I spent the extra $2 to get roadhazard insurance for my tires. Sure enough, I managed to gouge one of the tires enough for them to put a new tire on my car (plus some cost on my side as it is prorated by wear). The guy at the tire place didn't give me any hassle and it wasn't any major damage. On the roads that I drive, it was an inevitability that something would happen.
Things I've done this year to save money
- Thread starter OGNorCal707
- Start date
Nice thread, I'll bump it
Here is what I do:
- I get creative with dates. Instead of going out for dinner, for example, I go with my plate to an ice cream parlor. We buy ourselves one, and we take a walk. Or we enjoy in the park. Fuck dinner dates, waste of money.
- I buy supplements in bulk, and only when on sale. I recently bought like 8 kg of mass gainer for cheap, so I will be OK for a few months at least. If I bough like 2 kg every month, I would have to pay much more (double the price I have paid).
- I eat before I shop for food. I try to buy in bulk, or when something is on special offer (and if it something I like).
- When some of your relatives are trying to get rid of their car, buy it from them (they will give it away at a silly price, just to get rid of it). I got my Mum's car that way (Peugeot 206, 2003 model). A bit old and faggy, but, its mileage is quite low for a 10+ year old car, and it can be customized. And is wide enough to fuck inside properly.
- Use pay as you go method for your cell phone. If you need an internet, go near your Fagbucks (for example) and enjoy... .
- Cancel your cable. Use Netflix. Or good old Pirate Bay and Demonoid (thank God, I do not need to hide my IP).
- Several people mentioned taking a shower inside a gym already. If the sanitation ain't the best, I use some cheap Crocs replica slippers.
- Buy used. For example, I have mentioned that I paid less than 300$ for my high end suit collection (and every single one is like 1000$ new), and 100$ for a lightly used Tissot titanium watch (with box and papers, and had it authenticated at AD beforehand), which is normally around 500$ new. Let someone else pay a full retail price.
- Back in Uni, instead of spending tons of money in the local restaurant ( a full meal was like 10$), I spent like 2$ a day on bananas (and sometimes, other fruit), and a small bottle of chocolate milk (and coffee sometimes). If I ever get a corporate job, I will do the same. People will laugh at me. But...guess who will eventually have the last laugh
?
- Do not be a sheep. Buy what you need, not what others think you need.
- I use a shaving machine to shave your beard, chest and balls instead of razors and foam. Of course, I clean if after.
- I buy 1,5L bottles of refreshment, instead of cans and smaller 0,5L bottles. Do not buy anything in gas stations and 24/7 shops.
- I carry cash when going out, to avoid impulse shopping.
Here is what I do:
- I get creative with dates. Instead of going out for dinner, for example, I go with my plate to an ice cream parlor. We buy ourselves one, and we take a walk. Or we enjoy in the park. Fuck dinner dates, waste of money.
- I buy supplements in bulk, and only when on sale. I recently bought like 8 kg of mass gainer for cheap, so I will be OK for a few months at least. If I bough like 2 kg every month, I would have to pay much more (double the price I have paid).
- I eat before I shop for food. I try to buy in bulk, or when something is on special offer (and if it something I like).
- When some of your relatives are trying to get rid of their car, buy it from them (they will give it away at a silly price, just to get rid of it). I got my Mum's car that way (Peugeot 206, 2003 model). A bit old and faggy, but, its mileage is quite low for a 10+ year old car, and it can be customized. And is wide enough to fuck inside properly.
- Use pay as you go method for your cell phone. If you need an internet, go near your Fagbucks (for example) and enjoy... .
- Cancel your cable. Use Netflix. Or good old Pirate Bay and Demonoid (thank God, I do not need to hide my IP).
- Several people mentioned taking a shower inside a gym already. If the sanitation ain't the best, I use some cheap Crocs replica slippers.
- Buy used. For example, I have mentioned that I paid less than 300$ for my high end suit collection (and every single one is like 1000$ new), and 100$ for a lightly used Tissot titanium watch (with box and papers, and had it authenticated at AD beforehand), which is normally around 500$ new. Let someone else pay a full retail price.
