Author Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?  (Read 8020834 times)

Bracken_Joy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Location: Oregon
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4550 on: October 13, 2015, 07:20:04 PM »
-Didn't clean the bathroom. For the third week in a row. Okay, it may be that I'm avoiding it, but I feel better about it if I convince myself that it's because I'm both saving the environment and saving money on cleaning supplies. And if your bathroom is not as clean as it could be, you could convince yourself of the same.

Ah. In that case, I am also saving money today.

Well this will make a nice variation on 'no, I did it last time, it's your turn!' :)

I actually felt so guilty about it all I finally cleaned the tub today!

I did, too, funnily enough.

I swear to god this community makes me a better person in the WEIRDEST ways.

Jakejake

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 720
  • FIRE: June 17, 2016
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4551 on: October 13, 2015, 07:40:54 PM »
Biked to work (haven't used my car yet this month).  Found 4 returnable cans during the commute.

Checked out the pears that fell on the sidewalk to see if there were any good ones to swipe today. While looking down at them, I forgot to look up and the tree attacked my helmet and held me hostage for a minute, but at least I didn't fall and it didn't cost me anything. No good pears today, but some days I get some.

It's free coffee week at 7-11 if you have their app, so I brought an empty mason jar with me and filled it up on the way to work.

Lunch was a homemade yogurt, with homemade cherry jam.

Made dinner, a porkchop with a roasted pie pumpkin I got for free at kmart, and oranges. I got a case of approximately 16 million oranges last month for two dollars, I've been trying to eat two a day with dinner but I feel like I will never eat my way through them all.

MEER

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 17
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4552 on: October 13, 2015, 09:17:33 PM »
-Didn't clean the bathroom. For the third week in a row. Okay, it may be that I'm avoiding it, but I feel better about it if I convince myself that it's because I'm both saving the environment and saving money on cleaning supplies. And if your bathroom is not as clean as it could be, you could convince yourself of the same.

Ah. In that case, I am also saving money today.

Well this will make a nice variation on 'no, I did it last time, it's your turn!' :)

I actually felt so guilty about it all I finally cleaned the tub today!

I did, too, funnily enough.

Not me. I'm still saving that money. Company's coming tomorrow, though, so I think I'll have to do it. Sighhhhh...

Catbert

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3288
  • Location: Southern California
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4553 on: October 14, 2015, 11:49:52 AM »
Yesterday: used up the Mexican pickled carrots languishing in my frig by chopping them for a pasta salad and used the spicy vinegar in the salad dressing.

Today:  Used strained liquid from a jar of pickled roasted peppers as the vinegar component in today salad dressing.

Both the Mexican pickled carrots and roasted red peppers were originally homemade by me. 

Squirrel away

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1041
  • Location: United Kingdom
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4554 on: October 15, 2015, 02:34:21 AM »
Drinking a lot of tea or just warm water with a squeeze of lemon as it's chilly here in England. The last squeeze of lemon went on the kitchen countertops before I wiped them down.

£0.99 book from Amazon to read today.

I 'made' some free pet blankets the other day by cutting up a fleecy men's top I had at the back of the wardrobe that my husband never wore. I washed them and left them to dry naturally instead of putting them in the tumble dryer.

Food made at home all day.



Ceridwen

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 237
  • Location: Canada
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4555 on: October 15, 2015, 06:50:42 AM »
I've always been frugal but this is my first real effort as a MMM in the past few weeks:

I'm two weeks back at work following my maternity leave and so far I have packed my breakfast and lunch every single day, and turned down 2 restaurant invitations.  I've also kept exclusively to my shopping list during my lunch hour walks/errand runs.

I've been doing a thorough freezer check before making our weekly meal plan.  I walked to our little local grocery store to pick up the few items we needed for the week instead of driving to my preferred store.  Having to carry all of my items home (in a wagon) forced me to re-think unnecessary purchases, so I really stuck to my list.

