What Small Things Did You Do Today to Save Money?

[TheOtherMe]

I gave up my Sam's Club membership when I realized the only thing I bought there was gas.  A new gas station opened which is on my usual route when I go to town.  They have a membership card that saves the same amount on gas which is sent every 90 days as a rebate check.  

Can't remember the last time I've driven as far out as Sam's Club is located.

I have a coupon for where I get my hair cut that expires today.  It would save me $2.  It's the only reason I would go to town today.  I have a dentist appointment on Monday.  I'm going to wait and get my hair cut then.  It's too far to save $2.  I also want to get the car washed and the weather hasn't been cooperating with that.  However, Monday I should be able to get that done also.

[Blonde Granny]

i have a Walmart CC. I get rebates or whatever it's called based on what I charge.  i use it only for gas and food.

[CCL]

The Plus membership also gives you additional rebates on everything you purchased at Sam's. I don't remember the percentage right now, maybe 2 or 3%? It's in addition to the credit card rebates.

Edit: $10 for every $500 spent, so an additional 2%

[NoNamePerson]

Feb 22, 2018 22:54:23 GMT -5 CCL said:

The Plus membership also gives you additional rebates on everything you purchased at Sam's. I don't remember the percentage right now, maybe 2 or 3%? It's in addition to the credit card rebates.

Edit: $10 for every $500 spent, so an additional 2%

I knew there were some extra perks with the plus. Just me so I really don't buy much at Sam's but they offering me an upgrade to Plus and I keep turning it down.  Good deal though for larger families, etc.

[seriousthistime]

I didn't leave the house yesterday.  I didn't shop online.  I ate from the refrigerator, pantry, and freezer. 

I spent no money at all.  

[Iggy aka IG]

Currently getting every last "squeeze" out of my face cream and toothpaste.  I used the last bit of bar soap by incorporating it onto a new bar of soap.  Worked out well!

I did go to Starbucks today but used my birthday gift card. 

Here at the office, eating the usual breakfast, lunch and snacks brought from home.

Last year I started getting water delivery at the office instead of schlepping it from home, or via individual plastic bottles from Wally World.  Saves money AND plastic.  $7.50 for 5 gallons, and $6 for the machine rental.

[dogmom]

Grocery shopping, shopped with a LIST, and held to it.    With the list, I also shopped the loss leaders.  Was pleased with the bottom line.  (pantry has also extra items)

[TheOtherMe]

Mailed my amended tax return.  Have no idea of when to expect my 2nd refund.  Law changed with the budget to extend some deductions that had expired.

[Apple]

I accepted OT to work the next two nights, so that will put a little money in the bank account.  I also went to a movie today, making the average cost/movie on my moviepass less than if I'd seen them all at the cheapest rate ($5.5 Tuesdays).

On the way home, I stopped by the store to get a new radio/CD player, but their cheapest one didn't have what I wanted, so I walked out without it.  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to get one from amazon or move the one I keep in my bedroom.  I play the radio or a CD while I'm in the shower, but the radio part doesn't work anymore, and the CD skips horribly now.  The one I have in my bedroom may end up fitting in the small space, so I may as well, since I don't play it in my room very often at all.

[Blonde Granny]

I stayed home again today.......and nothing spent.  Tomorrow is church and lunch out, but that's accounted for in my monthly budget.

[Artemis Windsong]

Staying home.  Tomorrow will be medical expenses.

[seriousthistime]

I went to Staples and bought shredder lubricant sheets and shredder bags, and began on my shredding.  

I ran the shredder lubricant sheet through the shredder, and there was so much in the shredding blades that it wouldn't shred anymore.  It would only go in reverse.

At this point I usually give up and toss the shredder, vowing never to buy another one again.  But just having spent $15 on the lubricant sheets and bags, I was not going to do that this time, so I got out my tweezers and a knife and picked out all the little pieces of paper that were clogging the blades.

I may have spent $15 on the lubricant sheets and bags, but I did not toss out a perfectly fine shredder.   

Today I hope to tame the paper monster that's been accumulating for a few months.

[chiver78]

did you run the lubricant sheets in reverse long enough? I also use those Staples brand sheets, and my shredders have gotten junked up if I don't run it long enough in reverse to let it do its job. 

today, I checked out my area's new ALDI store for the first time. I bought 2 reusable bags' worth of things for about $30, shopping without a list but I will be back for sure. 

