4 Scams I Hate as a Frugal Minimalist

#minimalism #frugalliving
Today I go over a few things I consider to be a bit of a rip off as a frugal minimalist. This video was heavily inspired by / @accordingtonicole , be sure to check out her channel.
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Hey everyone. My name is Nicholas and I make videos most about my experiences with minimalism, frugal living, tech, and things of that nature 🌱. So if that sounds good to you consider subscribing and I'll see you in the next one ✏️

[@jessicasblack]

People who teach minimalism, living frugal, or how to pay off debt but first you have to buy their book, their class, their app, their subscription service is probably the "scam" that makes me laugh the most.

[@ayoubsabounji6590]

I don't understand

[@jjgadget0638]

@@ayoubsabounji6590she’s saying that finance KZbinrs who make you buy things to learn more are hypocritical

[@NicholasGarofola]

If you ever see me selling a course send help because I’m for sure being held against my will

[@kitsune735]

There’s something amusing about a minimalist selling junk.

[@casualbackpacker]

😂

[@tashamoulton]

Tipping!! YES - outta control! Tipping used to be given after you received service, as gratitude for good service. Now, it's like you're expected to tip before you even get what you ordered. Also, there are self-checkout lines at stores asking for tips. SELF-CHECKOUT! WTF!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Self check out- you do the work and don’t get paid 😅

[@blakew5672]

The thing that bothers me even more than tips, are giant corporations asking if you’d like to donate to charity as you check out. The fact that Walmart, a multibillion dollar business, has the nerve to ask me for a donation THEY can then use to claim a tax write-off infuriates me.

[@roxtendo]

Yeah subscriptions are just cancer. I canceled so many and saved so much money now

[@thefunnells5503]

When you realise your monthly salary is just your company's subscription of you.

[@superfund42]

only pay for Prime if you want the media aspect of it or it's actually an emergency. shipping is still free if you hit $35 and are willing to wait a week to get it, plus almost every time it comes earlier than expected, usually on the day they tried to make me pay $6 for faster shipping.

[@deannamendoza232]

Completely agree about the holidays. The only ones my family and I celebrate are Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we stopped giving gifts on Christmas.

[@saramontemiglio1063]

We celebrate with food for holidays like Easter/Xmas ect. We only do gifts for under 16 for Xmas. I always saynif I have to buy you a gift to prove how much I love you then we have bigger problems.❤

[@blakew5672]

We do gifts at Christmas for the kids and that’s it. Otherwise it’s food and family time. Adults spending their own money to buy gifts for one another, that most of the time neither actually wants, is silly.

[@spencers-adventures]

Love the Nicole shoutout! She’s a huge inspiration to me and it’s great to see a fellow Canadian getting the nod

[@NicholasGarofola]

I’m a fan of your vids too! Canada has a top tier roster of KZbinrs (Peter McKinnon, Better Ideas, Etc). 🇨🇦

[@NothingHereForYou]

For me spotify has done alot for my music experience. Thats about the only one i cant live without.

[@MATIvmr]

Same here One sub I had for past 10 yrs

[@jadexx1]

Same, that's the only subscription I pay for

[@RandyVazquez]

Dude, I’m so proud how far you’ve grown as a channel! I remember watching every single video before subscribing, and it was the most satisfying sub I gave after catching up…that was at like 18k 😅 look at you now 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@NicholasGarofola]

I remember your comments back then thank you!!

[@Kyla94934]

I really enjoyed nicoles whole scam series, its great to know you watch her too

[@RhiannonT01]

As an Aussie, I've never understood the tipping culture of the US! It absolutely bewilders me that employees can't just be paid correctly. Super thankful that we don't have a 'required' tipping culture here, but I'm not looking forward to travelling to the US in the future and having to tip! Genuinely baffling to most people (I presume) who aren't American (or some EU countries too I think?)

