What small things did you do TODAY to save money?

[mustachepungoeshere]

Had a win with the power company. They're crediting me $67, partly a refund for incorrect charges, partly a goodwill gesture.

Also, my power consumption is lower since moving, as expected.

It's dropped by about 20 per cent, which means the two of us are now using 40 per cent less power than the average single-person dwelling.

[mc6]

I procured a coffeemaker specifically for company to use from Freecycle, FOR FREE.   

[mustachepungoeshere]

I procured a coffeemaker specifically for company to use from Freecycle, FOR FREE.

Score!

[alewpanda]

Walked into goodwill with the intention of browsing for a crib mattress to re-use into a dog bed for our aging dog.  Didn't find a mattress.

DID however find fancy pants brand name running shoes in box, in DH's size.  He had been needing some for years...his were literally threadbare, but his flat feet don't notice the wear.....

24.00 for something that had a clearance sticker on the box for 60.00.  That have fancy comfy memory foam insides and  he will likely use for years again.

Not quite as good as my 3.00, practically brand new running shoes....but I'll take it ;)

[frooglepoodle]

Traded babysitting with a friend. Today was my turn to get stuff done while she wrangled both boys, tomorrow we swap. Grocery shopping without the toddler in tow = win.

Bought a lot of Duplo blocks on eBay. They're still not cheap, but I haven't had any luck finding them at thrift stores and the lot is big enough to split up for Christmas, Easter, and birthday.

Took a long, leisurely walk after nap time that included stops at the library and the railroad crossing to watch the choo-choos.

Made yogurt in my new Instant Pot. Half a gallon of milk turned into 6 cups of amazing tart Greek yogurt and 2 cups of whey (which I saved to use in baking and protein shakes).

[Ben Hogan]

Turned down MNF with friends at a bar.

[Bracken_Joy]

Turned down MNF with friends at a bar.

What does that mean?

[SeaEhm]

Drove an extra few miles to a cheaper dry cleaners. 

[mustachepungoeshere]

Claimed my toll cashback. $85 refund.

[FerrumB5]

Turned down MNF with friends at a bar.

What does that mean?

Monday Night Football

[Bracken_Joy]

Turned down MNF with friends at a bar.

What does that mean?

Monday Night Football

Oh! Lol, thank you. Aaaaaand there we just learned a lot about my sports watching habits ;)

[jengod]

* Stocked up on seven 1-lb packages of pasta marked down to .50 a pound.
* Cloth diapered the baby and line-dryed several loads of laundry.
* Took some grown-out clothes and baby gizmos to the children’s resale shop for $40 store credit.
* Won an energy efficiency giveaway and due to clerical error they sent the prize box twice, so now we have 2 more LED bulbs, 2 LED blinky necklaces use I can use for stocking stuffers for the kids, and a comfy baseball cap I can wear while jogging.
* Picked up a penny.
* Scattered more homemade bonemeal from dried chicken bones for slow-release minerals.
* Got a small bottle of Tide liquid detergent for free by stacking a manufacturer’s coupon and
ExtraBucks at CVS.
* Gassed up the car at the low-price debit-card-or-cash-only station.

[mustachepungoeshere]

A children's clothing store chain recently entered receivership so all their stock is half price or better.

I saved $141 on clothes for my nephew for my next winter (I'm not paying, just put in the order online, so I'm counting it as a win. :D)

[Metric Mouse]

A children's clothing store chain recently entered receivership so all their stock is half price or better.

I saved $141 on clothes for my nephew for my next winter (I'm not paying, just put in the order online, so I'm counting it as a win. :D)

I had to re-read this. I was wondering "Why would anyone by stock in a company in that financial situation".  Might be too early, but getting stocks at half-off could be a huge win!

[mustachepungoeshere]

A children's clothing store chain recently entered receivership so all their stock is half price or better.

I saved $141 on clothes for my nephew for my next winter (I'm not paying, just put in the order online, so I'm counting it as a win. :D)

I had to re-read this. I was wondering "Why would anyone by stock in a company in that financial situation".  Might be too early, but getting stocks at half-off could be a huge win!

Ha, sorry.

There were good sales on all the *products/clothes/inventory.

*Edited because grammar.

[OmahaSteph]

Got a $25 gift card from my favorite store as long as I used my store credit card. No minimum purchase. I shopped the clearance, had the order delivered to the store for free and ended up with two scarves (which stretch my existing wardrobe) and pair of boot socks for less than $5. WINNING!

