Author Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?  (Read 8020889 times)

PMG

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4000 on: August 07, 2015, 06:42:06 PM »
I'm eating leftover rice for dinner! That definitely counts as "small", but I used to throw away any extra rice. I saved it though last night and now we're eating it tonight. Any tips for re-hydrating/re-heating rice? It's basmati.

I add just a little bit of water to it when I reheat regardless of method of reheating.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4001 on: August 07, 2015, 06:48:38 PM »
Thank you guys! I figured mustachians were a good bunch to ask =)

horsepoor

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4002 on: August 07, 2015, 08:52:58 PM »
Had the fancy German-made riding boots I scored on eBay for $60 repaired.  It cost less than $20 and now I have gorgeous boots that would cost $1200 if I bought them new.

Sold a few more items on eBay too.

Spruit

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4003 on: August 07, 2015, 09:25:00 PM »
We ate premade-by-me pasta sauce that the BF reheated while I was having an overdue nap. Another run of take-out saved.
Did not buy beer for the BF cause the supermarket ditched his favourite brand and didn't know a good alternative brand at the moment. Found a great deal on clips for my poly tunnel at an unexpected place.
Got contraception covered for five years for the cost of three by switching to an IUD instead of pills. Was warned by the pharmacist that this was a "costly" way of contraception. Doh! People are clueless when it comes to comparing one time expenses to periodic ones, but I guess I had higher expectations from a pharmacist.
Shocked said pharmacist even further by paying in eurobills for it (high deductible so had to pay for it either way, might as well use some Craigslist money for it).

1967mama

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4004 on: August 07, 2015, 09:47:23 PM »
*I have achieved thermal adaptation! It is 25C in my house right now and this is my usual (preMMM) threshold for flicking on the a/c. I actually can't believe that I'm not too warm, just comfortable.

*Kids earned their medals in the free summer reading club at the library today - family is watching a library dvd on Orcas right now. I have a bunch of great books that came in this week. Most of them I've read about here on the forums:

"Pie School: Lessons in fruit, flour and butter" by Kate Lebo
"Gardening When it Count: Growing food in hard times" by Steve Solomon
"DIY Cookbook: Can it, cure it, churn it, brew it" by America's Test Kitchen

Thanks everyone for the great recommendations! I was in a bookstore the other day and was snapping photos of cool looking books I want to order from the library (although I did buy one book)

*Had fabulous steaks on the BBQ for dinner - I've been saving them for now from our side of beef in April. Made our favourite homemade caesar dressing to go with it.



10dollarsatatime

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4005 on: August 08, 2015, 12:22:37 AM »
No spend day!

Ate leftover zucchini/lentil curry made last night for both breakfast and dinner.

Figured out how to squeeze hopefully a few more years out of my 12? year old Archos 104 mp3 player.

I'm a red panda

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4006 on: August 08, 2015, 10:46:57 AM »
Garage sale shopping. (My second weekend doing such)

I now have ALL the baby clothes for the first 4 months (used a checklist a friend provided for what's needed.) and getting started up to 6 months.  And it cost me $45 total. I spent $30 today.

I don't know if I'm having a boy or a girl so I went with animals and sports- pretty unisex to me.


Based on the incredibly quality (and quantity) of baby clothes available at garage sales- most people have WAY too much.  I expected used baby clothes to be kind of gross. Almost everything available looks like new.

lemanfan

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4007 on: August 08, 2015, 11:30:51 AM »
Based on the incredibly quality (and quantity) of baby clothes available at garage sales- most people have WAY too much.  I expected used baby clothes to be kind of gross. Almost everything available looks like new.

I expect things are outgrown before they are outworn.  (is that a word?)

Today: home cooking, avoiding resturants.  Its fun!

Merrie

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4008 on: August 08, 2015, 11:31:36 AM »
Garage sale shopping. (My second weekend doing such)

I now have ALL the baby clothes for the first 4 months (used a checklist a friend provided for what's needed.) and getting started up to 6 months.  And it cost me $45 total. I spent $30 today.

I don't know if I'm having a boy or a girl so I went with animals and sports- pretty unisex to me.


Based on the incredibly quality (and quantity) of baby clothes available at garage sales- most people have WAY too much.  I expected used baby clothes to be kind of gross. Almost everything available looks like new.

Nice haul! Everyone will think animals and sports means boy. But you don't have to care what they think. It is hard to get gender-neutral baby clothes after the first few months. I have gotten a lot of my kids' clothes secondhand and my daughter's wardrobe has gotten steadily more pink as the years have gone by. Bleh.

