More on buying and being sold to
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Buy a vacuum sealer to preserve bulk meat purchases and reduce food waste.
It pays for itself quickly and can cut food waste.
2 people, independently
Tell salespeople trying to upsell you that you are spending the last amount of money in your bank account.
They will leave you alone.
one person who lived it
Buy live cilantro plants instead of cut herbs to provide a continuous supply for years.
Nothing goes to waste.
one person who lived it
Use the Too Good To Go app once a week from supermarkets and freeze surplus items like meat or ready-made meals (unless they contain fresh veggies or rice) to reduce grocery spending.
It reduces weekly spending on groceries.
- Items with fresh veggies or rice cannot be frozen.
one person who lived it
Ship valuable packages to your work address instead of your home.
This prevents packages from being left outside your door.
- Confirm your employer allows this, as some companies claim ownership of items shipped to their address.
- This adds work for the company.
one person who lived it
items, buying, buy, meat59
Shop for meat after holidays like the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Christmas, or Thanksgiving.
Judge if you actually need the bulk quantity before buying Costco deals to avoid waste.
There is a balance point between deals and needing the item.
one person who lived it
Buy discounted restaurant gift cards at Costco to offset membership costs.
Buying a few can save you the membership fee and more.
one person who lived it
Shop for meat after holidays like the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Christmas, or Thanksgiving.
Items like turkeys and roasts are marked down.
2 people, independently
Shop the butcher section at Costco for high-quality meat.
One person considers this the sole reason the membership is worth it.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
55 more on this
Ask the deli counter to slice large blocks of ham or turkey purchased from the meat department for free.
It is much cheaper than buying pre-sliced deli meat.
2 people, independently
Check the number of wings in frozen chicken bags, as quantities have decreased while prices stayed the same.
One brand dropped from 24 to 18 wings per bag for the same price.
one person who lived it
Watch for $1 sales on boxes of pasta at Flashfood.
Pasta is found to be more filling than ramen.
one person who lived it
Ask for a 'short' size drink to save money and access unadvertised cups.
The short size is cheaper than the tall and uses 8oz cups stocked at all branches.
one person who lived it
Buy Sam's Club Members Mark stainless steel kitchen tongs for durable, long-lasting use.
One person has owned three pairs ranging between 5-10 years old with no problems.
one person who lived it
Keep a stock of staple ingredients like rice, oats, beans, and spices so you can focus weekly shopping on produce and dairy.
Having staples stocked allows you to focus on perishables and use extra funds for sale stockups.
one person who lived it
Go to Costco on Sunday before noon to avoid crowds from churchgoers and liquor buyers.
There are no liquor sales on Sundays, reducing that crowd, and you miss the church crowd.
one person who lived it
Invest in high-quality, well-fitting bras even if expensive, as this is more frugal in the long run and prevents back and shoulder pain.
Good fit and quality last a long time and prevent back and shoulder pain for chesty people.
2 people, independently
Turn off TV and social media.
Stopping watching TV reduces the desire to buy things.
one person who lived it
Wait for a sale to buy a Weber Genesis grill if you do not need it immediately.
They are quality items that last; one example was over 20 years old.
one person who lived it
Inspect bags of stickers at estate sales closely, as valuable items like stamps may be hidden among them.
One person found sheets of Forever stamps mixed in with stickers, turning a $5 purchase into over $200 in value.
one person who lived it
One approach that helped verify freshness: ask the fishmonger if they will eat a piece of the fish right there with you.
It demonstrates that the seller trusts the freshness of the product.
one person who lived it
Use the Costco Auto Program to buy new cars to avoid market adjustment charges.
It helps avoid 'bs' market adjustment pricing for high-in-demand vehicles.
- Assumes you have good credit.
one person who lived it
Buy chicken breast in bulk at a warehouse club and freeze it in separable individual packs for zero-effort freezing.
It is cheaper than standard supermarkets.
one person who lived it
Only buy items if you have already had to scrounge for them two or three times previously or if there is an exceptionally good deal.
You will likely need to scrounge again.
one person who lived it
One person reported that buying bacon from a local butcher resulted in minimal shrinking during cooking and yielded roughly double the cooked meat compared to prepackaged grocery store brands.
The source noted amazement at the yield, with minimal shrinking and more meat reaching the table.
- This is based on one person's experience in Canada.
one person who lived it
Keep your eyes on the cashier while purchasing gift cards to prevent fraud.