I organized a Halloween costume sale/swap thread on a local mom FB page and managed to sell two costumes for $5 each, and bought a great new one for $5.

My credit card bill this month was a fraction of what it normally is.  Amazing how quickly the mindless spending adds up.

Verdandi

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 58
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4556 on: October 15, 2015, 09:05:17 AM »
I'm having a no-spend day today. And I sold an old book on amazon :)
the fabolous menu of today is:
- Breakfast: cold oats, apple, walnuts, milk (~ 1€)
- Lunch: salad bowl, brought from home (~2€)
- afternoon snack: homemade focaccia bread with basil cream cheese (~1€)
- Dinner: chicken arrabiata (I made a triple portion 2 weeks ago and froze it) with pasta (€ 2,50€)

Biked to work, will later on bike to the post office to send the book.
In the evening, I plan to bake 2 breads to freeze (one whole grain, one focaccia) and chocolate muffins to freeze for my not-so-occasional sweet tooth.
I persuaded a friend to have a girls' night in instead of a girls' night out on saturday. We plan to do yoga together, watch something cool on netflix, she does the cooking, I bring a bottle of cheap wine. No men allowed, and typical female topics ;) like real estate, saving, investing and insurance. Love to have a friend like that :)

Bracken_Joy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Location: Oregon
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4557 on: October 15, 2015, 10:07:49 AM »
Handy man is at our house today because we noticed one of our vents doesn't connect to the floor- there's a gap around the sides. Our landlady was unaware of the issue. This will save us on heating costs. And since it's not our house, we don't have to pay for the fix. AND our land lady is happy with us for noticing it, because she is a very eco sort. So wins all around.

dorothyc

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 249
  • Age: 64
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4558 on: October 15, 2015, 02:19:32 PM »
The apartment I rent comes with appliances, and since we moved in a year ago the fridge was intermittently making a grinding and squealing noise, which had gotten progressively worse. Reported it again this week, and they determined the compressor was going bad so they supplied us with a newer, bigger fridge.

I now have room for more sale buys and frozen leftovers.

mustachepungoeshere

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2404
  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4559 on: October 15, 2015, 05:56:46 PM »
My mum found some premium charges on her phone bill that she hadn't signed up for.

I offered to call the phone company and sort it out for her (she knows I've successfully contested similar issues in the past).

She just texted me to say she received a cheque for the charges - $120. Win!

Edited for typo

detailoriented

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 27
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4560 on: October 15, 2015, 08:43:23 PM »
Posting 2 days late.

Called up the police to understand the parking violation I received so that I could avoid making the mistake again.   The police were happy that I cared to learn and after explaining they waived the $50 fine.

DO

Prairie Gal

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2642
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4561 on: October 16, 2015, 07:54:00 AM »
Went to the bank yesterday on my lunch hour to make a payment and they were serving free beef on a bun, including chips and a drink. Gotta love a free lunch.

Kitsunegari

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
  • Location: Quebec, CA
  • Penny wise, pound foolish
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4562 on: October 16, 2015, 08:23:32 AM »
When I went to take the recycling bag to throw it away I realized it was almost empty, so I kept it to fill it up before throwing it. Saving a bag and possibly 2.

3Mer

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 281
  • Location: Midwest
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4563 on: October 17, 2015, 09:39:37 PM »
I drove 4 1/2 hours to watch my daughter compete in state marching band, watched bands for 7 hours.  I'd reserved a hotel, but the awards were announced prior to 6 p.m., which was the reservation cancellation cutoff time.  Wasn't feeling too tired, so I called and cancelled and drove the 4 1/2 hours back home.  Will save hotel plus extra time at the kennel for my dog.  Long day but I was feeling pretty mustachian on the drive home, drinking the water in my water bottle and eating the almonds I brought for dinner instead of stopping. 

horsepoor

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3497
  • Location: At the Barn
  • That old chestnut.
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4564 on: October 17, 2015, 11:03:17 PM »
I had a lovely day puttering with the house all to myself.  I planted about a dozen perennials that I got at Lowe's on clearance with and additional coupon and most of the rest of the price paid with a Visa card from a mail-in rebate, so it was like $7 out of pocket for all these plants.

