What things actually PAY for themselves?

[Thrifty Ray]

Reviving an old thread here but I thought about this the other day....

CLOTHESPINS!!!!
They are so cheap, yet save so much money!! They pay for themselves many times over!

[boomeyers]

*Kids garage sale clothes - if they ruin them, you don't really cry, if they do'nt - you resell them later!
*Ditto on the handme down, garage sale, trash pick furniture. If they kids ruin it, ........
*Costco AmEx - rebate bought us a freezer full of meat!

[cschin4]

My guitar! I took up playing the guitar a year ago. It is fun and instead of shopping or going out to spend money, I am happy just strumming away and learning new songs.

[StressLess]

Those compact fluorescent light bulbs, plus over the long term, our newer refrigerator. I believe the fridge is saving us at least $10 a month on the electric bill, so after the first few years it will have paid for itself.

The internet, definitely.

Newspaper subscriptions, because of the coupons.

The gas to shop at several grocery stores a week; for us, cherry picking the bargains is still worthwhile even at current gas prices.

Home blood pressure monitor. If I feel a bit weird, and wonder if it's because my bp is unusually high or low, I can check it at home and save a trip to the doctor.

Our cars, because they enable us to work.

[lillyb]

About a year and half ago my coffee maker broke. Since this is before my days of wanting to save money I purchased a Home Cafe for about $60. But now I realized it's paid for itself and then some. I make a cup at a time. It takes about a minute for it to brew and then it's turned off. So there's no warmer plate using electricity like a regular coffee pot. Also, I'm able to make two cups from one tea bag, that's savings there. Plus, when I do make a cup of coffee I make my own little pods (I found I didn't care for the taste of the store bought coffee pods). I just use a cheapo coffee filter, a bit of coffee and roll it up. Less grounds used than I would have used in a coffee pot. One can of coffee will last me a good six months. No longer am I wasting electricity keeping a carafe warm and no longer wasting grounds when I just drink one cup of coffee.

[PauletteGoddard]

1. My home refinance was not a tangible thing, but it paid for itself after eight months.
2. My hot water heater and natural gas furnace and programmable thermostat have paid for themselves, especially when a 1947-era oil furnace is being replaced.
3. My low-flow toilet has almost paid for itself.
4. My compact fluorescent lightbulbs have paid for themselves.
5. My rose garden has paid for itself many times over, if a rose is priced at $2.00/bloom.
6. Ditto DSL/Internet access. If I pay $27/month, hanging out here I can save ten times that much.
7. DVD region-free player. We save $6/release by renting from the video store: the Asian DVDs come out a week before widescreen movie release, and $3.75/release from renting at the library (as opposed to renting from the video store).

[acezz4e_tish]

i still need to get the programable thermostat. I have the bulbs tho and our bills been 20 dollars less for that alone since i got them, i paid 8 for 3 at walmart the last 2 times, easier to go to that store some days. I save 3 cents per gallon with thier shopping card too. It is a savings too. Most places here match walmarts listed price, so then when i use the card, i get 3 more cents off, plus no hassle of going to the counter, unless the printer is out of paper. getting your reciept for gas can save you lots too. there are bad people out there. one was the asst chief of polices son here. he let his friends gas up and run off. He took plates of people who didnt get reciepts, an turned them in for run offs. Cost my friend over 300 dollars for buying gas for thier lawn mower going to court and stuff. so i tell everyone, always get a reciept! if it happens here, it happens anywhere.

[rob62521]

1. My bachelor's and master's degrees
2. My house
3. My computer and Internet -- keeps me updated, sane, and I look for deals and freebies and coupons

[tgavin71]

To me the things that DH and I have gotten the best value from are

1. DH diploma in network engineering. Not only did it give him a way to earning money but it has saved us $1000s in computer repairs and because he can build one from scratch our set up which would easily cost around $3000 only cost us $900.

2. The net for reasons above plus being able to contact friends and family for free. My children watch very little tv, rather play ont he puter. Saves money cause they are not bombared by ads.

3. Food processor. Was a wedding gift in 1994. Use it a couple of times a week.

4. Our house bought in 2001 for $114,000 valued last week at $240,000 still in same condition about from patio put on and a new garden shed.

5. Instaneous hot water system.

6. My RM Williams boots ( sort of like cowboy boots) have had them for years.

7. My iron. Even the oldest clothes look better once they are ironed.

[Crystallas]

FTA reciever
Solar Pannels
Automotive Ignition upgrades
Home Garden
Tools
My business
Quality water filtration system.
........Heck, anything DIY.

[acezz4e_tish]

not wanting to sound stupid here,lol, but whats a fta reciever?

[Crystallas]

That internet is really paying off eh gotta ask jeeves that one. JK, Im an ass sometimes. FTA is a satelite reciever that hosts a lot of channels that provide another option over antenna broadcasts. Lots of channels.

[The Budget Man]

Here's a funny one. I find my annual holidays pay for themselves. If I don't take them I loose freshness and focus. Every time I have a holiday I come back focusesd with enough ideas to keep me going for months.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man

[Thrifty Ray]

My little $9.99 coffee maker that I got at WalMart several years ago.
Every morning it brews me a pot of coffee that I thoroughly enjoy while working and net surfing.

I used to spend the $2-3 dollars each day....but I have gotten so use to my own concoctions, that I will take a thermos from home rather than buy a mocha at one of the corner coffee shops. (I now like mine better! )

[acezz4e_tish]

i like the 19.95 kit at walmart. it has a 4 cupper, can opener and toater. red, black or white. i got the black set. Dave uses the 4 cupper. the other 2 are out in our rv, waiting the next roll down the road.

[notmadeofmoney]

Without a doubt my crockpot, bread machine, and coffee pot. They are all daily (or almost daily) used.

[Ima saver]

The lawn mower!!

[The Budget Man]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

The lawn mower!!

The weed eater, the garden tools and the electric drill.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man
www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

[acezz4e_tish]

i tried to visit your site and the link dont work.

[The Budget Man]

Originally Posted by acezz4e_tish

i tried to visit your site and the link dont work.

Thanks Tish

The link is now working. Can't understand why.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man

www.PersonalityBudgeting.com