8 Frugal Habits Americans Are Ridiculed for — and Why You Shouldn’t Care
8 Frugal Habits Americans Are Ridiculed for — and Why You Shouldn’t Care
May 10, 2025 by Cindy Lamothe Saving Money / Savings Advice
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.
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.
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“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.
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.
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.