The Official BITOG Cheapskate Thread

[supton]

We try not to eat out, or order in. That's pretty big money right there, when you think about how much effort we put into shaving pennies elsewhere. [Of course one is free to pick and chose how to spend their savings, don't want to go down that road.]

Spent a couple hours this past weekend mounting tires. Am hoping balancing will cost $10 at the local shop (like it did last time). $80 to mnt&bal 4, or $10 for just balance? decent savings.

Bring my own coffee to work, bring my own lunch also.

 

[gfh77665]

I scour the globe for low P/E equities. One stop shopping is available at GVAL:

http://www.morningstar.com/etfs/arcx/gval/quote.html

 

[eljefino]

When I moved into my first apartment in the late 1990s there was a kitchen drawer full of tools and goodies. One spatula in particular I formed a bond with and it has since moved with me to where I am now. Wife and I like the thin stamped steel as it gets under food just exactly right.

Well the darn thing wore out and blew through its rivet.

I'm not one to throw out a tool so I drilled it out, got the appropriate washers, and a new Pop_Rivet to restore it to its former glory!

 

[dave1251]

Sorry bub. When the steel starts to rust it time for me to replace my eating tools.

 

[JC1]

I didn't read all the other posts, but for coffee buy an Extra large coffee and make sure you get it double cupped, that way you can split the coffee into two.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted by eljefino
When I moved into my first apartment in the late 1990s there was a kitchen drawer full of tools and goodies. One spatula in particular I formed a bond with and it has since moved with me to where I am now. Wife and I like the thin stamped steel as it gets under food just exactly right.

Well the darn thing wore out and blew through its rivet.

I'm not one to throw out a tool so I drilled it out, got the appropriate washers, and a new Pop_Rivet to restore it to its former glory!





Nice!

 

[gman2304]

The threaded aluminum where the handle and the head of my garage push broom screws together started cracking last week. I found a small screw type hose clamp, tightened it up around the cracked aluminum, and I think it's stronger than when it was new. Saved a few bucks. Also, I filled my truck up 2 weeks ago and the gas gauge is still on full.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted by JC1
I didn't read all the other posts, but for coffee buy an Extra large coffee and make sure you get it double cupped, that way you can split the coffee into two.


This makes a horrible assumption. That being: that I do not plan on drinking the entire XL coffee myself!

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted by gman2304
The threaded aluminum where the handle and the head of my garage push broom screws together started cracking last week. I found a small screw type hose clamp, tightened it up around the cracked aluminum, and I think it's stronger than when it was new. Saved a few bucks. Also, I filled my truck up 2 weeks ago and the gas gauge is still on full.


My uncle bought a garage broom at Dollar Tree...as soon as he got it home, he drilled through the handle and head and used a bolt & nut to lock them together. Still works.

 

[Saabist]

I'm so cheap I let students work on my teeth.

 

[Number_35]

Originally Posted by eljefino
I'm not one to throw out a tool so I drilled it out, got the appropriate washers, and a new Pop_Rivet to restore it to its former glory!
I saw what you did there!

 

[Slow Car Sport Mode]

Getting back on the habit of perhaps a fine breakfast burrito in the morning, since eggs sort of went up in price. Cutting back on energy drinks. Lean tips at work are bringing this on.

It was said to me years ago.. Try not to spend more than $15 a day in expenses. This is similar to "pay yourself first," or the old Oprah advice.. pretend the first hour of work is free, take your money from the first hour of work and DON'T spend it.

 

[Astro14]

Getting back on the habit of perhaps a fine breakfast burrito in the morning, since eggs sort of went up in price. Cutting back on energy drinks. Lean tips at work are bringing this on.

It was said to me years ago.. Try not to spend more than $15 a day in expenses. This is similar to "pay yourself first," or the old Oprah advice.. pretend the first hour of work is free, take your money from the first hour of work and DON'T spend it.

I’m all in favor of a good breakfast, and can often be found here: https://citrusvb.com/

But energy drinks? Bad for your wallet, bad for your body. Give that stuff up!

Back on topic, I fix when I can. Volvo wanted several hundred for a new armrest. I bought a new leather cover. Then fixed the plastic hinge mechanism with Plastex. If you look at the two posts with screws in them, they have both been repaired. They had been broken off.

Looks great. Works fine. A very small fraction of the replacement cost.