What frugal thing did you do today?

[pizzy]

Most of the posts make me feel wasteful and degenerate

I feel the same way.

[pizzy]

Also, saved $90 by returning a toner (unopened and still in the box) I purchased couple of weeks ago.

Am I being frugal if I buy an item today and then return it next month?

Do you use the item?

[Wwwdotcom]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

[sc9182]

Ordered $4 silicone-grease -- worked on couple of faucets -- which were having trouble swiveling. Removed dirt/grime/mineral-build-up etc, cleaned, lightly sanded, applied plenty of silicone-grease., put it back. Faucets now work/swivel better/smoother than when new (it feels a bit artificial, actually; would imagine will start feeling normal in due course). Saved possible new-faucet and/or plumber cost.

Sweating a bit ought to count as a frugal thing., that is if you don't count: our Mother's day last-weekend stay at windy-city Peninsula, add Mother's day Buffet/Brunch about $350/seat - pre-booked & sold-out in-advance (any drinks/bubbly-liquids/tip/service-charges/taxes and others extra; no discount here lucky we got seats). Saving grace was - The Peninsula staff was extraordinary (as always), and took care of us (practically pampered us, along with sending Chocolate Strawberries and some bubbly bottle to our room, gratis) -- and we were able to secure corporate room rate - which was nearly 60% off of best ongoing room rate. Then we got free upgrade to a 600 sq ft room with roof-top garden view and tiny bit of lake-view; they tried - but couldn't upgrade to a Suite due to fully sold-out situation Dunno - if this counts as "frugal" thing on this particular thread -- but every little bit of savings helps in our book ..

[Jeepergeo]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

I miss the cap puzzles, price point, and taste of Lucky Lager.

[sc9182]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

I miss the cap puzzles, price point, and taste of Lucky Lager.

A bud mentioned - local Twin-Peaks offers 30-50 sports/entertainment screens and $2.50 TP-light beer (frozen pint glass) - all day, every day .. guess one just have to find right place/selection for “frugally priced, decent beer”

[quantAndHold]

Also, saved $90 by returning a toner (unopened and still in the box) I purchased couple of weeks ago.

Am I being frugal if I buy an item today and then return it next month?

This entire thread is evidence of the subjectivity of the term "frugal". I wouldn't consider 95%+ of the posts an exhibition of "frugalness", but I'm just one man, with one opinion.

Yes, but you’re a contender for “most frugal BH,” so your opinion does carry some heft I am not particularly frugal, by any standards but especially by BH standards, and I follow this thread to see if I can pick up some pointers. Most of the posts make me feel wasteful and degenerate, but perhaps that’s how I make progress. I am less wasteful than many with our income level, but that’s a lazy bar.

I don’t know about you two, but I just come to this thread for the pure comedy gold of some of the most sincere posts.

[pizzy]

Mother's day Buffet/Brunch about $350/seat

Dunno - if this counts as "frugal"

You aren't sure if a $350/person brunch is considered frugal?

[Ivygirl]

Also, saved $90 by returning a toner (unopened and still in the box) I purchased couple of weeks ago.

Am I being frugal if I buy an item today and then return it next month?

This entire thread is evidence of the subjectivity of the term "frugal". I wouldn't consider 95%+ of the posts an exhibition of "frugalness", but I'm just one man, with one opinion.

Yes, but you’re a contender for “most frugal BH,” so your opinion does carry some heft I am not particularly frugal, by any standards but especially by BH standards, and I follow this thread to see if I can pick up some pointers. Most of the posts make me feel wasteful and degenerate, but perhaps that’s how I make progress. I am less wasteful than many with our income level, but that’s a lazy bar.

I don’t know about you two, but I just come to this thread for the pure comedy gold of some of the most sincere posts.

Sincerity is much rarer than amateur comedians. Maybe just take people at their word?

[pizzy]

Maybe just take people at their word?

