Extreme cheapskate ideas

[Chelseaagrace]

I LOVE couponing and just making an extra buck here and there. It feels good to have a little extra money for my time while doing nothing like I would normally be doing

[dsosnowski06]

Like everyone else I use coupons all the time and shop at the Aldi  a lot.  I go thru the weekly sale papers for the grocery stores and compare prices each week.  I try not turn on the lights until I really have to and signed up this summer for ComEd peak saver.  They send a text telling you what hours to reduce your electric usage and then credit you if do so.  I have use it many times this summer and save about $69.00 in the last 3 months.  That is half of monthly budget plan

[brian8713]

Yeah, I get all my cleaning supplies at the dollar store. It does a good job. I don't need name brand stuff because I don't think there's much difference (if any) between the name brand stuff and the generics.

[mrsmere]

I get cleaning supplies from the dollar store, shop at Aldi and use the weekly sales ads.

[oldbuddy]

I look for ways I can earn commission by referring people to use the products and services I use myself. For example, my cellphone service rewards us each $25 if I get them a new customer and it's pretty easy since they have the lowest rates I have seen yet.

[kathleenkleinhans]

I am not much of a shopper but do use coupons and stores weekly specials.

[Azanne07]

I love using coupons and shopping sales. I love Meijer. I saves at least 25% each trip. we always buy what is on sale. I wish I had a printer so I could see if these coupons work here.

[plennis]

I use a lot of these ideas already, but I did see a couple of things I am going to try.  Interesting thread.
 

[countrygirl12]

So, since many of us here are willing to complete a half an hour survey for 30 cents (lol), I'm betting I'm not the only extreme cheapskate here. What are your tips to save money? Me, I like to coupon. I like to follow investment gurus and put as much of my extra income towards retirement as possible. I try to live thriftily, even if it means missing out on some of the comforts/experiences that friends my age have. What about you guys? I'm always down for a new way to save a penny or two.

I am not a cheap skate.  I have been more desperate for money at times than others and they extra money really adds up especially when you do several sites. 

I use coupons sometimes.  Have not in a while. But if I have the money and I want something I will get it.  I keep it cool enough to not be miserable in my house.  I do try not to waste too many trips cause gas is expensive.  And I have heard we may have a spike in prices because of Harvey.

[countrygirl12]

I use receipt hog on my phone to upload all of my receipts from shopping. They actually pay just to have your receipts,  I get five dollar GC every two months so it's not a ton but it's better then just throwing shopping receipts away!

I only run major appliances when it is off peak hours (all electric companies are different on off peak times but the website of your electric company will tell you the off peak hours)
I wash all my clothes in cold water only. I also hang my clothes out on a line when weather is nice.

I bought two plastic tubs that fit in my kitchen sinks, one for washing dishes in soap water & the other for rinsing them off in clean water. This has saved a lot on my bill because of the amount of water & electric used to run a dishwasher! And when I am done washing dishes I take both tubs outside to pour out. Not only am I saving money on water usage but also on sewage bill because I take them outside vs pouring them down the drain.

My family & I also do not take showers in our house until off peak electric hours (my family wakes up really early so it wasn't that hard to change our habits) the hot water heater uses a massive amount of electric & taking showers during off peak hours has made a big difference on our monthly electric bill.

To my knowledge our electric company does not charge less or more depending on when you use electricity. Maybe they do and I don't know it.  They sure would not tell me if I called them.  Heck I called them and told them somebody had set up a fake site that looks like theirs to allow people to pay their bills and they looked at it and said well they really can't stop people from doing that.  I said, yes but they can steal people's information and you can report the site.  It is not yours but looks like yours and wants people to enter their credit card or debit card info.  Geez

[metsrock69]

When it comes to being a cheapskate, I joined the club years ago. I use every app I can find,every coupon I can use,and I roll my loose change. I refuse to put my change into a machine at the store and have them take a percentage of my money. 

[oldbuddy]

When it comes to being a cheapskate, I joined the club years ago. I use every app I can find,every coupon I can use,and I roll my loose change. I refuse to put my change into a machine at the store and have them take a percentage of my money. 

I agree with you there, because my bank does it for free.

[sak4kat]

I work for a Kroger.  So I get to utilize savings on things from a customer and associate.  Which is a HUGE savings.  Some other things... we have 1 vehicle.  In the past we used a wonder washer in place of weekly trips to laundromat.  Course PTC' sites anre the # 1 go to for making a little something extra.

[brian8713]

sak4kat, that's a new one!! What's a wonder washer?