Ask the Readers: What odd things have you done to save money?
Published on - October 5th, 2012 (by Ellen Cannon) This is a guest post from David Bakke. David is always looking for ways to save money and live frugally. He shares his tips and strategies on Money Crashers Personal Finance.
During my journey to escape $30,000 worth of personal debt, I wore my frugality like a badge of honor. I had no problem bragging to people about all the ways I saved money, regardless of their quizzical reactions. I was on a mission, and I achieved my financial goals as a result.
Once I became financially fit, I thought I was a frugal guru. Oh, how wrong I was. Since then, I’ve uncovered a number of new, even strange, ways to save money. I’ve now gone to the extreme with my money-saving efforts. Here are five of the odd methods I’ve implemented to save some extra money each month.
1. Bring garbage to work
When I moved into my current home, I found that garbage pickup would cost me $300 per year, so I decided to go a different route. I recycle all paper, plastic, and glass, and I compost a lot of my organic waste to be used in my backyard garden. Whatever is left gets tied up in a bag and goes off to work with me each morning. I deposit it into the Dumpster behind my office, and voila – $300 in annual savings. Just be sure you get permission from your employer to do this (at least, if they pay the bill) or find out who owns or rents the Dumpster and ask them if it’s okay.
2. Put bricks in the toilet
Due to some upcoming infrastructure improvements in my city’s water system, water bills are expected to as much as triple in the near future. So to cut down on my expenses, I put a few bricks (wrapped in plastic bags to prevent clay from entering my plumbing) in my toilet tank. This displaces water in my tank, and I use less each time I flush. This doesn’t save a ton of money, but it can add up significantly over time – plus, it’s more environmentally friendly.
3. Recycle shower water in the garden
I shower with a strategically placed five-gallon bucket, which catches a lot of the water I use. I then use this to water my flower garden. Again, this won’t save you millions, but every little bit counts.
4. Use coupons on (first) dates
I’m a divorced single father, and I finally got fed up with wasting money on first dates that never went anywhere. Too many women on online dating sites are out for a free dinner and that’s it. Therefore, I use a coupon on any first date I go on whenever I can scrounge one up. For the ladies who react negatively to this practice, oh well. The way I see it, I wouldn’t want them for a long-term partner anyway if they can’t understand the value of a coupon.
5. Return almost all gifts
Most of my friends and family know that I prefer gift cards as gifts, but some still insist on buying me actual items. As an avid Internet reseller, I’m pretty good at finding the cheapest price on just about anything, so I usually return most gifts I receive and repurchase them at a cheaper price. So actually, I make money on the gift and still get to keep an identical item. For those gift-givers who don’t include a gift receipt, I figure out where the item was purchased and can usually get store credit or sneak a return through.
Final thoughts
Look, no one is going to save money for you. Your friends won’t and your family won’t. Therefore, this job is completely up to you. You can go the extreme route like I do, or start slow, but the important thing is to start saving money today.
What odd things do you do to save money?
GRS is committed to helping our readers save and achieve your financial goals.Savings interest rates may be low, but that’s all the more reason to shop for the best rate.Find the highest savings interest rate from Ally Bank, Capital One 360, Everbank, and more.
This article is about Ask the Readers, Frugality, Savings
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
Discover is a paid advertiser of this site. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the Discover online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards.
SEARCH FOR RECENT ARTICLES
Look, I appreciate the idea behind this article, but to me, making money on gifts is beyond tacky.
I get returning things you don’t like. But actually turning a profit? Wow.
loading....
You’ve got to be careful returning merchandise too often. Many retailers are cracking down on serial returners and you might get banned from doing so in the future.
loading....
I totally agree! That is beyond tacky to just being gross.
As someone who doesn’t really receive presents anymore (my parents and in laws died within the past couple of years, my brother and I stopped exchanging gifts when we were teens, and my husband pretty much gets me stuff he knows I want, my young kids make me drawings), it actually pisses me off that someone in the position to actually have people give him presents would squander them so. It is the thought that counts until there are precious few people left to think of you.
loading....
I don’t see an issue with returning a gift to get an identical one back and make some money while doing so. I do the same thing when I buy something and the next week, it goes on sale – don’t you? Well, you should because that’s money back in your pocket. It’d be stupid not to take advantage of it.
So what if he’s turning a profit? How does that make it gross? It’s not like he sold the item and kept the entire value in his pocket. Folks need to get past their definition of morals because this topic does not fall underneath that umbrella.
It’s quite clever and resourceful. Just as the original purchaser could have practiced smart shopping, he’s doing it and adding more value to the gift by way of savings. Get over yourselves.
loading....
You can also practise this trick in reverse – some stores will allow you to exchange items without a receipt, so you can find the store with the highest retail price for the item and exchange it there. I occasionally do this if I get two of the same item from different family members.
loading....
How much time do you spend looking for these sales, making trips to the store or post office, and keeping track of your receipts vs. how much “profit” you make returning items? My time is worth more than the few bucks I’d expect to make returning sale items.
loading....
This one made me a little bit uncomfortable, I have to admit, but I don’t really think the author’s doing anything wrong. Once a gift is given it is the property of the giftee to do with it what he or she pleases. Should there be some discretion involved to make sure that the gift givers don’t know what he’s doing? Yes. Is he doing anything wrong? Not really.
What bothered me more is actually the “Most of my friends and family know that I prefer gift cards as gifts” just in that it seems to forget that gifts are not obligations, they are choices, and when giving a gift, well, you get to give someone whatever the heck you want.
loading....
I second these comments – it’s a little odd, but as long as you don’t TELL someone that you did it, I suppose it’s logical.
I do dislike the gift card comment – it’s a gift, you shouldn’t be dictating how or what they choose to do for you.
I think some of these ideas are better than others – with the shower water, you have to be careful not to get soap in it, since that usually kills plants. And with the brick in the toilet, you have to check it often to be sure it isn’t harming anything (ie, getting under the plunger).
Finally, I don’t like the idea of bragging about this to anyone, it’s one thing to share tips if asked, but don’t go around saying how much better you are, it’s rude.
loading....
I think he should TELL them what he does with gifts…..then they will know not to bother with wasting their money on buying him a gift!
loading....
Some of David’s ideas seem a little extreme, but I don’t mind the bragging part. The dude got out of $30,000 of personal debt! The bragging about bring frugal probably helped to keep him motivated while he did it.
loading....
I’ve sold gifts that I have been given on Craigslist. Sometimes the grandparents give me things that I used to be into. I can’t see keeping them just for the sake of keeping them.
loading....
I hear you, @Debt Free Teen. Jake’s grandparents have given us such gems as an infrared freestanding oven, a pen that records conversations (so you can tuck it into your breast pocket), a flying alarm clock…
I think they are on a mailing list for gag gift catalogues and think they’re real. Sigh.
But since they are in their 90s and live a thousand miles away, we say, “Thanks! I’ve never seen one of THOSE before” and then donate to charity.
loading....
Honey….personally, I think it’s pretty rude to diss your son’s grandparents on the internet
loading....
I don’t see it as a “diss.” It’s actually quite charming, but that doesn’t mean the gifts are useful
loading....
Kathyrn, just for the record, Jake is Honey’s husband.
loading....
There’s a difference between selling things you were given but do not need or want, and what the author of the article does (selling gifts to buy them back and make profit in the process ; meaning they actually need or want the stuff).
No one here is talking about “keeping stuff for the sake of it”.
Also, I am sure that the way this part was written plays an important role : the author stresses the “return” of the gift and even sneaking one after a “proper” investigation on where the gift was bought.
loading....
The “profit” is at the expense of the time and energy required to go through all of this (opportunity cost). I wonder if it’s actually even worth it, when all is said and done.
loading....
