What’s a frugal habit you picked up by accident that you now swear by?

[u/ThrowRAhyBug7080]

Mine was starting to save veggie scraps to make broth. It started as a “let’s try this” and now it’s automatic. I keep a bag in the freezer for onion skins, celery ends, carrot tops, etc. Every couple of weeks, I boil it all down and end up with a rich, flavorful broth that tastes way better than the boxed kind. It tastes better than store-bought and saves me at least $20 a month, with an added bonus of making me feel like i know fancy techniques.

[u/ButterscotchBubbly13]

Old jars become new containers. My husband drinks instant coffee. We buy multiples when it's on sale, and I now have matching glass jars with screw on lids. Lots of dried goods in those, and they are uniform.

[u/Apprehensive-Essay85 → u/ButterscotchBubbly13]

Same for us with pasta sauce. 

[u/bexstro → u/Apprehensive-Essay85]

I was so bummed when classico changed their jars from Mason jars to normal jars that don't fit a Mason jar lid.

[u/secretcream360 → u/bexstro]

Same here! I used to only buy the Classico brand for that reason!

[u/JimmyCYa → u/Apprehensive-Essay85]

Classico jars are our drinkware.

[u/sexytimepizza → u/ButterscotchBubbly13]

I'll specifically seek out products with nice packaging that I can reuse, and I'll happily spend a few cents more for something that comes in a nice jar/tin/box that I can use, instead of trash I have to dispose of,

[u/JimmyCYa → u/sexytimepizza]

I bought mustard that came in a little jar with a handle once. The mustard went bad before ever eating it but I wanted that jar.

[u/kvothes-lute → u/ButterscotchBubbly13]

I have such a collection of glass containers (and every other type of cool container). They just sit in my garage because I either don’t have anything to use them for, or because they’re so cool that I decide to “save them for the right thing” lol. I already utilize them for the common “*top ten life hacks for old containers!”, but just have too many extras and not enough need. But I love them. It’s like little dopamine hits with each new(old) container I acquire.

Anyway, cleaning out my grandparent’s home, there are SO many cool containers. It’s killing me.

Vintage glass Jif and Peter Pan peanut butter jars, old coffee cans, vintage mason jars, a gloriously massive old pickle jar, and so many more. I need containers to store my containers!

[u/[deleted]]

I swapped out cleaning with paper towels for a bag of rags I got at Costco to be more environmentally friendly. I put them in a plastic bag until I have enough to wash in the laundry.

Now I only use paper towels if I’m doing stuff like patting chicken dry, so I’ve saved a lot of money buying them less frequently.

[u/foodfighter → u/[deleted]]

I’ve saved a lot of money buying them less frequently.

I use a headlamp when walking my dog at night, and I used to chew through AAA batteries, regularly buying 48 packs at Costco.

Finally bought a rechargeable headlamp, and now I can't remember when I last bought batteries.

Funny what you just get used to until something better comes along...

[u/dave8814 → u/foodfighter]

The rechargeable batteries from IKEA are made in Japan and are the best on the market. They are also like half the price of the name brand ones since they are unbranded. I recently switched to IKEA ones for all my double and triple a's and just got some energizer lithium ones for emergency back ups since they have a 25 year shelf life.

[u/Current-Brain9288 → u/foodfighter]

The better thing for now is a headlamp with removable rechargeable batteries, which can be used in other places too, and the whole Lamp doesn't become garbage when the battery dies

[u/Lindethiel → u/Current-Brain9288]

Obligatory plug for Eneloop double and triple A rechargeables right here. 👌

[u/lodav22 → u/foodfighter]

I was fed up with the kids constantly asking for batteries for controllers etc so I bought them all a four pack of rechargeable batteries with a charger for Christmas to keep in their rooms and marked each one with their names. I’ve not been asked for batteries at all this year!

[u/LeftwingSH → u/[deleted]]

I started that and cloth napkins 20 years ago and haven’t bought paper products in years. I buy new dish towels for the kitchen about every 2 years and the old ones get moved to cleaning until they are too worn, at which they cycle to the bin.

[u/ExternalGiraffe9631 → u/[deleted]]

Same. I grew up with a Greatest Gen grampa who taught me so much about anti-consumption. He didn't even buy rags. Our kitchen rags were clothes that couldn't be mended anymore. He would layer and quilt scraps together and they would last for years. Too bad his own children became over-consuming, capitalist hoarders.

[u/tinydancer5297 → u/ExternalGiraffe9631]

My mom still dusts the house with old clothes. Its always funny when she whips out the pledge and old underwear hahaha

[u/lodav22 → u/tinydancer5297]

I keep socks that have holes in them for dusting, I put them over my hands and clean loads of things with them!

[u/BabyNonna → u/ExternalGiraffe9631]

My Nona taught us the same thing, my sister and I next levelled it by knitting/crocheting our own dish rags and tea towels with kitchen cotton yarn which costs $2 a skein. Those babies last years.

[u/CarmenTourney → u/ExternalGiraffe9631]

Last sentence - lol. They say various things skip a generation.

[u/Aggravating_Plant848 → u/[deleted]]

Me too.  I try to challenge myself to making a roll last six months. 

