In this day and age, being careful about money is just downright good advice. Most people fall into the trap of overspending, splurging, and “retail therapy,” with disastrous results for their savings. But some costs are still worth paying, as some folk's experiences show. 

We’ve gathered some of the best examples and fails of frugality gone wrong, from disastrous DIY to buying products so cheap and poorly made that they don’t serve any function. So get comfortable as you scroll through, take some notes, upvote your favorites, and be sure to share your own ideas and experiences in the comments below. 

#1 Booked A Cheap Hotel In Lisbon With A Friend. The Pictures On The Booking Website Never Showed The Toilet And The Bed In The Same Picture

I hope my friend doesn't have any urgent needs tonight.

Image credits: Th3_Accountant

#2 I Installed My Own Microwave Today And Saved $150 In Install Fees

Image credits: zingusdingus

#3 To Be Fair My Wife Did Think This Paddling Pool Was Suspiciously Cheap

Image credits: Mea05cer

Given that money has been around for a pretty long time, it’s not exactly surprising that some folks get a bit obsessed with the idea of being frugal. From people way too into coupons, to a nearly pathological desire to utilize every sale, it’s easy to notice when someone overvalues money and absolutely undervalues their own time.

This is perhaps why the saying “penny-wise and pound-foolish” has been around since the 16th century. For non-UK readers, the pound being referenced here is money, not a unit of weight. The idea is not hard to grasp. Some people are so obsessed with saving a little, one way or another, that they end up making, as seen here, costly mistakes.

#4 Bought A $20 Smartwatch From Wish. I Guess, I Deserve This For Being Cheap

Image credits: CommanderTazaur

#5 I Said Just A Little Off The Top... I Heard My Friend Say "Oops" As She Was Cutting My Hair Then Start Laughing. The Things We Go Through To Save Money

Image credits: jtizzle012

#6 I Guess These Are The Cheap Seats

Image credits: Scaulbylausis

It’s not that it’s bad to be frugal. Like in all things, balance is key. For example, some might be familiar with the “boots” theory of economic inequality. This comes from Terry Pratchett's 1993 novel Men at Arms, where a key character argues that “A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.”

#7 I Gave My Roommate Money To Get A Very Specific Brand Of Toilet Paper When He Went To The Store (It’s Triple Ply And Durable), And He Brought Back This

When I asked him about it he said that they had the type I asked for in stock, but he got this one because it’s cheaper. He kept the change.

Image credits: AutisticFloridaMan

#8 Never Broke A Phone In My Life. First Day I Get My New One With No Insurance, I Drop It From A Height Of 4 Feet And This Happens

Image credits: AellyA

#9 I Thought I Was Being Frugal By Buying A Steak From The Dollar Store

Image credits: thenewyorkgod

Interestingly, this theory holds water even in the real world. For example, many companies offer payment plans, with interest on certain items, for example, children’s boots. Researchers looked at one instance, kid’s boots from Fingerhut that cost $25 on the spot or $37 with a payment plan. Poorer people tend to opt for the payment plan as they might not have the cash they need on hand. 

#10 That’s What I Get For Buying Cheap Knives

Image credits: reddit.com

#11 My Frames Broke, So I Forced My Lenses Into Some Cheap Sunglasses Frames. I Look Ridiculous, But I Can See At Work

Image credits: macbubs

#12 When The Boss At Your Dive Bar Is Too Cheap To Get The Ceiling Leak Fixed

Image credits: Metallicatica

In other words, even if they technically have the money, poorer people are less free to use it, forcing them to take worse deals. From this perspective, frugality is good, because decent savings can allow you to save more in the long run. Plus, it is simply always good to have savings because life has a “fun” way of springing unfortunate surprises on you.

#13 Grow Your Own Vegetables, They Said. Save Money, They Said

Image credits: Jonsmile

#14 Ever Thought About Hiring A Cheap Barber From Craigslist? Think Again

Image credits: Maklo_Never_Forget

#15 My Company Found Cheaper Gloves. These Came Out Of The Same Box

Image credits: Mr_Blonde15

But, alongside the literal costs, there are negative side effects of being too frugal. Case in point, while some might call themselves frugal, others will use a word with a more pejorative connotation, the infamous “cheap.” This is largely a difference in opinion, but one has to admit that it’s possible to be so obsessed with saving every last penny that you end up destroying friendships. 

