Here at Credit Karma, we like to examine the ways people save money–whether that’s through conventional money-saving tips or by more extreme means.
I’m not exactly a personal finance guru and I’m definitely not an “extreme couponer” (yet), but just like everyone else, I have my own rather quirky, daily money-saving strategies.
Here’s an exploration of the stranger side of my frugal personality:
The Toothpaste Tube Tormenter
I have difficulty throwing things away until I have exhausted every last use out of the container. Nowhere is this more apparent than with toothpaste. I’ll keep a near-empty tube even if it’ll take me upwards of ten minutes (and the Jaws of Life) to extract the dentist-recommended pea-sized dollop.
Why I do it: Economical, and also a great upper body workout!
Actual Savings: At roughly $3.50 a tube, the energy spent coaxing toothpaste from the dark depths of the tube might only amount to an extra couple uses and a few cents savings.
The Bag Lady
Very rarely do I buy garbage bags. Instead, I frantically stockpile any plastic bags given to me at grocery stores, book stores, or clothing stores and reuse them as garbage bags throughout my house. With my closet full of plastic bags, my friends worry that I’ll soon star in an episode of “Hoarders.”
Why I do it: Saves money while being environmentally friendly!
Actual Savings: While the approximate $20 on garbage bags I save each year is great, the precious storage space these bags dominate in my miniscule San Francisco abode is a tough tradeoff.
The Condiment Thief
I have every condiment known to man in miniature form, be it ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, soy sauce, hot sauce, parmesan, or crushed red pepper. I can never turn down the plethora of sauces that accompany each respective genre of take-out—so I keep all of them. They say variety is the spice of life, and one peek inside my refrigerator would confirm that.
Why I do it: Thrifty way to add flavor to your food!
Actual Savings: The amount of savings may add up to $20 or $30 a year on various sauce bottles, but the wrappers are a bit more wasteful than simply buying a large reusable bottle.
What does it all mean?
We all have our quirks. That’s what makes life interesting! Whether your money-saving schemes are tried and true or less successful, the important thing is that thinking frugally can pay off in the long run.
Torturing your tube of toothpaste may only save you pennies now, but one day, you may be thanking that tube for teaching you how to get the most for your money in creative ways.
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