That's the funny part.

[Wwwdotcom]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

I miss the cap puzzles, price point, and taste of Lucky Lager.

A bud mentioned - local Twin-Peaks offers 30-50 sports/entertainment screens and $2.50 TP-light beer (frozen pint glass) - all day, every day .. guess one just have to find right place/selection for “frugally priced, decent beer”

Reminds me of my days in Texas when a coworker took me to a strip club for a $5 steak lunch.

[Ivygirl]

Maybe just take people at their word?

That's the funny part.

I know sometimes it's difficult to explain a joke without ruining it, but I wish you would, just this time.

[pizzy]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

I miss the cap puzzles, price point, and taste of Lucky Lager.

A bud mentioned - local Twin-Peaks offers 30-50 sports/entertainment screens and $2.50 TP-light beer (frozen pint glass) - all day, every day .. guess one just have to find right place/selection for “frugally priced, decent beer”

Reminds me of my days in Texas when a coworker took me to a strip club for a $5 steak lunch.

How was the steak?

[Wwwdotcom]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

I miss the cap puzzles, price point, and taste of Lucky Lager.

A bud mentioned - local Twin-Peaks offers 30-50 sports/entertainment screens and $2.50 TP-light beer (frozen pint glass) - all day, every day .. guess one just have to find right place/selection for “frugally priced, decent beer”

Reminds me of my days in Texas when a coworker took me to a strip club for a $5 steak lunch.

How was the steak?

Pretty tough. Today, I'd probably go for a Whataburger instead. Circa 2000s, Texas was pretty wild.

[JPM]

Not sure how frugal this indulgence can be considered.

Attending Racine Wi Symphony this afternoon with Grace Park soloist, four tickets total cost=$220. Parking fee= $0. Comparable tickets for 4 at CSO (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) where we used to subscribe would be $900-1200 with at least a $30 parking fee.

Instead of fine dining in Chicago afterward, we will be hosting our friends for dinner at our home. Cost probably <$60 for 4 as opposed to >$300 dining out in Chicago.

[uaeebs86]

Maybe just take people at their word?

That's the funny part.

I know sometimes it's difficult to explain a joke without ruining it, but I wish you would, just this time.

I'll take a stab at it:

I think he believes they are sincere, and their extreme frugality makes him laugh.

[Ivygirl]

Maybe just take people at their word?

That's the funny part.

I know sometimes it's difficult to explain a joke without ruining it, but I wish you would, just this time.

I'll take a stab at it:

I think he believes they are sincere, and their extreme frugality makes him laugh.

Oh well then, if it's the good kind of laugh - at a potential absurdity inherent in a situation - and not a bad kind of laugh - at the sincerity itself - then all is well.

[pizzy]

Maybe just take people at their word?

That's the funny part.

I know sometimes it's difficult to explain a joke without ruining it, but I wish you would, just this time.

I'll take a stab at it:

I think he believes they are sincere, and their extreme frugality makes him laugh.

To be fair, it wasn’t me re: comedy gold. I was just helping Ivy understand what the other person was saying.

Similar to what you are doing now.

[iamlucky13]

Our 11 year old plasma made a popping noise and the screen dark last week. My wife had already started browsing online for new TV's before I got home from work.

I had time over the weekend to open it up and find the likely problem.

The capacitor I need is $0.40 at a Digikey. If the exploded capacitor is only a symptom, not the root cause, the board it is on looks to be around $50.

I'll report back if the plan is successful or not.

Also, last week, I bought my wife a used mother's day gift, but the motive for that was as much necessity as frugality. I had a specific gift in mind (Sunset Western Garden Book), that turned out to be strangely difficult to find. I turned to Half Price Books in desperation, and was very happy to find a copy of the current edition in excellent condition for much less than half price. And she didn't seem to begrudge receiving a used gift after I explained the work it took to find it.

[quantAndHold]

Ate leftovers for dinner.

