Financial savings
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 scratch-and-dent appliances to save money.
They can be brand new aside from cosmetic damage.
2 people, independently
Ask Home Depot to match Lowe's 5% credit card discount.
Home Depot matches this offer.
- Using the Lowe's 5% match causes you to lose any special financing.
one person who lived it
Refill propane tanks at Costco for lower prices than gas stations.
- Prices vary by location (e.g., $9-10 in Canada).
3 people, independently
Place old appliances on the curb with a 'FREE' sign for neighbors to take.
Someone may take it quickly.
- There is a risk of theft, including of new appliances left outside.
one person who lived it
Use Costco propane vending machines where available to pay by the liter rather than a flat rate.
Paying by the liter saves money if the tank is only partially empty.
one person who lived it
Verify property ownership through county tax records before paying a deposit to a potential landlord.
There are scams where people with old keys rent out vacant properties.
one person who lived it
Ask retailers like Lowe's or Home Depot if they can waive haul-away fees as a courtesy.
Haul-away is sometimes free, potentially due to promotions.
- Availability seems random.
one person who lived it
Choose bulk generic sponges over brand-name ones for better cost-effectiveness, accepting that they may not last as long per sponge.
The quantity in bulk packs offsets the shorter lifespan of individual sponges compared to the higher price of branded ones.
2 people, independently
- Consider whether the time saved by using more durable name-brand sponges outweighs the cost savings of bulk generics if you clean frequently.1
Buy Dorco razors directly from the manufacturer instead of through subscription services like Dollar Shave Club to save money.
Dollar Shave Club razors are made by Dorco, and buying directly is slightly cheaper.
2 people, independently
6 more on this
Buy appliances from Costco to receive free haul-away and installation services.
It provides one price for the item, old appliance removal, delivery, and new installation.
one person who lived it
Look for color-specific clearance deals, such as plain white vinyl shutters, which may be cheaper than standard colors.
one person who lived it
Focus on functionality over aesthetics in DIY projects to remain truly frugal.
Aesthetics are secondary.
one person who lived it
Inspect scratch-and-dent appliances thoroughly for hidden functional defects.
Cosmetic dents can hide internal issues that affect functionality.
one person who lived it
Choose high-density melamine foam over lower-density options for better durability.
Low-density foam breaks down quicker, sometimes after a single mess.
2 people, independently
Accept that generic melamine sponges wear out quickly, considering the low cost makes the waste negligible.
one person who lived it