[Shannon]

I’d love to hear your most unhinged frugal money saving hacks. Getting myself motivated again to get back on track

We all know the basics of frugal living – cutting back on unnecessary expenses, cooking at home, etc. But what are the wildest and most unexpected money-saving hacks you’ve discovered or used?

Maybe it’s a quirky method for stretching your budget or a clever DIY solution that’s worked wonders.

Whether it’s a secret thrift-store find or an unconventional trick for saving on everyday purchases, we want to hear about it!

Share your most unique and effective tips for saving money in ways that others might never think of.

Let’s inspire each other to get even more creative with our finances!

[Annette]

I think the most important thing is to understand the difference between need and want.

It is a lifestyle, not a hack.

[Darla]

Use what you have, first.
Always shop your inventory.
I’ve put A LOT of upfront time to meal planning for 30 days at a time.

I feed a family of 4 adults for $400/month eating a very healthy diet.

Needs vs. wants. There is very little that we need.
Buy nothing groups.

Capsule wardrobe. This was very freeing for me.

I’m minimal-ish. By following minimalism, I’m very discretionary on what we buy.

[Maria]

Give and you will receive! My buy nothing group is my biggest blessing! I give things that could be sold, but in return I receive so much anc I find joy in these interactions with my community!

[Patty]

Get ready for some long reading. Lol
This is what I do.

1.) Anything I can reuse, I do!! From aluminum foil to zip lock baggies to parchment paper. As long as it isn’t nasty, crusty, or had raw meat in it, I’ll wash and reuse.

2) I have jugs I use to catch my water in while it’s heating to hot. No way am I wasting all that water and watching that money go down the drain!! I use that water to water plants, to pour into pans if I need to cook with water.

I use it to fill my coffee reservoir, etc. DONT LET THAT WATER RUN DOWN THE DRAIN WHILE WAITING FOR IT TO GET HOT. You will be amazed how much you will save on your water bill.

3.) Military showers. On the days I have to wash my hair (I have very thick hair) I only have the water running in the shower long enough to wet my hair and body.

I then shut off the water. Lather whatever area I’m fixing to wash. Turn the water back on long enough to rinse that area off.

Then shut the water off and begin the next the sequence of lathering. Again, saves so much water.

3) ON shower scrubbing days, I keep a container in the shower to catch the water I’m using to shower with.

I then use that water with whatever cleanser I choose to clean my shower with. Keeps from having to run more water just to clean with.

4)I absolutely have to have paper towels. I cannot just use cloth for towels. So, I use half a towel at a time. From napkins to cleaning. I only use half a towel.

5) I use 2 tablespoons of laundry detergent per load. I do a small squirt of Dawn also. I use vinegar instead of fabric softener.

I love Tide. It’s pricey. But using 2 tablespoons, it justifies the price because it lasts forever. And my clothes are very clean and smell great and fresh.

6) I don’t use my dryer very often. I use my clothing racks to hang my clothes to dry.

7)I only wash my clothes in cold. I have “tap cold” option on my washer. Using the just “cold” option, allows for hot water to be mixed with cold.

This ensures that I’m not using up unnecessary gas using my water heater. My gas bill will add up using it for laundry. I will use hot water for towels and sheets, though.

I use only Dawn and fels-naptha for stain remover on my clothes. Cheap and effective.

9) I don’t buy special cleaning products. I use Dawn, windex, baking, soda, and vinegar for most of my cleaning.

10) I can and vacuum seal anything I can. I don’t purposely waste food or leftovers. I try to use everything. However, if you have a family, there is always some waste.

11) I have a small side hustle that earns me some spending money.

12) I make most of my meals from scratch.

From bread to pancakes to meals and desserts. Anything that keeps me from buying convenience and to much processed foods, I do at home. However, we do enjoy an occasional fun junk meal at home.

I have more things I do to stretch my dollars and pennies, but I’m tired of typing

[Terry]

I eat out maybe once per year and always pay myself first before paying bills.

The rest becomes a game to see if I have some left before the next check.

[Johnson]

Find some side hustles
Cloth feminine products
Or a diva cup
Don’t use your dryer

Your electric bill will go down
Where is your written budget
Pack a lunch

Take your coffee
No eating out

Cleaning supplies from the Dollar store
Drink water
Not soda or other juices

[Laura]

-I stopped buying plates and disposable cups.
-I am working on getting rid of my disposable utensils for work lunch.

