What small things did you do TODAY to save money?

[crocheted_stache]

Cooked dinner tonight and leftovers for coming days using the last of a big bag of carrots plus some garden veggies. Last night's dinner/today's lunch leftovers used garden veggies, too.

Last night, I also made banana muffins with three bananas that were getting squishy on the counter, before they got too far gone and before the weather heated up too much.

Today, biked the biweekly grocery shopping trip in anticipation of things being closed and/or extra busy during the holiday weekend. DH pulled the bike trailer.

And opened and closed all the windows to cool off the house at night and keep it cool  through the day. We don't have AC.

[roomtempmayo]

I just found out that you can buy car windshield washer fluid as concentrate to mix with water, and it's massively cheaper than buying jugs that are ready to use.

I'm feeling really foolish right now for ever buying a jug of Rain-X for $4.29.

[Warlord1986]

I walked to work today and brought my lunch. It is the smallest of the small, but it makes me feel good in the morning. :)

[Gerard]

I macgyvered my new senior's discount, Ontario's OneFare (free transfers between transit systems), varying transfer time windows, and a bike path to reduce a $10.52 trip to $1.97. I am disproportionately pleased with myself about this.

And the bike ride bit was scenic and pleasant and presumably good for me.

[Loretta]

Over the weekend my clothes dryer had a major malfunction causing it to make a gigantic grinding racket.  Last night I diagnosed the problem but couldn’t get my hand inside deep enough to remove the problem.  This morning first thing I tried again and must have had a less swollen hand to remove the crap! I unstuck 3 socks and some sexy pantaloons and voila , it works great again. 

[Dollar Slice]

That's a great one, Gerard! And congratulations on solving the problem of the sexy pantaloons, Loretta 😉

I discovered to my annoyance that the two bulk bottles of OTC medication I had ordered (including some fairly expensive generic Allegra) had really short expiration dates - like far too short to actually use the medicine within date. I discovered this... one day after the return/refund date. Grrr! I just never would think to look at that from a company with a lot of turnover and a very common medicine.

I decided to immediately leave a bad review, to at least warn people about it. My review got auto-rejected for spurious reasons (more like "making us look bad isn't allowed"...) and then I was really pissed so I got on customer service to demand answers about why this review is against the rules. Ten minutes and one misunderstanding later I have a refund on the way. They didn't even listen long enough to hear my question about the review, they just assumed I wanted a refund. $50+.

[crocheted_stache]

@Dollar Slice , you might ask a pharmacist how seriously to take expiration dates on your OTC meds. I get the impression that everything from toothpaste on down the line gets stamped with a date one year from manufacture, whether it needs it or not. And I can't imagine that something that's okay for a year on a shelf in a cool, dry place somehow goes completely off between June 30 and July 1. Companies suck that suppress negative reviews, though.

My thing for today is to darn a pair of socks. I can claim neither talent nor experience for this operation, but an old pair of my socks had a hole before, and now they don't, and they are back in circulation after a hiatus in the mending pile.

[Dollar Slice]

@Dollar Slice , you might ask a pharmacist how seriously to take expiration dates on your OTC meds. I get the impression that everything from toothpaste on down the line gets stamped with a date one year from manufacture, whether it needs it or not. And I can't imagine that something that's okay for a year on a shelf in a cool, dry place somehow goes completely off between June 30 and July 1. Companies suck that suppress negative reviews, though.

I think a lot of OTC meds are more like 2-3 years (just looking at stuff I have on the shelf, there's plenty of things that still have over a year left and I didn't buy them that recently - and the third brand new item I bought with these two short-dated items expires in October 2026).

But yes, you're right, I'm not planning on trashing them as soon as they expire. It's the principle of the thing, this company should not be allowed to sell short-dated medication. A lot of people will throw it out when it expires and they will not notice until it's too late and they'll be out a bunch of money. There's no reason that they shouldn't manage their inventory better.

The more expensive one I take daily and I'll only use them for a couple of months past expiration. The other one at my current rate of usage I might take them 7-8 months past expiration. Probably fine. (I also want to see an allergist as soon as I can get in to see one because I've been having crazy allergy stuff all year, so this plan may change. But my PCP is moving out of state so I have to find one of those first...)

