30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread

Over 700 million people across the world are living in extreme poverty, which means affording basic necessities like food, clothes, or internet is a luxury for many.

That’s why Redditors who once struggled financially are sharing their go-to money-saving hacks for those who could use a little help. These ideas could also come in handy for anyone looking to be more mindful with their spending. Check them out below, and if you have similar suggestions, feel free to write them in the comments!

This post may include affiliate links.

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Buy a bunch of identical socks. If one wears out or gets a hole, I can throw away only that one sock.

dustofdeath , Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto Report

44points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago

100%. All my socks are black tall crew and nobody can tell if they match or not.

9points

View More Replies...

View more comments

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I cut open my lotion, toothpaste, and other products to make sure I use every ounce!

ImHere4TheGiggles , etevian Report

34points

POST

Rose the Cook 16 hours ago

It is surprising how much you waste if you don't do this.

10points

View More Replies...

View more comments

While serious financial hardships are a challenge on their own, many people also struggle with simply managing their money. For instance, a 2020 Intuit survey of over 1,500 people revealed that more than 60% didn’t even know how much they had spent the previous month.

To help people become more mindful and intentional with their finances, Bored Panda reached out to Francesca Henry, the creator of The Money Fox, an Instagram blog where she shares her best cost-cutting tips.

“I started my page because years ago, I found myself in a tough financial situation,” Francesca tells us. “At the time, there weren’t many Instagram pages like mine, and I had to trawl through Google to find websites that could help. Most of what I found was aimed at the U.S., though. When I started trying things for myself, like side hustles and budgeting, I realized I needed to share what I was learning so no one else would feel the way I did—searching for help but not finding any.”

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Got a library card to save some money. Haven’t had a streaming service in a while.

bitter-coffee , Element5 Digital Report

30points

POST

tori Ohno 3 hours ago

Nope. Won't do it. I budget specifically for WiFi. No car payment though. I only buy used, and pay cash that I've saved up.

0points

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I still reuse my ziplock bags… and grocery bags… and paper bags… and you get the idea.

Edit: ok reading this thread I have more poor person habits than I realized.

lucyfell , Maria Lin Kim Report

30points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago (edited)

Same. I reuse old food containers too. Like those plastic butter containers too.

11points

View More Replies...

View more comments

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread When I buy things that come in plastic containers (cottage cheese/sour cream/plastic take out type containers) I re use them for leftovers instead of buying the gladware reusable ones. It’s the same thing and I don’t have to worry about losing or ruining them. My fridge looks like my grandmas did growing up but I’m not throwing away more money on something I don’t really need in the end.

pabloescondido , [deleted] Report

26points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago

Those are so useful.

6points

View more comments

Francesca shares that her favorite money-saving tip is finding ways to increase your income when you feel like you’re falling short, rather than cutting into your budget. “It only needs to be temporary until you’re back on your feet—or you can stick with it!” she says. “I tried out several different side hustles and even did overtime.”

To avoid feeling overwhelmed by overspending, Francesca suggests setting up sinking funds—where you save a set amount each month toward specific goals, like Christmas gifts or car maintenance. “You take the total amount and divide it by the number of months you have left. For example, £1,000 over 10 months means saving £100 per month,” she explains. “Also, record your expenses daily so you can see how much you’re actually spending, rather than guessing. This will help keep your budget on track.”

And of course, you don’t always need to spend money to have fun. “Find free activities to do with friends, like potlucks, going for walks or runs, or visiting free museums,” Francesca says.

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Make a big pot of bolognese. Portion and freeze. Base makes chilli, lasagna, spaghetti bolognese and tacos.

Xr8e , Klaus Nielsen Report

24points

POST

Paul C. 12 hours ago

Yeah great....then I sit there and eat waaaay too much.

6points

View more comments

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Wearing a jacket is cheaper than turning on the heat.

throwawayxxx1993xxx , cottonbro studio Report

21points

POST

Karina 12 hours ago

Make the jacket a sweater, then you have no leaks in the front or worse, cold buttons and sippers. Blankets for the win, when you are really cosying it up for winter.

4points

View More Replies...

