var json_comments = new Array("
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Cat_In_A_Hat
April 13, 2009 7:24 PM
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The blue-cheese dressing tip just made me gag.

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3 replies
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calquist
April 13, 2009 7:47 PM
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@Cat_In_A_Hat: I had that reaction to the Moon Cup. Yuck! Balrgh!

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lannister80
April 13, 2009 11:05 PM
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@nakedscience: Would you be OK with a moon cup for your butt?

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calquist
April 13, 2009 8:04 PM
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@nakedscience: I'm a girl. I understand, but the whole idea of the cup and it inside and the pooling and the touching. Blargh!

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veg-o-matic
April 14, 2009 12:54 PM
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@calquist: I felt the same way when I gave the ol' diva cup a try, but seriously, it's way more sanitary than uh.. more.. traditional methods. The \"old\" way strikes me as very \"blargh!\" now, not the other way around.

Plus the $$ savings. Can't beat that.

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 7:34 PM
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@Cat_In_A_Hat:

Yeah improve the taste by cutting it with mayo? if you don't like the taste of blue cheese why buy blue cheese dressing?

If anything i'd want to add more blue cheese flavor to the dressing not less.

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Yoko Broke Up The Beatles
April 13, 2009 7:25 PM
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Damn, one person saving $350 or so by stopping drinking for a month? That is borderline alcoholism!


On the other hand, I want to party with this person when he/she is back on the sauce!

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14 replies
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caligulala
April 14, 2009 1:40 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: Umm, in my single days my monthly \"entertainment\" expense was $1200-$1400 easy. Most of my friends are in the bar industry, so a night out is a NIGHT out, as in 12 hours.

Eventually my investment did pay off when I met my husband in a bar. Well worth it, though my liver will probably be recovering for a few more years.

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xyxvv
April 14, 2009 9:36 AM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: Cheap stuff, surely you jest!

I drink almost everything straight up, not even on the rocks, and I love to grab whatever the local microbrews are coming up with for beer.

If you can't taste the difference between a cheap drink and a top shelf you really need to get out there and start trying more foods and drinks. You don't need the pallet of a 5 star chef, but being able to tell what you have in you mouth helps allot.

Seriously, have any of you watched stuff like Gordon Ramsay's F Word or Kitchen Nightmares? It's sad to see someone not be able to tell blindfolded the difference between a piece of chicken and a piece of fish or a tomato from a strawberry.

But I guess that all goes to the deeper issue of people these days not knowing how to cook, I'm a dude and I'm always cooking, theres no excuse for you not to be able to throw some cheap meals together from a few raw ingredients.

Lastly, toss that Apple TV if you want picture quality, it's pretty cheap these days to hit a shop like newegg and put together a silent and powerful hdtv dvr box, if you're worried about noise just splurge on a high capacity heatsink, you can with little to no skill overclock the cpu, especially the black edition amd cpus which have unlocked multipliers. A cheap 4050e can also be underclocked and fitted with a decent cooler and run fanless if the case has good airflow like many models of coolermaster case that have the whole face and sometimes a whole side pannel a mesh screen. As for video, any current series gpu that isn't equipped with turbocache or hypermemory that is using at least 128-bit connected gddr3 memory to remove the memory connection bottlenecks most cheap cards have, the cheapest ones are just the junk integrated motherboard gpus on their own card and leech most of their memory from much slower system ram.

Lastly use linux in such a box, unlike windows it is free of charge legally and has an excellent media center called MythTV as well as most linux video applications supporting nvidia's VDPAU, an instruction set that lets the computer offload all of the video decode for almost every format at hd resolutions to the graphics card, freeing up the cpu for handling the tv card and general operation of the computer. You must have an Nvidia card from the geforce 8,9 or gt/gtx1/2 series for this though. AMD/ATI is working on bringing theirs to linux as well under the name XvBA, which unlike nvidia looks to be released as open source code and documentation, which AMD has been providing for ATI's entire back catalog of parts since they bought them in 2005. As of now they have most GPUs working with an open source driver, including experimental stage 3d working on the HD2/3/4 series GPUs.

Progress of the AMD/ATI open source drivers can be tracked in ley terms here [wiki.x.org] and tested working 3d applications here [wiki.x.org]

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th1nwhiteduke
April 14, 2009 1:22 AM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: I like how $350 a month on booze is totally cool, but buying clothes not on sale makes you a sap. Last time I checked, clothes last more than a night. Seriously, $4,200 a year on booze? At what income level would we says that is an acceptable amount?

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xyxvv
April 14, 2009 9:53 AM
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@th1nwhiteduke: Clothes are meant to last, if you're one of the nitwits thats chasing every trend in fashion you have just as big a problem as an alcoholic. $350 a month is easy to spend on a consumable like alcohol if you actually care what you drink.

If you're dropping $350 a month on Milwaukee's Best and 40's of malt liquor then you're an alcoholic. If you spend every other day at a department store looking for clothes then you're a shopoholic.

Whats more worthwhile to drop the money on, some clothes you're going to maybe wear once, or dropping it on bottles of good wine and spirits and cases of microbrews to share with your buds in the back yard while cooking out on the pit?

It are delicious microbrew [www.newglarusbrewing.com] you must try some. Don't knock the cherry and raspberry stuff till you've tried it, pretty good stuff.

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jcongdon
April 13, 2009 11:32 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: Ms. Mae's, a dive bar down here in New Orleans, does what it can to save my wallet. $2 doubles all the time, and they're open 24/7.

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ShariC
April 14, 2009 12:17 AM
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@jcongdon: Being an alcoholic isn't a matter of how much your spend or even how often you drink. It's about why your drink and an inability to stop drinking.

Personally, I've never touched alcohol and have no interest in it, but I grew up with an alcoholic father. He drank to numb himself to his difficulties in life and he couldn't stop, but he rarely spent more than $50 a month. This was a long time ago, but the point is that you can't look at budget items and conclude \"alcoholism.\" It's about psychology, not cash.

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 9:53 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: Sorry Yoko, but spending $3.50 is also alcholism according to what I have learned. And by the way....F*ck you for breaking up the Beatles!

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Guvmint_Cheese
April 13, 2009 9:00 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: Brewing your own beer can save you quite a bit too, especially if you like buying expensive micros. I invested in a couple of corny kegs and a kegerator a few years ago and haven't bought beer (for home consumption) since.

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Penny
April 13, 2009 8:43 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: Between my boyfriend and I we definitely hit this number, especially if we're treating ourselves to decent wine/beer/liquor.

Then again, maybe we are alcoholics.

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Jason Rose
April 13, 2009 8:18 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles:

I just checked my mint.com, and fail to see how this is \"borderline alcoholism\". A decent bottle of scotch is $30+, a decent 12 pack of beer or bottle of wine around $12. A drink at a restaurant or bar is $3 - $10. If you were to go out 1 or 2 times a week for drinks, and enjoy 1 or 2 drinks a night (far from alcoholism), you're easily around $350. Bring a wife or girlfriend into the equation and your well past the aforementioned mark.

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Applekid
April 13, 2009 7:55 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: You can probably build a mighty fine distilling tower for $350.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 7:46 PM
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@Yoko Broke Up The Beatles: Seriously! I might drink a couple bottles of wine a month. I can buy a $20 bottle of jack and have that last for 2-3 months. $350 on booze for ONE PRSON?! Yeeeeesh!

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wheresmymind
April 13, 2009 8:14 PM
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@nakedscience: If he's drinking at home I'd say that's pretty impressive, but speaking from experience a $300 monthly bar tab isn't as crazy as it sounds. A good night of drinking could easily run you $50-75, especially in a city (think 3-4 beers, some shots, a cosmo for that girl in accounting you've got your eye on, juke box money, maybe a car-bomb somewhere, tips, a slice of pizza for the cab ride home...). Figure 4-6 weekend nights out per month. The expense is insidious because it's easy to justify - you're not going on any benders, you just like to go out and have some fun Saturday night. Fortunately, this type of dilemma has an easy solution - if your friends insist on going out, the good ol' flask trick mentioned in the list never fails!

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Con Seannery '09: Illegal in 1 Giz
April 13, 2009 10:40 PM
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@wheresmymind: Save money! Instead of going out, drink at home by yourself.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:14 PM
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@wheresmymind: I think I'm just not a huge drinker, but yeah, you're right. Still, if you don't have much money, save money by drinking at home.


OR DIVE BARS.


This is why I only do dive bars. My dive bar sells $3.50 mix drinks -- Jack 'n Coke all night, baby! And it's STRONG, because, well, dive bars are awesome.


I can get TRASHED (if I wanted to) on $20. That includes tips.

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t0ph
April 13, 2009 8:17 PM
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@wheresmymind: Agreed. $350 is not much at all. Thats like 4-6 nights out if you are taking care of your bartender..

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calquist
April 13, 2009 7:50 PM
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@nakedscience: $50/night isn't that much at the bar. And if you go to the bar twice a week (aka college)...

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:00 PM
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@calquist: Someone in college has $50 a WEEK to spend at a bar?! Wow.

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Aaron Moon
April 13, 2009 7:32 PM
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\"HAVE ONLY 4 PERIODS\"
1 Way To Save My Life...


:( wish my gf would read this article.

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17 replies
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NewsMuncher
April 14, 2009 7:48 PM
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@Aaron Moon:
I take ortho tri cyclen lo for my oral birth control and here's a note for the boys: oral contraceptives have been shown to decrease a woman's libido and lubrication/enjoyment. And I've read elsewhere that it takes time (and sometimes never) for a woman's libido to recover from the pills. I've noticed a change in my own body that may be due to these things - and I'm still young. [www.womens-health.co.uk] [www.msnbc.msn.com]

Truthfully, it's not considered certain whether or not BC pills affect a woman long-term after she's stopped taking them - but it hasn't been disproven, either. Word to the wise.

Respect. That's all I can say. I would suggest things to my awesomely wonderful husband, but I would NEVER push him to take ANYTHING into his body he's not comfortable doing and respect that his body does things and experiences things I don't understand because I've never been male. He does the same for me, and that's why he's mine. :) (I love you, honey)

Also: I use the Diva cup - I initially started using it for hiking trips, when you just don't have room for all the extra stuff and can't dispose of the pads. It works really well, though some days I find a pad to be much more comfortable. They run about $30 and the label recommends them for about a year's use.

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HurfDurf
April 14, 2009 6:40 PM
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@Aaron Moon: try this out. SNL's \"Annuale\" If it doesn't embed, URL is here:
[www.hulu.com]

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lincolnplacelovesyou
April 14, 2009 5:47 AM
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@Aaron Moon: I can't believe no one's mentioned the Mirena IUD. I HEART MY MIRENA!
1. I think it's $200 + doctor and lasts 5 years. My insurance covered all of it.
2. After about 7 weeks of spotting, you basically never get your period.
3. I've never had kids and usually IUDs are talked about as something for women who have, but it's worked great for me--not having your period is like having every day be 72 and sunny.

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Avolition
April 14, 2009 1:07 AM
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@Aaron Moon: It's not healthy for everyone. If I had four menstrual cycles, I'd be homicidal. I get incredibly moody/scary.

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Summer Shafer
April 13, 2009 11:56 PM
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@Aaron Moon: i'm a little confused as to how not having a period saves money. when i was on seasonique, grand total for a year was $700, no insurance. even if you can get a prescription for $20 a month, that's still $240 a year. i think pads are cheaper in the long run. it's the other benefits that make the money worth it, no monthly migraines, cramps, exhaustion. sorry, not a good money saving tip.

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Katxyz
April 14, 2009 3:35 AM
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Yeah, if you aren't already on birth control, or you don't want to or can't play with your hormone levels, it seems like buying a cup will save you the most amount of money in the long run. I think a cup is better than the DIY reusable pads for most women since it's more similar to products they already use and there's no need to spend time washing it.

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sarahq
April 14, 2009 1:21 AM
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@Summer Shafer: I should mention my copay's only that low now that the generic version has come out.

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sarahq
April 14, 2009 1:21 AM
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@Summer Shafer: I suppose it depends on what you're taking. I take Yasmin continuously; 4 packs (a 3-month supply) is a $10 copay. $40 a year is way, way cheaper than 12 months of tampon and pad purchases.

(And if you're taking the drugs anyway for BC, then you're definitely coming out ahead.)

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pecan 3.14159265
April 14, 2009 12:59 AM
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@Summer Shafer: Well, I'd say a woman's biggest reason for taking birth control is the anti-baby making measures that come standard. The periods are a side thing.

@hedonia: I spoke to my doctor about it a while back, and she said that it's best if one only skips the non-hormone pills twice or at most, three times a year. She said it shouldn't be done more than that. I don't have any other information than that, but it's what she told me.

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unobservant
April 13, 2009 9:25 PM
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@Aaron Moon: Geez, you have to be super-nice to your gf and let her eat chocolate and just cuddle once a month? Poor you.

You know what sucks more? BLEEDING.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:51 PM
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@unobservant: Seriously. It always pisses me off when men are like, \"OH NOES my gf/wife has her period...life sucks for me noooow.\"


O REALLY? You aren't cramping and bleeding, shut the fuck up!

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 10:00 PM
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@nakedscience: @unobservant: More things that also suck: headaches/migraines, insomnia, cramps, stabbing pains, dizziness, vertigo, nausea...

Like a woman's going to want sex with all (or some) of that even if she wasn't bleeding.

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unobservant
April 13, 2009 9:56 PM
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@nakedscience: If someone responds to your comment with something like, \"It sounds like SOMEONE'S got a visitor,\" I'll hold 'em down for you. ;)

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Con Seannery '09: Illegal in 1 Giz
April 13, 2009 10:52 PM
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@unobservant: Why aren't you in the kitchen?

HA! DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE, HUH?

But in all seriousness, I think he was joking.

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unobservant
April 14, 2009 12:46 AM
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@Con Seannery '09: Illegal in 1 Giz: Not from you - of all people!

@everyone else: I've decided to try a year of hormone-free methods (no job means no drug plan). I feel lucky to be able to do it since I don't have crazy crampy issues that require intervention like the pill. But if I have to go back, I'll try that pill trick.

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RomanaNuggler
April 13, 2009 9:05 PM
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@Aaron Moon: I haven't bought sanitary product in over 10 years. I am on the depo shot, and haven't had a period since. I LOVE it!

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JanetCarol
April 13, 2009 8:55 PM
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@Aaron Moon: What about taking Lybrel and having no periods.
it's awesome.

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HogwartsAlum
April 14, 2009 12:04 AM
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@JanetCarol:

My progestin-only BC makes me not have them for some reason. I'll have one every once in a while but mostly not. It's freaking awesome. I haven't bought anything but the cheapo pantiliners in over a year.

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unobservant
April 13, 2009 10:04 PM
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@JanetCarol: I was on Depo-Provera (which was AWESOME) but, after my last bone scan, I figured that I'd rather have a few days of discomfort than osteoporosis.

After looking up the side effects of Lybrel, I could probably also do without crushing chest pain, lung/leg/eye clots, and ruptured liver tumors, thx.

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Tankueray
April 13, 2009 10:51 PM
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@unobservant: Depo Rocks. I've been on it for 16 years and have regular bone scans. They've never been one standard deviation below normal. Women in other countries have been taking it for decades without a significant increase in osteoporosis.

As far as the pill is concerned. Originally it was created to not give you a period, however the inventor wanted to make it seem \"natural\" for the Catholic Church and women who feel comfort by having a period (OMG I'm NOT preggers!), so he added the placebos.

@hedonia:
Unless that Dr. went to a Catholic undergrad school, they teach that in most BioChem classes. They did in mine anyway. I've never met a Dr. that didn't know it.

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hedonia
April 13, 2009 10:28 PM
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@unobservant: The other option is to just take a standard birth control pill straight through - when you get to the end of the actives, throw it out and start on the next pack. My doctor suggested it as a way of dealing with insane cramps and very long periods (7-12 days), and I've never looked back. The funny thing is that my new doctor (after I moved) said that she NEVER HEARD OF doing such a thing.

(I switched doctors to someone who was awake during med school). =)

But seriously, even if you want to get it 2x a year, or 4x a year, you don't need a special pill. The stuff you're using right now will work just fine. Ask your doctor, or do a google search for some information. It is safe for women who are able to tolerate birth control pills in the first place.

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mythago
April 13, 2009 10:48 PM
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@hedonia: Or, get a hysterectomy. 100% successful and you don't have to deal with taking hormones.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 11:04 PM
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@mythago: i keep trying but my doctors tell me i am too young [32] to make a decision about a hysterectomy .. which is silly because they also tell me it's dangerous for me to have kids [due to a platelet problem]

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:12 PM
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@unobservant: my gyno put me on seasonique and gave me a sample pack [3 months worth] and told me to take them continuously, so i don't even have the 4 a year. my polycystic ovarian syndrome made my periods absolutely wretched - usually 6 weeks of vomiting and cramps.
i haven't had a period since august 2007. it's been sheer bliss

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Matt Meadows
April 13, 2009 7:48 PM
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@Aaron Moon: I love this comment. Classic! hahahha

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 7:36 PM
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I don't get the 'replace cable tv with apple tv' one. Wouldn't a net flex subscription be even cheaper?