[Michael in ABQ]

Didn't buy any fireworks and instead went to my in-law's house to watch fireworks going off over the whole city. They bought a few sparklets for the kids but otherwise we could see literally thousands of people shooting off illegal fireworks into the air from most of the city.

[Freedomin5]

Bought a bunch of meats, veggies and very ripe fruits near their “sell by” date.

[chasingthegoodlife]

Signed up for a frequent flyer rewards program and read some articles about maximising points, in preparation for some big travel I’m hoping to do next year.

[Dicey]

Went to the Motherlode Mercantile, aka the Pitkin County Dump, to find shelving for a closet makeover. Found six shelves and a cute plastic storage bin for $5.

[crocheted_stache]

Yesterday: packed a picnic lunch for three and carried it with DH by bike and transit to visit a longtime friend who's in the area and usually isn't.

Today: planning to take along a rather generous sporting goods store gift card that was a reward for a volunteer gig/contest a few years back, and see if either DH or I can find a good upgrade for aging bike helmets or gloves. We'll also attempt to fix the flat on his main bike (he rode a spare bike yesterday), so we may also get a replacement tube while we're there, if they have the size for us.

[crocheted_stache]

Yesterday: packed a picnic lunch for three and carried it with DH by bike and transit to visit a longtime friend who's in the area and usually isn't.

Today: planning to take along a rather generous sporting goods store gift card that was a reward for a volunteer gig/contest a few years back, and see if either DH or I can find a good upgrade for aging bike helmets or gloves. We'll also attempt to fix the flat on his main bike (he rode a spare bike yesterday), so we may also get a replacement tube while we're there, if they have the size for us.

Well, I guess the gift card and the bike gear can wait. We have helmets and gloves, but they're getting kind of ratty.

What we actually did was eat leftover taco salad for dinner, using up some odds and ends and the remainder of the lettuce before it got any older. We also collected our vacuum cleaner from the shop. It's running much better. There may yet be an upgrade someday, but we're good for a while longer. I even vacuumed the floors today.

[crocheted_stache]

Somewhere along the line, I saved a couple empty spray bottles from purchased laundry spot remover. I rinsed them well, divested them of their shrink-wrapped-on original labeling, and refilled them with water and a little squirt of dish soap, maybe a quarter teaspoon, not that I ever measure. They're labeled in permanent marker. I've been refilling them for a few years now. I just refilled again in the past week or so. It was such a non-event, I didn't even think to post about it at the time.

It costs as close to zero as any product I use. It doesn't have a strong fragrance or fumes. I don't need to bust out the gloves unless I want to. I use it for most light cleaning on nonporous surfaces. I have stronger stuff if the occasion calls for it, of course, but it does a pretty good job on fingerprints, dribbles, and crumbs.

The repurposed spray bottles, for their part, have so far held up better than any I've purchased empty. I leave one upstairs and one downstairs.

I use this solution with cotton terry cleaning cloths bought years ago for what might have been $0.35 each in the big bundle at Costco. I wash them all together on a sanitize cycle maybe twice a year and buy next to no paper towels. Some of them have gotten to looking a bit ragged, but so what. They're rags.

I reload my Swiffer mop, the kind with the four little thumb holes, with one of these terry cloths for floors or sometimes a microfiber cloth for dusting, and I never purchase the disposable refills.

(edit: typo)

[eyesonthehorizon]

I forgot to make yogurt, which saves a day of milk consumption (oatmeal will be served plain instead.)

Tomorrow I will make the yogurt, which costs a fraction as much to make from plain whole milk as to buy, for some reason.

[Arbitrage]

@Dollar Slice , you might ask a pharmacist how seriously to take expiration dates on your OTC meds. I get the impression that everything from toothpaste on down the line gets stamped with a date one year from manufacture, whether it needs it or not. And I can't imagine that something that's okay for a year on a shelf in a cool, dry place somehow goes completely off between June 30 and July 1. Companies suck that suppress negative reviews, though.

I think a lot of OTC meds are more like 2-3 years (just looking at stuff I have on the shelf, there's plenty of things that still have over a year left and I didn't buy them that recently - and the third brand new item I bought with these two short-dated items expires in October 2026).