[@NicholasGarofola]

I recall reading that tipping in included as a service fee in Australia, wish we had that here… and kangaroos

[@RhiannonT01]

@@NicholasGarofola correct! in some places there is a service fee, but not everywhere! we do have a surcharge for costs for some hospitality places, usually on weekends or holidays, which is honestly getting a bit out of control (i.e. some places will have a 15% surcharge on top of a meal!). Also, kangaroos are great! I see them somewhat regularly :)

[@rom7n]

that pause at the beginning before "lets get started" was awesome haha

[@AnklePanker]

I feel like another “scam” no one talks about are reward programs. I can’t really see the disadvantage of them per se, but for the most part you get pennies on the amount you actually paid. I feel like reward programs are just another way to advertise and keep people going to their business.

[@NicholasGarofola]

I think about that often, I suppose there are rare cases where a company may take a loss on rewards systems just to have you return to the store frequently

[@blakew5672]

It can be. It’s mainly a loyalty program. I’m a creature of habit, I almost always go to the same places. Gasoline is a necessity for me, apart from travel and vacation I always buy from the same place. It makes perfect sense to maximize that money spent with a reward program when it costs me nothing. Even if it requires its own card that’s still okay as it makes it easier to keep track of money spent on gasoline as that’s all the bill would be. I write off gasoline on my taxes so having the expenses in one place saves me time.

[@MrBrightside_199]

Nice. Keep rocking the flowy hair, frugal Jesus.

[@NicholasGarofola]

😂

[@veilgray9586]

It brings about some special joy when my favourite content creators mention each other in their content. You both are amazing!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks so much!!

[@DreadfulUtopia]

One thing I've been doing since quitting streaming services (besides piracy) is buying shows I want to watch on DVD or Blu Ray. Usually the only reason I'd consider signing up to something like Netflix is to watch a show that looks interesting to me. But if I can find that show on DVD on eBay for cheap, I usually just do that. And to ensure I maintain a minimalist space, I discard the cases and put the discs with their artwork into slimline sleeves which I then place into a shoebox. I don't "collect" either, I just curate stuff I really enjoy. I recently picked up the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy on DVD just because I wanted to watch those movies without signing up to Disney+ and I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable the experience was despite being in standard definition, and knowing I own that DVD and can watch it whenever I want is a really nice feeling. You'd be surprised how cheap movies go for in charity shops/ thrift stores these days. I'm never bored or lacking content to watch.

[@NicholasGarofola]

A realllllly good idea. Keeping all the discs in a single place sounds nice, and there are definitely a few shows I wouldn’t mind owning myself. Great tip!!

[@MRSancutzik]

Adding to the list: Poor quality products Prices that tell a different story Paying the bag that you did not want etc.

[@thelavenderlife]

I NEVER knew that Chipotle is worth 86 billion! I thought they were in the millions but never BILLIONS! WOW!

[@Jakub_Sobczyk]

Mi się zawsze raduje serduszko, jak dostaję powiadomienie z karty prepaid, że nie mam środków na opłacenie platform wideo. Jak pojawia się coś interesującego, to dopiero wtedy płacę. Przestałem też oglądać seriale, bo nic interesującego w nich nie ma. Dobre pojawiają się raz na rok, może dwa. Kompulsywne oglądanie seriali już na szczęście za mną, podobnie jak pionów. Jestem dzięki temu zdrowszy i szczęśliwszy. No i zostaje mi kasa w kieszeni.

[@namenlos4374]

What

[@hajnihercz]

I haven't visited the US yet, but hearing about the tipping system there sounds so crazy! Also, all here for the cat b-rolls 😻

[@NicholasGarofola]

Our tipping is completely broken. Thank you Hajni!!

[@jayjm649]

Hey, I just wanted to say how great your videos are. Sometimes days are rough and my stress and anxiety levels are through the roof but your videos help ground me and are a reminder that everything will be alright ☺Thank you, and keep up the great work!

[@NicholasGarofola]

I appreciate that thanks so much!!

[@ayrairl]

I love According to Nicole!!!! You two are my fave minimalists here on KZbin!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you!!

[@ph6561]

"pancake day" is Shrove Tuesday in the UK - a means of using up eggs etc. before Lent. Tho' I'm not convinced many people still realise that. PS I agree with many of your gripes.

