Sometimes investing in quality pays off. I’m curious: have you bought something more expensive upfront that ended up cutting costs over the years?

An example would be that I’m looking to buy a sillicone pan mat instead of purchasing foil and parchment continually, using rags instead of paper towels, and so forth. What are one time purchases you reccomend for home maintenance?

Through frugality i have about 30k saves up. I want to relocate somewhere, rent a couple years, and purchase a house next. I have jo preferences other then nature. I love lakes rivers forest amd ocean would be nice buy i know thats expensive

I watched this video titled "Subscriptions are ruining our lives. Here's why they're everywhere now."

https://youtu.be/zptP3GiaulE?si=QAoP_fuj8y1up0jG

I was kind of floored at how right it was. It's so infuriating that we can never own anything anymore, or buy it for life. What "buy it for life" or more frugal changes have you made with subscriptions? I'm up to my neck in them and I want to be free but I'm stuck feeling like I need them.

Edit: I went to my public library today and got a library card, and signed up for Hoopla Kanopy and Libby. I'm gonna review all our subscriptions with my husband later and see which ones we're not actively using, and plan to cancel the others when we're done with the shows we do watch. As far as the subscriptions I use for my business, I can't really do anything about it right this moment. But cancelling the other things should definitely help our budget

Most people who try one never want to go back. The price for an adapter is very small these days. I bought one for about $40 at Lowe's but I've heard they go for as little as $20 on Amazon.

When I buy things, I always think about how many times I need to use them to bring the per-use cost down to a reasonable amount. For example, the daily use cost of my $40k car was $109 at the end of the first year, but after 10 years of ownership, it’s down to just $11 per day.

This mindset has helped me avoid impulse purchases, like an expensive bicycle I wouldn’t use often enough to justify the cost. If I were to buy one for $7000 (electric Specialized Creo 2, non essential, hobby item), the first ride would cost $7000, the second ride $3500, and so on. I love cycling, but thinking about it this way, it’s exhausting to imagine how many times I’d have to force myself to ride just to avoid feeling guilty about the purchase.

Looking back on the things I’ve bought, here are a few that have truly paid off:

Express waist belt: $50, 18 years. 0.7 cents

Ray-Ban sunglasses (replying to comments, this was with prescription and i was ripped off at LensCrafters): $500, 13 years, 10cents

And they are still in great shape, not worn out.

What are the items you’ve purchased that now have the lowest per-use cost

Items, furniture, clothing etc. Specific brands if you can think of any.

Here are a few of mine.

* Smart devices everywhere throughout the home - The convenience of turning on/off items by voice or mobile if i'm away

* Kindle - Less clutter

* Multi charger cords - Less clutter especially for travel. Helps a lot when multiple people need to charge a device.

* Menstrual cup - Not wasteful and reusable

ADDED:

* LIBRARY CARD - Not just for books and media but free/discounted passes to Museums, Parks, Beaches, Aquariums, etc.

* (2) free gal drums from a yard sale and converted them into rainwater barrels. Comes in handy during the spring/summer. I use it to water my garden and indoor plants, wash my car, etc.

I was lying down for bed and realized my blanket is over 30 years old! It isn't anything special, but has been warm and durable, so here it still is. What's something you still keep are and in use?

I have no shame shopping at stores when there are deals, going to museums on the free or discounted nights, using coupons, or asking if there are student discounts. I don’t go out on the weekends to drink, or eat out (maybe 3 times a month), don’t blast the AC during the day or night; only when company is over.

Two of the categories that I spend more on to treat myself our skin care, products and hair products. Today I went to Ulta and I bought a shampoo and conditioner along with pumps for the Redken shampoo and conditioner bottles. In total, I spent $118. I see it as a solid investment and both bottles will probably last me eight months, minimum.

The hair that sits on my head is seen every day by people and the integrity of the look and feel of my hair is very important to me. I see it as a solid investment in confidence, maintenance, and “treat” to myself to look and feel my best!

Wondering what “expensive” things you all choose to splurge on? What items are worth spending more on when you buy in bulk because you know quality- wise and time-wise they are worth the initial investment?

EDIT: Adding that I don’t have children or car payments that need to be made. Also, I don’t go to the salon to maintenance my hair, so I do my own hair “treatments” at home with the quality products.

I challenged myself to see if I could get by with just $50 a week for groceries, and I did it for a month. Here's what happened:

Week 1: Difficult Beginning

What a shock. Basics like rice, beans, and pasta kept me safe. The store brands saved my life.

Week 2: Routine Falls into Place

Monotony: It was very repetition in meals, but the frozen veggies became a lifesaver—cheaper and longer-lasting.

Week 3: Surprises Abound

Find: Local farmer's markets had fantastic deals on fresh produce.

Hack: Homemade snacks and bread tended to be cheaper and more satisfying.

Week 4: Wrap-Up

Lesson: This challenge has really taught me to get creative and pay attention when spending money. It was hard, but also fulfilling.

Takeaways:

Plan Meals

Use Frozen Foods

Look for Local Offers

Has anybody else done this? What were your results?

