What are some embarrassing things you did to save money?

[ir_dizzle]

Hello everyone -

Straight forward question - what are some embarrassing (or things you're not proud of) things you've done to save money? I need some time to think about that and will chime in with some more later, but one I could think of right now is buying an item from the store, using it, and returning it. Sounds routine, but the return was premeditated; I knew before I bought the item that I was going to use it and return it...

Have you done this too? Have you done anything else that is more "embarrassing"?

[ir_dizzle]

I forgot to mention that I understand if people don't want to share their experiences - thank you!

[dojo]

I don't like to put my life or safety into danger for some quick bucks. can't say the same for the MIL who'd eat even bad food so that she doesn't 'waste' it. She spent the entire summer without using the AC and now, as it's cold in the winter, she'd gladly suffer from the cold, just so that she doesn't use the heating system. Fortunately for her we're here too and we're not interested in freezing. I hope I'll NEVER turn into someone like her.

[BuckyBadger]

Originally Posted by ir_dizzle

Hello everyone -

Straight forward question - what are some embarrassing (or things you're not proud of) things you've done to save money? I need some time to think about that and will chime in with some more later, but one I could think of right now is buying an item from the store, using it, and returning it. Sounds routine, but the return was premeditated; I knew before I bought the item that I was going to use it and return it...

Have you done this too? Have you done anything else that is more "embarrassing"?

That's not really embarrassing, though, is it? It's just unethical

As far as embarrassing, I can't think of much aside from the usual -- paying with change I found under the seats of the car, making a fuss about stores accepting coupons or discounts or sale prices...

[MonkeyMama]

I am quite sure that I have done things that others find embarrasing, to save money. (Often it is in the name of conserving resources more than saving money). For example? Buying a lot of USED things. Even if I wasn't saving money, I'd probably feel compelled to reuse things rather than buy all new. That said, I can't personally think of one thing that I do, to save money or conservse, that is embarrasing to me. I don't know. Pick up a penny off the street? Order water with dinner? Drive a car for 15 years. I have been informed over the years that these things are embarassing to others. I prefer some level of financial security over worrying what people think about the fact that I drink WATER.

[bjl584]

You really don't need to do things that are outright embarrasing to save money. Most of the tatics that people on these forums use to be frugal raises eyebrows with the masses.

I mean, who on earth pays cash for a car and then drives it for over a decade?

Why would anyone shop at the thrift store for clothes? Doesn't everyone have 5 closets full of clothes?

Why would anyone pay off their credit cards in full every month? Everyone has credit card debt right?

The list goes on and on....

[thefrugallery]

I was shopping at Aldi's and there was a shopping cart in the parking lot. At Aldi's, you have to insert a quarter to get the cart out, and then you get the quarter back when you put the cart back. It was pouring rain and I assume the shopper didn't think it was worth the quarter to put the cart back, but I did. I walked away with a quarter and drenched with rain! In my defense, I frequenty bring carts back just because I don't like good spots being taken up with carts and worrying about door dings. So I do this, even when I'm not getting paid a quarter!

[BuckyBadger]

Originally Posted by thefrugallery

I was shopping at Aldi's and there was a shopping cart in the parking lot. At Aldi's, you have to insert a quarter to get the cart out, and then you get the quarter back when you put the cart back. It was pouring rain and I assume the shopper didn't think it was worth the quarter to put the cart back, but I did. I walked away with a quarter and drenched with rain! In my defense, I frequenty bring carts back just because I don't like good spots being taken up with carts and worrying about door dings. So I do this, even when I'm not getting paid a quarter!

I find that Aldi's has a very unique "pay it forward" feature. Almost every time I'm there, if someone is leaving the store with a cart they will give it to me, or to someone else in the lot. And if I'm on my way out I'll go out of my way to give my cart -- loaded with a quarter already -- to someone on their way in.

I don't mind giving up my quarter to pass along a little kindness in the parking lot.

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by dojo

I don't like to put my life or safety into danger for some quick bucks. can't say the same for the MIL who'd eat even bad food so that she doesn't 'waste' it. She spent the entire summer without using the AC and now, as it's cold in the winter, she'd gladly suffer from the cold, just so that she doesn't use the heating system. Fortunately for her we're here too and we're not interested in freezing. I hope I'll NEVER turn into someone like her.

I honestly seldom turn on my air conditioner or heater (unless I absolutely have to), but I can get away with it because I live in San Diego where the weather is pleasant year round...

If I had to use it though I would...

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by BuckyBadger

That's not really embarrassing, though, is it? It's just unethical

As far as embarrassing, I can't think of much aside from the usual -- paying with change I found under the seats of the car, making a fuss about stores accepting coupons or discounts or sale prices...

You're right about it being unethical; but since it's unethical (and I know it is) it's embarrassing!

I used to be embarrassed when my wife would complain in stores in front of everyone about being charged the wrong price or a cashier won't take a coupon they know they should. After a few years though I realized she had a reason to be upset about it and now I do the same thing (just in a slightly nicer tone).

