Frugal Living - how are you managing?

Kika said:
I never liked using paper towels (found them wasteful) and used to tear off just enough for what I needed. I would tear off just a corner to wipe a tiny spill. Then I realized I had a LOT of microfiber cloths that I used for windows and other cleaning. I now use them instead of paper towels. I hand wash them after soaking them in an old Tupperware container and hang them in the shower to dry.

During the pandemic toilet paper was expensive and hard to get at times. I bought a handheld portable bidet from Amazon and reduced TP use immensely.
I continued this practice, and only buy TP to stock up when I find a bargain.

I have stopped going out to restaurants and very much limit ordering delivery.
When my cable bill reached $288/mo, I cancelled it and now have a $25 antenna for live local news, and Netflix and free Hulu along with $74 month internet . It is more than enough for me and a big $$ savings.

I batch cook and freeze. I love soup, and always have portion size containers stacked up in the freezer, labeled and dated.
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Thanks, @Kika! I'm a BIG paper towel user. I must change that. I will consider using those cloths you mentioned (I have some) and washing and reusing. I will also check into the portable bidet. Also, great ideas about batch cooking and freezing!
 

Since this Covid hit, a couple of years ago, we have substantially reduced our "running around". We used to go to the casinos every 3 or 4 weeks....now, we go perhaps once every 3 months. Instead of running to town for every little purchase, we keep a list, and combine everything to shopping about once a week. That way, these ridiculous gas prices have had minimal impact.
A couple of years ago, our old central AC compressor started making a lot of noise, so we had everything replaced with a much more energy efficient unit....the savings on our Summer electric bills will probably pay for the new unit in about 5 years.
Grocery prices have gotten our attention, so we pay close attention to any bargains, and stock up a bit more if we find any.
Overall, our savings have grown nicely, as a result, and we have "adjusted" to a more "stay at home" lifestyle.
 
Geezerette said:
Sounds like people are being very creative in being economical! My 22 year old Subaru Outback gets low gas mileage but not worth spending hundreds at a garage to save $1here and there.So I’ve tried to reduce driving. If I have certain errands to to I try to do them at the closest places, and try to group them in one trip away from home.
Not buying luxury items like for example,Canadian or New England maple syrup at>$7 a bottle, substituting much cheaper dark brown sugar for the hot cereal etc.
Overall,just trying to be thrifty but sometimes it happens that the higher priced item may be actual better for whatever than cheaper store .
I grew up during WWII in a very thrifty home. Family wasn’t hard up for money but had those Yankee penny pincher habits. My SS raise wasn’t enough cover the 18% rent raise I got on Feb.
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Thanks, @Geezerette, for the tips! Grouping your trips to do errands near your home makes a lot of sense. Was thinking of going out today to sell some CDs and books at a thrift bookstore but decided to wait until I needed to do more errands in that area. Just the gas to go and come back would not be enough to offset the sales (they don't pay that much, but I'm trying to declutter - have so many books and CDs!). We were poor growing up and didn't have a car. We walked everywhere. We also never ate outI I remember my father all the time telling us to shut the lights. Sorry that your rent has gone up 18%! I am hoping the 2023 SS hike due to inflation (expected around 9-10%) will help us senior citizens!
 

palides2021 said:
Thanks for the tips! I heard about the frozen foods. Do you think it's good to invest in an extra freezer and store frozen foods? My sister has one, but she has a large family.
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I live alone.. and I have 3 Freezers.. Granted when I got them my husband was here, but now prices have risen so much they're even more handy for me to bulk buy and freeze as much as I can..

I have a tall larder freezer in the Barn.. a Chest freezer in the Shed.. and a Fridge freezer in the Kitchen.. I realise they're costing money to run, but I really feel it the savings far outweigh the cost of the electricity..

It's not just in the price of food but also in the price of fuel, and wear and tear in the car not going out as much for groceries..

