What frugal thing did you do today?

[Dottie57]

I didn’t buy all the things I wanted at a favorite. I did find a $50 book But found it online at thrift books for book +shipping less than $10.

[SpaghettiLegs]

I rode my bike to the airport for my trip instead of the $40 ish for Uber or $50-60 to park a car.

[stoptothink]

I rode my bike to the airport for my trip instead of the $40 ish for Uber or $50-60 to park a car.

Do you just chain the bike up at the airport and expect for it to be there when you get back?

[pizzy]

I rode my bike to the airport for my trip instead of the $40 ish for Uber or $50-60 to park a car.

Did your luggage ride it’s bike also?

[SpaghettiLegs]

I rode my bike to the airport for my trip instead of the $40 ish for Uber or $50-60 to park a car.

Did your luggage ride it’s bike also?

I rode my commuter bike which has a nice bag made to attach to the front rack, so used that as a carry on bag.

Do you just chain the bike up at the airport and expect for it to be there when you get back?

Yup, I locked the bike to a rack outside the employee entrance.

[young danny]

1) Asked for baby formula samples at the pediatrician yesterday. Received $50 worth.
2) Ask for help with meals from neighborhood (son is 4.5 days old) and with odds and ends of new things (certain type of nipple shield for instance) from grandparents.

[GeneralRUSick2]

I fetched hit golf balls at the driving range so I didn’t have to pay for a bucket of balls. I do it often.

I'm imagining you picking up balls while dodging flying golf balls at the same time. I hope you were safe.

My Idaho golf course is not that busy. If it is I wear helmet when retrieving balls

[TheRoundHeadedKid]

My boss is being an absolute tyrant - disrespectful, micromanaging, prideful. So I took the afternoon off to preserve my health. I might take tomorrow off too.

Whenever I feel like I have to take a mental health break from bad management, that is when I start looking for another manager. It could be within the same agency/company. I browse through the internal job board.

[AnnetteLouisan]

I contacted a hotel loyalty program I used to have points with to see if the points are still usable. Probably not but worth a try.

[pizzy]

I fetched hit golf balls at the driving range so I didn’t have to pay for a bucket of balls. I do it often.

I'm imagining you picking up balls while dodging flying golf balls at the same time. I hope you were safe.

My Idaho golf course is not that busy. If it is I wear helmet when retrieving balls

Isn’t this stealing?

[Chv396]

Ordered Chinese food at our favorite Chinese restaurant for takeout dinner tonight, using their coupon, saving 15% off our bill. Delicious dinner, I’m stuffed!!

[Nicolas]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

[dratkinson]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

Have you tried Progresso's Hearty Tomato soup? Yummy. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and it tastes like spaghetti sauce. America's Test Kitchen rated it their favorite tomato soup.

Going shopping tomorrow, will see if there is a sale here, too. Will try the lentil soup.

[RetiOpening]

I made my first batch of sauerkraut today, and I was quite pleased with how it turned out. Got the idea from the Huberman Lab podcast with the goal of improving my gut health. It's pretty simple:
1. Quarter a whole cabbage. Then chop it up.
2. Add tablespoon of salt and then mash it. I put it in a gallon freezer bag and then pulverize it with a rolling pin.
3. Put it in a bowl. Put another similarly sized bowl on top of it and weigh it down so that the cabbage stays submerged in the juices that were created in Step 2.
4. Take a peek daily or so.
5. Jar it after 10 days.

Can't beat the price!

[WoostaGal]

I made my first batch of sauerkraut today, and I was quite pleased with how it turned out. Got the idea from the Huberman Lab podcast with the goal of improving my gut health. It's pretty simple:
1. Quarter a whole cabbage. Then chop it up.
2. Add tablespoon of salt and then mash it. I put it in a gallon freezer bag and then pulverize it with a rolling pin.
3. Put it in a bowl. Put another similarly sized bowl on top of it and weigh it down so that the cabbage stays submerged in the juices that were created in Step 2.
4. Take a peek daily or so.
5. Jar it after 10 days.

Can't beat the price!

Sounds great! Once you jar it, can you store for a long time in the refrigerator? Do you have to sterilize the jars?

[JohnSmith123]

I buy t-shirts from https://www.shirtspace.com. They sell plain t-shirts, mainly to people who do screen printing. I can get the very nice Bella+Canvas shirts that I like for $4.70. Then, if I feel inspired, I screen print my own design on them. Or I just wear them blank. Or, this week, I needed shirts with numbers to play basketball in, so I got some cheap iron on numbers from Amazon.

