- Slept on a thin mattress on the floor, or directly on carpet for more than two decades rather than use a traditional raised mattress (mattresses suck and are a conspiracy to force you to waste money for worse sleep)
Love this thread.
I recently started sprouting at home. I used to be part of CSA that often included a tiny packet of mixed sprouts. The farm sells individual packets for $5(!!!). I can grow twice as much from organic seeds for under $0.50.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
I dug up 2 butterfly bushes out of someone's garden, so I could take them for free and plant them in my own garden.
It's interesting (to me, at least) that this thread made me realize there are several things I do that I don't even think of as frugal, but that probably are to an outside. For example, I use my phones until they are nearly unusable. Currently an iphone 8 that I got when my iphone 4 bricked. I guess I don't even think about this as frugal, because I don't care, at all, about my phone so it doesn't feel like a sacrifice or a conscious 'frugal' choice.
I guess this is the very best kind of frugality--something that doesn't even register or feel frugal at all.
It's interesting (to me, at least) that this thread made me realize there are several things I do that I don't even think of as frugal, but that probably are to an outside. For example, I use my phones until they are nearly unusable. Currently an iphone 8 that I got when my iphone 4 bricked. I guess I don't even think about this as frugal, because I don't care, at all, about my phone so it doesn't feel like a sacrifice or a conscious 'frugal' choice.I also replace my phone (and my computers) much less frequently than seems usual, especially for someone who works in software. But this is not out of frugality but just because it's so immensely painful to migrate to a new one...
It's interesting (to me, at least) that this thread made me realize there are several things I do that I don't even think of as frugal, but that probably are to an outside. For example, I use my phones until they are nearly unusable. Currently an iphone 8 that I got when my iphone 4 bricked. I guess I don't even think about this as frugal, because I don't care, at all, about my phone so it doesn't feel like a sacrifice or a conscious 'frugal' choice.
I guess this is the very best kind of frugality--something that doesn't even register or feel frugal at all.
Forgot about that one. I had my last Nokia (android) for 9 years. My current phone is almost 4 years old.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
I'd love your recipe for refried beans, plus any tips or tricks you might have.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
I'd love your recipe for refried beans, plus any tips or tricks you might have.
I’m not the poster but recently I tried this recipe and they turned out wonderfully. Froze them in small containers so I can pull them out for burritos, etc.
https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-refried-beans/
water-only haircare
Take Amtrak, bike and bus long distance. Got my Amtrak rewards card and am going to try to manufacture some spend to get 20k points in the first three months (may not succeed since I keep forgetting to use the card for non-train stuff).
Currently annoyed at response to my sharing that I took those three modes of transport to a stunning wilderness area currently being destroyed by excessive auto traffic. The response was “eh, it’s not worth it to me”. I guess I would prefer the lie of “wow, maybe someday I’ll take the train too” to “nah. Gas is cheap.” (To be clear, gas and car ownership are most definitely not cheaper than a $35 train ticket.) Another argument that occurred to me (that I won’t make) is that I am FI so slow travel and transit is not a burden, it’s a pleasure. Finally, I @$%# love the train.
But I’m not an absolutist, I do have a very old car. Also, since the return trip by train sometimes feels a little boring/like a slog, it occurred to me that one could train out and fly back.
Also, knowing how to use transit is part of it… my family and I are very comfortable with the slow, relaxing pace of trains, buses, ferries, bikes, etc. People with car-brain are not.
But I have long realized that by being a woman cyclist and someone who uses transit often I am simply unusual. Sad but true.
Quotewater-only haircare
Me too!!! My hair is in amazing shape since starting no shampoo 5-6 years ago and I have saved so much money/bathroom clutter.
I’m literally afraid to use shampoo or conditioner since my scalp does the job so well now and I don’t want to mess up the balance it has achieved.
Yes, and I suspect the beauty industry has noticed the drop in shampoo sales or the trend towards no-shampoo, because beauty influencers at the beginning of the year were touting “scalp health” remedies and saying this was a huge concern for people.
The beauty industry does come up with some good stuff but so much is obviously just trying to create and then capitalize on a new insecurity. For instance, I lost respect for a young YouTube influencer recently who claimed that the first step in her “no-makeup” beauty routine was to use special whitening eye drops. Now I have seen these drops recently making the influencer rounds so I knew what was up. But it was just so phony, no way was using these drops her daily routine.
I, uh, am not much of a recipe cook. Basically I cook a cup of dried pintos in the crock pot until they are pretty soft. Then I drain them, add a bit of broth, some chili powder and cumin and mash them with a potato masher. I guess that technically makes them Mashed Beans, not Refried Beans :)Love this thread.
I recently started sprouting at home. I used to be part of CSA that often included a tiny packet of mixed sprouts. The farm sells individual packets for $5(!!!). I can grow twice as much from organic seeds for under $0.50.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
I'd love your recipe for refried beans, plus any tips or tricks you might have.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
Another recipe:
https://www.budgetbytes.com/not-refried-beans/
I do on the stove rather than slowcooker.
I'd love your recipe for refried beans, plus any tips or tricks you might have.
I’m not the poster but recently I tried this recipe and they turned out wonderfully. Froze them in small containers so I can pull them out for burritos, etc.
https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-refried-beans/
special whitening eye drops
My kid got into the Highly Competitive Early College High School. She will get High School and one year free at the local community college paid for by the district. This years seniors got 7 million in scholarship funds. With there being about 60 students that is an amazing amount of scholarship money.
In the grand scheme of things, probably being a DIYer and being able to fix and improve our home over the last few years has saved me the most $$$... doesn't feel like it when you are still spending money on tools and materials down at the DIY store though!
My kid got into the Highly Competitive Early College High School. She will get High School and one year free at the local community college paid for by the district. This years seniors got 7 million in scholarship funds. With there being about 60 students that is an amazing amount of scholarship money.
Oh, that reminds me of another:
Sent 5 kids to the college where DH works, so they all got free tuition. That saved us (on paper) something like $1,000,000... though only on paper, because our EFC was usually low enough that we wouldn't have had to pay the full price.
In the grand scheme of things, probably being a DIYer and being able to fix and improve our home over the last few years has saved me the most $$$... doesn't feel like it when you are still spending money on tools and materials down at the DIY store though!
Ugh…you were doing great then you ruined it with your attitude!
I DIY for most things, except serious plumbing and electrical and I don’t get on the roof anymore. I remember when I bought my first gas chain saw. A tree died and the guy wanted $350. No thank you. DW asks what’d spend on that? I said I made us $220 on it.
The right tool, good-to-better quality, is not a waste of money.
Not drinking alcohol. I didn’t think this was much, but a friend and I went away together and she commented on how much less my bills were than hers.
Not drinking alcohol. I didn’t think this was much, but a friend and I went away together and she commented on how much less my bills were than hers.
I eventually realized this is probably the sole reason my trips are substantially cheaper than most other people, despite that I always get hosed on flights. I think a lot of people on vacation drink some amount of alcohol literally every single day of the trip. Not necessarily getting sloshed, but just a steady thing.
Mrs G came back from a run early one morning last year to find a couple snipping the last of about thirty roses off our rosebushes in order to make themselves a bouquet. She was not very happy to say the least.I dug up 2 butterfly bushes out of someone's garden, so I could take them for free and plant them in my own garden.
People do this sort of thing in our neighbourhood, but usually at night . . . and without permission. :P
In the grand scheme of things, probably being a DIYer and being able to fix and improve our home over the last few years has saved me the most $$$... doesn't feel like it when you are still spending money on tools and materials down at the DIY store though!
Ugh…you were doing great then you ruined it with your attitude!
I DIY for most things, except serious plumbing and electrical and I don’t get on the roof anymore. I remember when I bought my first gas chain saw. A tree died and the guy wanted $350. No thank you. DW asks what’d spend on that? I said I made us $220 on it.
The right tool, good-to-better quality, is not a waste of money.
Not drinking alcohol. I didn’t think this was much, but a friend and I went away together and she commented on how much less my bills were than hers.
I eventually realized this is probably the sole reason my trips are substantially cheaper than most other people, despite that I always get hosed on flights. I think a lot of people on vacation drink some amount of alcohol literally every single day of the trip. Not necessarily getting sloshed, but just a steady thing.
You probably also go easy on the souvenirs?
I come from a culture where it's expected that, if you went out of town, and especially overseas, you would bring home souvenirs for family, friends and even coworkers. Not doing that is an incredible faux pas, almost like you weren't raised properly. I was glad to leave that custom behind.
There are other restaurants and stores on the App, called "Too Good To Go" but the hotel restaurant is the most reliable and closest to us.
Some real gems in this thread... Still chuckling about the comments about the butterfly bushes from several...
It’s amazing how plants multiply if you’re prepared to wait a few years. Get one or two of what you want, then use the seeds or cuttings to get more until you have a yard covered with the plant, and it only takes a few years.
It’s amazing how plants multiply if you’re prepared to wait a few years. Get one or two of what you want, then use the seeds or cuttings to get more until you have a yard covered with the plant, and it only takes a few years.