Today I basically haven't done anything or gone anywhere. Easy save. Yesterday I bought my daughter's school supplies on a tax-free weekend with a bunch of sales and coupons at the store where I work and get a 15-20% discount. I got pretty much everything she needed for less than $10. (She's going into preschool, so doesn't need loads.) I also resisted buying food at work. I scarfed down my PBJ around 11 and was hungry by 1 and contemplated buying something. I had a small tin of peanuts in my bag and ate those too. I was still hungry. I waited for a bit anyway. Then the boss brought in a cake for somebody's birthday. Fixed that problem, though admittedly in not the healthiest way. I will put another extra snack in my bag for future.

sheepstache

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4009 on: August 08, 2015, 12:04:20 PM »
I realized Amazon sells electronic Netflix gift cards. So I can buy them with my card that gets 5% back at Amazon rather than just getting 1% back paying Netflix directly.

Had the fancy German-made riding boots I scored on eBay for $60 repaired.  It cost less than $20 and now I have gorgeous boots that would cost $1200 if I bought them new.

Sold a few more items on eBay too.

Nice!

Melody

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4010 on: August 08, 2015, 05:08:09 PM »
Yesterday was a no spend day - forfot to post that before I went to sleep! A no spend Saturday is rare for me so I am pleased with this.

Spiffsome

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4011 on: August 08, 2015, 09:47:32 PM »
I made a fantastic meal (salad & quiche) on Thursday using mostly things from the garden - eggs from the chickens, three types of homegrown greens and tomatoes for the salad, ham that my husband brought home from work. The only thing bought was some cream for the quiche.

Melody

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4012 on: August 09, 2015, 03:32:09 AM »
Identified a capscicum in the fridge that needed to be used up so it wouldnt go bad and cooked that up with a bunch of stuff already in the house for lunch.

1967mama

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4013 on: August 09, 2015, 03:41:43 AM »
Hosted a big party at my house -- everyone else brought the food and drink and we supplied the venue! Sweet!

Did this back in June as well and we were given a $100 restaurant gift card!

Spruit

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4014 on: August 09, 2015, 07:54:29 AM »
Picked about 2 kg of wild blackberries this afternoon. Saw people picking there yesterday, and I still left loads for whoever starts picking them after me. Crazy amounts of black shiny goodness provided by nature :-)

10% is already turned into a nice blackberry cake. Still figuring out what to do with the rest. Looking into turning them into booze, as I have an empty brewing bucket (not sure of translation) available at the moment. Berry wine, maybe?

Spruit

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4015 on: August 09, 2015, 10:47:49 AM »
Picked about 2 kg of wild blackberries this afternoon. Saw people picking there yesterday, and I still left loads for whoever starts picking them after me. Crazy amounts of black shiny goodness provided by nature :-)

10% is already turned into a nice blackberry cake. Still figuring out what to do with the rest. Looking into turning them into booze, as I have an empty brewing bucket (not sure of translation) available at the moment. Berry wine, maybe?

Isn't blackberry season amazing!

If you have any freezer space at all, I strongly recommend freezing some for mid-winter use.  There is nothing cozier than a warm blackberry pie or cobbler made in the middle of winter.  It is like bringing the sun right into the house.  What I do to freeze berries is put a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet, and then spread the berries out in a single layer.  Pop them in the freezer for a few hours, and once frozen solid store in ziplock freezer bags.  A quart size (not sure what that is in metric -- about a liter maybe?) gives a nice amount for a pie or cobbler.

Thanks for the freezing tips, will definitely do that. Just stocked up on 1 liter freezing bags (is indeed about a quart). Heck, there are so many berries left for picking I'll  probably end up doing both :-)

1967mama

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4016 on: August 09, 2015, 04:09:09 PM »
*Apparently at our party last night, someone was leaning on our fridge and buggered up the electronic panel. We noticed today at NOON that the fridge was actually turned off! Fortunately, my clever husband googled our make and model and figured it out online that it had been switched to demo mode (and wasn't cooling at all). Nothing was lost, since the party food was mostly in the basement and the fridge is recooling now. Crisis averted! I'm so proud of my badass husband for figuring this out! Pre-MMM we would have just called a repairman...oh, the shame!

