Author Topic: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?  (Read 117983 times)

SingleMomDebt

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What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #200 on: June 24, 2017, 11:53:59 PM »
We have clear plastic shower curtains.  When they get yucky, I run them through the washing machine with a few junky towels and some detergent.  They come out not-quite-good-as-new but much cleaner/nicer. 

They are cheap so it's only partly to save money.  Mostly it's to keep them out of the landfill.

Wait - shower curtains can go in the washer? Really?


I've had my curtain and liner for years. Add a dash of bleach w/ detergent to the wash and it comes out like new.

nouveauRiche

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #201 on: June 25, 2017, 07:10:50 PM »
We have clear plastic shower curtains.  When they get yucky, I run them through the washing machine with a few junky towels and some detergent.  They come out not-quite-good-as-new but much cleaner/nicer. 

They are cheap so it's only partly to save money.  Mostly it's to keep them out of the landfill.

Wait - shower curtains can go in the washer? Really?


I've done it a bunch.  Just throw it in with detergent & some old towels.  You'll be amazed.

sequoia

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #202 on: June 26, 2017, 09:29:46 PM »
We have clear plastic shower curtains.  When they get yucky, I run them through the washing machine with a few junky towels and some detergent.  They come out not-quite-good-as-new but much cleaner/nicer. 

They are cheap so it's only partly to save money.  Mostly it's to keep them out of the landfill.

Wait - shower curtains can go in the washer? Really?


I've done it a bunch.  Just throw it in with detergent & some old towels.  You'll be amazed.

Yes we have done it a bunch of time too :) We have one of those that does not feel like plastic - not sure what they are made of, but it is nicer that plastic. We do not like how the plastic shower curtain feels.

Paul der Krake

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #203 on: June 26, 2017, 11:28:00 PM »
Yes we have done it a bunch of time too :) We have one of those that does not feel like plastic - not sure what they are made of, but it is nicer that plastic. We do not like how the plastic shower curtain feels.
You take your shower curtain to toga parties too?

sequoia

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #204 on: June 27, 2017, 08:51:30 AM »
Yes we have done it a bunch of time too :) We have one of those that does not feel like plastic - not sure what they are made of, but it is nicer that plastic. We do not like how the plastic shower curtain feels.
You take your shower curtain to toga parties too?

LOL - you almost cost me a new keyboard because I almost spray my coffee all over it!

Now back to the topic at hand :)

ambimammular

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #205 on: June 28, 2017, 08:06:20 PM »
Turning off the lights while brushing teeth and turning it on when ready to spit it out. Bathrooms in my apartment have no windows.
I stopped doing this later though :)
I've found showering in the dark to be quite therapeutic.  Shortly afterwards I found out how to replace the light bulb in my bathroom (no window in my bathroom either).  I still do it sometimes.

When I was a kid, I would often walk into the bathroom, flick on the lights, and find that my mom had been sitting on the toilet in the dark. I always thought, "seriously!"

Now, I figure there's plenty of ambient light from the window or cracked doorway. Not like I have to see much to do my business.

ambimammular

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #206 on: June 28, 2017, 08:13:28 PM »
Come to think of it, I do a lot of wandering around my house with the lights off. The windows work fine for daytime. And I know my way around all the furniture. The worst thing might be stepping on a kid toy.

I do use lamps for reading.

TartanTallulah

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #207 on: June 30, 2017, 03:10:20 AM »
I once had my hand luggage searched at Zurich Airport on my way home at the end of a hiking holiday in the Swiss Alps because the x-ray machine picked up suspicious packages. The customs officer didn't crack a smile as he pulled out nearly-full bags of Migros own brand white flour, sugar, rice and pasta and a jar of paprika. Well, y'know, food's expensive in Switzerland, I hate food waste at the best of time, and my bag was well under the weight limit.

To add to the sitcom effect, someone of my acquaintance from home was coming through at the same time and got a new perspective of the sort of person I am.