My mom has a bunch of hostas in her yard . . . and every few years they get overgrown and all need to be split. So mom digs them out, but then has all these hostas to transplant and nowhere to put them. So originally she tried giving them away for free on craigslist, but nobody would take her up on the offer. So last year she tried charging 5$ each for them . . . and made about 200$ and sold them all.
People are so weird.
Mrs G came back from a run early one morning last year to find a couple snipping the last of about thirty roses off our rosebushes in order to make themselves a bouquet. She was not very happy to say the least.I dug up 2 butterfly bushes out of someone's garden, so I could take them for free and plant them in my own garden.
People do this sort of thing in our neighbourhood, but usually at night . . . and without permission. :P
We do a lot of home improvement, maintenance, and repairs ourselves.I was gonna say "14 years is kinda getting old with all the safety improvements in cars these days..."
We keep cars forever (14 yo and 9 yo with no plans for replacement any time soon).
We do a lot of home improvement, maintenance, and repairs ourselves.I was gonna say "14 years is kinda getting old with all the safety improvements in cars these days..."
We keep cars forever (14 yo and 9 yo with no plans for replacement any time soon).
Then I realized both our cars are 2009 models....
I plan the heck out of meals in an effort to have near-zero food waste. The little that we can't avoid ends up in the compost. Better for the wallet and the environment.
I plan the heck out of meals in an effort to have near-zero food waste. The little that we can't avoid ends up in the compost. Better for the wallet and the environment.
I lost an avocado a few years ago and I'm still a little upset about it. Lol
I plan the heck out of meals in an effort to have near-zero food waste. The little that we can't avoid ends up in the compost. Better for the wallet and the environment.
I lost an avocado a few years ago and I'm still a little upset about it. Lol
I plan the heck out of meals in an effort to have near-zero food waste. The little that we can't avoid ends up in the compost. Better for the wallet and the environment.
I lost an avocado a few years ago and I'm still a little upset about it. Lol
My library just brought in the book The Evelasting Meal: Leftovers A-Z by Tamar Adler , it is a funny and strange cookbook that I recommend for entertainment purposes even if you already are a boss with leftovers.
I plan the heck out of meals in an effort to have near-zero food waste. The little that we can't avoid ends up in the compost. Better for the wallet and the environment.
I lost an avocado a few years ago and I'm still a little upset about it. Lol
My library just brought in the book The Evelasting Meal: Leftovers A-Z by Tamar Adler , it is a funny and strange cookbook that I recommend for entertainment purposes even if you already are a boss with leftovers.
I love this book so much that I BOUGHT a copy and it lives with the frequently-used cookbooks. In fact, I just finished the last of the "Peruvian sweet potato salad" she discusses around page 47. (It was a little onion-y, to be honest.)
Upon reflection, I think the most frugal thing I do might be just letting shit be broken.
I have so many things that need a fix. The car door locks don't work right and require a work-around.
Mrs G is like this... roughly half the time.Upon reflection, I think the most frugal thing I do might be just letting shit be broken.
I have so many things that need a fix. The car door locks don't work right and require a work-around.
Being super tolerant of work-arounds or broken features is a gift! Love it.
The most frugal thing I do is live in housing far less expensive than I can afford. The number two thing would be driving far less expensive of a car than I can afford. I'd guess these are probably #1 and #2 for most people here.Holy crap! Our house is mortgage-free, but our property taxes are about $1050/month - gah!
I plan the heck out of meals in an effort to have near-zero food waste. The little that we can't avoid ends up in the compost. Better for the wallet and the environment.
I lost an avocado a few years ago and I'm still a little upset about it. Lol
My library just brought in the book The Evelasting Meal: Leftovers A-Z by Tamar Adler , it is a funny and strange cookbook that I recommend for entertainment purposes even if you already are a boss with leftovers.
I love this book so much that I BOUGHT a copy and it lives with the frequently-used cookbooks. In fact, I just finished the last of the "Peruvian sweet potato salad" she discusses around page 47. (It was a little onion-y, to be honest.)
I have found my frugal strategies definitely change with seasons of my life. For instance, I used to be a champ thrift store shopper - now I can't find time to go to a thrift store and sort through things. That would be a real luxury for me.
I also don't have time to shop several stores for the best deals but I manage to keep my grocery spending remarkably low for a family of 4 (not APowers low, but pretty low).
The biggest change in the last few years has been twofold:
- We purchased a small chest freezer. It was around $70 new at Costco in in 2019. And we used our $20 of Annual Costco Cash for it so paid $50.
- We basically stop at two places for food. Once a year we buy part of a cow and part of a pig and that is 75% of the meat we eat. Otherwise I use online ordering and pick up at our Kroger. While Kroger is more expensive than Aldi, they almost always have everything I need. And online ordering lets me see the bill tallying up as I add to it over the course of the week. When I go to check out, it shows me my total, and almost every week I end up removing a few items from my cart because I don't really need them.
These two things have kept my grocery spending between 4-600 a month for the last several years.
I travel nonstop for work. Think 1–3-day trips 8-10 times a month. For the past 5 years I've made it a habit to bring all my own food. When I cook at home, I just make extra protein and then vacuum seal and freeze. When it's time to go to work I always have a great variety and then I just need to make a fresh vegetable. The hotels I stay at always have a free breakfast and some even have a free light dinner depending on what day of the week it is. So far this year I've only spent $12.87 on food while out of town. During this time, I've pocketed thousands in per diem as it's automatically added to my paycheck, and I don't have to show any receipts!! Of course, coworker's think I'm weird but I don't care. It saves me thousands of dollars and is much healthier than eating at restaurants 6 days a week...
Tech Dumpster Diving:Or my favourite, Ereaders that still have books on them. Best find had 7/8 Game of Throne series.
Our Local Waste Disposal Site has a container just for electronics. My husband always takes a look and usually finds some cables, but sometimes he gets very excited: today he found 2 perfectly good cellphones (app. from the same person acc. to the not deleted pictures). The other time a macbook, where he just replaced the harddrive for 50 CAD....
I own a semi-luxury car (2016 Jaguar XJ) purchased used for well below value cash(depreciated model and appears worth >double what I paid) and have put on <5K miles the past year (currently at 45K) despite working ~20miles awayIf this is the most frugal thing you do, it's totally deserving of a facepunch.
able to accomplish this due to friend that moved out of state years ago and left an old 2012 Elantra in storage which I've been using for most wkdays commute and just covering all service/maintenance expenses in return, this allows me to save on gas(better mileage+lower grade req), much cheaper maintenance/repairs(and no need for loaner/rentals during), and preserve mileage on my car which also reduces insurance premium
as result haven't needed any maintenance costs on the Jag yet aside from an oil change, also helps keeps me humble during the wk as I put off completely contrasting perceptions in the 2 cars, while realistically I'm closer to somewhere in between the two (<7 figure nw, for at least another year or 2)
mainly just drive the Jag weekends and usually ~once a wk for work events
Unusual:
Drive a minimum & walk for many local errands
Keep cars, electronics, etc. until they’re unsalvageable
Eat from scratch, don’t buy ready-to-eat foods
Eat out or get delivery maybe twice a year
Little alcohol, all at home
Good tea rebrews well
Lots of legumes, root vegetables, rice, & bread from scratch
Compost organic material & brown/ carton paper
Kitchen towels & reusable lids instead of paper towels or plastic wrap
Media (books, movies, video games) comes almost exclusively from the library or one streaming service at a time
Travel is rare (once every few years)
Work out at home
Optimize daylight, burn one bulb at a time
Line-dry all laundry
Never go looking for things to buy
Choose the longest-lasting options
Gifts within the family are simple, inexpensive pleasures, usually food
Makeup rarely used; DIY haircuts
Really out there:
If opening the fridge, habitually ask the other half if they need anything, to minimize power draw
Who needs a bedframe?
Hydrated people can flush less often
Treat the thermostat as a safety device for pipes & people instead of a comfort generator
Hypermiling, when driving at all
Buy minimal furniture, secondhand, or collect from the curb or friends
Reuse unavoidable plastic packaging to wrap organic material that can’t be composted (cat leavings), to contain smells & cut frequency of trash take-outs (wasting plastic trash bags, collection truck gas)
I own a semi-luxury car (2016 Jaguar XJ) purchased used for well below value cash(depreciated model and appears worth >double what I paid) and have put on <5K miles the past year (currently at 45K) despite working ~20miles awayIf this is the most frugal thing you do, it's totally deserving of a facepunch.
able to accomplish this due to friend that moved out of state years ago and left an old 2012 Elantra in storage which I've been using for most wkdays commute and just covering all service/maintenance expenses in return, this allows me to save on gas(better mileage+lower grade req), much cheaper maintenance/repairs(and no need for loaner/rentals during), and preserve mileage on my car which also reduces insurance premium
as result haven't needed any maintenance costs on the Jag yet aside from an oil change, also helps keeps me humble during the wk as I put off completely contrasting perceptions in the 2 cars, while realistically I'm closer to somewhere in between the two (<7 figure nw, for at least another year or 2)
mainly just drive the Jag weekends and usually ~once a wk for work events
I own a semi-luxury car (2016 Jaguar XJ) purchased used for well below value cash(depreciated model and appears worth >double what I paid) and have put on <5K miles the past year (currently at 45K) despite working ~20miles awayIf this is the most frugal thing you do, it's totally deserving of a facepunch.
able to accomplish this due to friend that moved out of state years ago and left an old 2012 Elantra in storage which I've been using for most wkdays commute and just covering all service/maintenance expenses in return, this allows me to save on gas(better mileage+lower grade req), much cheaper maintenance/repairs(and no need for loaner/rentals during), and preserve mileage on my car which also reduces insurance premium
as result haven't needed any maintenance costs on the Jag yet aside from an oil change, also helps keeps me humble during the wk as I put off completely contrasting perceptions in the 2 cars, while realistically I'm closer to somewhere in between the two (<7 figure nw, for at least another year or 2)
mainly just drive the Jag weekends and usually ~once a wk for work events
fine I wash and re-use my toilet paper, happy?