Then I dug up about 50# of sweet potatoes and put them in the greenhouse to cure.  Some of them are pretty funky looking and too big to eat as bakers, so I looked up how to can them and will do so once they've cured.

Made a beef stew in the Instant Pot with some of the last of last year's beef quarter, some carrots stolen from the horses' stash, potatoes from my dad's garden and a bunch of celery that wasn't good for eating fresh anymore.

Picked thyme, tarragon and rosemary and put on the windowsill to dry.

Blended a big batch of lactofermented hot sauce, then strained out the fibrous bits that clog up the squeeze bottle and put them in a jar to use as chile paste.

Bottled another batch of homemade kombucha.

Cooking down even more tomatoes.  I think I'll make a batch of tomato jam this time instead of more paste.

Picked green tomatoes to turn into lacto-fermented pickles.

Brought canned goods up from the basement so I'll be more apt to see and use them.

Decided not to water anything except the new transplants since there is rain in the forecast.  And yes, it is raining right now, yay!


2ndTimer

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4607
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4565 on: October 18, 2015, 08:20:24 AM »
Currently drinking home brewed coffee from CostCo beans out of my bought-at-Goodwill Starbucks insulated cup while the Hub makes yet another $0.25 video game work. 

mustachepungoeshere

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2404
  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4566 on: October 18, 2015, 05:57:04 PM »
Called the bank and asked nicely for a refund of the $60 annual fee on our credit card. They agreed so readily I don't know why I haven't done it before. Saved $60 in 60 seconds.

Squirrel away

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1041
  • Location: United Kingdom
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4567 on: October 19, 2015, 01:12:40 AM »
Food at home all day and I'm going to try some new healthy recipes as I stepped on the scales this morning. Ouch.


I persuaded a friend to have a girls' night in instead of a girls' night out on saturday. We plan to do yoga together, watch something cool on netflix, she does the cooking, I bring a bottle of cheap wine. No men allowed, and typical female topics ;) like real estate, saving, investing and insurance. Love to have a friend like that :)

I wish I had a friend like that!:)

Pinch of salt

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 88
  • Location: San Francisco, California
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4568 on: October 19, 2015, 01:46:33 AM »
Went to an event yesterday, which I had a 50% off ticket for - whilst there a friend of mine was part of the VIP, so left later after a few champagnes,  whole lot of eating was done and a bag full of samples. I swear rich and famous people stay rich because they get given everything so they never have to buy anything.

11ducks

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 573
  • Location: Duckville, Australia
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4569 on: October 19, 2015, 04:41:00 AM »
Over the weekend-

Saturday- had a shift volunteering at school for a school fete- walked there (took 40mins), then did 3hrs of heavy lifting/manual labour- saved petrol, came away with a free workout, socialising time and supported a good cause.

Currently soaking beans and lentils for tomorrow's carrot lentil soup- frugal and delicious.

Took my own lunch to work today (homemade butter chicken mmmm). Most coworkers went out for lunch, but I stuck to my (delicious) guns and had my prepped meal.

Local grocery store had a 'fill a bag for $3' sale on wilted produce- got a bunch of English spinach, a capsicum, bag of apples and one of mandarins all for $3- chopped it all up (not capsicum) for morning veg/fruit smoothies- it'll last over a month!

Made a makeshift dinner tonight with leftovers-  rice, a chicken patty, ripe tomatoes, capsicum, asparagus and an egg.

I just realised my posts almost always revolve around food. Hmm.

Kitsunegari

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
  • Location: Quebec, CA
  • Penny wise, pound foolish
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4570 on: October 19, 2015, 08:58:16 AM »
Over the weekend-

Saturday- had a shift volunteering at school for a school fete- walked there (took 40mins), then did 3hrs of heavy lifting/manual labour- saved petrol, came away with a free workout, socialising time and supported a good cause.

