What stupid things did you used to spend money on?

[HundredK]

Thought it could be interesting to have a running thread of changes people have made that have not only saved them money, but has NOT resulted in any sacrifice.

For example, I needed a hairbrush today, because my last one literally snapped in half thanks to my ridiculously thick hair. Before now, I'd have popped over to Sephora and bought probably a $40 brush without even looking at the price tag and probably might have bought some other things while I was there too.

Instead, I went to Target today, and I debated between a $15 and $6 brush, opted for the $6 brush, used a 20% off coupon, and then used the target cc to get an additional 5% off that. And when I got home and tried it... guess what? It brushed my hair just the same as the other one.

See, no sacrifice, just not something I'd ever have thought to do in the past.

[creditcardfree]

I don't buy napkins, just use cloth or paper towels. I no longer subscribe to magazines or the newspaper. I rarely wear makeup or wear pantyhose anymore. Not sure if these are 'stupid' but they are purchases I no longer spend my money on.

[FLA]

I used to drive around all day for work, I was on a med that made me incredibly thirsty. I would go through a drive thru daily to get a giant diet coke. Sometimes twice a day. When I think of adding up that small sum every day it sickens me because there is no reason why I couldn't have packed a cooler of cold water from the tap from home except sheer laziness. I saw it as a reward for hard work. What a stupid reward!

[Jluke]

I used to spend money on mortgage interest; now I don't and I still live in the same house

[disneysteve]

I used to get my hair cut about every 5 weeks, so about 10 times a year, for $15 each time.

About 10 years ago, I bought my own clipper for $15 and started doing it myself. That clipper lasted about 4 years then I replaced it with a slightly better quality one for about $30 which I'm still using. So in 10 years, I've spent $45 instead of $1,500. An additional benefit is that I now cut my hair every 2-3 weeks since it is free and easy and I don't let it get as unruly as I used to.

[StormRichards]

I don't buy napkins, just use cloth or paper towels. I no longer subscribe to magazines or the newspaper. I rarely wear makeup or wear pantyhose anymore. Not sure if these are 'stupid' but they are purchases I no longer spend my money on.

Amen to the no pantyhose, especially the emergency purchase of a new pair because the pair you were wearing got a run.

Paper plates is one we spend little money on now. We got in the habit of using them for all of our meals. Now we keep some on hand for whenever our daughter has friends over for a play date.

[disneysteve]

My wife tends to be more brand-loyal than I am, but over the years, she has gradually switched a number of products we use regularly to store brands to save money. Somewhat recent examples are plastic wrap and dishwasher detergent, both of which she now buys the Target Up brand.

[creditcardfree]

I bought reusable sandwich bags and containers for my daughter's lunch. We have plastic sandwich bags, but we rarely buy them.

I keep my hair longer so I can skip going to get it cut frequently. I only go two to three times a year.

[StormRichards]

I bought reusable sandwich bags and containers for my daughter's lunch. We have plastic sandwich bags, but we rarely buy them.

I keep my hair longer so I can skip going to get it cut frequently. I only go two to three times a year.

My hair would not cooperate with that scenario but I do go to GreatClips instead of a salon. I try to hold off until I get an $8.99 coupon, but even when I don't have one it is just $13. MUCH better than a cut at a salon.

[disneysteve]

We used to have an exterminator come out and spray monthly. I don't even remember how much that used to cost.

I went to Home Depot one time and bought a sprayer ($20) and a couple of gallons of bug spray ($10 each) and started doing it myself. That was years ago and we have never noticed any change in the frequency of seeing bugs around compared to when we were paying the professional to do it.

[scfr]

This could be a really long list but I'll pick just one that I think has really added up over the years.

I stopped buying clothes that need to be taken to the dry cleaners. I do still have some dry clean only clothes but I use the at-home dry clean sheets. They work fine for certain fibers and styles.

[scfr]

Thought it could be interesting to have a running thread of changes people have made that have not only saved them money, but has NOT resulted in any sacrifice.

For example, I needed a hairbrush today, because my last one literally snapped in half thanks to my ridiculously thick hair. Before now, I'd have popped over to Sephora and bought probably a $40 brush without even looking at the price tag and probably might have bought some other things while I was there too.

Instead, I went to Target today, and I debated between a $15 and $6 brush, opted for the $6 brush, used a 20% off coupon, and then used the target cc to get an additional 5% off that. And when I got home and tried it... guess what? It brushed my hair just the same as the other one.

See, no sacrifice, just not something I'd ever have thought to do in the past.

This is fantastic. It sounds like you've made a big shift to making more conscious spending decisions. Well done.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I spent money on laser hair removal. Yes $1000 but no more razors and no more waxing at a salon. I did a few areas.

I used to highlight my hair at a salon $200, I went white before 30. I now do henna myself at home because the time and having to do it so much because of my premature white, made me look for a more natural solution. $7 a box and I can do it monthly with quick touch ups and it always matches. And I never have to worry about the color matching It's happened where the color hasn't matched or come out right even at a salon and i get pissed and have to go back for another 3-4 hours. I have black hair and it's hard to do it perfectly.

I'll think of more I'm sure of it.

[FLA]

I colored my own hair for about 20 yrs, always had a coupon and a sale at CVS so I rarely spent more than $3-4. Except last year no matter what brand and shade of blonde I used, it came out green or blue! my hairdresser is such a nice guy he only charges me $20 for a cut and color every 8 wks. But it bugs me so much to even spend that when it used to be practically free. Eventually I'll try again but IDK how, I guess you have to let the roots grow all the way out so you don't have new, different color on old color? That will be an attractive time period! Men have it so easy.

[FLA]

I went to Home Depot one time and bought a sprayer ($20) and a couple of gallons of bug spray ($10 each) and started doing it myself. That was years ago and we have never noticed any change in the frequency of seeing bugs around compared to when we were paying the professional to do it.

stealing this