It’s been way too long since our last Save It post (like this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, and this one to name a few), so the other night I was thinking about a few things that we just don’t buy, and how going without those things probably adds up to saving a decent amount of cash-money.
And it doesn’t feel particularly martyr-ish of us – it’s normal and easy after years of living this way. So it feels less like “going without” and more like “streamlining and simplifying.” We’ve mentioned a few of these things over the years, but I realized there were others that I never really thought about (or blogged about) so here’s a big ol’ brain dump of all the things that we typically skip.
- Meat three or four nights a week: Some nights we just opt for spaghetti, bean burritos, vegetable stir fry, homemade pizza, nachos, sweet potatoes and salad, etc.
- Fabric softener: We use vinegar sometimes, but most times it’s just nothing. We don’t notice a difference!
- Dusting spray: We both grew up with Pledge, but now we just use microfiber cloths and water.
- Regular dry cleaning: All of our clothes are machine or hand washable so we only do one trip per year for a few coats/blazers instead of monthly trips.
- Dog grooming: Burger’s short haired, so we just bathe him at home and cut his nails ourselves and we’re good.
- Newspaper: We get our news online (almost every newspaper has an online format now) and on the radio (NPR).
- Bottled water: We have a water filter and use Klean Kanteens that we refill ourselves.
- Starbucks: In the past year or so I’ve become a chai lover – and it’s $3.99 to make seven cups from this grocery store box, as opposed to that price for one cup at Starbucks. So I save that for special occasions and make a cup at home every morning instead.
- Bag-checking fees: Even when we’ve flown with a dog or a kid, we’ve actually never paid to check a single bag (we’re nerds for the challenge of packing light).
- Gel, hairspray, mousse, or serum: I haven’t bought that stuff since college. I’m just a wash and wear girl – plus I tend to break out a lot from hair stuff, so this is for vanity as well as saving money.
- Lipstick: It’s not my bag baby, so I use what’s in this makeup tote and nothing more (not buying 20 shades of eye shadow definitely keeps money in my pocket too).
- Creams and self tanners: I’m pale and totally cool with it – plus my mom looks awesome for her age and doesn’t use any fancy potions or creams, so I’m hoping to follow in her glamorous grandma footsteps.
- Perfume: I like the smell of my shampoo (John doesn’t wear cologne either).
- Haircuts & colors: Maybe once every two years I get a $35 cut, but other than that I just trim it myself. And of course cutting John’s hair saves us money too.
- Regular manicures and pedicures: I go about once a year with a friend (and usually hit up Starbucks while I’m splurging) but other than that I do my own toes at home and usually leave my fingers bare.
- Gym membership for me: It’s just not my thing, but John loves his.
- Alcohol: John has just never been a drinker and I might drink a bottle of wine a year at home (although most years it’s a gift from some sweet house guest) so it’s not a monthly expense for us.
- Disposable diapers: More on that here.
- Diaper bag: I never got one, just used a purse and kept extra stuff in the car.
- Incandescent bulbs: Using CFLs and LEDs in the bulk of our fixtures adds up to a lot of money saved. We’d love to eventually go all LED in our house, but it’s not exactly a cheap switch, so we’re trying to chip away at different rooms over time.
- A second car: This one definitely doesn’t works for everyone, but since I’ve been freelancing from home for the past seven years it’s no big deal to have one car (and it saves us the cost of a car, the gas, the maintenance, and the insurance).
Best of all, saving in some areas allows us to more easily afford other things that are more important to our family, like project materials, organic produce, cable TV, and ceramic animals. Guess it’s all one big balancing act right? I’d love to hear your “skip it” list! And this is a no judgement zone. You might LOVE to get your hair dyed but can resist giant dangly earrings when I can’t (I may or may not have over a dozen of those in my night table).
Psst- You can peruse over 30 money-saving posts of yore here.
Amanda says
Other than undies, swimsuits, and socks, nearly all our clothes are thrifted/consigned/hand-me-down/yard sale. I get comments all the time about how well we dress and how do I afford it! My husband’s work shirts come from TJ’s for $10-12 for Polo, Hilfiger, etc. We also can our own salsa, tomatoes, jam, meat, and juice, which saves $100s, with four kids and a husband whose metabolism thinks its 16. It isn’t hard, makes the house smell great, and tastes sooo much better. I cut all the hair in our house but mine. But we hire a neighbor boy to cut the grass and we can’t live without ice cream or popcorn!
Emily Fridenmaker says
I’m in med school and my husband is finishing his degree while working, so after being married for 5 years, we are getting to be professional skippers! My list is similar to yours.
