Shop at a grocery store that is a 30-block walk from home because it is way cheaper than the grocery stores that are closer.
And then walk those 30 blocks home with my groceries instead of taking the subway because I get cheap about the subway.
so in miles how far would this be?
3 miles round trip, give or take?
I do love to walk but do hate myself a bit for walking home in the cold with bags of groceries because I get neurotic about the $2.10 it would cost to take public transportation home
I try and coast through my subdivision to increase my gas mileage on my car.
Twins!
I knew the neighbor behind me when I got home yesterday so I used the gas to get home. I only admit things like this on the web, I figured it was best to hide the crazy from my neighbors.
Yep, I do that too. It used to annoy the crap out of DH, ha. Did you see that the Amazon $5 gf was raised to 500 swagbucks? Boooooo
Yes! Luckily I just cashed in $30 worth of Amazon gc at the end of Feb/beginning of March to buy a sander for DH's birthday. The 450 for $5 was a great reason to choose Amazon over other gift cards. Oh well.
I've told DH before that one day I would love to be financially well off enough to not do this but part of me thinks I'll always be able to justify it since it is free money.
I do this while my phone is sitting on my desk at work (I just turn the volume down and leave it face down) Boo on them raising Amazon to 500pts!
We plant a garden every year and I can my own spaghetti and pizza sauce, salsa and peppers.
It's not MM yet, but we planted fruit trees and I hope to can my own peaches, pears, apple sauce in the next year or two.
DH can fix/build anything. He built our chicken coop mostly with wood he pulled from the dumpster of a new housing development. He's been going most Saturday mornings, and the barn will be next :-) We never have to pay to have someone fix our cars and we also drive them forever.
I bake my own bread, muffins, cookies, weekly to cut down on snacks.
We buy a 1/4 to 1/2 of a beef per year and butcher it ourselves. We end up having beef at least twice a week and it costs us less than $45/month. We also buy whole bone-in pork loins when they're .99/lb and cut it into ribs, chops and roasts ourselves.
We use our fireplace a lot in the winter to keep the heating costs down.
In addition to several other things mentioned in this post, I cut open tubes of lotion, face wash, hair products, etc to scrap out every little bit of product left inside.
This. There's usually 3-5 uses left. If it's a tube, I fold over the top to close it, and keep it clamped with a cheap office binder clip.
We buy gift cards at Kroger for other stores we regularly use. They often double, triple, or quadruple the Kroger fuel points on gift card purchases. We also use the same Kroger card # as my parents, so we bank all the fuel points and get $1/gallon off when we fill up. Then we time it so we get low on fuel at about the same time and we fill up both vehicles on one transaction. Which is a good savings for us, because we fill up two vehicles every week.
We buy gift cards at Kroger for other stores we regularly use. They often double, triple, or quadruple the Kroger fuel points on gift card purchases. We also use the same Kroger card # as my parents, so we bank all the fuel points and get $1/gallon off when we fill up. Then we time it so we get low on fuel at about the same time and we fill up both vehicles on one transaction. Which is a good savings for us, because we fill up two vehicles every week.
OMG we are about to get kroger fuel and I am foaming at the mouth for it (and the new kroger) to open.
Post by coffeebean on Mar 25, 2015 15:58:07 GMT -5
I do many of those mentioned above. Here are a few of mine:
- DH carpools to work with his brother (who lives next door and works in the same office) - Vinegar and baking soda are my cleaning “go-to” products - Reuse ziplock bags - Line bathroom trashcans with plastic bags from Target or grocery store - Hang clothes on the line outside to dry in the summer - Only run full loads of laundry. - Hand wash pots and pans, so the dishwasher doesn’t fill up so fast (we only run the dishwasher about once a week) - Buy baby/kid clothes at thrift stores or uber clearance at Target - Resell kids clothes after they’ve been outgrown - Only get a haircut two or three times a year—and then, buy a certificate on Groupon or go to a local Aveda school - I cut DH’s hair - Do my own pedicures - Set our heat at 65 in the winter and air at 75 in the summer - I get a lot of free magazine subscriptions. When I’m finished with them, I sell them to a used book store. - We have a couple laying hens, so we never have to buy eggs - DH hunts, so we stock the freezer with venison and pheasant in the fall instead of buying beef and chicken - Borrow books and movies from the library or buy at a thrift shop instead of buying new - Order water instead of soda at restaurants - When we eat out, we always try to use a coupon or gift card - Do online surveys for Amazon gift cards
In addition to several other things mentioned in this post, I cut open tubes of lotion, face wash, hair products, etc to scrap out every little bit of product left inside.
