Frugal Things I Don’t Do (And What I Do Instead)

Bytherealfrugalist

There’s a version of frugal living online that looks… exhausting.

Running to five stores.
Clipping coupons for hours.
Stockpiling things you don’t even use.

That’s not what we do here.

We’re frugal—but we’re also practical.

Here are a few things I don’t do… and what I do instead.

1. I Don’t Go to Five Different Stores

👉 What I Do Instead:

I figure out where the best overall prices are—and I go there.

Once.

Gas costs money.
Time has value.
And honestly? It’s a hassle.

👉 One planned trip saves more than chasing every single deal.

2. I Don’t Chase Every Sale

👉 What I Do Instead:

I buy what I actually need—when it’s at a good price.

Not everything that’s on sale.

If there’s no plan for it?
It stays at the store.

👉 A deal only works if it fits your life.

3. I Don’t Coupon for Hours

👉 What I Do Instead:

I focus on the big wins:

  • buying in-season
  • stocking up on sale items we already use
  • keeping a working pantry

And if there’s easy money to be had?

👉 I scan my receipts into cash back apps and call it good.

There’s bread to bake.
Gardens to plant.
And a life to live.

👉 I’d rather save smart than spend hours saving pennies.

4. I Don’t Rely on Convenience Foods

👉 What I Do Instead:

I prep what I can, when I can.

  • I cut my own produce
  • cook from scratch
  • portion things myself

Not perfectly. Not every day.

But enough to keep costs down.

👉 Convenience is great—but it’s not free.

5. I Don’t Throw Food Away

👉 What I Do Instead:

We use a “use this first” system—and we get creative.

Three strawberries about to go?

👉 They go into a freezer bag with other fruit.

Heel of bread sitting there?

👉 Same thing—we’ve got a dedicated bag for that.

Vegetable ends and peels?

👉 Out to the chickens—or into the compost.

Nothing fancy. Just paying attention.

I call it the fruit & veg hospice—and it saves more money than people think.

6. I Don’t Cook a Full Meal Every Night

👉 What I Do Instead:

We take turns cooking in this house.

And when we do cook?

👉 We make more than enough so we can use it for another night.

Because:
👉 Wonder Woman does not live here.

Some nights are leftovers.
Some nights are simple.

And that’s exactly how it should be.

7. I Don’t Shop Without a Plan

👉 What I Do Instead:

My weekly menu is crafted with what I already have.

Then I shop to fill in the gaps.

I walk into the store knowing:

  • what I’m making
  • what’s already in the house
  • what I actually need

👉 That alone cuts out a huge amount of overspending.

8. I Don’t Try to Do Everything Perfectly

👉 What I Do Instead:

I stay consistent.

Some weeks are better than others.
Some meals are more planned than others.

But overall?

👉 The system works.

And the Bottom Line

Frugal living isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing what works.

Saving money shouldn’t leave you:

  • exhausted
  • overwhelmed
  • or running in circles

It should make life easier.

Not harder.

What About You?

What’s one thing you’ve stopped doing—and what do you do instead?

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply