Cheap things you do that you aren't ashamed to admit.

October 28, 2019, 07:55 PM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by jhe888:

I tried something like that at the topless joint, but the girls caught on and started tearing that corner off my dollar bills.

I don't know anybody who uses real dollar bills at the topless joint. The fake bills work just fine in the dim light. Or so I was told by a friend.

October 28, 2019, 08:39 PM

sigmonkey

I wash used toilet paper.... OK. Not true, I just wanted to be included.

October 28, 2019, 08:44 PM

Russ59

I collect cans/bottles on my runs.

Change oil in all my cars, but don't save much money.

Most everyone in my neighborhood pays for landscaping. I refuse.

I manage to do most of my house maintenance. Granted, the house is only 12 years old, so nothing too serious.

I enjoy diagnosing house and automotive problem and then fixing it myself. I did the clutch in my 2002 Civic Si last December. Took me a while, but I did it and saved $750-900 in labor.

October 28, 2019, 10:37 PM

rburg

quote:
Originally posted by jhe888:
quote:
Originally posted by doublesharp:
I super glue a piece of fishing line to a quarter so when I go to peep shows I can use the same quarter over and over.

I tried something like that at the topless joint, but the girls caught on and started tearing that corner off my dollar bills.

Its a regional thing. Doublesharp lives in the Louisville area. Many of the strippers aren't worth a dollar, maybe not even worth his quarter.

October 28, 2019, 10:46 PM

SOTAR

My shower is across the house from the water heater. Thus 1.5 gallons of cold water prior to getting hot water.

1) start the washing machine first on hot to drain off the cold, as it is near my bathroom.

or

2) I keep a 5-gallon bucket in the shower and use it to collect the cold water. Then I used it later to refill the toilet tank. Only paying once for water and sewer that way for the cold stuff.

October 29, 2019, 01:52 AM

Nismo

I keep a roll of paper towel at my desk and reuse sheets of it.
I eat and drink at my desk so I would place a sheet under the plate or cup to keep the desk clean from crumbs and drips. If the sheet is still clean, I would fold it up in a rectangle and put away to be used at another time.

I guess eliminating the use of paper towel all together makes better sense, but oh well.

October 29, 2019, 02:35 AM

I go to the individual stall car washes at the back of the local chevron and spend a quarter for high velocity spray. Bring my own towels. Wet down, wipe down, done.

Just down the street is a new car wash with free vacuum stalls. Went there once, will probably go again.

I used to get a small senior coffee at mcdonalds for $0.67. Then I started getting large. I do the mcdvoice survey when I get home, write the code on the receipt, and get a two large coffees for one - $1.08. It's actually a two for one on any item, but the only thing I'll get there is black coffee. I've found they have a monthly limit - six or seven codes lol. I have a bungee cord rigged on the back of the drivers seat that holds the two cup holder flat and won't tip over while driving.

My bank always sends me blank return envelopes for a couple of my accounts. Reusable. Tape a strip of paper from the inside to cover the window.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays, several theaters have $4.00 movies. Maybe not three d ( shrugs ), but I don't watch those and won't put glasses over my glasses anyway. Most are senior, some need a player's card and also be a senior.

Something I did in the service aboard ship and it's a habit. Navy shower. Wet down, turn off water. Soap up. Rinse off. No running the water until it gets hot either. On and in. My wife still takes hollywood showers.

October 29, 2019, 04:22 AM

pbslinger

I don't do this, and don't know if it is just a joke, I call this a hobo meal. Maybe from earlier really lean times. Order hot tea at a restaurant, Use ketchup to make tomato soup in the hot water. Make lemonade in your water glass with the lemon. Save the tea bag for later.

October 29, 2019, 09:58 AM

RogueJSK

quote:
Originally posted by SOTAR:
My shower is across the house from the water heater. Thus 1.5 gallons of cold water prior to getting hot water.

1) start the washing machine first on hot to drain off the cold, as it is near my bathroom.

or

2) I keep a 5-gallon bucket in the shower and use it to collect the cold water. Then I used it later to refill the toilet tank. Only paying once for water and sewer that way for the cold stuff.

or

3) Install a recirculating pump for the hot water heater. It uses minimal electricity. Our house has one, and having instant-on hot water anywhere in the house is great.

October 29, 2019, 10:11 AM

bubbatime

quote:
Originally posted by RAMIUS:
I installed bidets on our toilets without realizing how much I'd save on toilet paper...which is a rather considerable amount of money.

No shit? (Pun intended)

October 29, 2019, 10:28 AM

radioman

At "target shooting areas" in the forests, I pick up left behind brass for calibers that I don't even use/reload. Once I collect enough of it, I try to trade it for calibers that I do reload.

