Which items you don't buy anymore?

[shelbylovesmelby]

I don't buy deoderant or toothpaste too often anymore...... there's always a link to a freebie for a trail size & those will last us a while.

[i-endeavors]

The list is long because I make as much of my expenses as possible classify as a business expense. Oh, and coffee. I gave that up about a year ago.

[orchid]

Napkins, paper towels, trash bags, cd's, deodorant, dvd's, water (use brita), don't pay for manicures/pedicures cause I do it all myself.

[leggzz66]

i dont pay for pedicures, besides the fact that you could catch something, its too costly. I bought a 20 dollar foot machine at walmart, soak a couple times a week and my dh actually helps me with my nail painting.lol.
I dont pay for alot of home cleaning items, making my own has been fun frugal and long lasting. vinegar is the best, i use it in laundry, cleaning, and dishwasher also. i do still use some bleach. i place cotton balls in the corners of my shower and soak it with bleach and leave it set a while, then toss it. keeps it mold and mildew free. i cut one of my extra terry cloth mops and added velcro to my triangular tub cleaner, its working great, and dawn cleans up almost anything. I know my baths/showers are clean. i have only 2 baths, but the master has a stand up shower and a jaquizzi tub. I do use cascade every couple weeks in that, to clean the jets. luke warm water and let the motor run an hour and rinse off.
I use cloth napkins also, but still do use some paper towels, i used only 2 rolls this month which is good i think, compared to using 9 pack bounty a month. My dd uses most of the freebies i get for hair, face, nails etc. shes 13, so anyone who has teen girls knows the drill.lol.
I only use a third of requested soap in the washer, i have a front loader, and my bottle of soap ive had since the day they minimized them. not bad for 5 dollars, prolly 2 months old now? I still use a little bit of fab soft, not in towels tho for sure, I like to use a piece of sponge in the dryer with some on it, then toss it in a dresser drawer for freshness also. I made hanger cozzies that i soak in it also, keeps my closet smelling so good. especially when its off the master bath.lol. I made the cozzies by the tie a tie method basically, making a semi long braid doing it, then soak it an hour and toss in dryer. Just keep tieing a tie til its a braid as long as you want it to be. you know make a rabbit ear, go around it twice and pull it thru so that its the new bunny ear and keep going. I cant think to describe it better then this. if you have questions just ask, im a pm away.lol. then just slide off the hanger top once a week and resoak and dry. I just love the apple mango scent of gains softener, i used to be tide and downy only, but now im gain. its usually a dollar cheaper then tide and smells better. couple tablespoons of bk soda in wash, fill rinse with vinegar, toss a sponge in dryer, I also take that fab soft and dilute it three times. I have four bottles currently since they dont have the milk cartons yet but hoping they will, then ill take those pretty marroon bottles and make clothespins hangers out of them for the clothesline. I use the milk ones for my walmart bags. also good for if you make your own laundry soap. which im interested in doing, if i can ever find a store that sells oils. so i can try to make it same scent im using now.

[mahanda]

do not buy paper towels or napkins (use cloths and rags), books - magazines - or cds (use the library) commercial cleaning supplies (baking soda- vinegar- soap and salt clean great) new clothes (except for undies)
and most everything i do buy is pre-loved except for food.

[myrdale]

Paper plates seems to be a popular one, I have never liked using them and as such I have never bought any.

I hardly every buy a new DVD, I only get used, $2-10.

I have replaced all my ligth bulbs with CF, so i dont buy light bulbs any more.

I got rid of my printer, so no more ink or paper. On the rare occasion I need something printed, I do it at work, and that is rare.

I have about stoped buying 20 oz Cokes for $1.30 and souly to 3-L off brand for $1.35 each.

I have quit buying the newest game system. Everytime I see a commerical for the Wii I think about my 3 systems collecting dust in the closet and tell myself that is where the Wii will be one day.

And as for fast food, I only take enough packets for what I expect to use. Taking extra will only raise the prices for every one. Be glad we are not in England where they charge for ketchup packets.