I own a semi-luxury car (2016 Jaguar XJ) purchased used for well below value cash(depreciated model and appears worth >double what I paid) and have put on <5K miles the past year (currently at 45K) despite working ~20miles awayIf this is the most frugal thing you do, it's totally deserving of a facepunch.
able to accomplish this due to friend that moved out of state years ago and left an old 2012 Elantra in storage which I've been using for most wkdays commute and just covering all service/maintenance expenses in return, this allows me to save on gas(better mileage+lower grade req), much cheaper maintenance/repairs(and no need for loaner/rentals during), and preserve mileage on my car which also reduces insurance premium
as result haven't needed any maintenance costs on the Jag yet aside from an oil change, also helps keeps me humble during the wk as I put off completely contrasting perceptions in the 2 cars, while realistically I'm closer to somewhere in between the two (<7 figure nw, for at least another year or 2)
mainly just drive the Jag weekends and usually ~once a wk for work events
Oh! I thought of more food related things:
One of our favourite "restaurants" is actually a Hari Krishna temple down the street. You make a small donation, usually $5 (hasn't changed in 20+ years since I've been going there), and they serve you a really delicious vegetarian meal.
This is usually the place I bring people I want to test out becoming friends with. It's sets the tone for what hanging out with me is like and gives me a read on them.
This seems odd to me for many reasons. What if your friends are fussy eaters and don’t like vegetables? What if they don’t think that people that can afford to eat elsewhere should be taking a cheap meal that could go to someone that really needs it? Why would you feel the need to test out potential new friends?
Just thought of another frugal thing we do.
We try to be content with what we have. If I find myself comparing to my friends, I remind myself that we already have more than enough. We don’t need yet another vacation to a cool new destination, we don’t need this $300 “experience”, we don’t need a car. We don’t need to buy a tv or make our home any cuter with decor and furniture. We try our best not to compare ourselves to others.
Oh! I thought of more food related things:
One of our favourite "restaurants" is actually a Hari Krishna temple down the street. You make a small donation, usually $5 (hasn't changed in 20+ years since I've been going there), and they serve you a really delicious vegetarian meal.
This is usually the place I bring people I want to test out becoming friends with. It's sets the tone for what hanging out with me is like and gives me a read on them.
This seems odd to me for many reasons. What if your friends are fussy eaters and don’t like vegetables? What if they don’t think that people that can afford to eat elsewhere should be taking a cheap meal that could go to someone that really needs it? Why would you feel the need to test out potential new friends?
Big ticket money savers for us:
- cars. Two older cars, one big efficient diesel (45mpg) for transporting the whole family (we have three DC), and one 8yr old Leaf for DH commute, though he WFH as much as possible. Saved £1000 on fuel per year when we bought it, reducing spend by two-thirds. But biggest thing with cars is paying for them - we pay for them on credit card and then balance transfer regularly for 0% interest payments. Paid off the diesel years ago, Leaf will be done next year. Not paid a penny in interest so never needed to get any money out of savings/investments to spend on cars.
- firewood. Had a log burner installed in 2017. Have a fire nearly every day in winter (Nov-March). Never paid a penny for wood, we have processed a couple of our own trees that we had to remove on advice of a tree surgeon. Literally logged and bagged the entire tree down to the finest of kindling branches. We get the DC involved in family projects like this! Recently got a load of untreated scrap timber from a house next door that is being rebuilt from the ground up - DH has cut it to size and it is enough for about 3 years supply of firewood. We still have logs from a tree to process too. This keeps down our spend on gas for the central heating, especially in the cooler but not cold months.
- laundry. Have never owned a tumble drier, line dry wherever possible and if not, have a dehumidifier running in our small utility room that has racking to hang washing. Reusable everything - dish cloths, rags, nappies (though those days are thankfully over and the nappies are now rags!), san pro, facial wipes instead of cotton wool, flannels, etc. Super efficient washing machine that runs on cheap rate electricity overnight and only wash at 30 degrees.
- DIY. DH is an engineer and immensely practical. So he fixes plumbing, electrics, wonky furniture, rebuilt our garden trellis, built the compost bins, put up wallpaper, installs shelving - all that sort of stuff. I am good at paint colours, fabrics, sewing, repairs, thrifting furniture etc. Between us we fix just about everything. Memorably we have done things like re-sew the padding around our kids' trampoline using fishing line and the sewing machine, and edge leftover carpet to use as runners. DH also installed a new pump in our 11 year old dishwasher three years ago and it is still going strong. We very rarely need to get people in to do stuff. He's also a tech whizz and can repair laptops/phones etc - my laptop died so he bought a non-working one the same for peanuts on eBay and cannibalised the parts to get mine working again!
- food and cooking/gardening. I pack lunch for all the DC and DH if he is in the office. Never any leftovers and our backyard chickens get any scraps that are too good for the compost bin, in return for eggs. I make yogurt, sourdough etc. Rarely buy processed food. Make jam, chutney etc in season using produce from the garden. Grow my own flowers and veg from seed - total outlay on the garden in the last year has been for three sacks of potting compost for raising seedlings. For the rest I use our own garden compost.
I guess it would be cheaper to do nothing
I don't like to buy "stuff," drive an old car, and opted to work from home. These are not unusual. I also DIY most things around the house, and am more likely to fix something or do it myself, like install a new clothes dryer or ceiling fan, than to ever hire someone to do it. Also probably common for us folks.What do those things do?
I think my most frugal thing though is DIY skin care. I do at home mironeedling (dermaroller) and TCA acid peels (from Platinum Skincare). I also do LED lights (Omnilux), microcurrent (NuFace), radio frequency (Nebulyft), and laser therapy (Nira) at home. These devices weren't cheap but way way way cheaper than doing to a derm or spa. I also just got a plasma fibroblast pen (Snow Skin) I'm trying on my hands first--it hurts a lot.
I guess it would be cheaper to do nothing but still. I get my devices on sale only and with discount codes. I also cut and color my own hair, but mostly because I never get a great haircut otherwise.
Oh! I thought of more food related things:
One of our favourite "restaurants" is actually a Hari Krishna temple down the street. You make a small donation, usually $5 (hasn't changed in 20+ years since I've been going there), and they serve you a really delicious vegetarian meal.
This is usually the place I bring people I want to test out becoming friends with. It's sets the tone for what hanging out with me is like and gives me a read on them.
This seems odd to me for many reasons. What if your friends are fussy eaters and don’t like vegetables? What if they don’t think that people that can afford to eat elsewhere should be taking a cheap meal that could go to someone that really needs it? Why would you feel the need to test out potential new friends?
Well, it's not a food service for people who need it, it's a very popular place and all sorts of people go there. It's just a funky, cool experience.
I'm a former vegetarian chef, if someone is a fussy eater who doesn't like vegetables, they're not going to be a friend that I go out for meals with. Period. They might be some other kind of friend, but they won't be a meals friend.
Trust me, this has been a great litmus test for getting a read on how uptight potential friends are. Barring neurodivergence reasons, if someone gets all weird about taking their shoes off at a Hari Krishna temple where we can get some really amazing vegetarian food, that person is not likely to enjoy hanging out with me regularly.
FTR, I have friends with bland food tastes who only like chain restaurants. We do *not* dine out together. If someone can't handle a vegetarian curry, there's no way they'll have the stomach for the kind of food I go out for.
That’s an interesting perspective but I don’t base my friendships on food preferences in any manner. When I go out to eat with friends even if people have allergies, are picky, vegetarian, etc we can find a place where everyone can enjoy the meal. The most important thing to me is the friendship. If I really have a desire for a certain restaurant I can go alone or with someone that likes to eat there. I also know what my friends like, are allergic to, etc and base my menu on that when having people over for dinner.
I don’t go out to eat much either probably just once or twice a month. My friends and I get together at one another’s houses for dinner and games or just to visit. We take walks together and sometimes go to garage sales or thrift stores. I am open to new experiences as well depending on what it is. I don’t litmus test people I meet. Rather we spend some time together and either we enjoy each other’s company or we don’t. You have an unusual way of approaching things.
My library just brought in the book The Evelasting Meal: Leftovers A-Z by Tamar Adler , it is a funny and strange cookbook that I recommend for entertainment purposes even if you already are a boss with leftovers.
