After covering some Mild and Wild Ways To Save, let’s now dig into what’s crazy — as offered by the general public.
So for your amusement, here are the zany ways to save which I’ve hunted down, compiled and republished from other online sources such as Bankrate and this site. Some of these you need to be careful about: they may not be for the faint of heart and may not be advisable. They’re funny but take note of a number that may be hazardous to your health, well-being or your wallet in the long run! Once more, I would like to repeat that these tips should not be taken too seriously.
The Outrageous: Some Unusual Ways To Save
Pets
- You can train your cats to use the potty! You could save a fortune on kitty litter this way!
- Encourage mice in the house by leaving crumbs around – so your cat will have a free food supply.
- Train your dog to beg for food from strangers, so you won’t have to buy dog food. Or maybe just have him do this?
- For mere pennies a day, you can feed yourself with dog food. Dry dog food is recommended as the canned varieties are not nearly as tasty. This demonstration comes with a warning: not for the squeamish.
Food
- Put that beer down! Save what you’d normally spend on beer. By the time you retire you’ll be able to afford all the beer you want. Same with smokes.
- Don’t throw away the plastic backing in the package of sliced bacon. Wash it well, and place it between servings of raw meat before freezing. This saves on plastic wrap and is reusable.
- When eating out, save on the expense of a soda by ordering a glass of water with lemon. Spice it up with a packet or two of sweetener, and it will taste like lemonade. No charge, no tax and no tip on that.
- Swipe the free ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, napkins from fast food restaurants. Then transfer the contents of the ketchup packets into the ketchup bottle at home. Ditto for the other stuff.
Marriage
- Reduce the cost of a wedding by getting some flower bouquets from cemeteries that are just lying around. Or listen to this bride-to-be shell out some tips.
- Marry and stay married to a frugal spouse.
- Marry a man who can fix things. It saves thousands each year!
Currency
- Pick up every penny or coin you see on the street. You will get richer!
- Bring back rolls of coins from Canada, to use at the laundromat and in pop machines. This can save you 20% or more, depending on the exchange rate.
Paper Products and Supplies
- Never buy sandwich bags or storage bags again. Use the liners from cereal boxes and newspaper wrappers.
- Someone actually suggested: Instead of buying toilet paper, use yesterday’s newspaper.
- Make your local print shop your office. Use their supplies. The IRS takes a pretty dim view about people claiming home office space. Why get in trouble with a possible audit? Some print shops even have phones. Make your calls from there. Take your laptop there and use their electricity for free.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
- Use the squeegee at the gas station to wash your car.
- Rub pine needles under your arms instead of buying deodorant.
Miscellaneous
- Tell nearly everyone that you are going out of town during Christmas and will not return until after New Year’s Day. Then buy most of your gifts during the after-Christmas sales.
- Learn speed-reading so you can read books for free while in the aisle at the book store.
- Unplug clocks in your house while sleeping.
- Next time you need an umbrella, go to your local public library and ask for the lost and found department. Tell them that you left your black umbrella at the library last month. They will show you a selection of several black umbrellas. Select the most expensive and it’s yours. The bigger the library, the better the selection of umbrellas.
Given the lengths some folks take to spend minimally and live simply… frankly, it sure does put my own frugal habits to shame. But don’t be foolish: it could cost you more in some cases if you apply some of these tips and things don’t end up quite as you expect.
Other silly ways to save:
Extreme Savings 101
Tell Your Tale of Extreme Saving
And chuckles aside, here’s a resource for those in crisis: AidPage.com.
Image Source: AnimalDen.com
Copyright © 2007 The Digerati Life. All Rights Reserved.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi! Sorry about publishing the wrong post title on my carnival!! I’ve corrected it!!
Have a sunny day!
kumiko
xo
How about this one: read blogs instead of buying newspapers and magazines.
LOL! Good one. Craziest way of all!
SVB,
These are funny! While I have actually thought of some of these on my own (and decided against others on account of the gray ethical territory), I would have dismissed out of hand the very practical substitute for under-arm deodorant . . .
8^)
I actually just published an article I wrote last week to my site last night about 5 extreme savings ideas.
I think my 5th idea to not take a shower can be combined with the pinecone deodorant for a complete solution!
Great List!
i thought the free cat food (mice) was hilarious. Personally, i keep a packet of dry cat food at my place, and have trained the neighbours’ cats to think of my house as their own. That way, i get all the cat company i need, without the vet bills.
However, please warn people not to use newspaper as toilet rolls- it has been proved to produce anal cancer.
(in stead of toilet paper, use flannels and wash away pee)
hmm.. the canadian currency is now stronger than the US dollar.
time to cash in those canadian quarters!
“Marry a man who can fix things. It saves thousands each year!”
How about learn to fix things yourself!! Was the gender based insult really necessary? Amusing article aside from that.
As a server I can say that if I am waiting on you and you ask for A LOT of lemons and mix it with sugar I will charger you for lemonade (we call this ghettoade). Most people who try this want at least a half of a lemon, which is more expensive for the restaurant than the regular lemonade. (If you only want one slice of lemon – a normal request – you won’t be charged.)
Sometimes the people you are cheating will call you out on it!
Yea, LOL, Speaking of pine, I just grinded pine needles and put them in little caps all over my house. I love pine smell… but don’t want a Christmas tree and don’t want any chemical pine deodorizer…
This is really the funniest article of the year.. Great work..keep it up..
Funny tips! In this time of economic turmoil, we can all use every bit of help. However, I think I draw the line at rubbing pine needles under my arms!
There is even a better way to save beyond what is wild here. Let me share you some of my tips.
Rather than use half a toilet paper, get free toilet paper and napkins from McDonalds or Starbucks, etc.
Get plastic forks and knives at various fast food places for free. Ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper can be acquired for free.
Go to soup kitchens and various Sikh Temples known as Gurudwaras offer free vegetarian food daily.
Get free coffee at your local bank. You can even get hot water at one McDonald’s and use bank tea bags or tea bags from various car dealerships and get tea. Now, go to another McDonald’s and get a free refill.
Get free couches and mattresses on craigslist. Washers and Dryers can also be gotten for free. All household goods can be freely acquired. You might have to watch TV with a CRT monitor, but you need not buy it.
Use internet at the library if your work does not require it. You need not buy a computer with internet access thereby saving money on cable. If you can get a free netbook or something, make sure you use free WiFi offered at locations such as a Starbucks.
You can use free showers at various community centers.