15 Things Frugal People Never Do

15 unbelievably common, wealth-destroying pitfalls to avoid at all costs.

I started my personal finance journey a little over two years ago when leaving a toxic job forced me to redefine who I am and what I value. But in order to get there, I had to break up with emotional spending, step off the hedonic treadmill, and learn from others what it meant to live an abundant life far below my means. Before long, a pattern emerged among those whose books, podcasts, and in-person advice I’d consumed so regularly.

The key to frugal living didn’t lie so much in perfect self-restraint but rather consistent practice of a shockingly similar set of habits.

In other words, frugal living doesn’t need to be intimidating. Instead of trying to pinch every penny right away, focus on avoiding the following pitfalls.

Pitfall #1: Forget to budget

Without a budget that you refer back to at each purchase, knowing where your hard earned money goes is next to impossible. Further, not having a budget robs you of the opportunity to improve your finances in near real time. Over the past year, regular budgeting has allowed me to save an extra $400 each month over and above my 65% savings rate.

Pitfall #2: Buy lunch