Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

[myself]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

Use a tissue more than once. I have allergies, so I refuse to use any less than 2 tissues, and will not reuse it.
Strange as it may sound, I do use a handkerchief, and will use it several times before washing it.
Why a handkerchief?
Simply because it's possible to use it multiple times, fold it back up and put it in my pocket. And it doesn't get torn up in my back pocket, unlike the small pouch of tissues would.

[myself]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

I will NOT..

~ give up steaming hot baths ahhhh! (tried it once and our bill went UP that month..lol)
~ let my parents ever be in need of anything
~ reuse plastic spoons (long story)
~ give up Kellogg's Rice Krispees in place of a "cheap" store brand (long live snap krackle and pop!)
~ reuse toilet paper
~ eat shredded cheese from the Dollar Tree (icky stuff)
~ fuss at my husband for leaving his playstation plugged up and turned on all day while we're at work
~ give up going to the movie theater a few times a year

And my last "I will not.." ... I will NOT let myself get so consumed with saving for the future that I forget to enjoy the "now". Everything in life needs to be balanced to a point. Our future is not promised - and while it is wise to stock up for that day, I could never live for years and years in complete denial of present desires & wants (i.e. that pedicure with my aunt, a new video game for my husband when he hasnt had one in 2 years). I grew up watching my daddy's brother pinny pinch... he was sooo happy when he retired at 64 years of age.... then he developed cancer. Last April '06 he passed away at age 66 a week after the surgery that removed "98%" of the brain tumor. I will not let my impulse to horde for the future affect my ability to PLEASANTLY enjoy life with my husband and parents NOW (notice I said "pleasantly" and not "lavishly" ) I've been through too many deaths of loved ones - they can be snatched from you in a heartbeat.. My goal is to find that balance of control over money, cash flow, and resources to where I can freely pay my unavoidable life expenses (utilities, mobility, hunger, taxes), happily hold back certain resources for the possible future, and comfortably bring in things that makes my family genuinely happy now (life's little pleasures - an ice cream cone on the way back from a little league game, a plastic toy egg from the grocery store machine for my little girl, useless valentine cards for everyone i treasure, or just a new nail polish every now and then).

Amen to that!
(well, I can agree to everything but the nail polish, since I'm a guy )

[LuxLiving]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

Nicely said Coleroo!!

So sorry to hear about your Uncle.

I agree. Life needs it's little pleasantries!

[shelbylovesmelby]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

Get rid of my husband! *LMAO* He's expensive, to me anyway's.

Get a 10 yr old + car just cause it was cheap, I like my warranties but I don't like the payments.... not that anyone does.

[Ima saver]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

I won't give up cold cream!

[Scanner]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

Well, here are my name-brand loyalties:

Mostly I buy generic (especially OTC medicines/contact lense stuff) but there are a few things I pay the extra for:

1. Kingsford Charcoal.

I tried a generic brand once and it took 1.5 hours to light the damn briquettes. I see any other brand and just hear my wife saying through the window:

"Is the fire ready yet?"

"Is the fire ready yet?"

2. Oscar Meyer Bacon

It fries up more lean than the other brands and just tastes better

3. Scott's Brand Lawn Fertilizer

Seems more reliable than the no-name brands for weeding and feeding and crab-grass preventing. I will buy generic Grub-X's though.

4. Taylor Pork Roll

It's a South Jersey thing - have to wait for it go on sale and then we stock up as a family.

5. Nu-Finish car wax

Not really sure if there are "generic car waxes" but I put a coat of this stuff on in Spring and Fall to protect from salt and sun in the following seasons. I guess that's more brand loyalty vs. generic vs. name brand.

6. Gold-Toe socks and BVD underwear

They are just more comfortable and seem to last longer. Price really won't sway me much in this decision. I buy cheap socks and that's exactly what I get.

Now you all know what underwear I wear, how about you. . .LOL.

[fairy74]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

I won't skimp on the following:

extremely hot showers--pure bliss, top notch hair conditioner (although I do buy it at a beauty club with a discount card), facial creme cleanser, butter (Land o Lakes only), highlighters (I like the ones that lay a lot of ink down, the cheapies at the office supply place never seem to work well), oil for the car, real cheese (not processed or shredded), outerwear (I am an LL Bean girl all the way) and backpacks (Eddie Bauer only).

