More on money

Place a water sensor near your water tank.

A cheap sensor can save you money if a leak occurs.

one person who lived it

Schedule useful tasks daily and set aside $20 for savings each time you fail to complete them.

It penalizes you in the short term but rewards you in the long term.

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Prepare for unexpected large expenses to derail savings progress.

One person reported that a broken drain line costing $10,000 wiped out their debt payoff progress and savings.

• Based on one person's experience.

one person who lived it

Focus on securing a high-income job without student debt over minor savings like cutting fast food.

A high salary without student loan debt provides much greater value than small expense reductions.

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Return unused loan disbursements while still in school to reduce principal and avoid interest accumulation.

Turning them back in cuts out interest and can cut the loan in half.

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Add a fixed amount to the first half of your savings payments to build reserves earlier in the year.

This allows you to make heavier payments now and reserve lighter ones for expensive periods like Christmas.

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Focus on paying interest over worrying about late or NSF fees.

Late or NSF fees are small compared to the interest you are paying.

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Unless you are scraping by financially, bake bread only for the love of cooking rather than to save a small amount of money.

The time spent on prep and cleaning is not worth saving just a dollar or two.

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Set a fixed weekly budget for essentials like food, gas, and toiletries to limit spending.

Limiting funds makes you think twice about spending money that isn't there.

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Treat yourself responsibly after paying off a specific loan to combat debt fatigue.

Debt fatigue is real, and paying off a loan is a large feat.

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If you avoid ATM fees by using a nearby machine, use the savings to buy yourself a single drink as a treat.

It serves as a small reward for chores like doing laundry at a laundromat and costs less than the fee avoided.

• Single drinks are not financially optimal or good for the climate.

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Maintain an emergency fund of at least $15,000 if you own a home.

Home ownership is expensive.

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Find ways to graduate early, even by just one semester, to save thousands of dollars.

Graduating early saves money.

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Avoid car payments as long as possible by relying on public transport or walking.

It reduces living expenses; one person found moving closer to work three times cheaper than owning a car.

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Consider an ABLE account for saving money while receiving SSD/SSI.

They are exempt from SSD/SSI means testing.

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Check if local city programs offer down payment assistance that applies to closing costs.

It can reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

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Be frugal in your 20s to set up financial stability for your 30s and beyond.

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Open a Roth IRA early rather than waiting until later in life to get the most from growth potential.

Waiting is cited as a significant financial regret.

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Invite the friend and their family to propose solutions that could reduce costs.

Friends may be able to financially help.

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Continue paying for small comforts if they bring you peace and reduce stress, even on a tight budget.

It takes something off your plate.

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Direct at least half of every raise into your retirement savings.

You likely won't notice the loss in daily spending when spread over a year, but your retirement account will benefit.

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Use roommates, eat at home, and play video games/board games to split rent and eliminate spending on going out.

Multiple incomes split rent, and eating/gaming at home keeps you from going out and spending money.

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Save for first and last month's rent, security deposit, three months of utilities, an initial grocery shop, and existing bills.

Utilities involve connection and service fees; groceries stock the pantry.

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Put a portion of your monthly savings into a rainy day fund to prepare for the costs of freedom.

Freedom requires planning, time, and money, so saving part of your current savings helps cover that price.

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If you cannot pay full rent, pay what you have and explain your situation honestly to your landlord instead of taking out a payday loan.

Payday loans are described as a nightmare trap that is difficult to escape.

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Set up automatic transfers to put a set amount or all income above your budget into a savings account every month.

You'll have less disposable income and that is how it is done.

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Automate basic financial tasks early to save time and reduce stress.

It saves time and reduces stress.

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If you are a low-income family, avoid placing a 529 plan in your child's name.

FAFSA calculations may penalize the account.

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Keep a small emergency stash to cover unexpected repairs without putting them on a credit card.

Paying cash avoids carrying a balance and paying significant interest over time.

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Consider applying directly to foreign schools for study abroad programs rather than going through your home university to potentially save money.

You avoid paying your home school's tuition.

• Savings depend on the university and location.

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If your car is totaled, give it to the tow company as payment to avoid accumulating daily storage fees.

The car will stay there anyway, so waiting only adds costs.

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Create a business plan and treat side hustles as businesses before making large investments.

Before sinking money into equipment for a store, develop a business plan and speak to an accountant.

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If you are self-employed or financially constrained, focus on paying rent and bills over attending family gatherings.

You need to put yourself first.

• Family members may react negatively.

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Keep liquid assets instead of sinking all savings into an illiquid mortgage.

If you lose your income, you need accessible money.

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View financial losses from mistakes as 'school fees' paid to learn the lesson.

This perspective helps reduce fuming and prevents repeating the error.

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Avoid rolling over high-interest loans into new ones with similar terms, as lenders often encourage this to collect interest.

Lenders want the interest.

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Set aside the equivalent of your previous rent payment into savings for home maintenance and insurance after acquiring a paid-off home.

To cover future property expenses like roof repairs or plumbing/heating issues.

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Keep any excess per diem money if your employer does not require receipts for every dollar spent.

It serves as additional income or savings on business trips.

• Only applies if the company policy allows keeping the excess without receipt verification.

one person who lived it

Avoid expensive social activities at university if you come from a lower-income background.

You should not feel pressured into spending money you do not want to spend on things like pricey dinners or trips.

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Recognize that pursuing the American Dream (college, house, cars) can lead to massive debt and a loss of freedom, such as being unable to quit work or start a business.

one person who lived it

Focus on building wealth rather than just using frugality to pay down debts.

Frugality is often confused with the primary goal, which is wealth building.

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Assign specific household items to individual roommates based on their budgets rather than splitting the cost of every item evenly.

Everyone benefits by buying what they can afford and using shared goods without feeling left out.

2 people, independently

• Recognize that roommates in better financial positions might view buying nicer shared items as 'paying forward' benefits.1

Set reasonable goals for financial matters.

It can often help.

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Print a savings chart and cross off payments as you make them, allowing you to pay in any order that matches your cash flow.

This helps payments better match your income and expenses rather than following a strict weekly sequence.

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Avoid relying on student loan refunds for living expenses.

This leads to accumulating debt on non-educational spending.

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Work out hobby expenses by calculating the cost per hour of entertainment to determine if it is economical.

A $40 supply cost for stained glass seemed expensive until calculated as 50 hours of fun, making it economical per hour.

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Wait for sales and determine monthly needs before committing to recurring expenses.

This helps distinguish needs from wants.

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Keep a paper ledger of every expense to track spending visually.

Knowing where every dollar goes is important for being frugal.

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Quit alcohol to save significant money over time.

One person saved approximately $11,900 over 600 days booze-free.

one person who lived it

Expect borrowing costs to rise alongside savings rates.

Getting a car or buying a house becomes more expensive as interest rates increase.

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If you cannot afford drinking or smoking, replace them with free activities like working out and meditating.

They are free alternatives when funds are limited.

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Spend money on occasional nights out or vacations if they provide greater enjoyment than staying home.

Your money is better spent where it yields greater enjoyment.

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Consider having grandparents or other family members raise the child if parents cannot afford it.

One person reported being better off when raised by their grandparents.

one person who lived it

Spend up to the limit of company per diems and expense allowances rather than saving money.

Companies rarely reward savings and may use them as a reason to lower allowance amounts for everyone.

one person who lived it

Focus on recurring expenses and keep one-time costs separate.

One-time items like furniture are not needed immediately.

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Plan financially to avoid ending up in poverty due to inflation eroding savings after a loss of income.

One person's mother lost her savings to inflation after her husband died, leaving her in poverty.

one person who lived it

Treat self-employed income as company money and pay yourself a low, fixed salary from a separate account.

one person who lived it

Do not apply inflation adjustments twice when calculating retirement goals.