(See also: Being stopped at security at Berlin because of suspicious oblong packages in my hand luggage. I am that person who thought there might not be an Aldi on every street corner in Berlin, and carried a dozen cheap flapjacks from home.)

Aelias

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #208 on: June 30, 2017, 08:23:38 AM »
Drive the same vehicle I bought in college.   I'm almost 50 now.

That's impressive!  Are you willing to share more details?  Make?  Year?  Miles?

Edited to add:  I'm going to go out on a limb and guess Honda.

93 Toyota Pick Up with 550K miles.     I sold it to my mechanic once and it made me so sad that my GF bought it back from him for my surprise birthday present.   It was also stolen last year and I just recovered it after police arrested some guy on gun related charges.  I'm super stoked....love that stupid truck


This is so awesome.  I had the 1995 Toyota Paseo I bought used in high school for 16 years.  After 16 years with me and 275K miles, the rocker panels were rusted beyond repair (stupid winter!).

I miss that car.  We kept the license plate and put in on our wall.

Aelias

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #209 on: June 30, 2017, 08:43:16 AM »
There's so much here that I'm like, "Wait, that's not normal?" ;)

Here's my short list:

-Lived in an apartment with basically no heat in Boston. For 7 years.
-Drove a car gifted to us by some friends for more than a year, while the interior was falling off in big chunks.
-Reusing baggies and foil, naturally!
-Renting a room in our home to a long-time babysitter for $$ and free babysitting
-Still have free furniture from my husband's parents, that is probably 40 years old
-Get almost all kids stuff second hand
-Don't buy shampoo or conditioner anymore--use the hotel samples from business travel / Mother-in-law's casino stays

And I still have some seriously face-punch worthy habits! So much room for improvement!

sequoia

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #210 on: June 30, 2017, 09:50:19 AM »
I once had my hand luggage searched at Zurich Airport on my way home at the end of a hiking holiday in the Swiss Alps because the x-ray machine picked up suspicious packages. The customs officer didn't crack a smile as he pulled out nearly-full bags of Migros own brand white flour, sugar, rice and pasta and a jar of paprika. Well, y'know, food's expensive in Switzerland, I hate food waste at the best of time, and my bag was well under the weight limit.

To add to the sitcom effect, someone of my acquaintance from home was coming through at the same time and got a new perspective of the sort of person I am.

(See also: Being stopped at security at Berlin because of suspicious oblong packages in my hand luggage. I am that person who thought there might not be an Aldi on every street corner in Berlin, and carried a dozen cheap flapjacks from home.)

This reminds me of traveling many years ago, pre 9-11, extra security measures and airline being very strict on weight of suitcase. I travel light, but always have two huge suitcases plus a carry-on for my trips to SE Asia. On the way back, I would pack them with food - noodles, crackers pretty much anything that I can think of, up to the max weight. The look on the custom officers who inspect the suitcases are priceless hahaha

JAYSLOL

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #211 on: July 01, 2017, 11:04:14 AM »
Company I work for is about to return a leased work van to the dealership, but before I return it I'm going to siphon out most of the fuel.  Should get enough to fill up our smaller ranger work truck.

JAYSLOL

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #212 on: July 01, 2017, 12:31:27 PM »
Drive the same vehicle I bought in college.   I'm almost 50 now.

That's impressive!  Are you willing to share more details?  Make?  Year?  Miles?

Edited to add:  I'm going to go out on a limb and guess Honda.

93 Toyota Pick Up with 550K miles.     I sold it to my mechanic once and it made me so sad that my GF bought it back from him for my surprise birthday present.   It was also stolen last year and I just recovered it after police arrested some guy on gun related charges.  I'm super stoked....love that stupid truck


This is so awesome.  I had the 1995 Toyota Paseo I bought used in high school for 16 years.  After 16 years with me and 275K miles, the rocker panels were rusted beyond repair (stupid winter!).

I miss that car.  We kept the license plate and put in on our wall.

I've still got the '95 Tercel I got in high school in 2002, lol.  Unbelievably, basically no rust, but the clear coat is peeling pretty bad now.  330k and still runs like new. 

