STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

Things you do to save $ but R afraid to admit to friends?

atlgirl · Gucci

I don't know that I'm afraid to admit anything I do to save money...but here's what I do:

- run the dishwasher on "no heat dry" because we never need stuff dried right away and it saves electricity

- shave with shower gel instead of buying shaving cream / gel. I get the same results and it's one less thing to spend on / throw away ...shower gel bottles can be recycled and the shaving gel stuff can't

- double up on layers and use the space heater all winter long instead of turning up the heat...our house is drafty and our heating bills are already high enough

- wash laundry on "cold" for a few cycles before washing it on warm

- conserve my errands into one or two days a week, if possible (I work from home most days) and also plan the most efficient route. Saves time (usually) and gas

- we're in the process of converting our bulbs too, as the old ones burn out, and I also reuse gift bags (all the time!) and holiday bows. I use grocery bags for the trash cans too.

-- Edited by atlgirl at 19:26, 2006-01-05

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

Gosh...the easiest answer? I reuse everything I can...trash bags, bottles, joghurt containers, etc...

I thrift shop...and on the last day of the month everything is 50% off. $0.25 can't be beat.

I constantly look at the dollar spot at Target. Saves so much on some pretty useful stuff...especially when they pull the 4 for $1 to get rid of things!

Keep the heat extremely low at night and when we are out of the house...keep lights off unless in the room.

Bathe my toddler while I shower to conserve hot water.

Always water down juice.

Regularly use coupons and buy in bulk when on sale.

Plan my route when I run errands.

Hmmmm...can't think of anything else right now...

honey · Gucci

not really anything i wouldn't admit but...

*i re-use bags all the time. my grocery store doubles up the bags (most people walk) so i use them to pack my lunch in and for trash bags. i use f21 bags to pack my gym clothes in, and store bags to lug stuff they're surprisingly durable.

*i've recently switched to only using a space heater and layering at home. my bill has remained flat the last two months, which is great b/c it's been cold and gas went up

*i pick up change. that's a smidge embarassing, but i save all my change. if i see any silver coin on the ground i totally pocket it. well unless i see it fall out of someone's pocket.

eta: i do my own hair and nails, and i buy a lot of groceries at target. it's a lot cheaper than my supermarket.

-- Edited by honey at 22:23, 2006-01-05

Bastet · Kate Spade

Like honey, I do my own nails

keep the heat on low and put on a hoodie

drink water instead of juice; it's mostly sugar anyway

joined a water club at work: $4/month for all I can drink. So now I don't spend $1.50+/day on bottled water.

buy non perishables at Costco (I don't *need* that box of 500 trash bags, but it saves $$ in the long run)

buy my and hubby's socks/undies/pantyhose at Marshalls/TJmaxx/walmart

I'm trying to freeze and store leftovers more regularly, bu they always end up in the back of the fridge or freezer, usually till they're freezer burned or so rotten that they're about to achieve consciousness.

rosie_the_riveter · Gucci

*Re-use bags for garbage

*Collect cans from my husband's soda addiction

*Clip coupons

*Wait for stuff that I want to go on sale, which sucks at times because I end up losing out on my size or specific color.

*We don't use the heater, we bundle up with blankets (cold, cheap bastard, I know).

*Like Atlgirl, I don't buy shaving cream, I use conditioner.

*Buy holiday stuff after the holidays

*Always pick up change from the ground (even better if it's heads up).

*Get groceries at Super Walmart, Target, and my mother-in-law's house.

*Change my own car oil

*Added my MIL to our cell phone plan so that we only pay half of the bill.

That's all I can think of for now.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

use baby oil to shave

do my own finger nails (not toes though)

since my gym membership ran out, i did a by the month one, and will ride my bike/run outside by the lake when it's warmer

walk or take the el almost everywhere

we have a mechanic that we found on craiglist do car maintainence (if we took it to his garage, he would charge us triple...we just take it to his place)

have a handyman for $25/hr vs. $80/hr come that we also found on craigslist

go to my brother's good friend to have my hair done. $75 vs. $200 at the salon plus free beer or coffee depending on the time of day

this is my most embarassing one, but sometimes when i need a chai from starbucks (with gc of course) i will save the cup and pour coffee from home before i go out and run errands...then i toss the cup. i just hate spending money on starbucks, and i hate carrying around a bulky coffee mug, so i will reuse it once (the next day) when i run errands instead of buying coffee, i drink what i really like from home.

