Author Topic: Eliminate Rip Offs!  (Read 5280 times)

Ottawa

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Eliminate Rip Offs!
« on: May 16, 2014, 12:03:34 PM »
According to this list, Mustachians would do well to avoid them all!  Of course, there are plenty more - which can be added on in the comments.  Here are the ones I need to work on still: 

6) Branded Pain Killers - sometimes we don't get the generic.  We have to work on that.
12) I'm divided on this one.  No cancellation fees and I pay $400 per year (work subsidized).  This will probably get let go in FIRE - I will accumulate my own home gym at that time.
13) I have never done this before.  But, I started changing my own (winter/summer) tires 2 years ago.  It looks easy and I need new rear brake pads.  Will do myself!

What about you?  Gauntlet - Eliminate these ripoffs!  I can update this post to include any other wide-ranging ripoffs you come up with for us all to eliminate or give pause to consider.

fiveoh

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2014, 12:20:08 PM »
Nice link.  Do you actually change the tires on the rim or have a different set of wheels/tires that you swap? 

Ottawa

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2014, 12:23:28 PM »
Nice link.  Do you actually change the tires on the rim or have a different set of wheels/tires that you swap?

Separate rims on the summer and winter tires.  I think it cost me less than $100 for the breaker bar, torque wrench, jack stands.  That was paid back after one year (2 changes).  That's a good return for those that have to contend with winter driving conditions.

horsepoor

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2014, 11:29:16 PM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

fixer-upper

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2014, 12:48:22 AM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

Using an electric razor first will save the blades on a regular razor.

bacchi

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2014, 01:36:37 AM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

www.dorcousa.com

Their 3 blade works as well as the Mach-3 and is much less expensive.

deborah

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2014, 02:45:57 AM »
Not sure I agree with everything on this list
  • Ink Cartridges - printers tend to come with half full ink cartridges, so buying another printer isn't as economical as it seems, and from a Mustashian point of view, ink cartridges are better for the environment than printers.
  • Premium Fuel - actually makes many cars go further - you need to check which is more economical for your car
  • Branded painkillers - Ah! the placebo effect and advertising - it has been (scientifically) shown that if you *know* a branded painkiller is better for you, it actually is, even though it is made of the same ingredients! - I kid you not

Workinghard

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2014, 03:18:47 AM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

Don't look for replacement blades, but the razor with the blade. For instance I was able to get Gillette Fusion for 0.49 each. Whenever a company comes out with a new razor, they will sell it cheap so that people try it and buy replacement blades. You just use the initial razor as a disposable.  Yes, I know electric is still cheaper but it's convincing my dh to go electric. He uses both. I will also use his razor when he's done with it. Oh, if you dry it afterwards it will last longer and stay sharper.

Jack

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2014, 06:26:00 AM »
Yep, I avoid all those except #19 (my taxes paying for stadiums).

Regarding razor blades, Clark Howard says you can make a disposable last almost a year simply by drying it off after you use it. (I personally just use a cheap electric instead.)

horsepoor

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2014, 09:37:01 PM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

www.dorcousa.com

Their 3 blade works as well as the Mach-3 and is much less expensive.

Thanks!  He does use an electric razor as well, but has a pretty thick/coarse beard, so follows up with the razors afterwards.  $1 per cartridge seems much more reasonable.

Good tip also on drying them; I will try that with mine. 

S0VERE1GN

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2014, 07:40:48 AM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

www.dollarshaveclub.com is good. my wife and  I have a rotating buy and cancel system with them, once we build up about 12-16 blades we cancel, then resub when we need more. (we don't change the blade every week, I have a beard)

smalllife

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #11 on: May 19, 2014, 07:49:22 AM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

Old-school safety razor.  The razor itself will run about $50, but then the blades are seriously only pennies and last forever if you dry them off.

avongil

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2014, 07:24:46 PM »
I buy Korean Razors:
http://www.dorcousa.com/
1$ each instead of 5$. They are comparable to Fusions or Mach 3s. Safety razors are cheaper but they really don't work like a modern razor so beware before spending money on them. I have one and feather blades. most of the time I use my wife's Dorco.
Don't miss the fusions at all, they are almost identical.



#10 is crap - Check your owners manual, don't just fill your tank with the wrong fuel. Regular gas in a car that requires premium will cause engine damage on an older car and on a newer car will retard timing and cause terrible fuel mileage.  You should know if you vehicle requires premium, generally any performance or luxury vehicle or anything with a turbo.

jba302

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2014, 07:42:11 PM »
Do you guys have any hacks on razors?  My husband cringes every time he has to buy the damn things.

My safety razor cost $30 and the blades are these -
http://www.amazon.com/Astra-Superior-Premium-Platinum-Double/dp/B001QY8QXM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401241118&sr=8-1&keywords=safety+razor+blades

They were 8 bucks when i bought them, so now it's up to 11 cents per blade. I don't shave daily so I get well over a week per blade.  I also have a straight razor that I use from time to time, but the upkeep is obnoxious when I don't have the free time.

Primm

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Re: Eliminate Rip Offs!
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2014, 08:23:37 PM »
#10 is crap - Check your owners manual, don't just fill your tank with the wrong fuel. Regular gas in a car that requires premium will cause engine damage on an older car and on a newer car will retard timing and cause terrible fuel mileage.  You should know if you vehicle requires premium, generally any performance or luxury vehicle or anything with a turbo.

+1. Most European cars (VW etc.) require higher octane fuel as per manufacturers specs. And most older (pre-1986) cars run better and with less damage on higher octane fuel, and a lead-replacement additive. False economy if your car dies an earlier death.