Linea_Norway

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #213 on: July 04, 2017, 04:29:23 AM »
Yesterday, in a far away refrigerator at work, I found an unopened portion pack of quark with my name on it. I was from september 2015. I opened it, sniffed it, tasted it and nothing seemed to be wrong with it. I was hungry and ate the whole portion. Didn't feel anything weird in the stomach region. I figured that yoghurt-like bacteria are quite safe to eat over the date, as long as nothing green or blue or hairy starts growing in it.

druth

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #214 on: July 05, 2017, 08:25:37 PM »
Yesterday, in a far away refrigerator at work, I found an unopened portion pack of quark with my name on it. I was from september 2015. I opened it, sniffed it, tasted it and nothing seemed to be wrong with it. I was hungry and ate the whole portion. Didn't feel anything weird in the stomach region. I figured that yoghurt-like bacteria are quite safe to eat over the date, as long as nothing green or blue or hairy starts growing in it.

This is probably my craziest thing.  I definitely eat things that other people wouldn't because I don't want to waste.  Found a caterpillar in a bell pepper.  Set the caterpillar outside, washed the bell pepper, good as new.  I usually just don't tell my boyfriend when I do these things, because he wouldn't eat it if he knew, but he can't actually tell once it's cooked.  Same with mold or whatever, just take out the part you don't want and it's fine.

I may even have fished things out of the trash that he tossed, though I usually only keep that for myself. 

iceberg8

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #215 on: July 07, 2017, 02:57:01 PM »
Did build our house on my own. It is not finished yet, but I can't wait once it will be done. Saving me a lot of $$$ too. Not all works tho, like roof, but I would, next time, as the prices are rocketing to da moon. Hard work, sure, double hard when I am somewhere and forget some tool, need to walk twice. of when there is no one who would help hold some heavy object.. But funny, with some tricks I did lift 355 pound linter without much effort.. A lot of fun and memories during this hobby of mine.

Other than that, a lot of crazy things, like buying ¬96 cans of tuna for good price, but mainly it was for preps :D After 4 or 5 years, I am still eating these. Taste the same..

Or - i travel abroad with six 20L fuel canisters in the trunk. (6x5.28gal) as I save 10c on each liter. (170liter was the max i took) its like 10% saving on fuel. Since I travel 14miles and 14 miles back, I need to take not only 1 full tank, but rather 3, to have real savings on those extra two (6 canisters). looks funny, I could post some pics for some laugh... Also, people laugh and ask about MPG, since its hothatch of some kind..

sequoia

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #216 on: July 07, 2017, 10:28:58 PM »
Or - i travel abroad with six 20L fuel canisters in the trunk. (6x5.28gal) as I save 10c on each liter. (170liter was the max i took) its like 10% saving on fuel. Since I travel 14miles and 14 miles back, I need to take not only 1 full tank, but rather 3, to have real savings on those extra two (6 canisters). looks funny, I could post some pics for some laugh... Also, people laugh and ask about MPG, since its hothatch of some kind..

Oh hey! We do something similar too. Kroger gives double points if you buy things on certain days. From points, you can get discounts on gas. We usually get 10c-60c/gallon. You can only use it in one transaction, and only buy maximum 35 gallons. So we would drive both cars, top them off, and bring our two cans so we can buy the max amount.

force majeure

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #217 on: July 08, 2017, 12:12:54 AM »
I was attending my dental hygienist for my bi-annual check up. She went ahead and started a scale and polish procedure, and I was not ready for it. I put my hand up and asked her to stop, made my excuses and left. I went home and ordered a home dental kit online - scraper, descaler, mirror thing, etc. Now I am doing the task myself, without damage or pain. Its a bit fiddley, but I am getting better with practice. One time investment of $11, versus $80 every dentist visit. Thats another job insourced.

