What small things did you do TODAY to save money?

[Dicey]

Oh, God no. I only use maple syrup.

???

I don't use that fake stuff. It just isn't the same

What is fake about Costco's Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup, Grade Amber? One liter is $12.99.

That is definitely the real stuff. I am talking about stuff that is made from high fructose corn syrup

Hmm, it sure seemed like you were responding to me and I never mentioned that junk.

[41_swish]

Oh, God no. I only use maple syrup.

???

I don't use that fake stuff. It just isn't the same

What is fake about Costco's Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup, Grade Amber? One liter is $12.99.

That is definitely the real stuff. I am talking about stuff that is made from high fructose corn syrup

Hmm, it sure seemed like you were responding to me and I never mentioned that junk.

Sorry, I misread the thread. The one liter from Costco is the exact one thate I buy.

[crocheted_stache]

I added some leftover scrambled eggs from a work event to the homemade jambalaya I brought for lunch today. It was a pretty good combo.

[Loretta]

Welp, I took today off to take a pet to the vet this morning at 1030 and to do my side hustle in the afternoon. As luck would have it the vet called out sick and the side hustle's scheduler doublebooked, so I guess I'm going to go to the thrift store and donate some Stuff and look at the sun which is actually shining this February Friday. 

[Frugal Lizard]

We hoofed it to the train with all our luggage. It was tiring and uncomfortable. But we saved $12 on a cab.

And we took the regional commuter train instead of the more comfortable intercity train. And saved another $55.

We are going to splurge on a taxi at our destination.

[midweststache]

It's been a hard week, and I'm really over it. Things just feel like they're coming at us from all directions and nothing is letting up. As such, I was gonna treat me and DH to lunch out today to feel better (we're both WFH today), but he convinced me to shift around our plans and take the KIDDOS out to dinner tonight (we'd planned to go later in the weekend). So I made comfort food at home for my lunch; now, only one (planned) meal out this week instead of two.

We'll meal plan our grocery shop tonight so we can utilize coupons and strategic Aldi purchases to keep out grocery spend low. We managed under $100 last weekend - I don't know if we can swing that again, but we're sure gonna try!

[41_swish]

I meal prepped three different meals for the week and rotated through these. I value only having to do one big cooking session a week. I also like that it reduces the decision making fatigue.

[pasadenafr]

Changed my internet plan as it reset from $50 to $77 this month (*). The new one is also $50, but 500Gb instead of 300 (the "new" 300Gb had a smaller discount so would have been being more expensive than 500Gb). So it's a win. The discount is for 2 years, with a 1 year contract, which is fine with me since I just renewed my lease last month anyway.

(*) and of course I missed the deadline, so I did "lose" $27. Thanks xFinity for *not* informing their customers when their price change and for leaving them in the older, more expensive plan when they have the exact same one available for less without a discount. This is your annual reminder to check your bank transactions. I've put a reminder in my phone for January 2027 😆

[crocheted_stache]

Changed my internet plan as it reset from $50 to $77 this month (*). The new one is also $50, but 500Gb instead of 300 (the "new" 300Gb had a smaller discount so would have been being more expensive than 500Gb). So it's a win. The discount is for 2 years, with a 1 year contract, which is fine with me since I just renewed my lease last month anyway.

(*) and of course I missed the deadline, so I did "lose" $27. Thanks xFinity for *not* informing their customers when their price change and for leaving them in the older, more expensive plan when they have the exact same one available for less without a discount. This is your annual reminder to check your bank transactions. I've put a reminder in my phone for January 2027 😆

If it makes you feel any better (it won't), my AT&T reseller service seems to have a similar thing going, where I get to call them to renew the contract when it runs out, or else it goes up a chunk. I'm pretty sure there's already a thing in my calendar for the next time it goes.

I mostly handle regular bills with an "automate but check" approach. Utilities go automatically, but I'd usually notice if something were way out of line. I pay my credit cards by hand. (Total of two active ones plus a third oldest one with only enough purchases to keep it from going inactive.) I do a "sniff test" before paying. Basically, I glance at the transactions to make sure there's nothing I didn't do, nothing duplicated, and nothing otherwise way off from what I'd expect.

[crocheted_stache]

Today, I baked bread for the week. That tends to help with meal prep in general, because it means a lazy meal can be sandwiches.

I also scraped as much as I could out of the last (glass) jar of honey for use in the bread, and then brewed tea in the empty jar to use up what residue remained. The glass jar is mason jar sized, so it and its lid are in the dishwasher for reuse, sans labels and stickers.

