When too many people get in on a secret, it usually gets ruined. Great bands sell out, tourists overrun hidden locales, foodies crowd the best mom-and-pop restaurants, and money hacks stop working.
Keep the Money Hacks Secret
Once too many learn the secret ways to save money, companies wise up, charging extravagant prices for the once-cheap items. But some frugal internet users were willing to share.
Here are the top money saving hacks Reddit users love, but that we fear someday will stop working when they get too popular.
Ethnic Grocery Stores
Ethnic grocery stores often offer fantastic prices on staples and spices.
You can find great prices on bulk rice, beans, cinnamon, chili powder, and more at your local Asian or Hispanic market. You can even get pricey items, like sesame seeds and cardamom, at much lower prices.
Visit your local Asian, Hispanic, or Middle Eastern store when you need to stock up. The prices will be far lower than what you find at your traditional grocer.
Restoring Old Furniture
You can decorate your house without spending tons of money by restoring old furniture, but many Redditors fear it will get harder and harder to find good, cheap pieces.
“Did this for both my kids’ rooms. Got some solid wood furniture (3 dressers) from thrift stores for about $50 each. Painted them and replaced the hardware. They look far better than anything I could afford to buy new,” said one user.
Others complained that this frugal hack is already on the way to ruin. “Many pieces get bought up /flipped for online stores or sellers now want the restored value of the furniture because they “know what (they) have.” stated one commenter.
Thrifting
Thrifting is already ruined, but you can still find some treasures. Some frugal Redditors fear the trend towards higher prices at the thrift store will continue as more and more people seek to save money by buying used.
“I’m glad more people are buying second-hand, but it’s killing my budget,” said one user, while another lamented the rise of for-profit thrift stores.
Thrift stores are suffering a double whammy. A lot of thrift stores sell higher-value items online rather than in-store to make more money, and flippers arrive early to gobble up anything of value left. Still, savvy shoppers can score good deals on things they need, like clothing, kitchen ware, and furniture, as long as they don’t mind settling for the cheap stuff.
Flea Markets
Although many flea markets have turned into stalls of commercial vendors, some still have regular people selling random junk for reduced prices. “SW MO and NW Arkansas have the best flea markets where you can find literally ANYTHING. So much fun,” said one user.
“I’d come back with the most unconnected things ever. Scrimshaw ship engraving, Brussel sprouts, still life painting, brass watering can, antique pants. Can’t get enough,” exclaimed another.
Military Surplus Stores
Military surplus stores offer steep discounts on military gear, but you can use a lot of it as outdoor gear. They also typically have tools, clothing, backpacks, and other items you can use around the house.
Unfortunately, it’s harder and harder to find these stores. The good news is that it’s partly because Uncle Sam is doing a better job of budgeting, so there is less surplus to go around.
The best military surplus stores are usually found around military bases.
Buy Nothing Groups
“You may not always get the item, but I have gotten so many amazing things gifted to me from our local buy-nothing and other giveaway sites, said one user.
Others said the Buy Nothing Groups are already over-saturated. “My local buy-nothing group is so popular now that you compete with 20 people for a bag of coffee beans,” complained a different user.
Frames
Frames are expensive when new, but one Redditor has a frugal hack to get them cheap. “I paint (oils and watercolors), so I buy framed paintings for cheap at thrift stores, remove the crappy painting, and use the frame for my artwork,” they said.
This tip may help other artists trying to make a name for themselves, but most folks don’t need frames often enough to ruin this frugal hack.
Estate Sales
“I got the BEST glass to drink out of years ago…. an old Milwaukee beer glass. It is in almost perfect shape… .50 cents. I haven’t seen estate sales since then,” said one user.
With the rise of reselling businesses, finding cheap treasures at estate sales is getting harder and harder. “A huge amount of estate sales in my area have gone to an online auction. At best, you can get most things for the “resell” price,” explained another.
Pro Tip: Go on the last day. The flippers are all at the ready to nab everything of value on day one, so sellers keep prices high. But by day three, they just want everything gone, so you can score great deals.
Beans
Beans are one of the best, cheap foods you can get, and most frugal Redditors hope it stays that way. “Dried beans vs. canned is a whole other world. Less money for more texture, flavor, versatility,” exclaimed one user while praising the virtues of beans.
Some said they doubt beans will get more popular and expensive. “I think it’s the fact that beans require planning. If you want beans, you can have them tomorrow, or if tomorrow is too long, it’s a few hours of fast boiling and stirring and swapping the water out,” they explained.
Clearance Sections
“Honestly, not too many people would even bother to look at a clearance sale in grocery stores or Walmart because of ‘quality’ and “expiration’ dates, but during these times, I’ve seen a heavy increase of people taking advantage of clearance sales,” stated one user.
However, they went on to describe changing trends due to increased inflation. “I used to love finding last-minute surprises on my grocery runs… Now I’m lucky if I can find anything at all.”
“I love my local Safeways clearance section because nobody uses it. I mainly use it for coffee, and it’s always the nicer brands that are in the clearance section,” offered another user.
I’ve found great deals on peppers, bread, and even meat at the grocery store. The clearance section is definitely worth checking out if you’re on a tight budget.
Rotisserie Chicken
Grocery store rotisserie chicken is my favorite money saving hack. I buy one a week for about $7, and it provides the bulk of my lunch for the entire week. They’re even cheaper at membership stores like Costco.
Meal prep your chicken on Sunday to cut it into five portions. Although you could eat it cold, 30 seconds in the microwave works wonders. Pair it with cucumbers or celery and an apple for a cheap yet filling lunch for less than $10 a week.
Community College Resources
Why pay someone to do things when you can learn to do them yourself for less? One Savvy Redditor took a cheap community college course on automotive repair, learning how to do basic maintenance on their vehicle for far less than they’d pay for someone else to do it all.
Check out your local community college to see what they offer.
As a bonus tip, see if your local schools (like dental school, beauty school, automotive school, etc.) offer discounts on services to provide students with learning opportunities.
Frugal Hacks that Stopped Working
Please keep these money saving hacks secret, before they go the way of these once popular frugal hacks that no longer work.
Source: Reddit