No starbucks (tea at home), hair products/cuts, manicures/pedicures (do my own!), husband cuts his own hair, only 1 vehicle, no tanning (pale and proud! or at least ok with it…), we rarely use perfume or cologne, etc.
We have also cut way back on eating out. We don’t have TV and just got rid of Hulu. No house phone. But like other commenters, I really don’t notice/miss any of these things anymore.
As far as splurges and weaknesses…Spotify, used books, supplies for needless and random sweet baking, and Woodchucks.
Neat post!
(Also…I was prettttty good at using my purple SkipIt back in the day)
Molly says
I totally understand not being a gym person, but I am curious how you get your exercise? I belong to a gym for the weight equipment and group fitness classes, but tend to get my cardio outside either running/biking/walking. Mind sharing what you do?
YoungHouseLove says
I’m into hiking, biking, walking with the family, swimming, and doing DIY to get nice and sweaty. Haha!
xo
s
Laura says
We also skip softener with our laundry and I can’t tell a difference!
Where we live (Durham), our energy company offered FREE energy efficient ligth bulbs to anyone in the area last year. All we had to do was call in to request them and they shipped us a huge box with at least 20 different watts of bulbs. I was really surprised at how many we got!
We also try to bring leftovers for our lunches at work to avoid the cost of eating out and I take advantage of the free weekly yoga classes at lululemon on Sundays so I don’t have to pay for a gym membership.
We also keep the AC no lower than 75 degrees in the summer and it really helps w/ our costs!
Jennifer Sibley says
I skipped having a baby and have found that it is a great time saver and money saver. Haha.
For real though- no cable or home phone here. I can’t even remember the last time I got a mani/pedi. We also use window units instead of the central AC and we are in Georgia. It saves a ton of money on the electric bill and the rooms where the units are like the bedroom and the office are much cooler than when we run the central. We may look a little trashy with metal boxes hanging out our windows a few months a year, but it’s a big cash saver.
We also save money by not escrowing our property taxes and homeowners insurance. Did you know that they can charge you an extra 6% for these expenses when you escrow them with you mortgage payment?
YoungHouseLove says
Never knew that! Love all the tips guys!
xo
s
Lisa says
Love this post! And loving reading the ideas that others are sharing. I skip on pads and tampons and use washable mama cloth and a menstrual cup instead. That is savings I LOVE!!! I made that switch after the ease of cloth diaper and cloth wipes and learning more about the bleaching chemical residue in diapers, pads and tampons. Became a believer after that. We skip cable/phone. Just have home internet for our Apple TV/netflix and hulu. We paid our car loan off much quicker than it was scheduled for and we won’t buy a new car for many, many more years. I think having a car loan is one of the worst things to add into our budget. Luckily, I have a car from my employer so only having one car that we pay for (repairs, gas, etc) is a blessing.
What we save, we put towards saving up for a house and saving up for things on our wish list – like a new Weber’s grill for my husband. So, he can cook more yummy meals and we can eat at home. :-)
Andrea says
Sorry guys but: LadyCup ftw! :)
Sarah says
Although my move toward simplicity took time, I can say that many of these things are on my list, too. We switched to a Keurig coffee maker and therefore drink our coffee (or take it with us) most the time. Manicures and pedicures are special treats I splurge on during vacation or perhaps one additional time per year. I’ve also discovered clothing consignment shops. It has made me more aware of the excess (and the amount of things I own that don’t actually fit and probably never did) so I buy less, and it puts a few dollars back in our pockets. Living simply and purging is actually a luxury and I’ve quickly become addicted to living with less. It has been so freeing…I didn’t realize that living with stuff we didn’t need was a drain on our wallets AND our psyche.
abby says
I loved my skip-it. I hope it’s still somewhere in my parents’ garage so my kids can enjoy it. They just don’t make awesome toys like that anymore:) Man, I rocked that thing! Mine was pink!
Chris says
When I was in grade school ( late 60’s) i had the same toy only it was called Footsie…. We all brought them to school and played with them at recess. I buzz my husbands hair he hasn’t paid for a hair cut in years.
He also brings a lunch from home. We get gift cards to restaurants from points on our credit card and use those when I want a break from cooking.
Sue says
It’s amazing what you can do without. I know it’s not for everyone, but we don’t text…where we live there is only one cellphone option, and not having texting on our plan saves us a lot. We’ve never done it, so we don’t miss it…
Maureen says
Before Skip It, there was Lemon Twist (same idea, but the bit on the end looked like a lemon). I was Master of the Lemon Twist.
We skip cable. I stopped coloring my hair over a year ago & get more compliments now on the silver than ever before. Splurges are dangly earrings and nice yarn.
