Author Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money? (Read 8657036 times)

Loretta · « **Reply #15550 on:** January 13, 2023, 05:09:38 AM »

Returning 2 dresses to Thredup. Too clingy and scratchy.

Frugal Lizard · « **Reply #15551 on:** January 13, 2023, 06:53:33 AM »

Cooked a whole bag of dried great northern beans. Made a great pot of soup with half. Canned 3 pints for use later in my pressure canner. Soup was delish. Froze the leftovers for two future meals. Dried beans cost $4.49. Now 13 easy servings.

midweststache · « **Reply #15552 on:** January 13, 2023, 07:47:58 AM »

Upped my 403b contribution from 13% to 17% - just under a $100 increase in bi-weekly, pre-tax contribution.

Still not maxing this out, but slowly tightening the proverbial belt until we get there.

PMG · « **Reply #15553 on:** January 13, 2023, 02:07:37 PM »

This is your reminder to shop around for car insurance. My goodness. It was worthwhile for us this time.

okisok · « **Reply #15554 on:** January 13, 2023, 06:28:24 PM »

Today is the first time I've gone grocery shopping in 2023. I took Week 1's grocery money to Sam's and stocked up on staples that are cheaper than Aldi (not just larger packages). The membership was a Christmas gift and I've been tracking prices via the websites. Grocery prices are so high that I'm not wasting any money.

Repaired a split in a Pyrex lid with the hot glue gun. It may not last through the dishwasher but I'm giving it a shot.

Loretta · « **Reply #15555 on:** January 14, 2023, 09:03:07 AM »

I’m using up a bag of frozen meatballs and a jar of sauce on meatball subs. Yum. This should produce leftovers I can send home with others too.

Michael in ABQ · « **Reply #15556 on:** January 14, 2023, 06:31:01 PM »

We decided to go to a park for free rather than the children's museum or take a ride on a tram (grandparents are visiting so we wanted to do something fun with our kids). The museum would have only been $50 or so, but pretty good chance of someone getting sick. The tram ride was going to be about $250.

Serendip · « **Reply #15557 on:** January 14, 2023, 07:48:59 PM »

-Took lunch to work today (I normally try to)

-Am compiling recipes to make this week with food I already have in the fridge/pantry

RWTL · « **Reply #15558 on:** January 15, 2023, 03:12:20 AM »

Quote from: PMG on January 13, 2023, 02:07:37 PM

This is your reminder to shop around for car insurance. My goodness. It was worthwhile for us this time.

For 20 years I would check into this every year and always found my insurance provider to be the least expensive....and then I moved. My rate in the new state was going to go up 300%. After shopping around I found a provider that was still an increase, but WAY less than my long time insurer.

Absolutely true that you should keep an eye on this.

Loretta · « **Reply #15559 on:** January 15, 2023, 06:38:18 PM »

After a very expensive but delicious dinner out with a friend, I bought 4 shirts at Savers for $36. I had the thought that, if left to my own devices I’d buy every flannel shirt and adopt every cat I see…. I’m on brand if nothing else!

Runrooster · « **Reply #15560 on:** January 16, 2023, 01:25:43 AM »

I usually eat 3 eggs a day. After seeing egg prices go to $4/dozen if you can even find them, I announced to my parents that I quit eating eggs for now. I can eat yogurt, beans, chicken and it will be variety. I just used a rain check for 6 dozen eggs at $2.50 which they can finish off. Shrimp is slightly more expensive but I have 4 pounds stocked up. Using down the freezer is better than buying really expensive eggs. Hopefully this doesn’t last 3 months.

Dutch Comfort · « **Reply #15561 on:** January 16, 2023, 07:08:34 AM »

Went to city for drinks with friends (they were treating me!). Parked my car outside of the city and picked up a free bike to take me the last 2 miles into the city. Saved >10 EUR on parking expenses!

Frugal Lizard · « **Reply #15562 on:** January 16, 2023, 08:05:17 AM »

I defrosted and organized the deep freezers in the basement while it was super cold overnight. The inventory of all the contents means that we shall not go grocery shopping for meat or veg for a long time while we eat up of the food already bought. Defrosting means there is so much more space and the freezer works way better.

