What’s Your Favorite Extreme Money Saving Tip?
by Katy on June 10, 2025 · 100 comments
I’ve been practicing extreme frugality ever since I discovered The Tightwad Gazette while on maternity leave in 1998. I had a two year old, a newborn and an overwhelming job working night shifts as a labor and delivery nurse. The ideas in that book hit me at just the right time.
I started washing out baggies, found free activities and I stopped frittering my money away five dollars at a time. My kids might be grown, but I still work hard to spend as little as possible on the small stuff. This might sound dour, but I consider it to be a creative challenge.
I figure out new ways to save money at least a couple times per week and those ideas often come from the comments section of this very blog!
You already know my favorite unusual money saving ideas, but today I want to know yours! What are you doing to stretch your dollars?
Please share your money saving hacks in the comments section below.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
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I read and listen to blogs like yours. They give me a little frugal boost when I’m feeling the drudgery!
This may seem silly, but I just don’t go to stores, like for fun. I don’t go to take a look or see what’s out there. I wait for a need to present itself and then I’ll search if the thing exists and the best place to get it. Then I get it and done.
Yes! This!
And often while researching for the thing I need, I discover I don’t need it, have something else that will work or don’t even want it. Waiting a few days, most wants and a lot of needs disappears.
Yes, stopped using shopping as entertainment and mental health therapy.
This right here! I need to do this.
I go to the local library. They offer free movies via Kanopy app, yoga on Thursdays, excercise MWF and free printer use. It is amazing!!
I have a VERY detailed list in my phone( v- neck top, medium weight, pale pink, long or 3/4 sleeves) Anything that doesn’t exactly fit the bill, doesn’t happen. Carla, like you, I don’t walk into a shop without a specific target in mind, and I don’t touch anything else!
I loathe shopping. Except bookstores…I am sure I have set some world records buying shoes, for example. You know,what you want and if it’s not there, leave. It’s amazing how many things I don’t want badly enough to go shopping, even online.
This is great advice when shopping retail. I’ve found though that when trying to stick to buying used I need to cast a wider net, anticipating future needs, sometimes settling for the almost-right thing from what’s actually available if I have an actual need, and looking where I might not always look in order to turn up surprise finds. This does create a challenge though of not overbuying out of uncertainty. I do shop more when shopping used because the exact thing at the exact time is rarely available.
I try to live by the idea that comparison is the thief of joy. I don’t care what other new trends other people are buying. I know what I like and I don’t let consumerism overtake me. It may not exactly be a frugal tip, but it keeps my spending in check. Plus, reading your blogs!!
Since you asked for extreme! 😀 Instead of toilet paper for No. 1, I use a washcloth for a quick dry. Washcloths go in the regular laundry. For No. 2, it’s one swipe with TP and then washing with water from a tumbler like they do in India. Then, of course, I wash my hands thoroughly.
It’s not like this saves tons of money, but at least when there are toilet paper shortages, I am completely unbothered.
Came across this “toilet paper plant” info a while back. Grow your own TP! You can buy plants on Etsy. If you’re a gardener, this may be for you. Not recommended to flush, but compostable (you will have to research how to safely compost “humanure” (human manure). Thought I’d share this in case someone is interested in learning more.
https://www.robingreenfield.org/growyourowntoiletpaper/
The last day I was at work before the pandemic shut down I got an easy to install bidet in the mail. It was such perfect timing cause the toilet paper shortage. I had so many washcloths from when we sold my mom’s house. It really cut down on TP use and we made it through without needing to buy any. Now my least favorite part of traveling is not having my bidet. lol. I do have an end I can put on a water bottle that’s kinda similar but messier.
After having a bidet for a few years I really don’t like going wihtout it away from home, either. I just use squares cut from old t-shirts to dry off.
I also use a washcloth for No. 1, but I rinse it out and park it on the side of the bathtub for its next use.
I don’t have anything unique to add. I don’t spend money on things I don’t care about. I use cloth napkins and handkerchiefs as well as cloths to clean up messes. Why spend money on something I’m going to throw away. I prefer to buy used vs new when I can. I’m not an impulse buyer. I will sometimes think about buying something for years before I pull the trigger. I wait for a price and quality that I can live with. I’m also learning new things from this blog. I started my frugal journey at around the same time after reading the Tightwad Gazette.
Honestly, being debt-free has been the best money-saver of all after years and years of paying ridiculous interest. I felt like I was never going to get out from under it. I lived paycheck to paycheck while working a full-time job and teaching college courses on the side and yet being able to afford only the minimum payments on cards and the mortgage. When my pay increased, I avoided lifestyle creep (and still do) and started knocking down about $35K worth of debt. When that was done, I applied all of that (plus anything else I could save) to the mortgage and paid it off eight years early. I look at my accounts now and I can’t believe those balances. Now it’s no big deal to drop $200 on toiletries to meet a request in my community and donate to other causes I support.
