Author Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money? (Read 7440755 times)

Poundwise · « **Reply #12500 on:** February 10, 2019, 09:23:01 AM »

Quote from: jengod on February 09, 2019, 07:05:46 PM

* Saved $34.50 on this year's AAA membership by canceling my husband's "associate" status (he hardly ever drives anywhere) and enrolling in autopay for an additional credit. I'd like to get rid of this expense totally at some point but we do seem to use the battery service at least a couple times a year.

If you have a credit card, check to see if roadside service is included! I have a Costco VISA and found that their roadside service was perfectly adequate and easy to use for a flat tire. I haven't had AAA in about 5 years; if you are nervous, you can keep AAA for a while but see how the credit card service works for you next time it's needed. I just called the number on the back of my credit card, but it's smarter to write down the direct number of the roadside assistance and any other required info and keep them in your dashboard.

jengod · « **Reply #12501 on:** February 10, 2019, 01:10:48 PM »

* Got a KeyFit 30 infant car seat with two bases for free thanks to our wonderful Buy Nothing group. Our original baby seat had expired and been sent to car seat heaven; replacing it New would have been $150+. I’ll pass it along again when we’re done.

* Picked up three sidewalk pennies recently; they won’t make me rich but they don’t make me poorer either.

* Put out some containers to catch rain. Will use those on the house plants.

Roadrunner53 · « **Reply #12502 on:** February 10, 2019, 04:03:08 PM »

Quote from: Poundwise on February 10, 2019, 09:23:01 AM

Quote from: jengod on February 09, 2019, 07:05:46 PM
* Saved $34.50 on this year's AAA membership by canceling my husband's "associate" status (he hardly ever drives anywhere) and enrolling in autopay for an additional credit. I'd like to get rid of this expense totally at some point but we do seem to use the battery service at least a couple times a year.

If you have a credit card, check to see if roadside service is included! I have a Costco VISA and found that their roadside service was perfectly adequate and easy to use for a flat tire. I haven't had AAA in about 5 years; if you are nervous, you can keep AAA for a while but see how the credit card service works for you next time it's needed. I just called the number on the back of my credit card, but it's smarter to write down the direct number of the roadside assistance and any other required info and keep them in your dashboard.

Poundwise, are you saying the Costco Visa card offers FREE roadside assistance? I have AARP roadside assistance and it seems exactly the same as AAA but quite a bit cheaper.

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #12503 on:** February 11, 2019, 01:02:38 AM »

I walked to work.

In the weekend I was at a symposium for a hobby of mine. I did not buy a pile of books and a microscope. I guess that is good.

soccerluvof4 · « **Reply #12504 on:** February 11, 2019, 04:58:36 AM »

Our youngest plays select soccer hence the name as all our kids did/do and we are sending him to Vegas Next week with a different family because its just gotten to expensive for us to go with him. Over the years we have done shorter trips with the other kids but hes the first to go on a plane and do it. Our kids are very independent a lot because of sports and though we will miss watching him play as I said will save a fortune and evidently a lot of parents are thinking the same because like 4 parents are taking all the boys.

letsdoit · « **Reply #12505 on:** February 11, 2019, 07:20:49 AM »

hungry harvest for veggies: we're in our 3rd week of it and it's been good.
we still have to go to the store for yogurt and cheese,
but it's been good to have more variety, at least as affrodable as other organic stores

Sugaree · « **Reply #12506 on:** February 11, 2019, 07:59:40 AM »

I started some herbs and tomatoes from seed over the weekend in one of those little peat-pod "greenhouses." I usually wait too late in the season to get those started. But I'm basically redoing an entire landscape this year and need to find a way to do it that's not going to cost a fortune. On that note, I lost 23 pine trees. I'd like to replace them with fruit trees, but am having trouble finding varieties that a.) will actually bear fruit in my area, and b.) aren't toxic to the dog.

Poundwise · « **Reply #12507 on:** February 11, 2019, 12:12:17 PM »

Quote from: Roadrunner53 on February 10, 2019, 04:03:08 PM

Quote from: Poundwise on February 10, 2019, 09:23:01 AM
Quote from: jengod on February 09, 2019, 07:05:46 PM
* Saved $34.50 on this year's AAA membership by canceling my husband's "associate" status (he hardly ever drives anywhere) and enrolling in autopay for an additional credit. I'd like to get rid of this expense totally at some point but we do seem to use the battery service at least a couple times a year.