IIRC, free shipping happens at $45 or $50, so I order a stack in various colors, and just throw them in a drawer until I’m ready to use them.

This is great! How do you screen print your own design?

[Nicolas]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

Have you tried Progresso's Hearty Tomato soup? Yummy. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and it tastes like spaghetti sauce. America's Test Kitchen rated it their favorite tomato soup.

Going shopping tomorrow, will see if there is a sale here, too. Will try the lentil soup.

Yes Hearty Tomato was included in the batch of cans that I bought. I’ll try it with the Parmesan. I also bought Tomato Basil and Creamy Mushroom, another favorite of mine.

[RetiOpening]

I made my first batch of sauerkraut today, and I was quite pleased with how it turned out. Got the idea from the Huberman Lab podcast with the goal of improving my gut health. It's pretty simple:
1. Quarter a whole cabbage. Then chop it up.
2. Add tablespoon of salt and then mash it. I put it in a gallon freezer bag and then pulverize it with a rolling pin.
3. Put it in a bowl. Put another similarly sized bowl on top of it and weigh it down so that the cabbage stays submerged in the juices that were created in Step 2.
4. Take a peek daily or so.
5. Jar it after 10 days.

Can't beat the price!

Sounds great! Once you jar it, can you store for a long time in the refrigerator? Do you have to sterilize the jars?

I think the recipe said it can stay in your fridge for six months.

[vnatale]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

I do this ALL the time. Whenever anything I regularly use is on sale I clear the entire shelves of the product. NO exaggeration! It's an extremely high rate of return on your investment.

[Nicolas]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

I do this ALL the time. Whenever anything I regularly use is on sale I clear the entire shelves of the product. NO exaggeration! It's an extremely high rate of return on your investment.

Well I was going to buy fifty cans but they were all out of the lentil except for one dented can. But I will be going back.

[quantAndHold]

I buy t-shirts from https://www.shirtspace.com. They sell plain t-shirts, mainly to people who do screen printing. I can get the very nice Bella+Canvas shirts that I like for $4.70. Then, if I feel inspired, I screen print my own design on them. Or I just wear them blank. Or, this week, I needed shirts with numbers to play basketball in, so I got some cheap iron on numbers from Amazon.

IIRC, free shipping happens at $45 or $50, so I order a stack in various colors, and just throw them in a drawer until I’m ready to use them.

This is great! How do you screen print your own design?

I started with a Speedball Screen Printing Kit, watched a couple of YouTube videos, and went from there. You can wash out the screen and reuse it, or keep the screen for reprinting the same design and buy more fabric for new designs.

[Chv396]

Breakfast at Denny’s for 15% off with discount.

[vnatale]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

I do this ALL the time. Whenever anything I regularly use is on sale I clear the entire shelves of the product. NO exaggeration! It's an extremely high rate of return on your investment.

Well I was going to buy fifty cans but they were all out of the lentil except for one dented can. But I will be going back.

Good luck. It's all INSTANT savings! Incrementally increases amount available to invest in your portfolio.

[Afty]

We had a power outage on Friday which fried our cable modem. I was frugal in two ways:

1. I had an old modem lying around which I could use for the short term. This modem doesn't support the full speed that I pay for, but it's very usable.
2. I bought a replacement, full-speed modem from someone on Facebook Marketplace for $45 vs. $170 new from Amazon.

[pizzy]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

I do this ALL the time. Whenever anything I regularly use is on sale I clear the entire shelves of the product. NO exaggeration! It's an extremely high rate of return on your investment.

Well I was going to buy fifty cans but they were all out of the lentil except for one dented can. But I will be going back.

Good luck. It's all INSTANT savings! Incrementally increases amount available to invest in your portfolio.

Stocking up on items, decreases the "instant" amount available to invest.

Stocking up is DEFERRED savings.

[Broken Man 1999]

Today is National Cheeseburger Day, most burger places have some deal....

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tod ... 27238.html

You can use your savings for your next heart-related health issue!

Broken Man 1999

[vnatale]

We had a power outage on Friday which fried our cable modem. I was frugal in two ways:

1. I had an old modem lying around which I could use for the short term. This modem doesn't support the full speed that I pay for, but it's very usable.
2. I bought a replacement, full-speed modem from someone on Facebook Marketplace for $45 vs. $170 new from Amazon.

Good work!

