Some people are perfectly happy paying full price without checking if there is a discount code. Others would sooner walk into the sea. They have been called cheap and difficult, but through another lens, they have been called debt-free, financially stable, and occasionally smug about it, which is their right.
The online frugal living community is large and evangelical about its methods. But these are not people who are struggling. These are people who made a decision that the default way of spending money is a trap, and then built an entirely different system around that belief.
Some of their hacks are brilliant. Some are the kind of thing you read and think "I could never" before doing it anyway six weeks later when the credit card bill arrives. All of them are worth knowing. People flooded to the internet to share their most proudly frugal ways of living, and the thread delivered everything from grocery strategies to life philosophies. You will feel richer for knowing them.
#41 Wanted A Second Beater Phone For Travel. Got A Broken Screen Old Google Pixel For Free. $25 Replacement Screen And Fixed It Myself
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2points
#42 It’s Not The Prettiest Job But It Gets The Job Done
My bag I’ve been using for all my college books broke at the strap. I thought about getting another one but didn’t want to waste the money. So I busted out my sewing kit for the first time and re attached the strap at the base and fixed a tear in the strap. It’s not perfect but it gets the job done! It feels stronger than the other straps now lol. Maybe I should add some extra thread to the other straps to prevent them from breaking in the future.
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2points
#43 Built A TV Stand Today, Not Paying $100+
**Just** about done moving, still haven't brought the boxes of DVDs or books out of storage yet... Finally got the computer desk set up on Sunday, even though I put people to work 2 weeks ago for the heavy stuff. Hadn't cleared it off, so it didn't get moved when I had a crew.
Today's fun was building a TV stand from free wood at work. Hour of my time, much better than buying something on FB marketplace for 4-5hrs of labour. Even a basic stand is now $100 at Walmart.
Still deciding if it's worth spraying it with varnish, the empty shelving beside it for my DVDs has lasted since 2015 without any protection (another self-built).
Today's fun was building a TV stand from free wood at work. Hour of my time, much better than buying something on FB marketplace for 4-5hrs of labour. Even a basic stand is now $100 at Walmart.
Still deciding if it's worth spraying it with varnish, the empty shelving beside it for my DVDs has lasted since 2015 without any protection (another self-built).
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2points
#44 When Life Gives You Bananas, Make... Banana Bread?
So, few days ago I was able to get my hands on Too Good To Go pack from organic shop. Usually don't shop in there as prices are not the best, but this time I have finished with nice pile of foods for next day, and nearly a kilogram of bananas that would not survive much more. So, in a frugal, zero waste manner, they got turned into a banana bread. Very tasty, it will be a nice snack, or going with coffee.
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2points
#45 Vacuum Sealing My Food Has Been A Game Changer, Food Lasts Much Longer
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2points
#47 I’m Painting My Shoes Instead Of Buying New 50$ Cad Ones
Work required all black shoes. Wore these considering they are black but they pulled me aside saying I needed completely black ones.
They also have to be certified non slip and these are the only non slip shoe my entire family has so there r kinda my only option.
I could buy a new pair for 50 bucks but also money be tight so this is my solution. Dollar store paint which I already had (1.50$). Voila
They also have to be certified non slip and these are the only non slip shoe my entire family has so there r kinda my only option.
I could buy a new pair for 50 bucks but also money be tight so this is my solution. Dollar store paint which I already had (1.50$). Voila
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2points
#48 Collected Almost 66 Gallons In 3 Days From AC Condensation
Wow. I had no idea how much water the ac was actually dripping until now. I should have bought a bigger size container to catch all this water. I'm going to use this water for my plants 🪴 I wonder how much money this will save me from using this water instead of my sprinkler system? I feel like I hit the jackpot in recycling and reusing.
Apparently this post has to be 300 words and I dont know what else to say about this, but I'm oddly excited about it.
Update: to answer a few questions -
Apparently this post has to be 300 words and I dont know what else to say about this, but I'm oddly excited about it.
Update: to answer a few questions -
- This is not under a window unit, this is collecting the condensation from a pipe coming out of my house from central AC
- This is not covering an AC unit, this is a rain barrel
- This is not for drinking - its for my non-edible plants
- I realize after the math...this is not going to save me money unfortunately. But now I have a source of water that is not just pouring into the ground, its feeding my plants.
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2points
#49 Got My Whole Family On Bikes For €101
Money is pretty tight for us right now, and my 8-year-old really wanted a bike. After about a month of checking local listings, I found someone giving away a children's bike. It was rusty and needed two new inner tubes, but the brakes worked, so €8 in tubes and some cleaning later, he had a working bike. I also bought an €8 pump.