If you have a credit card, check to see if roadside service is included! I have a Costco VISA and found that their roadside service was perfectly adequate and easy to use for a flat tire. I haven't had AAA in about 5 years; if you are nervous, you can keep AAA for a while but see how the credit card service works for you next time it's needed. I just called the number on the back of my credit card, but it's smarter to write down the direct number of the roadside assistance and any other required info and keep them in your dashboard.

Poundwise, are you saying the Costco Visa card offers FREE roadside assistance? I have AARP roadside assistance and it seems exactly the same as AAA but quite a bit cheaper.

@Roadrunner53 There is no yearly membership fee, but you do have to pay a per-event charge. As I think about it, I forget whether it was through our Costco VISA or Executive membership, but anyway we paid $59 for help with a flat tire (yeah, I know, Mustachians change their own tires, but not if they are weaklings like me and it's the middle of a freezing night).

If you are worried about flat batteries, I strongly recommend a Scorpion portable battery. That thing has saved our bacon so many times. https://www.amazon.com/Brightech-SmartJump-Technology-Combination-Electronics/dp/B00K0VMXDQ

MaybeBabyMustache · « **Reply #12508 on:** February 11, 2019, 02:06:53 PM »

-Chased down missing refunds for a savings of $108
-Bought Uber gift cards, earning a $30 grocery store gift card. I use Uber a lot for expensable work travel, so will get it back shortly

jengod · « **Reply #12509 on:** February 11, 2019, 03:04:41 PM »

* Finally got a warm and sunny break from the rain, so put a load of laundry out to dry.

* Juiced several homegrown lemons; put two pints of juice in the freezer and saved the rinds for citrus-vinegar cleaner.

Roadrunner53 · « **Reply #12510 on:** February 11, 2019, 04:08:10 PM »

Quote from: Poundwise on February 11, 2019, 12:12:17 PM

Quote from: Roadrunner53 on February 10, 2019, 04:03:08 PM
Quote from: Poundwise on February 10, 2019, 09:23:01 AM
Quote from: jengod on February 09, 2019, 07:05:46 PM
* Saved $34.50 on this year's AAA membership by canceling my husband's "associate" status (he hardly ever drives anywhere) and enrolling in autopay for an additional credit. I'd like to get rid of this expense totally at some point but we do seem to use the battery service at least a couple times a year.

If you have a credit card, check to see if roadside service is included! I have a Costco VISA and found that their roadside service was perfectly adequate and easy to use for a flat tire. I haven't had AAA in about 5 years; if you are nervous, you can keep AAA for a while but see how the credit card service works for you next time it's needed. I just called the number on the back of my credit card, but it's smarter to write down the direct number of the roadside assistance and any other required info and keep them in your dashboard.

Poundwise, are you saying the Costco Visa card offers FREE roadside assistance? I have AARP roadside assistance and it seems exactly the same as AAA but quite a bit cheaper.

@Roadrunner53 There is no yearly membership fee, but you do have to pay a per-event charge. As I think about it, I forget whether it was through our Costco VISA or Executive membership, but anyway we paid $59 for help with a flat tire (yeah, I know, Mustachians change their own tires, but not if they are weaklings like me and it's the middle of a freezing night).

If you are worried about flat batteries, I strongly recommend a Scorpion portable battery. That thing has saved our bacon so many times. https://www.amazon.com/Brightech-SmartJump-Technology-Combination-Electronics/dp/B00K0VMXDQ

Thanks Poundwise. I have the Costco Visa but think I will stick with my AARP Roadside service. I only used it once and STUPID ME, I left a light on inside my car and it drained the battery. I called for service and a guy in a tow truck showed up and jumped it. No charge. I can't remember how much I pay for AARP service but either $79 or $89 per year. Well worth the peace of mind. It even covers service if I were travelling with a friend in her/his car and the car broke down. Tows up to 100 miles for free.

letsdoit · « **Reply #12511 on:** February 12, 2019, 02:20:57 PM »

i pay maybe $0 a year for geico to have the roadside.
i've only used it once in 5 years.....
hmmmm.

