How to Buy Expensive Products, But Still Be Frugal

[@juliescheidler7763]

Of course you can buy nice or luxury items and still be frugal. That's why we're frugal so we can spend money on certain things that's super important to us.

[@kerryjames6312]

Exactly

[@UndertheMedian]

Yes! Exactly!

[@Maililnajul]

Quality is worth the wait. When we got married furniture was our only conflict. We had different styles and I was willing to have less to have one high quality item. So we opted for the heavy glass coffee table we have now instead of the cheap three piece set. Then we ate on that table for over a year until we bought the wood dinette we still have instead of the metal one. And we used suitcases for drawers so we could buy a solid wood bedroom suite. By the then my husband was in agreement with quality purchases we save for. 50 plus years later those pieces are still beautiful and in use. And learning to save and pay cash for almost everything has made us have the money for wants such as travel in our old age.

[@SassySue67]

Years ago I almost walked away from purchasing a new car because I insisted on a full size spare tire. The salesman said to me “ you’re going to walk away over a tire to which I said you’re going to lose a sale over a tire. Guess who won that argument - I did got the car I wanted at the price I wanted with the extra full size spare.

[@wendy-zarate]

It astonishes me that someone would lose a sale/commission on something that is not worth it. Either you get the spare or a discount so you can buy a spare. With that attitude makes me wonder how many sales have been lost!

[@beckyshell4649]

To me frugal means getting the most for my money.I eat out occasionally, I eat out when the restraurt does it better than I do.When I eat out it is a treat not a mediocre everyday thing.I buy clearance at the end of the season and shop thrift stores.Having money for emergencies turns a crisis into an inconvince.

[@maryallen1017]

I found Valentine Candy 3 weeks after the holiday for 75% off. I bought 6 bags of jelly red hearts for .50 cents a bag. ❤️ Regular price $2 each. I had a $3 store coupon and got them all for free. The date on the bags said good till Feb 21 2024. Grandkids love them! I love walking out of a store with items that didn't even cost a penny.

[@jenw2924]

I buy candy after the holidays for the next year, especially for my kids' classroom treats! I'm stocked up for fall and Christmas this year, and Valentine's Day next year 😊

[@Chelle-kd1po]

I use cheaper coffee during the week & enjoy the higher quality coffee on the weekends. You can add pumpkin pie (or other) spices to your coffee grounds. Also, I invested in a frother & will mix a small amount of real pumpkin, spices, & vanilla bean paste into the cream or milk for a different flavor.

[@truthseeker6370]

I don't buy much at all, but when I do, I try to buy high quality at a great price. Ex: I bought some nice flannel sheets from an outdoor outfitter last year for 60% off. I Love them! I don't need several sets. I just wash and remake the bed with them during the cold winter months.

[@pheart2381]

And you can probably use the fabric for something else when they are done being bedsheets!

[@faithrada]

For years my hubby would say " I NEED" this or that... and I would correct him... saying You WANT it... you don't NEED it. Words have incredible power. So be careful. It's OK to WANT things... just make sure you LABEL correctly... otherwise you might actually fool yourself into buying things you truly do not NEED.

[@MsArri81]

Definitely! We just bought a brand-new high quality Dyson vacuum for $300 to replace our old one which didn't have the pet hair detangler feature on the brush. Our old Dyson still works so my husband cleaned it up and changed the air filter and it is going to sell it despite it being over 15 years old. We also purchased a new hybrid car in 2020 before the automobile shortage hit. It is a Toyota Prius but my husband had been researching for almost a year and got the best deal at a Toyota dealership 2 hours away! We also traded in our old Honda Accord for another discount from the new car. Edited to add that we paid for the car in Cash! No car loans! So we are frugal but we are definitely not deprived.

[@wandabigelow9692]

My son starts saving for their next car when they purchase a car. They have paid cash for all their cars. They've saved a lot of money on interest.

[@botialoach1]

I am a frugal person research my expensive purchases, however I believe that “timing is everything” the challenge for me is to buy something at the right time sometimes the item is gone if I wait or end up buying an item I do not really need or use a lot, you have to find a balance and that comes with experience.

[@Chnacatsnflr]

At my stage of life my material needs are very few. I do like to save for experiences instead; I do an international trip about once a year. I research the options and cheaper times to travel, always go with a companion to share costs, usually work with a travel agent who helps with price comparison. For me, exploring the world and making memories are more meaningful than anything I can buy.