Employees have been caught copying receipt information or swapping cards.
one person who lived it
Carry a tape measure and extend six feet of tape to enforce social distancing.
People are poor estimators of distance.
one person who lived it
If you have multiple cars, use the gas station at your local Sam's Club to justify the membership cost through fuel savings.
The savings on fuel for multiple vehicles can offset the membership fee.
one person who lived it
Shop for meat early on Saturday mornings to find items near expiration on sale, then freeze or meal prep them immediately.
This allows you to get meat at good prices.
one person who lived it
Buy high-quality items second-hand to own expensive brand goods for less money in the long term.
It is cheaper in the long term.
one person who lived it
Store loose-leaf tea in opaque, airtight containers to protect it from light and air.
This preserves freshness for years.
one person who lived it
One approach that helped: Buy a cheap electric milk frother instead of relying on expensive coffee machine attachments for better performance.
A £8 frother made lattes 10x better than a £40 Nespresso attachment and lasted over a year.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
Stock up on powdered and brown sugar during the holidays when prices are lower.
They do not spoil quickly and are cheaper during holiday seasons.
one person who lived it
Use Trader Joe's canned chickpeas to avoid the effort of peeling skins.
They have thinner skins than other brands.
one person who lived it
Select produce from the front of the display rather than digging to the back.
Most items on the shelf arrived at the same time and are the same age; taking from the back leaves the front items to become less fresh.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying from bulk bins if you have witnessed children contaminating them.
Hygiene standards may be poor.
one person who lived it
Register prepaid gift cards with your name and address before using them online.
Online verification systems match the billing zip code to the one on file.
one person who lived it
If you work with elderly people or shut-ins, consider ordering their groceries online for them.
It saves time compared to other methods.
- It is a bit more expensive.
one person who lived it
Keep a 'Negative List' of staple items you do not need to buy on a given trip to prevent impulse purchases of duplicates.
It prevents repeatedly buying items like chickpeas because you forgot to write them on the shopping list.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying large pizzas unless you intend to eat them all, as any food bought beyond what you enjoy is a waste.
Food waste negates the cost savings of buying cheaper items compared to making your own food.
one person who lived it
Buy produce from farmers markets when possible for better quality.
Produce quality is superior at farmers markets.
- Prices can be on the expensive side.
- Some farmers markets close by noon and may not be weekend-only.
one person who lived it
Buy a rotisserie chicken at Costco every other week to offset membership costs.
Buying one every other week basically pays for the membership; it is usually bigger and cheaper than local grocery stores.
one person who lived it
Do not bring bone-in ham to the deli counter for slicing.
Most stores have policies against slicing it due to difficulty and mess; use boneless only.
one person who lived it
List potential gifts in a document throughout the year and review it in November to buy early.
Buying early ensures stores' return policies still allow the recipient to exchange the gift if needed.
one person who lived it
Avoid cheap, brined bacon to reduce shrinkage during cooking.
Cheap bacon shrinks because it has been brined.
one person who lived it
Request free product samples by snail mail to try items before buying.
Companies often include coupons with the samples.
one person who lived it
Invest in a Consumer Reports membership for thorough reviews.
They are really thorough.
one person who lived it
Drive through neighborhoods looking for physical signs posted on properties to find unadvertised estate sales not listed on social media.
Driving around is described as the best way to find them.
one person who lived it
When buying perishable items like milk, choose products with expiration dates that match your planned consumption rather than automatically picking the furthest date.
Picking the furthest date out of habit when you will consume the item soon creates waste.
one person who lived it
Close box flaps normally and tape in an H-shape rather than weaving them together for better security.
Weaving flaps is actually less secure.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying furniture in preparation for moving unless it is free and you have storage space.
Buying in preparation is an easy way to lose money unnecessarily; items can often be bought later cheaper.
one person who lived it
Use higher-end cosmetics because their greater pigmentation means you use less and they last longer.
Greater pigmentation leads to using less product on your face.
one person who lived it
Reuse Amazon boxes for shipping, as they may be mistaken for express packages and processed quicker.
They can fool processors into treating standard packages as express ones.
one person who lived it
Purchase an instant-read thermometer.
It allows for faster temperature checks.
one person who lived it
Wait before buying the latest expensive technology, as it is often frustrating; give it time so it becomes less expensive and has fewer bugs.
