Being frugal sometimes feels like a dirty little secret. You clip coupons, skip the fancy lattes and patch up your clothes instead of tossing them — only to get teased for it.
But here’s the thing: a lot of those so-called “cheap” habits are actually wise financial moves, especially with reports of a possible recession, according to Forbes.
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Frugal habits that often get mocked tend to reflect a broader culture of individualism and self-reliance, said Andreas Jones, founder and editor of KindaFrugal.
“Things like splitting two-ply toilet paper into single-ply sheets or turning off the air conditioning in the middle of a heatwave can sound extreme, but they stem from a deeper focus on stretching every dollar, especially in areas with high living costs or medical debt,” Jones said.
Here’s a look at the frugal behaviors people love to mock Americans for — and why you should keep doing them anyway.
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Extreme Couponing
From what he’s seen with his clients, Andrew Lokenauth, money expert and owner of BeFluentInFinance, said extreme couponing gets the most eye rolls and jokes.
“But here’s the thing — I’ve watched people save $300 plus per month just by spending a few hours organizing their coupons.”
One of his clients built a $15,000 emergency fund in 18 months through couponing alone.
“Yeah, it takes time to clip and organize, but the ROI is insane,” he added.
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Buying Generic Brands
Buying generic brands is another one people love to mock. Working in finance, Lokenauth said he can’t count how many times he’s heard “but the name brand tastes better.”
“Listen, I’ve done blind taste tests with my clients — they literally can’t tell the difference 80% of the time,” Lokenauth said.
He said the markup on name brands is sometimes 50% higher just for prettier packaging. That’s real money you’re throwing away.
In most cases, generic products are made in the same factories, with nearly identical ingredients. You’re paying extra for the logo, not the quality.
From pantry staples and cleaning supplies to over-the-counter meds, switching to store brands can shave hundreds off your annual grocery bill without changing much about your actual lifestyle.
Maintaining a Fixed Thermostat
Another mockable habit Lokenauth noted was folks keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer.
“People act like you’re torturing yourself, but your body adapts in about two weeks,” he said.
He personally saved $175 a month last summer by doing this — and he lives in Texas.
His advice? Put on a sweater in winter, use fans in summer. Your bank account will thank you.
Energy costs can quietly eat away at your budget, especially during peak seasons. But small adjustments — like optimizing your thermostat settings, sealing drafts or using blackout curtains — can lead to major savings without sacrificing much comfort. Most people barely notice the change after a few days and the money you save adds up month after month.
Driving Older Cars
Driving older cars is a big one that gets laughed at, but Lokenauth has analyzed thousands of financial portfolios and emphasized that the people with the most wealth often drive over 10 year old cars.
“One of my wealthiest clients drives a 2008 Toyota while his friends lease new BMWs. The difference: He’s got $2 million plus invested while they’re drowning in car payments,” he said.
While newer cars might look impressive, they’re also depreciating assets that lose value the moment you drive them off the lot. Older, reliable vehicles can save you thousands over the years — not just on car payments, but also on insurance, registration fees and even certain taxes.
Plus, with routine maintenance, many cars can easily run well past 200,000 miles. Driving an older car isn’t a sign you’re broke; it’s often a quiet flex that your financial priorities are in order.
Meal Prepping and Bringing Lunch to Work
Sure, your coworkers might tease you about never going out, but Lokenauth said he had a client who saved $4,800 in one year just by brown bagging it.
“That’s a pretty sweet vacation or a solid investment contribution,” he added.
Skipping the $12 office salad or $15 sandwich might not seem like much at first, but those daily lunches add up — fast. Meal prepping isn’t just about saving money; it’s also healthier, often tastier and gives you way more control over what you’re eating.
Even prepping just three to four meals a week can lead to serious savings over time. And if anyone rolls their eyes at your Tupperware? Just remember: your leftovers might be fueling your next vacation, emergency fund or investment account — while they’re stuck wondering where their money went.
Using an Older Phone
Using a flip phone or keeping an old smartphone forever makes people think you’re living in the stone age, Lokenauth said.
The reality: He said the average American spends $1,200 or more annually on their smartphone plus plan.
His own phone is four years old, works fine and costs him $25 a month through a discount carrier.
“That’s an extra $1,000 in my investment account every year,” he said.
Reusing Zip-Lock Bags or Washing Disposable Items
This can seem crazy until you do the math. Lokenauth said these small habits might save just $20 to $30 monthly, but then compound that over decades.
He’s seen families put kids through college with money saved from lots of tiny frugal habits combined.
Frugality isn’t about being cheap — it’s about being intentional. If reusing a few items means trimming $300 to $400 a year off your household spending, that’s money you can redirect toward bigger goals: debt payoff, investing, travel or simply breathing easier when unexpected expenses pop up.
Living in a Smaller House
Living in a smaller house than you can afford is probably the most mocked choice — especially in status-obsessed areas.
But here’s what Lokenauth said he sees in his practice: The families with the most financial security often live in modest homes.
They’re banking the difference and building real wealth while their house-poor neighbors struggle to maintain those massive properties.
The reality is, a big house often comes with big headaches — higher utility bills, higher property taxes, more maintenance and more stuff to fill all that space.
Meanwhile, the people living slightly below their means are quietly maxing out their retirement accounts, saving for their kids’ education or even reaching financial independence early.
It’s easy to be dazzled by granite countertops and three-car garages, but financial freedom looks a lot better than a fancy mortgage. And when the economy dips or unexpected expenses hit? The folks in the “smaller” homes often sleep a lot better at night.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
From Lokenauth’s experience, most people making fun of these habits are usually the ones stressed about money and living paycheck to paycheck.
“Meanwhile, my frugal clients are quietly building wealth and sleeping better at night. Being laughed at all the way to the bank isn’t such a bad trade-off,” he added.
His top words of wisdom: extreme frugality isn’t about deprivation — it’s about being intentional with your resources. And based on what he’s seen over 15 years in finance, the ones who embrace these habits tend to have way more options and freedom down the road.
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Sources
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Andreas Jones, KindaFrugal.
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Andrew Lokenauth, BeFluentInFinance.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Frugal Habits Americans Are Ridiculed for — and Why You Shouldn’t Care
