Sometimes, being frugal is about saving wisely. But where do you draw the line between smart savings and being just too cheap? In a recent online thread, thousands of people shared money-saving tricks they’ve passed up because there are some lines people won’t cross, not even to save a buck.
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The story
A poster on Reddit recently asked, “What frugal things do you think of? Too frugal?” They said their parents used to reuse and wash aluminum foil and zip-lock bags. The poster said they do their best to be frugal, but that’s just too far a stretch for them. They then asked for tips people don’t try because they’re too far or not worth the effort, and the internet came through with thousands of people sharing their thoughts.
The reactions
Threads like this are always super interesting because you hear so many things that you never knew people refused to spend money on.
One person said, “Growing up, I just considered it normal that rags were Dad’s old undies, and I was very confused why my friends were very confused when they saw me clean up a mess.”
We’ve heard of using socks to clean, but old underwear?
Another stated, “My grandma saved the used dryer sheets and used them to wash the dishes. I get that they may make a good scrubby, but I can’t help but feel she was just getting chemicals all over the dishes.”
Using dryer sheets to clean the dishes takes frugality to a whole new level. They’re known for containing chemicals, and it just doesn’t make much sense. Plus, they’re water-repellent to an extent, so they wouldn’t really soak up much soap and water.
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This person said, “I used to work with a guy who would save his paper towels from the restroom that he dried his hands with and reuse them to blow his nose. Kinda genius, kinda too much.”
We get the thought process. But keeping a damp towel in our pocket to blow our nose later seems like a lot of steps to save a little paper.
This response was popular. “My grandma used to repurpose old potato sacks and turn them into outdoor pillows for pets in the neighbourhood.”
Now this is just adorable. It is a lovely idea, and it made the list because it’s unique and cute. It’s frugal, that’s for sure, but putting a spin on it to care for the neighborhood is heart-warming as well.
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People agreed with this one. “People who reuse single-use items like teabags. My neighbour hangs hers on her washing line and uses them at least 10 times, but she ends up having to put a load of them into a cup one after another, even to get the weakest cup of tea you’ve ever seen. It makes me feel sick when I see them.”
This seems like a really frugal choice, and it would take away much of the flavor and joy of drinking a hot cup of tea.
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Several talked about this. “Reusable toilet paper. It’s fabric that you wash. Maybe it’s more for the environment, but it seems kinda yuck to me.”
Many people do this and act like it’s common. No way, it’s a hard pass.
A lot of people can relate to this. “Driving out of my way to “get a deal’ on gas – my dad used to do this to save a few cents or get his senior discount, but I was like, how are you not spending what you are saving by driving miles out of your way? He didn’t care, it was how he got his thrills, I guess.”
So many people do this. It doesn’t make any sense because they’re burning more money driving to save a few cents than they would by spending a bit extra at a closer gas station. They’d all save time doing this, too.
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This was shocking. “Knew someone who actually reused dental floss after “cleaning” it by soaking it in rubbing alcohol.”
Maybe it’s a great way to get it clean to use again, but why? You’d have to not only clean it, but then keep track of it, and then repeat that process several times per week. Seems like a lot of effort.
This one was actually interesting. “Don’t own a single drinking cup or mug due to moving from place to place. I use glass jars for pasta sauce, pickles, and I even serve my guests with them.”
As long as you clean the jars and remove the labels, it’s really not an issue. People drink out of mason jars all the time, and that’s basically the same.
How to be frugal without coming across as super cheap
There is a difference between being frugal and being cheap, and these simple tips can help you avoid crossing the line between the two.
Focus on value, not just price. Pick items that last longer or work better. Highlighting quality makes your decision feel intentional rather than stingy.
Don’t skip group meals, events, or shared experiences when it matters. Selective spending shows you value people, not just saving money.
Avoid judging others’ choices, commenting on someone else’s spending, or forcing them to follow your frugal lifestyle.
If something doesn’t fit your budget, decline politely. A respectful “no” reads as confident, not cheap.
A balanced approach to frugality shows that saving money doesn’t have to come at the expense of relationships or comfort. When your choices are thoughtful and grounded in long-term priorities, people see intention rather than stinginess. The goal isn’t to avoid spending altogether, but to spend with purpose.