Earlier this month, I published a post on things that I probably would not do to save money. Today, I thought I would publish a follow-up post on what I would do to save money.
Most of the things on my list are not crazy, and some will probably just be considered “boring,” not ridiculous enough or what you would do on a normal basis anyways, but oh well. Little things all add up.
What I have done or would do:
I have signed up for a credit card to get free flights to Vegas. This is actually my second time doing this.
I wear pajamas from years ago. Some like to make fun of me (such as my sister and W) because they think I am cheap, but it’s really just because I like my comfy pajamas. I get to save money too so that is good for me.
If I have to be somewhere at 7 but I get out of work at 5 or 5:30, I will just stay late at work because I hate wasting gas to drive home just to drive right back. I get paid salary also, so it’s not like I get something special for staying late.
When W and I first moved out and into our first place, we lived in a fairly scary area. The rent was only $350 and it was for a whole house with a backyard and everything. We lived there for around a year until our neighbor tried to kill us (I’m not exaggerating, he actually did kill the person who moved in right after us). We were actually almost tempted not to move because our rent was so cheap However, we are really glad that we did move and it’s sad that the story had to end the way that it did.
I bring my lunch to work every single day except when W visits me on Thursdays. Some say it’s boring but I’m fine with my daily sandwiches, salads or whatever else I am having.
I would cut my cable bill and pay for other alternatives to save $30 a month.
I will call up the companies that we use (such as phone, internet, and so on), and ask for a discount. Whether it’s $5 or $20, I am always ecstatic.
I eat leftovers. For some reason, a small amount of people find this disgusting. I just don’t get why I would throw away extra food.
I will buy generic brands. I actually know of a lot of people who would never do this. If it tastes the same, then why not?
I would ride my bike to work if I could.
I drink water 99% of the time at restaurants. It does help that soda gives me migraines, so I really can’t have too much soda anyways. I honestly like water, which is great because it is usually FREE.
If I need cash and don’t want to pay an ATM fee but can’t make it to my bank, I will buy a pack of gum or something else super cheap and get cash back there. The savings is only like $2 or $3, but if I can get something for my money as well, then why not?
I buy things that we need online so that I don’t venture into Target’s Home section. Amazon Prime and Subscribe and Save are pretty much an addiction of mine.
We rent a room in our home for extra cash. We are lucky that my sister is great to have here and we really do enjoy living with her. However, many people say that they would never do this.
We have slept in the airport. I think it was when we were going to Hawaii, and we arrived at LAX around midnight. Our flight to Hawaii was supposed to leave at around 5 a.m. and we were just going to sleep in the airport and wait, because this was LAX and by time we got to a hotel and came back and waited in the security line, we would probably be late for our flights anyways. However, once we landed, we found out that our flight was pushed to 8 or 9 (I can’t remember the exact time), so we just waited at the airport and slept on the ground. Paying $200 for 3 hours of sleep at a hotel just does not seem worth it to me.
I took classes at community college one summer. I should have taken more than just 12 credits at a community college, but I am still happy that I went. I don’t get where more people don’t start at community college!
Weird things that other people do:
P.S. I found a couple of hilarious articles the other day about other weird things that people do to save money. These were not on my first post but I had to include them here because they are too interesting not to share. I definitely do not think that I would do any of these below.
- Take flowers from a cemetery for wedding centerpieces. This is just not right at all.
- Eat straight out of a pot or pan for every single meal so that you don’t have to wash plates or bowls.
- Using newspaper as toilet paper… This doesn’t sound too pleasant to me.
- Unplug clocks while sleeping. This seems like too much work.
- Take things from lost and found bins. Nope.
- Poop in the shower. I actually read this one online and I still don’t know why people would do this…
- Eat leftover plates from strangers at restaurants…
What have you done to save money?
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Clarisse @ Make Money Your Way says
I’m smiling while reading this post I’m also like you, I wear a very old pajama my daughter will always tell me that I need to buy new pajamas. hahaha!! And in terms of medicines I also prefer generic brand because my dentist told me before that generic and branded medicines are just the same it’s just that branded are more expensive because of the TV commercials and advertisement “I hope I make sense” so I stick to that 🙂
Michelle says
Yes, that is definitely true about generic medicine!
