10 Weird Ways to Save Money – Need Interesting Ways To Save Money that will actually work? You need to check try these out!
This is a guest post from Cheryl ofUncluttered Simplicity.
To find even more money saving ideas, check out these resources:
- 11 Expenses to Stop Spending Money On
- Money Saving Hacks from an Extreme Cheapskate
- How to Make Saving Money Easy
- 10 Crazy Money Saving Amazon Hacks
- Best Money Saving Apps You Need
- 8 Ways to Stop Spending Money You Don’t Have
- 10 Things to Say Instead of “I’m Broke”
Years ago, TLC aired a show called “Extreme Cheapskates”. I watched every single episode. Twice. Why? Maybe I was looking for new penny-pinching ideas. Or maybe I just wanted to make sure I was still ‘normal’.
Whatever the reason, for three seasons, I was hopelessly addicted. While I have never considered myself to be an extreme cheapskate, I have discovered some rather interesting ways to save money. Here are 10 weird things I’ve done to save money.
Ways extreme cheapskates save money
The reason I could never achieve extreme cheapskate status isthat there are some things I just won’t do. For instance, I refuse to:
- Collect roadkill for dinner
- Wash and reuse paper towels (I’d rather go without)
- Stop using toilet paper (or split 2-ply in half)
- Pillage restaurants for condiments
- Ask patrons of restaurants for their leftovers
- Share bathwater with my family
- (Yes, these are all things extreme cheapskateshave done in the name of saving a few dollars!)
Ways ‘normal’ people save money
I don’t see the point in doing something that’s unethical (or just plain nasty) in order to save money. Not when there are so many ordinary (and less gross) things we can do in order to fill our bank accounts.
Things like:
- Create a budget
- Buy used clothing
- Ditch cable
- Set thermostat to 78 or higher in Summer and 68 or lower in winter
- Wash clothes in cold water
- Buy generic
See? Perfectly normal money saving tips that anyone can do. Even better, none of them involve scraping a dead possum off of the highway!
However, once you’ve tried all of the mainstream ways to save money, it pays (literally) to think outside of the box.
Interesting Ways To Save Money
1.) Taped down the light switches.
I once got so fed up with my kids leaving the lights on in every room that I went around the house and taped the light switches down. Don’t worry, I removed the tape at night.
This lasted for about a week. In hindsight, I probably spent more on tape than I actually saved in electricity costs.
2.) Stopped cleaning.
Before you pass judgment, hear me out. I keep a clean house. {As clean as a house can be with 3 boys, 2 dogs, and a husband!} I used to clean based on a schedule. Every Monday I would sweep, mop, and vacuum the floors. Every Tuesday I’d dust. Each Wednesday, I’d clean the bathrooms…
Then, one day, I had an epiphany. By sticking to a strict cleaning schedule, I was not only wasting my time, I was also wasting precious money on cleaning supplies.
So, I stopped cleaning just for the sake of cleaning. Now, I only clean when something needs to be cleaned.
3.) Concocted creative meals.
Inevitably, there comes a time each and every month when the groceries run out. Instead of running to the grocery store to replenish our stock, I see what I can create out of whatever is left in the house.
Needless to say, this practice has led to some pretty interesting meals. When my answer to “What’s for dinner?” is “LEFTOVER SURPRISE!” my kids don’t know whether to be excited or scared!
4.) Pretended to be someone else.
Don’t worry, I had permission! Last Summer, when Jimmy John’s had their $1 sub day, I stopped in with my son to pick up dinner for the family. Upon placing my order for 5 subs, I was told they only allowed one per person. However, my son and I were allowed to purchase our subs and get back in the line up to two additional times. So, that’s just what we did. Because…dinner for our family of 5 for $6!? Yes, please!
5.) Skipped bathing (and encouraged my kids to do the same).
Again, don’t judge. Remember the whole “don’t wash it if it isn’t dirty” idea? In our house that applies to people, too.
6.) Gone dumpster diving.
This alone would catapult me into ‘extreme cheapskate’ status if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve never taken food out of a dumpster. I have, however, retrieved perfectly good furniture (nothing upholstered), sterilized it, and reused it in my home.
7.) Foraged for free food.
Want to save money on your grocery bill? Why not give foraging a try? Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to live in the country to score free food. In fact, due to rising food prices, urban foraging is becoming quite popular.
8.) Sold something for more than I paid.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned a profit from something I bought at a discount (used or new) and then resold for more than I paid. Seriously, if I wasn’t already employed as a blogger, I’d do this for a living.
9.) Stopped to pick up change (and encouraged my kids to do the same).
My kids, inspired by my inability to pass by a discarded penny, check all of thechange slots on candy and game machines whenever they pass by one.
True story: my kids once discovered that people often drop change on the floor when they are cashing it out at the change machine. So, for a while, every time we went into the store, they would lay flat out on the floor and stick their little hands as far under the machine as they could. Each time, they would walk away with a handful of change. They were crushed when the store installed trim on the bottom of the machine, thus putting an end to their cash cow!
And no, I did NOT encourage this endeavor. They just really wanted that free money!
10.) Borrowed instead of bought.
Okay, so this one is less weird and more genius, but…whatever. Whenever I am in need of something that I know I will only use once or twice, before going out to buy it, I check to see if I can borrow it from one of my friends. Whenever they need something, I return the favor.
What are some weird things you’ve done to save money?
About the Author
Cheryl is a minimalist, wife, and mom to 3 boys & 2 dogs doing her best to live a small, slow, simple life. She delights in sharing practical tips and encouragement to help you declutter, get organized, slow down, live simply, and save money. Stop by Uncluttered Simplicity & say “hello”!
