1. Cooking at Home Instead of Dining Out
With restaurant prices rising faster than wages, many Americans are opting to cook meals at home. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food away from home rose 4.1% year over year, while grocery prices remained relatively stable. People are learning to batch cook, meal prep, and follow budget-friendly food bloggers to stretch ingredients. It’s not just frugal—it’s become a survival skill.
There’s also a growing online trend around “pantry challenge” groups where people share ways to live off existing food for weeks. Home cooking gives control over both nutrition and cost, especially as tipping culture adds 15–25% to already inflated bills. Meal kits like EveryPlate or budget meal plans from creators like Budget Bytes are growing in popularity. Eating out has gone from a weekly norm to a special occasion.
2. DIY Haircuts and Beauty Care
Salons have become a luxury as the cost of a haircut now averages $45–$70, depending on location. To save cash, Americans are turning to YouTube tutorials, drugstore color kits, and even haircutting apps like You Probably Need a Haircut. Barbershop visits are being stretched out or replaced with clippers at home. It’s less about style and more about staying presentable on Zoom.
The pandemic normalized home grooming, and for many, that trend never went away. Nail salon visits are down too, with at-home gel kits and press-ons filling the gap. Even professional stylists are offering virtual consultations so clients can cut or color on their own. It’s a workaround born of both necessity and creativity.
3. Thrifting and Clothing Swaps
Clothing prices are steadily rising, yet fast fashion’s environmental impact is turning people toward more sustainable—and affordable—alternatives. Thrift stores, Buy Nothing groups, and clothing swaps are booming. Apps like Poshmark, Depop, and ThredUp have created massive secondhand economies. It’s now socially acceptable, even trendy, to wear pre-owned clothes.
People are even organizing local swap parties, where friends exchange bags of clothes instead of heading to the mall. Some workplaces are relaxing dress codes, allowing casual wear that’s easier to source secondhand. Inflation isn’t just shrinking budgets—it’s reshaping fashion culture. Clothes are no longer disposable; they’re becoming part of a personal circular economy.
4. Skipping Health Insurance for Direct Primary Care
With health insurance premiums averaging over $500/month for individuals, some Americans are choosing direct primary care (DPC) instead. These practices charge a flat monthly fee—typically $50–$100—for unlimited basic care. There’s no insurance middleman, and some patients pair this with catastrophic insurance or health cost-sharing programs. It’s not ideal, but it offers predictability and access.
DPC is growing fastest in rural and underserved areas, where traditional coverage is sparse or unaffordable. Patients often report better access to doctors, shorter wait times, and more face-to-face care. However, this workaround excludes emergency services and specialist care, so it’s a calculated risk. Still, for many, it feels more manageable than dealing with deductibles and surprise bills.
5. Using Public Libraries as Coworking Spaces
As remote work has become permanent for many, libraries have stepped up as free alternatives to coworking spaces. With fast Wi-Fi, quiet rooms, and free coffee in some branches, libraries are becoming productivity hubs. Some even offer free printing, tech equipment, and private meeting pods. It’s a throwback solution to a very modern problem.
Commercial coworking spaces can cost hundreds per month, pricing out freelancers and gig workers. Libraries, funded by local taxes, are now being reimagined as “third places” between home and work. People are also taking free courses or attending resume workshops while there. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about maximizing community resources.
6. Carpooling and “Hyper-Miling”
Gas prices may have cooled a bit, but they’re still high compared to pre-pandemic levels. In response, Americans are reviving carpooling and adopting hyper-miling—strategies to maximize fuel efficiency. Reddit threads and Facebook groups are filled with tips like coasting, reducing A/C use, and timing stoplights. Some are even buying older, fuel-efficient cars instead of new EVs, which remain expensive.
Apps like Waze Carpool and Scoop connect commuters headed the same way. Employers are also encouraging shared rides to cut parking costs. For rural workers with long commutes, these tricks can mean real savings. It’s one more example of trading convenience for control.