[lovcom]

1. I fired the once a week maid. I found out that cleaning one's house will not cause death ;-) And if you keep things up, it is not so long of a chore.
2. I fired the gardner. I found out that it takes me only 40 minutes a month to cut my own grass, trim the shurbs, etc.
3. I down-graded my satillite channels to just the basics.
4. I wash my own car. Before I spent $14 two to three times a month. No more.
5. I drink water from the tap. I found out that it does not taste so bad and I save at least $40/month on bottled water charges.
6. I've decided to buy a bottom of the line, cheapo Toyota Yaris which will get 2.5 times better MPG then my 2006 Mustang (what a mistake).
7. I up'd the amount I contribute to my 401k.
8. I converted all the mortgages on my 3 rentals to 15 year fixed rate notes, and up'd the rent across the board by 8%.
9. The girlfriend and I now go dutch treat. I got tired of paying for everything. She wants equal treatment yet thinks the guy should pay for everything...now she has equal treatment ;-)
10. Canceled/not renewed several magazines.
11. Canceled the health club...I workout at home now.
12. No more Starbucks...that alone will save me over $120/month...what a waste!
13. I have decided to retool my computer skills and if the plan goes as expected I should be able to earn about 60% more. I think we too often work on the expense side too much....we need to work on the income side too! ;-)
14. My sister cuts my hair for $8. No more $16 to the barber.
15. I do my own car maintenence. I hate the Stealerships, and JippyLube are crooks.
16. I've slowed down the speed at which I drive, and try to add more stops to each departure of my garage to better use the gas I have.

[marvholly]

My budget for 2008 just went under a MAJOR revamp. The avg. 3% raises we have gotten for >17 years did NOT come on our last 2 paychecks. Who know if/when they might? AND health insurance went up 2%, Rx co-pays went up 6-20%, gas is up....?, groceries/personal care/household stuff is up 10-20%. Has anyone heard of real estate taxes, home owners insurance, auto insurance actually going DOWN?

Thus I have cut my grocery/house supply/personal care budget $5/week. Personal spending allowance $5/week (no clothes, manicures/pedicures, no food/wine treats/coffee treats/snack foods/work vending machine treats), and my fun budget in half so no full meals out, theater, concerts. I have turned down my water heater, thermostat (and it was at 58 at night and 62 when I am at home), I only "flush" in the am before I leave for work and pm befoe bed (reduce water usage). I NEVER (30+ years)run less than full loads in my washer or dishwasher. I already have CFL bulbs ( and have for MANY years) in all my on more than 5 minutes 1x/day fixtures.

And they wonder why we are headed if not already in a recession!!!!

[Caoineag]

Umm...well, thanks to baking and cooking at home from scratch, I don't buy the following items:

Bread, tortillas, muffins, donuts, brownies, boxed noodle or rice meals, premade pudding, pasta, croutons, quiche, ice cream, frozen pizzas, or various other premade processed junk that I can't think of right now.

Basically the goal is to make everything from scratch but I still have a few items, well, scratch that. I have one item, frozen chicken empanadas from Safeway that I have yet to replace. I foresee a recipe hunt in my future...

[thkgranny]

-cancelled newspapers - can read online
-no pedicures/manicures
-get haircuts from barber at 1/3 what I was paying
-make 90% of meals from scratch (can't find a cheaper alternative to generic boxed mac n cheese!)
-driving now combined with multiple stops to save gas and wear-n-tear on vehicle
-paper towels - we use napkins, dishtowels, and rags
-new clothes - purchase at yard sales or consignment shops, except for shoes; size 10 1/2 kinda hard to find! Even dusted off my sewing machine to make home accessories and a dress for church
-dropped the premium channels on cable
-went to lower priced package for Internet
-switched to those lightbulbs that last forever
-cancelled Book Clubs, we use the library
-quit buying junk food
-quit buying soda drinks
-stopped buying packaged gifts for grandchildren; it's homemade or gift certificates for them (saves $$$ and stuff that goes to landfill)
- now purchase 1/2 beef with another couple, split the costs and it averages a tad less than $1/lb.

[marvholly]

See #88 above
I do NOT buy any household/food item that is not on sale, a necessity & I must have a coupon. Example: getting low on toilet paper. Last 2 weeks the 12 dble roll packs have been "on sale" for $6.50 at a couple places. I KNOW I had paid $5 last time so I waited (down to 2 rolls). This week local store has for $5 & I have a coupon for that brand.