I agree that this is super tacky, and here’s why: the extra money is coming at the expense of the person who got the gift. Maybe they would have taken that money and spent it on something else for you, but maybe they wouldn’t have, and if they’d been able to find it cheaper they would have gotten you the same gift and pocketed a few bucks. This is all well and good in business, but when it’s friends and family, it’s completely beyond tacky.
loading....
There’s a big difference between saving money and making other people pay for your stuff. Reusing your shower water in the garden is an example of the first, as is recycling and composting. But I question the ethics of some of your other “tricks”.
loading....
Agreed. Also consider: one of the biggest drivers to success in life is your extended social network. If you are turning off future friends, co-workers, or dating prospects with your cost-cutting measures, you may be losing opportunities (financial and otherwise) in the long-run.
loading....
Bought a bookmobile and converted it into an RV, so we could pocket more of the housing subsidy when my wife was a travel nurse.
That’s the “weirdest” one I can think of. Rest is pretty standard stuff (no cable, used cars, prepaid mobile phones, etc.).
loading....
That’s pretty creative!! My friend started his own water pump business where he installs water wells for people who don’t use city/town water. Instead of buying a new truck to haul all of his stuff, he bought an old ambulance and took off the markings so it functions as a box truck.
loading....
I installed a rain barrel to catch runoff water for gardens. I have 3 downspouts on my house and it was amazing that even a light shower will immediately fill up a 55 gallon drum.
loading....
Rain barrels sound great, but be careful, in some jurisdictions they are not legal. I think it is something to do with affecting runoff. You may want to check your locality before installing one.
loading....
Thanks for your comment, I did not know that. It is apparently common out West to be illegal if you don’t have a well on your property.
In Delaware (where I live) and Maryland (where I got my rain barrel subsidized) they are encouraged to decrease impact of runoff to rivers and watersheds
loading....
In addition to rain barrels (legal where I am) and a shower bucket I use laundry water in the garden. Yes, there is soap in it but that hasn’t been a problem. I sprinkle gypsum (sp?) twice a year to counter act the alkalinity cause by the soap.
loading....
Interesting comment, thanks! I was wondering about the effect of soap when I read the shower bucket idea.
loading....
I saw a laundry grey water irrigation setup on This Old House, so I would guess it is not that harmful to your plants (not sure I’d use it on a vegetable garden, personally)
loading....
Grey water (meaning water that has been used for cleaning) is not a health hazard, so there is no problem using it in the garden. However, for those who are interested in using water from the washing machine, chlorine bleach will kill your plants.
loading....
I’ve heard that in parts of CA, or maybe all of it, it’s legal to water your yard with washer runoff, aka, grey water. I imagine you can get a kit to make the process easier. However, it’s probably not legal in other areas, and probably legal in CA because its water issues.
One use for a bucket of left over water is flushing the toilet. The toilet looks a little odd after since it’s mostly empty, but if it saves a tankful of water, why not?
loading....
Yeah! My grandmother used dirty dish water to water her regular flowers. She said the soap repelled the bugs but it never harmed the plants.
loading....
We have an aquarium, and when we change the water I use it to water the garden. The plants love it!
loading....
I’ve been known to wash and reuse drinking straws and plastic utensils as long as possible. It’s green and cheap! =)
loading....
Oh, it’s odd to reuse straws? Guess I’m odder than I originally thought. Same with plastic utensils…I like to save them for the rare picnic (hate having to buy a whole pack just for one rare outing).
loading....
I bring my lunch to work every day with plasticware that I just bring back home and pop in the dishwasher with everything else. Eventually they break, but I don’t think it’s weird!
loading....
Why not use regular silverware? Then you don’t even have to buy the plastic stuff. That’s what I do, it never occurred to me to use/buy plastic silverware for that….
loading....
I don’t have a really good answer! I guess I just don’t want to lose the flatware and I think it’s more likely than my tupperware to fall/puncture its way out of my bag? I don’t buy the plasticware anyway, though, just collect it from random places for free over time. I do have some old cheap flatware from back in college that I could use without fear of losing them.
loading....
I don’t like plastic utensils, so I packed my own flatware when I was brown bagging. I have a few odd pieces that float around in the drawer for just that purpose. If you don’t have an old set from the past and don’t want to risk loosing your own, you can usually pick some up at a thrift store.
loading....
I bought a steak knife, fork, spoon and butter knife at the dollar store and keep them in my desk at work. Saves the plastic and I like it better than plastic.
loading....
They both run through the dishwasher. I just run a little water through the straw right after use.
loading....
Certain plastics are not made to be re-used, such as plastic straws and plastic water bottles. They are not made out of the same type of plastic as harder plastics like tupperware that are meant for continual use. These thinner, lower quality plastics can more easily leach chemicals into your food and drink after multiple uses.
If you use straws a lot, try one of these glass straws! They last forever
http://www.glassdharma.com/
loading....
This goes along with your #1 – my father rarely showers at his house. He works out every single day at his gym first thing in the morning, showers there, and is good to go for the day. Now, that gym membership itself is not frugal, but he’s making even better use of it by not having to pay for his own shower water at home.
loading....
Gym memberships are very frugal compared to the costs of medical care from chronic diseases!
That being said, when our local YMCA opened a new facility, and replaced their equipment, we bought a professional gym quality treadmill from them, that was a few years old, but in excellent condition. (Price new $11,000). Cost to us: $150 for the treadmill to the Y, $200 to have it moved (talk about heavy!) $100 to the electrician to put in the type of plug we need to operate it (different kind of electrical line needed) I work at home, so now my gym is just downstairs, convenient,I am still available if my phone rings and I actually use it, and so does my son in bad weather (competitive runner)All I ever used my Y member ship for was the treadmill. We saved $53 a month. My son still goes on a $17 student membership to lift weights and hang out with friends.
Speaking of saving money with large appliancy type things, this fall I bought a nearly brand new air conditioner at a yard sale that is a stand up one, with a hose that you can easily fit in the window. We have central air, but sometings the only room that needed cooling was my upstairs office, and we couldnt ‘fit a traditional air conditioner because of the type of window we had. Cost $140 (New thse are about $300) I won’t have to run the whole house to make my office livable.
I save money in big ways. I don’t do time consuming things to save money, because being a self employed entrepreneur, that time will be more profitable actually working rather than doing things like collecting my shower water to save .003 cents a gallon on my water bill.
loading....
Oh ITA that working out is an investment in your health, whether that’s a home gym or an away-gym! I just meant that this particular gym that my father belongs to is a fancy schmancy expensive one with lots of amenities that he doesn’t use. He used to belong to a more bare-bones (i.e. totally sufficient) gym but switched to a family membership at the expensive one because my siblings wanted the amenities – but he’s the only one who goes there regularly!
loading....
I have been doing this for years – I just take hop in, hop out showers at home and save the primping stuff- washing/conditioning my hair, shaving legs, etc. for the showers at the gymn where I can luxuriate and take my time! It really does save up a lot of money and water usage.
I also have been re-using my plasticware for eons, AND I wash out ziplock bags. I once made a plastic take-out cup last over a year, using it as a drinking glass at work!! It finally cracked, but had really done its’ duty.
loading....
I’m not a big fan of returning gifts that people probably put a lot of thought into. I think almost everybody does return a gift now and then, but to return all of them is sort of tacky. Just my opinion.
loading....
I do not object to the author returning gifts for whatever reason, including getting the same items for a better price elsewhere and pocketing the difference. Gifts are freely given and should carry no expectation on the part of the giver, other than a well-deserved and sincere thank you.