With my larders full of canned and packet goods.. If I had to, I could probably live for about 6 weeks just with what's in the house.. and eat well
 
palides2021 said:
Thanks, @Geezerette, for the tips! Grouping your trips to do errands near your home makes a lot of sense. Was thinking of going out today to sell some CDs and books at a thrift bookstore but decided to wait until I needed to do more errands in that area. Just the gas to go and come back would not be enough to offset the sales (they don't pay that much, but I'm trying to declutter - have so many books and CDs!). We were poor growing up and didn't have a car. We walked everywhere. We also never ate outI I remember my father all the time telling us to shut the lights. Sorry that your rent has gone up 18%! I am hoping the 2023 SS hike due to inflation (expected around 9-10%) will help us senior citizens!
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This is precisely what I do..whereas I might have just gone out each day without thinking about it.. I think about where I should do my shopping.. for example..if I have donations to drop off at a Charity shop.. and I have to get Fuel.. and I also have to buy groceries .. I think about which town has all those things, and do it all in one outing.., and even when I might be going out for the day, I'll often do my shopping on the return journey to save me going out again the next day..

We were also very poor growing up.. and like you we were always getting told to turn lights off etc.. , we also walked everywhere, or took a bus if it was a long disttance. My father did have a couple of cars at one stage, but he would have been appalled if we'd asked for a ride to school or town.. and wouldn't have allowed it.. so I do know how to squeeze a penny.. if I have to...
 
I am lucky that everything I need is nearby but I still group my errands when I go out. I just filled up the car, I only need to do this every 3 months or so. You can tell by that alone that I don't go far or often. I can walk anywhere if I need to for now, it gives me peace of mind. With groceries, pharmacies, library, post office, a mall, restaurants, fast food in walking distance. The big thing is my vet is about a mile away. The two littles don't like to walk on a leash, the big boy likes to walk me (or pull me down) that is a tricky thing. If they have to go, an emergency and I can't drive for some reason, I call the son.
 
I'm from Canada and folks around here are all living "high of that proverbial hog." They line up at Tim Horton's every morning running their cars and burning gas. Seems everyone has huge homes, drives big 4X4 gas guzzling monster trucks. Alot of em' have cottages by the lake. Many of them folks also have 2 snowmobiles in the winter and 2 personal water craft for the summer. Why you ask? Well, one for him and one for her. At $12,000 each the dealers are smiling all the way to the bank. Everyone yaking on expensive cell phone with an expensive carrier. Sure some folks are beginning to suffer but if you live in Canada you might think that this is the Northern edition of the "rich and famous" living in Hollywood.

Problem is that almost all of them are living on credit cards. In the end, the rising interest rates will give them an education like they never had.

Me, I'm doing fine. I live in an apartment, eat little since I don't have much of an appetite, car is paid off, I never pay interest on my credit cards and I like my little nest egg in the bank. LOL Life is good and let that bank interest rate rise and rise; just like that lucky ole' sun every morning.
 
Packerjohn said:
I'm from Canada and folks around here are all living "high of that proverbial hog." They line up at Tim Horton's every morning running their cars and burning gas. Seems everyone has huge homes, drives big 4X4 gas guzzling monster trucks. Alot of em' have cottages by the lake. Many of them folks also have 2 snowmobiles in the winter and 2 personal water craft for the summer. Why you ask? Well, one for him and one for her. At $12,000 each the dealers are smiling all the way to the bank. Everyone yaking on expensive cell phone with an expensive carrier. Sure some folks are beginning to suffer but if you live in Canada you might think that this is the Northern edition of the "rich and famous" living in Hollywood.

Problem is that almost all of them are living on credit cards. In the end, the rising interest rates will give them an education like they never had.

Me, I'm doing fine. I live in an apartment, eat little since I don't have much of an appetite, car is paid off, I never pay interest on my credit cards and I like my little nest egg in the bank. LOL Life is good and let that bank interest rate rise and rise; just like that lucky ole' sun every morning.
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I'm also looking forward to the bank interest rate rising!
 
