to learn how to dial it in and pull a proper shot. It’s been 4+ Years and don’t miss it one bit." Fox_137

frugal living, frugal reddit, reddit, ask reddit, money, saving money, frugal tips, money saving tips "Bought an espresso machine, took some time to learn how to dial it in and pull a proper shot."Photo credit: Canva

"Makeup! Used to wear it every day and buy tons of it to try new products and such. Now I only wear it for special occasions. It works great — even just a little bit of makeup really pops when you hardly ever wear any." VerschwendeMeineZeit

"Soda. Too expensive now. Pre-pandemic, sometimes Kroger would have a sale (4) 12-packs for $10." NotJimIrsay

"Cigarettes 😊." rickety_picket

"Bottled water." WorriedPermission872

"Most fast food but especially McDonald's and bk. When I paid $20 for two adults' meals, it stopped making sense, and I'll cook better burgers and better sides fries at home for less." diegothengineer

"Cable tv subscription." nombreusuario

"Pizza delivery service. Frozen meals are just as unhealthy, but much cheaper." The_Keri2

frugal living, frugal reddit, reddit, ask reddit, money, saving money, frugal tips, money saving tips "Frozen meals are just as unhealthy, but much cheaper."Photo credit: Canva

"We started our pizza making journey by buying dough (under $2) at trader joe's. it really lowered the barrier to entry. once we kind of perfected the bake etc, we started playing with dough recipes until we found one we loved. it sounds painful but it was a good learning experience and fun to do together." suddenlymary

"I stopped buying scented candles. I used to grab them all the time on impulse, but they’re expensive, don’t last that long, and honestly gave me headaches half the time. Now I just open a window or boil some citrus peels with cloves if I want the place to smell nice." HollisWhitten

"Cigarettes and nicotine pouches! Been smoke free since august 2021 and pouch free since July 2024 :)." HueLord3000

"Amazon Prime. We stopped paying for the privilege of shopping and making money for Bozo. Now, we just put stuff in the cart until there is enough for free shipping. I don’t miss Prime, I never found anything on Prime video I wanted to watch once that wasn’t a rental. We live in a rural village, so online is cheaper than driving 25 to 50 miles to a store." cwsjr2323

"Lottery tickets." evissamnoisis

"Hair color. I’ve embraced the gray!" phishinfordory

frugal living, frugal reddit, reddit, ask reddit, money, saving money, frugal tips, money saving tips "I’ve embraced the gray!" Photo credit: Canva

"I’ll add sandwich bread. I started making my own. It costs just over $1 for me to make a small loaf that’s just enough for the 2 of us for a week. Plus no additives or preservatives." BeerWench13TheOrig

"Books. I go to the library." Significant-Emu1855

"Broth. Have an ongoing 'broth bag' going in the freezer. Once I run out of frozen broth cubes, I make another round." Colorfulplaid123

"New clothes from shops! I'm now a charity shop and Vinted gal, my clothes are so much better quality and I spend less." CorinaPhoto

"Bidet toilet seat is cheap, easy to install, much easier and faster to use, and most importantly will keep you far cleaner while not wasting any toilet paper." hopopo

frugal living, frugal reddit, reddit, ask reddit, money, saving money, frugal tips, money saving tips "Bidet toilet seat is cheap, easy to install, much easier and faster to use."Photo credit: Canva

"Menstrual products. Bought a menstrual cup back in 2016 and have not looked back." simply-misc

"Chip clips. I buy cheap old wooden clothespins! Works great and if they break, no biggie. It’s $2 for 24. I also use clear shower caps for dishes I have no lids for or it’s something that can’t have a lid, like deviled eggs. I use the shower caps. Much cheaper than those bowl covers they sell 8-12 in a pack for $1.25. Those bowl covers are kind of pricey and you get 1 large and 2 mediums and a bunch of tiny ones!!" Florida1974

"Alcohol." Fit_Artichoke_523

"Baked beans in the can, I literally keep everything on hand to make it so it was an excess purchase. Instant rice packs, I make regular rice, 20 minutes is not that long 😆 We keep getting gifted napkins but we don’t purchase them." Miss_Pouncealot

"Soap in a pump bottle. Switched to bars (Costco). So much value, less trash and plastic, and a better experience. Why did we invent pump bottle soap??" thebiglebowskiisfine

This article originally appeared two months ago.

