How far will you go to save money?
By Gordon Powers, Sympatico / MSN Finance
Everybody likes to save a dollar but just where do you draw the line? Would you decorate your house by picking up the leftover flowers at a cemetery? Do you sneak in snacks when you go to the movies?
Ken and Daria Dolan used to have television shows on both CNN and CNBC where they liked to talk about the little ways to save money, as well as grand investment ideas. For them, no money-saver idea was too awkward as long as it could make a dollar scream for mercy.
Can you say the same? For instance, ask the Dolans, would you be willing to ...
- Salvage items things like umbrellas and sweatshirts from the lost and found bins in libraries, gyms and schools?
- Eat for free by planning trips to the various places like Costco or the LCBO that serve free nibbles and samples?
- Skip the sandwich bags and use the liners from cereal boxes and newspaper wrappers instead?
- Forego toilet paper, and use washable rags or newspaper as a substitute?
- Cut napkins in half to share with family members?
- Let a rookie acupuncturist or chiropractor practice on you?
- Stock up on extra condiments from fast food restaurant visits?
And, if these don’t make you wonder, here’s another set of extreme savings suggestions that go that much farther, including dishing up some nutria, a rat-like rodent common to Louisiana's swamplands.
So, how far will or have you gone to save an extra buck?
Posted by: JP | Jul 6, 2021 6:47:09 PM
Is this a joke? Cause I was laughing while reading it.
1. No, these things can be bought brand new for cheap.
2. "free nibbles and samples" is not food, I don't know who would fill up on that, not to mention it's usually unhealthy, crappy food.
3. Why would anyone use dirty newspaper wrappers to wrap their sandwiches? They must like the taste of newspaper ink. A box of 50 bags is like a dollar and can usually be reused.
4. Why would I wipe my ass with newspaper? It would be dirtier afterwards than beforehand.
5. Cutting napkins makes them too thin for use, besides, they are dirt cheap.
6. Acupuncture and chiropractors are a waste of money.
7. I don't eat at fast food restaurants. Cheaper and more importantly healthier food can be made at home.
In conclusion, this list is a joke. It neither saves money nor is it a healthy way to go about living ones life.
Posted by: Croos While You Can | Jul 6, 2021 7:10:18 PM
The neighbor's cat provided 4 square meals and a lovely pair of slippers.
Posted by: armlecker | Jul 7, 2021 5:59:06 AM
I do believe this article is a joke of someone seeking attention .These suggestions are a leftover of times after the 2 nd worldwar and mostly true .Just one example ;reading the newspaper in the toilet and crushing the paper after reading the bad news .It served good for the second use .Too bad one can`t use your monitor to do these things today to display their displeasure with this article .Keep on trying writing nonsense .
Posted by: Don Cashin | Jul 7, 2021 8:05:37 AM
This article is obviously written to raise some eyebrows rather than really inspire one to cut unnecessary spending. I consider myself a saver and a careful spender but would never consider this list of money saving ideas. (except maybe the bring snacks to the movies thing.) Interesting topic though.
Posted by: B | Jul 7, 2021 6:56:28 PM
"Salvage items things like umbrellas and sweatshirts from the lost and found bins in libraries, gyms and schools".
That's not salvaging, that's stealing! No wonder my stuff is never in the lost and found when I go back to get it!?
Posted by: rrr | Jul 7, 2021 8:48:22 PM
not that far!!
Posted by: Will Kierns | Jul 7, 2021 11:38:09 PM
Like other posters, I am dismissive of these dim-witted ideas (but I will admit to sneaking extra packets of brown sugar when I buy coffee).
I noticed that the list of $ saving ideas lacked entertainment suggestions. Here's my contribution. The public library. Most libraries only ask for $10 - $15/yearly membership which comes with unlimited borrower's privileges - as long as you're not late. Reading not your thing? The modern library stocks tons of DVDs including many Hollywood blockbuster releases (rental from local Blockbuster $6 per DVD!) not to mention foreign and independent titles. Don't see a DVD title? Suggest it to the library buyers. As long as the title isn't more than a year or two old, larger libraries of larger metropolitan areas will consider buying it for their collection.
Posted by: Gold IRA | Jul 8, 2021 5:44:13 AM
I applaud anyone who takes steps to cut out the extras, and we've been hearing lots of ideas. That is some great information…great work!!
Watch a free video on Gold IRA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P5oEnKMysQ
Posted by: DD | Jul 12, 2021 7:59:38 AM
The best place to get free stuff is on moving day, people put items of all sorts by the dumpster, not actually in so it isa still clean.and free for anyone cheap, frugal or otherwise.
Posted by: L | Jul 12, 2021 11:04:29 AM
These are good ideas and not absurd at all. It brings back memories of how generations before me told me they lived.
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