Is there something that people around you WILL NOT DO to save $$, but you WILL?

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by getforfree

Some people worry so much what others will think about them, like they are cheap and stingy and all that, but I don't worry about that. .

Maybe you should start worrying, because you're basically a thief, no matter how much you try to dress it up and justify it.

[crabbypatty]

I don't think that I do anything that hasn't been mentioned here already. But lots of things I do, our friends and family wouldn't dream of doing.

About the feminine products. You guys that are taking them from work must not be CVS shoppers. I don't remember exactly how it went but back in October they had a monthly unlimited deal. Buy a box of Playtex sport for $5, get $5 ECB's back. (ECB's are coupons you can use like cash in any CVS store) There was also a $2.50 manufacturer printable coupon out. So for every box you "bought" you profited $2.50 And like I said, this was an unlimited deal. People got loads of free products, plus profited.

ETA: They also had something similar for Kotex stuff. In case you prefer a different sort of product.

[getforfree]

I have tons of feminine products that I got free after rebate. We don't have CVS around here, but we have walgreens and riteaid. Even if its free after rebate, you still have to pay tax on it, but at walgreens you get 10% bonus if you choose a gc instead of a check, but spend money on a stamp, because they don't have online rebates like riteaid. So it's not a 100% free unless the 10% bonus will make up for a stamp and a tax, so the rebate is better to be at least $ 13 to be completly free. Some items like makeup and haircolor, I sell on ebay, so I make a few $$.

Some stores, when have the b1g1 items, they have to adjust the second item manually in the register. But they do a card lookup when you are returning the item, so you can return the item and keep the free item, they will never know. Plus, you can keep the receipt and, depending on the item, you might even get to write it off your taxes.

[LuxLiving]

I happily reheat day old coffee in the microwave, much to coffee connoisseurs disgust!

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

I happily reheat day old coffee in the microwave, much to coffee connoisseurs disgust!

it's not disgust, lux! i've done it too, it's just not my first choice. or fifth, for that matter...

now, all my day-old coffee goes to a houseplant instead of water. the thing thrives on it!

[LuxLiving]

I'm taking the coffee...the plants get the grounds - that's all I'm willing to give them.

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by getforfree

I would do the same thing. I do take any loose tp or paper towels when I use a public bathroom. I take paper towels at the gas station too. It saves me $$ and doesn't take any extra work or time to save it. And, nobody can catch me on that, and even if they say something, they can't do anything to me. After all, it is there for people to take it and use it. So I will take it and use it at home.

Umm that is called stealing....It is there for customer use..and the more you steal the 'freebies' the more you will drive up the price of gas or food at such places....

You are the kind of person I didn't believe existed when I was told not to leave the paper towels out when I had a drive thru call mid way in cleaning the bathroom...I couldn't believe anyone would be so rude as to steal paper towels....

Just because it is big buisness doesn't make it ok.......

[Ima saver]

When I worked in a restaurant we had an old lady with a huge purse. She use to go into the bathroom and take all the t.p. stocked underneath the sinks. The manager had to call her on it.

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

When I worked in a restaurant we had an old lady with a huge purse. She use to go into the bathroom and take all the t.p. stocked underneath the sinks. The manager had to call her on it.

But it was there for people for people to take and use. She just took it to use at home...

[Ima saver]

It was out of sight with the cleaning materials. It was not for her to take home. but, bless her heart, maybe she really needed it!!

[nanamom]

People around me think I am nuts because I don't have a dryer. I am hoping my washer lasts because I am debating what I would do if it dies too!

I have to agree with the others, stealing is stealing no matter what you call it.

Concerning the coffe reheating, DH used to do that until I explained about how th ebacteria multiplies while it is cooling (warm liquids make great breeding grounds) and then reheating doesn't kill all of it. He stopped and so did some of his GI problems so please be careful.

[janasgoad]

Here are a few of my favorite money savers:
I have expensive taste in clothing so I hit the consignment shops and Goodwill on a fairly regular basis. My wardrode is fantastic and no one would ever suspect that I purchased them "used". Even my wedding gown (which was absolutely gorgeous) came from a consignment shop.

I use Craigslist like you wouldn't believe. We barter for things that we want/need with stuff that we couldn't care less about. We then take things that we received for free on Craigslist and barter for other things with them. I'm lucky because we live in an area where Craigslist is very popular.

Every 18 months I donate my hair to Locks of Love. Many salons give you a free cut and style when you donate your hair (need at least 10 inches to be donated). I go to a salon that not only gives me a nice cut but also sends the donation for me so I don't have to pay the postage.

If you like beef, get a half of beef for your freezer (freezer I received for free on Craigslist). We split one with my aunt last year and paid only $2 per pound (including butcher costs) for the best organic beef I have ever had! That is cheaper than hamburger and I received hamburger, roasts, all cuts of steak, etc.

Grow a garden. The veggies are fantastic and so much cheaper. If you don't have a yard, rent a pea patch from a local co-op (usually about $20 for a summer).

Use the library - you already have paid for it! I never rent dvds or videos anymore. Our library allows for online holds. I order all the movies I want and go to the library once a week to pick them up. Sometimes it takes a few months for the newer movies to become available due to all of the other people placing holds but in the meanwhile I have others to enjoy. I used to spend lots of money on books too and now I just pick them up at the same time.

Hope some of these help.

[timzagain]

My relatives, friends and co workers wouldn't be caught dead buying secondhand clothes. I have no reservations about it

[m.f.walters]

Originally Posted by getforfree

I would do the same thing. I do take any loose tp or paper towels when I use a public bathroom. I take paper towels at the gas station too. It saves me $$ and doesn't take any extra work or time to save it. And, nobody can catch me on that, and even if they say something, they can't do anything to me. After all, it is there for people to take it and use it. So I will take it and use it at home.
.

I own a restaurant and that is why we hide any extra toilet paper under lock and key-because some customers think as you do-that it is just the cost of doing business. But that cost eventually comes out of a real person's pocket. Theft is theft!

[AuntArt]

I make most of our Christmas gifts and others I buy at yard sales during the summer. I think my family would be shocked to know that their cool gift came from a yard sale. Last year I picked up Buzz and Woody dolls from a yard sale for 50cents. They haven't left my son's hands since Christmas. I also bought a huge stack of new stickers for fingernails, glitter etc. All for 10cents and gave it to my very girly 9 year old niece. I also buy hardback books at yard sales and gift them. The key is knowing what your family is into and trying to find a gem at a yard sale.
Also I look for gifts on freecycle. Even if I have to hold onto it for 10 months it saves me money on actually buying a gift since I got it for free.