*Leftover party food for lunch today

*Whole chicken cooking in the oven for dinner and a few meals this week

*Planning to do some serious freezer organizing and planning tomorrow while husband is away at a factory tour with the kids for the afternoon. I'm already planning their picnic lunch (including some leftover buns and juice boxes from the party last night -- this is the party that keeps on giving!) Prebought tour tickets online and saved $12 ($2 per ticket) over gate price



ArcadeStache

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4017 on: August 09, 2015, 04:12:15 PM »
Cooking up a big pot of roasted tomato, chickpea and chicken soup as I write this. Should make plenty of meals for the week and it is so freakin delicious!

ArcadeStache

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4018 on: August 09, 2015, 04:13:23 PM »
Cooking up a big pot of roasted tomato, chickpea and chicken soup as I write this. Should make plenty of meals for the week and it is so freakin delicious!

Tyson

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4019 on: August 09, 2015, 04:21:26 PM »
Since I do everything by bike nowadays, and I hate getting flats, I was considering getting some teflon tires to deal with that.  Then I saw that tire liners could accomplish the same thing for a lot cheaper.  So I went that route.  And installed them myself, rather than take them to the bike shop. 

Next up - installing the fenders I bought so I can ride it in the rain/snow, too!

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4020 on: August 09, 2015, 05:40:46 PM »
Over the weekend:

Returned a broken suitcase. The store replaced it and gave me a $10 refund as the new case was on sale for less than I had paid for the old. We had already replaced the suitcase for a better brand and my husband was reluctant to bother with trying to exchange the old one, so he's pleasantly surprised. I think I'll sell the new one to friends or family for a good price, as we don't need it.

My husband got his hair cut on Saturday, and four hours later suggested we buy clippers for him. I suggested this six months ago and he was horrified, but now he's on board (if I promise not to cut his ears off). So yesterday we picked up a set of Wahl clippers for $40 (marked down from $90) and will save $25/month on his hair cuts.

In both instances the financial benefit is multiplied as my husband realises the value of these efforts.

We also dropped my husband's boots in to be re-soled ($110 versus $475 for a new pair). Still expensive, but more cost-effective in the long run than buying five or six pairs of dress shoes per year, which is what he was doing before we got married.

Now to go watch a YouTube tutorial on clippers...

11ducks

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4021 on: August 09, 2015, 07:14:32 PM »
Looked at changing my auto insurance, as it is about to expire- found one that will save me $250/yr - also noticed that by payin monthly this past year, I was getting tacked with a $5.50 pm fee, so have changed that to annual payment. Sneaky jerks, stealing my hard earned money....mutter mutter....

Realised I am supposed to provide a cheesecake for a coworker for our annual birthday list- decided to attempt to make one rather than spending 25-$30 on a bought one. Plan to opt out next year to avoid the silliness/cost entirely.

Made 2 weeks worth of sandwiches to freeze for DS and I for school/work, along with a massive pot of slow-cooker curried pumpkin soup that I will freeze in recycled vegemite jars for me for work (feeling very hipster with this one).

Decided to stop seeing a laser specialist doctor that I have bee going to for the removal of an ill-advised tattoo (Aah, youth). After 17 appointments it is very faded and can easily be covered with makeup, and the current treatments aren't really doing a lot. I'll give it 6-12 months and maybe resume after that (saving $75/month)

Did the grocery shop while leaving SO at home. I adore him, but I want to murder him when we shop together, as he fills the trolley with pointless/expensive/sugary crap that he considers a good deal (oh, look, $35 cheese/$12 body wash/$9 organic chilli jam... that MUST be tastier/healthier/better value).

He wanted to combine our cash to grocery shop each fortnight ($100each) to help out (Previously we shopped separately, as I shop frugally/healthily for myself/DS, whereas he buys more convenient/fancy stuff). Was good in theory, but SO always ends up using his contribution amount on crap (ie last time was $60 on ingredients for a german chocolate cake, plus $30 of assorted shaving crap), whereas i buy the actual food, which now feeds 3 of us.

It was making me so mad!!! I've now found a nice middle ground where I spend $140 on groceries for us (including extra meat/cheese/stuff he likes) and $60 on his crap (biscuits/chocolates/fancy imported junk). I feel it's a nice balance between making sure he has his junk, and me not getting angry/stressed over it.

Found headphones DS wants for his bday at 20% off

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4022 on: August 09, 2015, 08:12:20 PM »
Did the grocery shop while leaving SO at home. I adore him, but I want to murder him when we shop together, as he fills the trolley with pointless/expensive/sugary crap that he considers a good deal (oh, look, $35 cheese/$12 body wash/$9 organic chilli jam... that MUST be tastier/healthier/better value).