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8 replies
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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 9:55 PM
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@harlock_JDS: Not only that...but if you get rid of your internet the Apple TV is NO GOOD.

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hedonia
April 13, 2009 10:31 PM
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@LegoMan322: Another good option for people considering this is to hook up a laptop to your tv. You can get one secondhand (or even free from friends or family who have a new one) and if you make sure that you get one with the proper output (or have a tv with a monitor input) you can stream anything you want on your tv. You just may want to invest in a wireless mouse, though!

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anduin
April 14, 2009 8:51 PM
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@hedonia:
best way is since most tv's nowadays are HD capable, get a dirt cheap laptop with the very least HD output then buy and HD cable from www.monoprice.com for like 4$+ shipping and you then have pretty damn good quality tv.

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Blinky987
April 13, 2009 7:47 PM
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@harlock_JDS: Apple TV is pretty much trash. If you like video games or have someone in the family who does, you can probably pick up a XBox 360 ridic cheap and use streaming Netflix. I use my PS3 to stream Hulu on my plasma TV.

There is some bottleneck somewhere in the PS3 where it can't do the 480p rez on Hulu.com (and every PS3 I've ever come across downloads like a dog on PSN), but I've gone a long time without having TV.

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xyxvv
April 14, 2009 9:58 AM
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@Blinky987: I think thats just Hulu's shitty programming, they've ha tons of issues even on windows using Flash 10's video acceleration, even on top end gpus like the HD4870 or 9800GTX+, cards which can handle the feed from anything else without breaking a sweat.

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cerbie
April 14, 2009 6:05 PM
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Dammit! I wanted to plug Lunch In A Box!

Snuggles: just get rid of them entirely.

Printers: PAY ATTENTION TO THE YIELD. Not all laser printers are bargains, when it comes to toner cost.

Dimmers: typical dimmers do gives the bulbs the jolt of being turned on, quite a few times each second (a variac dimmer would be so awesome...). In addition, you usually need special bulbs to properly use a dimmer with CFLs.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 7:44 PM
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@harlock_JDS: yes, but you're not getting the same thing. With Apple TV, you can watch TV shows as they are added on iTunes, and with netflix you can only do DVDs.

Personally, I think the most frugal option of all is to connect the computer to the TV and watch everything online and then have a budget for renting/buying movies.

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anduin
April 14, 2009 8:49 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265:
or borrow from the library, mine has hundreds of movies and quite a few good ones, seriously cable is so overpriced and takes way too much time to watch a show nowadays... Im pretty tight as far as the amount of entertainment hours I can fit into my week and watching 20:51 minute shows instead of 30 minutes on cable really adds up...

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 7:40 PM
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@harlock_JDS:

heh and anoteher thing. The 'SPLIT INTERNET WITH NEIGHBORS' one likely violates your IP's TOS (charging other people to use your non commercial internet connection) and will likely get you disconnected if a cable guy notices it.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 7:37 PM
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Can anyone explain the mason jar in the toilet thing? How does that work?

And I'm not getting how buying mitts replaces scrubs, because part of the reason why the scrub works (in some scrubs, anyway) is because of the cream/liquid that holds the grains which exfoliate. I'm not too into rubbing a wet brillo pad across my face so I use a scrub that exfoliates, but also cleanses my skin.

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12 replies
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amandakerik
April 13, 2009 9:09 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: \"Can anyone explain the mason jar in the toilet thing? How does that work?\"

You would put the jar in the toilet, pushing it down so it fills with water. As the toilet flushes, the jar displaces water - the water in the jar takes up room but doesn't go down the toilet.
As the tank fills, the water level goes over the height of the jar, letting it exchange the old water for new.
(Much like a cup of milk lowered slowly into a bathtub still lets the milk and water mix and spread.)

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springboks
April 13, 2009 8:52 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: It really doesn't even have to be a Mason jar, anything that'll displace water in your toilet tank, A rock or something would be fine too. Arguably some old toilets don't have large enough tanks, and depending on the size of the business you have to give a courtesy flush. Nice tip though. I don't frown at flushed water, at least it's recycled, and not water sprayed on a lawn. Are a couple flushes really going to save you that much money?

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gqcarrick
April 13, 2009 8:10 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I am guessing the mason jars take up space therefore it turns a bigger water tank into a smaller one and you spend less money on your water bill. Its basically a way to turn a regular toilet into one of those low flow ones.

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trrwilson
April 13, 2009 7:55 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: You put the jars in the tank of your toilet. This displaces water and will cause the fill switch to turn off early.


Most modern toilets let you adjust the fill level though. Or, barring that, you can just bend the rod that the floating thing sits on.

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Feminist Whore
April 13, 2009 8:19 PM
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@trrwilson: hehe, that floaty thing is actually called a \"bullcock\". hehehe bullcock...


@pecan 3.14159265: I use the mitts too, you should try it, it's not like a brillo pad, they're made for skin so it doesn't rip your skin or anything... you scrub lightly or with more pressure if you want to... Totally effective, just use regular cleanser with them. I'll NEVER go back to cream exfoliants. NEVER.

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dlab
April 15, 2009 3:08 PM
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@♥♥♥: No, no, no. It is called a \"ballcock.\" Even worse.

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 11:09 PM
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@♥♥♥: Snicker more. It's actually a \"ballcock.\"

I exfoliate with a washcloth. Works fine.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:22 PM
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@♥♥♥: The mitts sound interesting, but my cleanser is already a scrub and exfoliant, so I'm not really gaining much when I'm using mitts because then I'd have to find a new cleanser.

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locakitty
April 14, 2009 8:04 AM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I got some mitts because I have never liked washclothes and the poof was really annoying me. Never looked back.

I then got some Oil of Olay bar soap and use that for my body and face. No need for exfoliating face creams or body washes!

So, essentially, they are like using a poof on your face. I think they were about $2 at Target. I replace them about every 6 months. I wash them whenever I wash my towels, but let them hang out to dry.

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kexline
April 13, 2009 9:24 PM
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@Alys Brangwin feels g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s: When I was veggie, I always ate *sad*, not cheap. Everywhere in town, the only veggie option was stupid grilled squash doused in vinegar. Sometimes there was rice! Doused in vinegar.

I hope restaurants do better than that now.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:01 PM
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@trrwilson: I will definitely do this then...now...to buy jars...every jar I have in the house is small or is plastic. That won't do.

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Erin Cummins
April 13, 2009 10:39 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: DO NOT BUY MASON JARS!!!! At least not from a store! The grocery store will try to charge you over a dollar per jar. Every single yard sale in America has at least a few mason jars on the table! Check craig's list, check ebay, check freecycle sites, pay only a few pennies for them!

When you can food you buy a case of mason jars, and almost never can a case worth of foods. I grow my own tomatoes and can sauces and whole tomatoes every year. I've never used *all* of my mason jars at one time. I use them for coin jars, flower vases and candy dishes.` :-)

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kexline
April 13, 2009 9:03 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: Plastic is fine. The previous tenant in my house put two plastic peanut butter jars in the toilet, filled with water and sealed, and they sat there happily until I replaced the toilet last summer. They could easily have been there for ten years.

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kexline
April 13, 2009 9:05 PM
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@kexline: Oops, clarification -- I replaced the toilet because we were in a severe drought and I wanted a dual-flush, not because there was anything wrong with it. :)

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Eyebrows McGee (now with double the baby!)
April 13, 2009 8:56 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: You can also just get a low-flow toilet for around $100/$120 for a basic model.

The supply line to one of our toilets started leaking recently and since we had to have the plumber out to fix it ANYWAY, we just had him put in a new low-flow toilet (since we were paying labor and transit whether he repaired the existing or put in a new one). The $120 toilet will pay for itself pretty quickly, as the toilet it replaced was significantly older and used a lot of water.

We've started being on the lookout for these situations -- oh, we have to have the electrician in to repair this circuit that my husband pulled out of the wall during renovations ... let's have him upgrade this energy-hog fixture while he's here anyway.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 14, 2009 1:01 AM
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@Eyebrows McGee (on Twitter: LPetelle): This affects me less than I would think, since I don't pay my water bill. For the sake of saving water, I'll do it, but I don't pay my bill so I don't have any way of knowing how much money it would save.

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t0ph
April 13, 2009 9:00 PM
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@Eyebrows McGee (on Twitter: LPetelle): They also say putting a brick in your toilets tank raises the h20 level and uses less water.

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bibliophibian
April 13, 2009 8:53 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: Wait until you run out of pickles (or whatever) and use that jar.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 14, 2009 1:00 AM
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@ribblefizz: I might have to buy a jar of pickles. Everything I have is small!

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calquist
April 13, 2009 7:52 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: The mason jar holds the water so that it doesn't exit the tank and then it needs less water to refill.

And I agree with the mitts. Target/Walmart have some nice exfoliating creams that work well and are cheapo.

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peachplum
April 13, 2009 7:50 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I was also intrigued by the mason jar thing.
I imagine it works by preventing 1 quart of water from draining into the bowl, but with no lid, the water is free to circulate when the tank water level returns. Pretty smart!
I don't have any mason jars, but I'll try it with an old pickle jar or something.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 7:55 PM
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@peachplum: But doesn't the same amount of water end up in the bowl after each flush? So you're saving water in the jar placed inside the tank, but with every flush, the same amount of water is going to enter the tank anyway, right?

Maybe I'm just not well versed in toilet dynamics.

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RandaPanda
April 13, 2009 9:50 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: My dad did this at our house when I was growing up, only he used old milk jugs. Basically, he filled them up, sealed them, and put them in the tank, away from any of the functioning items inside. Then, when the tank filled up, it displaced the water and helped save on the water bill each month (well, until his three teenaged daughters decided to shower LoL!). But even once I grew up and got my own place, I did the same thing. I noticed a savings of about $5-$10 each month.

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merely_a_muse
April 13, 2009 7:48 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I thought the idea was buy a cheap face wash that washes your skin and the mitts will do the exfoliating for you

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Laura Northrup
April 13, 2009 7:57 PM
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@merely_a_muse: I tried the mason jar trick as soon as we received that tip, since I have a 1984 toilet that uses ridiculous amounts of water. The toilet tank drains below the level of the mouth of the jar, and a quart of water stays in the tank.

You can get the same effect with anything large and heavy that displaces water in the tank. A closed jar weighted with rocks works, too.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:14 PM
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@Laura Northrup: yeah, i heard about it two decades ago, living in florida with permanent water restrictions: the city advised putting a brick or two in the toilet tank. [but this can leave stains in the toilet over time]

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oneandone
April 14, 2009 8:24 PM
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@catastrophegirl: I'd never heard about the Mason jar / pickle jar, only the brick method. You can put the brick in a baggie to prevent stains. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with any of the flushing mechanisms.

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Laura Northrup
April 13, 2009 7:58 PM
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Sigh. Reply went to the wrong person. I keep doing that.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 7:53 PM
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@merely_a_muse: Well, this is what it says:

I used to buy an apricot scrub for my face. Instead of buying the scrub, I now use reusable hand mitts, whose texture exfoliates my skin. I bought them at a local pedicure place for $3. They work better and the cost of one bottle of the scrub is about the same for a pair of mitts.

So instead of the scrub exfoliating (and cleansing) he/she uses the mitts. It just leads me to conclude he/she stopped buying the scrub, and just uses the mitts. Which sounds awfully ineffective and/or painful.

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LastVigilante
April 13, 2009 7:40 PM
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Don't pens have metal in them and doesn't that usually wreak sparky havoc whence placed inside a microwave? So, to save five cents on a pen you'll have to buy a new microwave.
The savings are rolling in!

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7 replies
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Ninjanice
April 14, 2009 2:31 PM
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@LastVigilante: I've always just used a lighter to get the last bit of ink out of my ballpoint pens. You just hold the tip of the pen in the flame for a few seconds, being careful not to melt it. Sometimes you have to do this a couple of times to get the ink to flow.

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oneandone
April 14, 2009 8:26 PM
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@Ninjanice: Hairdryer also works. But then you're spending money on the electricity to power the hairdryer.... maybe I'll collect all my dying pens and keep them in the bathroom, and add 'blow dry pens while blow drying hair' to my morning grooming routine.

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Con Seannery '09: Illegal in 1 Giz
April 13, 2009 10:59 PM
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@LastVigilante: Well, for one, it doesn't damage the microwave if it sparks at all. That whole thing about the microwaves backing up the tunnel to the magnetron? Doesn't happen. Also, it depends on how the metal is set up. If it can arc, then yeah, you'll see some electrical arcs.

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AbsurdHero
April 13, 2009 10:05 PM
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@LastVigilante: I don't think the sparks would do much damage to the microwave. But I do think squeezing 1500 watts of power into that 5-cent pen is probably not worth it just to write for a few more minutes.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:17 PM
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@AbsurdHero: yeah, especially when i can do the same thing by leaving it out in the sun or on top of the dryer when it's running... and then flicking a lighter over the ball point for a second.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 7:42 PM
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@LastVigilante: Some clicky pens have metal springs and some have plastic slides, but with ballpoint pens (like the regular bic ones) it's hard to tell if there's any metal in it, or just the inkwell.

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Fujikopez
April 13, 2009 8:30 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I was told by an appliance dude that as long as the metal isn't touching the sides, it won't turn into a fireball. I asked him because my GE microwaves came with METAL shelves!

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tbonekatz
April 13, 2009 9:20 PM
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@Fujikopez:
My dishes with gold trim on the edge spark all over the place.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:51 PM
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@Fujikopez: But a ball of foil will still get violent in your microwavek, right? It's not touching the sides.

Reply
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Odiase
April 13, 2009 7:41 PM
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My BYOB Tip (\"Flask It\") made the list! WOOT!

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4 replies
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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
April 13, 2009 8:55 PM
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@Odiase: I keep meaning to buy a flask. I've been to a convention or two that would have been a lot more fun if I had had a nip of rum or amaretto every so often.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:03 PM
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@Odiase: This is what I do when I go to a baseball game! Chase Stadium (Diamondbacks stadium in Phoenix) lets you bring in closed liquids, so I bring my own water, and hidea flask for boooze. I still buy something to eat, though, because mmmm ballpark food so bad yet so good.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:08 PM
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@nakedscience: What is it about ballpark food that holds such allure? I can't avoid that $6 hot dog, I just can't.

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SybilDisobedience
April 13, 2009 10:26 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I know! It tastes better than a $1 hot dog at home, but I know it's the same damn dog. What's up with that? Must all be psychological.

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Odiase
April 13, 2009 7:49 PM
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@Odiase: Yo! Consumerist...you misspelled the title for on my other comments. \"FIND THE CHEAP FAS\". Cmon guys!

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Christian Williams
April 13, 2009 7:42 PM
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Buy a safety razor. Cheapest ones cost about 20-25 bucks, blades are about 2 for 10 at Walmart. You can end up seeing savings in 1-2 months. Plus its cool and you get a better shave. [www.classicshaving.com]

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2 replies
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Anonymously
April 13, 2009 8:21 PM
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@Christian Williams: My shaving costs are negligible using this method. 6+ months on a single razor blade made me shudder.

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Doug81
April 13, 2009 8:16 PM
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@Christian Williams: My face has never been softer or smoother. While I don't use walmart blades, it's still cheaper using pretty much any blade.

More info:

For other blades check westcoastshaving.com (as well as other stuff). For soaps, creams, and aftershaves checkout shavingessentials.net. Plus, I've gotten free samples from both with orders.

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Cat_In_A_Hat
April 13, 2009 7:43 PM
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I like the \"don't spend $5 bills\" tip. I wish I had that level of self discipline with the $100, $50, $20, $10, $2 and $1 bill.

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Myron
April 13, 2009 7:45 PM
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The microwaved pens alone will save me as much as 25 cents a year. This is great.

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4 replies
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Cary
April 14, 2009 3:01 AM
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@Myron: But doesn't microwaving kill all nutrition in the pen?

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calquist
April 13, 2009 7:53 PM
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@Myron: Who buys pens? They are 'free' at mostly any place where you need to sign a credit card slip.

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SybilDisobedience
April 13, 2009 10:26 PM
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@calquist: Probably the people who have to re-buy them when you steal them after signing the credit card slip.

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unobservant
April 13, 2009 9:30 PM
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@calquist: Not for the cashiers who have to bring their own pens because their managers are hella cheap.