I love this book so much that I BOUGHT a copy and it lives with the frequently-used cookbooks. In fact, I just finished the last of the "Peruvian sweet potato salad" she discusses around page 47. (It was a little onion-y, to be honest.)
We do almost all the same things on your unusual list, and honestly, we've gotten so used to them that I didn't think of most of them when I was thinking about being frugal! They are just part of my day.
Re: Re-using tea. Certain herbal tisanes go forever! Mint is totally resteepable, fruit flavors are generally only good for a single cup. I get three to four cups out of a single mint tea bag in the winter. (I figured I should share that if the goal of this thread is to present people with new info they might not have thought of :) ) ...
...No house (rent when not travelling), no computer, laptop, tablet or internet just a cheap pay-as-you-go Tracfone. ...
I don’t go out to eat much either probably just once or twice a month. My friends and I get together at one another’s houses for dinner and games or just to visit. We take walks together and sometimes go to garage sales or thrift stores. I am open to new experiences as well depending on what it is. I don’t litmus test people I meet. Rather we spend some time together and either we enjoy each other’s company or we don’t. You have an unusual way of approaching things.
And you seem weirdly keen on judging me for it, or at least that's the way it's coming off.
I'm very picky about who I become friends with. I make no apologies for that. It's worked well for me, I have fantastic friends and very emotionally generous friendships.
I am totally not judging you for not eating out much. It’s unhealthy and restaurant food is full of salt, excess calories, etc. My chiropractor told me today in fact that he hasn’t eaten out in 5 years because of how unhealthy it is. I just didn’t understand how the eating out related to friendships, etc so I asked and you explained. I found it odd but an interesting way to approach things. If we were all the same life would be boring:)).
no computer, laptop, tablet or internet just a cheap pay-as-you-go Tracfone.
I don’t go out to eat much either probably just once or twice a month. My friends and I get together at one another’s houses for dinner and games or just to visit. We take walks together and sometimes go to garage sales or thrift stores. I am open to new experiences as well depending on what it is. I don’t litmus test people I meet. Rather we spend some time together and either we enjoy each other’s company or we don’t. You have an unusual way of approaching things.
And you seem weirdly keen on judging me for it, or at least that's the way it's coming off.
I'm very picky about who I become friends with. I make no apologies for that. It's worked well for me, I have fantastic friends and very emotionally generous friendships.
I am totally not judging you for not eating out much. It’s unhealthy and restaurant food is full of salt, excess calories, etc. My chiropractor told me today in fact that he hasn’t eaten out in 5 years because of how unhealthy it is. I just didn’t understand how the eating out related to friendships, etc so I asked and you explained. I found it odd but an interesting way to approach things. If we were all the same life would be boring:)).
...If someone is used to socializing with me at galas, private clubs, high end restaurants, all with open bars and expense accounts, they're going to be in for a shock when they see that my personal life is radically different. ...
Interesting. When I think back on my most interesting memories and bonding experiences, they're usually challenging and often frugal. Random social dinners and charity galas are pretty forgettable and rarely leave me feeling closer to the people in attendance.
Interesting. When I think back on my most interesting memories and bonding experiences, they're usually challenging and often frugal. Random social dinners and charity galas are pretty forgettable and rarely leave me feeling closer to the people in attendance. Helping to build a house for a charity was memorable and promoted bonding. Watching a friend capsize their kayak and figuring out how to help is a memory and bonding experience I'll never forget.
I'd love to drop down to a flip phone. It's getting harder to go without a smartphone though. Communication with kids teachers is through an app. You can't park at meters in some of the towns we've traveled to recently without using the app. Gone are the days of feeding quarters. It's only going to get worse.Lol. Yeah spending less time online (on a tiny phone screen no less) can be pretty liberating. And frugal! Assuming you don't fill all that free time shopping off line ;-). I rarely go online and "visit" here less then previously but still enjoy reading others experiences and helpful input. Even us super frugal weirdo FIREees can still learn and be inspired.no computer, laptop, tablet or internet just a cheap pay-as-you-go Tracfone.
I feel oddly flattered to be a member of a forum that earns your obviously very limited internet time!
Love this thread.
I recently started sprouting at home. I used to be part of CSA that often included a tiny packet of mixed sprouts. The farm sells individual packets for $5(!!!). I can grow twice as much from organic seeds for under $0.50.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
I had a microwave that I had gotten off the street for free and it worked for a few years but had a growing rusty hole in the back. My neighbor put out a microwave in a box. Took it home, opened the box to find it was the identical model to the one I hand, but branded differently. Plugged it in and the lights went on but it did not heat. I was careful about discharging the electricity in it and using insulated tools. Switched out the magnetron from my own working microwave into the better physical condition one and it works perfectly and is going strong for a few years!!!!That is very badass!
I had a microwave that I had gotten off the street for free and it worked for a few years but had a growing rusty hole in the back. My neighbor put out a microwave in a box. Took it home, opened the box to find it was the identical model to the one I hand, but branded differently. Plugged it in and the lights went on but it did not heat. I was careful about discharging the electricity in it and using insulated tools. Switched out the magnetron from my own working microwave into the better physical condition one and it works perfectly and is going strong for a few years!!!!
I had a microwave that I had gotten off the street for free and it worked for a few years but had a growing rusty hole in the back. My neighbor put out a microwave in a box. Took it home, opened the box to find it was the identical model to the one I hand, but branded differently. Plugged it in and the lights went on but it did not heat. I was careful about discharging the electricity in it and using insulated tools. Switched out the magnetron from my own working microwave into the better physical condition one and it works perfectly and is going strong for a few years!!!!
Overall, I'm probably not frugal by the standards of this forum but some aspects of our lives remain so:
- We almost never eat out. Wife still packs her lunch for work
- We basically don't buy alcohol except a couple times a year
- Keep our cars for a long time, typically about 12-14 years
- Lived in the same house for over 25 years (not sure if that counts though)
Love this thread.
I recently started sprouting at home. I used to be part of CSA that often included a tiny packet of mixed sprouts. The farm sells individual packets for $5(!!!). I can grow twice as much from organic seeds for under $0.50.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
+1 on the sprouting. Personi, I'm a fan of lentil sprouts.
Quote from: MetalcatI only ask my coolest friends to commit crimes with me ;) lolIt's much gentler than dumping then straight into the ice cold water of asking if they want to be a body paint model at a rap concert, lol.
Last year I found someone I decided needed to be my new best friend and we built a table together.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?!
I know that I could read your journal, but I kind of like the mental picture that I have of you. It's...eccentric.
I had a microwave that I had gotten off the street for free and it worked for a few years but had a growing rusty hole in the back. My neighbor put out a microwave in a box. Took it home, opened the box to find it was the identical model to the one I hand, but branded differently. Plugged it in and the lights went on but it did not heat. I was careful about discharging the electricity in it and using insulated tools. Switched out the magnetron from my own working microwave into the better physical condition one and it works perfectly and is going strong for a few years!!!!This is terrifying but also very impressive.
Lentil sprouts are great.Love this thread.
I recently started sprouting at home. I used to be part of CSA that often included a tiny packet of mixed sprouts. The farm sells individual packets for $5(!!!). I can grow twice as much from organic seeds for under $0.50.
I also make my own refried beans. They are better than canned, cheaper and only take a few minutes of active effort.
+1 on the sprouting. Personi, I'm a fan of lentil sprouts.
another +1 for sprouting. Currently I'm really into buckwheat sprouts.
We grew enough sprouts( & froze enough greens) so that we barely bought any greenery over the winter. We had green beans, kale, mesclun mixes/mustard greens & even frozen brocollini which is a real garden treat mid-winter.. I love knowing my food didn't have to travel very far to get onto my plate.
@mistymoney- would you mind to share your recipe?
Quote from: MetalcatI only ask my coolest friends to commit crimes with me ;) lolIt's much gentler than dumping then straight into the ice cold water of asking if they want to be a body paint model at a rap concert, lol.
Last year I found someone I decided needed to be my new best friend and we built a table together.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?!
I know that I could read your journal, but I kind of like the mental picture that I have of you. It's...eccentric.
I mean, who hasn't been half naked and painted on by a total stranger in front of a huge crowd of people at some point in their life??? Right....???
I need friends who are cool with doing unusual shit out of nowhere. I select for the kind of people I can call and say "hey, wanna come with me to Montreal and commit fairly significant crimes?"Sure! Can it include shaking down the birth certificate office until they cough up my grandmother's? Also a cemetery tour, as long as that doesn't need to be included in the "significant crimes" segment...
I mean, who hasn't been half naked and painted on by a total stranger in front of a huge crowd of people at some point in their life??? Right....???Closest I've got is "Nearly naked and painted by a friend in front of a small crowd, then danced for hours around the Beltane fire out in the woods along with 500+ other people..."
Burning Man?Quote from: MetalcatI only ask my coolest friends to commit crimes with me ;) lolIt's much gentler than dumping then straight into the ice cold water of asking if they want to be a body paint model at a rap concert, lol.
Last year I found someone I decided needed to be my new best friend and we built a table together.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?!
I know that I could read your journal, but I kind of like the mental picture that I have of you. It's...eccentric.
