What small things did you do TODAY to save money?

[Eilonwy]

I had a crave for Chinese food, so asked my husband to fry up some frozen potstickers instead of suggesting we go out for lunch.

[frooglepoodle]

I packed food for our cross country flight today. When we ended up sitting on the tarmac for 90 minutes after landing, I was really really happy that I had. We could be civilized and wait until we got to my parents house instead of racing off the plane and buying the first overpriced crappy airport food we encountered.

[frugalfelicia]

Had to take my kid to an appointment right around dinner time - knew we would be hungry and knew he would ask to go out to a restaurant, so I packed snacks. He still asked but I said no and we ate the snacks instead.

[HappierAtHome]

Picked up a free blender from my local Buy Nothing Project. Our little bullet blender has been giving up lately.

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that your Buy Nothing group is showing signs of life!

[rachellynn99]

Took my dad shopping today for Christmas gifts. We went to 4 stores, but I bought nothing! It was a win for me for sure.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner all were at home.

Gathered 6 eggs from our chickens. Our tiny rural water carrier sent me my bill today with a note that I can now pay online! Hurray for saving a stamp ( and me being able to put it on automated billing).

Went Christmas caroling tonight with our church. The kids and I had fun and it was free.

Still on budget for all of our categories for the month. I think we are going to make it work!

[Bracken_Joy]

Picked up a free blender from my local Buy Nothing Project. Our little bullet blender has been giving up lately.

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that your Buy Nothing group is showing signs of life!

Alas, it appears to be barely working and with a major leak. Sigh. Will be posting a gentle admin reminder about honesty in our gifts here soon =\ Work in progress. But hey, a few successful giftings per week, way more life than the 100% dead group I inherited a couple months ago!

[HappierAtHome]

Baked a cake to bring into work as a combo birthday celebration for a team member and Christmas celebration for the team. MUCH cheaper than buying presents for my teammates, which is what several people have done, and provides the same amount of general good feeling.

Working on a master list of meals we can cook in bulk and stash in the freezer, and a (much shorter!) list of meals to make next week while I'm on leave. Next week's batch cooking will help us get through Uber Frugal January without resorting to takeaway. It'll skew our grocery spending for December, but eh. We'll survive.

Picked up a free blender from my local Buy Nothing Project. Our little bullet blender has been giving up lately.

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that your Buy Nothing group is showing signs of life!

Alas, it appears to be barely working and with a major leak. Sigh. Will be posting a gentle admin reminder about honesty in our gifts here soon =\ Work in progress. But hey, a few successful giftings per week, way more life than the 100% dead group I inherited a couple months ago!

Oh dear :-( and here I was getting annoyed at the woman on ours who responds to every. single. listing. saying she wants (whatever it is that's being given away). Sounds like you have much bigger issues!

[Bracken_Joy]

Today, I spent money to save money. We replaced our 22 year old water heater. It wasn't draining anymore, and best advice was replace it BEFORE it goes. Even though it is in our garage, it shares a finished wall, and I would prefer NOT have water damage. Hopefully the improvement in efficiency will pay off as well!

Baked a cake to bring into work as a combo birthday celebration for a team member and Christmas celebration for the team. MUCH cheaper than buying presents for my teammates, which is what several people have done, and provides the same amount of general good feeling.

Working on a master list of meals we can cook in bulk and stash in the freezer, and a (much shorter!) list of meals to make next week while I'm on leave. Next week's batch cooking will help us get through Uber Frugal January without resorting to takeaway. It'll skew our grocery spending for December, but eh. We'll survive.

Picked up a free blender from my local Buy Nothing Project. Our little bullet blender has been giving up lately.

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that your Buy Nothing group is showing signs of life!

Alas, it appears to be barely working and with a major leak. Sigh. Will be posting a gentle admin reminder about honesty in our gifts here soon =\ Work in progress. But hey, a few successful giftings per week, way more life than the 100% dead group I inherited a couple months ago!

Oh dear :-( and here I was getting annoyed at the woman on ours who responds to every. single. listing. saying she wants (whatever it is that's being given away). Sounds like you have much bigger issues!

Oh yes. Sadly, when the groups first get going, it's a lot of "ISO" and no responses and other such depressing things. Takes quite a bit of guidance to develop the culture! It's a bit depressing because my last group was *so* amazingly kind and well formed. Except for adding new members, I virtually didn't have admin duties! But hey, my New Group will get there too, I just need to get my butt in gear and keep hustling =) It's getting more active by the day!

