Contrary to popular belief, having lots of money doesn’t mean you should spend it on everything. In fact, some of the wealthiest people skip certain everyday items altogether, either because they find them unnecessary or simply because they prefer simpler alternatives.
You might find this hard to believe, so let’s look at some everyday items that even the wealthiest people choose not to buy, proving that being frugal or selective isn’t just for those on a budget.
Expensive Designer Coffee Pods
Rich or not, many people agree that expensive premium coffee pods are a total waste of money. Sure, they might be designed for fancy espresso machines, but wealthy individuals still prefer grinding their own beans or sticking with a drip coffee maker. Ultimately, it’s more sustainable, costs less in the long run, and doesn’t feel as indulgent when they drink coffee every day.
Grocery Store Plastic Bags
In recent years, reusable bags have become a standard for people across all income levels, including the wealthy. They’ll invest in affordable yet high-quality tote bags or cloth carriers rather than relying on flimsy plastic ones. No, this isn’t really about the money, as most plastic bags cost pennies, but it’s more about reducing waste and being mindful of the environment.
Cheap Sunglasses
You might assume that rich people would splurge on lots of pairs of sunglasses, but in reality, many of them avoid buying most pairs, knowing that they break easily. Instead, they tend to stick with one or two well-made options that last for years, because constantly replacing low-quality sunglasses isn’t smart at all–even if money isn’t an issue.
Single-Use Kitchen Gadgets
Another everyday item that even rich people don’t bother buying is single-use kitchen gadgets. In contrast, you might assume that the wealthy would fill their kitchens with every gadget available, because why not!?
Well, single-use items like avocado slicers or egg cookers are often skipped in favor of multipurpose tools, primarily because of space-saving and practicality. At the end of the day, high-quality knives and basic cookware can handle most tasks without the clutter, so why should they buy one-off when the job can already be achieved?
Trendy Diet Snacks
Obviously, rich people aren’t immune to marketing, but they’re still less likely to fall for overpriced diet snacks. Rather, they focus on eating whole, nutritious foods, not processed, overpriced items that are simply labeled as “low-fat” or “keto-friendly.”
Outdated Tech Accessories
This might surprise you, but having the latest tech doesn’t mean hoarding every accessory, and rich people know that. Therefore, they’ll often skip outdated items like wired headphones or bulky phone cases, opting instead for high-quality, minimalist options. As with many things on this list, this decision isn’t to save money but to keep things simple and functional.
Paper Napkins
Even though paper napkins are a small expense, wealthy people usually use cloth napkins, both for style and sustainability. Cloth options can be reused, look nicer, and feel more practical for daily use. Sure, paper napkins are convenient, but they still create a lot of unnecessary waste and need constant replenishment.
Pre-Cut Produce
As you’ve probably learned by now, convenience comes at a high cost, and pre-cut fruits and veggies are no exception. Because of this, rich people typically avoid buying these because they’re overpriced, not to mention how they lose freshness faster.
What’s the alternative? Well, buying fresh fruit and vegetables, of course! Whole produce is much tastier and usually more nutritious, yet it’s just as easy to cut. So, while pre-cut options may save time, the rich know that this isn’t a worthwhile trade-off.
Brand-Name Cleaning Products
Do you assume that rich people never compromise when it comes to cleaning product brands? You’d be wrong. Spending more on cleaning supplies isn’t always appealing, even for the rich. Many choose generic or homemade cleaning solutions, as they know that they work just as well. Sometimes, they’ll even ditch cleaning products completely, making home remedies out of baking soda, vinegar, and other simple ingredients instead.
Cheap Fast Fashion
While fast fashion might be trendy at the moment, we’re starting to learn that it’s usually poorly made and doesn’t last. That’s not something that wealthy people are interested in, as they want higher-quality clothing that stands the test of time. So, they skip the hassle of replacing cheap items that fall apart after a few washes, removing fast fashion from their lives.
Bottled Water at Home
For many wealthy individuals, bottled water at home is completely unnecessary, because obviously, they have tap water at home! Sure, they don’t drink straight out of the tap, but they invest in high-quality water filters or reusable filter bottles. Not only is this approach more environmentally friendly, but it also reduces the hassle of constantly buying and disposing of plastic bottles.
Bulk Discount Items
Surprisingly, even the richest in society avoid buying items in bulk unless they truly need them. Yes, they’re smart with their money, but that’s why they know that purchasing large quantities of goods that might expire or take up space doesn’t make sense, regardless of savings.
Instead, they focus on buying only what they need, valuing quality over quantity. Remember that next time you head to Costco, because while bulk purchases might seem like a deal, they’re a waste of money if they never get used.
Trendy Workout Gear
It’s certainly true that rich people invest in fitness, but that doesn’t mean buying every new piece of workout gear. As an alternative to chasing fitness trends, they’ll just stick to tried-and-true equipment or invest in gym memberships.
Disposable Razors
Following a trend of other items on this list, many wealthy individuals skip disposable razors in favor of reusable or higher-end grooming tools. Options like safety razors or electric shavers are more sustainable and provide better results over time, and there’s something about constantly buying disposable razors that feels wasteful.
Seasonal Décor Overload
While the wealthy enjoy decorating for the holidays as much as anyone else, they rarely go overboard. Instead of buying endless items for each holiday, they focus on timeless, high-quality pieces that can be reused year after year, making a festive approach that reduces clutter and keeps their spaces feeling elegant without unnecessary purchases.
Cheap Kitchenware
Pots, pans, and utensils that don’t last aren’t worth the money, no matter how affordable they seem. That’s precisely why wealthy individuals tend to invest in durable kitchenware that doesn’t need frequent replacing. Remember: high-quality cookware not only performs better but also saves time and frustration, so skip out on those cheap options to realign your purchasing habits to be more economical.
Excessive Subscriptions
Even though they could certainly afford them, rich people often keep an eye on recurring costs like subscriptions. Streaming services, magazine deliveries, or subscription boxes can pile up quickly, and infamously, they’re rarely used enough to justify the expense.
Trendy Health Gadgets
Last but not least, it doesn’t matter if we’re talking about detox teas, smart scales, or any other trendy health gadgets—they’re rarely as effective as they claim. As a result, many wealthy individuals skip these in favor of proven methods like balanced eating and regular exercise.
We can’t deny that some gadgets might offer minor benefits, but in general, they’re unnecessary. So, this selective approach helps rich people focus on what truly works, rather than following the latest fads. We could all learn a thing or two from that!