More Pie Guy's Tips On Saving Money

[Thunder_Gooch]

General tips on saving money.




Eyewear:

If you wear glasses use zennioptical you can get the same glasses you get at the optometrist for like 1/10th the price they charge. You just need your prescription and your PD (pupillary distance).

http://www.zennioptical.com/





Cellphone/Homephone:

Need a house phone? How does free sound? You can use an OBI-100, a normal phone, and google voice to get a free house phone with free unlimited long distance, caller ID, voice mail, and SMS text messaging. If you have to pay for DSL some carriers offer plans without the phone line or discounted etc.

http://www.google.com/voice

http://www.amazon.com/OBi100-Telephone-Adapter-Service-Bridge/dp/B004LO098O/

Need a smart phone?

 

How does totally 100% free sound?

 

http://www.freedompop.com/phone

 

They offer 200 minutes, 500 texts, and 500MB for free. Unlimited talk and text, and 500MB is $11/mo

Additional date is $0.02 per megabyte.

 

If you talk a lot use republic wireless. You get a nice droid moto x for, $25.00 a month. Unlimited everything. It uses sprint/verizon CDMA network. The catch is when you have open wifi available it will use that instead of cell network to place calls, not really a big deal at all.

http://www.republicwireless.com/






Cars:


It's cheaper to drive a beater (old crap car), and repair it all the time that it is to have a car payment and full insurance on a new car. I drive a 1996 POS and keep up on maintenance, when it dies beyond repair I have enough cash in the bank to buy a replacement the next day. Things to keep up on, changing: belts, hoses, filters, batteries, fluids, spark plugs, brakes, tires, wipers, etc. Find a good mechanic you trust, they are like gold.

You can buy used tires with 65-70% used tread for about 50% the cost of new ones if you hunt around used tire places. It's not good to have 4 odd pairs of tires however. Try to get in sets of 2 at least.






TV:

Cable SUCKS man! Get a roku 3, and you can use the plex app to stream anything you can download to your TV, it also supports netflix, hulu plus, amazon, gets all the national news, tons of free channels, more than anyone could ever ever watch. Amazon video is free with a prime subscription. Cable is expensive and has 99999999 channels with absolutely nothing on. If you download a lot invest in a good VPN that doesn't log, and is based out of the usa. EarthVPN is based out of Northern Cyprus and it costs $4.00 a month for a 1GBPS connection, no logs. You can use clients like VUZE to bind to that VPN connection in case the vpn disconnects.

You can also get an HD antenna and get many free to air tv stations.

http://www.roku.com/

http://www.earthvpn.com/‎





Shipped to your door cheaper than you can buy at walmart LOL:

Amazon is cheaper for many things than walmart, seriously if you have prime you get free 2nd day shipping too and a free amazon video subscription. If you order a lot from amazon it's worth it. Yes amazon sells grocery items too. They sell just about everything man.


http://www.amazon.com


Electricity hogging appliances:

Your dryer and hot water heater use a lot of electricity. Dry your clothes outside, and tumble air fluff no heat to make them fluffy and not stiff. Install a low flow shower head, and do navy showers with luke warm water to save on energy.


Great and cheap low flow shower head:
http://www.amazon.com/Niagara-Earth-Massage-1-25GPM-showerhead/dp/B003UQ17O4/

Great drying rack:
http://www.amazon.com/Badoogi-BDP-V12-Foldable-Compact-Storage/dp/B008BM3G50/





Cheap Clothes, Dishes, and stuff:


You would not believe how many pairs of really nice khakis, nice button up shirts, dress shoes, etc can be found at thrift stores for like a buck each. Blankets, towels, winter jackets! They have everything! Wash them in hot water, and dry them on high heat and you are good to go! Most of these are in like new condition.

Dishes too, glasses, steel pots, silverware, cast iron pans, super cheap! Appliances too!





Laundry:

You do not need brand name detergent LOL. Tide doesn't do a better job. At the very most buy generic bleach alternative (sodium percarbonate same chemical as oxiclean) and generic borax to boost your detergent. 99% of the time this is unnecessary.