i looked up a list of creditcards that offer free roadside

https://www.asksebby.com/blog/which-credit-cards-offer-roadside-assistance

this says they all have hefty fees

Poundwise · « **Reply #12512 on:** February 12, 2019, 02:59:44 PM »

Over 5 years, I spent $59 for the flat tire, and $60 for the Scorpion. So far I am up three years of annual fees (assume roughly $50/year). I called just now to see if I could get more specifics on the coverage, but the benefits department couldn't help me with actual numbers, beyond saying that there would be a discount off regular prices because we are Citibank members. But all the standard stuff is covered: lockouts, batteries/jumps, 2 gallon gas delivery, tows.

Why am I willing to roll the dice? I got annoyed with AAA a few years ago because I had been a member for 20 years with hardly a claim, was in their highest level coverage, and then when my car broke down 30 miles from home but across state lines, no free tow! I decided I'm willing to deal with the out of pocket cost of the occasional event, as long as I have a 24 hour line to call and the costs seem reasonable.

letsdoit · « **Reply #12513 on:** February 13, 2019, 11:49:17 AM »

Quote from: letsdoit on February 12, 2019, 02:20:57 PM

i pay maybe $0 a year for geico to have the roadside.
i've only used it once in 5 years.....
hmmmm.

i looked up a list of creditcards that offer free roadside

https://www.asksebby.com/blog/which-credit-cards-offer-roadside-assistance

this says they all have hefty fees

i meant we pay $40 per year
if it's a flat i fix it myself instead of waiting for help

letsdoit · « **Reply #12514 on:** February 13, 2019, 11:56:21 AM »

Quote from: Poundwise on February 12, 2019, 02:59:44 PM

Over 5 years, I spent $59 for the flat tire, and $60 for the Scorpion. So far I am up three years of annual fees (assume roughly $50/year). I called just now to see if I could get more specifics on the coverage, but the benefits department couldn't help me with actual numbers, beyond saying that there would be a discount off regular prices because we are Citibank members. But all the standard stuff is covered: lockouts, batteries/jumps, 2 gallon gas delivery, tows.

Why am I willing to roll the dice? I got annoyed with AAA a few years ago because I had been a member for 20 years with hardly a claim, was in their highest level coverage, and then when my car broke down 30 miles from home but across state lines, no free tow! I decided I'm willing to deal with the out of pocket cost of the occasional event, as long as I have a 24 hour line to call and the costs seem reasonable.

you are covered by citibank credit card? if so, which one?

mustachepungoeshere · « **Reply #12515 on:** February 13, 2019, 10:32:54 PM »

Followed up a refund (I ordered something online and the product they sent me had expired).

$8 back in my bank account and the expired product got used anyway.

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #12516 on:** February 14, 2019, 02:44:48 AM »

I worked from home for a few hours yesterday afternoon, after visiting the dentisi.
Today I forgot to bring my work PC to work. I decided not to drive back and forth to collect it, but to use another machine we have at work With Remote inlogging. It is good enough to do something useful, after some startup problems.

hdatontodo · « **Reply #12517 on:** February 14, 2019, 08:01:14 AM »

I stopped going out with a gal with a $2M net worth who never picked up the check. I didn't spend money for our weekly Wednesday night dinner.

Sugaree · « **Reply #12518 on:** February 14, 2019, 09:51:32 AM »

I called my Internet provider. When I signed up for Internet, I got the 600GB/month plan for $80/ month. I noticed a few weeks ago that I had been bumped up to 800GB/month. It turns out that they've discontinued the plan I was on and introduced a new 600GB/month plan with faster download speeds for $65/month. I called them up, expecting to be told that the new plans were for new users, but they let me switch over to the new plan right away.

Slow&Steady · « **Reply #12519 on:** February 14, 2019, 10:05:33 AM »

I just increased my 401k contributions by almost the same percentage as my raise!

Sugaree · « **Reply #12520 on:** February 14, 2019, 10:06:44 AM »

Quote from: Slow&Steady on February 14, 2019, 10:05:33 AM

I just increased my 401k contributions by almost the same percentage as my raise!

WTG! I'm hoping to do the same here very soon (i.e. I hope that Congress gets their poop in a group and passes a raise in the current funding bills).