Super fabulous and impressive! What a great example to people around you.
Thank you! Very kind of you!
Well, you’re pictured in my favorite place!
I’m trying to think whether there’s anything I do that would be considered “unusual” to your audience!
Here’s one. I used to live in a HCOL area with a large immigrant population, and worked in a field where most of my coworkers were immigrants. Many of my coworkers and neighbors were masters of frugality. Some were sending money home. Some were starting from zero, with no generational wealth to tap into. One explained to me that acquiring real estate was one of his big goals. He wore nothing but corporate swag and ate leftovers from lunch meetings for dinner. My neighbor furnished his $2M home from Craig’s List. Instead of hanging out with materialistic people, I hung out with the immigrants. I had my house paid off in my 40s.
So, that’s my frugal tip. Choose your social circle wisely!
Where would this country be without immigrants?
Yes! Thankful for immigrants bringing in beautiful cultures, including wise, frugal habits. And sadly, the country would look a lot like that if there had never been immigrants (as in, if not for the early European immigrants, if the indigenous population had not been stripped of their land and natural resources, used for building rich, full lives).
If these immigrants could become legal residents, they would be able to secure better jobs and not be forced to accept low wages, as Americans who own businesses often don’t pay them well because they know they have no choice. i would like to see them become homeowners of their own, business owners and be free to do whatever they want,
It’s a really underrated tip to surround yourself with like minded people.
Yes– My family is frugal and my husband and his family are similarly minded. Whether by necessity or cultural and religious attitudes and beliefs, this has made being frugal natural to me. I have a hard time imagining myself otherwise.
There’s a wonderful book called FRUGAL COOL by John Gaski..its writer advocates doing just that! He said it was the reason why he’d saved so much money — that, and using coupons. Sometimes he gets a tad wacky about it; I wouldn’t just wear t-shirts I won in golf tournaments, and I definitely wouldn’t spend as much on beer. But he’s got some good ideas here.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Frugal+Cool&crid=1SZ3AQFE32ZCW&sprefix=frugal+cool%2Caps%2C565&ref=nb_sb_noss
Ah send us to Amazon to spend money
We have not had network or cable TV for over 20 years. It is amazing how little you think about Applebees or a new car when you don’t have advertising!
Yes to this! We haven’t had cable most of our 16 years of marriage and not only does it keep our own frivolous spending at bay, it keeps our kids from seeing all the latest toys and snacks every commercial break. We have 7 kids, so I’m really grateful that they are very content kids and don’t ask for the latest and greatest, but instead love to go to the thrift store with me or check the buy nothing group for toys.
Full ride scholarships for 2 or 3 kids. That was a big savings.
Writing a budget and sticking to it. We go through everything we’ve spent twice a month. It keeps us on track in a big way.
Asking. Asking for a discount. Asking where free things are. Asking for help (and being a good reciprocator) or borrowing equipment.
Letting people know I’ll always take the leftovers, the donations (of stuff going to thrift store-I sell what I can and donate the rest), the spare produce.
My dad’s advice—always accept produce, because “next time it might be corn on the cob!”
This is hilarious.
I’m not great at being frugal but I’m learning each day. I’m spending more time at home, making my own lattes, taking full advantage of my library, reading this blog and all the comments everyday, and spending longer periods debating the necessity of a purchase.
Much great advice here. It is a good idea to invest in a few household appliances. A 7cubic ft deep freeze about $150 at abig retailer and a sewing machine pay for themselves very quickly in perserving, buying specials and repairing clothes, doing hems, etc. A self thread on the sewing machine really makes that part of the operation easy, esp if one is over 40.
For health reasons, it is a good idea to dispense with non stick cookware. Cast iron is the best, too because it heats evenly, holds the heat and never needs replacing. Never use detergent. Clean with salt or baking soda, dry off with a cloth and keep well coated in oil.
Avoid instant gratification. Stop buying things right away. Wait. Join groups of people near you who offer things up by giving them away in a Facebook group or in curb alerts. By accepting clothes that people give away, I have not bought clothing with the exception of shoes in two going on three years. I have everything I need. This works with other categories too. Need new pots or pans, wait for someone to give them away, or for a yard sale where you can get what you need at a steep discount.
One small thing that comes to mind—we got a swiffer 20ish years ago, and later realized we could use microfiber or cotton cloths with it instead of buying the refill pads. We can use it as a dust mop or wet mop—we get a Simple Green concentrate in bulk, mix with water and use that in spray bottles for mopping and cleaning surfaces. (But my husband also keeps also buying various additional mops and vacuums!)
