Let’s face it, times are tough!
Sometimes you just have to think outside the box, especially when you are trying to be frugal. I’ve come up with a list of money saving actions that you may not have considered.
Don’t worry, they are only slightly unethical and maybe some are just a tad illegal. But hey, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, right?
1. Spend a lot of time at your friends’ place. You are bound to get fed at some point. Heck maybe you can even save on rent by just crashing at a different friend’s place each week.
2. Forget your wallet in the drive-thru. This is VERY effective when it’s a busy time and there’s a lot of cars in the queue. Works best at the drive-thru’s with just one window.
3. Take a penny, leave a penny. Only you are just going to take the pennies. All of them. Every time you see one of these little bowls.
4. Grocery Shop on Saturdays. Take advantage of all the samples that are being handed out. You can probably visit each spot twice before you need to change outfits and can make the circuit again. You should get a pretty decent meal out of it.
5. “Accidentally” fall into a penny fountain. It’s not like you meant to fall in and how did all that change end up in your pocket?
6. Visit the all you can eat buffet. If you go a little after lunch, bring a book and eat very slowly. Stay a long time and get two meals for the price of one. Bonus if you are a twin and you dress the same. Forget something in your car and swap places.
7. Take toilet paper from the restrooms. Most of it ends up on the bottoms of shoes, right? You aren’t really stealing, just saving them from excess clean up.
8. Take home extra condiments. If you are dining out, say at a buffet, stuff your bag with napkins and condiment packets. You may never have to pay for ketchup again. If you go somewhere that sits crackers out, TOTAL WIN!
9. Dine and dash. Hey it’s not just for teens anymore. (Warning: This is illegal and probably more than just slightly illegal.)
10. Frequent events that offer free food. Churches are great at offering up snacks during their free events. So what if you are an atheist, a meal is a meal.
Here’s to a frugal 2012!
Disclosure: I do not condone this type of behavior nor do I participate in it, except the one time I did forget my wallet. I also will not provide bail money for any arrests you receive by participating in above practices. Proceed at your own risk.
photo credit:
I also blog at A Five Star Life. I write about anything that comes to mind but try to focus on finding the good in daily life.
You forgot “Use expired coupons.” The stores never check the dates and if you buy enough stuff, most times, they don’t even check to see that you bought the quantity or products on the coupon.
Mel(Quote)
I have “accidentally” used expired coupons a time or two. Works the best with young guys, they never check that stuff!
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
Another one is using your gym to shower. At my gym I could just never buy soap, shampoo or conditioner, q-tips, deoderant (yes! they have liquid spray deoderant)hairspray or body lotion, think of the savings! They are open everyday too. Just closed at Christmas or New Years when you can mooch off parent or family!
Seena(Quote)
hahaha that’s GREAT! But only frugal if the cost of the membership is inexpensive OR if covered by an employer it would be a total win!!
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
I have a gym membership that I pay myself but stil I definitely save money because of the showers! I always exercise in the morning before work and then shower at the gym and go to work. That means that 4-5 times a week all year round I shower at the gym, that must save me some money?
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Ella(Quote)
LOL: attend church dinners, even if you’re an atheist. All of these tips are very funny! BTW, my great-grandmother used to steall all the sugar packets, napkins, salt-and-pepper shakers and jellys from restaurant tables. She had a closet full of all these random things!
Christa(Quote)
My grandmother was the same way Christa. My mom said it was a result of being from the Depression era.
Jessica The DebtPrincess recently posted..It’s Friday, Friday. Gotta Get Down on Friday
Jessica The DebtPrincess(Quote)
How did I miss this one? What a great post, Jessica!
Sara Broers(Quote)
Haha, funny tips!
Ella(Quote)