You do not need the amount they tell you that you need. Use exactly 1/2 what they tell you to, get double the loads. I get a bottle of generic 32 load rain fresh laundry detergent for $1.00 at the dollar store. It does 64 loads. Lot's of people go on and on about how cheap it is to make your own laundry detergent... LOLLLLLLLLLL I spend $4.00 a year max on washing clothes. I am not going to waste time trying to make my own when I spend $4.00 per year.




If you live in an apartment without a washer/dryer and don't want to waste money at the laundromat never fear:

Cheap manual washer easier and quicker than you would imagine:

http://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Washer-Manual-Washing-Machine/dp/B002QUAPSO/

 

 

Spin dyer, gets clothes 90% dry:

 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Laundry-Alternative-Nina-Dryer/dp/B00CDWTQKI/

 

Good drying rack:
http://www.amazon.com/Badoogi-BDP-V12-Foldable-Compact-Storage/dp/B008BM3G50/

 

 

 

 

Portable washer:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Haier-HLP21N-Pulsator-1-Cubic-Foot-Portable/dp/B002UYSHMM/

 

 

 

Razor Blades:

You know those 5 blade stupid expensive razor blades? Yeah they don't tell you is you can resharpen those while you shower lol. It won't work forever but I get 4-5 months per blade.

Run the blade backwards on your forearm while in the shower 20 times before you shave. If it cuts hair you are doing it wrong, it should be the opposite motion you make when shaving.

Here is some creepy old shirtless dude who bears a strange resemblance to Donald Rumsfeld, demonstrating how to do this:

PC Gaming/Computers:

Do you like pc gaming? Good so do I. Did you know if you have virtually any quad core cpu and 4GB of ram you can upgrade your power supply and get a nice $250.00 video card and still play virtually any game on the market well?

Anything near 3GHz quad core even if it is 45nm is still just fine and dandy, and upgrading to a new cpu isn't going to help much at all. All you need is a new video card to play the latest games well.

Don't waste your money on a new pc unless you have a dual core.




Groceries/Food:

Buy a chest freezer, so you can stock up when something cheap is on sale. You can freeze bread and milk and just about everything else too. Lettuce not so much. If you toast frozen bread, you will not ever know it was frozen.

Don't buy fresh produce unless you 100% know you will use it all, potatoes and onions are exceptions as they keep well.


Buy a crock pot, seriously do it! Get a big one! Soak some dry (not canned) black beans on low for several hours, drain the water and replace it, then chop up an onion, toss in some bullion cubes, add favorite spices, and boom high protein, high antioxidant meal much cheaper than meat. Let it cook while you are work for an easy dinner, or overnight so it's ready for lunch. Just make sure you cook on low with lots of water if not home.


Shop at bargain grocery stores with dent and ding cans, usually you can find insane deals in the freezer section and there is nothing at all wrong with the food. Use discount stores like Aldi if the dent and ding place does not have what you were looking for. Aldi is great!!! Seriously it's awesome go there like tomorrow.




Bottled Water:

Don't buy bottled water get a distillation unit! This will produce distilled water which is fluoride free. You will need to add a pinch of baking soda to remineralize the water so it doesn't taste bad.




Dental Care:

Brush your teeth with Burt's bees toothpaste and let it soak into your teeth while you shower, it has a compound called novamin which remineralizes your teeth with phosphorus and calcium, no cavities for many years even though I use the fluoride free version.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NovaMin




Lawn Care:

Manual lawn mower, no gas required, no engine to maintain, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-6201-18-Inch-Staysharp-Mower/dp/B0045VL1OO/ Edited October 2, 2013 by More_Pie_Guy

[Chang]

Good advice. I will certainly give the razor blade tip a try - thank you.

[narveen]

Good advice. I will certainly give the razor blade tip a try - thank you.

 

you don't like the cheap clothes and beater car?

[Thunder_Gooch]

[narveen]

it's really depressing.

all these money-saving tips.

 

what's the point to being alive?

[BaguaKicksAss]

Narveen, I have my own set of money saving things I do, and the point is so that I can enjoy international vacations as well as private martial arts instruction from a teacher across the border. My friends who make the same amount I do can't seem to afford either.

