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Craziest Thing(s) You've Done To Save Money (1 Viewer)

CurlyNight

CurlyNight

Footballguy
Whatcha got? In college I used to take extra ketchup, mustard, mayo, salt, sugar packets whenever I ate out. Now days I have a lot of patience to sift through all the coupons and ads and map out where I'm going to do my shopping for the week.

 
kind of related... took a vacation day to fly from san diego to chicago and back for $250 just to maintain United Gold. Wasn't that bad. Flights were on time, 2 hrs at ORD spent in the red carpet lounge drinking beer, watched movies on the planes.

 
Joe T said:
matttyl said:
Joe T said:
canceled cable.

Might have to turn it back on for football season though. :bag:
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Have high speed internet? Just get Sunday Ticket online. That's what I'm doing. Saving over $100 per month to not have DirecTV.
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What's this now?
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Get the Madden 25th anniversary game through Amazon. The special edition version comes with a coupon code for Sunday Ticket online, no matter if you have DirecTV or not. Google search it to answer any questions. I'm hoping (as many are) that it works like we think it does. If not, I'm out $100 and I get the game....

 
interesting. But what about Monday night games that are on ESPN?

And also, college football seems to be an issue.

 
I bought a house on silent auction that I had never stepped foot into. I lived in CA, my did looked inside for me but power, water, gas were all off and you weren't allowed to test anything. He said you could barely breathe it smelled so bad and that it looked like a crack house inside. It was bank-owned foreclosure, before the crash, as prices were starting to go up the last cycle. The people who owned it before us ripped it to shreds, pulled out wires/components form AC system, giant holes in the walls, etc. Nasty people who must have let their dogs do whatever they wanted in the house, wherever they wanted for months. We found food in the microwave that must have been there for 8 mos or more. Not a single wall in the house wasn't trashed.

We low balled and won. I have no idea, being a silent auction, if I wont by $1 or $20k but it was half what the houses in the market were going for. It was my first house and I couldn't do much more than change a lightbulb. So my wife and I bought some used tools, did a lot of internet research and started fixing (after putting Primer/Sealer on every single wall and floor in the home). We moved in about a month later after we were able to get a CO and kept fixing for a couple years.

The refinance helped me pay off all my student loan debt and a couple of small credit cards I had. After refi, when market crashed a few years later I still had equity. Right now I'm probably about even, I could probably make enough to cover closing/moving costs and that's it. However, my family and I went out on the road the last couple years and we've had it rented out. So I'm thinking of trying to keep that house and trying to do it again when we settle back down somewhere next year.

We were pretty blessed. It could have been a disaster if there was anything seriously/structurally wrong. Considering my complete lack of experience or knowledge with anything related to real estate, construction, or even basic home improvement it was kind of a crazy thing to do. But it worked out and I have an invaluable experience to lean back on now.

 
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No TV, wife and I share a car, and we rent rooms out in our house, which we've come very close to converting into a full duplex.

 
Gee Spot said:
Used to steal toilet paper from fast food restaurants so we would have money for beer in college.
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we've all stolen something. But that's not saving money.. that's theft.

In my younger stupider days I made up a program at the grocery store where if I got 9 salads at the grocery store, that the 10th one was free.. But really that was just theft and it was wrong.

 
Joe T said:
interesting. But what about Monday night games that are on ESPN?

And also, college football seems to be an issue.
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Not sure about Monday Night games, though I personally still have basic cable due to having them for my high speed internet.

College would be an issue for that as well, but basic cable has that covered at least for me.

 
oh boy... let's see where do we get started... this might have to be released over multiple posts:

1) friends would come over to my aparment and drink up all my nice booze. So I started funneling bottom shelf swill into top shelf bottles. They never noticed. Don't currently do this.

2) Girlfriend wanted really expensive blackberry that my friend had. I bought a refurb off e-bay friend had his new box his phone came in. I wrapped up the refurb real nice in the box. Gifted it. She loved it and never knew the difference.