Poundwise · « **Reply #12521 on:** February 14, 2019, 10:30:01 AM »

Quote from: letsdoit on February 13, 2019, 11:56:21 AM

Quote from: Poundwise on February 12, 2019, 02:59:44 PM
Over 5 years, I spent $59 for the flat tire, and $60 for the Scorpion. So far I am up three years of annual fees (assume roughly $50/year). I called just now to see if I could get more specifics on the coverage, but the benefits department couldn't help me with actual numbers, beyond saying that there would be a discount off regular prices because we are Citibank members. But all the standard stuff is covered: lockouts, batteries/jumps, 2 gallon gas delivery, tows.

Why am I willing to roll the dice? I got annoyed with AAA a few years ago because I had been a member for 20 years with hardly a claim, was in their highest level coverage, and then when my car broke down 30 miles from home but across state lines, no free tow! I decided I'm willing to deal with the out of pocket cost of the occasional event, as long as I have a 24 hour line to call and the costs seem reasonable.

you are covered by citibank credit card? if so, which one?

@letsdoit The Costco Visa, not paying an annual fee. https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/creditcards/citi.action?ID=citi-costco-credit-card-conversion

In the final analysis, I've been using roadside assistance maybe once every five years. I maintain my cars pretty well even though they're old. What I really want out of roadside assistance is assurance that somebody will come to help within an hour if I need it, and that the cost will be reasonable. My experience so far with credit card RA is that this has been the case. What I don't like is that the fee structure is opaque.

letsdoit · « **Reply #12522 on:** February 14, 2019, 01:47:56 PM »

re costco card ,
how did you get out of annual fee ?

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #12523 on:** February 14, 2019, 01:48:00 PM »

I changed our electricity provider to a chesper one. And I shopped extra vegetables in a shop with trippel cashback on vegetables today. I can freeze some of them.

Tyson · « **Reply #12524 on:** February 14, 2019, 02:30:55 PM »

Refrigerator is acting up. Replaced the part making the noise myself already, which lessened but did not eliminate the problem. So, rather than pay a repair man to come fix it, I found out the 2nd most likely cause is the control board is going bad. It's a $200 part (ouch). Shopped around, found a place in Canada that had it for $120 shipped. I'll be doing the fixing myself.

Poundwise · « **Reply #12525 on:** February 14, 2019, 03:38:41 PM »

Quote from: letsdoit on February 14, 2019, 01:47:56 PM

re costco card ,
how did you get out of annual fee ?

Oh, you're confused between getting a Costco Visa vs a Costco membership. I have both. Sorry, I wasn't very clear.

Roadside assistance is through the Visa card (no membership fee).
You can ALSO get roadside assistance with a Costco executive membership if you buy car insurance through them.

Gronnie · « **Reply #12526 on:** February 14, 2019, 06:46:43 PM »

One can only have the Costco Visa if they pay for a Costco membership, ergo not free.

Trifele · « **Reply #12527 on:** February 15, 2019, 04:06:59 AM »

I also posted this in the "Reduce Your Environmental Impact" thread. So often the two go together!

We're currently doing a DIY major to-the-studs kitchen remodel in the old house we bought, and we kept and repaired the existing appliances. The dishwasher was leaking and the door hinge was broken, and the gas cooktop would not light, was missing gaskets, and needed a new gas supply line. My DH has great fix-it skills. He took both of them to pieces, diagnosed the problems, got parts at the local appliance repair store, and put them back together. Voila -- both working great now.

We saved money by giving them a new life and we kept them out of the landfill. Wins!

jengod · « **Reply #12528 on:** February 15, 2019, 05:49:32 PM »

* I saved $5-10 by not buying a “washing machine cleaner” product; citrus vinegar and Dawn and a flexible brush does a fine job.

* Collected rainwater in buckets.

* Trashpicked two pineapple tops left beside a bus stop; I like to try to grow new pineapples from the tops. If either of these take that’s a nice savings, both on the original pineapple and on the crop pineapple in a couple of years.

* Started three new geraniums from cuttings.