Joggernot

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #218 on: July 08, 2017, 03:15:13 PM »
I was attending my dental hygienist for my bi-annual check up. She went ahead and started a scale and polish procedure, and I was not ready for it. I put my hand up and asked her to stop, made my excuses and left. I went home and ordered a home dental kit online - scraper, descaler, mirror thing, etc. Now I am doing the task myself, without damage or pain. Its a bit fiddley, but I am getting better with practice. One time investment of $11, versus $80 every dentist visit. Thats another job insourced.
My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

iceberg8

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #219 on: July 09, 2017, 04:08:47 AM »
I am amazed by the dentist's market.. It's like a dream job* , 6 fig paycheck easily.. Why there aren't more dentist's ? i am wondering myself, why I did not chose to be dentist.
*except you have to smell patients breath.

Linea_Norway

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #220 on: July 09, 2017, 04:45:23 AM »
I am amazed by the dentist's market.. It's like a dream job* , 6 fig paycheck easily.. Why there aren't more dentist's ? i am wondering myself, why I did not chose to be dentist.
*except you have to smell patients breath.

Maybe THAT is why they use a mouth cap that also covers their nose...

I personally wouldn't consider it a dream job. I cannot stand the sound of a dentist drill...
I also think it requires a large investment buying the equipment in a dentist office.

sequoia

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #221 on: July 09, 2017, 10:04:46 AM »
I was attending my dental hygienist for my bi-annual check up. She went ahead and started a scale and polish procedure, and I was not ready for it. I put my hand up and asked her to stop, made my excuses and left. I went home and ordered a home dental kit online - scraper, descaler, mirror thing, etc. Now I am doing the task myself, without damage or pain. Its a bit fiddley, but I am getting better with practice. One time investment of $11, versus $80 every dentist visit. Thats another job insourced.
My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.

fuzzy math

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #222 on: July 09, 2017, 10:52:54 AM »


My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

You should search around at the grocery store / newspaper racks for those little coupon books where offices advertise a flat discounted fee for new clients...

Luckyvik

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #223 on: July 09, 2017, 03:37:32 PM »


My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

You should search around at the grocery store / newspaper racks for those little coupon books where offices advertise a flat discounted fee for new clients...
What about a dentist school? They must need patients to practice on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Joggernot

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #224 on: July 09, 2017, 05:21:39 PM »


My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

You should search around at the grocery store / newspaper racks for those little coupon books where offices advertise a flat discounted fee for new clients...
What about a dentist school? They must need patients to practice on.
Y'all must live in a city.  I don't.  No such things out here.

Lmoot

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #225 on: July 09, 2017, 08:14:00 PM »
 Took cold showers, and lived without AC for two years, in Florida. I could've lived in definitely with it, but I got pets, and my furniture wasn't faring well and I constantly had to stay on top of humidity issues. I still keep it at 80° in the summer though.

 Also when two of my coworkers said they were looking for a place to rent, I impulsively offered up my own house. Four years later and I'm on my second set of renters.

Mr. Green

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #226 on: July 11, 2017, 07:25:58 AM »
Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.
If you skip the x-rays, how do you catch cavities between teeth where the dentist can't see? Most of my cavities have been that type. If I didn't have the x-rays done I'd have a mouth full of crowns since I wouldn't know about the cavities until the tooth hurts and then it's too late.

Lmoot

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #227 on: July 11, 2017, 09:07:46 AM »
^ I guess that's what makes it "crazy" LOL

dividendman

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #228 on: July 11, 2017, 09:19:10 AM »
Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.
If you skip the x-rays, how do you catch cavities between teeth where the dentist can't see? Most of my cavities have been that type. If I didn't have the x-rays done I'd have a mouth full of crowns since I wouldn't know about the cavities until the tooth hurts and then it's too late.

I went to a dentist like 10 years ago. She said i needed my wisdom teeth out and they were impacted and i might have cavities and need a root canal and all this crap. My teeth felt perfectly fine, so I just got the cleaning, and ignored the rest.