Liz says
Yeah girl! Preach! All those things that people think they need and don’t, that marketing tells us we need and we really, really don’t. Well done! It drives me a little crazy to see people getting pedicures and manicures in particular. Basecoat, 2 coats, topcoat…ta da! :) Have you read “Radical Homemakers”? It’s a little more extreme than what you’re doing, but you’re absolutely on the same path. :)
Koliti says
I listen to the universe when it tells me – “You already have what you need” – there’s only a few times a year when I’m sure it’s mistaken and I purchase some needed arts & crafts supplies :) Car: Paid-off. Receive a discount on my insurance since I’m an RN. In the last 6 months I received 2 mailers to go to two reputable car dealers and take a test drive for a gift card – one for $20 & another for $25 – so I did and have made $45 on a car I am keeping :) Phone: Canceled land-line. Use Tracfone pay-as-you-go phone. Electricity: Time-of-Use Meter (utilize off-peak hours). Water: I do not believe ALL the water supply lines to the house need to be fully open all the time – when not in use I close the washer lines and the toilet lines. I’ve tried to repair one toilet that seems to want to trickle a little water from the tank to the bowl without success – turning off the water all together solves that problem. Also follow the “if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down” mantra. Low-flow shower head. Turn off water when brushing teeth. Kitchen faucet water filter (bottle my own water). Personal care: Use 1-ply toilet paper (at CVS: Earth Essentials 12 roll package = 1311.5 sq ft, on sale $5.50). Cut my own hair with a Flowbee(yep, they still make them & I LOVE mine!). Do not use make-up. Entertainment: Do not have cable. Do not have internet. Do not go to movie theaters. Canceled newspaper delivery. Get together with friends. Go to library & utilize all media and their air conditioning :) Cleaning: Do not use fabric softener (got this idea from YHL :). Do not use paper towels. Use microfiber cleaning cloths. Steam mop (only needs water). White vinegar for removing hard water build-up on faucet/shower heads & in hot water kettle. Skills: Learned how to hem my work pants. Designed & sew my own little pocket purse (only takes 1/4 yd of fabric). Beverages: When I want something refreshing with a little flavor, I fill a tall glass 3/4 with cold water + 1/4 fruit juice. Otherwise water and tea. Shopping: Do not go to malls. Go to church rummage sells (often they will have “Fill a Bag for $2 or $5”) & thrift shops (no purchase necessary – I get a lot of inspiration & ideas). Go to Grocery Outlet (discount prices on food & small household items & personal care items, close-outs). Do not pay full retail – use a coupon & get a discount. Buy a plant or flowering plant or succulent (lasts a lot longer than flowers). Money: Automatically put money into savings every payday. Pay off credit card in full every month & earn reward points. Auto-pay bills (no stamps). Health: Get plenty of sleep. Eat well. Laugh often :)
Here’s a few more…
– Need to get your teeth cleaned but don’t have dental insurance? Check if your community college has a Dental Hygienist Program – ours does and it only costs $35 to get your teeth cleaned.
– Product containers (shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, etc) that let you dispense liberal quantities only encourage you to use too much. Put these products into pump dispensers (takes less than 1/2 pump to dispense the hair conditioner I need).
– Liquid Clothes Detergent is notorious for difficult measurement markings on the caps – save one and clearly mark with a Sharpie where a one ounce mark is – use it to measure for each load.
– You only need a pea-size amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush.
Thanks! Posts like this are FUN! Always love to see what works for everybody :)
Cristy says
Growing up with a mom who is a hairdresser, I never thought I’d skip regular haircuts, highlights or color, especially since I started having premature grey hairs at age 12. But the year I turned 30 I realized that I had been covering the grey for 18 years and that as a mom of (then) 3, I wasn’t getting any younger, I didn’t care what other people thought and I didn’t want to be a slave to touching up my roots every other month. Now, I go about 6 months between haircuts and my hair is color free. I’m 33. A mom if 4, and I don’t see anything wrong with some of my hair being grey. I have an aunt with beautiful salt & pepper hair and another aunt who tries to hide her grey and winds up with a weird orange/yellow mess. I think my grey is FABULOUS!
We also are going without cable. The first year that my husband and I were married was a real test. We had cable, which was expensive, and most evenings when we were home, our favorite shows were on network tv. On the weekends, we felt this obligation to ‘make use of our cable’ so we’d mindlessly watch hour after hour of DIY shows and reality programming, meanwhile ignoring piles of laundry, dishes, bills, REAL LIFE! Initially we got rid of the cable as a budgeting issue, but we soon found we didn’t miss it at all. Now with our kids, they see a little PBS, qubo and Netflix, but that’s it.