New tech is usually frustrating, expensive, and buggy initially.
one person who lived it
Read turkey labels to check for added water, salt, or spice solutions.
one person who lived it
Verify that product signage matches the actual item before purchasing during deals.
Signage errors have occurred, such as a sign listing an Oster roaster oven for a Bella slow cooker.
one person who lived it
Order a 'florist's choice' bouquet to get a bigger arrangement at a lower cost, as florists know their inventory best.
It is typically the cheapest option and allows for a larger bouquet based on current inventory.
one person who lived it
Verify that clearance items are actually discounted from their regular retail price, not just marked down from an inflated grocery store price.
one person who lived it
Recycle dead batteries and ink cartridges at Staples to earn points redeemable for free coffee.
one person who lived it
Check local store stock before traveling to buy discounted turkey, as stores may sell out completely.
one person who lived it
Expect faster delivery times for packages shipped to commercial addresses.
Most UPS drivers deliver commercial stops before residential ones.
one person who lived it
Use Postmates to deliver basic groceries and medicines when too dizzy or unwell to drive.
one person who lived it
In regional areas, consider calling a local florist directly for delivery to receive more generous bunches compared to national chains.
one person who lived it
service, discount, refuse, receiving28
Do not demand the same discount from a different staff member if a previous employee gave it to you.
Saying 'they did it last time' makes staff less likely to help and may get them in trouble.
2 people, independently
Ask gun stores for a discount when paying with cash.
The discount typically covers the credit card processing fees.
one person who lived it
If you are calling customer service about a shipping issue, call at the very end of their business hours.
One person who works in customer service stated they would grant concessions just to end the interaction and go home.
one person who lived it
Ask the stocker assigned to your specific section for help with substitutions or questions.
The process is smoother when you speak to the person responsible for that area.
one person who lived it
24 more on this
Do not brag to others when you receive a discount.
Bragging lowers your chance of receiving discounts again.
one person who lived it
Give the highest possible rating on receipt surveys if you enjoyed the service.
Most surveys calculate 'top box' scores where anything less than the best score is considered failing.
one person who lived it
If a Walmart+ delivery is delayed by more than four hours, contact support via online chat to request a resolution.
This often results in receiving a $10 coupon.
one person who lived it
Recognize that companies may hire employees to rate their business four stars to make the rating distribution appear more realistic.
To seem more realistic.
one person who lived it
Understand that customers often view good service or food as expected and therefore do not write positive reviews.
They think good service is just expected.
one person who lived it
Refuse to accept charges on the contract for theft recovery systems like LoJack if they have not yet been installed on the vehicle.
One person refused the charge because the system was not currently installed and won the dispute.
one person who lived it
If daily coupons stop arriving, create a new account with a fresh email address to restart the flow.
It saves time and headaches compared to troubleshooting the original account.
- You will lose any accumulated store credit.
one person who lived it
Ask the manager directly for a discount rather than complaining to them about an employee.
to prevent the frontline employee from being penalized by their boss
one person who lived it
Refuse to pay for theft recovery systems or etching on used cars, as a previous owner likely paid for it or it consists of removable stickers.
A previous owner likely already paid for the service, or the items are just stickers that can be easily removed.
one person who lived it
Be polite to cashiers and staff to increase the likelihood of receiving small favors or exceptions.
Staff are more likely to bend rules for nice customers but will refuse rude ones.
one person who lived it
Post photos of normal conditions, such as hotel rooms upon arrival, along with your reviews.
Pictures are worth more than words and provide impartial visual evidence for potential customers.
one person who lived it
Do not repeatedly ask store employees to mark down products.
Employees will remember and dislike shoppers who consistently ask for markdowns.
one person who lived it
If you have a receipt with a survey link, use it to report service issues directly to area management.
Area managers monitor these surveys and may intervene with refunds or disciplinary action.
one person who lived it
When negotiating for compensation on late deliveries, mention your high monthly spending or that you are considering switching to a competitor with guaranteed delivery.
This approach can result in receiving free months of service.
one person who lived it
Wait until the final estimate is presented before mentioning a coupon received via mail distribution lists.
Staff may claim they already included the discount or refuse to apply it until the agreed-upon paperwork is in front of them.
one person who lived it
If you discover a dealer has placed a decal over a paint chip to hide damage, expose the chip during negotiations to leverage a price reduction.