As for something I do to save money, and honestly I’m not sure how much it saves, here goes. My son has always overpoured milk in his cereal bowl. I was never successful in getting him to correct this completely, although he pours less than he used to. Instead of throwing out that milk, I cover the cereal bowl, refrigerate it, and use the leftover milk for my cereal. This may sound gross to people, and I completely understand, but milk it expensive and I hate wasting it.
I also use white vinegar in spray bottles for cleaning many surfaces, and for disinfecting, rubbing alcohol. These liquids are much cheaper than real cleaning products.
I admire people who find creative ways to hold onto their money, and I enjoyed this article.
loading....
That’s… “very unusual”….
Altough it weould make total sense to me if you covered the leftover milk and used it the next morning for your KID’s cereal.
He’s the one overpouring, not you.
You deserve fresh milk.
loading....
I use about 50/50 vinegar/water for so much of my cleaning now. Not only does it work well, I realized it’s much easier on my allergies than conventional products.
loading....
I think re-using the milk is great!
We have family over for dinner every week, and if anyone doesn’t finish their meal and doesn’t want to take it home, I package it up and take it to work for lunch the next day. I always do it secretly because I’m a little embarrassed– But I can’t stand to throw food out! Especially food that I paid for and made!
loading....
Couldn’t you start out by serving smaller portions to begin with? Less waste, and perhaps slimmer, healthier family members!
loading....
You’re embarrassed about eating leftovers???
loading....
I think she means she waits until the family members leave before boxing it up. I don’t think she’s embarrassed to eat leftovers at work, I think she’s embarrassed to have family members see that she’s going to eat food with their saliva on it.
loading....
Hmm… I always drank the milk left over in the cereal bowl, so Mom never got after me about wasting milk. She would, hoever, get after me about drinking from the bowl. So, when she could see me I would demurely use my spoon to consume the excess milk. Otherwise, I’d drink it
loading....
Brings back fond memories. I still like drinking milk from my cereal bowl.
loading....
I was under the impression that when you return a gift you get store credit and not cash, so I don’t understand how you turn a profit on buying the same thing for less somewhere else. I can see how exchanging, for example, an unwanted electric razor bought at Target for the equivalent amount of groceries would reduce your grocery budget for the month, but it would ultimately be a zero-sum game as you have simply changed the gift into something you actually use. Turning around and buying the razor from Amazon (or whatever is your super secret online resource for cheap stuff) isn’t saving you money at all.
loading....
I think that way the author doesn’t feel guilty about always returning everyone’s gifts. (Not that the author seems to have an especially strong sense of guilt about these things.)
loading....
I’m gonna have to call “cheap” on the coupon idea. I get that first dates are expensive, and I’m definitely not the kind of girl to go on a first day for the free food. I also get the need to not spend a whole lot of money.
However, I would really have a hard time with someone who used a coupon a first date. I’d much rather a date that consisted of a walk in the park, for example, than a date with a coupon. Inexpensive doesn’t have to be “cheap” if you get my meaning.
loading....
Well, your comment proves the author has a good point. You would be turned off by someone who takes frugality (or cheapness, as you see it,)to such an extreme. No problem! Have a great life!
However, I’m sure there is a lady out there who may show up with her own coupon to a first date and has bricks in her toilet…
loading....
He could be frugal by doing exactly what Lauren suggested – going for a walk in the park! You do NOT have to take your date to a restaurant!!! And you certainly do NOT have to take your date to an expensive restaurant! But breaking out the coupon on a FIRST date signals that you think most women are gold diggers and that your current date is one of the gold diggers.
Offending your date is not a good strategy for romance.
loading....
“But breaking out the coupon on a FIRST date signals that you think most women are gold diggers and that your current date is one of the gold diggers.”
BINGO.
Even his assumption that many women date for a free meal is off-putting. I’m sure there are women who do, but to use a coupon “just in case” the women you’re taking out is a gold-digger is a recipe for disaster from the start. For me is not the coupon per se, is the reasoning behind it that’s a turn off.
loading....
I really doubt there are people out there going on dates with strangers just to get a free meal and movie. Food is not that hard to come by.
loading....
@Steve – Now I want to create a fake online dating profile with a picture of a woman holding a cardboard sign that says, “WILL DATE FOR FOOD!”
loading....
Devil’s advocate here:
If the 1st date lady in question was just “in it for the free meal,” then isn’t that just her being extremely frugal? Controversial, yes, but the author doesn’t seem to have an issue with other controversial frugality methods!
For the record, I’ve never gone on dates just for the meal. I do think it’s ironic that the author would think nothing of taking advantage of the system to save a buck, but is fearful of someone doing the same exact thing… to him.
loading....
I might be turned off if on a *first* date the guy used a coupon for dinner. I might wonder if he’s annoyingly cheap and if I would really want to spend my life with him. I would be turned off. Also, if I get the sense he’s doing it because he doesn’t want a freeloader then I would wonder if he’s got a jaded attitdue towards women. Another turn off – he’s assuming I like those others without bothering to get to know me. I understand that dinners are expensive, but why not be more creative and do something fun yet less expensive for a date? But, ultimately, I think it would depend on how well I knew him. If this was the first time meeting him I would be turned off. But, if this was a case where we’d been friends before dating I might not be.
Finally, I wonder why he’s taking online dates to dinner. The usual protocol is to meet the person for COFFEE, not dinner!
loading....
When I was much younger, I might have been turned off by the coupon because I was turned off by the notion of frugality. When I was young, with more money than commitments and all the time in the world to prepare for someday (or so I thought), “frugal” equalled “tightwad” and “boring” in my mind. I think that was more an indication that I still had a lot of learning and growing to do than an indication that I was a gold-digger.
At this point in my life, I’d do a lot more pro-and-con and “what does this say about him” analysis in my mind. Of course, that might put the kibosh on the date right there because how much fun would I be if I were busy going through mental gymnastics about the significance of a coupon instead of just being the delicate flower of Southern womanhood I am.:) But, like Jen, I think it would depend on how well I knew him. And if it were a blind date, it would depend on how it was presented and communicated. I can’t be the only person who thinks it’s endearing to meet a person who uses some creative thought to try to make an evening better than it might otherwise be. It would actually appeal to my frugal nature if it just appeared to be a straightforward and natural part of the evening.
In the end, I’m with Jen on making the first date something more like coffee and a walk in the park. That shows more interest in getting to know than in trying to impress.
Just my two cents –
loading....
I think I’d be turned off, too! The OP doesn’t have to plan some crazy-expensive first date like you see on TV; what’s wrong with a picnic lunch or visiting a museum, or just meeting for coffee?
loading....
I have totally brought coupons on first dates with me for the guy to use! I knew he would most likely offer to pay and if I could help him out with a buy one get one or something for bowling or mini golf or a restaurant coupon, then gosh darn it, why not! I have never had a guy not take me up on my offer to use the coupon. In fact some of the guys have been pretty impressed. None of those guys have brought their own coupons, but if they had, I would’ve been just fine with it. I like saving money, he likes saving money, sounds like a match made in heaven to me!
loading....
I like your way of bringing coupons on the date for the guy to use. It’s a nice way of helping to pay your share without possibly offending him since some guys feel strongly about paying for the woman. And, if it’s a first date, it can be hard to tell if the guy is old school or new school
loading....
I had a date relatively recently at a restaurant that I had a 50% Groupon for. At the end of the meal I told him about it as I was taking out my smartphone (where the coupon is) and he said “absolutely not” in a gentle way. He told me to use it with a girlfriend, but never pull out coupons on a date, LOL.
loading....
What the hell is wrong with using a coupon on a first date? Sorry but I just don’t see a problem with that. But hey, to each his own I guess…
loading....