As for your group lady: karma will happen! Gifters recognize those folks and will start choosing other members to gift to. The hope is, the neighbors will have their say!

[HappierAtHome]

Bracken Joy, my random number generator mysteriously seems to never pick the greedy lady when I need to raffle something ;-) so yes, I'm sure many people are quietly guiding resources towards those who seem most worthy.

[HappierAtHome]

Asked a baby shop to price match for the car seat we bought. They agreed!

Made a huge batch of homemade pizza for dinner. The crust was sooo good.

Showed my husband how to 'make' liquid hand soap (diluted castile soap with a little essential oil mixed in).

[Bracken_Joy]

Been hosting over for over Christmas. A couple things:
-planned ahead of time. We had purchased whole turkeys, big pork loins, etc, on sales after thanksgiving
-cooking things, vs having food delivered or going out or leaning on convenience foods
-cheap entertainment options so far
-bought our christmas gifts black friday/cyber monday on big sales

[rachellynn99]

Today we are all home from work and school. I had a big lasagna from Christmas Eve, that we ate for 2 meals and we have tons of other leftovers, so I put up three lunch sized portions to freeze for one of us to take to work next week. Got 5 eggs from our chickens. Eating leftovers from Christmas Eve and Dinner. We haven't went anywhere, so no gas spent.

We have been cleaning, organizing etc. today. It's yucky and rainy here so we haven't been outside except to tend the animals.

[I'm a red panda]

Bracken Joy, my random number generator mysteriously seems to never pick the greedy lady when I need to raffle something ;-) so yes, I'm sure many people are quietly guiding resources towards those who seem most worthy.

Are the group guidelines that it is supposed to be random? I never say I'm going to give something in the buy nothing group or freecycle randomly. 
I always give it to a polite person.

[Bracken_Joy]

Bracken Joy, my random number generator mysteriously seems to never pick the greedy lady when I need to raffle something ;-) so yes, I'm sure many people are quietly guiding resources towards those who seem most worthy.

Are the group guidelines that it is supposed to be random? I never say I'm going to give something in the buy nothing group or freecycle randomly. 
I always give it to a polite person.

Nope. Up to the gifter to choose how to gift.

[horsepoor]

The only personal travel I'm planning in 2017 is to go to Omaha for the equestrian World Cup.  Previously, I reserved a room at the Hilton that is attached to the event venue to the tune of $660 for three nights, and was dragging my feet on booking the flight since it was $450ish last month.  This morning, I snagged a flight returning one day later for $328, cancelled the Hilton reservation and booked four nights at a La Quinta near the airport for $379. Hoping to also get some points from work travel to cut that down a bit more. I figure three days of cabs back and forth to the venue will be cheaper than my original hotel reservation, plus I get to stay to the very end instead of catching a plane Sunday night.

Now if only I can talk someone into going with me and splitting hotel and cabs...

[nessness]

Took my toddler to the library and pet store for some free entertainment. She's been asking to see cows so if it warms up a little this afternoon we'll probably go to a free historic farm.

Gave her some junk mail to color on, then shredded it and used it as bedding for the chinchilla cage after she was done. Free and less wasteful!

[HappierAtHome]

Bracken Joy, my random number generator mysteriously seems to never pick the greedy lady when I need to raffle something ;-) so yes, I'm sure many people are quietly guiding resources towards those who seem most worthy.

Are the group guidelines that it is supposed to be random? I never say I'm going to give something in the buy nothing group or freecycle randomly. 
I always give it to a polite person.

Nope. Up to the gifter to choose how to gift.

My group's norms (not rules) are that it's either first to comment, or you raffle. I raffle when more than one person has commented by the time I check back, or when I know it'll be a popular item I'll state in my post that I'll wait a day and then raffle.

[1967mama]

- perogies, ham and frozen veggies for dinner instead of going out with our big group. Would be easy to do because I'm exhausted

- reading tons of books from the public library

- playing games over the holidays - a few new ones a a few old ones
One I ordered from a Amazon after reading it recommended on the forum called "Anomia" and it's excellent!

- eating up leftovers from our Christmas celebrations

- staying out of malls and stores. I've spent enough money this month!