View more comments

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I will never in my life buy candy at the cash register of the supermarket. If I am tempted, I will simply walk back into the store and buy a whole back. But I'm not paying 1,5 euro for a single snickers when I can buy a 6 pack for 3,5 euro in the back of the store.

Th3_Accountant , Joaquin Carfagna Report

20points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago

The stuff at the register is there to trap and snag money from people who are more impulsive.

10points

View more comments

That said, it can be difficult to focus on healthy spending habits when financial struggles cause constant anxiety and take up all your mental energy. Studies show that financial worries are closely linked to higher levels of psychological distress. This often leads to lower self-esteem, feelings of guilt or shame, and can even result in depression.

Having experienced tough times herself, Francesca knows how hard it can be to stay positive. She recommends adopting small, meaningful rituals that can lift your spirits. “Make time for activities that bring you joy, even simple things like spending time with friends at home or reading a book from the library,” she says. “Having accountability partners can help too.”

Although financial setbacks may be temporary, there are still plenty of ways to brighten your life without spending much. Plus, the money habits you develop now can stick with you and benefit you in the future.

We went from poverty to upper middle class in the span of two years after I finished my Master’s degree. We are still frugal. We just don’t really buy stuff. We don’t travel or do vacations. All of our hobbies have us outdoors doing stuff for free anyways. We save and invest the extra money. We still have our beater cars and cheap apartment. Walmart and thrifted clothes. Buying basic and simple food in bulk and freezing. We just never changed our lifestyle. I think fear of someday losing it all and going back to poverty scares us, so we hoard what we can in savings and investments.

Nunuyabizzniss Report

20points

POST

Regina Holt 5 hours ago

Thrifted clothes are great. Most of the clothes you buy from Walmart are what we call "fast fashion" They look great, but don't last very long. Buy thrifted clothes and they will last longer than anything you buy from Walmart.

5points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#10

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I grow vegetables in my garden from seed and put up the produce like grandma used to do.

There is a change jar on the dresser where all the coins go. Roll em up and take em to the bank.

Buy practical things and buy them for life.

DanielleAntenucci , Kampus Production Report

19points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago

I don't roll up the coins anymore. My bank has a machine that counts and separates it for free now. I even have a special bag for it. It's a small canvas bag with a dollar sign on it like in cartoons. I love bringing it INTO the bank.

8points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#11

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Save lots of containers for other uses… storing/ sorting screws, etc.

Caddy000 , GraphicNovelty Report

18points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago

Poor peoples' tupperware.

3points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#12

Accept free food. I used to be a picky eater. When I was poor I didn't know when I was going to eat again so I was just thankful for anything that wasn't spoiled or rotten.

Be nice and courteous to strangers. I didn't ever beg for money or food. I would help out people in my community whenever I could. Open doors for people. Clean up the trash on the side of the road or a parking lot. I helped this one guy push his car 4 blocks to a gas station after his car broke down in the middle of the street. -That guy gave me 100 bucks! (I was able to buy a cheap cell phone that led to me getting a callback for an actual job.)

I taught myself how to sew. When you only have almost no clothing it starts getting to the point where you need to start "reinventing" your old clothes. I still patch up my suits, pants, and socks when they need it.

preshowerpoop Report

17points

POST

Auntriarch 10 hours ago

I have recently turned the collar on two of Mr Auntriarch's favourite shirts, first attempt, I'm feeling rather chuffed with myself. Just wish I could tell my nan about it...

5points

View more comments

#13

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Go up and down every aisle in the grocery store comparing the coust of a product. Also comparing sizes to coust so like I could get one larg bottle of mustard for 5 dollars but the smaller ones are on sale for 2 for 5 and I'll be getting 4 more oz for free.

PattersonRoxy , Andrea Bova Report

16points

POST

TribbleThinking 14 hours ago

I don't shop any other way.

3points

View more comments

#14

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I was never poor, but my parents taught me to live in power saving mode.

Don't buy stuff you don't need.

Travel cost cautiously.

Don't buy expensive cars, cars are pure net negative things you sink money into in time.

Don't eat out all the time, just couple of times a year is enough.

