What's a frugal trick you've chanced upon recently?

I accidentally semi-reinvented the "trencher". Basically, in medieval times, food would be served on a slab of bread and that would kinda be the plate. Or, you know, bread bowls for soup and the like.

I have an air fryer, and I've learned I can line the basket in a large flour tortilla, and it generally keeps whatever I'm cooking/warming up from getting the pan too dirty aside from some easily knocked-out crumbs.

I hate washing things, and I hate wasting paper liners, so it lets me cut down on those, and I can just eat the tortilla.

I want online stores to buy tech and other items (not clothing, I already have a few stores for that. Although if a specific store has clothing in addition to the things I'm asking for is fine). Kind of like aliexpress, but I don't like aliexpress as I can't get off the feeling that I will be scammed if I shop there, because Aliexpress consists of many sellers, some of them are scams, and you really shouldn't buy tech in aliexpress. So preferably something that is its own store, kind of like shein.

Many people put some all-purpose cleaner on a sponge, clean and rinse. Instead, get a spray bottle and premix cleaner with the right amount of water. When cleaning, just spray and clean. You can do a long time with a spray bottle. It's a small tip, but it will save a lot of cleaner.

Edited to clarify

I like adding things to my icecream, usually peanut butter and frozen fruit. Got to thinking that if I added oats I could actually increase the volume without impacting the flavour all that much (I like oats). I could probably use floured starches or something like that.

Are there other things you "fill"? I think juice + water is the most familiar example. What about something like adding 20% dehydrated milk to fresh milk? Substituting some butter for oil?

Sometimes I find when I'm making my own stuff it ends up being more expensive than buying the packaged variety from the store, but maybe fillers are a way to balance that out.

When I think about bills, I annualize them. $30 a month? That's $360 a year. $5/mo? $60 a year.

I use this to help me grasp the long term cost of all my decisions, but nobody else I know does this.

For instance, my brother and I are moving soon into 2 separate apartments (we currently share a 2 bedroom) and the new complex doesn't have Google Fiber Internet. I complained to my brother that on top of everything else I'll have to pay $5/mo extra for Google extended storage I was getting for free.

He said it's only $5/mo, just get and don't worry about it. I was like, that's $60 a year which is basically a Costco membership. He said "oh hmm, good point yeah"

So I'll work on reducing my storage usage on Google to be able to stay on the free tier, but am I alone in thinking this way about everything I buy?

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to share with you that we are trying to revive [email protected] .

The community is still growing, so we'll definitely address frugal questions there. Feel free to have a look!

Even though prices have shot up for things like almond, soy, and oat milk, the size of refrigerated versions have always been 1.89L.

But I noticed some strangeness on the Walmart (Canada) website while building my grocery list where one brand, that is priced less than another brand, had a higher cost per 100ml.

As I looked into it, I noticed that several varieties have gone from 1.89L to 1.75L.

I'm getting real sick and tired of this.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/2757821

Note that I don't necessarily agree with all the info on this wiki but I am linking it in case interesting info is found, the "Trash Wiki" on "the collaborative world wide guide of creating value from trash!": https://trashwiki.org/en/Main_Page

With that said, has anyone gotten any free items from dumpsters or that were being discarded recently, or do you have any thoughts on the topic?

Lots of things are thrown away that can be either used or repurposed

!dumpsterdiving

edit: other post: https://lemmy.world/post/2757841

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/2701613

Note that I haven't looked through all these so I don't necessarily endorse any of them, but it's posted for discussion if the choices are good or not; this wiki came from a post on the itjustworks BIFL community:

https://buy.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/2642502

(!buyitforlife)

So the idea of "buy it for life" is to buy items that are durable and last for a long time, things you could buy once and have your whole life, which can save money and be good for the environment

What are some of the top items you recommend for this?

18M, entering uni soon and looking to replace the Osprey kids' pack that I've been using for the past 9 years.

