Question

What are little things you do to penny pinch or save money, even if it’s the tiniest amount, that someone else may not necessarily think of? I do some of these ! I recycle to save on how many trash bags I use (and for the environment) Fetch Rewards App - scan literally every receipt to earn points, refer people to earn, and even ask friends and family to save me their receipts and scan those ! Gas buddy - Helps you find local gas stations and tells you prices to help find best deal. Enter gas prices yourself and earn points towards 100$ gas give away. Link bank account to earn cents off gallons Cumberland farms - link account to app to save ten cents a gallon Save every single returnable even ones I bring to work, to get my 5 cents. Use Hannaford rewards and every quarter I end up saving anywhere from 10-20$ on a purchase just for entering my phone number before I scan groceries - also use their app for coupons!  

Answer 1

Wash and reuse ziploc bags and large pieces of aluminum foil as long as they weren't used for meat. Run my dishwasher only when completely full. Repurpose leftovers into a new meal. Avoid unnecessary driving. And probably 20-30 other small things. I live pretty frugally because I'd rather travel, lol.  

Comments

@winterize I unplug everything within reach all of the time. It drives guests nuts but my kids and I are so used to it, plug it in, turn it on. Turn it off unplug it !  

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@markus this works! We bought some surge protectors that came with a switch you could mount by the light switch in the room. Made it super easy to turn things off.  

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@poore great idea for where I’ve got a few things plugged in! Thank you

Answer 2

I save change but that’s it. I don’t go overboard with anything else.  

Answer 3

I build a meal plan. Including all meals, snacks and desserts. Then from that, I build a grocery list and stick to it. Hundreds saved.  

Answer 4

I do Instacart after my part time job and use Fetch. Put them together.  

Answer 5

Now that it’s nice outside again, hang my laundry outside to dry. Surveys in the Caddle app. Air Miles to buy Cineplex gift cards or redeem for garden supplies.  

Answer 6

Always use leftovers. Cut dryer sheets in half. Put on extra clothing to keep heat (thermostat) down.  

Comments

Same! My roommate is great about this too. I won't touch the thermostate unless I have on sweats and thick socks and multiple layers. I'm not extreme but we are just very thoughtful about it.  

Answer 7

Recycle our bottles and cans, use up all of our food vs eating out, limit driving to save on gas, quick showers and limit water for cleaning dishes and such, etc

Answer 8

*On the subject of trash bags. we flatten boxes (cereal, crackers, whatever. these aren't recycled in our area) and never bag them to save on bags used. *I make my own laundry detergent with Zote soap using the recipe on the Zote website. *I make liquid hand soap using one grated bar of (Ivory) soap dissolved in 5-6 cups of very hot water. This saves money AND doesn't dry out my hands. *I hang clothes to dry (outside if possible, but also indoors on hangers in doorways/on shower curtain rods/on a drying rack. *I put aluminium foil in windows (with or without cardboard) to block the sun/summer heat on windows that get the most sun. My husband works 2nd shift, so this helps block light in our bedroom year round, too. We have skylights upstairs and this makes a BIG difference. and without it being cave-like. *I take modified "Navy showers" (water off while soaping up/shaving for the most part). *I use the Fetch, GetUpside, and Gas Buddy apps.  

Comments

@chrystel is the hand soap as easy to make as it sounds?  

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Amy, is the hand soap liquidy?  

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The hand soap is ridiculously easy! Grate the soap while the water heats--don't let it boil or you'll have a mess. Turn off the heat, stir in the grated soap until dissolved, and let it cool enough to handle. After the mixture cools completely it will gel, so I handle it while still barely warm to refill soap pumps and a refill container (Shake these well before the first use). The consistency is not going to be perfect like store-bought, and you can adjust the amount of water used to find a consistency you like so it's not too runny (6 cups of water will not be runny, but won't be thickly gel-like like store-bought). I use Ivory but use what you like, although moisturizing soaps (Dove) may not work as well in the way of the consistency. I wash my hands constantly and had cracked, dry hands since I was a teen. the same time my mom first started buying Softsoap. This doesn't dry out my hands.  

