What small things did you do TODAY to save money?

[Kitsune]

Today I went to a Chase bank to open a new account. I had bought a $300 bonus "coupon" on eBay for a few dollars. The banker mentioned that I was pre-approved for their Sapphire Preferred card, so I signed up for that too, and will receive $550 in points after meeting requirements. So for 15 minutes in the branch, and some shuffling around of money on my own, I will have gotten over $800.

... SCORE.

[ohsnap]

I washed my dog yesterday.  I hate that chore, but I'm cutting trips to the groomer way down this year.  Saved $20.

[dandypandys]

changed my old flip phone no data, pay per text incoming and outgoing! grr, and 400 minutes rollover with AT&T =60$ or more, to TING on my husbands plan.. so an extra 12 bucks!
60 to 12!
YEAH

Now i want to attack get my internet bill at home bill down, it is currently 58 with taxes with Brighthouse. The forum search comes up database error or i would search to find what mustachians use for their internet. Anyone in FL got a tip?

[hb187]

This is a basic one. So, I'm new to this - I used to buy every meal out. I'd been on a 2-3 week streak of preparing all of my own meals, but I was so spent after my workout (2 hour BJJ class) that I bought breakfast at a corner market yesterday. This morning, I almost did the same thing. But as I was in the shower, I said "hb187, don't be an idiot, you have food at home." So I cooked breakfast and lunch at the same time, packed everything up, and saved at least ten dollars today.

This is the kind of thing I need to do every day, but I'm especially proud because I changed my mind today. I had resigned myself to buying breakfast, and then later thought better of it.

[lunahsol]

After falling off the wagon a tiny bit for the past couple weeks, I am back on track with . . .
- packed homemade lunch for today at the same time last night as I made dinner
- free gym later tonight
- no money spend day
- setting up "budget" for next paycheck (give every dollar a job, etc)

[curly1973]

Two actions of note for me:

1.  The coffee grinder stopped working: the motor spun, but the burrs didn't.  "Oh well" I thought, "we've had a good 8 year run, let's see how much it will cost to replace?".  The answer was over $300 Canadian.  this prompted some angst, and a furious web searching - the solution: a $15 replacement part and an hour of my time with the help of a YouTube video.  Problem solved!

2.  Brooks Brothers just had their 30% off sale for corporate members.  I had the virtual shopping cart loaded up with four brand new dress shirts - what a score!  Perhaps I should head over to the outerwear section...what about the sweaters?! But then I paused, walked down to my closet, took a good look at my work wardrobe...and closed the web browser.  I just couldn't justify buy more shirts, another jacket or sweater, and was only doing so because they were on "sale".  Another "savings" of $300 plus - and a feeling of control.  I'm really trying to be a more conscientious consumer, buying only what I need to replace that which has worn out.  While not shopping may be second nature for many on this forum, I am constantly struggling with the demon called Want, but figure that I came out on top this week.

[LindseyC]

I needed some jeans for work so I hit the thrift store and found two pairs for $8 each. Exact same jeans but two different colors, checked the brand when I got home they are $100 jeans new, and the thrift ones look brand new. I also found a great spring/summer bag for $4, which I didn't need but I fell in love with. It's a good brand but the new price is not something I would ever pay for a bag.

Finally found a ton of baby wool for my mom (she is starting a little Etsy shop with my help) and a roll of cotton batting to make a quilt with. All for about $20 total, but it's a huge quantity of wool. 

I have had quite some thrifting luck this week. I also found on a different day some great vintage dishes for dead cheap that I will resale for at least 10x what I paid. :)

[Elliot]

-trimmed own my hair
-called the dog into the shower with me so could both get clean
-reheated some leftover okra for lunch
-hand washed and laid out to air dry all "dry clean only" clothes.
-salvaged the trash bag the mail carrier put over a package to protect it from rain. Free trash bag!

[Kwill]

Tonight I went to the supermarket. That's it. That's my small thing. I've been struggling with a bad cold this week and going to bed early, and I've been buying more and more meals out as I ran out of food at home. Tonight I went home and had a snack and a little down time, then walked into town, bought a burrito for dinner, and then went to the supermarket. I just got things for breakfast and some prepared meals that were on sale, but it will save me over the course of the next few days.

[OmahaSteph]

Tonight I went to the supermarket. That's it. That's my small thing. I've been struggling with a bad cold this week and going to bed early, and I've been buying more and more meals out as I ran out of food at home. Tonight I went home and had a snack and a little down time, then walked into town, bought a burrito for dinner, and then went to the supermarket. I just got things for breakfast and some prepared meals that were on sale, but it will save me over the course of the next few days.

