Cheap me, cheap you?

[Despotic Harridan]

Very cheap.

No tube, aside the toothpaste, of anything, creams, lotions etc, ever gets tossed until I cut it and scrape out the stuff inside.

Non-recyclable bags and boxes are for cat poop.

I use snuffers with my smokes, I can have 2 puffs, leave it and come back later to finish it, no nasty taste (well, other than, um, cough, smoke)

Yours?

[Zeener Diode]

I rinse off dental floss after use and drape it over the toothbrush holder. I'll keep using it until it begins to fray.

[Wolf Larsen]

I can take a week getting that last little bit of shampoo out of the bottle. I drink the bad free coffee at work rather than hit Starbucks. I actually like the dollar menu at McDonald's.

[Jaglavak]

I don't throw broken stuff away until I at least have a try at fixing it.

[Zeener Diode]

Instead of buying notepads I use the backs of white envelopes that come with the mail.

[Portia]

Originally Posted by MountainLilly

Very cheap.

No tube, aside the toothpaste, of anything, creams, lotions etc, ever gets tossed until I cut it and scrape out the stuff inside.

Why not the toothpaste? I do that w/ toothpaste tubes, open up the flat end and scrape out toothpaste w/ your toothbrush till gone. Am I missing something obvious?
The cheap thing I did was to flip off the breaker for the stove since I wasn't using it and the microwave has a clock. I keep a spreadsheet of daily electric meter reading and got my bill down to $18.72 two months ago. (It also helps I rarely use the dryer.)

[Nisslbody]

I go to the farms after the end of the season and take home squashes from the piles they leave by the side of the road.

I make my own pickles, applesauce, jam and sauerkraut, and assorted other preserves.

I cook from scratch almost always.

I walk whenever I can avoid driving.

Instead of paper towels I use cloth napkins.

These all might be "frugal" rather than "cheap", I'm not sure.

[Portia]

Originally Posted by Pons Nisslbody

I go to the farms after the end of the season and take home squashes from the piles they leave by the side of the road.

I make my own pickles, applesauce, jam and sauerkraut, and assorted other preserves.

I cook from scratch almost always.

I walk whenever I can avoid driving.

Instead of paper towels I use cloth napkins.

These all might be "frugal" rather than "cheap", I'm not sure.

Frugality is called 'cheap' by people who've bought into the consuming mindset we're all exposed to constantly. Have a desire, buy new thing, use and throw away, buy more - this is normal, people doing otherwise are weird and inferior. The justifications are manifold and plenty and usually rely on peer-pressure.
I don't waste. I try to find efficient use before using. Only someone who benefits in some way from me being wasteful would call that cheap.

I'm w/ you on the hand towels. Also hankies rather than Kleenex.
I use half the laundry detergent called for and replace the other half w/ ammonia. I have a lingerie bag I fill w/ used dry sheets and when it's full I toss it in the wash when I do sheets and towels. Otherwise I use white vinegar as fabric softener.

[Jaglavak]

Originally Posted by Portia

The cheap thing I did was to flip off the breaker for the stove since I wasn't using it and the microwave has a clock.

Erk! You might want to rethink that one. Breakers aren't made to use as switches. They have a fairly low number of cycles in them and then they need to be replaced. The clock in your microwave probably draws less than a tenth of a watt, or maybe a dime a month in electricity.

However I do keep track of all the other electric vampires around the shack. Especially computers and TVs that don't ever really turn their little selves all the way off. I keep wall warts and vampires plugged in to plug strips, and turn those off when not in use. That does add up over time.

One important note, the cheapo switch on the plug strip is NOT rated to interrupt as much current as it can carry. So turn off your stuff first before turning off the plug strip. Otherwise it could start a fire someday.

[Flying Saucerian]

I buy generic and store brands and/or whatever's the cheapest, with rare exceptions (I can't STAND non-Kraft box-mix mac and cheese, f'rinstance).

[Portia]

Originally Posted by Jaglavak

Erk! You might want to rethink that one. Breakers aren't made to use as switches. They have a fairly low number of cycles in them and then they need to be replaced. The clock in your microwave probably draws less than a tenth of a watt, or maybe a dime a month in electricity.

However I do keep track of all the other electric vampires around the shack. Especially computers and TVs that don't ever really turn their little selves all the way off. I keep wall warts and vampires plugged in to plug strips, and turn those off when not in use. That does add up over time.

One important note, the cheapo switch on the plug strip is NOT rated to interrupt as much current as it can carry. So turn off your stuff first before turning off the plug strip. Otherwise it could start a fire someday.

Brand spanking new breaker box and also, it's for the stove and not the microwave; I mentioned microwave b/c they both have clocks and I was saying I didn't need the stove's clock when the microwave above it has one.
The stove appeared (by my meter tracking) to use 1-2 KWH a day for that clock. The breaker's been flipped back on 3 times in 4 months.