/former cashier

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 7:45 PM
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Almost every DVD I own is $9 and under, most near the $5-$7 mark. Used DVDs for the WIN!


I think the only movies I've bought new are The Dark Knight and Tropic Thunder, because I knew I'd watch the shit out of them and was too impatient to wait.

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6 replies
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SybilDisobedience
April 13, 2009 10:27 PM
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@nakedscience: HALF-PRICE BOOKS! Don't think they're a national chain, but they should be. We get used DVDs there all the time, as well as the standard used books. Great, constantly rotating vinyl selection, too.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:19 PM
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@nakedscience: my coworkers recently organized a DVD swap. we each brought a dvd and traded around. everyone got to see a movie they didn't have or hadn't seen yet and no one spent a penny

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
April 13, 2009 8:57 PM
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@nakedscience: Along these lines, book exchanges are awesome. I'm surprised they didn't make the list.

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ajlei
April 14, 2009 1:53 AM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: I always go to library book sales... my roommate and I have made a sport out of it.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 10:18 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: I'm surprised the library didn't. Maybe because it's the sort of think that's usually on these lists.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:16 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: Yes! We have Bookman's here, which is a HUGE used bookstore that I love.


ALSO GOODWILL -- I have bought TONS of *hardcover* books for like $3 at Goodwill. Our local Goodwills have 50% off sales every other Saturday. $.50 and $1 hardcover books FTW. It's all hit or miss, of course, but I've picked up some gems, and found some awesome random books. LOTS of cheesy memoirs, my favorites!

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Kishi
April 14, 2009 12:23 AM
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@nakedscience: Ha, Bookmans rules! I sometimes end up picking up books for $1 at Goodwill, and then turning them in at Bookmans for a couple of dollars in trade when I'm done with them. Awesome.

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
April 13, 2009 10:05 PM
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@nakedscience: Srsly. And when you're done with them, you can swap them out for more books. ^_^

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robina
April 13, 2009 7:46 PM
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\"GHETTO ICED LATTE: In the summer when you want an iced latte, but don't want to spend $5 order an 'iced doppio' which costs $2 and add your own milk. In the iced drinks they don't steam the milk, so you're paying $3 for them to put it into your glass for you.\"

As a former worker of both an independent coffeeshop and Starbucks, I can tell you that the baristas will notice this, and you won't be so welcome anymore. (aka they'll mentally be giving you a swift kick in the ass). Milk is very expensive.

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15 replies
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Con Seannery '09: Illegal in 1 Giz
April 13, 2009 11:05 PM
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@robina: What about the cashiers that less pretentious places have? Will they hate me, too? You are not a barista. You are a cashier. That is not venti. That is large. This is not a frappuccino. This is coffee you stuck in a refrigerator.

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unobservant
April 13, 2009 9:41 PM
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@robina: Have you ever seen a McDonald's iced coffee being made? It's literally a cup full of ice with a tablespoon or so each of cold coffee and creamer. You'll never think you're being overcharged for Starbucks after witnessing THAT.

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amandakerik
April 13, 2009 9:12 PM
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@robina: \"Milk is very expensive.\"

2 bucks without, 5 bucks with? That IS expensive milk! 3 dollars for MAYBE 1/2 a cup? 24 bucks a gallon *whistles* sounds like you should just buy retail - it's a huge whopping 4 bucks a gallon up here in Canuckistan (Canada).

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robina
April 14, 2009 4:26 PM
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@amandakerik: They can't just go to the grocery store and pick up a jug. They have to run through a supplier, as I know at my old store, we easily ran through 6-9 gallons in an hour during the morning shifts. And those suppliers charge you for the big refrigerated semi they haul around their milk in. So, yes, its very expensive.

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NYGal81
April 13, 2009 8:51 PM
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@robina: That was my thought as well. I've never been a barista, but I generally resent when people try to get something for nothing by being \"sly.\" It's one thing to like your coffee light and ask for some room. It's another thing altogether to use 4 or 6 (or more...) ounces of half-and-half out of the pitcher to make your own latte. Jerks.

Also, I think it goes without saying that if you're trying to be very thrifty, you're going to wind up doing without a good number of the things you probably had before. If it's ok to rip off Starbucks, where's the tip saying you should disconnect your cable, but splice into your neighbor's? Or forget about sharing that WEP key. Why not just see who in your neighborhood doesn't have security on their wireless network? Isn't that basically the same thing? This is the kind of \"advice\" that perpetuates negative images of cost-conscious people.

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thebt1
March 15, 2010 11:48 PM
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I'm not too worried about Starbucks. I think they're doing allright.

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pax540
April 13, 2009 8:48 PM
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@robina: yeah, but we're not sticking it to the baristas, we're sticking it to the corporations. i'm all for swindling starbucks out of an ounce of half and half. they can afford it.

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joellevand
April 14, 2009 2:58 PM
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@pax540: But you are sticking it to the Baristas when Starbucks has to lay them off or stop providing health care for their employees because hipster douchebags are trying to swindle BIG EVIL CORPORATION. Good job, there!

PS: I hate Starbucks prices myself, so I invested in a dual espresso/coffee machine. Spent $99 in 2006 on the machine and have probably recouped the price in the last few years by completely stopping myself from going into Starbucks.

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Avolition
April 14, 2009 1:12 AM
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@pax540: IAWTC wholeheartedly. And I say this as a current Starbucks employee.

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Blinky987
April 13, 2009 10:58 PM
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@pax540: Yeah dude fuck that company that uses that revenue to invest in health care for its part-time employees and expanding its business. You're totally entitled to that milk and being a skinflint. Good job!

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Skankingmike
April 14, 2009 4:35 AM
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@Blinky987: best response here yet.

People who get mad over companies trying to make money are dumb or socialists.

If you don't like companies to make profits there are places in this world that are better suited for you.

Companies #1 responsibility is to it's shareholders. #2 employees #3 customers #4 community. Companies that deviate from this idea tend to be mismanaged and often times run into the ground- see circuit city.

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SexCpotatoes
April 15, 2009 11:45 AM
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@Skankingmike: Uh, people who get mad over companies trying to rape their wallets are not dumb or socialists.

If you don't like companies to make profits there are NO places in this world that are better suited for you. If any company doesn't make a profit for long enough they either go bust or file for bankruptcy and reorganization.

There I fixed your comment for you. But really, I would argue that successful companies should put customers first, within reason, then take care of their employees (which are the community), then pay reasonable dividends to the shareholders. This seems like a sustainable business model where people are provided goods and services (at a reasonable cost and profit), by employees that are paid a living wage and provided with health benefits, and the business makes money to pay the shareholders. An unsustainable business model would be the current one with bloated management structures, fiscal irresponsibility, corruption, unchecked greed, next to no product safety or oversight, shortsighted programs that treat customers like criminals and extracting exorbitant fees and piling charges upon charges upon your patrons and lying to them like the banks and many companies have in THIS country.

Welcome to America, land of \"grab all you can, and fuck the other guy.\"

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NYGal81
April 13, 2009 10:27 PM
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@pax540: Try like 4 or 6 ounces. We're not talking about people who top off a beverage appropriately--we're talking \"small drink in a large cup and fill the rest with cream.\" Big difference.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 7:57 PM
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@robina: Starbucks has iced coffees that are around $1.50 for a grande...and their milk is set out for you to add as you please, so I'm not sure what the complication is, unless the tip was advocating going to Starbucks (or another coffeeshop) with your own drink and using their milk.

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robina
April 13, 2009 8:35 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: The tip is regarding something different. The milk that is out is meant to be used for adding a smaller amount, much like you would cream. The tip is referring to ordering two shots of espresso and getting it with ice in a larger cup, then dumping a good amount of milk into it. Basically cheating your way out of paying for the milk, which is what one is paying for in that \"$3\", not the method of delivery.

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
April 13, 2009 9:00 PM
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@robina: If I buy one, take it home, and then add milk, who's gonna stop me? Nobody, that's who. Better yet, why not just make the whole thing at home? Could it be done with a cappuccino machine?

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robina
April 14, 2009 4:19 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: Nobody - its your own milk :) And brewing at home is probably the BEST way to save money on coffee.

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NYGal81
April 13, 2009 10:28 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: If you take it home, no harm done. You're using your own milk/cream that you already paid for. You're paying for what you ordered, and not trying to scam them out of 3 dollars or so.

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Wren11
April 13, 2009 8:30 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: What happens is that people order an iced espresso in a large cup and then dump milk in to fill up the whole thing. Yes, we'll notice. And you'll quickly learn just how tightly we can pack ice into a cup. Milk is the most expensive part of latte-style drinks.

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_catlike_
April 13, 2009 8:25 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: It's seen as being a cheap bastard, because rather than just using the milk/cream to top off your coffee (like a condiment), people are dumping half a cup of milk/cream into the cup (instead of buying a latte, which is more expensive). I like milk in my iced coffee myself, but I only top it off with as much milk as I would be using for a regular cup of hot coffee. Usually the barista fills the cup all the way up with coffee to deter the addition of more than a splash or two of milk or cream.

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Fuzzy_duffel_bag
April 13, 2009 7:48 PM
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I don't get some of these. It's like you're DIYing stuff you don't really need in the first place.

For example, rather than buy deionized water and rubbing alcohol, I clean my glasses under hot water in the sink.

Another $3 saved.

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7 replies
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theysaidwhat
April 14, 2009 12:25 PM
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@Fuzzy_duffel_bag: The little microfiber cloth works very well and will never scratch your lenses. Buy one and you are set for life. Mine came with my glasses.

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summerbee
April 13, 2009 11:41 PM
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@Fuzzy_duffel_bag: Windex works very well for cleaning my glasses. Does anyone else do that?

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cerbie
April 14, 2009 6:09 PM
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@summerbee: yup. If my dry shirt tail can't do it alone, it's time for Windex.

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HogwartsAlum
April 14, 2009 12:11 AM
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@summerbee:

Vodka works for cleaning your glasses. And you can add a splash to your watered-down orange juice.

Screwdrivers FTW!

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 8:40 PM
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@Fuzzy_duffel_bag: I tend to get stuff on my glasses I can't just rinse off, probably because I have a bad habit of trying to touch my face.

It's painful when I facepalm.

I'd have rubbing alcohol around anyway but I don't know why it says to use deionized water on your glasses.

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Green Goth Brit Chick - AlternatEve
April 13, 2009 8:39 PM
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@Fuzzy_duffel_bag: Uhm, the tip is for when you're not near a tap I believe...

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ThinkerTDM
April 13, 2009 8:34 PM
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@Fuzzy_duffel_bag: The first time I read it, I saw \"contact lens cleaner\". Ouch.

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 7:48 PM
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@undefined:

I thought you had to pay for itunes tv ep's (it's been a while since i watched anything via itunes so it might be different now)

Not to mention netflix has tv ep's you can watch online (and i think netflix boxes are cheaper if you want to hook it to your tv).

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2 replies
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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:07 PM
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@harlock_JDS: Yes you have to pay for iTunes TV episodes. Yes, you can stream from Netflix, but the selection is not always the greatest.

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 11:10 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265:

Sooooooo 50 bucks a month is replaced with a device that costs 229.00 and requires that one pay for tv shows and movies (1.99 per tv show more for movie right).

This is only logical for someone that hardly watches tv and in that case it seems like a really expensive way to hardly watch any tv. I don't see how this saves any real money.

if someone just watched 12 bucks worth of tv a month via apple TV it would take 6 months to make up the cost of buying a unit and i doubt that someone who is watching enough tv to consider getting this will strictly stick to 12 bucks a month.

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xyxvv
April 14, 2009 10:09 AM
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@harlock_JDS: that and how many people in the us can do this legally? most everyone can't get a naked internet line, you have to either buy phone service or cable tv service with it. I'll stick with my sat tv and dsl thank you. Hy home made media server has already amassed tons of movies and tv shows, including dvd rips of every movie I've rented or borrowed and liked. Yes, I know, semi legal, but if I really wanted to save cash I'd be torrenting them. That and I already owned most ov the movies on VHS anyways, I'm not rebuying the old films on a new format.

If I need to game I still have my consoles dating back to the NES and my linux MythTV box is way more powerful then it needs to be, liquid cooling, donating extra cpu and gpu time to folding@home to help further cancer research.

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harlock_JDS
April 14, 2009 2:52 PM
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@xyxvv:

well anyone with sat tv (remember the advice was to replace sat tv with apple tv) probably already has high speed internet via another means.

It's not that hard to get DSL without a phone line, you just get constant upselling nagging.

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Alys Brangwin feels g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s
April 13, 2009 7:48 PM
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Become a vegetarian. You eat cheap everywhere!

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6 replies
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veg-o-matic
April 14, 2009 12:52 PM
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@Alys Brangwin feels g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s: So true.. and being vegan can be even cheaper: no wasting spoiled milk/cheese/eggs/etc.. huzzah!

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unobservant
April 13, 2009 9:47 PM
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@Alys Brangwin feels g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s: And if you live in a small town, you had better not get sick of fettucine alfredo!

Seriously, though... vegetarianism FTW. A bag of TVP that makes 10 pounds' worth of fake ground beef costs four bucks at the bulk store. Add a can of mushroom gravy, some frozen diced veg, (a bit of worcestershire sauce, bread crumbs, and an egg if you're not vegan,) and some mashed potatoes, and you've got some shepherd's pie right there!

I can also make a wicked awsome meatless loaf when I'm feeling especially ghetto.

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britne
April 13, 2009 11:48 PM
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@unobservant: please share these delicious recipes of which you speak!

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unobservant
April 14, 2009 12:37 AM
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@britne: Once I get around to updating trythisthing.com with the recipe, I'll message you. Follow me if you're interested.

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ExtraCelestial
April 13, 2009 8:00 PM
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@Alys Brangwin feels g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s: I wish! Even if you order something and ask them to omit the meat they still charge you the same. And like the case of the subway salad that cost more for cheaper ingredients, all around we get screwed.

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Alys Brangwin feels g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s
April 14, 2009 7:12 PM
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@TinkishDelight: Well, I don't know where you're eating, but if I know a place isn't going to serve a good entree, I order an appetizer. I've never eaten at Subway so I don't know about them, but I can make my own salad in 20 minutes at home. I also make my own lunches for work simply because I'm better at it than a restaurant.

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johnva
April 13, 2009 8:30 PM
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@TinkishDelight: Well, when a restaurant has actual vegetarian entrees, as opposed to what you describe, they ARE often cheaper than meat dishes.

Actually, it's a great tip for saving money just to cut down on how often you eat meat. Most Americans eat a ton of it, and it's among the most expensive food items. You can easily cut your meat consumption to a few times a week without going full-on vegetarian and you can save a lot.

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NeoNess
April 13, 2009 7:50 PM
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@harlock_JDS: Additionally with this, you risk your neighbor doing illegal activities online - yet it still points back to YOUR name and ISP.


This one is absurd.

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BenderRodriguez
April 13, 2009 7:54 PM
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Woo hoo!! My homemade bleu cheese, hot sauce and nearly spoiled meat dog food will practically pay for itself.

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3 replies
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Odiase
April 13, 2009 7:57 PM
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@BenderRodriguez: Not so fast there buddy. The hospital bill you might get from eating nearly spoiled meat will undoubtedly be greater than the 2-3 bucks you saved.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:04 PM
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@Odiase: Uh. \"nearly spoiled\" means nearly at the expiration date, not actually spoiled. If you freeze it right away, it's the same damn meat you would have bought two days prior.

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BenderRodriguez
April 13, 2009 8:03 PM
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@Odiase: I'm not eating nearly-spoiled meat, I'm making my own dog food from it. So I will be paying vet bills, not hospital bills.

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Wit
April 13, 2009 7:54 PM
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But... but Purex doesn't smell like Tide.

Also, blue cheese dressing + 1 part mayo? Yuck. I beg to differ on the flavor is much better part. If I wanted mayo, I'd have mayo.

The rice tip is really good though - I ate a lot of rice and broth the summer I was nearly broke.

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4 replies
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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
April 13, 2009 9:01 PM
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@Wit: Forget bleu cheese, I wanna know how to make my own ranch. Bleu cheese smells like feet.

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HotDish
April 13, 2009 11:20 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: Making your own ranch is easy, it will taste better than store-bought dressing, and it can be much healthier. It's basically dairy (some combination of buttermilk, mayo, and yogurt), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic and onion powder, and chives. I also like to add some fresh dill.

[www.foodnetwork.com]

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merq
April 14, 2009 2:27 AM
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@Wit: I went back to using powdered detergent to save money; I don't care how \"ultra concentrated\" liquid detergent is - if it contains water, it's not concentrated enough.

And I agree about bleu cheese dressing: it can be too intense, but cutting it with mayo sounds awful.