Jill says
Great post, yall. I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s comments on how they save money, too. I’m going back to school full time next year and plan to ditch the full time job, so I will need to be saving pennies big time! Luckily my “rent” will be covered but everything else I’m used to will have to be sacrificed in some sort of way. I plan to pick up an internship and part time retail work… but I figure I need to start living now as if I’m working part time so I can get used to it!
Jennifer says
We are a paleo family so skipping meat isn’t going to happen in our home. Instead, we buy whole cows and pigs directly from a farmer. It is MUCH cheaper per pound than the grocery store. We also homeschool which enables us to avoid $$$ private school bills.
Katie says
I really like your money saving tips, and have followed them from time to time.
I wrote a post recently on how we save some money, I agree if it becomes your way of life it feels much less like ‘going without’ something, and I actually like getting rid of an extra bill or expense as it all goes in the wedding fund now.
http://tenantchic.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/im-cheap-and-i-love-it.html
We got freeview (UK free channels) when we moved recently and I don’t know why we didn’t get rid of the cable sooner!
xx
Kim says
I totally had a Skip It as a kid!! Those things we awesome!
I love how ceramic animals are important items for your family! ;)
My husband and I skip out on cable. We watch Netflix and Amazon Instant Video instead. I haven’t had a cable bill in about 5 years and I don’t miss watching traditional TV at all. We are staying in an extended-stay hotel right now while we wait to close on our new house (bad timing with selling or old place and buying our new place) and we’ve watched TV once or twice in the past week and a half… it’s been weird seeing commercials. After the two times of traditional TV watching, we decided we hated watching it that way with all the commercials and not being to see a single show on a nightly basis, that we stopped turning it on.
Pam the Goatherd says
No TV here
I cut my and my husband’s hair
We raise or hunt for the majority of our food (I fed our family of 5 for $40 per week and now that it’s just hubby and me there are times when I don’t go to the grocery store for several weeks and then only spend about $20 when I do)
We have a land line phone and our cel phones are the “buy minutes as you need them” kind which we use rarely. (I have over 3000 minutes that have accumulated on my phone because I just don’t use it.)
There are lots more things that I skip to save money, but this comment would end up being longer than your blogpost if I listed them all!
sophie says
Always skipping lots of things around here:
1. hanging washing out as much as possible – clothes last longer, smell better and it saves electricity.
2.buying second hand rather than new – most of the kids’ school clothes came from Value Village and/or other thrift shops. Use coupons, shop on half price days and you’re set. Our sheets are from there as well, as are all our cloth napkins.
3. use reusable tubs for school lunches, rather than bags
4. skip packaged foods – too much environmental waste!
5. no cell phone for me
6. one car and that’s used as little as possible.
7. cleaning products – so much can be cleaned with various combinations of vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, etc.
8. game systems – these suck you dry, between games and ever changing consoles
9. expensive gifts – average Canadian spends ca. $700 on Christmas presents. Really? We have a max total of $50 for family gifts (which are also often thrifted because they don’t mind).
10. makeup – I don’t own it and I don’t wear it. Nobody at work minds. My husband wouldn’t recognize me if I wore it.
11. hair goo – too much effort.
12. eat at home and eat home cooked meals. We usually go out for dinner as a family once a month, but sometimes less.
13. no newspaper delivery. no magazine subscriptions
14. vegetarian, most of the time, or limited meat
the thing is that most of this has become such second nature to us that we don’t even think of it as ‘skipping’ unless we happen to go to another person’s house and they talk about how much money they need to live on and its four times what we need…
cappy says
I LOVE these posts…I can’t wait to read the comments later for more ideas. You have helped me streamline all the unnecessary “extra” in my life and ever since I did that I have been so happy. I was a 20+ eyeshadow gal and never used them. We have since nixed all sorts of chemicals used in our home for natural home remedies (vinegar, water, tea tree oil)etc. And recenlty I am taking a good look at my children’s toys and books. I have a hard time picking and choosing which ones to pass on and keep for them, or just store some of them for rainy days. I am also looking into their closets to streamline outfits too. As for food, I recenlty got the book “The Fresh 20” Budget Meal Plans for Busy Families-this is a great cookbook planner! It tells you 20 items to buy at the store for the week and has delicious recipes that you can use plus ideas for leftovers. It is also seasonally based too so you can get healthy fresh options. Highly recommend!
Liz o says
We made the switch over to vinegar and water as our cleaning spray! Saves tons of $$! I csn get huge gallons of it at sams club for super cheap. The best part is i feel safe using it on mt counters and to clean up doggie accidents! One bottle of spray costs as much as two gallons of vinegar so it saves a ton!
Kate says
The only manicure I’ve ever gotten was for my wedding (wait, that’s a lie, they painted my nails at my friend’s salon birthday party one time when I was about 7; around the same time we all were playing with Skip Its, lol!), and I’ve never had a pedicure. Lately I’ve kind of been wanting a pedicure, but I keep convincing myself to “skip” it!