I do this. Dh thinks it is the weirdest, grossest thing ever. lol
I also take my own snacks, breakfast, and water to work so I'm not spending $$ in the vending machines. Shop at Aldi Use reusable snack bags and storage containers for snacks, dh's lunch instead of plastic bags If I do use a plastic bag for something I reuse it if possible Cut dh's hair
-Line dry all clothes/towels (though I do put sheets in the dryer because they're too big to fit comfortably on the drying rack)
-Dye my hair from a box (it looks legit, though, I promise)
-I recently had to furnish an entire apartment. EVERYTHING (saved for a single Ikea dish & silverware set) is second hand. Couches, fridge, washing machine, beds, kitchen stuff, TV, dressers, furniture - everything! It's decent stuff, too.
We buy gift cards at Kroger for other stores we regularly use. They often double, triple, or quadruple the Kroger fuel points on gift card purchases. We also use the same Kroger card # as my parents, so we bank all the fuel points and get $1/gallon off when we fill up. Then we time it so we get low on fuel at about the same time and we fill up both vehicles on one transaction. Which is a good savings for us, because we fill up two vehicles every week.
Can I buy Kroger Gift cards and do the same thing?
Go to the local beauty school to get my hair done. Cut and highlights are $39 and they don't allow you to tip the students. I feel like I get a better hair cut because not only is the student very methodical, but then an instructor comes and checks the work.
We buy gift cards at Kroger for other stores we regularly use. They often double, triple, or quadruple the Kroger fuel points on gift card purchases. We also use the same Kroger card # as my parents, so we bank all the fuel points and get $1/gallon off when we fill up. Then we time it so we get low on fuel at about the same time and we fill up both vehicles on one transaction. Which is a good savings for us, because we fill up two vehicles every week.
Can I buy Kroger Gift cards and do the same thing?
Nope, they exempt the Kroger cards and the Visa/Amex cash cards.
They do give 50 points for each prescription refill though. And they frequently print out a 50 point bonus offer on grocery receipts to go online and do a short survey.
Oh, and I don't know if anyone uses the Ibotta app, but I've been using it for a few months and like it a lot so far.
They offer rebates at nearly every chain store for specific products, but they also often offer rebates on any brand of milk, eggs, bread, orange juice, yogurt, ice cream, peanut butter, etc. The rebates change often, so I just check weekly before I go shopping. Some weeks suck, some don't.
Even if you buy a store brand, you can scan the barcode and then scan the receipt, and they'll deposit .25+ into your account. When you reach a certain amount you can cash out.
They also offer rebates for spending a certain amount at stores. Right now they have a $5 rebate for spending $50 at Sephora.
Oh, and I don't know if anyone uses the Ibotta app, but I've been using it for a few months and like it a lot so far.
They offer rebates at nearly every chain store for specific products, but they also often offer rebates on any brand of milk, eggs, bread, orange juice, yogurt, ice cream, peanut butter, etc. The rebates change often, so I just check weekly before I go shopping. Some weeks suck, some don't.
Even if you buy a store brand, you can scan the barcode and then scan the receipt, and they'll deposit .25+ into your account. When you reach a certain amount you can cash out.
They also offer rebates for spending a certain amount at stores. Right now they have a $5 rebate for spending $50 at Sephora.
I just downloaded it. I figured I will try it before my next grocery trip. I also use the Snap app by Groupon
Post by purpleminion on Mar 26, 2015 12:11:22 GMT -5
I make our laundry detergent and use vinegar for fabric softener.
I do home hair cuts for DH and the kids.
We don't have cable.
When we do any home renos, DH and his dad do the work. They can pretty much do anything. I can't even imagine how much money we've saved over the years because of this. We also paint rooms ourselves rather than hiring it out. And I have been known to refinish things instead of buy new ones (like dressers and cabinets).
I also do Swagbucks and MyPoints and Receipt Hog and all that jazz. I save those rewards for the summer when I'm not working.