Currently soaking beans and lentils for tomorrow's carrot lentil soup- frugal and delicious.

Took my own lunch to work today (homemade butter chicken mmmm). Most coworkers went out for lunch, but I stuck to my (delicious) guns and had my prepped meal.

Local grocery store had a 'fill a bag for $3' sale on wilted produce- got a bunch of English spinach, a capsicum, bag of apples and one of mandarins all for $3- chopped it all up (not capsicum) for morning veg/fruit smoothies- it'll last over a month!

Made a makeshift dinner tonight with leftovers-  rice, a chicken patty, ripe tomatoes, capsicum, asparagus and an egg.

I just realised my posts almost always revolve around food. Hmm.

More like Yummm! That all sounds nice!
I still have to convert my DH to the joy of lentils&rice...

2ndTimer

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4607
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4571 on: October 19, 2015, 09:03:47 AM »
Currently microwaving a potato for breakfast.  Recently spotted 50lb. of potatoes for $7.00.  I can eat a lot of potatoes at $0.14/lb.

Moonwaves

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1940
  • Location: Germany
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4572 on: October 19, 2015, 09:16:29 AM »
Leftovers for lunch FTW!

SunshineGirl

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 768
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4573 on: October 19, 2015, 09:16:36 AM »
I FINALLY cancelled my landline! Should have done it years ago....

Also, this hardly feels like it counts, but I'm scheduling an upcoming trip for three nights vs. the five I was originally thinking, and am sure we'll find the quality time we need within those three days.

La Bibliotecaria Feroz

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7112
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4574 on: October 19, 2015, 04:48:45 PM »
Went to the used bread store! It's too far away to be worthwhile normally, but I had to return a cable modem to Comcast in that general direction.

Instead of $2.87 a loaf, our Sarah Lee 100% Whole Wheat sandwich bread is $1.25. I bought 4, for $5.

Then when I went to check out, I got one prize for spending $5 and a double prize for filling up my punch card. So for that $5, I got:
--FIVE loaves of bread (one was free)
--a package of Thomas's English muffins--I feel mini-pizzas coming on!
--just for fun, some Pop'Ems

Score!

Bracken_Joy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Location: Oregon
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4575 on: October 19, 2015, 06:02:06 PM »
-Did a yoga workout at home today, continuing our saga of maintaining an obsessive level of fitness from the comfort of our own home. Slight downside: workout was delayed by dog play-attacking my face and then getting tangled in my hair. I guess it facilitated yoga of sorts when I extracted her...

-DH and I ate leftovers, continuing our attempts to have zero food waste

-Continuing my attempts to actually use our tea reserves and made DH and I tea this afternoon

lunahsol

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 229
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4576 on: October 19, 2015, 08:25:42 PM »
-Did a yoga workout at home today, continuing our saga of maintaining an obsessive level of fitness from the comfort of our own home. Slight downside: workout was delayed by dog play-attacking my face and then getting tangled in my hair.

Ha ha!  I started home yoga a couple months ago, as well, and kitty is definitely an adorable distraction during my practice :)  I think it is as good for them as it is for us, though :) 

*  no money spent today!
*  lunch was practically free - homemade bread and homemade lentil soup (so yum!)
*  listening to someone I know talk about their own poor impending financial decisions further strengthens my resolve to never be in that situation


Squirrel away

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1041
  • Location: United Kingdom
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4577 on: October 20, 2015, 02:33:36 AM »
Leftover home made soup for lunch.

Free exercise at home.

I got a refund from a store, only about £2.50 but better than nothing.:P

dorothyc

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 249
  • Age: 64
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4578 on: October 20, 2015, 08:24:10 AM »
This is for a friend, but she is getting married soon, and loved a veil at the Anthropologie bridal salon that was way out of her budget, so I made one for her over the weekend, with materials she supplied. It is one layer of soft net, floor length, edged from fingertip to fingertip around the bottom with Alencon lace. I've been sewing for years, but this was the first time I had worked with tulle and lace. I was pleased it came out well.