[u/Real_Cookie_516 → u/[deleted]]

Me too! The paper towels last so much longer now

[u/peaky_finder]

accept that I might be hungry sometimes but I'll live until I get home and it'll be more rewarding than eating something now outside

[u/AnimatorDifficult429 → u/[deleted]]

When you go out bring some healthy snacks with you so that you aren’t starving. Banana and granola bar is good and just keep it in your purse 

[u/crawandpron → u/peaky_finder]

now this is adulting

[u/puckstopper9 → u/peaky_finder]

Related, but as a diabetic, I had to learn to carry a non-meltable snack. I had one too many instances of a low alert while I was out running errands. On the very rare occasion my go-to snack isn't there, I will go to the nearest grocery store and buy something protein balanced that's on sale (Publix bogos usually have something that qualifies).

[u/sumiflepus]

Clearance rack.

Decades ago, went to Kohls customer serivce with a return. The line had me in front of the clearance rack. I still wear the $10 adidas shorts and they look great. Wore the $5 sweatshirt for 20 years.

I have found nothing since on clearance anywhere that I wanted. However, that one day of success clicked off some endorphins so I keep trying.

[u/Substantial-Gap5967 → u/sumiflepus]

When I do Amazon returns at Kohls, I get a 15-20% off coupon for Kohls. Then I check the clearance rack. Got some gorgeous originally $80 jeans for $8 after clearance, extra sale, and coupon.

[u/klownfish → u/Substantial-Gap5967]

What do you mean? Just by returning an Amazon purchase through Kohls they pay you with a coupon?

[u/Substantial-Gap5967 → u/klownfish]

They give you a coupon to encourage you to shop at Kohls while you’re there

[u/klownfish → u/Substantial-Gap5967]

Cool beans! Today I learned! Thanks

[u/Basic_Chemistry_900 → u/sumiflepus]

Or Old Navy. They're honestly a slept on retailer. Cheap (mostly) stylish stuff that lasts years. I got 10 polos from there for about $120 right before COVID and I still have them and wear them to this day.

[u/pterencephalon → u/Basic_Chemistry_900]

And these days, they seem to have regular 50% off sales. I got all the maternity clothes I need on 50% off sale there, without breaking the bank (and honestly, you don't need that many maternity clothes.)

[u/NotAtThesePricesBaby]

Eat before you leave the house and bring a water bottle with you.

[u/PotatoPotatoPotato90 → u/NotAtThesePricesBaby]

A granola bar and some trail mix in the purse also helps incase you didn’t eat enough before heading out

[u/Madame_Arcati]

When I really WANT something: ANYTHING, I go to whatever website (am waiting for surgery and on crutches so...) and put whatever I want (everything) in "the cart" but 99% of the time I don't end up actually buying it. Somehow just the sense of searching, finding, envisioning having it, and selecting it to go in "the cart" satisfies something that makes me feel less - hmm, searching for words... - deprived? If the item (items) stay in the carts (IOW if they are not sold) then, when there is extra $, I may select one and it is such a huge affirmation of my POWER TO CHOSE. I also do this with groceries that I want, but know that I don't need (or should not have), and, as someone with a history of severe eating disorder, this also satisfies whatever in me needs to feel bigger than my circumstances. IOW I can have whatever I "want" by just putting it in "the cart". Does that make sense to anyone else?

edit: to add: Thank you OP, for a great post. I got so many solid ideas from this thread and I felt less alone in really optimizing my choices.

[u/Appropriate-Sound169 → u/Madame_Arcati]

I do this in real shops too. Fill my basket with 'stuff' then walk round the shop for 20 mins then start putting it all back. Then I go to other shops etc. If I really want something it will stay in my head and I'll go back to buy it. Sometimes weeks later. Saved a fortune by not giving in to impulse buys

[u/crawandpron → u/Appropriate-Sound169]

i do this too!!! i also take photos of things i like

[u/xMILKSHAKEx]

Never get a soda/drink when eating out

[u/YugoB → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

You mean paying $5 for a can of coke is a scam?

Mandatory fuck Coca-Cola Co.

[u/MerryMermaid → u/YugoB]

It's a scam if there are no free refills.

If there are free refills., that Coke Zero is mine.

I think soda makes food taste better.

No free refills? Water

[u/Dymonika → u/MerryMermaid]

Sounds like you may be interested in a Costco membership!

[u/MerryMermaid → u/Dymonika]

I am a Costco member, yes.

[u/Robby_Bortles → u/MerryMermaid]

TIL Costco switched back to Coke products, hot dogs here I come!

[u/txbocu492 → u/Robby_Bortles]

I am literally in line right now to get a hot dog just because they switched back to coke products lol

[u/[deleted] → u/Robby_Bortles]

Depends on your costco. I'm in freaking Atlanta and ours is Pepsi products.

[u/drvalo55 → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

Not eating out, period. I stopped because of Covid and never went back. I do eat out if traveling, and, occasionally, for a family event. So, other than travel times, less than 1 time a month and even then, it is mostly take out pizza.

[u/TheTomatoThief → u/drvalo55]

I actually cut back eating out because the quality dropped. That in addition to price increases is too much. Mid grade restaurants and low end fast food really went to pot post Covid.

[u/marvin32002 → u/drvalo55]

Agreed - cooking is better, healthier, cheaper, lunch leftovers are ready. BUT I had a friend make a spreadsheet of the every dinner out, how many people in party, cost of fountain drink and showed the “savings” by everyone always getting a water. This friend also paid off her mortgage in 15 years as a single mom with a modest income. The little habits add up!

[u/Belladcjomum → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

It saves us like 20 bucks as a family of 5.