- Back in Uni, instead of spending tons of money in the local restaurant ( a full meal was like 10$), I spent like 2$ a day on bananas (and sometimes, other fruit), and a small bottle of chocolate milk (and coffee sometimes). If I ever get a corporate job, I will do the same. People will laugh at me. But...guess who will eventually have the last laugh
?- Do not be a sheep. Buy what you need, not what others think you need.
- I use a shaving machine to shave your beard, chest and balls instead of razors and foam. Of course, I clean if after.
- I buy 1,5L bottles of refreshment, instead of cans and smaller 0,5L bottles. Do not buy anything in gas stations and 24/7 shops.
- I carry cash when going out, to avoid impulse shopping.
Has anyone cut the cord, just internet? I plan on doing it just on principle and send a message, plus I know a lot about Kodi and free TV sources.
What I don't get is the BS comcast "installation fee" that they are trying to get me to shell out ($50) just to come and connect my modem to a socket.
Anyone know how to get around that? Where to ask them to waive the fee or negotiate it?
What I don't get is the BS comcast "installation fee" that they are trying to get me to shell out ($50) just to come and connect my modem to a socket.
Anyone know how to get around that? Where to ask them to waive the fee or negotiate it?
ChicagoFire
Kingfisher
This thread is awesome!
I already do Costco but I've seen the idea of buying giftcards there so naturally I'd have to try it out.
I am currently fasting and while roughly saving $50/day in food costs isn't much add it up over a lifetime and you'd have quite a deal. I learned this from Tim Ferriss and supposedly cancer cells die off in the absence of glucose. I do have to say my head hurts and I have hunger pains on day 2. I can't stop fantasizing about eating ARGGGGG!!!!!
* Make my own food. I even brew my own coffee and am shocked to see people pay $5 for a disgusting cup of Starbucks.
* Take public transportation as much as possible. This is key since walking is way too slow.
* Doing what redbeard said since I have friends in the food industry.
* I don't drink booze and even when I have FU money I wouldn't want to.
Important edit:
Being extremely frugal can make you do stupid things that really screw up your health. A very intelligent buddy of mine eats peanut butter sandwiches but I don't want to be an asshole to him by saying peanuts contain omega 6 nutrients that can screw up your health. It's one thing to not want to get ripped off at Whole Foods, but it's another thing to buy wild caught fish at Costcos. How else would you get your Omega 3's and protein?
I already do Costco but I've seen the idea of buying giftcards there so naturally I'd have to try it out.
I am currently fasting and while roughly saving $50/day in food costs isn't much add it up over a lifetime and you'd have quite a deal. I learned this from Tim Ferriss and supposedly cancer cells die off in the absence of glucose. I do have to say my head hurts and I have hunger pains on day 2. I can't stop fantasizing about eating ARGGGGG!!!!!
* Make my own food. I even brew my own coffee and am shocked to see people pay $5 for a disgusting cup of Starbucks.
* Take public transportation as much as possible. This is key since walking is way too slow.
* Doing what redbeard said since I have friends in the food industry.
* I don't drink booze and even when I have FU money I wouldn't want to.
Important edit:
Being extremely frugal can make you do stupid things that really screw up your health. A very intelligent buddy of mine eats peanut butter sandwiches but I don't want to be an asshole to him by saying peanuts contain omega 6 nutrients that can screw up your health. It's one thing to not want to get ripped off at Whole Foods, but it's another thing to buy wild caught fish at Costcos. How else would you get your Omega 3's and protein?
redbeard said:
Hypno
Crow
For service people, like your butcher deli guy, just being human and chatting with them, learning their names, patronizing the same place, goes along way. At a restaurant, I’ll tip 20%, sometimes more, but if you write a note to the manager like “fantastic service on the back of the charge slip, and sign it, that’s even better. That’s much more rare. The waiter asked to turn it in at the end of the night to cash out, so the manager will see it.
