Saving

Reach out to the vendor directly and propose paying cash rather than using a Groupon voucher to potentially get a better price or service.

Businesses may make more profit this way and honor the Groupon price without the fee.

3 people, independently

Check coupon links in URLs for an 'id=' parameter and change this ID to see if different coupons apply.

One person saved an extra $50 on a tux rental this way.

one person who lived it

Work out whether obsessive couponing consumes more time and energy than the money saved, as this effort could otherwise be used to generate income.

Time spent printing, sorting, and shopping could be used to bring in an income.

2 people, independently

Sign up for store email or text lists and loyalty programs to receive targeted coupons and discounts.

3 people, independently

• Stack cashback percentages from services like TopCashback and Raise.com with coupons on purchases.1
• Stack Amazon Prime Store Card cash back with Warehouse Deals discounts for better savings.1
• Structure pizza orders around available coupons rather than selecting items first and then searching for discounts.1
• Leave unused but valid store coupons next to the corresponding products so other shoppers can use them before they expire.3
• Expect abandoned-cart discount offers more often from smaller or mid-sized retailers than from large platforms.4

Abandon your shopping cart to trigger reminder emails that may include free shipping or discounts.

The best offers often appear in the third reminder email.

one person who lived it

• Abandon your cart specifically at the shipping phase to increase the likelihood of receiving a free shipping coupon.1

Avoid spending excessive time searching for and signing up for birthday memberships if the effort outweighs the value.

Most places do not offer deals worth the hassle, and you must spend additional time unsubscribing from newsletters.

one person who lived it

Review the store's coupon policy at the Customer Service Desk before shopping.

Customers have spent hours shopping only to find their methods were out of policy.

one person who lived it

Ask a member friend to bring you into Costco for shopping.

Members are encouraged to bring non-members along.

one person who lived it

Use Costco travel benefits, such as rental car discounts, to offset membership costs.

One person reported saving hundreds on rental cars.

one person who lived it

Email or call customer support to ask for rebates, discounts, or free shipping before finalizing a purchase.

One person saved $100 on a road bike by asking about specials and receiving free shipping.

one person who lived it

Only buy items with coupons if you would have purchased them anyway and can consume them before they expire.

Buying items you wouldn't otherwise purchase is not a bargain.

one person who lived it

• Verify if items bought via coupons are things you actually need or find useful, otherwise you are just buying things because they are on sale.5

Be aware that retailers may inflate base prices to account for expected coupon usage.

Retailers figure aggressive promos into their base pricing, meaning you might pay more if you are not actively seeking deals.

one person who lived it

Refuse to buy items if a retailer refuses to honor a valid coupon.

It may be the more frugal decision.

one person who lived it

Read the fine print thoroughly before buying a Groupon to understand restrictions such as location limits, dine-in only rules, or non-combinability.

Groupon often structures the deals, not the business.

2 people, independently

Use humor, such as jokingly asking for an 'Early Bird' discount when arriving late, to potentially secure a discount.

Humor can elicit a laugh and a kind of discount.

one person who lived it

Check if an automatic special rate is better before applying a promo code, as the code may invalidate the discount and raise the price.

Promo codes can override automatically applied special rates that offer a better deal.

one person who lived it

Shop at Kohl's only during special sales and stack coupons with clearance items.

Prices are marked up to make sales feel like better deals.

one person who lived it

Be cautious when cashing unsolicited rebate checks, as endorsing them may enroll you in unwanted subscription services or contracts.

Cashing the check might sign you up for book clubs, magazines, or credit monitoring plans.

• Read the check very carefully.

one person who lived it

Try entering generic testing codes such as TEST50, TEST30, TEST, or TEST123 at checkout.

These codes from testing phases are sometimes not inactivated after a website redesign or go-live.

2 people, independently

Wait for sales instead of using coupons.

Coupons are less effective now.

one person who lived it

Enter sweepstakes that are restricted to students.

You might win prizes like a laptop.

one person who lived it

One approach that helped: buy an item using Kohl's Cash, request a gift receipt, and return it to receive a merchandise card instead of new Kohl's Cash.

Merchandise cards last indefinitely, whereas Kohl's Cash expires.

one person who lived it

Fill out shipping, billing, and email information during checkout but do not enter your credit card number or complete the purchase; close the window to receive a reminder email with a coupon.

The website will send coupons to encourage the sale if they have your email stored.

one person who lived it

Do not fuss with cashiers over pricing errors if the store has a process where staff will investigate and fix the issue.

The store handles the correction internally.

one person who lived it

Consider not using a Kohl's credit card if you can manage without it; one person reported their limit rising from $300 to $2000 while never using it.

• This is based on one person's experience.

one person who lived it

Contact the local Better Business Bureau if a retailer makes an error or fails to honor a deal.

The BBB may review the issue and prompt the retailer to issue an apology or clarification.

one person who lived it

Check the websites of local children's and science museums directly for SNAP discounts, even if they do not appear on the main Museums for All list.

The official website list is incomplete.

one person who lived it

Avoid relying on abandoned cart discounts with Amazon.

They may raise prices based on your interest.

one person who lived it

File a complaint with corporate if a store refuses to honor a stated price match policy.

corporate may send a gift card that covers the difference

one person who lived it

Hand unused coupons directly to shoppers in the aisle instead of leaving them on shelves.

Managers may view shelf coupons as trash and nitpick about them, and they often fall into equipment or on the floor.

one person who lived it

Avoid using affiliate links on coupon sites if they do not provide a genuine discount.

The site earns a commission from your purchase regardless of the discount.

one person who lived it

Avoid relying solely on coupon sites that require extensive clicking or sign-ups, as they may not provide working codes.

Such sites often lead to referral links or broken coupons despite claims of legitimacy.

one person who lived it

Search Google for coupon codes if a checkout page has a field for them, as dedicated sites often list active discounts.

one person who lived it

Check specific product categories before relying on cashback sites advertising high maximum rates.

Actual rates vary by item; for example, video games often yield very low cashback.

one person who lived it

Contact magazine customer service directly to place subscriptions obtained through third-party rewards on hold, as they often cannot officially cancel them.

Orders placed through third parties are typically not cancellable by the publisher directly.

• Customer service may refuse official cancellation due to third-party origin.

one person who lived it

Check specific validity restrictions such as days of the week before purchasing activity-based Groupons.

Deals may only be valid on nights when reservations are impossible due to league events.

one person who lived it

Request a manager if store employees refuse to honor stated price-match policies.

Employees may be lying about the policy.

one person who lived it

Avoid self-checkout lanes when carrying a large number of coupons.

Registers often fail to accept them or require manual entry, causing issues.

one person who lived it

Return items to Costco without a receipt to receive store credit.

• Excludes electronics and some big ticket items.

one person who lived it

Do rebates for specific companies that offer them frequently because it is cost-effective for them.

It is more cost effective for the companies.

one person who lived it

Search for online coupons manually via Google and enter the code yourself at checkout to avoid cookie conflicts that negate cashback benefits.

Opening a new window for a coupon can set a new cookie that negates cashback site benefits; entering the code manually usually allows combining offers.

one person who lived it

Time your purchases to coincide with sales and apply coupons simultaneously to get the most from savings.

3 people, independently

Treat couponing as a game or hobby if you find enjoyment in saving money, rather than viewing it purely as a financial strategy.

Many people find the activity entertaining enough that the time spent is not considered wasted, and some get satisfaction from keeping money in their pocket.

one person who lived it

Recognize that student discounts are a marketing strategy to attract customers who cannot afford full price.

It brings in business from people the merchant might not usually attract.

one person who lived it

Check for online sales on clothing and shoes before going to the store, as in-store systems can honor these digital discounts.

one person who lived it

Use the abandoned cart strategy as a buffer to help avoid impulse purchases.

4 people, independently

Be aware that some businesses limit the number of redemptions they accept to manage profit hits.

Managers may pre-approve a specific number of sales at the discounted rate.

one person who lived it

Submit a spouse's or partner's graduate tuition bill to extend Amazon Student pricing eligibility.

One couple extended their student pricing by submitting the wife's tuition bill for her graduate classes.

one person who lived it

Contact Amazon customer service about late deliveries to request compensation coupons.

One person reported receiving a coupon every time they explained that late delivery was unacceptable given their membership.

one person who lived it

On coupon aggregation sites, try codes labeled 'recently used' or 'used today' rather than those marked 'may work' or 'regional'.

One person found that recently used codes tend to work while others usually do not.

one person who lived it

Verify shipping costs after applying a discount code, as high shipping fees may negate the savings.

one person who lived it

Contact companies directly by phone or letter to express appreciation for their products to receive free coupons.

3 people, independently

Be skeptical of 'every day savings' labels presented as coupon codes, as they may not offer additional value.

If the savings apply automatically without a code, it is not really a coupon.

one person who lived it

Double-check checkout options to ensure you explicitly select 'order without enrolling' to avoid accidental paid subscriptions.

Merchants often prompt enrollment at every checkout, placing the responsibility on the buyer to verify their selection.

one person who lived it

Stop extreme couponing, as stricter store policies and reduced values have largely made it obsolete.

Manufacturers and stores closed loopholes after the practice became mainstream.

one person who lived it

Avoid sending negative feedback solely to obtain free items.

Negative reviews count against employees' bonuses and require investigations that waste time and potentially hurt paychecks.

one person who lived it

For Budget car rentals, create an account, choose a car, but abandon the reservation without paying to potentially receive a 30% offer via email within hours.

one person who lived it

Search online for comprehensive lists of birthday freebies to identify participating businesses.