Tomorrow we're headed to Sam's Club. I've investigated the sales online and plan to stock up on whole chickens and ground beef. Hopefully it will all fit into our FREE chest freezer. Also hitting the bakery outlet to stock up. They start doing seasonal breads (the big round loaves for dips, etc.) around this time.

[horsepoor]

I have been salivating over a certain type of very expensive riding boots for several months now.  They're ordered from Europe, and the current exchange rate makes them especially tempting.  Well, a domestic online retailer happened to be clearing out their old boots of this brand because they don't have zippers, and people now only want boots with zippers (me included).  The original retail on these boots is $850, and they would be around $700 shipped from The Netherlands.  Usually closeout boots are only in tiny sizes or super skinny calves or whatever, but they happened to have my size for $99 and I grabbed a pair.  Then for Cyber Monday they further discounted them to $64, and had free shipping over $100, so I purchased two additional pairs.  I can have zippers installed locally for about $100, or send them out to a boot specialist for $200.  So essentially $2550 worth of boots, which won't go out of style and should last me about a decade or more, for $224 + whatever I decide to spend on the zippers.  I'll get zippers in one pair, and if I like them, will do the same with the others as pairs wear out.  If I don't like them, I should be able to resell on eBay for at least $200/pair.

[valk001]

Upped my contribution in my companies stock purchase program from 8% to 10%.

[4alpacas]

Upped my contribution in my companies stock purchase program from 8% to 10%.

NICE!

I packed my breakfast, lunch and snacks for work.  I've started using a thermos to keep my liquids spill proof, which allows me to bring soups in (usually made with leftovers). 

[Gerard]

Made double breakfast yesterday so I could get going early today, mustachian stash for snacks, and department-decorating party for a late lunch or early supper and maybe a little too much wine. Plus I brought lunch too, so now I have my next workplace meal taken care of!

[Bracken_Joy]

Fridge being delivered today.

1- did our own haul away of old fridge (to garage. May sell to ILs if they decide on that, otherwise CL)
2- doing our own install
3- planned ahead and had easy to microwave food ready for lunch
(now really hoping it's all in and good by dinner, otherwise... I don't have a plan! Lol)

[mustachepungoeshere]

I have been salivating over a certain type of very expensive riding boots for several months now.  They're ordered from Europe, and the current exchange rate makes them especially tempting.  Well, a domestic online retailer happened to be clearing out their old boots of this brand because they don't have zippers, and people now only want boots with zippers (me included).  The original retail on these boots is $850, and they would be around $700 shipped from The Netherlands.  Usually closeout boots are only in tiny sizes or super skinny calves or whatever, but they happened to have my size for $99 and I grabbed a pair.  Then for Cyber Monday they further discounted them to $64, and had free shipping over $100, so I purchased two additional pairs.  I can have zippers installed locally for about $100, or send them out to a boot specialist for $200.  So essentially $2550 worth of boots, which won't go out of style and should last me about a decade or more, for $224 + whatever I decide to spend on the zippers.  I'll get zippers in one pair, and if I like them, will do the same with the others as pairs wear out.  If I don't like them, I should be able to resell on eBay for at least $200/pair.

So much awesome in one post! Well done.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Used up leftover white wine in a quick reduction, which I'll freeze for cooking.

[tweezers]

Used up leftover white wine in a quick reduction, which I'll freeze for cooking.

What is this "leftover wine" you speak of??  :)

[mustachepungoeshere]

Used up leftover white wine in a quick reduction, which I'll freeze for cooking.

What is this "leftover wine" you speak of??  :)

Hehehe, I was expecting this.

I don't drink wine, just spirits, yet people love bringing wine to dinner and leaving it here. Take it home!

[GoConfidently]

Got drunk at home instead of at bar. Much money saved. No need for Uber. More money banked. Used free weekend minutes to call friend and vent about work instead of quitting job. It's a win. It's also a shitty week. Mazel tov frugal peeps.

[alewpanda]

Picked up 2 pennies during the morning dog walk.

Saved 10% on my grocery bill through store sales.

Had a glass of wine from the 4.50 bottle ;)

Bought hubby a new work shirt to replace a worn polo -- goodwill, 3.00.

Found winter boots for myself -- 5.00, local thrift shop :)

Have plans to see friends at their home tomorrow.  Bringing a potato and Parmesan dish, sweet tea bought on sale, and games.  Should be a fun night in.  Bringing "Christmas gifts" for the other couples too.  AKA, thrifted baskets of cocoa packets and homemade applesauce muffins....yummy!  And inexpensive.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Got drunk at home instead of at bar. Much money saved. No need for Uber. More money banked. Used free weekend minutes to call friend and vent about work instead of quitting job. It's a win. It's also a shitty week. Mazel tov frugal peeps.

