Author Topic: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money  (Read 8916 times)

alexrcraig

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My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« on: October 23, 2015, 03:41:46 PM »
Yes, believe it. But listen. I already know my logic makes zero sense.

If you feel like you must tell me how disgusting that is, unsanitary, or how that really will not save me money because I will use the toothbrush twice as fast and have to replace it more often, then feel free, but I already know all of this stuff.

I never claimed to be the smartest person in the room, but I certainly was one of the most frugal.

When my wife and I got married we were broke. I did whatever I could to bring my expenses as low as possible, even if it was a convoluted idea of sharing toothbrushes or getting all of my coffee creamer and condiments at restaurants.

I have never shared this story with anyone because it is kind of embarrassing. I was happy to be married, but it was one of the lowest points in my life feeling like a bum, having to pinch every single penny, and not feeling adequate enough because I did not want to provide my wife with her own toothbrush.

Through the entire experience I learned a few things:

  • Frugality only gets you so far
    What the real purpose of money is
    How to love my wife amidst the difficulties

I am going to share with you why I abandoned frugality and what I focused on instead.

Why I Do Not Focus On Frugality Anymore

Money was like a drug to me.

I loved counting money, handling, and making sure I kept as much of it in my pocket as possible. I would look for deals, coupons, and buy only one toothbrush to keep that money where I felt it belonged.

But what I realized is that I adopted a scarcity mentality that caused me to be protective of money. I thought I was going to have a finite amount of money so I needed to save and pinch every single penny.

Every transaction I made felt painful because I thought I was losing a dollar that I would never get back.

This scarcity mentality led me to do desperate and weird things like sharing a toothbrush. As long as I was locked into this mindset, I would never open myself up to the ability to earn more money.

The main reason I gave up frugality is because it can only get you so far. There is a limit to how low you can decrease your expenses. For my wife and I, that meant spending less than $1,000 per month.

Yes, that is an absurdly low number. We did not have any debt or loans that needed to be paid off, and as I said, we did some desperate things to save money.

I was working hard to keep our expenses at $12,000 per year, but it was never going to be able to go any lower. If we wanted to save more money the solution was simple, we had to make more money.

I am all for saving money and being conscious about our spending, but there is a point where the return on efforts becomes really close to zero if not zero. Your time could be spent better elsewhere.

So I gave up frugality and the scarcity mindset to adopt an abundance mindset.

I began to reframe my mind to the idea that money is infinite, more can always be made, people pay me for the value I create, and money is simply an exchange for the things I value. I started working systematically to increase my income.

Some argue this is impossible and a flat-out lie. I cannot make more money and the economy is crap. Yet in reality, there are three main ways that you can increase your income:

  • Start a Side Hustle
    Get a Higher Salary
    Build a Scalable System

Start a Side Hustle

I originally started increasing my income by freelancing. I eventually took my freelancing and turned it into a full-time pursuit.

Starting a freelance side-business is one of the easiest ways to get started in business, and the work that is involved is clear compared to other business opportunities such as building scalable systems.

The only downside of a freelancing business is you are still trading time for money. In this case, you might be decreasing the time you have available for your spouse. Freelancing may not be the best option if you are not spending intentional time with your spouse.

Freelancing can still get you caught up in the rat-race if you do not know how to generate a consistent base of leads and raise your rates.

Getting a Higher Salary

This is a straightforward solution, yet very few of us do it. Most of us earn our primary income from our jobs, so this will probably be the best solution for most people.

In order to get a raise you need to spend time developing your skills and taking on more responsibility. Then you can leverage your skills and value that you have provided to increase your income, switch jobs or entire industries.

The disadvantage with asking for a raise is that it is out of your control for the most part. The decision is up to your boss, the budget, and the question of whether or not your skills actually create more value for the company.

This is one of the easiest solutions for most people, but can be nerve-racking when people tell us, “We should be lucky to have a job.”

Build a Scalable System

This model is my favorite, but least recommended due to the complexity of it. It can be learned, but it takes massive amounts of time compared to freelancing or getting a raise, because we are least familiar with this concept.

Building a scalable system is built on the idea of learning how to create massive value, then figuring out how to automate that value so you can earn while you sleep.

This model includes ideas like selling e-books, building a business that you are removed from, building a blog and selling affiliate links, or stock investing.