This is the one I copied, though the lace is deeper on hers:

http://www.bhldn.com/product/curving-periphery-veil

choppingwood

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 531
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4579 on: October 20, 2015, 08:37:43 AM »
This is for a friend, but she is getting married soon, and loved a veil at the Anthropologie bridal salon that was way out of her budget, so I made one for her over the weekend, with materials she supplied. It is one layer of soft net, floor length, edged from fingertip to fingertip around the bottom with Alencon lace. I've been sewing for years, but this was the first time I had worked with tulle and lace. I was pleased it came out well.

This is the one I copied, though the lace is deeper on hers:

http://www.bhldn.com/product/curving-periphery-veil

It is very beautiful. What a lovely thing to be able to do for your friend.

Juslookin

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 321
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4580 on: October 20, 2015, 10:19:05 AM »
Pork fried rice for dinner with leftover pork loin.

I browsed online for tickets to the musical, A Christmas Carol. Total cost $234.  We've been to see it several times already.

I'm already starting to feel the self imposed Christmas pressure to make it the best one ever. My DH talked me down and we decided instead to schedule a Saturday night game night with the kids and some homemade Christmas cookies and some junky snacks I wouldn't normally buy. Probably a $10. night of family fun we scheduled, savings, $224.00.   thanks DH!

Bracken_Joy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Location: Oregon
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4581 on: October 20, 2015, 10:20:40 AM »
Moved our hose when we saw the lawn crew show up. (No, not our choice to have a lawn crew, we rent). They ran over our neighbor's hose when they were here last month, so we were not looking forward to the risk of replacing our hose!

Found a recipe for "Asian Crack Slaw" which will use a lot of the veggies we have on hand that are softening. Making our own asian five-spice (ish) so we don't have to buy an ingredient.

mustachepungoeshere

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2404
  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4582 on: October 20, 2015, 04:55:02 PM »
I'm already starting to feel the self imposed Christmas pressure to make it the best one ever. My DH talked me down and we decided instead to schedule a Saturday night game night with the kids and some homemade Christmas cookies and some junky snacks I wouldn't normally buy. Probably a $10. night of family fun we scheduled, savings, $224.00.   thanks DH!

I'm really looking forward to Christmas. Last year we convinced my in-laws to downsize Christmas and they loved it, keen to go even smaller this year.

So I get to buy a few gifts for a few special people (which I will start doing now to maximise the budget), visit family, celebrate with friends, and just opt out of the excessive consumerism of the whole frenetic festive season.

(Three years ago my mother-in-law dragged me to a shopping centre on Christmas Eve when I had finished by Christmas shopping by December 1. I've almost forgiven her...)

mustachepungoeshere

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2404
  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4583 on: October 20, 2015, 05:00:02 PM »
I worked late last night and my husband's inbound flight was delayed by an hour due to bad weather, so it was after 8.30pm by the time we got home.

We ignored all the unhealthy, spendy food options on the drive home and I madechicken toasted sandwiches for dinner. So satisfying.

Bracken_Joy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Location: Oregon
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4584 on: October 20, 2015, 05:21:05 PM »
Ate lunch BEFORE going to the grocery store.

choppingwood

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 531
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4585 on: October 20, 2015, 05:53:29 PM »
Four weeks ago I started working half a day a week with two other people. One of them (the supervisor) went on vacation and left each of us vegetables! Three spaghetti squash and 10+ lb of potatoes for me.

What nice people I am working with!

Tyson

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3023
  • Age: 51
  • Location: Denver, Colorado
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4586 on: October 20, 2015, 07:03:23 PM »
Made hot dogs and french fries for dinner the other day, and tonight I reheated the leftover fries in our little toaster oven, fried up 4 eggs, put the fries in a bowl, a layer of cheese on top, and put the fried eggs on top of the whole thing.  Spiked the eggs with salt, lemon pepper and paprika for a very tasty dinner that was very cheap AND was not wasteful. 

