What Small Things Did You Do Today to Save Money?

[hopetoberich]

Today we looks at dh main meal plan. His whole meal comes in at under $1.50. He is losing weight.

I baked a sugar free coobler.

We stayed in all day.

[TheOtherMe]

I didn't buy a ticket to see Elton John or Diana Krall.  That is about $500 I didn't spend.

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 26, 2018 12:05:01 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I didn't buy a ticket to see Elton John or Diana Krall.  That is about $500 I didn't spend.

Though I will say I've seen Elton in concert and he puts on a fantastic show.

I posted this elsewhere, which was meant for here:

Went to STBX this AM and used a gift card.
The postage purchase later today is a business expense.
I need to buy fuel, but I'll receive points off using my grocery store value card.
While on that side of town, I'll pop in to the grocery store and pick up two free items for which I have e-coupons on my value card.

[TheOtherMe]

I have probably seen Elton 15 times in concert, which is why I am having such a hard time justifying one last concert.  I know from the one in 2015, he knows he can't do what he did in the 70's, 80's, 90's, etc. and doesn't even try to go there.  I was surprised at the difference in his energy level on stage in 2015 vs 2010.  It had changed--a lot.

I quit seeing Neil Diamond several years ago, too, after he got too winded to do an encore, so no Sweet Caroline.

I get the age thing, but they are taking my money.

At least I no longer have blinders on regarding Paul McCartney.

[Iggy aka IG]

'Tis true.  And there are several rock stars from back in the day who should hang up their microphone, IMO. 

[tcu2003]

Jan 26, 2018 12:05:01 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I didn't buy a ticket to see Elton John or Diana Krall.  That is about $500 I didn't spend.

I did the opposite - Billy Joel is doing a stadium concert at our local ballpark (and the last stadium concert there was nearly 30 years ago), so DH and I got tickets to go see him later this year.

Oh well.

[vetswife]

Haven't saved a lot this month, car insurance had to be paid and expenses for the anniversary party have come up.  Also bought new picture frames for some of our new family pictures.

[Apple]

I'm working overtime today to save money for the future house build.

I grabbed some older wrinkly potatoes on my way out the door, so I'll fry those up with a little bacon for my lunch.  Use them before they go bad...

I used the moviepass to go see a new movie last night, and might use it again tonight (but if not tonight, tomorrow for sure).

[Blonde Granny]

I took a frozen small dinner thing for lunch today and nuked it in one of the employee tiny dining room Surprising good and will buy more of them. think it was about $2. But then came home and hod to buy 2 small lithium batters for the security system and that cost me $10/2.

So, overall, not much in the saving dept. other than not having to have ADT come for a service call of $150.00

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 26, 2018 12:28:13 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

'Tis true.  And there are several rock stars from back in the day who should hang up their microphone, IMO. 

Like my Paul, imo.  Don't tell my friends I said that.

I don't know if Billy Joel is playing at Wrigley but I no longer do outdoor concerts and I especially do not do stadium concerts.  

Last time I saw McCartney outdoors at a stadium, it was 100 degrees with 90% humidity.  People were passing out before the gates opened and were being carried out on stretchers for the entire concert.

After that one, I said never again.  I have kept my word on that one.

[kadee79]

I unplug things that aren't in use, like lamps I seldom use or the ones in the guest room.  Even though they aren't "on", there is a teensy, tiny trickle of electric so that they are in the "ready" mode with you flip the switch.

I make my own laundry detergent.  I cut my fabric softener by half for things I use it on.  I hang out to dry, weather permitting.  I have a wooden drying rack inside & will dry some things on it & then throw them in the dryer for 10 min. to 'fluff'. 

Lights not in use are turned off!  Our thermostat stays on the same temp year round, 77º!  I froze as a kid in a drafty old farm house with coal heat, not doing it again as an adult as long as we can afford the electric bill.

My outdoor Christmas lights were all solar this year.  

DH does maintenance on our vehicles.  Or if there is a good coupon, he will take them in for an oil change.  He also does all the house maintenance since we built the house ourselves.

Before retiring, I always took my lunch & a thermos of sweet tea to work.  We eat mostly at home and from scratch as much as possible.  I do batch cooking often and freeze excess for future meals....and I have 2 freezers, an upright & a chest.
If things are on sale, I stock up...I also have a large pantry & everything that goes in is rotated.  Anything going into a freezer is labeled & dated too! 

[debthaven]

I allow myself to buy one lunch out a week at my main job, the other days I take frozen ready meals. I have a lot of trouble taking leftovers for a really dumb reason ... I forget to take lunch out of the fridge. With a frozen ready meal, I take it out of the freezer and pack it in my school bag the night before.

I buy lunch at the staff cafeteria the one day/week I'm at my second job. It's subsidized by the school, so it's $5 for a three-course meal (if I want one, which I don't) plus coffee or tea. My two bosses asked me (very nicely) if I could please eat in the cafeteria that day so we could see each other, because it's the only day/week I'm there, so I do. 

I can't manage to eat before I leave the house, so I keep low-calorie breakfast bars/cookies at work.

Coffee at my main job is free. I spend a euro/dollar per week for coffee at my second job (also subsidized by the school).

I'm not perfect at this but I REALLY do try not to spend money willy-nilly on breakfast/lunch.

[Deleted]

I take snacks and diet colas to work, but that doesn't count.  I always did that.  I can't stand feeding money to a vending machine.  