10 years later my teeth are still fine. They're white, they don't hurt. I do brush and floss (even though a study came out saying there is no evidence flossing actually helps https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/health/flossing-teeth-cavities.html). I really think dentists are full of garbage.

It's like the health experts and doctors who said eat a lot of carbs and low fat (oh, and eggs are going to give you high cholesterol and you'll die from eating them!!!). Just saying stuff cause they were taught it instead of doing studies. Or using insulin to treat type 2 diabetes... all garbage.

Mr. Green

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #229 on: July 11, 2017, 09:26:15 AM »
Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.
If you skip the x-rays, how do you catch cavities between teeth where the dentist can't see? Most of my cavities have been that type. If I didn't have the x-rays done I'd have a mouth full of crowns since I wouldn't know about the cavities until the tooth hurts and then it's too late.

I went to a dentist like 10 years ago. She said i needed my wisdom teeth out and they were impacted and i might have cavities and need a root canal and all this crap. My teeth felt perfectly fine, so I just got the cleaning, and ignored the rest.

10 years later my teeth are still fine. They're white, they don't hurt. I do brush and floss (even though a study came out saying there is no evidence flossing actually helps https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/health/flossing-teeth-cavities.html). I really think dentists are full of garbage.

It's like the health experts and doctors who said eat a lot of carbs and low fat (oh, and eggs are going to give you high cholesterol and you'll die from eating them!!!). Just saying stuff cause they were taught it instead of doing studies. Or using insulin to treat type 2 diabetes... all garbage.
I guess maybe it depends on your teeth? Some years back I had an x-ray show what was likely a cavity and I held off for a good year since my tooth didn't hurt. That decision was the reason for my first crown, because the cavity got so large that the tooth didn't have enough integrity left for a regular filling. Every subsequent x-ray that has indicated a likely cavity has turned out to be exactly that. I now schedule any fillings ASAP if an x-ray yields a "week spot".
« Last Edit: July 11, 2017, 09:27:52 AM by Mr. Green »

marielle

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #230 on: July 11, 2017, 09:40:53 AM »
Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.
If you skip the x-rays, how do you catch cavities between teeth where the dentist can't see? Most of my cavities have been that type. If I didn't have the x-rays done I'd have a mouth full of crowns since I wouldn't know about the cavities until the tooth hurts and then it's too late.

I went to a dentist like 10 years ago. She said i needed my wisdom teeth out and they were impacted and i might have cavities and need a root canal and all this crap. My teeth felt perfectly fine, so I just got the cleaning, and ignored the rest.

10 years later my teeth are still fine. They're white, they don't hurt. I do brush and floss (even though a study came out saying there is no evidence flossing actually helps https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/health/flossing-teeth-cavities.html). I really think dentists are full of garbage.

It's like the health experts and doctors who said eat a lot of carbs and low fat (oh, and eggs are going to give you high cholesterol and you'll die from eating them!!!). Just saying stuff cause they were taught it instead of doing studies. Or using insulin to treat type 2 diabetes... all garbage.

Sounds like you just had a bad dentist. I had a similar thing happen to me, a dentist quoted $2000+ worth of work including a root canal, crown, and getting some fillings redone. I got a second opinion and just did a filling for $200 without the root canal, crown, or any other fillings.

That flossing article just says that there isn't enough evidence yet. So basically it says nothing. All I have is anecdotal evidence, but if I don't floss I get cavities each year between my teeth. There's really no reason not to.

secondcor521

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #231 on: July 11, 2017, 09:47:46 AM »
I am amazed by the dentist's market.. It's like a dream job* , 6 fig paycheck easily.. Why there aren't more dentist's ? i am wondering myself, why I did not chose to be dentist.
*except you have to smell patients breath.

It is only a slight exaggeration to say that there is a dentist on nearly every street corner in the Boise area.  When my daughter was considering it a little bit, I urged her to go for the extra schooling and choose a dental specialty like orthodontics or periodontics; those markets seem much less saturated, around here at least.

iceberg8

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #232 on: July 11, 2017, 11:06:11 AM »
secondcor521, That's true.

