The Real Frugalist Edition (a.k.a. What I Actually Do)

There are things I used to toss in my cart without thinking… and now that they’re gone?
I don’t miss them at all.
My wallet doesn’t either.

Here’s my real, lived-in list:

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1. Pre-Cut Produce

It costs more, spoils faster, and half the time it tastes like it died three weeks ago.
I can grab a knife, cut a pepper, and move on with my life.

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2. A Thousand Different Cleaners

Bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, mirror cleaner, stainless-steel cleaner, stovetop cleaner…
No.
I use:

• dish soap
• vinegar
• baking soda
• one all-purpose spray

My great-grandmother cleaned her house with four things and lived to 90. I think we’ll survive.

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3. Subscription Traps

The “$9.99 just for you!” deals add up fast.
I canceled most of them and didn’t miss a single one.
If I forget I even had it? I definitely didn’t need it.

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4. Expensive Coffee Drinks

Do we go to Dunkin’? Yes.
Do we go smart? Also yes.

• Do the survey on the receipt → get free coffee/donuts
• Use the app → earn points
• Stack rewards → it becomes frugal coffee, not “$8 daily mistake” coffee

It’s the Real Frugalist way.

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5. Convenience Meals

Premade lunches, frozen meals, grab-and-go dinners… they’re never as good as they pretend to be.

Instead:

• We make extra
• We plan leftovers
• We stretch meals across multiple days

Simple, cheap, delicious.

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6. Ordering Expensive Pizza

No seriously — the price of toppings is outrageous.
Just get:

• one cheese
• one pepperoni

Done.
The more you split and customize, the higher the bill climbs. Keep it simple, keep it cheap, keep everyone fed.

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7. Premade Mixes (like pancake mix)

I just make my own:

• flour
• baking powder
• salt
• sugar

It tastes better, costs pennies, and I don’t have to buy a box filled with air.

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8. Fancy Cleaning Wipes & Sprays

Clorox wipes are great in theory, but I can clean a whole kitchen faster with a rag and a spray bottle that costs $0.27 to refill.

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9. Overpriced Hair & Body Products

Half the fancy bottles don’t work any better than the affordable ones.
I stick to products that:

• do the job
• smell nice
• don’t cost the same as a restaurant meal

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10. Trendy Seasonal Décor

Cute? Yes.
Necessary? Absolutely not.
I use:

• thrift store finds
• handmade décor
• things from nature
• simple, timeless pieces

My home feels warm and real — not like I raided Hobby Lobby every month.

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🧡 Final Thought

When you stop buying things that don’t add anything to your life, you suddenly have space — and money — for the things that actually matter.

A simpler life isn’t a downgrade.
It’s a decision.