We buy gift cards at Kroger for other stores we regularly use. They often double, triple, or quadruple the Kroger fuel points on gift card purchases. We also use the same Kroger card # as my parents, so we bank all the fuel points and get $1/gallon off when we fill up. Then we time it so we get low on fuel at about the same time and we fill up both vehicles on one transaction. Which is a good savings for us, because we fill up two vehicles every week.
A couple of you have mentioned this. Is this entirely legit? It seems a little sketchy to me to take advantage of a gas points offer by filling up multiple cars (and gas cans) while getting the discount. It smacks me of a practice that will ruin it for the rest of us...
Many of these things seem normal to me, not weird!
I just got a cc that gives me 4% cash back for groceries and gas so I've been buying other store gift cards at the grocery store /gas station to get the added cash back on other types of purchases.
I also buy what I can online vs in store to get ebates.
We buy gift cards at Kroger for other stores we regularly use. They often double, triple, or quadruple the Kroger fuel points on gift card purchases. We also use the same Kroger card # as my parents, so we bank all the fuel points and get $1/gallon off when we fill up. Then we time it so we get low on fuel at about the same time and we fill up both vehicles on one transaction. Which is a good savings for us, because we fill up two vehicles every week.
A couple of you have mentioned this. Is this entirely legit? It seems a little sketchy to me to take advantage of a gas points offer by filling up multiple cars (and gas cans) while getting the discount. It smacks me of a practice that will ruin it for the rest of us...
The only rule I've seen anywhere is that it's limited to 35 gallons. I'm not aware of (m)any cars that have 35 gallon tanks, so to me, it's not likely that they expect it to be only one vehicle. I can fill up my Pruis, my SUV and my gas cans and that's still only ~25 gallons, which is well below their limit, so I don't think it's sketchy at all.
Post by crashgizmo on Mar 26, 2015 19:55:07 GMT -5
I do so many of these, but the main ones are:
- use a credit card for EVERYTHING I can (we even bought part of our car on a CC) for the points. Right now we're using the Sapphire preferred, but I think we'll switch soon.
- Restaurant.com for eating out. There are usually some pretty cool places on there.
- use cloth napkins and towels rather than paper
- I use the gas discount from Vons here, but they expire sometimes because I don't actually use that much gas monthly. I take the Metro downtown when I need to go there.
- DIY manis/pedis/eyebrows and hair dye. I pay for a salon cut 3x/year.
We buy gift cards at Kroger for other stores we regularly use. They often double, triple, or quadruple the Kroger fuel points on gift card purchases. We also use the same Kroger card # as my parents, so we bank all the fuel points and get $1/gallon off when we fill up. Then we time it so we get low on fuel at about the same time and we fill up both vehicles on one transaction. Which is a good savings for us, because we fill up two vehicles every week.
A couple of you have mentioned this. Is this entirely legit? It seems a little sketchy to me to take advantage of a gas points offer by filling up multiple cars (and gas cans) while getting the discount. It smacks me of a practice that will ruin it for the rest of us...
Kroger has been offering fuel points for years and people have been doing it for years. They have a cap on the number of gallons you can get on one transaction. I'm not sure why someone who drives a massive SUV should benefit from the program more than me and my husband filling up two cars- which combined still hold less than one large SUV.
But no, it doesn't go against Kroger's terms. I actually read an article last week about how they're pretty much beasting on every other grocery chain. I have no doubts that the fuel program is a pretty big motivator for customers.
A couple of you have mentioned this. Is this entirely legit? It seems a little sketchy to me to take advantage of a gas points offer by filling up multiple cars (and gas cans) while getting the discount. It smacks me of a practice that will ruin it for the rest of us...
Kroger has been offering fuel points for years and people have been doing it for years. They have a cap on the number of gallons you can get on one transaction. I'm not sure why someone who drives a massive SUV should benefit from the program more than me and my husband filling up two cars- which combined still hold less than one large SUV.
But no, it doesn't go against Kroger's terms. I actually read an article last week about how they're pretty much beasting on every other grocery chain. I have no doubts that the fuel program is a pretty big motivator for customers.
About a month ago I had a dollar off for gas from Kroger that was set to expire that day. I had a 1/2 tank but figured I'd fill up anyway. While I was there, there was a young kid (19 or so) with a Uhaul that he was filling up. I offered him the use of my club card for the $1 discount and he was SO thrilled.
I know that probably wasn't Kroger's intention to fill up a Uhaul tank, but my $1000 spent on groceries made me feel ok doing it.