I think it’s the attitude with which one uses the coupon.
The way the author posted, it sounded condescending – like “you aren’t good enough to spend the full amount on, so I’m using this to reduce my burden of taking you out”. If it’s introduced to the date, like “So I found this coupon for this place, I hope you don’t mind if I use it so we can have a little extra for our second date” (ie, mutual, at the end when the bill comes), it sounds more appropriate.
loading....
I really like your wording for the appropriate way to use a coupon. It’s smooth while making it clear “Hey, I’m interested in you, so let’s go out again.”
That’s a hundred times better than “We need to use this coupon because I don’t want to spend money on you.”
loading....
Yes, the delivery and tone matters a lot here. I think another ok way to use a coupon on a date would be if it were casual date and the taker outer said, “Hey, I’ve got a coupon to XYZ. Wanna go there for dessert? We don’t have to if you’re not interested. I’m fine with going someplace else.” In that context it sounds more like an opportunity for BOTH people, not just the person paying for the date.
Btw, my boyfriend and I ended up using a gift card on our SECOND date. We’d already had dinner and gone to see a play – a small, local production w/ affordable tickets – and were walking around Boston chatting. We decided to get dessert, were near the Prudential Center, and I remembered I had a Cheesecake Factory gift card from a Yankee Swap. So I mentioned the gift card and we went to the Cheesecake Factory at the Pru. We also split the bill, so the gift card benefited both of us. Or maybe I paid for the dessert since he paid for dinner… It was a few years ago.
loading....
Yes! Exactly! Or, even if the date itself was to use the coupon ala “hey I found this new restaurant through groupon/restaurants.com/etc. and I’d love to try it. Would you like to come?” That’s totally different than the way the author presented the idea.
loading....
It’s been a long time since I’ve dated but I don’t think a coupon would be a turn-off on a first date. In part it might depend of what the restrictions are.
With Groupon type coupons there are generally few restrictions on what is ordered. However, other 2 for 1 coupons often restrict what they can be used for. It could be annoying or seem cheap to be told on a 1st date that I have to order from a certain part of the menu, i.e., combo plate rather than salad.
I agree that if you’re going on lots of 1st dates (I do vaguely remember how painful that stage is) find other alternatives to dinner.
loading....
Angie, I’m with you!
Coupons are fine. If a guy used a coupon on a first date, I wouldn’t mind. Then again, on a first date, I’d be insistent to pitch in on the bill *anyway*. It’s only fair!
I also still tip the full amount (that to me is also fair, rather than stiffing the waiter/ess on the tip because of the coupon).
loading....
Reminds me of one of my first dates going to a movie…I made her pay for her ticket.
I regret doing that, but we were in high school and had no money.
She ended up marrying me! What a sucker XD
loading....
Why not dutch on the first date? Then you can use the coupon and you both save. Oh, and milk jugs filled with water are a better substitute for the brick trick.
The book you want full of tips of this kind is The Tightwad Gazette book(s) by Amy Dacyczyn– get it from your local public library– it’s the best ever.
I’ve collected used lumber from the dumpster at work when they were remodelling and used it to build bookcases with grape crates. Pretty wierd.
We go around the neighborhood on yard-waste day and collect bundles of branches put out for yardwaste pickup to burn in our outside firepit.
loading....
if my husband had broken out a coupon on our first date, it would have been an almost-guarantee of a second date.
Frugal is so sexay
loading....
I was thinking the same thing! Maybe I am a weirdo but I would find a man that whipped out a coupon intriguing at the very least. =)
loading....
EXACTLY! since when is keeping more money in one’s pocket for later fun or savings a TURN-OFF? wow, some people….
loading....
Maybe he should only date feminists. I would never even consider not paying for my half on a first date! (That is actually an important part of determining compatibility; if they insist, I know I can’t trust them to take what I say at face value, which is just bad news. If they continue to insist after my explanation, it’s clear they not only don’t share my values but don’t respect them and/or that they are more caught up in what society expects than what I expect, which is not a particularly auspicious start for a relationship.)
Though if you don’t normally go out to eat, it still gets pricey after a while even if you’re only paying for yourself.
loading....
I charge everything that needs to be charged when I’m at work. I don’t know the savings, but charging my electric razor, cell phone, iPad and various other electronics I’m sure adds up over time.
loading....
This is essentially making your employer spend the money rather than you, which IMHO falls in the cheapskate category rather than frugal.
I charge my phone & iTouch in the car during my commute to/from work to avoid adding to my electric bill.
loading....
When you charge electronics in your car you are using your car battery to supply the power, right? But how does your battery get recharged? Through your alternator. Your alternator is powered from the gas you put in your car. Gas power is much less efficient than the power you get from a wall outlet (even though, most of that energy still comes from coal, it is actually more efficient than the internal combustion engine in your car). I would only use your car if your cell phone is about to die, not to keep it charged on a regular basis.
loading....
Your fundamental lack of understanding of basic physics is appalling. Plug your damn phone in wherever you want. You are spending a totally negligible amount in either place.
loading....
I just saw an article that says it costs $0.41 to charge an iPhone 5 for a year. iPad is a little more at $1.36 per year but still not much at all. I think they assume $0.10 per KWhr
loading....
You’ll save a lot more if you plugged in your fridge.
loading....
I’m going to need a longer cord!
loading....
In my opinion these methods are pretty extreme.
There is something to be said for time value, just to save a few quarters a month on a water bill.
loading....
Well first here, I would note that many of us live in drought areas where water is expensive and use has to be limited. If you live on the Eastern Seabord say, tht may not be an issue. For much of middle america it is. So yes, a bucket in the bathroom as well as a rainbarrel make good sense (and frankly dont take any extra time. I mean how much time does it take to walk a bucket from the bathroom to the flower beds.
More importantly however (while I disagree with many of the suggesions of the OP), I have to say that this idea regarding time versus money needs to be taken in context. Using the bucket for example, its part of my basic routing. I get up I shower and dress, I go out on my patio with my coffee and I drag the bucket along. Where is the extra time, I wonder. What the OP doesnt address is that frugality is about lots of little things done together…drying on the line while cooking in a slow cooker while helping kids with homework for example. in my experience very few frugal type activities are done one at a time, in a vaccum. Theyre part of a well oiled routine, done without thining.
loading....
I feel fine about cleaning and reusing dental floss, and carefully pouring the fluid my contact lenses arrive in into the little overnight containers (to conserve the storage fluid I have to buy).
Detailed practices like yours and mine do make a difference, but to be honest, I really crave a bigger social awakening. Our culture is addicted to too much stuff, and this materialism parades as normal living. It’s crappy for the planet, for our personal finances, and also for our happiness and relationships. I just wrote about a man who lost a loving friend because his relationship skills became as flabby as unused muscles. He treats people like things, and things like people. I think it’s a silent national epidemic.
loading....
Contact solution does not have enough antibacterials in it to halt growth if you reuse it. The shipping solution also does not necessarily have any disinfectant in it, since they’re packaged under sterile conditions. Unless you are using sterile instruments to remove the contacts from the solution, and pouring the solution into a sterilized case, there are going to be bacteria there. Paying for a couple of mL of saline once a month is MUCH cheaper than even a copay for a conjunctivitis visit.
loading....
One trip to the eye doc for conjunctivitis and you will spend a hundred lifetimes of this “savings”. Seriously — do you hear yourself?
loading....
I’m with the others who say the contact thing is risky. I used the same pair of contacts for something like 4 years once (they were the one-pair-a-year extended wear kind, so I thought it was ok) and got a horrible infection. Contact solution is a small price to pay.