The target figure may already be adjusted for inflation.

one person who lived it

If you cannot afford unexpected repairs, either finance a reliable long-term vehicle or do without a car entirely.

If you are struggling financially, you cannot afford those 'what if' scenarios

one person who lived it

One approach that helped: buy a house in a low-cost-of-living area to rent out while continuing to live with your partner in a high-cost area.

this allows you to build equity independently without paying towards a house you don't own or have a share in

one person who lived it

Recognize that growing up in a comfortable household may create unrealistic spending expectations when living independently.

You may be used to living like you have more money than you actually earn.

one person who lived it

Keep a savings fund specifically for unexpected events such as car breakdowns, hospital visits, or job loss.

8 people, independently

Sit down with your spouse to explicitly show cash flow details, including specific expenses like mortgages, rates, and food costs, so they can understand the financial reality.

Understanding these details took one person until they got their first job after university.

one person who lived it

Avoid setting up biweekly mortgage payments if you rely on the extra paycheck for household flexibility or unexpected bills.

Automatic payments would send the money to the house instead of allowing you to use it for actual household needs or getting ahead on other bills.

one person who lived it

Investigate missed payments, deferrals, and repossession fees such as towing, storage, and reinstatement costs, as these can cause loan balances to pile up unexpectedly.

interest piles up while behind or in repo, and hefty penalties are added

one person who lived it

Question the effectiveness of common frugality advice like cutting lattes.

If such advice were effective, everyone would not have stories about relatives with ridiculous finances.

one person who lived it

If debt collectors harass you over a deceased relative's estate, remember that you do not inherit negative money; debts are paid from the estate assets before inheritance.

You cannot inherit negative money.

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Take personal finance or tax classes in college instead of general finance theory courses.

General finance courses often focus on capital structures and old valuation theories rather than practical personal finance.

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Be skeptical of advice that blames individual spending habits, like buying lattes, for broader financial struggles.

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If parents plan to help with university costs, treat it as a contract for the child to perform well and not waste the opportunity.

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Set aside a small amount from each paycheck to stock up on necessities during economic uncertainty.

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Celebrate paying off student loans by framing the zero-balance statement as a victory to display.

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View spending money on necessary maintenance, like keeping a car in working order, as frugal because it is spending money wisely.

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Read 'Your Money Or Your Life' to expand on managing lifestyle and financial values.

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Consider the administrative burden and complexity of managing multiple HSAs across job changes before opening new ones.

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Be aware that means-tested social programs may penalize you for having an emergency fund, incentivizing against saving money.

one person who lived it

View the inability of many workers to save not merely as individual failure, but as a systemic issue where wages are insufficient for saving anything.

one person who lived it

Look into bundling homeowners and auto insurance, but do not skimp on coverage.

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Fill out the FAFSA to automatically qualify for state grants and federal aid like Pell Grants.

Filling it out grabs whatever state grant you qualify for and helps those with low income qualify for Pell Grants.

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Avoid sleeping in your workplace's parking lot to protect your job and maintain boundaries between work and life.

It risks your employment even if you ask permission.

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Stop smoking marijuana if prospective employers conduct drug tests.

You do not want to lose out on a job because you test positive for weed.

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Expect dental school appointments to take longer than standard visits due to student training and instructor checks.

Students are graded on their work, supervisors review every step, and there is no incentive to rush.

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Be wary of hiring accountants or reps who have direct access to your finances.

They are prone to embezzle or steal because they have direct access.

one person who lived it

Conduct a house tour video every six months to update your inventory.

One person adopted this practice after being robbed.

one person who lived it

Tip delivery drivers extra to help those who have lost income from layoffs.

Many laid-off workers are staying afloat by delivering for apps.

one person who lived it

Consider enduring temporary financial hardship for a government job if it serves as a valuable long-term opportunity.

Such positions can act like a 'golden ticket' in certain regions.

• One person's experience

one person who lived it

Consider unionizing to demand better pay and conditions for fast food workers.

Unionizing fixes problems related to poor conditions and pay.

• Some unions are bad, ineffective, or underpowered.

2 people, independently

Save an emergency fund covering six months to one year of expenses to avoid reliance on continuous employment.

Jobs and income are not guaranteed; having a reserve protects against job loss.

one person who lived it

Judge the toxicity of co-workers and managers before committing to a long commute for a new job.

A toxic work environment may make the drive not worth it.

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Earn quick cash by doing odd jobs like mowing lawns, maintaining pools, walking dogs, or sitting in houses.

3 people, independently

If you use your phone for work, ask your employer to cover the bill.

one person who lived it

Research average salaries for your role and use that data to negotiate a raise at your current job or seek a new position.

Long-term employees may be underpaid compared to market rates; leveraging external offers can increase pay.

one person who lived it

Store copies of your photos and videos on portable hard drives kept in separate locations to prevent total loss from events like a house fire.

To avoid data loss if one location is destroyed.

one person who lived it

Use unemployment periods to learn new skills that might open future employment doors.

It can help in your current field or a totally different area.

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Understand that cutting paper checks can be a tactic to delay withholding tax payments.

It allows the employer to buy time to pay withholding taxes after issuing net pay checks.

one person who lived it

Work fewer hours if possible to remain under income thresholds for government benefits.

Extra income might take benefits away.

one person who lived it

If you are considering filing an Injured Spouse Allocation form for student loan offsets, wait until after the government has actually seized your refund, as filing prematurely can delay your refund for months if no offset occurs that year.

Filing when no offset is attempted causes unnecessary processing delays because the reason for the form is unclear to the agency.

• The government does not seize refunds for student loans every year.

one person who lived it

Photograph or film all rooms and high-value possessions in your residence for insurance documentation.

Visual records help substantiate claims by verifying item presence, such as capturing missing objects in the background of other images.

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Take any available seasonal or temp work, including night shifts and weekends.

It helps build capital for deposits on new places.

one person who lived it

Ask family and friends for help with essentials like heat, lights, and transportation during rough times.

One person noted their mother values these networks and they always provide support in crises.

one person who lived it

• Help others whenever you can to build a network that may provide rides or small loans during crises.1

Visit a local IRS service center in person to resolve simple errors and potentially waive late fees.

• Based on one person's experience

one person who lived it

Build savings to move out and gain independence from your parents, working any available job such as waiting tables if necessary.

To cut the umbilical cord with your parents.

one person who lived it

Be aware that survivorship bias skews perceptions of immigrant success stories; look at probable mean regression rather than just the successful lucky few.

Plenty of people don't make it.

one person who lived it

When searching for unclaimed money, try entering only part of your name to catch records with misspellings.

Companies may have entered your name incorrectly, causing full-name searches to fail.

one person who lived it

Keep a log of job applications to demonstrate that you are actively trying to find work.

It shows effort to unemployment agencies or others reviewing your status.

one person who lived it

Use a vehicle as an alternative to expensive hotels during travel jobs or as a backup plan to lower background stress, rather than as a permanent residence.

Having a vehicle to take shelter in lowers background stress levels.

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Tell your professional contacts you are looking for work to generate referrals.

Referrals can lead to job offers within their departments.

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Be prepared to reapply multiple times and jump through hoops to prove need when applying for government assistance programs.

Many programs require repeated applications to force applicants to prove they need them.

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Apply for Section 8 housing to get an income-based apartment.

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Do not post screenshots of bank statements or stimulus checks online.

They may contain partial tax reference numbers or other identifiable data.

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Freeze your Work Number data even if it contains errors; if challenged to unfreeze, cite the obvious errors to argue the data is unreliable.

The errors serve as obfuscation because the data is clearly inaccurate.

one person who lived it

Freeze your credit reports with all major bureaus to prevent family members from opening accounts in your name.