One person exposed the chip, created a scene, and successfully negotiated a price reduction.
one person who lived it
Read negative reviews to identify specific complaints and decide if they are reasonable rather than dismissing them entirely.
Multiple negative reviews can help you dodge shady companies.
one person who lived it
When returning defective items, do not volunteer unsolicited explanations or details about how you discovered the defect.
Volunteering details like opening a device to check it can give the seller an excuse to refuse the return, whereas silence prevents them from knowing or caring about your actions.
one person who lived it
Call a music retailer and express disappointment that desired items are not part of a current sale to negotiate a manual discount code.
one person who lived it
If a dealer adds decals despite a written agreement to the contrary, show them the bill of sale specifying no decals and insist they remove them before you sign.
one person who lived it
One approach that helped: sweet-talk a front-end manager to allow the purchase of a large gift card for a deserving family in need.
one person who lived it
One person reported getting tech support's attention by delivering a giant cookie with their ticket number and a request to fix the problem.
- This describes what happened to one specific support team/customer interaction.
one person who lived it
Consider waiting after seeing an initial offer from Farmers Dog, as a better trial discount may be emailed later.
one person who lived it
Verify claims about neighbors using a service by checking with actual neighbors rather than believing the visitor.
one person who lived it
check, setting, buy, quality29
Post requests for business attire in local Buy Nothing or Freecycle groups.
Repeatedly check the Final Act section at Macy's for durable bras.
They last well.
- It takes time.
one person who lived it
Search for a product name followed by 'near me' in the Google Shopping tab to find local stores with that item in stock.
It avoids driving around to stores aimlessly.
- You may need to visit the store's website to double-check that the specific location has the item in stock.
one person who lived it
Use a Bluetooth OBDII adapter and an app like Torque Pro to check for pending or stored codes before buying a used car.
This reveals hidden issues within a minute, even if the check engine light is off.
one person who lived it
Buy Dollar Tree Spa Soap liquid hand soap refills, which are thick, quality-made, and inexpensive.
It is thick and quality made.
one person who lived it
25 more on this
Weigh jewelry before and after repairs using a precise scale to detect if gold has been stolen or replaced.
A drop in weight suggests gold theft; an increase suggests lower quality metal was added.
one person who lived it
Invest in a quality office chair if you sit at a computer frequently.
It helps your back and posture.
one person who lived it
Use Hard Candy Matte setting spray to extend makeup wear without needing touch-ups.
One person reported not needing to touch up except for lipstick when using it.
- May still require lipstick touch-ups.
one person who lived it
Create a map or loop diagram of a diamond's setting when dropping off a ring for service.
Checking the returned ring against this map protects against swapping.
one person who lived it
If you want to save money on a diamond, buy a used stone from a pawn shop or estate sale and have it reset in a new setting.
Used diamonds from these sources can cost about the same as lab-created ones while looking identical.
one person who lived it
Buy Planet Bike flashing lights for bicycles.
They are very bright and durable.
one person who lived it
Post requests for business attire in local Buy Nothing or Freecycle groups.
People frequently give away clothing after changing jobs or sizes.
2 people, independently
Avoid buying returned generators unless you can verify their usage history, as many were run continuously during storms well beyond their intended duty cycle.
Some 'lightly used' units may have logged hundreds of hours of hard use.
one person who lived it
Request to watch the jeweler perform simple repairs like reconnecting links or replacing clasps.
These tasks are quick and do not require your absence, ensuring transparency.
one person who lived it
If you are handy, buy used stand mixers on Facebook Marketplace and lubricate them to fix squeaking.
Many sellers discard them due to noise rather than mechanical failure.
one person who lived it
When buying a used AC unit without a warranty, have the seller plug it in and wait for the compressor to kick on before purchasing.
The compressor kicking on is indicated by a deeper sound and immediately colder air.
one person who lived it
Check for laser-etched serial numbers on diamonds via microscope during cleaning or repair.
If the number is missing or incorrect, it indicates theft.
one person who lived it
Buy knock-down bed frames made of poplar wood, which is affordable 'paint grade' wood; use gel stain if you wish to color it.
one person who lived it
Buy middle-ground priced tools or used ones from Craigslist to balance cost and quality.
This approach avoids the pitfalls of cheap junk and overpriced professional gear.
one person who lived it
Buy the cordless version of the Hitachi Magic Wand vibrator for greater versatility.
It is more versatile than the classic version, though both last forever.
one person who lived it
Consider Biobidet or Toto bidets for reliability and ease of installation.
