Tell Us Your Tightwad Secrets!!

[goinback]

Keep these tips comin!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hallie615]

Like this thread!

I swear by Shout Color-catcher sheets. I can was darks and lights together and do fewer loads. Love it!

I never heard of these what are they???? No matter what I wash clothes in they seem to fade.

 

[hallie615]

Question some of your bills to see if discounts are offered. Yesterday I called our local newspaper regarding mom's subscription renewal. The bill was for 1 year, am/pm/weekend service = $189. I called the newspaper and said that I would like to know of any discounts available. The operator stated that if I paid the bill in full right then with a credit/debit card that she could cut the bill in half! So, we dropped the pm paper (mom doesn't read it anyway), got the 50% discount and ended up saving $107!!! I usually renew for one year in order to avoid any price increases too.

I did this a few months ago for myself and got the same discount for the newspaper. Mom's cable is also under a discount program (which should be ending soon...) that I asked about. I think it's currently cutting her cable by about $15/mth if I remember correctly. In a few weeks I'll call them again to see if we can roll her into another discount.

Thanks for the idea. I just got off the phone with our newspaper company. I was paying 15.21 for 13 weeks of the Sunday paper. I only get it for the coupons . Now I will be paying 11.38. Gotta love it. I never understand why they don't just give you a good price from the start.

 

[lg3]

I never heard of these what are they???? No matter what I wash clothes in they seem to fade.

I have been using them for at least a year or more now. I used to have so many loads: warm darks, warm lights, cold darks, cold lights, towels, delicates, etc. Now I can put dark and light clothes together and as long as I throw in the color-catcher sheet into the washer the colors never bleed into one-another. It really works - It took me a while to really trust it with a load of whites and say, a red shirt, but now I don't think twice about it and have never had a problem. Just don't forget to throw one in! You buy them in the laundry aisle near the fabric softeners, etc. Here is the link if it works: http://www.shoutitout.com/preserve-colors.aspx

 

[kaddjr]

Don't Use Coupons!
I am sure your first response is WHAT? So let me explain.

I clip coupons every Sunday from our newspaper. My wife makes our weekly meal plan and then I go do the shopping. I usually end up taking about 10 coupons and usually use 2-4. Buy store brand. The store brand still maybe cheaper than the name brand that has a coupon that that saves you a $1.

I live in an area that has triple coupons to .50¢ and doubles to $1.00, limit two like coupons. Combined w/a good sale, I get plenty of free or cheap things. DH picks up left over Sunday papers from a gas station on his way to work. The gal there just takes what she needs off the paper for credit. She's happy because she doesn't have to lug them out to the dumpster and we're happy to get the extra coupons. When I need to use more than two of one coupon, DH goes through the line too.

 

[C.Ann]

Buy a "forever" coffee filter - don't buy the one-use disposable ones..

99% of non-brand name items are every bit as good (sometimes better) than brand name..

Cut up old tee shirts for cleaning rags..

When towels, wash cloths, or dish towels get "raggy", cut them up for cleaning rags..

Save your slivers of hand/bath soaps.. Melt them in a can set in a pan of water on the stove.. Pour them in molds and you have a new bar of soap..

Unwrap your bars of soap as soon as you purchase them - they'll last longer..

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Way too late at night to think of anymore right now..

 

[Carter'sMommy]

Unwrap your bars of soap as soon as you purchase them - they'll last longer..

Please explain this to me...

 

[mommiepoppins]

my dh has used a napkin as a coffee filter when he has ran out

 

[OceanAnnie]

Buy a "forever" coffee filter - don't buy the one-use disposable ones..

99% of non-brand name items are every bit as good (sometimes better) than brand name..

Cut up old tee shirts for cleaning rags..

When towels, wash cloths, or dish towels get "raggy", cut them up for cleaning rags..

Save your slivers of hand/bath soaps.. Melt them in a can set in a pan of water on the stove.. Pour them in molds and you have a new bar of soap..

Unwrap your bars of soap as soon as you purchase them - they'll last longer..

----------------------

Way too late at night to think of anymore right now..

Now you have me thinking. I could use some holiday (Halloween, Christmas) molds, add a drop of food coloring and that would be some fun soap for the kids. Hmmm.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I drive with my windows up and don't use the air conditioner. (Yes, I live in southern Arizona. Temp today was 110F). Vents only. I only do this when I'm alone in the car.

Surely you mean with your windows, down!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Don't Use Coupons!
I am sure your first response is WHAT? So let me explain.

I clip coupons every Sunday from our newspaper. My wife makes our weekly meal plan and then I go do the shopping. I usually end up taking about 10 coupons and usually use 2-4. Buy store brand. The store brand still maybe cheaper than the name brand that has a coupon that that saves you a $1.

I agree with this! I use coupons only if it comes out cheaper than the store brand. Also, I always plan what we are eating for the week by what is on sale.

 

[ANNFMUR]

sub

 

[NicRI]

Don't take your children grocery shopping. I always walk out with stuff that's not on my list if the kids (or DH is there).

Heck, I try to shop alone.... No kids or husband and after I've just eaten. I'm sure to walk out with just what's on my list.

 

[*MickeyFan*]

Bumping

 

[mama2girls]

Not a secret but using the grocery game has REALLY helped my grocery bill. I have saved over $1000 since I started doing it last summer. I LOVE getting stuff for free too!

And I have already enjoyed one free 12 week cycle from referrals!

(Anyone want a referral, PM me!)

what is the grocery game??
nm...found the answer!!

 

[TNKBELL]

what is the grocery game??

www.grocerygame.com

 

[tl_swift]

Turned off cable TV and subscribed to NetFlix 3 at-a-time (Unlimited) program for $17.99. Alot cheaper than cable and we get to watch what we want. My friends and I also trade around movies/kid shows that we own. Listen to the news on radio, read newspapers online.

 

[writersblock42]

My biggest money saver tip is to watch prices carefully. I try to memorize good prices for the things that I purchase often. Do not believe that just because it is Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or even the surplus store that they will have the best price. And don't think just because you buy it in bulk that it is cheaper than purchasing the small packages. For instance, at Wal-Mart the other day the smaller boxes of Raisin Bran were cheaper per ounce than the huge box. Also we love the dollar tree and can find great little finds there. In fact, I purchased some glow sticks there to pull out when my son wants to buy them during the fireworks at Disney. I did that for the fireworks on the fourth of July as well. However, the dollar store will sell things like one bar of soap for a dollar-so we are careful.
We also avoid compulsive purchases. If we go to any type of event, we pack our own water to avoid buying some from the vendors. I try to avoid fast food, and going out to eat but that doesn't always happen.

 

[carissanboys]

bump

 

[mommiepoppins]

I was watching the travel channer and a person said" paying full price is for chumps" I have to agree. I always price compare and I love a clearence sale..