17 Things Cheap People Refuse to Spend Money On

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By Darryl Henderson

Being cheap often means sacrificing quality or experience to save a few bucks. However, cheapness shouldn’t be confused with frugality, which focuses on smart spending and saving. Here are 17 things that cheap people often refuse to spend money on, even when it might be worth it.

Branded Products

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Many cheap people avoid purchasing branded products, believing the extra cost is just for the name. Instead, they opt for generic or store-brand items, even if there’s a noticeable difference in quality or performance. Sometimes, this is justified, but often, it’s just unnecessary.

Quality Clothing

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According to Ford la Femme, high-quality clothes are more comfortable, more durable, fit you better, and are more cost-effective. Despite this fact, cheap people tend to avoid spending money on high-quality clothing, choosing instead to buy cheaper, less durable options. Ironically, their spending likely works out higher in the long run! 

Professional Services

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Hiring a professional for tasks like plumbing, electrical work, or legal advice can be costly, but it’s necessary to get the job done properly. However, cheap people still opt to do it themselves, regardless of their skill level, risking larger issues or even safety concerns in the process.

Eating Out

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To save money, cheap people typically avoid eating out, choosing to eat at home or bring their own food wherever they go. While this can be a great way to save money, it also means missing out on enjoyable social experiences and new food. Finding a balance is the best choice!

Healthcare

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Believe it or not, some cheap people avoid spending money on health check-ups, dental visits, or preventive care! Healthline advises people to have checkups every three years if they’re under 50 and once a year when they’re over 50, but you’d be lucky to see a cheap person getting a check-up within a decade!

Nice Gifts

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When it comes to giving gifts, cheap people might opt for inexpensive or even homemade items rather than spending money on something more elaborate. While personal handmade gifts can be thoughtful, they can also come across as stingy or lacking effort if not executed well.

Home Maintenance

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Regular home maintenance can prevent large, costly issues, but they’re kind of necessary if you want to protect the value of your property. Regardless, cheap people tend to ignore small repairs or upkeep to save money, potentially leading to more expensive problems in the future.

Paid Entertainment

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Entertainment can be undeniably costly, such as movie tickets, concerts, or theme park visits. Some individuals tend to avoid these expenses completely, choosing free or low-cost activities instead, which can sometimes limit social and cultural experiences. It’s not very fair on their kids, either!

Monthly Subscriptions

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Cheap people will often avoid paying for subscriptions, whether for streaming services, magazines, or gym memberships. This can mean missing out on popular content, educational resources, or opportunities for personal growth and fitness, although to combat this, some cheap people ‘piggyback’ on others’ accounts! That’s just cheeky.

Transportation

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Instead of owning a car or paying for public transportation, cheap people might opt for walking or biking, even in inconvenient or uncomfortable situations. While this can be a healthy choice, it can also limit mobility and flexibility and, in some cases, can even be dangerous!

Vacations

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Many people cheap out on travel and vacations, avoiding the costs associated with flights, hotels, and activities, which leads to fewer opportunities for relaxation and adventure. Allina Health claims that taking a vacation every two years improves mental and physical health, so these people are doing themselves a disservice!

Latest Technology 

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Some cheapskates are reluctant to spend money on the latest technology, sticking with older devices even when they become outdated or inefficient. This will slowly lead to frustration with slow or malfunctioning devices, yet they’ll suffer in silence instead of fixing the issue!

Insurance

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Insurance can be an important safeguard against unexpected events, but cheap people may avoid paying for it. Health insurance, car insurance, and homeowner’s insurance are all very important, yet these people will still accept the significant financial risks of not purchasing it! That’s just irresponsible.

Education and Training

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Investing in education and training is always beneficial for career growth and personal development. Despite this, cheap people might skip these opportunities to save money, potentially limiting their career prospects and skills. Once again, they’re doing themselves a great disservice here!

High-Quality Food

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Cheap people always choose the cheapest food options, compromising on quality and nutrition. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health explains that high-quality foods include unrefined, unprocessed foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and healthy protein sources, none of which cheap people are willing to pay for. That’s concerning!

Donations

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Supporting charities and giving to those in need is often a low priority for cheap people. They might avoid donating their money or time altogether, missing out on the positive impact and sense of fulfillment that comes from helping others. That’s just sad. 

Home Comforts

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Lastly, cheap people may avoid spending money on things that enhance home comforts, such as heating, air conditioning, or quality furniture. While this might save money in the short term, it can lead to an uncomfortable living environment and lower quality of life, which they’ll almost always regret when they’re older.

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