20 Controversial Frugal Hacks That Are Borderline Unethical

Get ready to explore some eyebrow-raising frugal hacks in this video! We're diving into 20 controversial tactics that some people use to save money, even if it means toeing the line of what's ethical.

These hacks might make you raise an eyebrow or two all in the name of saving money. While some folks see them as clever ways to stretch a dollar, others argue they're too close to crossing a moral line.

As we go through each hack, take a moment to think about where you stand on the ethics of extreme frugality. And just a heads-up: we're not endorsing any of these tactics, just sparking a conversation.

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I’m so very happy to have you here. We are all about saving money at Frozen Pennies. Whether you have a goal like debt freedom, purchasing a home, retiring, or just making ends meet, we are all about making that happen. Here you’ll find tips on saving money on groceries, ways to tweak your budget, and living an overall frugal life (all while having more fun)! Thank you for supporting my channel.

About Sara:
Sara is a wife, mother, and creator of Frozen Pennies. With a degree in English, a former teacher, and a Certified Financial Coach, there is no better place to learn about debt freedom, budgeting, and overall frugal living.

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DISCLAIMERS:

- Links included in this description might be affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you purchase a product or service with the links I provide at no additional charge to you.
- Information on this channel (Sara Conklin, Frozen Pennies) only represents my thoughts and opinions. I am not a medical doctor, medical professional, or financial advisor. However, I am a certified financial coach. All content on this channel is intended for entertainment, informational & inspirational purposes only. Don't hesitate to contact a professional with any questions. This video and all videos on this channel are a means of social support.

[stacyrae]

I always decline rounding up. I'm not making a donation that mass retailers can use as a freaking tax break.

[simonefeaster]

Rounding up is complete nonsense! I volunteer at my local food bank. I don’t trust Walmart to direct my money to charity.

[susannels]

Taking food from a buffet and hiding it a zipper bag to take to eat at home is totally unethical. I'm sorry that is not being frugal, that is stealing! Buffets are meant to eat there in one sitting, not to stock your fridge. And the loss gets passed onto the customer in higher buffet prices.

[RobinBaich]

Who uses a bath towel only once? That's insane!

[Smooshes]

I would much rather have a pure wool sweater that was used and no longer needed than some new polyester fluff pretending to be a nice sweater. I worked with a man who travelled a lot- he gathered the little shampoos etc and donated them to a local shelter.

[lindadorman]

I used to avoid buying used items but then I realized every time I stayed at a hotel or ate at a restaurant, , I was using things many other people had used before. These items were washed and cleaned before each use and that didn't bother me, so why not the same with used clothes or home goods? Now I own a successful business reselling preowned items and make sure everything I sell is clean and in excellent condition for my customers.

[elizabethsydnor]

A buffet is designed to eat it THERE, not take it home for another meal!

[jimhart]

Picking up change off the ground pays better interest than Wells Fargo pays on my checking account each much.

[oliviafox]

Having worked in retail, I've seen how messed up clothes get from folks just trying them on. I have no problem buying used. Just wash stuff before you wear it.

[BSGSV]

People only use bath towels once?? I never got that memo!

[ginariehl]

I used to feel guilty about not rounding up at the register but then I realized that the store is the one who gets the benefits of that donation. They look like they have the big donation! I give plenty on my own.

[Terri_MacKay]

I worked for a small privately owned retail store. If you give a customer a discount to create "goodwill", it doesn't work. That customer will now think that they're "special" and will want a discount every time they come in. And, as soon as they don't get a discount anymore, they'll go looking for another store thst will. Happened to us all the time, because people think that small businesses will do literally anything to keep customers...discounts on floor models, discounts for cash sales, discounts for damaged packaging (that doesn't affect the item), being allowed to return final sale items, being allowed to return items they damaged, being allowed to return items bought from other stores, price matching prices of larger chain stores when it means we'd lose money...but don't seem to understand that a customer that we don't make any money from isn't worth anything to us.

[okbaumgaertner]

I used to shower every day and I never missed a day! Then I had some major surgery in my foot and I was non-weight-bearing for five months! This definitely changed my showering habits, and I learned that I would not die if I didn’t have a daily shower. Once I started reducing my shower to every other day, I noticed a positive difference in my skin. Showering every day dried it out terribly. However, of course in the summertime when I’m outside and working in the garden and perspiring, I will definitely have a shower every day, but no longer in the winter.