6 people, independently

Check the websites of your current zoo, museum, or aquarium memberships to see if they offer discounts at other institutions when you are traveling.

Zoos and similar institutions often have reciprocal locations listed as added benefits.

3 people, independently

Be cautious of referral links in comments claiming to help with discounts.

one person who lived it

Ensure the item you purchase is the exact same size and variety specified on the coupon, as any difference invalidates it.

Manufacturers trust retailers to enforce strict matching between the coupon description and the purchased product.

one person who lived it

Try applying holiday-specific coupon codes, such as those for Father's Day or Valentine's Day, even when shopping outside of those seasons.

one person who lived it

Expect stricter store policies on coupons, including denial of cash returns and mandatory inspection of coupons before scanning.

Stores implemented inspections to prevent exploitation of remaining loopholes.

one person who lived it

Be aware that self-checkout machines may ask for coupons after the transaction is complete, causing confusion about when to submit them.

one person who lived it

Register hole-in-one achievements with golf club and ball manufacturers' websites to receive free gifts.

one person who lived it

Email companies to compliment their products and inquire about bulk purchasing options to save money.

one person who lived it

One approach that helped: search apartment building newspaper recycling bins on Sunday nights or Monday mornings for discarded Sunday coupons.

one person who lived it

Ask financial or law offices for free furniture if you run a nonprofit or small business, as they often discard theirs every couple of years.

They will usually give it away rather than keep it.

one person who lived it

Use a Fiskars X36 axe for splitting wood.

It has a durable, lightweight handle and a well-designed head.

one person who lived it

Buy used video games online to pay half the price of retail stores.

Marketplaces like eBay often list used games for less than new retail.

one person who lived it

Only buy IKEA Brimnes bed frames second-hand if you are willing to reinforce them, as they are often unstable.

They are commonly found trashed or donated because they are not super stable.

one person who lived it

Look for factory stamps or machine press marks on jewelry to identify mass-produced knock-offs.

These marks indicate the item is not handmade despite claims.

• Especially with smaller 'homemade' stuff.

one person who lived it

Search for 'hcg test strips' online to find cheap pregnancy and ovulation tests.

Searching by the chemical name reveals several options that are much cheaper than branded tests.

one person who lived it

One approach that helped: look for used furniture sets left on the side of the road rather than buying new when funds are tight.

one person who lived it

Avoid shopping at Kay Jewelers.

They are perceived to overcharge for low quality and sell rings that many others have.

one person who lived it

Buy tools from Harbor Freight if you know you will only use them a few times.

• Try this if you can't find something at Home Depot.

3 people, independently

Plan ahead when ordering single items from AliExpress due to long delivery times.

Delivery can take up to a month.

one person who lived it

Consider buying Allen Edmonds shoes instead of cheaper brands if you are spending significant cash.

They are 'decades' shoes.

one person who lived it

Test electronics thoroughly before buying them from surplus sources, as they may have deteriorated while sitting in storage.

They were likely working when marked for salvage but may have sat around for a long time since then.

one person who lived it

Target art schools or expensive private colleges for higher-quality finds.

Art schools had way more stuff.

one person who lived it

Play chess online to replace doom-scrolling.

It serves as a productive replacement for mindless scrolling.

one person who lived it

Look for valuable collectible coins, such as silver dimes, nickels, or quarters, and bills with low or repeating serial numbers.

They have melt value or collector value.

one person who lived it

Avoid using Harbor Freight tools for tasks where failure could cause injury or death.

one person who lived it

Buy bedding, sheets, and towels from online house brands for high value.

Some online private label lines offer quality that is surprisingly nice for the price.

one person who lived it

Avoid burning Ponderosa pine indoors.

It causes creosote buildup that gums up chimneys.

one person who lived it

Buy fridges cheaply during move-out season and resell them at half retail price the following year.

one person who lived it

Inspect every item for holes, missing buttons, or damage before buying at closing sales.

Some items are defective returns or damaged from digging through piles.

2 people, independently

Check Humble Bundle for cheap audiobook deals that donate money to charity.

Money from purchases goes to charity.

one person who lived it

Buy heavy items like kettlebells in-store to save on shipping costs.

one person who lived it

Attend university-hosted yard sales or garage sales where leftover student items are sold cheaply.

Proceeds from these sales are used as funds for residence halls.

one person who lived it

Avoid third-party sellers on Amazon to reduce complaints and potential issues.

These are the sellers people complain about most.

one person who lived it

Check clearance sections at department stores for high-quality brand name suits at reduced prices.

Clearance items from reputable brands offer better value than budget alternatives.

one person who lived it

Check areas near international student dorms during move-out week for discarded packaged food and clothes they cannot fly home with.

International students have limits on what they can fly back, leading to significant amounts of discarded items.

one person who lived it

Greet campus police if you are collecting items from curbsides to clarify that you are not a nuisance.

Campus police may be cruising around and aware of this activity.

one person who lived it

Be aware that DIY apps may produce photos slightly off in dimension, leading to rejection.

one person who lived it

Copy product model, barcode, or EAN numbers and search them on Google Shopping or eBay to compare prices.

Entering a barcode into Google shows every indexed product page.

one person who lived it

Wait until cleaning staff have finished processing dorm rooms and emptied dumpsters before scavenging, as staff get first pick of discarded items.

Staff remove desirable items from rooms before dumping the rest.

one person who lived it

Check thrift stores run by Teen Challenge for extremely cheap clothing.

one person who lived it

Ask to take home discarded office printers that are being thrown away due to minor connectivity or technical issues.

You can obtain functional hardware for free that would otherwise be discarded.

one person who lived it

Be prepared to dig through jumbled racks and ignore sizing labels.

Sizing is often inconsistent and items are mixed together.

one person who lived it

Consider buying refurbished or used KitchenAid mixers from commercial equipment stores or Facebook Marketplace for long-term durability.

They last longer and are straightforward to work on if you are handy.

one person who lived it

Research alternative markets for old equipment found in surplus sales to resell them for a profit.

one person who lived it

Browse your wishlist to find small items that help you reach the free shipping minimum without overspending.

one person who lived it

Look for free furniture on classifieds sites when people are moving or clearing out homes.

one person who lived it

• Flip free or cheaply acquired furniture and items to earn extra money.4

Inspect high-value items thoroughly after purchase, as counterfeits may appear legitimate until opened or used outside warranty windows.

Counterfeit items may come in legit-looking packaging but contain completely different components inside.

one person who lived it

Verify that fallen trees are truly abandoned before taking them to avoid theft accusations.

Trees usually belong to someone, and taking them without certainty they were discarded constitutes stealing.

one person who lived it

Look for end-of-season sales racks at department stores for deep discounts on quality clothing like sweaters.

one person who lived it

Buy replacement remotes for older garage door models on eBay rather than purchasing universal replacements from big-box stores.

People tend to sell old remotes cheaper there.

one person who lived it

Be cautious when buying electronics from warehouse deals as they may have intermittent faults despite looking new.

One person reported issues with multiple electronic items such as coffee makers, Chromebooks, kettles, and headphones.

one person who lived it

Purchase plants from nurseries or garden centers late in the season for steep discounts on leftover stock.

3 people, independently

Contact OtterBox to request free replacement phone cases, paying only for shipping.

one person who lived it

Leave some sale items on shelves rather than clearing them out completely.

Clearing shelves is considered inconsiderate to other shoppers.

one person who lived it

Paint furniture frames a different color if they clash with your decor.

one person who lived it

Verify that the product model number or UPC matches exactly between the in-store item and the online listing.

3 people, independently

Be aware that 'Add-on' items may arrive in separate boxes, which defeats the purpose of combining them for free shipping.

one person who lived it

Write to toy manufacturers about defective items; one child received a replacement doll sweater from American Girl.

• based on a single instance

one person who lived it

Try this strategy with larger specialty stores that have mostly online presences, such as print companies, car part stores, or outdoor clothing brands.

one person who lived it

Take your money and trust elsewhere if a retailer treats you unfairly or lies to you.

It is a reasonable response to unfair treatment.

one person who lived it

Place ticket stubs in a photo album for easier viewing.

It is smaller and easier to look at.

one person who lived it

Set a reminder one week before your birthday to begin signing up for offers.

Some companies require a month of advance notice.

one person who lived it

Be aware that some prepaid cards charge a monthly service fee after a period of inactivity (thought to be around a year), eroding the balance.

This serves as a loophole for expiration restrictions.

one person who lived it

Be wary of late fees caused by banks delaying check processing to collect interest or fees.

Banks may delay processing to milk interest or collect late fees.

one person who lived it

Be patient with payout timelines, as settlements can take months or even years to process and distribute funds.

3 people, independently

Intentionally lose your student ID in your final year of college to get a replacement with a reset expiration date.

The new ID resets the expiration, extending the period for discounts.

one person who lived it

Avoid entering credit card or bank information for sketchy merchants on platforms like Etsy due to high fraud risks.

A bank employee noted seeing too many fraud charges coming through such transactions.

one person who lived it

Greet people with a genuine 'Hi' and ask how their day is before starting an interaction.

It goes a long way in improving interactions.

one person who lived it

Maintain your car regularly.

Prevention is worth more than the cure.

one person who lived it

Recognize that poor service or unclear terms may stem from the business or platform contracts rather than your actions.

It is often a bad experience for both employees and patrons due to high commissions and restrictive contracts.

one person who lived it

Do not file credit card chargebacks for hotel cancellations unless the charge is fraudulent.

