What frugal thing did you do today?

[Tightwad Kitty]

Well let me think, To-day and yesterday list.

Shopping as I had very little to buy in general groceries, so I bought some bulk storage stock for next six months and now my cupboards are full. (No coupons here.)

18 cans tomatoes 425g @ 38c (reg. 86c each) saved $8.64
12 jars Chicken To-night @ $1.69 (reg. $2.99 each) saved $15.60
4 cans Tuna in brine 425g @ 99c (reg $2.99 each) saved $8.00

1 electric oral-B toothbrush $28.50 (reg. $39.95) saved $11.45
I have been using the battery ones for three years now, it broke down last week. Last week, I went to the dentist for free, (another pensioner discount) I didn’t need any fillings so I will keep using one from now on!

Mowed my own lawn saved myself $35.00 on what is charged around here.

I have stretched my money yet again instead of paying at full price. That $38.69 in my pocket and $40 in the bank. I charge myself $40 to mow my own lawn, this is for my mower fund to buy a new mower soon! (Which is 35 years old.)

[Firefly]

Made lunch at home instead of going out to eat.

[Ima saver]

Well I keep the heat on 60, I washed clothes in cold water, I ran the dishwasher but use the no heat drying cycle, I ate leftovers for lunch. drank only water and saved money by not driving today.

[crazy4deals]

Hi---

Sent in for my rebates! Every penny counts and i love to save them pennies. I also used coupons for tonites dinner takeout. (Saved a cool $7)

[Tightwad Kitty]

I went shopping to get my raincheck on toilet paper today. Saved $7.56 there.

I also made a list and bought only what was on the list

Saved another $11.47
So today shopping total was a saving of $19.03 on regular prices.
Now it a shopping free days until next week.

[Ima saver]

The heat has not run for two days. I stayed home yesterday and saved on gas! Had leftovers for lunch. Kept the tv's and the lights off.

[Sticking It to the Man]

I fixed my washing machine. The belt that spins the machine got greasy and the spin cycle wouldn't work. I am not an appliance repair person at all. I just ripped off the front and noticed the greasy belt. My wife says, "Just buy a new one." HA!

I did notice the belt was a bit frayed, so I took down the part number and ordered a new one for $8 delivered. I found the best deal through shopping around on the internet. It was anywhere from $6 to $14. I got the brand name one for $6 plus $1.90 shipping. I'm sure I can put it on.

About 1 year ago, the timer went out. I know this because the dial would stop halfway through a cycle and I would have to manually advance it. This got old and inconvenient.

I was inspired by reading an article called "The Dumbing Down of America." It was regarding how even trained technicians in fields such as appliance repair and auto repair simply recognize and replace parts in many cases. They do not know how to repair those parts. For example, you take your car in and they say, "You need a new alternator." They never say, "I fixed your alternator."

Using this premise, I opened up my washing machine and noticed the timer had a couple of screws mounting it to the frame and a plug going in and a plug going out. I ordered the timer for $90 and plugged it in and mounted it to the frame. I'm not sure how much an appliance repair technician would have cost but probably around $175 - $200. First he/she would have jacked up the price of the timer then the home visit charge, plus the hourly charge = youch!

I would recommend everyone that has an appliance break down to at least attempt to fix it yourselves prior to calling a repair technician. A lot of the repairs are easy enough for a novice. Just be sure to unplug the appliance before working on it. There are also some instruction diagrams to be found on the internet. Good luck.

[BignRichfan]

Job well done! My washer died about a month ago and im still wondering what to do with it. It fills with water and then just stops and does nothing else so I don't think it is the motor. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I to would hate to have to buy a new one or pay a repair guy for a simple fix. My dad thinks it might just be the timer. The poor thing is 20 years old :O) Thanks.

[Sticking It to the Man]

BignRichfan have you tried to advance the timer a millimeter or 2 manually? That was enough to make mine work before I replaced it.

Also there are a couple of websites that give more info that I could.

I can't remember the one I looked at 3 days ago but try searching for:

How to repair (your brand) washing machine.

Good luck.

[Ima saver]

My husband is handy and can fix almost anything. But when something is 20 years old and breaks down, we just replace it.
I shopped for sales at two grocery stores today, washed dishes in my d/w with my free sample. Use my free deodrant and bought really cheap mouthwash.

[Ima saver]

Well, I stayed home all day. I have been cooking my husbands lunches in the crock pot. I used my free deodrant . The heat is set at 60 and the hot water heater was only on long enough for me to wash my hair this morning.

[Ima saver]

I switched mouth wash. I have been using Lara Lynn brand mouthwash, but it is $2.50 for a big bottle, $1.98 on sale. I found mouthwash (off brand) at Bi Lo for $1 a bottle and it tastes just fine.

[Fern]

tonight after work i'm going to stop and shop where they have Gorton's frozen fish for 1/2 off, plus i'll use a coupon with it, also get some other odds and ends there.

I walked to work this a.m., then walkedhome for lunch but took the car back with me for the afternoon as i want to get those fish sticks!

Kept thinking about items to put in my tag sale end of April, and working on the price list.

[lrjohnson]

I went shopping, but at thrift stores. I spent 84 cents on three items. Keeps other prices in perspective.

[Ima saver]

I stayed away from town today. I bought home leftovers for the dog last night, but I ate them myself. Kept the hot water off all day.

[Ima saver]

We have been eating leftovers all week! Plus no heat today!

[GrimJack]

Originally Posted by BignRichfan

Job well done! My washer died about a month ago and im still wondering what to do with it. It fills with water and then just stops and does nothing else so I don't think it is the motor. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I to would hate to have to buy a new one or pay a repair guy for a simple fix. My dad thinks it might just be the timer. The poor thing is 20 years old :O) Thanks.

I googled "fix it yourself washing machine repair" and came up with this analysis "t could be a timer problem, but I usually find the culprit is a bad water level control switch (also called a pressure switch or a fill switch)." at
http://fixitnow.com/2003/05/mailbag-...nt-agitate.htm

I also found this site - http://www.repairclinic.com/0047_11.asp.

When I fixed my washer, having a laptop right there so I could disembowel and reassemble it step by step.

After I diagnosed the problem, I called Sears parts and ordered the needed part (he troubleshot the problem with me again just to make sure I got the correct part). You could just call them and work it out.

I hope this helps

GrimJack

[debtfreeme]

ate breakfast and lunch from stuff brought from home!

[Ima saver]

fround vitamins at half price and ate left overs for lunch.

[stngymama]

Stuck to my grocery shopping list! Also: no heat & sump pump off (no rain... )