For DH:

Highest quality tattoo ink he can find, Utrecht art pencils and oils, Johnson and Johnson Baby oil and his Marlboro's (1 pack per week, outside only)

[tinapbeana]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

i will not drink cruddy coffee in my own home. i have to put up with it at work (where it's free, so i can't complain too much!), but at home i want to relax with a proper cuppa joe.

i will not use margarine, only butter. store brand goes on sale and freezes well. even better is the 2 lb roll of butter from the local creamery. gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!

i only cook with olive or sesame seed oil (personal health belief), and will go out of my way to make sure it's the first cold pressing (lower grades have been extracted with a solvent). no crisco, no 'vegetable' oil. every now and then, i'll fry potatoes in bacon grease because it just tastes better

i won't buy generic bacon, it cooks up to be nothing. i have no preference when it comes to name brands, hormel and smithfield are both good and go on BOGO sale every other month. 2 lbs of bacon for $5 is a better deal than generic bacon anyways.

[emmiedahl]

Re: Is there something that will save you $$ that you WILL NOT DO?

I buy nice food, good wine, and comfy pillows for my guests. I try hard to give meaningful gifts to friends instead of just picking out the first thing I see that's cheap.

I'm with you on this!

I take great care to treat guests well! That is one time when we will have halibut suppers instead of beans and rice! And I am big on getting people what they ask for, especially children. I won't go overboard or into debt, but our society makes such a fuss about GOOD children getting their heart's desire from Santa that I think being too cheap at holidays might be damaging.

[krayziebone33]

I cannot seem to take shorter showers. I have tried and tried to cut my showers, but I feel bad whenever I take do this. I love long, hot, and steamy showers. I like just letting the water run on me. I also do a lot of thinking and planning while the water is running on me. Its soothing and some of my best ideas/plans came to me while showering. I know I'm wasting gallons of water when I do this, hence the higher bill. However, I just cannot get away from my long showers.

I will NOT..
And my last "I will not.." ... I will NOT let myself get so consumed with saving for the future that I forget to enjoy the "now". Everything in life needs to be balanced to a point. Our future is not promised - and while it is wise to stock up for that day, I could never live for years and years in complete denial of present desires & wants (i.e. that pedicure with my aunt, a new video game for my husband when he hasnt had one in 2 years). I grew up watching my daddy's brother pinny pinch... he was sooo happy when he retired at 64 years of age.... then he developed cancer. Last April '06 he passed away at age 66 a week after the surgery that removed "98%" of the brain tumor. I will not let my impulse to horde for the future affect my ability to PLEASANTLY enjoy life with my husband and parents NOW (notice I said "pleasantly" and not "lavishly" ) I've been through too many deaths of loved ones - they can be snatched from you in a heartbeat.. My goal is to find that balance of control over money, cash flow, and resources to where I can freely pay my unavoidable life expenses (utilities, mobility, hunger, taxes), happily hold back certain resources for the possible future, and comfortably bring in things that makes my family genuinely happy now (life's little pleasures - an ice cream cone on the way back from a little league game, a plastic toy egg from the grocery store machine for my little girl, useless valentine cards for everyone i treasure, or just a new nail polish every now and then).

This was extremely well-said and poignant. I was beginning to become a saving "extremist" but quickly realized that life is short and one should find a way to enjoy the present while still planning for the future. I am still a little hard on myself, as I feel this is still necessary to stay disciplined and focused. However, I do allow myself some simple pleasures that may cost a modest penny. Thank you again for reminding me to enjoy my today while planning my tomorrow.

[m.f.walters]

I have eased off on the extreme stuff as well. I got to take a short trip to Florida where, since we had budgeted our expenses I could spend without worrying. It was such a relief not to sweat every drop of water, minute of heat and penny spent. I've returned with a plan to stay focused but not obsess quite so intensely.

Now you all know what underwear I wear, how about you. . .LOL<~~~Scanner

Hanes. I won't give up my Hanes. Other brands may be le$$, but my Hanes fits and feels better.

[tabbycat31]

I won't move out of the northeast (I don't fit in culturally in the South or Midwest....... I'd be a miserable fish out of water)
I won't give up my Victoria's Secret underwear (sorry no granny panties for me)
I won't turn my AC at 78 or heat at 62 when I'm home....... I need to be in a consistant temperature (i don't want my hands to freeze off and I dont own a pair of shorts)
I won't give up my high quality toiletries. Sorry Suave dosen't do it for me.