Frugal Failures: 12 Money-Saving Hacks That Are a Waste of Time and Money

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Do you always feel like money is slipping through your fingers?

You may think that signing up for the newest and coolest money-saving advice out there will be a surefire way to cut down on wasteful spending.

Unfortunately, many of these so-called “life hacks” are a waste of time and potentially even cost you more in the long run.

In this article, we’ll explore some popular money saving ideas that could end up costing you more down the road.

#1. Cutting Your Own Hair

The desire to save money is a powerful motivator for many people.

And when it comes to haircuts, it’s easy to see why cutting your own hair might seem like a financially savvy move.

But as anyone who’s ever tried to give themselves a trim knows, things can quickly go awry.

Whether it’s an uneven cut or an accidental buzzed patch, the mistakes can add up, and that’s not even considering the time and energy it takes to do it yourself.

Ultimately, what started as an effort to save a few bucks can cost more money (not to mention frustration) in the long run.

#2. Making Your Own Laundry Detergent

Making your own laundry detergent seems like a frugal and simple solution to save some cash, but for many, it can become a costly and time-consuming endeavor.

Creating homemade laundry detergent requires specific ingredients that are not always cheap or readily available.

Once you have all the ingredients and the recipe, mixing and preparing the detergent can take hours.

Additionally, the effectiveness of homemade detergent may not always match the store-bought varieties, leading to the need for costly rewashing or even replacement of the clothing.

#3. Couponing

Many people regard couponing as a smart financial choice that can help us get a good deal and keep a little extra cash in our pockets.

But those who fall into this trap soon realize that the time and effort required to find and organize coupons, combined with the restrictions and limitations that often come with them, ultimately cost them more than they save.

Not only does the constant search for coupons eat up valuable time, but it can also lead individuals to make purchases they wouldn’t have otherwise made just to use a particular coupon.

#4. Buying Cheap Paper Towels

If you use a lot of paper towels, you might think buying cheap paper towels is a cost-effective solution.

But it can ultimately cost you more money in the long run.

Cheap paper towels are made with lower-quality materials, so they tear easily and absorb less liquid.

This means you’ll have to use more sheets to clean up spills and messes and may need to replace rolls more frequently.

Investing in higher quality paper towels may seem like a bigger expense upfront, but in the end, it will ultimately save you money and hassle in the long run.

Another solution is to buy some washcloths and use them for the things you usually use paper towels on.

#5. Putting Off Health Care

When caring for our health, it’s easy to rationalize that skipping a check-up or putting off that nagging pain is a smart financial move.

After all, doctor’s visits can be pricey, and taking time off work can be a hassle.

However, pushing aside our health concerns can lead to more money spent and a lower quality of life.

Ignored symptoms can become serious problems, resulting in costly treatments and procedures.

Even routine screenings and preventative care can cost more if neglected, as catching issues early on can often lead to simpler and less expensive interventions.

#6. Looking For The Cheapest Prices

Everyone loves a good bargain.

Finding the best deal can be a thrill that leaves us feeling smart and accomplished.

But when buying the cheapest goods, the cost can be more than what we saved from our wallets.

Cheap items may save us money in the moment, but that temporary satisfaction quickly fades when the item falls apart or doesn’t work correctly.

When I bought my first house, I cheaped out on bath mats by purchasing the lowest-priced ones.

All was good at first, but the rubber back ripped off after I washed them.

The money I saved went down the drain as I had to buy another set.

#7. Shopping at Dollar Stores

It’s easy to be lured into the world of dollar stores, as everything seems cheap and affordable.

Who doesn’t like a bargain, right?

But the truth is, shopping at dollar stores can be a major mistake.

The items are often poorly made and don’t last long, leading to the need for frequent replacements.

The low prices can also trick shoppers into buying more than they need, adding up to a hefty bill at checkout.

Many times the size of the products is smaller as well, making the amazing deal not so great.

And let’s remember the time wasted searching through crowded aisles and sifting through disorganized shelves for that one item that may or may not be there.