[vnatale]

I bought 24 cans of Progresso soup at the price of three cans for five dollars. Normal price is $3.29 ea. but they had only one can of my favorite, lentil, and it was dented. I bought it anyway. I’ll be going back when it’s in stock and pick more of that up. I saved ($3.29-$1.67) x 24 = $38.88.

I do this ALL the time. Whenever anything I regularly use is on sale I clear the entire shelves of the product. NO exaggeration! It's an extremely high rate of return on your investment.

Well I was going to buy fifty cans but they were all out of the lentil except for one dented can. But I will be going back.

Good luck. It's all INSTANT savings! Incrementally increases amount available to invest in your portfolio.

Stocking up on items, decreases the "instant" amount available to invest.

Stocking up is DEFERRED savings.

We are in agreement. I chose my words carefully. There is an instant savings. But, in the long run, you then incrementally increase the amounts available to invest. I carefully avoided saying that there would be an instant increase in the amount to invest.

[neilpilot]

Breakfast at Denny’s for 15% off with discount.

Breakfast at home, as usual. No discount.

[Nver2Late]

Got my $0.50 double cheeseburger @ McD for lunch today for National Cheeseburger Day.

[WhitePuma]

Got my $0.50 double cheeseburger @ McD for lunch today for National Cheeseburger Day.

I watched “Super Size Me” for free on Vudu.

[Nver2Late]

Got my $0.50 double cheeseburger @ McD for lunch today for National Cheeseburger Day.

I watched “Super Size Me” for free on Vudu.

That was a good flick. Everything in moderation. I've been to McDs now 14 times in 2023.

[TravellingTechOnFire]

Instead of eating out and getting 15% off(not frugal), I had eggs, toast, and coffee at home for under $1. Amazing coffee.

[AnnetteLouisan]

Used a free (I should say, included) herbal teabag and a sealed, free mini jar of gourmet mustard, each from a past hotel stay for breakfast and on a homemade turkey sandwich, respectively.

I’m trying to strike the right balance. Not sure I found it yet. If you receive things for free that you have no immediate need for but do have a reasonably anticipated near term subsequent use for, this seems ok to me. Unlike, say, bringing home unused sugar packets, which I do not do.

[AnnetteLouisan]

Instead of eating out and getting 15% off(not frugal), I had eggs, toast, and coffee at home for under $1. Amazing coffee.

What brand of coffee? Looking for a new brand.

[dratkinson]

We had a power outage on Friday which fried our cable modem. I was frugal in two ways:

1. I had an old modem lying around which I could use for the short term. This modem doesn't support the full speed that I pay for, but it's very usable.
2. I bought a replacement, full-speed modem from someone on Facebook Marketplace for $45 vs. $170 new from Amazon.

Idea. Search forum for topics on installing a whole-house electronic surge protector (ESP). Why? Should prevent similar issues in future. They are easy to install. If you know enough to swap out a cable modem, then you can also install a whole-house surge protector.

Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=whole+h ... rg%2Fforum

At the time I installed mine, this one was highly rated: https://www.amazon.com/CHSPT2ULTRA-Ulti ... ads.org-20
Note link includes BH referral code so forum is benefited.

In your search, see if the Eaton unit is still highly rated.



Disclosure. Several years back, I installed a small GE ESP device---looks like a 220v replacement circuit breaker---in garage/workshop circuit breaker panel---first panel downstream from utility meter. But after more research, learned an Eaton unit was better so added it downstream in house circuit breaker panel.

So far, so good. After a thunderstorm/nearby lightning strike, my neighbor lost sprinkler controller and cordless phone system base unit; I lost nothing.

[vnatale]

We had a power outage on Friday which fried our cable modem. I was frugal in two ways:

1. I had an old modem lying around which I could use for the short term. This modem doesn't support the full speed that I pay for, but it's very usable.
2. I bought a replacement, full-speed modem from someone on Facebook Marketplace for $45 vs. $170 new from Amazon.

Idea. Search forum for topics on installing a whole-house electronic surge protector (ESP). Why? Should prevent similar issues in future. They are easy to install. If you know enough to swap out a cable modem, then you can also install a whole-house surge protector.

Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=whole+h ... rg%2Fforum

At the time I installed mine, this one was highly rated: https://www.amazon.com/CHSPT2ULTRA-Ulti ... ads.org-20
Note link includes BH referral code so forum is benefited.

In your search, see if the Eaton unit is still highly rated.