-I put fabric towels in my Lysol container with my own disinfecting mix instead of buying disposable.

-Stopped using disposable dryer sheets.

-refilling the liquid in my power Swiffer mop with my own mix instead of buying another bottle.

[Chelsea]

I measure and portion out our meals. It drives my husband up the wall, but if it were up to him.. we’d never have leftovers for another meal.

No reason for a pound of meat to only last one dinner.

Also, I extreme coupon when I can. Best deal I scored was $30 before and $6 after discounts.

[Marsha]

Eat at home, cook from scratch, eat more beans and less meat, don’t hang out online looking for sales (only shop for something you need right now), look for sales at the grocery store, and plan meals around that, cook more than you need to eat right then and freeze, plant a garden and can or freeze produce, shop thrift stores first for clothes, and scale down your wardrobe needs.

I buy black and navy pants and a few tops that go. I only wear the good clothes when going in public.

I use a drying rack for what I can, and save up laundry and not doing it till I have a full load.

[Vicki]

Use a Walmart app for pick up or delivery. No more impulsive buying. Stay off retail apps.

[Patricia]

Except for absolute necessities (milk, eggs, bread, shampoo, conditioner) I only buy on sale items!!

I buy a couple of extra when on sale

[Lana]

Start using cloth wipes for “number ones” and/or get a bidet. Switch to cloth dinner napkins (get individual napkin rings so everyone in the family knows which napkin is theirs if you don’t want to buy 28 cloth napkins for a family of four).

Keep cloth rags or kitchen washcloths handy and use them for non-oily spills and liquid cleanups.

You’ll save a ton of money on paper products and do the planet a favor.

[Nancy]

Use meat as seasoning instead of main dish on every plate. Chicken is a good deal if you buy 10 pounds of leg quarters

[Connie]

We ALL need to get back on track. It sounds like groceries will be going up soon.

[Wendy]

Get the Tightwad Gazette book at the library and read it – tons of great ideas to save money

[Kathy]

Use what you have
Don’t buy anything unless your going to use it don’t waste food

[Desiree]

I always slice up cucumbers and put it in pickle jars that are out of pickles.

I add carrots and celery too.

[Brittney]

Delete these apps off your phone so you aren’t tempted to spend: Amazon, Uber eats, etc.

[Lisa]

Do not try to keep up with the Jones’s. Which is hard when you have people nearby that get a new car every year, buy their kids ridiculous gifts, and new shoes every other day.

My security is in having a nest egg, a retirement, and the funds to travel and make memories with my child and family.

I think I’m to the point now where I’m really thinking about overconsumption and the amount of burden having too much stuff takes. Less really is more.

[Shawna]

I live in Arkansas. It’s pollen season. I’ve been opening all of the windows at night, letting it get cold in the house, then closing it up tight in the morning to keep it cool.

I’m cleaning pollen in the house but my HVAC has been turned off so both my electric and my gas bills are at an all time low.

Soon the AC will run constantly, so I’m enjoying the low bills while they last.

[Jacky]

When I open say a box of pasta, jar of spaghetti sauce, etc. I plan to use it all up on a couple of meals.

This way stuff does not sit in the pantry unused.

[Heather]

I hang up clothes to dry in my apartment, except for bedding and towels sometimes and except during summer heat waves.

I reuse plastic food containers. I never buy pop or juice except the frozen cans once in awhile. I never by individual yoghurt containers, only the larger container.

Plan to do activities and in same area of city on same day one after another to save on gas. Walk to stores etc whenever you can instead of driving.

I live within my means, do not make larger purchases until I’ve saved enough for them (ie, a newer used car, a trip) and pay off credit card monthly.

[Lenora]

I make my own FeBOOZE. Equal amounts of cheap vodka and water in a spray bottle. Can add a few drops of scented oil if you wish. And no I’ve never stained anything with it.

I don’t use it that often but sometimes something I’ve cooked is smoky/fishy/whatever and it’s great to spritz around the air.

Make my own garbage disposal cleaner, and I’m getting ready to make my own stain remover when I run out of my store bought

[Author]

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