Things I don't pay for

[cheapbastard]

Re: Things I don't pay for

• Garbage bags - We use a wheelie bin to carry our rubbish to the curb and line our kitchen rubbish container with old plastic grocery bags
• wrapping paper - We use our daughter's colourful artwork from school, playcentre and home to wrap gifts.
• Greeting Cards - Our daughters create all of our greeting cards. (except christmas cards. There are too many of those all at once to keep their interest.)
• Travel Insurance - Our VISA gold card has travel insurance built into it if we purchase our airline tickets by credit card.

[mom-from-missouri]

Re: Things I don't pay for

- Garbage bags

I use plastic bags I get from grocery stores. I bought a simple plastic bag holder form Home Dept. for $5 about 5 years ago, and still using it. My $5 investment saved me so much money because I never buy any garbage bags

I have a bag holder too, and love it-but I saw one of the teachers at school has a "free" bag holder--she used an empty tissue box-I commented on it, and she said another teacher uses a large coffee can with a hole cut in the lid.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: Things I don't pay for

I use a paper towel roll (empty) the bags stay nice and neat in my cuboard that way.

Actually if I still had a cat (inoors) I might use the roll with towels for litterbox cleanup.

[cercis]

Re: Things I don't pay for

You know they make special trashcans for grocery bags?

Well, you can do the same thing with those 3m hooks. Just put them in any garbage can and they'll do the same thing.

Of course, I just hang my bags on doorknobs and not buy anything at all.

[contrary1]

Re: Things I don't pay for

I don't use paper towels or napkins, cloth rags and my hand made napkins work great.
We don't buy Kleenex either...........have a bunch of soft, old wash cloths that are available if anyone has a runny nose. They are washed & put back in the bathroom cabinet.
I don't pay for any food items that have been processed.........ie; mixes, pre made anything

I'm fortunate that I don't have to buy some things that others would..........my tenant here goes to storage unit auctions & re sells the big things. The boxes of other stuff is usually fair game.........she shares with the household first, then her friends. I'm amazed at the things people will pay to store, then not be able to pay their bills............then just let it all go.
We won't have to purchase aluminum foil for years.........one unit had cases of it!
Same with personal care items, especially shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc.
All cleaners; we always come up with those...........can't imagine buying things like laundry soap & paying to put them in a storage unit. Boggles my mind.....but, it sure helps out here!

We get everything from printer paper to new furniture and everything in between. I'm glad I don't have to do the work for these units however..........I just get to reap rewards by taking the things that would be difficult to sell.

I always try to find a way to get things I need/want without paying for them! Has become my favorite game!

[acezz4e_tish]

Re: Things I don't pay for

i love the napkins i bought at the dollar tree. it was christmas time last year and they had champagne and red silk ones 2 in a pack for one dollar. i have a hanging bag for the store bags i do end up with, but i used to use a milk jug. cut a whole where the label is to not worry about getting the label off, and cut a slice in the handle and you can also clip it on to your cart while your shopping. but i prefer shopping with my own pillowcases now. saves on the environment. i can decorate them how i like put what the bags are for, double them for cold items, they dont rip on me and that has saved me also. they always bag the jugs here even tho i keep asking them not too. ive lost logs of jugs of milk and juice cause the bag rips and they fall to the ground. which is why i like to bag my own too. i was shocked other day to have stuff bagged cause i was watching scanner and come home with my kids gummy bears in a bag with my bottle of ammonia and dawn bleach alternative soap. if they hire people to bag, u would think in thier training day or whatever they would tell them not to mix food with cleaners. thats just rude.

[The Budget Man]

Re: Things I don't pay for

Usually they last quite awhile. Most disposable cameras are 12-36 pictures. I use them in the kids games and kids flashlights--I buy the real good ones for my flashlight.