Mark Ross says
Shopping online can really help in saving you some money if done the right way. Just make sure that you only buy the things you’ll be NEEDing and you’ll be alright.
Michelle says
Yes, I agree. Thanks Mark!
Amber @ Steps to Save says
Great list! I do a lot of the same things to save money.
-Eating leftovers ( Yummy! Depending on what it is, it can taste better the second or third day.)
– Sleeping in the airport ( Almost. My plane was rescheduled once when I was very young. I cried because I was going to miss work and would probably have to sleep in the airport. The airline employees felt sorry for me and put me in a hotel with a free breakfast buffet. It was the best!
– Drinking water 99% of the time- Me too. Gotta have my H2O!
– Wearing pajamas from years ago- Yes, ma’am! They get more comfortable with each passing year.. 😉
Glad you were safe and not hurt by your neighbor. That’s scary! Hope you have a wonderful day~
Michelle says
Sounds like we are a lot alike 🙂
Liz says
I definitely agree with some of your suggestions (i.e. I would never pay for a hotel/hostel for 3 hours of sleep..it’s not like you would sleep well anyways so you might as well suck it up and stay overnight in an airport!). I do cut my own hair and I think I save a ton of money on that (only trims, any major cut I would go to a hairdresser). I also bring my lunch to work as much as possible and eat leftovers.
I find that meal planning is one of the best ways to save money on food. If you have a plan and a list, you end up saving a ton of money at the grocery store!
Michelle says
Yes, meal planning is great!
DC @ Young Adult Money says
I do quite a few of the same things as you. I rarely buy drinks at restaurants; it’s hard for me to pay $3 for soda when it’s only .25 a can at home. I also bring my lunch to work every day, which is oftentimes leftovers from last night’s dinner. Heck, I even make more than I need for dinner for this exact reason!
Michelle says
Yes, I do the same with making more at dinner so that I can have leftovers. It also taste better than most things that I can buy for lunch anyways!
kelly @stayingonbudget says
Yeah, I don’t get why people don’t like leftovers…they sometimes taste better than the first day!
I am with you on the stuff you won’t do too!
Michelle says
I agree! I thought I was the only one who thought that sometimes it taste better haha
Alexa says
I take my lunch to work everyday as well. I let my exhusband cut my hair once – not good. Luckily, I keep it pretty long so there was enough length to fix it without losing too much length. I also usually ALWAYS buy generic. I now prefer generic brands to name brands because I am so used to them.
Michelle says
That’s good that it was long enough to fix it. I feel like I would chop an ear off or something 🙂
Michelle says
Interesting about the cable box. I did not know that!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who wears super old pajamas. And, Greg is the worst. He has high water pajama pants with giant holes in the butt =)
Michelle says
Haha my favorite pajama shirt has holes in it 🙂
Mike Collins says
LOL…you know you’re taking frugality too far if you’re pooping in the shower to save money.
Michelle says
Haha I know! I died when I read that.
Matt Becker says
What a crazy story about your former neighbor! Good thing you guys got out when you did! I do a lot of the same things as you (still wear clothes from years ago, especially around the house, drink water at restaurants, eat leftovers, bring my lunch). I think the best things are the things you can do once for repeated savings (e.g. negotiating a bill) or that you can create as simple regular habits (like bringing your lunch).
Michelle says
Yes, he was insane. He lived with his mother and she was equally as insane as he was. Cops weekly would storm his house. There were so many times that I walked outside to see SWAT teams hiding around my house because they were trying to get to his.
Michael says
Thos elast 8 were crazy! I could never do those things. I’m all for bringing my lunch and eating left overs. I hate wasting food. Plus, how does it taste any different from yesterday? My PJs are from well over a year ago. I sleep in old t-shirts and shorts. Why am I going to spend money on fancy/new pajamas?
Michelle says
I agree! I’m glad I’m not alone 🙂
Christine says
I eat Leftovers, bring my lunch, drink water in restaurants, meal planning & also make a lot of my own cleaners. I like making my own cleaners because you save money & don’t have all the fumes from the store bought products & it’s better for the environment!