[A440]

DIY oil change. Cost in parts= $50. Dealer charges $150.
Satisfaction of knowing it was done correctly...

[Dave5280]

Used Costco Travel online to re-book a rental car at a cheaper rate, after the rate went down. Cut the cost in half.

[stoptothink]

DIY oil change. Cost in parts= $50. Dealer charges $150.
Satisfaction of knowing it was done correctly...

I am very DIY and never take my cars to the dealership for any reason but recalls, but one of the mandatory dealership add-ons when we bought our truck was the "advantage package": 3 oil changes, tire rotations, and multi-point inspection (generally worthless). We took our truck in to get the recalls done and it's first oil change last week. While there I noticed that the advantage package was on sale for $106. That's about what it would cost me in parts alone, so I bought another package of 3 more services...with Ford Pass points of course (we got ~$250 when purchasing the truck and hadn't yet used any).

For comparisons sake, the dealership we bought our other car from charges $120 for an oil change on our jetta (and nothing comparable to Ford Pass points).

[pizzy]

multi-point inspection (generally worthless)

Unless you think they are lying about the answers, this is my favorite part of going to the dealership.

[stoptothink]

multi-point inspection (generally worthless)

Unless you think they are lying about the answers, this is my favorite part of going to the dealership.

At a Ford dealerships it's an 18yr old kid making sure nothing is broken or hanging off your vehicle, while someone else is changing the oil. I have the print-out in my glove compartment, I can do the same thing myself in 2-3 minutes and I trust my judgement more than the person likely doing it at the dealership.

[hotajax]

Cut my lawn.

[Derpalator]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

Wonder if you might get a deal on a recent InBev ale (light) in the news as of late.

[RobLyons]

Cancelled my Planet Fitness gym membership before annual fee kicked in. (Was trying PF after my gym raised rates)
We had lunch at home instead of getting take out.
Forgot my credit cards at home so didn't go out for ice cream after daughter's baseball game

[Wwwdotcom]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

Wonder if you might get a deal on a recent InBev ale (light) in the news as of late.

I doubt it. They seem to never be priced the lowest. Either way, I would definitely buy on a price dip.

[Jeepergeo]

Rather tha buy a new 100-ft extension cord for $75, I replaced the crushed end with a repair end that cost me ~$7. This is the second time this cord has been repaired, so it's now more like 99-ft, but I have $150 in my pocket and the satisfaction that comes with a DIY solution.

[quantAndHold]

Rather tha buy a new 100-ft extension cord for $75, I replaced the crushed end with a repair end that cost me ~$7. This is the second time this cord has been repaired, so it's now more like 99-ft, but I have $150 in my pocket and the satisfaction that comes with a DIY solution.

My neighbor is a pool guy. He left a high end shop vac out for pickup. When I investigated, the only thing wrong was that he had pulled the plug end apart. I replaced the plug for $5, and we’ve been using it for the past five years. Nice vacuum. The only thing wrong with it is that his name is written on it in sharpie.

[ResearchMed]

Rather tha buy a new 100-ft extension cord for $75, I replaced the crushed end with a repair end that cost me ~$7. This is the second time this cord has been repaired, so it's now more like 99-ft, but I have $150 in my pocket and the satisfaction that comes with a DIY solution.

My neighbor is a pool guy. He left a high end shop vac out for pickup. When I investigated, the only thing wrong was that he had pulled the plug end apart. I replaced the plug for $5, and we’ve been using it for the past five years. Nice vacuum. The only thing wrong with it is that his name is written on it in sharpie.

Using sharpies, including in several colors perhaps, how about creating an intricate floral design (or something modern?) right over (or incorporating the swirls/lines of the name)?
Then you'll have a wonderful custom shop vac!

RM

[quantAndHold]

Rather tha buy a new 100-ft extension cord for $75, I replaced the crushed end with a repair end that cost me ~$7. This is the second time this cord has been repaired, so it's now more like 99-ft, but I have $150 in my pocket and the satisfaction that comes with a DIY solution.