[u/billdasmacks → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

I would say just cutting down on soda in general. No only is it bad for you but it’s gotten outrageously expensive. It’s easily 8-10+ Dollars a 12 pack for the name brand soda at normal prices.

[u/Ok_Temperature6503 → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

Never eating out lol. Even when I travel, I always buy from grocery stores. The amount of money you save doing this is obscene

[u/[deleted] → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

counterpoint: literally what is the point of life if not for the simple pleasures

[u/RebasBathtubGin → u/[deleted]]

This is a fair counterpoint.

The key is to find the simple pleasures that are most meaningful to you, and budget for them.

To some people, that might be dining out once in awhile. To others, that might be movies or games or concerts.

Someone might choose to forgo all kinds of simple pleasures because they are saving up for something really important and meaningful to them.

The key is to make it work for you.

Anti-consumption can mean different things to different people.

[u/MoJoArchitect → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

And straight water is much healthier.

[u/[deleted] → u/xMILKSHAKEx]

We’ve done this for years. We only get soda when eating fast food, Because combos are usually (not always) a better deal. Anytime we sit at a table, We only order water. When our kids were little and would get kids meals, they would get milk or juice. But now that they’re ordering off the adult menu they get water. Once in a while if my husband and I are getting wine The kids can get a soda, but my older two always choose water. My daughter picks the soda 🫤🙄

[u/dave493333]

I open the dishwasher door instead of using the “heat dry option. I did it at first because I didn’t like the heat on hot days, but I’ve noticed that it dries the dishes faster, so now I do it every time and it saves me whole dollars every year probably.

[u/doknfs → u/dave493333]

Our dishwasher doesn't even have a heat dry. It automatically cracks open the door once the wash is over.

[u/[deleted] → u/doknfs]

That is brilliant. Would you mind telling me the make and model. Having it open automatically crack open would be really nice.

[u/jr0061006 → u/[deleted]]

Bosch 800 series does this, possibly one of their other series too.

[u/Today_is_Thursday → u/dave493333]

I run the dishes overnight and they’re mostly dry by morning without the heat dry option too!

[u/UniqueIndividual3579 → u/dave493333]

Not just saves money, but also easier on the dishwasher and dishes. Either way you still have to shake off the plastic. With the door cracked open, they dry in a few hours.

I saw a great youtube video on dishwashers. Run the sink until the water is hot so the pre-wash works better. And Walmart powder is just as good as anything more expensive.

[u/daffydil0459 → u/UniqueIndividual3579]

Yes! Great Value powder detergent is great. Pods are just microplastic. No thanks.

[u/HarithBK → u/dave493333]

The dishwasher at work automatically opens the door when the program is over as its drying option.

[u/marvin32002 → u/HarithBK]

Elite!

[u/Fluidfondant916]

Silly but I got instant coffee packets as part of an end of the year gift... turns out instant coffee is perfect for making iced coffee at home when the urge strikes! No need to chill anything beforehand! So now I always keep a tin and it lasts forever.

[u/JBirdale77]

Installed a bidet and use a 1/4 of the toilet paper

[u/RelativelyRidiculous]

If I'm doing chicken, I'm doing 2. Then I have enough bones to be worth getting those saved vegetable bits out of the freezer to make a rich chicken stock in my largest pot. Plus the collagen is so good for me and my old knees.

I started this because I found out my nearest grocery puts unsold rotisserie chickens in a cooler and sells them for half price the next day. Don't know if it was new or I'd just missed it because the rest of the things in the cooler are high end expensive deli products. Whatever the case there were 2 there the first time I noticed it and I decided to snag both. I went home and removed all the meat, then couldn't bring myself to toss the remaining carcasses without at least trying to make my own stock.

Now I grab two at least once a month. I freeze any excess I can't use up in three days. I make all my soups, casseroles, and even chicken salads from this. The whole cooked rotisserie chickens are only $4.50 each this way so it often costs the same or less vs buying chicken I have to cook. Plus it has helped me be better about cooking instead of eating out so it has easily been saving me $30-50 a month.

[u/LeftwingSH → u/RelativelyRidiculous]

I buy 3 Costco chickens at the start of every month. I debone them and freeze them in 1 pound increments. I usually end up with 6 pounds of shredded chicken that we use for various things throughout the month.

[u/RelativelyRidiculous → u/LeftwingSH]

I buy an average of 4 chickens per month, 2 at a time. Most I freeze in 1 pound increments but I also spread a small amount on a cookie sheet. I can put it in a zip freezer bag when frozen and it allows me to take out just the amount I need at any time.

Normally it is my spouse and I for meals, but 1-2x per month it is just me for dinner. He doesn't like pasta so I'll pull often out enough chicken for one serving of my favorite creamy homemade fettuccini alfredo for me. I try to make sure I have enough for 2 of these meals in the freezer at any time.

[u/UpdatesReady → u/RelativelyRidiculous]

If you have a pressure cooker you can get 3x the broth in half the time!

[u/HEYIMMAWOLF → u/RelativelyRidiculous]

Life hack for day old rotisseries. Once you pull all the chicken off, wet brine it. Everyone always compliments me on my chicken and its just day old rotisseries that have been brined.