I’m talking about basic clothes that are made sturdy enough to last a few years. This last summer I got some pants from Levi’s and they’re already almost destroyed. Recently I ordered a real rugby shirt for $100. Pretty expensive for a shirt but the thing is so sturdy it’s practically made out of seatbelt material. It will last probably 15 years.

I am thinking of getting one but I'm not sure whether it's worth it or just gimmicky. I don't have any dental issues at the moment, so I'd really like to know how others feel about it.

I mainly shop costco, winco, and target. Interested in dishwasher machine soap, food items, and household bleach cleaners.

I've had my carry-on suitcase for about 5 years. It's held up great but I don't like it. It has 2 wheels so I "drag" it behind me and is surprisingly heavy. What I really want is one that has 4 wheels that you can just push next to you while you walk. But my current one is so adequate and nowhere near the end of its life that I can't justify spending money on another one. I can't wait until the day it dies so I can get one I really want.

What's your item that you're waiting to die so you can get the one you really want?

How do you buy a bed, as a frugal minded person?

I visited a Mattress Firm today, since I am thinking of buying a new bed. As I looked around the store, prices, sales process, promotions, etc. there's got to be a ton of mark-up on this type of product. There has to be equivalent products sold cheaper somewhere else.

I made the switch from Venus/Gillette women’s disposable razors that cost a fortune to a double-edge safety razor and blades that cost me a few cents! Never looked back! Absolutely love it and I recycle the blades too. The razor will probably last me my entire life and I haven’t had to buy blades in over two years.

I’m frugal as hell, it also helps that I’m broke. I haven’t purchased new clothes since pre COVID era of society.

I hate the idea of paying $30-$50 for an item of clothing. In fact I just hate spending money.

What should I do besides the obvious thrifting. I have also considered buying from blank-design apparel wholesalers. Any other ideas are much appreciated.

Edit: Walmart is not on option. I live in Australia. Only have maybe 2 Costco locations near me (30 minute drive) but unsure if they live up to the name they’ve created in the US.

What clothing brands do you trust to stay good quality over a couple years without breaking the bank? I used to get things from Target but it seems like the quality has seriously declined, items I bought less than a year ago already have frayed seams and loose threads everywhere.

I'm going to propose to my girlfriend. I'm thinking about something in the $1000-$1500 range.

How can I find an engagement ring at a good price and not get ripped off?

EDIT: I'm just going through all the responses now, and just wanted to say thank you so much for all the input I really appreciate it!!

I tend to be detached from my possessions, but some of them would be a real blow if I lost them, like a specific pair of leggings, which I got for like $8 at a thrift store, but they're such nice quality, pretty and flattering to the body. They can single handedly motivate me to work out. I don't know what I would do without them. Or a book clip that allows me to be hands-free when I read, and do fidgety things. Also makes it much more likely for me to pick up a book.

What are some other gadgets, one-of-a-kind items, or maybe some more luxurious items that make a difference for you in an otherwise frugal and non-materislistic lifestyle?

I need twinkle lights. Given that hubby and I don’t have kids and we don’t do presents anymore, decorating is really my only holiday fun. I fully understand the actual years it takes to grow a tree and all the labor, but an extra $80-$100 isn’t always in the budget. 5 years ago, I invested in a nice fake tree (~$70) and I haven’t looked back. It’s saved hundreds so far. Plus you can put it up obnoxiously early and don’t have to worry about it drying out. 😂

I celebrated my 62^nd birthday last week by getting a lifetime national park pass for seniors. The pass is affordable ($80) and provides admittance to over 2,000 national parks for the rest of your life. That’s a pretty good deal. I also purchased a lifetime senior Maryland state park pass for $10. It gives me unlimited free access to all their state parks for the rest of my life—quite a bargain! I’m still very active and love the outdoors. I enjoy exploring new locations and appreciating nature's beauty wherever I go. These lifetime passes will be helpful in planning many more budget-friendly car camping road trips and vacations. I can enjoy many of my favorite activities and explore new places without the burden of entrance fees.

I just want to spend my money wisely and get the bang for the buck. I feel like always getting MacBook because I heard many good things about it especially the battery life and how so many students in college use it. Sometimes I feel like it's this comparison or status thing since everybody uses it so I should also get one too. But I just feel like there is lot of other things that are essential but good quality things to get especially during holidays as they have discounts.

Edit: There's so much feedback here I don't have time to get back to so I just want you to know I've read everything and I am so grateful for your patience. I'm sharing all the information with my spouse. Sometimes he thinks I'm just overthinking things but enough of you are reflecting thoughts I've had and giving great advice on how to make it possible that I'm pretty sure I'm not just being difficult about making the AC last. Thank you so much.

In the five years we've lived together my spouse and I have bought an air conditioner (window unit) four times. They all got super moldy inside no matter how we tried to position them. With the fourth one I told him I was tired of throwing it out and gave him info I found about how to clean it. So he took it apart, cleaned it, plugged it in to test it, and hurray it still worked! So we put it in a sealed bin to store for the winter.

Guess what won't work now. I don't even know why.

As my spouse marches to the store for our FIFTH unit, I'm at the end of my rope and just reaching out to ask - is it actually normal, like he says, to have to buy a new unit every year? I can't imagine it is and even if people do I'm sick of it. What the heck do I have to do to keep a working unit for longer than 6 months?