#8. DIYing Important Things

DIY projects have become increasingly popular as individuals looking to save money and put their own personal touch on home improvements, repairs, and renovations.

However, while tackling a project on your own can seem appealing, it is important to consider the long-term costs.

In many cases, DIY projects cost more money and time than hiring a professional.

Not only do you have to purchase the necessary materials and tools, but you also risk making costly mistakes and potentially damaging your home.

Take the case of replacing the brakes on your car.

It seems like a simple job, but make a mistake, and you could risk your life.

#9. Driving to Find The Cheapest Gas

Many think driving around to find the cheapest gas prices is a smart way to save money.

However, they fail to factor in the cost of their time, gas, and wear and tear on their car.

The few cents they may save per gallon are quickly eaten up when they spend extra time and gas driving from station to station.

Additionally, constantly starting and stopping the car burns more fuel and puts unnecessary wear and tear on the engine.

In the end, it’s often more cost-efficient to fill up at a nearby gas station, even if the prices are a few cents higher.

#10. Buying Into Credit Card Rewards

Opening many credit cards to earn free travel and cash back sounds like a dream.

But you can easily find yourself in a mountain of debt if you aren’t careful.

The reality is that credit card companies offer these rewards because they make more money in the long run.

Most times, people will overspend and then pay interest on their debt, which is more than the rewards they earn.

The best advice is to figure out the best times to go and book wisely so you can save money if you want to travel cheaply.

#11. Wasting Time Trying To Find Deals

Sometimes we get so focused on finding the absolute best deal that we forget the value of our time.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wasting hours scouring the internet for coupons or hopping from store to store to save a few dollars.

But we don’t realize that time is valuable, and every minute we spend searching for deals is time that we could spend on something more productive or enjoyable.

Not only that but constantly searching for bargains can lead us to make impulse purchases or buy items that we don’t truly need, costing us even more money in the long run.

#12. Not Spending Money on Fun

Many of us have been conditioned to believe that saving money means cutting out all the fun things in life.

We skip social events, let our gym memberships lapse, and avoid spending money on things that bring us joy.

The problem with this mindset is that it can backfire.

Think about it. When we deny ourselves the things that make us happy, we become stressed, burnt out, and unhappy.

When I was trying to dig out of credit card debt, I stopped going out with my friends to try to save money.

All was good initially, but then I became angry that I couldn’t go out with them.

I ended up rebelling and overspending as a result.

To fix things, I gave myself a small amount of fun money to spend to have fun still and pay down my debt.

How To Get Free Money

The idea of free money sounds like it can’t be true. But it actually is.

There are many ways you can get free money, from playing games, to watching videos, and more.

Here are the best ways you can get free money without having to work for it.

HOW TO GET FREE MONEY

How To Save Money When You’re Broke

When you have no money, the idea of saving sounds impossible. In fact, for many people, the idea never crosses their mind because they are only focused on getting money to survive.

But there are steps you can take to actually save money even when you are broke. Doing so will help you change your financial life faster than you thought possible.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHEN YOU’RE BROKE

Save Money On Groceries

It’s no secret that grocery shopping is a significant expense every month. While most of us know a few ways to reduce this bill, there are many other simple things we can do.

Learn the easy tricks to spend less on groceries and pocket some savings.

LEARN HOW TO SPEND LESS MONEY ON GROCERIES

Fun Money Saving Challenges

Do you find it boring to save money?

If you are motivation by turning things into a game, check out these money saving challenges. There is a game for you that will make saving fun and exciting so that you make it a priority to save money.

49 FUN MONEY SAVING CHALLENGES

How To Invest In Yourself

We all know we grow wealth by investing in the stock market or putting our money into savings accounts.

But many of us are unaware that the best returns are by investing in ourselves. When we improve ourselves, we have the ability to earn a lot more money, which makes it easier to become filthy rich.

LEARN HOW TO INVEST IN YOURSELF