I’d have the same worries about dental floss, to be honest – aren’t the betweens of your teeth the dirtiest part? Do you “clean” the dental floss with rubbing alcohol or what? I don’t see how that could be cheaper than a little more floss, which my dentist gives me for free every time I go.
loading....
Maybe you’d get more second dates if your car didn’t smell like garbage cause you dumped it at work, also probably best to not let them know you have a bucket in the shower. Seriously though, not to flame on you but I think its a bit simplistic and poor generalization to say women are just out for a free meal, seems like it might be how you are approaching the dates, perhaps a dating coach can help since it seems like you been off the market a bit. The bricks in the toilet is an interesting concept both for the environment and wallet.
loading....
I wonder if he has thought about the risk factor women take on when they go on a first date – especially with someone met online. Call me naive, but I find it *highly* unlikely that many women are putting the time, effort, and risk in to go on a date with a stranger, just for a free meal. Unless they’re actually starving.
How would he know that’s what they were doing, anyway? Because they didn’t want a second date with him? Like Dan says, it’s probably his dating approach that’s at fault (and just possibly, his attitude towards women), and not a plague of gold-diggers.
loading....
I have to reply to this – I posted below about my 7 years of online dating. That’s 300-400 strange men that I met on the internet. The men you meet online are the same as the men you meet in real life. You just know something about them ahead of time. I met jerks, I met liars, I met excruciatingly boring men, but I never once was in danger.* I never once even felt threatened. That is not to say there aren’t dangerous people on the internet, but it is the same ratio of dangerous to nice people in real life – most people are not out to hurt anyone.
Anyway, I needed to add this because I am very, very sick of the pearl clutching by people who have usually never been on an online date. Thousands and thousands of people go on online dates all over the country every single night, and make it home in one piece. It is safer than driving a car.
*note: I also met a bunch of nice men who were just not right for me, many of whom are still friends.
loading....
I agree – online dating is safe as long as you aren’t an idiot about it. And that applies to just about everything else in life. Always meet in a public place, and listen to your gut feeling about someone. I never once went out on a date with someone who scared me. I did get messaged by creeps, but I just ignored them.
loading....
(1)Bring toilet paper from work to home. Save on tp!
(2)Dilute apple juice and milk with half water.
loading....
You know your #1 is stealing, right?
loading....
(1) Um, the rest of the world calls that theft.
loading....
You steal from your employer? That’s probably not financially savvy in the long run…
loading....
(1) Yup, that’s theft, and wrong. You could try to have as many bowel movements at work as possible to save on TP consumption at home. Although it could be argued that you would then be stealing time from your employer. At least you wouldn’t be blatantly walking out of the workplace with something that did not belong to you.
I can’t believe I’ve broached the subject of poop timing on a personal finance blog.
loading....
I also compost now that we pay for trash removal by the bag; it averages $1/week for the bag and a large dip in my yard has been filled in with compost.
I have a bunch of plastic water bottles (the kind you buy at the grocery store) that, instead of immediately tossing into recycling after drinking the water, I wash and then fill most of the way with tap water and toss in the freezer. DS uses these as ice packs for his bagged school lunch, drinking the water with his lunch and on the way home. Since he likes to beat the bottles against walls as he walks, they eventually do go into recycling and get replaced with newer ones. But I haven’t bought bottled water in years.
Last time I had to help clean up after a work meeting, I rinsed and took all the empty bottled water bottles and soda cans; recycled the latter and washed out the former with soapy water to, yes, reuse at home.
DH & I work at universities and sometimes they dispose of old furniture and equipment. My very best Xmas gift was one year when his office was tossing 5 solid wood, perfectly good, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and he borrowed a truck and got them home. Completely free. I still have them, they’re great. (I need more!)
loading....
We started composting several years ago with earthworms, and now, we’ve reduced our garbage output by more than one half. We have a smaller garbage can as a result, which means some savings. It also offers a security measure. You can’t dumpster dive in our garbage to get info for identity theft. Sorry, buddy, the worms ate it all!
loading....
The plastic in bottled-water water bottles is very weak. If your tap water is fluorinated, the fluoride will break down some of the components of the plastic and end up in the water you drink. The plastic ends up accumulating in your kidneys, and can cause health issues. And to remove the fluoride or chlorine from your drinking water you would need a high tech method like reverse osmosis, not a pur or britta filter. I would rather spend $15 on a nice nalgene bottle, or similar brand, one that doesn’t have BPA, and freeze the water in that. Bonus: your son can bang the heck out of that bottle and it will probably never need to be replaced (unless its lost). And this way you are not saving say $1 each day on water bottle costs only to have a major kidney health issue later on.
loading....
A little off-topic I know, but does anyone else see something spiritual about composting? I mean, it’s taking garbage, the stuff that makes life smelly and rotten, and turning it into something that nourishes and conditions.
I think I garden just to rationalize my composting habit.
loading....
Glad I’m not the only strange one. I think about my veggies and trees getting nutrients from the soil and the leftovers going into compost which in turn go back to soil. A beautiful circle. I sorta see waste from purchased produce as my plants’ friends coming to visit and leaving something behind.
loading....
I started worm composting last spring to reduce my waste. I don’t pay by the garbage for waste disposal, and I don’t have a garden! Heck, I don’t even have houseplants! I just compost because… It makes me feel virtuous. And my inner geek likes watching the stuff decompose.
I’ll give the compost to friends who do garden. In the meantime, the worms have become pet substitutes. I even talk to them. And I get excited when I see little itty bitty baby worms!
The neighbors probably wonder what the hell I do with all the trash they don’t see me putting on the curb…
loading....
Talk about frugal pets!
loading....
My composting worms are the least demanding “pets” I have, and I’ve become happily geekily attached to them. I’ve also been able to use them to help start compost bins at schools because those little guys reproduce like crazy. (When one teacher asked what she needed to do to get her starter worms to reproduce, I suggested she just put on a little Barry White and leave them alone.) It gives me a way to connect to others and also contribute to science education. I think that’s an example of one type of frugality-conservation-hobby-lifestyle intersection that JD and others are finding. My composting thing is a frugal habit I enjoy, and it has side benefits of making me feel connected and giving others a glimpse of who I am. That’s a win-win for me.
And a tip from experience — Think twice before walking up to someone at work and proudly exclaiming, “I’ve got worms!”
loading....
Is this meant to be tongue-in-cheek humor? Not sure if I should laugh or pity the poster.
Look, you have to focus on the the bigger picture. Throwing away your own refuse at your employer makes you look tacky and cheap. While you may save a bit, the longer-term implications mean colleagues, etc. view you differently and may pass you up for raise/promotion/etc. I guess this depends on what kind of work you’re in.
#5 is just wrong.
#4. If you’re dating online, you don’t know the other person. Why not just take her out for ice cream and walk around a park? Costs you $3, you get to know each other, and you don’t look like a miser. I don’t do online dating but I guarantee you this will lead to more 2nd dates than whipping out a coupon at dinner.
I’m not trying to be insulting but when trying to save minuscule amounts of $ (showering while standing in a bucket? How old are you? This probably saves like $5/year), it’s important not to let frugality severly impact the quality of life.
loading....
Why not fill that bucket up with dirty dishes and shirts? No need for a dishwasher, washing machine, or a sink. One wash cleans everything!
loading....
There are some places where water is very expensive. I keep a bucket in my kitchen sink for rinse water and put it on my plants outside. It keeps my perennials alive all winter without hooking up the hose.
loading....
For me it’s not just (or even primarily) the cost of water bill. I live in an area that in a good year gets 12″ of rain and relies on imported water so the recycling aspects of reusing water is more important than short term costs.
loading....