Still looking for a deal on paper towels (single roll since I seldom use) as I have no backup on hand. Might be Aldi or dollar store IF I do run out.

Due to price and my economic factors I will NOT be consuming steak any more and will likely change to ground chicken/turkey (MUCH cheaper than decent ground beef here). I am increasing the number of vegitarian meals I eat every week (beans/lentils/tofu) and out of 20meals/week I was already eating veggie at least 10x/week because a can of beans for about 0.50 is 3 meals of protein source (0.17/meal) vs $2 lb decent quality ground beef on sale being 4 meals (0.50/meal)= savings of $1.50/week= $78/year (covers my increased medical insurance and Rx co-pays).

I drink <1 can soda/week, never bought bottled water, have given up my 1-2x/month meal out (ALWAYS w/ a coupon) and 1x/month coffee treat (was 7-11 for $2 vs Starbucks for ....?), have not bought any clothes in >6 months, always have used the library and do NOT have cable tv. I am NOT getting a HD tv, I will give up tv first. My internet is dial up for $9/month. I have not had a minicure/pedicure since end October and the next will likely be late March and then only because I have a family special event then AND I will shop price/quality and see about coupons inmy area (>12 nearby).

I do need to replace some work shoes but will be watching for REALLY good sales on brands I find fit and wear well (shoes I am replacing are from spring 03-I remember because DD was married shortly after).

[Pitman]

Fast Food, I used to spend about $250 - $300 a month just on fast food alone. Now I haven't bought nor ate fast food in 2008, not only am I saving a good amount of money, I also feel much healthier.

Sneakers, and Clothes. I'm an avid sneaker-head well used to be atleast. I was buying two - three pairs a month, in a range from $150 - $300 a pair (crazy I know), but now I haven't bought a pair of sneakers in a while, I'm talking 4 - 5 months, and I'm already seeing the difference in my bank account.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Pittman, that is GREAT! A lot of savings! Can I ask do you really feel noticeably different by cutting out the fast food? I'm just curious. Could you say something about how it is that you feel different?

[Snave]

Originally Posted by shelbylovesmelby

I don't buy deoderant or toothpaste too often anymore...... there's always a link to a freebie for a trail size & those will last us a while.

My wife seems to always stock up when there is a double coupon or something like that. I think I have about 15 cans of shaving cream that were all free (actually they paid us on a couple). It's amazing what you can get with coupons and using them correctly.

[Snave]

Golf balls. Our backyard backs up to a golf course and when I go for a run in the evening before the sun goes down, I usually take my golf ball retriever and fish a bunch out of the pond from that day. My wife also picks a bunch up when she goes for a walk along the tree-line. I can't wait until the spring when the season starts again here and everyone pulls out the new balls they got for Christmas, etc... I seem to get a bunch of brand new titilest balls at that time of year.

[maat55]

I paid to send my wife to cosmotology school so that I would never have to pay for a haircut. Since she never worked in the field, I think my investment was a bust. Except for the free haircuts. I wonder how much each haircut is going to have cost me in the end. I have to consider the initial 3000 dollar investment I could have invested. I think I got screwed on this one.

[Snave]

Originally Posted by maat55

I paid to send my wife to cosmotology school so that I would never have to pay for a haircut. Since she never worked in the field, I think my investment was a bust. Except for the free haircuts. I wonder how much each haircut is going to have cost me in the end. I have to consider the initial 3000 dollar investment I could have invested. I think I got screwed on this one.

If she will give you a mani and a pedi, I think it would even out.

[money2008]

Didn't realize it is so expensive - 3000 dollars ! Was thinking the same - but now having second thoughts !!

[money2008]

Don't buy original ink cartridges anymore for my printer. Refilling is far cheaper and also third part cartridges are available at fraction of the cost.

[davlat]

Originally Posted by money2008

Don't buy original ink cartridges anymore for my printer. Refilling is far cheaper and also third part cartridges are available at fraction of the cost.

Hay.. I always bought from Ink Cartridges, Toner Cartridges & Printer Supplies "databazaar.com"
I pay only $2.7 for color and $3.9 for black (free shipping even if you buy only ONE) for my Canon PIXMA iP3000. They don't sell cartridges for some printers... so.. good luck.