It can be hard to justify spending more on an item when a cheaper version is sitting right in front of you at the store—maybe even on the same shelf. But just because something is cheaper doesn’t mean it’ll serve your needs. In the best-case scenario, you’ll have you replace the item more quickly than you might prefer. In the worst case, that cheapie will crap out on you almost immediately, leaving you kicking yourself for not just spending a few bucks more in the first place.

Discussing money is still generally frowned upon. In fact, people are so hush-hush about their finances that they would rather talk about their sex life than their credit card debt at a dinner party, according to a report from Motley Fool’s The Ascent. That survey found that almost 57 per cent of respondents think it’s taboo to discuss personal finances regardless of time and place. And that stigma may leave you feeling lost when you want to discuss your financial goals, understand your setbacks, or celebrate your achievements.

Earlier this week, we asked you to share your favourite frugal hack — and you delivered. Lifehacker readers have hacks for everything from haircutting to bulk shopping, as well as large-scale, philosophical money hacks to help you practice mindful spending.

What are your go-to frugal hacks? Do you pack your lunch for work every day, or make your own lattes? Do you put yourself on library hold lists months in advance, so you can be one of the first people to read a new book when it releases?

Do you automatically deposit money into your savings and investment accounts every time you get paid, or stuff cash into envelopes to give yourself monthly spending limits on restaurants or clothing? Do you cut your own hair?

A few days ago, a true cold spell rolled through our area, taking temperatures down to below freezing. Given that it was also a day where every member of our family had some business out and about, it meant that we were all exposed to the frigid elements.

They say variety is the spice of life, but I live my life literally, and I get my diverse kicks from actual spices, seasonings, and condiments. This is why various jars and squeeze bottles take up half my fridge, but it’s also why I eat at home almost every night.

I haven’t paid for a haircut since January.

When you read a lot of personal finance articles, you inevitably reach a point where you can’t buy a water bottle at the corner deli or buy gas without driving around to find something that’s two cents cheaper a gallon without feeling some sense of shame. Those are unnecessary purchases after all, and everyone knows that spending a few bucks you don’t have to is what leads people to unfulfilled, un-wealthy lives. Or something.

Stews are a frugal person's best friend. There's nothing more satisfying to a penny-pincher than scores of single-bowl meals made with the cheapest cuts of meat. Stew is easy, but to get the best flavours, stew meat needs a little extra care. Here are some tips.

This month, we challenged you to cut back on an expense many people overpay for: Mobile phone service. Before you make the switch, though, there are factors to consider beyond cost.

If you're on a budget and you're looking for some great ways to relax and unwind beyond just going for a walk or taking a nap, this graphic has about fifty of them, all of which may take a little time, but never any money. Best of all, it's organised chronologically, so you can try them at different parts of the day.

Last week, personal finance site Financial Samurai posted a blog that went viral: Scraping By On $500,000 A Year: Why It's So Hard For High Income Earners To Escape The Rat Race. If $500,000 is "scraping by", it's time for some serious financial literacy.

We all know that brick-and-mortar stores use all sorts of tricks to get you to spend more, but online stores are guilty of many of the same techniques. This video and graphic are a rundown of them, and how you can fight back.

Sometimes it makes sense to spend a little more money on something if it will make your life easier, save time, or last for years. And sometimes buying quality or splurging on an "investment piece" is just a waste of money. What items have you purchased for quality that you regret?

It's not too hard to find stories in the media about seemingly ordinary people finding great financial success. You hear about what seems like an ordinary guy or gal who worked in what seemed like an ordinary career path and somehow they have got a million dollars in the bank. How did they do it?

You might think it's too late to save a buck or two for those last minute gifts, or maybe that it's too late to find cash to treat yourself while you're buying for everyone else. Well, here are some ways to find some extra scratch to make the yuletide that much brighter.

Around this time of the year, I get messages and emails from folks who are struggling to figure out gifts for the frugal person in their life. What do they get for the person who is very careful with their money and doesn't seem to want anything?

Like many people who suddenly realise how bad their financial situation is, we dove hard into frugality during the first few months of our financial turnaround. It makes sense, really. Frugality is the best personal finance tactic there is for seeing immediate results.

Frugality isn't just about saving money, it's about being efficient with your money, using it in the best way possible. It also means not wasting your time. For maximum efficiency, focus on being frugal with expensive purchases, not cheap ones.