Family may have your social security number recorded somewhere and try to open credit accounts if you start to say 'no'.

one person who lived it

Apply for scholarships even if you do not meet every criterion, as some funds go unawarded due to a lack of applicants.

Organizations may award funds to needy applicants who are the only ones who applied.

one person who lived it

Mail a snail mail copy of an unanswered email to corporate customer relations, noting the previous lack of response.

Sending a copy of the times they've failed to help sometimes triggers a response.

one person who lived it

Note that the US lacks paid parental leave, which is common in most developed countries.

Most developed countries provide this benefit, and everyone deserves time with new children regardless of birth type or adoption status.

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If you cannot contribute financially to your household, contribute by helping with cleaning to show care and reduce the burden on others.

Helping clean shows you care and helps the other person.

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Apply for government assistance if your income is low enough to qualify.

It can help cover costs without compromising a frugal lifestyle.

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Check eligibility for food stamps; note that asset limits may exclude your primary vehicle and home.

one person who lived it

Leave positive reviews for accurate and on-time service to support employees who face pressure from negative feedback.

Negative people are louder, and positive reviews might save someone's job from unfair criticism.

one person who lived it

Become a sports referee.

cities often have a high demand for referees, and it provides a workout if you enjoy the sport

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Apply for unemployment benefits even if told you are ineligible, and appeal if denied.

A lot of 'disqualifying' separation reasons have exceptions.

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Be willing to leave miserable jobs, cities, or apartments to find better opportunities.

Sometimes the grass IS greener.

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Seek employment at a daycare center to receive significant tuition discounts or free enrollment for your child.

Many programs offer heavily discounted or free tuition to employees' children.

one person who lived it

When returning rented equipment by mail, take a photo of the package in the carrier's hand showing pertinent info to create undeniable proof of return.

to avoid being charged by the provider

one person who lived it

Do not expect to accurately predict Social Security payouts.

It is impossible to predict given the nation's long-run budget situation.

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Move away from areas of generational poverty to pursue careers and access better school districts for children.

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Read the fine print of benefit plans carefully to avoid forfeiting funds due to forgotten rules or eligibility requirements.

Failure to read the terms can result in forced forfeiture of benefits upon leaving a job.

one person who lived it

Accept offers to be bumped immediately when they are made, especially at major hubs, as spots fill quickly.

Waiting risks missing the opportunity because others will take the offer first.

one person who lived it

Secure video evidence from nearby cameras as soon as possible after an accident.

Video often disappears if not obtained quickly, and attorneys sometimes wait too long.

one person who lived it

Document the locations of all electrical outlets and switches in your home records.

This information may be required to recreate wiring for insurance investigations, such as determining the cause of an explosion.

one person who lived it

Always use written contracts for business dealings, employment, and property agreements.

This protects against verbal promises that are not honored.

one person who lived it

Adjust expectations for remote part-time work, recognizing the segment is highly competitive.

Casual jobs are not abundant enough for everyone to simply walk into them.

one person who lived it

Apply for SNAP benefits if you are struggling financially, as you might qualify; check eligibility requirements or call 211 for help.

one person who lived it

Apply for low-barrier, part-time, or temporary jobs immediately to generate income while searching for permanent employment.

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Claim all eligible government benefits, as many people mistakenly believe they are not eligible.

one person who lived it

Be aware that income guidelines for WIC and SNAP are very low, potentially excluding families with modest salaries or disability benefits.

one person who lived it

Send a short follow-up message shortly after an event while you are still fresh in people's minds.

Without it, interest cools down within days.

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Spend time with people whose financial values align with yours to avoid the discomfort of being around those who spend heavily.

Spending too much time with 'spendy' friends can make you feel bad.

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Frame the situation as a shared problem to solve by asking for help.

A true friend will not get upset if you are genuinely asking for help.

2 people, independently

Spend money only if you get value; avoid wasting money by paying too much for something.

Spending without getting value bothers me.

one person who lived it

To spare your family the burden of sorting through your belongings, clear away underwear, make the bed, tidy up the home, and remove anything you wouldn't want others to see before you pass.

Nobody expects to die, so it is sensible to make some preparations to give dignity.

one person who lived it

Be cautious about sharing news of sudden wealth increases with family and friends.

Such news is life-changing money.

one person who lived it

Shave your head bald.

Never get a haircut.

one person who lived it

Do not buy gift cards from strangers, even if they claim proceeds go to charity.

Sellers may provide worthless cards or fabricate charitable causes.

one person who lived it

Do not fawn over billionaires performing charitable acts, as this distracts from the need for systemic government solutions.

It allows ultra-wealthy people to do the bare minimum while the government fails to act.

one person who lived it

Recognize that either you own your stuff or your stuff owns you.

one person who lived it

Send a card with a handwritten note instead of buying gifts for coworkers or acquaintances unless you are actually close.

Buying gifts for bosses or coworkers is inappropriate if you are not close.

one person who lived it

Gradually add nice items to your wardrobe to improve self-perception after periods of neglect.

It helps you feel better about yourself.

one person who lived it

Recognize that marketing uses psychological tactics to make you want things you do not need, which leads to debt.

Marketing concepts based on psychology were used to get people to want shit they don't need.

one person who lived it

Focus your spending only on essentials and things you genuinely enjoy to avoid consuming unwanted items.

Life is too short to keep buying things you don't need or enjoy.

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Buy blank cards from thrift or dollar stores and write thoughtful notes inside as a gift.

It is a dying art form that recipients rarely receive in the mail anymore.

one person who lived it

Avoid making comments that remind older people of aging or mortality.

Such comments can be hurtful rather than humorous, filling their mind with the slow march of time instead of being innocuous.

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Do not buy goods from children on the street, as parents may pull them from school to work because they sell better due to their age and appearance.

one person who lived it

Give handmade or inexpensive gifts and use thrifted clothing to cut down on holiday and gift expenses.

Children will become accustomed to and appreciate these items while they are young.

one person who lived it

Purchase music tracks that resonate with you to own them permanently, rather than relying solely on streaming.

Songs may be removed from playlists or services like Prime.

one person who lived it

Avoid frequently returning damaged or defective items to prevent being flagged as abusive.

Companies have the right to ban customers who keep only a tiny fraction of purchases and return the rest as defective.

one person who lived it

Accept invitations to social meals even if it breaks your fast.

Meaningful relationships last longer than physical appearance or savings.

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Do not steal hotel amenities like toilet paper, as it is considered tacky and unethical.

It is cheap and tacky; you are taking what is not yours to have.

one person who lived it

Avoid visiting the same establishment three times a year to claim birthday rewards.

Staff may remember frequent attempts despite short memories for other events.

one person who lived it

For toddlers, focus on presence, hugs, and age-appropriate games over cards or toys.

one person who lived it

Practice gratitude and focus on hedonic adaptation to find happiness without constant consumption.

Money buys freedom back, but material possessions won't follow you to the grave; take memories instead.

one person who lived it

Understand that luxurious items lose significant value after purchase and even brief use.

They are liabilities rather than assets.

one person who lived it

Accept that online companies have the discretion to refuse service to abusive customers.

This is similar to how bars can refuse service to drunk patrons or hotels can ban vandals.

one person who lived it

Give hygiene kits containing toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant to relatives' children.

It saves the parent money on these items.

one person who lived it

Declutter possessions to shift your mindset away from centering life on consuming and owning stuff.

It facilitates a mindset shift even if decluttering itself is not inherently frugal.

one person who lived it

Avoid donating low-quality fast fashion items, as they contribute to poor donation quality and landfill waste.