When I was in college, to save money on books, I check them out from the University Library. My university had a rule that said if a professor wanted to use the textbook, the publisher had to send a copy to the library. Often times it was just one copy, and you were only allowed to check it out for a few weeks. You can apply for extensions and pay late fees, that was a lot less money than buying the book
When I was in college, to save money on books, I check them out from the University Library. My university had a rule that said if a professor wanted to use the textbook, the publisher had to send a copy to the library. Often times it was just one copy, and you were only allowed to check it out for a few weeks. You can apply for extensions and pay late fees, that was a lot less money than buying the book
2 Cool 4 U
Woodpecker
- Rented movies from the redbox instead of buying them
- Put spare cash in a bank account
- Borrowed college textbooks from the library
- Printed stuff from computers on campus (beats trying to spend a fortune on printer ink and plain paper)
- Put spare cash in a bank account
- Borrowed college textbooks from the library
- Printed stuff from computers on campus (beats trying to spend a fortune on printer ink and plain paper)
Crash_Bandicoot
Robin
I haven't started doing this, but here's one thing I will start doing:
Start using my CVS coupons. This applies to Americans only.
I have always purchased an item at CVS, gotten the long string of coupons on the receipt after purchase, and then never used them because I would just throw them out. But after seeing the coupons, I've come to realize that they are actually very useful.
The coupons are based off of an algorithm where CVS tries to give coupons based off of spending habits. So, for example, if I bought shaving blades, the coupons would have coupons related to shaving blades. The coupon values are actually pretty good. Even better - the Extrabucks can be used for anything.
Start using my CVS coupons. This applies to Americans only.
I have always purchased an item at CVS, gotten the long string of coupons on the receipt after purchase, and then never used them because I would just throw them out. But after seeing the coupons, I've come to realize that they are actually very useful.
The coupons are based off of an algorithm where CVS tries to give coupons based off of spending habits. So, for example, if I bought shaving blades, the coupons would have coupons related to shaving blades. The coupon values are actually pretty good. Even better - the Extrabucks can be used for anything.
ChicagoFire
Kingfisher
Just came from Costco all I see are a couple somewhat useful gift cards to Jiffy Lube and a spa. Rest are garbage eateries.
Here's a couple more:
* I shave my head with a $15 hair clipper. Not practical for too many people but since I'm not white I don't come across as a skinhead. After about 3 years I may have to replace it. Perfect example of not only saving money but time going to a barber. I'd argue this and my bus pass have massive ROI.
* Use the library to borrow books.
* Don't buy clothes at a whim. We're not women here and guy's style tend to change about every decade.
* "Live" at my job and at the gym. Use bathrooms, take showers at the gym, take sweeteners like Stevia so I don't have to purchase them, etc. I work in food industry so one of my favorite tactics is grabbing disposable containers and storing my food in them. Now I don't have to do dishes when I get home and it's just another way to piss off the higher ups. We all hate our bosses I take this point to an extreme, even going as far as to bring outside drinks I bought at Costco, drink them throughout the day, and dump the trash out so the janitors have to do more work.
Here's a couple more:
* I shave my head with a $15 hair clipper. Not practical for too many people but since I'm not white I don't come across as a skinhead. After about 3 years I may have to replace it. Perfect example of not only saving money but time going to a barber. I'd argue this and my bus pass have massive ROI.
* Use the library to borrow books.
* Don't buy clothes at a whim. We're not women here and guy's style tend to change about every decade.
* "Live" at my job and at the gym. Use bathrooms, take showers at the gym, take sweeteners like Stevia so I don't have to purchase them, etc. I work in food industry so one of my favorite tactics is grabbing disposable containers and storing my food in them. Now I don't have to do dishes when I get home and it's just another way to piss off the higher ups. We all hate our bosses
I take this point to an extreme, even going as far as to bring outside drinks I bought at Costco, drink them throughout the day, and dump the trash out so the janitors have to do more work.
Robert High Hawk
Pelican
I love this thread.
The "penny wise, pound foolish" concept is key. I think the goal is to maximize your investments of both time and money. Some things like chores can actually be a good personal development, like cooking for example, or even tidying up your house to improve your organization and get rid of random crap.
Bringing food to work, cooking at home have all been big money savers.
Some things, like a popular coffee shop where you can small talk and meet new people or simply interact a bit, may be worth the $3. You don't have to buy something expensive, but maximize that opportunity to talk with people or read your book and grow your mind. If you are wasting $3 on coffee just cause you want coffee, then that of course is a waste.
The "penny wise, pound foolish" concept is key. I think the goal is to maximize your investments of both time and money. Some things like chores can actually be a good personal development, like cooking for example, or even tidying up your house to improve your organization and get rid of random crap.