Forward_Golf_1268 , Liza Summer Report

16points

POST

Sofia 11 hours ago

"Don't eat out all the time, just couple of times a year is enough." as fast reader it become "Don't eat all in one time, just a couple of times a year is enough" and I was wondering how not to starve all the other days

5points

View more comments

#15

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I research for like 30 minutes before making any online purchase to make sure I'm getting the best deal while stacking the highest cash back and making sure I'm using the right credit card with the best offers. All this to save $30 that I throw away in 5 seconds when I'm drunk.

Misterymoon , Karolina Kaboompics Report

15points

POST

Comment Deleted 7 hours ago

I just LOVE how people on these type of threads get so bent out of shape at suggestions that are not relevant to their particular country or life. Calm down people. If it is not relevant or of use to you them move on. Why so darm angry.

2points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#16

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Make a big pot of chili and eat it for days.

BeanMachine1313 , Katerina Holmes Report

15points

POST

WindySwede 15 hours ago

And if you have the possibility, freeze some/all of it. Then you don't have to eat it for days, and still have some homemade in the freezer when you don't wanna cook.

6points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#17

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I freeze any food I can to ensure the food lasts and lessen the chances of being hungry the rest of the month.

Electrical_Ice5457 , Bozhin Karaivanov Report

15points

POST

Javelina Poppers 14 hours ago

One extravagant expenditure I made some months back is a vacuum chamber sealer. It not only protects my all foods from freezer burn, but I can vacuum seal liquids like soups, chili and spaghetti sauce. Never regretted it once and it continues to save me money on food on a daily basis.

8points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#18

Only drink tap water. It's fine in my location. No money goes to soda, hot drinks, or alcohol. This makes it easier to afford cheap groceries and maybe save up some money. I can afford to be less strict about it now, but it seems like a good and harmless habit to keep (considering sugar, calories, dental effects).

StarAxe Report

15points

POST

Kristal 13 hours ago

Same! Grow some of my own plants for tea too (like Chamomile)

2points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#19

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I turn off shower while i lather up. I'm still poor but I grew up where there was not a lot of water bc poor community. Plus didn't have a water heater so we had to heat up water in stove top. We bathed with a 5 gal bucket of water.

Due_Scholar8901 , Pixabay Report

14points

POST

Green Tree 16 hours ago

"Navy shower" - give yourself an initial all over rinse, turn off the water while you lather all over and then turn the water back on for a final rinse. I still do them periodically and strangely I actually feel cleaner.. I think maybe it's because the soap sits on your skin for a minute coupled with the visual of the suds makes sure you don't miss any spots

11points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#20

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Rich people throw out amazing stuff. If you know someone with a truck, you can go around the wealthy areas on garbage day and get all sorts of furniture, appliances, and clothing. A little cleaning and maybe a few minor repairs and you have lots of stuff to use or sell.

UnsafeBarista , Şahin Sezer Dinçer Report

14points

POST

oldguyinstanton 11 hours ago

Watch out for the bedbugs. No, really. In everything that has tiny cracks/crevices.

6points

View more comments

#21

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Listen, cheapo ramen is just damn good.

ATribeOfAfricans , Alan Levine Report

14points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago (edited)

Get familiar with your local Asian grocery store. There's an isle with about fifty different kinds of instant ramen in there and they all cost less than $2 a pack. You can try a different one every day of the month and it doesn't get old. My favorites are Indo-Mie and Mama.

10points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#22

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread After you finish cooking food, leave the oven open and heat your kitchen for free.

lions_amirite , Alex Lam Report

14points

POST

Green Tree 16 hours ago

Yep when it's cold in winter that heat is not going to waste! To be clear this is not running the oven with the door open, it's once the cooking is over you leave the door open for like 10 minutes so that heat goes into the house rather than being wasted.

12points

View More Replies...