HarryHawk said:
It may be a long wait. If interest is a concern, you may want to look into Treasury Bills. They mature in weeks and are currently paying 2.5 - 3.25. Once you set up your account, they are easy to purchase and redeem. They are just as safe as money in the bank, maybe more so.
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We used to get Treasury Bills in the past. Will check into them. I found a few banks around here that pay 3% but longterm (over 3 years).
 
Avoid buying into the American way of going into constant debt. I live in Santa Clara County aka Silicon Valley, one of the most expensive areas in the nation. Live in a 60s era 2 story 2 bdrm 4-plex townhouse with poor wall insualtion. Yet have lived 5+ years since retiring on my monthly SS benefit check without using any of my bank saving/assets.

Many people at all economic levels eat out for many meals from restaurants and fast food to convenience stores. Much cheaper buying from supermarkets, especially low cost markets, and preparing one's own food, snacks, meals. And what about your meat every meal habit? Or daily alcohol/cigarettes/drugs/gambling? Not good for your health or pocketbook.

Also many are addicted to a list of telecom services, especially tv. Also energy costs of warming/cooling one's residence and lighting/appliances that really don't need to be turned on 24/7. Use open or closed windows/doors times of day to control temperature. Wear warm clothes in winter. Many people only go on expensive package vacations. There are plenty of inexpensive alternatives for leisure and vacations.

David: Never wealthy, never ever in debt. Summer AC and winter heating turned of for 2 decades. Electric/gas bill about $40/month. Only Internet access and web hosting telecom bill as in no cable/streaming, cheap telephone service.
 
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David777 said:
Avoid buying into the American way of going into constant debt. I live in Santa Clara County aka Silicon Valley, one of the most expensive areas in the nation. Live in a 60s era 2 story 2 bdrm 4-plex townhouse with poor wall insualtion. Yet have lived 5+ years since retiring on my monthly SS benefit check without using any of my bank saving/assets.

Many people at all economic levels eat out for many meals from restaurants and fast food and convenience stores. Much cheaper buying from supermarkets, especially low cost markets, and preparing one's own food, snacks, meals. And what about your meat every meal habit? Or daily alcohol/cigarettes/drugs/gambling? Not got for your health or pocketbook.

Also many are addicted to a list of telecom services, especially tv. Also energy costs of warming/cooling one's residence and lighting/appliances that really don't need to be turned on 24/7. Use open or closed windows/doors times of day to control temperature. Wear warm clothes in winter. Many people only go on expensive package vacations. There are plenty of inexpensive alternatives for leisure and vacations.

David: Never wealthy, never ever in debt. Summer AC and winter heating turned of for 2 decades. Electric/gas bill about $40/month. Only Internet access and web hosting telecom bill as in no cable/streaming, cheap telephone service.
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You still need to go get that hernia fixed, self care should be at the top of the list!
 
David777 said:
Avoid buying into the American way of going into constant debt. I live in Santa Clara County aka Silicon Valley, one of the most expensive areas in the nation. Live in a 60s era 2 story 2 bdrm 4-plex townhouse with poor wall insualtion. Yet have lived 5+ years since retiring on my monthly SS benefit check without using any of my bank saving/assets.

Many people at all economic levels eat out for many meals from restaurants and fast food and convenience stores. Much cheaper buying from supermarkets, especially low cost markets, and preparing one's own food, snacks, meals. And what about your meat every meal habit? Or daily alcohol/cigarettes/drugs/gambling? Not got for your health or pocketbook.

Also many are addicted to a list of telecom services, especially tv. Also energy costs of warming/cooling one's residence and lighting/appliances that really don't need to be turned on 24/7. Use open or closed windows/doors times of day to control temperature. Wear warm clothes in winter. Many people only go on expensive package vacations. There are plenty of inexpensive alternatives for leisure and vacations.