Hotels may win the dispute and pursue legal action for chargeback fraud.

one person who lived it

Change login emails for accounts tied to your college email before losing access.

People have lost access to accounts when they graduated and their college email was deactivated.

one person who lived it

Check if your student ID has an expiration date printed on it.

• Some IDs have no date; others may expire.

3 people, independently

When rebooking at a lower rate, secure the new reservation before canceling the old one.

This prevents being left without a room if someone else books it in the interim.

one person who lived it

Grow facial hair shortly before graduation and request a new photo for your student ID to make the card appear more current for longer.

Looking older in the picture may help the ID appear valid for a longer period.

one person who lived it

Stop judging yourself by other people's metrics; recognize that you are doing fine.

2 people, independently

Set the birthday date in store accounts to a week before the actual birthday to serve as a reminder and capitalize on early deals.

It serves as a reminder of the birthday and allows you to capitalize on deals.

one person who lived it

Contact the business ahead of time to clarify any restrictions or regulations associated with the deal.

Restrictions are not always clear when booking, which can lead to a bad experience.

one person who lived it

Set calendar reminders to check hotel prices shortly before the cancellation cutoff.

Prices may drop last-minute.

one person who lived it

Acknowledge that deadbeat behavior contributes to honest borrowers being unable to secure credit.

It is one small reason honest people who intend to repay cannot get credit.

one person who lived it

Write down bullet points and your own phone number before making business calls to avoid forgetting details when flustered.

It is a common request for callers to provide their number, which people often forget when nervous.

one person who lived it

Verify class action settlements by searching for the case name or number to find court documents and news stories.

This allows you to confirm legitimacy and avoid scams seeking personal information.

one person who lived it

Support class-action rights to maintain corporate accountability against widespread minor harms.

The erosion of these rights removes the only barrier preventing companies from profiting by harming consumers slightly.

one person who lived it

Visit your university's Student Affairs office to get a list of local business agreements and ID benefits.

They often provide comprehensive lists or detailed information on where and what your student ID can get you.

one person who lived it

Write to battery companies or other manufacturers expressing curiosity about how products work.

One person wrote to major battery companies out of curiosity; while some did not respond, one sent a large box of batteries.

• Some companies may not respond.

one person who lived it

Use a separate or fake email address when signing up for restaurant promotions.

To avoid cluttering your personal email with spam.

one person who lived it

Be aware that major companies may cut off contact if you repeatedly request items from the same source.

Most major companies track who calls or messages and will eventually cut off repeat requesters using the same contact.

one person who lived it

Check if businesses require ID verification before attempting to claim freebies, especially if using a fake birthday.

• Most places do not check ID and accept a printout.
• Some places, like coffee shops, Dennys, or Nothing Bundt Cakes, have asked for ID.

3 people, independently

Download Mozilla Thunderbird to archive all emails from your .edu account to your local computer before the account expires.

Emails may be needed later.

one person who lived it

Use the IRS tax withholding estimator to adjust your W-4 if you are over-withholding.

Adjusting withholding ensures you are not losing excessive amounts to taxes unnecessarily.

• Young workers may have few other deductions and might not need adjustments.

one person who lived it

Maintain one or more burner email accounts for services that will generate spam.

It is considered standard practice to have an email address designated for spammy interactions.

one person who lived it

Avoid using reschedule-and-cancel tricks at small businesses or family-owned homes.

Cancellation fees exist for a reason, and this practice causes financial harm to smaller operators.

one person who lived it

Create reward accounts with different random birthdays to ensure you receive vouchers throughout the year.

4 people, independently

Tell staff about special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries when booking or checking in.

Staff may provide complimentary upgrades or amenities like champagne or activities to make the occasion special.

one person who lived it

Write to companies expressing appreciation for their use of real ingredients or original recipes.

Accolades might get noticed.

one person who lived it

Keep extra passport photos in case they are needed for future visa applications.

Visa applications often require submitting physical photos.

one person who lived it

Save the alumni association's number as a blocked contact so you can see their calls without answering, which may cause them to eventually stop calling.

one person who lived it

Assume large hotel chains have systems to detect and prevent reschedule-and-cancel tricks, often converting moved reservations to non-refundable status.

3 people, independently

One server reported receiving higher tips by telling customers she disliked working on her birthday.

one person who lived it

Register for a library card online if your system supports it; note that some systems still require an in-person visit to show ID.

It is quick and easy.

• Some libraries require showing ID in person after online application.

one person who lived it

• Sign up for a digital library card online if your library allows it, even if you do not live in the immediate area.3
• Sign up for a digital library card online to access electronic resources immediately.3

Support libraries by attending and speaking out against book bans and restrictions on education.

Those who ban books want people to stop going to libraries and stop learning; being there counters this darkness.

one person who lived it

Read eBooks instead of streaming video to conserve data.

One hour of Netflix consumes as much data as downloading 9,000 eBooks.

one person who lived it

Request items not held by your local branch through interlibrary loan (ILL) to borrow books, audiobooks, or DVDs from other systems.

• Libraries may not always send DVDs this way.
• It can take a week or two for the item to arrive.

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• Look for interlibrary loan systems in your state to borrow physical books not available locally.1

Check with your librarian about borrowing free or discounted passes to museums, zoos, state parks, and concerts.

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• Borrow museum passes, park tickets, zoo entries, and attraction vouchers from the library.3

Rent tools such as ladders and power equipment from tool lending libraries for temporary projects.

• Items can typically be borrowed for up to a week.

3 people, independently

• Borrow expensive tools, kitchen appliances, and craft equipment from library 'maker spaces' or 'libraries of things'.8
• Borrow tools, baking equipment, gardening supplies, and other items from your local library instead of buying them.16

Attend free library events such as storytimes, lectures, workshops, movie nights, or community gatherings.

They provide entertainment and education at no cost.

12 people, independently

Borrow sewing machines or canning sets from the library for DIY projects.

4 people, independently

Treat the library as a free public space where you are not required to make purchases.

You may remain there until it closes without needing to buy anything.

3 people, independently

Borrow laptops, tablets, or mobile hotspots from the library for temporary tech needs.

Some libraries lend these items for specific purposes like telehealth appointments.

5 people, independently

• Borrow pre-loaded e-readers, tablets, or wireless hotspots from your library if you do not own these devices.3

Rent fishing rods and tackle boxes from libraries that offer outdoor gear loans.

3 people, independently

Check out textbooks from the library.

It saves money on college expenses.

one person who lived it

Borrow video games and consoles from your local library to try new titles without purchasing them.

• You may need to wait a week or two for brand new titles.

10 people, independently

• Check out board games and video games from your library to save on entertainment costs.4

Request a copy from the library and read it briefly to see if it is right for you before committing further.

It helps avoid realizing later that a book isn't for you after reading it for a bit.

one person who lived it

Apply for a provisional library card online if you are homebound or live far away.

It allows access to digital resources without visiting in person.

• This is only possible in some states.

one person who lived it

Use free study rooms or public meeting spaces at the library for work or gatherings.

5 people, independently

• Use library study tables for focused work or writing if available in your area.1

Use your local library regularly to help maintain or increase its budget.

Usage helps them bring awesome things.

one person who lived it

Write a list of desired movies before going to the library to avoid decision paralysis.

One person found their mind went blank when seeing the DVD desk without a plan.

one person who lived it

If you are over 60, enroll in classes at a university to gain access to free courses, MS Office, email, library services, and gym use.

Some universities allow seniors to take free classes and audit them, providing access to various campus resources.

one person who lived it

Use your library card credentials to access Consumer Reports for free.

It is helpful when researching purchases like appliances, cars, or TVs.

one person who lived it

Go paperless to save space and reduce clutter at home.

E-readers eliminate the physical bulk of personal libraries.

• Moving physical books is expensive; some miss the feel of paper books.

one person who lived it

Ask your librarians to purchase specific digital books if they do not currently carry them.

You can get ebooks added that way.

one person who lived it

• Ask librarians to acquire specific digital titles if they are not currently available.1

Use library maker spaces to access equipment like 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, Cricut machines, and recording studios.

• Some audio/video equipment requires attending free classes.

16 people, independently

Avoid mentioning books you are currently reading on social media until you have finished them.

Mentioning a book can create a waitlist, preventing you from extending your checkout.

one person who lived it

Adopt a rule to buy books only if they are unavailable through the library, even if waiting is required.

It massively reduces book budget.

one person who lived it

Use the library as an air-conditioned space to work, socialize, or rest during extreme heat.

to avoid overheating in temperatures over 100 degrees

2 people, independently

Join multiple libraries to boost membership numbers and help secure funding.

Higher usage helps convince budget officials to purchase more resources.

2 people, independently

Check with your state conservation department for smaller plots of land available for free dispersed camping.

They often have land closer to you that can be used for free dispersed camping.

one person who lived it

Get free resume assistance, interview skills coaching, or job-finding help from library staff.

3 people, independently

Use library scanners for document scanning instead of paying at office supply stores.

Library scanners are free to use.

one person who lived it

If you live in one area but another city has a superior ebook collection, consider paying for a library card there.

One person found their local collection lacking compared to a different city's fantastic selection.

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Use library computers and Wi-Fi for internet access, remote work, or job searching.

Libraries provide climate-controlled sitting space, water, and bathrooms in addition to connectivity.

2 people, independently

Check if adjacent county libraries have reciprocity agreements to expand access to physical items.