MaybeBabyMustache · « **Reply #15563 on:** January 16, 2023, 12:17:31 PM »

Did a bunch of meal prep for the week ahead, and also for the freezer. Having ready to go meals greatly reduces the chance of takeout!

cool7hand · « **Reply #15564 on:** January 16, 2023, 12:49:30 PM »

Had to see a specialist in the city. Researched a cheap place to park ahead of time.

lunahsol · « **Reply #15565 on:** January 17, 2023, 01:01:30 PM »

Hi. After a hiatus of a few years, I am dusting off my profile here and would like to start logging my daily "wins" again. It was fun to read back through my past posts - when I first joined here in 2015, I was on a mission to get debt-free. Mission accomplished. I have mostly maintained good habits, with a few slips here and there. I recently remembered this forum/this thread, in particular and how much it helped to keep me motivated. So now, with even bigger goals, here I go again . . . . today I saved money by:

*payed a year up front for my phone service (saved $45)
*homemade leftovers brought to work for lunch/dinner
*free gym tonight (while wearing free leggings!)
*removed saved payment information in amazon to avoid impulse purchases
*manually wrote down all money spent for January so far in a notebook in an attempt to confront myself with my mistakes

Arbitrage · « **Reply #15566 on:** January 17, 2023, 01:53:52 PM »

Cancelled Disney Plus (again). We just had it a few months this time around to catch up on a few things. First month was a $2 teaser, so even though we had to pay one month after the 40% price increase, it wasn't so bad. I'm ok with signing up for just a couple months per year there.

Also cancelled NFL Plus Premium a few days before the the playoffs and the next monthly charge hit. My team, the Detroit Lions, was kicked out of the playoff hunt just before their last game. Was happy with the service overall, as I could finally watch all of the games without having to pay a thousand bucks for satellite service plus Sunday Ticket, or camp out at a sports bar every week. Lions were actually worth watching for the first time in several years, too.

Also made a fresh batch of chicken broth from my latest Costco rotisserie chicken carcass, and a fresh batch of homemade yogurt.

Serendip · « **Reply #15567 on:** January 17, 2023, 02:09:34 PM »

My partner dropped a nice container of mixed olives onto the floor and then proceeded to put them into the compost since he didn't want to wipe them all off individually. I took them out of the bowl, washed & wiped them each down :)

MaybeBabyMustache · « **Reply #15568 on:** January 18, 2023, 07:16:57 AM »

Remembered to use $2 of rewards on a prescription.

Tigerpine · « **Reply #15569 on:** January 18, 2023, 10:32:07 AM »

Complained to Verizon about a billing issue regarding our internet, and got upgraded to a higher speed for $5 less per month, plus a $200 gift card, which I can use to pay for several months' worth of bills. I got a 2 year price lock...so we'll see what the bill goes to in 2025, but for now we're good.

slappy · « **Reply #15570 on:** January 18, 2023, 01:57:08 PM »

I ordered a year's worth of cat litter. I saved over $110. The delivery person is probably going to hate me. It might sound silly to order so much litter, but we have three cats. I combined rakuten with a retailer discount and discounted gift cards from Raise.

slappy · « **Reply #15571 on:** January 18, 2023, 01:58:22 PM »

I also pre paid my mother in laws funeral expenses this week. Paid $13k on my 2% cash back and then she reimbursed me for the $13k. So about $260 in rewards for me. That almost pays for the cat litter! :)

lunahsol · « **Reply #15572 on:** January 18, 2023, 03:23:57 PM »

Paid to renew PO box for one year before their rate increase kicks in on Jan 22

okisok · « **Reply #15573 on:** January 18, 2023, 05:44:58 PM »

Googled a vacuum problem and was able to easily fix it myself without spending any money.

Got free lunch and free snack at work today.

Returned some Amazon items via Whole Foods and didn't buy anything in the store. (I did check my shopping apps and would've made an exception for a free or deeply discounted item.) Went to another grocery store specifically for Fetch app items that were really cheap. All of these errands were done on my way home from work.