[@lynnoorman2144]

It is also about taking the time to really enjoy your luxury items. I always sit down, take a slow breath and inhale the wonderful aroma of my once a day coffee. It is from a small coffee roaster here in UK. It is not the cheapest but in my own small way I am supporting a local business - which also makes me happy!

[@golt4576]

The misconception is huge between frugal and financial poverty. Keep up the great videos.

[@darleneblakely7726]

We buy good quality goods. Our sofa was covered in our fabric choice and a great manufacturer. That sofa is over 20 yrs old. We are now thinking of getting a new one.

[@TheLongRunwithJoelandChristy]

Great videos, guys. I agree frugal doesn’t mean deprivation, it means well thought out decisions. Oh and just something that I have found helpful when purchasing cars, is to check websites like cargurus. It will show fluctuations in a car’s price. That way, you can tell if the dealerships raised the price right before a holiday sale and then marked it down to make it look like a great deal.

[@dawnnavarra3286]

We take the Kroger premium flavor coffee and mix it. We do three scoops decaf with one scoop of the premium. Before making the switch to decaf we did 3 scoops Aldi coffee with one scoop flavored coffee. It’s really good. It goes you the premium flavor while still stretching it a little. I find the flavored coffees to sometimes have a funky taste without cutting them a bit.

[@katherinerichardson1767]

Yes, I agree that quality is the best way to go because it is the best way to be frugal.

[@zenabraithwaite1934]

Yes we bought a better quality more expensive washer dryer when we moved house. We also needed a cooker, fridge and freezer and got a family members discount card for a reduction and negotiated free delivery. We like holidays and nice meals out so we rarely have takeaways. We do like fairly high end food (organic), but I try to save where I can and like you I buy coffee in a Christmas wrapper when reduced after Xmas etc.

[@patmartin9727]

I feel it’s being frugal that allows me to buy more expensive better quality products. I buy the best I can at the best price I can then I look after and maintain these things. Buy cheap and I buy twice. Be prepared to wait for the item you want at the right price. I never rush into buying anything even day to day items.

[@s.torres242]

We decided to buy a new car using cash and couldn't find anything for the amount we wanted to spend. One of the salesmen wanted to sell us one 3,000 more that we had...it was later in the evening and towards the end of the month. We told him we weren't in a hurry and would come back in a week or two... interestingly they came down to our price stating it was the end of the month and they needed to meet a monthly quota. You just never know

[@patbethea111]

I love the excitement and joy when y'all talk about frugal living 🤗

[@terryhenderson424]

Frugal people tend to be budgeters, money savers, and often in the look for a deal; they tend to not be pure impulse buyers and have patience. They also tend to keep and use things until they die a death beyond a paperclip fix which means they spend less on "stuff" over a life time. And often they are somewhat flexible and adaptable. This lets them buy, use, and store things for re-use with a lower cost per use. For example, the last cat we had ate dry food from a better quality, cut lead crystal candy bowl because as I traversed the thrift store looking for a better solution the plastic cat bowl was $3.99 and the lead crystal one was $.99 on clearance; aesthetically much nicer, washed and cleaned better, and it didn't break when kicked nor when dropped. From the used market, we have had luxury and what was originally very expensive in our house and kitchen furnishings. Luxury doesn't even have to cost much as long as you give yourself permission to own some and keep your eye out.

[@Mahomesfan615]

For coffee-Aldi organic is less that $5 a box and I love it.

[@agemoth]

I mostly live super cheap but sometimes I'll splash out on something if it is worth it ,eg I bought an Oxo Good Grips hand held can opener for 12 pounds because of the rave reviews and ease of use , I certainly never regretted that! Also one Christmas I bought myself and a friend some gorgeous vintage American embroidered festive cardigans for 30 each because they just don't make them so nice here over in the UK. Never regretted that either ! 😎

[@anntaft7808]

To avoid impulse buying I place items on a waiting list. If they survive on the list, I may look to find them second hand or reconditioned first. Some things are worth paying the full price, some are not. The decision is up to you!

[@terryhenderson424]

We have purchased a lot of higher quality and specialized items second hand, refurbished, and from scratch-n-dent places over the years. We did buy one stove that was to fit into cabinetry that had a most visible scratch diagonally across most of one of the sides. The scratch did go to the metal in places but there was no dent. It was ugly, going to be hidden where we were going to use it, nicer than what we had been looking for, and less cost than what we had been looking for. We didn't even go to the cost for some touch up paint, we did a swish or two along the scratch of the remainder of some automotive paint designed for motors then stashed the even worse looking side of that stove into the cabinetry.