Answer 9

Digital coupons, paper coupons, price match. I carry a zip lock bag for change that we find on the ground (I have found up to $200 in one day. Well it was at a casino elevator).  

Answer 10

I serve what we need from a packet, Eg save a bit of pasta from a 500g bag each time, and every 5 bags that’s a free packet of pasta I’ve saved using. I do this also with packets of crackers or other things that we would eat to use up because a packet is open. I’ve given the kids guidelines on portion sizes for oats for breakfast, Eg 1/3 cup for younger ones and 1/2 cup adult portion. This was primarily to conserve food to not run out earlier, because of corona virus. Squash the toilet paper against the wall to slow down the spin when kids using it. Pre-corona virus. Fuel price app Buying discount vouchers for shopping Freeze one chicken breast when cooking the packet of chicken. Again those add up to provide another meal Loads of things

Answer 11

I’m a solo household and I make regular size recipes and freeze in single servings. I’m pretty sure I don’t have to cook for 2 weeks at this point. ‍

Comments

@fervent I need to be like you! I need to figure out how to master the reheating aspect of this.  

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Katherine, what do you make ahead and freeze?  

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@fervent I do this too!  

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@depone I’ve made lasagna roll ups and froze them, chili, bean soup, etc. I also bought a french loaf once to make garlic bread and only needed 1/2 so sliced the other half and bagged/froze it.  

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@depone I make soups-chili and mini bread loafs and cookie dough and all sorts of things in a jumbo muffin pan. Ifroze some buttermilk today because I can’t use it all right now and I’m going to bake with it but not for a week or so. I freeze grapes and blanched veggies and nuts (not together) in snack size bags so when I use them I have one serving not 6! When I buy bacon or tortillas I separate out what I think I’ll use right away and then make smaller stacks of them for freezer. Separate out chicken breasts for freezing and cut ham or turkey breast into thirds or quarters and freeze individually.  

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@storz34 my BF is a chef. He reheats everything on stove top or in oven/toaster oven. He will not and says he has never used a microwave.  

Answer 12

I have a pantry. In theory I rarely pay full price for what we use. I use digital apps to coupon. Before covid I used the library a lot for free books, magazines and movies

Answer 13

Meal plan AND portion plan! I try to leave the house with a full belly so I’m not tempted to eat out/buy snacks

Comments

I do this too! I also keep a reusable water bottle and a granola bar ALWAYS before I leave the house.  

Answer 14

I don’t use the heat at all in the Winter— unless it’s really cold (I’m in an interesting apartment situation in CT where this is possible). I also use this App where I download things from the App Store, leave them on for three minutes, and then can delete from my phone. It’s around $0. 23 per app and they only release them a few times per day, but I’m at $20 of free money for the past 2 months. ‍♀️

Comments

@markus there is also a Facebook group of people that use it so I asked if anyone can tell me how to uninstall the thing from the beginning. If I find out Sam, I’ll let you know!  

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@storz34 would you be willing to share the group or try to add me? I want to keep using it but I’ve just been skeptical Is all!  

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@markus yes of course! I also went on a googling spree earlier and found some interesting blog posts of other who have used it, I’ll post those here too!  

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@markus this is the group!  

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And this is one of the blog posts.  
https://www.moneyunderthecushion.co...eview

Answer 15

Sounds like you are in upstate NY! I love Cumby's and use Hannaford Rewards as well!  

Comments

@trilbee7860 I’m in Maine!  

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I had no idea there were hannafords up there!  

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@trilbee7860 it’s the only place I grocery shop! And we are loaded with Cumberland farms. There is one if not 2-3 in every town within three hours of me !  