The problem was that he quickly became too fast for me to follow on foot, so I started looking for a cheap bike for myself. Then I found someone selling two rusty bikes for €80 together. Having successfully repaired exactly one bike in my life, I was obviously a bicycle mechanic now, so I bought both — one for me and one for my wife.
I cleaned them up, attacked the rusty chains with WD-40, and we finally went for our first family rides. On the second day, I decided that if a hill isn't 90 degrees, it isn't really a hill, stood on the pedals... and snapped my chain.
I briefly wondered whether my €40 bike had survived for exactly two days. Turns out a new chain was €5 and surprisingly easy to replace myself.
Three weeks later, all three bikes are still going strong and we ride together almost every day.
Total: €80 for two bikes + €8 tubes + €5 chain + €8 pump = €101.
I've also learned that WD-40 isn't actually chain lube.
For someone who's spent his whole career behind a computer, I'm pretty proud that €101 and a little DIY got the whole family cycling.
The problem was that he quickly became too fast for me to follow on foot, so I started looking for a cheap bike for myself. Then I found someone selling two rusty bikes for €80 together. Having successfully repaired exactly one bike in my life, I was obviously a bicycle mechanic now, so I bought both — one for me and one for my wife.
I cleaned them up, attacked the rusty chains with WD-40, and we finally went for our first family rides. On the second day, I decided that if a hill isn't 90 degrees, it isn't really a hill, stood on the pedals... and snapped my chain.
I briefly wondered whether my €40 bike had survived for exactly two days. Turns out a new chain was €5 and surprisingly easy to replace myself.
Three weeks later, all three bikes are still going strong and we ride together almost every day.
Total: €80 for two bikes + €8 tubes + €5 chain + €8 pump = €101.
I've also learned that WD-40 isn't actually chain lube.
For someone who's spent his whole career behind a computer, I'm pretty proud that €101 and a little DIY got the whole family cycling.
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2points
#50 $60 Grazing Table For 30 People (On Maternity Leave Budget)
I’m currently on unpaid maternity leave, so I had about $50–75 to work with for ~30 people. I ended up spending around $60 total (plus some fruit and odds/ends I already had at home).
I was honestly so nervous putting the charcuterie board together. I had to use sliced cheeses, stretch everything as far as possible, and just hope it came together in a way that felt full and pretty.
But it actually… worked.
I did salami roses + a “river,” folded the cheddar to give it more dimension, and filled in with crackers, pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, and everything I could layer to make it feel abundant. I also made homemade whipped fresh herb butter and strawberry chia jam to add a little something extra without spending more.
When I stepped back, I almost cried. It looked like something I never would’ve thought I could pull off on that budget.
The best part though—
The bride-to-be was completely blown away and so grateful.
A bunch of the women kept coming up to comment on how beautiful it was (I’d say at least a third of the room).
And one of the women helping set up told me she expected “just a tray with some meat and cheese” when she heard a friend was making it… and was genuinely shocked (in a good way) when she saw the full table.
That honestly meant everything to me.
I really wanted to give my best friend’s daughter something special, even if I couldn’t spend much—and I’m so glad I was still able to do that.
I was honestly so nervous putting the charcuterie board together. I had to use sliced cheeses, stretch everything as far as possible, and just hope it came together in a way that felt full and pretty.
But it actually… worked.
I did salami roses + a “river,” folded the cheddar to give it more dimension, and filled in with crackers, pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, and everything I could layer to make it feel abundant. I also made homemade whipped fresh herb butter and strawberry chia jam to add a little something extra without spending more.
When I stepped back, I almost cried. It looked like something I never would’ve thought I could pull off on that budget.
The best part though—
The bride-to-be was completely blown away and so grateful.
A bunch of the women kept coming up to comment on how beautiful it was (I’d say at least a third of the room).
And one of the women helping set up told me she expected “just a tray with some meat and cheese” when she heard a friend was making it… and was genuinely shocked (in a good way) when she saw the full table.
That honestly meant everything to me.
I really wanted to give my best friend’s daughter something special, even if I couldn’t spend much—and I’m so glad I was still able to do that.
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1point
#51 Eggs Are Best By May 28 And Theyre 79 Cents Each Dozen At My Local Savealot, So Naturally, Like A Totally Normal Person, I Stocked Up On 12 Dozens, Cause I Can Eat 6 A Day Easy
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1point
#52 Florists Were Quoting $300+ For A Bouquet For My Elopement. Made My Own For ~$40 With Trader Joe’s Flowers And Bouquet Kit From Amazon! (Veil Was A $25 DIY From Amazon As Well!)