• Reciprocal cards may only allow checkout of physical items, not digital ones.

4 people, independently

Consider joining a botanical garden if you enjoy visiting them, as they often have extensive reciprocal networks that can offset the membership cost.

One person found their membership paid for itself multiple times through the network of reciprocal gardens.

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Use the library to get help with homework, tutoring, or obtaining a high school diploma/GED.

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Participate in adult summer reading programs to earn rewards like gift cards, tickets, or merchandise.

2 people, independently

Check out framed artwork from the library to hang on your walls for temporary decoration.

4 people, independently

Borrow seeds for vegetables, fruits, or flowers from library seed banks.

8 people, independently

Check your library's website to access online content from the greater metropolitan area.

Local physical movie selections can be inconsistent.

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Vote in favor of library funding and understand that high circulation statistics help justify the budget for these tax-supported services.

Library services are expensive and supported by tax dollars; better circulation statistics make it easier to justify the budget and existence of the library.

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Search your library's main online catalog to find both physical items and digital content across various platforms.

Apps like Libby may only show a subset of online items, whereas the main catalog displays everything including research databases and other services.

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Contact the department's business manager or administrative staff rather than just your direct supervisor to authorize taking supplies.

The property belongs to the institution (e.g., university), not the individual professor or supervisor.

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Visit Project Gutenberg to access free public domain ebooks.

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Wait for your turn on library waitlists rather than purchasing books immediately, unless time-critical.

Waiting can make receiving the priority book more exciting.

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Attend library author appearances and social or cultural events.

You may discover events you would not otherwise hear about.

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Print documents at the library to save money compared to commercial print shops.

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• Use the library's computers and printers for printing tasks.3

Borrow educational toys or board games from the library for children.

Increases quality of entertainment and education.

2 people, independently

Contact your local library branch to ask which partner apps and digital services they offer.

4 people, independently

Borrow shaped cake pans or bakeware from the library for themed occasions.

4 people, independently

Check if your library system has eliminated late fees before returning items.

4 people, independently

Disassemble the razor head with screws and rinse it under the sink if hair gets trapped.

This cleans out stuck hair so the razor is ready for more shaving.

one person who lived it

Slow down your shaving speed compared to what you would do with a disposable razor.

Going too fast resulted in a bloodbath for one user.

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Try the Merkur Slant Bar razor if you want a closer cut than standard razors provide.

It cuts nicer for some users than regular razors.

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Treat wet shaving as a necessity rather than a hobby to maintain frugality.

The upfront expense of handles, stands, brushes, and soaps can get pricey, especially once you start buying multiples.

• Avoid getting sucked into the luxury end of wet shaving.

2 people, independently

Avoid aggressive blades like Dorco if you get cuts or burn; try milder brands like Mild Viking.

Dorco was too aggressive for one user's chin, causing cutting and burn.

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Do not use canned shaving foams with safety razors.

They do not lubricate well enough.

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Carry a styptic pencil to halt bleeding from small cuts while you adjust to using a safety razor.

It seals minor wounds quickly and contains astringent and antibacterial qualities.

3 people, independently

Purchase name-brand disposable razors instead of replacement heads to save money.

Disposable razors cost less than half the price of the equivalent number of disposable heads.

one person who lived it

Rinse and dry the razor head thoroughly after every use.

It helps the razor last longer.

2 people, independently

Stick with cartridge razors if the time saved outweighs the monetary savings for your lifestyle.

The time saved can vastly outweigh the money spent on them.

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Switch back to cartridge razors if safety razors negatively affect your happiness.

There is no shame in choosing what improves your quality of life.

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Rely on the blade's own mass to cut; avoid applying downward pressure.

5 people, independently

Switch to a safety razor to reduce razor burn and irritation associated with multi-blade cartridge razors.

Multi-blade cartridges can cause a hysteresis effect and multiple passes over the skin, leading to bumps and burn; safety razors often avoid this issue.

• Razor burn and nicking can still be issues with any razor.

2 people, independently

Buy a safety razor from Dollar Tree as an affordable way to try wet shaving.

One user bought one with included blades and found it worked great.

one person who lived it

Use a hot towel or shower beforehand to loosen the skin and soften hair.

It helps avoid irritation and makes shaving easier by opening pores.

2 people, independently

Use a creamy soap or thin lather that lets you see your skin rather than thick shaving cream.

Visibility makes a real difference in the shave quality.

one person who lived it

Acquire high-quality vintage safety razors at low or no cost by checking antique stores, thrift shops, eBay, or asking family and friends.

4 people, independently

Switch to an electric shaver if the time commitment of wet shaving becomes too high.

Wet shaving involves preheating, lathering, and multiple passes which takes significant time; one parent switched to an electric shaver that takes only two minutes.

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Buy Dorco blades online instead of using Dollar Shave Club to avoid the markup.

Dollar Shave Club resells Dorco products at a higher price.

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Apply Bump Patrol or similar aftershave treatments after shaving to manage razor bumps.

One user described it as a 'game changer' for improving shave quality.

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Try using conditioner or body wash as a shaving lubricant.

These are cheap alternatives that some users find work better than traditional cream.

3 people, independently

Prep skin with basic hair conditioner and keep the blade in hot water before shaving.

It creates an absolutely smooth shaving experience.

one person who lived it

Dry blades thoroughly after use or dip them in isopropyl alcohol occasionally.

Water left on blades may be the cause of 'dulling' rather than actual edge wear.

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Keep a disposable razor for travel since safety razor blades cannot be brought on planes.

Blades are not allowed aboard airplanes.

2 people, independently

Oil blades that become hot and noisy to restore proper temperature and quiet operation.

Oiling cools the blades and reduces noise.

one person who lived it

Try a Leaf razor for a multi-blade safety shave experience.

It reportedly offers better performance than normal safety razors and saves money long-term.

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Consult online wet shaving communities for starter advice and product recommendations.

10 people, independently

Name savings accounts after specific goals to discourage withdrawing the money.

It feels like stealing from future self when you try to pull money out.

one person who lived it

Use cash-back credit cards and frequent buyer programs for all purchases, paying off the balance monthly.

It reduces your life costs by 1%.

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Save up at least 3 months' worth of living expenses in an emergency fund before buying non-essential items.

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• Build a six-month emergency fund covering rent, bills, and groceries before saving for other large purchases.2

Track where your money goes over 6 months using a spreadsheet to find ways to lower living costs.

It might help reduce monthly living costs, gaining more for savings.

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Use multi-direct deposit to automatically route a small portion of each paycheck directly into a savings account.

Keeping money out of sight reduces the temptation to spend it.

9 people, independently

Use a spreadsheet with a 'legacy' tab to archive old spending information so it is never deleted.

It helps you see how far you have come.

one person who lived it

Consider a Roth IRA for tax-free payouts, or use a backdoor Roth if income limits apply.

Payouts are tax free, hedging against rising tax rates.

• Roth is not always the best option; its primary benefit is hedging against tax rate increases.

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Scale your savings contributions to an amount you can afford, such as $2.50 a week.

Even small amounts add up to significant sums over time.

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• Start saving any amount, such as $20 a week.1

Put 10% of every paycheck into a savings account to build a cushion over time.

Saving 10% may accumulate to roughly one year's salary in a decade.

• This calculation does not factor in inflation.

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Make your own lunch every day instead of eating out downtown.

saving over $4k a year

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Pick up stray coins from the ground to accumulate free money.

It adds up over time.

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• Pick up change found on the floor or sidewalk when you are already walking or killing time.1

Put half of any raise or promotion increase directly into savings.

You will never miss the money if you start early.

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• Increase automatic savings contributions with every raise or promotion.2
• When you receive a raise, direct the majority of the additional income into savings rather than increasing your lifestyle expenses.9

Save change collectively with friends or family to fund larger events like honeymoons or weddings.

Others may contribute their own change if they know about the goal.

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Use an old student ID for small discounts, such as bus fare, to save money for essential bills like rent.

Saving pocket change can help those living paycheck to paycheck survive.

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Put nearly all your cash, including dollar bills, into a container or bank to build savings month to month.

Every little bit counts.

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Focus on short, local mini-vacations of 1-3 days within a few hours drive over expensive week-long trips.

Short trips are refreshing on the wallet and leave you feeling refreshed; hotel rates can drop with last-minute planning.

one person who lived it

Learn about money management and credit scores through classes or mentors.

Your CC debt doesn’t go away if you don’t pay it.

one person who lived it

Use cash envelopes or jars for budgeting weekly expenses, putting change into a jar to cash in when full.

It is a great way to budget throughout the week.

one person who lived it

Sell items you don't need and save every dollar earned from them.

This helped one person start a savings account and pay off consumer debts.

one person who lived it

If you want more flexibility than a 401k offers, contribute to an IRA instead of increasing your 401k contributions after maximizing the employer match.

IRAs allow investment in a wider range of assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate, whereas 401ks have limited choices.

• This is only necessary if you are unhappy with your 401k's investment options; if you love them, using only the 401k is acceptable.

one person who lived it

When saving for a large goal over time, consider cutting back on smaller luxuries to boost your savings.

• Ensure the phone's bandwidths match the SIM.

5 people, independently

• Save money from skipped luxury drinks to fund larger necessary expenses.1

Direct deposit savings into a credit union account without a mobile app to create friction for access.

The lack of an app and the delay in transfers make accessing the money difficult.

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When a bill or debt is paid off, continue setting aside that same amount each month into a separate savings fund.

It becomes easier to save once you are used to not having that money available for spending.