I mean, who hasn't been half naked and painted on by a total stranger in front of a huge crowd of people at some point in their life??? Right....???
I've definitely done far stranger things in front of a crowd before. What you're describing sounds like perfectly normal recreational activity to me :D
Walk with mom and her friends.
They've been getting together on Sundays since the 1970s. Back then, it was a running group of several dozen people. The host for the week would plan routes, leave water to drink at strategic points, and offer their home as post-run gathering spot. When the last person got back from their run, the first bite of potluck could be eaten. Now it's the same except the pace is a walk, because the members are 70ish to 80something years of age, and there's not quite as many people - maybe 20 at the potluck, and the potluck part only happens on weeks someone is ready to host. I ran with the group as a child, and later for a year or two after college, so now it's one of the best parts of "home".
It's not free, because the homes are spread out so we usually drive there, and you need to contribute to the potluck. But in return you get exercise, community, information, and a great meal.
I need friends who are cool with doing unusual shit out of nowhere. I select for the kind of people I can call and say "hey, wanna come with me to Montreal and commit fairly significant crimes?"Sure! Can it include shaking down the birth certificate office until they cough up my grandmother's? Also a cemetery tour, as long as that doesn't need to be included in the "significant crimes" segment...[/b]I mean, who hasn't been half naked and painted on by a total stranger in front of a huge crowd of people at some point in their life??? Right....???Closest I've got is "Nearly naked and painted by a friend in front of a small crowd, then danced for hours around the Beltane fire out in the woods along with 500+ other people..."
Burning Man?Quote from: MetalcatI only ask my coolest friends to commit crimes with me ;) lolIt's much gentler than dumping then straight into the ice cold water of asking if they want to be a body paint model at a rap concert, lol.
Last year I found someone I decided needed to be my new best friend and we built a table together.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?!
I know that I could read your journal, but I kind of like the mental picture that I have of you. It's...eccentric.
I mean, who hasn't been half naked and painted on by a total stranger in front of a huge crowd of people at some point in their life??? Right....???
I've definitely done far stranger things in front of a crowd before. What you're describing sounds like perfectly normal recreational activity to me :D
...Closest I've got is "Nearly naked and painted by a friend in front of a small crowd, then danced for hours around the Beltane fire out in the woods along with 500+ other people..."You ever wonder if the reason we have so many enthusiastic pagans is just the ambient theocracy? Curious what decade that was & if they're still going (...&, consequently to the first thought, if it will be revived given the present CFery.)
for me its probably a somewhat infrequent visit to this forum .. hah
Upon reflection, I think the most frugal thing I do might be just letting shit be broken.
I have so many things that need a fix. The car door locks don't work right and require a work-around. The paint is peeling off of some Bondo on the front grille. The kitchen floor has been missing a bit of flooring for over a year. The screen door doesn't latch. The patio window is clouded over and needs replacing. Only one of my three interior doors actually closes properly (thankfully, it's the bathroom!). My TV's backlight is out; everything looks a bit bluer than it should. The living room bookshelf is missing bits of veneer. The deck steps are broken. I can't type the number 8 or the exclamation point on my laptop keyboard. The shed has a big hole in the wall. Half my windows don't open. All my trousers need to be taken in, and I'm just safety pinning them along the seam every morning.
Don't get me wrong; over time, all this stuff needs to be tended to and the overall trend is that things are moving forward. But if I fixed everything that needed fixing today, I'd be broke and in debt. Letting the small things ride until I have the time, money, and energy to address them (or can source free materials, or learn what I need to know to address them) is a big part of why I have an emergency fund at all.
I have similar tendencies, but it is a slippery slope that can result in finding yourself in an insurmountable hole that is almost impossible to escape from. I've watched it happen to friends & family to various degrees. It's especially bad if they have hoarding issues too. I mean being surrounded by piles of so-so stuff can become overwhelming and depressing. It's not so bad for solo people, because they've put themselves there. But it's really sad to watch innocent family members being affected by it.
A high school friend was recently in my area and we got together for a visit to catch up. As we were ooohing and ahhhing over how great the other looked and so forth. She told me the Wrangler shirt I had on reminded her of a shirt I wore to school. I informed her it was the same shirt - just broken in more. I don't keep everything forever but I have no problem hanging on to stuff I like with no need to replace things 'just because'.Badass!
*for context we graduated in 1994.
A high school friend was recently in my area and we got together for a visit to catch up. As we were ooohing and ahhhing over how great the other looked and so forth. She told me the Wrangler shirt I had on reminded her of a shirt I wore to school. I informed her it was the same shirt - just broken in more. I don't keep everything forever but I have no problem hanging on to stuff I like with no need to replace things 'just because'.
*for context we graduated in 1994.
A high school friend was recently in my area and we got together for a visit to catch up. As we were ooohing and ahhhing over how great the other looked and so forth. She told me the Wrangler shirt I had on reminded her of a shirt I wore to school. I informed her it was the same shirt - just broken in more. I don't keep everything forever but I have no problem hanging on to stuff I like with no need to replace things 'just because'.
*for context we graduated in 1994.
I love vintage clothing and was lucky enough to obtain some items from my mom (neither of my siblings like or can wear vintage style). My favourite spring coat is hers and there is another tailored jacket made from beautiful handwoven material--likely from the late 50's/early 60's.
She is so country casual now so it's also a nice reminder to imagine her in younger city years being quite styled. I also have been given other peoples vintage clothing b/c they know I'll use and appreciate it more than they do.
I love this and it's also a testament to how well-made clothing was in past decades. Today's fast fashion will not stand the test of time, sadly.I have a set of coveralls which belonged to my grandfather, who died in 1972 - no idea how old they really are. Still work fine. I also have a couple of wool army blankets from him, possibly from WWI when he served. I suppose there's somewhere an enthusiast group with details on how to determine the era of a wool army blanket....
I need friends who are cool with doing unusual shit out of nowhere. I select for the kind of people I can call and say "hey, wanna come with me to Montreal and commit fairly significant crimes?"Sure! Can it include shaking down the birth certificate office until they cough up my grandmother's? Also a cemetery tour, as long as that doesn't need to be included in the "significant crimes" segment...I mean, who hasn't been half naked and painted on by a total stranger in front of a huge crowd of people at some point in their life??? Right....???Closest I've got is "Nearly naked and painted by a friend in front of a small crowd, then danced for hours around the Beltane fire out in the woods along with 500+ other people..."
Never been to Burning Man, but I used to attend BDSM conventions on a semi-regular basis
Was never painted in front of a crowd, but I have been flogged in front of a crowd while mostly naked, which I would imagine ranks as at least slightly more bizarre to most people
Yesterday I was biking on a semi busy road.... turned around twice, stopped and picked up 2 pennies. I wasn't going to be able to enjoy my ride if I had kept thinking about them laying there all lonelyThank you for saving the lonely pennies.
Yesterday I was biking on a semi busy road.... turned around twice, stopped and picked up 2 pennies. I wasn't going to be able to enjoy my ride if I had kept thinking about them laying there all lonely
Wow, you guys sound like my kind of people! I spent three months homeless and living in a hippie commune in the woods where they did all of that stuff, while also working remotely for my very serious big person job. How did we all end up on this forum together?Well, I guess it comes from a root cause of not being someone who just follows the default societal choices/emphases. I'm not gonna be a consumerist sukka. I will go ahead and dance nearly nekkid around a giant fire with thumpy drums and dozens of other dancers. I think I forgot to mention, but a different friend did my hair in "warrior braids"* in addition to the skin paint - had hair down to my beltline at that time.
Yesterday I was biking on a semi busy road.... turned around twice, stopped and picked up 2 pennies. I wasn't going to be able to enjoy my ride if I had kept thinking about them laying there all lonelyIn keeping with this theme, DH picked up two pieces of sweeping 90 degree conduit fittings while on his walk yesterday. He figures they fell off someone's truck. They're worth about $30.
Hey we're twins! I wear my hair in weird braids all the time but never knew they were called anything. Obviously NOT getting my hair cut is another frugal thing I do ;-).As much as I would enjoy being your twin, I went to short hair awhile ago.
Hey we're twins! I wear my hair in weird braids all the time but never knew they were called anything. Obviously NOT getting my hair cut is another frugal thing I do ;-).As much as I would enjoy being your twin, I went to short hair awhile ago.
Upon some further thought - I do have the cut-off ponytail in a box in the closet, so I suppose it would be possible to make extensions using my own hair....
Hey we're twins! I wear my hair in weird braids all the time but never knew they were called anything. Obviously NOT getting my hair cut is another frugal thing I do ;-).As much as I would enjoy being your twin, I went to short hair awhile ago.
Upon some further thought - I do have the cut-off ponytail in a box in the closet, so I suppose it would be possible to make extensions using my own hair....
You might be able to sell that ponytail, depending on length and condition.
True story! At one point, I had my hair below my butt, very thick, and I always kept it trimmed
True story! At one point, I had my hair below my butt, very thick, and I always kept it trimmed
Thick or not, it's probably best for sanitary purposes to keep butt hair trimmed to shorter levels. :P
I'm in the midst a low-buy year and my partner & I did a full no-buy year five years ago.Sorry to be "THAT guy", but NO buy? How does that work?
