The further you get into the world of personal finance blogs and communities, the weirder the advice gets. It’s not necessarily because all the advice is the same and we’re desperate to mix it up. It’s more because money advice is so specific to every person. What works well for your friend might be a nightmare for you. If you read a tip for saving money, try it once or twice and evaluate its usefulness to you before committing.
Take this one for instance: Some people reuse tinfoil in their kitchens. Once they unwrap that extra piece of lasagna that was in the freezer, they wash the sheet of tinfoil in the sink, let it dry, fold it up and stick it in the drawer next to the roll of new foil. You can reuse a portion of aluminum foil two or three times or more, but only if you have the patience to wash, dry, and store it between uses. For some people, this routine means saving $5–$10 per year on this kitchen material. But you might see it as a waste of time after a few attempts.
If a tip doesn’t work for you, don’t worry that you’re doing it wrong or you’re just not frugal enough. Skip it and move on, experimenting with strategies and adopting those that work for you—not just the ones you feel like you should be doing.