What small things did you do TODAY to save money?

[midweststache]

- Meal planned and organized to shop sales and coupons at area grocery stores. Batching errands so we're not re-covering tracks this weekend.
- Sucked it up and did a big stock-up on non-food items at Target. I'm already seeing price increases on medicine, personal care, and cleaning supplies, as well as low stock, so now we should be set on household and personal items until the fall. I don't use my Target card much anymore - we got it when we were buying a lot of baby stuff for the kiddos - but I used it to get 5% off the total purchase; I also checked MyCircle for the first time all year, and had a few coupons for things we planned to buy.

I'll be traveling for work later this week, so we've meal planned to not use our "out" day until I'm traveling - I'll be reimbursed for expenses for work - so DH and the KIDDOS can order pizza and eat off it while I'm gone.

[dandarc]

Some cookies wife had ordered from amazon finally showed up - took 2 weeks, and when it arrived chocolate had melted off the individual cookies into a giant blob and there were ants both on and in the package. Requested refund and got it, so that's $13 that we didn't have yesterday.

[mm1970]

Really wanted a soda after donating blood, but didn't really have time to go between that and work meeting.  Plus, no easy place to stop.  Went to office and made myself a free mocha, with hot cocoa mix, creamer, and decaf instant coffee.

[crocheted_stache]

Paired a work-subsidized side salad with half a lunch worth of leftovers that were on the long end of still okay.

Biked to work, as ever.

[41_swish]

I good most of meals at home now, since becoming a mustache, and I think that was the biggest difference for me. I eat healthier and have lost a little weight and I am saving way more money. Dining out and food delivery was my true vice before taking saving seriously.

[Dicey]

Today I'm doing a 3-hour volunteer gig in the community. There will be free lunch from my choice of food trucks. Yes, I will work (mostly talk) for food! It will be a fun event. Being fed is just a bonus.

I also placed my first ever Amazon Fresh order late last night for delivery today. I needed something specific that I hadn't found elsewhere, so I scoured the sale items to make up an order. I accidently ordered something with caffeine in it. It was out of stock, so they subbed the non-caffeine version, yippee! Everything else was exactly as I ordered, at prices I was willing to pay.

[Freedomin5]

I gave away several pieces of furniture for free so that I don’t have to pay for their removal. It’s about $20-40 saved per piece of furniture.

[Loretta]

I bought a little sodapop and donuts and such for my hotel stay.  Spent 65 dollars at Walmart on yarn and stuff that will make me happy.  Also used a 20% off code for the holiday on some health purchases. 

[crocheted_stache]

I gave away several pieces of furniture for free so that I don’t have to pay for their removal. It’s about $20-40 saved per piece of furniture.

This, to me, remains among the all-time best deals that Craigslist/etc. has to offer.  You snap a photo and make a post, and somebody else hauls your old stuff away. Bonus if it keeps something out of the landfill and helps a young person just starting out or someone new to the area.

[Freedomin5]

I borrowed a moving dolly from a friend so that we can move broken furniture to the dump in our compound, which saves us the removal fee if we were to hire someone to take it away for us.

I also walked home from church today and bought a sushi roll at the convenience store instead of eating at a restaurant. Lunch was $10 instead of $40.

[crocheted_stache]

Often, if I have a full lunch, I'll have a light dinner. Today, I had a pretty good portion of leftovers for lunch. As I was packing up to leave the office a little late, I found the very last bits of a cheese and crackers tray that was left in the break room. This is the kind of night where my meal was probably going to be cheese sandwiches, anyway, so I polished off the tray. I supplemented it with a few snacks at home.

[midweststache]

We had two moderately shelf-stable options on the menu for dinner last night (one for last night, one for tonight). Kiddos asked to do leftovers instead. Who am I to argue with mitigating food waste?

[Dicey]

I had to drive about an hour each way to participate in a medical study twice this week (including today.) There's no set lunch time, just random breaks during the day. I brought my water bottle and an assortment of snacks, so no money was spent eating out. I hosted a meeting this week and we ate leftovers for dinner the next day.

[Freedomin5]

I had to drive about an hour each way to participate in a medical study twice this week (including today.) There's no set lunch time, just random breaks during the day. I brought my water bottle and an assortment of snacks, so no money was spent eating out. I hosted a meeting this week and we ate leftovers for dinner the next day.

If they’re going to make you stay the day, they should at least comp you lunch. I mean, the hospital/university can’t be that poor.