Bringing food to work, cooking at home have all been big money savers.
Some things, like a popular coffee shop where you can small talk and meet new people or simply interact a bit, may be worth the $3. You don't have to buy something expensive, but maximize that opportunity to talk with people or read your book and grow your mind. If you are wasting $3 on coffee just cause you want coffee, then that of course is a waste.
ChicagoFire
Kingfisher
^
LMAO! Even just looking at social media I see girls spend money on stupid pathetic stuff like fancy dinners, $10 print bags that end up in the trash. Then they wonder why they're fat and slowly dying (hydrogenated oils, subpar meats, etc). Believe me, I'm not stupid and can see if a girl is insecure about her body by the way they dress. I will NEVER marry a trust fund baby or someone who treats money like toilet paper.
@Robert High Hawk
Well yeah that's a fair point. For example, you could save money by going to the local park district and playing basketball or you could go to a gentleman's league where rich men pay $500 to sign up. It's to keep the hoodrats out and to make high quality friends. This thread is great to bounce around ideas but once you move up the ladder you don't want to be penny wise, pound foolish.
LMAO! Even just looking at social media I see girls spend money on stupid pathetic stuff like fancy dinners, $10 print bags that end up in the trash. Then they wonder why they're fat and slowly dying (hydrogenated oils, subpar meats, etc). Believe me, I'm not stupid and can see if a girl is insecure about her body by the way they dress. I will NEVER marry a trust fund baby or someone who treats money like toilet paper.
@Robert High Hawk
Well yeah that's a fair point. For example, you could save money by going to the local park district and playing basketball or you could go to a gentleman's league where rich men pay $500 to sign up. It's to keep the hoodrats out and to make high quality friends. This thread is great to bounce around ideas but once you move up the ladder you don't want to be penny wise, pound foolish.
godzilla
Pelican
Planet Fitness - Cant beat 10 bucks a month for membership and 21 bucks anywhere
Transfer debt - I keep moving debt on 0% credit cards, have paid interest 4 years now
Cook work lunch at home the night before
Cut the cord - No cable. Don't need. Plenty of free online sites if you need sports
Transfer debt - I keep moving debt on 0% credit cards, have paid interest 4 years now
Cook work lunch at home the night before
Cut the cord - No cable. Don't need. Plenty of free online sites if you need sports
Crash_Bandicoot
Robin
godzilla said:
Planet Fitness is a huge money saver.
Not only is $10/month a steal, but they also have many nights a month where free food, such as pizza and bagels are served. If you factor in the amount of free meals you can get, it's well worth the membership even if you don't go to the gym at all
On top of that, free showers and massage chairs are a huge plus. Some are even open 24/7.
Of course, for the true gym buff the gym may not suffice but it's a solid choice for most people.
joost
Kingfisher
I like this thread. It’s not about being “Penny Wise, Dollar Poor” since it’s not about decreasing standard of living. Spending an hour Sunday to cook your weekly meals is cheaper, healthier and give you more free time than going to a fast food chain. I see plenty of overweight and poor people (by the neglected car) leaving fast food chains with huge bags. They rationalize thinking it’s best to spend $15 at McDonald’s (an hourly wage) instead of spending an hour cooking (+ paying for the ingredients).
Groceries:
I buy my food online from Walmart’s Groceries app. They charge you $7 to deliver and you can save your favorites in the app so you don’t waste time looking. You don’t have to waste time (time is money) shopping and you choose when to deliver (they’re very punctual).
Cellphone Plan:
I was paying $45 for my cellphone plan (TracFone Wireless). I find it expensive since I barely use my phone (plan). Recently I discovered Mint Mobile. They use T-Mobile network so it has good coverage but they charge $15 (unlimited calls + 3GB internet). You can port your number if you want and they give you a SIM card so you can try the network for a week (to make sure you have decent coverage). I gave it a try and now I just registered.
It’s the same service (as T-mobile), but 3 times cheaper. Don’t want to sound as a salesman but If you use this referral we both get an extra month ($15) of credit.
http://fbuy.me/mq-uw
Groceries:
I buy my food online from Walmart’s Groceries app. They charge you $7 to deliver and you can save your favorites in the app so you don’t waste time looking. You don’t have to waste time (time is money) shopping and you choose when to deliver (they’re very punctual).
