Which items you don't buy anymore?

[getforfree]

I get so much free stuff, that some items I don't have to buy anymore.

I usually get shampoos, lotions, toothpastes and toothbrashes, make up, pads and tampons free. Either after rebate, with coupon of samples. So, I don't have to buy them.

I get free napkins, sugar, ketchup and salt from fast food places.

Can you post which items you get for free, and how to get it, so you never have to spend money on them?

[Ima saver]

Cigarettes, I gave them up over 15 years ago and saved a ton of money when I quit.

[lrjohnson]

I like getting free samples. I do not ever take anything extra from a restaurant or fast food place, I don't feel it's right. If I grab 4 ketchup packets and use three and save one, fine, but I would never take extra ketchup or napkins on purpose. Plus it saves money to not go to fast food to start.

I prefer the things I don't have to buy because I decided I don't need them. I don't buy paper towels, paper napkins, paper plates. I don't buy fancy grooming products. I don't buy DVDs. I don't buy new books. I don't buy convenience food. I don't buy instant oatmeal or regular milk. I don't buy ziploc bags very often. I don't buy plastic containers (use cottage cheese tubs and the like). I don't buy pantyhose. I don't buy kitchen appliances other than replacing the coffee pot now and then. I don't buy fertilizer (compost). Rarely batteries (rechargeables). No swiffer or special toilet cleaners or other specialized cleaning stuff: bleach, ammonia, and cleanser is it. No dryer sheets, no fabric softener. No Ipods or Blackberries or Palm pilots. No fancy face creams (Consumer reports gives the thubs up to cheap brands). No shaving cream. No disposabel razor. I'm not against these items, but it saves me money not to buy them because I personally don't need them.

I think everyone has some items that they buy that they could do without.


(I do have a real soft spot for bubble bath.)

[Ima saver]

I agree with Irjohnson. I don't use the dryer sheets, no shaving cream, disposable razors, no anything electronic. I buy about one jar of cold cream a year and that is all I have used since I was 15.

[contrary1]

I haven't bought food for a few years now. My house mate person is on a full disability and also gets food stamps. She does all the shopping and I do the cooking. So, with some back to basics sorts of kitchen magic........we manage to feed however many people are here with the food stamps the state gives for one adult. TA-DA.

I do chip in money if there is something over & above the typical budget, usually the holidays get extra food funding........but otherwise, we eat well.

I don't buy paper towels, napkins or plates either.........or any other disposable item.

I really don't buy much of anything anymore..........sitting here trying to think of anything I do buy is straining my brain!!!

[thriftymom]

Replacement razor blades cost more than disposable razors, don't they? I actually haven't had to buy razors in forever because I've received so many free ones, (Gillette Venus, Schick Quattro x2) And, I can use the same one for about 6 months! I threw away the Venus once it was done since the blades are so expensive! I stopped buying Fantastic. Instead, I mix Castrol SuperClean with water and it works better than Fantastic!

[thriftymom]

If you don't buy paper towels, how do you wash the windows & mirrors? Just curious? I've tried newspaper before, but it didn't work for me- didn't absorb the Windex. And, if you used a towel, it would leave fuzzies all over the surface.... hmmm.....

[thriftymom]

After seeing a completely different thread, I thought of something- I buy card stock and envelopes that fit an 8 1/2 x 11 folded in half and make personalized cards on my computer! I haven't bought a greeting card in ages!

[getforfree]

I don't buy envelopes.

I get them at the bank ( Washington Mutual). I deposit my checks and then if I want some cash back, they would give you receipt with code to get your cash. Usually there are envelopes to put cahs in it. I usually grab a few.

Quote (lrjohnson):
"" like getting free samples. I do not ever take anything extra from a restaurant or fast food place, I don't feel it's right. If I grab 4 ketchup packets and use three and save one, fine, but I would never take extra ketchup or napkins on purpose. Plus it saves money to not go to fast food to start.""

I don't eat at the fast food. I go there only for the napkins and stuff. Whenever I go to the grossery store next door, I walk there, get the napkins, put them in my car, then go to the store. I guess it would be cheaper to buy napkins than go eat at the fast food place.

[debtdude]

Magazines. So much is available on-line for free.

[Lemony]

I don't spend money renting movies. I take advantage of Blockbuster's guaranteed rentals. I go late on Saturday evenings and the guaranteed rental is usually always out of stock by then, so I get a free copy later on.

I also get the daily newspaper for free, because I deliver it and usually have one or two left over. Sometimes dh gets his own copy, too

[Ima saver]

I use an electric razor. I don't see how you get buy not buying paper towels and napkins. I do take extra napkins at Wendy's to keep in the car for emergencies!

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by lrjohnson

I do not ever take anything extra from a restaurant or fast food place, I don't feel it's right. If I grab 4 ketchup packets and use three and save one, fine, but I would never take extra ketchup or napkins on purpose.

I agree.

[poundwise]

Originally Posted by lrjohnson

I do not ever take anything extra from a restaurant or fast food place, I don't feel it's right. If I grab 4 ketchup packets and use three and save one, fine, but I would never take extra ketchup or napkins on purpose.

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

I agree.

Especially so when you don't even buy anything at the restaurant or fast food place.

[rdeel2000]

I haven't bought paper towels or napkins for years. I pick up cloth napkins at garage sales all the time for $.10 or less and I use old washcloths that are starting to get ratty for paper towels. I save the extra napkins they put in the occasional fast food bag for cleaning up especially greasy or messy spills. I don't find it increases my laundry loads since they are small and fill in the spaces. As for washing windows and mirrors, I use cloth baby diapers and they work great and last forever. I used cloth diapers for both my boys who are now 28 & 22 and I am still using their old ones, like I said, they last forever. I have also seen these at garage sales for very little money.

[billybob]

I don't spend money on:

-Cable TV. I get whatever channels I get.
-Internet access. I live in the city and have wireless
-Heat. It's included in my rent.
-Collision Insurance for my car. I don't need it.
-Toothpaste/Mouthwash/Shampoo/Soap. My GFs mother hoards this stuff, because she gets rebates i guess. I just go get some when i need it
-Groceries that go bad. I try to eat everything I have before getting more.
-DVDs. I get Netflix
-Music. My friends and I share our MP3s, I have over 15,000 and haven't bought a CD in ages.
-ATM surcharges. I never go to an ATM other than my own bank unless its an emergency

[Thrifty Ray]

haircuts....


DD1 cuts my hair
(no, she doesn't have any training...she is just adventurous...I guess that means I am too...)

[Ima saver]

I don't even know what netflix and mp3's are?? I don't have any of this modern stuff. Ok, I will go back in my cave!!

[billybob]

I forgot!
I havent paid for a haircut in 10 years...
Cut it myself with a set of adjustlable clippers (advantage of being a guy!)

Netflix is a service where you pay 18/month for unlimited dvd rentals by mail. I probably get about 12-15 DVDs a month. This saves me a lot of money because i dont get cable, dont rent DVDs ($4 per rental plus late charges!) and dont buy DVDs.

MP3s are music files on your computer. Free if you have good friends!

[sweeps]

Originally Posted by billybob

I forgot!
I havent paid for a haircut in 10 years...
Cut it myself with a set of adjustlable clippers

Hey billybob, if your avatar is a self-portrait, maybe you should consider paying for haircuts again.