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Original poster

What's the most extreme example of effort to save a few pennies you have heard of?

620 replies

wineoclockthanks · 26/04/2017 15:32

Lighthearted!!

Mine is someone who buys shirts/t-shirts and asks for the hangers, then returns the clothes minus the hangers.

I did mention that Wilkos sell 10 wire hangers for £1.75 but she was adamant it was worth it.

Please can I stress this is lighthearted, I am also on a tight budget and count my pennies so not judging at all.

OP posts:
Badbadbunny · 28/04/2017 10:42

But it was chilled and if he'd bought a multipack from Lidl he'd probably drink a lot more and it'd be warm. That sort of planning ahead is good if you're disciplined, but doesn't take into account the non monetary benefits of buying stuff.

Fully agree, but still down to planning you can avoid a luke warm can! Keep them in your fridge so they're cold to start with. Then I've got a few lunchbox size cool packs which I've either bought when they were cheap or got free on special offers, and likewise picked up some free/cheap ice packs. So rather than just take a bottle/can out with us, I pop them in a small cool pack, pop in an ice pack and the drinks are still ice-cold a few hours later, usually with space spare for a chocolate bar or two, so they won't have melted on a hot day. Contrary to what a lot of people argue, a bit of planning/organisation takes no time at all and can have pretty impressive results.

mrsusername · 28/04/2017 10:47

This thread has made me find episodes of extreme cheap skates 😂

Quiltylawningtons · 28/04/2017 10:49

My old aunt used to use the warm water from her hot water bottle to wash her face and hands in the morning..... and she used to park her car in a place where it caught the sun and spend the morning in there instead of turning the heating on.....

Foldedtshirt · 28/04/2017 10:54

I agree, but it's the non monetary benefits, isn't it. 'I'm thirsty. I'll get a drink when I stop for petrol, what shall I have, I wonder whether they'll be a Pepsi or Coke garage, shall I have a hot drink. I'll stop after the next fare, hope it takes me near that kiosk with the Portuguese buns v I'm thirsty 'pull fizz warm can'. Instead he had a chilled and anticipated treat.
I 'disapprove' of bottled water but buy a few multipacks a year in France where they often have ridiculously cheap offers and keep a couple in the fridge and refill and always have water in the car. A little pragmatism saves a lot but doesn't make you a slave to saving money. Ditto with eating out and picnics. We took them 90% of the time when the dcs were young and saved a bomb, but would also be the family upthread if we'd set out at short notice or it was raining or the picnic area was crowded or filthy.

Elendon · 28/04/2017 11:07

I drive at 60 on the motorway too, and look at the revs when driving. I really don't get to my destination much later, perhaps at most half an hour later, but the saving in petrol astonished me.

spinassienne · 28/04/2017 11:25

I tried drinking water from a rubber hot water bottle once. It was disgusting and utterly undrinkable. I can't believe anyone would use it in tea.

Badbadbunny · 28/04/2017 11:37

I drive at 60 on the motorway too, and look at the revs when driving. I really don't get to my destination much later, perhaps at most half an hour later, but the saving in petrol astonished me.

Likewise, I had the "lightbulb" moment about 3 years ago I think. It was when there was a tanker drivers strike and loads of petrol stations had run out of fuel. As (bad) luck would have it, we had to drive a few hundred miles for a pre-booked holiday at the other end of the country and knew we had a lot of driving around to do whilst we were there to various attractions etc. I filled up the car a few days beforehand before the strike really bit and then didn't use it at all to preserve the fuel. We drove down the motorway at the optimum speed, as set on the auto-drive, and I was astonished that the petrol gauge just didn't seem to go down. We'd only lost a couple of bars on the petrol gauge and we were there. Driving around whilst there, I was very conscious of driving very smoothly and avoided hard acceleration/braking when not necessary, and then it was time to head back, and we still had 3 bars left - we got home and still had a bar of fuel left on the gauge. Normally, on a trip like that, I'd have refilled at least once, maybe twice, so probably did it all on one tank of petrol instead of two. And, no, never noticed any real loss of time - all journeys just seemed a little bit longer, but nothing to lose sleep over.

fancynotplain · 28/04/2017 11:40

A very tight ex-friend would check we were planning to split the bill if we met for a meal out, would then order 3 courses, cocktails, side dishes and make a big show of dividing the final bill and collecting everyone's share. He would always engineer to pay last so he could tot up the £, deducting the tip and pay the tiny remainder. Poor waiter. He got away this this several times before we twigged and confronted him. He was unashamed. His city bonus was more than my annual salary - meanness is a state of mind.

fancynotplain · 28/04/2017 11:46

Sorry - just read the whole thread. Did not realise tip-nicking underhand tactics were so common!

Love 'mean enough to skin a nit'

NapQueen · 28/04/2017 11:46

Dh and I keep a big box of canned diet coke in the boot of the car so whoever has the car for work that day has a drink for lunch.

AgentFF · 28/04/2017 12:11

I know someone who's only job for his wedding was sending out the very plush wedding invitations. He stuck second class stamps on them without checking if it was enough for the size/weight. All the would-be guests had to pay excess postage to even receive the invitations. His wife to be was not happy!!