[@Kyla94934]

Im in canada and can confirm tipping has gotten out of control here too. I still tip at restaurants and stuff but i avoid going places that ask for tips now.

[@amychen2504]

As a mother and wife, mother's day, father's day, and valentines day can all be axed. I'm so not a fan.

[@mjs4663]

For mother's Day this year all I asked for was some time with my kids. They are getting older and it's hard to find something we all enjoy. So that day they were extra nice to me, and in the evening we played videogames together on the Switch. It was the best mother's day I have ever had.

[@kathleensiemion5108]

I think nice homemade cards are a perfectly acceptable thing to give on a number of holidays and it's something I've been doing for a while now and would recommend. You get to have fun making something and someone else gets something that you have personally made and put effort into. ( There are many ways someone could go about making homemade cards but a side bonus for me is that I've gotten at least okay at calligraphy.)

[@NicholasGarofola]

An awesome idea!!

[@jacquelinemcgowan8164]

Mothers day , Fathers day if your kids don,t bother you feel so hurt, i hate that pressure so much ❤

[@summoner2100]

The issue with peoples thoughts aaround subscription services being worth it is that entertainment is a want, not a requirement or entitlement. To many people now think they are just entitled to be able to watch a show because it used to be broadcast. No, media is still a business. It still needs to make money. No one has to watch everything, nor is it possible in todays day and age to be able to watch everything going

[@BornBurmese]

Haircuts in the U.S. are a scam to me. I’ve learned to cut my own hair since a year ago

[@Johnnyhaag79]

I get a haircut in Indonesia for $3.50 usd and tip them 50 cents.. :)

[@NicholasGarofola]

Agreed, it’s a little out of hand

[@saramontemiglio1063]

I have been going once per yr for reshaping then follow that cut for the rest of the year. Cut my husband's for years, saves so much.

[@ninarigne2108]

Tipping is included here in Europe. Especially where I live in Sweden.

[@NicholasGarofola]

The Scandinavian countries do it right

[@aliciaannewoodward]

Totally agree...I would add McDonalds now asking me to round up every time I buy a soda that is double the cost of what it was a couple years ago. (I know, stop drinking the soda...I'm trying!)

[@NicholasGarofola]

Anything to shake you for a few more pennies 😅

[@reallygoodatfolding]

Just a librarian popping in to say that a library card will get you a whole bunch of subscription-type services for free 🤓

[@NicholasGarofola]

I should’ve brought that up!

[@Craig56No]

Yes, websites that generate scarcity anxiety: “Reserve now, only two rooms left at this price!” Or YT videos: “10 things you’re doing WRONG!” … “Don’t do this (and look like an idiot)!” Anything with exclamation marks!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Agreed, I think the capital and exclamation marks are corny in titles

[@o.0.o.0]

I 100 % agree

[@comedyman112]

honestly, here in eastern europe i usually tip between 5 and 10% LOL....when I do..

[@hayleae.450]

The face when drinking was the smell of a fresh crop dust. Love the video❤

[@NicholasGarofola]

A crop dust would have been better than the expired hummus 😅 Thank you Haylea!!

[@TraceB]

Asking for tips for things other than being waited on pisses me off. I bought a $35 candle from a local vendor at a farmers market recently & the iPad spun around & asked me for a tip. I don’t think so. The price includes materials & her time. I go in to Chipotle & wait in line now. I get a bigger portion than ordering on the app & I can see that they don’t spit in my food. No tip for you 🌯

[@NicholasGarofola]

The iPad spinning around, you already know you’re going to be asked for 20-30% 😅

[@TraceB]

@@NicholasGarofola Exactly! They can ask all they want 😂

[@alumshaman]

Some companies has so much aggressive marketing strategy and I leave their community at different social media. Even though they often release useful content for free. I can't use it without wishes buy it and regrets because i can't buy it. It is depressed and I hate their for that.

[@geovannyl.2801]

YES!! Bring back the carne asada!!