Started some orange cleaner in a gifted glass jar with some vinegar I got free with store rewards and orange peels from Christmas fruit.

Found a flyer for a free crock on a work message board and am researching lacto fermentation and pickling. I'm going to plant a larger garden this year and want to capture as much of the harvest as possible.

My work outfit was 2/3 free from friend who did a clothes purge and I was the happy recipient.

Loretta · « **Reply #15574 on:** January 18, 2023, 05:47:17 PM »

I refilled a Rx using my new health insurance and while it was still pricey at $780, last year at this time with the old insurance it was $1000+. While at CVS I used 3 extrabucks coupons at the self checkout on 3 Ghirardelli caramel chocolate bars. Did I need them, no.

Sandi_k · « **Reply #15575 on:** January 19, 2023, 08:38:05 AM »

Quote from: Loretta on January 18, 2023, 05:47:17 PM

I refilled a Rx using my new health insurance and while it was still pricey at $780, last year at this time with the old insurance it was $1000+. While at CVS I used 3 extrabucks coupons at the self checkout on 3 Ghirardelli caramel chocolate bars. Did I need them, no.

Have you tried Mark Cuban's new company, Cost Plus Drugs? He's trying to disrupt Big Pharma, and I am there for it!

https://www.markcubancostplusdrugcompany.com/

lunahsol · « **Reply #15576 on:** January 19, 2023, 12:53:24 PM »

Was thinking of going to a concert this weekend - went onto the website to buy tickets at $46 each. Okay, I was fine with that. When I went to check out, got an alert that the price had changed to $89 each! Nope. I'll listen to the band's music on YouTube.

jeromedawg · « **Reply #15577 on:** January 19, 2023, 03:07:48 PM »

Cleaned the gutters myself instead of paying someone $200+ to do it. Got a nice workout session out of it as well.

Raenia · « **Reply #15578 on:** January 20, 2023, 10:16:28 AM »

Filed a claim on a class action lawsuit for a product I own. Should get a bit of money back whenever the court accepts the settlement.

ChickenStash · « **Reply #15579 on:** January 20, 2023, 12:21:33 PM »

Soldered a new defroster tab on my car's back window after the original popped off. I actually did this a few days ago but haven't had the weather to give it a real test until today - it worked. I did splurge for an OEM replacement after I accidentally dropped the original one somewhere into the abyss of the rear quarter panel.

I also had to fix my hand-me-down JCPenny soldering gun to make the repair. Somewhat ironically, a wire broke free from a solder joint on the trigger and had to be soldered back on.

Loretta · « **Reply #15580 on:** January 20, 2023, 05:29:44 PM »

I got a check re-cut from a 2021 FSA account for $4.37 with a short phone call.

okisok · « **Reply #15581 on:** January 20, 2023, 07:53:05 PM »

Quote from: ChickenStash on January 20, 2023, 12:21:33 PM

I also had to fix my hand-me-down JCPenny soldering gun to make the repair. Somewhat ironically, a wire broke free from a solder joint on the trigger and had to be soldered back on.

This reminds me of my dad, an ultra-Mustachian. When a part on his welder broke and he wasn't able to buy a new part due to the welder's age, he borrowed my brother's welder and built the part himself out of some garage junk. I think he's prouder of that achievement than the births of any of his children!! :)

On topic, I had a discounted frozen meal for lunch. I had homemade cookies as an after-work snack and decided not to go grocery shopping today after all.

Instead of taking three sweater to the cleaners, I used some Woolite at-home dry cleaning cloths to launder them. Last time I got a sweater dry cleaned it cost $8, so I saved about $22.

Balanced my checkbook and figured out how much would go to savings this month and made projections on next month's savings. Of course, I tried to beat this month's amount.

Trifle · « **Reply #15582 on:** January 21, 2023, 01:50:46 AM »

Quote from: Raenia on January 20, 2023, 10:16:28 AM

Filed a claim on a class action lawsuit for a product I own. Should get a bit of money back whenever the court accepts the settlement.