3) I am definitely the most gifted person I know with maximizing the information you can get from a dumbphone thanks to services like 4Info, ESPN Mobile Alerts, and Twitter text so that i don't feel like i'm depriving myself by not having a smart phone. People are generally amazed at how much i can do.

more to come...

 
I also took toilet paper for years. I was inspired by a Jeopardy! contestant who talked about it in her interview... "Considering what it's used for, I hate spending money on it. If you're enterprising enough, you can find it for free." I used to leave work on Fridays with a couple rolls taken from the men's room or the janitor's closet.

 
Dentist said:
oh boy... let's see where do we get started... this might have to be released over multiple posts:

1) friends would come over to my aparment and drink up all my nice booze. So I started funneling bottom shelf swill into top shelf bottles. They never noticed. Don't currently do this.

2) Girlfriend wanted really expensive blackberry that my friend had. I bought a refurb off e-bay friend had his new box his phone came in. I wrapped up the refurb real nice in the box. Gifted it. She loved it and never knew the difference.

3) I am definitely the most gifted person I know with maximizing the information you can get from a dumbphone thanks to services like 4Info, ESPN Mobile Alerts, and Twitter text so that i don't feel like i'm depriving myself by not having a smart phone. People are generally amazed at how much i can do.

more to come...
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Keep it coming, doc.... this thread was custom-made for you, and your posts will either make or break the whole thread.

 
Sarnoff said:
I also took toilet paper for years. I was inspired by a Jeopardy! contestant who talked about it in her interview... "Considering what it's used for, I hate spending money on it. If you're enterprising enough, you can find it for free." I used to leave work on Fridays with a couple rolls taken from the men's room or the janitor's closet.
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Good idea if you're single or married with no children..

I have four daughters.. I'd have to spend 8 hours a day running to different locations to steal enough toilet paper to cover what they use...

I have an Amazon monthly subscription for toilet paper....seriously.

 
I'd have to think long and hard about what I've done in the past to save money... I have a lot more stories about how I have wasted money. Presently, about the craziest we get is to shut off the HVAC from April through June and from September through October so we only have to pay for heating & cooling 7 months out of the year. And I still go to an old-timey men's barber shop where the wimmen aren't allowed in. $21 for a haircut, plus tip. Hey... it's Lexington... that's cheap around here.

 
Dentist said:
oh boy... let's see where do we get started... this might have to be released over multiple posts:

1) friends would come over to my aparment and drink up all my nice booze. So I started funneling bottom shelf swill into top shelf bottles. They never noticed. Don't currently do this.

2) Girlfriend wanted really expensive blackberry that my friend had. I bought a refurb off e-bay friend had his new box his phone came in. I wrapped up the refurb real nice in the box. Gifted it. She loved it and never knew the difference.

3) I am definitely the most gifted person I know with maximizing the information you can get from a dumbphone thanks to services like 4Info, ESPN Mobile Alerts, and Twitter text so that i don't feel like i'm depriving myself by not having a smart phone. People are generally amazed at how much i can do.

more to come...
Click to expand...
Awesome! This thread just shot up to "monitor constantly waiting for more Dentist updates"

 
I cannot remember the last piece of computer software I paid for. I believe it came on a 3.5" floppy disk. Seriously. :pirate:

Haven't paid to watch a movie or see a premium-cable-only TV show in a long time. I might step into a movie theater once a year.

 
Sarnoff said:
I cannot remember the last piece of computer software I paid for. I believe it came on a 3.5" floppy disk. Seriously. :pirate:

Haven't paid to watch a movie or see a premium-cable-only TV show in a long time. I might step into a movie theater once a year.
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torrenting (which I do, so I'm not judging) falls into a fine line of borderline stealing if you ask me.

I do it.. but i'm not completely proud of it... and although it saves me money... I'm not so sure that qualifies.

And yes.. i'll even download a crappy version of someone with a "cam" filming a new release and watch that... that's how i saw "man of steel" "taken 2" and "spring breakers"

 
Dentist said:
oh boy... let's see where do we get started... this might have to be released over multiple posts:

1) friends would come over to my aparment and drink up all my nice booze. So I started funneling bottom shelf swill into top shelf bottles. They never noticed. Don't currently do this.