Disclosure. Several years back, I installed a small GE ESP device---looks like a 220v replacement circuit breaker---in garage/workshop circuit breaker panel---first panel downstream from utility meter. But after more research, learned an Eaton unit was better so added it downstream in house circuit breaker panel.

So far, so good. After a thunderstorm/nearby lightning strike, my neighbor lost sprinkler controller and cordless phone system base unit; I lost nothing.

Many thanks for this. Doing one had been on my list but low priority. Now you have greatly elevated it.

I assume that these also protect all 220V devices, like mini-splits / heat pumps?

How long ago did you buy your unit?

[dratkinson]

...
I assume that these also protect all 220V devices, like mini-splits / heat pumps? Yes.

How long ago did you buy your unit? Records say it was in 2017 for the Eaton device. GE device may have been 1-2yrs prior.

Replacing the devices is not time dependent. Instead, they are replaced when they are destroyed---sacrificed themselves to save downstream components. Each has lights to tell you that it's still good.

When I learned that the Eaton unit was better then the GE unit, I bought it. But didn't want to waste the GE unit---wanted to keep both---so this is my belt and suspenders plan:
--The GE device was much cheaper but not as robust as the Eaton one, so it's installed upstream in garage (nothing sensitive there). I expect it to fail first while protecting everything downstream. Its "I'm okay" light is easy to see when I walk into garage. I assume if it's okay, then Eaton one is also.
--The Eaton device is downstream of the GE one and provides double protection for everything in the house. It's installed in an out of the way storage room, so its "I'm okay" light is less visible.

Worst case. I'm expecting to replace the GE device (cheaper, yea!) before the Eaton. But if both fail at same time while protecting the house, then I'm glad I had both.

When your do your research, you'll learn there are 3-types of ESP devices.
--Type 1: Installs in utility meter base by electrician. May require permitting/inspection by city codes enforcement and utility provider.
--Type 2: Installs in circuit panel. You may do this yourself and doesn't require permitting/inspection (not here anyway, asked HD master electrician).
--Type 3: Standalone device (power strip) plugs into an electrical outlet to protect attached stuff: refrigerator, PC, entertainment center,....

[Faith20879]

I parked at the municipal parking lot that offers free EV charging and walked 30 minutes to my doctor's appointment. The money saved is miniscule but 60 minute brisk walk in a crisp September morning (60F) is priceless.

[Fbone]

I cancelled a cable channel subscription saving me $6.99 a month. Never watched it.

[TravellingTechOnFire]

Instead of eating out and getting 15% off(not frugal), I had eggs, toast, and coffee at home for under $1. Amazing coffee.

What brand of coffee? Looking for a new brand.

Sorry, can't help you; it's a local coffee roaster We buy them from a small, independent coffee shop usually within a few days of roasting. Honestly, it's a bit of a non-frugal splurge, but probably comes out to about $0.50 a cup or less. Frugal compared to getting coffee out constantly, but certainly not as cheap as just using cheap store bought grounds. On the bright side, we literally almost never purchase coffee out.

We have a mid-level(?) espresso machine at home....coffee is one of our few vices and I'm okay with that!

[brandy]

I don't know if this comes under "frugal" or not, but yesterday my DD and I went looking at patio furniture--end of season sales. She's planning to get a table &chairs, plus a few easy chairs. So I was the one trying chairs, I'm the shortest in the family. I found two that would work: a rattan that was okay, a metal/wood that fit better, both at 1/2 price were still $$. We went outside to see that furniture, and in the very back corner was another one to try. As soon as I sat, it was just right. And I think a bit more than $$ . Being part of a set, it won't be sold alone until final sale days. My fingers and toes are crossed! Frugal because they were 45 to 60% off, and frugal because we didn't get it yesterday. Is there such a thing as being too frugal?

[pizzy]

Is there such a thing as being too frugal?

Yes, it's called being cheap.

Not that I think your story qualifies.

Re: outdoor furniture. With summer coming, if you live where pools close, now is a good time to contact the listing agents of homes for sale in your area with pools and inquire about purchasing the outdoor furniture. Many people don't take it with them when they move.

[vnatale]

I don't know if this comes under "frugal" or not, but yesterday my DD and I went looking at patio furniture--end of season sales. She's planning to get a table &chairs, plus a few easy chairs. So I was the one trying chairs, I'm the shortest in the family. I found two that would work: a rattan that was okay, a metal/wood that fit better, both at 1/2 price were still $$. We went outside to see that furniture, and in the very back corner was another one to try. As soon as I sat, it was just right. And I think a bit more than $$ . Being part of a set, it won't be sold alone until final sale days. My fingers and toes are crossed! Frugal because they were 45 to 60% off, and frugal because we didn't get it yesterday. Is there such a thing as being too frugal?