Bracken_Joy · « **Reply #12529 on:** February 15, 2019, 05:57:43 PM »

Put in the time to plan out what CCs we're going to get to hit sign up rewards for our next IVF cycle. The big win was another mustachian IVFer mentioning a card's rotating category currently has pharmacies/drug stores. Contacted them, and the specialty company I get fertility meds through will count, so we'll be able to get 5% back on $1500 worth of those, plus a sign up bonus. May do one each for my husband and I and hit it double (it'll be like $~5k of meds, so 5% back on $3k of that if we both open one and split the transaction)

So many thanks to this forum, for real.

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #12530 on:** February 17, 2019, 01:57:19 AM »

Yesterday evening we went out in the city to listen to some talks. There was an option to buy wine and beer, which most of the audience did. We had brought bottles of water from home. Wine and beer here in Norway is really pricy and not something you should order in a café. We drank a home brewn beer when we came home.

Trifele · « **Reply #12531 on:** February 17, 2019, 04:03:58 AM »

Today I'm re-doing and updating our grocery price book. We shop at 3 stores. I'm replacing one of the stores in our rotation with a good discount/salvage food store we found. I used to just drop in to the salvage store on occasion, but now the salvage food store will be stop #1 each week (Aldi will be #2).

Shopping salvage is a different mindset since the inventory varies, but I'm retired now so I have plenty of time and mental bandwidth. No excuses. Thanks to @APowers and his $200-a-month grocery thread last year I'm starting to see the results that can be obtained by different strategies. https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/have-a-sub-$200month-grocery-budget/

jengod · « **Reply #12532 on:** February 19, 2019, 05:52:15 PM »

I had a 10 percent off coupon for the Conventional Grocery Store (from when I got my flu shot at their pharmacy) that was due to expire so I picked up some food and stacked three other paper coupons to save $15.53.

Loretta · « **Reply #12533 on:** February 19, 2019, 06:55:02 PM »

Continuing with the grocery theme, today my Mom and I went to the store. She has been here helping me while I’ve been fighting off a bad stomachinfection and she wanted to see that I had the strength to grocery shop again. So we went to Safeway where I bought $100+ in groceries and saved 20% off my bill with just 4 u clipping, a $4 off reward, and a free pack of batteries from their Monopoly game coupon. Since I’ve been at home sick I’ve been laying out my Monopoly pieces and geeking out over the board. This week, I won free batteries... so maybe next week a million dollars?

middo · « **Reply #12534 on:** February 20, 2019, 05:00:00 PM »

Free morning tea that morphs into lunch at work the last couple of days. That meant my sandwiches were still in the fridge today. Then free drinks and nibbles tomorrow after work. I intend to make use of that too.

Bracken_Joy · « **Reply #12535 on:** February 20, 2019, 07:01:07 PM »

Went to costco for our rebate money. Also returned some "bully stick like" treats we bought last time, that promptly shattered and seem like a huge hazard to my dog. So that's $30 back for that huge package. The employee said a ton of people have been returning them. GOOD. Also used the chance to gas up the car. All in all, a successful trip.

Roadrunner53 · « **Reply #12536 on:** February 21, 2019, 04:16:29 AM »

Does anybody make up ham and cheese sandwiches with a whole loaf of bread then freeze to have quick and handy lunches ready to go? Seems I waste a lot of ham and cheese when it gets too old to eat. If I were to make up sammies, wrapped them up and froze them I would avoid waste and have quickie sammies ready for lunch. This would save me money if I ever got my act together. I have never tried deli turkey or chicken frozen. I wonder how the meat would taste.

Linea_Norway · « **Reply #12537 on:** February 21, 2019, 04:38:15 AM »

Quote from: Roadrunner53 on February 21, 2019, 04:16:29 AM

Does anybody make up ham and cheese sandwiches with a whole loaf of bread then freeze to have quick and handy lunches ready to go? Seems I waste a lot of ham and cheese when it gets too old to eat. If I were to make up sammies, wrapped them up and froze them I would avoid waste and have quickie sammies ready for lunch. This would save me money if I ever got my act together. I have never tried deli turkey or chicken frozen. I wonder how the meat would taste.

I have frozen parts of a large pack of sliced (Italian, good quality) ham. The frozen ham tasted normal after thawing it. I have no experience in freezing cheese.

I also don't like ham that has gone old. Often ham in one big chunk is cheaper than sliced ham. In that case, I have also sliced it up and frozen in sliced portions.