I modpodge over empty cardboard boxes (tampon boxes, oatmeal boxes, etc) for decorative storage (with outdated maps, or old magazine pages) and use pretty fabric from clothes we no longer use—like for curtains or wrapping a wreath form (pinned with straight pins), twisted strips into rosettes (also with straight pins), or lamp shade. (I want to try a pleated one! Probably with hot glue (with my 30+ year-old glue gun). I’m not talking high end retail creations, but they make our house feel homey
Realizing these are not extreme! Maybe the most extreme thing we do is make our own spices from seeds? (Roast in a pan, cool, grind in a coffee grinder). We use tape and bits of paper to label and relabel.
None of mine are extreme tips, but this is a favorite tip for me. For reusing contains, I remove the labels best I can and then use soapy water—if that doesn’t get it all (usually doesn’t), spray with WD40 and wipe off, then wash off the wd40 residue with soap and water. (Use the container for life!) We also reuse some food containers for trash cans and use bread bags or produce bags for liners.
Seal leftovers (like potato chips, etc) with rubber bands or binder clips, instead of buying separate chip clips or transferring it to a ziplock. Squeeze all the air out of ziplock bags before freezing so our food will stay fresh longer. Buy the freezer ziplocks and reuse them a lot instead of the cheaper bags that get holes easily. Save foil to use again.
Crush containers we’re trashing to save room in the trash can so we can use fewer bags over time. Shred our junk mail and use it to line our trash bags so it doesn’t get unbearable smelly. Use ziplocks we wouldn’t use again for food, for throwing away stinky bits of leftovers (keep a bag under the sink until it’s full enough that we want to toss it). Cut our own vegetables instead of buying the precut. Check for stains before doing laundry so we don’t accidentally set them with the dryer. Buy shoe styles & colors that will work with a variety of clothes. Remind myself nobody cares if I keep wearing the same things (and if they do, that I won’t mind that they do!). Don’t try to look attractive (how many people do I need to attract?)
You can also remove label residue with plain old cheap vegetable oil. Remove the label as best you can, apply a layer of oil, and leave it on for several hours and wash off.
I hear a hairdryer on a hot setting is useful also
I volunteer weekly at a local thrift store. Volunteers get first choice of donations, and pay half price on their working day. But more than the discount on second hand goods, working at the thrift shop has really opened my eyes to overconsumption (I thought I was aware of it before, but OH MY GOODNESS so much stuff comes in EVERY WEEK), the value of buying quality over quantity, and how much variety is available in thrift shops. I’ve pretty much stopped buying anything but food and cleaning products since everything else is available second hand (including things like high end shampoo and conditioner).
This is genius, next level thrift shopping!
Now that I’ve crossed the 2nd magic number (60…the first was 55), I take advantage of as many discounts as I can. Some restaurants (Denny’s is one) that gives a discount when you show your AARP card. Other restaurants may give a discount with your AAA membership card. (My husband and I both belong to AAA and, while it is costly, it has more than paid for itself over the years. You want to be sure to get the free 100 mile towing. We each get 4 tows a year free with our membership. One tow alone costs about the same as the membership fee, so it pays for itself quickly. We’ve had dead batteries, lockouts, flat tires, and tows over the years and I wouldn’t be without it. Has saved us thousands.)
We’ve really cut back on our dining out and, when we do go, we try to go to fundraiser meals…scouts, churches, fire halls, charitable fundraisers, etc. Prices can be fairly reasonable and it’s a way to give back to the community. In fact, yesterday my husband and I learned about a haddock dinner to support the local fire hall. $16/person for adults. If we go to a restaurant, we usually spend way more than $32. In fact, we used the $25 Panera gift card I received for our lunch the other day and still had to pay another $17 on top of that!
I try to do the majority of my grocery shopping on Tuesdays (Senior discount day on store brand products). Since there are very few national brands I buy; I buy mostly store brand, this helps the savings.
We had AAA until we learned our car insurance offer free towing. Always check other service you already pay for. Some credit cards offer it as a benefit too.
Our insurance has roadside for less than $4/mo. Caveat, there’s a charge over 20 miles, but we live in a city so that’s been enough.
The most frugal thing I do is stop buying things altogether. It not only frees up my money but my life. I’m not on the hunt for deals or bargains anymore. I buy simple groceries as needed and cook at home. I cut the cable and tv cord years ago. I’m working on cutting internet and boycotting anything with advertising, politics or “life advice”. ugh
I too was deeply impacted by reading The Tightwad Gazette, I think in 1994. A lightbulb turned on in my brain and I’ve never stopped looking at money in this new way.
I think I’m pretty much on par with most of what the other readers have chimed in on.