We skip a lot, but I don’t have any great suggestions that weren’t already mentioned. Lately I’ve been “skipping” buying furniture and trying to make it myself – you just have to watch out that the total cost of all the supplies doesn’t add up to be more than it’s worth!
Katrina says
I love these tips! We do quite a few of the same things in our home.
One thing I gave up awhile ago was driving to the gym. Although my gym membership was free through my husband’s job, I was driving an extra 12 miles a day, 6 days a week just to run on a treadmill. Now, I lace up at home and run my neighborhood. I am filling up a lot less at the gas station!
One thing I refuse to skimp on is quality homeowner’s/car insurance. My husband tried to get me to switch to a budget insurance provider and reduce our coverage when we first got married. Thank God I am a skeerdy cat and refused to compromise! We had a major plumbing failure last year and lost the majority of our belongings and our home. Our insurance payments for the rest of our lives will never equal the cost of everything that our insurance covered and provided for us during our time of need. They really saved the day!
Erin says
We stopped using dryer sheets after the doctor recommended we stop while my son was suffering from severe exczema. Once we stopped using them I realized that we only had about 1-2 loads a year that had a lot of static, and all I really missed was the smell. But since I also use fragrance free detergent that was sort of counter-intuitive. So, more saving $$ and helping the environment!
Chase says
Love it! I’m a frugalista as well… with just a few splurges. I especially love that my office provides free coffee (including mochas, lattes, espressos) with a variety of flavored creamers. So much better than Starbucks!
Amy says
Hi!
I never comment but read your blog every day. I love saving money in easy ways and skipping the nightly chore of cooking dinner is what I’m all about these days. My husband and I started cooking all of our meals (dinner) for the week on Sundays in an effort to eliminate time cooking after work so we could spend more time with our son but an added benefit has been that it saves us a ton of money too. It has forced us to plan ahead and only buy what we need and then figure out how to stretch those ingredients in creative ways. I grew up on leftovers so a reheated meal is nothing new to me.
I need to check out the Norwex cloths that you guys are talking about. I live with a germaphobe who is a paper towel addict but otherwise very green.
tess says
I love this post. These are some of the things we do.
My husband and I cut each other’s and our children’s hair. Got instruction from Youtube videos.
One car that my husband uses. I walk, take public transit. Use my granny cart for hauling heavy groceries. He keeps reusable totes in the car to avoid getting plastic bags at the store.
We pack lunches for work and school. Restaurants for special ocassions. Usually eat at home.
Rare movie outings.
When I was single, friends and I volunteered as an usher at live theaters and got to see performance for free. Volunteeering at film fests, etc also great way of getting free culture.
No cable for us. Cost out of the question. A friend gives us a yearly gift of Netflix Streaming. My husband got the device for watching it on TV. Love seeing all the Dr. Who episodes, other British shows, my daughter loves all the Disney stuff, movies.
We get movies and books from the library and give and get books at a neighborhood swap box (repurposed newspaper box on busy street).
Thrift stores for many clothes (excepting socks and undies). One nearby has 1/2 price Mondays. My son’s wardrobe of skinny rock,n,roll fit jeans came from there.
Acquired art, wines, books, music, solid wood shelving, jewelry, kitchen things, clothes post moveout of neighbors.
We use the free section of Craigslist and the local Freecycle to donate outgrown kids clothes and shoes, toys, a super tall antique ladder, plant, whatnot. Wonderful ways of redistributing. We’ve received a huge collection of Yu-gi-oh cards, slow cooker, beautiful barkcloth, wall paints, etc from generous folks.
I air dry our clothes on clothes lines on the back porch most seasons, on hanger on the shower rod in the winter. Saves on gas and saves wear and tear on clothes. Clothes look newer longer.
I mix up new colors of wall paint from our “inventory” in the basement.
Things I’d like to do. Figure out how to make own laundry soap. Figure out how to redirect husband’s potato chip snack habit. Keep up with the wonderful organic veggies that come weekly from our CSA subscription. We share with my mother but things still end up rotting.
Beside my own life experience, I got tips from the Tightwad Gazzette books, Pennilies Parenting, Clickclack Gorilla, and other blogs.
Allie @ 6000 Miles says
One of my favorite recent skips is our second car (which we sold) namely because it gave us an excuse to buy a 150cc SCOOTER which I’m obsessed with. Amazing gas mileage! I skip most of the other things you listed too, but haven’t gotten into cutting my own hair yet…it scares me, but I’ll have to give it a try!