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #233 on: July 11, 2017, 12:41:42 PM »
^ I guess that's what makes it "crazy" LOL

It's a false economy to skip going to the dentist. 

I waited to go to the dentist (due to being super-busy at work, not to save money).  As a result, I wound up needing a root canal & crown (costing $1600 IIRC) and then ultimately cracked the same tooth and had to have it extracted (cost I don't recall) and replaced with a fake (cost ~$5000).


My cleanings have been a lot less unpleasant since I started flossing regularly.  YMMY.

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #234 on: July 11, 2017, 04:03:58 PM »
Not the craziest, but kinda funny. My idea of going out is just to get out and see stuff, not to buy or eat. Wanted to take my family out for a fun morning and have breakfast out. By breakfast out I told my wife id boil some eggs and bring them and almonds and eat it in the car on the way so we could just buy her a meal and let the 1 and 4 year old kids snack off her plate. She begged me to just enjoy a meal w us and be normal, so I did. I was definitely thinking about what else that $10 could have been used for lol.

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #235 on: July 11, 2017, 08:44:51 PM »
Not the craziest, but kinda funny. My idea of going out is just to get out and see stuff, not to buy or eat. Wanted to take my family out for a fun morning and have breakfast out. By breakfast out I told my wife id boil some eggs and bring them and almonds and eat it in the car on the way so we could just buy her a meal and let the 1 and 4 year old kids snack off her plate. She begged me to just enjoy a meal w us and be normal, so I did. I was definitely thinking about what else that $10 could have been used for lol.

My kids got free subway meals as a part of some kids summer physical activity program by the local hospital. I can't stand subway so I ate right before we went out, but DH bought a sandwich there so we wouldn't be total cheapasses spending $0 there. I tried to convince him to get the discounted sub of the day, but it was meatball and he said no :eyeroll:

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #236 on: July 13, 2017, 06:22:46 PM »
Not the craziest, but kinda funny. My idea of going out is just to get out and see stuff, not to buy or eat. Wanted to take my family out for a fun morning and have breakfast out. By breakfast out I told my wife id boil some eggs and bring them and almonds and eat it in the car on the way so we could just buy her a meal and let the 1 and 4 year old kids snack off her plate. She begged me to just enjoy a meal w us and be normal, so I did. I was definitely thinking about what else that $10 could have been used for lol.

My kids got free subway meals as a part of some kids summer physical activity program by the local hospital. I can't stand subway so I ate right before we went out, but DH bought a sandwich there so we wouldn't be total cheapasses spending $0 there. I tried to convince him to get the discounted sub of the day, but it was meatball and he said no :eyeroll:

Yea I'd pass on the meat ball sub too. Gross.

Primm

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #237 on: October 24, 2017, 12:43:20 AM »
I was attending my dental hygienist for my bi-annual check up. She went ahead and started a scale and polish procedure, and I was not ready for it. I put my hand up and asked her to stop, made my excuses and left. I went home and ordered a home dental kit online - scraper, descaler, mirror thing, etc. Now I am doing the task myself, without damage or pain. Its a bit fiddley, but I am getting better with practice. One time investment of $11, versus $80 every dentist visit. Thats another job insourced.
My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.

Do you fly? Because a dental X-ray exposes you to about 0.01mSv of radiation, which is the same as about 3.5 hours of flying. Every banana you eat exposes you to about 1 microSv of radiation, or 10mSv. So a dental X-ray is as dangerous as eating 10 bananas...

frugalnacho

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #238 on: October 26, 2017, 01:30:49 PM »
About 10 years ago I was working on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, my first job out of college.  My company was closing it's doors and I asked if I could take an old brown leather computer chair home with me.  At one point, it was probably the crème de la crème of chairs, but by now it was probably 20+ years old and had a few tears in the seat so it was just going to get thrown away.  Luckily, the answer was yes, but it had to be gone that same day.  That didn't leave me enough time to arrange a ride, so if I wanted it, I needed to lug it home with me.  I thought I could wheel it down the sidewalk, but it was winter and the plastic wheels were not happy with the cold and salt and I didn't want them to be ruined.  So I hoisted that thing up on my head (and it's heavy because it's old) and carried it 6 blocks to the EL train, and then another mile from my stop to my apartment.  My neck and head were pretty sore by the time I made it home, but it's a great chair.  Still have it to this day.  I can still remember some of the looks I got from people when they saw a guy in a tie walking down the Mag Mile carrying a chair on his head.  I wasn't even that Mustacian back then, I just knew I wanted that chair!