Mindless consumption produces literal garbage rather than usable goods.

one person who lived it

Watch 'Night at The Museum' with Ben Stiller before visiting a natural history museum to excite children.

to get excited

one person who lived it

Avoid rambling or venting excessively during customer service calls to respect the representative's time and metrics.

Rambling hurts the person trying to help, as call time is often a performance metric where shorter is better.

one person who lived it

Use frugality to reinforce the view that material possessions are temporary.

one person who lived it

Take advantage of free kids' bowling promotions to create positive memories during difficult financial times.

one person who lived it

Choose contentment internally rather than waiting for external milestones to make you happy.

one person who lived it

Buy a laser printer to save on printing costs over several years.

3 people, independently

Avoid buying former rental cars due to hard driving and minimal maintenance.

Rental cars are driven hard and receive only the bare minimum maintenance.

one person who lived it

Buy well-maintained early 2000s vehicles to avoid complex electronics and cameras.

They have simple designs, cheap common parts, and sane prices.

one person who lived it

Consider financing a lightly used car if interest rates are very low.

The used car will not depreciate as quickly.

one person who lived it

If you struggle with impulse buying due to ADHD, try promising yourself you can buy the item the next day; often you will forget about it or not care enough to follow through.

By the next day, you may not care about the item, cannot remember it, or cannot be bothered to get it.

one person who lived it

• If you struggle with impulse buying, create a note on your phone for items you almost buy; before purchasing anything non-essential, write down the item name, price, and date in that note.1

Check out books from the library to test them before buying.

This is especially helpful for expensive items like cookbooks.

one person who lived it

Accept only cash or verified bank checks when selling a car privately; if accepting a bank check, call the bank to confirm it is genuine.

Bogus checks are common and can cause headaches.

one person who lived it

When buying something, purchase the best quality you can afford to avoid landfill waste and dealing with broken items.

To prevent items from going into a landfill and to avoid the hassle of broken goods.

one person who lived it

List free items for a small nominal fee (e.g., $5) to filter out time-wasters from serious buyers.

3 people, independently

Buy bulk sheets of activated carbon filter material and cut them yourself for multi-stage purifiers.

There is no need to buy pre-cut filters for way more.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying vehicles that cause you to become upside down on the loan, such as ending up about 8 grand in debt.

one person who lived it

Seek out wine bottles priced under $20 for everyday drinking.

These bottles are often highly overlooked by those who get into wine.

one person who lived it

Accept ugly or unusual colors if it means getting a specific shoe model at a much lower price.

The shoes were much cheaper and the user didn't care what their running shoes looked like.

one person who lived it

Buy high-quality chargers to avoid damaging devices with cheap alternatives.

Cheap chargers can cause burnt up motherboards.

one person who lived it

Use a mattress topper as a cheaper alternative to buying a new mattress if your current one is too hard.

It is a cheaper option than replacing the mattress.

one person who lived it

Buy ladders secondhand.

One person acquired two ladders for $1.10.

one person who lived it

When buying a used car privately, ask the seller why they are selling it and avoid sellers who appear to be backyard mechanics or junkyard divers.

You will likely receive a false excuse if the reason for selling is negative.

one person who lived it

Be wary of fake reviews, counterfeit products, and recycled returned items on Amazon, especially regarding technology purchases.

There is a flood of knockoffs from unknown brands, and defective products are sometimes put back into inventory without verification.

4 people, independently

Use up existing stockpiles of products before buying new ones.

to get rid of clutter and not waste money

one person who lived it

Consider older pickup trucks for frugal vehicle ownership.

They have widely available parts, hold resale value better, and require less energy to cool the cabin.

one person who lived it

Buy new battery-operated hand tools instead of used ones.

Used hand tools often fail mid-project.

one person who lived it

Do extensive research before buying expensive products claiming to be investment pieces, as many are poor quality with bumped-up prices.

Many poor quality products bump up their prices and claim they're investment pieces when they aren't.

one person who lived it

Only file class action claims for products you actually purchased to avoid ethical issues and fraud.

Filing for unowned items cheats genuine claimants out of their money.

2 people, independently

If you cannot afford to buy an item twice, consider it unaffordable.

3 people, independently

Inspect second-hand items for critical functionality before investing time in cosmetic repairs.

One person spent too much time painting a baby gate only to realize afterward that the child safety latch was broken.

one person who lived it

Buy secondhand primarily to object morally to consumerism and waste, viewing frugality as a secondary benefit.

Each item bought from another consumer prevents introducing new items into a wasteful system.

one person who lived it

If you spot an unplanned item in the store, leave it behind, sit in your car to list what you saw, and only return to buy it if you still feel you need it after that pause.

one person who lived it

Buy Jansport backpacks on clearance for long-lasting utility.

2 people, independently

Sell the car privately or to services like Carvana or CarMax instead of voluntarily surrendering it to the lender.

These services typically pay more than dealerships or auction sales associated with repossession.

2 people, independently

Buy high-quality second-hand items to improve your wardrobe while spending less money.

2 people, independently

Check local laws regarding salvage title registration and insurance coverage before buying a damaged vehicle.

Salvage titles may not qualify for Comprehensive and Collision coverage, though state minimum coverage is usually available.

one person who lived it

Have an independent inspection of any used vehicle before signing a purchase agreement.

Buying 'as is' carries risk; independent verification is responsible practice.

one person who lived it

Cut costs on non-essentials like furniture by buying second-hand, and set aside that money toward personal priorities like travel.

one person who lived it

Differentiate between quality items and overpriced luxury items to avoid diminishing returns.

A less expensive option often fits your needs perfectly well compared to a perceived superior but costlier alternative.

one person who lived it

Use a Weller WLC100 soldering station as a cost-effective backup tool for electronics repair.

one person who lived it

Save money on mobile service by using generic plans and older Android phones.

Older models can work just great while costing less than new devices and premium plans.

one person who lived it

Invest in appliances like washing machines or dishwashers to save time rather than doing tasks manually to save small amounts of money.

The cost is only a few cents, and the saved time can be used for productive activities.

one person who lived it

Choose reliable mainstream brands like Toyota or Lexus instead of luxury cars like Mercedes, BMW, or Audi.

Luxury brands are described as buying problems on cars that won't last 250K miles regardless of maintenance.

one person who lived it

Buy one step up in quality from the cheapest option.

One person found that items either tasted better or lasted much longer.

one person who lived it

Air dry laundry instead of using a dryer to save money and prevent clothes from wearing out.

Air drying is cheaper and extends the life of garments.

one person who lived it

Repair appliances with cheap parts instead of replacing them entirely.

One person fixed a dishwasher for $18 instead of paying $900 for a replacement.

one person who lived it

Focus on spending on tires and brakes for cars as they are lifesavers.

A mechanic advised that these are lifesavers; however, another note suggests less expensive sets do not necessarily mean death or danger, but may have shorter wear life.

• Less expensive tires or brakes do not necessarily mean death or danger, just potentially shorter wear life.

one person who lived it

Wash your hair every other day but scrub your armpits daily.

Showering less frequently is good for hair.

one person who lived it

Email Costco corporate instead of calling to create a trackable record of your complaint.

Emails do not expire and provide a paper trail that phone calls do not.

one person who lived it

Hang dry clothes in the sun to kill bacteria and save money.

The sun acts as a real sterilizer that kills bacteria while drying clothes, doesn't destroy them, and saves money compared to using electricity.

one person who lived it

Buy durable commercial-grade equipment for high-use tasks rather than cheap replacements.

Cheap equipment breaks frequently, leading to repeated replacement costs.

one person who lived it

Use standard alkaline batteries in low-drain devices like remotes if usage is infrequent.

Rechargeable batteries may not recover their initial cost if the device's battery life lasts a year or longer.

2 people, independently

Use a safety razor instead of cartridge blades to save money over time.