Krista says
I’m 40 and I’ve never had cable. We actually get 4 PBS channels while those on cable in our neighborhood only get one! We have a garden and chickens for eggs. Although, I don’t think we save any money with the garden or chickens, but I like knowing where our food comes from and how it’s produced. Another big savings for us has been living in a small home. I do often envy other families who have separate family rooms and guest rooms, but we have saved thousands by staying small. Some people might think that having a small house means more fighting and getting in each other’s way, but it actually seems to make us all more considerate of each other’s needs.
Lorelei Reed says
I save money on cat litter because I am teaching my cat to go in the toilet!!! It has taken almost a whole year and we are in the 3rd stage (there are three stages to the process, we bought a kit) and other than being a money saver it is the funniest thing I have ever seen…my little girlie hopping up on the toilet seat and hanging her little behind over the edge…she is modest so she always turns her back to the doorway…and sadly she ALWAYS knows when I sneak in there with a camera so I am never able to get a picture! My quest continues…and life without a litter box is heavenly!!
Timmi says
One thing I have noticed about living in older homes, like over 70 years or more, is even though the electrical may have been updated at some point, those new bulbs burn out just as fast or faster than the old bulbs. So we buy the old ones since overhauling a house electrically is a HUGE expense, I’ve heard from others that this is the case as well.
Ashley says
Please please do a post (or direct me to one you’ve done) on how to avoid checking bags when flying with a kid! We’re flying with our first baby for the first time in October & I have no idea how to pack to avoid the $50 bag check fee! She’ll be 3 months old :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s one that sort of covers that Ashley: https://www.younghouselove.com/2013/04/twelve-tips-for-smoother-travel/ (generally we just try to only bring what we truly need, so the whole bare minimum thing is hard to describe, but there aren’t any extras in our bags).
xo
s
tess says
also I love my MAC lipsticks for staying power. Once I have 6 empty containers I take into the store to recycle and trade the 6 for 1 new one.
When I say empty I mean it. I scrape out the remainder and put in a clean empty jar stir in with lanolin and use as lipgloss.
Emylee says
Love this post! We skip a lot!
– no cable ( we use Netflix, Hulu and steam all that plus espn on our Xbox which is also our DVD player)
– we do A LOT of barter and trading: I’ll do a photo shoot, spring clean a friends closet, make cupcakes for a party, etc for things like my hair cut, ac or home repairs, even starbucks cards!
– I work from home so no fancy office clothes for me
– we have one car and I make my husbands lunch everyday
– hardly any dryer time – clothes racks all the way
– we only run the washer and dishwasher before 2 or after 7
– veggie and herb garden saves a ton
– we will go to sams with other family members and split up the bulk amount of items so we can get the discounted price
– kindle books and dollar theater! (Our dollar theater is super nice and packed every weekend)
-cloth napkins
However….I cannot nix my pedicures that I get every couple months and my random starbucks trip.
Sasha says
We also do the no cable thing. We have a “watch instantly” subscription from Netflix and can check things out on Hulu or even on a network’s website to watch shows as they air. My husband uses an electric razor instead of disposables. I make my own laundry detergent and cleaning products (& love it!). We also shop at a discount grocery store, Aldi’s, regularly. We were unsure how we would like it before we gave it a try, but we now think that it’s great! Not every single product there is for every single person, but we really think that there is enough good stuff with insanely low prices that everybody should give it a try! Last week’s “Produce Pick” was 1lb bags of organic baby carrots….$.25! Bought a ton to freeze. Ca-ching, Mo Money fo’ Marshalls!
Jamie B. says
I’m cheap about clothes. A few pairs of (cheap) jeans and a pile of t-shirts with a zip-up hoodie do me fine. (I’d be in trouble if I ever had a job where I had to dress nicely, haha.) I’m cheap about shoes … I know logic says it’s worth it to pay more for something well made that will last, but I seem to do okay with making them survive for a while.
One thing I can’t resist buying are bags/purses. I’m not talking Prada or anything, I’m still too cheap for that lol, but no one in the world needs as many bags as I own. It’s silly but I just love them for some reason.
I’d pay good cash money for a skip-it now, those things must have been good exercise!