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1point
#53 Frugal Tip If You Have To Use A Laundromat: Don't Use Detergent
I needed to wash a small white rug and my tiny washer is too delicate, so off to the laundromat. I had read somewhere that most people use too much detergent in their washing machines, so I decided to risk washing my rug without adding any detergent at all.
The photo shows the result. Almost too many suds to rinse out properly ... I'm glad I didn't waste my own detergent.
The photo shows the result. Almost too many suds to rinse out properly ... I'm glad I didn't waste my own detergent.
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1point
#54 If Interested In Arts And Crafts, Check Out Creative Re-Use Stores
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1point
#55 We Reupholstered Our Couch And It Was The Right Call!!
About three months ago I asked if we should reupholster our almost 30 year old couch or buy new. Almost everyone said reupholster. It has a solid oak frame and was in good condition. It just looked sad. Got it back today! It was $2700, about $800 under the first estimate. It's comfy and should last as long as we do! Our kids jumped on this couch and now their kids will do the same. Definitely the right choice.
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1point
#56 Chicken Thighs And White Rice Meal $2.15
Bought a 10 pack of Chicken Thighs, Green Onions, 1lb of white rice, dozen eggs, pack of jalapenos.
I threw everything together by putting the chicken thighs in the air fryer and the rice in my rice cooker and added some salsa that I already had in the fridge. Overall, I totaled the meal cost and it came out to about $2.15 for the plate.
Chicken thighs $7.00 for 10pk of 5.85lbs (cheapest I found around), white rice .88¢ per Lbs. jalapenos $1, eggs 1 dozen $2, batch of green onions .66¢. It was quite a good substantial amount of food for the price and making it was relatively easy.
I threw everything together by putting the chicken thighs in the air fryer and the rice in my rice cooker and added some salsa that I already had in the fridge. Overall, I totaled the meal cost and it came out to about $2.15 for the plate.
Chicken thighs $7.00 for 10pk of 5.85lbs (cheapest I found around), white rice .88¢ per Lbs. jalapenos $1, eggs 1 dozen $2, batch of green onions .66¢. It was quite a good substantial amount of food for the price and making it was relatively easy.
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1point
#57 Got Twenty Five Gallons Of Gasoline Today For Only Fifty Cents
I wanted to share this win to show that system optimization is alive and well if you chain your rewards programs together. By combining loyalty points to drop the base price, stacking promotional discount gift cards purchased through specific savings portals, and timing my fill up perfectly to hit the absolute pump floor I managed to walk away with a completely full tank for less than the price of a gumball. It takes a little planning ahead of time but the payoff is incredibly satisfying when you beat the system.
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1point
#58 Homemade Ice Cream! No Machine Needed, Coffee And Vanilla!
Pickle Jar Coffee Vanilla Ice Cream
No machine, no cream, no problem! A creamy coffee vanilla ice cream made in a pickle jar with just 5 ingredients.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 cup ice (for the ice bath)
• 1/4 cup table salt (for the ice bath)
STEPS
No machine, no cream, no problem! A creamy coffee vanilla ice cream made in a pickle jar with just 5 ingredients.
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 cup ice (for the ice bath)
• 1/4 cup table salt (for the ice bath)
STEPS
- Add 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 pinch salt into a large clean glass jar. Seal the lid tight and shake until the sugar is dissolved.
- Fill a large bowl with 4 cup ice (for the ice bath). Pour 1/4 cup table salt (for the ice bath) generously over the ice — don't be shy, this is what drops the temperature low enough to freeze your mix.
- Nestle the jar into the ice bath. Shake vigorously for 2-3 minutes, then let it rest in the ice for 5 minutes. Repeat for 20-30 minutes until the mixture is thick and milkshake-like. ⏱ 30m
- Transfer the jar to the freezer for 30-45 minutes. ⏱ 45m
- Remove from freezer and stir well with a long spoon, scraping the frozen edges into the middle. This breaks up ice crystals and keeps it creamy.
- Return to the freezer for another 30-45 minutes until scoopable. ⏱ 45m
- When the ice cream holds its shape and scoops cleanly, it's ready. Serve straight from the jar!
NOTES
You need a large jar (a gallon pickle jar works perfectly), a big bowl, lots of ice, and table salt for the ice bath. The sour cream makes this surprisingly rich and creamy without any heavy cream. For a stronger coffee flavor, increase coffee to ¾ cup and reduce milk to ¼ cup. Leftovers keep in the freezer — just let sit out for a few minutes before scooping.
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1point
#60 The Premium You Pay For Name Brand Products Is Insane. Storebrand Will Always Be The Better Value
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1point