Oh the body wash.

My husband likes the Original Source (black mint, etc) so I stock up when it's half price. But every so often they release a new scent. Some grapefruit or cocoa butter monstrosity that smells like it should be squirted over ice-cream. And it's always twice the price for the 'rare' (promo) scents. And he usually hates them because we both prefer strong, clean scents like mint or lemon. And he still uses bar soap to actually wash himself, he just likes the body wash for the scent.

But yes, I adore him. :D

Moonwaves

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4023 on: August 10, 2015, 03:57:02 AM »
Snagged four potatoes from the barbeque I was at on Saturday (they cooked waaaay too many) and had lovely fried potatoes with the remains of the salad I had brought for dinner. And then had the other two potatoes fried yesterday for lunch. So simple but so delicious. Cooked rice for dinner and had it with leftover Thai curry from during the week and have the rest of that with me for lunch today.
Since I think the heat got to me a bit on Saturday afternoon I had a very quiet evening and an equally quiet day at home yesterday so no more spending, which is always good. I didn't feel up to cooking much though so got up early this morning to cook an Indian-curry-in-a-hurry-paste I'd meant to make on Saturday. The coriander was not going to make it through another day so it was now or never. Haven't ever made it before and wasn't really sure it would work but it smelt so good and it was so easy. Put it into the fridge and will freeze it in portions later - really looking forward to lots of curries once the weather cools down a bit. Think this is definitely something I'll be doing again.

I'm a red panda

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4024 on: August 10, 2015, 06:51:21 AM »

If you have a baby you get absolutely inundated with stuff.

Sadly, I waited too long- and all the family hand-me downs have been handed down; out of the family.   I'm not expecting much.

bsmith

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4025 on: August 10, 2015, 07:26:23 AM »
Aired the tires up to max pressure, per advice on these forums somewhere. Got gas, and noticed a 2 mpg improvement. Nice!

merlin7676

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4026 on: August 10, 2015, 08:38:51 AM »
okay not today but this weekend:

-Used a $5 reward card at Ace
-Stopped at a nursery that is closing at the end of the month so everything was 50% or less. Got tons of perennials for the garden/yard/pond cheap
-more blackberries growing wild in the parking lot
-most of our produce for the week at the farmers market for $10.85 (apples, bell peppers, peaches, blueberries)
-painted half of the house (still have more to do) ourselves rather than paying someone.

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4027 on: August 10, 2015, 07:49:55 PM »
Found a cheaper source for my husband's razor blades (Schick Quattro).

$4.21 per blade from the supermarket.
$3.17 per blade from an online pharmacy retailer.
$1.85 per blade from Shaver Shop.

I stocked up.

Merrie

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4028 on: August 10, 2015, 09:59:14 PM »
I haven't pulled the trigger on this purchase yet, but I basically need new glasses and sunglasses and 20 minutes worth of phone calls yielded options that can save me $100-$150 over the prices at my usual optician, if the discount place has frames I am ok with.

moneysaver

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4029 on: August 10, 2015, 10:15:25 PM »
I signed up for raise.com ( an online store where you purchase gift cards at a fraction of the cost). When I signed up I received a $5 credit and then was able to purchase a gift card to a restaurant we occasional go to for 17% off.  So my $50 gift card was less than $35 with my sign on bonus.  In addition I always use coupons at the said location so meals are very inexpensive.  Also raise.com allows me to obtain a credit of $5 for each person who signs up with my referral code while giving them $5 as well!

if anyone is interested in signing up my code is: ldorman

This is a great deal and has several stores to chose from.  I will go back and by some to save on my grocery shopping:)!

Bracken_Joy

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4030 on: August 10, 2015, 10:15:37 PM »
Found a cheaper source for my husband's razor blades (Schick Quattro).

$4.21 per blade from the supermarket.
$3.17 per blade from an online pharmacy retailer.
$1.85 per blade from Shaver Shop.

I stocked up.

I highly recommend checking Aus prices for Dorco. Cheaper than any other option I've found (for US shipping at any rate) and DH swears they're better than the mach turbo something or other expensive he was using before. Might score prices like that as a standard.

mustachepungoeshere

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4031 on: August 10, 2015, 11:22:58 PM »
Found a cheaper source for my husband's razor blades (Schick Quattro).

$4.21 per blade from the supermarket.
$3.17 per blade from an online pharmacy retailer.
$1.85 per blade from Shaver Shop.

I stocked up.

