9 Frugal Habits of the Working Class
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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Each socioeconomic class has something the others can learn from — and when it comes to the working class, frugality is king. They know how to stretch a dollar and make the most of their hard-earned money.
“I’ve worked closely with working-class communities and have noted some standout frugal habits that really make a difference,” said Rhett Stubbendeck, finance expert, CEO and founder of Leverage Planning.
“One key habit is bulk buying,” he noted. “Many people might pass up savings because they lack storage space. However, working-class families often buy large quantities of staples like rice and beans, which lowers the cost per unit and cuts down on trips to the store.” He pointed out that this doesn’t just save them money — it saves them time and fuel.
Below are more frugal habits everyone can learn from the working class community.
Forgetting About the ‘Joneses’
It’s natural to see friends and neighbors buying expensive things and want the same for yourself, but it’s not worth it if you can’t afford those things.
“Working class folks never worry about a friend who just got the latest iPhone or a co-worker who just purchased a 75-inch flat-screen TV,” said David Bakke, finance expert at DollarSanity. “They get by on what they have, they spend within their means at all times, and they never worry about those around them and what they might have.”
Cooking at Home Instead of Eating Out
Those in the working class also understand the financial power of cooking at home compared to eating out, said Bakke. “They know that you can have as much fun putting a meal together at home with friends and family as you can being waited on at a restaurant, and save a bundle of cash in the process.”
Knowing When To Spend or Save
“Most importantly, in my opinion, the working class know when to spend and when to save,” Bakke said. “They spend extra on quality when it makes sense, because quality products last longer than cheap stuff.”
He said they also know to save on most groceries, on things where quality doesn’t depend on price — like condiments, dried beans, rice, etc. “Another great example is purchasing high-quality shaving razors, which can last a lifetime if you care for them properly.”
Taking Advantage of Community Resources
Using community resources is another smart approach the working class take advantage of, said Stubbendeck. “At [my company], we’ve seen how effective it can be when clients tap into things like community gardens for fresh produce or tool libraries for occasional home repairs.”
He said this reduces the need to spend on groceries and new tools.
Repairing Instead of Replacing
Instead of discarding a worn-out item, Stubbendeck said those in the working class will often mend clothes or fix household items themselves. “This habit saves money and extends the life of their belongings.”
Carpooling
“Carpooling is also prevalent among the working class to save on transportation costs,” Stubbendeck added. “Sharing rides to work or for errands minimizes gas expenses and car wear and tear.”
Leasing Over Purchasing
“I’ve observed financial habits intimately among varied clientele, inclusive of those in lower-income or manual labor positions,” said Vincent Cerniglia, president of Noreast Capital Corporation. “One common frugal habit seen across this demographic is the strategic use of leasing instead of outright purchasing.”
He said this approach helps them manage cash flow more efficiently and avoid significant upfront costs.
“For instance, several of our clients in the transportation and construction sectors opt to lease heavy machinery and vehicles rather than buying them, thus maintaining liquidity for other critical business expenses,” he explained.
Renting and Sharing Housing
Those in the working class will often choose shared housing arrangements or renting out spare rooms within their homes to either generate additional income or decrease housing expenses.
This prudent approach optimizes their available resources and fosters a sense of community while addressing financial constraints.
Seeking Low-Cost Educational Opportunities
Another frugal habit among the working class involves seizing free or low-cost educational avenues, like online courses, vocational training programs and community workshops. These serve to enhance their skills and expand their professional horizons without incurring substantial tuition fees.
Experts say this proactive pursuit of knowledge empowers individuals to augment their earning potential and career prospects, irrespective of formal educational backgrounds.
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