[cindychapman]

My grandmother used to also get furniture off the side of the road and repurpose them. After my divorce. My first apartment was finished with that stuff

[stevestewart]

Rounding up and everybody and their brother asking for 20% tips for EVERYTHING - like self-pay checkout stands when they ask if you want to leave a tip (for a ROBOT) when the store or store already are getting paid makes me angry. A fair tip for restaurant workers and people who cut hair is differnt. We always give big tips for those services.

[tbacon]

I do most of these, including cloth tp. I spray the cloth with vInegar for antibacterial purposes, then use them. My husband is a disabled vet, and I am also disabled. We live on a tight fixed income and cannot work to get more. Here in MO, food stamps have a rule that if you are over 64 yrs old, you can o ly make about $1100mth and get food stamps, but if youmare under 65 yes old, you can make over $3, 000. We are both 65, not old enough to retire at normal age, so we have to take a much reduced pension, though my husband does get a small amount of disability from the VA. We make it by not buying anything we don't need. We set our thermostat at 55° in the winter. We rarely eat out. If we do, we keep extra packets handed to us. We have relatives that would feel slighted if we came right by them and didn't at least spend a weekend with them. We do eat expired food. Otherwise, we might not get to eat, but we do not eat expired tomato products as that is one of the worst things to take a chance with. IF we were to go to a buffet, we would NOT take any food home with us... I see nothing wrong g with someone taking anything that had been thrown out, including mostly empty laundry detergent bottles. I have no problem with dumpster divi g, but the law should make you responsible for your own safety if you choose to do... People have no idea how that person is living or on how much. I believe people need to get off their high horses and quit judging others... Although, I myself, cannot use a towel that I have dried off my nether regions with, but I use 2 smaller towels to dry off with, One for my body which goes into the laundry and one for my clean hair that I hang to dry and reuse two or three times. My husband, on the other hand uses the same regular sized towel four or five times. He takes a daily shower, and I take 2 a week in the winter, and in the summer, if I get sweaty, or dirty, I take a shower that day, in addition to my 2 a week. I ate peanut butter years past the best if used by date as 1 of 2 kids being brought up by a single mother, I didnt die then, I still haven't died as an adult eating food past its sell by date...I think the only controversial things should be the ones bordering on being illegal, otherwise, live and let live... no one knows what another is going through.

[virginialangford]

I babysit my grandee frequently. Day care isn’t open on weekends, a private sitter is over $100.00 a day in this area and my daughter has mandatory weekend shifts. I get to spend Saturday and Sunday..stay over Saturday night and have a family dinner and have lots of time with my grandee…I have no complaints and my daughter is very appreciative.

[vanessafuller]

The shrimp isn’t borderline. Def just straight up stealing.

[Sunshine-fyfz]

Ok Grandma was stealing food - salad bars and all-you-can-eat options are for actually eating it in the restaurant. You want a doggy-bag? Order an entree off the menu. And as for staying at someone’s house while on vacation- not controversial, but not gonna happen for me/my family. You’re going to be in town near me? I’ll recommend several nearby hotels. I’ll be your tour guide while you’re here, but I want my privacy at the end of the day (and the same goes when I’m vacationing near you- I want to wake up and go to bed when I’m ready. We can hang out all day, but I’m wanting to unwind after dinner plans and not disrupt your nightly routine.)

[obietravels]

In grad school, I gained a great reputation as a dumpster diver! 😆 my friend worked next door to a florist that would toss their entire stock just before Mother’s Day ( which I think is extremely wasteful—why not donate them??) After hours, I climbed in the dumpster—which was used only for flowers, boxes, packing/- and retrieved a CAR LOAD of beautiful fresh cut flowers, including 2 dozen red roses in perfect condition. Many were mums that lasted weeks.
I once found a gorgeous original oil painting in a gold-gilt frame that had been tossed on a trash pile in my alleyway. It’s hanging in my studio today. I can’t believe what people throw away! So I’m saving it from the landfill…