Dicey · « **Reply #12538 on:** February 21, 2019, 05:07:04 AM »

Sliced cheese freezes and defrosts just fine. Block cheese once frozen/defrosted, tends to crumble when grated. If you want to freeze cheese that will eventually be used for shreds, shred first, then freeze. Shredded cheese defrosts faster, too. If you use ham with a high water content (typically the cheap stuff), it can result in doggy bread. Solution: use better ham or keep it frozen until right before consumption.

Related: I used to buy the Kirkland sliced turkey for DH's sammies, but it does the same watery thing upon defrosting. I bought the more expensive Columbo brand turkey when it was on sale, and absentmindedly froze the whole damn twin pack. To my surprise, it was fine when it defrosted. It costs a little bit more, but avoids waste. If DH has a few days off, I can toss the package in the freezer so it doesn't go bad. Totally random tip: if I'm not sure the meat is still good, I offer a tidbit to the cat. If she turns her nose up, I know it's too far gone. This is especially helpful since I'm a vegetarian. It is not cost effective to acquire a cat solely for this purpose, but if you happen to have one on hand...

Warning: Mayo does not freeze well. Butter or mustard are better choices for your frozen sammy experiment.

Rural · « **Reply #12539 on:** February 21, 2019, 10:46:46 AM »

Quote from: Roadrunner53 on February 21, 2019, 04:16:29 AM

Does anybody make up ham and cheese sandwiches with a whole loaf of bread then freeze to have quick and handy lunches ready to go? Seems I waste a lot of ham and cheese when it gets too old to eat. If I were to make up sammies, wrapped them up and froze them I would avoid waste and have quickie sammies ready for lunch. This would save me money if I ever got my act together. I have never tried deli turkey or chicken frozen. I wonder how the meat would taste.

I used to do this, make up a whole loaf at a time, and stick the wrapped sandwiches back in the bread bag to organize them and provide a little more protection from freezer burn. You can put mustard or hummus on ahead of time and freeze, but not mayo or veggies. Bonus if there's no refrigeration at work: the sandwich will keep and will be thawed just about right by lunch time. The bread fares better if you toast it.

Greyweld · « **Reply #12540 on:** February 21, 2019, 10:51:43 AM »

Quote from: Roadrunner53 on February 21, 2019, 04:16:29 AM

Does anybody make up ham and cheese sandwiches with a whole loaf of bread then freeze to have quick and handy lunches ready to go? Seems I waste a lot of ham and cheese when it gets too old to eat. If I were to make up sammies, wrapped them up and froze them I would avoid waste and have quickie sammies ready for lunch. This would save me money if I ever got my act together. I have never tried deli turkey or chicken frozen. I wonder how the meat would taste.

omg, this is such a good idea! I'm going to try it and see how it goes. Worst case scenario, it's sub-par but edible and the lunch meats don't get wasted.

Roadrunner53 · « **Reply #12541 on:** February 21, 2019, 10:57:04 AM »

Quote from: Rural on February 21, 2019, 10:46:46 AM

Quote from: Roadrunner53 on February 21, 2019, 04:16:29 AM
Does anybody make up ham and cheese sandwiches with a whole loaf of bread then freeze to have quick and handy lunches ready to go? Seems I waste a lot of ham and cheese when it gets too old to eat. If I were to make up sammies, wrapped them up and froze them I would avoid waste and have quickie sammies ready for lunch. This would save me money if I ever got my act together. I have never tried deli turkey or chicken frozen. I wonder how the meat would taste.

I used to do this, make up a whole loaf at a time, and stick the wrapped sandwiches back in the bread bag to organize them and provide a little more protection from freezer burn. You can put mustard or hummus on ahead of time and freeze, but not mayo or veggies. Bonus if there's no refrigeration at work: the sandwich will keep and will be thawed just about right by lunch time. The bread fares better if you toast it.

What other sammies might be good? I can imagine PB&J would be okay. I would put PB on each side of the bread and put a little Jelly in the middle so the bread didn't get sogged. Deli meat can be wet. I know sliced chicken breast meat or turkey meat would work. Put a little butter or hummus on the bread. Probably egg and Canadian bacon sammies. Anyone make refried beans sammie? If so, would you add anything to kick it up a notch. I buy the spicy ones but still not super exciting.