[midweststache]

- Woke up super early and hit the grocery right when they opened. Between coupons, shopping sales and keeping to my list, I made it out at ~$130 for a family of four. Solo shopping helped, though I will say the KIDDOS are pretty fantastic about keeping to the list!
- Forgot something at the grocery store (ofc). Walked to another grocery store (closer, but I can't get everything there...) with kiddo, and used the dregs of a GC (and $0.15) to pay for it.
- Walked to KIDDO2's ball game, rather than drive.
- Ordered ~90 days worth of food for the Couch Cuddler. We had a 25% off coupon, which saved us ~$30. DH picked this up on his way home from KIDDO1's ball game.

[Dicey]

I had to drive about an hour each way to participate in a medical study twice this week (including today.) There's no set lunch time, just random breaks during the day. I brought my water bottle and an assortment of snacks, so no money was spent eating out. I hosted a meeting this week and we ate leftovers for dinner the next day.

If they’re going to make you stay the day, they should at least comp you lunch. I mean, the hospital/university can’t be that poor.

There is other compensation. Bringing snacks gives me the most time flexibility. For example, we were able to get a chunk of Friday's work done on Tuesday, shaving an hour off the return commute. They do offer rides via Uber, but I don't drive much these days and I don't mind making the trip to keep my heavy traffic driving skills sharp.

Interestingly, another forumite is in the same study at a different medical center in SoCal. They report payment at the time of each visit. Some studies give gift cards, some send checks. I'd much rather have a check.

[crocheted_stache]

Last night I cranked out a double batch of homemade bread to take to three barbecue/potluck events today. I did most of what I did after 9pm. I'd like to say it was to beat the heat, but it was mostly because I'm a procrastinator and a night owl.

I think we'll be able to make all three events by bike and transit, no car.

[Dicey]

Last night I cranked out a double batch of homemade bread to take to three barbecue/potluck events today. I did most of what I did after 9pm. I'd like to say it was to beat the heat, but it was mostly because I'm a procrastinator and a night owl.

I think we'll be able to make all three events by bike and transit, no car.

Ha! That was another benefit of the medical study. While it was broiling in the East Bay on Friday, It was a delightfully sunny 72 degree day in China Basin.

Yesterday afternoon, I did a three hour cover shift at the Thrift Shop, which was blissfully air conditioned. We didn't turn on the A/C at home, because, hey, it was only a 2.5 day heat wave.

I noticed the shop was out of certain sizes of "Size" donuts. Instead of ordering more, I grabbed the ones we had too many of, took them home and used my p-touch to convert them to the sizes we're short on. No money spent.

I have a Grocery Outlet $5 off $25 coupon that expires tomorrow, so I'll probably swing by there and grab some perishables.

Now that it's cool again, I plan to do some batch cooking in preparation for our next road trip.

[mm1970]

Gonna drop the hubs off at the airport for  his trip back east (personal trip), so as not to pay for airport parking.  He has to be at the airport WAY early for SB due to my schedule (like a full hour), but he can work there.

[crocheted_stache]

Gonna drop the hubs off at the airport for  his trip back east (personal trip), so as not to pay for airport parking.  He has to be at the airport WAY early for SB due to my schedule (like a full hour), but he can work there.

My parents have done this occasionally for getting to the airport for a multi-day trip:
1. They drive to the airport at oh-dark-thirty, park in airport parking, and catch their plane.
2. My brother or I get up whenever we like later that day, and get to the airport any other way. I usually choose transit when it's my turn. We pay the $15 fee is to bail the car out and take it home (theirs or ours; we're local).
3. Upon return, we pick them up as necessary and they pay us back for the parking.

It's not $0, but it's one day worth of paid parking instead of weeks.

[crocheted_stache]

Cleaned and refilled my pepper grinder. The 100g bag of white peppercorns from a local Indian market, which I found in my pantry, fills it exactly.

[Dicey]

Cleaned and refilled my pepper grinder. The 100g bag of white peppercorns from a local Indian market, which I found in my pantry, fills it exactly.

I love it when a no-plan comes together!

[Frugal Lizard]

I walked home from the train station despite a long day of travel. And some heavy bags. I could have taken a bus ($3, 1 hour wait, 5 min walk from the bus stop) a cab ($12, 10 min wait, no walk) It took my 35 minutes to walk it with rest stops.

[crocheted_stache]

Found an inexpensive CD rack on Craigslist from someone in easy bicycling distance. I'm getting it for the messy roommate, who seems to still be listening to CDs. The trouble is, they're stacked on the floor, where they're in the way of cleaning, painting, and decluttering.