Today was my birthday so DH took me out to lunch.  We went to Ruby Tuesday's.  I had a coupon, but that wasn't why we went there.  I got a small sirloin for $12.99 instead of the twice-as-big rib eye for $17.99.  It was better for me, anyway.  I just had the small garden salad as one of my sides instead of adding on the salad bar.  We both drank water, which we almost always do.

No complaints.  It was a lot of fun.  And we got out of there for $29+ including tip.

[CCL]

Jan 27, 2018 19:09:43 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I take snacks and diet colas to work, but that doesn't count.  I always did that.  I can't stand feeding money to a vending machine.  

Today was my birthday so DH took me out to lunch.  We went to Ruby Tuesday's.  I had a coupon, but that wasn't why we went there.  I got a small sirloin for $12.99 instead of the twice-as-big rib eye for $17.99.  It was better for me, anyway.  I just had the small garden salad as one of my sides instead of adding on the salad bar.  We both drank water, which we almost always do.

No complaints.  It was a lot of fun.  And we got out of there for $29+ including tip.

Happy Birthday!

[taz157]

Jan 27, 2018 19:09:43 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

I take snacks and diet colas to work, but that doesn't count.  I always did that.  I can't stand feeding money to a vending machine.  

Today was my birthday so DH took me out to lunch.  We went to Ruby Tuesday's.  I had a coupon, but that wasn't why we went there.  I got a small sirloin for $12.99 instead of the twice-as-big rib eye for $17.99.  It was better for me, anyway.  I just had the small garden salad as one of my sides instead of adding on the salad bar.  We both drank water, which we almost always do.

No complaints.  It was a lot of fun.  And we got out of there for $29+ including tip.

Happy birthday!

[debthaven]

Happy birthday @bamafan1954!

[Deleted]

Thanks, everyone!  I am probably the only person around who is excited to be 64!  I am trying to retire next year after I read Medicare age. 

[TheOtherMe]

I was thrilled for my When I'm 64 birthday for the same reason:  Medicare!

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2018 20:06:49 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I was thrilled for my When I'm 64 birthday for the same reason:  Medicare!

That song has been in my head all day!  

[ners]

Happy Birthday @bamafan1954,

[ners]

There are 2 Burger Kings on my way to work.  I went to the least expensive one for breakfast.

[Shooby]

  I never buy coffee.  I have a 4 cup Mr. Coffee ( i hate Keurig coffee, blah) so I always brew and take with me whenever i leave in the am.  I pack my lunch.  Often a nice "junk salad" which is everything i can find from nuts to craisins to leftover meat to toss into my salad for lunch.  I cook a LOT.  Today i made cinnamon  rolls from scratch and homemade meatloaf and homemade au gratin potatoes.    Then later, DD wanted some popcorn to watch a movie so 2 tbsp of coconut oil with 1/4 cup of popcorn in a pot over my stove, shaking it till it's done.  Cheap and easy peasy.

[seriousthistime]

I shopped online but didn't order anything, and left the house only to take the dog for a couple of walks. 

[dogmom]

We are doing more use what you have around here.

Started menu planning more, so less food waste.
We have insulated curtains on all of the windows in the house.  It saves a bit on heating and cooling bills (along with sun fade on furniture)

Yesterday we received our real estate tax bill (the first one since we paid off the house).  I already had set up a checking account prior to house pay off, with automatic deposit, so, taxes were already budgeted and saved for.  They offered an option of free payment on line.  I didn't have to write out a check and mail it, nor write a check and go to the courthouse down the street and stand in line.  I paid it on line, (wow, they wanted a $45. fee to use a credit card...yikes!).  Extra time and even the cost of the stamp and/or check...zero.    Not sure that this one counts, but I'm pleased.

[Happy prose]

Jan 26, 2018 12:05:01 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I didn't buy a ticket to see Elton John or Diana Krall.  That is about $500 I didn't spend.

Elton's NY shows go on sale Feb 2, and I am buying them.   I've never seen him, and I can't wait!

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 27, 2018 21:34:07 GMT -5 @bamafan1954 said:

Jan 27, 2018 20:06:49 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I was thrilled for my When I'm 64 birthday for the same reason:  Medicare!

That song has been in my head all day!  

I had a When I'm 64 birthday, topped by seeing Ringo Starr.  Friends had a sign that it was my When I'm 64 birthday so he had the crowd wish me a When I'm 64 birthday.  Then at the hotel, we had a When I'm 64 birthday cake to celebrate.  It was probably the most fun adult birthday I had.

[TheOtherMe]

Jan 28, 2018 9:50:40 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Jan 26, 2018 12:05:01 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

I didn't buy a ticket to see Elton John or Diana Krall.  That is about $500 I didn't spend.

Elton's NY shows go on sale Feb 2, and I am buying them.   I've never seen him, and I can't wait!

It isn't the show of my youth, but it's a great show.

[Blonde Granny]

I skipped going out to eat after church this morning. Likely save myself about $15.00

[Happy prose]

Jan 28, 2018 10:15:00 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Jan 28, 2018 9:50:40 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Elton's NY shows go on sale Feb 2, and I am buying them.   I've never seen him, and I can't wait!

It isn't the show of my youth, but it's a great show.

I know. I used to love his flamboyant costumes. He's still on my bucket list anyway!

[Gardening Grandma]

I discovered that a nearby library (another county) offeres online access to Fold3 AND that I could obtain a card from tbem.
So I cancelled my Fold3 subscription -$79.95/yr