But yes, you're right, I'm not planning on trashing them as soon as they expire. It's the principle of the thing, this company should not be allowed to sell short-dated medication. A lot of people will throw it out when it expires and they will not notice until it's too late and they'll be out a bunch of money. There's no reason that they shouldn't manage their inventory better.

The more expensive one I take daily and I'll only use them for a couple of months past expiration. The other one at my current rate of usage I might take them 7-8 months past expiration. Probably fine. (I also want to see an allergist as soon as I can get in to see one because I've been having crazy allergy stuff all year, so this plan may change. But my PCP is moving out of state so I have to find one of those first...)

My impression is that while there may be some nefarious actors, in general medications have shorter expiration dates than required because of FDA (or other regulatory agency) rules.  In order to have longer expiration dates, they need to conduct studies proving the efficacy of active ingredients beyond those dates, and many companies don't bother to do so if it's not economically beneficial, thereby getting the rubber stamp for whatever dates they're proven out to. 

There are some drugs that do degrade...albuterol inhalers come to mind...but I'm sure the majority can be used beyond, and maybe well beyond, their expiration dates with little detrimental effect.

[crocheted_stache]

This:

Called the ISP to renew the annual contract and prevent a higher month-to-month rate from kicking in. Also confirmed, or attempted to, that we're not paying $10 monthly rent for a modem we own. I don't think we are, but they've come up with some other surcharge. I'm not convinced a different provider would be much if any savings, so we're sticking with the existing.

Also, I suggested a recipe for yesterday's dinner (I love it when DH cooks!) to use an abundance of zucchini from the garden. As usual, if there's zucchini in the garden, there's lots.

I cooked tonight's dinner to use an abundance of peppers from the garden.

Extra portions of both will be lunches, and we'll have a little less cooking to do during the next few days when it's hot some more.

[Dollar Slice]

I renewed my museum membership at an $11 discount by waiting to get a coupon for it. Then realized that they made an error when they renewed it - they started a new membership instead of adding a year to my old one, which meant they cut a month off my membership (June 24-25 instead of adding a year to the old one that ended in July 24). So I guess catching that saved me the cost of a month of my membership fees.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

Not today but Sunday- I thought I would not be able to replace my own ebike tire, but asking for advice around here and watching some videos, I was able to get the wheel off and back on again and also with a LOT of patience, to install the new tire* and foam tire liner. At $30 saved for about 3 hours of work, it was not a great ROI, but at least the $30 is still in my pocket and I'm sure I can do it faster in the future.

*New fat tires are a BEAR to install and I hadn't realized that. It kept trying to re-fold in the middle.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Used cranberries & overly ripe bananas from the freezer to make three dozen muffins (1 dzn cranberry, 2 dzn banana).

DS17 has dreams of doing a camping trip for spring break. Picked up a nice sleeping bag off of Buy Nothing.

[Runrooster]

I’m on a diet, so this thread always makes me ponder what small things I did to save calories today. Mostly it’s “wanted s’mores, ate salad”. Or “wanted post dinner chips, had a glass of water and went to bed. “  a lot of my dieting happens in the grocery store, buying fruits and vegetables and not cakes and pizza.

[aloevera1]

Exercised at home.

I briefly thought about signing up for a yoga class but then remembered how much it costs.

I have my yoga mat, I can always find a youtube video with the pacing. I know enough about poses that I can figure out how to do them without supervision.

[pasadenafr]

I was going to buy the portable AC I've been meaning to buy for a few years now. I had planned on buying it last winter then decided not to, because these things are expensive and I just can't pull the trigger. I grew up without AC and I really don't mind summer heat until it gets a lot hotter than most people would stand, especially in the US. I also live in Seattle, so while it can get really hot sometimes, and my home is really not insulated at all, it never lasts more than a few days to a couple of weeks.

Of course I changed my mind yesterday when it was 96F in the afternoon, and 84F in my bedroom when I went to bed. I deserted my sweltering home office to work from the slightly cooler living room downstairs. Debated sleeping on the couch. Went to Amazon, fully prepared to finally buy the thing.