Users report these brands work well, are easy to install, and offer good value.
one person who lived it
Check next to dumpsters for free monitors; one person found a 27-inch HP monitor in perfect condition this way.
one person who lived it
Use plastic razor blades instead of fingertips to remove sponsor vinyl decals for better results.
Plastic razor blades are more effective than using fingers.
one person who lived it
Search Amazon for Astra razors and read comments to find suitable blades.
There are lots of differences between blades, and comments offer many recommendations.
one person who lived it
If a dealer offers free maintenance services in exchange for keeping their license plate frame, decide if the convenience is worth the advertising.
One person found they did not mind the arrangement and received replacements even after damage.
one person who lived it
Open product links in incognito mode or a different browser to check for dynamic price changes.
Prices may quietly increase based on browsing history; incognito mode can reveal the original price.
one person who lived it
Check local university or government surplus stores for gently used office furniture like desks and chairs at low prices.
2 people, independently
Purchase bidet attachments from retailers with easy return policies, such as Amazon, in case of installation issues.
Amazon allows returns with no questions asked.
one person who lived it
Email Crayola asking where to find discontinued accessories like crayon sharpeners.
one person who lived it
Contact the manufacturer via website chat to request a warranty replacement if your electric toothbrush fails.
one person who lived it
products, leather, reviews, mattresses24
Use online quizzes to identify which menstrual cup brand and size suits your anatomy best.
Bodies vary, so products effective for some people may not work for others.
4 people, independently
Avoid bonded leather entirely.
It is made of glued-together scraps and will fall apart quickly.
2 people, independently
Try Loom and Leaf mattresses as a firmer, cheaper alternative to Tempur-Pedic.
One user preferred it because it was a bit firmer and cost less.
one person who lived it
Test mattresses in person for an extended period rather than relying on showroom feel.
Showroom mattresses simulate conditions after about a year of use and will feel harder when new.
one person who lived it
20 more on this
Ask for a receipt when buying gift cards to protect against errors or fraud.
Receipts serve as proof of purchase if issues arise.
one person who lived it
Choose a store with a strong exchange plan or an educational salesperson, and pay for the exchange warranty.
Exchange warranties allow you to swap out the mattress and apply the money paid toward a new one.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying broken-in used mattresses or couches.
They will not last; expensive new ones save money in the long run.
one person who lived it
Research how to distinguish authentic luxury items from fakes before buying on eBay.
It helps ensure you get genuine products that can be resold for a profit.
one person who lived it
Be cautious of sellers who ask for feedback immediately after purchase before the item arrives.
It is an instant turn off.
one person who lived it
Consider that top-grain leather belts may stretch too much to keep pants up securely.
Excessive stretching causes pants to slip down more easily.
one person who lived it
Be wary of online reviews regarding mattress fit, as they can be misleading.
Mattress selection is about fit, not just finding the 'best' one.
one person who lived it
Use tools like Fakespot to verify the authenticity of online reviews for LED bulbs on Amazon.
Platforms allow fake reviews.
one person who lived it
Read reviews on MakeupAlley before buying makeup to avoid wasting money on unsuitable products.
It lessens the chance of spending money on items that do not work for you.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of 'sustainable' palm oil claims.
Tracking the origin of palm oil is nearly impossible, making greenwashing common.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of overly positive reviews from bloggers or testers seeking free items.
They may exaggerate praise to get more free stuff.
one person who lived it
Check for density or weight information when buying melamine sponges to ensure you are getting higher quality foam.
Low-density foam is often sold at the 'best price' but performs worse than denser options.
one person who lived it
Check the square footage of toilet paper rolls, as manufacturers may narrow the rolls while keeping height and packaging appearance similar.
Rolls have been observed to be narrower than before.
one person who lived it
Look for 'full-grain' or 'top-grain' labels when seeking durable, higher-quality leather goods.
3 people, independently
Research audiophile headphones carefully, especially those sold on Amazon.
Many products labeled 'audiophile' are no different from typical headphones.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying Darn Tough socks from Amazon due to counterfeits; purchase from authorized retailers like REI.
Amazon listings are likely to be shoddy counterfeits, while authorized retailers offer authentic products.
one person who lived it
Recognize that 'organic' certification allows specific natural pesticides.