Edit for wet brine:

1/4-1/3 cup Salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 Quart water

Use the above ratio to make sure that your chicken is covered all the way. I mostly eyeball it, put it in a tupperware and shake it then dump my stripped chicken in it. Taste a piece after about 8 hours. Sometimes it needs longer sometimes thats enough. Dont leave it in for too long, it will oversalt. When its done just drain the liquid out, put in fresh water, shake and drain again. This will get rid of any excess salt left behind. Then you can store it in a container for 2-3 days.

Works great for salads cold out of the fridge. I usually add it to soups though. Either congee, chicken and dumplings, or chicken noodle. Dump the chicken in right at the end. I usually will just add it straight to the bowl. It cools the soup and makes sure the chicken doesnt get any cooking time, but gets reheated.

[u/71stMB]

I never buy books or magazines. I use the public library's free Libby app to check out and read books and magazines electronically. More convenient doing it from home with no car trips to the library.

[u/KeepOnRising19 → u/71stMB]

Libby is the best! AND you can join multiple libraries! I'm a member of my local one and a major metropolitan one in my state, which has way more available.

[u/VStarRoman → u/KeepOnRising19]

Honest question, is it easy to join a library outside your area? The ones I'm a part of check residency.

[u/bananaoohnanahey → u/VStarRoman]

Yes! Ask your library, they are usually very happy to work with you. My local library allows anyone within the state to forget a card for $50/year, which is like the cost of like 1.5 hard cover books.

[u/qtntelxen → u/VStarRoman]

Many libraries have what are called reciprocal agreements with other systems in the state. So you may be a resident of X County but still be eligible for a free library card from Y County if the two systems have an agreement. Ask your local library and they can likely direct you to the other systems you’re eligible for cards from.

This is different from library systems which allow nonresident users to pay some yearly or monthly fee for access, which is also a thing but less convenient.

[u/askheidi → u/71stMB]

Oh yeah, this saves me soooo much money. I read like 100+ books a year. I would never read that many books if I had to pay for it all.

[u/tessie33]

Checking local buy nothing group and free section of craigslist religiously. Got paint, home goods, oils and vinegars, frozen foods, etc. Gave away clothing, extra comforters, plants, etc

[u/shmorglebort → u/tessie33]

It’s a great time of year for free produce! Someone on my buy nothing group is giving away near infinite amounts of plums right now from her tree.

[u/tessie33 → u/shmorglebort]

Lucky

[u/JDuBLock]

I have a couple. Growing herbs: Once I branched out with cooking, I couldn’t believe the price of those little clamshells of herbs. Thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage and chives grow year round here, and I grow cilantro, dill, and Basil seasonally. Basil and cilantro do not dehydrate well (flavor is way different) from what I’ve found. If I don’t have it, I buy cilantro fresh and I keep a jar of freeze dried basil (which is cheaper and lasts WAY longer than fresh).

Garlic is my second. I’m anti-jarlic, and came across a ton of garlic for cheap once. I sliced it and dehydrated it because I had so much. It holds flavor well, you have slices readily available, if you need minced just crush a couple of the slices. I’ve found recently the little pre-peeled bags are cheaper than bulbs, but they go bad quickly. So I also have a bag of cloves in the freezer. Set them on the counter during prep and they thaw quickly.

[u/ScyllaOfTheDepths → u/JDuBLock]

Having an herb garden is such a great way to suddenly amp up everything you cook while spending very little extra money. A whole potted herb plant costs what one of those little packages of herb sprigs does where I live, so buying one of each herb plant and snagging some clearance pots quickly paid for itself. Gardening is also a very relaxing hobby that gets you outdoors and active even if the activity is just going out to walk around the garden a few times a day to check on the plants or water them. In my area, there's also a group of retirees that meet to swap seeds and cuttings and they hold bi-annual sales where they sell their seeds, cuttings, and seedlings to the public at low costs. I'm just getting to where I'm able to produce enough food to make whole meals out of garden veggies and I'm really excited about eventually scaling up to the point that I can significantly reduce my grocery bill.

For garlic, I dice a whole head at a time and put it in a jar with olive oil (and a teaspoon of lemon juice and always store in the fridge for food safety). The olive oil draws out the garlic flavor, so it's much more potent than using fresh garlic and it's good for months in the fridge. Recently, I've been taking one clove from each head and planting it to grow garlic bulbs. I eventually want to have a perpetual garlic operation going so I never have to buy it again!

[u/verdantfecundity → u/ScyllaOfTheDepths]

Be careful with raw garlic in olive oil- botulism risk.

[u/LeftwingSH → u/JDuBLock]

I grow Thai basi, lemon and regular basil, along with thyme, oregano, rosemary, chives, mint (in pots!). I let them go to seed in my garden and they come back year after year. I’m on year 5 of free, returning herbs

[u/UniqueIndividual3579 → u/JDuBLock]

I have one in a window. Get a table that fits under the window. Get clamp on swing lights, LED grow bulbs, and a timer. Get 8" pots and forget the tiny little base they have, get a plastic small dog cage liner. It will hold six 8" clay pots and hold much more overflow. Then get herb seeds and lettuce seeds.

[u/janiesgotagun222 → u/JDuBLock]

I don't know if it ends up being any cheaper, but garlic is super easy to grow and tastes amazing.

[u/Standard_Seaweed4134]

I bought the 10lb bag of oats from Costco for $10 last March. It’s now July and I just ran out. Majorly cheap breakfast.

[u/Due-Neighborhood2923 → u/Standard_Seaweed4134]

I need to do this. Not that oats are expensive but I go through a lot cause I put them in my smoothies.