Feel better soon :(

I packed my lunch as usual and threw together chili fixings in the IP this morning (on slow cook) so it'll be ready when we get home tonight. Heading out to get cream cheese for cupcakes I'm making and bringing to DS10's Cub Scout Blue and Gold ceremony tomorrow. I already have all the other ingredients, including blue cupcake wrappers and blue and yellow food coloring and blue sprinkles. (Appetizing to young boys. Adults, not so much! Blue poop anyone???)

[Dollar Slice]

Tonight I went to the supermarket. That's it. That's my small thing. I've been struggling with a bad cold this week and going to bed early, and I've been buying more and more meals out as I ran out of food at home.

I'm in the same boat :-(  Really sick since Tuesday and running out of food at home. I have to work extra late tonight to catch up and meet a work deadline (groan) and then I'm going to drag myself to the grocery store on the way home.

I had a $30 grubhub order ready to go last night when I was running a fever and extra miserable, but I closed the browser window before I ordered it...

[Vanguards and Lentils]

2.  Brooks Brothers just had their 30% off sale for corporate members.  I had the virtual shopping cart loaded up with four brand new dress shirts - what a score!  Perhaps I should head over to the outerwear section...what about the sweaters?! But then I paused, walked down to my closet, took a good look at my work wardrobe...and closed the web browser.  I just couldn't justify buy more shirts, another jacket or sweater, and was only doing so because they were on "sale".  Another "savings" of $300 plus - and a feeling of control.  I'm really trying to be a more conscientious consumer, buying only what I need to replace that which has worn out.  While not shopping may be second nature for many on this forum, I am constantly struggling with the demon called Want, but figure that I came out on top this week.

I had a $30 grubhub order ready to go last night when I was running a fever and extra miserable, but I closed the browser window before I ordered it...

The power of "closing the browser window"! This has helped me many times. I think occasionally indulging in the fantasy might be helpful, counter-intuitive as it may seem.

[Dollar Slice]

The power of "closing the browser window"! This has helped me many times. I think occasionally indulging in the fantasy might be helpful, counter-intuitive as it may seem.

For me I think it's that closing the window is so easy (just one click). You go through the whole hassle of signing in, choosing everything, tax, tip, etc., and then you see the price. Hmm. $30? Really? One click to close, and the temptation is gone because I'm certainly not about to waste ANOTHER five minutes on their website re-doing all that...

Bonus: I worked so late that the grocery store was the emptiest I've ever seen it. Only one person in line ahead of me at the register. Considering I've seen this place so packed on a random weekday that the line for the exit/cashier almost reached back to the entrance, this is a very nice thing :-) Good to know it's empty at this time of day for future reference.

[PMG]

I recognize that spending money isn't saving money. I've been looking for some things for upcoming travels and desperately needing new shoes. I keep putting things in my Amazon cart but not finishing the buy. Today I found what I needed significantly marked down on rei. I only ordered things on my list.  Found high quality for Kmart prices. I'm pretty happy. It was worth waiting.

My "made it to spring break" treat today was homemade iced coffee and homemade peanut butter cookies.

I've lost enough weight in the past 7 weeks that I'm wearing old clothes and greatly reduced my shopping list. Hundreds saved there as so much of my old wardrobe was wearing out and needed replaced.

[Luckyvik]

I've lost enough weight in the past 7 weeks that I'm wearing old clothes and greatly reduced my shopping list. Hundreds saved there as so much of my old wardrobe was wearing out and needed replaced.

Nicely done! I need to do the same!


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[Luckyvik]

On another note I made $50 at a taste test today and caught the bus for free there and back ( After the first 8 rides/week I get free rides).


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[EcoCanuck]

Living in a new part of the world and adjusting to new foods and prices. The wife and I went to the local grocery stores and spent 2 hours browsing through the stores to see what was available locally and at the best price before making any purchases. We brainstormed and saw that we could make 3 of our key/favourite dinner meals (that always make enough for seconds so 6 dinners) at a great price - we even swapped some of the ingredients to better priced alternatives. This should help us trim/maintain our food budget and its mainly healthy.

Best part was having the wife on board and excited about saving more. Same quality of life just with a little bit of research and now some extra savings to improve/maintain quality of life in the future!

[Tigerpine]

I recognize that spending money isn't saving money. I've been looking for some things for upcoming travels and desperately needing new shoes. I keep putting things in my Amazon cart but not finishing the buy. Today I found what I needed significantly marked down on rei. I only ordered things on my list.  Found high quality for Kmart prices. I'm pretty happy. It was worth waiting.

