Seven frugal habits might actually make people poorer

 Direct Translation

Thinking you're saving money? These seven frugal habits might actually make you poorer

Editor: Li Hua / Source: World Journal / https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/0520/2385920.html / Image : While bulk supermarkets like Costco or Sam's Club have lower unit prices, buying too much and ending up with uneaten or expired items can lead to waste. (Reporter Ziwei/Photography)

Under inflationary pressures, many people resort to price comparisons, coupon clipping, or reusing disposable items to save money. However, financial experts warn that some seemingly thrifty habits can actually consume a lot of time and energy, ultimately proving counterproductive.

A recent report by AOL highlighted "extreme couponing" as a common example. The report noted that some people spend 10 to 15 hours a week researching discounts, matching coupons, and planning shopping routes, only to save about $30. This equates to an hourly wage of just $3.

Another common misconception is that "making everything yourself is cheaper." Influenced by social media, many try making their own bread, laundry detergent, or cleaning supplies, but after factoring in the costs of ingredients, electricity, and time, it may not actually be cost-effective. For example, making bread requires electricity for flour, yeast, and an oven, and often takes several hours to prepare. While baking as a hobby is fine, if it's solely for saving money, the actual benefits may be limited.

Furthermore, many drivers deliberately take longer routes to refuel in order to save a few cents on gas. The report gives an example: if the price is 15 cents cheaper per gallon, but you have to drive 15 more miles, filling up a 12-gallon tank only saves about $1.80, which may not even cover the extra cost of the gas. Experts suggest using apps like GasBuddy or Upside to find cheaper gas stations near your usual route, rather than deliberately making long detours.

"Buying in bulk" was also mentioned. While stores like Costco and Sam's Club have lower unit prices, buying too much and letting it expire results in waste.

Some people habitually wash disposable items repeatedly, such as plastic resealable bags, aluminum foil, and paper plates, hoping to extend their lifespan. Experts say that spending 15 minutes a day doing this adds up to nearly two hours a week. For most people, this time would be better spent resting, working part-time, or doing something more worthwhile.

The report also mentions that "comparing prices across stores" doesn't necessarily save money. While supermarket A might offer milk for 50 cents cheaper, supermarket B might have lower egg prices, and supermarket C might have the best deals on vegetables, if the stores are far apart, the cost of travel expenses, vehicle wear and tear, and time could easily outweigh the savings.

As for the many people's enthusiasm for "checking every subscription service" and even repeatedly negotiating with customer service over a few dollars in monthly fees, experts believe that this behavior is sometimes more like procrastination, focusing energy on small expenditures while neglecting larger financial issues such as salary, insurance, loans, or investment planning.