2) Girlfriend wanted really expensive blackberry that my friend had. I bought a refurb off e-bay friend had his new box his phone came in. I wrapped up the refurb real nice in the box. Gifted it. She loved it and never knew the difference.

3) I am definitely the most gifted person I know with maximizing the information you can get from a dumbphone thanks to services like 4Info, ESPN Mobile Alerts, and Twitter text so that i don't feel like i'm depriving myself by not having a smart phone. People are generally amazed at how much i can do.

more to come...
Click to expand...
:yes:

 
4) Once I watched someone the row in front of me take 2 bites of some ballpark nachos.. then something came up and they had to leave. It was very clear they were exiting for good.. not for a break. They left the nachos. I ate them.

5) I will take a flask into just about any NON-BAR or RESTURANT where I would like to drink and save money. Ballpark - i'll buy their soda, use my bourbon. Movie Theater, Festival, Dry Wedding, Casino that doesn't serve free alcohol, etc.

6) I always take a Turvis Tumbler and a fifth of rum whever I go on a beach vacation. I'm appalled at paying hotel prices for drinks. I buy some mixers when i get into town, get ice from teh hotel, make my own drink, head out to the beach... enjoy.

more to come

 
Dentist said:
Sarnoff said:
I cannot remember the last piece of computer software I paid for. I believe it came on a 3.5" floppy disk. Seriously. :pirate:

Haven't paid to watch a movie or see a premium-cable-only TV show in a long time. I might step into a movie theater once a year.
Click to expand...
torrenting (which I do, so I'm not judging) falls into a fine line of borderline stealing if you ask me.

I do it.. but i'm not completely proud of it... and although it saves me money... I'm not so sure that qualifies.

And yes.. i'll even download a crappy version of someone with a "cam" filming a new release and watch that... that's how i saw "man of steel" "taken 2" and "spring breakers"
Click to expand...
I subscribe to HBO, Showtime, SiriusXM, Spotify, and Netflix. I don't feel bad about it if I download a season of something not immediately available in the DirecTV on demand library or a movie only airing in the theater still. The MPAA and RIAA are getting $ out of me every month, regardless of how it flows to them.

 
Gee Spot said:
Used to steal toilet paper from fast food restaurants so we would have money for beer in college.
Click to expand...
Had a buddy that did this but he mostly took it from the restrooms of classroom buildings. Would unroll, fold it up, bring it home and lay them out on the bank of the tank.

Seemed like a lot of work

 
mquinnjr said:
Dentist said:
Sarnoff said:
I cannot remember the last piece of computer software I paid for. I believe it came on a 3.5" floppy disk. Seriously. :pirate:

Haven't paid to watch a movie or see a premium-cable-only TV show in a long time. I might step into a movie theater once a year.
Click to expand...
torrenting (which I do, so I'm not judging) falls into a fine line of borderline stealing if you ask me.

I do it.. but i'm not completely proud of it... and although it saves me money... I'm not so sure that qualifies.

And yes.. i'll even download a crappy version of someone with a "cam" filming a new release and watch that... that's how i saw "man of steel" "taken 2" and "spring breakers"
Click to expand...
I subscribe to HBO, Showtime, SiriusXM, Spotify, and Netflix. I don't feel bad about it if I download a season of something not immediately available in the DirecTV on demand library or a movie only airing in the theater still. The MPAA and RIAA are getting $ out of me every month, regardless of how it flows to them.
Click to expand...
While i essentially agree. If i download a season of "it's always sunny in philadelphia" that i already watched (and I pay for FX) is that stealing? If I pay for comedy Central, but forget to DVR workaholics and torrent it the next day.. is that stealing?

lots of gray areas.. i don't know what's right/wrong. But I"m pretty sure downloading a "cam" of Man of Steel whilst it is in the theater is borderline theft.