For our digital camera we tried all sorts of batteries and came up with Ni-MH rechargable batteries. We have two sets and recharge them. The cost of batteries for the last two years has just been the single purchase. Now we give the camera a heavy workout so that represents a huge saving. The added benefit is to the environment.... far fewer batteries being thrown out.

Enjoy your money
The Budget Man

https://www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

when you need a budget

[boomeyers]

Re: Things I don't pay for

Definately pens. They are everywhere and you can never have enough!

[The Budget Man]

Re: Things I don't pay for

adding onto my list

rarely buy clothes for the family I have lots of wonderful neighbors and friends who help us out by giving us NICE used clothes.

I am cutting back on buying icecream now I just bought myself an icecream maker thinking about getting a bread maker next.

We love our bread maker and the aroma of fresh bread baking. Forget the savings I just like it.

Enjoy your money
The Budget Man

https://www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

when you need a budget

[Albies5]

Re: Things I don't pay for

no offense but i find some of this stuff so ridiculous. I know im not in any of your shoes but using washclothes as tissues and stealing soap and toilet paper from places.... like i said im not in your shoes and i dont know what yoru finances are but it seems so petty to me. i mean getting a jug of refill soap is so cheap and it lasts forever and you can alwasy find deals for cheap toilet paper at target- 5 bucks for 24 rolls- and its sanitary. also the idea of having snotty washclothes and washing them- the truth is you prob spend more on laundry soap, water and energy costs then buying abox of tissues for a few cents.

[vsjhoc]

Re: Things I don't pay for

Printer paper from work. I collect the discarded paper that's only printed on one side and bring it home and print on the other side.

I do this also. Just gotta make sure to shred anything that has "company confidential" info printed on it.

vsjhoc

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: Things I don't pay for

no offense but i find some of this stuff so ridiculous. I know im not in any of your shoes but using washclothes as tissues and stealing soap and toilet paper from places.... like i said im not in your shoes and i dont know what yoru finances are but it seems so petty to me. i mean getting a jug of refill soap is so cheap and it lasts forever and you can alwasy find deals for cheap toilet paper at target- 5 bucks for 24 rolls- and its sanitary. also the idea of having snotty washclothes and washing them- the truth is you prob spend more on laundry soap, water and energy costs then buying abox of tissues for a few cents.

I also do not agree with taking things from businesses so that you do not have to buy them for your home.

As far as washing rags so you dont buy paper towels..I say to each his own. There are enviornmental reasons in addition to cost reasons for not buying paper products for these uses. If it works for you, go for it!

[vsjhoc]

Re: Things I don't pay for

I also do not agree with taking things from businesses so that you do not have to buy them for your home.

I think if you're taking large quantities of paper clips, pens, etc., from the office, then technically you're stealing. Taking home used paper that I would otherwise throw in the trash is what we call "recycling." And for the record, I use it in the computer printer, not as a substitute for toilet paper!!


vsjhoc

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: Things I don't pay for

I think if you're taking large quantities of paper clips, pens, etc., from the office, then technically you're stealing. Taking home used paper that I would otherwise throw in the trash is what we call "recycling." And for the record, I use it in the computer printer, not as a substitute for toilet paper!!


vsjhoc

LOL! I am glad to hear that....I dont know how efficient computer paper would work on the hiney....not to mention potentially painful....(paper cuts) LOL

I certainly have nothing against anyone recycling anything....
My concern is when someone takes things that cost the business money SOLELY for the purpose of not having to buy it themselves.... (napkins, extra packets of sauce or jelly, etc.) These things arent free, and end up costing consumers in the long run.

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: Things I don't pay for

also...my opinion was not based on ones employer as the 'business'...
but rather a random merchant...

In other words...I walk in, (maybe buy something, maybe not) load up and walk out...just so I dont have to buy it myself. IMO- Bad, bad, bad.

However, I wouldnt recommend taking from an employer either...kinda biting the hand that feeds you...

all that said, again....if youre just recycling stuff that would have been tossed and your boss is ok with it...IMO take away till your hearts desire!!!