View more comments

See Also on Bored Panda

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#23

It took me a long time to realize this habit of mine stems from me growing up poor, but I tend to overstock on pantry items. I’ve got a million toothbrushes, several spare jars of spaghetti sauce, tons of canned soup I rarely eat, etc. psychologically it stems from this subconscious fear of running out and not being able to afford a replacement later, so I better buy more now while I still can! (Never mind that I can absolutely afford replacements of all this stuff easily. Old habits die hard though. Not too bothered by it though, while my storage is all overcrowded, it’s still nice and comfortable knowing I have everything I need.).

tmrika Report

14points

POST

Green Tree 16 hours ago

Only a good habit if you periodically do "no buy" periods to clear out old stock before it becomes expired clutter

12points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#24

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I still take hotel shampoos and soaps, disposable chopsticks from restaurants, wet wipes and condiments from random food places, whatever that horsey sauce is from Arby's that nobody ever eats... If it was free guaranteed I've got some in a drawer at my house.

FortuneTellingBoobs , Alexander Mass Report

13points

POST

Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 16 hours ago

I save extra napkins when I eat out.

3points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#25

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread I make soup for like 5 days at a time.

Thatoneepisodeofveep , Zak Chapman Report

13points

POST

WindySwede 15 hours ago

Freeze!

4points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#26

Paying everything i can with cash this helps me keep my expances down since i can see the bills that im paying and then sometimes think yeah no thats not worth it. If i would have paid by card i would still have bought it.

And i still save for the things i wanne buy even though i can buy it immidiatly. I save it first because then im gonne take better care off it and im more proud off it since i saved for it instead off buying it in an impulse.

Specialist_Echo1823 Report

12points

POST

Regina Holt 5 hours ago

I use credit card instead of cash. I pay off the credit card completely when the bill comes. I use a credit card that pays back a small percentage of what I spend. That way, it's like I left the money in the bank a bit longer, plus earning the cash back that I wouldn't get by paying cash.

2points

View More Replies...

View more comments

#27

I'm still poor, kinda but I don't think I will stop hording things like good containers when I get rich, if something that usually gets thrown away once it done its original job but still can be reused again, I'm keeping it.

Jihi-is-talking Report

12points

POST

#28

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread We eat out now.

but best believe we'll have left overs and those left overs last me lunch and dinner for the next 2 days.

Deseptikons , Eiliv Aceron Report

11points

POST

Kristal 14 hours ago

Yeah, I think this one falls under: if you eat out, don't shy away from the large portions so you can have leftovers at home. This is very easy for a single person to do.

6points

View more comments

#29

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread My diet still mainly consists of rice, beans, frozen veg, and oats.
Still shop according to sales and coupons.
Still collect bottles and cans. I tell myself it's to recycle (I'm huge on RRR), but I have the urge to sell them and tell myself if there's an emergency I can cash them in for a quick ten bucks.

Sufficient-Berry-827 , Polina Tankilevitch Report

11points

POST

Geoffrey Scott 2 hours ago

Live in Michigan, 10c deposit on soda, beer, etc. Like a redneck savings account, make about as much interest too LOL

1point

View More Replies...

View more comments

#30

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread Save chicken carcass after a roast and use for chicken stock.

Former_Situation2826 , Bluebird Provisions Report

11points

POST

WindySwede 15 hours ago

"three o' clock chicken stock" ☕

1point

View more comments

Note: this post originally had 55 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

What do you think ?

Mäandertal 13 hours ago

Poor people hacks = common freaking sense. I'll never understand why people insist on wasting stuff to flaunt their status. It's embarrassing, frankly.

7points

Get a second use out of anything you can before tossing it. Stuff like cutting up ripped sheets for rags, use big dog food bags as garbage bags, lemon peels in some simmering water for kitchen deodorizer or microwave cleaner. It's the old school way since the beginning of time to use things up to thier fullest before considering it actual trash

Magpie 9 hours ago (edited)

A lot of these are rich people from were I am sitting. .... I can't afford heating / cooling. But manage ok. Look up Aussie sites for how to manage heat. ........ Meat is for rich ppl. Lentils, beans and nuts for protein........ Clothes when needed come from Opshops. Underwear, socks from shops like kmart or big w, on special. ......... Banks here must have one fee free account for pensioners, but you might have to ask for it. Watch out for fees on ATM's ...... Use soap bars for everything. Cheaper than liquid soaps.

Load More Comments

30 Of The Most Useful ‘Poor People’ Life Hacks, As Shared In This Online Thread

Oleksandra Kyryliuk

Oleksandra Kyryliuk

Gabija Palšytė

Gabija Palšytė