This model can be extremely hard because it takes a different mindset. It can be challenging to find the right business idea and attract potential customers.

What Model Will You Choose?

These are the three most basic models for generating revenue, and none of them involve donating fluids, unless of course you freelance as a phlebotomist or something.

Now that you know the basic models of making more money, which models will you choose?

Next Steps to Making More Money

How do you take the knowledge you learned and turn it into a consistent side income of $1,000 per month?

(Mod Note: Link removed, see his blog in his sig if interested)
« Last Edit: October 24, 2015, 02:48:40 PM by swick »

Frankies Girl

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2015, 04:27:53 PM »
I'm honestly confused on someone having to buy a toothbrush... my dentist gives name brand ones away (along with floss and a small tube of name brand toothpaste, including Sensodyne) for free each checkup. If I still used regular toothbrushes, I'd just switch up every 6 months, and never buy a toothbrush again. And every dentist I've ever had does this. So that means that you must not go to the dentist like, ever? If so, penny wise and pound foolish because you'll regret mistreating your teeth and gums when you're older.

That's not being frugal; that's being horrifically cheap. And I can't imagine the type of woman that would agree to share a toothbrush.

But then I mostly think you are posting "shocking" things to drum up viewing your website (which you mention as a side business too). So I'll just wander off back into the main forum areas now, because I'm certain I'm not your target audience.

alexrcraig

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2015, 04:41:27 PM »
I'm honestly confused on someone having to buy a toothbrush... my dentist gives name brand ones away (along with floss and a small tube of name brand toothpaste, including Sensodyne) for free each checkup. If I still used regular toothbrushes, I'd just switch up every 6 months, and never buy a toothbrush again. And every dentist I've ever had does this. So that means that you must not go to the dentist like, ever? If so, penny wise and pound foolish because you'll regret mistreating your teeth and gums when you're older.

That's not being frugal; that's being horrifically cheap. And I can't imagine the type of woman that would agree to share a toothbrush.

But then I mostly think you are posting "shocking" things to drum up viewing your website (which you mention as a side business too). So I'll just wander off back into the main forum areas now, because I'm certain I'm not your target audience.

Lol. I should have specified on the type of toothbrushes. I do go to the dentist.

We shared a toothbrush like those Sonic Pulses.

Eric

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #3 on: October 23, 2015, 05:02:14 PM »
And I can't imagine the type of woman that would agree to share a toothbrush.

Damn dirty hippies!

These are the three most basic models for generating revenue, and none of them involve donating fluids, unless of course you freelance as a phlebotomist or something.

That made me laugh.

FTR, I chose to earn more.  Up 50% from the start of the year due to a combination of a raise and a new job.  Booyah!
« Last Edit: October 23, 2015, 05:05:14 PM by Eric »

Bracken_Joy

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2015, 05:04:01 PM »
Soooo.... self promotion much? I could just *feel* that there would be a link at the end. Love it when I'm right. (Don't get me wrong, I read the whole thing though).

Retired To Win

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2015, 05:41:41 PM »
I guess alexrcraig never heard of frugality without sacrifice.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2015, 05:53:07 PM »
I guess alexrcraig never heard of frugality without sacrifice.

Exactly. Buy the toothbrush heads on sale and stock up. Price compare. Etc.

Josiecat

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2015, 07:37:51 PM »
This is just plain nasty.  Damn, toothbrushes are not that expensive.

NoraLenderbee

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2015, 08:22:30 PM »
Quote
Next Steps to Making More Money

How do you take the knowledge you learned and turn it into a consistent side income of $1,000 per month?

Start a blog, fill it up with ads and links, and spam it on Web forums?

bacchi

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2015, 09:19:26 PM »
Quote
Next Steps to Making More Money

How do you take the knowledge you learned and turn it into a consistent side income of $1,000 per month?

Start a blog, fill it up with ads and links, and spam it on Web forums?

Yep, didn't see that coming from a km away.

Kaikou

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2015, 05:01:53 AM »
I liked the story, as unnecessary as it was. Share your wife's view or it didn't happen. Lol

And no i didn't click on your link. ;)

Toothbrushes are like less than 50 cents. Seems outrageous and not true.

Tjat

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2015, 06:17:47 AM »
Lol. I should have specified on the type of toothbrushes. I do go to the dentist.

We shared a toothbrush like those Sonic Pulses.