Thanks Bracken_Joy. I have mentioned it to him before, inspired by this forum, but he has been a bit reluctant to change. He'll come around eventually. :)
I highly recommend checking Aus prices for Dorco. Cheaper than any other option I've found (for US shipping at any rate) and DH swears they're better than the mach turbo something or other expensive he was using before. Might score prices like that as a standard.

2ndTimer

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4032 on: August 11, 2015, 09:57:12 AM »
Currently trying out my latest thrift store acquisition.  A Starbucks cup with a French Press in it so you make your coffee in situ.  I never would have bought it new but it's a fun second hand toy.

DCKatie09

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4033 on: August 12, 2015, 07:47:32 PM »
Walked to the grocery store (about a mile each way) instead of my usual lazy drive (I know, I know), building muscles and buying produce! Any recommendations for shopping carts? I'd love something that folds up sufficiently that I can carry it with me, instead of wheeling it both ways.

dudde_devaru

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4034 on: August 12, 2015, 08:07:42 PM »
Walked to the grocery store (about a mile each way) instead of my usual lazy drive (I know, I know), building muscles and buying produce! Any recommendations for shopping carts? I'd love something that folds up sufficiently that I can carry it with me, instead of wheeling it both ways.
We walk to farmers market 2miles one way - 3 times a week. We have two sackpack we got free in one event. We use that to carry lot of fresh produce minus the huge watermelons and pumpkin which is hauled on the weekend when I go out in car.

Meowkins

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4035 on: August 12, 2015, 08:10:37 PM »
Split a homemade lunch with a friend. Discovered that we much prefer eating outside in the shade eating together instead of in a shitty gourmet fast food place with long lines and tons of noise.

Also skipped a social engagement and went straight home after work. Saved on what would have been a $20 night at least.

1967mama

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4036 on: August 12, 2015, 09:16:52 PM »
We have totally made the switch to Dorco razors .. 90 cents per blade. My husband prefers them to his former Quattro system and gets 2x longer per blade. Win/win!

Today:

*Made umpteenth batch of homemade iced tea. For anyone who hasn't tried this but loves good iced tea (we used to love Good Host brand, preMMM): 6 orange pekoe tea bags, fill the jug with boiling water and steep ten minutes. Remove tea bags then add 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 3/4-1 cup white sugar (to taste) AMAZING tasting and so cheap! My kids love it!

*Made cucumber salad out of the bag of cucumbers I scored from my neighbour's garden

*Kept a/c off even though I really wanted to put it on

*Made homemade slurpees for the kids today. Terrible for you but cheaper than 7-11! 1 packet unsweetened koolaid (10 cents at Winco), 1/2 cup white death sugar, 2 cups cold water, 3 cups of ice. Blend and serve immediately. The lemonade one actually tastes like an adult flavour and would be very good with the addition of alcohol <wink>

*Husband is taking kids on a city bike ride tomorrow. We were tempted to take them to a fancy local attraction that we haven't seen before, but decided to go with this cheap/free activity instead.

*Homemade granola bars for snacks

*Husband has kids down at the beach tonight -- free except for the minimal cost of parking

Moonwaves

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4037 on: August 13, 2015, 03:02:58 AM »
I bought a courgette yesterday so that I can cook up the last two tomatoes from last week's veggie delivery with that and put it in the freezer for a quick dinner in winter. Made vegan banana muffins using the one last banana and two that I had thrown into the freezer a few months ago - even more easy to make than my usual banana bread and yummy. Put some straight into the freezer to remove the temptation to scoff the lot before they go off. Buying that courgette left me with 43c in my purse and I really don't want to spend anything else this week so last night after choir I took my time retrieving my bike so that the crowd had moved on without me having to answer a dozen questions about why I wasn't coming with (I was also fasting yesterday and was starting to get hungry so knew I would struggle to resist eating if I went with them). Turned out well though since another guy was heading out the back gate just as I was and we ended up cycling together and having a lovely chat. Social connections minus spending money FTW.

Have lunch with me, snack with me, extra treat snack (banana muffin) with me and leftovers waiting at home to be heated up for dinner so absolutely no need to spend money today. Since tomorrow is another fast day and I'll get my veggie delivery today and have everything I need, shouldn't need to spend anything tomorrow either.