[Step37]

The only personal travel I'm planning in 2017 is to go to Omaha for the equestrian World Cup.  Previously, I reserved a room at the Hilton that is attached to the event venue to the tune of $660 for three nights, and was dragging my feet on booking the flight since it was $450ish last month.  This morning, I snagged a flight returning one day later for $328, cancelled the Hilton reservation and booked four nights at a La Quinta near the airport for $379. Hoping to also get some points from work travel to cut that down a bit more. I figure three days of cabs back and forth to the venue will be cheaper than my original hotel reservation, plus I get to stay to the very end instead of catching a plane Sunday night.

Now if only I can talk someone into going with me and splitting hotel and cabs...

Horsepoor... I am so happy to see someone on this forum that's thinking of going. I went solo to Vegas in 2015... walked back and forth 1.5 miles to the venue, packed food to eat and loved every minute. Unfortunately, flights from Edmonton to Omaha SUCK, the USD/CAD exchange rate is terrible (and getting worse) so I will probably watch on FEI TV this time. But if I find a decent and reasonably-priced flight, maybe I'll check back and see if you're still looking for a roomie!

[Mezzie]

I'm hosting a party tomorrow, so I scoped out a newly opened Aldi. We felt like we'd traveled back in time -- the prices were almost shockingly low. I got non-alcoholic beverages for the party and gluten-free flour for the fried chicken for pocket change. The alcohol will be provided by gifts of beer and wine over the past year (I can't drink because of some medication I'm on). I will definitely be making this store part of my regular rotation.

[Kitsune]

Had my usual list of "things I am looking to buy", which I checked for Boxing Day sales on. No good sales on things we actually needed, and so didn't buy anything.

[I'm a red panda]

My dog chews a nylabone to the point where it becomes dangerous (just too much plastic coming off it) in about 2 weeks.  Rather than replace them this often- we've started using a saw to chop off the chewed end (because of course the dog only chews ONE side, and will not TOUCH the other one) so it is chewable again :)  We can do this twice before the bones become too small for me to want to give them to him.

Now we get about 6 weeks out of a bone instead of 2 :)


Wish there was a way to make the dog realize these things are double sided....

[horsepoor]

The only personal travel I'm planning in 2017 is to go to Omaha for the equestrian World Cup.  Previously, I reserved a room at the Hilton that is attached to the event venue to the tune of $660 for three nights, and was dragging my feet on booking the flight since it was $450ish last month.  This morning, I snagged a flight returning one day later for $328, cancelled the Hilton reservation and booked four nights at a La Quinta near the airport for $379. Hoping to also get some points from work travel to cut that down a bit more. I figure three days of cabs back and forth to the venue will be cheaper than my original hotel reservation, plus I get to stay to the very end instead of catching a plane Sunday night.

Now if only I can talk someone into going with me and splitting hotel and cabs...

Horsepoor... I am so happy to see someone on this forum that's thinking of going. I went solo to Vegas in 2015... walked back and forth 1.5 miles to the venue, packed food to eat and loved every minute. Unfortunately, flights from Edmonton to Omaha SUCK, the USD/CAD exchange rate is terrible (and getting worse) so I will probably watch on FEI TV this time. But if I find a decent and reasonably-priced flight, maybe I'll check back and see if you're still looking for a roomie!

Glad you enjoyed the trip last time!  Yes, the tickets aren't cheap; the lower sections were pretty much sold out, so I went for the upper sections and still... over $400 total... but last year I happened to be in DC for the Washington International and it was thrilling, so I know I'm going to love it.  Jumping is fun to watch, but dressage is totally my jam.

[Mongoose]

Traded haircuts with DH. Bonus: I almost always get a meh to bad haircut. I like this one!

[horsepoor]

Had my usual list of "things I am looking to buy", which I checked for Boxing Day sales on. No good sales on things we actually needed, and so didn't buy anything.

Oh yeah.  I went shopping yesterday since I need to dress more professionally than usual while I'm on a detail to DC this winter.  Couldn't find the specific items I wanted, so only bought four pairs of undies (on the list) and a big Fido jar for making sauerkraut.  Made it out of Marshall's without buying the Staub French oven I spied on the clearance table.  Pretty, but not the gorgeous basil color I really lust after.  Maybe someday when I get more Sur la Table gift cards from MIL...