7. Turning to Community Gardens and Urban Farming
With grocery costs rising, some Americans are planting their own food again. Community gardens are expanding in cities, and waiting lists for plots are growing. Even small-space urban dwellers are using window boxes, hydroponics, or balcony containers to grow herbs and vegetables. It’s the return of the Victory Garden—this time fueled by inflation instead of war.
The USDA reports more people are engaging in “food sovereignty” to escape price volatility. TikTok is full of gardening hacks like regrowing scallions from kitchen scraps or composting in buckets. People say they enjoy the mental health benefits, too—it’s cheaper than therapy and produces dinner. This workaround offers both sustenance and satisfaction.
8. Delaying Major Life Events
Milestones like weddings, buying homes, or having children are being put on hold. The cost of everything from rings to childcare has made these decisions more financial than emotional. Some couples are choosing courthouse weddings or eloping, skipping the $30,000 price tag of a traditional ceremony. Others are moving back in with family to save for a down payment.
Birth rates in the U.S. continue to decline, and surveys cite financial insecurity as a top reason. Social media is full of micro-wedding inspiration and tips for celebrating big moments on small budgets. Life isn’t on pause—but it’s being carefully rescheduled. Americans aren’t saying no to dreams; they’re just negotiating the terms.
9. Canceling Subscriptions and Sharing Logins
Streaming fatigue is real, and so are the bills. With every service charging separately, many people are trimming the digital fat. They’re rotating subscriptions, canceling auto-renewals, and going back to shared logins—despite increasing restrictions from platforms like Netflix. It’s a digital detox driven by financial need.
Some families designate who pays for which service and share across households. Others rely on free ad-supported platforms like Tubi or Pluto TV. Even audiobooks and eBooks are now being borrowed through library apps like Libby. Entertainment hasn’t disappeared—it’s just getting repackaged.
10. Living in RVs or Converted Vans
Housing costs have priced many Americans out of both buying and renting. As a workaround, some are embracing van life, RV living, or converting school buses into tiny homes. It’s not always glamorous—many do it out of necessity rather than wanderlust. But it does provide shelter without a mortgage or rent.
Communities have sprung up in warmer states where vehicle dwelling is easier year-round. Forums like Cheap RV Living help newcomers navigate regulations, repairs, and places to park. It’s mobile, flexible, and relatively low-cost—though not without tradeoffs. What started as a trend is now a full-blown housing solution.
11. Forgoing Childcare for Shift Parenting
Childcare costs are outpacing mortgage payments in some areas, leading parents to stagger work hours instead. This “shift parenting” model means one parent works while the other stays home, passing the baton throughout the day. It’s exhausting but often cheaper than daycare, which averages over $1,200/month per child. Some couples even change careers to make the schedule work.
Informal family help—like grandparents—is also playing a bigger role. Parents are finding remote jobs or freelancing to stay home part-time. In forums and Facebook groups, moms trade schedules like currency. This workaround keeps kids safe without going broke.
12. Using “Buy Now, Pay Later” for Groceries
Once used mostly for big purchases, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Klarna and Affirm are now being used to buy groceries. Major retailers like Walmart and Target have integrated BNPL options into their checkout process. It’s controversial—some call it a debt trap—but for people between paychecks, it’s a lifeline. It’s not sustainable long-term, but it’s often better than overdrafting.
Surveys show younger adults are most likely to use BNPL for essentials. Critics worry it encourages overspending, while supporters say it provides breathing room. It reflects the tightrope many are walking, even for basics. Groceries used to be a given—now they’re a financing decision.
13. Relying on Mutual Aid and Community Support
Formal safety nets haven’t kept up, so informal networks are filling the gap. Mutual aid groups, especially online, are helping people cover rent, medical bills, and food. These aren’t charities—they’re grassroots, neighbor-to-neighbor support systems. It’s the modern version of passing the hat at church.
Apps like Venmo and Cash App make it easy to send and receive funds quickly. Some communities even have “blessing boxes” or free fridges stocked by locals. Mutual aid surged during the pandemic, and many networks have stuck around. When institutions fail, people build their own backstops.
This post 13 Workarounds Americans Are Using Because Essentials Are Now Optional was first published on American Charm.