I’m currently doing a no spend week for groceries. I do this couple times a year when the freezer is really full. It’s humbling to not buy any groceries and engage my frugal muscle to use up what I have and then get to the end of the week and realize I could easily do it another week or two. We have so much abundance.
I’ve thought of a couple things.
I lost weight during the pandemic from eating at home more therefore saving calories. My bff wanted me to get rid of all my clothes cause I won’t “need them anymore. Unfortunately I know myself all too well and so I only got rid of things that I just didn’t like. Now I’m back in that size and I have fun clothes I can wear again. Since then she has lost and gained weight and has gave away and rebought clothing multiple times. She will literally get rid of everything. The waste makes me mad but I keep my trap zipped. At least she donates to people in need.
I also like to ferment and pickle food so when my farm share has too much of something I can make it last. I just had some bean nachos with hot peppers I fermented last year. It was so yummy.
Like another person said earlier I don’t go shopping unless I need something. I think the pandemic helped me stop “window shopping” and that has helped me not waste as much money on things I regret and don’t need.
I’m sure I’ll think of more things. Thanks for the blog posts I really enjoy them and I’m glad to find like minded people.
The Tightwad Gazette was written here in Maine and used to come out in a monthly newsletter format. I was a full time teacher in 1994-1995 with 3 teenagers, a fleet of 5 vehicles, credit card debt, a second mortgage and no savings facing college education times three. Every little thing I learned and did over and over helped to get us where we are today. Three functioning adult college educated children with families; solid retirement; paid for vehicles and home; food stockpile and contentment. Frugality is a long term project and it “pays” huge benefits. Don’t give up – don’t ever give up.
1. I pay little to nothing for entertainment. Maybe I go to the movies twice a year.
2. My hobbies–reading, drawing, embroidery–are cheap.
3. I invested a lot in my children when they were younger: trips, activities, gifted camps, and so on. They are the most intelligent people I’ve ever known.
4. I am very creative around the house. Eery single one of my homes has been featured in a magazine.
5. Most importantly: I work my butt off and always have since I was 18. No stay at home for me. My career is one of my biggest assets and I always have several side hustles that make good money–not pissant a dollar here or there. Saving is great, but earning is better.
It’s amazing how lovely your home can be on a budget! Kerb side finds, family and friends cast offs, Buy Nothing groups, FB Marketplace, etc are amazing!
I buy quality stuff and keep it forever. Well– a couple things have been thrown out over the years, one of which being a beloved William Morris rug that endured 25 years of puppies and toddlers. Redcar, the pattern, since you asked.
https://shop.guildcraftcarpets.com/products/redcar
This is a genuine rug designed by William Morris, not one of his fabric or wallpaper designs on a Ruggable, which would truly piss him off. I’m sure other people don’t care but he and I do.
I have the same prejudice, but am still too cheap to pay what these things really cost. I discovered a few years ago that handmade vintage Turkish Donegal-style rugs occasionally come up affordably, while the real Donegal rugs, whether antique or revival, and modern handmade Morris styles are out of reach. I bought a smaller one, 4×6, wool on hemp at auction for $140, did a few small repairs, and am very happy with it.
Earning IS better and I’m glad for you for your career. I have not had the privilege of a career due to frequent moves (some international), children with extra needs and the bad luck of two significant diseases. I do work part time, but saving is really MY biggest strength.
And I do wish that more people saw the value of a single dollar saved. There would be a lot less waste in the world. And all of those dollars do add up. Clearly you do not waste.
Tightwad Gazette was also a huge influence on me! I still re-read it on occasion.
I think I’ve mentioned pretty much everything I do in my regular posts here; it’s all crazy and extreme, according to some of my friends.
Hmm….let’s see what else I can list:
–I may not have written about my summer coat hangers, which are the flimsy plastic ones you see at discount stores, often abandoned in shopping carts. I get a cart with one of those hangers in it and roll it out to my car, and take it home. These throwaway hangers are great for lightweight items such as tank tops and T-shirts; although a lot of them will eventually break, this saves my heavier hangers for other clothing.
–My covered patio lights are clear Xmas tree lights I bought 2nd hand at thrift shops. Very cheap, but they still twinkle OK!
–While walking or in parking lots, I may pick up a stray rock to use as a border in my garden. This is a long-term project but I hope to line some flower beds with same.
–I collect advertising pens, pencils, and other freebies whenever I can. (Sadly, fewer businesses have the calendars I like to get.) Ditto, pieces of candy left out for bank customers or office clients. One piece at a time, but I put ’em in a bucket and that will be my Halloween cache. Many freebies + secondhand bargains + clearance items end up in gift baskets I make myself (using garage sale containers, of course.)