[@brielturija]

I kind of understand why subscription services are in this list; however, I don’t see them as a scam. If we’re not careful, they can balloon our expenses. What we do in our family is wait for the series or show to almost finish its season then we subscribe for a month or two then end the subscription. Then watch the rotational movies available there. Meanwhile there are those that are super cheap if paid annually (like hbo go in asia) so they can stay for the whole year. There others like KZbin and Amazon who also offer other freebies if you subscribe like their music services. So just learn to evaluate which streaming services you want to pay for in a particular month/s.

[@ns2953]

That's a really interesting video, NICHOLS ✌🏼😇❄️

[@NicholasGarofola]

Glad you think so!

[@hdtravel1]

You really should try breaking that Apple addiction and going with a light phone and e-ink tablet.

[@jackiechan8840]

Pancake day is just shrove Tuesday in UK

[@Martin_Edmondson]

Yeah, unless iHop has been around for a thousand years, I don't they started the tradition of celebrating the beginning of Lent.

[@arlinddedushaj8552]

I like this channel and its videos. I didn’t want to make a grand comment about it. He’s a good content creator 👍

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you soooo much!

[@vivuvlogs2809]

A literal gem of a channel Following since forever nik

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks so much!!

[@migu-loza]

Tipping - yeah, it has gotten ridiculous. Do I really have to tip when I pick up my order?

[@ncialone]

Hi! ...is it me or the audio isn´t 50/50 balanced? pls let me know!

[@igorgorbatschow]

It‘s you. Worked in my case well.

[@johnsmiley5387]

The problem with the tipping culture is it’s gotten out of hand. It used to be that you tipped weight staff because they were paid a minimum wage less than the state minimum wage. Now you have people making that minimum wage which in my state is $16 an hour, and then asking for a tip on top of that because they handed me a coffee, that’s a no go for me. They need to get a grasp on this and they should just make it like they do in Europe no tipping and just pay people a proper wage no matter what they’re doing.

[@phoebebiketravel]

I'm German and in my experience it is expected of you to tip here (ten percent), also in the Netherlands. I don't know what it is like in other European countries.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Agreed

[@blakew5672]

The whole, “they don’t tip in Europe” thing is a myth itself. Plenty of euro countries where it’s considered bad etiquette not to tip.

[@jensschmidt3506]

Subscriptions are a plague in todays digital world. They can sum up quite heavily and are difficult to control. If you want or need to live frugal you need to avoid them at all costs! Yes, there are some of which can be quite beneficial but most of them keep you addicted.

[@TheRealJackArthur]

The subtle grab of 1984... nice touch lol. Great vid man!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Good catch!!

[@oacuellar]

Here in Mexico is the same. Companies are paying lower salaries to their employees so they've to rely on tips more and more.

[@KaiTebay]

6:10 was genius. Great video!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks!

[@mcliffe26]

I still buy music (as physical media when possible) rather than streaming because it supports the artist better and you still have it when you cancel. We have a couple of media streaming services for TV, but really the bare minimum. And software that wants to charge me a monthly fee? No thanks! Thankfully tipping in most of the world is only 10%, much more reasonable, and very little emphasis on greetings card holidays here.

[@joseerazevedo]

Agree on everything. Subscription services are one of the most disgusting creations ever - quantity over quality. Instead of, say, $10 on what you want (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, book, whatever), you have to pay $15 every month to have access to what you want. A very "modern way" to buy without getting it,,, Your point on tips is also perfect. I extend it to company bonus also. You've a job, you're supposed to do it well. Why do you have to get an extra if you do it? Weird...

[@NicholasGarofola]

Agreed, ownership of media is being phased out

[@amymaude5798]

Kitty Kitty!!!! Thanks Nicholas!

[@salenarichardson2766]

⭐️ yes!

[@DAG_M]

Console subscriptions to play online games. This is the biggest scam of our century. Imagine if someone says you have to pay additional fee on steam to be able to play your games online. Sounds bizarre right? Whoever let this happen on consoles should be listed in history books as one of the most greedy humans ever.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Agreed, and it’s not going to change

[@litylu]

Ya it’s awful if I already paid $60 for a game I shouldn’t have to pay extra to play it! My workaround so far is I mostly just play the free games that don’t require Xbox live to play e.g. Halo.