Answer 16

Keep the heat low. Have most of my clothes listed on poshmark for relatively high prices (yes I may love a dress I got at the thrift store for $10, but when I have had it for years and someone offers me $150 for it - well it’s an easy decision). Using grocery bags (try to be eco friendly but I forget reusables sometimes) as garbage bags. PUSH OFF PURCHASES. Instead of buying something in bulk that doesn’t actually save much or extra food that may just go bad, having 300 rolls of toilet paper . etc I focus on more frequent shops with only that in which I need. Saves money as I spend less in the end (it’s easier to use something that’s right there - easier to make things last longer when you haven’t to go buy it again when it’s empty, and makes you realize what you are ok living with out ex. Oops we are out of paper towel. Well instead of buying more , maybe just use a rag for a bit? ) Fill up on gas when it is surprisingly cheap. Love subscription boxes. Don’t love the cost. So I take a few items out of each that I’m not excited about and resell to cover the full cost of the box while still keeping the items I love. So many more but this comment is v long.  

Answer 17

Have you tried coin out? Like fetch, but you can cash out at any time. Let me know if you want a link

Comments

@sentimentality54384would love to know more!  

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@storz34 sending PM

Answer 18

Great tips above. I make wax wraps so I don't need to use foil, food bags or cling film. Saves a lot of money

Comments

@armenta how?  

Answer 19

I used coupons for almost everything in person care items, and I also resell what ever I don’t use.  

Answer 20

I make my own surface cleaners, floor cleaners and will be putting my own hand soap together rather than buy individual cleaners

Answer 21

I really like shop kick. I just started using fetch. I have used Gigwalk in the past, but there are not very many higs available right now

Comments

@bipetalous528 I live for shopkick. I’ve got over 50$ in gift cards right now !  

Answer 22

This is my first month getting started with budgeting & cash envelopes and I'm actually really excited about it :-) Loving all of the useful tips and ideas on here! Some of my penny pinching ways are : I use my bath towels twice - Make my own hummus – much cheaper than purchasing ready made hummus - Use eReader instead of purchasing books - huge money saver for me - Pack a lunch/snack bag with beverages for day trips instead of eating out unnecessarily -Netflix instead of cable - Brew coffee at home -Trim my dogs nails at home - Turn lights out when not in that room - Keep the required minimum amount in my checking account so that I don't have to pay monthly fees

Answer 23

I use GetUpside for gas rewards ranges from . 05-. 20 per gallon back. Doing Instacart as a side hustle to pay off debt. I only play games and surveys that make me money.  

Comments

@inerrable what games make you money?  

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@typescript828 inboxdollars I do offers to play games as well as surveys. I make roughly $30 a month on it but that still adds up in my opinion

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@inerrable yeah that’s great.  

Answer 24

- Online Coupon codes! - Meal plan by shopping my freezer first - buy bulk on sale (25lbs vs 2lbs) - create my own snack packs at home - make my own Clorox wipes - washable dollar tree swifter pads - Cloth napkins - Cloth cleaning towels - buy used stuff online vs new and negotiate - started pressure & water bath canning - I can sew when something needs fixing - growing a massive garden - oh and premise dry mixes for baking - earn more money (more to save! )

Answer 25

What bank are you using that pays 3% on checking? They actually pay less the more money you have? Or maybe I misunderstood. I love the Fetch app! So much easier than some others. And I also use Rakuten. I buy everything I possibly can online so that cash back adds up.  

Comments

@alpert71 it’s a credit union here in the town I grew up in. The more I have in my account the less my interest rate is. Makes sense to me considering the amount of money they would end up dishing out could be a LOT !  

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@markus interesting, I never thought about it like that. We qualify for a higher rate on checking if we have I think $5k average daily balance. But it goes from like . 25% to . 50% or something pretty negligible haha

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@alpert71 haha yeah I mean that’s just my assumption so I make sure to keep right under 10, 000$ in checking now and if a deposit will make it go over that I deposit into savings

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@alpert71 I dint know of one right now. Mine was paying 2. 17 and now it’s down to 1. 36