This week’s syndicated Super-Couponing Tips column is entitled “Reader’s not-so-fun take on saving money.” It’s already generating a lot of emails and comments from readers! Here’s an excerpt:
A few weeks ago, I asked readers to share their best savings tips. Oh, did you deliver. My inbox has been overflowing with ideas. One reader, Dana, sent such a lengthy list that I had to edit it to share in this week’s column! Here are some of Dana’s tips:
— Never go out to a movie, sporting event, musical event or anything that requires you to buy a ticket.
— Get extra condiments at fast-food restaurants and use them at home.
— Buy dish soap, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, soap, snacks, laundry detergent and bleach at the dollar store.
— Do dishes by hand.
— Turn off your central heat/air; use window units if you must.
— Stay at cheap (and I mean cheap) hotels.
Read this entire column at NWItimes.com.
NFriday says
Hi- Dana should be on the cheapskate show on TLC. On one of the shows they showed this guy eating with his wife at a restaurant. I think it was because it was her birthday, or it was their wedding anniversary, and it was not an upscale place by any means. After he was done eating, he went around to the other tables, and asked people if they were going to eat the rest of their food, and if not could he have it. A few people actually told him he could have their leftovers. His wife was embarrassed that he was doing this. They also showed somebody taking the two ply toilet paper, and making it one ply. and somebody else using rags for toilet paper. The rags then got rewashed, and used again.
I have a hard time with her taking the condiments from the fast food place. It is okay if they give you some, and you don’t use them all, and so you take the rest home, but some fast food places do not leave condiments out free for the taking, because they are afraid somebody is going to take home a bunch of them. A lot of the McDonald’s I know do not put out cups for water, because people will use those to get free pop. I know some people that used to ask for water cups at a McDonald’s, and then would help themselves to free pop, until the restaurant figured out what they were doing, and would not give them any more. These same people were getting the senior coffee, and then taking the empty cup home with them when they were done, and bringing it back the next day, and ask for a free refill. Now the restaurant marks the date on the cup so you can’t do that.
I also have a hard time with the fact that you should never spend money on any sporting event or cultural event. I sing with a group in Evanston, and I have sung with them for 27 years. I love music. A few weeks ago when we started out new season, I had to pay $90 for membership dues, and I am sure she would be against that. We also charge an admission charge for our concerts because we use a professional orchestra for about half of our concerts, and for some of our concerts, we have to shell out $20,000 for the orchestra alone, and so even with ticket sales we lose money. I am selective about where I spend my money, and music is one area where I don’t mind splurging on occasion. I don’t agree with her point that you should get rid of your land line phone too. In the condo building that I live in, you have to use your land line phone to buzz people in. I just had to vent. Thanks, Nancy
jeni_fini says
I am guilty. I have a tray full of condiments from restaurants in my frig! They come in handy
fljeangirl34 says
One of the money saving tips from Dana, which appeared in your article in the Florida Times-Union on September 18,2014, concerned getting extra condiments at fast food restaurants and using them at home. I am appalled that you did not take issue with that suggestion. When I was growing up, and it still applies today, that is considered STEALING. Why do you think a lot of restaurants, fast food or other, do not leave these items on tables anymore?