What are your frugal and sustainable tips and tricks?

[gtaus]

Stocking Stuffer Idea

I was in Menards today and found this deal that I could not pass up...

If you play the rebate game, like I do, that is a fantastic deal.

 

[Sally PB]

is so big that small orders like mine just don't matter.

...and I think they're just to big to care. It will take people who have experiences like this and the publicity of them to make any dent in their "This is too small to bother with" mentality.

 

[gtaus]

Stocking Stuffer Idea - Socks!

We have had a few days of -20F outside. My old toes were feeling the cold when I went outside to take care of the chickens. Who doesn't need warm socks in the winter? Anyways, a couple days ago I was in Menards and found this deal, 50% off on thermal socks...

Frugal Tip: I picked up about 5 packs at this price. The socks are all the same, which fits my frugal mindset. As the socks get old and start to get holes or rips, I can easily mix and match the good socks to make pairs and use the bad socks as rags in the garage.

Also, I am (red-green) color blind so having socks all the same color is an advantage to me. I can't see slight variations in some colors which in the past has led to some social faux pas experiences.

Well, I Christmas gifted myself with these thermal socks just in time. The wind was blowing snow at 67 mph the other day and the temp was -20F. That makes a wind chill factor at -64F (-53.3C) for those who care. At least my feet were warmer with the thermal socks! It is warmer today with a high expected to be 4F. I think I will get some good use out of these thermal socks for the winter season.

Frugal Tip: Buy Quality Boots for the Long Term. FWIW, I have had the same winter boots for almost 30 years. This type...

I paid extra for my high-quality boots way back when, but they have lasted me 30 years, so far, and still looking great. Of course, I picked them up late one winter when they went on clearance sale of half price or more.

Well, all the same socks and one pair of good boots is all I need. Dear Wife, on the other hand, has a few racks of winter boots. Different styles, different colors, different everything. I have seen her try on 2 or 3 pairs of boots before she matches the boot with her mood for the morning! It's a real thing for her. Worse yet, last year's boots are never in fashion this year. I think she buys 3 or 4 new boots every winter. That's not what I call frugal.

When it comes to shoes and boots for Dear Wife, I just keep my mouth shut!

 

[Sally PB]

Since I have big feet (women's size 11 W), I usually buy men's shoes/boots. They fit better, they last longer.

Stylish? No. Do they "go with" my "outfits?" No. Do I care? NOOOOOO!

 

[gtaus]

Since I have big feet (women's size 11 W), I usually buy men's shoes/boots. They fit better, they last longer.

Stylish? No. Do they "go with" my "outfits?" No. Do I care? NOOOOOO!

I have had many girl/women friends over the years tell me the same thing. They will buy men's clothes/boots because they are just made better. When I first heard that, I did not know what to think. But after hearing many women say the same thing, I guess they/you must be right. If fashion does not matter, you are probably much better off buying quality men's stuff and saving money.

 

[gtaus]

Tis the Season to Save Money on Gift Cards

I don't really advocate buying gift cards for other people. Companies make billions of dollars every year on unredeemed gift cards. They hope the person getting a gift card will lose it, or just chose to not use it. In any case, the company gets paid up front for the gift cards, so they make their money regardless.

I do advocate buying gift cards at a discount for yourself for stores where you know you will use them. This afternoon, I purchased another $400 in gift cards at our local Fleet store for myself at a 10% off sale. I buy almost all my feed and chicken supplies at the Fleet store, plus repairs on lawn mowers, etc... I know I will use those gift cards over the course of the coming year.

This past fall, I used ~$250 of gift cards on a new BBQ grill for Dear Wife that was already on sale for $100 off. When you factor in my purchase of gift cards at 10% discount, using a credit card with 2% cash back rewards, I effectively got another $29.50 off the price of that BBQ grill. It all adds up to savings.

Last year I found my bank was offering 10% gift cards at places like Home Depot, and I was able to take advantage of that deal as well. But it was only during the holiday season, and those promotions were gone. I did not see my bank offering that promo this year, at least for Home Depot. But maybe you can find some deals that you could use at other stores or restaurants you frequent.

If you can buy gift cards at a discount for places you already shop, it can be a good deal for you.

 

[fuzzi]

I have had many girl/women friends over the years tell me the same thing. They will buy men's clothes/boots because they are just made better. When I first heard that, I did not know what to think. But after hearing many women say the same thing, I guess they/you must be right. If fashion does not matter, you are probably much better off buying quality men's stuff and saving money.

When I was a child I had to wear boys' sneakers because the girls' sneakers were too narrow for my feet.