7 Habits of Highly Frugal People

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This post by Debra K. Karplus, MS, OTR/L comes from partner site The Dollar Stretcher

“The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Dr. Stephen Covey was first published in 1989 and has sold more than 15 million books since then, in 38 languages. Covey has since co-authored similar books targeted to highly effective teens, families, and marriages. His writing is positive and inspiring.

In one of his most recent books, Dr. Covey states, “If you want to make minor, incremental changes and improvements, work on practices, behavior or attitude. But if you want to make significant, quantum improvement, work on paradigms.” Perhaps Dr. Covey would like to write about habits of highly frugal people. Here are some suggestions, Dr. Covey.

1. Frugal people save dollars by saving pennies.

Frugal people know that frugality applies to big and small issues. Frugal people are able to enjoy a $10 restaurant lunch occasionally, but know a daily routine of that same lunch amounts to nearly $4,000 a year. They organize potlucks instead of meals out. They do simple, small things like use a tea bag more than once, empty and re-use a vacuum cleaner bag, and clip coupons to save a buck on a jar of peanut butter. However, they also save in much larger ways like trading in their minivan or SUV (sport utility vehicle) for a more economical vehicle.

2. Frugal people are deliberate about making decisions.

Frugal people have a good sense of perspective and are able to see the big picture; they don’t always choose the cheaper option simply because it appears less expensive. They take their time and explore many options before making a decision. They plan and are generally well organized. Frugal people typically don’t seek immediate gratification. And, they try to go green whenever possible.


Frugal people organize their errands for optimal efficiency. They place value on their time; they know how to recognize when saving money just isn’t worth the time. They know better than to drive across town to save a quarter on a gallon of milk. They are disciplined and work before play. Frugal people know how wealthy you are is not about your income, but rather about how you use your financial and intangible resources.


Before hiring a professional for doing household repairs, a frugal person performs research on the Internet and confers with an expert at the home improvement center to determine if a repair person even needs to be hired. Frugal people have made an investment in high-quality tools to tackle most simple repairs at home. They barter with friends and neighbors to get the job done.

5. Frugal people see opportunities where others don’t.

Frugal people are intuitive and trust their gut feeling when an opportunity presents itself. School supplies at an April rummage sale or a pile of free firewood on a nearby parkway are true finds for the frugal person, requiring little speculation. Frugal people are contrarians who don’t go along with the crowd for the purpose of conformity; they are not mainstream shoppers. They don’t own the newest and fastest electronic gadgets that everyone else is purchasing; they have adopted the Rule of One, owning no more than one of anything non-essential, including televisions, cell phones, computers, other electronics, and cars.

6. Frugal people find new uses for old items.


7. Frugal people are proud of their frugal lifestyle.




Debra Karplus is a regular contributor to The Dollar Stretcher. You’ll find thousands of articles to help you stretch your day and your dollar, including What Frugal Living Means to Me.

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