I'd like a backpack that's able to carry a 14 inch laptop, a textbook or two, a jacket, an umbrella, a water bottle... A laptop pocket and side pouches for water bottles are preferable but not a must.

Budget approx. 500-700 HKD (64-90 USD). Looking into getting a Jansport Right Pack (with the reinforced bottom), but I'd like to hear your recommendations.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/1422052

We enjoy the Voila! Three Cheese Chicken from Birds Eye $6.49 But we add our own additional frozen vegetables (plain, 1 pound, Italian blend) and cubed boneless skinless chicken (marinated for a day, then cooked and cubed) to make it come out to about $2.25 per serving (4) and about 300 Calories.

For $2.50 in the added ingredients, double the yield and improves the carbs, sodium, and protein. The calories are virtually identical.

The 21 ounce Birds-Eye package says that it serves three, but in practice we find that it serves two. Add your own generic frozen veggies and cubed cooked chicken and you serve four.

• Original half-package nutrition

• Stretched-recipe nutrition

• Recipe

With continually rising prices I've squeezed about everywhere that could be. Am looking to the community for help. Things like groceries, car service, haircuts, cleaning supplies . Thanks

Here are my basics:

• Hydroponics: lettuce, basil, strawberries, microgreens. Cost to implement well ~ $350CDN
• Yoghurt: Cost to implement well ~ $50
• Crochet + yarn: mainly for making dishcloths. $5
• Mayo: I like mayo, obviously, but it doesn’t last very long. Has anyone made mayo that lasts as long as store bought?

More advanced ideas?

• locally sourced meat and eggs: is this cheaper? I’m in Vancouver BC and there are a lot of farms in the valley. Logistics seems challenging.
• jarring: is it worth learning how to do this and investing in the equipment? volunteering at a farm: I’m sure this would net some food
• solar power or bike generator: electricity is cheap here
• minimalism: I’m realizing this is a lifestyle. It has taken me a while to reduce, and I’m still reducing. Are most of you like this?

And things that can save money, but I don’t want to do:

• Bread: I don’t like making bread. Bread machine vs. buying a mixer?
• Beer: I’d like to but last time I tried it was messy and space consuming
• switch to cotton socks and underwear. Quantity over quality.
• no alcohol or drugs: What’s your experience?
• meal prep: savings seem big if combined with jarring. But if I had food prepped I’ll eat it, cheaper to skip meals?

Any other ideas welcome. I’m looking to save $$$ by spending $$

Something a bit different for this community. How do you feel about this kind of extravagance? Would you do it if money wasn't an issue? Do your frugal values run too deep to ever pay such prices?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1466619

Picked up a “sad veggies and fruits” bag at Lidl today for less than 3 €, and got a pack (more than 1 kg) of red meat (from another grocery store, but locally sourced meat) with a due date of tomorrow for less than 7 €. (And I had half of a sad pepper already)

This will be a wonderful stew that serves at least four, and there will probably be leftovers for lunch boxes that we can freeze in for when we start work after the holidays again.

In the “sad” bag from Lidl we also got organic bananas (which we sliced up and had frozen as prep for smoothies), limes, half a pack of grapes and then some spring onions.

Have a lovely weekend, lovely people!

The purchased flight was from Gainesville, Florida to New York City with a layover in Charlotte. The plan was for the teen to get off the plane in Charlotte where he lives. [... more in the article ...]

I fly rarely these days but skiplagging has always been tempting. Has anyone here done it?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1229201

As the picture shows, most (all??) grocery stores will show the price per ounce on the item’s price tag.

It’s usually on sales tags too.

I was FAR too old before I realized this and it’s made price comparisons in-store much easier.

Note: Not my photo. Just generic photo from google.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/1971210

The key for me is that coffee costs £0.10 to make it at home vs £2.50 at the shop.

This is a cross-post from: https://lemmy.world/post/1384725, the original post will be amended and updated over time.

