With 2024 in the rearview mirror and getting farther behind us everyday, the financial choices we made that year still matter. They either helped better position us for building wealth in 2025, or they got us off to a lousy start.
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Near the end of 2024, George Kamel, a financial expert perhaps best known for his contributions to Ramsey Solutions, Dave Ramsey’s brand, noted that on the subreddit #Frugal, somebody posed the following question: “Are there things you’ve stopped buying in order to save money?” In a recent video posted on his eponymous YouTube channel, Kamel went through a dozen of the answers that caught his attention.
“There were more responses than there were crypto bros at a crossfit gym,” Kamel said. He itemized 12 things that some frugal people said they stopped buying in 2024. Does Kamel think ditching these buys is the right decision?
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Plastic Storage Containers
Next time you’re in your kitchen, take a peek around the cabinets and count how many plastic storage containers you have on hand. You could have quite a few. This is something that folks on Reddit said they stopped buying these in 2024, with some saying they switched to glass storage containers.
Kamel hugely approves of ditching plastic containers and opting for glass, which last longer, is more durable and doesn’t absorb odors or stain. Plus, it’s just all around less ick-inducing than plastic.
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Bottled Water
Another plastic product that frugal folks ditched in 2024. Kamel admitted he’s yet to fully abandon buying bottled water. He pointed out that buying a reverse osmosis filtration system, which someone who quit bottled water suggested doing, can set you back thousands of dollars. Kamel then calculated the mathematical pros and cons of spending that much versus spending on water bottle and concluded that this is not a frugal hack, but still one that is worth it if you can afford it.
“I would call this bougie frugal,” Kamel said, adding that maybe you should just get a Brita.
Cigarettes
We know it’s shocking that people still smoke given the proven deadly effects of cigarettes. But what is less widely discussed is how expensive cigarettes have become. In the state of New York, you’ll spend about $12 on a single pack, which contains 20 cigarettes – an amount that serious smokers can easily puff through in a day.
Unsurprisingly, Kamel is a big fan of ditching cigarettes.
Concert Tickets
For people who are middle class or under, buying concert tickets to see their favorite artists live can set them back hundreds — sometimes even thousands of dollars (if they’re seeing someone ultra popular and exclusive, like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift).
“The last several shows I’ve been to … simply not worth it,” Kamel said, pointing out that all the junk fees and other costs associated with concertgoing are just too high to comfortably handle.
Paper Towels
There’s something about paper towels that scream, “I am middle class and I’m proving it ream after ream.” Some frugal people stopped buying this costly convenience in 2024. What does Kamel think of that move?
“As a person who has two French Bulldogs and a really messy baby, I personally use a lot of paper towels,” Kamel said — though added that he does make an effort to hygienically reuse paper towels. Because paper towels are so necessary in the lives of the Kamel family, Kamel said this is one frugal hack he’ll pass on. He’ll go on buying them in bulk at Costco.
Soda at Restaurants
Yes, soda is bad for you — and also yes, it’s pricey at restaurants. Just one can easily add $5 to your tab. And so, many frugal people bid adieu to this splurge in 2024.
“I personally … think this is one of the biggest ripoffs in human history,” Kamel said.
Salon Services
Going to get a blowout, a new haircut or a fresh coat of hair dye can be really invigorating. But, whoa, it can set you back a fortune. It makes sense that frugal people would opt to do their own hair and nails, especially since you can do many salon services yourself and for much less money. Does Kamel think ditching this expense is worth it? Not really.
“Do I think it’s worth doing some things yourself if you’re capable?” Kamel said. “Yes. Do I think sometimes it can go awry and then you need to go to a salon to get it fixed? Absolutely.”
Unless you’re willing to risk it with a DIY job, this is probably an expense to keep so long as it’s not hurting your finances and you keep it limited and cost-effective. If it is causing you to lose wealth-building opportunities, study up on YouTube and other social media platforms.
Real Christmas Trees
Oh the joyous smell of fresh pine during the yuletide season. There’s just nothing like it. But in 2024, some frugal people skipped the real Christmas tree and opted for an artificial one, instead. Artificial trees, though often bad for the planet because they’re usually not recyclable and thus end up in landfills once you’re done with them, can be far more cost-effective than the natural alternative, provided you use the same one year after year.
“I have tried the real tree lifestyle and I found that it is just not for me,” Kamel said. Perhaps controversially, he approves of this frugal hack — largely because it’s just a big hassle to deal with every year.
Seasonal Decor
It can be so much fun to deck your halls with seasonal decor. But is it really necessary? Not at all. As such, some frugal people kissed these buys goodbye.
“This one I am totally with you on,” Kamel said. “If that’s your thing … I think that’s a beautiful, wonderful thing that brings people joy. But do you need to go crazy and rob a Hobby Lobby and spend hundreds of dollars a year on this? Absolutely not.”
Packaged Food Seasoning
No. 10 on the list of frugal skips is seasoning. People are pulling the reigns on spending on things like taco seasoning. Instead, they’re buying individual spices and making their own flavorful concoctions. This is a frugal habit Kamel suggested is a little over the top.
“Just not for me,” Kamel said.
Dog Toys
There’s a bustling consumer market out there for pet owners. In some cities, like Los Angeles and New York, it’s not uncommon to find entire boutiquey little shops devoted to selling high-end pet toys. Some frugal dog parents are choosing to stop indulging Fido with these buys. Often, dogs don’t really care about the toys (they’ll play with almost anything — especially if it’s something you don’t want them to play with!).
Kamel has a dog and strongly agrees with skipping the toys, which about as nonessential as pet expenses can get.
DoorDash
Though many restaurants lean heavily on DoorDash to turn a profit, DoorDash is loaded with fees. You set out to buy a $9 burrito, and end up spending $25 with tax and tip. Some frugal consumers have sworn off DoorDash in order to save money. And they’re better off for it.
“This one I strongly agree with,” Kamel said, adding that he doesn’t use DoorDash unless there’s a dire emergency keeping him and his wife at home.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 12 Things Frugal People Stopped Buying Last Year, According to George Kamel
