“Technically Saves You Money”: 30 Money-Saving Tips Ranging From Helpful To Weird

I have a vegetable garden. I estimate I have saved about $4.28 in food costs so far this year.

This is a judgement free zone, right? My city does a large trash pickup day once a month. I take my boys hunting for treasures that night. I’ve sold many of the found treasures online for a hefty profit. I might even head to the wealthier areas as they put very nice things out.

When grocery shopping, i look at the unit prices vs sticker prices. You’d be amazed at how many equivalent products are right next to each other on the shelf and one is 2-3x more expensive than the other.

Buy a reliable car, do routine maintenance like oil changes and don’t replace it until it is more expensive to keep than replace.

I have a ‘93 camry that still runs great and still requires few repairs.

Library card.

Turn the lights off when you leave. Fix the dripping faucet.

When my dog tears up a stuffed toy, I put all the stuffing back in and sew up the hole with some upholstery thread. Occasionally if the toy is completely shredded I will swap arms and legs from toy to toy to make new animals.

I try to not buy stuff i don’t need. Very simple but often overlooked.

Re-wear clothing a few times before laundering (not socks underwear t-shirts).

Mend our clothes - patching, darning. Well, not the formal office wear (my office has a rather strict dresscode) or going-out dressy things, of course , but all home and casual stuff.

Wear thiccc slippers and warm jumpsuits at home not to switch on the heated floors and other heaters.

Open windows rather than switch on a kitchen hood while cooking when the weather is warm.

Hanging out the laundry instead of using dryer (in warm and dry months).

Eat at home.

If i go outside and play all day, i don't have consumerist urges to buy stupid s**t.

Cut open lotion, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner bottles to get every last drop.

I use only two tablespoons of laundry detergent in most wash cycles, use a solid shampoo bar, solid soap bars, and a solid dish soap bar in the kitchen. Bars last far longer, take up less space, and I’m not paying for product that’s mostly water.

I pick up coins off the ground, even a single penny.

When our dishwasher is full and ready to be started, I set an alarm on my watch for 9pm. I start the dishwasher when the alarm goes off since the electricity rate goes down after 9pm.

Edited to add that I live in California and my electric company is Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).

I only use a coupon if it is A: something I was already planning on buying and B: makes the item cheaper than the other brands.

Fill my water bottle at work.

Save the water before the hot water warms up.

When I go shopping, my mantra is "if I have to think about it, I don't really want it". 9/10 times, I talk myself out of buying whatever it is.