[midweststache]

1. Eating down the freezer/pantry for the next two weeks. Last night was frozen leftover pizza; tonight is fancy breakfast sammies to use up the last of some sliced mozz.
2. W/O the kiddos here, we're on day two of not running the dishwasher - saving a lil' water and energy with significantly less dishes to do!
3. It's been amazingly temperate here, so our smart thermostat is not really kicking on or off - I'm opening the windows when it gets too hot and putting on socks when I move to my (basement, so much cooler) workspace. Good moves, since apparently our energy provider is hiking prices this month :(
4. Bit the bullet and ordered something on Amazon for the kiddos' trip. Amazon offered me 30 days of Prime free - so I took them up on that and will watch some Prime Video stuff w/ DH while the kiddos are gone (Reacher S3, the stupid new Accountant movie, etc.) and then cancel before a business trip at the end of the month. (Cancelling is in my calendar!) They can have my data, but they can't have my subscription money anymore.

[Freedomin5]

Not me, but someone I know…

He went out for a dinner with colleagues that was covered by the company. At the end of the dinner, he ordered several dishes to go and told the waitress to add it to the dinner bill.

Probably NOT the small ways to save money we’re talking about here…

[GuitarStv]

Not me, but someone I know…

He went out for a dinner with colleagues that was covered by the company. At the end of the dinner, he ordered several dishes to go and told the waitress to add it to the dinner bill.

Probably NOT the small ways to save money we’re talking about here…

Honestly . . . I admire the chutzpah.

[midweststache]

Not me, but someone I know…

He went out for a dinner with colleagues that was covered by the company. At the end of the dinner, he ordered several dishes to go and told the waitress to add it to the dinner bill.

Probably NOT the small ways to save money we’re talking about here…

Yeah, I don't want to necro-post, but wasn't there a post a few years ago about ethical quagmires in the arena of frugality? This seems like one.

But it does certainly save the individual money - unless they get fired for misallocation of company finances, in which case it's the absolute definition of penny wise, pound foolish :)

[AccidentialMustache]

I fixed a wireless mouse. A battery in it corroded far before it should have. Way far. Years ahead of its "best buy" date. Its non-spewing mate was still at 1.45+ volts.

I could have probably gotten the company to replace the mouse for me but I decided I'd give it a shot It was bad -- the integrated circuit inside was coated. But after dunking parts in vinegar, rinsing thoroughly and letting it dry for a couple days, pop it back together and boom, working mouse!

[Freedomin5]

We’re traveling for the week. I packed oatmeal and honey for breakfast. I also made sushi rolls which we are having for lunch and dinner today.

[sonofsven]

Fixed my riding lawnmower, again. This time all it needed was a e clip, or circlip, to keep the actuating rod on to the transaxle, about a twenty five cent part (I bought a little kit with different size clips at Harbor Freight for $7.99).
I bought this machine ten years ago after my patched together old Craftsman rider finally died, rusted out. I had patched the rusted deck with sheet metal multiple times, until there was nothing left to patch!
This new machine was the cheapest rider at Home Depot. I used their 0% cc offer and paid $100/month for twelve months.
I've had to repair it continuously since, maintenance mostly. But, being the least expensive model, it is not the highest quality.
I've thought about buying the much higher quality John Deere X series, about $3500, but then I just spend a few bucks and a little time and just fix the one I've already got.

[Sugaree]

I have an x350.  I really like it even though it wasn't the zero-turn that I was saving up for.  I bought it from a couple that were retiring to Mexico and wouldn't be needing it there.  It had 65 hours on in and I think I paid about $2400.  Couldn't pass that deal up.

[sonofsven]

I have an x350.  I really like it even though it wasn't the zero-turn that I was saving up for.  I bought it from a couple that were retiring to Mexico and wouldn't be needing it there.  It had 65 hours on in and I think I paid about $2400.  Couldn't pass that deal up.

I'll give you $1200 for it.
Think of it, $1200 to go towards the mower of your dreams!
This is an incredible opportunity for you! 😁

[Sugaree]

I have an x350.  I really like it even though it wasn't the zero-turn that I was saving up for.  I bought it from a couple that were retiring to Mexico and wouldn't be needing it there.  It had 65 hours on in and I think I paid about $2400.  Couldn't pass that deal up.

I'll give you $1200 for it.
Think of it, $1200 to go towards the mower of your dreams!
This is an incredible opportunity for you! 😁

I think I'll pass on your generous offer, lol.  If I can get as many years out of it as I did out of the previous JD then I won't ever have to buy another one.

[crocheted_stache]

I was getting ready to order a replacement squeegee blade online, because the old one was leaving streaks. Then it occurred to me to check if I already had one. Found it. No great need to order a new one, although I'll grab one if I see the right kind in a store one of these days. Saved $5.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

I fill out settlement forms when they are sent to me (e.g. when the company already knows I qualify through whatever means they have on their end). Got a $36 Venmo payment from one today.