[zerostao]

it's really depressing.

all these money-saving tips.

 

what's the point to being alive?

i know right?

i even prefer to drink water most of the time...............

[Thunder_Gooch]

Who doesn't like saving money? I can't see why any of these things would make you depressed.

 

Also I dress nice, expensive button up shirts, nice khakis, nice shoes etc. I pay a fraction of a percent of what these clothes cost new.

 

My car is laughable but it's mechanically sound, if having a good looking car is your priority you should rethink your priorities. Who exactly are you wanting to impress and why? Girls? Any girl who is attracted to you because you have a nice car is a gold digger bro, and not the sort of girl you want a long term relationship with.

 

The point of being alive for me is to break free of rebirth before I die.

 

I still splurge on eating out, or a good massage, or some other form of entertainment every once in a while.

 

It's nice to be financially solvent and debt free, and living below your means.

 

Life is awesome when it's simple.

 

 

it's really depressing.

all these money-saving tips.

 

what's the point to being alive?

Edited July 18, 2013 by More_Pie_Guy

[thelerner]

it's really depressing.

all these money-saving tips.

 

what's the point to being alive?

To enjoy life. Saving some quid for emergencies and having enough left over after a paycheck to spend on things you really enjoy make thrifty money saving tips and habits worth it.

[i am]

I pretty much follow your advice already, and my life is pretty enjoyable.

 

1996??? I've never owned a vehicle newer than 93

 

But there's a point of diminishing returns...there's a sweet spot with used vehicles, where they're old enough that you can buy them without a loan, but they have lots of good life left in them.

 

You go too old, and they start needing major work, often (but not always). My most recent vehicle purchase is a 1978.

 

I haven't even had a tv for years, so no cable obviously. Name brand soaps and detergents?? Hell no! Unless they're cheaper. Do people on this board really care about that?

 

 

I hardly own anything that draws "phantom power". Appliances with clocks on them, when you have three other actual clocks, including your cell phone, in the house already, etc.

 

Very good points, and hopefully most of them are no brainers to most people!

Edited July 18, 2013 by i am

[narveen]

Narveen, I have my own set of money saving things I do, and the point is so that I can enjoy international vacations as well as private martial arts instruction from a teacher across the border. My friends who make the same amount I do can't seem to afford either.

 

well, seems like your money-saving is different and not as severe as pie's.

 

pie's money-saving ideas are doomsday stuff.

to the point of avoiding spilling even a drop of blood

when you need to cut your own throat to keep from starving

[narveen]

i know right?

i even prefer to drink water most of the time...............

 

rain or tap?

[narveen]

To enjoy life. Saving some quid for emergencies and having enough left over after a paycheck to spend on things you really enjoy make thrifty money saving tips and habits worth it.

 

sun tzu thinks this is a dumb move

if you were to extrapolate from his war strategy

 

but then sun tzu was providing counsel to

chinese emperors with american dna

not losers on the defense anticipating a rout

Edited July 19, 2013 by narveen

[Thunder_Gooch]

lol what about my money saving tips so awful man lol?

 

What does any of my stuff have to do with doomsday?

 

 

LOLLLLLLL

 

 

Seriously man like why exactly would you want to **** your money down the drain?

 

Save it for things that REALLY matter to you.

 

 

 

well, seems like your money-saving is different and not as severe as pie's.

 

pie's money-saving ideas are doomsday stuff.

to the point of avoiding spilling even a drop of blood

when you need to cut your own throat to keep from starving

Edited July 19, 2013 by More_Pie_Guy

[BaguaKicksAss]

well, seems like your money-saving is different and not as severe as pie's.

 

pie's money-saving ideas are doomsday stuff.

to the point of avoiding spilling even a drop of blood

when you need to cut your own throat to keep from starving

 

I re-read it... mine are a bit different...

 

I don't watch TV.

 

The tapwater here is safe to drink (so I don't buy bottled water either, I fill up the empties from the odd time I do with tap water).