MountainGal

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #239 on: October 27, 2017, 11:54:15 AM »
As someone who used to live a block off the Mag Mile, I would have loved to have witnessed you and said chair!  :D

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #240 on: October 27, 2017, 01:43:31 PM »
I was attending my dental hygienist for my bi-annual check up. She went ahead and started a scale and polish procedure, and I was not ready for it. I put my hand up and asked her to stop, made my excuses and left. I went home and ordered a home dental kit online - scraper, descaler, mirror thing, etc. Now I am doing the task myself, without damage or pain. Its a bit fiddley, but I am getting better with practice. One time investment of $11, versus $80 every dentist visit. Thats another job insourced.
My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.

Do you fly? Because a dental X-ray exposes you to about 0.01mSv of radiation, which is the same as about 3.5 hours of flying. Every banana you eat exposes you to about 1 microSv of radiation, or 10mSv. So a dental X-ray is as dangerous as eating 10 bananas...

I would be interested in seeing the research behind that. Could you post a link of the studies?

nancy33

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #241 on: October 28, 2017, 09:24:37 AM »
When I was a kid, my grandma (who came from an extremely wealthy family and lived in a very wealthy neighborhood) would take very long evening walk every day and sometimes "dumpster dive" in the neighbor's trash on garbage night. When I was visiting her it really freaked me out, but one time she found an awesome sewing basket for me.  The worst was when she pulled a bag of unshucked corn on the cob out of someone's trash can and took it home and cooked it up and served it for dinner. She couldn't force me to eat it. Gross that was not sanitary!  This was about 45 years ago, she was the original dumpster diver LOL

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #242 on: October 28, 2017, 04:39:20 PM »
I used to address letters to myself, then clearly put the intended recipient's address in the "from" area.  I would drop them in the mail in Houston with no stamp.  The US Postal Service would stamp them "insufficient postage" and dutifully "return" them to, say, my sister in California.

LOL. With a mind like that you should work on Wall st.

Been re washing and using plastic baggies as long as they have been around, not from a frugal mind set but an environmental one.

Dumpster diving at Natural food store, but only in nice cold winter was pretty standard for us.

Dicey

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #243 on: October 28, 2017, 10:39:15 PM »
Today was Community Service Day. The high school had a huge campus clean-up going on and they were one of the projects I was monitoring. Apparently they'd gone to Panera Bread for a "dough" nation. At the end of the event, they had a lot left over and didn't know what to do with it. I had them put the bread in my car. I then contacted my friend from the Food Bank, and she gave me the name of a shelter she thought could use it. She warned me not to go alone, so late this afternoon, after all the projects were done, DH and I made the 18-mile trek to deliver the bread. We also contributed the leftover snacks from other projects.

As I was driving around with a giant bag of assorted bagels and an even bigger bag of assorted loaves of bread, the smell was amazing! A loaf or two may have become separated from the herd and may become French Toast for breakfast in the morning and French Onion Soup for dinner. I feel a little guilty about that, but had I not spoken up, I have a sneaking suspicion it all would have ended up in a dumpster.

There was no way in hell I was going to let all that perfectly good bread go to waste. Frugal? Check. Crazy? Double check.

BAM

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #244 on: October 29, 2017, 10:17:19 AM »
A few years ago our washing machine broke. We washed our clothes in the bathtub - one of my olders would help me stomp them, then we would rinse and wring by hand and hang outside to dry. Gave us time to find a good deal on a washing machine before buying which took 1-2 months to find what we wanted at the price we wanted (we are very hard on washing machines so needed a good one). We had 7 kids at the time -so were washing for 9 people.

