I'm so cheap that I....

MarleeRayne

What do you do to save money?

Latest one as of ~1 hour ago....I bought "big kids" asics because they're cheaper than the women's version. haha.

Thanks for the idea! I was headed out to purchase running shoes today. Great!

snookumss

I actually LOVE COUPONS.... but the best thing I've done so far!?!

I signed up with a ton of different restaurant email/reward programs (even texts recently) and gave them all a different birthday! Now, every single month I get free food from various restaurants like Ihop, Shari's, Denny's, Acapulco's, Applebees, Arbies, Auntie Annes Pretzels, Baskin Robbins, Starbucks, etc. Its funny, its always my birthday ")

Also, I recently found coupons from my movie theater on facebook where I can get a new coupon sent to my phone every week for the concession stand! Of course, I send them to both my phone and my boyfriends! Half the time its a free soda or popcorn which saves a good 25% of the movie cost! "D

The list for the birthday freebies is here! ")

http://thefrugalgirls.com/birthday-freebies
*of course, many couponers may already have this list!*

kitkat9138

whenever I'm at the local coffee shop I grab a couple extra splenda packets for my back pocket

great saving tip - instead of buying a $4 or $5 latte, order a black coffee and add a pump or two of syrup, then your milk at the bar. most of the time my coffee shop does not even charge me for the pumps I want.

love4fitnesslove4food_wechange

whenever I'm at the local coffee shop I grab a couple extra splenda packets for my back pocket

great saving tip - instead of buying a $4 or $5 latte, order a black coffee and add a pump or two of syrup, then your milk at the bar. most of the time my coffee shop does not even charge me for the pumps I want.

I do this

nokittyno

Cheap things I do..

When my socks go, sometimes I attempt to sew them,

I have sewed almost every pair of Jeans I have that always get a hole

When I lost some circumference weight, my bra was too lose - I cut off ends equally on each side - re attached and? Sewed it.

I too use Duct Tape for many things

When my MP3 Players clip broke, ( I was to cheap to pay for the warranty) I went to Staples, bought a clip they use for magnetic fridges - and glued it with Gorilla glue. It's still going strong. I call it - Frankinsteinedcip.

I wanted a Dip Belt - but hadn't the money, I took 2 ankle Cuff wraps for resistance bands - SEWED IT, attaching chains and carabiners. It works for now,.

I wanted a stand for my mp3 player for my speakers - instead of buying one, I used a 2$ reduced gel wrist pad from staples, cut a slit into it, re-sewed it and crammed it it. It now stands verticle.

Honestly i'm cheap - but thrifty, but I am also a shop-a-holic.


Funny thing people, we do the strangest things in some ways, and in others.

doughnutwretch

I GET MY MUSIC OFF YOUTUBE CONVERTER - F** PAYING ITUNES

Ha, yes, I do this too. Not because I'm cheap, just because I can

kapeluza

I eat mustard for lunch sometimes when I'm out because it's free.

Was this for real? 0.o

jacquelyn_erika

I eat mustard for lunch sometimes when I'm out because it's free.

Was this for real? 0.o

Hahaha i'd like to know, too!

kapeluza

I eat mustard for lunch sometimes when I'm out because it's free.

Was this for real? 0.o

Pretty sure that if I eat mustard for lunch, I'll reach my goal in two weeks or less.
Hahaha i'd like to know, too!

Ajaay

I make my own laundry detergent. It's better and I hate running out. This way I have the stuff on hand to make more. Will have to look up recipes for the toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner though.

speedycakes

I chase after the garbage truck with a grocery list lol

That was kinda awesome. LOL

kmorrissett13

I GET MY MUSIC OFF YOUTUBE CONVERTER - F** PAYING ITUNES

^^THIS

Goldenbast

I make my own laundry detergent.

I buy most food in season or pick from my garden in season and then I make most everything from scratch.

I save all the ends of vegetables, like celery, carrot tops, potato peels, etc. When I get a full bag I buy whole chickens, cut it up myself into the piece and boneless/skinless breasts and then roast the carcass, then throw it and the bag of veggie ends into the big stock pot and make my own nearly fat free, sodium free chicken broth and it tastes way better then the bought stuff.

I am just starting the once a month meals to see how that goes...basically you have a prep day where you chop everything up, then you have a cook day where you cook things like beans, rice, pasta, etc. Then mix it all and freeze in casserole size portions. Then just mark and store in the freezer..then for the rest of the month dinner is simply pulling out something and throwing it into the over.

Now..one way I save money and trees LOL is by having cloth toilet paper..I use baby wash cloths in a basket next to the toilet along with a pail to toss the soiled cloths into. All I have to do is upend the pail into the washer and wash with bleach and reuse. When I first heard about it I was skeptical...smell and eew factor..but I tried it anyway and have not gone back. There was no smell and since you don't have to touch the rags the eww factor was very small. still I buy the paper for the other bathroom for guests, but you would be surprised at the savings and no more itty bitty paper bits... :):) I also use old towels cut up for reusable paper towels.

calliope_music

- reuse Ziploc bags
- duct tape the holes in my pants
- buy shoes at Payless (just work shoes, not athletic shoes)
- reuse containers (cottage cheese containers are a great size!)
- couponssss
- snag napkins, wet wipes, sugar, etc from restaurants
- bring my own cup! (a lot of places near me give cheaper drinks if you've got your own)
- never buy books (hello, internet and library!)
- generic all the way!

