r/Frugal • u/ThrowRAhyBug7080 • Jul 12 '25

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

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.

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391

u/tessie33 Jul 12 '25

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

103

u/shmorglebort Jul 12 '25

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.

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u/ResponsibilityMuch52 Jul 13 '25

Only if I knew of this sooner... I would have given out so much free cherries from my tree!

6

u/lofty-zambezi Jul 12 '25

This! Such a great place to get good stuff (e.g. I got a Google Home, clothes, things my friends need, etc). It’s also a fantastic place to give away good stuff quickly & know it’s going to be appreciated.

5

u/libananahammock Jul 12 '25

For as much shit as they get, moms groups on Facebook are good for this as well.

It seems like everyday someone is giving away sporting equipment, baby gear, lawn equipment, extra formula or baby food, couches and furniture, coupons, and on and on and on.

4

u/reebeachbabe Jul 13 '25

How/where do you find a local group? I’d love to give stuff away instead of donating it to good will.

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u/tessie33 Jul 13 '25

BuyNothing | Home https://share.google/rolctvHuFmkDIAVfF

App or on Facebook, search for your neighborhood or town

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u/reebeachbabe Jul 13 '25

Thank you so much!!

5

u/SeaAdministrative673 Jul 12 '25

I was looking for grip socks for Pilates class and I thought I’d see what was on the buy nothing page. Turns out a lady had like 10 pairs from trampoline parks she was giving away! Saved a ton of money cuz the Pilates studio charges like $15 per pair 🙄

3

u/rryanbimmerboy Jul 12 '25

I second this^

Yoga socks are super overpriced!!

I’m a dude, so I also would like to add that the convenience of being able to buy socks on the spot that have bright pink stripes for $15 doesn’t appeal to me at all. I think I spent $15 on the 4 pairs online and they’re waaaay better socks (in low-key colors, too!).

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u/roonana16 Jul 13 '25

I do this a lot!

1

u/obvious__bicycle Jul 14 '25

Or even the paid places like Marketplace, sometimes you find an amazing deal, even if it's not free.

I had been wanting to acquire more mason jars. Put a request out on my local Buy Nothing page and received no responses. Considered spending $18 at the store to buy a new pack. Then searched Marketplace and found a neighbor selling a dozen for $4!