Cartridge blades have a hefty price compared to the long-term savings of a quality safety razor.

2 people, independently

• Use vintage double-edged razors with inexpensive blades.1

When filing insurance claims for items without receipts, describe them with extreme specificity including brand, year, make, and model.

Generic descriptions may result in replacement with the cheapest equivalent found online, whereas specific details ensure replacement with the exact item.

one person who lived it

• List items as specifically as possible when making an insurance claim, including features like color, size, and type, rather than generic names.2

Stockpile several years' worth of consumable parts like air filters, vacuum bags, and proprietary batteries when purchasing appliances.

Supplies often dry up or are replaced by inefficient substitutes.

one person who lived it

Check local refilleries for consumables despite higher upfront costs.

The items last way longer.

one person who lived it

Stock up on unscented store-brand baby wipes during sales and keep packs in various locations for all-purpose cleaning.

They are an inexpensive and versatile cleaning solution.

one person who lived it

Use a basic web-based laundry service instead of app-heavy competitors to save money.

It avoids the overhead costs associated with mobile apps and agile development, focusing solely on washing clothes.

one person who lived it

Buy Huggies diapers, specifically the Huggies + from Costco.

They hold a significant amount.

one person who lived it

Drive your automatic car as if it were a manual by easing off the gas early and letting it coast.

It prevents wasting gas.

one person who lived it

Mix three parts vodka with one part darker liquor like bourbon, whiskey, or rum to create a darker vanilla extract.

to get a darker extract

one person who lived it

Shut off the main water valve when going on vacation.

To prevent catastrophic leaks.

one person who lived it

Jokingly ask tipsy middle-aged customers for ID.

They often love it and may give generous tips.

one person who lived it

Coast in gear rather than shifting to neutral when rolling, as modern cars with DFCO use zero fuel while coasting in gear.

Deceleration Fuel Cut Off (DFCO) uses zero fuel when coasting in gear.

one person who lived it

Use an Aeropress coffee maker.

One user described it as producing the best tasting coffee they have ever had.

one person who lived it

Use sweet cream or half-and-half instead of most coffee creamers.

Most other creamers have palm oil as a primary ingredient.

one person who lived it

Use an electric pressure cooker to cut down on food waste.

It helps achieve almost zero food waste and reduces the amount of restaurant food eaten.

one person who lived it

Use a plunger to clear clogged drains instead of buying chemical cleaners.

Plungers are cheap, reusable, and usually work better than drain cleaners.

one person who lived it

• Use a metal clothes hanger or Zip-It tool to unclog drains instead of chemical cleaners.1

Rinse cups before filling them to check for insects.

To guard against cockroaches.

one person who lived it

Use paint color tester strips from hardware stores as bookmarks.

They are sturdy, washable, and can be matched to book covers by color tone.

one person who lived it

Block the overflow drain before plunging a sink or tub.

Plunging without blocking the overflow pushes air through the overflow rather than building pressure on the clog.

one person who lived it

Use only a small amount of almond extract to avoid a bitter taste.

Too much tastes bitter.

one person who lived it

Bring a large reusable water bottle to reduce waste and the frequency of refills.

Larger bottles mean less waste and fewer refills.

one person who lived it

Repaint walls and wax floors before moving your belongings in to help surfaces stay in good condition longer.

This way, they stay in good condition longer.

one person who lived it

Make other extracts like coffee, orange, lemon, garlic, or almond using the same process as vanilla.

The same process works for these items.

one person who lived it

Make chocolate treats using silicone molds and candy melts; the molds can also be used for play-doh afterward.

Kids enjoy using the molds for play-doh afterwards.

one person who lived it

Keep reusable storage containers at your desk for office leftovers.

One approach that helped reduce food waste.

one person who lived it

Bring your own reusable containers to restaurants to pack leftovers.

It avoids using disposable, often non-recyclable containers and prevents messes from microwaving styrofoam.

• You may get weird looks.

2 people, independently

Make your own kombucha to control the sweetness and tanginess of your drinks.

It allows you to customize flavor profiles.

one person who lived it

Remove the pump or lid from a nearly empty bottle, invert it over a new bottle of the same product (using a funnel if needed), and leave it overnight to drain remaining contents via gravity.

Gravity works to move the remaining liquid.

one person who lived it

Use inexpensive containers to organize refrigerators and cabinets.

It makes items easier to find and reduces money wasted on spoiled food or condiments.

one person who lived it

Buy a Black and Decker Metal Carafe Coffee Maker if you need a durable carafe that can withstand drops and keep coffee hot for long periods.

one person who lived it

Use NiMH rechargeable batteries in devices prone to leakage to protect hardware.

Unlike alkalines, NiMH batteries do not leak and destroy devices.

one person who lived it

Drive smoothly by avoiding heavy acceleration and braking to improve gas mileage.

Keeping speed steady and coasting to slow down before braking is an effective driving method.

one person who lived it

Read keypad labels carefully before pressing buttons to avoid accidental tips.

• Cashiers may instruct customers to press specific buttons that add tips.

one person who lived it

Use Monopolowa vodka for vanilla extract because it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless.

it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless

one person who lived it

Make tomato soup by mixing ketchup packets with free hot water.

one person who lived it

Limit alcohol consumption to special events where it is provided, rather than purchasing it regularly.

2 people, independently

Try rye flour as a shampoo substitute during periods of extreme frugality.

• Wholemeal rye flour may leave residue that looks like dandruff.

one person who lived it

Check rims and inside of tires for sharp objects causing repeat punctures.

Sharp objects lodged in the rim or tire interior can cause recurring flats.

one person who lived it

Avoid two-story homes for retirement to prevent fall risks from stairs and maintain the ability to perform your own upkeep.

Stairs present a fall risk and make self-upkeep nearly impossible during retirement.

one person who lived it

Maintain proper tire inflation to cut down on friction and wear.

Proper inflation reduces the amount of rubber touching the pavement.

one person who lived it

Tag the airline on social media and include receipts to pressure them into resolving issues publicly.

Airlines tend to solve problems quickly when their reputation is threatened.

one person who lived it

Maintain properties regularly to ensure they produce income and aren't condemned.

Unmaintained properties may be condemned and torn down, stopping income while taxes remain.

one person who lived it

Leave your contact information with clients when installing lights to offer takedown services later.

Most people want the decorations removed immediately after Christmas.

one person who lived it

Grow clover and vegetables in backyard areas hidden from the HOA to avoid mowing costs.

one person who lived it

Recognize that freelance rates are lower than the agency rates charged to clients.

Agencies charge much more than they pay freelancers.

one person who lived it

If you are struggling with high interest rates, call your lender and state that you will default unless they lower the rate; do not hang up until they agree to a reduction.

One person reported that calling Visa, Mastercard, and their bank with this approach resulted in all of them dropping the rates.

one person who lived it

Use loyalty programs and coupons to reduce grocery bills.

One person's bill dropped from 53 to 43 using a coupon from a free loyalty program.

one person who lived it

Recognize that Amazon Smile contributions are funded by Amazon's revenue, not additional customer charges.

Customers pay the standard price; Amazon donates a share of that purchase amount.

4 people, independently

Focus your bargaining efforts on expensive items to get the most from savings.

Saving money on high-cost goods has a larger impact.

one person who lived it

Be aware that discount platforms may attract customers who only seek one-time deals and never return to pay full price.

These customers lose money for the business because they only care about the lowest price.

2 people, independently

Use AAA membership for hotel stays to save money, especially during road trips.

4 people, independently

Use Kroger fuel points promotions to purchase gift cards for other retailers like Lowe’s or Home Depot.

One family reported saving about 6-12% on these purchases by doing so.

one person who lived it

Be skeptical of loan offers that seem too good to be true or have complex fee structures, as companies rely on consumers not doing the math.

