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62% of employees have reduced their short- and long-term savings contributions amid high inflation and concerns about a possible recession. Moreover, 71% of employees said money-related stress has negatively affected their work and personal lives, a 7% increase from 2021.

And while we at Bored Panda don't have the instruments to change the monetary policy, there is something we can do to help the situation. Have a laugh about it. After all, humor makes everything better, doesn't it? So this time, we invite you to join us in exploring the subreddit 'Frugal Jerk.'

Its 147k members constantly share memes about being poor, often taking things to ridiculously extreme levels to accentuate the painful realities of bills, taxes, and everything else related to personal finances.

"We, the proud few who stand on the cutting edge of frugality. We hold our heads high as we steal toilet paper, shoplift lentils, reuse condoms, syringes, and drink our own piss to save multiple dollars each year," the people behind the online community write in its about section.

So continue scrolling to check everything out and don't miss the chat we had about spending and saving with Doug Nordman, who managed to retire at 41 and now runs the website Military Financial Independence and is the author of The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement.

#1

When The Machines Try To Take Over

When The Machines Try To Take Over

whitpavel Report

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    #2

    How To Furnish A Home

    How To Furnish A Home

    Yoyodude1124 Report

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    Becky Klebe
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Check out the Johnny Cash song, "One Piece at a Time" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uErKI0zWgjg

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    Nordman told Bored Panda the biggest mistake he sees people make in their early steps toward financial independence is trying too hard.

    "Frugality is challenging and fulfilling, and it's sustainable," he said. "Deprivation has its uses (paying off credit-card debt) but it can lead to burnout. Strive for work/life balance, lead a quality of life that makes you enjoy the journey, and put your investing in autopilot."

    #4

    Could Becoming A Murderous Clown Be The Secret To The Ultimate Frugal Lifestyle?

    Could Becoming A Murderous Clown Be The Secret To The Ultimate Frugal Lifestyle?

    SkyGuardianOfTheSky Report

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    Wood Carver
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pennywise, the ultimate millennial life hacker... would like to add wears one outfit, travels primarily at night to reduce idling and traffic, not only advocates for population reduction but takes an active role in reducing the cost of living in his community by restricting a landlords ability to increase rent what with all the dead kids, and eventually he finishes almost every meal he's started really reducing food waste.

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    It's easy to form bad financial habits. For example, a 2021 study found that panic buying transformed into impulsive buying.

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    The survey of 2,000 online shoppers, commissioned by Slickdeals and conducted by OnePoll discovered that Americans impulsively spend an average of $276 every month. (That adds up to an extra $3,312 spent every year and about $198,720 in a lifetime.)

    The most common spontaneous emotional purchases were food and groceries (48%), household items (42%), clothing (40%), and coffee (33%).

    #7

    Tip: How To Do Laundry For Free!

    Tip: How To Do Laundry For Free!

    Muffinizer1 Report

    #8

    Save A Fortune In Christmas Presents

    Save A Fortune In Christmas Presents

    KevlarYarmulke Report

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    Just Jeff
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    New Years Goal: Rekindle old friendships that I've recently ruined

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    #9

    How To Get Absolutely Hammered (In A Frugal Manner)

    How To Get Absolutely Hammered (In A Frugal Manner)

    _G-o-d_ Report

    To get rid of these pesky (and often expensive) habits, we need to be mindful about our budgets.

    "Start by understanding your spending," Nordman suggests. "If it's valuable to you then you're willing to work for the extra years of life energy to pay for it."

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    #10

    If You’re Not Part Of The Economic Elite That Can Afford To Flush

    If You’re Not Part Of The Economic Elite That Can Afford To Flush

    gunna-f-u-up Report

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    InvincibleRodent
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everybody sing it with me: Boss makes a dollar while I make a dime, that's why I poop on company time.

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    #11

    Cat Trying To Collect Insurance

    Cat Trying To Collect Insurance

    AccidentalBirth Report

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    Smiley_Cat
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cat: Oh no i have been hit with this car. I will need to collect $5,000,000 from you

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    #12

    Deli Meat And A/C Are For Fat Cats

    Deli Meat And A/C Are For Fat Cats

    onethousandllamas Report

    "If it's wasted spending then cut it ruthlessly and invest it in your retirement accounts. Here's the important part: automate your investing so that it's a habit you won't have to decide with every paycheck," Nordman added.

    "You used to be a person who lived only for today. Now you’re the person who’s stacking new habits for a better life."