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:03 PM
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@Wit: I thought Purex was a brand name detergent. I got a few bottles of brand name detergent on sale and free (I had a coupon) but after that runs out I'm going to try Wegmans' store brand since it's always cheaper than any bottle of name brand stuff. Anyone know if it's any good?

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Wit
April 13, 2009 8:22 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I can't say I've ever tried Wegmans' detergent, but their other store brand items are usually of such high quality that I certainly wouldn't be afraid to.

I'm just a sucker for the smell of Tide.

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ExtraCelestial
April 13, 2009 7:54 PM
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I'd be fairly careful about the DIY dog food tip. A lot of people don't realize dogs are omnivores. You CAN give them too much protein.


Cat's on the other hand are carnivores so you can make basically the same meal for them just cut the majority of veggies.

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7 replies
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theysaidwhat
April 14, 2009 12:38 PM
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@TinkishDelight: Not a fan of making one's own pet food, but I don't want to start that whole debate. If you're going to try giving your dog your own food, please make sure you don't give your dogs things that are poisonous to them, but that you are likely to eat, like onions, grapes, raisins, etc.

I buy the largest bag of my dog's kibble I can find and store it in airtight containers. The difference in the price per pound in a 35-40 pound bag is much lower than in a five or 10 pound bag. We buy dog food roughly twice a year.

Another way to save on dog food? Check your dog's weight. Most dogs in this country are overweight. Talk to your vet--if you can't easily feel your dog's ribs when you pet him (you shouldn't be able to SEE them, but should be able to FEEL them), if he doesn't have a 'waist' when viewed from the side or doesn't have a tuck-up behind his rib cage from the side (for most breeds), he is fat. If you blindly follow the recommendations on the feed bag, you may well be over-feeding your individual dog. If you think that your dog is overweight, just cut his regular food back 20% and see what happens.

Also avoid store bought treats--they really soak you on those and it's easy to put unnecessary weight on your dog with them!

Use catalog services like kvpet.com, fostersandsmith.com and petedge.com to get toys, medications and grooming equipment at wholesale.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 15, 2009 4:08 AM
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@theysaidwhat: onions can be poisonous to dogs, please don't feed your dog things you would eat without checking with your vet or at least reading up on it

[www.petalia.com.au]

[www.petplace.com]

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theysaidwhat
April 15, 2009 4:34 PM
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@catastrophegirl: That's what I was saying. We actually agree here.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 15, 2009 7:40 PM
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@theysaidwhat: ah i'm sorry, i misunderstood it to say you should give your dog things you are likely to eat.

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theysaidwhat
April 14, 2009 12:42 PM
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@theysaidwhat: Oops, meant doesn't have a waist when viewed from above or a tuck-up when viewed from the side. Sorry!

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RomanaNuggler
April 13, 2009 9:11 PM
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@TinkishDelight: I've been making my own cat food for years. It is amazingly so much cheaper and SO much healthier.. but I was careful, and I use the recipe at http://www.catinfo.org a website run by a vet who studies feline nutrition.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:39 PM
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@RomanaNuggler: THANKS for the tip!!! I am pro-making your own pet food, but ONLY if you can put in the time and get the right ingrediants.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:10 PM
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@TinkishDelight: I have a friend that makes his own dog food (\"dog loaf\"). As long as do some research for a good recipe, it's pretty easy and dogs LOVE IT. (I've actually eaten this \"dog loaf\" -- it's bland but human safe lol!)


And that's a big, fat negative on the cat thing. It is a LOT harder to make cat food. Please don't do it unless you do some research! You can harm your cat! Cats need Taurine, an amino acid. Dogs (and humans) make their own Tarine, but cats do not, so it is added to their cat food.


Thus, if you are going to make your own cat food, make sure you do it properly so as not to kill your poor kitty. :)

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
April 13, 2009 9:02 PM
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@nakedscience: Isn't taurine a natural part of meat, though? As long as you're feeding them all meat shouldn't they be okay?

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:27 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: quite possibly - even the vegetarians recommend feeding your cat meat:

[www.vegsoc.org]

from the above link:
\"Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid essential for cats but not for other mammals. In the prolonged absence of taurine, a cat's retina slowly degenerates and the cat suffers eye problems and can become irreversibly blind. This condition is called central retinal degeneration (CRD). Cow's milk is a poor source of taurine and there is none in plant foods. The only rich source is meat. \"

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LandruBek
April 14, 2009 3:09 AM
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@catastrophegirl: OHAI! THINK THT SHUD SAY ONLY GUD SRCE IS CHEEZBURGERS! PLZ TO SAVE POR LTL KITTEHS FROM TEH BLINDNIS. KTHXBAI

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:17 PM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: I think it depends. I haven't done a whole lot of research on it. I just know it's a lot harder to feed cats homemade food than it is dogs. It just takes more effort.

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rockasocky
April 14, 2009 1:37 AM
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@nakedscience: It just takes more effort in general to get cats to eat food. The criteria for dogs to eat something is \"potentially food, fits in their mouth.\" Cats will do that thing where they sniff the food and then look at you like \"Srsly?\"

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 14, 2009 1:40 AM
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@rockasocky: that's too strict of a criterion for my dumb dog. his is more like 'fits in my mouth. don't care if it's food or not.' followed by 'let's look in the catbox for dessert'
no, i don't let him lick me. he'll eat anything. he's even tried to eat my diabetes test strips when the cat knocked the vial off the shelf.

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anker
April 13, 2009 7:57 PM
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By using a dimmer the light bulbs last WAY longer. This is beceuas they don't experience the sudden jolt of being turned on.


Whaa? I really want to know if this one is true.

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6 replies
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LandruBek
April 14, 2009 3:27 AM
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@anker: Pretty sure this is correct, for incandescent bulbs. (As catastrophegirl noted, you cannot dim ordinary CFLs.) You can read about why on Wikipedia, where they mention a particularly relevant fact:

Since the value of the electric power they consume is much more than the value of the lamp, general service lamps emphasize [luminous] efficiency over long operating life.

That is, for most of us, it's a false economy to make an incandescent bulb last longer. (Then again, there are always exceptions.)
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Amish Undercover
April 13, 2009 9:20 PM
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@anker: Another possible factor... dimmed bulbs just aren't as warm in general, meaning the bulb doesn't undergo as many extreme changes as often. While \"shock\" heat probably plays some role, the fact that the bulbs wouldn't regularly experience as much temperature variation is also probably important.

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Green Goth Brit Chick - AlternatEve
April 13, 2009 8:41 PM
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@anker: From my experience it is. Our lounge lights are on a dimmer, and we haven't replaced the bulbs yet, as opposed to the kitchen lights (the kitchen is next room over to the lounge, and used almost as much) which we've replaced THREE TIMES.

Landlord is going to install dimmer switches all over the house even if I have to beat him over the head with them repeatedly til he does it...

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wardawg
April 13, 2009 8:30 PM
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@anker: The myth that light bulbs take more energy to turn on actually only applies to \"energy efficient\" cfl bulbs, which need an extra boost of electricity to fire up their control circuits. Incandescent bulbs don't use any more energy turning them on and off, whereas cfl bulbs aren't \"worth\" it compared to their equivalent incandescent unless you keep them on for more than 2-3 minutes.

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Con Seannery '09: Illegal in 1 Giz
April 13, 2009 11:10 PM
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@wardawg: False. Try 3 seconds, maybe 4. It was MythBusted.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:29 PM
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@wardawg: which defeats the purpose of using a dimmer because you can't easily use CFLs with a dimmer. my sister didn't know that and put some in the kitchen light and they blew immediately. and the one in the fan light flickered for a long time before the electrician came to fix the switch [which was bad from a house flood that went down the wall, not from the CFLs.]
it was a waste of money to put CFLs in the lights with a dimmer because they didn't last as long as incandescents anyway.

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j-o-h-n
April 13, 2009 7:57 PM
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DRIVE LESS.
We live close enough to my work that I can walk.
One less car == $10,000 raise.

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4 replies
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johnva
April 13, 2009 8:23 PM
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@j-o-h-n: Yes, if you can do without a car you can save a HUGE amount of money. Actually, you can save a surprising amount even just by cutting down on your car use significantly. I started using my bike for many errands under a few miles away, and saved a LOT on gas when gas was at its peak price.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with double the baby!)
April 13, 2009 9:03 PM
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@johnva: If you don't drive much, you can get significant insurance discounts, as well. We can't be a one-car family because of our job situation, but I don't drive very much (or very far to get to work) and as long as I drive less than 8,000 miles a year, I can get a buttload knocked off my car insurance. (Which I can do in any year I can manage to group my classes so I don't have to drive to campus 5 days a week.) You have to report the odometer readings to the insurance company, but if you're not a big driver, it's DEFINITELY worth checking to see if they have a low-mileage discount.

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billsquared
April 13, 2009 8:17 PM
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@j-o-h-n: Ditto that here, except for me it's \"close enough that I can bike.\"

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:13 PM
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@j-o-h-n: I WISH! I did not get a car 'til last August, when my (now not so) new job made it almost impossible to take public transportation (2 buses, almost 2 hours each way, always late, etc.). So I had to get a car. :(

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 7:59 PM
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\"If you use eyedrops for any reason, there's NO need to use more than 1 in each eye.\"


Unless you're like me, and it takes 4 or 5 tries before one finally makes it!


\"CUT YOUR OWN HAIR\"


Oh hell no. I like my hair cut to be straight, and sometimes I want layers. I am not very hand-eye coordinated. I'd look HILARIOUS if I tried to cut my own hair.


And since I like my whiskey straight, it's only good whiskey for me!


And I'd love to change my own oil, but I live in an apartment and there is NO WAY I'm going to change my oil in the parking lot. Not gonna happen. Either the management will frown on it or, as a woman, I'll get bugged by all the stupid men in my complex. Ugh.

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12 replies
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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:32 PM
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@nakedscience: someone else on here told me once that some places like autozone will let you change your oil in their parking lot if you buy the oil/oil filter from them. i haven't tried this yet

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 11:18 PM
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@catastrophegirl:

every autopart place near me has signs saying 'no repairs allowed' in their parking lot.

Besides does it really seem like a good idea to lie down in a parking lot to change your oil. People talking and txting while driving have enough problems hitting upright objects and you want to lie down in front of them :)

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Jetts
April 13, 2009 8:46 PM
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@nakedscience: Agreed! If my mix is just two ice cubes, it will not change the taste of bargain barrel whisky to yummy Irish goodness.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:56 PM
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@Jetts: Seriously, man! Now I want a good Irish whiskey omg.

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He
April 13, 2009 8:26 PM
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@nakedscience: Put the drops in the corner of your eye (next to your nose) and then blink a couple times. No need to try to get it directly on the pupil from above.

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summerbee
April 13, 2009 11:45 PM
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@He: Agreed. I pretty much just pull back my lower eyelid & put the single drop in that way. (The one-drop thing was my suggestion, BTW. My eyedoctor gave me a very tiny bottle for pink eye last year and I was somewhat aghast, thinking that there would NEVER be enough in that bottle to last a full week. He said that anyone telling you that you need two drops is essentially scamming you.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:44 PM
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@He: I still suck at it! \"OH IT IS NEAR MY EYE? THEN MY EYELID WILL BLINK MUAHAHAHAHAHA.\"


Whenever I get my pressure checked at the eye doc, it takes FOREVER, because I get all weird and nervous.

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joellevand
April 14, 2009 3:00 PM
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@nakedscience: I used to have that problem too, but my eye doctor now uses this puff of air instead of the glass thing to check my eye pressure. Soooo much nicer.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 9:43 PM
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@nakedscience: Weird is not reacting when something comes at your eye.

Those drops mess with my head so I'm still expecting the thing to come closer even when it's touching my eye.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:52 PM
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@Rectilinear Propagation: I KNOW!! Freaks me out, and I don't freak out easily. \"GET AWAY FROM MY EEEEYE!\"

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:05 PM
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@nakedscience: Yeah I can barely curl my hair on my own, let alone handle scissors with precision. No thanks, I'll keep paying someone to cut my hair every 6 to 8 months.

I don't think there are rules against me changing my own oil on my driveway, but there's something about being under a 3,000 pound vehicle that makes me uncomfortable. Plus, I get free oil changes, car washes, emissions, etc. from my dealer.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with double the baby!)
April 13, 2009 9:08 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I think the hair tip only applies for some people -- like people with coordination, or people with curly hair. I cut my own hair, but it's so orphan-Annie curly that you can't see any errors anyway. They just curl out of sight. If I had straight hair, I'd never be brave enough to attempt it.

@nakedscience: I bring my own waiver to the eye doctor to make them NOT blow the stupid air puff in my eye. Last time I had it done both me AND the doctor ended up in hysterics. (Actually, now I go to a place that can measure with lasers! So nothing has to move at my eye!)

Anyway, CLOSE your eye, do the drop right up against your tear duct near your nose, and then blink your eye open a couple of times to get the liquid in there. It's the only way I can manage to do eyedrops. But you should tell your eye doctor (or regular doctor) you intend to administer your eye drops this way because sometimes they'll change the dosage -- like tell you to use 2 drops instead of 1 since you're losing medicine to your nose skin. :)

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:20 PM
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@Eyebrows McGee (on Twitter: LPetelle): Yeah, my hair is mostly-straight-to-kinda-wavy. It needs to be cut straight or I look hilarious.


Three years ago, they did the air-blow thing, it took like half an hour. And I kept laughing. It just was NOT working.


Last time I went, however, they did the lazer thing. THANK GOD.


I don't use eye drops much if at all, so I think I'm okay. I'm a stoner but I don't use eye drops because I hate them. haha.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:15 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: And you cut your hair about as often as I do! Yay! haha

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:54 PM
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@nakedscience: My regular stylists does really quick trims for free too! She says she'd rather do them for free than have someone try it themselves.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:58 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I have a LOT of thick hair that grows like fuckin' CRAZY. So I get a good 4-6 inches chopped off about every 6-8 months, and have them add some layers. Then 6-8 months later it has grown back, so I do it again.


Once I got a hair cut and she \"thinned it out\", and like, 2 months later I went in with my sister and decided to get a trim since I was there, and she was like, \"Wait...it doesn't look like I even TOUCHED IT...your hair grows really fast....\"


Haha.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:15 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: Yeah, I doubt management REALLY cares (there are always people fixing their cars in the parking lot, anyway), but I'd rather not work on my car in such a public place. Too many nosy neighbors. \"OH, can I help you? Why isn't your boyfriend/husband doing this?\" etc etc. Especially since I essentially live in the ghetto!


Sometimes I might be able to have a friend do it/do it at their house, but that's hit or miss, so I just make an appointment with my nice mechanic.

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johnva
April 13, 2009 8:15 PM
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@nakedscience: My lease specifically prohibits doing car repairs in the parking lot. They really don't like it.

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Anonymous
April 13, 2009 9:29 PM
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@johnva: A lot of apartment complexes put this in the contract so they dont have broken down cars sitting for months on end.

my complex had the same section in the contract and they didnt mind if I did my oil or brakes in the parking lot...

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:21 PM
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@johnva: Yeah, mine doesn't, but I live in the ghetto! But it's not an uncommon thing for a lease to have. And even though my complex doesn't care, I'd rather not. If my parents didn't live 2.5+ hours away, I'd just do it at their house, but ya, don't have that option.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:12 PM
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@BenderRodriguez: Actually, (most) dogs can handle slightly-spoiled meat just fine.

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BenderRodriguez
April 13, 2009 8:15 PM
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@nakedscience: I know this, my dog can (and will) eat practically anything she can without consequence. I was just being a smart-ass @ Odiase re his \"hospital\" response.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:20 PM
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@BenderRodriguez: lol! i totally left that comment in the wrong place, but yep! i gotcha. my friend makes their own dog food and sometimes uses expired meat.

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Bill2me
April 13, 2009 8:00 PM
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Great list but I'm not sure \"Flask it\" is really a safe suggestion.

Walk into a bar / restaurant and try pouring out of a flask into your soda and you'll quickly meet their staff of Bouncers. Same goes for trying to take a swig in the Bathroom or Parking Lot.

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summerbee
April 13, 2009 11:47 PM
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@Bill2me: Girl here. I've been known to shove one or two of those small bottles of wine into my purse. Then, I'll order a glass of wine & then refill in a bathroom stall as necessary.

The whole wine-in-the-bathroom thing doesn't gross me out at all, though I can see why it might to others.

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jcongdon
April 13, 2009 11:36 PM
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@Bill2me: Bringing a flask to a bar or sporting event is a fantastic idea. If you're scared, try growing a pair and being mildy covert.

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Bill2me
April 14, 2009 2:38 AM
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@jcongdon: There's nothing here about being scared.