Companies expect consumers to just see 'cashback' and not read the details.

one person who lived it

Start shopping for holiday gifts in July.

It works wonders.

one person who lived it

Compare the price per ounce of holiday candy on sale against regular-priced candy.

Holiday candy prices are often inflated, so a significant discount may only bring the price down to normal levels.

one person who lived it

Be wary of high dealership service charges for routine checks.

You might be getting charged unnecessarily.

one person who lived it

Shop for Christmas gifts throughout the year, particularly during summer months, to avoid last-minute rushing and high credit card debt.

Spreading out shopping prevents being strapped with over $1000 in debt and eliminates frantic December rushing.

one person who lived it

Consider accepting vouchers for voluntary bumps if you are flexible, but be aware of restrictions such as expiration dates and minimum redemption amounts.

One person received $4k in vouchers that were only valid for one year and could only be redeemed in $250 blocks.

• Vouchers may have strict redemption limits and short validity periods.

one person who lived it

Skeptically work out 'free' shipping offers, as product prices may be marked up to cover shipping costs.

Free shipping appears to be funded by higher product markups.

one person who lived it

Check if venues have a reserve of cash-only tickets sold directly at the box office at face value with no added fees.

These tickets may not be advertised online.

one person who lived it

Buy staple items like pasta or coffee only when they are on sale, rather than purchasing them every week.

3 people, independently

If shopping urges persist, try different thrift shops to hunt for specific brands and value.

You may be surprised by the quality of brands and value available if you are willing to search.

one person who lived it

Use a browser extension to reveal the total price including shipping and fees early in the shopping process.

Seeing the real price earlier prevents impulse purchases that exceed your planned budget, as extra costs often catch people off guard.

one person who lived it

Wait until the morning after a major holiday to buy discounted candy.

Retailers increasingly delay markdowns until later in the day, with discounts tapering off over the following weeks.

• Timing and discount depth may vary by retailer.

one person who lived it

Pay the full agreed-upon price for a phone upgrade even if the store undercharged you due to an error.

The manager may have paid the difference from their own pocket, and the carrier can bill you or withhold service later.

one person who lived it

If you are non-confrontational or worried about being talked over by salespeople, bring a friend to help negotiate.

Salespeople talk over women more than men and may take advantage of those who are afraid of confrontation.

one person who lived it

Ask a friend with Prime to ship small items to you as a gift, then reimburse them.

one person who lived it

Keep eyes open for deals year-round, not just during Black Friday.

one person who lived it

File a partial chargeback with your credit card company if an airline charges fees not disclosed at checkout.

Charging a different price than stated is considered fraud.

one person who lived it

If a merchant refuses to refund money for unused services and only offers store credit you do not intend to use, contact your credit card company to initiate a chargeback.

Store credit is worthless if you do not plan to use the service again.

one person who lived it

Use senior discounts to save money that can be used for other purchases.

It allows you to redirect saved funds toward other things.

one person who lived it

Use cash-back sites for online shopping and pledge to use only that returned money to buy presents.

It forces creativity and ensures you spend money you will never miss.

one person who lived it

Verify prescription costs at various pharmacies using tools such as GoodRx, since the covered price might not be the lowest.

4 people, independently

Structure your meals based on current discounts and digital coupons to get the most from your grocery money.

3 people, independently

Consider whether the low prices at Walmart are worth the ethical costs regarding labor practices and impact on the middle class.

• Some view shopping there as trading ethics for lower prices.

one person who lived it

Buy smaller amounts at dollar stores if you do not need bulk, even if the unit price is higher.

Larger 'economical' bags often contain more than needed, so buying the smaller amount saves money.

one person who lived it

Check for AAA discounts at museums, botanical gardens, and parking garages.

Many cultural sites and almost all hotels offer them.

one person who lived it

Check the Capital One Shopping app on your phone to find cashback rates.

It generally offers higher percentages than the website.

one person who lived it

Expect thrift stores to price items based on online market values like eBay, reducing the chance of finding hidden gems.

Stores now look up prices on internet sites before pricing items.

one person who lived it

Shop for quotes from other providers if a service provider drastically increases their rates.

They may have priced themselves out of the market.

one person who lived it

Be aware that package sizes may decrease while prices stay the same due to shrinkflation.

4 people, independently

Contact Costco corporate directly to resolve disputes when store-level management is unhelpful.

Corporate will make the situation right for you.

one person who lived it

When searching Google for products from small companies, click the organic search result instead of the paid ad to save the company money and avoid sending false demand signals.

Organic visits are generally better for the bottom line, while clicks provide measurable interest that marketing departments prefer but do not necessarily reflect true demand.

one person who lived it

Ask your insurance agent if you qualify for discounts on deadbolts, smoke detectors, centrally monitored burglar or fire alarms, or recent plumbing and HVAC updates.

Insurance companies often do not offer these discounts unless you explicitly demand them.

one person who lived it

Check prices on items in your Amazon cart before purchasing, as they may increase while saved.

one person who lived it

Combine grocery shopping with other necessary trips, such as the commute home from work, to avoid extra trips.

This saves on gas by eliminating unnecessary travel.

one person who lived it

Shop around regularly for service providers like insurance, cell phone, and internet services.

Service industries have zero loyalty to customers and view them only as sources of money.

one person who lived it

Look for promotional membership deals, such as discounted sign-ups during holidays or via third-party sites.

3 people, independently

Use Amazon Smile only if you were already planning to order from Amazon.

Using it as the primary reason to shop benefits Amazon rather than helping you avoid unnecessary spending.

one person who lived it

Drive to cheaper gas stations instead of filling up at pricey corner stations.

one person who lived it

Order directly from manufacturer websites to potentially receive mail coupons and samples.

Manufacturers often send these incentives to direct customers.

one person who lived it

Recognize that garage sales are becoming less common and more formalized as estate sales with higher prices and security.

Sellers are increasingly sorting items, pricing them high, and sometimes hiring security.

one person who lived it

Ride public transportation to learn how to navigate your city and avoid getting lost.

It teaches you how to get around.

one person who lived it

Be prepared for DIY repairs on hard-to-reach parts to take longer than expected and potentially fail.

One person took over an hour to replace a filter due to its location and still failed to secure the last screw properly.

one person who lived it

Read Naval Ravikant’s 'How to Get Rich Without Getting Lucky'.

One reader called it literally the GOAT.

one person who lived it

Create content about local life, cuisine, or studying in your region to build an audience and income.

Everyday topics can be interesting to others and do not require high-value skills.

one person who lived it

Resole and repair high-quality shoes to maintain their condition and comfort.

Repairs keep the shoes like new and extremely comfortable for work.

one person who lived it

Sign up for rewards cards at auto service chains to get free multi-point inspections.

These inspections cover major systems that don't require heavy disassembly.

• Check local reviews, as not all locations know what they are doing.

one person who lived it

Watch educational YouTube channels like ChrisFix to learn how to perform complex car repairs.

The videos make learning how to repair cars easy and approachable.

one person who lived it

Invest time in learning skills like DIY or repairs, especially when young, to increase future earning potential rather than focusing solely on saving small amounts of money.

Salary is typically the main source of income, not saved pennies.

one person who lived it

Learn to do your own drywall repairs.

Hiring someone is insanely expensive.

one person who lived it

Move closer to work to bike or walk, saving on car repairs, maintenance, insurance, and gas.

one person who lived it

If you have computer repair skills, offer to fix a CPA's tech issues in exchange for them preparing your personal and small business taxes.

It creates a mutually helpful arrangement where both parties save money.

one person who lived it

Address minor car maintenance issues immediately to avoid catastrophic mechanical failure.

skipping services can lead to expensive repairs like a new engine

one person who lived it

Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music during your commute to make the time enjoyable.

