Creative cost savings ideas

[Gumbo4x4]

Familiar topic, but haven't seen a thread on it in a while. So, here's mine. My retired parents love golf and play in senior scrambles 2-3 time a week. 2 days a week, they get to the course an hour early and bring all the carts out of the charging shed to line them up for the day. In exchange, the golf course lets them play free those days.

Savings: $100 per week. They're considering doing this a 3rd day per week

 

[Jeff_G]

My newest frugal savings tip; Birthday cards are expensive!!!

So take you loved one to the grocery store, swing by the card isle, spend a few minutes picking out the perfect card, hand said card to your love one with a heart felt "happy birthday, i picked this for you".
Your loved one reads the card, then places it back on the shelf. You just saved $4.99 and the environment! Its a win win!

 

[writermommy6]

In exchange for dance/karate or whatever lessons, offer to clean the studio/dojo/instruction room. This goes for gym memberships also. Cleaning crews can cost serious money.
For those with kids, find several parents with older and younger kids and do a clothing/toy swap.

 

[Auntie Sherry]

My newest frugal savings tip; Birthday cards are expensive!!! So take you loved one to the grocery store, swing by the card isle, spend a few minutes picking out the perfect card, hand said card to your love one with a heart felt "happy birthday, i picked this for you". Your loved one reads the card, then places it back on the shelf. You just saved $4.99 and the environment! Its a win win!

I thought I was the only one who did that. Nice to know there are others like me

 

[Freezing Maine Mama]

I go to the dollar store for cards or handmake them. $5 for a card is crazy. My husband mostly doesn't give me cards anymore because he knows I think they are such a waste, but sometimes he still will and it makes me crazy!!! At least he sticks with the dollar or $2 or less cards for the most part.

 

[Eighty8Keys]

I agree about the birthday cards. They are so expensive and it's hard to find good ones. Four years ago I found the perfect card for my DS. I knew he wouldn't hang on to it, so I quietly put it away and brought it out the next year, adding an additional message inside and dating it. This July will be the fifth year with the same card. He and I both still think it's the funniest card. I think I paid $3 for it, so that averages out to 60 cents per year.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

They are only 50cents at the dollar tree. I buy those for family and my kids make them for bday parties for friends.

 

[danygirl]

My brother collects them from the kids after Christmas and uses the same ones each year. Kids are happy because he puts money inside.! He also just puts numbers on the envelopes/ the money is a bit different in each/ the one who gets the most is his "favorite" for the year - and you know every kid wants to be the favorite!