Some of these natural pesticides require more use or are more toxic than synthetic counterparts.
one person who lived it
Understand that leather grading terms are largely unregulated and not mutually exclusive, so 'genuine' can technically apply to full-grain leather.
3 people, independently
Be aware that ordering from sites like AliExpress carries a risk of non-delivery.
one person who lived it
Read negative reviews for products you want to buy to identify features that others dislike but you might actually need, such as loud white noise from an air purifier.
one person who lived it
bread9
Buy Dave's Killer Bread from a bakery outlet store next door to the bakery if available.
It is about half off the grocery store price.
one person who lived it
Buy Walmart Great Value dark chocolate chips for baking instead of more expensive brands, as they perform equally well.
Both are great for baking.
one person who lived it
Use a Breville Lift & Look toaster.
It toasts bread well.
one person who lived it
Import lemongrass from Thailand or Vietnam instead of buying US-grown varieties.
US-grown lemongrass is harvested too old and lacks quality.
one person who lived it
5 more on this
Check America's Test Kitchen reviews for air fryer recommendations.
They identified the Instant Air Fryer as the best choice.
one person who lived it
Choose the tilt-head KitchenAid model over the bowl-lift model for home use.
Professional chefs consider the bowl-lift model overkill.
one person who lived it
Choose Jiffy cornbread mix for simple, quick meals if you need easy recipes with low prices.
The brand was created to provide simple and quick recipes for someone who didn't know how to cook, keeping prices low through simple packaging and zero advertisement.
one person who lived it
Prefer stainless steel Weber models (S series) over enamel coated ones (E series).
Most people prefer stainless steel.
one person who lived it
Use Canadian Gem all-purpose flour for bread recipes.
Its higher protein content provides more robustness.
one person who lived it
buy, cheaper, generic, brands20
Purchase instant noodles from the Asian section or store for better flavor packets and likely lower costs.
Buy bulk Epsom salts from agricultural stores or fertilizer places.
They sell it in bulk for spreading on fields.
2 people, independently
Buy dried bay leaves from the produce section rather than the spice aisle for lower prices.
One person found the same leaves were much cheaper in produce ($1.79) than in the aisles ($10).
one person who lived it
Consider purchasing pet food items like peanut butter from wholesale foodservice websites such as Webstaurant.com if you are willing to buy in large quantities.
You can find almost-wholesale prices.
- You may have to buy significantly larger amounts, such as 35 pounds, to get the price equivalent of smaller retail jars (e.g., 4 pounds).
one person who lived it
Buy polarized sunglasses from the fishing section of Walmart instead of the front kiosk.
Brands like Berkley or Gulp in the fishing section are polarized and cost one-third of the price of kiosk sunglasses.
one person who lived it
16 more on this
Purchase instant noodles from the Asian section or store for better flavor packets and likely lower costs.
The seasoning in these packages often tastes more complex and they may cost less than standard grocery store brands.
3 people, independently
If you need printer toner, buy refills on Amazon.
One person reported they work just as well as new cartridges.
one person who lived it
Try buying a generic brand like Nexgrill instead of a US-made grill.
One user reported no problems with ignitors and great instructions at about one-third the price.
one person who lived it
Buy spices from Turkish or Middle Eastern shops in Europe for cheap and high-quality options.
These shops have great and super cheap spices.
2 people, independently
Buy aluminum foil at Walmart instead of the dollar store, as it offers about four times the amount for a slightly higher price.
Better value per amount.
one person who lived it
Consider using Pine-Sol for general cleaning if you prefer a nostalgic scent and lower cost.
It is cheap and has a pleasant smell reminiscent of childhood.
- One person's preference
one person who lived it
Buy Vitality cereal at Aldi as a cheaper alternative to Special K that contains twice the strawberries.
It helps with cereal cravings and is way cheaper.
one person who lived it
Buy the fragrance version you like the most, regardless of whether it is labeled EDT or EDP.
EDT and EDP versions of the same name can smell different due to different notes.
one person who lived it
Be aware that cheaper generic melamine sponges may disintegrate or wear out faster than name brands.
Some users reported cheaper sponges were less dense, durable, and wore out approximately 8 times faster or disintegrated in hand.
- Cheaper sponges cleaned fine for some but lacked durability; others found them terrible as they disintegrated before cleaning anything.
2 people, independently
Consider buying more expensive spices if you want them to last longer due to higher potency.