I'm sorry you had a shitty week but I enjoyed your post, for what it's worth.

Here's to getting drunk at home.

[jengod]

Had a meeting at Starbucks. Saved $0.10 by bringing in my own mug and took about 10 lbs. of free coffee grounds and espresso pucks for use as worm food.

(Feed the soil to feed the plant to feed the people, etc.)

(The gal at the counter said they throw away about that amount of coffee grounds every day and I am welcome to come by any time and pick them up. Yay!)

[SaveSpendGiveALittle]

* Picked up a penny.

I love this one... I always pick up change wherever I see it.  Always seems to be a little money on the ground at the gym and in the large apartment complex parking lot I live at.

[mustachepungoeshere]

* Picked up a penny.

I love this one... I always pick up change wherever I see it.  Always seems to be a little money on the ground at the gym and in the large apartment complex parking lot I live at.

Great name!

[jengod]

* Picked up a penny.

I love this one... I always pick up change wherever I see it.  Always seems to be a little money on the ground at the gym and in the large apartment complex parking lot I live at.

Jeff Yeager, "the Ultimate Cheapskate," has a bit where he quips that a penny found is actually much better than a penny earned because you don't have to pay taxes on it, so it's really worth $0.013 or so instead of $0.01.

Related: "Pasquier, who is sixty-seven, is an ornithologist, who retired from the National Audubon Society in 2012. He spends every day of birding season in Central Park. But he is also an élite money hunter. He started out casually picking up coins, bills, and dropped MetroCards. 'But then I said, Be scientific, keep track of this.' From 1987, when he began recording his findings, through 2014, he retrieved a thousand nine hundred and twenty dollars and eighty-seven cents. From 1987 to 2006, he averaged about fifty-eight dollars a year. Then Apple introduced the iPhone, and millions of potential competitors started to stare at their screens rather than at the sidewalks. Since 2007, Pasquier has averaged just over ninety-five dollars a year."

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/23/coin-drop

[mustachepungoeshere]

Jeff Yeager, "the Ultimate Cheapskate," has a bit where he quips that a penny found is actually much better than a penny earned because you don't have to pay taxes on it, so it's really worth $0.013 or so instead of $0.01.

Related: "Pasquier, who is sixty-seven, is an ornithologist, who retired from the National Audubon Society in 2012. He spends every day of birding season in Central Park. But he is also an élite money hunter. He started out casually picking up coins, bills, and dropped MetroCards. 'But then I said, Be scientific, keep track of this.' From 1987, when he began recording his findings, through 2014, he retrieved a thousand nine hundred and twenty dollars and eighty-seven cents. From 1987 to 2006, he averaged about fifty-eight dollars a year. Then Apple introduced the iPhone, and millions of potential competitors started to stare at their screens rather than at the sidewalks. Since 2007, Pasquier has averaged just over ninety-five dollars a year."

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/23/coin-drop

I love this.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Some family members are dropping by at short notice this afternoon, so I'm throwing together afternoon tea based on fridge/pantry ingredients:

- Brie with rice crackers
- Bruschetta (using fresh basil from my plant)
- Macarons (they've been in the freezer since Wednesday).

An odd mix, but they'll be happy.

Work gave me a bottle of white wine last week, so I just put that in the fridge.

[MrsTuxedocat]

The gym gave me free guest passes, so Mr Tuxedocat and I want to the yoga class this afternoon.

[NV Teacher]

Volunteered at the school today to help out at a PTO function.  They provided a light lunch.  After the event we cleaned up and got to take the leftovers home.  So free lunch today and free lunch tomorrow.  Thanks PTO.

[PMG]

I altered a long sleeve shirt my sis in law gave me and made a pillow case out of scrap fabric I from my grandparents attic. Both filled needs for free.

Spent all day at home.

Went over my bank accounts and credit cards, not unusual, but still an important step to saving money!

Cashed out ibotta money.

[BetsyS]

Switched to all cash for my weekly grocery shopping. I looked back over my budget for the last few months and realized this part was the biggest hole to plug. So far, so good! And it felt nice to not have to try and do as much math in my head over several days. If it's not in my wallet, it's not there.

[NV Teacher]

I made it all the way to December 4th without turning on the furnace.  These last two weeks have been the toughest as the inside temps have been in the low to mid 50's. 

[Metric Mouse]

I made it all the way to December 4th without turning on the furnace.  These last two weeks have been the toughest as the inside temps have been in the low to mid 50's.