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Frugal woman shares the one critical question she asks herself before making any purchase

"It’s such a simple question, but it’s changed my spending habits completely."

Image via Canva/Delmaine Donson

Frugal woman shares question she asks herself before impulse buying.

Being a smart and savvy shopper is one of the cornerstones of living a frugal lifestyle. And one of the biggest financial downfalls that can prevent you from living a frugal life is impulse shopping. But one frugal woman may have found the key to curbing it.

"I started asking 'Do I actually need this?' before every purchase. It’s saved me hundreds," user sarah_west_1 wrote in a Reddit forum dedicated to frugal living tips and stories. She went on to explain, "For years, I’d buy things just because they were on sale, looked cute, or felt like a good deal. I didn’t really think about whether I’d use them or if they were actually necessary."

However, things changed when she started intentionally asking herself this one question. "Now, before I buy anything, I pause for 10 seconds and ask: 'Do I really need this right now?' It’s such a simple question, but it’s changed my spending habits completely," she shared. "Most of the time, the answer is no and I just walk away without feeling like I’m missing out. This little habit has helped me save more than I expected and made me more mindful about what I bring into my life."

don't buy, no buying, no buy, smart shopping, frugal shopper Debbie Downer Reaction GIF by Saturday Night Live Giphy

And her wise frugal advice resonated with fellow frugal shoppers. One commented, "I do the same, asking myself if I will actually use this item everyday, or at least often enough to be worth the money and space, because I'm going for minimalism too. No books, no decorative items, no knickknacks. Minimal amount of kitchen gear, egged before I had ice cream maker, pasta maker, ice maker, bread maker, not to mention tons of kitchen gadgets that I can't ever find when I need it." And another added, "My money saving mantra: 'you can go broke saving money'. Just because it's for sale at a 'great' price does not mean you should buy it."

And her insightful post inspired other frugal shoppers to share the questions that they ask themselves before making any purchases. These are 10 more frugal questions they offered that have also helped save them lots of money.

stop, no buying, smart shopping questions, think before buying, stop shopping No Way Stop GIF Giphy

"I started asking 'how many hours of work does it cost me to buy this?' Know your rate." - kickit

"That ['how many hours of work does it cost me to buy this?'] and how long it lasts. A quick $5 purchase every day for a year is $1,825. In 10 years, it's $18,250. A product that costs $1000 and lasts you 10 years, comes down to $0.274/day. If you replace the same product at 2 years because you wanted a new one, now it's $1.37/day. (But less if you sell the old one)." - hatemakingnames1

"This is how I frame it for myself. That ['how many hours of work does it cost me to buy this?'] and 'what else can I buy with 'X' dollars instead?'. I've avoided a bunch of impulse purchases this way 😂." - cakeversuspie

cost, how much, how much does it cost, cost savings, cost questions Finance How Much Does It Cost GIF by StickerGiant Giphy

"Let me take you to the next level, grasshopper: now ask, 'how many hours of use/enjoyment will I get out of it?' I'm currently buying a TV, will probably spend about $2k including tax. but if it lasts as long as my current TV, it will only cost about 40 seconds of work per hour of enjoyment I get out of it, not even counting anyone else in my household. that is a deal I am willing to make 🧘." - kickit

"I always use the 'wants and needs' method, do I need it or do I want it, that has saved me a lot of money over the years." - Oldmantim

"One thing I do is create a 'wishlist' where I write down what I feel like buying and why (including the date). A lot of the time I forget about half the things on the list within a week. For the ones I still really want, I know it's more than just an impulse buy!" - HolidayExtrasTravel

add to cart, impulse buy, impulse shopping, shopping, online shopping Add To Cart Black Friday GIF by Rooster Teeth Giphy

"My question is 'When does this become landfill?'" - VapoursAndSpleen

"And 'Do I already have something like this I could use instead?'" - Human_Bad5547

"Yes! This! I also tack on….'where will I put this?'" - trig72

"I try to ask 'what problem does this solve?'" - PeitriciaMae

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30 things frugal folks have stopped buying to save big time

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