[Jaglavak]

Originally Posted by Portia

The stove appeared (by my meter tracking) to use 1-2 KWH a day for that clock.

Holy crap! It should be more like 0.1 kWh per day. Hmm, methinks I shall surf around a bit and see...

Originally Posted by Portia

The breaker's been flipped back on 3 times in 4 months.

Hmmm, on second thought the service life thing is mostly about how many times you can pop a breaker. Flipping it when the stove is already off shouldn't be an issue.

[Portia]

Originally Posted by Jaglavak

Holy crap! It should be more like 0.1 kWh per day. Hmm, methinks I shall surf around a bit and see...

Hmmm, on second thought the service life thing is mostly about how many times you can pop a breaker. Flipping it when the stove is already off shouldn't be an issue.

I was surprised myself; the stove's 2 years old and I rarely use it (as Tripler will attest). But last Friday I pickled for about 12 hours, stovetop had a boiling pot most of that time and sure enough - I used double the KWH from the day before. My bill says I have a Meter Multiplier of 1.; does that mean .1 shows as 1 on the meter? My avg KWHPD is 4-6.

[eleanorigby]

I rinse out Ziplock bags (not those that have had raw meat in them) for reuse.
I tear notepad sheets in two to use for grocery lists etc.
I use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets--extra benefit: my clothes are no longer essentially waxed.
I keep the thermostat at 65 in winter. You're cold? Put on a sweater!
I clean (floors etc) with white vinegar and hot water.
I also use washing soda in the wash to boost the detergent and decrease the amount of detergent used.
I don't run the dishwasher or the washing machine unless I have a full load.

I probably do other things, but I can't think of them right now.

[Despotic Harridan]

Never thought of cutting into the toothpaste tube, have to give that a try.

I tried the vinegar once, my towels stank to high heaven, and yes, it was white vinegar.

Never thought of saving the floss, I think my fiance might have an issue.

Junk mail envelopes for lists, yes, I do that.

I have ceramic tile floors, and someone told me that vinegar was hard on the grout. Ever hear that? True?

[Dragonlady]

You put the vinegar in the rinse?
I use vinegar instead of soap and then a clear water rinse. There is a faint smell that is totally gone when the towels dry.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by eleanorigby

I use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets--extra benefit: my clothes are no.

There is no evidence, whatsoever, that dryer balls serve any purpose, at all. Don't waste your money.

[Portia]

Originally Posted by MountainLilly

Never thought of cutting into the toothpaste tube, have to give that a try.

I tried the vinegar once, my towels stank to high heaven, and yes, it was white vinegar.

Never thought of saving the floss, I think my fiance might have an issue.

Junk mail envelopes for lists, yes, I do that.

I have ceramic tile floors, and someone told me that vinegar was hard on the grout. Ever hear that? True?

I hoped the floss thing was a joke.
Sounds like the vinegar didn't rinse out; I can never smell it in my clothes afterward.
I cleaned houses for years and never heard a thing about vinegar hurting grout.
Dryer balls are innocuous; they work on the same principle as a shoe in a pillowcase that gets tossed in w/ a comforter to keep it fluffy as it dries. Doesn't do anything for static cling.

[Zeener Diode]

Originally Posted by Portia

I hoped the floss thing was a joke.

Sadly, no. But seeing the line hanging beside the toothbrush reminded me to floss regularly.

[Solfy]

Grout is basic and vinegar is acidic. I don't think you'd have to worry much about using dilute vinegar for washing floors, but I wouldn't pour straight vinegar on grout and leave it there. It can also damage some natural stone surfaces, but again this isn't likely to be an instantaneous thing.

[Jaglavak]

Originally Posted by Portia

But last Friday I pickled for about 12 hours, stovetop had a boiling pot most of that time and sure enough - I used double the KWH from the day before.

That's not unreasonable for consumption when you're using it. But 1 or 2 kWh per day for just sitting there is way out of range.

Originally Posted by Portia

My bill says I have a Meter Multiplier of 1.; does that mean .1 shows as 1 on the meter?

Did you mean a meter multiplier of 10? You multiply the reading shown on the meter by the meter multiplier to get actual consumption. If the meter has a multiplier at all it is usually 10.

Originally Posted by Portia

My avg KWHPD is 4-6.

That's pretty stellar even for one person. Just the fridge will typically pull over 1 kWh per day. Gas water heater I presume?

[Portia]

Originally Posted by Solfy

Grout is basic and vinegar is acidic. I don't think you'd have to worry much about using dilute vinegar for washing floors, but I wouldn't pour straight vinegar on grout and leave it there. It can also damage some natural stone surfaces, but again this isn't likely to be an instantaneous thing.

Yeah, for me it's a cup of vinegar to a gallon of very hot water on ceramic; less streaks.