[dogmom]

Not sure if it's a save money, but, for the last couple of months, I've been pricing living room furniture.  (our current stuff is 13 years old, and needed to be replaced).  I held out as long as I could, have shopped A LOT, came across a deal on (need prayer here) the set that I liked (although I cannot touch, because it's an on line price only)   Savings (President's day sale, etc, etc, etc... am scared to say, if it's true) $1200 on the set 

Reviews are good, dimensions are good, reputable manufacturer, acceptable return policy, within budget, actually under budget.  Seems too good to be real.

[weltschmerz]

Feb 24, 2018 18:51:42 GMT -5 Apple said:

I accepted OT to work the next two nights, so that will put a little money in the bank account.  I also went to a movie today, making the average cost/movie on my moviepass less than if I'd seen them all at the cheapest rate ($5.5 Tuesdays).

On the way home, I stopped by the store to get a new radio/CD player, but their cheapest one didn't have what I wanted, so I walked out without it.  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to get one from amazon or move the one I keep in my bedroom.  I play the radio or a CD while I'm in the shower, but the radio part doesn't work anymore, and the CD skips horribly now.  The one I have in my bedroom may end up fitting in the small space, so I may as well, since I don't play it in my room very often at all.

Did you check the thrift stores, like the Salvation Army?
They usually have lots of them, and you can test them onsite to see if they work.
I bought a fantastic TEAC radio/CD player there, with incredible sound, for $10.

[weltschmerz]

This one.

www.classicbuys.net/TEAC-Tabletop-CD-Player-&-Radio-1762.htm

[Deleted]

Feb 25, 2018 19:13:20 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Feb 24, 2018 18:51:42 GMT -5 Apple said:

I accepted OT to work the next two nights, so that will put a little money in the bank account.  I also went to a movie today, making the average cost/movie on my moviepass less than if I'd seen them all at the cheapest rate ($5.5 Tuesdays).

On the way home, I stopped by the store to get a new radio/CD player, but their cheapest one didn't have what I wanted, so I walked out without it.  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to get one from amazon or move the one I keep in my bedroom.  I play the radio or a CD while I'm in the shower, but the radio part doesn't work anymore, and the CD skips horribly now.  The one I have in my bedroom may end up fitting in the small space, so I may as well, since I don't play it in my room very often at all.

Did you check the thrift stores, like the Salvation Army?
They usually have lots of them, and you can test them onsite to see if they work.
I bought a fantastic TEAC radio/CD player there, with incredible sound, for $10.

Yeah.  I got one for school off the Facebook trading sites also for $10.  I can run cds through the computer, but it is in the back of the room.

People are giving these away along with cds because they are streaming everything.

[Apple]

Feb 25, 2018 19:13:20 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Feb 24, 2018 18:51:42 GMT -5 Apple said:

I accepted OT to work the next two nights, so that will put a little money in the bank account.  I also went to a movie today, making the average cost/movie on my moviepass less than if I'd seen them all at the cheapest rate ($5.5 Tuesdays).

On the way home, I stopped by the store to get a new radio/CD player, but their cheapest one didn't have what I wanted, so I walked out without it.  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to get one from amazon or move the one I keep in my bedroom.  I play the radio or a CD while I'm in the shower, but the radio part doesn't work anymore, and the CD skips horribly now.  The one I have in my bedroom may end up fitting in the small space, so I may as well, since I don't play it in my room very often at all.

Did you check the thrift stores, like the Salvation Army?
They usually have lots of them, and you can test them onsite to see if they work.
I bought a fantastic TEAC radio/CD player there, with incredible sound, for $10.

I thought about it as I was leaving the store, but I had to get home to get ready for work.

I have one sitting in my amazon cart, but it's waiting until after I get a chance to check out the thrift stores (SA and SVDP, our goodwill prices here are insane, so I don't buy anything there.)

[Iggy aka IG]

Instead of buying eggs at the store, I asked DH to buy some from our neighbor, who wouldn't take any money.

DH replaced the element in the dryer.  He bought the replacement part on Amazon, but we saved in repair costs.

Made banana bread out of 3 brown bananas, avoiding food waste.

[Blonde Granny]

As usual, took my lunch to the VA, took the car to the dealer for a car wash and then came home. Will stay home tomorrow to, so it will be no spending today or tomorrow.