We’ve been in a drought for 10 years here, and I’m using my buckets to not waste water. When we moved here, there was a real water shortage, and I started doing that right away. When the drought eased somewhat, I couldn’t come up with a good reason to start wasting water, so I just kept on.
loading....
*Wash the dishes in the biggest pot for the meal so we don’t have to fill sink.
*Santa doesn’t wrap presents. He sets them out under the Christmas tree and fills stockings without wrapping any of the items. My children only get one big gift and they never questioned that Santa did it different than everyone else…after all…he is Santa. They are teenagers now and like that they don’t have to get distracted with the wrappings.
*Stood in line at 5am at the grand opening of an Office Max to get $300.00 in free printer ink and 6 cases of free copy paper.
loading....
Women just out for a dinner? You aren’t going to be successful with that kind of attitude. Online dating is hard on both sides. If you don’t want to spring for dinner, try meeting for coffee.
I wonder if you recently dated a friend of mine, who was told she needed to put out because the guy felt he was owed something after the second dinner.
loading....
Yeah…
And women, the best way to combat stereotypes like this is to pay your own way. Then it’s hard to get accused of mooching. (Though less frugal. One of those times when principles outweigh the financial aspect for me.)
loading....
A woman paying their on way on a date is not a “date”, its having a meal a potential friend and nothing more.
loading....
How come there isn’t a “thumbs-down” option?
loading....
I get that not everyone will agree with me and that’s OK.
loading....
We too are good recyclers so we have very little trash to put out at the curb. We’ve been sharing trash pick up with one of our neighbors for years. Besides the money savings it’s nice to not have a huge trash container taking up room in our garage.
loading....
Most of these “tricks” will only save money if you consider your time to be completely worthless… not to mention your professional and personal reputation.
loading....
It sounds like you believe this guy’s day job is returning gifts and collecting buckets of shower water all day. I highly doubt that he is as he takes his trash to work.
It takes about 5 minutes to return something if you’re already out. Even so, if he took his profits to buy himself an iced latte, that gift paid out dividends which adds even more value to it, no? Most folks probably won’t see it that way.
It takes less time to lug a bucket of water out than it does to untangle the hose and spray out perfectly clean, single-use water. My father collected rain water from the gutters – same difference.
loading....
My friends tend to buy cold cuts in the ready-slice containers and they’re pretty much identical to the disposable storageware you buy for $3 a piece or as part of a 7000pcs. set so I ask them if they could set it aside so that I may reuse them for my lunches or to gift leftovers after a dinner party. Saves me money by not having to buy any food storage containers. It’s already paid for so why throw it away, right? I wouldn’t peg this as odd though.
loading....
The idea about putting bricks in your toilet? You would do just as well with plastic bottles filled with water, much better than bricks.
loading....
If he’s going to be that cheap, why use a toilet at all? Just go out to your garden and *BAM* free fertilizer to go along with your shower water.
loading....
Drought, Doug. A lot of people live where water is very scarce. Hmmm… Use drinkable water to flush the toilet, or drink it…
Pretty easy decision.
loading....
Use glass bottles like from spaghetti sauce. Plastic wears out over time.
loading....
Coupons on dates is going to keep you a single dad. First dates are like job interviews, you have to put your best foot forward right away or you’ll miss out on the second date.
Instead of dinner, meet for coffee or a drink (or caramels) to see if you actually like the person well enough to have dinner with them.
loading....
Not that it’s not like women aren’t aware that coffee dates are the screening tool, though…
loading....
But it’s a tool for both parties to screen each other. I don’t know if I want to sit through a whole dinner with someone before I’ve gotten to speak with them at least a little bit. Coffee allows for a polite getaway after 30 minutes or so.
loading....
^^^EXACTLY.
loading....
Dating is just an interview for someone you are eventually going to hate.
loading....
Throwing trash in your workplace’s dumpster is stealing, in the larger scheme. Dumpster rental is expensive, and you’re taking space that your employer paid for in order to get away from paying for your own trash removal.
The rest of the tricks you’re using are most likely not saving you enough money to bother with. Instead of spending time on these tricks, why not get a really part-time job to take up the extra couple of hours or so and sock that money away?
loading....
He asked his employer for permission so, no, it’s not stealing.
loading....
I know he asked. I can’t beyond the fact that he asked! I’m picturing myself asking one of my former bosses if I can dump my trash in the company Dumpster – and nope, I couldn’t do it.
loading....
He doesn’t say that he asked. He says we should make sure that we ask. Pretty cagey wording, I think deliberately so.
loading....
Some folks seem very high on their horse regarding the poster’s practices.
What are you watering your garden with? Clean water out of a hose, I bet.
Even if it’s considered a minute amount – what are you doing to save some water? Probably nothing.
Why should anyone feel embarassed? He’s not and kudos to him.
Concerning time value, it doesn’t take that much time to return an item to the store. If he’s already out, then it’s just another 5 minutes out of his time. Who’s to say he doesn’t spend the other hours of his life tending to things of value to him?
loading....
Rain barrels are a great idea, though in the Portland, OR area we get rain for 9 months and then it’s totally dry. How long does that water last in summer when it’s actually needed? (serious question. I’ve considered installing a barrel or two but haven’t done it) My only concern with using shower water would be putting soap/shampoo in your garden on a regular basis…
loading....
I appreciate this article and would like to see more like it.
Things I do:
1) Instead of turning up the heat for the whole house, use space heater in the bathroom in the mornings (when the house is coldest but you have no clothes on), use electric blanket on the couch, drink hot liquids, use heated mattress pad.
2) we made probably 10 gallons of our own cyser (apple wine) this year with free apples from this year’s bumper crop; people are begging others to take them off their hands; we did.
3) I walk everywhere that is within 2 miles (exception: big grocery trips). I take the bus or car share or bike other distances. We need the exercise anyway.
4) When looking for something “fun” to do, I check mystery shopping sites first.
5) If you used a coupon on a first date with me, I would still go on a second date. Sheesh what’s the big deal people? Why pay more for no reason?
6) CL is the best place for furniture.
7) Freecycle is awesome!
9) I always search for coupon codes before buying online.
10) The library is the most. awesome. resource. ever. Seriously! So amazing! I see no reason to ever have to buy a book ever again with interlibrary loan. I also save storage on having my own books – can just get them at the library whenever the heck I want.
That’s all I can think of at the moment!
loading....
Can you give us the names of a couple of mystery shopping sites? That sounds like the kind of fun that is right up my alley!
loading....
Market Force is my favorite
loading....
What is CL?
loading....
CL = Craigslist – garage sales are also good places and many people list those on craigslist!
loading....
I also use a space heater in the bathroom. And, in the winter I’ll open the blinds to let the sun in and warm the condo. In the summer I do the opposite – I keep them closed to keep the place cooler.
I’m also replacing my incadescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs as they burn out.
loading....
Just one trash bag ripping and leaking gross liquids/mushy stuff all over the car would be enough to negate any benefits from using someone else’s dumpster, in my opinion. Maybe he has a truck and doesn’t have to worry about this (or doesn’t ever put anything gross in his trash)….but I think that I’ll pass on this tip.
loading....
He composts that stuff.
loading....
You had me until #5. Returning all gifts?! That’s the most ungrateful thing I’ve ever heard.
Bring your trash to work and use a coupon on a date. But returning a gift?!!! Wow. Congrats on being an unappreciative miser.
loading....
He’s still using the gift, he’s just buying it somewhere else for cheaper. Which presumably the giver would have done if they’d had the time/inclination. Don’t see the problem.
Plus, if you don’t have people in your life who shower you with crap you have no use for despite your protestations (seriously, people, I don’t want Christmas presents, and buying them for me anyway isn’t a sign of love, it’s a sign of social obligation and inconsideration (not a word?)), then good for you. The rest of us can appreciate the loving intent (if applicable; my aunt has admitted most of the dollar-store junk she buys is just so we’ll have pretty packages under the tree), dump the useless items, and live a happy life.
loading....