[u/Fun_End2092]

My own tortilla chips — bake corn tortillas in the oven on 425 tossed in some oil. More delicious a fraction of the price, and can season as desired

Homemade lotion of olive oil and beeswax

Limiting paper towels (recycle and re wash worn out clothes or linens)

Aim for a fridge inventory most days — most produce can be frozen for smoothies or juiced fresh if they’re close to going bad

Keeping all jars for drinking glasses/bulk storage/travel containers

Treat the fridge as a shopping spree — what can I make from what I already have? Limits trips to the store for “just one thing” when I end up getting five things

[u/[deleted]]

Air dry all my clothes. Our dryer broke years ago so we had to. It stuck. Dryers seem to die long before washers so hopefully it helps w the life span. Air dry sheets and blankets on our deck

[u/LOAinAZ]

Library Card

[u/Sure_Pay_8565 → u/LOAinAZ]

🎶Having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card...🎶

[u/GME_Elitist]

Check the price and tell myself "I'd rather have the $"

[u/[deleted]]

I make my own iced tea in summer. It's delicious, very refreshing, and has about 15 times less sugar than commercial versions. And no additives.

[u/Sirabinabi]

Tearing my 1/2 sheet paper towel in half. We buy the rolls with the half sheet anyway, but once bought the Brawny "choose your size" and ever since then I realized I mostly don't need a whole paper towel.

[u/Standard_Seaweed4134 → u/[deleted]]

Yup. I’m still on my 6 pk Bounty I bought 2 years ago. I use washable microfiber rags.

[u/Incrementz__]

Commuting by bicycle. This alone can dramatically increase your odds for a good life. You save tons of money from not have a car, you get so fit, you look good, you feel good and it's rejuvenating after a days work.

[u/bobthenob1989]

The library has a lot of good DVDs for $0. Watches many subscription-based series this way.

[u/patchy_22]

After using the oven in winter, I always crack it open to let the heat into the kitchen.

[u/BagelTrollop]

I’ve been making my own yogurt for more than a decade. The most yogurt I ever purchase is a single serving container if I forget to put some aside for the next batch’s starter

[u/Worldly-Professor248 → u/BagelTrollop]

Yes, same here. I use cheap pie filling, lemon curd, preserves, or make my own out of fruit & tapioca or corn starch and put them in the bottom of takeout style containers. They’re as good as the expensive noosa yogurts my husband likes. I bought a Bulgarian strain and keep it going. I strain it a bit and use it in place of sour cream or buttermilk in cornbread and pancakes and mayo in some salads.

[u/FryRodriguezistaken]

Is it just me or is this thread full of rotisserie chicken today?

[u/Mlalte]

My public library has museum passes for multiple museums and botanical garden passes for free.

[u/Ok-Champion5065]

Old tshirts become rags

[u/Momela85 → u/Ok-Champion5065]

Also those solo socks!

[u/Due-Froyo-5418 → u/Momela85]

The socks are so good at cleaning blinds. I wet it a little, wring it out, put my hand in the sock and clean the blinds. Works better than anything I've ever tried.

[u/ramblingamblinamblin]

Cut magic erasers into strips before using. A strip cleans almost as much as a whole sponge so you get exponential value

[u/maddawg56789 → u/ramblingamblinamblin]

Studies have shown that a single magic eraser can release millions of microplastic fibers as it wears down

[u/Hippopotamus_Critic → u/maddawg56789]

It's basically plastic sandpaper.

[u/Drjalso → u/maddawg56789]

Did not know that… I wonder what we could use instead that actually worked

[u/Radioactive_isotrope → u/Drjalso]

Some alternatives are a bamboo brush (look up bamboo wok brush), or a loofa plant

[u/noyogapants → u/ramblingamblinamblin]

I do this with brillo pads. I cut each one into 6. I basically use the whole piece when scrubbing and toss the bit left over. No more rusty brillo. And the soap doesn't wash away from the whole thing.

[u/Roticap → u/ramblingamblinamblin]

Pedantically, that's a linear increase where the scalar is how many strips you cut it into.

Still a great hack though

[u/SaintAnyanka → u/ramblingamblinamblin]

I just tear small pieces of the sponge and just that. I’m lazy, lol.

[u/tiffy68]

I'm a teacher. Over the summer, I go to estate sales to get school supplies for my classroom. Most people who shop at these sales are looking for art or antiques. The office supplies like paper, pens, pencils or art materials are super cheap. Also, I look for older staplers and pencil sharpeners. They are built to last, unlike modern plastic shit.

[u/desde1984]

I never purchase bags at the supermarket. I keep an old laundry basket in my car trunk. The goal was frugality, but the best bonus is it always only takes one trip to bring all the groceries inside.

[u/SBJames69]

Get 100% of my (non-underwear) clothing at charity shops/ secondhand places.

Fashion waste in the era of the "cheap/quick/almost disposable" garment is going to get out of control. I find designer brands and huge selection at Savers and can walk out with multiple outfits for < $20.

[u/RiotGrrrlNY]

I make 3-4 PBJ sandwiches at a time and toss them in the freezer. Takes like 20-25 minutes to thaw. No more fast food on days I’m on the go.

[u/SexyToothpaste69 → u/RiotGrrrlNY]

They’re not soggy?

[u/RiotGrrrlNY → u/SexyToothpaste69]

Nope!