LuciaLongIsland

I chase after the garbage truck with a grocery list lol

:laugh:

FearAnLoathing

I get my flowers from cemetaries

rydn4h2o

I haven't bought my own socks in years- I just use hubby's.

I make my own laundry soap by the five-gallon bucket.

I never drive anywhere for just one thing- always plan ahead and combine trips. But I will drive an extra six miles to a certain gas station where gas is consistently 10 cents per gallon cheaper. :laugh:

Ive been making my own laundry soap for about 4 years.

I'm curious....how do you make your own laundry soap?

RedSoxSweetie425

I GET MY MUSIC OFF YOUTUBE CONVERTER - F** PAYING ITUNES

The YouTube converter is my best friend!!! I used to spend craploads on iTunes, but I haven't spent a dime on there in about 6 months!!!

dalgal26

I make my own laundry detergent, also. Glad to see that others do as well.

I hang my clothes on a clothesline in the back yard. We have a system where no one sees the undies.

I reuse ziploc bags - just was, dry and reuse later.

I add match at Wal-Mart. Don't use many coupons cause we buy alot of non brand there, also.

I buy off the clearence rack, only! Can't say when I have paid retail for something to wear. I don't go to many yard sales simply because I don't want that stuff cluttering up my house.

I try to never buy anything that requires dry cleaning.

I take my lunch to work. Some of the gals at work eat out every day. I don't know how they do it.

I cut my own grass. No money in the budget for a gardner here.

I was dishes. Do not even own a dishwasher. And I actually enjoy it.

And I have picked up some great ideas from y'all tonight. Have enjoyed this topic. Thanks for starting it.

krazyforyou

I'm so cheap I refuse to pay retail for Christian Louboutian.:bigsmile: :blushing:

brittanidigby

I use coupons and get as much free stuff as I possible can.

WifeMomDVM

Pay cash for everything - no credit cards

You spend alot less if you do this also, showing managers cash will remarkably make them lower the price - you just have to ask.

Goldenbast

Basic laundry recipe:

1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
1 cup shredded laundry soap bar(fels-naptha, zote- or you can use regular bar soap like dove/ivory)

Just mix it all up in a lidded container and give it a good shake/stirring each use and I use a tablespoon for normal wash and 2 tablespoons for heavier soiled clothes.

I even tried this on nasty old towels that got all mildewy and it got them clean....plus you save a TON of money. Also, it is low sudsing so can be used safely in HE machines.

blueyegrl

I have looked into making my own detergent, but thought it would be too hard. Now I feel foolish. Anyone want to share an easy way to do this? A site with recipe maybe that you like to use?

I reuse zip lock bags, when I use them. Usually use glass containers so I don't have to buy/waste the bags.

I clip coupons and scour the Internet for printable coupons.

I buy my jeans off EBay. Have not bought a pair in a few years because I wear them until they literally fall apart. Have several sizes (for my weight loss/gain journey), I got for $.99 each, and still get compliments on all of them because they are all nice jeans! lol

lilly2709

I buy kids shoes because they are cheaper!

Laura_Ivy

Thrift stores

We also buy in bulk and generic items if possible. Some generics taste like dirt though It's all trial and error!!

ajbeans

I make my own laundry soap. I used cloth diapers for both of my children when they were babies. I don't buy pre-packaged foods very often, not out of concern for health, but because they're more expensive. I never use paper towels unless my mother is visiting. I don't use disposable menstrual products or anything else for which there is a reusable alternative.

And we're still broke. Just think how broke we'd be if I weren't so cheap!

Athena413

1. We got an account at Family Video to rent movies, then 2 weeks later we went to the one across town and opened another account. After a month or so of not renting anything, they call and give you a free rental with 1/2 price rentals for the next 2 weeks. We almost always have a free rental or half price rentals at one location or the other.

2. When I buy boneless skinless chicken breast I cut them in half so that they're only half as thick. They cook faster and you get closer to the appropriate portion size that way, and makes the bag of chicken last a lot longer.

3. Vinegar - it works for EVERYTHING. I use a cup of it in my dishwasher to take care of hard water spots and I use it in my washing machine to make clothes not smell funky - gets the funk out without smelling like vinegar. It can also be used as a general disinfectant on any surface without bleaching or forcing you to huff a bunch of chemicals.

4. I use bleach to clean my toilet instead of toiler bowl cleaner.

5. My husband brews his own beer. :drinker:

I'm sure I could think of more, but that's all I have right now.

stylistchik

I make my own laundry soap, too!

1 CUP BORAX
1 CUP WASHING SODA
1 CUP SHREDDED BAR SOAP (I use dr. bronner's)

I buy generic everything and love places like ross and plato's closet for clothes.

I don't buy anything I don't need, basically. The worst part is explaining this to my husband who NEVER looks at the bank accounts has no clue how much we have (or don't have).:laugh:

sassylilmama

-Turn leftovers into other meals. Even the last spoonful of a veggie goes into a bag to freeze for soup.
-Use cloth rags instead of paper towels.
-Only buy clothes on clearance or at thrift stores
Lots more that has already been mentioned here and that I cannot think of right now