Maddie · Coach

I spend money like it's going out of style all the time, but I can be really cheap when it comes to certain things. The main one is that I wash my hair like once every three days. This is actually what my stylist told me to do, but I have so much hair that if I style my hair everyday I just blow through hair products.

small fry · Chanel

well here are mine

re use ziplock bags unless they had meat or something greasy in it

I use the layaway at walmart when I dont have enough money right than and sometime the items go on clearance and I get it even cheaper

I use my shower gel when I run out of shaving cream

wash most of my clothes in cold water- except my whites

use the air dry on my dishwasher

sfclinevandy · Coach

I try to be frugal but I suck at it. But here are some the little tricks that I do not to spend too much money.

*I buy lots of clothes at Target, ON, F21 (how did I live before discovering this store?), and juniors departments (Nordstrom and Dillards have the best). I know I probably shouldn't be shopping at all, but at least buying stuff at cheap places is better than stocking up at Neimans.

*I got/renewed all of my magazine subscriptions off ebay.

*Whenever I order pizza or takeout, I go pick it up instead of paying for the delivery fee.

*I buy lots of stuff at Costco. I like to buy snacky things there (my standbys are Babybel Gouda cheese and a big flat of strawberries). I also buy wine there because it's usually super cheap.

*I eat well because of my aunt and uncle. They live about 20 minutes away from me and they don't have kids and are really cool. So they always invite me to dinner and encourage me to order whatever I want, which I do and usually have plenty of leftovers. My aunt is convinced I study all the time (ha ha) and FORCES me to order another entree or 2 take home with me so I can have food for the next day.

-- Edited by sfclinevandy at 15:22, 2006-01-06

luckylily · Gucci

These are fun!

* I buy all my food fresh rather than frozen or in cans. For example, I always buy raw beans and prepare them myself. It takes a little more time, but saves a lot. Plus, I don't like too many preservatives in my diet.

* Go to the Farmer's Market at the end of the day. The vendors often have stuff they want to get rid of, so they are willing to negotiate.

* I will negotiate for anything. It's actually what I do in my career, so I'm pretty good at it. If an item of clothing, for example, has any type of flaw, I'll ask for a discount.

* Do minor alterlations, like hemming pants, myself.

* Shining shoes and having heels replaced regularly. Costs a little bit, but my shoes last much longer.

* We never turn our heat on. Fortunately, it doesn't get very cold here.

* I only wash my clothes in cold water. Saves energy and the clothes hold their color longer.

* Reuse bags and containers of all kinds.

* Walk to work.

* I'll accept a sample of any kind. If it is free, I can use it.

* Take advantage of those packs of coupons that come in the mail every couple of weeks. We always keep the restaurant ones and pick from those when we want to go out.

* I alternate professional waxing with doing it myself.

* Do my own pedicures.

jacL · Coach

I save change.

I reuse plastic ziplock bags (the generic ones) unless they held raw meat or something greasy.

I reuse my plastic grocery store bags for trash bags in my mini trash cans (in the bedroom and bathroom).

I eat my leftovers, whether it is from the restaurant or from home.

I take public transportation everyday (this is mostly because we only have one car, which my BF has to take to work).

I reuse all gift bags and tissue paper, if it can be saved.

Run the dishwasher on no-heat dry.

Pack a lunch for both my BF and myself almost every day.

Wait for books to come out in paperback or get them from the library.

-- Edited by jacL at 09:45, 2006-01-07

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Here is one I did day before yesterday...

If I don't have enough Children's Mortin liquid in one bottle, I will mix flavors if I must. Yesterday I used three different bottles just to get rid of two bottles with not much in it, with different flavors (bubblegum, berry, and tropical punch) just to use them up, what a coctail!

NCshopper · Hermes

I can be pretty damn cheap when it comes to a lot of stuff.

I use Suave shampoo
I reuse Ziplock bags
I only buy generic cereals, paper products, bags, etc at the grocery store
I pack my lunch for work every day
My hubby makes my tea for me every morning so I don't have to go to Fourbucks for my caffeine fix
I don't have a gym membership
I buy Christmas wrapping paper the day after Christmas for next year[\list]

The list could probably go on and on if I think about it...

Ally S · Kate Spade

I brown bag lunch

Hubby and I both work a mile from each other so we carpool

We keep the temp. in the house low at night and during the day when we are at work.

