Underrated.

My tip would be not having credit cards...(I know in the US this is hard because of credit scores, not that I really understand that)

Makes a big difference during summer in Australia. When I've lived in rentals where the standard window coverings are louvered blinds it was always more likely to get really hot. Now I have the blinds closed and on many days that makes it cool enough for me, though my dad will put the air con on. Even better, at the house I grew up in we also had outdoor blinds we pulled down in summer. We had a pretty ancient, ineffective air con (pretty sure my grandad put it in when he built the place in 1974) but we rarely used it.

I really struggle with anxiety and I am not a fan of most types of shopping, but if I am out and about and see something that I think "that belongs in X's life" ill pick it up and then save it to give to the person for Christmas or Birthday. Obviously there are plenty of times I haven't picked something up that way and have to shop for gifts and the anxiety having a deadline is horrendous.

I usually prefer leftovers anyway.

Those items are often name brand with a different label.

Bring a good person often begets goodness. Not always, but often.

Last move I was quoted $27K (long move from north of 60). Rented a Uhaul and did it myself for about $10K. . Knew the move was coming up months ahead so started sorting and packing a bit every week.

Sun and fresh air makes things smell so good

This is what I don't get about schools and public places using the single ply paper. Surely they would find it just as, if not more expensive than quality paper, because people use more of it?

Meal prepping is the best thing I learned how to do

I took a set of queen sized sheets that don't fit my double pillow top mattress and turned them into a set of twin sized sheets that fit the spare room bed perfectly. I love my Singer sewing machine

Bank told us we could get a mortgage for £250k but we bought a house for £100k and made maximum overpayments to pay it off in 9 years instead of 25. Now we both work part time.

I've never had the confidence for this. If they are in packets I will likely forget them (I actually have ones my mum gave me two years ago) whereas if I see the plant in a pot I am more likely to realise it needs to be planted. Also, I did try seed once, for a ground cover, and none of it grew. I know it would be cheaper (my mum actually collects her own seeds a lot) but I am too forgetful for it.

I tried this once, killed all of my poor cucumber starts, and have been too guilty since to try again.

I also produce food from seed, it's very fun. Anyone who has the resources and circumstances that allow it should try it. 100 extra dollars and a trip to Bunnings could birth a fulfilling and tasty hobby.

Yep. My whole garden is a veg patch created with my kids.. every day they're out there eating all the berries from the branches, picking the ripe fruits for meals and growing their own flowers. Saves sooooo much money and great for the kids to make memories too.

The difference is time, you are buying time when you purchase a 5 years old "placeholder" plant

Seed packets are cheaper than seedlings, but many people take seeds directly out of fruit and veg they buy in a store.

With some veg you get from the grocery store, you can use that to start growing your own. Way easier than starting from seeds and much cheaper. https://www.ruralsprout.com/regrow-vegetables/

Good for families, less so for individuals or couples unless you eat a lot of bread.

I prepare food at home and love doing it (but the time/skill involved...that has cost too) Today, I washed and cut up four large squash from the garden, roasted them (three batches of 4 baking sheets, 1 hour per batch) then cleaned everything up. It was so much work. 20 hours later my house still smells like roasted yummy. Time / money. You're going to spend one way or another.

Buying in bulk (large quantities= cheaper per pound) doesn't seem to be a thing much anymore. I always look at the price per weight and depending on the store, there's not a lot of difference. And having/running a large freezer costs money every day, too.

For several years we used Feline Pine cat litter, which we and the cats loved for its natural smells and environmental friendliness. Cost around $20-25 for a 40lb bag. Then we discovered that you could buy 40lb bags of pine "horse pellets" from the farm store for $6-7. Exact same stuff. Huge money saver for us!!!

It takes a lot of training to learn that when your mouth "wants something/I could eat"...does not mean your body needs food. Retraining your hunger cues and food preferences (away from desiring sugar/fat/salt) is HARD but worth it

Not exactly minimalism, but if I buy something, something else has to go: one in, one out.

That USED to bee a savings but not anymore (where I live, anyway). The coupon value has gone dramatically down (ex instead of 75% off with coupon, it's 10%) and the cost of the newspaper you have to buy to get the coupon has gone dramatically up (ex instead of $0.50, $4.00)

The small town we retired to has a health membership for $160 a year that gives us access to an indoor aquatics center and a full exercise equipment building as well as a gym for pickleball. The best $160 I ever spent.

In spite of the way the theories are written, we do NOT approach economics rationally. ....or religion. Or politics. I digress...