#16 Purchased A New Bed With A Free Adjustable Frame. I Didn't Know It Came With Bed Bugs. Thanks, Mattress Firm

Image credits: ZonaBogie

#17 Frugal Engineering

Image credits: mikeleus

#18 Sister: "I'll Save So Much Money If I Cut The Dogs Hair Myself". She Is No Longer Allowed Near The Dog

Image credits: tototl

There is an important balance to strike. Sometimes you need an expert. After all, you wouldn’t ask your random friend to perform even “routine” surgery on you, unless they were literally a surgeon. So why would you assume you could perform repairs on a variety of household items? To be fair, there is a growing movement to allow people to repair things themselves, but this doesn’t actually mean it will be cheaper. 

#19 Why Spend Money On A Hands-Free Set When You Can Do This

Image credits: sunshineandshowers92

#20 Why Spend Good Money On A New Bike When You Can Recycle?

Image credits: savetheink

#21 Me And My Business Partner Decided To Share A Hotel Room In Order To Save Some Money. We Weren't Expecting This

Image credits: HAZMA7

Of course, for some, “not paying for it” isn’t just a practical consideration, it’s a way of life. But there is a fine line between actually being handy and thinking “How hard can it be?” That line tends to be crooked and surrounded with poorly hammered holes. Unfortunately, that incredible feeling of a good deal can be so intoxicating that, in the search for more, you end up overlooking massive flaws.

#22 Lesson Of The Day: Don’t Buy Cheap Stuff On eBay From China

Image credits: benz-friend

#23 I Found An Incredible Deal While At A Thrift Store In A City About 3 Hours From Me. Once I Got Them Home, I Realized Why They Were So Cheap. The Owner Had One Leg That Was 1-1/4" Shorter

Image credits: hereforthekix

#24 I Bought A Cheap Newton's Cradle, And This Is What I Got

Image credits: robot_imaginar

At the same time, people are possessive over money. After all, it can sometimes take our literal blood, sweat, and tears to get it, so spending it without a “good” reason can seem unthinkable. This ends up leading to a person undervaluing the risks. The results of this sort of thinking are littered across this article for all to see.

#25 Good Reminder Not To Buy Things Too Cheap

Image credits: Reimad

#26 The Inside Of This Cheap Door Is Filled With Cardboard

Image credits: Ancient-Egg-3283

#27 My Cheap Tape Measure Is Missing The 40-Inch Marker

Image credits: dushisellers

#28 I Think This Is What I Get For Buying The Cheapest Option

Image credits: Kola-Katz47

#29 This Is What I Get For Coming Home “Too Early” In The Morning, And Cheap Keys

Image credits: eximiron

#30 There Was A “Cat Tree” On AliExpress For Super Cheap. I Figured “How Bad Could It Be, Really? I Can’t Stop Laughing

Image credits: worrier_sweeper0h

#31 My Wife Suggested Buying A $99 Dresser, But I Said I Could Build One Cheaper. 2 Years And Several Hundred Dollars Later

Image credits: shartsngoggles

#32 My Glasses Finally Came In This Morning. I Paid $375 And Decided To Save $80 And Not Get Insurance And My Daughter Got Ahold Of Them 2 Hours After Arriving

Image credits: Bully2k__

#33 Bought Some Coasters From Amazon. Before You Make Fun Of Me, I Am Admittedly Young And Naive. This Was Me Trying To Save Money On My First Apartment

Image credits: uglylizardboy

#34 Bought 10 Mg Gummies Since I Was Taking Two 5 Mg Each Night And Thought I’d Save Some Money. Turns Out The 10 Mg Container Is Still Just 5 Mg Gummies And They Tell You To Take Two

Image credits: NellisH13

#35 Spending $6,000 Because Some Idiot Who Built This House Cheaped Out And Used PVC For Part Of The Water Main

Have to get a whole new water main installed, also facing a $1,000+ water bill due to wasted water.