–Trash can liners can be repurposed 20+ pound dry dog food bags, large plastic shopping bags, paper grocery bags, dry cleaner bags (put a knot in the end where the coat hanger hole was) or plastic toilet paper packages that held a dozen or more rolls (carefully open from one side so that the rest of the plastic bag is still in one piece). (Although most of the time, I have to use regular trash bags.)
–No coffee shop coffee, cable TV, streaming service, newspaper subscriptions, computer printer, etc.
–Almost everything in my house is hand-me-down, second hand or previously used in other houses. This includes furniture, drapes, appliances big and small, books, clothes (except underwear), etc. Some items repurposed, such as old microwave oven carts now used as bedside tables, cedar chest coffee table, etc.
— Current dog adopted from pound for $12. Dog before him given to me, free off Craigslist.
–Window insulation (for windows that can’t be seen from street) is aluminum foil in summer; plastic bubble wrap in winter.
–Free crossword puzzles online via boatload puzzles. Free Wordle via WordGuessr online (can play as many times a day as you want, and can vary the number of letters in a game).
— Using a double burner hot plate instead of getting (yet another) built-in range.
Saving $ is so deeply ingrained in my everyday life that I rarely think about it. I just do it. Bought a coffee maker that I love the coffee from. Bought another at a yard sale for when this one gives up the ghost rather than pay full price. Have not used my dryer all winter and plan when to do laundry for sunny days. I yard sale,dumpster dive, sell online and take a tax deduction for doing so (have over 2,700 items on ebay and over 100 on Marketplace), cook, back to baking bread, trash pick,and walk for excercise. It works for us. We also have a big garden and fruit trees and blueberry plants. We heat with wood pellets. I think I get more enjoyment out of saving money than I should. And we are all so varied on this site that what works for me would not for others and vice versa. Carry on and enjoy being a tightwad!
My tightwad cousin had a pellet stove, and when wood pellets got too expensive, he switched to dried corn for fuel. Like hunters use for deer feeders. (It was OFF the cob.) He said corn burns even hotter, and at the time was cheaper than bags of wood pellets. This was at least a decade ago, so I don’t know if that still would be the case today. But if wood pellets are expensive, this might be something to try.
I retired in 2008 just at the start of the recession to take care of my mom. My income dropped 75%. I was lucky enough to get my pension but it wasn’t much. I started reading Katy and Frugal Girl and Tightwad Gazette. I don’t use paper towels, and I reuse aluminum foils and plastic bags. I use those sparingly. I make things like bread and granola. I cook almost every meal at home. I clean my own house and my husband takes care of our yard. I grow some of our food and herbs. All of those things are radical in my lower upper middle class neighborhood in Dallas. I was raised in rural Kansas so none of those things seem unusual to me. Every time I pick a green bean or tomato I consider it an act of resistance against consumerism and influence culture.
Forgot one that flummoxes my friends. I have a switch on the coed of my microwave that turns off the electricity to power the clock when it isn’t in use. You have to turn on the power to use it. It saves a tiny bit of electricity but it was just an experiment. I left it in place.
Arghhh. Spell check keeps changing CORD to coed. Many apologies
Watching how most of the people I know go out for sooo many meals, I think COOKING AT HOME,breakfast, lunch and dinner (I am retired) is my MOST extreme frugality. AA sandwich at Jersey Mike’s in now 17 dollars and up!!!!!!
I have a frugality habit from our early married days and it just stuck..I love to get the MOST for my money and be a good planetary citizen— and while we are more splurgy than we were when we were young..we go on trips, we still buy some stuff.. we still eat at home most of the time,we eat a lot of vegetarian meals, we share ONE CAR even though at times it is a little inconvenient, I wear my clothes til they have holes in them, and shop consignment.
I use cloth napkins and washcloths to clean up with. no papertowels. I reuse foil and plastic bags, mostly use glass leftover containers.
I work on ZERO FOOD WASTE.I follow FRUGAL GIRLS idea that You can throw almost anything into a pan, make a little sauce and put it over mashed potatoes and call it a meal!
I STAY OUT OF STORES as much as possible.That’s a biggie. DON’T SHOP FOR A HOBBY! I find I have to do it even with consignment stores cause I WILL find stuff I like if I go to breeze through consignment.. just stay home more!!
We PAY OFF our cars and keep them approx 15 years. On year 8 of the current car.
I know what you mean about retail therapy as a hobby. I just went on vacation and enjoyed a whole new set of thrift/consignment shops – perhaps too much! It is hard to stop – especially when there are so many things I didn’t know I needed u til I got there and I have the curse of being able to find great quality stuff (I enjoy the hunt).
I volunteer at a nice thrift shop (i have for many years). I gave gotten wonderful items for myself and friends. I do donate a lot too. I find shopping retail to be ridiculously expensive….however occasionally necessary.
