Ways that you save money that you wouldn't tell your neighbors

[jeffrey]

Do you do anything to save money that you wouldn't tell your neighbors? I was talking to a friend that said that she cuts dryer sheets in half and waters down the juice she gives her kids, but she would never admit that to any of her neighbors. It seemed to be pretty tame stuff compared to some of the things I've heard people do, but it got me to thinking. Are there things that you do to save money that you wouldn't tell your neighbors?

[sherylgray]

Everyone is always looking for ways to save money that are easy and don't require a major lifestyle change. And there is nothing to hide about it. The truth is, most money saving tips does require some effort and a little bit of a lifestyle change to accomplish.

[~bs]

i actually stopped using dryer sheets. other than the clothes being a little staticky, i really don't notice the difference.

[disneysteve]

I can't think of anything we do that I'd be embarrassed about. The dryer sheets are a perfect example. We do that too, except we cut them in thirds, not half. What's embarassing about that?

I think it might depend on how you share that info. If you make it sound like you're so poor that you're forced to do that, I could see there being an issue with that. If, however, you present it as beating the marketing gurus at their own game, I'd be quite proud to share that.

[scfr]

The only thing I wouldn't tell my neighbors is that we got a pretty good deal on our house because we paid cash at a time when houses weren't closing because lenders were scared and appraisals were below market. Everything else is fair game ... I think they already know that we are pretty frugal.

[shaggy]

I don't have any embarrassing money-saving methods.

But I wouldn't tell my neighbors my income, because they wouldn't understand that I need to be thrifty at all on my income.

[ShawnaC123]

I probably wouldn't tell them if I was stealing their wifi.

[Blessed]

The only thing I can think of is on occasion if I am the only one home I may urinate in the toilet more than once before flushing.

[disneysteve]

As I was washing out zipper lock bags this morning, it occurred to me that I probably wouldn't go bragging about that.

[debtfreeme]

neighbors

that I line dry laundry year round even in winter?
That I don't use the AC unless it is over 100?
That I cut dryer sheets into quarters and use less than half the laundry soap the bottle says to use?
That I don't use the whole house heater just a little radiator to get to 60 and an electric lap blanket when sitting down and feel chilly?
That I do the swagbucks thing?
That I add extra water to juice/lemonade/crystal light?
That I use my sister's Costco shopping trip to stock up so I don't incur the fee?

[Jerry91]

There is no harm in sharing money saving tips with your neighbours. They may help you with some more tips! That may turn out to be helpful for you. There is harm in letting your neighbours know that you are cautious enough about spending and saving money.

[Mesem]

I have one: Look in the big garbage containers of GameStop or other retail stores for "valued items."

[feh]

Not that I can think of; while we are pretty frugal, I don't think we do anything I'd consider embarrassing.

It all depends on what you consider "embarrassing" also...a couple years ago we bought a new car. A friend of my wife made a comment something to the effect of "must be a bummer to have a car payment again." My wife didn't tell her that we paid cash for it, because she was kind of embarrassed that we had done so when so many other can't/don't.

[Wino]

I can think of nothing I do that I wouldn't tell others. I also rinse the zip-lock bags I use for lunch, Steve. I used to do it at work, and leave them drying behind my desk in plain view. I buy off-brand stuff. I mix my own trail mix. When I tore down my fence after Hurricane Ike damaged it, I re-used old pickets by trimming them, adding a "kick board" at the bottom and re-dog-eared the ones that needed it. I saved about $350 on materials doing that. I use the ashes from my fire pit (no pine) to mix with grass cuttings to make my own compost for re-filling low spots in my yard that appear from time to time.

Of course, here in Dubai, not many opportunities such as above come up, but those are things I've done within 3 years of moving here.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Pretty much everything. A lot of friends don't get savings. I actually have had people tell me you understand how hard it is to save since you "stay at home with the kids." I was like "um no we save the maximum for retirement and college possible." Then I heard that's not possible, it's impossible to save. You must make a lot.

FWIW, we make about half of most friends since most are double income. But after childcare and their spending we just always walk away with more. I realized a long time ago my DH and I don't waste money on stuff like lunches out, we naturally shop around for deals on everything, we watch our pennies on cable, internet, cell phones, don't buy every toy, use the library and never buy clothes. We aren't huge consumers.

So we aren't huge spenders for our income. I can't fathom spending $20 on shoes my kid would wear one month. Or a new dress for every occasion. Or lunch out every day. Or $200/night on a hotel or more. To me a week vacation rental for $1500 is ridiculous. That's my hotel, car, and possibly a good amount of eating out.

But like I said we generally aren't spendy by nature. I know for fact that many friends would flip if they found out how much my DH and I have stashed. I'm a little shocked.