    #14

    Not A Bad Idea

    Not A Bad Idea

    dwill91 Report

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    Katy Cordeth
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pro tip: Defer his second birthday for another year. In the meantime, teach him rudimentary reading/math skills and other stuff. By the time he enters kindergarten, your 'four-year-old' (who's actually five at this point) will be more academically advanced than his peers and the teachers will assume he's gifted. If you're worried he'll be taller than his classmates, limit his diet to non-nutritional food to keep his height down. That's what I did with my three boys. Although it would also work for girls.

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    #15

    5 Dollar Thrift Store Chair. On Mondays Everything Is Half Off So We Got It For $2.50. Upon Bringing It Inside We Found $3.88 In The Cushions. #blessed

    5 Dollar Thrift Store Chair. On Mondays Everything Is Half Off So We Got It For $2.50. Upon Bringing It Inside We Found $3.88 In The Cushions. #blessed

    FkWorkLetsRide Report

    #16

    Join The Revolution, Brothers

    Join The Revolution, Brothers

    hellotherehomogay Report

    #17

    This Wendy Person Is Clearly An Elitist Fatcat!

    This Wendy Person Is Clearly An Elitist Fatcat!

    ForgottenJoke Report

    It looks like people have been increasingly interested in saving (or earning) an extra dollar. At least on the internet.

    For example, membership on the subreddit r/FinancialPlanning grew 87% between June 2020 and 2021 to more than 241,000.

    And in the past year, it nearly doubled, reaching 423,000.

    #18

    This Genius Has A Good Idea About Keeping Rent Low

    This Genius Has A Good Idea About Keeping Rent Low

    therock21 Report

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    Sue User
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have told this story before. Moved into a new house in new neighbor hood. I was outside cleaning my throw rugs with an oldtimey wire thing. Cop pulls up, asks me if i heard anything, they have had reports of gunfire. No, i havent. He drove away. I thought " where have i moved to?" . Picked up the rug beater, hit the carpet. Oh.. um my bad. Beat the carpets a little less vigourously from then on.

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    #20

    My Father, Smuggling Cheese Slices Into A Local Burger Joint, Rebelling Against Their $.60 Upcharge... Resist!!!

    My Father, Smuggling Cheese Slices Into A Local Burger Joint, Rebelling Against Their $.60 Upcharge... Resist!!!

    MalcolmDrake Report

    #21

    Imagine Thinking You're Poor When You Have Four Whole Slices Of Bread!

    Imagine Thinking You're Poor When You Have Four Whole Slices Of Bread!

    bouquineuse644 Report

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    BasedWang12.3
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is hella legit... specially when the lights are off because they were Too Much

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    For investing-specific conversations and news, over 2.1 million users turn to r/investing. (That subreddit's membership grew 83% between June 2020 and 2021.)

    Then there's the subreddit r/personalfinance with a whopping 16.6 million-member army that hosts conversations about anything and everything related to spending, earning, saving, and investing.

    So there's much more than memes to discover. Although these are savage, not gonna lie.

    #23

    This Guy Understands Us

    This Guy Understands Us

    muklan Report

    #24

    Look At Mr Fancy Pants Here With Tupperware. I Use Leaves To Carry My Food

    Look At Mr Fancy Pants Here With Tupperware. I Use Leaves To Carry My Food

    reddit.com Report

    #25

    Lpt: Peel All Produce Before Weighing To Save $$$ At The Grocery Store

    Lpt: Peel All Produce Before Weighing To Save $$$ At The Grocery Store

    jesusisacoolio Report

    #26

    Saving On Graduation Pics

    Saving On Graduation Pics

    thadowski Report

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    Sue User
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I actually did this. Just kept the samples of my senior pictures. Luckily only small watermark in corner.

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    #27

    Easy Grill

    Easy Grill

    Morememes_ Report

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    Alan Green
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Before anybody actually tries this. That's likely made from galvanized steel. You could get zinc poisoning or worse if other metals/compounds are present.

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    #29

    Our New God?

    Our New God?

    Ubervisor Report

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    MandiMay
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And this is why you are supposed to wash your rice first!

    Shelby Moonheart
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This reminds me of an old missionary joke. How you can tell how long a missionary has been in the field? 1st term, they pick out the bugs from the food. 2nd term, they leave the bugs in the food. 3rd term, they put bugs into the food.

    michael ye
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Save for the gemrs, which were hopefully killed, insects are more efficiently produced and healthy than vertebrate meats.

    ThePalm52
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In college and broke, cleaned the mold off bacon once, fried it up and ate it. What doesn't kill you just makes you stronger.

    Petz Sos
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    More likely rice weevil than tiny cockroaches. Not at all harmful and cook up quite well adding extra protein in the process. "Bon appetit"

    Juliette Deroulede
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know someone who did that... While in prison in an Eastern European country forty years ago!!