The Tightwad Gazette was a real life saver when I was home with two little kids. I still like to read it sometimes, even though I technically no longer ‘need’ it in the same way.
When we were saving to buy our house, I set a very tight grocery budget. When I went shopping I took a calculator and if we went over, things went out of the trolley. I would spend a whole day of the weekend baking so the family had school lunch snacks and work lunches and no one felt like they were missing out. We did not eat out. We saved our deposit in less than two years.
Recently I found myself starting to buy ‘stuff.’ It’s not my thing. I noticed when I was bored or stressed I had started looking at shopping sites in a way I never had before. Then I read somewhere about the ‘hedonic treadmill’ and I realised that was what was happening. So now before every purchase, I stop and ask myself if it’s really something I need or want or is it because I’m on the hedonic treadmill. Works wonders. Stopped me buying an Apple Watch for no reason recently. Seriously, even frugal people are not immune to the power of big tech marketing.
The Tightwad Gazette and Mary Hunt’s books impacted me. In 2000 I took a 33% pay cut to move from for profit sales/marketing to non profit administration. We had 2 kids in college. Working for a non profit sharpened my frugal skills. Not to mention reading all of your tips/tricks
1. Pay bills online…no late fees, no stamps
2. Buy and sell via consignment stores, online, thrift
3. Borrow or rent high ticket items.
4. Keep items (cars, appliances, clothing) in working order.
5. Make drinks at home (coffee, cold beverages)
Big savers for me are minimal cleaning products, using 50% of the recommended amount( both household and personal products) no disposables other than TP, and no single serve portions!
I’m late to the party here, so I’m not going to go into details–since I do so many things that other folks have already listed, and since I’m immodest enough to think that my own favorite hacks are already known to regular readers.
But for general amusement, here’s the proposal I’ve just submitted to my local JASNA region for a presentation during our 2025-26 season: “Vulgar Economy: Jane Austen and Thrift.” JA was always a poor relation, of course, and her letters to her sister are full of Regency-era frugal hacks re: clothing, food, drink, etc. There’s even a paperback written some years ago by two JASNA friends (Jane Austen’s Guide to Thrift, by Kathleen Anderson and Susan Jones) that’s readily and thriftily available from various secondhand online booksellers. So I’m planning to have a good time with this presentation!
Preach it, Sister!
I just requested that book through the library statewide lending system. Should be interesting!
That sounds like a lot of fun. I’m not sure how much would be relevant, but would love to find out. Any chance you could post a link or search terms after the presentation?
You mentioned the Tightwad Gazette. Before that existed, I was inspired by an episode of Oprah (1988-89ish) where she interview a panel of cheapskates. They were doing all the stuff that gets mentioned here.
I slept on this unlocked memory, and I think the panelists had been nominated when Oprah wanted to find “the cheapskate of the year”. There was one lady who had a job where chicken was processed, and I remember that she took home the bones and made stock. I was impressed!
Having a partner that feels the same way and a budget.
I read your NCA and Kristen’s TFG for inspiration. I’m also active on the MMM forum, which isn’t as Wild, Wild, West as the blog. From there, I learned about the Prepper Princess on YouTube. She’s less of a prepper than she used to be, and we are polar opposites politically, but dang, that woman has some great frugal lifestyle ideas. Better still, they’re how she actually lives her life. She makes me think creatively.
One more thing: I volunteer at a Thrift Shop. OMG, it has saved me a ton.
And another thing: We use our Prime membership to SAVE money. DH is always fixing things and is the king of finding obscure parts. We hate supporting you-know-who, but fixing things is a huge frugal win for us. He keeps all of our vehicles and our home in tip-top shape.
I haven’t been able to find the main MMM group on FB – just the Sydney subgroup. What is it called? Thanks!
I used some of my Christmas gift from work to buy a season ticket for the San Francisco Giants. It’s a flexible membership, and I went for the lowest buy-in amount of $199, which I can add to any time. I’ll get to at least 12 games this season, and my husband will be at 4 of them with me (I can get up to 10 tickets per game with my membership). Most games are either $10 or $21, with one for $5 and 1 for $37 (Dodgers for Barry Bonds bobblehead day). I’ll probably add a couple more toward the end of the season.
Instead of driving into San Francisco and paying to park and dealing with the horrid traffic, I drive to a BART station, park for free, then take BART and Muni to Oracle Park. That way I can relax and read a free library book on my Kindle via Libby while I’m going back and forth.
I pack my lunch and bring it into the stadium with me. A number of ballparks allow carry-in, so this saves a LOT of money!
It’s cheaper for me to go to MLB games at Oracle than to go to A’s games right here in Sacramento, where there’s very very limited public transit options, carry-in outside food isn’t allowed, and parking is at least $30.