David: Never wealthy, never ever in debt. Summer AC and winter heating turned of for 2 decades. Electric/gas bill about $40/month. Only Internet access and web hosting telecom bill as in no cable/streaming, cheap telephone service.
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Great tips, @David777! I don't eat that much meat and no alcohol/cigarettes/drugs/gambling! have not been in debt for over 25 years now. Paid off our home. But this last year has set me back - a leak in the basement with a 10,000 dollar insurance deductible, losses in the stock market (oh boy!), unexpected dental costs, helping family members in need, and having to finance my son's last year college education (40,000/yr). As a result, I have made a concentrated effort to stop the "bleeding of money."
 
Hate to say it but you should not be helping family members in need. They have lived a life above their means, I am not bailing them out, they should have saved enough to be prepared. You should not be financially supporting your son's college. I did pay for my son's college education but I could do it outright. I would never take on a debt to do it.

We are at the age where we have to be careful. There is not room enough in the budget to take care of others. It is also beneficial to them, they will learn what it is to stuggle and that leads to financial responsibility. It can be a hard lesson but sometimes needed to learn.
 
palides2021 said:
I read somewhere once about a guy who insulated his home so much that he didn't need to use any a/c or heating during the seasons
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Yeah, that's us
In summer, we close it all up in the morn
and open everything in the evening
Stays cool 24/7

Blew lotsa insulation into the attic last summer
Big big dif in winter heating bills
Heat goes up...and out if it can

Our monthly bill is on annual average (steady as she goes),
but I still keep an eye on the usage vs last year's
 
Blessed said:
Hate to say it but you should not be helping family members in need. They have lived a life above their means, I am not bailing them out, they should have saved enough to be prepared. You should not be financially supporting your son's college. I did pay for my son's college education but I could do it outright. I would never take on a debt to do it.

We are at the age where we have to be careful. There is not room enough in the budget to take care of others. It is also beneficial to them, they will learn what it is to stuggle and that leads to financial responsibility. It can be a hard lesson but sometimes needed to learn.
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I understand your concern, @Blessed. But like you, I was able to do it (finance my son's education). No debt. I'm at the stage now where I just want to slow down on giving to others and focus on me and my needs.
 
Kika said:
That is exactly where I am right now. After many years of helping family members and some friends, I have decided that it is time for me now. My new rapid response is: "I'm sorry, I wish I could help, but I can't right now."
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This so timely for us right now. Just this morning a relative that we have been supporting for years was told that we could no longer support him, and that he better find a way to BUDGET!!
 
hollydolly said:
I live alone.. and I have 3 Freezers.. Granted when I got them my husband was here, but now prices have risen so much they're even more handy for me to bulk buy and freeze as much as I can..

I have a tall larder freezer in the Barn.. a Chest freezer in the Shed.. and a Fridge freezer in the Kitchen.. I realise they're costing money to run, but I really feel it the savings far outweigh the cost of the electricity..

It's not just in the price of food but also in the price of fuel, and wear and tear in the car not going out as much for groceries..

With my larders full of canned and packet goods.. If I had to, I could probably live for about 6 weeks just with what's in the house.. and eat well
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I’m not being critical…..for only being one person…..you have a huge inventory of food…..must last you much more than 6 weeks.
 
Gary O' said:
If you own your house;
Insulate

Food:
Bulk, canned, frozen
Garden....big time (if you can)

Most everybody can do this;
Eat at home
...and when you do, finish those leftovers

Nothing much more expensive than;
driving to the store
buying the food
driving it home
putting it in the fridge
eating half of it
putting the rest back in the fridge
throwing that away a week later

Oh, and if you can;
Hang yer clothes on the line
Dryer time is expen$ive
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We are not allowed to hang clothes outside:) but even if I could that is one thing I would not do. Too many wet Mondays in and out with the washing. Too many reminders of hanging out the clothes to dry, ironing them, then airing them. oh my goodness:ROFLMAO: and I hadn't even left home.
 

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