I'm in the midst a low-buy year and my partner & I did a full no-buy year five years ago.Sorry to be "THAT guy", but NO buy? How does that work?
Just returned from a trip and realized one of my tricks might qualify for this thread. I buy vitamins at Costco. One day it occurred to me that the sturdy, airtight containers might make very good travel ice. I wash the vitamin bottles on the top shelf of the dishwasher, fill and freeze them, then use them in the cooler. Bonus, as the ice melts, it can either be refrozen in the RV fridge or, if we get somewhere where the water quality is less than what we're used to, we drink the water from the unneeded vitamin bottles.This would keep the water mess from getting all over. I'll have to try this, this summer.
Just returned from a trip and realized one of my tricks might qualify for this thread. I buy vitamins at Costco. One day it occurred to me that the sturdy, airtight containers might make very good travel ice. I wash the vitamin bottles on the top shelf of the dishwasher, fill and freeze them, then use them in the cooler. Bonus, as the ice melts, it can either be refrozen in the RV fridge or, if we get somewhere where the water quality is less than what we're used to, we drink the water from the unneeded vitamin bottles.This would keep the water mess from getting all over. I'll have to try this, this summer.
Just returned from a trip and realized one of my tricks might qualify for this thread. I buy vitamins at Costco. One day it occurred to me that the sturdy, airtight containers might make very good travel ice. I wash the vitamin bottles on the top shelf of the dishwasher, fill and freeze them, then use them in the cooler. Bonus, as the ice melts, it can either be refrozen in the RV fridge or, if we get somewhere where the water quality is less than what we're used to, we drink the water from the unneeded vitamin bottles.This would keep the water mess from getting all over. I'll have to try this, this summer.
I have a small plastic storage bin full of ice in the freezer for use in a cooler, but if it gets turned over it leaks. I like this idea better.
If you have a shower head in the room where your toilet lives, toilet paper is not a household essential. It should be recognized as an extravagance.
I leave about an inch of headroom. The bottles do sweat while defrosting, but generally don't leak.Just returned from a trip and realized one of my tricks might qualify for this thread. I buy vitamins at Costco. One day it occurred to me that the sturdy, airtight containers might make very good travel ice. I wash the vitamin bottles on the top shelf of the dishwasher, fill and freeze them, then use them in the cooler. Bonus, as the ice melts, it can either be refrozen in the RV fridge or, if we get somewhere where the water quality is less than what we're used to, we drink the water from the unneeded vitamin bottles.This would keep the water mess from getting all over. I'll have to try this, this summer.
I have a small plastic storage bin full of ice in the freezer for use in a cooler, but if it gets turned over it leaks. I like this idea better.
The bottles don't expand/leak when the water freezes in them? Or do you leave some space at the top of the bottle?
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
Seems there's a hankering for discussion on some unusually frugal choices, so let's do it!
What is the most (or Top 3, if you are so inclined) frugal thing you do?
Mine are probably driving very little (about 1000 miles/year) and living where we do to be super close to DH's work. I'm definitely not a super frugal person, so I look forward to being inspired by those who are!
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
In the grand scheme of things, probably being a DIYer and being able to fix and improve our home over the last few years has saved me the most $$$... doesn't feel like it when you are still spending money on tools and materials down at the DIY store though!
Ugh…you were doing great then you ruined it with your attitude!
I DIY for most things, except serious plumbing and electrical and I don’t get on the roof anymore. I remember when I bought my first gas chain saw. A tree died and the guy wanted $350. No thank you. DW asks what’d spend on that? I said I made us $220 on it.
The right tool, good-to-better quality, is not a waste of money.
Not sure about your local areas, but our Buy Nothing Group is full of requests to borrow specific tools/equipment for short-term use. I've borrowed all manner of high quality tools (and lent out my own meagre supply) to enable me to do jobs without lining the pockets of the DIY stores in the process. Much cheaper than having a shed full of quite specific tools that have each only been used sparingly.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
I always keep soy sauce packets for picnics. Sushi is one of my favourite picnic meals to make and it's much easier to pack soy sauce than trying to find a little container for it.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
I don't empty the ketchup packets into a ketchup bottle. I just toss them in a drawer and then when I need ketchup, I just grab a packet. Same w soy sauce.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
Why waste money on a container? Just use the packets.
How often are people going out for fast food, to have that many spare ketchup packets? I don't think I've had more than 1-2 extra packets in years, certainly not enough to replace buying bottled ketchup. Especially nowadays, when many places don't have the packets out on the counter, and you have to ask for extras.
Soy sauce makes more sense to me, as they usually throw handfuls of packets in for any size order, but even then, I don't order Chinese takeout nearly often enough to maintain a stash of sauce. Maybe 2-3 times a year, max?
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
Why waste money on a container? Just use the packets.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
Why waste money on a container? Just use the packets.
I don't ever have a need for individually wrapped packets, but always have a container of soy sauce in the fridge.
Some places just absolutely shovel soy sauce or ketchup packets into their takeout bags, especially for group orders. I never get takeout, but my work frequently does, and I end up with mountains of packets of everything under the sun. We used to have a whole drawer at work full of packets of parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, peanut butter, mayo, ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, duck sauce, BBQ sauce, etc. etc.
I learned at some point that mixing a mustard packet and a mayonnaise packet makes a decent single serving of salad dressing if you forget yours at home. Ditto for a peanut butter packet plus a soy sauce and a hot sauce packet.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
Why waste money on a container? Just use the packets.
I don't ever have a need for individually wrapped packets, but always have a container of soy sauce in the fridge.
I don't understand this. What need does a container of soy sauce fulfill that packets won't? If I'm cooking with soy sauce and need a larger quantity, I can open several packets.
I will say that I find packet soy sauce to be less flavorful than the stuff purchased in a bottle, so I do occasionally end up using more to get the same flavor.
(I can't remember the term for when you say a word too much that it looses it's sense of meaning. Does anyone know? That's now happened with me for the word 'packets'.)
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
Why waste money on a container? Just use the packets.
I don't ever have a need for individually wrapped packets, but always have a container of soy sauce in the fridge.
I don't understand this. What need does a container of soy sauce fulfill that packets won't? If I'm cooking with soy sauce and need a larger quantity, I can open several packets.
I will say that I find packet soy sauce to be less flavorful than the stuff purchased in a bottle, so I do occasionally end up using more to get the same flavor.
(I can't remember the term for when you say a word too much that it looses it's sense of meaning. Does anyone know? That's now happened with me for the word 'packets'.)
Besides being annoyingly messy, packets are an inconvenient way to use soy sauce while cooking. Opening a new packet to add a little bit more is a PITA. Pouring two and a half teaspoons of soy into a dish is a PITA. Packets are inferior in every way other than portability to a bottle.
I keep having visions of “frugal” living from some ABC special that came off as painting frugal people as super weirdos. One character refilled their ketchup container with leftover packets of ketchup from the fast food joint. I find myself purposefully resisting this activity and throwing away perfectly fine packets of soy sauce. I think “ I could just empty those into the soy bottle”. But then I the ABC nightly news brain washing kicks in and I give in to the peer pressure of not being that weirdo.
The actual frugal thing to do here is spend on eating out intentionally and we work on exercising that frugality muscle continuously.
FFS! Don't throw out perfectly good food! Put the soy sauce in the bigger container! It is bizarre and weird to live on a planet of finite resources and waste things simply because of social conditioning.
Why waste money on a container? Just use the packets.
I don't ever have a need for individually wrapped packets, but always have a container of soy sauce in the fridge.
I don't understand this. What need does a container of soy sauce fulfill that packets won't? If I'm cooking with soy sauce and need a larger quantity, I can open several packets.
I will say that I find packet soy sauce to be less flavorful than the stuff purchased in a bottle, so I do occasionally end up using more to get the same flavor.
(I can't remember the term for when you say a word too much that it looses it's sense of meaning. Does anyone know? That's now happened with me for the word 'packets'.)
Besides being annoyingly messy, packets are an inconvenient way to use soy sauce while cooking. Opening a new packet to add a little bit more is a PITA. Pouring two and a half teaspoons of soy into a dish is a PITA. Packets are inferior in every way other than portability to a bottle.
You have to open and pour them either way though, no? They don't just magically transport their contents into the bottle.
Most frugal thing I do is collaborate with DH on all major and minor financial choices. We research our investments, interest rates, service providers and have long deliberate discussions about where we think we should we should put our money to reach our shared goals. This isn't fun or sexy...but it is rewarding.Good on you.
Most frugal thing I do is collaborate with DH on all major and minor financial choices. We research our investments, interest rates, service providers and have long deliberate discussions about where we think we should we should put our money to reach our shared goals. This isn't fun or sexy...but it is rewarding.
Thanks @Dicey and @Metalcat !! The truth is, we do enjoy it. I love that we discuss all of the minutiae and create a shared plan. The partnership is really the fun/sexy part for me. The FIRE status was a perk of that partnership.