[countrygirl2]

I bought the buy one month car wash deal and get the second month free unlimited washings.

So now everytime I go to the city I run the truck through the carwash, 3 washes pays for the

pass.

[NastyWoman]

Does being lazy count? I was too lazy this weekend (and too cold I don't do temperatures in the 40s during daytime) to go grocery shopping this weekend. I decided I had enough for this coming week in my fridge and freezer. Easiest money I ever made → feet up and a nice cozy blankie with a good book. Saved at least $50 if not more when the lack of impulse buys is added

ETA: and you can't do anything smaller than absolutely nothing...

[Apple]

I made my own tortillas.  We had the masa in the cupboard, so I just filled a mason jar, took a photo of the instructions, and brought to work to cook.  First batch was good, but I still have filling, and I'm still hungry,so I think I'm going to make some more.

ETA: It was my first time making them.  My son is usually the one who makes the tortillas.

[Iggy aka IG]

Good job, Apple!  NastyWoman, that sounds like a perfect weekend.

Last night I got two free items valued at $5.78 at the grocery store thanks to downloaded ecoupons on my value card.  One was an 8 pack of Dasani sparkling water!  Even the cashier was impressed.  Bought nothing else, walked out of there at zero spent.

A few weeks ago I received a $2 store coupon from filling my RX there.  To save money and time, I usually get my refills via mail order 90 days at a time, but I was headed on vacation and time was of the essence on this one.

[chiver78]

I am following through on a commitment to work my way through the pantry and freezers before stocking up on bulk items again. over the weekend, I thawed a portion of a crockpot chicken recipe and boiled half a box of curly pasta for enough to make three meals. today's lunch was the last of the three, and I think that was the last portion of that frozen crockpot batch. I still have more pasta than I know what to do with, but that's okay.     I also brought dinner and fresh fruit in to work with me, so I don't have to go out at all. 

[dogmom]

I'm not sure if this is a save money or wasted money.  I finally ordered our new living room furniture over the weekend.  Our old furniture was T-cushion.  The new stuff is not, so the old slipcovers won't really work well on the new stuff.  That's fine though, because the old slip covers, with the exception of one set are as old as the couch. I thought about how Shelby still does the puppy crazy bounce off furniture, and opted to again order covers.  She has shredded somewhat a few of the covers with her nails.  I opted though, instead of full covers, to order pet covers.  I used an Amazon gift card.  Cheaper than full covers, hope they hold up for a little bit.

[Iggy aka IG]

Something we've done all winter:  We keep the thermostat at home at 66.  While visiting in January, one of our neighbors mentioned how cold our house is.  It never bothers me unless it's below 10 degrees outside.

[wvugurl26]

Mar 1, 2018 14:41:08 GMT -5 Iggy aka IG said:

Something we've done all winter:  We keep the thermostat at home at 66.  While visiting in January, one of our neighbors mentioned how cold our house is.  It never bothers me unless it's below 10 degrees outside.

Mine is set there as well but not to save money. It's the highest temperature at which our upstairs bedrooms are not too hot for sleeping. And when it gets into the 20s and 30s that's not even low enough. If I am moving around downstairs I'm generally warm enough. If I'm watching TV or using the laptop, I do get cold.

[Apple]

I found out craftsy.com was doing a free weekend, so I was able to watch some great quilting and crochet tutorials.  Also, all the class information was free to download, so I was able to download a lot of recipes, quilt patterns, crochet patterns, and knitting patterns, all for free.

Also, earlier this week, I went to the same site to download free quilting patterns.  I do this on occasion to fill my "want to shop" and to get some new ideas.  It's satisfying to "buy" 50 different block patterns for $0.

I brought in some frozen beef and sausage earlier this week to make meatballs.  I finally remembered all the other ingredients, so now I have 50 meatballs ready for the freezer using ingredients out of the freezer and pantry.  Should make for a few quick, easy meals (if my son doesn't eat them all first).

The rest of the day will probably be spent watching more craftsy classes and sleeping (once I get home from work), so I don't see myself spending much money later.

[Blonde Granny]

I stayed home yesterday, so didn't spend a thing. I'm not driving for church today so the car will stay put and not use any gas, and lunch out has its own line item in my budget so I don't count that as an expense. I think that is what Shane calls a planned expense.