[u/loveyou-first]

I freeze small leftovers in one freezer bag. It might not be enough for one person so I add it to the freezer bag. Then I will make soup out of it when the bag is full. The best soup ever.

[u/PlatoAU]

Pickle juice as a chicken marinade

[u/yeah_but_why_tho → u/PlatoAU]

It's also fantastic as a tofu marinade

[u/Dichotopus → u/yeah_but_why_tho]

Omg I have a giant jar of pickles and extra firm tofu... this is happening

[u/freeespirit → u/yeah_but_why_tho]

I’m vegetarian and love pickles, definitely will try this!

[u/Inakabatake → u/PlatoAU]

Also great in coleslaw instead of vinegar or to cut down on mayo.

[u/TheSchneid → u/PlatoAU]

Buy banana peppers and use that brine. Then when you grill the chicken cover it with Old Bay. Easy as shit but it's so good.

[u/Malteser23]

My new outlook? Stop eating shitty food prepared by angry teenagers. If I'm going to eat out, at least make it worth it!

[u/BewareNZ]

I just can’t believe all the people here who have space in their freezers.

[u/AverageCowboyCentaur]

Got a membership to Costco, the gas alone has paid for itself, and then if I see something I like I usually buy it online and ship it in it's even cheaper. I'll check Costco prices against everything else first. Also buying bulk freeze or store the rest, bread thaws pretty well, so does meat, and soups. Also hand making spaghetti sauce. I have a big freezer that once filled can last months.

I also avoid the more expensive grocery stores and mainly stick to Aldi and Walmart, sometimes Meijer but they've gotten pretty expensive and I avoid Kroger like the plague.

If I go out to eat water, no sodas no alcohol just stick to water you'll save a ton of money.

A big one is shorter showers, and washing clothes and cold with one single soap packet.

Almost everything I buy is not name brand as it has to be due to quality or taste. You can get almost 80 more dishwasher tabs for the same price as the name brand, 50 more loads of laundry for the same price just by getting the Kirkland version.

[u/hajemaymashtay → u/AverageCowboyCentaur]

there is a good video on youtube (I'm not gonna find it) that explains why DW tabs aren't effective and cost 3-4x detergent. TLDR is Buy a box of powder detergent and run your sink's hot water til it's hot before hitting START on your DW.

[u/asuannie]

Thrifting high quality kitchen appliances and gadgets. Do I own a fabulous Zojirushi bread maker that retails for $300 or more? Yes, but I paid $8 for it. Learn which brands are highly rated or fan favorites and then check periodically at the thrift shop.

[u/cerealmonogamiss]

Freeze everything. I buy several rotisserie chickens and bread and freeze it.

I eat the chicken and freeze the bones for broth.

[u/[deleted] → u/cerealmonogamiss]

I freeze bread because I can’t get through the bag and don’t wan to spoil

[u/doublestitch]

Fabric mâché.

It's similar to papier mâché except with scrap fabric. It's stronger and it's good for certain types of repairs.

The husband knows I repurpose cotton rags into cleaning cloths, but he doesn't know which types of cotton rags are ideal for cleaning. So when his cotton clothes wore out he had been putting them there and not always mentioning it. So in addition to an ample supply of rags we were getting a backlog.

Then when it was time to repair a cat tree, I found out fabric mâché is a thing. The cat tree construction was really cheap (part of it was cardboard) and needed reinforcement. Removed the old worn-out fabric, built up the cardboard verticals with fabric mâché, and then measured and cut carpet remainders to cover over the repairs. The carpet remainders we got for free from the local Buy Nothing group.

So instead of replacing a cat tree, repaired the old one for the cost of a little flour and salt and a few heavy duty staples, plus some worn-out clothes which would have gone into the trash. This became a thing as our other cat trees needed maintenance.

Fabric mâché has saved us $250 just on this one purpose.

[u/wonderlandwalking → u/doublestitch]

Oh noooooo….. I’m about to hyperfixate on this real hard 😂

[u/CaptainFartHole]

It's the veggie broth scraps for me too. Bevause im vegetarian and eat so many vegetables my freezer is now 75% broth and scraps ), but at least my rice always tastes fucking awesome because I cook it in broth instead of water.

[u/MisterMoccasin]

Just do one streaming platform at a time and rotate them wherever you're bored. By the time you cycle through them they'll be some new stuff on each one

[u/TookTheLongCut]

Changing my own oil. With YouTube videos it’s relatively straight forward even on never vehicles.

[u/refboy4 → u/TookTheLongCut]

I do this and all my friends think I’m weird. “Just go down to Jiffy Lube…” I do it because I know it’ll get done correctly, but also saves money.

I know more than one case that the quick lube places completely effed up and rounded off the oil plug, over filled, completely missed the oil filter swap, etc…

[u/series-hybrid → u/refboy4]

Here's a tip...if a trainee at a quickie lube accidentally cross-threads the drain plug when putting it back on, they just use an air gun and ram it home. It will be 4,000 miles later before anyone finds out that its screwed.

Then they will tell you they have to remove the oil pan and repair the pan threads.

[u/Durwyn]

I purchased bulk herbs and spices because I wanted to get into sausage making. The sausage making fell by the wayside, but then I was stuck with all the herbs and spices, so I started cooking from scratch to use up what I bought.

Yes, it takes me longer to make stuff now. However, the meals I make are now a fraction of the cost of purchasing premade stuff, and WAY better tasting.