- I set heat on 55, AC on 82. I have set the AC on 84 in the dead of summer in Florida but I stopped when I started getting nose bleeds. We use to jump in the pool to cool off. - When we were in Florida, after a $76 water bill, we pulled the pool cover to the edge where rain water fell from the roof and collected free water to fill it up. - use a third of the laundry detergent and softener recommended. One 96oz bottle lasts 6-8 months. - turn off the water heater until an hour before showering. $40/mo saved! - leave the oven open after cooking in the winter. I like the crock pot in the garage idea! - before moving out of our NC house recently, I spent an entire day on my hands and knees cleaning every inch of the house to make sure I didn't lose any of my deposit. But she still charged us for oven cleaning even though we never used it. We used our smaller more energy efficient toaster convection oven. - I hardly ever waste food and will only throw away if it's beyond the "smells funny" stage but I try to never let it get there. Fun fact: 30% of food for consumption in America is wasted. - rinse out the dish sponge after each use so that it lasts longer. - I hate fighting crowds but I go to the Asian grocery market and load up on veggies and chicken because it's just so much cheaper.
Already mentioned things: - I coast when I know I have to stop too. Saves gas AND brakes. H got annoyed with me once for trying to make the Accord go up a big hill without using gas. He was following me and had to use his brakes. @shoegal - I have an excel sheet that tracks my fuel usage and calculates mpg, $/gal and $/mile, monthly total, I note when we go on longer drives so that I can see why we spent more some months. Track days seriously messes up the averages though. - I also reuse zip lock bags, rarely use tin foil, have not paid for paper towels in 10+years, use vinegar to clean most things, cut ends off of lotion toothpaste etc bottles... I can seriously go on and on.
M - you may love your XLS too much to change, but I input all my data into this app (it's also a website) and really love it - does a ton of analysis for me, and you can add notes, etc. www.fuelly.com/
It's also right with me on my phone when I fill up, so I am less likely to miss something (though I still keep a paper & pen handy in case my phone isn't on me.)
OVERINVESTED IN MPGS
PS: Saw a white M6 on K St on Tuesday & thought of you - it was a tall white dude driving it, though!
Are there MM things you wont do? Just some I've seen on here I just can't do. Such as get rid of paper products, reuse zip locks or get rid of any cars.
I could lower our heat a bit more, though we already keep it pretty low.
We have 2 big dogs and 2 toddler girls, so the paper towels are still in the house.
i pay for haircuts b/c it's only $13 for me and $8 for the girls. They go a few months in between and I stretch it to 6 weeks between.
i don't cut open toothpaste tubes - I can't imagine what fun a 2 and 3 year old would have with that!
we rehooked up to cable in our new house. We barely got a signal with the antenna and we got better internet service in the process,
Tall white dude...if we had it up there already, I might actually think you saw my H lol. Omg I just realized that thing is going to get awful mpg from all the city driving.
I'll try out the app but I'm so stuck in my ways that it's gonna be a hard change. I've been using that same template (with lots of updates over time) for years. Plus it's right there with all my other spendings. I could load that spread sheet into my phone then I can input everything I spend right away... hmm... ooo I could program some macros to auto input to the right category! I know what I'm doing this weekend!
M embrace the nerd!!!!! (You let your H drive "your" car!? You guys really do have a great relationship )
That was the deal since he gave up his. It doesn't happen often though. One because the car doesn't like him haha. It always does weird shit to him when he drives but never gives me trouble.
Post by hopenotlost on Mar 27, 2015 8:20:18 GMT -5
I stock up on fuel saver items at our store, so I can get as close to a full tank of gas for free. I have paid only 20 cents for a full tank in the past several times. I'm very proud of this.
Are there MM things you wont do? Just some I've seen on here I just can't do. Such as get rid of paper products, reuse zip locks or get rid of any cars.
I could lower our heat a bit more, though we already keep it pretty low.
There's lots of MM things I won't do. The whole turn down the heat/AC thing is a no go. My office is either freezing or cooking on a daily basis, I refuse to go home and do the same thing.
I also refuse to mow our yard. I don't know why. I just despise that task. Our lawn company does a great job and it's cheap.
I also can't get DH to use a bath towel more than once and I know washing all those towels uses a fair amount of water. Hopefully our other environmental endeavors washes that out.
We basically just find thrifty ways to save money so we can be unthrifty in other parts of our lives.