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

I am quite sure that I have done things that others find embarrasing, to save money. (Often it is in the name of conserving resources more than saving money). For example? Buying a lot of USED things. Even if I wasn't saving money, I'd probably feel compelled to reuse things rather than buy all new. That said, I can't personally think of one thing that I do, to save money or conservse, that is embarrasing to me. I don't know. Pick up a penny off the street? Order water with dinner? Drive a car for 15 years. I have been informed over the years that these things are embarassing to others. I prefer some level of financial security over worrying what people think about the fact that I drink WATER.

I love that attitude! You are absolutely correct and I'm glad you don't let peoples thoughts get to you - who cares what they think!

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by bjl584

You really don't need to do things that are outright embarrasing to save money. Most of the tatics that people on these forums use to be frugal raises eyebrows with the masses.

I mean, who on earth pays cash for a car and then drives it for over a decade?

Why would anyone shop at the thrift store for clothes? Doesn't everyone have 5 closets full of clothes?

Why would anyone pay off their credit cards in full every month? Everyone has credit card debt right?

The list goes on and on....

Good points! I don't like how being "different" is considered "wrong" in the eyes of many people... It used to bother me, but now I just mind my own business.

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by thefrugallery

I was shopping at Aldi's and there was a shopping cart in the parking lot. At Aldi's, you have to insert a quarter to get the cart out, and then you get the quarter back when you put the cart back. It was pouring rain and I assume the shopper didn't think it was worth the quarter to put the cart back, but I did. I walked away with a quarter and drenched with rain! In my defense, I frequenty bring carts back just because I don't like good spots being taken up with carts and worrying about door dings. So I do this, even when I'm not getting paid a quarter!

Good for you! I used to work retail and on occasion I was asked to grab carts from the parking lot. It was a good experience because I learned how difficult of a job it is to grab carts and keep the cart bay full; especially on really busy days.

Because of this I ALWAYS bring the carts back to the cart return area; regardless of how far it is from me.

I've never seen a store that requires a quarter to get a cart and refunds the quarter to you if you return it - that's pretty cool.

[esb3357]

I don't know if it is "embarrassing". Although I have a master's degree in Business and my husband works full time making good money, I still babysit on the evenings/weekend to make extra money to go into our investment account. I hope to do this till we have kids to give us a great buffer. We also had roommates as a married couple and reuse furniture in our houses instead of buying new stuff.

[dojo]

ir_dizzle, agreed with you. I don't like AC myself and seldom use it. But we had over 40 degrees (celsius) and she's over 70 with a heart condition. This can actually kill her. No one says let it run for hours, but 10 minutes and the air is already better

[GREENBACK]

I got some discount tennis shoes in my penniless college days that were a size too large but it's all they had. I stuffed toilet paper into the toe ends to make a perfect fit....uh, sort of!

I actually probably had a lot of those types of experiences back then but I choose to forget most of them.

[NetSkyBlue]

I wear clothing from thrift stores. I *really* don't buy much clothing, unless I've literally worn out or damaged a piece I routinely need. My mother frequents thrift shops though, and routinely gives me a new top or a new pair of jeans that she got a great deal on.

I shouldn't, but I do feel embarrassed when my well-to-do (or they just act like it) co-workers say, "oh, where'd you get that top?" I usually just end up saying my mother gave it to me.

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by esb3357

I don't know if it is "embarrassing". Although I have a master's degree in Business and my husband works full time making good money, I still babysit on the evenings/weekend to make extra money to go into our investment account. I hope to do this till we have kids to give us a great buffer. We also had roommates as a married couple and reuse furniture in our houses instead of buying new stuff.

I don't think it's embarrassing at all but I understand why you mentioned it.

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by GREENBACK

I got some discount tennis shoes in my penniless college days that were a size too large but it's all they had. I stuffed toilet paper into the toe ends to make a perfect fit....uh, sort of!

I actually probably had a lot of those types of experiences back then but I choose to forget most of them.

I'm glad those days are behind you.

I'm not penniless right now, but I recall some times recently where I would see expensive shoes at Marshall's that were a half or full size too big for me. If it was a killer deal and the shoes didn't make me look like a clown I would buy them and sacrifice a little comfort to save some money.

[ir_dizzle]

Originally Posted by NetSkyBlue

I wear clothing from thrift stores. I *really* don't buy much clothing, unless I've literally worn out or damaged a piece I routinely need. My mother frequents thrift shops though, and routinely gives me a new top or a new pair of jeans that she got a great deal on.

I shouldn't, but I do feel embarrassed when my well-to-do (or they just act like it) co-workers say, "oh, where'd you get that top?" I usually just end up saying my mother gave it to me.

I shop at thrift shops and when people ask where I get a particular article of clothing I found at a thrift shop I usually say I forget and say probably from Marshall's...

It's embarrassing to admit for me anyways but you can get some killer deals there!