[Loretta]

At Ye Olde UPS today I returned a pair of shoes and a blouse that were way too tight.  Then I picked up a delicious Jersey Mike's turkey club sub for my dinner that I got double points on after 4PM and used a $1 off promo code on, woohoo.  This is the life, for real. 

[41_swish]

As always, a good Sunday meal prep goes a long way for the week!

[midweststache]

Technically yesterday, but I was dragging at work (ended up with a migraine later, so that explains why) and was contemplating a fancy coffee. I got onto my Starbux app to see if I still had gift cards and low-and-behold they were running a special for a free tall coffee (something about the SB, which I didn't watch).

Anyway, free coffee with some fancy-ish creamer that I left in the office canteen for everyone's use - I can save the gift card for another day.

[EchoStache]

We reduced wife's cell plan from unlimited to 5G/month high speed, saving $180/year.
Wife has become extremely sensitive to alcohol, so this eliminates the 1 drink/week we used to purchase when we eat out.  Saves about $500/year.  Wow!
Free car charging has expired.  Landlord is letting me charge at the apartment for $0.20/kWh vs $0.35 at fast charger.

[getsorted]

I bought a cold-weather sleeping bag brand-new at full price for my kid's winter campout-- only because no one informed me was happening until three days beforehand. BUT, the Scout troup was struck by a flu outbreak and the trip was cancelled. Returned it because by the time his next cold-weather campout comes around, he's probably going to be taller, and I may find a good used one or we may be able to borrow one.

[GuitarStv]

I bought a cold-weather sleeping bag brand-new at full price for my kid's winter campout-- only because no one informed me was happening until three days beforehand. BUT, the Scout troup was struck by a flu outbreak and the trip was cancelled. Returned it because by the time his next cold-weather campout comes around, he's probably going to be taller, and I may find a good used one or we may be able to borrow one.

I've never even considered buying a child sized sleeping bag.  They'll fit into an adult bag, and will never outgrow it.  Just get that.  Buying a smaller one seems crazy!

[getsorted]

I bought a cold-weather sleeping bag brand-new at full price for my kid's winter campout-- only because no one informed me was happening until three days beforehand. BUT, the Scout troup was struck by a flu outbreak and the trip was cancelled. Returned it because by the time his next cold-weather campout comes around, he's probably going to be taller, and I may find a good used one or we may be able to borrow one.

I've never even considered buying a child sized sleeping bag.  They'll fit into an adult bag, and will never outgrow it.  Just get that.  Buying a smaller one seems crazy!

It was not a child-sized bag. My kid at 11 is already taller than some of the adults in my family and the bag I bought him would have fit me just fine. It's just that after buying it, I wondered, "Am I going to be buying another one of these in "extra long" in two years?"

Doesn't bag fit kind of matter for really cold weather though? Or have I been brainwashed by years of reading Backpacking magazine?

[ChpBstrd]

Was about to buy DS a $650 airplane ticket on Delta. Was offered an Amex card with $500 cash back, 50k miles, and a free checked bag benefit. Took the deal. Will cancel the card as soon as the rebate is applied.

Now I have the MPP of deciding whether to make the minimum monthly payment for the ~2 months until the cash back arrives suffering some interest charges, or to pay off the card immediately and expect them to send me a check at some point. Guess the third option is to do a few grocery runs with the card to exhaust the negative balance, then cancel it once we're back to zero.

A couple of organizational steps:

1) Set a calendar reminder 10 months from now to cancel the card before it becomes one year old, so that I do not end up paying the $160 annual fee!
2) Set a calendar reminder one month from now to verify I have online access set up so that I can establish autodraft and not miss the first payment.

[ohsnap]

...Was offered an Amex card with $500 cash back, 50k miles, and a free checked bag benefit. Too...

1) Set a calendar reminder 10 months from now to cancel the card before it becomes one year old, so that I do not end up paying the $160 annual fee!

I've done some credit card churning in my day. I think best practice for Amex cards is to wait until the annual fee posts before calling to cancel the card. The offer terms usually have language saying that if you cancel the card within a year, you forfeit the bonus! So they could charge the $500 back to your account if you close it. (sorry I don't have a link for you to check out - but I think I read about this on Flyertalk Amex forum)

[41_swish]

I have been religiously brining a lunch to work and making coffee at home. I used to be very guilty about going out for lunch and grabbing a Starbucks or Dutch bros in the morning

[crocheted_stache]

Biked to work with leftovers in the lunchbox. A well-placed suggestion earlier of the next meal resulted in DH greeting me with an Instant Pot of lentil soup upon my return home.