I ended up buying $60 worth of window insulation foam and a roll of tape instead. Decided I can always drive to the office to work if it gets too much again.

[Sugaree]

Going without an AC isn't really an option in Alabama, but mine was out for about three weeks last month.  While I do appreciate the much lower than normal power bill from last month, I was also miserable.  I bought a window unit, that was moved to the three-season room once the new central unit was installed last weekend.  I just adjusted the thermostat settings to account for the increased effectiveness of the new unit, so maybe that will help the bill going forward. 

[Dollar Slice]

Returned some shirts that didn't fit (I'm bad about forgetting this stuff, historically...).

Spent a couple of hours this week going through all my clothes to see what still fits, what is worn out, what old stuff can be brought out from the back of the closet, etc. Found some good shirts, shorts and PJs I hadn't worn in a while. Found some unworn socks still in the packaging. Might donate those.

We've been having some really hot weather that is going to continue for a while, so I am trying to figure out how to reflect some of the light coming in the windows that get all the afternoon sun. My A/C can't even keep up with it right now so I know the electric bill this month will be rough.

[Taran Wanderer]

My neighbor was telling me about a reflective window film that they put on the inside of their windows.  Reflects heat and adds some privacy also.  Unfortunately I don’t have brand name for you.

[Sandi_k]

My neighbor was telling me about a reflective window film that they put on the inside of their windows.  Reflects heat and adds some privacy also.  Unfortunately I don’t have brand name for you.

The one we used on a downstairs room is from 3M.

[crocheted_stache]

Returned some shirts that didn't fit (I'm bad about forgetting this stuff, historically...).

Spent a couple of hours this week going through all my clothes to see what still fits, what is worn out, what old stuff can be brought out from the back of the closet, etc. Found some good shirts, shorts and PJs I hadn't worn in a while. Found some unworn socks still in the packaging. Might donate those.

We've been having some really hot weather that is going to continue for a while, so I am trying to figure out how to reflect some of the light coming in the windows that get all the afternoon sun. My A/C can't even keep up with it right now so I know the electric bill this month will be rough.

I don't usually forget returns, but boy do I drag my feet about doing them. Go you!

In a pinch, flat cardboard (like from between the layers of stuff at your chosen warehouse store) would at least block light and insulate a bit. Add one of those Mylar emergency blankets for a quick-and-dirty reflector. For something slightly less homemade, there are car windshield shades that are basically this construction, with reflective Mylar film over cardboard or foam.

For the slightly longer term, you can get low-E film to apply to existing windows. I haven't done it, so I have no brand to recommend, but I believe that's the keyword you're looking for.

If you own your home and you someday upgrade roof, siding, paint, etc., look for high-albedo materials in addition to insulation. Current building standards should push you toward most of that stuff, anyway.

My things for today: cleaned out a whole mess of old email, mostly newsletters and the kind of spam I've nominally signed up for, to prevent Google deciding they need to charge me monthly for more space. I could use to trash that much old stuff several times over. Perhaps I'll sift another batch again soon. In the meantime, I think I've slowed down the notifications.

Also, got around to having the plumber out. The work cost money, of course, but the repairs (plural) will prevent further damage. At this point, I'm pretty willing to pay someone to do the part that involves rolling around under the sink. The invoice is in the scan pile already, for taxes.

[Dollar Slice]

In a pinch, flat cardboard (like from between the layers of stuff at your chosen warehouse store) would at least block light and insulate a bit. Add one of those Mylar emergency blankets for a quick-and-dirty reflector. For something slightly less homemade, there are car windshield shades that are basically this construction, with reflective Mylar film over cardboard or foam.

For the slightly longer term, you can get low-E film to apply to existing windows. I haven't done it, so I have no brand to recommend, but I believe that's the keyword you're looking for.