Sarah says
We cut out direct tv and haven’t missed it. It saves over $1000 a year. All of the shows we watch are on Hulu or Netflix and we always do Sunday dinners at my in-laws so that’s where we watch the football games. Oh and I cut out coffee creamer. We either use milk or a scoop of all natural ice cream (it’s just milk cream and sugar just like creamer) : )
Kel says
I skip ALOT. Im actually renting an old pioneer log cabin (circa 1825) in Indiana along the Ohio River. As expected I don’t have any A/C, furnace or electric heat, Laundry machines or heck- even windows that all open (over time the log walls shift and the windows won’t open). It’s wood heat only via a woodstove in the livingroom and a fireplace upstairs in my bedroom. I do have a tiny water heater, and my electric + water combined is less than $35/month. I keep chickens to keep eggs and meat on hand, as well as tend a giant garden. I don’t have a hubby or kids, its just me and a couple cats (oh jeez…. that makes it sound like i’ll be single forever…) I don’t have a TV or internet at all, couldn’t even get them at the cabin if I wanted them. I do have a smartphone though. The cabin is a historic structure for the state of Indiana so I can’t really be sticking a dish on the roof. Your laundry machines, furnace, A/C and walls that don’t leak when it rains are luxuries! I really love how it has made me so much more thankful for those basic things that we all take for granted everyday. Last winter my avg. room temp was ~38-43, it’s amazing what you can get used to. A warm house without having to get up and put wood in the stove feels like such a privilege now.
Mary @ Redo 101 says
We almost never go out to eat, once in a restaurant I realized I could seriously cook those things myself at home!
Heather says
Why bother having a diaper bag if you never leave the house independently anyways?
YoungHouseLove says
I went out with friends and relatives when Clara was a baby without John all the time! Still do now (no more diaper changes to plan for = bonus). I do occasionally drive (I have my license), John just does it most often.
xo
s
Dawn says
No Cable and no pets (this saves money and time). We watch our shows on the internet. No Smart phone, I do want one, but I don’t think I would use it enough. We also have a small garden to help with groceries. Along with that no coffee or soda. I have my kids trained so well that they prefer water even when we are out.
Sarah H. says
I cut my husband’s hair, buy very little makeup, and clean mostly with vinegar. We also do cloth diapers. One thing that has saved us a lot of money this year is our CSA subscription. It comes out to about $13 per week for a huge box of veggies all summer long!
I had a pink Skip-it when I was little and I loved that thing :)
tamara says
we have a budget in our house that includes a certain amount every month as a “personal allowance” for each of us (me and the hubs). and the allowance can be spent on whatever the hell you want. frilly dress? neon pink shoes because you love them? starbucks? pedicures? lunches out? — it’s all free game, but when the money is gone, it’s gone. we work hard for our income, and life is very short; there’s a balance to be struck between being responsibe and depriving oneself of simple pleaures. the allowance avoids that for me, at least. i LOOooOooVE fashion and good wine (which i drink a LOT of, haha); i love going to the gym; we love going to the movies; i dunno. it’s not worth it to me to not do/buy/enjoy these things in the name of “saving even more.” can’t take that money with you when you die. and i’ll die happier with that cute dress on and glass of pinot in hand! of course, in all seriousness, this works for us because we DO save money, DO cover our bills, ARE preparing for retirement. a budget must be created that’s both realistic and FUN, but must actually be followed. :) good comment discussions today!
Christy Niebaum says
I totes had a skip it! *cue music* “skiiiiip it, skiiiiip it.”
We have some skip its in common. We don’t check baggage, no newspaper or magazine subscriptions, use filtered water from the fridge door instead of bottled water, no alcohol (we’re not drinkers at all), no fabric softener (seriously, no difference), no hair cuts/color costs (because my mom is a stylist and does it for free). We also don’t pay for lawn care/treatment like many of our neighbors, no wrapping paper/gift giving costs because I recycle EVERYTHING or get creative with other stuff, wet/dry “swiffer” mop/dusting sheets (we use the Method mop that can be washed and reused), no dog grooming (recently cut this from our list by muzzling and holding down the dog to clip her nails, haha), no home security system (currently utilizing our Great Dane, haha).
My big money saving thing is couponing and stocking up on sales. I’m not extreme by any means, but I spend maybe 30 minutes a week collecting and organizing coupons. Most of the time, I’m just pairing manufacturer coupons, Target coupons, the Target cartwheel app discounts, RedCard discounts and reusable bag discounts. It really adds up. I almost always save at least $30, but my personal record is $79 in one trip. I also use the Coupon Sherpa app to check for coupons or discounts when I’m out shopping (ex – saved $5 at Shoe Carnival on a pair of Nikes a couple of weeks ago by checking this app before I checked out with the cashier).
I’m pretty passionate about saving money so I have more doll hairs to spend on stuff I really care about. I could go on and on about tips.
Kate says
We skip paper towels! I bought several bunches of white wash rags at Walmart for $4 and use those in the kitchen. I throw the dirty ones in a small dollar store basket and wash them in a load separately. I bought Blue and green ones for bathroom cleaning keeping them separate from the kitchen ones.