I do these too; it's always worth the (usually minimal) time, and sometimes it's a nice little chunk of change. Class actions are so slow, sometimes I get a check for one I filed years ago. It's like a surprise 'gift' in the mail from my past self. Small ones are $10 or $15, and my biggest one ever was $900 (a car insurance class action)

MaybeBabyMustache · « **Reply #15583 on:** January 21, 2023, 09:51:21 AM »

Picked up the Friday Freebie at my local store (soy milk). iBotta (one of those coupon style apps) happened to have an offer for this item, so I earned $1.35 for taking it home for free.

sonofsven · « **Reply #15584 on:** January 21, 2023, 10:04:35 AM »

I've been cutting firewood in a nearby state forest ($20 permit) that is scrap leftover from the clear-cutting. It's left in "decks" usually at the end of spur roads. It's usually pretty dirty and dulls your chain because of the handling.
With the recent wind storms there is tons of blow down, so I've been cherry picking wood right from the side of the forest road.
I did four pickup loads last week in the evening after work in less than an hour each.
There's not much better in my book than years of heat piled up in the shed.

Rosy · « **Reply #15585 on:** January 22, 2023, 02:21:48 PM »

1. Repairing or rather replacing the internal hose on our Dyson D41 Animal - twenty bucks for the part and some DIY youtube time versus hundreds for a new vacuum cleaner. YEAH and we were lucky to have a T10 star bit needed to unscrew and re-screw whatever, eye roll. Thanks to Mr. R. for the replacement and my son who'd left some tools with us when he was a trucker.

2. A bit of TLC overall on said vac - replacing the two filters ( two 3-packs for $24 tot) will hopefully prolong its life.

I'm getting better at taking pics and researching parts or whatever other replacementsI need - thanks to google and the big A...

3. Sourcing a broken hinge replacement for a bathroom cabinet door that's rather large and absolutely perfect and essential for us.
We'll see, I'm hoping it is not proprietary or weird, because I really would love to keep that cabinet. The mirror frame only needs a little touch-up paint to look new again.

4. Wondering whether it is worth the trouble to clean up a rusty door hinge or buy new? Checking on that today as I'm doing a facelift of our small bathroom.
Should never have disconnected the exhaust fan/light what was I thinking?

5. Replaced the shower rod - we still had an old, now rusted, screw into the wall version, but I found a tension rod that fit over the existing holes in the tile wall.
Easy DIY.

6. Re-painting - re-sanding the flaky old paint on the bathroom door frame ... possibly repaint the door on the inside so it blends in and works better with the bathroom. Something I've been considering doing - forever.

7. More DIY upcoming - simple house repairs and maintenance.
Replacing the cat door since it has a broken lock before we leave on a trip.
Painting the outside of the ,kitchen to garden, door since the paint is coming off in chalky smears...

8. Sewing on buttons and repairing tears in clothing that we still like and wear as I'm busy with cleaning out our bedroom closet one section at a time.
Donated/trashed and cleaned up, fixed and repaired...
This might take a while longer but I'm finally making some real visible progress, so I'm happy ...

9. Sewed up all the rug backing which had come loose on a favorite Christmas rug (this kind costs about $45 new now) - and - I'm attempting to save another that had several threads come loose.

10. Accumulating a growing list of things that I will buy at the Dollar store instead of the grocery or the regular store from glass cleaner refills to specific storage bins and plastic bags, to paint and supplies for various projects from office to home maintenance.
I've found this keeps me from becoming sidetracked and saves gas and time - I do better with a list and an allowance of three items that are not on my list only if - I'm burning with the desire to have them:).

11. Scored a free car wash coupon from a new, nearby business...

12. Lots of little daily wins - harvested my first big salad - all of the salad ingredients from the garden.
Plus enough for several sandwiches - you can't beat fresh from the garden.

13. Bought a $12 book, paper edition only, that I really wanted - for free - using digital credits for choosing longer delivery times on my Christmas Amazon orders.

