Sneaky things you do to save money without your family knowing

[angierae]

Mine, too. In his defense, I will say that he's often found things in the trash that weren't intended to be thrown away. Like DD's eyeglasses that fell off her bedside table into the trash pail... since that episode, he's very vigilant in checking trash before it goes out and that's his reason. My kids are a little careless and sloppy, so I can't blame him, but it bugs me. I've gotten in the habit of saying things like "I threw out a pair of socks today because they had holes." just to avoid a later "Did you mean to throw out..." inquiry.

It's a family thing: During my MIL/FIL's first dinner party as a newlywed, someone accidentally threw out one of the sterling silver forks from her grandmother's wedding gift/set. My FIL had to go to the apartment dumpster and retrieve the trashbag, then search the trash. After that, my MIL never let the trash leave the house until she had counted all the utensils.

Wow. I understand that he has the best of intentions, but that would really trip my buttons, logical or not.

 

[ilovejack02]

If I tried switching brand by pouring cereal or anything else in a brand name box that DH likes I'd get caught unless I got rid of the genric box an throwing it in garbage would not work cause dh has been known to go thru garbage to see what I thru out that day. I'd have to throw the box in neighbors garbage can.

That is a whole other thread I think .. WHAT ?? LOL opps I didn't mean for that to come out so big !!

I see the it has been discussed... SMH... that would annoy the FIRE out of me.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

I can't imagine having my spouse go through the trash before letting me throw it out. That's crazy and if he is doing it for hoarder reasons that is almost as bad as trust issues.

For those who think most generic things are just name brand products with different labels, I call BS. Almost ALL generic items are of different quality than name brand items. They are cheaper because they are made more cheaply with lesser quality ingredients. Show me PROOF that my name brand cereal is made at the same factory as your generic cereal. Try some generic waffles then eat some Eggo waffles and tell me there's no difference. Try some generic bread and tell me there's no difference. I have found canned vegetables to be of similar quality to brand name but green beans are green beans. They grow the same. There's not really a better quality green bean in my opinion.

I will buy generic over the counter meds and even generic prescription meds but when it comes to household items and food products I rarely buy generic.

I would never sneak generic food into brand name bottles. If I wanted my family to use generic products that is what I would buy and put on the shelf or in the fridge.

Watering down milk is gross and cooking eggs in the dishwasher is gross as well. It doesn't take a lot of energy to boil eggs for 10 minutes. That seems about as whacky to me as dividing two ply toilet paper into one ply like some of those weirdos on talk shows do to show how frugal they are.

I am given our monthly food budget and if I spend it all then there's nothing left but if I save money then that is extra money I put in the savings account for our vacations. There's no sneaking here. Full disclosure.

 

[MickeyManiac]

Try some generic bread and tell me there's no difference.

My DBIL works for Wonder Bread. They also make store brand bread for several different stores in the same factory, using the same ingredients. The only difference is they mark the store brands with a longer "sell by date" so it sits on the shelf a little longer and isn't as fresh.

 

[SaraJayne]

Funny I remember DH buying a cheaper brand of hotdogs for my then 2 yr old she did not see the package but took 1 bite spit it out handed her plate back to me an said NASTY you eat it.

If I tried switching brand by pouring cereal or anything else in a brand name box that DH likes I'd get caught unless I got rid of the genric box an throwing it in garbage would not work cause dh has been known to go thru garbage to see what I thru out that day. I'd have to throw the box in neighbors garbage can.

Wait, what? Your husband goes through your GARBAGE?? WTH?

 

[SaraJayne]

Instead of watering down your laundry detergent and cleaners, why not just use less? Or use a 50/50 solution of vinegar for cleaning/disinfecting and water with a few drops of dishsoap for cleaning? I only use that to clean counters, the kitchen, etc with. I refuse to add more costly chemicals to our grocery bill. I do, however, use the bathroom cleaners, I haven't found anything that works as good for us.

I also buy generic when I can, use coupons, etc. We also don't buy crackers and juice often (maybe once a month or so) because its so processed and full of things my kids don't need from snack food. They are special treats instead of regular items. Limiting costly items can save money too

That's what I was wondering. Instead of diluting the cleaning power (which means it doesn't do the job it's supposed to), I just use less.

Watering down milk is disgusting. Blech.

 

[AnnieDroid]

Try some generic waffles then eat some Eggo waffles and tell me there's no difference.

I personally can't stand Eggo waffles..never liked them. I've loved every store brand waffle I've had, though.

I think generic vs. name brand is sort of a case-by-case basis, for me anyway. Especially when it comes to food, it depends on if the brand tastes better or if they're comparable AND the amount you are getting for the price. The generic cinnamon toast crunch at my store is cheaper than the brand, but you get way less than in the smallest brand box. If you buy the biggest brand box at a certain store you get the best deal for the volume of cereal. Sometimes you have to look at how much product you are getting for your dollar, too.

 

[luvmy3]

I have found canned vegetables to be of similar quality to brand name but green beans are green beans. They grow the same. There's not really a better quality green bean in my opinion.