Recommending that people carry around alcohol and secretly drink it while at a bar, restaurant, sporting event or whatever is bad advice plain and simple.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:16 PM
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@Bill2me: You just gotta be sneaky. And the most they can do is take your flask/ask you to leave.

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Bill2me
April 13, 2009 8:19 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: I don't make any reference to drinking and driving.

My comment simply points out that bringing your own alcohol to a bar or restaurant (and drinking it anywhere on restaurant property) is a great way to get in a lot of trouble.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:22 PM
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@Bill2me: \"in a lot of trouble\" -- not really. You might get kicked out, but there's not much else they can do, unless I'm missing something.


I sneak my own alcohol into baseball games all the time. Haven't gotten kicked out yet.


Normally I'll just buy a soda, go into the restroom with said soda, and poor the booze in the cup. Voila!

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Bill2me
April 13, 2009 8:49 PM
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@nakedscience: A restaurant would also be within it's rights to call the police if it felt it necessary. While its probably unlikely to happen, if you're severely intoxicated and they didn't serve you they may want to cover their buts in the event you leave and get into an accident.

In all honesty sneaking alcohol into anything (yes, even a sporting event) is really a poor thing to be recommending.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:59 PM
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@Bill2me: Oh, I wouldn't actually ~recommend~ it because, you know, whatever, but I've done it. So whatever.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:16 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: As long as said flask is closed, and you're not drunk, you're okay.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:34 PM
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@nakedscience: not where i live. i've lived in two states [NC and FL] where an unsealed container in the main body of the vehicle is considered an open container and will get you in trouble. the trunk is ok though.

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 8:24 PM
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@nakedscience: Not in the car, though--if it's not a sealed original packaging container of alcohol, that's an open container in some, perhaps all (since the open container laws are pretty uniform) areas. Basically, if you could have drunk from it in the condition it's in, it's a no-go in driver-access areas of the car.

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Ninjanice
April 14, 2009 2:51 PM
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@floraposte: Some areas have new laws that allow you to carry already opened liquor. In Michigan, you can have a restaurant re-cork your bottle of wine and take it home with you. I guess they decided it was better to let people re-cork their wine than to have people chugging the last bit so the wine doesn't go to waste.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:48 PM
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@floraposte: Actually, I just took an alcohol class thing because I'll be selling alcohol in a manager position for a festival soon. I know in Arizona, as long as it's CLOSED, it's not open-container. If I remember correctly, anyway.


Flasks are pretty common...

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 11:24 PM
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@nakedscience: The common version is simply anything but sealed in its original container.

It's not \"open\" as in \"not capped,\" it's \"open\" as in \"never opened.\" But it does vary from state to state--I know they're really tough around here. Flasks may be harder to find--presumably that's searching one's person rather than the car, for instance, so I suspect it requires different consent.

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howman
April 13, 2009 8:03 PM
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My wife and I buy things on sale and put the difference between the sale price and the non-sale price in a jar. We only buy things we actually would have bought anyway, not just because it is on sale.
Also, if you put minced meat into 1lb baggies to freeze, use sandwich ziplocks and flatten them out like a square hamburger. They freeze faster and thaw quicker when you need them.

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 8:03 PM
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is it just me or do some of these fall into ethically gray areas (or even totally into the unethical and illegal). Things like BYOB (which may be illegal in some areas with tough liquor licensing regulations, it could even cause the restaurant/bar to loose their license or get fined.) charge other people for your Internet connection (Likely violates your TOS with your IP unless you have a commercial account how is this any different than splicing your cable line and charging other people for your cable?), GHETTO ICED LATTE (yeah just use up all the milk the place makes available for coffee drinkers), DIVA CUP (LOL BOOBIES) Kinda cross the line

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 9:57 PM
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@harlock_JDS:

Ok this is embarrassing. i thought a diva cup was a bra type that showed a lot of cleavage. clearly i should have googeled it first (never known a woman that used one sorry).

so lets talk about the actual unethical ones and ignore this silly goof buy a stupid guy

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oneandone
April 14, 2009 8:49 PM
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@harlock_JDS: Or consumerist should have explained it - why the brief entry on this one? All the others got spelled out pretty well.

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 11:28 PM
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@harlock_JDS: Okay, that is hilarious. I could only think you were making some kind of joke I didn't get. But now I wish there wasn't the product, because I want to call my bra my \"diva cups\" (\"Puttin' on the diva cups, people!\").

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 11:37 PM
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@floraposte:

I'm still laughing at myself about it. I really thought it was some new Victora Secret branding (heck the name doesn't sound that out there compared to secret pink and angels) and the advice was to look sexy to get a better price.

And to think i thought i had a good discusion about ethics going on when i got home and saw so many comments :)

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bibliophibian
April 13, 2009 8:50 PM
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@harlock_JDS: In addition to what nakedscience said, your introductory line and the rest of your post is about unethical (at best) behavior. Where do Diva cups fit into that?

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:00 PM
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@ribblefizz: Oh noes. Periods. Women have *gasp* periods!


It always confuses me that people (mainly men) get so weirded out when someone even mentions periods.

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bibliophibian
April 13, 2009 9:25 PM
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@nakedscience: When my mother and I need to discuss what we're going to get my dad for Christmas, but he's eavesdropping, I just start talking about my cramps and how heavy my flow is. He's out of the house in 4 seconds flat.

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Jetts
April 13, 2009 9:16 PM
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@nakedscience: I just don't like sentences to end: if we all avoid the 'p-word' our lucky sentences can go on and on, but this one has been stretched about as far as grammatically possible so I will end it with enthusiasm!

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Green Goth Brit Chick - AlternatEve
April 13, 2009 8:44 PM
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@harlock_JDS: I love how Diva Cup crosses the line, but not make your own sanitary pads, or only four periods a year...

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 8:25 PM
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@harlock_JDS: I don't disagree with what you're saying, but you lost me on the Diva Cup. For that matter, you lost me on putting it on the boobies. Whuh?

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:49 PM
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@floraposte: Yeah, I'm like, boobies? Diva cup = period = vagina = not boobies.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:49 PM
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@floraposte: Although I guess since it's women-centric maybe that's why he said \"LOL BOOBIES\" -- maybe he means that, since it's women-centric, it doesn't matter and shouldn't be posted. I hope not :(

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 10:02 PM
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@nakedscience:

no i was off on what a diva cup was (i thought it was a low cut bra).

Sorry to offend i just never heard of one. trust me if i was that wired out by periods i's have to get a hotel room every time my wife has hers.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 10:23 PM
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@harlock_JDS: Don't feel bad. I hadn't heard of them either (though now that I know what they're for I think I've heard of the same product with a different name).

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:18 PM
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@harlock_JDS: A Diva Cup *crossed the line*?! Are you joking?! Newsflash: Women have periods! Most have them monthly. That means we women have to buy tampons or pads or what-have-you. Which gets expensive. It must be great to be a man and not have to worry about that on a monthly basis!


Diva cups are great. They can save a lot of money. How is suggesting them \"crossing the line\"?


OH NO WOMEN HAVE PERIODS!!!

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Tankueray
April 13, 2009 11:01 PM
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@nakedscience: It's actually great to be a woman and not have to worry about that on a monthly basis.

I too, think the Diva Cup is quite disgusting.

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nakedscience
April 14, 2009 4:20 PM
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@Tankueray: It must suck to hate being a woman so much that you find a Diva Cup disgusting.

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Xay
April 13, 2009 8:33 PM
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@nakedscience: Clearly the menstrual cycle should never be discussed in mixed company. Because girls are gross and menstruation attracts bears.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:36 PM
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@xay: i would say that actually it attracts dolphins, but i think on here it just attracts trolls

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 11:19 PM
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@catastrophegirl: and women willing to yell at someone at the drop of a hat for not understanding 'their time of the month'.

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RecordStoreToughGuy_starcommandseries.com
April 13, 2009 9:24 PM
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@xay: But what if you're a guy with a healthy attitude towards menstruation?

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Kishi
April 14, 2009 12:46 AM
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@RecordStoreToughGuy: Then you're quite possibly Dave Foley, and such mortal concerns are beneath you.

@Tankueray: The idea of the Diva Cup seemed a little weird to me, too, but my wife loves hers. So, to each their own.

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EYESONLY
April 14, 2009 7:01 AM
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@Kishi: @Kishi: @Tankueray:

Most women who use menstrual cups are pretty euphoric about them, and with good reason. Besides being cheaper and better for the environment, they're a lot more comfortable than the disposable stuff--plus, a lot of women find they stop having cramps after making the switch (or their cramps at least become less painful).

I made the switch about two years ago and I _still_ smirk every time I walk past a store aisle of disposable products I will _never have to buy again_!

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caligulala
April 14, 2009 1:35 PM
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@EYESONLY: Diva cup was possibly one of my best purchases ever. Love that thing.

Watch out for accidentally suctioning the cup to your cervix though...it feels like weird cramps. Repositioning equals relief.

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johnva
April 13, 2009 8:07 PM
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A lot of these \"tips\" are loony, and a few are illegal/contract violations (the Internet sharing thing comes to mind). But some others make good sense.

I think frugality is a good thing, but it can be taken too far. For me, \"too far\" comes in when I'm making large sacrifices of time, labor, ethics, or health in order to save what amounts to a few pennies. I definitely wouldn't try the toothpaste one (seriously, who spends a lot of money on toothpaste???) or the microwaving pens thing (come on...who cares about getting every last drop out of cheap disposable pens, especially at the risk of starting a fire or spewing ink all over your microwave?).

And you're definitely an alky, or just going to bars too often, or into fancy wine if you're spending $350 a month on alcohol just for yourself. I'd recommend getting the good stuff and drinking less, at home, to save money on that.

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citking
April 13, 2009 8:12 PM
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I find it funny that the people complaining that the internet one \"violates an ISP's TOS\" have probably violated it in hundreds of other ways. I would imagine several of you are already sharing wireless without knowing it or have used someone elses wireless yourself. Even one torrented song and you've done enough to be cut off.

Anyhow...

Of course the tip won't work for everyone and I did clarify it in the last post. I've seen this work before very well amongst a group of tight-knit neighbors.

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rbb
April 13, 2009 8:21 PM
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Some of these can get you into a lot of trouble. The suggestion to make large purchases out of state to avoid paying your own state's sales tax is illegal in many places. Virginia for example, has a line on it's tax form to voluntarily confess the amount you spent and then pay the tax. One friend was even sent a bill by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the sales tax on some furniture he bought in the Carolinas. It seems that Va forced the dealer to cough up their records to find the VA tax scofflaws.

And sharing out your internet connection is undoubtedly a violation of your terms of service...

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tangent4
April 13, 2009 8:51 PM
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@rbb: Buying out of state - even if you end up declaring it on your tax return can save you money through DEFERRAL - if you take the money you would have spent and invest it for the months you don't have to pay it (sometime up to a year or more) then you've already saved money.

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johnva
April 13, 2009 9:10 PM
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@tangent4: That's a good point, and it could definitely save you a bit if you're buying something big like a car or something (especially near the beginning of the year). But it seems clear to me that the \"tip\" is actually advocating tax evasion (not paying the tax at all, vs. deferring it).

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johnva
April 13, 2009 8:27 PM
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@rbb: Yeah, I forgot to mention that one in my post above. Yeah, you probably won't get caught most of the time, but should the Consumerist really be advocating \"saving money\" via tax evasion?

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 10:26 PM
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@johnva: It wouldn't have occurred to me that doing that is tax evasion.

It's illegal to spend money in a state other than your own? Seriously?

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rbb
April 13, 2009 10:47 PM
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@Rectilinear Propagation:

Straight from the Virginia TaxAct help file:

Use Tax
Virginia's consumer's use tax is a tax on goods (other than magazines or newspapers) you purchase from a business that does not add the Virginia sales tax to your bill, or on goods you purchase tax-free while outside of Virginia.

Purchases subject to use-tax are those made:

By telephone, Internet or television where no sales tax was paid.
Outside of Virginia where no sales tax was paid.
By mail where no sales tax was paid if the total exceeds $100.
Nonprescription drugs and proprietary medicines purchased for the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in human beings are exempt from the tax.

The tax is 5% of what you paid for the item (\"cost price\") except for food purchased for home consumption, which is 2.5%. Cost price does not include separately stated shipping or delivery charges but it does include a shipping and handling charge if listed as a combined item on the sales invoice.

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johnva
April 13, 2009 10:38 PM
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@Rectilinear Propagation: It's illegal to spend money in a state other than your own in order to avoid sales tax and then fail to declare that on your own state's taxes. It's not illegal to buy out of state; it's illegal to buy something for use in your state and fail to pay taxes on it. It's called a use tax.

Use tax.

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He
April 13, 2009 8:24 PM
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Re: Cloth Diapers. 24 Months in diapers is ridiculous. Start potty training at 6 months. My kid deuces like clockwork at 6:40AM every day so I put her on the can just before that. Cloth still rocks too though since even in training, no kid is perfect.

Re: Razors. Get a straight razor. It's a superior shave.

And the TV tip should have mentioned that you can still use an antenna.

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bnelson333
April 13, 2009 9:42 PM
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@He:


That's my diaper comment (woohoo!) and 24 months is a general idea based on friends' feedback who have been through it with boys. Keep in mind that girls are generally ready to PT earlier.


In the end, the diapers pay for themselves in 7 months. Everything after that is pure savings. Though we are up to $500 now because we sprung for the $50 diaper sprayer to make cleanup a little easier (and extend the life of the diapers).

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:53 PM
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@He: \"24 Months in diapers is ridiculous. Start potty training at 6 months. My kid...\"


Yeah, your kid. You do realize not all kids are the same right?


Also: Re: Antenna: I actually use an antenna, but even though I live in the middle of Phoenix, it kind of sucks. I don't watch much tv at all, so I don't mind, but for those who like having access to tv whenever they want, it could be a pain. When it's really windy out, forget it.

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Penny
April 13, 2009 8:47 PM
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@He: I don't have a kid but I definitely think I will go the cloth diapers route. It seems a little gross, and it's less cost for me and more environmental concerns.

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halcyondays
April 13, 2009 8:30 PM
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How about doing your own yardwork and other basic maintenance around the home. It's good exercise and lots of savings there.

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pixiegirl1
April 13, 2009 8:33 PM
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A money saving tip for women is NEVER put your bras in the dryer! The heat from the dryer ruins them, which is why they don't last very long. Air dry them I got a mesh sweater drying \"shelf\" for $10 at target and my bras last 3-4 times longer now that I don't put them in the dryer.

We did the turn down the heat thing since our January heating bill was $400. We put it down to 68 and haven't touched it since, the next month wasn't anywhere near as bad. If i get too cold around the house i just put on my robe and fuggs, i might as well put them too use since I have them and all lol.

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summerbee
April 13, 2009 11:51 PM
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@pixiegirl1: Skip the $10 Target \"drying shelf\". I hang mine on a doorknob!

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jackbishop
April 13, 2009 8:39 PM
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@pixiegirl1: Down to 68? I've been at 63 all winter and just wearing warm things indoors.

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theysaidwhat
April 14, 2009 12:51 PM
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@jackbishop: My thoughts exactly! Who goes DOWN to 68? It's a friggin' holiday at my house if the heat is at 68! It's 58 overnight in my house and while I'm at work.

I have a twin down blanket that I bought by mistake one summer that I use as a throw on the couch. It is extremely warm.

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pixiegirl1
April 13, 2009 9:10 PM
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@jackbishop: I don't think I could manage at 63, i get cold really easily and too the point that it is painful(like my fingers and feet go numb painful. I'll be the only person you see wearing gloves when it's in the 50s). Plus we have tile floor on top of a cement slab foundation, basically from October to May it feels like your walking on a sheet of ice because the floor is so cold.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 8:54 PM
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@jackbishop: Some people get cold easily.


I put my a/c on at 68 and have for weeks now, but I live in Arizona and like to sleep cool. It'll have to go up to 72-74 once summer really hits, though, because my poor a/c can't keep up when it's 110+ out :(

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 8:58 PM
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@nakedscience: My heat is set to turn off at 70, and turn back on when it hits 65. We have A LOT of windows, and it gets pretty cold in our house. it also concerns me because while we can put on sweaters and socks, we have a pet who can't just tell us he might be cold. I'm not about to put a sweater on my rabbit, so we make sure it's never really cold. I think he's okay during the night when we turn off the heat entirely, though, because it's been warm all day and he spends a lot of time in his igloo which traps heat.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:12 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: Awww bunnnniiiieeee!


I think I turned on my heat maybe once this winter. But I've had my a/c on during the day for a long time now (two months?), and at night off and on since last month. But I hate sleeping hot :( I'll set my a/c during the day to like 85, but as soon as night hits it's gotta be no more than 74. Or I'll sleep like CRAP (and I have two fans).