I'm finding that learning to cook saves a lot of money, but learning to finesse your leftovers saves you even MORE money. 
« Last Edit: October 20, 2015, 08:38:57 PM by tyort1 »

jengod

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1219
  • Location: Near LAX
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4587 on: October 20, 2015, 08:00:18 PM »
I'm finding that learning to cook saves a lot of money, but learning to finesse your leftovers saves you even MORE money.

Preach.

FYI, the best book I've found for thinking this way is An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler.

dorothyc

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 249
  • Age: 64
  • Location: Los Angeles
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4588 on: October 20, 2015, 11:07:07 PM »
Made hot dogs and french fries for dinner the other day, and tonight I reheated the leftover fries in our little toaster oven, fried up 4 eggs, put the fries in a bowl, a layer of cheese on top, and put the fried eggs on top of the whole thing.  Spiked the eggs with salt, lemon pepper and paprika for a very tasty dinner that was very cheap AND was not wasteful. 

I'm finding that learning to cook saves a lot of money, but learning to finesse your leftovers saves you even MORE money.

When we don't feel like elaborate cooking, we sometimes make a simple dinner of hot dogs cut into quarter inch thick slices warmed up in some canned baked beans, and with the optional addition of a drained can of corn. I think it is called cowboy stew.

1967mama

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2164
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Canada
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4589 on: October 21, 2015, 12:54:27 AM »
Its been a good long while since I've posted here. I've been very spendy lately :-/ especially with a diet change to Whole30. Its been great for my health, but Whoa! Nellie! is it expensive!

Today I used 2 rain checks from August for EVOO. Each tin was normally $28.99 and I got them for $16.99 each for 3 litres! wahoo!

Prairie Gal

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2642
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4590 on: October 21, 2015, 06:39:51 AM »
Made hot dogs and french fries for dinner the other day, and tonight I reheated the leftover fries in our little toaster oven, fried up 4 eggs, put the fries in a bowl, a layer of cheese on top, and put the fried eggs on top of the whole thing.  Spiked the eggs with salt, lemon pepper and paprika for a very tasty dinner that was very cheap AND was not wasteful. 

I'm finding that learning to cook saves a lot of money, but learning to finesse your leftovers saves you even MORE money.

When we don't feel like elaborate cooking, we sometimes make a simple dinner of hot dogs cut into quarter inch thick slices warmed up in some canned baked beans, and with the optional addition of a drained can of corn. I think it is called cowboy stew.

We used to call it wieners and beaners.

Disposaleer

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 20
  • Location: East Coast
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4591 on: October 21, 2015, 07:25:52 AM »
My wife dropped her phone and cracked the screen. Instead of replacing the screen ($150!) or buying a new (used) iphone ($180) I put packaging tape on the screen to hold it together. It keeps the glass out of her fingers, the touchscreen still works, and we have more time to shop around!

SN: Does anyone have a spare Sprint iPhone laying around?

Easye418

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 505
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4592 on: October 21, 2015, 08:13:28 AM »
My wife dropped her phone and cracked the screen. Instead of replacing the screen ($150!) or buying a new (used) iphone ($180) I put packaging tape on the screen to hold it together. It keeps the glass out of her fingers, the touchscreen still works, and we have more time to shop around!

SN: Does anyone have a spare Sprint iPhone laying around?

It's amazing how many people I know crack their iPhone screens.  I have had my Note 4 for about a year and it has taken some dangerous falls.  Flat on its screen, on the corners, from decently high up.  Thankfully it has withstood all of that damage and only has a few hairline scratches.  This is all without a case because I hate cases and they take away from the comfort of the phone. 

Moral of story: Buy android :)

Squirrel away

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1041
  • Location: United Kingdom
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4593 on: October 22, 2015, 02:08:57 AM »
Weird, I just remembered that I had a dream last night that I broke my phone by cracking the screen.:p

I'm starting to have porridge (oatmeal) for breakfast as it is cheap and good for me.