Dicey

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #245 on: October 29, 2017, 11:45:26 AM »
A few years ago our washing machine broke. We washed our clothes in the bathtub - one of my olders would help me stomp them, then we would rinse and wring by hand and hang outside to dry. Gave us time to find a good deal on a washing machine before buying which took 1-2 months to find what we wanted at the price we wanted (we are very hard on washing machines so needed a good one). We had 7 kids at the time -so were washing for 9 people.
Wow. Baddest of all badasses right there^.

Hula Hoop

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #246 on: October 29, 2017, 03:15:07 PM »
I think BAM and spouse win the prize for most mustachian.



Primm

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #247 on: October 29, 2017, 10:34:24 PM »
I was attending my dental hygienist for my bi-annual check up. She went ahead and started a scale and polish procedure, and I was not ready for it. I put my hand up and asked her to stop, made my excuses and left. I went home and ordered a home dental kit online - scraper, descaler, mirror thing, etc. Now I am doing the task myself, without damage or pain. Its a bit fiddley, but I am getting better with practice. One time investment of $11, versus $80 every dentist visit. Thats another job insourced.
My dentist passed away a couple months ago and, of course, I broke a tooth about a month ago.  I called the business to get an appointment with the other dentist to fix the tooth.  This dentist runs a welfare office, not a dentist office.  Even though he had all my records from his partner he REQUIRED that I first have a full mouth x-ray, a cleaning, and an exam by him before he would schedule me to have my tooth fixed.  I explained that I only have six natural teeth in my mouth and a cleaning wasn't needed; I don't want the extra x-rays for personal reasons.  As for an exam, if he can't find the broken front tooth, he is in the wrong business.  I have no dental insurance, so I am living with the broken tooth.  I won't pay welfare or blackmail just to have a tooth repaired.  Still looking for another dentist.

Wow... We have refused the yearly/extra x-ray with our regular dentist. Just personal preference, that we do not want to have x-ray beamed into our heads no matter how safe it is supposed to be. Our dentist is fine with that, never put any pressure. Like you, we would have leave if it is required. Same with my son's dentist as well. Hope you find another dentist.

Do you fly? Because a dental X-ray exposes you to about 0.01mSv of radiation, which is the same as about 3.5 hours of flying. Every banana you eat exposes you to about 1 microSv of radiation, or 10mSv. So a dental X-ray is as dangerous as eating 10 bananas...

I would be interested in seeing the research behind that. Could you post a link of the studies?

I don't have access to the figures at home, but when I get to work (in a radiology clinic) I can pull out the manual for our CT machines if you like.

ACyclist

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #248 on: November 04, 2017, 09:00:17 AM »
I bike all year long, even in the snow.  (Love biking, so not so bad for me)
Re-wash baggies for environmental and cost measures.
Sew my clothing back together.  Sports gear is too expensive to just toss, when a rip occurs.
Live in a very modest home.  We can afford way more, but choose to save the excess and keep debt down.
Bring lunch all the time.  It's rare to need to buy something out.
We buy clothing at second hand stores.

Tom Bri

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Re: What's the craziest thing you've done in the name of frugality?
« Reply #249 on: November 04, 2017, 11:19:36 PM »
A few years ago our washing machine broke. We washed our clothes in the bathtub - one of my olders would help me stomp them, then we would rinse and wring by hand and hang outside to dry. Gave us time to find a good deal on a washing machine before buying which took 1-2 months to find what we wanted at the price we wanted (we are very hard on washing machines so needed a good one). We had 7 kids at the time -so were washing for 9 people.
Wow. Baddest of all badasses right there^.
Yep. I wasn't think so badass, until I hit the 'for 9 people' part.
For a single person, I found that putting the clothes on and rubbing the soap all over as you wear them works best...did that while backpacking.