So you claim to be obsessively cheap (note, not frugal), yet buy a $100 toothbrush with $15 replacement heads?


soccerluvof4

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2015, 06:39:13 AM »
Sorry..(not really) didn't get suckered into your link. You lost me with not good personal Hygiene practices basically not being important. Kinda remind me of one of those info-commercial loud guys selling stuff. Don't get me wrong that's a compliment if you channel it properly. BUT always be ethical...

Kaikou

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2015, 07:45:50 AM »
So you were "an accountant for a long time", was obsessed with money (my words), and now you made your wife share a toothbrush with you? What about your child?

big_slacker

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2015, 08:41:36 AM »
Haha, happy to see the BS detectors shutting this down.

Although I have to say that while black and white positions aren't my thing there is something to be said about the flip side of saving money which is making more. And unlike some here I make no moral judgement on something like increasing budget 10% after increasing income 40% even though it's not the numbercrunchingliest earliest FIRE date.

My philosophy is one of making net positive gains and then regular exams if thing need to be tightened up. I'm not selling ad space on a blog though. ;)

Bracken_Joy

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #15 on: October 24, 2015, 09:07:53 AM »
Haha, happy to see the BS detectors shutting this down.

Although I have to say that while black and white positions aren't my thing there is something to be said about the flip side of saving money which is making more. And unlike some here I make no moral judgement on something like increasing budget 10% after increasing income 40% even though it's not the numbercrunchingliest earliest FIRE date.

My philosophy is one of making net positive gains and then regular exams if thing need to be tightened up. I'm not selling ad space on a blog though. ;)

Absolutely agree that there are two sides to the equation, income AND outgo.

And see? We both made that point without linking to ANY personal blogs providing us with income! Wow!

crispy

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #16 on: October 24, 2015, 09:14:32 AM »
Gross...I would keep that little tidbit to myself.

sunday

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #17 on: October 24, 2015, 05:03:55 PM »
Toothbrushes are like 4 for a dollar at the dollar store. Even generic sonicare replacement brushes are $5 for a pack of 8 on Amazon.

Sharing toothbrushes is just gross. 

libertarian4321

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #18 on: October 25, 2015, 01:33:07 AM »
This is just plain nasty.  Damn, toothbrushes are not that expensive.

You can buy a basic toothbrush for well under $1, all day, any day, and it will last for months. 

I've seen CVS running the same set of FOUR cheap toothbrushes (with a toothbrush holder) for ONE FREAKING DOLLAR for YEARS.  That's 25 cents per toothbrush.

Anyone who thinks he needs to "share" a toothbrush to "save money" is probably mentally ill.

Folks, there is "frugal" and there is BAT SHIT CRAZY.  They ain't the same thing...

RetiredAt63

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #19 on: October 25, 2015, 08:06:42 AM »
This got over 1000 views. Not so crazy.

But the original toothbrush thing? Definitely crazy. For financial reasons, not health - if they are married and kissing(!!!) they are sharing oral flora anyway.

sunshine

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #20 on: October 25, 2015, 08:14:54 AM »
This hit me a funny way and made me laugh a bit. I thought we had done some bizarre things when we were trying to get financially stable. Never shared a toothbrush. I did once boil them though after 3 out of 4 of us  had strep throat many years ago.  After paying for meds, time off being home sick myself with sick kids and the Dr visits we were broke. Boiling served the purpose at the time.  Besides it was 30 miles to shop.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2015, 08:17:02 AM by sunshine »

KarefulKactus15

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #21 on: October 25, 2015, 08:40:09 PM »
This was click bait if I ever did see it. IDK why I clicked it.... guess i didnt expect it on MMM forum.

Steps

1.) Generate eye catching title
2.) Have links to other places inside said article to monetize clicks

Mission complete.

happy

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #22 on: October 26, 2015, 04:07:33 AM »
Haha yeah. I opened it in the spirit of light entertainment, but after a paragraph or two I thought this sounds like a blog post, and a" lecturey" kind of blog post at that.
Nope I didn't click either.