Funny you mention green beans. The only thing I remember from the one business class I took in HS was that generic green beans will have more end cuts because they use the same beans as the name brands, but the name brands won't put alot of the ends in theirs.
I buy certain generic things because I actually like them better than name brand items. I don't do it just to save money because sometimes that backfires because of the poor quality. Once I tried the generic papertowels that were on sale, but they were so thin and fell apart that I used 2 or 3 for every 1 bounty I would have used. They were a complete waste of money, so back to bounty it is.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

My DBIL works for Wonder Bread. They also make store brand bread for several different stores in the same factory, using the same ingredients. The only difference is they mark the store brands with a longer "sell by date" so it sits on the shelf a little longer and isn't as fresh.

That makes sense but Wonder Bread is a cheap bread. They don't repackage good bread and sell it off as cheap.

 

[Evi]

I put the store brand tylenol in a tylenol bottle because my husband swears the generic stuff isn't the same...

thats because its not the same. really ask your pharmacist they are not exactly the same they use the same primary ingredients but are not always manufactured the same. Also check where they are made alot of meds are being made overseas.

 

[robsmom]

It's a family thing: During my MIL/FIL's first dinner party as a newlywed, someone accidentally threw out one of the sterling silver forks from her grandmother's wedding gift/set. My FIL had to go to the apartment dumpster and retrieve the trashbag, then search the trash. After that, my MIL never let he trash leave the house until she had counted all the utensils.

I grew up with a mother who made us always count the good silverware after a holiday or event for just this reason. A few years back, I was assisting with clean-up at my aunt's after Christmas dinner. I started counting silverware and end up with 13 folks instead of 12. Counted again and still 13. I went through them one by one and found a fork that did not match but was definitely silver. I went on to find 2 extra matching spoons, a knife and a service piece that all matched. When i was done, I took them to my Aunt and she did not recognize them, but my cousin immediately did. They all came from my cousin's house. Apparently she had a party and borrowed her Mom's silver to use along with her own and some got mixed up. This was a year or more later but neither had ever counted it. My mother chimed in to say, and this is why you count your silver every time you use it!

 

[luvmy3]

That makes sense but Wonder Bread is a cheap bread. They don't repackage good bread and sell it off as cheap.

$3.29 a loaf is cheap?

 

[MickeyManiac]

$3.29 a loaf is cheap?

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

[juliebug]

i buy mid grade gas while dh always says we need premium in the car!

 

[erinmomof2]

thats because its not the same. really ask your pharmacist they are not exactly the same they use the same primary ingredients but are not always manufactured the same. Also check where they are made alot of meds are being made overseas.

I worked in the pharmacy for a while. When I was in school getting training they said almost all generic medicines were made by the brand companies. I know for a fact that the generic tylenol sold where I worked was made by the same place that tylenol was made. I always by generic meds now.

 

[kellia]

When dh and I first got married, I bought store brand cereals, crackers, etc. and put them in name brand boxes. He insisted name brands tasted better, but never noticed until I told him. Now he's gotten used to it and doesn't care! He was OCD about Jet Dry for a while. I started using vinegar in the dishwasher and had to tell him it was a new, clear kind! After a while, I told him and now he's fine with it.

Anyone got any substitutions for Maxwell House Master Blend coffee? I just don't seem to be getting any coupons for that and it has gotten really high around here. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I can't judge!

As for hard boiled eggs in the dishwasher, please tell me that isn't while you have soap in there and are washing dishes! Aren't you going to make someone sick when the detergent soaks through the shell??

 

[DisneyBill]

Please tell me this is a joke...

Nope, real deal. It won't work on a short cycle though. Cook when you clean and refrigerate the eggs for when needed.

 

[Sandy61]

I like the Walmart tuna much better than name brands. I never used to be able to eat off brand tuna until I got fed up one day because the name brand tuna was tiny flakes floating in a bunch of water. ok maybe a little exaggeration. Walmart tuna is really good and no I don't try to hide it somehow.

I did put store brand salsa into my DS21 salsa jars years ago because he was eating gallons of the stuff and only liked the expensive brands. We joked with him about buying him a gallon jug of it for his birthday. Have you tried Cookie's salsa? Fantastic and I don't care how much it is.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I like the Walmart tuna much better than name brands. I never used to be able to eat off brand tuna until I got fed up one day because the name brand tuna was tiny flakes floating in a bunch of water. ok maybe a little exaggeration. Walmart tuna is really good and no I don't try to hide it somehow.

I did put store brand salsa into my DS21 salsa jars years ago because he was eating gallons of the stuff and only liked the expensive brands. We joked with him about buying him a gallon jug of it for his birthday. Have you tried Cookie's salsa? Fantastic and I don't care how much it is.

My favorite is Great Value black bean and corn.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I make my own laundry soap and cleaners ( only using ammonia, rubbing alcohol and water for cleaning). We have a large house and 3 kids so I do alot of cleaning and this has saved me hundreds.