[Freedomin5]

I’m using a free eSIM offer from a travel app to save on roaming charges while traveling. Five days with 3GB data, for free. I’m also using Fongo to make VoIP calls, again saving on roaming charges.

[oneday]

This was Friday: the thing that saved me money was to take the free swag from work. Usually I skip it, because it's branded junk. But this time they were giving away an insulated mug. I just lost mine. Great timing!

[ChpBstrd]

I’m using a free eSIM offer from a travel app to save on roaming charges while traveling. Five days with 3GB data, for free. I’m also using Fongo to make VoIP calls, again saving on roaming charges.

Can you tell more details about the roaming deal? My carrier wants $10 per day for me to travel on another continent.

[crocheted_stache]

This was Friday: the thing that saved me money was to take the free swag from work. Usually I skip it, because it's branded junk. But this time they were giving away an insulated mug. I just lost mine. Great timing!

There is never a shortage of insulated mugs and bottles in the free lists and thrift stores around here, if you don't mind ignoring or covering a random company logo. (I think you're somewhere around here.)

Speaking of which, today I arranged to borrow a tool from a Buy Nothing member. I only need it temporarily, so borrowing is a great deal.

I also will be collecting an item from another Buy Nothing member. I'm trying to be selective about what I get from the group, because I'm trying to thin out my stuff, but this is a consumable product I'm sure I can use.

[Anette]

Saved a bit on gas and mileage as my colleague  offered to swing by and pick me up for our night shift.
This also saved me from random grocery shopping I often do on the way when driving myself.

[Freedomin5]

I’m using a free eSIM offer from a travel app to save on roaming charges while traveling. Five days with 3GB data, for free. I’m also using Fongo to make VoIP calls, again saving on roaming charges.

Can you tell more details about the roaming deal? My carrier wants $10 per day for me to travel on another continent.

This may be very specific to my situation, so YMMV. Until recently, lived in China, so I used a Chinese travel site called ctrip.com. If you spend more than USD$10,000 per year on the site, you can become a top-tier member, which then gives you perks including hotel discounts, VIP lounge access at airports, and 3 free eSIM offers(5 day eSIM plan giving you a max of 3 GB data).

[Tigerpine]

Over the weekend we replaced the rubber seal on the bottom of our wooden garage door.  This uncovered some wood rot, which we fixed ourselves.  This prevents us from having to replace the garage door in the foreseeable future due to the wood rot.

[ChpBstrd]

Over the weekend we replaced the rubber seal on the bottom of our wooden garage door.  This uncovered some wood rot, which we fixed ourselves.  This prevents us from having to replace the garage door in the foreseeable future due to the wood rot.

This reminds me of a house I used to own that had a 60 year old fully-wooden back-yard garage door with the panels all rotted out. I nailed a piece of scrap metal roofing over the panel horizontally to make it waterproof and secure. Then I painted everything the same color and it looked fine!

[crocheted_stache]

I have whatever US Mobile phone plan works with my basic Moto phone for $72/year. I guess I got out of the house more last month than usual, because for the first time ever, I'm approaching the data limit.

I'm ignoring the email that said, "You're at 90% of your data. Text [whatever] to buy more for just $10." The month renews on the 9th, and I'll be fine for another few days. Would I plug in another ten bucks the month I was traveling or job hunting and actually needed a top up? Probably. Still hasn't happened.

[Loretta]

Well I took myself out to breakfast at IHOP where I used a code for a free short stack, so my total came to about $9 including tip to cover my bacon and soda pop.  Then I went to my local Asian grocery and bought some yummy and exotic prepared food, fruit and milk for the weekend for a little less than $40.  Feeling festive and frugal! 

[Dicey]

We're going to see a concert in the park this evening. I will make a picnic out of whatever I have on hand. We may invite a friend and I'll bring dinner for her, too. No trips to the store.

[midweststache]

Optimized grocery shopping between a few shops, including a walk to our nearest grocery, for a sub-$100 grocery tab for the week.

I did pick up ONE off-list item: canned peaches off-list (for $1). I also used some old pantry baking mix and some last-legs plums to make a peach-plum cobbler as dessert for dinner tonight!

[41_swish]

I went to Costco to get a pizza to feed my parents and sister for lunch. $10 for four people is a crazy deal

[Dicey]

I went to Costco to get a pizza to feed my parents and sister for lunch. $10 for four people is a crazy deal

Heh. We were too lazy to face Costco on a weekend, so I made pizza at home. I'm retired, I can wait for a weekday.