There is a thing of being "too" frugal. But also a case of being "just right" frugal! Hopefully, in this case, it will be the latter case for you!

[Chv396]

Purchased Target “store brands” yesterday during my shopping trip, saved $$.

Prepared breakfast at home this morning (eggs with sausage with a toasted English muffin with blueberry jam and coffee.)

[Nicolas]

I needed a haircut today so I went to the local barber college to be worked over by the students. It took much longer than usual but it was an enjoyable experience. Midway through the session the instructor came over to my chair and taught the student live using my head! The result was good so I’m happy. The cost was $9 but then they asked me my age and said the price would be just $6, for me

No tip?

No, you don’t tip at a barber college. So that’s a further savings. For a standard haircut I was paying $20 + $2 tip. But at the barber college I pay only $6, and I’m helping them out with their training.

When I was a kid nobody tipped barbers. You paid your 75¢ and you were out the door

[Fallible]

I don't know if this comes under "frugal" or not, but yesterday my DD and I went looking at patio furniture--end of season sales. She's planning to get a table &chairs, plus a few easy chairs. So I was the one trying chairs, I'm the shortest in the family. I found two that would work: a rattan that was okay, a metal/wood that fit better, both at 1/2 price were still $$. We went outside to see that furniture, and in the very back corner was another one to try. As soon as I sat, it was just right. And I think a bit more than $$ . Being part of a set, it won't be sold alone until final sale days. My fingers and toes are crossed! Frugal because they were 45 to 60% off, and frugal because we didn't get it yesterday. Is there such a thing as being too frugal?

This is not really about being frugal, which you are being, but more about the best way to go about being frugal. So no matter whether you miss out on saving more money, it remains a frugal move.

Also, being frugal can and should also be about a quality move, in this case, the "just right" furniture you sat in probably means it will be a quality purchase - versus buying something that doesn't feel "just right" just because it costs less and then having to sit in discomfort.

Good luck and, btw, how does one cross toes?

[Carl53]

Grocery offers rewards on purchases redeemable for up to $1 off on gas. Often they offer bonus points for purchases on certain days or for purchases of certain items that I might want. Recently the stars have aligned more often and I will have 60-100 cents off. On those occasions I will take enough empty gas cans to purchase the maximum amount of 35 gallons - saving $35. Usually save $400+/year.

[Ivygirl]

Spent $7.56 today on a 5" nonstick skillet with a lid - now hear me out.

I don't need as many calories as I used to, but some cooking habits are persisting from earlier, more gluttonous times. I had switched to using a salad plate to eat off of, but today I noticed my omelet had to be folded to get it all onto the smaller plate. Lightbulb! My frying pan was still 9". Now I can cook just a one-egg omelet instead of two, and use proportionally less oil and cheese as well.

At 23 cents each per egg, my little pan will pay for itself in 39 meals. Cooking correctly a right-sized meal, with fewer ingredients and fewer calories, is the real win.

[Nver2Late]

Spent $7.56 today on a 5" nonstick skillet with a lid - now hear me out.

I don't need as many calories as I used to, but some cooking habits are persisting from earlier, more gluttonous times. I had switched to using a salad plate to eat off of, but today I noticed my omelet had to be folded to get it all onto the smaller plate. Lightbulb! My frying pan was still 9". Now I can cook just a one-egg omelet instead of two, and use proportionally less oil and cheese as well.

At 23 cents each per egg, my little pan will pay for itself in 39 meals. Cooking correctly a right-sized meal, with fewer ingredients and fewer calories, is the real win.

I find that 5" non-stick perfect for a breakfast sandwich. You'll love it.

I do a sausage patty ,flip and melt pepper jack cheese on it. Remove and place on toast, throw in the veggies and saute in the sausage grease, until al dente, then cover with shredded cheese and cover for 30 sec. Once cheese is melted, crack an egg on top, cover and start timer for 2 mins. to get the yolk warm and starting toward medium. Flip pan contents onto the patty, cover the crispy cheese with arugula, add the top toast and cut carefully in half to severe the yolk. You'll have a perfect golden dipping sauce for the sandwich. This is my once a weekend goto brunch.