12 Things Frugal People Stopped Buying in 2024, According to George Kamel

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Now that 2024 is behind us and moving further into the past, the financial decisions we made back then are still having an impact. They've either helped us build a stronger foundation for wealth in 2025 or set us back from the start.

posted on his YouTube channel, Kamel reviewed a dozen answers that stood out to him.

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You can begin this week.

Plastic Storage Containers

Take a look around your kitchen the next time you're in there and count how many plastic storage containers you have on hand. You might be surprised to find out you have a sizable collection. According to some people on Reddit, they stopped buying these containers in 2024 and switched to using glass storage containers instead.

Kamel strongly recommends switching from plastic containers to glass ones, which are more long-lasting, resistant to damage, and don't absorb smells or stains.

Bottled Water

Another plastic item that frugal people got rid of in 2024. Kamel admitted that he still hasn't completely stopped buying bottled water. He noted that buying a reverse osmosis filtration system, which someone who quit buying bottled water suggested doing, can be very expensive, costing thousands of dollars. Kamel then weighed the pros and cons of spending that much money on a filtration system versus buying bottled water and came to the conclusion that while it's not a super frugal solution, it's still worth it if you can afford it.

"I'd describe this as being fancy frugal," Kamel said, suggesting you might just want to get a Brita instead.

Cigarettes

It's surprising that people still smoke despite the well-documented health risks associated with cigarettes. However, what's not as widely known is the increasing cost of cigarettes. In New York, you'll spend approximately $12 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, which can be easily smoked by a heavy smoker in a single day.

Not surprisingly, Kamel is a big supporter of quitting cigarettes.

Concert Tickets

For people who are middle class or lower-income, buying concert tickets to see their favorite artists live can be a very expensive proposition, often costing several hundred dollars – or even thousands of dollars – especially if they're trying to see a super popular artist like Beyoncé or Taylor Swift.

"The last few concerts I've attended just haven't been worth it," Kamel said, noting that the various extra fees and expenses associated with going to a show are becoming too expensive to deal with comfortably.

Paper Towels

There's something about paper towels that screams, "I am middle class and I'm proving it roll after roll." Some thrifty individuals stopped purchasing this expensive luxury in 2024. What does Kamel think of that decision?

“As a person who has two French Bulldogs and a very messy baby, I personally use a lot of paper towels,” Kamel said – though he added that he makes an effort to hygienically reuse paper towels. Because paper towels are so essential in the lives of the Kamel family, Kamel said this is one frugal tip he’ll pass on. He'll continue to buy them in bulk at Costco.

Soda at Restaurants

Yes, soda is bad for you - and also, it's pricey at restaurants. Just one can can easily add $5 to your bill. And so, many frugal people say goodbye to this pricey habit in 2024.

"I personally believe this is one of the biggest scams in human history," Kamel said.

Salon Services

Getting a blowout, a new haircut, or a fresh coat of hair dye can be very refreshing. However, it can be very costly. It's no surprise that frugal individuals consider doing their own hair and nails, especially since many salon services can be done at home for much less money. Does Kamel think cutting out this expense is a good idea? Not really.

Do you think it's worth doing certain things yourself if you're capable?" Kamel said. "Yes. Do you think sometimes it can go wrong and then you need to go to a salon to fix it? Absolutely.

Unless you're willing to take the risk with a DIY approach, it's probably best to keep this expense going as long as it's not affecting your finances and you keep it limited and cost-effective. If it's causing you to miss out on wealth-building opportunities, consider learning more about it by watching YouTube and other social media platforms.

Real Christmas Trees

There's nothing quite like the invigorating aroma of fresh pine during the holiday season. However, in 2024, some financially savvy individuals chose to forgo a real Christmas tree and opt for a synthetic one instead. Artificial trees, although often environmentally detrimental because they're typically non-recyclable and consequently end up in landfills once they've served their purpose, can be significantly more budget-friendly than their natural counterparts, provided you reuse the same one year after year.

"I've tried the minimalist lifestyle of living off a real tree, but I found it's not for me," Kamel said. One possible reason he accepts this alternative is that it can be a lot of trouble to deal with every year.

Seasonal Decor

It can be a lot of fun to decorate your home with seasonal decorations. But is it really necessary? Absolutely not. As a result, some people on a tight budget have chosen to skip buying these items.

“Absolutely, I agree with you completely,” Kamel said. “If that’s what you enjoy doing, I think it’s great that it brings you happiness. But do you really need to go overboard and rob a Hobby Lobby, spending hundreds of dollars every year on it? Not at all.”

Packaged Food Seasoning

At number 10 on the list of thrifty habits is cutting back on seasoning. People are reining in expenses on items like taco seasoning and opting to buy individual spices to create their own custom flavor blends. Kamel thinks this cost-cutting strategy is a bit excessive.

“I’m not interested," Kamel said.

Dog Toys

There's a vibrant market for pet owners to spend money on their pets. In cities like Los Angeles and New York, you can find specialty stores that sell high-end pet toys. Some dog owners who are careful with their spending are deciding not to buy these luxury items for their dogs. Often, dogs don't really care about fancy toys - they'll play with almost anything, especially if it's something you'd rather they didn't.

Kamel has a dog and strongly agrees that skipping toys is about as non-essential as a pet expense can be.

DoorDash

Many restaurants rely heavily on DoorDash to make a profit, but DoorDash charges steep fees. You order a $9 burrito, only to end up paying $25 with tax and tip. Some budget-conscious consumers have given up on DoorDash in order to save money, and it's working out well for them.

"I strongly agree with that," Kamel said, noting that he only uses DoorDash in extreme circumstances, such as when he and his wife are confined to their home.

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By cutting back on these expenses, frugal people are able to save money and live more simply, while still enjoying the things they need and want in life.