October 29, 2019, 11:22 AM

RGRacing

Two 55 gal rain water drums - Use free cat litter 3 gal jugs to douse dog piss - Spotless back yard.
At 1 cent per gallon, I'll have this all payed off in 10 years.

October 29, 2019, 11:25 AM

BBMW

I bring this up often when the topic of tools come up, but it's more kitchen oriented.

I decided I wanted an electric hand mixer. However I didn't know how much I'd actually use it. The next time I was in Target, I looked at what they had. The cheapest thing they had was a $6 no name piece of Chinese junk. But I figured I'd try it, and see if I really used it enough to justify spending more on a "real" one when it died. This must be 10+ years ago. I still have it. It still works. I still use it occasionally. I got vastly more than my $6 worth out of it.

October 29, 2019, 11:48 AM

egregore

Good thing you don't. I'm sure the restaurant would take a dim view of it.

quote:
Originally posted by pbslinger:
I don't do this, and don't know if it is just a joke, I call this a hobo meal. Maybe from earlier really lean times. Order hot tea at a restaurant, Use ketchup to make tomato soup in the hot water. Make lemonade in your water glass with the lemon. Save the tea bag for later.

Don't forget to stiff the server on the tip.

October 29, 2019, 12:13 PM

M-11

quote:
Originally posted by PHPaul:
I do and I don't.

Some of it is because I grew up with parents that were adults during the Depression and they went to what seemed like extremes when I was a kid. Examples:

Breakfast OJ was served in 4 ounce glasses and you got ONE. No refills.

School lunch was packed in paper bags and you had BETTER fold that bag neatly and bring it home for tomorrow.

Tin foil was washed, smoothed, folded and stored for re-use, as was waxed paper.

Soap remnants were saved and stored in a quart jar with a little water and the resultant slop was used to wash hands in the "back room" after chores. (I still gag a little when I remember the smell.)

So, yeah, I rebel a little. Back when I could drink OJ without getting terminal heartburn, I'd drink a water glass full at a whack. I throw soap slivers the fuck away. I've never washed a piece of aluminum foil since I left home.

But we do little things. Plastic bags are re-used to collect returnable cans and as trash can liners. Ziplock bags that aren't completely disgusting are saved for parts storage. There are about 2 dozen of them in a box right now holding parts (with labels inside) from the dozer. The littel tupperware-like boxes lunch meat comes in get used to store small parts or as tubs to clean small parts in. Suitable (ie, cotton) discarded clothing is cut up for shop rags. Food waste is fed to the chickens and seagulls or composted. 2 or 3 meals a week are prepared from scratch, the rest of the week is leftovers. VERY little food gets thrown away and I bitch at SWMBO about that. (I don't give a drizzly shit WHAT the can says - if it ain't bulged or rusty, it's GTG!)

We must be brothers from different mothers! And married sisters!! The local Thai restaurant uses heavy duty, tight sealing plastic ware for take out; I then clean and save for leftovers.

October 29, 2019, 05:03 PM

slabsides45

I cut my own hair (Flowbee).

I save plastic and paper bags from the store for truck use (or cooking bacon, you figure out which for which).

I keep all extra napkins, sporks, and other plastic utensils on hand in the truck.

I keep the go-order containers if they're solid and can be used for other things.

I buy Old Navy khaki pants and wear the snot out of them, versus high end pantelones.

I rarely buy any clothing unless it is steeply discounted, and even then is no name (shoes are a different story...).

I watch a youtube diy video on virtually everything before I pay to have it done.

October 29, 2019, 05:06 PM

slabsides45

quote:
Originally posted by radioman:
At "target shooting areas" in the forests, I pick up left behind brass for calibers that I don't even use/reload. Once I collect enough of it, I try to trade it for calibers that I do reload.

So YOU'RE the bastage beating me to all the free brass on the other lines!!

October 29, 2019, 07:01 PM

TRIO

I buy eggs in bulk and make a lot of "hard boiled" for a snack. If I forget to pack or take my lunch, I buy a cheap soft pretzel to hold me over until dinner. I do this even if I have $20 in my pocket.

Even if I'm not that hungry, I'll buy a large hoagie saving half for the next day.

While at work, after washing my hands, I pocket the paper towels I just used. They work great for cleaning my machines.

I buy pork loin or roast when on sale. Then cut it into chops. Many meals real cheap that way.

When I shop for food, I go to the cheapest stores first. Such as Aldi and Grocery Outlet, buying as much as I can find. Then, I buy things I couldn't find at the more pricey markets. Save a ton that way.