My neighbor is a pool guy. He left a high end shop vac out for pickup. When I investigated, the only thing wrong was that he had pulled the plug end apart. I replaced the plug for $5, and we’ve been using it for the past five years. Nice vacuum. The only thing wrong with it is that his name is written on it in sharpie.

Using sharpies, including in several colors perhaps, how about creating an intricate floral design (or something modern?) right over (or incorporating the swirls/lines of the name)?
Then you'll have a wonderful custom shop vac!

RM

[kacang]

Amazon prime membership up for renewal. As per previous years, we share it with an adult kid using the household program and split the subscription bill, win-win.

Amazon household program https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer ... SE2RD7EXS

[Index24]

I bought instant coffee for an upcoming vacation. Just add to hot water. Cheap and easy.

[Blue456]

I made sandwiches for our road trip. No butter, lots of vegetables and a couple of slices of cheese. Saved some money on fast food and hopefully no need for coronary stents in 30 years. On the other hand by the end of the day we stopped by Shake Shack . This was first time this year.

[dratkinson]

I made sandwiches for our road trip. No butter, lots of vegetables and a couple of slices of cheese. Saved some money on fast food and hopefully no need for coronary stents in 30 years. On the other hand by the end of the day we stopped by Shake Shack . This was first time this year.

BLT-C? With no B?


I like Subways Veggie Patty sandwich. But while traveling, since I've made the effort to find a Subway location ...let's splurge and get the "meal deal" (sandwich, chips, drink).

See Veggie Patty sandwich: https://www.subway.com/en-vi/menunutrit ... uctId=5198

Not all Subway location stock the veggie patty, itself, so I may need to settle for the "Veggie Delight" sandwich. Unless I'm really disappointed about not getting the veggie patty, so soothe the injury by getting a "Roasted Chicken Bacon Ranch (hold the Ranch)" sandwich, topped with lots of veggies.

[Count de Monet]

I've gone about a week now without running the a/c, despite daytime highs in the mid to high 80's. We're having air that's dry and cool enough at night that opening the windows cools down the house. I run a house fan for 10 minutes before bed, and a little longer in the morning, then close all the windows, and the house never gets too warm. To assist with this, I manually empty the drain pan under the fridge when I hear it completing its defrost cycle. This uses the fridge/freezer as a dehumidifier, so no need to also run a separate dehumidifier. In some years, the above methods keep me comfortable into the middle of June (in the deep South!), with only needing to run the a/c for maybe one hot week along the way.

[pizzy]

and the house never gets too warm

What indoor temp does it reach?

[Count de Monet]

and the house never gets too warm

What indoor temp does it reach?

I start the day with inside temps in the low 70's. Due to good insulation and plenty of shade, it doesn't get above mid 70's. This is perfectly comfortable due to acclimatization, use of fans, and the aforementioned dehumidification. The end result is electricity use 1/10 of my neighbors (per the utilities website).

[stoptothink]

and the house never gets too warm

What indoor temp does it reach?

I start the day with inside temps in the low 70's. Due to good insulation and plenty of shade, it doesn't get above mid 70's. This is perfectly comfortable due to acclimatization, use of fans, and the aforementioned dehumidification. The end result is electricity use 1/10 of my neighbors (per the utilities website).

We have our thermostat set at 80 in the spring/summer and 66 in the fall/winter. I suspect it will be another month or so before our AC ever turns on. No fans either. I do enjoy the $26/month electricity bills this time of year. I've lived in much harsher climates than we currently do (ie. Houston and Mesa) without AC at all so I'd be perfectly fine if it never turned on, but there are 3 others in my home.

[Wanderingwheelz]

Also, saved $90 by returning a toner (unopened and still in the box) I purchased couple of weeks ago.