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Penny
April 13, 2009 8:33 PM
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I hate the stop drinking one, but it's sooooootruuuuuue.

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Penny
April 13, 2009 8:34 PM
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Good call on using the cheap booze for cocktails, though. You don't need Belvedere for a drink that's doused in citrus, juices or liquors.

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Green Goth Brit Chick - AlternatEve
April 13, 2009 8:45 PM
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@Penny Plastic: Yup, do this one myself since I'm turning into a cocktail fiend. (BTW: Hi, nice to see you here!)

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Penny
April 13, 2009 8:57 PM
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@Green Goth Brit Chick - Needs 5 more for her star! - Altern...: Hello!

Yeah, we usually buy Svendka on sale for 10 bucks, put it in the freezer and use that for cocktails. If we're drinking vodka (or scotch, or anything else) up or on ice, we use the good stuff.

Too bad I haven't crossed the line with wine. For awhile I was really good about getting $3-4 wines, but I've crossed back over into the $10-12 range again...

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:03 PM
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@Penny Plastic: I tired this this weekend: [www.blackboxwines.com]


$20 or so for a box of wine that fits 4 bottles. I know, I know, BOXED! But it's actually pretty good! (And I'm not a wine fan in general, so if I find it drinkable, you know it's good!) Apparently the US is all about bottles, but Europeans drink a fair amount of good boxed wine. AND, if you're like me and have a hard time drinking a full bottle of wine, it stays fresher a LOOOOT longer after opening.

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Penny
April 13, 2009 9:19 PM
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@nakedscience: Yeah boxed wine is really becoming popular, it will just take awhile for certain winemakers to not turn up their noses (like they did with screw tops). This is just a guess, but I would assume most of the boxed wine Europeans are drinking is coming from Australia or SA. For some reason I can't see the French or Italians pioneering this method ;-)

Actually, another good wine tip is to ignore the shit from CA, France and Italy and focus more on wines coming in from SA and Africa. They are much cheaper and usually good. In fact, I just had a really great wine from Turkey. Everyone makes wine these days!

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:41 PM
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@Penny Plastic: i do love chilean and south african wines... good stuff

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:22 PM
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@Penny Plastic: Even Maynard from Tool makes wine! I've had it (drove to Sedona and visited the winery there) and while it is super expensive, it was soooooo good. I am not a wine drinker (I like the buzz, not the taste), but holy crap that was some awesome wine.

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bologna_wallet
April 13, 2009 8:42 PM
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@Penny Plastic: I find cheap booze causes much worse hangovers though

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Penny
April 13, 2009 8:49 PM
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@bologna_wallet: Really? I've never experienced that. Then again, maybe we're not in sync here. I am talking the $10-$15 stuff (like Skyy), not the bottom of the shelf stuff, like Popov.

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johnva
April 13, 2009 8:47 PM
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@bologna_wallet: Agreed, although I've found this varies a lot depending on what kind of booze it is. Midrange vodka is fine, but I wouldn't drink cheap tequila or gin for anything. In college my friends and I tried a bottle of REALLY cheap tequila that literally turned all our stomachs and made us puke on the FIRST drink of the night.

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Jessy Irwin
April 13, 2009 8:35 PM
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Go diva cup! WOOOO!

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:03 PM
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@Jessy Irwin: I am lucky that my periods are pretty easy and I only really need like, 3 or 4 tampons per period, tops. *knocks on wood*

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jurisenpai
April 13, 2009 8:46 PM
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@Jessy Irwin: Agreed! I have saved so much money in the 9 months I've used the Diva Cup. Sadly, I can't convince any of my girlfriends to get on the Diva train.

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EYESONLY
April 14, 2009 7:04 AM
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@jurisenpai: I feel your pain... I wanted to proselytize to _all_ my girlfriends after making the switch, but every last one of them turned out to be too weirded out by them. Wtf! Guess I need to make some less-square friends...

There's a great LiveJournal forum devoted to menstrual cups, if you're ever looking for people to share the glee with. :)

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jurisenpai
April 14, 2009 3:29 PM
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@EYESONLY: I'm a long-time member of VagPag, actually! LJ was very helpful when I was learning how to remove the Diva Cup. The first time, I swear I gave my cervix a hickey. :)

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RedwoodFlyer
April 13, 2009 8:39 PM
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Not to nitpick....but if everyone lived this frugally, many, many more jobs would be lost = downward spiral. We NEED people to spend more money, especially on service industries and other things where the majority of $$ stays in country. Macroecon FTW.

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 9:20 PM
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@RedwoodFlyer: Yeah man...I am with you. This list is the worst I have seen on this site. Most of these ideas are only going to save you pennies, not quarters or dollars.

Very shitty post

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 8:45 PM
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The major problem I am seeing with the economy is the big guys have all the money, and now they are demanding more.

Also pen in microwave, dimmer on lights (you use the same power this does not save you money), and \"Have 4 periods a year\" (just the dumbest suggestion I have heard and might get the \"I am desperate to post something else on Consumerist award for the day\" are the worst of the worst in making something out of nothing.

These suggestions are very dark and \"end of worldish\".

And I would think that \"splitting internet with Neighbors would be illegal? But hey.

I feel that these suggestion do not even touch the bottom line except for cable, gas, and dry cleaning.

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bibliophibian
April 13, 2009 9:23 PM
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@LegoMan322: \"Have 4 periods a year\" (just the dumbest suggestion I have heard and might get the \"I am desperate to post something else on Consumerist award for the day\"

Why is it dumb? Just because it doesn't apply to you, as a male?

I have fairly severe dysmenorrhea, so this is NOT typical of all women - far from it. Nevertheless, and without going into too much detail as to the whys and wherefores (you're welcome), here's a rough breakdown:

*Monthly sanitary supplies - about $12-15.

*Extra pain meds etc (I'm already on chronic pain control but use up to 2x during my period) - probably $20 a year.

*Time lost wrt work and productivity: I do medical transcription and get paid based on how much I type, and my paycheck the week after my period is predictably $30-50 lower than usual. An average person (with dysmenorrhea) is still going to get paid as long as she shows up at work, but is the employer going to get a full 8 hours' work out of her? (The vast majority of women, of course, will not be any less productive than usual. Before anyone makes remarks about working women, keep in mind that I'm referring to a specific dysfunction of a natural function.)

*Extra showers (two a day for the three heaviest days, and no, that's not optional) and extra laundry if I don't get up twice in the middle of each of those three nights - I'm sure the water, gas, soap, etc doesn't add up to much, but it is an expense.

So, for just what I can put numbers on, if I could implement that suggestion, I could go from an annual (expense, loss, cost, whatever) of ~$650 to ~$220. How is that dumb or desperate?

Even for a healthy woman without these particular and unusual concerns, spending $10/month = $120/year; if you could cut that down to $40, you've saved $80. (That is assuming, of course, that you're already on OCPs and are merely switching brands, and not incurring a new charge for the meds.)

Unfortunately, I react badly to OCPs so I can't implement that particular suggestion, but I really wish I could - I assure you it is not foolish or frivolous at ALL. It's not only sensible from a financial standpoint, but from a \"quality of life\" one as well.

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 9:37 PM
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@ribblefizz: Its not a good suggestion because anyone who has a wife would know that subject is pretty off limits for us (males). And I think to save money changing your \"normal\" (if you will allow it) cycle would do really bad things to your body that I fell would be more important than the measly amount of money only 4 periods per year would save.

I could see if one of the suggestions was \"buzz your head\" to save money on shampoo, condition, time in the shower, soap, and gel/hair spray. But to change your normal cycle to save money is not a good suggestion in my book.

I am very sorry about your dysmenorrhea, and since you have pain during your normal cycle, I could understand why you would want to lessen the amount of time. In your case I say you do it for the pain aspect, not to save the money.

Money is not as important as being healthy and I think trying to lesson your period (for someone without dysmenorrhea) is a very bad idea.

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Ninjanice
April 14, 2009 3:00 PM
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@LegoMan322: Actually it can be much healthier for a woman to have fewer periods per year. It depends on the woman.

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 11:36 PM
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@LegoMan322: I don't get why it matters if men can discuss this with their wives or not. Can't the women reading the blog make up their minds for themselves?

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LegoMan322
April 14, 2009 12:25 AM
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@floraposte: I could discuss it with my wife. My point was simple but it seems only simple to myself I guess.

I do not know much about periods. I have experience listening about them and asking questions about them. I have never experience one myself. So I was simply stating that it's more my wifes choice than it is mine. Also....seriously how many guys really discuss their periods with their wives? Out of all my family and friends and my wives friends...I am the only one to even attempt to understand.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:47 PM
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@LegoMan322: my gynecologist prescribed seasonique to me to take in a way that i haven't had a period since august of 2007. it's actually improved my control of my diabetes and reduced the pain and aggravation of the bad periods. i was taking so many OTC painkillers for those cramps that for a while in my 20's i actually damaged my liver.

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LegoMan322
April 14, 2009 12:11 AM
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@catastrophegirl: I am very happy for you it's working. But currently my wife is healthy and I would like her to stay that way. I can totally understand why you would switch to something that would give you little period, or no period. And if it has helped in never expected that is even better for you.

I still do not feel that a healthy woman should only get it much less than she has before. I feel that would hurt her more than it would help her or my wallet.

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HogwartsAlum
April 14, 2009 12:25 AM
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@LegoMan322:

There's no evidence that getting less periods is harmful.

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LegoMan322
April 14, 2009 12:35 AM
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@HogwartsAlum: That is fine and I am happy to concede because that means this post was really a waste of time. But again according to people I have spoke with it's a gimmick.

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bibliophibian
April 14, 2009 1:35 AM
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@LegoMan322: Before I get started with this, I just want to say that I'm replying because it's important to me that women be as educated as possible about their own bodies, and I want to dispel myths and misunderstandings like this. This is not about YOU, per se, but about the fact that there might be someone who encounters your *opinion/beliefs* on this and mistakes it for scientific *fact,* and I'm hoping that you're a big enough man to educate yourself on it even if it's something you're squeamish about. So I'm not arguing with you (much), I'd just like you to get some current, well-researched and documented facts (not just what someone told you one time) so that when you DO talk about it, you won't be adding to the misinformation out there.

Now: In one very specific, limited sense, you are correct that it's a gimmick: The sense that it's *ONLY* this or that OCP that can give the reduced/absent periods.

Extended-regimen birth control, for control of menstruation, has been going on for DECADES, unofficially. When the practice first received FDA approval and the sanction of several health organizations, some of the pharmaceutical companies manufactured a \"special\" OCP to provide this effect. What's special about it? The fact that it doesn't come with the seven days of sugar pills. Oh, and it typically costs a lot more.

When I typed in \"Seasonale price\" at Google, I got the following examples:
Seasonale tablets ext-cycle disp pack - 91 ... $573.24
Seasonale 0.15 mg (6 months) - 182 Tabs Drugs $568.77
Seasonale (Levonorgestrel/EE) - 91 Generic ... $150.00

When I typed in \"Ortho Tri-Cyclen price\" I got the following - from the exact same companies, incidentally:
Ortho tri-cyclen lo tablets - 28 per pack 6x28 $339.44
Ortho tri-cyclen tablets - 28 per pack 6x28 $293.98
Ortho Tri-Cyclen (Norgestimate/Ethinyl ... $27.99

Let's look at the middle numbers. Seasonale, $570 for six months. Ortho Tri-Cyclen, $295 for six months.

Now, you'll have to buy two extra packs of OTC, because you'll only get four and a half months of coverage with the OTC, because they only have 21 actual pills, plus 7 dummy pills, per pack. The individual month's supply is $28 (at a different website, but you get my point). So for ~$350 you can get 6+ months of OTC (with NO periods), compared to $570 for 6 months of Seasonale.

THAT is what the \"gimmick\" is. They're marketing it as, \"Oh, this particular brand of OCPs will let you go period-free! This is DIFFERENT. Make sure you ask for it by name!\" when actually it's ANY of a large number of (much cheaper) OCPs.

Seasonale/Seasonique, the other \"specifically-tailored\" OCPs? Yes, to a certain extent, those are gimmicks, because they want you to think they have something you can't get anywhere else, and that you have to pay more for the product. But the practice itself is valid, well-researched, and longstanding.

My OB/GYN prefers not to prescribe those brands because she feels their marketing campaign was misleading - she said that a lot of women came in and wanted to change to that particular brand and wouldn't listen to her when she told them they could get the same effect with what they were already on. Or they thought it'd be \"too confusing\" if they didn't have the \"special packaging.\" So in that sense, yes, it's a gimmick, and it worked beautifully for them.

Keep in mind, too, that unless the \"people you spoke with\" and \"in your family\" are currently practicing OB/GYNs, they're not likely to be 100% current on things specific to that discipline. They might be up to the minute on the latest development in corticosteroids or radiation therapy or flu vaccines, but unless they're actively practicing in the OB/GYN field it's quite understandable that they'd consider it unorthodox.

Last but not least, here's an article about extended regimen birth control. And here are a few quotes:

When birth control pills were first introduced, they were marketed [in 21/7 format] ... to minimize the perception that these pills change the menstrual cycle. ... [several reasons pertaining to people's perceptions and religious views] ... the 21/7 regimen is more a reflection of the time in which the pill was developed rather than based on a scientifically established medical need. ...

Many don't realize that the period one has on OCs is not a REAL period; it's actually withdrawal bleeding. Withdrawal bleeding is NOT necessary to maintain gynecologic health.

... Although some claim that it's unnatural or harmful to manipulate a woman's monthly cycle by completely stopping her period, in reality, women are already controlling their menstrual cycles just by using birth control pills. ...

The \"period\" that occurs during 21 or 28-day combination birth control packs has no medical function other than reassuring a woman that she is not pregnant. ... For decades, doctors have been advising women on how to properly use 21/28-day regimen birth control pills to manipulate monthly cycles and to skip periods.

Something else you might want to consider... you went from saying it's a \"dumb\" and \"desperate\" idea and \"end-of-worldish\" (by the way that was directly from YOUR post, not someone else's, unless you were quoting someone and didn't mention it), to saying that periods are something that are off limits to men, to saying that it's a health concern, to saying it's a gimmick and you know this because you talked about it to people (who you hinted but didn't come right out and say are) in your family. One wonders why you were talking about other people's periods if they're so \"off limits to men\" and you're the only one in your family who even tries to understand. Hm?

So yes, until you've decided which angle you're going to come at it from, definitely a waste of time. But I've enjoyed the exchange, so thanks...

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LegoMan322
April 14, 2009 2:38 AM
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@ribblefizz:
Ok so the period thing with me and this subject is just really over and tired.

What I was trying to say from the being is that this post sucked. If anyone is to read this and follow this I hope all your bloody towels, lop sided hair cut, food poising from your skank ass meat, and your 4 periods a year are making you happy. If that is the case then good for you. I am kind of jealous that you are so easily consumed by what I would consider lack of thought, lack of enery, and just all around not knowing a damn thing about finances. If you knew anything about money, you would understand that toothpaste is no more than $25 a year. Are you that desperate for money? I know it's tough out there but $25 a year?

With that said;

Here is what I have to say about this post and some of things (which I did not read your whole post, this subject of you misunderstanding what I was trying to say is getting really fucking boring) that we have discussed today.

This post does not help anyone. This post was a desperate attempt to keep the readers reading and engaged. I think they have successfully did their job with that, but none the less....their material for doing that is complete shit. If I was a school teacher I would fail them immediately.

Maybe you like it and that is fine. But remember just like assholes, everyone has opions and they all stink. With that understanding I demand more quality in stuff that I like to read about and website I visit.

I do not have to come out right out and say anything. I thought this was a civil place to share ideas and talk about certain subjects in which would help other people and gain knowledge for the \"Consumer\".

Consumerist never asked me for a family history nor would I give them one. Also I do not need to validate shit to you or anyone.

Some thing you might want to consider also. I do not want to hear your preaching. I came here to join a discussion...not someone who tells me the way it should be. I have not done that and I will not. I have said what I think and have not pushed any ideas on anyone.

If someone is so dumb to just take advise from what I say (without research and understanding, I am talking about blind faith) then that is their fucking problem, not mine.

So to wrap this up....I do not give a shit about your period and I am sure that your boyfriend/husband does not either.

I wish I could say the same about enjoying this exchange but I cannot. It seems that you and most other readers here are only reading and talking about a snippet of what someone said...not the whole picture. Again..I demand more from myself and hopefully from other I engage with.

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oneandone
April 14, 2009 9:31 PM
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@LegoMan322: From what you wrote, I understood that people shouldn't sacrifice their health to save money, particularly if it means starting a drug regimen that might not be suitable for them. I agree, and I think it's sad that a lot of people have to sacrifice their health to save money (talking smaller than prescribed doses to stretch medication, for example).


