20 Things Single Men Don’t Waste Money On (Because Why Would We?)

Let’s be honest: being single has its perks — and not just in the “I don’t have to share the blanket” department. It’s also the most budget-friendly lifestyle there is. When you live alone and only answer to yourself (and maybe the occasional dog), you start to realize that half the stuff society says you need is pure nonsense.

Single men everywhere have quietly mastered the art of frugality, often without realizing it. It’s not that we’re cheap — it’s that we’re practical. There’s no committee vote required for spending decisions, no scented candle budget, no “farmhouse chic” pillow rotation. Just pure efficiency.

Here’s a closer look at 20 things single men never waste money on — intentionally or otherwise.

1. Toilet Paper (It’s a One-Man Operation)

Let’s start with the obvious. When there’s only one person using the bathroom, a 12-pack of toilet paper lasts about as long as some relationships. And single men aren’t brand loyalists — if it’s two-ply and not made of sandpaper, it’s fine. We’re not standing in the aisle comparing quilt patterns or sniffing “Aloe & Chamomile.”

And when we run out? We’re creative problem solvers — there’s always paper towel, Kleenex, or, in true emergencies, the shower.

2. Paper Towels (We Have T-Shirts for That)

A roll of paper towels in a single man’s kitchen can last a geological age. Why? Because we have other tools. Old T-shirts, that one rag from 2007, the corner of the dish towel — all work perfectly fine for spills.

And if it’s something sticky? We’ll just rinse it under the tap and call it clean enough. Paper towels are a luxury, not a necessity.

3. Laundry Detergent (The "Eyeball" Method)

No one measures detergent by the cap. We pour until it feels right. If there are bubbles, it’s working. If the clothes don’t stink, mission accomplished.

Plus, single men have fewer clothes in rotation — one load per week, max. The same three shirts, one hoodie, two pairs of jeans, and a heroic number of socks that never match.

4. Cleaning Supplies (One Bottle Does It All)

Multi-purpose cleaner is exactly that — multi-purpose. Bathroom mirror? Check. Kitchen counters? Check. Muddy boots? Check. Some guys even extend the definition of “multi-purpose” to include car interiors and outdoor furniture.

If it smells vaguely like lemon and leaves a streak-free shine, it’s good enough. There’s no “bathroom spray,” “counter spray,” and “granite-safe surface enhancer” nonsense. Just one bottle, half-empty since 2019.

5. Dishes (The Bare Minimum)

The kitchen inventory of a single man could fit in a backpack:

One plate
One bowl
One fork
One spoon
One knife
One pan (with mysterious scratches)

That’s it. Why own more? It just means more dishes to wash. The same plate serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And if it’s not visibly dirty, it’s “still fine.”

Bonus: The dishwasher doubles as a drying rack, storage unit, or simply a sound barrier for bugs.

6. Fancy Groceries (We Shop Like Hunters, Not Decorators)

Walk into a single man’s fridge and you’ll find the essentials:

Eggs
Cheese
Bread
Beer
Maybe some hot sauce

We don’t do “fresh herbs” or “gourmet sea salts.” If a spice rack has more than salt, pepper, and maybe chili flakes, it’s suspicious.

We also know the power of leftovers. Cook once, eat all week. Chili, spaghetti, or stir-fry — by day four it’s not “boring,” it’s “efficient.”

7. Coffee (Black and Brutal)

Single men don’t spend $6 on oat-milk foam art. We brew strong coffee, drink it black, and call it breakfast. No creamers, no syrups, no whipped cream, no “medium roast with hints of hazelnut.”

We’ll drink instant coffee if it’s there. And if it’s not? Cold leftovers from the morning pot will do. It’s caffeine, not dessert.

8. Haircuts (DIY or Delay)

When the budget’s tight, the barbershop can wait. A good set of clippers pays for itself after one brave self-trim. Sure, the back might look like a topographic map, but hats exist for a reason.

And when we do go to a barber, it’s a tactical strike — in and out, no small talk, no beard oils. Just, “#2 on the sides, leave the top.”

9. Toiletries (Less is More)

Single men live by a sacred rule: one bottle per bathroom. Shampoo, body wash, and face wash are all the same product in different packaging.

The shelf space where couples keep an arsenal of skincare serums and conditioners? We’ve got deodorant, toothpaste, and maybe an expired aftershave.

10. Fashion (Function Over Form)

We don’t need seasonal wardrobes. One pair of jeans, a few T-shirts, and one “nice” shirt for dates or funerals. Shoes? Work boots, sneakers, and maybe flip-flops — that’s the holy trinity.