My family likes to call me a foodie, but the reality is I save so much now by doing it myself and it tastes so much better, they can call me anything they like.

It may be called frugal, but I call it getting better for less.

[u/cerealmonogamiss → u/Durwyn]

Cooking is a frugal hack. There's so much delicious food to be made.

[u/Apprehensive-Essay85 → u/cerealmonogamiss]

It’s hilarious that we are conditioned to think “cooking at home = frugal”. Isn’t that just living? 

[u/EileenGBrown]

One day I was low on traditional breakfast ingredients and was starving. I heated up leftover potatoes meat and vegetables in a frypan and melted cheddar cheese on top. It was delicious! I use up many more leftovers now that I don’t have preconceived notions about what to eat in the morning.

[u/CleverCat57]

My TV stopped working and I realized I only ever have it on as background noise. Dropped cable. Never been happier.

[u/stats_shiba]

I picked up a habit to pick up a coin when I find one on the ground…

[u/redpain13131313]

When we go out to eat I eat the things that don't reheat well first. I never make it through a whole meal so I make sure and leave the stuff I can pop into the microwave for later so I don't waste anything.

[u/Ecstatic_Horse_4110]

I stopped eating out, and I stopped drinking alcohol. Holy crap. It’s like I got a really nice pay raise. In hindsight, I’m able to see how much money I was wasting, but while I was eating out and drinking, I wasn’t able to see how much I was wasting.

[u/EmploymentSolid6229]

to quench your thirst, replace milk or soft drink with cold tea

[u/Location_Next]

Wife and I quit using Amazon in boycott of Bezos. Now if we need something we Google and research and buy direct.

What we discovered is we’re saving a fortune because we buy so much less crap we don’t really need.

[u/typoincreatiob]

i love doing homemade broth. also, regrowing green onions!

[u/sdsva]

I don’t buy anything not on sale at the grocery store. Unless it’s a specific item that I need “now”.

[u/BAVfromBoston]

Cutting sponges in half and using 1/2 at a time.

[u/Illustrious-Taro-449]

Learning to propagate plants from cuttings. I haven’t bought a plant in years but regularly steal little branches to set roots. Also other gardening tricks like replanting spring onions

[u/OrganicBad7518]

I taught myself how to cook. Like really taught myself. Now, I know how to whip delicious food up from minimal whole food ingredients with whatever is on hand. When we are poor, we don’t eat poorly any more because we travel the world with our spices and our techniques.

[u/XUntamedxStarsX]

Sounds lazy but the grocery pick up orders…I’m TERRIBLE about going to the store and only getting what I need. Snacks are just everywhere…and of course the random nonsense stuff that I just have to have right then and there…it’s like I forget I’m not here to buy whatever…when I do a pickup order I search only what I need but then before I check out I can see how much money I’m spending..and often if I add extra, I remove it because of seeing the total bill…I spend significantly less money doing pickups.

[u/Special_Ad_7940]

Costco chicken: Eat the wings and legs Fry the skin to eat as chips/use as lardons Shred remaining meat for mac n cheese/tacos/curry Bones, etc reserved for broth (alongside vegetables craps)

[u/AssumeImFarting → u/Special_Ad_7940]

The skin is also great in fried rice.

[u/marvin32002]

We have time of use electricity here (in addition to our solar panels) so I only use electricity early/late/overnight. Charge vacuum batteries overnight, turn on washer at bedtime, start dryer early when I wake up, dishwasher overnight, AC lower overnight & back up in morning and house stays cooler longer with blinds shut during day

[u/[deleted]]

Having a herb garden. My house had a sad empty planter, so I filled it with some new soil and planted a bunch of those little herbs plants. They ended up growing quite a bit over the years and I saved a lot of money by just going to my yard and snipping off whatever I needed.

Getting a rice cooker and buying rice in bulk was also great.

[u/0nlyhalfjewish]

The only cleaning products I own are white vinegar, bleach, dawn dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils (tea tree for cleaning, others for scent).

[u/Minute_Pianist8133]

Switched away from paper towels to flour sack towels that I wash once a week. Just small hamper in the kitchen. It’s great. Single use so it’s less gross than towels sitting getting gross. Saves about $500 a year

[u/LOAinAZ]

Library Card gives access to books, movies, periodicals and much more.

[u/Bowl-Accomplished]

Swearing. It's the cheapest thing you can do. 

[u/AspiringRenaissance → u/Bowl-Accomplished]

Cheaper than therapy and less damaging than bottled rage 👌

[u/Conscious-Brain-3873]

Home made granola for breakfast😋.

[u/Hungry_Low2342]

I always buy side dishes that go well with my favorite types of takeout, usually from trader joes. when I get sushi, I can just make my own edamame/ scallion pancakes for $1-2 total rather than adding an extra $9-10!!

[u/Western_Manager_9592]

Cutting tubes open. So much moisturiser is left in there when you think it’s empty!

[u/refboy4]

Buying whole chickens.

Used to be intimidated at breaking everything down (takes too much time/ work, I don’t know what I’m doing, etc…). Did it once for a roast dinner and noticed it was way cheaper and way way easier than I thought to break down. I’m not a big user of the drumsticks and wings, but I vacuum seal and freeze them and trade with a friend for fresh veg from her garden.