I live in a rental apartment in a 125-year-old building that was gut renoed about 15 years ago, so I'm trying very hard not to do anything permanent or that could cause damage to anything delicate in terms of the more antique exterior of the building (like windows). They might be expensive to fix. Anyway, I found some large silver foil insulated envelope-ish things (meant for delivering frozen grocery items) and I propped some of those between the blinds and the window. Minimal effort and nowhere near full coverage, but that also means my living room won't be totally dark, so... we'll see if it does anything. I'm not sure if you really need to seal off the window or if just reflecting 40-50% of the light will do something or... *shrug*

[pasadenafr]

Anyway, I found some large silver foil insulated envelope-ish things (meant for delivering frozen grocery items) and I propped some of those between the blinds and the window. Minimal effort and nowhere near full coverage, but that also means my living room won't be totally dark, so... we'll see if it does anything.

This is what I bought too, with some removable double-sided tape. Of course I live somewhere where it only gets too hot for a few days/couple of weeks at a time, so a cheap "good enough", removable solution that simply makes it bearable should work best for me. I'll receive my order today, so I haven't tried it yet.

Going without an AC isn't really an option in Alabama, but mine was out for about three weeks last month.  While I do appreciate the much lower than normal power bill from last month, I was also miserable.  I bought a window unit, that was moved to the three-season room once the new central unit was installed last weekend.  I just adjusted the thermostat settings to account for the increased effectiveness of the new unit, so maybe that will help the bill going forward. 

Yes obviously, Alabama is a whole other story! I hope your new unit works as expected.

[crocheted_stache]

@Dollar Slice it sounds like you already arrived at Mylar on something independently. 40% is probably better than nothing, and it shouldn't be too tough to get more if you want it. A bunch of the meal kit and grocery services use those bags, and at least here, bundles of them often turn up on the free groups.

I think some of the window films cling in place, no adhesive. You could probably find renter-friendly versions if you want. They'd still be a pain in the neck to apply and then remove if you have old windows divided into a dozen small, wavy panes each.

[Gerard]

Used Toronto's new "transfer from any transit to any other" thing and my new senior status to bike train bus bus subway bus bike out to my favourite super-cheap big Asian supermarket. Got about $70 worth of stuff for $35, set for two batches of dinner guests this weekend. Maybe not worth it on a "pay yourself hourly" basis, but I got in some bike riding and scenery watching. Man, Toronto is super green this summer.

[eyesonthehorizon]

@Dollar Slice it sounds like you already arrived at Mylar on something independently. 40% is probably better than nothing, and it shouldn't be too tough to get more if you want it. A bunch of the meal kit and grocery services use those bags, and at least here, bundles of them often turn up on the free groups.

I think some of the window films cling in place, no adhesive. You could probably find renter-friendly versions if you want. They'd still be a pain in the neck to apply and then remove if you have old windows divided into a dozen small, wavy panes each.

Thin film or even bubble wrap can be applied with just a light misting of water. Vinegar-water mixed 50-50 & rubbed with newsprint will remove any water spots when it comes off later. Useful hot or cold.

[crocheted_stache]

Used Toronto's new "transfer from any transit to any other" thing and my new senior status to bike train bus bus subway bus bike out to my favourite super-cheap big Asian supermarket. Got about $70 worth of stuff for $35, set for two batches of dinner guests this weekend. Maybe not worth it on a "pay yourself hourly" basis, but I got in some bike riding and scenery watching. Man, Toronto is super green this summer.

Out of morbid curiosity, what was the total distance and time for this trip, one way? I totally get doing a trip like that just for the sightseeing/amusement value, but the logistics sound slightly worse than here, if that's possible, and sometimes people need to go places to actually get there. I find I can bike most trips under about 10 miles in less time than transit would take, especially if there are connections.

My today thing: biked my commute. So did DH. It's utterly routine for us, but over the course of a year, we save about $1300 in fuel alone, and of course much more not owning a second car.

[Sandi_k]

I left the house this morning after my first Zoom meeting, heading into work. I stopped to get gas, so I opened the mail app on my phone to let my appointment know that I had to stop for gas, and might be a couple of minutes late.

It turns out that he had emailed to say he's got a cold, and postponed our meeting until next week. And since he was the only reason I planned to be there in person, I turned around and came home, to work remotely the rest of the day.