That said, it seems that the antagonism was over a misperception that fewer periods was dangerous. But I think your fundamental point makes sense (if that was your point). I also think it was good of Consumerist to highlight this aspect of frugality, since a lot of people might overlook potential options in medication and menstruation. It's can be an eye opener, especially if you're not aware of how much in medicine is actually marketing.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 14, 2009 3:46 PM
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...their material for doing that is complete shit.

@LegoMan322:

We asked you to submit your money-saving secrets and you dumped like 35 elephants on our heads in comments and emails.

They only posted what was sent to them. What do you expect Consumerist to do, tell their readers that their ideas are shit?

Are you that desperate for money? I know it's tough out there but $25 a year?...This post does not help anyone.

This post didn't help you. I'm glad you're doing so well that $25 is just a pittance but not everyone's that lucky. Not every post about how to save money is going to be about saving thousands of dollars.

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bibliophibian
April 14, 2009 3:43 PM
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@LegoMan322: This post, specifically a few of the phrases, all but confirms what I suspected since early yesterday... I'm about 98% certain I know you IRL. I wonder if you recognize me... heh.

Only one thing more from me:
\"I demand more quality in stuff that I like to read about and website [sic] I visit.\"
So you won't be reading Consumerist anymore?

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 14, 2009 1:46 AM
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@ribblefizz: thanks for the facts. now if we could just convince the insurance companies of this! my ob-gyn prescribed seasonique and gave me an extra pack of samples because my insurance won't pay for it as continuous. and a $30 copay every 90 days costs a lot less than out of pocket every 21 days.

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Brunette Bookworm
April 14, 2009 2:50 PM
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@catastrophegirl: I switched from Yasmin to Seasonique. It costs about the same with my insurance as if I skipped periods on Yasmin plus, yeah, the use of supplies like has gone way down. If you are already taking birth control, it could help you.

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bibliophibian
April 13, 2009 10:06 PM
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@LegoMan322:
1. What nakedscience said about the health aspect.

2. I was not aware that only males read Consumerist, or that only suggestions applicable or acceptable to males were within the \"limits.\"

3. If you were saving $80 a year on your cable bill or your car insurance, would it still be \"measly\"?

4. As a female who takes pride in her longish hair, I would consider the suggestion \"buzz your head\" to be really dumb and desperate and end-of-the-world-ish. But I can understand that it might be reasonable to you; I'm okay with that. Why aren't you?

5. In fact, a solid 2/3ds of the suggestions on the list didn't apply to me for one reason or another. I still don't feel the need to criticize them, or the entire article, repeatedly.

6. Thank you for your kind words.

7. I agree that health is more important than money, but in this situation it is not an either/or proposal. And I speak not just for me in my particular situation, but for women in general. What nakedscience says is correct: Women are \"designed,\" if you will, to have far fewer periods than most of us in the first world do. Seasonale and other \"skip-a-period\" OCPs have been approved by the FDA as well as other health organizations; they're not some wacky self-medicating DIY project.

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 10:23 PM
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@ribblefizz: 1 Every doctor my wife and I talked with said \"getting your period 4 times a year is a gimmick\".

2. I did not mean to generalize for all males. To be respectful I feel men should stay out of it until needed.

3. Saving $80 a year is quite a waste of time. Especially if it stops me from doing something I love.

4. That analogy was for the fact that buzzing your head is a better choice than getting a period 4 times per year.

5. If I knew someone speaking there option was bad for you I would of done it directly to you. These are my options. I am not name calling anyone who does these. I am very disappointed that the Consumerist would post something as illegal, \"end of worldish\" (to quote another consumerist reader), and extremely unuseful and unhealthy tips.

6 You are very welcome.

7. If you buy the \"skip a period\" that is all on you. You know your body more than I do. But I would never ask someone to do that so I can save $80 a year.

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hedonia
April 13, 2009 10:59 PM
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@LegoMan322: You're just flat out wrong, \"LegoMan\".

You said \"And if you think cutting your period could be more healthy rather than a normal 12 month one you watch way too much tv.\"

First of all, the average women would get her period around 13x a year, not 12.

Second, are you a doctor? No? Then why are you saying that you know that getting it every month is better than getting it less/not at all on birth control pills? You ARE aware that the periods on birth control pills are not \"real\" periods, right (no ovulation)? That the pharmaceutical companies decided to add that effect after market research showed that women (in the era before accurate home pregnancy tests) would be hesitant to stop their periods?

But you know what bothers me most of all? That your objection is that you would \"never ask\" someone to skip periods to save money. Um.. you do realize that the tip was not for men, right? No one was saying that they should turn to the little wife and tell her to stop her periods to save some money. The tip was FOR WOMEN. I just can't believe that after the back-and-forth on this thread already, you didn't realize that.

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LegoMan322
April 14, 2009 12:22 AM
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@hedonia: \"First of all, the average women would get her period around 13x a year, not 12.\" Wow...big deal. Stop nip picking every little thing.

Am I a doctor no, not at all. I am very involved with my wife and have had sisters and a mother while growing up to hear enough about \"women things\" in my lifetime. Doctors I have spoken with...grew up with...are related to have advised against a healthy woman cutting her period from 13x per year (wink wink) to 4. I do have to be a doctor to understand that they know more than I do and I trust their judgement with not only my wife but her brother and father.

And you are bothered by the fact that I would never ask someone to stop doing something (that I feel is better for them) to save money? WOW....just WOW.

I understand the tip is for women...why can I not say I think that tip is a very bad one? So you want to play the sexist thing with me now right? Well I should of comment on the dry cleaning one and said \" shit I should tell my wife to dry clean my clothes instead of doing them myself\". I knew I was missing something else to say.

You want equal rights? Its an open field.

PS if you even read my posts you would understand that what she wants to do is her decision and I am behind her, but that is the one decision that I need some convincing on. You also are making things much worse than they are by spilling shit and not backing anything up. 13x over 12? Nit picker.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:45 PM
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@LegoMan322: \"that subject is pretty off limits for us (males). \"


Uh, really? Because whenever I date a man, I hope he's at least comfortable with the fact that I have periods. Seriously, periods aren't scary. If you can't discuss a freakin' period with your wife, then I feel sorry for you.


And it's clear you haven't done any actual research. Cutting your period to 4 a year can actually be HEALTHY. Women have MANY more periods than they did in the past, because women aren't having as many babies.


You can't just walk into a store and get a pack of birth control, anyway.

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 10:11 PM
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@nakedscience: Ahh...it does not surprise me that out of all that was said you only got from it \" I cannot talk to my wife about her period\". I have no fear of periods.

The subject is off limits to me because it is something that she has to decide on. I can only support her and I would never support her getting her period for only 4 times a year. Also I would never ask my wife to \" only get her period for 4 times so we can save money\". As a female would you like your boyfriend for husband to tell you that? Isnt that a bit personal and off limits to someone who does NOT UNDERSTAND?

And if you think cutting your period could be more healthy rather than a normal 12 month one you watch way too much tv. The said that so you would buy it. I guess you did.

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Drew Dowdell
April 13, 2009 8:45 PM
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The internet thing is definitely a no-no. Comcast can and will nail people for that.

Regarding the eyeglass cleaner. Buy one bottle of it from Walmart. You get free refills for life.

Properly inflate your tires. Don't over-inflate. Any fuel savings you might see will be quickly eaten by badly worn tires. Additionally, over inflated tires can reduce traction and contribute to the cause of an accident especially in wet weather.

The mason jar in the toilet trick only really works for older toilets but can also lead to poor flushing performance. High efficiency toilets can be had for under $100.

Buy a super low flow showerhead. WaterPik just came out with ultra low flow showerheads rated at 1.5 gallons per minute. That's a full gallon per minute less than the \"old tech\" low flow showerhead you bought last year. It's $15 for the basic model.

Turn down the heat on your dryer. Medium is usually fine. You'll use less energy and your clothes will last longer. Remember, you're drying your clothes, not cooking them.

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merq
April 14, 2009 3:19 AM
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@Drew Dowdell: Good tip on the dryer - drying clothes on high heat until they're bone dry actually burn clothes and produces more static. Clothes will last a lot longer and wear better on medium or low heat.

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 11:38 PM
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@Drew Dowdell: Similarly, turn off \"heated dry\" on the dishwasher. Let 'em air dry.

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Bocachica
April 13, 2009 8:46 PM
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Yes on the prepaid cellphones. You will save money with them. Also be sure to have your kids use them too (instead of postpaid phones) and budget their minutes accordingly. It will teach them how to budget things and value something that THEY are responsible for!

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:50 PM
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@Bocachica: i especially like my virgin mobile prepaid phone. i can go online and monitor my minutes anytime i like. i know who i called, i can see when i need to increase my minutes. no surprise bills ever

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bibliophibian
April 13, 2009 8:47 PM
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A question/caveat about the dimmer-switch thing; perhaps someone more mechanically gifted than I can clarify and/or confirm it.

I had a dimmer switch on the light in my son's bedroom, which also had a ceiling fan. About two months later, his (brand new) ceiling fan stopped working. The lights still worked fine, but nothing from the fan. We replaced it, and within a few months, that one stopped working too.

When we moved, the new house needed the ceiling fan in the den replaced, and I asked about putting a dimmer switch in there. The handyman-type person who was doing the work said not to EVER put a dimmer switch on a switch that controls a ceiling fan, because [something technical, complicated, and electrical] and the motor will burn up if the fan runs at lower speeds.

That didn't make sense to me (shouldn't it burn up at HIGHER speeds?) but since then, I've heard the same thing from other people. So perhaps use the dimmer switch suggestion with caution.

Someone mentioned that they've stopped \"eyeballing\" the amount of laundry detergent they use, and now measure it out - I would add to this, unless the load of clothes you're washing is exceptionally soiled, you can use 1/3 to 1/2 the amount that the box tells you to. Your clothes will be just as clean and smell just as good. The only time I ever use a full \"serving\" of laundry detergent is for socks or heavily dirt-stained clothes (like, \"Mom, we dug a ditch in the front yard, is that okay?\" level of dirt).

Saving and reusing Ziploc bags was mentioned, but aluminum foil wasn't. My grandmother reused every piece of aluminum foil she ever set her fingers on, until it fell apart - and even then, if it fell into big enough pieces, she'd reuse those too! She'd rinse it off and air-dry it, but still stored it in the refrigerator, I guess to minimize odor.

And I don't bother with cutting open the toothpaste to get the last of it out, but then the toothpaste I use only costs about 97 cents a tube anyway. (I used to work for a dentist, and one of the things we repeated countless times to our patients is \"Don't use toothpaste with baking soda in it.\" It gets your teeth nice and clean, but it can damage the enamel and cause sensitivity and dental problems. Whitening toothpastes can cause the same issues.) I do try to get every last bit of toothpaste out, but don't waste your money on those \"tube-squeezer\" things - just lay the tube on the counter and use the handle of your toothbrush, or a hairbrush or comb, to do the same thing much more efficiently.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:52 PM
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@ribblefizz: i have a dimmer on my fan that's designed for it. dual control fan speed and light dimmer. wired separately. mostly because the fan is at the peak of a vaulted ceiling and there's no way to reach a chain pull without a ladder.
but we can dim the lights without affecting the fan speed and vice versa.

[www.lowes.com]

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LegoMan322
April 14, 2009 12:26 AM
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@catastrophegirl: You could use that but my suggestion would be a remote control that will control its speed. You don't want to use a dimmer on it full time. Like I said in the previous post.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 14, 2009 1:49 AM
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@LegoMan322: there are two switches on the panel. one is a dimmer for the lights, the other is a speed control for the fan. so i misspoke in the first post - it's not a dimmer for the fan. it's a dimmer just for the light on the fan and the fan motor is wired separately to control the speed. the particular switch on my wall came with the fan, in the box, from the manufacturer. so i'm betting it's designed to work with it.
but unfortunately that means i didn't have a link to that specific item and had to choose the non manufacturer's equivalent. which has pretty much the same specs.

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 9:25 PM
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@ribblefizz: The issue with the fan on the dimmer switch is because the motor requires a certain amount of current. The dimmer will stop a piece of that current ( which is what makes the light dim, although you are STILL USING the same energy, this will not save you money). Fans need a full amount

If you have the fan on the dimmer and turn it on low...you will hear this whinning. That is the motor not getting what it needs and will be burnt out. If you want a fan in the room, use a single switch for the light, and purchase a fan with a remote or use the chain that comes on the fan. Dimmers and fans will blow out if left with little power for too long.

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Anonymous
April 13, 2009 8:47 PM
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Ink cartridges, pah. There is only one way to save money on printer ink, and that is to spend a little more up front on a black and white laser printer. Here's why:

1. It's time for everyone to live up to the fact that if it's something that you really, really absolutely must have printed in colour, then the average consumer colour printer isn't going to do an adequate job.

2. If you're honest with yourself, the number of times you really absolutely must print something in colour will probably cost you less than $10/year if you just email the file to your nearest print shop and then pick it up the next day.

3. The colour printer you can afford for average home use is probably an inkjet or deskjet printer. These go through ink way faster than a laser printer.

4. You need to print something on an inkjet or deskjet pretty much once every week or two or it will start to dry up; if that happens, you have to throw away unused cartridges! A laser printer can sit around for months unused.

In summary, a black and white (or more accurately, just Black) laser printer will handily meet all of your home printing needs, and still be overkill. It costs maybe 20 or 30 more than a inkjet/deskjet, but you'll save way more than that on ink replacement.

And I know what you're going to say: Why do I need a printer at all? And you're right, I agree with you. The black laser printer's real value is that it's an acceptable compromise between me and my usual rabid anti-printer stance, and my wife who is pretty sure that we should probably have a printer in the house for some reason.

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Leksi Wit
April 13, 2009 8:49 PM
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Many of these suggestions sound very 1930's. But this one takes the cake:

\"DIY LADIES SANITARY ITEMS

Sew your own reusable ladies sanitary items. Seriously. You can download the patterns free online and it is a hell of a lot cheaper than buying that disposable crap every month!\"

Um no, I would rather not, thank you. I like modern conveniences such as not having to use clothes lines or make my own bread. This list has some good tips along with stuff that say, if my friends where doing, I would consider getting them help.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 14, 2009 1:00 PM
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This list has some good tips along with stuff that say, if my friends where doing, I would consider getting them help.

@Leksi Wit: I'm sure they'd appreciate the cash donations.

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 9:26 PM
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@Leksi Wit: Glad you said that. These suggestions are really REALLY bad.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:47 PM
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@LegoMan322: Sewing your own sanitary napkins isn't \"bad\" -- it's a lot cheaper AND better for the enviornment. I'm not gonna do it, but I know people who do. That doesn't fit into \"REALLY bad\".

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LegoMan322
April 13, 2009 10:30 PM
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@nakedscience: Again nakedscience, you are taking one thing that was said and just running with that. That might not be a bad suggestion but the other 112 ideas were.

How many of these items do you do? We already know you do not do the napkins one, or the dog food, or chaning your oil. Have you cut your own hair...ohh yeah...you said no to that also.

If you are going to pick on something I say, then please make sense when you do it.

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nakedscience
April 14, 2009 4:22 PM
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@LegoMan322: I wouldn't call anyone crazy who cut their hair, or changed their own oil, or made their own dog food, or made their own sanitary napkins. Since I, you know, have friends who do all of that.

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juri squared
April 13, 2009 9:16 PM
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@Leksi Wit: I got this book for my birthday and have discovered that I can, in fact, bake my own bread.

I am seriously lazy, and yet I have a fresh, delicious loaf of bread on my counter right now. I don't ever want to buy bread again.

And it has a recipe for naan! Nom nom nom.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:05 PM
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@Leksi Wit: You'd tell your friends to get help if they were handy and made their own sanitary napkins? I won't do it because I can't sew, but I have friends who do it, and they are perfectly normal. They just like to sew.


You can buy pre-made cloth pads and such online, actually. It's a LOT cheaper over all, and SO much better for the enviornment.


And making your own bread isn't weird or abnormal. Lots of people do it (not me, I'm lazy).

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 9:02 PM
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@Leksi Wit: Yeah, there are some things I'll never do, like make sanitary items. No thanks.

I made bread a while back...it was way too much hassle. I'm going to stick to buying sourdough.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:09 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: Yeah, I won't make my own sanitary items, but I have some handy, hippy-dippy friends who DO, and I think it's kind of weird to say, \"YOU NEED HELP!\" Clearly they enjoy doing it, and I say kudos to them since they likely save a bundle and it's great for the enviornment.

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Bocachica
April 13, 2009 8:50 PM
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Also, rotisserie chickens are a rip-off!

