I’m a Frugal Shopper: I Never Do These 7 Things
By Laura Bogart
Shop ’til you drop. You’ve heard the saying before. It seems to imply you’ll pass out from joyful exhaustion. But “dropping” could just as easily refer to your jaw hitting the floor after checking your credit card statement.
Whether you’re shopping for essentials or splurging on some fun, you don’t want that kind of shock. You want to make the most of every dollar — and to do that, you have to know what not to do.
Here are some things frugal shoppers never do — and how you can avoid them, too.
1. Never Keep Money in a Low-Yield Account — Earn Up to 10x More Interest on Your Savings
One of the best ways to make extra money is to make sure the money you already have is working for you — even the money in your day-to-day account.
The Parkside Financial High Yield Savings account offers a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) of 4.50%. That’s more than 10 times the national average interest on a savings account, which pays just .41% APY, as of April 21, 2025.
The Parkside Financial High Yield Savings account has just a $1 minimum-balance requirement, no withdrawal limit, and you can get started with as little as $1. Plus, your money is eligible for FDIC coverage up to $250,000.Want to start growing your money more than 10 times faster than the average savings account? It only takes a few minutes to open an account.
2. Never Shop Without Earning Rewards
If you’re using a credit card and not earning rewards, you could be missing out on phenomenal deals for travel, car rentals, gas and even a night out at a new favorite restaurant. To keep those savings from slipping through your fingers, you need to visit Card Critics.
Imagine having all the essential information — APRs, rewards packages, travel points and more — in one convenient location. You can also read reviews to get the real story on the card you’ve been curious about or discover a new option that better suits your lifestyle.
Card Critics also highlights the top picks in each rewards category, from groceries to travel to online shopping, making it easy to match your spending habits with the best rewards.
Find the best card to help you earn more for every dollar you spend.
3. Never Overpay by Up to $1,025 a Year on Car Insurance
Having the wrong car insurance could cost you thousands of dollars a year.
But who has time to painstakingly compare policies and prices? There’s an easier way to shop for car insurance. Insurify makes comparing car insurance simple and efficient — and it can save you up to $1,025 a year. You can browse insurance offerings from some of the most respected providers all in one place. After entering basic details about your car and background, you’ll get customized quotes.
There’s room for you on the superhighway of Insurify shoppers who have lowered their yearly premiums by up to $1,025, contributing to over $44 million in collective savings every year.
Ready to cut your car insurance bill? It’s easy to get started here and see how much you can save.
4. Never Game Online Without Getting Paid for It — up to $500 a Month
Gaming may be fun, but it can also be expensive. What if, instead of splurging on every new title that comes out, you could have new games delivered right to you, before anyone else even gets to play them? And what if you actually got paid to play them?
That’s exactly what a free site called Scrambly does — the average user earns $17 per day by trying out new games and apps.
Scrambly works with developers who want to get their games and apps in front of new people, and they’re willing to pay you to try them. When you sign up, you can browse more than 150 free games and apps. Just find one you like and start getting paid.
You don’t need to play long, either — you can earn by playing just a few minutes at a time. And it’s all completely free. In fact, if you make an in-app purchase on a Scrambly-discovered app, they’ll give you cash back.
Once you earn $1, you can cash out instantly via PayPal, Visa, Amazon Google Play and Apple. More than 2 million people already use Scrambly, and the average person cashes out in just six minutes.
Ready to start pocketing up to $500 a month in extra cash just for playing free games on your phone? Get started here and see how much you can earn.
5. Never Buy Appliances Without Protection
Sure, you got a great deal on that washing machine or dishwasher. But is it really such a steal if you’re not covered when it breaks down? Without a warranty, you could end up spending hundreds — or even thousands — on repairs or replacements.
That’s why frugal shoppers use American Home Shield. American Home Shield practically invented the home warranty industry back in 1971, and they’re still going strong today, with multiple Consumer Affairs Buyers Choice Awards under their belt.
American Home Shield covers the vital appliances and systems in your home. Instead of shopping around for someone who can help you — someone who could easily take advantage of your emergency and overcharge you — all you need to do is contact American Home Shield. It’s that easy.
You’ll be connected with a professional from the American Home Shield network of trained experts who are prepared and eager to help you resolve your issue and get back to life as you know it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got old appliances or brand new ones, your American Home Shield warranty plan should cover repairs — or, if they can’t be salvaged, replacements.
Don’t wait for a breakdown — get the coverage you need today.
6. Never Waste Money on High Utility Bills
You walk past the window and feel a draft — even though it’s closed. All you know is you want to be comfortable in your own home. So you crank the thermostat and brace for an energy bill that’ll really make you sweat. Your old, inefficient windows could be costing you hundreds in extra heating and cooling costs each year.
With Renewal by Andersen, you can swap out your old inefficient windows and even your doors for more energy efficient models that provide better insulation — while offering far cozier utility bills.
It’s easy to set up an in-home consultation with their design team who can guide you toward the right windows for your home. Energy-smart windows are a peak frugal shopper move. Get started here to see how much you could save on your utility bill.
7. Never Buy a Car Without a Warranty
Your car is a major investment. It’s the chariot that carries you between work and home, and ferries your family to all your fun and games. It also costs a lot to maintain — and even more to replace. That’s why you want to keep it as long as you can. And to do that, you need the right warranty coverage.
Endurance offers comprehensive auto protection plans to keep you on the road. Their team helps you find the right warranty plan, without over-spending on coverage you don’t need.
Being hit with unexpected repairs can be pricey. Endurance helps you mitigate those costs while providing a relatively smooth and stress-free claims process.
It only takes a few minutes to get connected with a specialist and find the right coverage for you.
Bottom Line
Being a frugal shopper isn’t about depriving yourself — it’s about making smart choices with your money. Avoid these eight costly mistakes so you can maximize your savings, earn rewards, and make every dollar work as hard as you do.
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