I love that!! My DH & kids would go to ATL Braves games when Mastercard had a 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas for $50. We were in the nosebleeds, but those are great memories!
I went to a Giants-Nationals game last August in DC while out on the east coast for continuing ed. I sprung for a club level seat which included all you can drink self-serve soft drinks and iced tea. I got my money’s worth, especially since that game had about 2.5 hours of rain delay!
I’ll be back east again in August and will be going to A’s-Orioles in Baltimore. My splurge on that trip will be a seat in the Picnic Perch – same sort of drink deal, plus AYCE buffet-style food. I go cheap on the rest of the ball games I see before and after continuing ed on these trips – minor league and independent league games, and I grab fast food before the game for free with points from McDonalds of Panda Express, etc.
Wrigley does not allow carry-in food. You’ll get a better cheeseburger and fries by eating at the McDonald’s near the ballpark. Or pack your own food and consume before entering the stadium.
I get real satisfaction, and often times joy, by making do with what is already on hand or can be assembled at home (a meal, a gift, a costume for example).
And for years, I had a version of a Thoreau quote on an index card on my bureau. The paraphase said “We are rich in things that we can leave alone.”
Sleeping in a sleeping bag rated for ten degrees in the winter with a quilt or cover underneath it and a quilt or wool blanket over the top of it. Keeps you warm. I hate being cold at night.
Dried beans is one of my other tips. Make a pot on your day off work. If work so much you cannot fit it in then do canned or frozen. Eat with cornbread, biscuits, or rice or just sandwich bread. Eat from the “cheap” list: oatmeal, beans, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, dandelion greens you harvest, bananas, onions, etc. If I have already cooked beans my to go meal is to heat up beans and eat with cheese toast. Every meal does not have to be gourmet and I try to round it out with some type of greens.I seldom eat out and take my lunch and breakfast to work. I do eat meat but it is not generally more than three meals a week, and it is usually tuna fish or chicken leg quarters.
Great cooking tips!!
Geetting an Instant Pot has been huge for beans – minimal effort and much less time. We can even eat them on a weeknight. They’re showing up in thrift stores much more often now, sometimes brand new because they were so trendy.
My last tip is to buy the cheapest, smaller but in decent shape house in a passable area for safety, and fix it up as you can. No one is going to pay your bills but you.Buy the smallest decent vehicle you can afford also if no public transportation available.
And this is why I love your blog so much!! I also feel like frugality can be a fun, creative outlet!
Here’s just a few of mine:
– We eat lots of rice-based meals
– I’m regrowing store-bought celery
– All our garden beds are made from different upcyled materials (tub, wood siding, logs)
– I reuse paper bags to drain greasy meats.
This has saved me hundreds, but won’t do that unless you have an expensive or many illnesses: I always ask for samples of new medications. I explain that we are retired and know that sometimes doctors don’t use up all the samples given to them. I have only had one doctor, in all my years of doing this, say no. On the contrary, I have had doctors tell me they are happy to give away the samples but sometimes people re offended if they are offered, as if they can’t afford the meds I guess.
I subscribe to our local paper because I believe politicians are more honest when their activities are being reported (assuming they are not megalomaniacs). I recycle the newspapers for the animal shelter, but I keep some around and use them to soak up oil before I throw them in the garbage. If I am draining edibles like home made chicken nuggets, I put down sheets of newspaper and cover them with two paper towels. We go through a lot of dog food and I save all the bags that used to hold 40 pounds for garbage bags. I volunteer at the food bank and bring home their huge rice, flour or bean bags to use for garbage. The neighbor uses a wood stove so I give the paper flour bags to her because they burn spectacularly when rolled tight and used as fire starter logs. In truth, though, what has saved me the most is being married to an extremely handy and thrifty person who can fix or build almost anything. I try to make the most out of any dollar and he makes the most out of everything else.
Megalomaniac politician? OMG, I wonder who that could be?! LOL!
I struggle with being frugal. It really helps that my DH is very handy and has become quite skilled in being able to built and fix most things. We won’t eat out as much as we used to, and never go to Starbucks or other coffee places for a treat, like we used to when we were first together. I have done some reselling, but haven’t kept track and likely haven’t made much, but I have enjoyed it. I get most of my clothes from the thrift stores, except for shoes. We still travel and will probably do more while we are able to, and putting our cottage on home exchange.com has been fantastic in that we can get free accommodation.
I just thought of something a little unusual. I rarely buy cleaning supplies at the store. I pick up most of what I need at estate sales – general cleaners, oxy-clean, dusting spray, stainless steal cleaner, murphy’s oil soap, goo-gone. There are always lots of different stuff. The only thing that is hard to find is Barkeepers Friend.