We don’t waste money on accessories either. A watch if we remember, a belt if the pants demand it. Jewelry? Only if it’s sentimental or found.

11. Home Décor (The Great Minimalist Illusion)

People say minimalism is a lifestyle. For single men, it’s just reality.

We don’t buy throw pillows, art prints, or “accent furniture.” Our TV might be sitting on a milk crate, but that’s called industrial style. Bare walls? That’s open concept.

Plants? Maybe a cactus. Curtains? Optional.

12. Utilities (The Thermostat Wars Don’t Exist)

When you live alone, you’re in full control of the thermostat. Heat off in winter, fans on in summer — who cares? If it’s cold, put on a hoodie.

Single men are masters of energy efficiency, mostly because we forget to turn things on. Half of our lightbulbs are burned out, but we’ve adapted.

13. Streaming Subscriptions (The Art of Password Sharing)

Why pay for Netflix when your cousin already does? Single men have mastered the delicate ecosystem of shared accounts.

We trade passwords like currency. “You get my Prime; I’ll take your Disney+.” And if all else fails, there’s always YouTube.

14. Vacations (Staycations by Default)

We don’t need expensive getaways to “recharge.” A weekend of uninterrupted silence, beer, and video games is just as restorative.

And when we do travel, it’s low-cost: road trips, camping, or crashing at a buddy’s place. No spa packages, no resort buffets, no airport upgrades.

15. Furniture (Function > Aesthetics)

The bachelor furniture rule: if it works, it stays. A folding chair is a dining chair. A cooler can double as a side table. And that futon? It’s both couch and bed.

Matching furniture sets are for people with matching towels — in other words, couples.

16. Gym Memberships (We Lift Groceries and Tools)

Who needs a $60 gym membership when you can do push-ups, yard work, or carry heavy things for free?

Single men stay in shape through practical exercise — hauling lumber, walking the dog, or “manual labor disguised as weekend hobbies.”

Plus, we don’t need fancy pre-workout powders. Coffee and stubbornness get the job done.

17. Dating Expenses (The Single Man’s Discount)

When you’re not in a relationship, you’re not paying for dinner dates, gifts, anniversaries, or “surprise weekend getaways.”

Sure, dating apps might cost a few bucks, but they don’t compare to the monthly “relationship overhead.” Flowers, wine, brunches — those are line items single men skip entirely.

It’s not loneliness. It’s financial independence.

18. Holidays & Gifts (The Simplified Season)

Single men don’t have to buy matching pajamas for Christmas or heart-shaped chocolate for Valentine’s Day. We keep holidays simple: a call to mom, maybe a six-pack, and peace of mind.

We don’t decorate much either. Halloween pumpkins become Thanksgiving pumpkins, which become… compost.

19. Cars (If It Runs, It’s Fine)

Our cars are practical, not pretty. Scratches? Character. Missing hubcap? Weight reduction. We change the oil ourselves (eventually), and we’ll drive it until it stops moving.

Air fresheners, seat covers, and wax jobs? That’s for show cars, not go cars.

20. Emotional Spending (We Don’t Shop Our Feelings)

Single men don’t buy scented candles, comfort sweaters, or bubble bath bombs to “feel better.” Our therapy is cheaper — a cold beer, a long drive, or yelling at the TV during sports.

We don’t cope with online shopping; we cope with logic. “Do I need it?” “No.” “Then I’m good.”

Bonus: The Philosophy Behind It All

Single men don’t plan to be frugal; it just happens naturally when there’s no one around to make you care about scented trash bags or matching cutlery. It’s not laziness — it’s a streamlined form of self-sufficiency.

We learn how to fix things, stretch meals, and improvise solutions because there’s nobody else to do it. Our homes might not look like Pinterest boards, but they run like well-oiled machines (most of the time).

And sure, we may occasionally splurge — a new tool, a big steak, a gadget that we’ll never use twice — but we do it guilt-free. No approval required.

Final Thoughts: The Joy of Low-Maintenance Living

Being single doesn’t mean being stingy; it means knowing what actually matters. It’s freedom from the endless consumer cycle — from “seasonal updates” to “self-care rituals.”

Single men have cracked the code of simplicity: spend less, stress less, and enjoy life on your own terms. You don’t need a $300 comforter to sleep well, or a candle called Autumn Whisper to feel calm.

At the end of the day, we’re not just saving money — we’re saving sanity.

And if you ever walk into a bachelor pad and think, “This guy lives like a minimalist monk,” you’re right. He just doesn’t know it yet.