Image credits: Sohcahtoa82

#36 Struggling To Make Ends Meet But Decided A Camping Trip Would Be Cheap Fun. The Oak Tree Had Different Plans

Wife and I decided to take a camping trip in a national forest about three hours south of where we live because it’d be relaxing, cheap, and fun. The first day was great, hiked a couple of miles, set up camp, and explored. The second day it was storming pretty hard but we weathered it. The third day we packed up, hiked out and it started pouring on us as we hiked. After we made it to the service road and were making our way to the truck, someone passed by and said something along the lines of “Haha, hope that wasn’t your truck folks” and kept going. We didn’t know what they were talking about and kept on our way. When we got back, we found that an old oak tree had fallen and crushed the truck, leaving us stranded. We managed to have the truck freed and towed but it’s now two days later and we’re still trying to come to terms with it all. Painfully waiting to see what we get from insurance but as we all know this market is rough and I just know it won’t be enough to cover another car. At least we weren’t in it.

Image credits: Kharilan

#37 When You Know Someone Who Can Do It Cheaper

Image credits: BLACKMACH1NE

#38 My (Frugal) Friend's Old Glasses At The Eye Doctor. Yes, That's A Twig

Image credits: MagicalUnibeefs

#39 This Is What I Get For Buying Cheap Bacon

Image credits: main_motors

#40 Let's Buy The Cheap Tickets This Time

Image credits: trob

#41 Fierce Storms In Sydney Today. Countless Brave, But Cheap Little Umbrellas Fought The Wind, And Rain. And Lost

Image credits: uninhabited

#42 At Least He Saved Money, Right?

Image credits: DCA4242

#43 My Dad Never Wanted To Spend The Money On A New Toy After My Woody Doll Broke As A Young Child. I Present This Cursed Creation That I Spent An Unholy Amount Of Time With

Image credits: Newtonhog

#44 I Went To A "Cheaper" Store And The Expiry Dates Were Changed

Image credits: Shinigami69420

#45 I Have Officially Learned My Lesson About Buying Cheap Furniture From Amazon. Have Had All Those Plants/Pots For Years

Image credits: reddit.com

#46 I'm Broke, But On A First Date... I Think It Went Okay. She Hasn't Texted Me Back In A Week, She's Probably Busy

Image credits: little_impyy

#47 Don't Get Your Isolation Gloves From The Discount Store

Image credits: mahalobanana

#48 This $4 Swan Pool Float From The Dollar Store

Image credits: salutishi

#49 Happy Neh Year! From The Discount Store

Image credits: alexesparza

#50 My Boyfriend's Mom Decided To Save Some Money And Trim The Dog's Hair Herself... He Is A Pomeranian

Image credits: naaron127

#51 Tried To Save Money By Having My Roommate Cut My Hair. She Forgot That She Took The Guard Off

Image credits: SirRinjez

#52 Didn't Get Wheel & Tire Warranty When I Bought My New Car Because I Never Got A Flat Tire Before And Thought I Was Saving Money

Now, I've had my second flat tire within two weeks, and both times my wheels were almost destroyed. And I've had my car for only a month.

Image credits: kiko20010

#53 Rhode Island Is Removing Trash Cans From Public Parks And Beaches To Save Money. No Way This Could Go Wrong

Image credits: arch_llama

#54 Had A Flood On Christmas Eve. Scrounging Around For Cheap Furniture. This "Was" Free

Image credits: hankthewaterbeest

#55 Spent The Last Of My Money On Some Cheap Eats, And My Hot Pockets Were Empty

Image credits: TheVipersMemory

#56 My Accommodation In A Cheap Japanese Hotel Was Next To Two Karaoke Rooms. The Walls Were Thin

Image credits: riamuriamu

#57 He Bought The Wrong Size Because It Was Cheaper

Image credits: dangernoodlefloodle

#58 Got A Puzzle At A Thrift Store

Got this puzzle at a thrift store because I’ve always wanted a puzzle of the earth. Took me six months to finish it because of work and life getting in the way. When I finally finished it I found out that I was missing a piece. Went to the manufacturer's website and it says they can’t give you replacement pieces.