[sonofsven]

Called banks to waive fees.
1) Bank of America. I churn bank accounts and love taking their money because I hate B of A. They charged $4.95 because my balance went under $500 for a few days (I thought it was average daily balance). The CSR was very pleasant after explaining that I was mistaken and ready to end the call when I asked if the fee could be waived as a goodwill gesture. Of course, they said. No problem. You just need to ask, otherwise you get nothing, lol.

2) Chase Amazon Prime credit card charged a $28 late fee and a few bucks interest for me missing a payment on a $70 amz purchase.
This is a card I don't normally use, but effing Amazon automatically charged this card instead of the US Bank biz card I'm working for a SUB, and I didn't catch it, even though I've caught this in the past. I had set the USB to be my designated card, but somehow it reset. Amazon does a lot of this bs.
I am always super polite and asked for a refund on the fees as a good customer (I've never had a missed payment ever on my credit report).
Again, no problem, refunded immediately.

It just reminded me how much the big banks rely on sticking it to their customers to pad their bottom line.

[Loretta]

Today I called off work and tried to get my congested self healthier.  I have spent no money so far and intend to return a couple purchases when I next go outside. 

[crocheted_stache]

Biked both my donation and shopping errands, with a trailer.

Cleaned up my kitchen after last week's living in it and using it, using mainly some soapy water and some cleaning cloths I reuse. It actually looks pretty good.

[Treedream]

Figured out how to repair the untreaded screw hole for the door hinge on my metal doorframe, so I don't need to hire someone, or buy a whole new frame.

[la Condessa]

I have been looking for a giant pot for making my own stock and for making larger batches of dairy goods.  As my family grows and eats more, a batch of greek yogurt in the largest pot I had was only lasting us about 4-5 days, but it's not practical for me to make more often than once a week.  The huge stock pots I have looked at in stores were so expensive (around $60), but I found one at a thrift store for $20!  I already made stock in it and am doing yogurt today.

[midweststache]

- leftovers for lunch
- planned low-cost meal cooked at home tonight
- refreshed wiper fluid in our car with some half-used bottles (from the home's former owner) that cleared some clutter and saved a trip to the auto store

Finally, a small win is that we didn't have to run the W/D today. We've been averaging 1-2+ loads of laundry a day (one of our kiddos is having some issues with overnights, resulting in frequent linen laundry) so minor savings on electrical/water costs.

[NV Teacher]

Built a clothes line for the back porch.  I love the smell and crispness of things dried on a line.

[41_swish]

There was a hole in a couple pairs of pants. In the past I would have just thrown them out. This time, I bought some fabric glue and repaired the hole.

[GuitarStv]

There was a hole in a couple pairs of pants. In the past I would have just thrown them out. This time, I bought some fabric glue and repaired the hole.

Glue feels like it is more likely to damage textiles, release dangerous chemicals, and not last as long (especially through laundering cycles).

Why not just sew them shut?  (I'm a fan of using dental floss to sew thick materials like jeans and heavy canvas as unlike thread it never seems to break and will stay sewed shut forever.)

[41_swish]

I don't know how to sew. I should probably learn honestly. It would probably come in handy plenty of times.

[GuitarStv]

I don't know how to sew. I should probably learn honestly. It would probably come in handy plenty of times.

It can be time consuming, but it's not hard to do at all.  The most difficult part is threading a needle.  Worthwhile skill to have.

[Raenia]

I don't know how to sew. I should probably learn honestly. It would probably come in handy plenty of times.

It can be time consuming, but it's not hard to do at all.  The most difficult part is threading a needle.  Worthwhile skill to have.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_threader

[geekette]

Fray Check is great for fixing small holes invisibly, and keeping them from getting bigger, especially knits.  I wouldn't use it for repairing the seat of my pants, but a cat's toenail snag, or an accidental scissor cut - I've used it for both.  Sewing would just make it more visible.

[41_swish]

I don't know how to sew. I should probably learn honestly. It would probably come in handy plenty of times.

It can be time consuming, but it's not hard to do at all.  The most difficult part is threading a needle.  Worthwhile skill to have.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_threader

Let me look up some videos and give it a try

[crocheted_stache]

I don't know how to sew. I should probably learn honestly. It would probably come in handy plenty of times.

