Comments on: Avoid these 5 Frugal Spending Traps

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Very good list PT, and I’ve honestly fallen for every single one of them . #5, can also come in the form of buying cheap items that will need to be constantly replaced instead of paying for quality ones that will last longer. A friend had a pampered chef party and I thought about purchasing an apple wedge maker for $12(it had a lifetime warranty), but then figured I’d just get one at Target for $5 and save a few bucks. I’m on my 2nd one, so for $2 I could of had a lifetime warranty.

By: PT

PT — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

@Frugal Dad – Thanks for adding in that extra tip.

@Shanti – good point! i’m sure once I have a couple of kids running around and a deep freezer I’ll be more prone to stock up on things, but for now I like to keep the cubbards lean.

By: Shanti @ Antishay

Shanti @ Antishay — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

On the opposite side of things, I find that when I see something on sale, sometimes I don’t buy it even though it’s lower-priced because I don’t want to buy in bulk. For example, if deodorant is on sale, I used to buy three or four, since they basically last forever, and I’ll use them someday, right? But when trying to put every last penny toward debt, I stopped multiple-buying things on sale because then I’d have more money now. But when the thing goes off of sale and I have to buy it now, the tables are turned.

I guess there’s a juggling act to be done when determining what to buy when. Would you like to spend a little more now to save later? Or would you rather keep your money now but probably spend more later? Hmmmm.

By: Michele A

Michele A — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

These are very helpful, I am guilty of the bulk purchases even though there is only two of us. Rebates are something I don’t always follow up with either.

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Good traps listed…you mentioned the buying in bulk trap of not using the product before expiration. I would add to that – buying in bulk is not always cheaper. Sometimes the per unit costs are actually lower if you buy two of the smaller package to get the same quality. Like you, I always run a quick unit cost calculation to determine which one is the better buy.