Frugal people don’t just pinch pennies. They prepare. They aren’t hoarders, but they do know what to keep around just in case. It’s not a cluttered house full of random things they might use someday. It’s a well-thought-out collection of stuff that can save them time and money when needed.
Some of these items might sound a bit weird at first. But once that light bulb burns out, or their pipes get clogged, they have what they need. No coupons. No mason jars. Here are 12 things frugal people tend to have at home, just in case.
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Old Towels Turned Cleaning Rags
Old, worn out towels never hit the trash in a frugal home. They go from the bathroom to rags for cleaning. They wipe up spills, dry muddy shoes, or mop up messes that paper towels won’t do. Cleaning with old towels doesn’t cost anything because they replace the need to buy extra cleaning supplies.
Binder Clips Used Everywhere
Binder clips don’t just hold papers together. Frugal people use binder clips to seal bags of snacks, keep cords from tangling, hang things to dry, or clip sponges so they dry out quicker. They’re cheap and can be really handy in unexpected ways, so you’ll find them in more than one drawer.
Twist Ties and Bread Clips Saved In a Drawer
Most people toss these without a second thought. Frugal people throw them in a drawer and wait. Eventually they come in handy. They can close bags, tie up wires, label cords, or help with garden plants. To some it’s junk. To the thrifty it’s useful eventually.
Rubber Bands from Every Package
Frugal homes are often home to an entire jar of rubber bands. They may have come from a produce sack, a takeout food box, or a variety of packages. They are saved for tying things together, sealing a lid on, or gripping around a jar for extra leverage. Small and adaptable, they have multiple uses and cost nothing.
Random Screws and Hooks in a Jar
When something gets broken or thrown away, frugal folk will take off any screws, nails, or hooks and keep them in a jar or tin. It might not look very organized, but it is way easier than a trip to the hardware store. When it’s time to build or repair something, you’ll often find the right size piece just lying around.
A Basic Sewing Kit for Small Fixes
Frugal people may not sew their own clothes, but they always have a basic sewing kit. Buttons come off or seams rip, and they mend instead of tossing it in the trash. It might only take a few minutes, but it can save the price of an entirely new one when it’s still perfectly usable.
Saving Half-Used Paint Cans for Fixes
Frugal people never throw out half-empty paint cans. They store them in the closet or garage until the day a scuff or chip appears on the wall. A small brush and the can of left-over paint makes it look new.
Old Jars and Lids With No Matching Pair
Most people would toss out jars without lids, or loose lids without jars. Frugal people save both. Jars go into the kitchen for screws or dry goods. They hold leftover grease or carry small amounts of jelly when traveling. Loose lids cover pans in a pinch, or serve as coasters.
Spare Buttons Saved In a Tin or Bag
There’s always a tin or envelope full of spare buttons in frugal homes. Some come from new clothes, some are saved from old ones. They’re never all used, but they’re there when needed. So a missing button doesn’t mean the end of a good shirt or coat.
Candle Ends and Wax Leftovers
Frugal people save their candles when they burn down to a stub. They melt the wax and use it for new candles or drawer sachets with scented bits. Some grease a stubborn zipper or stuck drawer with the leftover wax. It’s just another way nothing goes to waste.
Dryer Lint Kept for Fire Starters
Dryer lint might not seem like much, but it’s a great fire starter. It burns quickly and hot, and frugal people store it in a bag or carton. When it’s time to light the grill, fireplace, or even go camping, it helps get things going.
A Manual Can Opener Tucked Away
Even if they use an electric one every day, frugal people keep a manual can opener as backup. Power goes out. Batteries die. A simple tool can make a big difference when things stop working. It’s not fancy, but it always does the job.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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