Thank you- Some of the ideas I read make me wonder how dumb a society we really live in.

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One of the worst, because it is so common, is "Clip coupons!" Over at Planet Cheapskate, we think it's counter-productive. Have you noticed what you can actually buy with those “money-saving” coupons? (Hint: We have yet to pay for anything natural or fresh for that matter.) They're just another method that big corporations use to get you buy products that aren't moving very well. And the time people spend organizing their coupon folders! Sheesh! Our advice: do as much of your grocery shopping on the outside aisles, where the fresh stuff is! If you'd like a peek at some of Planet Cheapskate's "contrarian" frugal ideas, stop by at http://www.planetcheapskate.com. (Apologies for the shameless plug.)

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Sorry but I do think the reuse calendar comment was a little lame. I love Wallet Pop though and normally find really great money saving tips.

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I use, wash, and re-use sandwich bags. I think it makes good sense. I already have soapy water right there. Why would you toss it, just because there are some crumbs inside?

I cut my own hair, too. Wow, I guess I'm a cheap-o. :)

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If you read our article on sewing clothes, you'll find that we're not just talking about $3 or $10 shirts that happen to be on sale at Old Navy. We're talking about tops and skirts that women often pay $40-70 for at the mall that you can easily make for $2-$5 depending on the fabric you choose.

A $100 sewing machine would pay itself back after making a few items of clothing and also enable you to mend old clothing, bed linens, make your own curtains, bags, etc. We have saved a lot of money and made ourselves original clothes that no one else has.

Read the articles and all the reasons and explanations before knocking other people's ideas. Just because you don't have the necessary skills or haven't done something yourself doesn't make an idea dumb or wrong.

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Save money and the Earth and be clean at the same time! Get serious and add Bathroom Bidet Sprayers to all your bathrooms. I think Dr. Oz on Oprah said it best: "if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn't wipe it off with paper, would you? You'd wash it off” Available at www.bathroomsprayers.com with these you won't even need toilet paper any more, just a towel to dry off! Don’t worry, you can still leave some out for guests and can even make it the soft stuff without felling guilty. It's cheap and can be installed without a plumber; and runs off the same water line to your toilet. You'll probably pay for it in a few months of toilet paper savings. And after using one of these you won't know how you lasted all those years with wadded up handfuls of toilet paper. As for water use a drought is always a concern and must be dealt with prudently but please remember that in the big picture the industrial water users always far exceed the water use of household users and in the case of toilet paper manufacture it is huge. The pollution and significant power use from that manufacturing process also contributes to global warming so switching to a hand bidet sprayer and lowering your toilet paper use is very green in multiple ways.

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I do wash and re-use sandwich bags, just not for FOOD.

The bicarb isn't as odd as it sounds. It actually has been used for many years as an alternative "dentifrice." And yes, it does freshen breath. Salt is less common, but I've heard of that being substituted, as well. True, neither is as pleasant as a brush full of, say, cinnamon gel.

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Some of the ideas were actually useful, it really depends on the individual. I find the toothpaste one ironic, since we all know brits are known for their great teeth(sarcasm).

Also, #3, if this were my site i wouldn't let you plug your site. How would you feel if they went on your site plugging walletpop? Not to mention, although partially correct(coupons are sometimes used to move some things that arent selling as well) there are still great deals to be had if you check out some coupons. I personally do not spend hours hunting coupons, but i pick up the flyer as i enter the store and see if there are any good ones in their flyer.

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Wow, way to make friends, dude.

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The sandwich bag tip is a BIT extreme. I remember watching my grandparents do that but then again they lived thru the great depression. Now-a-days we have this unique product called TUP-PER-WARE. I save money by using tupperware. I have even bought some lunch meat in reusable containers made for you to use for your sandwich afterwards. They're just as good as the glad containers. On another note, I'm sorry but unless its jeans I'm gonna wash my clothes after one wear... jeans maybe two wears. That's just unsanitary! You want to save on calendars that badly? Buy one in feb. when they all go on sale for like $3.00 or just for fun lets try the one that's built into every computer, pda, cell phone, or practically any other electronic product you may have. Also, coming from a young woman in her 20's who actually sews ::gasp!::, unless you're making a gown or something of that sort. You usually don't save that much money if at all. To be quite honest by the time you buy the fabric you like or that won't be embarrassing to walk down the road in, all the notions (buttons, zippers, thread, etc), sewing pattern, etc you could buy it in the store. Store bought clothes usually hold up better to many rounds in the washer too. Then again these are probably the same people that are suggesting you wear your clothes more than twice before washing!

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This isn;t stupid though I was told by my friends that it was.

I dumped my credit cards except for one for EMERGENCIES. Cash or debit card only now.

I also looked carefully at "regular" expenses and decided to dump my AT&T phone for a prepaid phone. Got a Tracfone for 30 bucks but it was kinda-sorta free since it came with 30 bucks worth of air time.

Now I budget my phone use by buying the amount of time I want, up front. I also got a double minutes card which makes it an even better value.

There are some expenses that can be "managed" and those are the ones to budget.

The important thing is to do what YOU think is right, not what your friends think is cool.

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hi Aaron,
Thanks for pointing out that some of these "money saving tips" are just plain DUMB! Finally someone says it!
And your examples crack me up.
George
http://www.tradeshowmarketingadvice.org

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Thanks for sharing such great post, we are earning without any of the future plans and spend it without any of the thought of tomorrow. According to me budgeting and minimize the use of credit card is the best way to save money. For more details on money saving tips refer http://www.prime-targeting.com/money-saving-tips-for-recession/

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