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• Redirect the exact amount of your previous debt payments into a savings account once the debt is cleared.6

Start a college fund for your child early to cover future education costs.

Having undergrad degree paid for is appreciated.

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Treat your savings as 'do not touch' funds so they accumulate.

it'll add up

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• Deposit accumulated change into a high-yield savings account rather than keeping it in jars.4

Try saving change starting with your next paycheck.

It is simple.

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If starting from zero savings, save aggressively (e.g., $200/month) to quickly build an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of living expenses.

To cover sudden job loss or the desire to find better opportunities.

one person who lived it

Save spare change or dollars daily in a jar or pot to accumulate savings effortlessly.

It adds up over time and stops you from buying cheap junk because you don't have enough change.

2 people, independently

Keep valuables and loose change out of sight in your vehicle to prevent theft.

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Buy gift cards with loose change at self-checkout lanes to save time.

Self-checkout machines process coins faster than cashiers counting them.

one person who lived it

Practice portion control when eating fast food to save money.

It makes the meal more frugal.

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Use split tender at checkout, including self-checkouts, to exhaust small gift card balances first before paying the rest with cash or credit.

Most stores are set up to handle this transaction type.

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Prefer credit cards over debit cards for online shopping to protect your bank account balance from immediate loss in case of fraud.

Credit cards provide time to resolve issues before funds are permanently lost.

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Keep cash around to tip delivery drivers instead of using a credit card.

So they will actually get the tip.

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Set up automatic withdrawals from checking into separate savings buckets for specific goals like fun, baby, or home improvement.

• Be aware of potential monthly fees for maintaining multiple accounts.

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• Set up direct deposit for any extra income into a separate account to ensure it is saved.3
• Designate separate savings funds for routine annual expenses like car maintenance, home repairs, birthday gifts, and Christmas.3

Add loose change to a reloadable transit fare card at subway stations to avoid counting fees.

The machine sorts the coins automatically and does not charge a fee.

one person who lived it

After paying off a vehicle loan, continue making the same payment amount into a savings account for future car repairs or purchases, though some argue this money should be used to pay off other interest-bearing debts first.

You are already accustomed to living without that income, so redirecting it builds savings for inevitable future car needs.

• One dissenting view suggests using the freed-up cash to pay off other debts via the snowball effect instead.
• Another view suggests prioritizing interest-bearing debt repayment before saving.

5 people, independently

Avoid buying unnecessary items just to get cashback, as spending money you didn't need to spend is not saving.

one person who lived it

If you tend to transfer savings into your checking account, store loose change in a physical container like an empty water bottle to create a non-transferable fund.

It prevents accidental spending and provides emergency cash for needs like gas.

one person who lived it

Adopt a mindset of spending only what makes sense, rather than saving only when forced to.

Humans are miserable at predicting future events and costs.

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Pretend your savings do not exist once deposited to prevent using them for discretionary spending.

Otherwise, you will always think you can buy things because you have savings.

one person who lived it

Cover the vacuum cleaner nozzle with a sock before attempting to suck paper money out of a coin jar.

To prevent the vacuum from destroying the paper currency.

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Save money even if you believe you cannot afford to.

to ensure you eventually have savings

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Deposit change directly at your bank instead of using fee-charging machines.

Banks typically allow direct deposits or provide free coin rollers, avoiding surcharges.

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• Take bagged spare change directly to your bank branch or credit union to avoid commission fees charged by coin-counting machines.3

Track spending to identify how small, random purchases and forgotten subscriptions add up.

Large expenses are often less impactful than accumulated small costs.

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• Focus frugality efforts on big-ticket purchases rather than stressing over small expenses.4

Save small gift card balances until you have a larger intended purchase from the same retailer.

This is described as the most frugal option.

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Save two-dollar and one-dollar coins specifically, as they accumulate quickly.

They add up faster than smaller denominations.

• Applies specifically to Canadian currency (loonies and toonies).

3 people, independently

Pick up small amounts of change like pennies.

It removes litter and recovers useful value.

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Remind yourself that you are poor or lack funds after bills to avoid splurging.

Acknowledging financial limitations curbs spending.

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Keep a dedicated coin purse in your car for small purchases.

It avoids using credit cards for tiny amounts, preventing debt accumulation.

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Track your spending and upcoming bills on a monthly calendar to visualize your true available balance by subtracting future outflows from your current funds.

Actually writing and seeing your balance as though expenses have already come out helps curb spending.

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Open a Roth IRA and consistently invest in a quality ETF like VUG using dollar-cost averaging.

Treating it like a bill helps keep a disciplined strategy.

one person who lived it

Adjust your thermostat settings to reduce heating and cooling.

Heating and cooling are likely the largest components of your electric bill.

one person who lived it

One approach that helped: move back home to eliminate rent, then set aside a fixed amount per paycheck.

one person who lived it

Calculate whether picking up a coin is worth your time based on your hourly wage; for an average earner, dimes and nickels may be worth it, but pennies likely are not.

The value of your time relative to the coin's face value determines if the effort is justified.

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Open savings accounts at different banks from your checking account to create friction that discourages easy transfers for spending.

If transferring money is too difficult, you are less likely to bother spending it.

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Increase your retirement savings contribution by a large portion of any raise you receive to avoid lifestyle creep.

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• Avoid lifestyle inflation by maintaining your budget and continuing to save when your income rises.3

Put any change from your pocket into a jar immediately upon returning home.

carrying change makes it annoying and leads to spending it on impulse purchases

2 people, independently

Roll your change and deposit it at the bank, keeping quarters aside for laundry.

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Reduce social and travel spending by camping instead of booking hotels and preparing meals in advance instead of dining out.

This approach eliminates hotel fees and restaurant dinner costs.

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Invest your money once you have established a liquidity cushion and an allowance for market dips.

Money kept in standard bank accounts loses value due to inflation and low profitability.

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Store cash in a phone case wallet or similar accessory rather than clothing pockets to keep it dry.

Cash stored in clothing pockets can become moist and sweaty, which makes it questionably acceptable.

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Deposit proceeds from spare change into a separate savings account instead of using them for regular expenses.

Using change for regular expenses does not result in actual savings.

one person who lived it

Fund Roth IRAs and 401(k)s to leverage compound interest.

Compound interest is KEY

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Max out retirement accounts first to remove temptation since the money is hard to access, then use auto-transfers for other specific savings goals like home or auto funds.

Retirement money cannot be easily accessed, which removes temptation.

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Deposit accumulated change into a bank account every few years to fund specific savings goals like vacations.

Random small amounts add up to meaningful annual contributions.

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Ask your bank if they offer a children's savings account that matches deposits.

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Save coins in boxes over years to fund major family expenses like vacations.

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Open a separate savings account specifically for 'experiences' to allow guilt-free spending on events like concerts or travel.

One person reported being able to buy tickets immediately without guilt when using this method.

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Teach children financial literacy by discussing the importance of saving and practicing math with them.

To help them understand delaying gratification for larger future goals.

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Withdraw $200–$300 in cash each paycheck for small purchases and deposit any remaining bills into a piggy bank to build a vacation fund.

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Underspend your income by treating it like a game, focusing on the savings delta rather than total income.

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Include financial planning and saving in your practice of self-love.

Money provides security against unplanned events, allowing you to avoid worrying about finances on top of other concerns.

one person who lived it

Adopt a mindset of deferring purchases to create a time and resource gap that reduces frivolous spending.

This mindset creates delays and deterrence in buying, which is very effective at reducing unnecessary purchases.

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Treat most purchases as investments rather than luxuries, prioritizing items that enable saving, such as cooking equipment.

Cooking makes saving money more possible.

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Save a portion of each paycheck specifically for fun or discretionary spending.

This ensures you are not buying something you cannot afford.

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Compare your financial progress to your past self rather than to others who may have started with significant advantages.

2 people, independently

Associate with people who spend wisely rather than those who overspend on unnecessary things; one person reported lifetime savings of $250k from this approach.

one person who lived it

Automate transfers of your daily or weekly spending allowance to a dedicated debit card or separate account.

Separating accounts makes spending easier to control.

one person who lived it

Treat money management like a relationship by investing time into it.

It makes managing finances easier.

one person who lived it

Save all tips received in change, particularly quarters, in a dedicated storage container.

one person who lived it

One approach that helped: roll up nickels and dimes to pay for drinks at cash-only bars, while saving quarters specifically for laundry costs.

one person who lived it

Focus savings efforts on a specific desired item to redirect spending away from useless things.

2 people, independently

Avoid straightening or drying hair with heat to prevent damage.

Heat causes excessive damage to hair.

one person who lived it

Recognize that salon prices reflect local rent and booth fees rather than just service value.

Higher lease costs in nicer areas lead to higher booth fees and taxes, which are passed on to consumers.

one person who lived it

Hire a professional for hair coloring instead of doing it yourself to avoid costly fixes.

DIY attempts can lead to buying multiple boxes to fix mistakes without satisfaction.

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If you have curly or wavy hair, accept that uneven cuts are less visible because curls hide imperfections.

Curls conceal uneven bits, making mistakes look like intentional layers.

4 people, independently

Use a laser level to project a straight guide line for cutting hair evenly.

It helps ensure a perfectly even cut without worrying about uneven results.

one person who lived it

Model for apprentices or students to receive free or low-cost hair services.

one person who lived it

Choose 'business casual' hair colors like icy blue or rose gold instead of extreme shades for office appropriateness.

