What stupid things did you used to spend money on?

[Danielvalerio506]

Buying a car when I didn´t need one.
Buying a lot of new clothes when my clothes were fine.
Buying a lot of music CD´s, DVD´s, concerts and movies even though you can see everything on YouTube for free.
Eating out every single day just because.

[Gailete]

Years ago we gave up paper napkins and use cloth ones that I pick up at the thrift store. Just wash them with the towel load, it doesn't add much. I rarely use paper towels other than for draining bacon grease when cooking it in the microwave. Through the Amazon review program I am on, I got an 8 pack of Bounty maybe a year or two ago. I still have 6 rolls at least left, one partially used, and one roll went home with my cleaning lady. Hubby and I use hankies as well, although for 'blowing' I will use a tissue, I got a box of puffs and one of Angel soft from the review program, years ago, I'm out of the Puffs but still have some of the angel soft, and one year for Christmas everyone had a pack in their stocking. Cleaning lady also got samples as well. But since I have allergies, not having bought tissues in years, has been a huge savings. I prefer to use rages for cleaning and can't understand what people are using all those 6-8 packs of paper towels every week on. I do however splurge on toilet paper for the kind I like.

I gave up hair cuts almost 4 years ago, although twice in the last 4 years I had to pay one of the girls at the hair place to wash my hair as my hands had been too sore to do it myself and I couldn't stand it any more.

I haven't bought any clothing other than thrift store things and not much of that other than really big men's T-shirts that I use to sleep in. If I don't buy it at the thrift store, I make it myself. I do splurge on good top of the line sewing machines! But the things that most women spend on each year as necessities could buy me a new sewing machine yearly!

I've been frugal most of my life, so some things never got to be habits. I never drank coffee, so never had a Starbucks problem. Never drank alcohol so never had that problem of spending on that, etc. Stopped wearing nylons when I stopped working - YEAH!

[TexasHusker]

What makes a pickle gourmet?

It's more expensive

[Gailete]

For some reason the gourmet pickle reminds me of going to a KFC once and ordering some legs and thighs. In all sincerity the cashier looked at me and asked it that was the white or dark meat! Gourmet pickles are probably those kind that mothers through the centuries have been making to use up extra cucumbers, watermelon, and all sorts of other things.

[TexasHusker]

For some reason the gourmet pickle reminds me of going to a KFC once and ordering some legs and thighs. In all sincerity the cashier looked at me and asked it that was the white or dark meat! Gourmet pickles are probably those kind that mothers through the centuries have been making to use up extra cucumbers, watermelon, and all sorts of other things.

I think your KFC cashier is a closet racist.

[Gailete]

I think your KFC cashier is a closet racist.

Nope just dumb.

[scfr]

After using a feather duster for decades (necessitating vacuuming and/or mopping immediately after dusting) I recently made the deliberate decision to start wasting money (and harming the environment) by buying and using Swiffer dusters. And I'm glad I did. My house cleaning tasks get done in shorter bursts these days ... no more marathon sessions for me.

[sdol1]

I started making my own cleaning products about 2 years ago. It's amazing how much I was spending each week, now I just buy baking soda and white vinegar in bulk and make my own.

[james.hendrickson]

I started making my own cleaning products about 2 years ago. It's amazing how much I was spending each week, now I just buy baking soda and white vinegar in bulk and make my own.

Good point. Now I only buy cleaning products at estate sales, it's just not worth paying the mark up.

[snafu]

scfr, rather than buying refills for your Swiffer cloths, cut up old, used microfibre type [cheapest from Liquidator outlets or automotive section of discounters] marking size carefully to fit...or snap in place using coated hair elastics. used, washed when dirty and re-used

[rob62521]

We used to buy soda. We drank it with meals and whenever we became thirsty. I started brewing tea for iced tea and haven't gone back. It is cheaper and healthier as well.

[Gailete]

Back in July I mentioned that I had a partial roll of paper towels. This weekend I finished the roll off as I had bacon twice. My cleaning lady had brought me two ripe, picked off the vine with some dirt still on them tomatoes. I didn't have any lettuces, but those sandwiches of bacon and tomatoe were glorious. I hate anemic tomatoes so the only time I can get good ones is this time of year from friens that grow them. Giving gifts to my cleaning lady when I have an excess, always comes back to bless me with things like fresh eggs, fresh produce and her church (she is Mennonite) comes and sings Christmas carols to use each year Last year she and her girls brought over our Thanksgiving dinner. Not that we expected that but she knows I can no longer deal with putting on a meal like that.

I love magazines, but most of the time I don't find my kind for cheap such as quilting ones. I did get a subscription to BHG Quilting via points and $5 on the AARP website. Usually I think a $25 subscription. I shop the thrift stores for fabric, books and magazines and other craft supplies, so I buy for about 10% of a normal store charge. Anyonre that sees needlecrafting magazines for free or just about on line, please let me know.

While I have always been frugal due to necessity, there were things I wouldn't spend money on before that I do now as I have decided that life is short and as my life is not one filled with fun and travle etc. I treat myself occasionally. If I was going through everything I am with chronic health problems and also trying to be as frugal as possible, there wouldn't be much reason for getting out of bed too many days.

[disneysteve]

I'm crazy about all new products, follow the latest news in the beauty industry

I'd suggest trying to distance yourself from the marketing. Think about where you are learning about the new products and getting the latest news and work on avoiding those sources. If you are on email lists, for example, unsubscribe. If you get any hard copy beauty publications, don't renew them when your current subscription ends.