Cellphone Plan:
I was paying $45 for my cellphone plan (TracFone Wireless). I find it expensive since I barely use my phone (plan). Recently I discovered Mint Mobile. They use T-Mobile network so it has good coverage but they charge $15 (unlimited calls + 3GB internet). You can port your number if you want and they give you a SIM card so you can try the network for a week (to make sure you have decent coverage). I gave it a try and now I just registered.
It’s the same service (as T-mobile), but 3 times cheaper. Don’t want to sound as a salesman but If you use this referral we both get an extra month ($15) of credit.
http://fbuy.me/mq-uw
Moved to Eastern Europe, began working online, paying a very small amount of US income tax and started saving and investing $25,000 a year with the eventual hope of creating an index fund (and a few other outsourced business tasks) that pays my bills in entirety so that I no longer have to work.
Mind you, I do this while living pretty lavishly (frequent means out, my own new apartment with no roommates, gym membership, haircuts every two weeks, new clothes).
This is all done for about $1,500 a month and that's if I'm going hard. It's usually less.
Mind you, I do this while living pretty lavishly (frequent means out, my own new apartment with no roommates, gym membership, haircuts every two weeks, new clothes).
This is all done for about $1,500 a month and that's if I'm going hard. It's usually less.
Phone
Ported my phone number to Google Voice like 4 years ago for a one time fee of $20. Since then, I've had no phone bill (I only use an iPod touch on wifi)
Food
skipping meals and postponing eating in general. Simple meals (soup, sardines, crackers, etc)
Transportation
Car free for 4 yrs now and just bought a fat bike. Now I get fresh air / exercise for free while riding to the store or just wandering
Ported my phone number to Google Voice like 4 years ago for a one time fee of $20. Since then, I've had no phone bill (I only use an iPod touch on wifi)
Food
skipping meals and postponing eating in general. Simple meals (soup, sardines, crackers, etc)
Transportation
Car free for 4 yrs now and just bought a fat bike. Now I get fresh air / exercise for free while riding to the store or just wandering
Cut the home wifi service this month. Was paying $50/month for that. I instead got Ultra Mobile unlimited plan for my phone which is $50/month and has unlimited data and talk/text.
I now use my phone as a WiFi hotspot whenever I need WiFi at the house.
I now use my phone as a WiFi hotspot whenever I need WiFi at the house.
joost
Kingfisher
I don’t shave as often as before since I mostly use a hair trimmer. But when I shave I use an old-type double edge razor. You can buy them in bulk for cents each. And now you can get a Chinese version of the Merkur Futur ($70) for $15 with your name engraved. The Chinese brand is called QSHAVE (Amazon or AliExpress).
The razor is beautiful and works great:
You can find plenty of reviews on YouTube.
The razor is beautiful and works great:
You can find plenty of reviews on YouTube.
richshearer
Chicken
we live in a rv towed by a 4x4. every town we pass thru has an op shop/goodwill. we swap and buy books and all our seasonal clothing etc. most stuff is new or low use. bought a fully lined sueded leather bomber jacket for twenty bucks last week. now I can look well dresed and stay warm this winter. we pay no sales tax this way either. bonus.
ChicagoFire
Kingfisher
My job has a condition where I can get room and board. I don't qualify for it for certain reasons but I appreciate it for what it's worth. Something I've been thinking about is finding a place to sleep in peace in my car since I'm stuck on the graveyard shift. It would cut my commute time and help with my current project of finding a job that pays in the 150K range.
Taking advantage of the annoying commute so I don't burn gas excessively and increase wear and tear on my car:
Listening to podcasts and audiobooks.
Commuting earlier to avoid the evening rush.
Using my toll pass judiciously. Last thing I want to do is get into an accident because my employer kept me at 14 hours.
Taking advantage of the annoying commute so I don't burn gas excessively and increase wear and tear on my car:
Listening to podcasts and audiobooks.
Commuting earlier to avoid the evening rush.
Using my toll pass judiciously. Last thing I want to do is get into an accident because my employer kept me at 14 hours.