[@DAG_M]

@@litylu Gamepass is a disgusie for that scam. Oh, yes. You need to pay some money for online services but we will give you some games you can play. Sounds cool? Now give me money.

[@gretaneelsen4747]

I agree, bring back the carne asada! :D

[@MATIvmr]

lol most places where I stay in UK have tip already accounted into a total bill

[@daryljohnson9010]

Accounting programs. They do not work as promised and cost more than hiring a bookkeeper to do them for you, even for a business doing $500,000 in annual revenues.

[@lins_vanessa]

this song at the beginning 😮

[@kallistoindrani5689]

The tipping system seems so weird to me (someone not living in the USA).

[@laurence-oliverbelow1267]

Speaking of tips: how can one tip you for your good videos? (I'm serious, the relaxation and support your videos have given me is worth far more than a coffee) Keep going, thanks for the effort!

[@NicholasGarofola]

I appreciate it!! You watching is plenty tip enough 😄

[@lauragomezllanos2916]

This current business model makes me what to go back to owning music, movies and tv shows.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Agreed.

[@donotdew]

"There are just too many ways to watch movies and shows online for free to pay for all these services" YO HO YO HO A PIRATES LIFE FOR ME

[@solidstate9451]

I love your hair!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you!!

[@kallistoindrani5689]

Nicole is great! 😊😊

[@havaqmusic]

I saw that Fractal case 😍

[@NicholasGarofola]

Yup! They were awesome enough to send it over

[@White_Wabbit]

Pancake day was in no way invented by a restaurant.

[@thouston53]

At least not by Waffle House...

[@Abhishek.ranjan]

In india tips are already added in bills in the form of govt Taxes 😅

[@emmabenfield874]

Really interesting video and a very cute cat😻

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you very much!

[@xoajade]

binge watching your videos and @accordingtonicole have been such peace and reassurance to my life.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you so much!! Means a lot.

[@ChrisDinGR]

One of my biggest spents that I cant resist is that sometimes I want to buy things and collect them and money that I spend on that kind of hobbies is way more than I would like to .. For example nowadays Im kinda into hot wheels and Im trying to avoid it but I want to buy more.. Any advice on that?

[@joycef5980]

Find how much social security you are going to receive every month (I will guess this is a ways off for you), and think about how far off you would be from being able to live on it. Other suggestions: try to organize them, look at how much space does your current collection occupy, how much have you spent so far and how likely you can resell them someday.

[@joycef5980]

Also do they go up in value?. If you are handy with carpentry possibly make a hanging "shadow box" for wall display so you can see how many cars you have at a glance and limit yourself to the number of cells in it (one per car), and keep only your favorites or limited editions if you have a way of finding out if they are going up in value. If you have kids/grandkids that Love playing with them you could give them some as gifts on occasion. If you really enjoy your collection then it can be worth it. The thing to keep in mind is balance so that you will have NO regrets when you have other/larger expenses.

[@garygregg1378]

Don't know if anyone else has commented, but after market auto "warranty" plans sound like they might draw your ire!

[@summoner2100]

still a good video though, that was just my thought point

[@voiddoctor]

HBO will always be king (GOT / HOTD / Sopranos)

[@NicholasGarofola]

@@voiddoctor Dude no question. Barry, Succession, White Lotus also, HBO S tier

[@itshaezel]

Omg holiday sales. 😂 they’re not even that huge of a “sale” to be honest.

[@MiKe_eKiM]

i see the fractal terra pc design case

[@BeaMinimalista]

The wink immediately made me press the like button 😂 (although I probably would have done it anyway 😉)

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you Bea 😂 and congrats on 5k!!