Gerard · « **Reply #12542 on:** February 22, 2019, 07:58:08 AM »

Quote from: Roadrunner53 on February 21, 2019, 04:16:29 AM

Does anybody make up ham and cheese sandwiches with a whole loaf of bread then freeze to have quick and handy lunches ready to go?

Extra use, maybe: chop up one or two, stir them into beaten egg and milk, and bake for a fast frittata/strata?

Tyson · « **Reply #12543 on:** February 22, 2019, 11:04:24 AM »

Quote from: tyort1 on February 14, 2019, 02:30:55 PM

Refrigerator is acting up. Replaced the part making the noise myself already, which lessened but did not eliminate the problem. So, rather than pay a repair man to come fix it, I found out the 2nd most likely cause is the control board is going bad. It's a $200 part (ouch). Shopped around, found a place in Canada that had it for $120 shipped. I'll be doing the fixing myself.

Just to finish out this story - new control board for the refrigerator came and I googled a video on how to replace it. It was super easy. Within half an hour I had the old part removed, the new board put in, everything screwed back together, fridge plugged in and.... it worked! At least so far :)

Before finding MMM, this is definitely something I would have called a repair person for. I'm guessing it saved me at least $100, maybe even $200.

letsdoit · « **Reply #12544 on:** February 22, 2019, 01:45:34 PM »

called verizon to negotiate internet bill,

they have me in a monopoly but i got them down $10 month , or 120 for the year

MaybeBabyMustache · « **Reply #12545 on:** February 22, 2019, 03:24:30 PM »

-Made lunch out of random fridge ingredients (eggs on toast with hummus)
-Called place where we went on vacation (booked lodging through ski resort, but didn't realize lodging wasn't operated by resort). Lodging was beyond gross, tons of problems with hotel service. Ski resort offered us two nights back. I also took the time to write a detailed email to the general manager, so they'd have constructive advice on what to fix, vs just complaining. Location was incredible (ski in/ski out), so certainly worth the hotel having the feedback to address the issues).
-Listed 3 items on eBay

jengod · « **Reply #12546 on:** February 22, 2019, 04:06:21 PM »

* Bought new-to-them clothes for the kids at Goodwill instead of hitting the mall
* Saved the cost of gasoline for two trips I took in our "solar car" (actually solar-charged e-bike) instead of the Honda

Loretta · « **Reply #12547 on:** February 23, 2019, 06:35:17 AM »

My inherited washer sounds like a 747 taking off and landing so I’ve scheduled a service call to see if it can be tuned up. I’ve been at home sick all month and produced a mountain of dirty laundry so the washer has really been working overtime recently. I’m not physically able to fix it myself but a servic call for $89 is a better investment than ignoring it til it croaks I think. My condo neighbors will also be happy to not hear it if it can be tuned up.

horsepoor · « **Reply #12548 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:08:17 PM »

Got a $7.95 refund for a calendar I bought yesterday that was supposed to be 50% off.

Redeemed $5 off coupons/credits at two stores for sunscreen and snacks to take on my work trip this week.

Loretta · « **Reply #12549 on:** February 24, 2019, 06:48:06 AM »

Quote from: MoolahLula on February 23, 2019, 06:35:17 AM

My inherited washer sounds like a 747 taking off and landing so I’ve scheduled a service call to see if it can be tuned up. I’ve been at home sick all month and produced a mountain of dirty laundry so the washer has really been working overtime recently. I’m not physically able to fix it myself but a service call for $89 is a better investment than ignoring it til it croaks I think. My condo neighbors will also be happy to not hear it if it can be tuned up.

A repairman came and told that I my washer (a GE profile maybe 10 yrs old, no idea) has bearings loose and my spin control board is not spinning quickly enough. The office will call me with a quote on Monday to replace the bearings and drum plus the spin control board. Labor to disassemble and unstack to do the fixes will be the killer here. So do I get this fixed for circa $700 or buy a new set that will stack into my closet and last until 2027 when I plan to retire elsewhere... decisions, decisions. If you guys have stackable condo size washer dryer combos, please tell me a good brand you like. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of choice in this stackable narrow category.

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