Michelle says
These are all great ways to save money 🙂
Brad @ RichmondSavers.com says
Michelle,
We are definitely extremely similar as I was nodding along to each and every one of your list items (not sure I’d sleep in the airport though as I am a terrible sleeper):
Bringing lunch saves a ton of money as most people spend upwards of $10 a day eating out. Over 40 years of working that’s massive.
We only make meals that produce leftovers. It’s easier to cook 2-3 times a week for 7 dinners and it saves money for certain as it lowers the cost per meal.
I always drink water the rare times I go out to eat; if an item is a profit center for a company, I run the other way.
I just posted a huge article today on Amazon Prime and Subscribe & Save as we’re addicted to both! Tough to beat the combo of making your life easier/less stressful and saving money!
Michelle says
Bringing lunch is great. I prefer to spend the time in my office relaxing instead of shuffling somewhere as well.
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says
Yep, I have totally slept in the airport. I drink water at restaurants unless I’m craving a cocktail (which is more than I’d like).
As for credit cards, I only have my regular cash back credit card and a retail card. I would love to cash in on sign up bonuses but I worry about losing track of everything.
Michelle says
Yes, unless I’m craving a cocktail, I always get water.
Connie @ Savvy With Saving says
I’ve eaten right out of a pot before, not to save money but because I was lazy. Ha.
I also drink water at restaurants, aside from the occasion cocktail. I’ve stopped drinking soda, which was bad for me any anyways.
Michelle says
Haha that is funny!
Jason B says
I do most of the things to save money that you do. I eat leftovers. I also buy items in bulk.
Michelle says
Thanks Jason!
EL @ MoneyWatch101 says
Thanks for the laughs Michelle. THose last 8 things are just unreal to me. But people do crazy things for those greenbacks. I once found a kids nothface jacket in a park, and I took it, washed it and now my daughter wears it. I tried to find the little owner but the park was empty. That’s about as extreme as I have ever gotten to save money.
Michelle says
Haha yes they are pretty funny!
Budget and the Beach says
Why on earth would someone poop in the shower to save money?? That is so gross!!! It’s funny you mentioned the sleeping in the airport thing because I recently had this happen and chose not to sleep in the airport. For one when my flight was cancelled it was around 6pm, and my flight the next day didn’t leave till 9am. Secondly I found a room for $69. Totally worth it for me because I was already tired and cranky, but if it was a couple hours overnight and I was with someone I might consider it.
Michelle says
I don’t know. I pretty much threw up when I read that!
$69 would be worth it! When we looked for a cheap room, the cheapest was like $200. I’m not going to lie, W really wanted to stay at a hotel no matter what the price was but I wouldn’t let us haha
Ashley says
Hah wow some of those are weird. I sneak drinks and candy into the movie theater. I just recently found a way to make my own popcorn that tastes just like the theater kind so I’ll be ziplocking that stuff next time.
Michelle says
We almost always sneak drinks and candy in. It’s just so much cheaper to spend $5 on food at Walgreens instead of the $40 that the movie theater wants!
Savvy Financial Latina says
We’ve cut cable! I’ll be glad when we move out of our apartment. Water and electricity is ridiculously high. But I read reviews on this place, and some people mentioned this, I just didn’t image it would be such a huge increase. I think it’s always best to figure out how to limit your high expenses. For example, housing. Housing is such a big expense. It comprises 1/3 of our budget! Thinking back, I should have gone for a slightly more affordable apartment. But I didn’t think $100 was much. It’s ended up being almost $200 a month more expensive because of higher cable, electricity, and water costs. Now I realize every dollar counts! I’m trying to make sure we buy an affordable house. It’s so easy to buy a more expensive houses, thinking your monthly mortgage payments are not going to be much. But I don’t want us to spend all our of our money on a house.
Michelle says
Ugh that really stinks! What are your water and electricity costs? Our water is usually only around $60 to $70 every 3 months, so it’s pretty cheap!