It can be time consuming, but it's not hard to do at all.  The most difficult part is threading a needle.  Worthwhile skill to have.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_threader

Let me look up some videos and give it a try

One of the local libraries here hosts a monthly "repair cafe" event, where friendly volunteers turn up on a Saturday with tools of all kinds, including sewing machines, and teach people how to troubleshoot and repair their own bikes, clothing, small appliances, and generally whatever else walks in the door. Sometimes they rotate to other area libraries.

If I didn't have that resource or already know how, the other thing I'd try is posting to Buy Nothing, assuming your group is active and invites requests for time and expertise.

[41_swish]

I don't know how to sew. I should probably learn honestly. It would probably come in handy plenty of times.

It can be time consuming, but it's not hard to do at all.  The most difficult part is threading a needle.  Worthwhile skill to have.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_threader

Let me look up some videos and give it a try

One of the local libraries here hosts a monthly "repair cafe" event, where friendly volunteers turn up on a Saturday with tools of all kinds, including sewing machines, and teach people how to troubleshoot and repair their own bikes, clothing, small appliances, and generally whatever else walks in the door. Sometimes they rotate to other area libraries.

If I didn't have that resource or already know how, the other thing I'd try is posting to Buy Nothing, assuming your group is active and invites requests for time and expertise.

The library is so underrated when it comes to classes. One time I took a general car maintenance and general home maintenance class there and it has come in handy so many times. A sewing class is right up that alley.

My library also has tools, video games, and movies that can be rented. They even have local state park day passes. Use the library, those are your tax dollars at work.

[getsorted]

I made an odds-and-ends-of-the-fridge dinner and came up with a cheese sauce that turned out incredible. I didn't measure a single ingredient, so we may never see its like again, but wow, I outdid myself. Poured it over rotini and broccoli. Not bad for the dregs of a bag of shredded cheddar and a hunk of cream cheese I cut the mold off of.

Also forgot my prepared lunch when I went to work this morning, but managed to get by on peanut butter and sunflower seeds.

[ChpBstrd]

Tonight's dinner is an Italian white bean soup / pasta from the crock pot.

For about $12 in ingredients, this meal will provide at least 6 delicious meals.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Called & emailed about a credit for a shuttle (from the airport, for DS19, who is in college) that I was unable to use. When I saw there was only one seat left, I booked it out of pocket. Several weeks later, I got a reply & they offered to refund me, despite that being against their policies (they only offer credits.) $60 back.

[Freedomin5]

Walked to a bakery to use a gift card to buy discounted bake goods for a social gathering today. Got in an hour's worth of exercise in the sunshine, plus treats to share with friends.

[midweststache]

Today was grocery shop day. In solidarity with the economic blackout yesterday, we did our whole shop at a local grocer that's usually slightly more expensive, but we shopped sales and stuck to our list (which we usually do) and our total came out comparable to our regular shops at big box store, so maybe not as 'slightly more expensive' than I thought?

We also blocked other errands, including a new (very necessary) set of glasses for KIDDO2 that will be reimbursed through HSA funds and dropping some of our GIANT pile of library books at a local drop spot, to cut down on gas usage. In this vein, we also walked to KIDDO1's sports game, rather than drove.

We ate leftovers for lunch and a standard, delicious dinner at home planned for tonight.

[San Diego Girl]

It took me a few months of effort/discipline to change my ways, but now I only make one Amazon purchase per month.

[41_swish]

I went to the grocery store and bought stuff to meal prep for the week. Nothing fancy but avoiding $15 on lunch every day really adds up.

[Serendip]

Made naan bread instead of buying it

[crocheted_stache]

Made up a big pot of chili, with dried beans in the Instant Pot and various other foods from the fridge and pantry. That's dinner for tonight and leftovers for a few days for lunches. Did a light bit of housecleaning with dish soap and reusable cleaning cloths, and I ran one load of laundry, which is air drying.

The furnace has been turned off the past few days, but March may bring some more cool nights.

[41_swish]

Made up a big pot of chili, with dried beans in the Instant Pot and various other foods from the fridge and pantry. That's dinner for tonight and leftovers for a few days for lunches. Did a light bit of housecleaning with dish soap and reusable cleaning cloths, and I ran one load of laundry, which is air drying.

The furnace has been turned off the past few days, but March may bring some more cool nights.

Chili is such a good bulk meal to make. I can make a batch of it and eat it all week. I will usually mix in some sour cream and cheese when I reheat it

[PMG]

How did you know I had chili on the menu to make today?

[41_swish]

Because it's ole reliable. It is pretty easy to make and very tasty

[midweststache]

HA! Y'all, I cannot make this up.

Chili dogs on the menu tonight, using leftover chili from this weekend. :)