My favorite, most lucrative (besides the Dyson repair)
I found and got a 5% APY (15 mo) CD which lets you add more funds anytime up to $250K. NFCU

MaybeBabyMustache · « **Reply #15586 on:** January 22, 2023, 06:08:19 PM »

I needed a few things at the drugstore, so looked up coupons & was able to save $4. I also used $2 in rewards I'd accumulated on some previous purchase, for a total savings of $6.

Dicey · « **Reply #15587 on:** January 22, 2023, 11:56:04 PM »

DH found enough wrought iron fencing to finish a project via Next Door. Bonus: it's rackable, which will make the hillside installation so much easier.

ohsnap · « **Reply #15588 on:** January 23, 2023, 11:05:40 AM »

I made yogurt!

Due to the insane cost of eggs, we decided to switch some of our daily egg habit to more yogurt for breakfast. But the large bucket of yogurt is $6. Since our last kid left the house, we don't go through much milk and it pains me to spend $2.50 for a 1/2 gallon, when a gallon is only $3.50. I decided to try making yogurt with the extra half gallon. My first experiment (in an oven that was supposed to be on "warm 110") - got too hot. The yogurt tasted fine but was very curd-y. This morning I tried a different method - adding warm water to a small cooler and putting the jars in there. Fingers crossed that by tonight I'll have tasty smooth yogurt! If I can find a method that's pretty easy and foolproof, I can turn $1 worth of milk into $10 of yogurt. (not sure we'll continue if it always turns out curd-y).

MaybeBabyMustache · « **Reply #15589 on:** January 23, 2023, 12:18:32 PM »

Listed a bunch of stuff on eBay, and defrosted a soup for lunch. Having quick & easy meals in the freezer makes life so much easier (and, cheaper. And, healthier!)

Dicey · « **Reply #15590 on:** January 23, 2023, 08:27:23 PM »

Quote from: ohsnap on January 23, 2023, 11:05:40 AM

I made yogurt!

Due to the insane cost of eggs, we decided to switch some of our daily egg habit to more yogurt for breakfast. But the large bucket of yogurt is $6. Since our last kid left the house, we don't go through much milk and it pains me to spend $2.50 for a 1/2 gallon, when a gallon is only $3.50. I decided to try making yogurt with the extra half gallon. My first experiment (in an oven that was supposed to be on "warm 110") - got too hot. The yogurt tasted fine but was very curd-y. This morning I tried a different method - adding warm water to a small cooler and putting the jars in there. Fingers crossed that by tonight I'll have tasty smooth yogurt! If I can find a method that's pretty easy and foolproof, I can turn $1 worth of milk into $10 of yogurt. (not sure we'll continue if it always turns out curd-y).

The Frugal Girl has an excellent yogurt tutorial.

Freedomin5 · « **Reply #15591 on:** January 24, 2023, 12:13:24 AM »

We are stocking up on cash in preparation for our repatriation back to Canada. Instead of simply holding the cash in our bank account, I opened a savings account at the same bank. Took a few minutes and will earn us 1.5% interest. Yes, there are other banks offering higher interest rates, but you have to be in Canada to open them. I was able to open one online through our current bank. 1.5% is better than 0%. Once we repatriate and redeclare residency the plan is to close the account and move the money to more lucrative investments. But in the meantime, a few clicks online this morning means that we are on track to earn a few thousand dollars in interest this year.

Roadrunner53 · « **Reply #15592 on:** January 24, 2023, 04:52:38 AM »

Made homemade chicken broth from two chicken carcass's. Put bones and scraps in crockpot with onions, celery, carrots a little better than bullion (low sodium) and let it cook on low for about 12 hours. Strained out the bones, veg's and cooled it in the fridge overnight. Removed layer of grease on top and discarded it. Broth came out great!

Loretta · « **Reply #15593 on:** January 24, 2023, 07:39:58 AM »

I removed a couple items from my online cart that I deemed wants not needs. I ate my last 2 meals at home and I’m opting to let my hair grow out a bit before I get it shaped up at the barbershop.

okisok · « **Reply #15594 on:** January 24, 2023, 03:39:45 PM »

Aldi was out of canned black beans so I bought a bag of dry beans that are burbling away in the crockpot with an onion and some bay leaves. I will calculate my savings based on how many bean servings I get from the bag. I will use them in many a frugal dish made with rice and sweet potatoes.