I re-use plastic bags that did not hold meats.

I ask my daughter to brown bag then eat in the high school cafeteria

I save change and take it to a no cost change machine at my credit union

I try to cook in bulk throughout the week so we only eat out two evenings a week.

flknight24 · Dooney & Bourke

shopgirl82 wrote:

this is my most embarassing one, but sometimes when i need a chai from starbucks (with gc of course) i will save the cup and pour coffee from home before i go out and run errands...then i toss the cup. i just hate spending money on starbucks, and i hate carrying around a bulky coffee mug, so i will reuse it once (the next day) when i run errands instead of buying coffee, i drink what i really like from home.

My Mom does this. I don't think it's embarassing. I think it's a quirky, endearing "trick".

blubirde · Chanel

First, I'm draconian about the air conditioner/heater. I'll only adjust it at night when it's time to go to bed (otherwise it's really low if it's cold, really high if it's hot, or just plain off) and I'll immediately adjust it when I leave for work in the morning.

I wash all my clothes on cold. Except undies and gym clothes (which I was all together).

I don't pay for water so I wash a ton of dishes by hand.

I reuse all plastic bags from the grocery store for taking my lunch to work and to put in my little trashcans in the bathroom.

I take my lunch to work practically every day.

I come home from my family's house (I don't visit very often) with ice chests filled with food. They all unload all the stuff they don't want on me. When it's my turn to have the girls over for food, I just unfreeze something my mom sent home with me and pretend like I cooked it. Hee!

I use coupons when I can and when I have them.

I buy generic.

I buy used whenever I can (books, cds, dvds, etc.).

I take a pad of paper and pen with me to the bookstore and I take notes from books on things I want to know. (like if I'm interested in a cookbook, I'll write down the recipe I want so I don't have to buy it)

I also read all the mags at the bookstore. I take a few hours and it's tons of fun and saves lots of $$$.

I steal the boy's change and put it away for when I run out of diet cokes at home (so I can get one from the machine at work).

I play poker with certain friends just so I can take their money.

And this is the one that might possibly be embarassing. Sometimes I'm pretty broke and can't really afford to go out and buy drinks at the bars all night. So I've been known to bring a water bottle out filled instead with vodka. I then get people to order a cranberry juice for me at the bar (most times the bartender throws it in for free or at most it's like $1) and I make my very own cocktails, just the way I like them. And I use better vodka than I can afford at the bar. (I know. I'm terribly ashamed.)

-- Edited by blubirde at 16:33, 2006-01-11

subwolley · Kate Spade

blubirde wrote:

And this is the one that might possibly be embarassing. Sometimes I'm pretty broke and can't really afford to go out and buy drinks at the bars all night. So I've been known to bring a water bottle out filled instead with vodka. I then get people to order a cranberry juice for me at the bar (most times the bartender throws it in for free or at most it's like $1) and I make my very own cocktails, just the way I like them. And I use better vodka than I can afford at the bar. (I know. I'm terribly ashamed.)-- Edited by blubirde at 16:33, 2006-01-11

Don't be, my friends and I have done this too!

Hermione · Kate Spade

i've actually considered buying one of the cute urban flasks for this very reason, blubirde ---

mikacat · Coach

I will sell anything on ebay that can make some money. Before I throw anything away, I look on ebay first.

Always get a receipt when donating to good will.

Roll my own change rather than using coinstar.

Take all the sample lotions, etc. in the hotels I stay at.

Cut old boxers and tee shirts up for rags.

Use the $10 gift cards for new prescriptions at Target and Kmart and switch back and forth.

I get on my hubby about buying books and using too many paper towels---must be left over from my thrifty mom.

Leave the oven open after cooking to warm the kitchen up --- only in the winter of course.

Tivo movies instead of renting them.

Downgraded on cable to get less channels.

We don't have a plasma or flatscreen t.v. even though we want one.

Buy center grocery items at Discount places but I buy my produce at nicer grocery stores.

We get more samples at work than you can imagine being a buyer for food--- I take them home or swap with people.

I buy stocking stuffers at 75% off after christmas at places like Bath and Body and Victorias Secret etc. for the next year. I also buy stuff at 75% off at these places or Lilly Pulitzer or Coach Outlet to sell on ebay when the right season comes along.

I have a tagging gun--never know when you might need it. If my hubby or I buy an item and then see it somewhere cheaper, I will return it to higher priced place. I don't return used items though.