We spent a couple of hours yesterday researching interest rates on our cash account. Went to our bank, filled out some paperwork, called our other providers and wound up making 2.5x the interest rate for our efforts. Not bad for a morning's work!!
NB: NO ONE will tell you how long their "promotional" interest rates will last. We last did this interest rate shopping in March....and our rate came down by a third in that time with no notice. Despite rates going up again. So, my frugal habit is checking my interest rates and then shifting money based on who gives us the best rate.
We DIY just about everything in our house and for our vehicles. There have been a few exceptions, but it saves tens of thousands over the years.You sound like another kindred spirit. Welcome!
I don't wear makeup or buy a lot of new clothes. I'm wearing an 11 year old dress right now. The style is pretty basic. I mostly cook from scratch. Don't get me wrong, I like eating out, but it's pretty expensive.
We DIY just about everything in our house and for our vehicles. There have been a few exceptions, but it saves tens of thousands over the years.You sound like another kindred spirit. Welcome!
I don't wear makeup or buy a lot of new clothes. I'm wearing an 11 year old dress right now. The style is pretty basic. I mostly cook from scratch. Don't get me wrong, I like eating out, but it's pretty expensive.
Reporting back an hour later that I've put 9 ketchup packets in the bottle and 11 powdered cheese packets from a pizza place into the powdered parmesan bottle. I would have done the 15 or so red pepper flakes but I can't find the spice jar.
I live in a 375 sq ft condo. No alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks.
I live in a 375 sq ft condo. No alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks.
That's an admirable combination!
That's awesome. I think more people should find fun and romance in financial planning with their spouses. It can be a great time.
Drive for free for the last 15 or so years
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
Reporting back an hour later that I've put 9 ketchup packets in the bottle and 11 powdered cheese packets from a pizza place into the powdered parmesan bottle. I would have done the 15 or so red pepper flakes but I can't find the spice jar.
Don't forget about the salt, pepper, and sugar packets.
I live in a 375 sq ft condo. No alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks.
That's an admirable combination!
Or a damning indictment on the deprivation and travails necessitated by small space living.
:P
Drive for free for the last 15 or so yearsIs there a Part 2 coming? We want to learn how you got free gas, oil, and parts for said vehicles. Also, how do you get free insurance and tags? Assuming you do your own maintenance, but how do you get free tools?
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
I live in a 375 sq ft condo. No alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks.
That's an admirable combination!
Or a damning indictment on the deprivation and travails necessitated by small space living.
:P
Lol. I lived in 2200 sq ft apartments for several years and I would go months without going into the other bedrooms. I find that I can live very well in a small space.
I live in a 375 sq ft condo. No alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks.
That's an admirable combination!
Or a damning indictment on the deprivation and travails necessitated by small space living.
:P
Lol. I lived in 2200 sq ft apartments for several years and I would go months without going into the other bedrooms. I find that I can live very well in a small space.
I think he was making a joke that you were saying you couldn't have coffee, alcohol or carbonated drinks because you don't have the space for them.
GuitarStv is a our beloved weirdo who yells at people A LOT that they don't need beds because they can sleep on the floor and don't need toilet paper because they can just clean their asses in the shower. He's not likely to be someone who doesn't think people can reasonably live in small spaces.
He also sometimes makes terrible jokes, lol.
I live in a 375 sq ft condo. No alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks.
That's an admirable combination!
Or a damning indictment on the deprivation and travails necessitated by small space living.
:P
Lol. I lived in 2200 sq ft apartments for several years and I would go months without going into the other bedrooms. I find that I can live very well in a small space.
I think he was making a joke that you were saying you couldn't have coffee, alcohol or carbonated drinks because you don't have the space for them.
GuitarStv is a our beloved weirdo who yells at people A LOT that they don't need beds because they can sleep on the floor and don't need toilet paper because they can just clean their asses in the shower. He's not likely to be someone who doesn't think people can reasonably live in small spaces.
He also sometimes makes terrible jokes, lol.
I live in a 375 sq ft condo. No alcohol, coffee or carbonated drinks.
That's an admirable combination!
Or a damning indictment on the deprivation and travails necessitated by small space living.
:P
Lol. I lived in 2200 sq ft apartments for several years and I would go months without going into the other bedrooms. I find that I can live very well in a small space.
I think he was making a joke that you were saying you couldn't have coffee, alcohol or carbonated drinks because you don't have the space for them.
GuitarStv is a our beloved weirdo who yells at people A LOT that they don't need beds because they can sleep on the floor and don't need toilet paper because they can just clean their asses in the shower. He's not likely to be someone who doesn't think people can reasonably live in small spaces.
He also sometimes makes terrible jokes, lol.
60% of the time, the jokes work every time!
Drive for free for the last 15 or so years
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
How do you find these vehicles?
Drive for free for the last 15 or so yearsIs there a Part 2 coming? We want to learn how you got free gas, oil, and parts for said vehicles. Also, how do you get free insurance and tags? Assuming you do your own maintenance, but how do you get free tools?
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
Drive for free for the last 15 or so yearsIs there a Part 2 coming? We want to learn how you got free gas, oil, and parts for said vehicles. Also, how do you get free insurance and tags? Assuming you do your own maintenance, but how do you get free tools?
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
I was implying that I use profits from sales to fund all that including the price of buying the cars. I do my own work on them so yes I am implying that my time is free I suppose.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Drive for free for the last 15 or so years
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
Drive for free for the last 15 or so years
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
Impressive!
I feel like I've made some pretty good deals buying vehicles from Craigslist and jumping on an opportunity from a co-worker leaving the country but it doesn't come close to a net positive.
Did you buy cars that were in really bad shape and fix them up?
Drive for free for the last 15 or so yearsIs there a Part 2 coming? We want to learn how you got free gas, oil, and parts for said vehicles. Also, how do you get free insurance and tags? Assuming you do your own maintenance, but how do you get free tools?
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
I was implying that I use profits from sales to fund all that including the price of buying the cars. I do my own work on them so yes I am implying that my time is free I suppose.
Very dodgy answer. You specifically stated:That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
I’m not trying to dodge anything. I spend money completely from profits of cars I drove and sold for more than I paid for including using it registering it and repairing it. In my mind that’s free. If that doesn’t equate to your thought regarding it I can respect that but in my mind it’s free. Am I missing something? Fyi I mean that in the most respectful way. I spend zero money from my w2 job or savings on vehicles.
If rebutting that due to the fact that I spend time repairing things and of course time is money then technically yes you are correct my statement implies that my time is worth nothing. I stand corrected.
I find the fact that you're deflecting my question mildly amusing. Here is what I asked you:Drive for free for the last 15 or so yearsIs there a Part 2 coming? We want to learn how you got free gas, oil, and parts for said vehicles. Also, how do you get free insurance and tags? Assuming you do your own maintenance, but how do you get free tools?
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy car sell car for profit
Buy next car with profit. Drive said car documenting all expenses minus gas (including title flips and registering and taxes) Sell that car at some point for profit.
Buy next car with profit. Ect.
I have 4 reliable cars that have been bought correctly with all profits of previous cars sold with enough padding in the positive direction that expenses are just deducted for profits sitting there.
If cash pile gets low I just sell something and buy another one correctly and add to pile.
That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
Current cash pile = 4500
I was implying that I use profits from sales to fund all that including the price of buying the cars. I do my own work on them so yes I am implying that my time is free I suppose.
Very dodgy answer. You specifically stated:That being said I generally drive for free in every sense of the word IMO.
I’m not trying to dodge anything. I spend money completely from profits of cars I drove and sold for more than I paid for including using it registering it and repairing it. In my mind that’s free. If that doesn’t equate to your thought regarding it I can respect that but in my mind it’s free. Am I missing something? Fyi I mean that in the most respectful way. I spend zero money from my w2 job or savings on vehicles.
If rebutting that due to the fact that I spend time repairing things and of course time is money then technically yes you are correct my statement implies that my time is worth nothing. I stand corrected.
I'm not the most frugal person, but the one area I am good at is entertainment.
My entertainment revolves around free events around town. I go to museums a lot (just pop-in and pop-out whenever because they are free here). I scour the free event sites to find lectures, workshops, concerts, etc that are free AND often have free refreshments (sometimes even beer & wine). Because I'm always on the lookout for cool free things to do, I do so many things I wouldn't otherwise do. For instance, in the next month, I'll:
* see a few different free concerts at multiple locations. Some will allow outside food/drink and some I'll buy refreshments
* attend some art openings and gallery talks
* participate in a writing workshop at the National Portrait Gallery
* see Bob Costas and Bob Wilton talk about...sports something (not something I'd ordinarily do, but hey, it's free...why not?)
* go on a big group bike ride with a police escort through intersections
* Learn about desegregation of "Jim Crow" airports with a former congressman who worked on the legislation at the Air and Space Museum
* Join a watch party for World Cup hosted by DC United
* See a film screening at the Argentine Embassy
* Attend a screening of the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the National Archives
* Join a birding tour on a boat on the river
* Play Burl Ives' guitar at the Library of Congress (yeah, just like Lizzo and the flute, only I'm just a nobody and they're letting me play it)
When I look at the events on my calendar, I wonder what do people do for entertainment who don't actively look for free stuff.