They are more potent and therefore last longer.
one person who lived it
Buy generic shredded cheese as a cheaper alternative to name brands like Kraft.
It tastes basically the same.
one person who lived it
Buy baking soda from the cleaning aisle in larger boxes for better cost-effectiveness.
It is cheaper than baking soda in the baking aisle.
one person who lived it
Consider buying Unisom or generic sleeping pills instead of brand-name sleep aids.
They often contain diphenhydramine, the same active ingredient found in Benadryl.
one person who lived it
Buy Aldi Photofocus foundation and concealers for high coverage and lasting power at a drugstore price.
They are amazing for the price compared to high-end and other drugstore brands.
one person who lived it
Search for items on other retailers or check if third-party sellers have storefronts elsewhere before buying on Amazon to ensure competitive pricing.
Amazon is not always the cheapest place, and third-party sellers may offer lower prices on platforms like eBay or Walmart.
3 people, independently
Buy Dominoes Pizza Chocolate Lava Cake as a cheaper alternative to expensive desserts elsewhere.
It costs less than equivalent desserts at other venues.
one person who lived it
shop, women's, thrift, clearance16
Buy Halloween costumes during post-Christmas sales.
It can save a large percentage of the cost.
one person who lived it
Buy bras on sale at department stores and wear a t-shirt when trying them on to see how they look under clothing.
Buying on sale is described as the frugal key, and wearing a t-shirt allows you to see how the bra looks under clothing.
one person who lived it
If you live in a region with heavy winter snow, check thrift stores in March for better finds.
People purge their closets and discard Christmas items when the thaw begins and spring approaches.
one person who lived it
If you want affordable tops that work with both dress pants and jeans, try H&M.
They are affordable, decent quality, and offer dual use.
one person who lived it
12 more on this
Keep receipts for clearance plants to enable returns if they die.
Return policies often still apply to clearance items, allowing you to get a refund if the plant does not survive.
one person who lived it
Purchase blemished or slightly defective coats from brands like Land's End to get significant discounts.
Minor defects, such as mismatched drawstring colors, allow for deep price reductions.
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Avoid reversible belts if you have pubic or belly hair.
They can partially open and snag hair.
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Buy men's Henley shirts to wear as oversized tops if women's Henleys do not fit comfortably even when sized up.
One user found men's versions more comfortable than women's versions bought two sizes larger.
- This reflects one person's preference and fit experience.
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Shop ALDI for inexpensive women's long-sleeve shirts suitable for working from home.
They are described as the comfiest shirts for really cheap.
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Return interview clothes to retailers like Kohl's or Target even after removing tags and wearing them.
Kohl's will accept the return without question if you explain you removed tags before trying on and washing, or that it didn't work out. Target also has a legitimate return policy for formal wear.
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Search thrift shops for formal gowns or special occasion dresses years after passing on them new, as they may appear for less.
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Start looking for clearance trees from late fall through Christmas, especially late November.
The best 'just take it out of here' deals typically come in late November.
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Shop thrift stores located in affluent neighborhoods.
The merchandise tends to be higher quality in posher areas.
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Search for women's clothing bundles on Mercari.
You can acquire slightly used clothes at low prices.
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Shop clearance sections at specific retailers to find brand-new items at substantial discounts.
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Shop local stores for returned items to find open-box deals on gifts, particularly in mid-to-late January.
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product, often, brands7
Buy El Guapo brand spices, which are manufactured by McCormick, to get the same product in bagged form for a fraction of the price of jarred McCormick spices.
El Guapo spices are the same stuff as McCormick but sold in a baggie for 8x less than the plastic jar version.
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Buy name-brand gifts at discount stores like Ross or Marshalls.
These stores offer low prices for branded items.
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Use generic no-name bleach instead of branded versions, as they are often the same product filled at the same plant.
Observations from bottling plants show that no-name bottles are filled with the same bleach as major brands.
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Thrift for cooking utensils and kitchenware.
People often donate well-made, name-brand items.
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Recognize that many grocery store private-label products are manufactured by the same companies as major national brands.
Manufacturers often produce goods that are sold under both their own brand names and store private labels.
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Consider buying Whirlpool-owned appliances under brands like Amana, Crosley, Maytag, or KitchenAid.
They are completely identical inside; only the console boxes and labels differ.
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Check ingredients to verify product claims, as marketing terms may be misleading.
Manufacturers may use substitutes like palm oil instead of expected ingredients like cocoa butter.
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