I love a good road trip and having my own car wherever I end up. Flying is such a mess now

I'll be 60 next year. I've used a wood stove in my house for heat in the winter for 30 years with absolutely no problems. If you are going to seriously commit to using something like that you need to commit to acquiring the correct (and quality) tools to go with it, such as chainsaws, splitting wedges, machine-type, ring, and/or manual slide splitters. I have axes. But I do not "chop" wood. My splitters do that. From fallen dead trees/branches on my property I can produce 2-3 days worth of firewood in 30 minutes or less without touching an axe and can keep my house at 75-80F when it is 30F outside. Things like heat powered fans are also a plus when using a wood stove as a main home heat source.

Depends if it's something you are already skilled in or is easy to learn.

Once a month for me. But having a treat night is good for your mental health which has it's own cost.

Ok every time bidet is brought up people have questions and misconceptions. It is not showering your entire backside using tons of water and needing a towel after. Think water fountain /drinking fountain instead. So your standing at the drinking fountain with your mouth closed letting the water rinse your lips, that's about what is going on at the other end of the digestive tract. It's not getting your entire face wet, it's not gallons of water, you don't need to take off your shirt or need a towel after. Just the water fountain hitting your lips and falling right back into the basin

I have more than 5 different Amazon lists for various things. It's great for gift giving. If I see something I think my SIL will like I put it in that list. Same with my niece and nephew.

Despite the messiness, I love my menstrual cup! It saves so much, especially since the price has gone down by about 30% in the 10 years since I bought my first one. It also doesn't have to be emptied as often and pads/tampons have to be.

Great idea in theory but, as an example, I had to change the starter motor on my 2008 Impreza: broke three sockets and had to take to mechanic. Later found out the bolt is over six inches long and required better tools than mine. Can't do anything about a/C or computers . . .I have unused tools sitting in my garage for nigh on ten years now: modern cars are too sophisticated nowadays.

All of my clothes bar undies, socks and swimwear are second hand. I also cut my own hair- it's curly so it doesn't matter if it's cut slightly unevenly.

Bit a good thing to know is you can use a remarkably small amount of laundry detergent. Those giant cap cups are purposefully misleading plus the majority of laundry getting cleaned is the mechanical action of the cloth getting agitated, not soap. So get to know the actual suggested amount to use which is probably only a couple spoonfuls (think those pre measured pods) and if you are really in a pinch run the clothes with no soap at all

Kroger gas station + Kroger Plus customer card + shopping on Fridays to earn fueling points = discounts at the pump. Today I filled up for $1 off per gallon. Not always that good, but frequently is. Plus it's a 10 minute drive from home and I'm going there to shop anyway, so it's not a detour.

Need a burr grinder, not a blade destroyer.

Too bad! My county has rain barrel workshops a couple times a year where $30 gets you all the materials and a demonstration on how to set up and use. We have two and they are really nice for watering the garden all summer without having to use the hose

I use the vacuum sealer as intended for things going into the freezer but it gets far more use resealing chip and cereal bags.

Also buying fruit in season only. A watermelon in December will have been grown in a country far away from where I live, picked unripe, transported a far distance only to have no taste. It's such a waste.

I just asked a friend yesterday...he has a 2022 electric something or other (not hybrid) and it was on a "slow charger" at a place we were at. He said the cost was $2/hr, and in 3 hrs the car got enough to bring him home (about 150 km) where he could connect to his home charger on "super low overnight electricity costs". Most gas cars get 20ish mi per gallon at about $1.50ish per liter right now, so it would have cost about double if he'd had a gas car (Um...I know. Miles, kilometers, liters, gallons?? That's Canadian driving math.)

I shaved our cocker spaniel as needed, but I used a guard and only did as much in one go as her energy level would allow - how on earth would you get a deep enough cut to need stitches?!? Were they shaving the dog with a straight razor???

I've saved money moving away from my job. 40 mins driving round trip and I still save hundreds a month. Even close to a grand. I live in a tiny town that's the last affordable place in the southern interior. I'd easily pay an extra 750 or more in rent to live in the city I work in. And even then would still need a car for shopping and likely to get to work still as well.

I switched to Dove moisturizing shampoo/conditioner. My hair was so soft and tangle free. I then decided to try just the shampoo to see what would happen. I no longer need to buy conditioner because my hair is still so soft and what tangles I get are easily combed through. I also save on water and time.

The cream to buy to make the butter with is super expensive. I'd wager I spent about $8 a pound making a pound of butter from cream. For that price, I'd rather buy Kerrygold.

Yeah, but less commitment. If you don't like one streaming service you can just cancel without absurd contact fees.