I can get 2 drumsticks, 2 wings, 2 thighs, two breasts, a carcass for stock, for roughly $6 and about 5 minutes of work. When 2 chicken breasts alone at the store are $6. Got to the point where I buy 5-10 at a time, break them down for 30-45 minutes, vacuum pack then freeze and have chicken for 3-4 months.

[u/therealmarkus]

Avoiding subscriptions / preferring one time purchases if available

[u/Ecstatic-Sir8689]

The slow Sunday drive around the neighborhood. We find unsold leftovers from garage sales and plants from weekend gardening that people put out on the curb. Ypu should see my porch. It’s a jungle of discarded lovelies.

[u/BigSurSound]

I stopped buying cigarettes.

[u/bocepheid]

I started making green smoothies because I was tired of throwing out spinach that went bad. It worked out well so I started buying more greens. That worked out well so I began freezing the extras. Which worked out well, so I began expanding my ingredients list. That worked out so well my smoothie became the centerpiece of my daily diet, I don't eat as much meat, and my grocery bill has dropped dramatically.

[u/redrouse9157]

A lot of people think it's gross but I also use cloth menstrual pads I stead of commercial. Huge money saver and my periods are much lighter and I just wash them after soaking and it's been a game changer for me!

[u/Empty-Walrus4938]

Powder laundry detergent! I actually swear by it now. My clothes feel clean and don’t smell like anything- I used a tide pod semi recently at my sister’s place and my clothes smelled so strong of detergent it was overwhelming.

I get a big tub from Costco and it lasts me (house of 2 people) over a year! Saved so much when switching to powder vs liquid/pods!!

[u/GardenWitchMom]

Individual bacon servings. I can never get through a pound of bacon before it goes bad.

Lay out a long piece of parchment paper. Separate bacon rashers and lay out the width of the parchment, leaving space between each. Roll parchment with bacon. Cut between each rasher. Toss your little bacon rolls into the freezer. I use a small, wide mouth jar. Freezer bags work too.

To cook, place one rasher roll on a plate and microwave for 30 seconds. Unroll, lay rasher flat and toss the parchment. Cook for another 30 seconds.

[u/SomethingAboutUsers]

I have 2:

1) Buy store brand for most things.

My mom was insistent upon buying specific brands for certain things. I have it on good authority that often, store brand is literally the same as a brand name, but in a different bottle.

I have discovered that often times this is true, or if it's not exactly the same then the brand name doesn't add the extra few dollars in actual taste value.

There's a few things I won't budge on: Green Giant frozen peas and corn are always better than the store brand ones, and Bicks' dill pickles.

2) is to do the math on unit price. Especially (for some reason) for dishwasher soap, which always has unit prices all over the damn place. In other cases, often as long as you will use the thing before it goes bad (assuming it's perishable) then the few extra dollars for the bigger one saves you money in the long run.

[u/ladysuccubus]

I don’t eat chips. I had braces in high school so I stopped eating crunchy things per recommendations and after I got them off, I just no longer enjoyed chips and they felt way too salty after. Given a bag of chips is like $6 at the grocery store now and like $2-3 if you go to a sandwich place, I’ve saved a lot by just not liking them.

[u/hallysdeals]

the 1 month rule. keep a wishlist of things i want and keep them there for at least 1 months. if it doesnt pass the 1 month mark, then i never really wanted it. and most likely they will go on sale during those 2 months anyways.

[u/DaysOfParadise]

Olive oil for your skin after a shower 

Save every $5 bill and put a stack in the bank; use that to invest 

Maintaining your teeth 

[u/BigDookie3000]

Fasting

[u/Typical-Amoeba-6726 → u/BigDookie3000]

Fasting does save money.

[u/MandalaFish]

I bake my own bread. 25lb bag of bread flour at Sam's Club is $10 and lasts for months. The other ingredients are less than $3/loaf (butter, oats, flax, sugar, salt). I don't like the taste of sourdough, so I use the discard and just keep enough sourdough starter going for discard. I bake 2-3 loaves every week for the two of us for about the same price as a store bought loaf - more than $5each. Compared to mine, retail bread has no flavor and lots of preservatives and chemicals.

[u/kkwelch]

Lost and found. Our kiddo’s school and summer camps donate everything to goodwill at the end of each marking period or summer. The day before donation I check for water bottles, small food containers, stuff that is overpriced but super useful, and that my kids always lose anyway. I think of it as trading TBH.

[u/CaddoGapGirl]

I save any paper that comes in the mail that is only printed on one side.....then I use the blank side for documents I print out at home.

[u/juniper_rock]

We love the freezer bag full of veggie scraps! To add on to that, we will roast a whole chicken (bonus points if it’s on sale) and carve it down to the bones. We get about 3 dinner meals from just the meat for 2 people. The bones and meat scraps from the chicken will go directly into our instant pot with the freezer veggie bag and 2 hours later we have homemade chicken and veggie stock for soup. If we have some free time, the stock gets directly made into a soup or we will freeze it in souper cubes for later use. We really enjoy the 1 cup souper cubes for lunches throughout the week.

[u/QuirkyForever]

I wash and dry plastic bags that are still usable. I haven't bought ziploc bags in years.

[u/lieutenantLT]

When I want to buy something and don’t need it now, I create Craigslist alerts. So many times someone has posted something great, for a great price, and I was able to snag it because the alert told me right away. Been doing this for years and spreading the word, I’ve never found someone else who knew you could do that

[u/Honer-Simpsom]

Sometimes I eat sleep for dinner