Image credits: blazyin32

#59 Stayed At A Cheap Hotel This Weekend. Wasn't Quite Prepared For This Level Of Sketch

Image credits: JMCSD

#60 My Fiancée Said I Could Design Our "Save The Dates" To Save Money On The Wedding... She Didn't Like My Designs

Image credits: smackley

#61 That's Why You Don't Get Cheap Tattoos

Image credits: shooter214

#62 Quality Pallet - 1, Cheap Hammer - 0

Image credits: A2326P

#63 I Tried Churning Butter For The First Time, Thinking It Would Be Cheaper Than Buying It

Image credits: OtherwiseMei0

#64 In USA, Bought A Cool Thin Sony Blu-Ray Player At Thrift Store (Super Cheap), Then I Saw The Cord

Image credits: Expensive_Analyst_96

#65 When You Upgrade From Dollar Store Readers To $15 Drug Store Ones Because They Don’t Look “As Cheap”

Image credits: reinapert2

#66 So A Couple Of Days Ago I’ve Noticed That Sand Was Pouring Out Of My Microphone (A Cheap One As You Can Tell)

Turns out manufacturers have put some sand wrapped in plastic in there for weight compensation (essentially the microphone is these 3 tiny wires)

Image credits: reddit.com

#67 Purchased A Flip Phone From A Thrift Store, Instead Of Providing Me With The "Actual" Battery, They Inserted Three Double-A Batteries

Image credits: leakybunnygirl

#68 My School Cuts The Mouse Pads In Half To Save Money

Image credits: bobthebeast_12

#69 My Landlord Cheaped Out And Hired A Friend To Rebuild Our Back Fence. I Don’t Think This Is His Area Of The Expertise

Image credits: DontTripas

#70 I Used Some Cheap Clippers That Gave Out 1/3 Of The Way Through Shaving My Head

Image credits: imdepress

#71 I Moved Apartments To Save Money. First Week Without An Underground Garage

Image credits: reddit.com

#72 Using A Cheap Walmart Knife I Haven't Used In Years To Cut Cold Butter Is Lots Of Fun

Image credits: CartelClarke

#73 Thought I’d Save Some Money By Cutting The Chops Myself… Realized When I Got Home, That I Had Bones To Contend With

Image credits: tnseltim

#74 This Flamethrower Of A Lighter From A Discount Store

Image credits: JibbyJabsJumboGems

#75 The Cheapest Ticket I Saw Was Like $530 I’m Better Off Watching On Instagram Stories

Image credits: trevor_norris0

#76 This Is What Happens When You Wanna Cheap Out On Your Floors, Then I Get Paid To Remove It And Do It The Right Way

Image credits: StevenFonzi312

#77 I Guess I Deserve This For Being Cheap

Image credits: Famous_Championship3

#78 I Was Too Cheap To Pay For A Sea View Room At My Hotel In Brighton... Ended Up Getting A Gull View Instead

Image credits: robbodagreat

#79 Decided To Save A Little Money On A Hotel Room. Here Is My $35 A Night View

Image credits: thedude502

#80 Went To The Dollar Store For Some Quick Cheap Party Decorations... Happy Dirthbay

Image credits: Tigga1134

#81 Buying Cheap Educational Toys Is A Bad Idea

Image credits: nodnodwinkwink

#82 How My Cheap Asian Father Avoids Having To Buy A New iPad Charger

Image credits: Youhaveafriendinme01

#83 Decided To Change The Brakes Myself To Save Money. Work Is 45 Km Away

Image credits: ManwithaHam

#84 Wanted To Save Money By Biking To Parents, Wheel Broke, Ended Up Spending A Lot More With Train And Repair Costs

Image credits: Zoaiy

#85 Bought A Cheap External Hard Drive Only To Discover It Was A Resoldered Flash Drive In Disguise