[@thestraightupguide]

I prefer to pay for quality so I don't have to replace something constantly. My backpack has survived mistreatment and overstuffing since 2014. My short winter coat from the same order, warm enough that I've taken it off in 30f because I was TOO warm, still looks nearly new. Choosing a pricey sports brand meant only buying these things once almost a decade ago!

[@terrylynn9984]

I bought a 60 dollar wintercoat from Canadian tire here in Canada, off brand and its the warmest thing ever, I have had it almost 6 years now, I found a good quality winter coat at a thrift store for 13 bucks equally warm. It's not so much the brand name but how one takes care of what they own.

[@anntaft7808]

Price differences with different stores is getting much larger than in the past! I shop several sites on line and compare them. Sometimes I find items 50% less at one store compared to another. There are huge differences in pet food! Be sure to compare.

[@loribruning6217]

I prefer value verses luxury and decide where you apply luxury. Two things I historically went first class on is childcare and good shoes. I may have used cloth diapers and sewed my own uniforms as a nurse. Another thing I’ve always followed is if I don’t have enough money to give a full/ generous tip then I don’t have enough money to eat out. So, I don’t eat out much and I’m fine with that!

[@ybois3]

Good policy ! I do that also

[@lynnkahn7145]

Frugal living is what our grandparents called LIVING,. (they paid off houses, took vacations, and retired well.)

[@wyldlibrarian3549]

I feel that the quality is very important - no point in buying that $10 iron that lasts 8 months and you have to replace when the $40 one will last for 30 years or more !

[@joycegonzales4994]

I only have my Jamaican blue mountain coffee on Sunday morning

[@ybois3]

That’s a delightful brand 🤗

[@pheart2381]

Me and my new Victorian cameo brooch enjoyed this. I did discover some unspent notes which I transfered to my household purse which offsets what I spent. So the books got balanced!

[@valkelly3054]

FYI the dollar store sells coffee. And my husband says it’s pretty good. I gave up coffee years ago, I’m caffeine sensitive I get severe migraines.

[@saraibucciarelli1821]

So cute you think we'd give up coffee. LOL.

[@yellownightjar]

Luv the way u stated if u did research it wasn’t a waste as u decided u didn’t need it. Perfect example is I thought I need off grid oven but I already have a can pot that cooks & bakes

[@davidpotter9462]

I've had the wind generator up for three days, and it has been windy here. It's helping my solar panels on these cloudy days.

[@margiesoapyhairbillian4754]

Or ask for an item on Buy nothing. Many times people will give something away easily! They are super happy!!

[@RhondaLorch]

Lol - try cutting coffee out cold turkey and then tell me if it’s a need or a desire😅😂🇨🇦

[@UndertheMedian]

LOL! Point taken.

[@shikha5246]

Something I do is I treat eating out as a luxury. Saturdays and Sundays are my doordashing days so I take out 20$ on Saturday (10$ cash for stocking up on any groceries at dollar store and 10$ for eating out that day). Sunday I take out 10$ for eating out and Tuesdays my prop 22 pay I take out only 10$ in cash for boba. I also have a w2 job so in regards to that paycheck I have autosave feature on for every first of the month..same day I pay rent…I pay myself as well. 😊. Also it’s important to remember eating out can be unhealthy but at home when you cook, eat healthy!! This way eating out is cheap and you only indulge on groceries more often. Sometimes that grocery bill can change every week.

[@alissonvonderlane862]

When I buy a 'luxury' item, I write down the time I start using it and it's price. I go back when it's no good anymore and calculate the price per year or months of use. That way I see what's worth spending more and what isn't. With 'expensive' consumables I write the date of purchase on the container.

[@mizzmiami3242]

What have you found to be worth spending more money on?

[@deborahwarren5856]

You both are awesome thanks for all your help and ideas.

[@lindadenneypu6315]

When u said about cutting out my coffee I had a full braveheart moment u can't take away my coffe

[@UndertheMedian]

LOL!

[@shirleydenton4747]

Just glad eggs went up instead of coffee, because I cannot give up my coffee. I mix cheaper Kroger Colombian coffee with my McCafe, and it is great. Want to try Larry’s Yuban.

[@terrylynn9984]

Eggs are cheaper in Canada, and your grocery store prices just as high where 4 years ago, last time I was over there it was cheap....sticker shock for me

[@downtoearth1950]

Our last 5 vehicles were cash purchases with a good discount for cash on every one. Yes we are frugal on manythings

[@janeonthecoast4920]

I like quality cheese from local artisan shop/ good shoes/ linen and wool garments. Frugal shopping all year allows me to do that.