DalaHorse · 28/04/2017 12:17

Fancy - I used to go out in a big group of people and the same ones would grab the bill first, only pick out their dishes and leave cash exactly.

Nothing wrong with that hey?

Except they did not include their share of olives, breadsticks or similar, bottled water for the table, their pre-drinks at the bar which were added onto the bill and the their share of the tip/service charge. Yes they did consume olives/water etc during the meal.

Also had a friend who would order the most expensive stuff on the menu and always want the bill split equally despite the vegetarians in the groups meal costing less than half. Same friend would hog the wine bottle and drank probably twice as fast and much as others.

It was beyond annoying. As if nobody could see.

user1471456357 · 28/04/2017 12:19

What do think you about people who haggle down the prices in charity shops, also often return the stuff and get their money back?
In their defence, they don't have loads of money, but do frequently pay for facial asethetics and other things I would consider luxuries.

expatinscotland · 28/04/2017 12:40

'I use plastic boxes in the freezer, not much for lots. They go through the dishwasher after use. Even easier and much less waste'

I do this, too. I never use plastic bags.

mrs, isn't Extreme Cheapskates hilarious?

mrsusername · 28/04/2017 12:51

expat I absolutely howl laughing at these people - serving guests food from dumpster diving and taking their own wax and strips to a beauty salon! 😂😂😂

expatinscotland · 28/04/2017 12:56

There are not one but two participants who use kitty litter to get clay. One woman, I hope you haven't eaten, uses used kitty litter to get clay.

Have you see the guy who forages for greens on pavements in LA?

Grin
Goingtobeawesome · 28/04/2017 12:59

ThouShallNotPass - I mainly use frozen veg as used to shop once a week when the kids were small and it never lasted. I'm interested to know you can freeze fresh veg. I'm so stupid to never think of it. Does it taste as good as fresh, better than only frozen veg or the same as prefrozen?

NightWanderer · 28/04/2017 13:10

I remember when I was about 12 my mum caught me putting the water from my hot water bottle back in the kettle to re boil, she was utterly horrified and I was told not to do it again. She thought it was so disgusting.

Zaphodsotherhead · 28/04/2017 13:35

I once made myself a cup of tea that was disgusting, tasted of burned rubber...
...and DD2 confessed that she'd tipped her water from her hot water bottle back into the kettle to re-boil (probably sensible in her mind, as it was still hot and wouldn't take so much electricity to boil as fresh cold water) and forgotten about it.
Blurgh.

useryourillusion · 28/04/2017 13:39

This is a really interesting thread! I could give multiple examples of a relative's ahem thrifty tips, here are a couple;

using old underwear ie boxers and y-fronts as dusters
cutting up envelopes and stapling them together ... notebooks
switching off the iron for the last items on the pile
passing down as many clothing items as possible, to the extent of boys vests and pants being used for girls, and vice versa

I do believe that to really save money by being thrifty, you have to apply yourself to it and use so many measures that it becomes a (rather consuming and miserable) way of life....

philoSlothical17 · 28/04/2017 13:39

I have an ap on my phone for so many places... Toby carvery kids often can eat for £1 and after so many stamps you get a free desert then carvery.
Voucher cloud is amazing. Turn on location and it comes up with deals in your local area.

Taste card (about £30 but get a month free trial) gives you 241 meals at alot of places plus cheap days out to theme parks and massive reduction on cinema tickets.
I buy alot through quidco then claim my cashback via an Amazon gift card as they top it up. Had £20 so far for buying stuff i was going to anyway.
Before I buy anything I Google voucher codes for that site. Eg signed up for national trust. Found a code to get a £15 nt gift voucher for free and did it through quidco so got £5 cashback too.
If I find a hotel on booking.com etc I ring the hotel first and see if they'll do itany cheaper as it saves them fees too. Usually get £10-20 knocked off or a free upgrade

NightWanderer · 28/04/2017 14:09

I don't know. My boss buys a bottle of water every day. I always take in a water bottle from home. A pound a day adds up to 250 pounds a year plus it so bad for the environment. I also take a thermos of tea with me. No way am I paying Starbucks prices. Little things can add up over time.

paxillin · 28/04/2017 14:32

I agree with NamedyChangedy, the opportunity cost makes extreme saving uneconomical for all but the very low paid. Minimum wage £7.50/h, average some £13 or so, many mnetters earn a lot more.

If it is fun and brings pleasure, great. If it is a chore I'd rather spend an extra hour doing what I enjoy and get paid for. Buying something is just outsourcing it to someone who does it better and cheaper.

The many examples of stealing stuff, sponging other people's money and drying tea bags just speak of a drab and miserly life. I don't think people like that can like themselves much if they don't feel they are worth a brand new tea bag.

chocolateavocado99 · 28/04/2017 14:40

Barbara - I use a rubber spatula to scrape out the rest of the peanut butter or nutella. I always wash the jars before recycling or reusing so it makes it easier.

hollyvsivy. I recently participated in a beach clean up and there were thousands of straws collected. I have banned them in my house and try to refuse them whenever I can.

I like to think I am doing my bit for the environment, but maybe I am just frugal.

There are some crazy ideas on this thread.

QuiteUnfitBit · 28/04/2017 14:59

cutting up envelopes and stapling them together ... notebooks
I do that, but don't bother with the staple, to save even more Blush