I don't particularly enjoy porridge but I was listening to a podcast the other day and there was a behavioural economist saying that you should try “Temptation bundling”: the idea of tying together two activities — one you should do but may avoid; and one you love to do but isn’t necessarily productive. So I ate my porridge while listening to a favourite song.:)

I'm going to make up a meal for lunch by using up all the leftover veggies and some leftover Chinese takeaway noodles.

It's payday next week so I need to draw up the November budget.



Moonwaves

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1940
  • Location: Germany
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4594 on: October 22, 2015, 07:47:35 AM »
I'm starting to have porridge (oatmeal) for breakfast as it is cheap and good for me.

I don't particularly enjoy porridge ...
Have you tried variations of it? I can't stand porridge made with water but made with milk, or even half milk/half water, I love it. I like it with a very small amount of sugar sprinkled on top (not mixed in). One of my best friends won't eat porridge unless it's made with water and salty. I like it quite sticky rather than liquidy as well. It's great as a winter breakfast so it's worth playing around with it to see if you can enjoy one variation better than others. And of course, keep playing great songs while you do so. I really like that idea.

Kitsunegari

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
  • Location: Quebec, CA
  • Penny wise, pound foolish
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4595 on: October 22, 2015, 07:52:26 AM »
I'm starting to have porridge (oatmeal) for breakfast as it is cheap and good for me.

I don't particularly enjoy porridge ...
Have you tried variations of it? I can't stand porridge made with water but made with milk, or even half milk/half water, I love it. I like it with a very small amount of sugar sprinkled on top (not mixed in). One of my best friends won't eat porridge unless it's made with water and salty. I like it quite sticky rather than liquidy as well. It's great as a winter breakfast so it's worth playing around with it to see if you can enjoy one variation better than others. And of course, keep playing great songs while you do so. I really like that idea.

+1

Try variations with nuts and fresh or dried fruits, or peanut butter & chocolate drops! Porridge is what you make of it :-D

See the breakfast thread for ideas:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/what's-for-breakfast/?topicseen

Verdandi

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 58
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4596 on: October 22, 2015, 08:34:00 AM »
All meals home-cooked. I'm having leftovers for dinner.
Which is goulash and potatoes, that is getting even better if it sits in the fridge for a day or two *yay*
Tonight I will color and cut my own hair, have an overall DIY beauty night and embrace my inner girly girl.

Quote
I'm starting to have porridge (oatmeal) for breakfast as it is cheap and good for me.

I don't particularly enjoy porridge ...
Have you tried it with apples, raisins and a bit of cinnamon? Also, if you add a bit of milk, it becomes more creamy and delicious.
I really like porridge that way, but can't eat a whole hot bowl in the morning due to my continental european stomach capacities (no offense here fellow US moustachians - but most people here are used to cold breakfasts that are much smaller). Many people I know eat cold oats with nuts, raisins, fruit and milk/yogurt/orange juice in the morning, maybe you could try that?

Nangirl17

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 195
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4597 on: October 22, 2015, 08:49:18 AM »
I shaved my legs using dollar store conditioner that was lying around (that we don't use) instead of shaving cream (for which I can't stomach paying the money!). Works perfectly! Now I can use up the conditioner we somehow inherited and not buy shaving cream!!

Threshkin

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1088
  • Location: Colorado
    • My Journal
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4598 on: October 22, 2015, 11:12:16 AM »
I'm starting to have porridge (oatmeal) for breakfast as it is cheap and good for me.

I don't particularly enjoy porridge ...

Porridge does not need to be sweet either.  We like to eat it with savory additions like peanuts and ginger soaked in Chinese vinegar and eggs scrambled with onions.  Nummy!

jaye_p

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 66
  • Location: Ohio
Re: What small things did you do TODAY to save money?
« Reply #4599 on: October 22, 2015, 11:21:54 AM »
Ate last night's leftovers for lunch, after working out in our basement gym with a friend.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!