[@BeaMinimalista]

@@NicholasGarofola Thank you! 🥰

[@caseythoren8318]

Crop Dust - Complete

[@MinimalisTech]

Yeah dude, not gonna lie, I take the wife and kids out MUCH less up here in Canada due to the aggressive tipping expectation.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Dude the videos I’ve seen lately, Canada is scary expensive

[@wontbelongnow5567]

Don't give tips because you've just spent money with them and they should be great full for your custom .

[@mattwhittle9082]

Did you upgrade the watch to a GShock?

[@NicholasGarofola]

Actually have had this forever, just started to wear it again!

[@kna.living]

The overall look of this video is calming and easy on the eyes but the b-roll has taken my ears away from the narrative and instead has me trying to connect the shots to the audio. Except, from what I watched the shots don’t really connect, at the very least in the beginning. I’m literally just a person on the internet so I don’t mean harm or hate, I think more just a statement, really. Ultimately, the shots that are chosen for b-roll in this video are pretty but they don’t add to the narrative and so I couldn’t finish watching the video. :/

[@zuhibsparadoxzon]

2:55 „I'm not gonna say what what race, what people doctor…“

[@gabewally]

All of them.

[@X.C_]

Crispiest the like button. 🤣🤣🤣👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@miraclecookie16]

Is that a fractal terra pc case?

[@NicholasGarofola]

It is! They were nice enough to hook me up with it for my build.

[@miraclecookie16]

@@NicholasGarofola I like small cases, but they are expensive

[@HEYitsTRAV]

Good video! You’re starting to give Dave Grohl vibes with the longer hair.

[@NicholasGarofola]

I wish!

[@farisimadifik]

As minimalist, i think you should clean up your book cupboard behind you 🫢

[@PourMeOne]

I only have two, youtube premium and philo because it is $25/month. I started cutting my own hair 4 years ago.

[@MartinTabanag]

if you travel to australia. tipping is not allowed and they return it back to you. love the video! love the subscription part. let's just watch youtube instead 🤩

[@NicholasGarofola]

Glad to hear that, hope to make it down there one day

[@MartinTabanag]

@@NicholasGarofola love your videos man!!! And the lifestyle you’re sharing and inspiring

[@igorgorbatschow]

Agree with most of the things, just don‘t think that‘s it‘s fair to say that there are many options on the internet to watch movies for free. You also like when YT pays you something every month, right? 😉

[@NicholasGarofola]

I like it more if I made what film studios make 😂

[@radu_c]

Came for the minimalism, stayed for the cat

[@Pickle_Panther]

1:33 may I ask what watch you’re wearing here?

[@NicholasGarofola]

www.amazon.com/Casio-G-Shock-DW-9052-1CCG-Black-Military/dp/B00BIP75L8/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=1ART9V58VVPRS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FEFIrYi_6t6hbmiS2bJ-wAJljodaQfmJQBr-SzOtDFGFFVNFn8whAZZqvKjNMMOyGtC_py_XjTUsvFzXf8sfbU-d8OJFu44Ee0nu_TidDVbpMv3u3UcDAsRprvJNLWW3-9tiYoqVhBWX9AvbNe1we5-arn_woDhqmPrIlN59J3_YH1nRR7iN10gaxhLxE3QRTTMutimTvK7zCOD4uvhWrD1rIMWncjlycY-u6Uu5XgX4xtGUGw42mtDb-clWzEmeyfdqrGfIPNYK8_g14THqgCAHfJ3QSzsSuuHq2RQX-U8.MQ_Z2FASWoZMsf8Oau-vnFo-_DsNABzG74UHVhok95A&dib_tag=se&keywords=g+shock&qid=1716943158&sprefix=g+shock%2Cwatches%2C152&sr=8-6

[@Pickle_Panther]

@@NicholasGarofola appreciate you! 🙏

[@AccordingtoNicole]

🫶🏼

[@qwertyqwert2772]

thats weird you sound so similar to nicole

[@WilliamCoxGM]

One love the video and two you look like a skinny Nicolas Cage.

[@NicholasGarofola]

😂

[@user-ml4oj9fx2b]

Scam five 8 min video to add mid rolls.

[@diamondnights]

Great video, thanks

[@NicholasGarofola]

Glad you liked it!