Michelle's Finance Journal says
I try to pack lunch every day and I’m getting tired of it. But I still try and on average I’m packing lunch 4 days a week. I also started drinking water at restaurants but I also ask for lemon wedges, so I don’t taste the tap water. I’m getting used to it and hopefully it’ll be like second nature soon.
Michelle says
I’ve been eating out a little more than I would like lately, mainly because I’m trying to escape my office.
Nick (@ayoungpro) says
Haha, my wife makes fun of me because half of my clothes I have had since high school. 🙂
Michelle says
Haha that is funny! W makes fun of me because I have a closet full of clothes and many of them still have the tags. I used to be so not-frugal when it came to clothes!
Allison says
Ok, so i read the while post and had some good thoughts. Then I read about people pooping in the shower. Are you serious, people really do this? That’s insane and so nasty. There is a line and those people crossed that line.
Michelle says
Haha yeah I know. When I read it I thought it was a joke but a wife found her husband doing this.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup says
I eat leftovers, cut my own hair, and bring my lunch to work everyday. That has saved me quite a bit over the years. Some of those things that others do is a little out of my wheelhouse.
Michelle says
Haha I agree!
Tara @ Streets Ahead Living says
LOL at your jammies… I still use my white terry bath robe from freshman year of college (10 years ago). I’ve bleached it plenty of times since then but I just love it… plus I’m kind of too cheap to buy a new one. I joke that my robe will last longer than Linens ‘n Things did (where I bought it).
I also always drink water and the occasional beer at a restaurant. I never buy soda unless someone else is paying… 😉
Michelle says
Haha so many people make fun of my pajamas!
Kristin says
I have a friend who NEVER takes home his leftovers from restaurants even if barely touches it! Even if I can’t finish my food and wouldn’t want the leftovers, I bring it home for a family member. One thing that I just started doing because my boyfriend always does this is rent cds and movies from the library. My library has a huge selection of dvds and blu-rays and a lot of the new releases, too! I actually really like having a CD in my car and having it on repeat, so this works perfectly for me. Much cheaper than buying everything from iTunes.
Michelle says
Wow I can’t believe he never takes his food!
Girl Meets Debt says
I’m pretty boring and normal too when it comes to saving money. I don’t do anything too extreme except I hate paying 5 cents for a plastic shopping bag so when I’m at a store that gives them for free I ask them to double bag lol. SCARY neighbor story!!!! Ahhhhhh
Michelle says
Yup, he was insane. He had a “crush” on me, and his mom liked W. UGHHHH
Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans says
My pajamas are SUPER OLD too! I don’t think I ever bought a pair of pajamas – I always get them as a gift.
Michelle says
Same here!
Cindy Brick says
Save even more…and don’t wear pajamas at all! We’ve done this for decades.
I’m guessing that they meant peeing in the shower — some Brit politician actually suggested this, to save money. (Pooping just sounds too gross.)
Other things I’ve done:
*cut up leftover restaurant steaks, and used the meat for stirfry or an omelet
*rinse out sauce jars, and add that to the soup. (It’s actually quite good this way. Salad dressings, too.)
*snagged Taco Bell salsa packets, with the sole reason of using them in other dishes.
*used old rugs out in the garden to kill weeds.
*expanded a chicken coop, using pallets. (We’re in the process of doing this now.)
Michelle says
Haha nope, they meant pooping! The wife caught the husband (this will be way too much information) stomping on his poop to get it to go down the shower drain.
Nan says
Seriously? How do you save money by stomping your poo down the shower drain? If it’s while showering , it’d use just as much water as flushing. Unless you’re using gold-plated toilet paper, that’s also not a huge cost. Maybe the husband simply has a poo fetish which he doesn’t want to admit to his wife?
My frugal pajama top is, well, from the lost and found… 🙂 It’s a tshirt that came with pre-installed holes. Goodwill wouldn’t have taken it, but after two trips thru the wash and a date with a destiny (aka a needleand thread), it’s good enough for sleeping!
Eva @ Girl Counting Pennies says
These are great ways to save money, Michelle! There is nothing wrong with wearing you old PJs and eating leftovers! Your neighbour tried to kill you…..? WHAT?! I don’t know what to think of things you found online… some of them are pretty gross!
Michelle says
Yup, our neighbor was insane!