Image credits: TheFinalDestroyer

#86 I Found Cheaper Seat With More Leg Room (Thanks To Being In An Emergency Exit). Thought I Was Going To Be On A 737, But Delta Had Other Plans. I Still Hear Humming

Image credits: lordcarsonwentz

#87 Drove 2 Hours To Get Cheap Booze. Lost 7 Bottles Of Wine When We Opened The Hatch Of My Car

Image credits: Gavinspond

#88 I'm Assuming It's Those Cheap Walmart Tires From Down The Street

Image credits: niceloner10463484

#89 After Driving All Day To Find A Cheap Used TV, We Found A Nice 55” For 160$. Brought It Back From Around 3 Hours Of Driving, Only To Ding It Up During Set-Up

Image credits: xHankSpank

#90 I Ordered Some Cheap Gloves, And The Liner Was Made From Uncut Playing Cards

Image credits: Firstleah

#91 Two May 4ths? That's What I Get For Buying The Cheapest Product

Image credits: SalesAutopsy

#92 I Guess That's What I Get For Buying Pooreos

Image credits: DerangedBeaver

#93 We Are Selling Our House And Have To Kennel Up Our Dog For Small Periods During Showings. Needless To Say, The Cheaper Option For Kennels Is Not The Correct Answer

Image credits: Myquade

#94 Cheap Water Heating System Caught Fire

Image credits: RDitter

#95 I Ordered A Nintendo Case For My Phone. I See Why It Was So Cheap

Image credits: Danger716

#96 When You Trying To Save Money During Covid And Opt Out Takeout For The Cheaper Freezer Pizza Option

Image credits: canyouguysseeme

#97 Save Money And Make Your Burrito At Home They Said

Image credits: wakaflockawilso

#98 Seems Like A Prelude To Salmonella

Image credits: PxN13

#99 I Always Knew My Friend Was Frugal, But Didn't Realize How Much Until I Saw His "Sunglasses" In His Glove Compartment

Image credits: blznaznke

#100 Bought Some “No Name” Brand Cookies Today. Trying To Be Frugal

Image credits: tarraaa

#101 Never Buy Cheap Headphone Cables

Image credits: Seemops4

#102 I've Been Itching To Get A Handle On Johnnie Walker Black Since My First Time Trying It A Few Months Ago, But I Couldn't Justify Spending So Much (For Me) On It

I found it today for ~$20 cheaper than usual and decided to treat myself. This happened as soon as I got home.

Image credits: Juniorsfarmerfrancis

#103 My Father-In-Law Likes To Save Money By Doing His Own Repairs

Image credits: yokwe

#104 Spotted A New Prototype For A Tailgate In Alabama. Buying A New Tailgate Can Be Expensive, So Sometimes You Need To Improvise

Image credits: D1Rk_D1GGL3R

#105 I’m On A Tight Budget, So I Decided To Buy The Biggest, Cheapest Peanut Butter In The Store. The Seal Was Broken. They Also Wouldn’t Give Me A Refund Since I Didn’t Have A Receipt

Image credits: hallinondrywall

#106 I Bought A Super Cheap Rug, And This Made Me Laugh So Hard After Noticing It

Image credits: chocolettchoo

#107 My Grandmother Asked Me To Borrow My Kitten. To Save Money, Grandma Took Her To A Non-Profit And Got Her Spayed As A Feral/Stray Cat, Without Telling Me. They Docked Her Ear

Image credits: camerawn

#108 Replaced A Bunch Of Lights In All Of My Rental Properties To Save Money In The Long Run, Only To Have The Light Fail On Each One In The Same Spot On The Board

Image credits: wood2010

#109 Overcooked Some Cheap Sausage A Little Bit And They Dramatically Exploded

Image credits: 656Wolverine

#110 Cheap Packaging Handle Broke Before I Got To The Car

Image credits: hermitxd

#111 After Spending All My Money On Surround Sound I Couldn't Afford Wall Mounts. This Is My Solution To The Problem

Image credits: RockasaurusRex