Am I being frugal if I buy an item today and then return it next month?

This entire thread is evidence of the subjectivity of the term "frugal". I wouldn't consider 95%+ of the posts an exhibition of "frugalness", but I'm just one man, with one opinion.

Yes, but you’re a contender for “most frugal BH,” so your opinion does carry some heft I am not particularly frugal, by any standards but especially by BH standards, and I follow this thread to see if I can pick up some pointers. Most of the posts make me feel wasteful and degenerate, but perhaps that’s how I make progress. I am less wasteful than many with our income level, but that’s a lazy bar.

+1.

I keep coming back to this thread to learn something new. I am also far from calling myself a "frugalist" per BH standards but there are some pearls of wisdom and some for me (like my subjective frugality). I thoroughly enjoy these though.

Here’s an example of being frugal that I think most of us could do if we wanted to. Fifteen years ago or so when we bought our house there were some plantings in the front that were nice, but just not the best for where they were. It took some time and a good bit of energy to carefully dig them up and replant them on the rear corner of my lot, but I figured someday I might have a use for them. Well.. that day finally came today and I dug up all five of them to plant in a section of the yard where I had a garden previously (I moved the garden due to trees growing so tall that they cast too much shade). I figure it would have cost over $500 to pay for plants of similar size and even more if I had yard guys do the work.

[neilpilot]

Here’s an example of being frugal that I think most of us could do if we wanted to. Fifteen years ago or so when we bought our house there were some plantings in the front that were nice, but just not the best for where they were. It took some time and a good bit of energy to carefully dig them up and replant them on the rear corner of my lot, but I figured someday I might have a use for them. Well.. that day finally came today and I dug up all five of them to plant in a section of the yard where I had a garden previously (I moved the garden due to trees growing so tall that they cast too much shade). I figure it would have cost over $500 to pay for plants of similar size and even more if I had yard guys do the work.

One day last winter the temperature dropped 40deg in about 15 hours, and the stress killed many of our landscape plants. A week ago our neighbor mentioned that she planned to cut down a row of 10 small boxwoods that, although healthy, she decided had to go. As of yesterday we've dug up 6 of the 10 and relocated onto our property to replace our dead plants. A lot of work, but worth the effort.

[latesaver]

I put water in the home soap dispenser and mixed it up to get the last bit of soap out of the dispenser.

Brought our own water bottles and snacks to the zoo so as to avoid buying overpriced refreshments.

Tipped extra to snow cone vendors when our kids earned the right to same. Feels good to save and then return the favor to service staff.

[colejr]

Developed a taste for cheap beer.

I miss the cap puzzles, price point, and taste of Lucky Lager.

+1 I definitely miss the puzzles and remember how great it tasted, just as long as kept ice-cold

[IowaFarmWife]

One of my husband's colleagues gave him a few pounds of excess rhubarb from her garden. I spent about 45 minutes washing, cutting, and packaging the rhubarb for the freezer. Our family loves rhubarb cake, muffins, cobbler... you name it!

[TomatoTomahto]

Brought our own water bottles and snacks to the zoo so as to avoid buying overpriced refreshments.

Tipped extra to snow cone vendors when our kids earned the right to same. Feels good to save and then return the favor to service staff.

We are big fans of Contigo water bottles. Upfront cost, but I use them literally every day to drink our wonderful well water that we chill in the fridge.

Good on you for tipping service staff well. I was a taxi driver in college and my wife was a waitress. It is so appreciated by them and it costs you, relatively, so little.

[cheesepep]

I stayed at home all day long and didn’t use any air conditioning despite it being very humid and hot outside. I consider it mostly a waste of money. I used the fan only in one room. If I am hot, I visit the nearby mall and have a walk.

[wabbott]

Cut my lawn.

Same here. With an economy Wal Mart push mower.

[pizzy]

Cut my lawn.

Same here. With an economy Wal Mart push mower.

How many acres?