[@libbysworld7649]

Larry, I love your coffee mug! Great video and I love that you did this video!

[@richardschmidt2430]

Nice job, guys! I'm with you on the coffee thing....will reduce volume to make it last longer but still want good quality. 1 cup a day? Well, not yet...but willing to do that if necessary! :) Blessings, Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)

[@terrylynn9984]

I am frugal and I admit to being cheap lol, my motto is No shame in my El Cheapo game. I love brand name but only buy it at the thrift store. We just came back from a 3 day trip to the states from Canada, to see a hockey game in Columbus Ohio and in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Boy things are more expensive in the states now and I had sticker shock in the grocery stores over there. By being frugal, we saved money for this trip, could stay in decent hotels right next to each arena, first trip over in 4 years due to covid and we had a blast. We saved money as well, the Drury Inn provided free buffet supper and breakfast. We left later so we ate lunch at home prior to leaving where we live in Ontario. We stopped in at Meijer to pick up breakfast for Monday some muffins and enjoyed coffee from our keurig right in the hotel room . So we paid for 3 meals, 2 lunches at fast food places, and one supper at the arena since the game started at 4 pm, that's it. No tips either because we didn't go to a dine in restaurant. We got in late yesterday, however I threw together a meal last night from some pre made meal I kept in the deep freeze. When one travels one must be smart. We stayed under the 2500 dollar budget my husband designated for the weekend, this includes cost of gas etc. I think we did well. It's our major trip this year, summer is cheap camping for a few days at a provincial park in the county we live in.

[@Teresa-ch3og]

Had a similar experience with coffee. Aldi had holiday coffee flavors on sale. The flavors were Christmas oriented. Mocha mint and Gingerbread. They were really good.

[@thestraightupguide]

Oh, and there's a line from one of my favourite plays which says, "You're not needing it, you're wanting it, and you'll do a whole lot of wanting before you're dead."

[@agemoth]

There is a Bible verse that says 'The spirit that God has placed in us is filled with fierce desires.'

[@ksewald91]

I buy good shoes, nothing outrageous, but with foot problems and rx shoe inserts it is money well spent. If my feet hurt I really effects my ability to do much.

[@kmichaelle]

What does a cup o coffee look like in the Ware house? I love cafe bustelllo with Oatly full fat oat milk

[@sylviachacon4152]

You guys are AWESOME! Thx you!

[@letitbesaid8888]

Super!

[@jonnaborosky8836]

Another good time to buy a car is at the tail end of a holiday sale. In the late afternoon of a Memorial Day weekend sale, I got a remarkably good deal on a car...1/3 the asking price! I think it was because they'd already met their quota for sales and were just trying to finish out the few hours of weekend left. I don't know that for sure, but that was my impression. I've never found a deal that good again....but I certainly do try to haggle for it!😁 Now that I'm retired and on a low, fixed income, I have to rely a LOT more on God's provision. I can't see a way I'll ever be able to buy another car at this point. I do save up, but when you can only put aside $10 a month toward it, it'll take probably more years than I have left! But God provides. We'll see what happens. My current car is 17 years old, but it only has 91,000 miles on it. It's the only car I ever bought new in my life...and I love it. I just need it to last long enough for me to get another car.

[@Coco_Welly]

Love your work, keep being awesome 👌

[@genxx2724]

I constantly research products or courses of action, and then decide not to proceed. It’s an informed decision to do nothing.

[@iotnetwork8091]

Hello Do you do morgage lifter tomatoes Can you tell me where to get plants?

[@patbethea111]

I like envelope cash stuffing

[@lavondakrout2848]

I would emphasize quality...I don't mind working and saving towards better. Luxury always seems like something frivolous that I might yearn for, but do not need.

[@leticiaurbach1720]

Thankyou.I really enjoy your videos.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Hi. I'll listen in.

[@sapphireblue7975]

In the future can you let us know the major sales cycles for consumer goods? Thank you!

[@patbethea111]

I've seen Dollar tree store has a lot of name brand items that I buy in other stores for more money.