    Izzy Curer
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I learned that in some parts of the world, when they introduced pesticides and cleaner farming practices, a lot of the locals developed perniciousness anemia, because their ancestors had been relying on the insects in the grain for basic nutrients like iron for centuries.

    Karen Grace
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Open bags of rice or grain need to be kept in an air tight container or in the refrigerator or freezer. Otherwise bugs or rodents, or both, will get into it.

    Gareth Baus
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That probably helped make your food more nutritionally balanced, rice is deficient in several essential nutrients. I would recommend combining the rice with beans, but dry beans cost slightly more than rice and you couldn't throw out the rice.

    Isabel Care
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Friends bought a giant bag of rice and didn't decant it into sealed containers. Ended up with weevils in it. Told them to put a few bay leaves in it next time, to repel bugs. They were a house full of vegetarians, so didn't eat it.

    Chris K
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. Don't care how broke I was I could never eat cockroaches, no matter how tiny they were. Or any other bug for that matter.

    Christopher Trott
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmmm. Soon after I had gotten my first apt, my sisters came to visit. The enterman farms cheese danish I offered them had been found by sugar ants. They graciously asked, ‘how many ants’ and ‘can just just knock them off’?

    Don Keideck
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So, you have 20 pounds of rice, a rice cooker, a shower, and lights - and you're still whining about how broke you are? Tell it to your fellow human beings in Barundi, Somalia and Mozambique, fancy boy!

    Autistic McWolferson the Forth
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im amazed this person didnt' contract a disease. There's a reason noone ANYWHERE eats wild cockroaches. They carry a LOT of disease...

    Tristan J
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People do eat cockroaches in many countries. Granted they are generally bred commercially, and fed certain foods, but there will be people who deliberately forage for them.

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    Beth Hermansen
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This person had running water, and electricity but had to resort to eating insects? I think not.

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    #30

    I Already Live In A Cardboard Box And Don't Eat, When Do I Get The Money???

    I Already Live In A Cardboard Box And Don't Eat, When Do I Get The Money???

    notsure500 Report

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    #31

    Found This And Thought It Was Fitting

    Found This And Thought It Was Fitting

    -_-DerpFish-_- Report

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    #33

    Finally Had My New Pool Installed. Nice Knowing You Jerks!

    Finally Had My New Pool Installed. Nice Knowing You Jerks!

    fatdrunkdude Report

    #35

    Next Time You Are Visiting Someone's Home, Try To Get Yourself Alone With Their Toaster. A Great Bounty Awaits You

    Next Time You Are Visiting Someone's Home, Try To Get Yourself Alone With Their Toaster. A Great Bounty Awaits You

    hoikarnage Report

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    #36

    Fellers I'm Set For Life! I Found A Beverage With Infinite Servings Therefore Infinite Calories

    Fellers I'm Set For Life! I Found A Beverage With Infinite Servings Therefore Infinite Calories

    Yoyodude1124 Report

    #37

    You Know The Vibes

    You Know The Vibes

    ftkardashian Report

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    Buren
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are cheaper alternatives for salt and wet tissues. Don't do it half way, Zayn.

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    #38

    Today I'm Mortgage Free At 27!

    Today I'm Mortgage Free At 27!

    notsure500 Report

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    a fruity dream of delusion
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    oh hey, my house is like that too! i was able to save a little and upgrade to an Amazon box though… 😎😎

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    #39

    Instant Breakfast! Eat That You Fat-Cat Bastards!

    Instant Breakfast! Eat That You Fat-Cat Bastards!

    pageplant97 Report

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    Lisa H
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's already a bite taken, so clearly this a communal waffle. Take your bite and get out of line, DON'T BE GREEDY.

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    #41

    Now Who's Really Controlling The World??

    Now Who's Really Controlling The World??

    LivingRaccoon Report

    #42

    Arrivederci, Suckers! I Just Scored Some Sweet Waterfront Property. Off To Join The 1%!

    Arrivederci, Suckers! I Just Scored Some Sweet Waterfront Property. Off To Join The 1%!

    dangerevans007 Report

    #43

    Holy S**t Guys, This Ice Cream Store Has A Cup Of Sample Spoons Covered In Free Ice Cream Just Sitting There

    Holy S**t Guys, This Ice Cream Store Has A Cup Of Sample Spoons Covered In Free Ice Cream Just Sitting There

    GenuinePorkChops Report

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    #44

    These Crumpets I Found Behind The Tesco Came With Free Antibiotics To Cure My Infection!

    These Crumpets I Found Behind The Tesco Came With Free Antibiotics To Cure My Infection!

    TeaBreezy Report