My "made it to spring break" treat today was homemade iced coffee and homemade peanut butter cookies.

I've lost enough weight in the past 7 weeks that I'm wearing old clothes and greatly reduced my shopping list. Hundreds saved there as so much of my old wardrobe was wearing out and needed replaced.

Robert Platt Bell has a great saying.

"You can not spend your way to wealth."

His blog:  livingstingy.blogspot.com

[ohsnap]

Yesterday I returned 2 pairs of sandals and got a refund of $89.  One pair was just an impulse buy.  The other pair were Merrill hiking sandals which I thought I really needed and they were a good sale price (less than $60).  But the next day I was at another store and found a pair of Keen hiking sandals for $15 on clearance!  They had been $90 originally. 

So how much longer can I get away with saying that my little thing I did to save $ was to return things I shouldn't have bought anyway? ;)

[dandypandys]

I joined Airbnb  yesterday for a NYC and Phili trip. Then after booking the first place realized DUH i could have got 20 bux if i had a friend refer me!!!! So i emailed them and asked if they would let us get the referral after the fact, they said YES and instantly gave my friend and I $20 bux. woooohoooo!
plus i got a free apple, coffee and granola bar at my hubbys bank, he has a cool bank.

[Nickels Dimes Quarters]

Pantry meals today. Using up what was already paid for.

NDQ

[CindyBS]

A local thrift store put out %50 off everything coupons in the local sales' flyers.


Using my super organized kids clothes' needs spreadsheet which spans 5 different sizes and includes everything except underwear and socks , I went and stocked up.  I especially got boys' jeans which get worn out quickly.  Most of the jeans were sized 12, 14, 16 and ended up being between $1-$2 each.

$57 worth of stuff that I got for $29 ish

I then used a target gc I got as a reward from one of my credit cards (paid in full each month!) and shopped while my son had an appointment.  I stocked up on a cereal I like that is $.80 cheaper at Target than the regular store. 

[Gerard]

The end of my girlfriend's printer's cable got damaged when she dropped her laptop. I was able to use a butter knife to bend the thing back into shape. She saved the cost of a (hard to find old printer) cable, and I got to feel competent with electronics.

Made a really tasty spanakorizo... every single ingredient was on sale this week, or already in the house!

[TheFixer]

Went grocery shopping today, and rather than buy 1lb. of deli ham for $5 (my lunch for a week or so), I bought a spiral sliced ham on sale.  7.5# @$1.49, total of 11.22. At home the ham was sliced off the bone, yielding 5.4 lbs of meat into the frig & freezer, for a cost of 2.10/ lb., and it's better meat than I usually have on a sandwich. The ham hock and all the fatty scraps are going in the Crockpot now with 2lbs of free(gift from aunt's garden) dried beans.  If this all works out, I'll do it again in a few months.

[abhe8]

I bought grocery store gift cards with 20% discount, saving around $40+. My wife and my parents did the same, so total savings: $130.

Where do you buy these? I'd love some!!

[Merrie]

Went grocery shopping today, and rather than buy 1lb. of deli ham for $5 (my lunch for a week or so), I bought a spiral sliced ham on sale.  7.5# @$1.49, total of 11.22. At home the ham was sliced off the bone, yielding 5.4 lbs of meat into the frig & freezer, for a cost of 2.10/ lb., and it's better meat than I usually have on a sandwich. The ham hock and all the fatty scraps are going in the Crockpot now with 2lbs of free(gift from aunt's garden) dried beans.  If this all works out, I'll do it again in a few months.

We do this all the time. When they go on sale for 99 cents a pound, we buy several and put them in the deep freeze. Also recently my husband got a "semi-boneless" ham, which was kind of similar except not sliced. So he had to slice it, but it ended up being even cheaper than the spiral sliced.

Today when I was at work, my husband texted me that the Velcro on our 4-year-old's sneakers was wearing out and she needed new sneakers. I told him I would replace the Velcro. Then after I got home and we determined that I didn't mind replacing the Velcro but I didn't feel like hiking out to the store to get any, we looked around and he found a roll of industrial-strength adhesive-backed Velcro that he'd used to repair the couch. I removed the old Velcro and stuck this stuff on. It was really easy because really only the loop side needed to be replaced, the hook side still seems okay. It is white instead of the gray of the sneakers, but will not be particularly noticeable. This should get us through the next few months until she outgrows the sneakers.