[OmahaSteph]

The only personal travel I'm planning in 2017 is to go to Omaha for the equestrian World Cup.  Previously, I reserved a room at the Hilton that is attached to the event venue to the tune of $660 for three nights, and was dragging my feet on booking the flight since it was $450ish last month.  This morning, I snagged a flight returning one day later for $328, cancelled the Hilton reservation and booked four nights at a La Quinta near the airport for $379. Hoping to also get some points from work travel to cut that down a bit more. I figure three days of cabs back and forth to the venue will be cheaper than my original hotel reservation, plus I get to stay to the very end instead of catching a plane Sunday night.

Now if only I can talk someone into going with me and splitting hotel and cabs...

Horsepoor... I am so happy to see someone on this forum that's thinking of going. I went solo to Vegas in 2015... walked back and forth 1.5 miles to the venue, packed food to eat and loved every minute. Unfortunately, flights from Edmonton to Omaha SUCK, the USD/CAD exchange rate is terrible (and getting worse) so I will probably watch on FEI TV this time. But if I find a decent and reasonably-priced flight, maybe I'll check back and see if you're still looking for a roomie!

Glad you enjoyed the trip last time!  Yes, the tickets aren't cheap; the lower sections were pretty much sold out, so I went for the upper sections and still... over $400 total... but last year I happened to be in DC for the Washington International and it was thrilling, so I know I'm going to love it.  Jumping is fun to watch, but dressage is totally my jam.

You do know that there is a decent contingency of Mustachians in and around Omaha, right? And that one of them rents out her house a la AirBnB sometimes? Contact Crusher to see if she's willing. and let me know if you want to get together!

[1967mama]

Great idea on the nylabone, iowajes! Thanks!

Eating MORE leftovers today ... Trying to make sure we are eating the oldest things first (which may not be our favourites)

Used work car for a long errand (1 hour round trip) This is allowed in our company car and really helps me keep our gas bills down.

Trying to keep good track of library books to avoid fines.

Kids did 2 puzzles that we already owned, over Christmas -- putting away in ziplock bags and then elastics on the boxes.

Edit: typos

[10dollarsatatime]

I didn't buy the new stereo for my car...

I had to replace the my car battery and my stereo needs a code to reset after it loses power.  Turns out it is not the stereo that came with the car so the code in the glove box doesn't match.  Nearly talked myself into a new one.  With bluetooth, and and auxiliary input, and all that good stuff.  Came to my senses, did some research, figured out how to get the code. 

*sigh* I'll upgrade eventually.  Maybe.  Probably not.

[I'm a red panda]

Eating MORE leftovers today ... Trying to make sure we are eating the oldest things first (which may not be our favourites)

We have tamales to last until the new year!

[Rural]

Refrained from going to the store for ingredients for a dessert for in-laws' visit today - dug through the pantry and found ingredients for a cherry crumble instead.


I did go as far as Dollar General for TP, however, as it seemed rude to risk running out during the visit.

[rachellynn99]

gathered 6 eggs today
composted about 10 gallons of rabbit manure into our compost pile for gardening purposes
I made some cheesy quinoa broccoli soup with random ingredients I had handy- turned out good. Had one serving left, I froze for us to use for lunch when we go back to work in the new year.
Exchanged a book my daughter received for Christmas that she already had for one she has been wanting.
Took the kids to the local park to play

[Mezzie]

I saved $57 of the money I'd budgeted for the food at my party tomorrow by shopping at a different grocery store than my regular one.

[csprof]

Injured my toe skiing yesterday, and got my lift ticket and rentals for today fully refunded.  Stayed at home, worked, and prepped dinner while my family played.  Um, yay?  :p

[mustachepungoeshere]

Braved post-Christmas sales to buy next year's Christmas cards.

Spent $17 (I send about 90 cards) and went home. No impulse shopping.

[HappierAtHome]

Used a Christmas gift card to buy a maternity bra.

[plainjane]

Decided against waiting for an hour at the Egyptian brunch spot, instead went for a walk, ate apples we brought with us, and then came back for fried eggs with leftover spinach/cheddar polenta and my share of the leftover Christmas ham.

[Toffeemama]

I was planning on buying a math program for my daughter to use on the computer, but I missed the $13-off coupon's expiration date by a few weeks.  I emailed them to ask if they would send me a similar coupon code to use.  They offered me $9 off, plus bundled in their reading program for free!

[jengod]

Found 0.36 on the ground.

A friend regifted us some 10-bean-soup mix. I used leftover Christmas goose meat and broth for the base and now we have yummy soup.

[Bracken_Joy]

Saved my BIL money.