I don't disagree with the premise that you need to save money and increase income, but hey whats new about that.

fattest_foot

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #23 on: October 26, 2015, 10:35:26 AM »
I'm honestly confused on someone having to buy a toothbrush... my dentist gives name brand ones away (along with floss and a small tube of name brand toothpaste, including Sensodyne) for free each checkup. If I still used regular toothbrushes, I'd just switch up every 6 months, and never buy a toothbrush again. And every dentist I've ever had does this. So that means that you must not go to the dentist like, ever? If so, penny wise and pound foolish because you'll regret mistreating your teeth and gums when you're older.

This post reminds me of something from one of my courses in college (for some reason I want to say a marketing class, but might've been finance or econ).

"Nothing is free." Everything that is advertised as "free" has someone, somewhere, paying for it.

You're absolutely paying for those toothbrushes in some way. Are you being directly billed for them? No. But they're built into the cost of going to the dentist.

La Bibliotecaria Feroz

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #24 on: October 26, 2015, 12:33:17 PM »
I'm honestly confused on someone having to buy a toothbrush... my dentist gives name brand ones away (along with floss and a small tube of name brand toothpaste, including Sensodyne) for free each checkup. If I still used regular toothbrushes, I'd just switch up every 6 months, and never buy a toothbrush again. And every dentist I've ever had does this. So that means that you must not go to the dentist like, ever? If so, penny wise and pound foolish because you'll regret mistreating your teeth and gums when you're older.

This post reminds me of something from one of my courses in college (for some reason I want to say a marketing class, but might've been finance or econ).

"Nothing is free." Everything that is advertised as "free" has someone, somewhere, paying for it.

You're absolutely paying for those toothbrushes in some way. Are you being directly billed for them? No. But they're built into the cost of going to the dentist.

Or into the cost of toothbrushes. Sometimes you get a cheap toothbrush, possibly branded with the dentist's name, that clearly the dentist bought. But when I get some fancy name-brand thing, I assume it is a sample from the toothbrush manufacturers.

cube.37

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #25 on: October 26, 2015, 01:11:07 PM »
Out of curiosity, what's wrong with sharing a toothbrush? What problems would sharing a toothbrush with a wife cause that wouldn't occur anyways. And please spare me the "it's not the cultural norm" argument.. (my wife/fiancee and I have an electric toothbrush with 2 replaceable heads, one for each, but sometimes get them confused...I understand why it seems gross, but I could care less about that)

edited to add segment in parenthesis.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2015, 01:13:22 PM by cube.37 »

Josiecat

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #26 on: October 26, 2015, 06:13:53 PM »
It's a great way to spread illness.

crispy

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #27 on: October 26, 2015, 06:34:36 PM »
Out of curiosity, what's wrong with sharing a toothbrush? What problems would sharing a toothbrush with a wife cause that wouldn't occur anyways. And please spare me the "it's not the cultural norm" argument.. (my wife/fiancee and I have an electric toothbrush with 2 replaceable heads, one for each, but sometimes get them confused...I understand why it seems gross, but I could care less about that)

edited to add segment in parenthesis.

Spreading illness. 

FIRE Artist

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #28 on: October 26, 2015, 06:52:39 PM »
Out of curiosity, what's wrong with sharing a toothbrush? What problems would sharing a toothbrush with a wife cause that wouldn't occur anyways. And please spare me the "it's not the cultural norm" argument.. (my wife/fiancee and I have an electric toothbrush with 2 replaceable heads, one for each, but sometimes get them confused...I understand why it seems gross, but I could care less about that)

edited to add segment in parenthesis.

Spreading illness.

Yep, blood born illnesses can be spread through toothbrushes.

MrsPete

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #29 on: October 26, 2015, 09:17:03 PM »
Sharing a toothbrush wouldn't save you any money. 

A toothbrush is an item that wears out.  It has a finite number of uses.  For the purpose of discussion, let's assume it can be used 200 times before it's worn out.  If one person uses it, he or she gets 200 uses.  If two people share it, it's still only going to be good for 200 uses; thus, it's going to wear out sooner and will need replacing sooner. 



KarefulKactus15

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #30 on: October 26, 2015, 09:21:49 PM »
Wow excellent point about doubling the usage and wear out rate. Didnt think about that one.

I still think this whole post is click bait lol

RWD

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Re: My Wife and I Use to Share Toothbrushes to "Save" Money
« Reply #31 on: October 27, 2015, 07:37:14 AM »
I still think this whole post is click bait lol

It is. He's just trying to generate blog traffic.

The whole thing is just a straw man argument about what sacrifices need to be made to achieve frugality.