My work outfit was thrifted except for the shoes and cost less than $10.

Patched a giant hole in one of DP's favorite socks. The hole was so big I needed new fabric--darning only wouldn't have worked. I used some fabric cut from an old face mask as a patch and the end of a dumbbell as the darning egg. I usually use a lightbulb but this hole was so big the bulb didn't work. As a bonus, the grippy covering on the dumbbell kept the fabric from shifting so it was a very smooth patch despite being on the curve of the heel. It worked so well I *almost* wish I had another sock to patch.

Forgot my packed lunch in the fridge. Luckily I had popcorn, an orange, and some yogurt stashed at the office. The sandwich I packed will work for dinner instead.

Arbitrage · « **Reply #15595 on:** January 25, 2023, 08:37:03 AM »

Quote from: Dicey on January 23, 2023, 08:27:23 PM

Quote from: ohsnap on January 23, 2023, 11:05:40 AM
I made yogurt!

Due to the insane cost of eggs, we decided to switch some of our daily egg habit to more yogurt for breakfast. But the large bucket of yogurt is $6. Since our last kid left the house, we don't go through much milk and it pains me to spend $2.50 for a 1/2 gallon, when a gallon is only $3.50. I decided to try making yogurt with the extra half gallon. My first experiment (in an oven that was supposed to be on "warm 110") - got too hot. The yogurt tasted fine but was very curd-y. This morning I tried a different method - adding warm water to a small cooler and putting the jars in there. Fingers crossed that by tonight I'll have tasty smooth yogurt! If I can find a method that's pretty easy and foolproof, I can turn $1 worth of milk into $10 of yogurt. (not sure we'll continue if it always turns out curd-y).
The Frugal Girl has an excellent yogurt tutorial.

If you have an Instant Pot it's super easy to do and requires no babysitting. Been doing it for years, saved thousands by now.

LaineyAZ · « **Reply #15596 on:** January 25, 2023, 08:45:21 AM »

Got a notice from Medicare that my monthly premium was jumping to $329! Turns out the IRS shares adjusted gross income data with Medicare who then uses it to calculate your premium for the following calendar year.

But that premium increase was based on my having cashed out an investment vehicle which made my AGI for that one year much higher. It was a one-time event and that account is zeroed out, so going forward I'm only earning my same five-figure income.
Luckily, there's an online form which you can use to appeal. You have to appeal within 65 days of the notice date, and fortunately I realized that in time and hand-delivered my appeal to the Social Security office (per instructions) on the 61st day yesterday.

I'm mentioning all of this for those of you who handle finances for your senior family or friends - pay attention to the messages in their socialsecurity.gov accounts and realize that any increases or decreases in their AGI on their taxes will affect their Medicare premiums. And pay attention to the deadline to appeal.

LD_TAndK · « **Reply #15597 on:** January 25, 2023, 09:34:39 AM »

Biked to get groceries and made bread from scratch. Store baked loaves are getting pricey. Probably saved $3 overall

ohsnap · « **Reply #15598 on:** January 25, 2023, 01:08:09 PM »

Quote from: Arbitrage on January 25, 2023, 08:37:03 AM

Quote from: Dicey on January 23, 2023, 08:27:23 PM
Quote from: ohsnap on January 23, 2023, 11:05:40 AM
I made yogurt!
...This morning I tried a different method - adding warm water to a small cooler and putting the jars in there. Fingers crossed that by tonight I'll have tasty smooth yogurt!....
The Frugal Girl has an excellent yogurt tutorial.

If you have an Instant Pot it's super easy to do and requires no babysitting. Been doing it for years, saved thousands by now.

I don't have an IP.
My cooler method worked and it was very easy with almost no babysitting (I checked it a couple of times and added a touch more hot water just because I was nervous). The yogurt turned out creamy and delicious :)

cool7hand · « **Reply #15599 on:** January 26, 2023, 07:31:41 AM »

Bundled errands that require a vehicle and planned the most efficient route

News:

Author Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money? (Read 8657036 times)