And BKF is relatively afffordable and goes a long way. Buying the whole shelf is often as cheap as buying one or two bottles and the rest can be given away.
I do the same, and add renovation materials like caulk, grout, spackle, paint for small projects. I haven’t bought Rust Reformer, Goo Gone or denatured alcohol at retail in a very long time.
I was launched on my frugal journey by The Tightwad Gazette, too. I found it after my divorce, when I was really struggling as a single mom.
I think my best tip is to track, track, track. I track my spending, my spending/income ratio, my net worth, my budgetary goals, my bills, and of course my saving. I use Excel spreadsheets that I have designed and modified over the years. At any given time I know exactly where I stand.
I have pledged to myself that I will not ever waste food, and I come pretty close.
I set a limit on grocery shopping and keep a running list of needs, which I sort in order of priority. When the limit is reached, for that week, I check out. This sometimes requires some culinary creativity, which is usually satisfying and fun!
Beth, prioritizing and limiting your grocery list is so interesting. Thanks for sharing that.
You’re so welcome!
Since retiring last year my husband and I utilize our local senior center. Daily lunch is $3.00 each. We have tried so many different types of food doing this. The portions are ample enough for us to bring home leftovers for our dinners. I have also taken advantage of the “free table” at the same center. The local food bank brings in excess food products for the seniors to share.
Local churches bring in “food bags” during the holidays. At Christmas this included a ham with all the side dishes!
This senior center has also provided new friendships and opportunities for us to give back others in our community.
I love my senior center especially for reasonably priced exercise classes.
-I like to shop whatever skincare “dupe” I can find – there are very few brand names around. I was raised on store brands and assessing unit costs. Once I find something I like, I buy that and only that. It cuts down on whatever gimmick is on trend this week and reduces thoughtless spending for me.
-I will in fact leave my house instead of staying home to save money – cheaper utility bills to spend the day in a museum or other spot during extreme heat or cold. Same with going into the office on very hot days instead of spending my own money to cool my space working from home.
-DH and I share a Verizon credit card that all our expenses go on and get paid off monthly. This lets us rack up Verizon points to pay our bills. The largest percentage we paid with points was 70% of our bill a few months ago. This also breaks the credit card points addiction, because we are using it to pay a tangible bill instead of some possible future vacation or shopping spree.
I think those are the most unique here! Otherwise it’s all bringing my own coffee from home, participating in the Buy Nothing communities, and eating at home 🙂
Reusing what you have is my superpower. Repurposing leftovers – making soup out of anything. Saving old curtains and using the fabric for something else. Cleaning and repairing items instead of replacing. I have recently lost about 20 pounds and after going through my closet and altering some clothing (taking in items that were too big, shortening some maxi skirts that last fit me 5 years ago) i realized I don’t need any new clothes for summer or the fall.
Sometimes all I need to do is deep clean, declutter and organize an area in my home to find deep satisfaction with what I have. Learning to be content and grateful for what I have is a great practice.
You, my dear, have cracked the code to a happy life.
Paycheck “cents” go on a load able card for when I’m low on funds or emergency gift cards. Yes, it take awhile to build up, but it makes “sense” to me. Also, any $5 bill I get goes in a Christmas club. I also buy Christmas all year long so tha CC check is a great help with end/beginning of year expenses!
Last year we got into the habit of saving the water from the shower while it heats up to use on our plants because we had a drought and very hot summer. This year it’s been cooler with much more rain (thankfully!) so the bucket water goes to indoor plants, cleaning the shower and a free flush or two. Our water bill is starting to show the difference!
One thing that just came to mind after reading some comments on the FG blog is selling or purchasing a home “for sale by owner” and avoiding a real estate commission. I have sold 3 homes that way. We had them professionally appraised in order to set the price. We also paid for an inspection prior to putting house on the market. We put the entire inspection report in a binder so prospective buyers at the open house we hosted could see what was inspected and what repairs were necessary. We a.so put the paid invoices in the binder so prospective buyers could see which repairs had been done. We also had a table with all the instruction manuals for the appliances, paint colors and carpet remnants, builders floor plans, invoices for large items (so model numbers, colors, etc were included). We tried to make as much useful info up front. We used a title company and a lawyer for the contract.
We purchased a home from an owner. Once we knew what price they wanted, we asked if they would lower the price by 50% of the amount they would pay in real estate commission mission. A win win for everyone.
I order my groceries online and pick them up at the store. Giant actually brings them out to my car and puts them in the trunk. What I discovered is that I save a lot of money because I take my time ordering just what I need, usually what is on sale, and by not entering the store, I don’t suddenly notice something else to buy that I wouldn’t otherwise have thought of.