I do pay plenty to the MPAA and RIAA also via satillite radio subscriptions, cable TV, etc.

 
Dentist said:
mquinnjr said:
Dentist said:
Sarnoff said:
I cannot remember the last piece of computer software I paid for. I believe it came on a 3.5" floppy disk. Seriously. :pirate:

Haven't paid to watch a movie or see a premium-cable-only TV show in a long time. I might step into a movie theater once a year.
Click to expand...
torrenting (which I do, so I'm not judging) falls into a fine line of borderline stealing if you ask me.

I do it.. but i'm not completely proud of it... and although it saves me money... I'm not so sure that qualifies.

And yes.. i'll even download a crappy version of someone with a "cam" filming a new release and watch that... that's how i saw "man of steel" "taken 2" and "spring breakers"
Click to expand...
I subscribe to HBO, Showtime, SiriusXM, Spotify, and Netflix. I don't feel bad about it if I download a season of something not immediately available in the DirecTV on demand library or a movie only airing in the theater still. The MPAA and RIAA are getting $ out of me every month, regardless of how it flows to them.
Click to expand...
While i essentially agree. If i download a season of "it's always sunny in philadelphia" that i already watched (and I pay for FX) is that stealing? If I pay for comedy Central, but forget to DVR workaholics and torrent it the next day.. is that stealing?

lots of gray areas.. i don't know what's right/wrong. But I"m pretty sure downloading a "cam" of Man of Steel whilst it is in the theater is borderline theft.

I do pay plenty to the MPAA and RIAA also via satillite radio subscriptions, cable TV, etc.
Click to expand...
Dentist, you're on the right track here. I am most interested in your ingenious ways to pinch the pennies without harming anyone else. Use of software that is supposed to be paid for, accessing cable without paying... That's the stinkiest sort of fishing not even worthy of the :fishing: icon. You have the best material here, Dentist... Believe me... I never even thought of switching off the bottom-shelf hooch for the good stuff... That' kind of thing will allow you to comfortably retire in your double-wide by the time you're 50. Now carry on, please.

 
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i quit all my fantasy leagues, now i just act as a consultant. ill be your partner for half the winnings.

got a few takers. :bowtie:

 
7) In college my roomate (also cheap) and I went for it with how long we could wait to turn on the heat. The apartment opened up into a common area that was heated. we routinely left our door open (while we were there) and put a fan in the common area (ran by the complex's electricity) blowing into our apartment to get extra heat. Skipped out on at least 6 weeks of heat payments thanks to this.

8) Screen once went out on my laptop and was unrepairable. But the CPU still ran. so i took the screen off the laptop, plugged in an external monitor and continued to use it as a desktop for another year until the CPU went bust. It was a pretty ghetto setup... the lapdesktop my friends called it.

9) My buddies and I were in Memphis and Icon hooked us up with some free passes to the local strip joint. it was a BYO alcohol place. But they charged you for mixers (but not cups). So, we spefiically bought Skyy vodka (dark blue bottle), poured 1/2 into a different bottle, then filled the rest with our mixer (OJ) and carried the bottles in (chilled) so that we could spend 100% of our money on lap dances and 0% on drinks.

10) At a club in Vegas my buddies and I got bottle service and tipped the bartenders to send us some ladies over. But we didn't want those ladies drinking our Vodka. With the price of the table you also got these fancy bottled "VOSS" waters. So before the club got full we ran an elaborate process where we funneled the expensive vodka into the Voss Bottle, and the water into the Vodka bottles. Now any chicks were just drinking our water + OJ whilst we were enjoying the booze. If any ladies actually looked like they were not just mooching and potentially in play.. we bought them drinks from the bar. But to the rest we were giving them water "cut" OJ/cran/red bull

 
Bought used tires. 10 bucks each from some guy that had a buttload in his barn. picked out 4 that were the right size and looked ok. Car would make a left hand turn without even moving the wheel. Paid to have them put on and balanced, then had to pay for new ones and obviously had them put on and balanced. Didn't work out as planned.

 
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