DianeG says
Great list, and I am thoroughly enjoying the additional tips in the comments. We tend to be fairly simple in our spending (although we use what we save in other ways, such as high quality produce or weekends away together). We don’t cook meat at all in the house and try to eat home cooked meals at least 5 nights a week. We keep our cars forever, and since my dad used to be a mechanic we only pay the cost of parts for most repairs. We’re also not particularly brand conscious so that saves a good bit – we “buy good” on the rare occasion that we feel it counts and shop the less expensive stores when it doesn’t. I get almost all of my daughter’s clothes from thrift or consignment stores. I admit though, I agree with my fellow curly girls – hair is one area where I have to have particular products and a good cut. Luckily, I only cut it every 4-6 months and I skip coloring it all together. And I cut my husband’s hair at home.
Carrie says
Sherry,
I am so glad you posted this! Yesterday I was going through your archives to find the last posts on your makeup, etc. I am trying to streamline my makeup routine and replace my old stuff with organics as I run out.
My Skip It’s include:
-No cable tv (a friend and I share Netflix and Hulu Plus accounts).
-I make our laundry detergent (I use the Dugger’s recipe) which has lasted me over a year doing 3-4 loads a week and cost under $10 with left over ingredients!! It’s super easy to make and our clothes smell fresh and not over perfumed.
-I line-dry all laundry and only fluff the towels to soften them for 20 minutes on no heat to save on energy costs.
-This summer we went without AC and there were only a handful of days I thought I might pass out so I went to walk around the grocery store or PetSmart. (I live in central NC so its hot and humid!)
-No eating out unless we have extra money from our $50 a week food budget. (It’s just me and my cohabitator bf)
-Grow our own produce in the summer.
-No manicures, pedicures, or eyebrow waxing except for special occasions.
-Use conditioner as shaving cream as well – I always have lots left over because I use more shampoo than conditioner on my hair.
I’m sure there are more but it just seems normal to me. I need to refill my Method hand soap soon and hope to try the Dr. Bronner’s soap.
Oriah says
I am a confirmed cheap-skate. I skimp in all the ways you describe and then some.
I had blown insulation added to my house to take make it R-50. The total cost was $350 and it paid for itself in under 2 years. I also added a whole house attic fan and use that in the evening and overnight to cool the house off. In the morning i drop the ac down about 3 more degrees and let the house “coast” until evening. The attic fan was about $1000 but i’ve had it for about 6 years now so it’s more than paid for itself. I use a laundry line to dry my clothes. Since i had a HE washer, they even line dry in central VA in the winter (although sometimes i may put them in the dryer for 5 mins to make sure they are completely dry). My summer power bill is about $65/mo. In the winter, i drop the temp in the house down to 55 at night and only heat the house to 60 during the day.
Almost everything in my house has been bought second hand. I have a crate & barrel down sofa and i paid $325. I have a king-size temprapedic that i paid $95. I have a vintage Eames lounge chair and ottoman that i paid…wait for it…$65! I’m a patient shopper and snag a good deal when i come across them. Most of my clothes are second-hand. It makes it a lot easier to “experiment” with a new look for $4 vs $100. It’s a no-brainer.
I’ve never had a professional pedicure. To be honest, i’m actually afraid of toenail fungus.
I’ve been veggie for 22 years. No meat = lots of money saved. I eat mostly organic and local and have some raised beds in the backyard.
I use an airline associated credit card so i can get miles for all my purchases. So far, in the last 2 years, i’ve gotten 3 free tickets. Plus, i get a free checked bag and priority boarding. I practically feel like i’m flying first-class…until i sit down. I charge ALL my purchases so i can get the points/miles and pay off the bill in full every month. I’m that credit card holder they want to ditch because they aren’t making any money off of me.
I’ve walked to work for the last 12 years.
I don’t buy anything that has to be dry-cleaned.
I compost and recycle. The city where i live has an option to pay per bag of trash picked up. My family produces 1 bag of trash every 6 weeks…which only costs us $1 to dispose of.
I buy high quality “seconds” shoes for 1/3 the usual price. Usually the reason they’re seconds is because they have a scuff on the toe.
Linda says
In the what’s worth it to me even if it’s not cheap is having my hair professionally done (baby fine, wavy and greying – for me, a pro cut is necessary and while I did box color for a while, my stylist truly does a better job. And since I work out of the home, it’s also a bit of a ‘work investment’ IMO.
I also buy Munro shoes as I have slim, pronated feet and a lot of shoes simply are not comfortable. Totally comfortable, wear forever, and the company will send you replacement insoles as the current ones were out. And made in America!
The most important thing to me is taking my senior kitties in for their senior panels twice a year, with the accompanying vet check up, as well as making sure they get their Revolution monthly. I’m terrified of heartworm, and better to head any health issues off early. And I never cheap out on their food – even if I’m eating ramen that week! :-)