[eleanorigby]

Originally Posted by Portia

.
Dryer balls are innocuous; they work on the same principle as a shoe in a pillowcase that gets tossed in w/ a comforter to keep it fluffy as it dries. Doesn't do anything for static cling.

Yep. The dryer balls are balls of yarn created by me. One time expense of $9, instead of buying boxes of Bounce into perpetuity. It doesn't cut down on static cling, but for whatever reason, I find I have less of it right now. Of course, we're heading into major static cling season, so…


I've never had white vinegar leave a residual smell when I've used it in laundry. It's great for hardwood floors. I don't like it on my ceramic tile, but I will use it in a pinch.

I don't use paper towels.

[jali]

I have a Skype account for overseas calls. $10 lasts for a very long time since the number I dial is local for me although the call is to Europe. I use a different Skype account for video calls because I am strange.

I booked my Thanksgiving flight to see my kids way back in August, and I fly Southwest almost exclusively in the USA and I got a great deal. I'm already looking at flights to the UK for September 2014 so that I can get the cheapest price possible.

I buy bulk berries on sale and have a clean-a-fruit-a-thon and then I freeze them in gallon freezer bags.

I have Amazon Prime which is one of the best buys ever, IMO.

I use public transit to go almost everywhere. The cost of a monthly pass is deducted pre-tax from my paycheck and I pay a little under $100 per month.
(A one way ride is $2.50.) For groceries, I'll take the bus to the store and a taxi home. For late night, I take a taxi. I spend much less than I would for a car payment, insurance, gas and repairs even if I take a taxi once a week.

I wait for the next generation of anything electronic to come out so that I can buy the older generation for a song.

I have a perfectly good color TV that I bought at Goodwill for $40 because it's not a flat-screen and it's not hi-def. It's been working well for 2 years.

[Portia]

Originally Posted by eleanorigby

Yep. The dryer balls are balls of yarn created by me.

You'd save even more if you spun your dryer lint!

[Pogo]

Originally Posted by Portia

You'd save even more if you spun your dryer lint!

Or belly-button lint...

Originally Posted by eleanorigby

Yep. The dryer balls are balls of yarn created by me. One time expense of $9, instead of buying boxes of Bounce into perpetuity. It doesn't cut down on static cling, but for whatever reason, I find I have less of it right now. Of course, we're heading into major static cling season, so…

This is interesting. Do you feel that the balls of yarn lead to more, less, or the same amount of lint stuck to your clothes after drying?

[Jaglavak]

I use clean tennis balls in the dryer, but only for stuff with insulation that needs to be fluffed up.

[tunaman]

Originally Posted by Portia

I keep a spreadsheet of daily electric meter reading and got my bill down to $18.72 two months ago.

I did something kind of like that once, and ended up being greatly disappointed.

My ex and I broke up, and so I moved out on my own. A couple months later I went on a week's vacation. I, thinking I could cut my power bill by 25% by being gone for a week, unplugged every electric device in my apartment: clocks, microwave, TV, cable box, DVD player, computers, router, modem... literally every damn thing except the fridge. For stuff that didn't have a power switch - like the washer, dryer and stove - I flipped the breaker.

Come to find out, Georgia Power is (was?) one of those utility companies that has (relatively) high monthly fees, but charges (relatively) little for the actual electricity. Something like $35 of my bill was "account fees", and the other $20-$30 per month was actual electricity. So when I got my bill, it was only $8 less than it normally was, not $30 less like I'd hoped. Yeah, I know it's my own fault for not reading past bills and knowing how billing worked. I was still bummed, though.

[Portia]

Originally Posted by tunaman

I did something kind of like that once, and ended up being greatly disappointed.

My ex and I broke up, and so I moved out on my own. A couple months later I went on a week's vacation. I, thinking I could cut my power bill by 25% by being gone for a week, unplugged every electric device in my apartment: clocks, microwave, TV, cable box, DVD player, computers, router, modem... literally every damn thing except the fridge. For stuff that didn't have a power switch - like the washer, dryer and stove - I flipped the breaker.

Come to find out, Georgia Power is (was?) one of those utility companies that has (relatively) high monthly fees, but charges (relatively) little for the actual electricity. Something like $35 of my bill was "account fees", and the other $20-$30 per month was actual electricity. So when I got my bill, it was only $8 less than it normally was, not $30 less like I'd hoped. Yeah, I know it's my own fault for not reading past bills and knowing how billing worked. I was still bummed, though.

That had to SUCK! Utah's pretty cheap, $5 is the basic charge and then the miscellany and such go on top of that. We easily paid more for electric in GA than we have here. If we get sent to the UK next year I won't relish that; I'm told utilities there are eye-opening. This month's electric bill was $23.23 for 29 days. Our gas bill's going to shoot up, though; I expect it will triple since I've had the furnace on 64 day and night rather than only at night for a couple of weeks, now that we've dropped into the below 30 nights.