He meant to get us a bench press type bench for christmas, but instead got us an inclined fixed ab bench. So we went to exchange it. There wasn't an exact trade, and the one we decided on it turned out only had the floor model out. I asked for a discount and they gave 10% off.

Eating leftovers from all the big scale cooking I did for guests. And when it's just a smaller group (an extra 2 people, instead of an extra 5+), I've been "converting" the leftovers, like turkey sandwiches and turkey and rice soup.

[TightFistedScot]

I received a pair of clippers as an Xmas gift.

I gave myself my first haircut today (buzzed at #1). Saved myself $20-$25.

[frugalfelicia]

I received a pair of clippers as an Xmas gift.

I gave myself my first haircut today (buzzed at #1). Saved myself $20-$25.

Nice!

I've been doing my own hair and my kid's for a while now - have saved hundreds!

[1967mama]

Fired up my bread machine. So far have made a loaf of raisin bread and today my son made a regular sandwich loaf and made his own lunch with that.

Returning a load of books to the library and picking up some holds that came in.

Did the math on a family recreation pass and decided to skip it this year. $800 saved!

Quiet days at home this week after the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Invited to two different friends homes this weekend. One for dessert and one for lunch. Bringing a pan of homemade cinnamon buns as a hostess gift.

Making split pea soup for dinner with the leftover ham and ham bone.

[Step37]

+1 on the ham soup (ham bone/ham given to us by our Christmas dinner hosts, so double score!) - using up the last of the potatoes (getting soft but still totally fine) in the soup as well. It should feed us a few tasty meals for next to nothing.

Someone is coming to buy my downhill skis tonight (boots and helmet went yesterday) -- being done with skiing will save $$ for sure, and I LOVE not storing unused things. Getting money for them is an excellent bonus!

[mustachepungoeshere]

Planned the menu for NYE based around pantry ingredients I want to use up.

Also recycling candles and jars from my birthday party.

[frooglepoodle]

This is actually something I did before we left for the holidays, but I made sure we had enough food on hand to not have to immediately run to the store or rely on takeout when we returned. I thawed chili when we got home last night and made breakfast sausage and eggs this morning.

[OmahaSteph]

Made dinner out of two boxes of instant potato stroganoff I was gifted, along with two pounds of ground beef I had in the freezer. Also served leftover broccoli with pine nuts from Christmas. Made enough for me and the kids, a lunch for me to take to work, and dinner again tonight when we'll finish off the leftover green beans with garlic butter sauce. Yum.

Set out some dried chickpeas to soak in water to make homemade hummus for NYE. Also making a ham and cream cheese ball/spread with leftover ham.

Created new goals in Mint for Uber Frugal January.

[TightFistedScot]

Made dinner out of two boxes of instant potato stroganoff I was gifted, along with two pounds of ground beef I had in the freezer. Also served leftover broccoli with pine nuts from Christmas. Made enough for me and the kids, a lunch for me to take to work, and dinner again tonight when we'll finish off the leftover green beans with garlic butter sauce. Yum.

Set out some dried chickpeas to soak in water to make homemade hummus for NYE. Also making a ham and cream cheese ball/spread with leftover ham.

Created new goals in Mint for Uber Frugal January.

Yum and yum!

I think I'm going to follow suit and get on Mint. I've never used it before.

[frugalfelicia]

Caught a price error at the grocery store, so got SCOP - yay for free meat!

Used a coupon to get a 2L tub of frozen yogurt for 49 cents.

[Juslookin]

Cooking up a ham that we received as a gift today. Leftovers for lunch and freezing some leftover cookies to dole out to the family during the long winter ahead. 

When my mother asked what I wanted for Christmas, I asked for a gift card.  She gave me a $100.00 gift card that I will be using for groceries.  I intend to see how far I can make it stretch at Aldis. 

Some friends are going out to dinner tonight, I cancelled.  They changed the venue last minute to a place not very Celiac friendly and I didn't want to take the chance or spend the money.  It seems like they're angry, not sure why, still a big group of them, they don't need me, besides, they're the ones that changed the place.  Oh well.  I need to find some more like minded people who don't want to spend a lot of money to have a nice time. 

[lhamo]

So far the only money I have spent since Christmas Day (when I had to buy whipped cream on the way to family meal) is $.47 on a stamp.   I will do a small grocery shop tomorrow, and maybe treat the kids to teriyaki, but other than that I think this is pretty much going to be a no-spend week.