25 Cost-Cutting Strategies That Diminish Your Quality of Life

Living slightly below your means has always been a good idea. It lets you pay the bills and save.

How far below your means should you live, though? Some zealots think you should wash plastic bags, walk to work, and never buy anything new. Most frugalists have a more moderate outlook, yet their advice only works for some. It saves money but can diminish your quality of life.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cutting costs. The following strategies show how what works for others might not work for you.

1. Taking Public Transit

All public transit is not created equal. In some regions, you can wait 30 to 60 minutes between buses. Being off by even a few minutes means explaining to the boss why you’re coming in up to an hour late. Missing the bus after work makes your commute that much harder.

Not having a car also makes the rest of your life more challenging. You can’t shop around for the best deals on the things you need. Synchronizing medical appointments or daycare drop-offs with the bus schedule is a giant hassle. A night out with friends means paying for cabs or rideshares.

Your household might need only one car (or no car) if the public transit is excellent where you live. If it isn’t? Weigh the pros and cons very carefully.

2. Buying Generic, Always

Usually, it doesn’t make a difference. Sometimes, it really, really does (I’m lookin’ at you, bottom-shelf jar of mayonnaise.)

When a product’s flavor or texture is off, it might go to waste because no one will eat it. If you have to eat the product, ask yourself this: were all those slimy tuna salad sandwiches worth the 75-cent savings?

3. Making Your Own Coffee

This is good advice in general. According to the latest research from the National Coffee Association, we spend nearly $110 billion per year on coffee. Most of us could cut back.

However, even a tiny treat can have an enormous impact on your life. For some people, that’s a fancy coffee every Saturday or every workday morning.

You might have to give up something else to be able to afford it -– but that’s what budgeting is all about. You cut specific categories to have a few things you really want.

4. Eating Lots of Ramen

Oh, those slippery, salty, starchy cups of adequacy! As many college students (or grads paying off college loans) will attest, frugal noodles can help you through rough financial times.

Eat too many of them, though, and you might be sorry. A Harvard School of Public Health study suggests that too many instant noodles increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Sure, they’re cheap. But living on them will leave you run-down and, maybe, primed for future health problems. If you must eat ramen, don’t do it too often.

5. Comparison Shopping

Hitting two or more stores can lead to significant savings, especially when you shop the sales. However, it’s essential to consider the true cost.

For example, suppose Supermarket A has good prices overall, yet Supermarket B has eggs for 50 cents less per dozen. Factor in fuel consumption plus the value of your time: is saving such a small amount of money truly worth it?

6. Delaying Repairs/Replacements

You can put off some things, such as waiting a few months to re-paint the porch trim or keeping that ugly bathroom sink for another couple of years. But some things need to be dealt with immediately, despite the cost.

Ignoring a spot of black mold won’t make it go away. New tires are expensive, but driving on worn-out treads could lead to accidents. A deadbolt lock that no longer works should be fixed now since the knob lock is a joke.

You can often wait to fix or replace things; just don’t procrastinate when it comes to health or security.

7. Fixing Things Yourself

Here’s the 411 on DIY: Not everyone’s good at it.

Fixing the toilet or installing new flooring can save you some big bucks. Watching YouTube videos can teach lots of great tips. But some folks just aren’t naturally handy, which could mean:

(a) The job will take two or three (or five or six) times as long as it should.

(b) The job will look bad.

(c) The job will need to be fixed by someone who actually knows what they’re doing.

(d) All of the above.

Sometimes, it’s worth it to hire a pro.

8. Using Coupons

Grocery coupons can save you money. Too often, however, they’re for products that aren’t good for you.

Saving a dollar on canned soups and frozen entrees is fine in theory, but those products are loaded with sodium. Occasionally, you’ll see coupons for stuff like mandarin oranges or nuts. But know that grocery coupons are designed to get you to try a new, highly processed food item and then keep buying it.

Focus on the big picture – which often does not mean using a coupon.

9. Doing Your Own Chores

Housecleaning and yard services are pricey. Paying someone else to do chores doesn’t make sense when you’re trying to cut costs.

But outsourcing isn’t a crime. Suppose you and your spouse have demanding careers and get only a couple of hours per night with the kids (and each other). How much of your precious free time do you want to spend doing chores you could afford to hire out?

10. Driving It ‘Til the Wheels Fall Off

According to Consumer Reports, a typical modern car will last for at least 200,000 miles. Some folks want to push the envelope, which makes sense on the surface: would you rather have a car payment or fix the one you already have?

In some cases, it’s wiser to fix than replace. However, Edmunds.com suggests it might be time to replace the car if:

• Fixing a problem would cost more than half the car’s current value.
• Your mechanic pointed out an impending major repair, and you were considering buying a new car anyway.
• Frequent breakdowns make you late for work or leave you in a dangerous situation (say, out in the middle of nowhere late at night).

That’s no way to live.

11. Buying in Bulk

Warehouse stores are fantastic for some items, especially if you have a family or a bunch of roommates. Giant boxes of cereal and crates of toilet paper allow you to shop less often.

Here’s what might also happen:

• You can’t stand to look at another salad, but there’s still lettuce to be used up before it spoils.
• The pound of pepper or cinnamon you bought loses its potency because, really, how much spice can one household use?
• The new air freshener smells awful, but that’s too bad because you have another three cans to use up.

Buying in bulk might be okay for certain purchases. Often, the savings aren’t worth it.

12. Cutting Back on Gifts

When you want to save for a short or long-term goal, cutting back on gifts will plump up the bank account. But at what cost?

No one should expect a present, but isn’t it great to see how happy people get when you surprise them with a birthday, holiday or just-because gift? Doesn’t it make you feel great, too?

