These 20 Frugal Habits Aren't Worth It

Gabrielle OlyaSat, February 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC

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Whether you’re saving up for that big purchase, spending less to pay off debt or just frugal by nature, there are plenty of ways to save money. However, some money-saving measures are just not worth it.

If you’re looking to save money, these are the 20 worst ways to do it — so think twice before trying any of these methods.

1. Skipping Your Annual Physical

Preventive healthcare is often completely covered by your insurance, but even if not, a co-pay is a small price for ensuring your health is on track. Otherwise, you might develop serious health issues that will be more expensive to treat in the long run.

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2. Skipping Your Routine Oil Change

How often you need to get an oil change will depend on your car and the type of oil you use, but cars that use modern lubricants typically need an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, according to AAA. Skipping this routine service can lead to the need for more costly car repairs down the line.

3. Running Your Sneakers Into the Ground

Yes, running shoes are expensive, but keeping yours too long can lead to injuries. “A new shoe is always cheaper than a doctor’s visit,” podiatrist and athletic trainer Lisa Schoene told SELF.

4. Not Contributing to Your 401(k)

It can be painful to part with any percentage of your paycheck, but not contributing to your 401(k) now hurts your future self. This is an especially bad move if your company offers an employer match — by not contributing, you’re leaving free money on the table.

5. Opting Out of Health Insurance

You might not think you need health insurance if you’re in good health, but you’ll regret skipping out on the monthly payment if you get hit with an extremely high medical bill in the case of an unexpected health event.

6. Giving Up Your Latte

There’s a lot of financial advice out there that advocates for giving up your daily latte to save money, but if your Starbucks run truly gives you joy, it’s OK to keep this indulgence. After all, it’s just a few bucks and there are other, more efficient ways to save money.

7. DIYing a Major Home Repair

You can probably handle giving your wall a fresh coat of paint or installing a shelf, but major home repairs — especially those that involve plumbing or electricity — should be left to the professionals. Attempting to do these repairs yourself could, in the worst cases, lead to your home flooding or catching fire.

8. Flying a Budget Airline

You might save on the upfront ticket cost, but budget airlines tend to nickel-and-dime you for things that would be included in a standard airline ticket, like having an assigned seat or being able to stow a carry-on bag. In the end, you could end up paying more once these extra costs are added in.

9. Eating Fast Food

Ordering off the dollar menu can be tempting when you’re trying to save money, but making fast food a major part of your diet can affect your health in ways that become costly to treat.

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The long-term health risks that can come with eating a poor quality diet of junk food include a higher risk of digestive issues, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression and early death, according to The Washington Post.

10. Not Going to the Dentist

Most people hate going to the dentist, but skipping your six-month cleaning is a bad way to save money. This could lead to dental issues going unchecked, which can necessitate expensive dental work down the line.

11. Not Having Car Insurance

Not all states require auto insurance, but it’s always a good idea to have it. Otherwise, you could personally be on the hook for repairs or medical expenses if you hit another car or injure someone.

12. Buying Perishable Items in Bulk

If you buy something in bulk and end up throwing a lot of it away because it expired, you’re not really getting a deal. Only buy bulk what you know you will use, or stick to only buying nonperishable items in bulk to be safe.

13. Buying Everything at the Dollar Store

A dollar store is a great place to find deals, but for some items — like sunscreen, power strips and meat — quality really does matter, and you’re better off paying more.

14. Buying Knockoffs

Some expensive items really are worth the cost. For example, spending $900 for a name-brand tablet might seem like a lot, especially when you can find a knockoff for much less. However, this cheaper tablet might not work as well or break easily. If it doesn’t work, you just wasted hundreds of dollars when you could have invested in a quality product instead.

15. Buying a Cheap Mattress

Sleep has a number of health benefits, so it’s important to invest in a mattress that can provide you with a restful night. Cheap mattresses leave owners less satisfied and have a shorter lifespan than mid-priced and high-priced mattresses, mattress review site Sleep Like the Dead found.

16. Not Leaving a Tip

Many service industry professionals rely on gratuity to get by. Not leaving tips for your server, bartender, hairdresser or other service worker is truly a terrible way to save money.

17. Hand Washing All Your Laundry

You might save a few bucks on your electric bill by forgoing the washer and dryer, but washing everything by hand is far less efficient. Time is money, after all.

18. Skimping on Luggage

Travel is stressful enough without worrying about your luggage falling apart when rushing through the airport. Opt for quality luggage that costs more for extra peace of mind.

19. Always Saying ‘No’ to Plans

Attending every wedding, party, dinner and social event can be costly, and it’s definitely OK to say “no” to save money. But when you find that you’re barely leaving the house in an attempt to not spend, you’ve probably taken it too far.

20. Never Giving Money to Others

Numerous studies have shown that giving makes you happy. Whether you give the barista $5 to cover the next customer’s coffee order or donate to a cause you are passionate about, the emotional reward you get from giving is certainly worth more than the money you give.

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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Source: “AOL Money”