C. K.

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4038 on: August 13, 2015, 12:30:30 PM »
  • Continued plotting my move to a city that will cost me less in airfare.
  • Continued plans for a career change that will result in greater fulfillment and money as I save to retire. I'm planning a career that I enjoy so much that even if I have the chance to retire, I wouldn't take it. But I still like having the retirement option.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4039 on: August 13, 2015, 01:29:59 PM »
I posted a "want" on my local Buy Nothing group page. This serves two purposes: one, I often get what I want for free! Neat. Two: it delays the "want" while still acting on it, but doesn't cost money. Lets me put my desires in terms of "if it happens, that's lovely, if not, maybe I just shouldn't get one".

(I of course give away on the group often as well. My most popular to date was a bunch of flavored vodkas and sugary liqueurs DH and I will never drink but had acquired over the years from BYOB parties, gifts, etc).

Kwill

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4040 on: August 13, 2015, 01:54:14 PM »
Almost booked an AirBnB for travel to my brother's city while he won't be there, but at the last minute texted brother just in case. I'll stay in his place and feed the cat. Savings $184 less whatever I spend extra traveling back and forth to the suburbs.

2ndTimer

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4041 on: August 13, 2015, 02:52:26 PM »
Walked to the used bookstore.  Once there I discovered I had forgotten my wallet thus generating even more savings.

Basenji

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4042 on: August 13, 2015, 03:55:39 PM »
Walked to the used bookstore.  Once there I discovered I had forgotten my wallet thus generating even more savings.

Awesome. When this happens to me I swear like a sailor, then laugh and laugh.

4alpacas

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4043 on: August 13, 2015, 07:00:54 PM »
Cooked dinner with things I needed to use up in the kitchen:
steamed broccoli (last crown that was going bad)
penne pasta with half a used jar of sauce (used it last week)
banana bread (using up 5 old bananas)

I'm really proud of my banana bread attempt.  I have four small loaves in the oven, and I've never made banana bread before. 

1967mama

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4044 on: August 14, 2015, 01:57:33 AM »
Congrats on the banana bread attempt ... how did it turn out?

tonysemail

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4045 on: August 14, 2015, 05:04:57 PM »
I sold a portable dvd player on craigslist. 
to torture myself, I searched my amazon history for the original purchase price and found that I sold it for 25% of what I paid!
Wow, what was I thinking when I bought it?!
Oh well, live and learn ... and keep decluttering and accumulating less crap.

I taught my parents how to call their credit card companies to ask for a lower interest rate.
I never knew you could do this since I pay my own balance in full every month.
But I followed instructions found via google and after 7 or 8 phone calls, they were able to save a few hundred in interest payments.

Rosy

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4046 on: August 14, 2015, 06:27:29 PM »
Quote
Thread hijack: BEST banana bread recipe ever (bold claim, I know)

Mash two bananas, heat gently with 3 tbsp milk and 1 tsp baking soda - let it foam a bit, then cool
Blend 1 cup sugar with 1 stick butter, then add one egg and blend
Add banana mixture, then add one cup of flour and 1 tsp baking powder.

Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes in a 9 inch tin.

@annajane83 Do you think I could get away with a 1/4 cup of sugar instead? - Intriguing recipe:)

Rural

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4047 on: August 14, 2015, 07:26:49 PM »
Sav-a lot is having a three day, while supplies last sale starting today, so after work I went in and bought 30 pounds of chicken leg quarters for 34 cents a pound. That's cheaper that turkey after thanksgiving, and is half of my "buy" price on leg quarters from 2008


1967mama

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4048 on: August 15, 2015, 02:48:43 AM »
Congrats on the banana bread attempt ... how did it turn out?
Not great.  However, we've devoured about half of it.  I did get my dad's recipe, which is really good.  I hope my next attempt will be better.

My husband and I are staying in and having a few drinks at home. 

What wasn't great? The taste? Texture? was it undercooked? Enquiring minds want to know :-)

1967mama

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Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4049 on: August 15, 2015, 02:57:15 AM »
*Shopped at a little hole-in-the-wall produce market. We had just been to the regular grocery store (Real Canadian Superstore) where apples were $1.69/lb, peaches were $1.59/lb and bananas were 65 cents/lb.  I had seen this little ad in the local paper about this market and the prices were so much better: apples for 69 cents/lb, peaches for 59 cents/lb and bananas for 55 cent/lb. I don't understand how they can charge so much more??? Highway robbery!

*Had a repeat dinner of tacos -- just added more rice to the ground beef to stretch it farther.

*Got $200 off my groceries from accumulated cc points (put a major purchase on there last month)

*Took out 5 or 6 Dvd's from the library for weekend viewing over the next 3 weeks and loads of books - so much to read, so little time!