Athena says
Hahahaha. I don’t do anything too drastic to save money but I do meal plan, bring my own lunch, buy energy drinks in bulk, use very minimal of my beauty products to help them last longer ( hey! they were expensive!) bring my own stuff into movie theaters, try to limit our restaurant spending ( usually but lately we’ve been pretty bad), wear old pajamas and try to play mind games with myself. Like, see how little you can spend until payday! I will ground myself and not let myself go out sometimes so I can read or watch Netflix, for free!
Michelle says
I do all of these also!
CeCe @Pink Sunshine says
I reuse sandwich bags and ziplock bags. If I just put something like a piece of bread or if I’m going to be bringing the same thing to lunch daily I’ll just shake it out and re use. I don’t blame you for sleeping at the airport. I would probably hate it but I’d do the same. It wouldn’t feel worth it to me either.
Michelle says
I didn’t think it was too bad, W on the other hand was not too happy that I was forcing us to do that haha.
Michelle says
Haha yup!
moneystepper says
Good list – I do most of those things aswell. From the good list. I refrain from pooping in the shower….
Michelle says
Hahaha!
Jacob | iHeartBudgets says
We do all those things as well (not the ones you listed below). My wife actually just cut her hair the other day, and I was anticipating her freaking out and scheduling a haircut the next day. Nope. She loves it. She has also cut my hair for the past 5 years.
Also, we don’t buy anything (besides gas and bills) without searching for a coupon first. It’s worth those 10 seconds to save 50% or more!
Michelle says
Yes, searching for a coupon is almost always worth it!
krantcents says
I usually do all the things you do! I have done any of the things on the “weird list.” My wife and I use the library for books.
Michelle says
Haha yeah the weird list is a little weird!
Mackenzie says
We always eat leftovers! And my pajamas have seen better days too 🙂
Michelle says
Haha thanks for stopping by Mackenzie!
Michelle says
I agree! It is definitely a normal list to me.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar says
How much could unplugging your clocks really save? You’d have to go around setting them all the time, and that would drive me nuts. Great list, especially the crazy things people do.
Michelle says
Haha yeah I don’t know!
Kostas @ Finance Blog Zone says
All of your ideas seem pretty reasonable to me. Sure, you might only be saving a couple of bucks here and there, but they all add up in the end! Leftover Lunches are the norm around here! I’m glad you escaped your crazy neighbor!
Michelle says
Thanks!
Brian @ Luke1428 says
Fun list! I do cut my own hair. It’s pretty easy with the trimmers. Just buzz it real short and I’m good to go.
Michelle says
Must be nice to have short hair 🙂
Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren says
It is nuts some of the things people will do. I could never!
Michelle says
Haha I know!
Daisy @ Young Finances says
I’ve done pretty much all of these things, with exception to sleeping in the airport. I can’t stand airports, and I can’t even sleep in hotels let alone in public places like airports. I understand that sometimes it’s just not worth getting a hotel, though.
Michelle says
Yeah it just wasn’t worth it to me. The hotels were over $200 a night, plus it would take at least 2 hours to stand in line again for security, so by time we left and came back, it wouldn’t have been worth it.
Nicole says
I purposely cook extra servings when making dinner so we have leftovers to take for lunch the next day…is it sad I just really want to know more about your crazy neighbor???
Michelle says
He was insane. We always knew that he was crazy.
Maggie@SquarePennies says
Nicole I always cook twice as much as we need so we can have the same dinner the next night or two night ahead! Lunches are something else. Either way it’s great!
Skint in the City says
I know someone who hangs used kitchen roll up to dry then reuses it. The same person also wipes off aluminium foil and reuses it over and over. A bit too much for me but very eco-friendly, as well as being money saving.
Michelle says
Yes, definitely eco-friendly!
Maggie@SquarePennies says
At our boat we put paper towels that were used to just dry hands on a pile that we call “clean dirties.” When we need a paper towel to clean up a mess we use those!
Rachel says
Regarding the food savings, I totally do the same thing. My husband and I both take leftovers for lunches most days, when there aren’t leftovers, we make sandwiches or wraps. It’s healthier too than even going out and getting “healthy” fast food!
