Things I don't pay for

[cashqueen]

Re: Things I don't pay for

At work, everytime we print something out of a certain program an extra page prints out at the end to say who printed it. when I first started working there I commented on what a waste it was and can we suppress that function. I was told no. So I started saving that page. I had quite a nice little stack when my boss asked me what it was. I said it's such a waste of paper, I'm going to bring it home and use it in my printer or let my ds draw on it. Pretty soon I had several people start bringing me stacks. It really added up! They said they never realized how much paper was being wasted. I have so much paper right now it will be years (if ever, we don't print much) before I need to get paper.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Things I don't pay for

Ray:

Ditto ditto ditto. I am uncomfortable with some of the ways people have chosen to be thrifty; I just don't consider stocking up on a merchant's ketchup packets an option. It's stealing to me, and I absolutely hate stealing being justified or rationalized by someone trying to be frugal... Grrr.

On other "minor" savings, well, I have bought one roll of paper towels in five years-for camping, and it's still half used. I like cloth napkins and dish cloths and it works for me. I know it won't pay for retirement, but I choose my combo of big and small savings to find what I can save the most with at the same time that I stay a happy gal.

[BCHGRL]

Re: Things I don't pay for

My mother-in-law gets used patio furniture for free. She finds stuff out by the curb and takes it home. If she didn't tell me what she got for free, I wouldn't have known.

[The Budget Man]

Re: Things I don't pay for

My mother-in-law gets used patio furniture for free. She finds stuff out by the curb and takes it home. If she didn't tell me what she got for free, I wouldn't have known.

Our oldest son has a house furnished from the side of the street. He's good with his hands and does the furniture up. Most people walking into the place wouldn't even know that the furniture was mostly freebies.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man

https://www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

when you need a budget to work

[meenah]

Re: Things I don't pay for

my employer provides free coffee and also fresh fruit so i get free breakfast. my apartment complex has a shelf in the laundryroom where people place items they want to give away for free. i get stuff there free all the time. i got a free box of pop-its at this firework stand yesterday, "free gift, no purchase nessasary"

[Ima saver]

Re: Things I don't pay for

I love the freebies on here. I just got a big bottle of dishwasher gel for free, today!

[sarah4554]

Re: Things I don't pay for

Rubberbands: I get a slew of mail so my mailman usually wraps it in a rubberband for me. I wonder if he knows I now have hundreds.
Plastic Bags: Grocery store
Greeting Cards: I save all the greeting cards given to us an then make my own
Fax Machine: In the dump at my husbands work. He took it home and fixed it. It was just a loose wire.
Document Shedder: Again, easy fix, my husband found it in the trash
Clothes: I make my daughter sun dresses and church dresses from old clothes that I or other family members no longer use. I made her a real cute one recently...used elastic from an old pair of jogging pants, buttons from an old dress shirt of my husbands, and bias(around the hem) from an old crib sheet.
Personal Items: I sign up for every free sample under the sun
House Plants: Friends and I swap cuttings
Garden Plants: Swap with friends, or grow from seeds from the year before
Flowering Plants: Swap or grow from seed dried and saved from the year before.

[GoodBuyGirl]

Re: Things I don't pay for

Using coupons regularly get
soap
shampoo conditioner
toothpaste tooth brushes
Ketchup
Musturd
Chili
BBQ sauce
pickles
Muffin mix
eggs
cookie mix
tomatoes and sauce
soda
water
candy
Shaving cream and razors
Cleaning products
Lotion

Then there are other items I get free once in a while.
If you don't use coupons I suggest you start. Especially if you have stores that double.
Always have at least 2 of each coupon to take advantage of Buy one Get one Sales.

[Thrifty Ray]

Re: Things I don't pay for

cookbooks- I can find any recipe I want on the internet.
maps- again, internet
books- library
movies- library
haircuts- thanks to DD1 (no, she is not schooled in this, Im just not too picky)
frozen waffles, pizzas- make from scratch
vacuum bags- arent bagless vacs the greatest!
travel insurance- when you dont travel, you dont need it!
checks- debit card
dinner plates- DHs GM gave me her nice 80's style plates (blue and mauve) before she passed away. - dated, yes~ but free!
Plasic Containers isnt that what cool whip, margarine and sour creme comes in? Never toss them and always have plenty for whatever!

and much more...

[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.

Ahhh, to each his own I say. Ideas are in welcome abundance here...take the good a leave the rest...Just as ones mans trash is anothers treasure...frugal 'is in the eyes of the beholder'.

Enjoy your kleenex and paper towels and allow others' to enjoy not filling landfills with them. Its that simple.

Edited to add:As far as stealing anything...I totally agree. Ive said it before, and Ill say it again...IMO- it is NOT okay to steal things (obtained without permission or not bought or given to you) for your own financial gain. This ends up costing the rest of us.

[The Budget Man]

Re: Things I don't pay for

I spend too much time on the road BUT I always keep the soap and shampoo to take home. If the coffee satchels are any good I use them as I'm travelling.

With the cost of the travel every little saving helps.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man

https://www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

The budget that works

[funnyvalentine]

Re: Things I don't pay for

yikes, when did we start paying kids to go to school and get good grades?

I got a 25$ certificat to a mall from the school because I maintained a good 80% in my report card and for my attendance. I still have 10$ left in my card.

[lrjohnson]

Re: Things I don't pay for

yikes, when did we start paying kids to go to school and get good grades?

I can authoritatively say that it was after 1988. Humph.

[The Budget Man]

Re: Things I don't pay for

Went to a trade show this week and ended up with so many pens that I don't know what to do with them.

Every stand seemed to want to give pens away with their name on them. Some are really nice and I'll use them for the next few months.

Enjoy Your Money
The Budget Man

https://www.PersonalityBudgeting.com

A budget that works

[greedy4chips]

Re: Things I don't pay for

$25 for 80% grade level...yikes my college is 95% and above for an A. I am not even sure what 80% is other than a reward for being average. Congrats though on having $10 left!

Free stuff...anything free after rebate that I need I buy and send in the rebate. Unlike others I do not sell them in a rummage sale. To me this is low, since you have to be at one of the local stores within a blink of the eye of the door opening to get the FAR stuff.