[@ygbgforever]

I like to use an Aeropress to make coffee, I only need about 19 grams per cup and it makes a single cup

[@terryhenderson424]

Uggg...We are discovering that even kitchen appliances have seasons now too. We are currently looking for a specific make and model of waffle maker. We always knew that for many items there was more in-store availability and variety for a number of small, kitchen appliances at Christmas time; well not just the smallest of them too. In our search 'cause we would like to see the item to make sure before buying, we let out fingers do the walking by calling probably a dozen places, we were told by 2 of them that this is not waffle maker season. Ultimately, we are going to have to buy on line and hope its still in stock where we chose.

[@karimagiannakakis5061]

Yes I agree with you guys after I watched the video thanks 😊 👍👍🙏⚘💜

[@sulli4675]

What film is in the projector? Thanks for the tips.

[@CarolWhitten1]

Through your research, what is your qualified opinion for a mac laptop. I have considered this for a long time and can decide of it is worth it.

[@agemoth]

You can always considering a refurbished deal ! They sell refurbished laptops on Amazon AND Ebay ! I bought a Lenovo (Windows) laptop for 50 pounds from ebay ,all I needed to do was replace the battery which was inexpensive and easy. Many refurbished laptops or desktop computers don't even have battery issues and the only thing might be minor wear and tear signs but that's down to you to decide how important that is !

[@debbieswanson780]

I am afraid to put my credit card on various websites that is why I only use Amazon. Do you have advice for me?

[@kerryjames6312]

Add chicory to coffee

[@ybois3]

I’m surprised no one made that comment . I’m from the south , USA and it’s a great healthy way to stretch a quality coffee!! Cheers everyone !! ☕️🌿🙂

[@robertadunaway7030]

I don't understand how some people shop for example coffee "oh I'm almost down to the end of this can so I need to pick two up at $10 this week" when I bought 5 last week when they were on sale for $5.99.

[@patbethea111]

I use instant coffee it's cheaper than using a coffee pot

[@terrylynn9984]

I love my keurig k cups, which are expensive, I offset it with instant coffee so I don't use as much. Instant coffee is cheaper

[@lynnbrown9164]

I have to buy a new central air conditioning unit for our house. We have a Lennox from 2001 and have been happy with it. I got an estimate for $6100 which I thought was about right because we needed a new furnace a couple of years ago and we were quoted for the two but I really didn't want to put the money out for both at the same time and we needed the heater more than the air conditioner. I am going to get a couple more estimates and then probably make a decision. Any suggestions appreciated!

[@KC-dr3cg]

Are you certain that you need central instead of a floor air conditioner that you can use by directing the hot air hose out of a small window opening..if you can't put in a bigger window because of your window design. The floor model air conditioners are expensive usually around 250 to $300 but that might be more frugal instead of central air

[@faithrada]

​@@KC-dr3cg excellent point. We found we did not NEED a whole house AC. Our friends had a really nice Role-Around unit that vents out the window. We thought we'd give it a try.. and it has been wonderful for us. Saved TONS of money... does the job.

[@terrylynn9984]

​@K C well if this person lives in humid conditions during the summer months like we do here in Windsor, Ontario Canada, across from Detroit MI, definitely central air is a requirement. In areas of High summer humidity it makes it hard to breathe, i have a heart condition. Definitely worth the expense to be comfortable when it's 90 degrees out Farenheit yet with the humidity it feels like 100 plus degrees outside.

[@wendy-zarate]

Frugal people can enjoy nice items because they know that item will last them a long time compared to cheap people who buy lower quality because it's cheap. They are very different.

[@iotnetwork8091]

What coffee was that you like?

[@kerryjames6312]

Never giving coffee up completely down to one coffee perday

[@mysteryreader1]

I drink expensive tea. I look for 25 percent off sale and stock up

[@patbethea111]

Frugal,, missed spelled 🤗

[@karilods1593]

Amazon is normally the most expensive in my experience.

[@judymorgan289]

Me too ❤😅

[@lc91902]

👏👍

[@idowanna837]

Be frugal, NOT cheap

[@verreal]

Frugal means buying higher quality, more durable products, which can be expensive. Cheap products die quickly. It means not wasting when there's still use in something. It also means spending so little on unnecessary stuff that you may appear cheap at times, so it can be misleading. Frugal and cheap aren't the same, but for some people they have to be frugal. For those who can afford it, it's a choice.

[@UnadornedInIndiana]

A used car and coffee are hardly luxuries. Fun video to watch and good advice, but a high quality item isn't really the same as a luxury item. My guess is you two pass on actual luxury items so decent coffee seems like a luxury.

[@kerryjames6312]

My 26 year old thinks frugality is cheap lol wring