 

I bicycle everywhere, and take a taxi a couple of times per month. Transit is good here too (it isn't in many places). However one of my friends who I mentioned above also bikes everywhere).

 

I stopped shopping in thrift stores after everyone started to do it and the prices went up. Now I shop at the manufacturer's warehouse sales. I happen to really like high-end workout gear . 80% off is good with me!

 

I have a roomate, but still have 3 bedrooms a yard and a garage, so all is good.

 

I don't shave, being female and all (and no leg hair, thank the gods).

 

Showers, don't mess with my shower! I don't mind paying an extra $20-$50 per month for nice hot baths and full water pressure in my shower head .

 

I'm also too lazy to hand my clothes to dry, all my chinese neighbors (that would be all my neighbors) all hang their clothes outside though. Of course they also have giant veggie gardens too!

 

I shop at the chinese veggie markets for my veggies, and the meat market for my meat. Supermarkets are too expensive and also really low quality for both of the above. I buy any canned food at costco, costco rocks!!! More pie guy, go shop at costco!

 

Our dishwasher actually takes less water than washing them by hand, one of those fancy energy saving ones.

 

I use LED lightbulbs... that is just out of preference though.

 

I cross border shop as much as possible.

 

I live in canada so have free medical.

 

I fly to the US from tues-thurs because fares are less then.

I do international travel in February because it is by far the least expensive time of year (half price sometimes).

I stay in 2 star hotels when I travel, or youth hostels if international.

Said 2 star hotels always come with a fridge so I can eat healthier than eating out.

 

I tend towards Pho or good low cost sushi when eating out, but try to avoid eating out as it isn't very healthy.

 

I compare prices online for purchases. Saved about $1000 on a $3000 purchase for my business lately.

I shop wholesalers instead of retail when I can.

 

I usually end up getting things brand new for half the price (same brand) as other folks. Considering how much I spend per year on stuff for my business, very much worth it.

 

I learned to do most of this when I realized I had to save up $5000 in 6 months once. I just stopped eating out, shopping at less expensive places for groceries, and hit up ebay for anything else needed.

[Thunder_Gooch]

full water pressure in my shower head

http://www.amazon.com/Niagara-Earth-Massage-1-25GPM-showerhead/dp/B003UQ17O4/

 

a 1.25 GPM like this one will actually feel like it has more pressure than a standard 2.5 GPM shower head.

 

I use CFL lights but +1 for LEDs.

[zerostao]

rain or tap?

ive got a few taps around in these hills, they flow year 'round

[Thunder_Gooch]

http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-6201-18-Inch-Staysharp-Mower/dp/B0045VL1OO/

 

updated with link to manual push lawnmower.

[gendao]

OTOH, in the future yards will simply be replaced with beautiful, edible yardens...minimizing or eliminating the usage of lawns and mowers altogether..

[xor]

http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-6201-18-Inch-Staysharp-Mower/dp/B0045VL1OO/

 

updated with link to manual push lawnmower.

 

I've used one of these(older model, probably fiskars as well) when I was around 6-8 years old. I would mow a couple of houses lawns for an ice cream and I don't remember it being that tough to work with.

[BaguaKicksAss]

All of my neighbors do so much vegetable gardening that it looks like a park around here nearly . They all have greenery up and down every single fence and throughout their yards. (me on the otherhand is happy that my rosemary, and rue are doing well lol).

 

We have a push mower too, those things are awesome, so quiet. I really wish my neighbors would get some.

[skydog]

Oh yeh, if anyone wants to move the offtopic posts to another thread, maybe it would be good to MPG

Edited August 30, 2013 by skydog

[BaguaKicksAss]

If you would like me to split this topic into two MPG just let me know. The lines in some posts are blurring a bit here though .

[Uroboros]

If you would like me to split this topic into two MPG just let me know. The lines in some posts are blurring a bit here though .

 

haha! Yes. I have been bad. Not staying on topic.

 

People keep posting interesting stuff! I must reply! I must learn! We must converse!!!

[Thunder_Gooch]

If you would like me to split this topic into two MPG just let me know. The lines in some posts are blurring a bit here though .

Sounds awesome thanks.