When I was flipping cars years ago I was generally making enough money to cover any new tools (many last a lifetime), insurance, parts, etc. Can't nail down my profits to the cent all these years later b/c I wasn't tracking it that closely but I do think I was covering all my expenses including fuel with the profits.
I'd buy a car in the low hundreds and sell it for a couple of thousand and driving it for a year. Sometimes I could chain the buys/sells together.
Bought a grocery getter car for $150, minor repairs and drove it for over a year. Traded it directly for a small car that needed some cheap repairs ($150), drove it about a year and sold it for about $1200. Repeat, wash and rinse. This was ~30 years ago.
* Play Burl Ives' guitar at the Library of Congress (yeah, just like Lizzo and the flute, only I'm just a nobody and they're letting me play it)
I put my physical library card in my wallet so I can visit the library after work and check out their wares. I sold a pet ramp on Fb for $25 but the chair I listed remains in my living room due to flaky flakes flaking out on me.
I have to add one nitpick about always getting entertainment from free/reduced passes. Yes, most museums or public gardens have some time set aside for free or donation-only attendance.
However I strongly believe that if you want to see those institutions continue in your community than it's a worthwhile investment to become a paying member. It's likely only $50-$70/year and helps ensure their financial stability. If we here on MMM can afford to travel, buy better quality food, remodel our homes, etc., then we can afford to help maintain the places we love so events can continue to be enjoyed by all.
It's a ripple effect - it creates jobs, promotes creativity, and overall enhances our lives. Let's not just grift on the generosity of others for our invaluable public institutions.
I have to add one nitpick about always getting entertainment from free/reduced passes. Yes, most museums or public gardens have some time set aside for free or donation-only attendance.
However I strongly believe that if you want to see those institutions continue in your community than it's a worthwhile investment to become a paying member. It's likely only $50-$70/year and helps ensure their financial stability. If we here on MMM can afford to travel, buy better quality food, remodel our homes, etc., then we can afford to help maintain the places we love so events can continue to be enjoyed by all.
It's a ripple effect - it creates jobs, promotes creativity, and overall enhances our lives. Let's not just grift on the generosity of others for our invaluable public institutions.
I have to add one nitpick about always getting entertainment from free/reduced passes. Yes, most museums or public gardens have some time set aside for free or donation-only attendance.
However I strongly believe that if you want to see those institutions continue in your community than it's a worthwhile investment to become a paying member. It's likely only $50-$70/year and helps ensure their financial stability. If we here on MMM can afford to travel, buy better quality food, remodel our homes, etc., then we can afford to help maintain the places we love so events can continue to be enjoyed by all.
It's a ripple effect - it creates jobs, promotes creativity, and overall enhances our lives. Let's not just grift on the generosity of others for our invaluable public institutions.
I always assumed collectors loaned, leased, or donated artworks to museums to help ensure the values of their collections increased. Isn't that how the high-end art world works? Few things are truly "priceless", but many are marketed as such.
I have to add one nitpick about always getting entertainment from free/reduced passes. Yes, most museums or public gardens have some time set aside for free or donation-only attendance.I agree completely! My favorite hack is buying memberships at charity auctions. The membership donor gets great exposure for very little cost, and the host group gets $$ for their cause. Then I bring guests, so they can get to know the institution and potentially become guests themselves.
However I strongly believe that if you want to see those institutions continue in your community than it's a worthwhile investment to become a paying member. It's likely only $50-$70/year and helps ensure their financial stability. If we here on MMM can afford to travel, buy better quality food, remodel our homes, etc., then we can afford to help maintain the places we love so events can continue to be enjoyed by all.
It's a ripple effect - it creates jobs, promotes creativity, and overall enhances our lives. Let's not just grift on the generosity of others for our invaluable public institutions.
I put my physical library card in my wallet so I can visit the library after work and check out their wares. I sold a pet ramp on Fb for $25 but the chair I listed remains in my living room due to flaky flakes flaking out on me.
I put my physical library card in my wallet so I can visit the library after work and check out their wares.
I'm not going to buy a cell phone just so I can use my library card, and the cord on our home phone won't stretch far enough.
I'm not going to buy a cell phone just so I can use my library card, and the cord on our home phone won't stretch far enough.
How did I not know that you don't have a cell phone??
I'm not going to buy a cell phone just so I can use my library card, and the cord on our home phone won't stretch far enough.
How did I not know that you don't have a cell phone??
This cell phone fad is going to end soon and you'll all feel so foolish . . .
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
I'm not going to buy a cell phone just so I can use my library card, and the cord on our home phone won't stretch far enough.
How did I not know that you don't have a cell phone??
This cell phone fad is going to end soon and you'll all feel so foolish . . .
Lol....
I felt this way also until I needed an app to login for work, and an app to login to my banking website, and an app to even buy movie tickets at the local movie theatre (they have no employees there to buy tickets, or check tickets, and no self checkout even - all is on the app), etc, etc.
I'm not going to buy a cell phone just so I can use my library card, and the cord on our home phone won't stretch far enough.
How did I not know that you don't have a cell phone??
This cell phone fad is going to end soon and you'll all feel so foolish . . .
Lol....
I felt this way also until I needed an app to login for work, and an app to login to my banking website, and an app to even buy movie tickets at the local movie theatre (they have no employees there to buy tickets, or check tickets, and no self checkout even - all is on the app), etc, etc.
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
My library card is too long to memorize. ;-)
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
My library card is too long to memorize. ;-)
Mine is 14 digits long, are there really libraries with longer library card numbers than that? Do they have freakishly long cards to fit it all?
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
Yep, me too.
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
Yep, me too.
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
Yep, me too.
It's so much faster and easier to scan the card than punch in the number that I've never tried manual entry.
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
Yep, me too.
It's so much faster and easier to scan the card than punch in the number that I've never tried manual entry.
I guess that depends on the person. It's faster for me to type it in than to take out my card, scan it, and put it away.
You guys don't memorize your library card numbers? Half the time I'm too lazy to get out my wallet and just punch it in from memory. My boyfriend about 90% of the time.
Yep, me too.
It's so much faster and easier to scan the card than punch in the number that I've never tried manual entry.
I guess that depends on the person. It's faster for me to type it in than to take out my card, scan it, and put it away.
Protip - tattoo the bar code on your forehead to avoid fussing with cards OR typing.
I'm not going to buy a cell phone just so I can use my library card, and the cord on our home phone won't stretch far enough.
How did I not know that you don't have a cell phone??
I'm not going to buy a cell phone just so I can use my library card, and the cord on our home phone won't stretch far enough.
How did I not know that you don't have a cell phone??
This cell phone fad is going to end soon and you'll all feel so foolish . . .
Lol....
I felt this way also until I needed an app to login for work, and an app to login to my banking website, and an app to even buy movie tickets at the local movie theatre (they have no employees there to buy tickets, or check tickets, and no self checkout even - all is on the app), etc, etc.
I don't know about your work login, but the functionality of most other apps can be replicated on a computer screen.
The one I haven't figured out yet is mobile check deposit. I made a phone call trying to explain to Ally that their app wouldn't let me log in because it wasn't designed for the 1.5"-wide screen of my mini smartphone. (Cost: <$150.) But that's rare enough that it's not a big deal.
I'm the person still asking restaurants with QR codes if they have paper menus in the back. (Sometimes they do, sometimes not.) I refuse to carry a cell phone with an internet browser; it was bad for me when I did.
Resist designing society around universal adoption of a luxury product!
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What about the restaurants that refuse to accept cash? I'm not sure that was even legal until C-19 made cash a dirty thing. I'm surprised the anti-vaxxers didn't blame the CC companies for the pandemic so they could force CC payments on everyone. (Obviously, none of them were bright enough to notice the profit motive.)
What about the restaurants that refuse to accept cash?
I'm not the most frugal person, but the one area I am good at is entertainment.
My entertainment revolves around free events around town. I go to museums a lot (just pop-in and pop-out whenever because they are free here). I scour the free event sites to find lectures, workshops, concerts, etc that are free AND often have free refreshments (sometimes even beer & wine). Because I'm always on the lookout for cool free things to do, I do so many things I wouldn't otherwise do. For instance, in the next month, I'll:
* see a few different free concerts at multiple locations. Some will allow outside food/drink and some I'll buy refreshments
* attend some art openings and gallery talks
* participate in a writing workshop at the National Portrait Gallery
* see Bob Costas and Bob Wilton talk about...sports something (not something I'd ordinarily do, but hey, it's free...why not?)
* go on a big group bike ride with a police escort through intersections
* Learn about desegregation of "Jim Crow" airports with a former congressman who worked on the legislation at the Air and Space Museum
* Join a watch party for World Cup hosted by DC United
* See a film screening at the Argentine Embassy
* Attend a screening of the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the National Archives
* Join a birding tour on a boat on the river
* Play Burl Ives' guitar at the Library of Congress (yeah, just like Lizzo and the flute, only I'm just a nobody and they're letting me play it)
When I look at the events on my calendar, I wonder what do people do for entertainment who don't actively look for free stuff.
I would need a vacation afterwards if I were to do these events within a month.