Instead of cutting gift-giving across the board, try some other strategies. The easiest is to set a price limit with family and friends and stick to that limit. You could also do “Secret Santa” or grab-bag gifts.

Give if it’s in you to give. You’ll love the way it makes you feel.

13. Cooking at Home

Takeout and meal delivery saves us a lot of time but cost a lot of cash. Is it possible to feel good about this?

Absolutely! You shouldn’t have to feel guilty about wanting to spend more time with your family (or just relaxing). If you can afford to order in, then bon appetit.

Or split the difference: Vow to cook one-third of your meals and outsource the rest. Make double batches of easy recipes everyone likes and freeze the leftovers for future too-tired-to-cook days.

14. Using Off-Brand Replacements

It’s galling to pay more for name-brand things. Isn’t a screwdriver just a screwdriver? Sometimes, you don’t have to; if you use a screwdriver once a year, it’s okay to get it from the dollar store.

But no-names aren’t always the best choice. For example, that generic phone charger cord eventually works, but rarely on the first attempt. Sometimes, it takes four or five tries to get the connection right.

Choose your battles. Otherwise, you might toss the off-brand item and go glumly to the Apple Store.

15. Cutting Cable/Streaming Services

Okay, maybe you don’t need a dozen different options. Determine which channels/services you use most often and ditch the rest.

But don’t go cold turkey. Watching at home is cheaper than going to the movies and paying for $9 popcorn. This also lets you host an affordable evening with friends: “Everybody bring your favorite snack to share, and we’ll catch the latest spinoff of The Walking Dead.”

Speaking of evenings with friends, here’s another strategy to avoid…

16. Staying Home

Never going anywhere is a great way to save money — and go stir-crazy.

Human beings are social animals. Even the introverts among us need a little bit of friend time.

Instead of going full-hermit, look for affordable entertainment. Openings at art galleries (which sometimes provide snacks), cultural festivals, street fairs, pay-what-you-can nights at theaters, and other free or nearly free activities help you connect with others without breaking the bank.

17. Building a Stockpile

Excellent advice, but only to a point. When your favorite soap, shampoo, or toothpaste goes on sale, stocking up is wonderful advice — but only to a certain point.

Suppose you already have 10 bars of soap or 20 tubes of Colgate? This money-saving tactic can wind up being the fast track to Hoardersville. Don’t live like that.

18. Putting off the Dentist

Brushing and flossing are great, but they’re not a cure-all. Skipping the dentist to save money is a penny-wise, pound-foolish tactic. For example, it’s cheaper to fix a small cavity now than to deal with the hassle of a root canal (and maybe a crown) later.

Oh, and gum disease is a major cause of bad breath. If you want to kiss somebody or make a good impression at a job interview, get yourself a dentist appointment.

19. Getting a Side Hustle

All the cool kids are doing it. While some side hustles can provide decent income, the gig economy can negatively impact daily life.

For example, frequent deliveries will take years off your car’s lifespan. Working four or five hours after your regular job starts to become hard on you physically. Being tired all the time likely means more takeout.

Suppose your side hustle means leaving the house or gluing yourself to a computer screen for hours every night. What will that do to personal relationships?

A side hustle can pull you out of a rough spot or help you save for a short-term goal. Before signing up for the long term, consider how it will affect your life.

20. Living on Rice and Beans

They’re delicious and will save you a lot of money. However, if they’re served three times a day, 365 days a year, they get mighty old.

Consider adding other grains to your diet, along with fruits, vegetables, and protein. Spring for dessert, too. Coming to the table shouldn’t feel like punishment.

21. Skipping Vacations

Obviously, your bank account will be fatter if you don’t pay for planes, trains, automobiles, hotel rooms, or tour guides.

If you want to travel, shop for the best deals and make “travel” a category in your budget. Yes, right up there with rent and utilities. Seeing other places is good for you.

On the topic of travel, beware of the following advice…

22. Taking the Really Cheap Flights

That low-low-low fare might technically be accurate, but they’ll get you in other ways. Maybe you’ll have to endure stops at three airports, a less-than-ideal way to start your vacation.

Not all low fares are bad, though. The Internet can help you find incredible deals. But read the fine print carefully unless you like the idea of spending the night at the Juneau airport (ask me how I know.)

23. Washing Clothes Less Often

Yes, that’s a thing. On the face of it, this strategy makes sense. Why toss a blouse into the wash when you wore it only half a day? Or launder your jeans every time they’re worn?

Unfortunately, some people take this frugal hack too far. You probably know someone like this or have at least smelled someone like this.

Doing less laundry will save you some cash. But if something stinks, don’t inflict it on your co-workers or your date that evening.

24. Getting a Roommate

According to Census.gov, just under half of U.S. renters spend more than 30% of their salary on rent. Getting a roommate helps reduce the burden.

Unless it adds to it. You might luck out with the World’s Greatest Roommate, but you might also end up trapped for six months (or more) with a psycho who steals your food and plays Nickelback at top volume.

I get it; some folks need their privacy. They’ll economize in other ways to get even a tiny place alone. Before looking for a roommate situation, consider the impact on your life.

25. Shopping Secondhand

Thrift stores, yard sales, and online marketplaces can be excellent places to get what you need.

They can also be full of cheaply made items or out-of-date fashions. For every 100% Irish wool sweater, there’s a badly pilled acrylic cardigan you wouldn’t take even if it were free.

If you’re lucky enough to live near great secondhand stores or a wealthy neighborhood famous for its yard sales, go for it. If not, don’t punish yourself — or, heaven forbid, your kids –- with unattractive, poorly made clothing and outerwear.