Wow... that is pretty badass!

[mustachepungoeshere]

For a while (like, a good four or five years) I've wanted to buy a full-length mirror for the guest room at a friend's house.

Long story, and it's hard to justify the expense.

Some family members are in the process of downsizing and mentioned they had sold one mirror on eBay and were tossing the other one because it wasn't worth selling.

I claimed it, and they delivered it in less than 24 hours. It has some marks on it, but it still mirrors things perfectly.

Saved $30+.

[horsepoor]

Talked DH out of going out forbreakfast even though he had a coupon for a free birthday meal.  No second meal and coffee purchase, tip and gas saved

Picked 5 grocery bags full of veggies from the garden today since lows will be in the teens by Tuesday.  No need to buy any veggies for a couple weeks. Roasting a big batch of the root veggies and a batch of green soup is going in the Instant pot.

Using a bottle of nasty beer to braise a pot roast

Used a  $5 off 10 coupon at Target to buy some essential lady things.

Helped DH install a new LED  bathroom light that was like $30 from Costco

Brought firewood up to the house so I can lower heating costs on days I teleworking.  The wood is from trees we had on the property

Maintained my leather shoes and boots to make them last longer

[PMG]

Altered another free shirt and hemmed a pair of pants from my sister in law.

Hemmed a piece of wool into a curtain to cover my drafty window. Not gonna win any designer awards, but it was free and will work until I find a better solution.

Have laundry drying in front of the heater.

Cooked up a big pot of beans.

[Bracken_Joy]

Went to a tree farm for our christmas tree, where they're cheaper than the in town tree lots- plus we can pick out own. Didn't pay for the bundling, since it fit just fine in the bed of the truck and we could carry it just fine. Used hand me down ornaments- nostalgia bonus for when family is here over the holidays. Didn't buy any of the tasty food or drinks at the tree farm, even though I was very tempted- in spite of rain jackets and boots, we got soaked in the (cold) pouring rain. Made getting home feel great though!

Batch cooking for the insane week ahead: Husband has finals for his masters classes (12 credits this term, wrapping up! Only one term to go!!!), then goes straight to another state for work. And I'll be doing 3 14hr days in a row. So we're cooking: pork carnitas with rice, tuna cakes with pesto, brussel sprouts, bacon (to mix with eggs for breakfast), and fajitas. Just have the bacon left to go, and a couple things to pack once they're cool. Neither husband nor I have had to buy food out for work or school in many months.

[dorothyc]

Over the weekend I made two batches of broth in the pressure cooker from roasted turkey bones and scraps that I had saved in the freezer. I pressure cooked a first batch with onion, carrot, parsley stems and pepper corns for 45 minutes. After straining that batch, I put the meat and bones back in the pressure cooker with a dash of apple cider vinegar and covered with water again for another 25 minutes at pressure. I froze the first batch after cooling it as it was quite gelatinous, and the second lot I put in a large glass milk bottle in the fridge for cooking rice and beans in.

I only recently found out you can reboil the bones for a second batch of broth.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Sold an item on eBay, made $125.

I ordered a couple of Christmas presents online last week and they arrived broken. I contacted the company, yesterday they refunded the money and asked me to 'dispose of' the items. Pffft, no. I'm just giving them out to friends I wouldn't normally buy for.

MPP: brought home some brown paper from work to use as packing material for Christmas presents. Found it in the garbage this morning, covered in egg shells. Husband thought it was rubbish. :(

[jengod]

Found a coupon code that saved us $16 on registration for our town's upcoming 5k race. We will be competing as a family.

Put my Hulu account on hold for the holidays, and dropped Netflix down to one screen. This will save about $10.

[CloserToFree]

Had an all-day sports thing this past Saturday and often end up buying lunch and/or snacks out at a sandwich or fast food place.  Instead I planned ahead, baked cookies the day before, made a sandwich, and packed a day's worth of healthy snacks to bring with me.  Cheaper, easier, healthier, and more convenient the day-of.  Quadruple win!

[4alpacas]

Packed up a bunch of old DVDs and video games to sell back to Amazon +$50
Donated three bags of clothing and other DVDs that Amazon didn't want
Called a present truce with my sister and her SO for Christmas (saved ~$100 plus the hassle of shopping for something)
Packed breakfast, lunch, and snacks

[I'm a red panda]

Had a 60 cent gas discount from our local grocery store, so coordinated with husband so we could get the allowable 20 gallons (across 2 cars and a portable tank...) since neither of our car takes that much gas.