These shades are less extreme and more suitable for professional settings.

one person who lived it

Exercise due diligence when choosing tailors or alteration services, as quality varies.

Bad practices or errors can ruin garments or lead to additional costs.

one person who lived it

Send occasional photos to a professional printing service for better quality and lower cost than home setups.

Professional services are more cost-effective and produce better results than home equipment.

one person who lived it

Understand that 'bespoke' or made-to-measure suits from cheap online sites often involve minimal customization compared to traditional tailoring.

These services typically alter pre-made unfinished suits rather than sewing from scratch, similar to what a local tailor does.

one person who lived it

Attend open campus events to access free food.

Organizers know that offering free food means you'll show up.

2 people, independently

Do not lie about purchasing products when filing class action claims.

Faking a purchase constitutes perjury and fraud, which can lead to severe legal consequences including prison time.

one person who lived it

Order ginger ale as a substitute for whiskey-based drinks when screwdrivers are less common.

Ginger ale looks close enough to whiskey to work well in this context.

one person who lived it

Use a coffee pod machine to make homemade coffee instead of buying expensive brand-name coffee.

3 people, independently

Try entering the food court through the exit doors without showing a card, claiming you are just getting food.

• Success varies by location and state.
• You may be stopped and turned away.

3 people, independently

Claim a free scoop of ice cream from Baskin-Robbins or Ben & Jerry's on your birthday.

3 people, independently

Get a free drink or pastry treat from Panera Bread on your birthday.

3 people, independently

Try making tuna pancakes as a tasty alternative to sandwiches.

They are described as really good.

one person who lived it

Be quick and polite when claiming free food during promotional events to avoid holding up lines.

Employees are often overworked and underpaid during these events.

one person who lived it

One person concealed a small flask in a winter glove to bypass security checks at venues.

• Security staff assumed the glove was just being carried after retrieving a ticket.

one person who lived it

Set up recurring orders for household snacks, chips, or gourmet treats.

3 people, independently

Look for settlements related to false advertising claims about product ingredients or health benefits.

3 people, independently

One person reported smuggling sodas and burritos into movies by wearing baggy pants and a sweatshirt.

one person who lived it

Identify yourself as the designated driver to potentially receive free sodas or water.

3 people, independently

Make tuna burgers by mixing canned tuna with an egg, breadcrumbs, horseradish, and onion, then forming the mixture into patties.

one person who lived it

Order specifically for 'senior' items (like senior coffee) at drive-thrus to ensure you receive the discount without relying on visual age assessment.

one person who lived it

Join groups to buy larger quantities of food, such as beef, from local farmers to save money.

Groups buying larger quantities saves money.

one person who lived it

Keep items in your online cart overnight to create a cooling-off period that may prevent impulse purchases.

The immediate urge might fade, helping you realize you didn't actually need the item.

4 people, independently

Compare the total cost of 'free shipping' offers against paid shipping options, as the base price plus shipping may be lower than the 'free shipping' price.

Sites may offer a product for a higher base price with free shipping, while others offer a lower base price plus a small shipping fee.

• People sometimes pay more for faster delivery (e.g., Prime) despite the higher cost.

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Factor in the cost of gas and travel time when deciding whether to drive to other stores for better prices.

Gas and time behind the wheel are real costs.

one person who lived it

• Consider the cost of gas and time spent traveling when calculating the net value of collecting freebies.1

Keep produce with different price-per-pound labels in separate bags to avoid being charged the higher rate for the entire bag.

Cashiers charge the higher rate for the whole bag if mixed-priced items are combined.

one person who lived it

Use tools like Keepa or CamelCamelCamel to monitor past pricing on Amazon.

This helps you determine if a current offer is genuinely a good deal.

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Buy higher-quality items for things that wear out quickly, such as shoes and outerwear.

Higher quality items last longer, providing better value over time.

2 people, independently

Buy paper goods, cleaners, beans, rice, and English muffins at warehouse clubs to offset membership costs.

The savings on these items justify the membership price.

• Only if you eat English muffins regularly

one person who lived it

Monitor prices closely as they may creep up over time until they exceed local store costs.

Prices slowly went up to the point of paying more than at Walmart.

one person who lived it

Consider the value of Prime Video and Music as part of the Prime package if you are looking to cut cable TV costs.

It provides entertainment options when you cannot afford cable TV.

one person who lived it

• Consider the value of Prime beyond shipping, including photo cloud, video, reading, and music, especially if you lack other entertainment options.1

Buy generic brands and watch for sales on them instead of spending hours clipping coupons for name-brand items.

Name-brand coupons often only make overpriced items slightly less expensive, whereas generics usually offer a better deal.

4 people, independently

Do not stockpile items to the point of emptying shelves, as this harms other frugal shoppers.

It leaves other shoppers who want to save money with empty shelves.

one person who lived it

Check the price per ounce, as smaller packages may offer better value due to shrinkflation.

Shrinkflation can make larger sizes less economical.

one person who lived it

Use Walmart+ for grocery and prescription delivery if you do not have a car.

It allows you to get essentials without car payments, insurance, or maintenance costs.

one person who lived it

Call corporate to complain if a store manager refuses to price match, as they may cave to pressure.

The store manager would probably cave.

one person who lived it

Ask a friend with Prime to purchase an item for you in exchange for cash plus a small extra fee.

The total cost may still be lower than buying from another retailer.

one person who lived it

Calculate the cost of multiple small alcohol shots versus a full bottle to determine which offers better value.

Small shots may sometimes be equal to or less expensive than buying a full bottle.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying items you do not need simply because they are on clearance.

3 people, independently

• Only purchase clearance items if you genuinely need them, rather than just because they are cheap.1

Do not buy items with coupons unless they are worth buying without the coupon, prioritizing nutrition.

To avoid non-nutritive junk food and only buy value.

one person who lived it

Buy gifts throughout the year when sales happen rather than waiting for December.

You avoid fighting crowds and secure better prices.

one person who lived it

If eating out is expensive in your area, consider making food at home as a more frugal option than chasing freebies.

It pays off to make food at home when takeout costs are high.

one person who lived it

Tell Home Depot employees you found an item cheaper elsewhere to request a price match or markdown.

Employees can mark down items $50 or less without manager approval upon hearing this phrase.

one person who lived it

Use Amazon Prime for ordering necessities if you live in a rural area with limited access to stores.

It can save time and gas money.

one person who lived it

Pick up food yourself instead of paying for delivery services when it is a short drive away.

Paying extra for delivery offers no value compared to driving a short distance.

one person who lived it

Verify return policies when buying from manufacturers, as they may deduct shipping costs from refunds.

One person's return policy didn't cover shipping, resulting in a refund less than the purchase price.

one person who lived it

Delay non-essential purchases until you reach the free shipping threshold without a Prime membership.

Prime is described as a trap to encourage overspending to justify the annual fee.

one person who lived it

Be skeptical of sale prices, as some brands inflate original costs before applying discounts.

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• Avoid buying items solely because they are marked 'sale' without verifying if the price is genuinely lower.1

Base your shopping list on what is currently on sale rather than buying items at regular price.

3 people, independently

Avoid using Groupon for services where the commission structure leaves providers earning below minimum wage.

It devalues the profession and harms workers, making it not worth their time or effort.

one person who lived it

Factor in spoilage when buying in bulk; unused portions increase the effective unit price.

If you throw away spoiled items like spices, the cost per usable unit rises.

one person who lived it

Buy items that last longer even if they cost more initially.

This approach is typically more frugal and helps spend less money overall.

one person who lived it

Buy fruits and vegetables despite the rarity of coupons or sales for these items.

They are worth buying.

one person who lived it

Write the date you open products to track how long it takes to use them and determine best purchase sizes.

one person who lived it

Shop for strawberries after Valentine's Day to find large stocks at cheap prices.

Fresh produce spoils quickly.

one person who lived it

• Purchase confections the day following Valentine's Day to take advantage of price reductions.4

Calculate your after-tax hourly wage and work out whether purchases are worth the time required to earn them.

4 people, independently

Calculate the total cost of a rental by multiplying the monthly rate by the minimum rental period to judge its true value.

This helps people avoid falling into traps where they fail basic mathematics regarding total costs.

one person who lived it

Monitor your usage of bulk household products to ensure increased consumption does not negate the savings.

Knowing you have a large stock can lead to using more than necessary.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying inferior products solely because they are cheaper per unit.

Low-quality products, such as cheap paper goods, may require using more to get the same results, negating savings.

one person who lived it

Compare the actual quantity of active ingredients provided by standard portions rather than relying on package size alone.

Measuring tools included with similar products can differ in the amount they dispense.

one person who lived it

Use Subscribe and Save for specific tea flavors or items that local stores do not carry or are inconvenient to reach.

It offers a convenient way to obtain products that are difficult to locate.

3 people, independently

Purchase generic clothing items like boxers and undershirts online for lower prices.

Major brand multipacks can cost about a third less online than at retail stores.

one person who lived it

Avoid extreme couponing if it requires excessive time for low-quality food items.

The process takes too much time and the discounted food is often poor quality.

one person who lived it

Compare prices at discount chains like WinCo, Aldi, Lidl, and Food Lion against premium stores to find better base prices.

Discount chains can be considerably cheaper even accounting for travel costs.

one person who lived it

Consider the value of immediate possession when deciding whether to price match or wait for shipping.

The convenience of having the item right away has value to some people.

one person who lived it

Track the prices of items you buy regularly over time to set a baseline for normal prices and identify genuine sale deals.