*This list is compiled from different people's suggestions and tips, as well as some asking and searching around. The original post is updated every now and then to remain current, weed out errors or add information. If you have suggestions, updates, comments or additions to this list, you're welcome to comment in https://lemmy.world/post/1384725. *

Worldwide (or available in several countries)

• Too good to go - App-based service that allows restaurants and stores to post unsold surplus food or produce. Very popular, even though the food or produce you get is often random and it can sometimes run out before you manage to pick it up. Currently available in: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and parts of the United States
  [Apps for iOS, Android and Huawei are available from site]
• Phenix - App-based service similar to "Too good to go". Currently available in: France, Réunion island, Guadeloupe islands, Martinique island, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Hong-Kong
  [iOS apps are country specific, check the site] - [Android app]

Canada

• Flashfood - App-based service that allows grocery stores to post unsold surplus that can be bought for a fraction of the original price. Also available in some US states.
  [iOS app] - [Android app]

Denmark

• yourLocal - App-based service that allows restaurants and stores to post unsold surplus food or produce.
  [iOS app] - [Android app]

Germany

• Mundraub - An initiative to map out free-to-pick fruits, veg, herbs and nuts. Mainly in Germany.
  [Android app]

Portugal

• Fruta feia - This ("ugly fruits") is a cooperative that collects fruits and vegetables that are too small/large or misshapen, and sells them in really affordable boxes.

Spain

• Gratix - A freecycling app that has karma-based self-moderation. According to some sources, people can also give away food freely(?)
  [iOS App] - [Android app]
• Panduru - This is a food waste reduction initiative, where they take surplus bread from bakeries and turn them into pastries that they sell. Currently available in Asturias. Unsure if it's relevant for thrifty/frugal, let me know.

Sweden

• Karma - App-based service that allows restaurants to offer unsold surplus meals at a discount. Currently only used in the major cities(?)
  [iOS app] - [Android app]
• Matsmart- Online grocery store that collects surplus or unsold food items and resells them cheaper.
  [iOS app] - [Android app]

United States

• Flashfood - App-based service that allows grocery stores to post unsold surplus that can be bought for a fraction of the original price. Also available in Canada.
  [iOS app] - [Android app]
• goMkt - App-based service that allows restaurants to offer unsold surplus meals at a discount.
  [iOS app] - [Android app]
• Hungry harvest - Collects surplus or unsold produce and resells them in affordable boxes, they also make preserved items from some produce. Currently available in: Maryland, Washington, DC, Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, Northern Delaware, and Raleigh, North Carolina
• Imperfect foods - Online grocery store that collects surplus or unsold food items and resells them cheaper. Also has cheaper produce with quirks or irregular shapes and sizes. Works together with Misfits Market.
• Misfits Market - Online grocery store that collects surplus or unsold food items and resells them cheaper. Currently available in 48 states, except for Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
• Food rescue US - Connects volunteers, food donors, and social service agencies to ensure that surplus food reaches people who need it most. Unsure if it's relevant for thrifty/frugal, let me know.
• Food rescue hero - A network that connects donors who have fresh, highly perishable food that would otherwise be thrown out to the people who need it most. Seems REALLY similar to Food Rescue US, unsure if it's relevant for thrifty/frugal, let me know.

It is more efficient to buy cheap supermarket sponges and replace them more often, or do you find that more expensive options are worth the additional cost?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/1339087

Too good to go is a service that started in Denmark in 2015, and has since spread to more countries. Its concept is to reduce food waste from unsold surplus in the stores, and instead help the stores sell the produce to frugal/thrifty people at a heavy discount, pretty much in "surprise" bags.

According to Wikipedia it is available in mainly Europe and North America:

As of July 2023 the company Web site covered Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

I've seen this around in Sweden from the last year, but there are other similar services here as well, so I haven't used Too good to go yet (but I intend to do soon). I've used Matsmart a couple of times which allows me to pick the products I want, and sometimes bought Lidl's discounted fruit-and-veg bags ("Ta vara på") in the store.

I think the concept is really good on a consumer level, even though I can't say for sure just how much impact it has on reducing surplus or if it's just another green washing method for the affiliated companies.