It turns the drive into personal time for decompression or entertainment.

2 people, independently

Perform maintenance on your possessions on time to prevent them from breaking.

Items break without maintenance.

one person who lived it

Search for 'ECOMODDER' online to access tested hypermiling tips and research.

It is a forum with extensive testing of gas-saving methods.

one person who lived it

Watch an interview on The Financial Diet about a No-Buy year for lessons and inspiration.

The experience shared is described as interesting and valuable.

one person who lived it

Visit local cosmetology schools to get a haircut at a much lower cost while being supervised by an experienced pro.

3 people, independently

Consider skilled blue-collar trades like electrician, plumbing, mechanic, or plant operator if you lack higher education but need stable income.

These are solid, in-demand labor roles that do not require a master's degree.

one person who lived it

One person reported knowing someone who makes significant money by repairing broken electronics like PS3s, Xboxes, or TVs on the side.

one person who lived it

Read Forrest Mims's book 'Getting Started in Electronics' to learn electronics basics.

one person who lived it

Monitor avian influenza impacts on egg prices, noting that large-scale producers are hit harder than local ones.

Most dead chickens from infection or culling come from large farms.

one person who lived it

Seek out local nonprofit clinics or Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that charge sliding-scale fees according to income.

It helps avoid gaps in coverage.

3 people, independently

Pick up your food instead of using delivery apps to save money.

It is way cheaper.

2 people, independently

• Call restaurants directly to order takeout and pick it up yourself to avoid delivery app fees.1

Bring your packed lunch to a nearby mall food court to eat and study.

People generally do not bother you there.

one person who lived it

Sell kittens from an unplanned litter after veterinary care is complete to recoup costs.

Selling them can recover the money spent on vet services quickly.

• Give the mother cat time with her kittens before selling.

one person who lived it

Buy small quantities of perishable ingredients if you will not use the larger package before it expires.

Buying more than you can consume results in waste, negating any savings from bulk pricing.

2 people, independently

Shop thrift stores in or near affluent neighborhoods and senior living facilities for better quality goods at lower prices.

Older folks and wealthy residents donate high-quality items.

3 people, independently

Visit local thrift stores the Tuesday after Memorial Day Weekend to find items donated from unsold garage sale stock.

People donate what doesn't sell at garage sales held over the weekend.

one person who lived it

If you are on a tight budget, try using coupons from out-of-state newspapers to cut grocery costs.

one person who lived it

Prepare simple, cheap meals using dried beans, canned diced tomatoes, onions, and optional bacon.

Dried beans and rice are cheap and easy to make tasty.

one person who lived it

Rent tools from hardware stores near closing time to get the most from usage duration within the cheapest hourly rate.

Checking out two hours before closing extends the rental period without incurring higher daily rates.

one person who lived it

Visit Planned Parenthood or local health clinics to obtain free condoms.

3 people, independently

Use an employer food stipend to buy non-perishable staples like peanut butter, bread, or low-sugar snacks rather than prepared meals.

These items provide a ready-to-eat option if you forget to pack lunch.

one person who lived it

Meal prep or use affordable home-cooked meal delivery services instead of eating out to save money.

Home-cooked meal delivery can be cheaper than restaurants.

one person who lived it

Participate in secret shopping surveys to earn occasional free meals.

You won't profit, but getting a few free meals after long surveys might be worthwhile.

one person who lived it

Accept free turkey packages from food banks if needed; there is no shame in doing so.

one person who lived it

Stop buying expensive processed vegetarian foods like Morningstar burgers if you are trying to be frugal.

While delicious, they are crazy expensive.

one person who lived it

Check with your local school district or community centers for free summer meal pickup programs.

4 people, independently

Eat your packed lunch in the cafe seating area of a nearby grocery store.

They typically do not care if you are eating there without purchasing anything.

one person who lived it

Find a local Spanish-speaking butcher or grocer.

They carry offal and organ meats not typically found in standard supermarkets.

one person who lived it

Contact local churches for help with food, shelter, and social service connections.

4 people, independently

Spend your lunch break watching airplanes at a regional airport.

It is entertaining.

one person who lived it

Sign up for reduced lunch programs at schools to access connected free services like bus rides and scholarships.

The programs are connected, allowing access to other free services without fudging income.

one person who lived it

Accept that living in a vehicle limits cooking options, requiring reliance on non-perishable foods or consuming perishables quickly before they expire.

Not cooking is described as a hassle.

one person who lived it

Scavenge trash piles on pickup days, especially for large items in wealthy neighborhoods, as an alternative to thrifting.

These situations can yield significant finds.

one person who lived it

Expect higher transportation costs if you live in a remote area.

Being far from amenities requires spending more money to transport goods.

one person who lived it

Bring small change to donate to donation boxes at free university events to encourage their continuation.

Donations help ensure these events continue.

• The amount does not need to be large.

one person who lived it

Check if your local library has a designated snack area or lounge where eating is permitted.

Some libraries have separate areas with vending machines or lounges that allow snacks and phone usage.

one person who lived it

Cultivate friendships for mutual aid, such as sharing meals, finding deals, or providing shelter, while ensuring you do not become a mooch.

one person who lived it

Stock canned tuna, canned shredded chicken, and basic sauces when living in a vehicle.

These non-perishable items provide nutrition without getting old quickly.

one person who lived it

Focus on buying essential kitchen appliances over decorative furniture when starting out.

Essential appliances help you eat cheaper.

one person who lived it

Acknowledge that corporate price gouging makes basic food items unaffordable.

one person who lived it

Grow your own herbs like oregano and basil to add to homemade pizza flavor.

Combining these homegrown herbs makes pizzas incredibly delicious.

one person who lived it

Consider that beef production is damaging to the planet and historically not a poor people's food, which suggests it should be expensive.

one person who lived it

Look for local small businesses that sell niche or specialty items you might otherwise buy on Amazon.

one person who lived it

Scavenge furniture from university theater department dumpsters.

Scene shops often discard large, good-sized pieces.

one person who lived it

Consider meal delivery services if you are disabled and have difficulty getting to the store, as they can be a huge help in accessing real meals.

one person who lived it

Use charity vouchers from organizations like the Salvation Army or United Way to supplement holiday meals with items like juice, vegetables, and pie ingredients.

one person who lived it

Leave excess canned fruit in discreet locations like mailboxes for neighbors to take.

one person who lived it

Buy locally if the return process is easier than dealing with shipping back items from online retailers.

one person who lived it

Attend university Freshers Fairs to collect free treats and vouchers from local businesses.

one person who lived it

Add smile.amazon.com as a favorite or bookmark in your browser to ensure easy access.

This reduces the chance of forgetting to use it.

2 people, independently

Check your bank account balance every day.

it may give you motivation

one person who lived it

Navigate to Account > Payments > Transactions to view purchases by invoice number, which matches your bank statement.

This allows you to match transactions with your bank's list.

one person who lived it

If your bank denies a fraud claim or fails to resolve unauthorized transactions, contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and file a police report.

The CFPB can force the bank's hand in resolving the issue.

one person who lived it

Schedule a recurring monthly move of a manageable sum from your checking to savings.

6 people, independently

Rearrange bill due dates if they cluster together.

Having multiple bills due daily during a 'bulk' time of the month gets confusing.

one person who lived it

Focus on long-term credit score trends rather than obsessing over monthly fluctuations, which can change slightly due to minor factors.

Checking monthly is pointless if you are already doing everything right.

one person who lived it

Use bank cards for most purchases to make it easier to review expenses, rather than using cash which can be spent quickly without tracking.