Knowing normal prices helps determine when sale prices are actually good deals.

one person who lived it

Buy weekly loss leaders at major supermarkets like Safeway or Kroger, and fill in remaining needs at discount stores like Walmart.

Walmart does not employ loss leaders, while major supermarkets do.

one person who lived it

Ignore coupons for prepared foods and watch for sales on fresh ingredients instead.

This approach suits those who cook exclusively from scratch.

one person who lived it

Compare unit prices of name-brand versus store-brand products to decide if the premium for the preferred brand is worth it.

3 people, independently

Ask your local supermarket pharmacy about free medication programs, as chains often offer specific drugs at no cost to drive traffic.

Chains consider these cheap drugs a form of advertisement.

one person who lived it

Check expiration dates when buying from drug channel stores, as they often stock items nearing their shelf-life limit.

Large retail and club stores reject products that do not meet specific remaining shelf-life requirements.

one person who lived it

Support retail competition to help keep prices low for consumers.

More options and competition are better for all.

one person who lived it

Skip buying extra accessories like brushes, stands, or cases to save money.

They are unnecessary upsells.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying candy during early sales if you are likely to eat it before the holiday.

Early purchases often get consumed quickly, forcing you to buy more later.

one person who lived it

Contact customer service to verify that online and in-store items are identical before attempting a price match.

Slight variances, such as special editions, may disqualify items.

one person who lived it

Purchase everyday household necessities on Amazon using gift card balances to offset grocery budget expenses.

You can deduct these items from your grocery budget since you would have bought them anyway.

• Ensure they are things you will definitely need.

one person who lived it

Add items to your online shopping cart and ignore them until you log back in later to determine if they are worth buying.

3 people, independently

Compare the cost of Subscribe & Save items directly with one-off purchases, as buying directly may be cheaper even without the subscription discount.

2 people, independently

Recognize that manufacturing costs for consumer goods are often much lower than retail prices, especially for non-electronic items.

Understanding the low production cost helps consumers realize that 'sales' are still profitable for retailers and adjust expectations accordingly.

one person who lived it

Teach children to check unit prices while shopping by reviewing them together on a phone.

one person who lived it

Understand that pricing differences between online and in-store channels may be intentional strategies to reduce overhead and push customers toward online sales.

Retailers aim to adopt warehouse-style models and create paper trails for employee accountability.

one person who lived it

Shop around between different grocery stores.

Markup varies for specific items.

one person who lived it

Buy directly from manufacturers when possible.

It can sometimes be cheaper and ensures the product isn't counterfeit, avoiding resellers who markup prices.

one person who lived it

Do not rely solely on abandoned cart tactics if you need immediate delivery.

The process requires waiting days, which conflicts with the desire for instant delivery.

2 people, independently

Recognize that reduced clearance stock may be due to supply chain constraints from increased demand rather than lower ordering.

Candy sales were up, leading to insufficient production capacity to meet demand.

one person who lived it

Consider that Kohl's business model relies on inflated prices and constant discounts, so true savings require vigilance.

Understanding that 'everyday' prices are marketing gimmicks helps consumers focus on actual value rather than perceived discounts.

2 people, independently

Use a calculator app to compute unit prices when store labels are missing or untrustworthy.

Store calculations may be confusing or inaccurate, and electronic cart calculators are no longer common.

one person who lived it

Compare produce quality and yield alongside price, as lower costs may reflect smaller size or less juice.

one person who lived it

Buy protein powder and supplements online to avoid markup at local nutrition stores.

Local nutrition stores often overcharge, while chain stores typically sell lower-quality products.

one person who lived it

Save money on appliances like KitchenAid mixers by comparing prices across different colors.

one person who lived it

Understand that mass-produced goods appear cheaper because corporations outsource.

one person who lived it

Consider that large retailers' price matching policies may contribute to the closure of smaller competitors, potentially leading to market monopolies and higher prices later.

one person who lived it

Consider whether the cost of transportation and impulse purchases negates the savings of a free food promotion.

one person who lived it

Cancel all subscriptions and order items individually when prices are favorable instead of relying on locked-in subscription rates.

2 people, independently

Use empty popcorn tins as pet food containers.

Metal tins resist damage from claws and teeth better than plastic bags.

one person who lived it

Switch to non-dairy milks or powdered milk alternatives if you frequently waste liquid milk due to slow consumption.

Non-dairy milks often have longer shelf lives, and powdered milk is suitable for baking.

• Powdered milk is not recommended for drinking.

one person who lived it

Purchase only the exact amount of fresh produce needed to avoid waste.

It prevents loss of money.

one person who lived it

Buy wood pellets from Home Depot for cat litter if clay gets stuck in your cat's toes.

It is much cheaper, smells better, and prevents clay from sticking between toes.

one person who lived it

Freeze lemon juice in ice cube trays and zest in bags for convenient future use.

It is more convenient than using fresh lemons each time.

one person who lived it

Build a food emergency fund with dry, canned, and frozen goods.

It came in handy when grocery store situations got dicey.

one person who lived it

Punch out the plastic label layer on a tin so the metal ring holds trash bags securely.

This prevents bags from sliding down into the bin.

one person who lived it

Keep flour and sugar in sealed containers to prevent mice from chewing through packaging.

Mice can chew through standard packaging.

one person who lived it

Switch to frozen vegetables and plant-based milks to reduce food waste caused by spoilage.

These substitutes help prevent throwing away food that has gone bad.

one person who lived it

Chop and freeze celery for use in cooked dishes like stuffing, soup, stew, or chili.

Frozen celery comes out fine in these cooked applications.

• This approach is based on rarely using celery raw.

one person who lived it

Do not buy staple pantry items like rice, pasta, and flour in bulk if they require too much effort to prepare when you are randomly hungry.

The effort required makes them not worth the time for a quick snack.

one person who lived it

Call 211 to locate local food resources and assistance programs.

8 people, independently

Use yarn as packing material for dishes to prevent breakage during a move.

One person reported no broken dishes when using this method.

• Based on one person's experience

one person who lived it

Use HDX plastic storage bins instead of cardboard for long-term storage.

Cardboard absorbs moisture, molds, and degrades from heat and cold, whereas plastic bins resist element damage.

one person who lived it

Use smaller stockings to reduce the pressure to fill them with excessive amounts of stuff.

Large stockings imply a shopping bag's worth of stuff is needed for filling.

one person who lived it

Use a large container, such as a 5-gallon water jug, to store ones and change.

3 people, independently

Work out storage capacity and usage habits before buying bulk items to avoid waste.

Bulk items may stress your storage capacity or go to waste if not used wisely before they spoil.

one person who lived it

Do not collect free birthday meals to give to homeless people; donate money to food banks instead.

Collecting meals is inefficient compared to donating money, most restaurants require eating in, and giving away gifts may unfairly impact the business.

• Giving away gifts isn't illegal but isn't using the bonus fairly toward the business.

one person who lived it

If you struggle with eating the candy yourself, buy Halloween treats on the morning of October 31st to cut down on the time available for personal consumption.

It reduces the window of opportunity to eat all the candy oneself.

one person who lived it

Pack outside food in clear plastic bags if the venue permits it but restricts other containers.

Some venues, like the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium, allow any food in clear plastic bags.

one person who lived it

Limit your possessions to make sharing a smaller space more manageable.

Having less stuff helps help with co-living arrangements.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying alcohol or non-food items with SNAP benefits.

These are prohibited.

one person who lived it

Buy old or expired chocolate if it is cheap, accepting that the quality changes but it remains edible.

In one person's experience, the expiration dates were not strict indicators of edibility.

• It is not as good as fresh chocolate.

one person who lived it

Save foil margarine or butter wrappers to wrap potatoes when baking.

This keeps potatoes moist and conserves aluminum foil.

one person who lived it

Refill a popcorn tin daily with popcorn for an economical snack.

Popcorn is the most economical snack option.

one person who lived it

Inspect pre-packaged berries and replace any spoiled pieces with fresh ones from adjacent containers.

Nobody will stop you.

one person who lived it

Obtain free moving boxes from liquor stores, U-Haul locations, or local grocery stores (specifically fruit boxes used for apples and bananas).

Buying moving boxes is unnecessary when free options are available at these locations.

one person who lived it

Store bulk supplies in inconvenient locations to reduce usage frequency through laziness.

The effort required to retrieve items from distant storage discourages overuse.

one person who lived it

Purchase asparagus only if it is displayed with its bottoms submerged in water.

Submerging the bottoms keeps the asparagus fresher for longer.

one person who lived it

Divide large packs of perishables like cheese into smaller portions and freeze the extras in double bags; place a paper towel in the bag when thawing to absorb moisture.

one person who lived it

Donate excess stockpiled items to local shelters, churches, or disaster relief organizations.

6 people, independently

Focus on building an emergency fund before paying off non-credit-card debts such as personal or car loans.

Having a cash buffer is preferred over immediately clearing these specific types of debt.

• Credit card debt should still be paid off first.

one person who lived it

• Focus on filling your emergency fund before aggressively paying down debt to ensure you can make reliable payments even if unexpected events occur.1

Increase your income to enable moving out if independent living is your goal.

Higher earnings provide the means to leave the parental home.

one person who lived it

Dismiss the cultural narrative that labels adults living with parents as failures.

The stigma is a specific US construct and not a global reality; one person reported feeling glad about it despite the shame.

2 people, independently

Maintain an emergency fund of at least three months' income, but avoid saving solely to leave money to heirs so you do not miss out on life's excitement.