So the author is then taking money out of his friend/family’s pocket because they aren’t as “savvy” as him at finding “deals”? It seems that if he wanted to maintain friendships, he’d politely drop hints about these “deals” he’s found to his friends and family so that they could save some money too, and not have their deadbeat friends skim it off the top of what was supposed to be a thoughtful gift.
loading....
Our most unusual reuse:
My daughter wrecked our 1985 Jeep Cherokee when it was about 15 years old. My husband and his friends straightened the axle. Got rid of the extra bits – roof, doors, windows – and turned it into an ATV for our farm. 12 years later the engine and transmission are still going strong and it is incredibly fun to drive.
loading....
We reuse paper napkins as much as possible. They can be so expensive, plus wasteful if you just throw them away if still reusable. We also use a homemade vinegar solution to do a lot of our cleaning.
loading....
Why not use cloth napkins? They last forever and don’t take up much space in the washer.
loading....
Why not just get cloth napkins and wash them?
loading....
We haven’t bought paper napkins or paper towels in years. I only used cloth napkins and either my dishcloth or a rag for a spill which is thrown in the laundry.
loading....
We use a Wonderwash(a small hand-crank washing machine)instead of a washing machine. It uses less than 3 gallons of water and works just as well. Saves electricity and water – and we get a 3 minute arm workout every time we do a load of laundry
loading....
If you recycle with water from a shower, particularly to a food garden, you might want to be careful with respect to the types of soaps and shampoos you are using. Certainly depending on your situation you may or may not be concentrating things over time.
loading....
Wow, I’ve done all of these except one. Here’s one more I do, though I don’t consider it odd (others might): I take “navy showers.” Get wet, turn the water off, lather up, turn the water on and rinse. Saves both water and energy.
loading....
I believe most of Europe does this as well. I totally would, except the shower controls don’t maintain temperature while just cutting off water, so I’d be subjecting myself to a cold blast on turn-off and turn-on every day. Sigh. (I rent, so there’s not much I can do about that.)
loading....
In reading this, I figure—fine, to each his own and *congratulations on getting out from under 30 grand*. But remaining in this cycle seems a bit odd if you aren’t going to reveal what you are doing with the savings. How are you making this money work for you now? Because, after all of that debt digging and the continuing tactics in which only save you a very miniscule amount—it just reads like you’re now chipping away at any existing or potential relationships to maintain your frugality whether it be with your family, employer, or a potential mate. I think people need to be conscious of doing what is right as an objective and not confusing that with being stuck in a poor mindset in the subjective. Is this getting rich slowly or staying poor habitually? What are you doing with these saved dollars and cents? Because you don’t have to grow flowers, you can do the “when its yellow let it mellow…”, and for a household of one, you can dump the tiny amount of non-recyclables anywhere with no one noticing. You can ask a 1st date to go Dutch. You can just keep that gift—you would just repurchase for profit– and enjoy the thought since it’s no money out of your pocket and return, sell, or regift the stuff you have no use for.
loading....
I understand the comments a lot of people are leaving about reusing plastic food and beverage containers. However, I have to caution that you really do have to pay attention to the type of plastic you’re reusing, specifically softer plastics that are used in a lot of beverage containers. These plastics break down over time and can “hold on” to bacteria, etc., so the reuser might be injesting large amounts of chemicals/bacteria over time. It’s easy to figure out what’s reusable… just look at the number on the bottom of the container and google it. I have a list posted on my fridge for quick reference.
loading....
These can be great ideas if you’re working on saving the dollars, too. If you’re frugal with the pennies but not the dollars, it’s not worth the effort. And it could upset others with how much of a cheapskate you are if you’re not consistent. I have a brother who is so cheap when it comes to contributing to group events, bringing things to a potluck, giving gifts, etc. But when he wants something (a DVD, an HDTV, a new computer), he always has the money for it. I realize that is WHY he has the money, but I’d rather be cheap within my own home and average to generous with others.
loading....
The bricks in the toilet – wow – never heard of that one! Most toilets can be adjusted to change the water level and thus save water without adding bricks. =)
loading....
1– I split dryer sheets in half before using. Doubles the box!
2– Shower at the gym whenever possible. Helps save wear/tear on our septic.
3– Use the water from the dehumidifier for our plants.
4– And to save my sanity, not replacing the TV that died in our kitchen until after the election!
M
loading....
My wife puts 2 dryer sheets in per load… TWO!!!!
loading....
Splitting dryer sheets also keeps gunk from building up in the dryer and getting on clothes. You need to clean the dryer sometimes. I also reuse them until the clean, fresh scent is gone. And then you can use them to get the dust off the TV and computer screens.
loading....
I also use dryer sheets to clean. They are excellent for getting soap scum off tile, porcelain, and glass.
loading....
I don’t use dryer sheets. I read somewhere that you fabric softener is actually bad for the clothes and over time it messes up the lint filter.
loading....
I use dryer balls, no sheets at all. I’ve used the same set for 4 years now, and they still work better than dryer sheets ever did, and far better for my family and the environment.
loading....
Or don’t use dryer sheets at all! I haven’t for basically my entire post-college life (I was still into what one “should” do then), and I haven’t noticed any ill effects.
loading....
I use water from my dehumidifier to water my flowers too.
And as for the using a coupon on the first date just excuse yourself from the table and give the coupon and your payment to the server. Your date will never have to know and its a pretty tactful way of going about it.
loading....
Aside from frugal living which I embrace wholeheartedly on a daily basis, I always look to try and change my thinking on the remaining disposable income I have left over each month. Disposable by definition sounds like it is something that can be wasted, but by questioning the everyday purchases that this money can be used for I have started looking at these items and questioning my need for them. If I was prepared to buy them but make the decision that I don’t really need them then money I would have spent gets transferred into savings via internet banking. It’s amazing how these little transfers can quickly build up the savings pot!
loading....
Haha wow, these are some really extreme ways to save a little bit of money. I understand the trash thing, and you’re actually helping the planet by recycling most of what you use, but the other things are kind of crazy IMO. The farthest I’ve gone is reusing plastic ziplock bags and being very careful about amounts of soap/dish soap/shampoo/conditioner/toothpaste etc. I use.
loading....
Even acknowledging the use of the word “Odd” in the subject line and “strange” in the article, this makes me uncomfortable. I appreciate unconventional ideas, and there may be some humor in the article that I am missing (e.g., the first paragraph is not serious, and is an attempt at self-deferential humor, right? Right? Because if everyone’s looking at you quizzically, they might have a point). But each of these ideas are so outside of the mainstream that I’m pretty sure if I ever implemented them, I’d lose friends.
loading....
“But each of these ideas are so outside of the mainstream that I’m pretty sure if I ever implemented them, I’d lose friends.”
Then you must have some pretty shallow friends.
Two of these suggestions had more to do with water conservation than money savings. It really bothers me that these aren’t more mainstream ideas. In new construction, it wouldn’t be that difficult to create greywater collection systems that either funneled the water into the toilet or outside for landscaping. That we still don’t recognize the value of potable water reveals how ignorant we are.
loading....
One of my coworkers is building a new house with a grey water system. He says it doesn’t cost much more when you’re building a new house, but converting an old house to one is very expensive.
loading....