Using cards makes expense review easier and prevents money from being blown through as quickly as cash.

one person who lived it

Generate a pre-filled URL for shared expense forms with default values for fields that are the same most of the time.

one person who lived it

Be wary of business models disguised as easy money opportunities, such as OnlyFans referrals, which operate similarly to multi-level marketing schemes.

Referrers earn a payment and a percentage of earnings from those they refer.

one person who lived it

Create your account in the target low-cost region before attempting to subscribe.

Account location is critical for accessing regional pricing.

one person who lived it

Use prepaid top-up cards instead of automatic payments to control spending and avoid unauthorized charges.

It allows precise control over spending, prevents card info hacking, and avoids rogue bills.

one person who lived it

Designate one person in a shared subscription group to pay and remind others when renewal is due.

This helps avoid unexpected charges.

one person who lived it

Call your lender to ask why the payoff amount does not match the remaining payments and request a full payment history with a principal and interest breakdown.

one person who lived it

Confirm in writing with your mortgage lender that additional payments are applied directly to the principal balance.

Otherwise, lenders may apply extra funds to interest or future installments to their advantage.

one person who lived it

Prepare for persistent payment reminders if using an expiring gift card for Tidal trials.

• After the card expired, one user received emails every four days for a month asking to change payment information.

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Name digital receipt files with the item's cost at the beginning of the filename to enable sorting purchases by price.

This allows sorting all purchases across sites by price, which cannot be done with confirmation emails.

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Keep a spreadsheet budget instead of balancing a checkbook.

Balancing a checkbook has become an anachronism.

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Wait for matching donation campaigns before contributing to NPR.

Doubling donations makes your contribution go farther.

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Buy gift cards for frequently visited places using your prepaid card balance to convert it directly.

Tax is usually not added, allowing a direct balance conversion.

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Report suspicious posts or bots soliciting money in financial communities to moderators.

These actors often prey on people with financial difficulties.

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Study relational database theory to improve communication with data teams about objectives and sources.

Understanding databases helps help with conversations about what data exists, where it comes from, and why it was requested.

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Check if your financial institution offers rewards for spending and bill payments, including direct deposit.

One person gets rewarded for using their account to pay bills and for having paychecks direct deposited.

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Save confirmation screenshots or documents of canceled subscriptions to ensure cancellations went through and prevent future charges.

Servers fail and cancellations might not go through.

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Split transactions at stores that allow it to use multiple coupons simultaneously.

• only works if the store allows multiple transactions

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Send goodwill letters to creditors requesting the elimination of late payments on your credit report.

• Not all companies will agree to remove them.

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Meet friends halfway to share transportation costs.

Saves or equitably apportions transportation costs

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Set up autopay for recurring bills such as streaming services, utilities, loans, and credit cards.

3 people, independently

• Set up automatic deposits and transfers for bills instead of writing checks manually.3

Remove meat from its original packaging and portion it into freezer bags by meal size to save space and ease use.

It saves space and makes usage easier.

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Check your utility provider's website for daily usage data to identify high-energy appliances like dryers.

One person noticed their kWh quadrupled while the dryer was running.

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Use ice packs to stay cool enough to sleep and unfragranced baby wipes to clean up and use as cold compresses.

Ice packs help keep a temperature conducive to sleep; wipes aid hygiene and cooling.

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Consume perishable blended items like acai bowls immediately rather than taking them to-go to prevent melting and soupy texture.

They are blended frozen and start melting after 10 minutes.

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Store noodles or rice separately from broth when storing soup, then mix when reheating to prevent disintegration.

Pasta and rice absorb water over days until they practically disintegrate.

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Check specific configurations for storage and RAM capacity, even if the laptop model number is the same.

Different configurations of the same model number may have different storage and RAM capacities.

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Place a thermometer in the refrigerator to check for air circulation issues.

If items freeze in the back, it indicates insufficient air circulation; checking the door side shows the front temperature.

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Call the bank ahead of time before withdrawing large amounts of cash to ensure they have enough funds available.

Withdrawing more than a few thousand dollars can require significant preparation by staff.

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Know your finger size precisely before buying tungsten rings because they cannot be resized.

Tungsten is very hard and never gets resized.

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Have a friend who is a jeweler make wedding bands for a fraction of the retail cost.

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Listen to the sound of coins when dropped or handled to identify silver, which produces a distinctively different ring compared to modern composite coins.

Silver gives off a special sound with less bass and more high pitch.

3 people, independently

Choose lab-created diamonds to obtain larger stones at a lower price while ensuring ethical sourcing.

They are indistinguishable from mined diamonds but offer better size-to-price ratios and avoid mining ethics issues.

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Avoid depositing jars of loose change into Coinstar machines.

They may reject or mishandle valuable silver coins.

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Purchase tungsten rings on eBay for low cost and high durability against dents and scratches.

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Have a gunsmith check antique firearms for safety before attempting to shoot them.

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Track the value of coins found with a metal detector to determine when the equipment has paid for itself.

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Back up data immediately if a hard drive makes unusual clicking sounds, as this indicates imminent failure.

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Consider using third-party claim agencies that take a cut of the compensation if airlines are unresponsive or difficult to deal with directly.

One person suggested this because airlines often ignore direct claims.

• Based on one person's suggestion

one person who lived it

Consider buying older cars to avoid payment plans and the stress associated with them.

Owning an older car without payments provides happiness and freedom from financial locks.

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Tip delivery drivers more generously during rainy days or when they face significant weather challenges like national weather warnings.

People often tip more when they see the dedication required to deliver in bad conditions.

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Understand that WIC benefits may be too low to buy snacks if recipients focus on nutrition-rich foods, indicating tight budgets.

Benefits are not high enough to cover both nutritious food and snacks simultaneously.

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Consider paying more for games on platforms with better library management or DRM-free options if those features matter to you.

Some users value the assurance that the game will always be in their library or wish to avoid DRM.

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Avoid carrying physical loyalty cards from stores like Tuesday Morning if they offer no tangible perks.

They take up space in your wallet without providing benefits.

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When a mechanic provides a quote, ask them to distinguish between 'needs' and 'recommendations' to avoid paying for unnecessary work.

Some pricey items may be recommendations rather than needs.

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Be aware that investing in seasonal cycling gear can become a significant financial drain.

One user described their investment in gear for each season as a 'money pit'.

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Do not feel obligated to compensate a friend for missing your destination wedding.

Etiquette dictates you do not owe them anything for their absence.

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Use legal, ad-supported free streaming options if cost is a primary concern.

Many free options exist that are not illegal unless downloading is involved.

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Ensure your car insurance includes a specific rideshare endorsement to prevent claim denials if you are in an accident while logged into a rideshare app.

Claims are often denied without this specific endorsement when accidents occur while logged in.

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Do not assume 'weather' excuses for US domestic flight cancellations guarantee lack of compensation, as payouts only cover issues within the airline's control.

Compensation is determined by whether the cause was within the airline's control, not just the label used.

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Consult a consumer credit counselor or explore debt consolidation options before voluntarily surrendering your vehicle.

They may help you navigate the situation without destroying your financial future.

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Avoid judging American spending habits until you understand the cultural emphasis on consumerism.

The environment is very different.

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Be polite to airline employees during confrontations.

Aggressive behavior reduces the likelihood of receiving help.

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Distinguish between prejudice and judgments based on past behavior when evaluating consumer scoring.

Prejudice is based on preconceived opinions rather than facts; decisions based on individual past behaviors are not prejudiced.

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Recognize that Amazon's logistics network is optimized for speed, making slower shipping methods inefficient and more costly for them.

Slower shipping makes the system more complicated and costs them more.

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Be skeptical of political motivations behind debt relief policies, as they may serve election cycles rather than addressing systemic issues for future generations.

Politicians may push these measures to gain support before elections without providing lasting relief.

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