So I saved money and time by driving 20 miles today, instead of 110. ;-)

[Roadrunner53]

I think I have mentioned this before, but it continues to amaze me! I bought these cheese storage bags from Amazon called: Formaticum Cheese Storage bags. They also come in flat sheets. I sometimes buy a large hunk of cheese from Costco but being just two in the household, it takes a while to go thru a large hunk. I bought these bags and sheets and first wrapped my cheese in the sheet and then put it in the bag then wrapped it with a rubber band to keep it closed. I had not had the cheese in at least a month or maybe 6 weeks and pulled it out. My first thought is that it would be black, green or spotted with green mold. To my surprise, the cheese looked as perfect as the day I bought it. I cut off a few slices and tasted it and it was just as good as the day I originally opened it too. The bags and sheets are a bit expensive, but you can reuse the sheets and bags over and over till they are worn out. I wish I had known about these years ago. Can't tell you how many hunks of cheese went into the garbage can over the years.

[Dollar Slice]

I canceled my Washington Post digital subscription at the special rate they gave me last year before it auto-renewed at quadruple the price, and they offered me an even cheaper rate not to cancel. $24/yr savings.

[aloevera1]

Watered my garden with the rainwater. I still have 3 full barrels! Yay.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

A neighbor offered up a case of Kraft Mac & Cheese packages, and offered to deliver them to our house. My teens are thrilled, as it's not something I buy them.

[Dollar Slice]

I got a free loaf of bread when I went to a specialty food store 30 minutes before closing. I guess they didn't think they would be able to sell them all and didn't want to waste food since it wasn't something that would keep well overnight. Love that attitude, especially since it was my first time shopping there - great way to impress a new customer who loves saving money and hates food waste.

[FrugalShrew]

That's awesome, @Dollar Slice!

I foraged some purslane from my yard for my lunchtime salad. The rest of the salad was not necessarily cheap, but the purslane at least was free. :)

[Taran Wanderer]

I got a free loaf of bread when I went to a specialty food store 30 minutes before closing. I guess they didn't think they would be able to sell them all and didn't want to waste food since it wasn't something that would keep well overnight. Love that attitude, especially since it was my first time shopping there - great way to impress a new customer who loves saving money and hates food waste.

Years ago a friend and I had just finished a bike ride on a hot and dry day. A truck came around offering free beers from a local microbrewery - half filled cans from their new machine that would otherwise have gone to waste. It’s good beer, and I’ve been a regular customer ever since. Two free half beers for me (and two more for my friend) turned out to be great advertising!

[Dicey]

I'm looking for something specific for a friend who's hosting a charity event at her home. In just about 90 minutes, I visited five thrift shops. I did not find what she's looking for, but I also did not purchase a single thing. Score!

They were also on the way home from a doctor's appointment, so no wasted gas.

[crocheted_stache]

I'm looking for something specific for a friend who's hosting a charity event at her home. In just about 90 minutes, I visited five thrift shops. I did not find what she's looking for, but I also did not purchase a single thing. Score!

They were also on the way home from a doctor's appointment, so no wasted gas.

At this point, I don't spend much time scouring thrift shops or garage sales. I tend to reach into the Internet, instead. If an ask on Buy Nothing came up empty, I'd probably check Nextdoor. My BN group also encourages lending and borrowing.  I've borrowed and lent various things for one-off occasions.

[crocheted_stache]

I forgot to mention the other day that I attended my fourth event this spring-summer in my free Buy Nothing dress and shoes. I'm happily re-running them for different occasions with different groups of people.

[10dollarsatatime]

Had a substantial dental bill.  Asked them if they offered a cash discount to avoid credit card fees.  No, but they did give me a 10% discount because insurance didn't pay on it (maxed that out at the specialist's office).  So, saved several hundred dollars.  I brought them a check anyway so they didn't have to lose 3% to that credit card fee.

[crocheted_stache]

Collected some furnace filters from a Buy Nothing neighbor who ordered the wrong size. They should be good for a few years. Also, as ever, biked the commute and the collection run.

[Frugal Lizard]

I postponed a physio therapy appointment. I made it 6 weeks ago when I was really needing frequent help with pain management. I am doing much better now. I am now going to go on the wait list each Wednesday. If a last minute appointment comes up and I am hurting, I will take it. My next booked appointment is Sept 4th.
 

[Dicey]

Worked a full shift at the Thrift Shop today and bought nothing.