[PMG]

I recognize that spending money isn't saving money. I've been looking for some things for upcoming travels and desperately needing new shoes. I keep putting things in my Amazon cart but not finishing the buy. Today I found what I needed significantly marked down on rei. I only ordered things on my list.  Found high quality for Kmart prices. I'm pretty happy. It was worth waiting.

My "made it to spring break" treat today was homemade iced coffee and homemade peanut butter cookies.

I've lost enough weight in the past 7 weeks that I'm wearing old clothes and greatly reduced my shopping list. Hundreds saved there as so much of my old wardrobe was wearing out and needed replaced.

Robert Platt Bell has a great saying.

"You can not spend your way to wealth."

His blog:  livingstingy.blogspot.com

Thanks for the link. I haven't read him before.

I'm good at not wanting much but I also often ignore needs.  I'm aiming for balance.

As for money saving today, I did my first grocery shopping since going car free. My relationship with food will be changing again. I found the ethnic spices and got cloves for 1/3 the cost of the store brand.

[Kwill]

Feel better soon :(

Thank you! I lounged about and took multiple naps yesterday and then felt well enough to go out for an evening dance I'd planned in advance. Took another long nap today after church, and I think I might venture out again.

So my money-saving things today: Made breakfast at home, and ate one of the ready-to-heat meals I had on hand for lunch. I volunteered to join a choir at church, which may not save money per se but will amuse me for free and hopefully help me to feel more at home in my new community. This afternoon, I'm planning to bike down to a free dance practice session with free tea and cookies. I'll probably pick up a few grocery items on the way home.

[NewMustachian]

Went to the local consignment store to get some emergency t-shirts for my toddler (it's been freakishly warm this week and she's grown out of last summer's clothes).  When I got to the checkout I learned that I had a store credit from some co-signing I had done ages ago, and only paid $2.47 for 2 Gap t-shirts!

[Daleth]

This was last week, but we took our toddler twins to the pet store for the first time. They were just as excited as if we'd taken them to the zoo (which they haven't been to yet), but it was FREE and much less tiring for them because it's obviously a much smaller space to walk around. They were THRILLED. Fish! Rats! Guinea pigs! KITTY CATS! DOGS! Omg so exciting for them.

[dandypandys]

This was last week, but we took our toddler twins to the pet store for the first time. They were just as excited as if we'd taken them to the zoo (which they haven't been to yet), but it was FREE and much less tiring for them because it's obviously a much smaller space to walk around. They were THRILLED. Fish! Rats! Guinea pigs! KITTY CATS! DOGS! Omg so exciting for them.

aw that is so cute!

i just signed up for a new credit card today- Quicksilver From Capital One. This will give me the 0% transaction fees abroad that i need.. and 50 bux yaaaahhhhhs!  Thanks to this forum for all the tips! Next will be chase sapphire.

[kiwigirls]

This was last week, but we took our toddler twins to the pet store for the first time. They were just as excited as if we'd taken them to the zoo (which they haven't been to yet), but it was FREE and much less tiring for them because it's obviously a much smaller space to walk around. They were THRILLED. Fish! Rats! Guinea pigs! KITTY CATS! DOGS! Omg so exciting for them.

We used to do this when our kids were young too.  Great free activity!

[jengod]

Picked up two bags of OPL (other people's leaves) and used them as free mulch for the empty patch near our house that we are guerrilla gardening out of ugliness.

[ohsnap]

Homemade pizza tonight!  Provolone & mozzarella & romano & peppers & italian sausage & olive oil & canned tomatoes from Costco, plus inexpensive bulk yeast and flour = inexpensive deliciousness. 

[Kitsune]

Spent money on a tank of gas this weekend (to visit a relative on her 90th birthday), but, otherwise, no money spent since doing groceries last Tuesday!

[Inaya]

Nabbed some leftover bagels, cream cheese, and lox from a family brunch get together.

[4alpacas]

I had a friend come over for brunch.  I made a salad with salmon (from the freezer), 2 pots of tea (sample + stuff I had), defrosted soup (http://www.budgetbytes.com/2014/10/slow-cooker-rosemary-garlic-beef-stew-slow-cooker/), and a vinaigrette. 

I also had a friend come over for dinner.  I made cookies (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16617/no-bake-cookies-v/ double the amount of cococa powder and use butter instead of margarine), pasta, chicken (from the freezer stash). 

I also made plans to have another brunch date with a friend next weekend.  I think we're going to do flatbreads (use this as a guide http://www.budgetbytes.com/2015/02/caramelized-onion-artichoke-flatbread/). 

Homemade pizza tonight!  Provolone & mozzarella & romano & peppers & italian sausage & olive oil & canned tomatoes from Costco, plus inexpensive bulk yeast and flour = inexpensive deliciousness.