We always drink water at restaurants and for certain places (the Cheesecake Factory for example), we try to put in our order just before 5pm to get the lunch portions which are still two meals worth but are cheaper.
I wish I could ride my bike to work, 9 miles over highway is too far unfortunately.
Michelle says
Yeah I currently cannot ride my bike to work because it would be all high way and not safe at all.
Maggie@SquarePennies says
Nothing you do sounds crazy to me. I love to shop online too. I like to get clothes that are 80% or 90% off their original prices! Woo! Why pay more?
Michelle says
Yes, why pay more?!
CF says
I’m not sure why some people don’t like leftovers either – I love leftovers! Less cooking and no waste 🙂
Michelle says
Same here!
Lance @ Money Life and More says
We almost always get water at restaurants and always try to eat our leftovers too. I don’t know why people pay outrageous prices for soda at restaurants and throw away perfectly good leftovers! SO FRUSTERATING!
Michelle says
I agree! It’s so annoying!
Latoya @ Sisters' With Bank says
That is absolutely crazy about your ex-neighbor, wow! We eat leftovers every other day b/c I simply refuse to cook dinner 7 days a week when I can cook a large meal to split up a few times a week. That saves me a lot of time and money, both of which I need.
Michelle says
Yup, he was insane!
Marissa@Thirtysixmonths says
As always great tips Michelle! I am with you in most if not all of these. I can’t get over your story about your previous house though. That was scary!
Michelle says
Yup, he was crazy. Seriously, no words.
Jilly says
No leftovers?!?! I grew up in a large family, so living alone & actually having leftovers is amazing! 🙂 My friends make fun of me, because I freeze meals, but, I love having those inexpensive meals ready when I’m sick, tired, or broke! I’ve done a lot of those things, including the pajama’s, but I had to finally buy some new ones this year. 🙁
Michelle says
I love leftovers! 🙂
Michelle says
I did the same thing when flying to Hawaii. My flight got into LAX at Midnight and the flight out didn’t leave until the following morning. Luckily I met a couple that came in on the same flight as me so we all took turns sleeping and guarding our stuff. Airport chairs are not comfy 🙁 I was a zombie by the time I got to Hawaii but I was too excited when I got there to show it! LOL!
Michelle says
Haha, surprisingly there were a lot of other people from our flight who did the same thing too!
eemusings says
I occasionally eat out of the pot/pan.
I also prefer to stay late at work if I’m going somewhere after. I walk to work so it’s not about saving gas or anything, it just is more efficient (and I’m also salaried).
Michelle says
I agree, it’s more efficient.
Sarah says
I do many of the same things you do to save money. The most interesting thing I’ve done to save (that I can recall now), was to take a $1 sandwich from a fast food restaurant into a Panera Bread so I could get Panera coffee but not have to pay for their high priced food! I only did that a couple times because I felt bad.
Carrie says
On top of many of the things listed in the comments, I also make, use, gift, and sell spa and cleaning products, along with salve, cloth menstrual pads, cloth rags, unsponges and unpaper towels. I’ve started knitting and embroidery, on top of sewing (by hand or with my very old treadle machine). I also redo furniture and restyle old clothing. I use my sewing scraps to fill dog pillows and generally recycle, reuse, or donate everything else. Plastic bags (for anything other than garbage) are a nono here. I make foldup cloth bags instead. I also make my own dry soup or sauce mixes (I loooove my taco seasoning) and I sell baking, too. We buy farm eggs and honey when available. I garden, we use a rain barrel and we compost. We do our own yard work, got rid of cable last summer, but kept Netflix. My library is small but has over 500 movies in house and I can order from all over the province. I shop the flyers and stock up when items are cheap. We buy in bulk and store our food properly. We use points cards and our credit cards also collect points. I darn our socks until I no longer can and then they get chopped up for compost (if woolen) or the scrap bin. Instead of using canned beans, I precook a slow cooker full and freeze in the proper amounts.
The big one, I suppose is this: my hair is over 30 inches long and as soon as I find a buyer I am shaving it off. It’s worth $2000- $4000 Canadian.