I dont know why people are dumping on this guy for being frugal. Isnt this site about frugality? The coupons on the first date and taking back gifts(only gifts I get anymore (age 42) are at Xmas) are on the “cheap” side tho’. The shower water reuse etc. isnt so bad. My Rural water bill runs $100-$120 a MONTH just for house water. Its a long story but the water company is run by morons and by law they cant go bankrupt and suspend service so they shot their already high water rates clear to the Moon. I take many showers on the road since I travel for a living(railroad) and take showers at the gym also. When I was unemployed/underemployed 20 yrs ago I pretty much lived off of a garden and chickens,hogs,beef that I raised myself. I dont consider that odd, but some people in the city might.
loading....
Anyone who is more frugal than you is a cheapskate. Anyone who is less frugal is a spendthrift. This is universally true no matter how frugal you are. And it applies to many other activities that could be placed on a sliding scale.
That said – 3 out of 5 of these tips are things I would never consider doing. Therefore, the author is a cheapskate. But all of y’all who wouldn’t do any of them – you’re spendthrifts!
loading....
I think people are dumping on the ‘coupons on dates idea’ less for the idea itself and much more for the casual misogyny. “Too many women on online dating sites are out for a free dinner and that’s it” = REALLY?
loading....
The thing that I (usually) like about this blog is that it tends to not post extreme-frugality posts (like this) and instead offers practical info for normal people.
Most of the tactics detailed here require a whole lot of effort for very little savings.
Time is money. And for me, my time is better invested trying to make more money than inconveniencing myself to save 82 cents a day on garbage collection.
Modern conveniences–like inexpensive running water–free me up to focus more on my career so I can earn payraises and promotions. I’m quite confident in an ROI comparison of time invested on scrimping versus time invested in job performance, my career advances generate exponentially more income than could be saved through these efforts.
loading....
Bear in mind that the amount saved really depends on what things cost. For instance, in one town where I lived, trash pickup was by subscription and could run $60-100 A MONTH. My landlord and I saved money by a deal where we put out the trash can when it got full (about every two weeks) with a $5 bill taped inside the lid. That was $50/month we saved.
I have an extreme minimalist/frugal friend who does the same thing as the poster with his trash, with his boss’s permission– though where he works they also have a metal scrap bin, so if he has metal scraps that aren’t worth taking to a dealer, he drops them off at work. I think his employers end up making money out of the deal in the long run.
loading....
The author explicitly states the $300 annual cost of trash (i.e., 82 cents).
loading....
Paying almost $6 a week to dispose of one plastic grocery bag worth of trash would quickly get my goat, I’ll tell you.
loading....
1) Buy washclothes from thrift store and use them instead of paper towels. I have a stack that I think cost me less than $3.
2) I second coffee for first date to weed out people.
loading....
These don’t bother me nearly as much as they bother other people, apparently. I think recycling as much as possible and using compost is a great idea. And if his employer is okay with him using the company dumpster, why not? I’d use a plastic water jug in the water tank, not a brick, but the same idea. I agree that a coupon on the first date is a bit cheap, mostly because there are so many alternatives besides going to dinner. Then again, if someone said to me “I have a coupon for X, and I was thinking we could go there”, it’d be fine. And as far as returning gifts, well, I’ve certainly Goodwill’d a number of gifts I didn’t want.
I agree that they may not save tons of money, but at least some of them are reducing his environmental footprint, and I think more people should be thinking in that context, not just if it saves money.
loading....
I’m “eh” about the coupon on the first date thing — there are other ways to save money on a first date, like going for a walk in the park — but if I got any wind of this kind of attitude — “Too many women on online dating sites are out for a free dinner and that’s it.” — then I’d be out of there like a shot. There’s being frugal and then there’s being misognistic. One’s great, the other, not so much.
To put it another way: if I went into all of my first dates thinking “the guy’s just paying for my dinner because he thinks then I’ll owe him sex” then how’d you feel?
loading....
I make a habit of using cash instead of debit, and always ask for all coins as change. Even if I spend $4 on a $20 note, I ask for $16 in coins (I’m in Canada where we have $1 and 2$ coins). Those coins automatically go in a small tin bucket. When the bucket is full (approx. $500), I put the money on the mortgage, as an extra payment.
Since I pay my mortgage and utilities online, and use debit to buy groceries and gas, the small transactions I do with cash (maximum $20 note) allow me to save quickly and effectively.
loading....
Fold my money in two
. . . put it back in my pocket
. . . and it’s not taxable!
loading....
In regards to first dates, I thought that in the 21st century people would “go dutch” on first dates. Why is the man incurring all the expense? (I’m far removed from the dating scene, but even 20 years ago, I used to take turns paying for dinner.)
loading....
I never had a man ask to go Dutch before. If he did, there would be no date.
loading....
Turning down a date *because* the guy asked to go dutch? *That’s* wierd, at least to me.
loading....
I understand that – I’m just “different” in that way. I feel if a guy is going to ask me out, he’s paying.
Most men were appalled that I would even suggest pitching in for a tip so I doubt they would go Dutch with me. Though I’m younger, most men I date are “older” and are not hip to the newfangled attitude that everything has to be split completely down the middle when dating/courting.
There are some guys who still like to open the car door, let her walk in front on a narrow sidewalk, help her with her coat, and pay and I still prefer him to have first taste of the wine and for me not see the bill even if its a food cart or coffee date.
I’m probably more independent than its even healthy for me, but I still like to be treated like a lady.
loading....
And I should clarify, I wouldn’t turn the *guy* down, I just wouldn’t have a meal with him. There are a million other things we can do that doesn’t involve money or food. Sounds like he’s only interested in a purely platonic friend and that’s fine with me.
loading....
I online dated for about 7 years before I met my husband. I would estimate that I went on about 300-400 first dates.
On every single date I offered to split the bill. Every. Single. Time. I am an adult, I earn a regular paycheck (for 77 cents on a man’s dollar, but I do well with that 77 cents!), and the idea of ‘the man pays’ is archaic and contributes to gender inequality… but I digress.
Anyway, I always offered to split it. In those 300-400 dates, the only times the man agreed to split it was when a) we had a terrible, terrible time and neither one of us cared if we ever saw each other again, or b) the night I met my husband. (My impression: “He’s either cheap, or thinks of me as an equal!!” Hooray for love, he isn’t cheap!) When they turned down my paying for myself, I always offered to leave the tip (I always brought cash), which a lot (25-50%) of men agreed to.
So – I will admit that after 100 dates (and free dinners!) or so, I did get a little racket going and started meeting men at a local restaurant with a membership club. I earned T-shirts and gift certificates, which I then used to take friends out. I was genuinely dating in search of a relationship, but SERIOUSLY – I went on SO MANY dates, most of which never went anywhere, and having the bonus of earning a gift certificate helped me to not feel like it was totally pointless.
loading....
I think some of it is the circumstances under which the date occurs and people’s preferences. I’m for low cost first dates like going to the park or going for coffee, but if it’s a dinner type deal then I think often it’s just a difference of expectations. I prefer going dutch or, if second and third dates seem to be on the menu, switching back and forth between me paying for one date and him paying for the next one, but for many people there are these expectations about what a date should be that get in the way.
loading....
It’s been a VERY long time (mercifully) since I’ve had to go on a first date…but DH and I use the guideline that the person who suggests we go out is the one responsible for paying. (We keep our finances separate, an arrangement that has worked very well for us over 26+ years.) I would probably use the same guideline on a first date. Thus, a man who suggested taking me out on a first date would be expected to pay, plain and simple. If I made the first move, I’d expect to pay.
That said, the first date DH & I had was dutch, because between us we were able to scrape up $4 in change and had 1/2 tank of gas in his car, so we went for ice cream (you could get 2 dishes of ice cream for $4 then) and talked for hours. We still go out for ice cream on our “1st date” anniversary and it comes out of the household budget, so it’s still dutch.
loading....