YUM!

Today, I packed my lunch (leftovers), breakfast, and snacks (COOKIES). 

I wanted to thank this board.  Several months back, someone mentioned making their own dressing.  I googled a few recipes, and now I'm hooked.  It's so much cheaper (and tastier) to make my own dressing.  Plus, it saves room in our condiment area of our fridge (We have SO many condiments!!!). 

[Dollar Slice]

I managed to get some clothes I needed at a great discount by combining an online coupon (40% off) and a secondhand gift card on raise.com (30% off). And I resisted buying more stuff than I really needed when I found myself rationalizing that I should buy more to take advantage of the big discount.

[Gerard]

Got off the plane and realized I'd forgotten my tuque (and it's cold out). But instead of caving and taking a cab home, I walked to the bus stop.

[Peanutty]

Sold my husbands old, unused hockey equipment to a consignment sports store. Used the money to buy new potlights at the hardware store to replace our burnt out bulbs.

[lhamo]

I had loaded a coupon for a free Marie Calender's pot pie on my Fred Meyer rewards card, but then when I got my stuff to the car I noticed it hadn't been deducted -- because I had picked one that was the wrong size!  I took it back to the service desk intending to return it and get the right one, but the cashier gave it to me for free.  And now I still have the coupon on my card so I can get another one.  Not sure that is ethical, though.  I'd ask WWMMMD (What Would MMM Do) but the answer would be "not buy crappy mass produced food" -- I do like the occasional pot pie, though....

Between the free pot pie and my other coupons, I saved over $5.50 on groceries today. 

[Inaya]

Took a survey a while back that netted me a coupon for a free salad in a jar. Used the coupon instead of making a salad for work today.

This afternoon, hubs and I are doing a taste test, which is a free meal each, plus each of us will also get a coupon for a free sandwich or salad.

[serpentstooth]

Spent $6.10 on 4 tubes of toothpaste, 2 bottles of bodywash and a gallon of milk at CVS. And I have $2 in ECBs for next week. CVS has very good deals on toothpaste and bodywash this week, and when I did my first transaction a coupon for $2 off any 2 tubes of toothpaste printed, sweetening the deal. If anyone wants to duplicate it, I did two each of the Crest, Colgate and Irish Spring deals. All the coupons are online printables rather than ones that require a newspaper.

http://hip2save.com/2016/03/12/cvs-deals-313-319-2/

[jengod]

* Skipped the drive-through breakfast; made fresh coffee and a yogurt parfait with homemade yogurt, rolled oats and blackberries.

* Insulated a light switch with a purpose-cut styrofoam tray left over from some groceries.

* Shipped a package using free stamps I was given by a friend from her late mom's collection in thanks for helping clean out her house.

[Erma]

I went to the grocery store to get the water and the orange juice we won.

[plainjane]

* Insulated a light switch with a purpose-cut styrofoam tray left over from some groceries.

Why did I never consider doing this?  Such a smart idea.

[Bracken_Joy]

* Insulated a light switch with a purpose-cut styrofoam tray left over from some groceries.

Why did I never consider doing this?  Such a smart idea.

Wait, what is "insulating a lightswitch"? Is this an energy efficiency thing or an arc-flash, DIY safety type thing?

[plainjane]

* Insulated a light switch with a purpose-cut styrofoam tray left over from some groceries.

Why did I never consider doing this?  Such a smart idea.

Wait, what is "insulating a lightswitch"? Is this an energy efficiency thing or an arc-flash, DIY safety type thing?

There can be a draft through the switchplates on your outer walls, especially if your house is 100 years old like mine is.  These provide a small thermal barrier.  Surprisingly effective for what they are.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-Foam-Electrical-Outlet-and-Wall-Plate-Insulating-Kit-OS12H/100184290

[AngryOcean]

Last week we fought to Lower our assessed value on our house to lower the amount of property tax we will pay for years to come!

[Bracken_Joy]

* Insulated a light switch with a purpose-cut styrofoam tray left over from some groceries.

Why did I never consider doing this?  Such a smart idea.

Wait, what is "insulating a lightswitch"? Is this an energy efficiency thing or an arc-flash, DIY safety type thing?

There can be a draft through the switchplates on your outer walls, especially if your house is 100 years old like mine is.  These provide a small thermal barrier.  Surprisingly effective for what they are.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-Foam-Electrical-Outlet-and-Wall-Plate-Insulating-Kit-OS12H/100184290

My house is 97 years old. Glad you mentioned this!