4 Appliances Frugal Homeowners Avoid Buying
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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There are many appliances considered a staple in every household, but some are just extra. Frugal homeowners aren’t into unnecessary upgrades and appliances they don’t truly need.
Always thinking about their bottom line, these penny-pinchers see extra bells and whistles as cash they don’t want to spend. There’s certainly nothing wrong with this, as homeownership is expensive.
Maintaining a healthy budget is essential for everyone, but especially crucial when there’s a mortgage involved. If you’re interested in living more on the thrifty side, take a look at four household appliances frugal homeowners tend to keep out of their abode.
Smart Refrigerators
Not your average ice box, smart refrigerators are connected to the internet. They can offer a host of features, such as a touchscreen interface, interior camera, entertainment options, recipe database and even assistance making a shopping list.
They might be the refrigerator of the future, but frugal homeowners aren’t into the high price tag. For example, smart refrigerators range in price from $1,300-$8,800 at Lowe’s.
“The added features significantly drive up the cost, with little practical value compared to traditional refrigerators,” said Ben Smye, consumer expert with Coupons.com. “The increased complexity of smart refrigerators also means higher repair costs if something goes wrong.”
High-End Blenders
You can purchase really expensive blenders, but Smye said frugal households may tend to steer clear of high-end models due to their hefty price tags.
“Mid-range blenders can accomplish most tasks, such as making smoothies or pureeing soups, at a fraction of the cost,” he said. “Spending several hundred dollars on a top-of-the-line model is unnecessary when more affordable options perform adequately.”
For example, the Wolf Gourmet high-performance blender is $699.95 at Neiman Marcus. In comparison, the Beautiful PowerExact blender by Drew Barrymore is $59 at Walmart and has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Wine Refrigerator
“Dedicated wine coolers are another luxury rather than a necessity, except for perhaps the most avid wine drinkers,” Smye said. “These appliances take up space and consume energy solely to chill wine, which doesn’t align with a frugal lifestyle.”
For example, the Wine Enthusiast classic 200 wine cellar is $1,799. Cheaper, but still pricey, the 24-inch Nipus dual-zone beverage and wine cooler is $598.99 at Home Depot.
“Budget-conscious homeowners can get the same results by storing their wine in a regular refrigerator or at room temperature, saving both money and space,” he said.
Bread Makers
On the surface, you might think frugal homeowners would want a bread maker so they could save money at the grocery store. However, Smye said that isn’t typically the case.
“Bread makers might seem convenient for making a homemade loaf, but they can be an unnecessary expense,” he said.
For example, the Breville custom loaf bread maker is $299.95 at Crate and Barrel. And at a higher price point, the Zojirushi home bakery virtuoso plus bread maker is $399.95 at Williams-Sonoma.
“These appliances are bulky and take up valuable counter space, which can be better utilized by other kitchen appliances,” he said. “Also, making bread from scratch using a traditional oven or purchasing bread from a bakery is often more cost-effective.”
Money-Saving Advice for Necessary Appliances
Not purchasing unnecessary appliances is one way for frugal homeowners to save money. However, Smye said it’s also important to look for ways to cut energy costs on must-have appliances.
“It’s also worth considering which appliances consume the most energy and therefore have higher running costs when trying to take a more frugal approach to your home setup,” he said. “Appliances like dryers and microwaves are high on that list, so checking out the energy efficiency credentials of anything you buy for the home is an important task in reducing overall running costs.”
Seeking out Energy Star appliances can be a good strategy, as they’re designed to help reduce energy. You also might qualify for tax credits on certain appliances, so check the Energy Star website before making a purchase.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Aug. 9, 2024, and are subject to change.
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