Saving exclusively for descendants can lead to missing out on personal enjoyment due to insufficient funds for one's own life.

one person who lived it

If you are young and saving an excessive portion of your income, reduce your savings rate to a sustainable level like 20% or 10% so you can afford to eat well and enjoy life.

Compound interest builds wealth quickly when you are young, making extreme frugality unnecessary for financial security.

one person who lived it

Be honest with yourself about whether a snack counts toward your savings goal; claiming it doesn't defeats the purpose.

The system requires self-honesty to be effective.

one person who lived it

Be open and honest about living with your parents to avoid future relationship issues and miss out only on partners who view saving money as shameful.

Lying is not a great look; honesty filters out partners who think saving money is shameful.

one person who lived it

Focus on financial comfort over maintaining a false sense of pride regarding independence.

Struggling to maintain pride in a difficult financial world can lead to unnecessary hardship.

one person who lived it

Reframe living with parents as taking care of them, especially if they are elderly or disabled, to alleviate social stigma.

Viewing it as 'parents living with you' removes age limits and shifts the narrative to caregiving.

one person who lived it

Recognize that 'independence' is a cultural construct presented by media to create individual consumers, which may not align with practical survival strategies.

Relying on family is often seen as a weakness due to this cultural framing, despite it being a practical strategy.

one person who lived it

Focus on saving in your early twenties to leverage long-term financial growth.

Early savings accumulate over time.

one person who lived it

Set aside emergency and retirement funds while living with parents to allow them time to compound.

one person who lived it

Focus on building savings and investments over living paycheck to paycheck.

Having savings and investments provides better financial security.

one person who lived it

Sublet a room from grandparents or extended family to lower living expenses.

This covers rent, groceries, and miscellaneous costs at a reduced rate.

one person who lived it

Maintain an emergency fund to allow yourself time to think critically during crises rather than making desperate quick decisions.

Trying times often lead to quick decisions that strangle critical thinking.

one person who lived it

Expect a learning period of one to two months to master technique and stop cutting yourself.

You will likely cut yourself until your technique improves, after which cuts become rare.

one person who lived it

If you have wavy or curly hair, separate it into sections and trim the ends at home.

Mistakes are less noticeable in wavy or curly hair.

• This approach is not suitable for straight, fine hair where mistakes are obvious.

one person who lived it

If you are balding, shave your head or keep it in a close buzz cut to avoid drawing attention to thinning areas.

Other hairstyles tend to call attention to balding.

one person who lived it

Shave in the direction that offers the least resistance when brushing your hand against the skin.

This reduces ingrown hairs.

one person who lived it

Cut hair in the backyard to avoid cleaning up clippings inside the house.

You don't have to worry about the mess; birds can use the clippings for nests.

one person who lived it

Practice shaving on balloons if you are terrified of cutting yourself.

One person used this method to overcome fear before trying on themselves.

one person who lived it

Consider keeping your hair longer to extend the time between salon visits, potentially allowing a single haircut to last four months or more.

Longer hair reduces the frequency of necessary trims.

one person who lived it

Keep a buzz cut at home weekly using a bare buzzer if you prefer a low-maintenance style.

one person who lived it

Consider monthly subscription clubs for services like laser hair removal instead of one-time deals to allow switching between treatment areas while adhering to wait times.

• Based on one person's experience with a salon charging $75/month for one area.

one person who lived it

Occasionally distance yourself from household members to respect mutual privacy.

Making oneself scarce occasionally reduces friction when day-to-day privacy is limited.

one person who lived it

Spread newspaper or grocery ads over the sink before cutting hair to simplify cleanup.

one person who lived it

Imitate barber wrist motions by watching videos repeatedly or observing barbers in person.

one person who lived it

Skip giving goodie bags at children's parties if you can provide entertainment and cake instead.

Entertaining the child for a couple of hours and feeding them cake was deemed enough by one parent.

one person who lived it

Practice reading aloud using Dr. Seuss books.

It is a great practice.

one person who lived it

Give shoes as gifts to toddlers who enjoy playing with footwear.

One child loved playing with various shoes and slippers.

one person who lived it

Make gift tags from packaging you were going to toss to avoid buying new ones.

It prevents the need to buy new tags for next year.

one person who lived it

Use Epsom salts with dried herbs in jelly jars or homemade sugar scrubs as party favors.

It creates less waste.

one person who lived it

Save empty food boxes to entertain infants.

One parent reported that their 7-month-old grandchild was entertained for hours by them.

one person who lived it

Write the recipient's name on the box itself rather than the wrapping paper or bag.

so you know who it is for when you wrap it

one person who lived it

Donate old Christmas cards to an elementary school teacher for students to use in crafts.

It is fun for the children.

one person who lived it

Do not disguise USPS Priority boxes with brown paper to mail via First Class.

The package will be charged at the Priority rate regardless of your attempt to downgrade it.

2 people, independently

Turn collected ticket stubs into artwork or mosaics.

It creates an interesting art piece and prevents them from collecting dust in a drawer.

• ModgePodge may destroy colors and make text unreadable.

one person who lived it

Use reusable baskets, totes, or grocery bags as secondary gifts instead of disposable gift bags.

They double as a gift and are often cheaper than decorative shopping bags.

2 people, independently

Paint designs on reusable bags (like Lush or Trader Joe's bags) to create custom gift packaging.

It saves money if you already have the supplies.

one person who lived it

Wrap gifts in reusable cloth instead of paper to avoid waste.

Paper wrapping is often wasted for birthday or holiday gifts.

2 people, independently

Buy wrapping supplies only in neutral, year-round designs to ensure they can be used for multiple holidays.

Everything is usually 75% off the day after Christmas.

one person who lived it

Cover storage boxes with budget wallpaper and use lanyard tags or duvet ribbons for labels and decoration.

One person reported that four boxes covered this way were still strong 8 years later.

one person who lived it

Use cereal, oatmeal, or cracker boxes as creative gift containers.

It makes guessing what is really in the boxes fun.

one person who lived it

Round the corners of homemade gift tags to prevent injury.

Cardstock corners can hurt

one person who lived it

Test paper towel density by forming a 'C' shape with both hands around the roll and squishing it together to gauge thickness.

The closeness of the 'C' shapes indicates the density of the towels.

one person who lived it

Use shredded coupon remains as packing material for online resale shops.

The paper would otherwise be thrown away.

one person who lived it

Begin turning kitchen waste and fallen leaves into compost to produce cost-free, fertile ground for gardening.

3 people, independently

Give enamel pins related to a person's interests or accomplishments, attaching them to the stocking itself.

It makes each stocking unique and builds up a collection of pins over time.

one person who lived it

Save Mardi Gras beads from parades to reuse in future years.

one person who lived it

Let a child search through your purse or bag to find small items like hair ties, coins, or gum as gifts.

one person who lived it

Give empty popcorn tins as frugal gifts to kids or acquaintances.

One person reported that almost everyone likes receiving one.

one person who lived it

Use saved tissue paper as cushioning material for shipping packages.

It makes great packing material.

2 people, independently

Retrieve discarded novelty coin banks from trash to collect the coins inside.

one person who lived it

Use drugstore diaper boxes for general items and smaller shampoo boxes for transporting books.

These boxes are sized perfectly for their respective contents.

one person who lived it

Regift birthday cards by cutting off the bottom where writing is located.

one person who lived it

Save candy from goody bags to use later for decorating holiday projects like haunted houses or gingerbread houses.

one person who lived it

Donate small remaining balances from gift cards to charities that accept any amount.

3 people, independently

Rehydrate dried-out inkjet cartridges by soaking the print head in warm water and wiping it clean.

Soaking the print head briefly in warm water and swiping it on a paper towel restores function.

one person who lived it

Avoid buying printers that use integrated chips to determine ink levels based on carriage passes rather than actual ink usage.

These chips are factory-set countdown timers that declare the cartridge empty regardless of how much ink remains.

one person who lived it

Choose Brother brand printers to avoid manufacturer restrictions on third-party ink or forced replacements.

Brother does not employ the same consumable chicaneries as some other brands like HP or Epson.

2 people, independently

Check if your multifunction printer allows scanning without ink, but be aware that delaying ink replacement may cause clogs.

Scanning does not require ink, but leaving ink unused for long periods risks drying out the ink canals.

one person who lived it

Paste sensitive email or document content into a blank file named 'Doc1' before printing at work.

If your workplace tracks print jobs, this neutral filename helps avoid reprimands.

one person who lived it

Check if your library offers free faxing services to avoid commercial costs.

Commercial faxing averages $2.50 per page.

one person who lived it

Order extra printer ink through a workplace commercial supply account if available.

It’s really cheap.

one person who lived it

Destroy label printer ribbons before disposal to prevent sensitive data recovery.

The ink on the ribbon can contain sensitive data that is easily readable.

one person who lived it

Continue printing after the low-ink warning appears, as cartridges often have significant capacity remaining.

Printers warn early to allow time for replacement before the cartridge is completely empty.

one person who lived it

Choose Kyocera printers for small businesses due to their cost-effectiveness, durability, and lack of functionality lockouts.

Kyocera machines are considered a best bet for small businesses regarding cost, durability, and reliability.

one person who lived it

Wait to print personal items at work until immediately after printing a legitimate work document.

Printing right after a known-working job ensures the printer is functional and allows you to retrieve the item quickly.

one person who lived it

Research specific button combinations online to reset printer error messages after refilling cartridges.

Printers may stop working after refilling until the error is bypassed via a specific button sequence.

one person who lived it