Buy your own and broil it. Or get a crock pt, grill... whatever. Do several at a time.

Never buy precut chickens either.

Use coupons to buy stuff that's already on special... and stock up.

Buy a Sunday paper. The coupons pay for the paper many times over!

And try to have only one period a year.

;>)

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Tankueray
April 13, 2009 11:12 PM
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@Bocachica: Well, because in Texas we have to barbeque 6 days a week, BEER CAN CHICKEN! Whenever I fire up the barbeque or the turkey fryer, I cook a bunch of chickens and freeze them for whenever I don't want to cook.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
April 13, 2009 10:58 PM
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@Bocachica: and if you don't know how to take apart a chicken:

[rouxbe.com]

[i love rouxbe!]

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pecan 3.14159265
April 13, 2009 9:01 PM
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@Bocachica: I laughed out loud in my cubicle at your \"do several at a time\" line...I had a visual of several crockpots being in operation with chickens in them.

But no, I like rotisserie chickens...they're easy, and they taste good. And when I get them on sale, they can be cheaper than actually buying the chicken, marinating it, and then using the electricity to cook it. Plus I get to snack on rotisserie chicken while I'm making stock.

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Penny
April 13, 2009 8:58 PM
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@Bocachica: Good tip on the chickens!! Horray for food tips!

And use the chicken to make chicken stock....and collect vegetable scraps and cheese rinds to freeze and save for said stock.

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Anonymous
April 13, 2009 8:55 PM
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the homemade contact solution idea is DEFINITELY not a good one. taking care of your contact lenses and your eyes is definitely crucial using store-bought solution will save you more $ when you need medical attention down the road...

on another note, (most) dry cleaners use steam to press clothes, not irons, so make sure you don't burn your stuff when you try to DIY.

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floraposte
April 13, 2009 11:41 PM
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@SolomonPhrixus: I think you may have misread--there's a suggestion for cleaning glasses lenses, not contact lenses.

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wesa
April 13, 2009 8:59 PM
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The baking soda on your teeth method is HORRIBLE for people with problem teeth: if you have reduced enamel, it will make it worse. Baking soda is too abrasive to use daily in this method. Please do some research before perpetuating this myth or at least write up a disclaimer.

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razremytuxbuddy
April 13, 2009 9:59 PM
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@wesa: So true. I learned the expensive way ($20 tube of super-flouride Prevident) that you also have to use flouride toothpaste once in awhile if you brush with baking soda. Plenty of flouride and dietary calcium are mandatory for teeth. Aside from that, I love the way baking soda makes my teeth feel especially clean. My dentist has always told me I have \"championship home care,\" and I think it's because of the way the baking soda works. The disclaimer here should probably be, \"Check with your dentist before switching to baking soda.\"

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:23 PM
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@wesa: I have sensitive gums....baking soda hurts :(

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johnva
April 13, 2009 9:14 PM
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@wesa: Especially given that toothpaste is dirt cheap. Given the price of dental care, it's just not worth saving 10 cents a month or whatever it is you'd save.

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orlo
April 13, 2009 9:04 PM
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@wesa: And toothpaste is often free after rebate at drugstores.

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halcyondays
April 13, 2009 9:02 PM
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I second the comments on Rice - 25lbs for about $12 will last for months. One cup per meal is enough for two adults and two kids, plus it's extremely good for you.

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harlock_JDS
April 13, 2009 10:27 PM
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@halcyondays:

months? It only lasts a month and a half in this house (less if we have more people over).

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bibliophibian
April 14, 2009 1:44 AM
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@harlock_JDS: Same here. My son won't touch a potato unless it's been deep-fried, so we do a lot of rice. I get about two months out of the 10-lb bag. I second the suggestion about getting a rice steamer, too. Perfect rice, every time - NEVER burns, never boils over, super-easy to cook and clean. I use the rice cooker probably more than any single other tool/appliance/thingie in my kitchen.

I miss mashed potatoes...

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Anonymous
April 13, 2009 9:06 PM
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Okay, many people have pointed out that some of these tips are unethical or silly. But some of them are also just wrong. Rice is healthy? Not white rice. Brush your teeth with salt and baking soda? Toothpaste does more than that, it also contains fluoride.

Some of these tips are good and save a decent amount of money though.

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orlo
April 13, 2009 9:06 PM
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I'm not a contractor, but 88 tubes of caulk seems a little ridiculous unless you live in a large shack

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Anonymous
April 14, 2009 12:27 AM
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@orlo:

I submitted that one. The 88 tubes of caulk is what it took to do all the caulking in my 1,320 square foot ranch house. It might seem ridiculous but one of those tubes doesn't hold as much as you would think, particularly when you need to block off air infiltration behind baseboards which is the point where the concrete slab meets the wood framing. I can't complain with the results though. $100 saved the first month, $75 saved the second month.

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Bathmat
April 13, 2009 9:07 PM
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Anyone who actually knits/crochets can tell you that unless you're superfast or have lots of free time, making your own projects is in no way cheaper than buying something ready-made.

The yarn itself can run 30-40 dollars if you're using anything better than 100% polyester fugly yarn. Plus, there's the 5-20 hours you need to make even a sweater. Then, there's the fact that no one will wear the damn thing since most of them are pretty ugly regardless.

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HogwartsAlum
April 14, 2009 12:32 AM
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@Bathmat:

It works on specialty items. I make my own skating dresses, because the adult sizes are very expensive and I'm tall, so they don't fit properly anyway.

With the Kwik-Sew patterns, I can interchange pieces between patterns and if I get the material (usually stretch velvet for the dress and maybe some georgette for the skirts) on sale, I save even more. I can make my own dress for around $35-40 as compared to buying one for $70. Plus I can lengthen the sleeves and bodice so it will actually fit me.

Now if I could just lose a bunch of weight, I could go down a size and save even MORE.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 11:34 PM
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@Bathmat: A sweater might not be cheaper but if it's a small item making it yourself could be cheaper, especially if you get the yarn on sale.

Then, there's the fact that no one will wear the damn thing since most of them are pretty ugly regardless.

I've seen nice sweaters on Ravelry.

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Tankueray
April 13, 2009 11:15 PM
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@Bathmat: Right, I make baby blankets for my friends. I start as soon as they tell me they're expecting and I get done by the shower. The yarn costs about $40.

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juri squared
April 13, 2009 9:19 PM
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@Bathmat: I've taken up buying sweaters at thrift stores and unraveling/recycling the yarn. I can get a sweater's worth for $1.

Obviously this isn't a replacement for buying yarn if you have some specific requirements, but hunting down a 100% cashmere sweater for $3 is rewarding in a whole new way.

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t0ph
April 13, 2009 9:10 PM
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WORSHIP THE COINJAR:

Just last week, my GF and I booked 2 RT tix to Hawaii from NY. One was paid for with airline miles, the other was mostly paid for with our coin jar. We had about $650 in there, $250 in silver and the rest in bills. We only had to lay out $200 in ***REAL*** money to make up the difference. We saved it in about 2 months time.

We tend to put most of our 1' and 5's in the jar and sometimes 10's and 20's. It does not hurt that we are both in the rest/bar business and get paid cash, so whatever we do put in at the end of our shifts does not really hurt us at all.

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youbastid
April 13, 2009 9:12 PM
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I love that you guys dedicated a post to a sign on a BK sign declaring \"we out of meet\", and then includes a tip to \"Buy Nearly Spoiled Meet\"

I know you're copyinga and pasting what other people are writing in, but still...walah??? Do people actually think that's how it's spelled?

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Jetts
April 13, 2009 9:24 PM
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@youbastid: It's not even phonetic. That's not a silent V on there.

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:24 PM
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@youbastid: Sometimes I type \"meet\" instead of \"meat\" because my brain and fingers don't always agree on which key to use. I know which word is the proper one, but sometimes typos happen.


I do that a lot with similar words. And then later I'm like, \"LOL I R DUMB.\"

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nakedscience
April 13, 2009 9:20 PM
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STONER TIP: Buy regs instead of chron, amiright?

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Raymond Escobar
April 13, 2009 9:29 PM
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i used to call starbucks a couple hours ahead of time and ask them to stick a large brewed coffee in the fridge for me. i didn't have to pay the extra price for the ice they put in my cold coffee. you should try it.

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ahdn
April 13, 2009 9:42 PM
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Also, ants hate cinnamon. You won't kill any with it, but you will \"deter\" them. In the hot months when the ants start going after the cat food, we can just put a circle of cinnamon around the bowls and the ants won't cross it.

Another ant trick I have, for when they are entering the house through a small hole in the wall or something similar, is to take a paper towel, spray a small amount of Windex on a corner and then plug up the ant hole with it.

I hate ants.

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HogwartsAlum
April 14, 2009 12:33 AM
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@ahdn:

What do you do when you can't find the hole they are coming into? Help!

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 14, 2009 1:02 PM
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@HogwartsAlum: Roaches just teleport when they reach the edge of your house. My dad do the whole perimeter but especially where there were plants close to the side of the house.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 13, 2009 9:54 PM
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In the hot months when the ants start going after the cat food, we can just put a circle of cinnamon around the bowls and the ants won't cross it.

@ahdn: I have to remember to tell my mom this. Awesome tip, thanks! (I'm feeling deja vu though, has this come up before?)

Boric acid will kill bugs very quickly. My dad uses it for those huge mega-roaches that will sometimes come in if they can't find water. I can't use it where I live because the apartment complex has pets.

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umbriago
April 13, 2009 10:22 PM
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For your health as well as your wallet, quit smoking. It'll cost you two weeks of being miserable and after that, you're over it.

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parvax
April 13, 2009 10:30 PM
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I am going to chime in against eliminating toothpaste - I went on a vegan kick in college and stopped using regular toothpaste, I have never seen a dental hygenist so mad! I had over 13 cavities in just 6 months. So please, spend the extra dollar and buy toothpaste, it will save you a lot of money and pain in the long run.

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veg-o-matic
April 14, 2009 1:00 PM
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@parvax: What does being vegan have to do with not using toothpaste?
Unless Tom's is/was not available in your area...

Plus, floss is your friend.

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Tankueray
April 13, 2009 11:22 PM
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@parvax: What were you eating? Refined sugar is not vegan, so you weren't eating that. Are we talking healthy foods here? Is this anecdotal evidence that healthy foods are just as bad for my teeth as candy so I should just eat the candy?

Seriously, I had cavities when I was little. I would never want to have to live through that again.

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summerbee
April 13, 2009 11:58 PM
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@Tankueray & @parvax: Cavities aren't always caused by sugar, though. I just got 4 filled last week and I have 8 more to go. It'll bring my lifetime total up to 32 and I'm only 25. I rarely eat sugar or drink juice, and I brush twice a day and floss regularly. Sometimes, cavities just...happen. No matter what you do to take care of your mouth.

I DO agree on using toothpaste, though. Who knows where I'd be if I didn't use it.

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kwsventures
April 13, 2009 10:46 PM
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CREDIT CARDS ONLY IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Credit cards are only for cash not on hand, not on-the-spot loans. Use them online, use them in stores instead of carrying cash, but don't rack up charges you can't immediately cover. Don't assume that the money will come, because you never know when catastrophe will hit and a job will be lost, a car will need sudden repair, or a medical bill might hit.

This one needed to be repeated for those that \"love\" carrying credit card debt month to month.

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Penny
April 13, 2009 10:58 PM
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@kwsventures: I don't think anyone loves that...

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2 replies
April 13, 2009 11:38 PM
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BUY NEARLY SPOILED MEET, THEN FREEZE TIME!
\"MEAT\"

BUY OUT OF STATE
Your state uses the sales tax to YOUR benefit. You're just screwing yourself for the benefit of the neighboring state's economy.

SPLIT INTERNET WITH NEIGHBORS
Cost of the court-fees when the cable company sees the fliers will FAR outweigh any savings. And your neighbors will hate you when the cable-company forces you to disclose your cohorts. Not to mention the fact that you'll be responsible for any illegal downloads done on your account. *cough*RIAA*cough*

MAKE SALADS LAST 10 DAYS
Metal doesn't oxidize the salad, the OXYGEN in the air oxidizes it.
The water from the plant may speed up oxidation of the metal knife, but not the other way around.
Also, placing the item in a plastic bag, for some veggies & fruits will actually ACCELERATE their spoilage. Apples for example while ripening emit a gas that accelerates spoilage. (hence the old saying \"one bad apple spoils the bunch\") Putting such fruits & veggies in a confined air-tight container will not help at all. :-[

HOW YOU PAY YOUR BILLS
Using your bank's auto-pay service isn't saving you any time or money. It's merely pushing the auto-pay to your bank instead.
Best would be to pay for each bill yourself (but setup & use a reminder service like GoogleCalendar with SMS reminders).
Paying each bill yourself will enforce the 'pain' of the bill and keep the service's cost on your mind.

DIY LADIES SANITARY ITEMS
Guys don't like seeing bloody shit in the sink each month.
Plus this can only be done for 'pads' otherwise TSS (toxic shock syndrome) comes into play and medical bills = EXPENSIVE.

ONE-PERSON, ONE LIGHT
Take it a step further. Go to bed when the sun sets, get up when it rises. Leave the lights off unless you HAVE to have one to discern color (people can't discern colors in low light, but can see things and function perfectly fine).
This will also help develop your night-vision (seriously).

DIY DOG FOOD
(biggest beefs here, pun not intended)
Cheap dog food is ALWAYS going to be cheaper than the cheapest human meat.
A better way to save money would be to stop deluding yourself that your pet cares what they eat.
BEGGING is not indicative of a picky palate. Dogs (AND cats) happily lick their own brown-eyes, so they DEFINITELY aren't worried about not getting 'good' organic gluten-free kibble or maintaining a pure VEGAN lifestyle.
SO PROPERLY TRAIN YOUR DOG.
Basically pets are they're like mentally-challenged toddlers (at best). They really just want what the 'other kid' has.
If you teach them to beg by giving them scraps/people-food, then that 'other kid' becomes YOU, and I guarantee they'll want whatever YOU have.
Don't feed them at the table or while you're eating or they'll learn that the table (or wherever you're eating) is a place to get treats. (And this may add to your delusions that they want 'good' food.)
And NO TABLE SCRAPS OR PEOPLE FOOD, that'll just get them to associate the smell as being THEIR food. If you do do give them people food you can't complain to ANYONE ELSE when your lab viciously guards the chicken leg your friend's kid dropped, by nipping the kids hand off.
Also only occasionally 'treat' them with non human-food treats (same smell reason).
And DON'T just leave food sitting out for them to eat whenever, or they'll eventually turn their noses up at it (it becomes food white-noise).
Set a schedule, and only put down their food when it's time for them to eat. Do this and your pet won't take their plain dog/cat food/kibble for granted ever again.
And if you're still worried that THEIR food is too expensive, buy BULK cheap kibble and mix it with bulk PLAIN rice/puffed-rice-cereal.

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nakedscience
April 14, 2009 4:26 PM
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@Coop:


\"DIY LADIES SANITARY ITEMS
Guys don't like seeing bloody shit in the sink each month.
Plus this can only be done for 'pads' otherwise TSS (toxic shock syndrome) comes into play and medical bills = EXPENSIVE.\"


OH MY GOD! BLOOD! Man, you are pathetic if you can't handle some blood. NEWSFLASH: Women have to deal with it EVERY MONTH. If you can't deal with it, don't get married or live with a woman. Must be nice to be a clueless, idiotic man!


RE: DOG FOOD: I have friends who make their own dog food because their dog is allergic to everything. Not all dogs are the same. He is SUPER HEALTHY. If you do it right, your dog WILL be healthier.

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Kishi
April 14, 2009 1:12 AM
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@Coop: Go to bed when the sun sets? You mean at 7 at night? Let alone in the winter, when it set before 5 and doesn't come up until after 7 in the morning.

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Rectilinear Propagation
April 14, 2009 12:13 AM
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Go to bed when the sun sets, get up when it rises.

@Coop: I don't think most people have that kind of flexibility when it comes to their work schedule.

Guys don't like seeing bloody shit in the sink each month.
And women do? I'm guessing most people don't like seeing blood but there it is.

Plus this can only be done for 'pads'...
I'm also guessing there aren't patterns for tampons. How would you even get it in?

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shirkitraven
April 14, 2009 2:35 AM
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@Rectilinear Propagation: There are a few, resuable, tampon products out there. The \"Keeper\" or \"moon cup\" are a few of them I can think of, and they work as well as a tampon for very little money over the long run.

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spidra
April 13, 2009 11:44 PM
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\"Borrow a copy of \"The Tightwad Gazette\" by Amy Dacyczyn from your local public library. Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.\"

MARK the book? So you're the jackasses that write on library books. Thanks, assholes.

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Feminist Whore
April 14, 2009 12:00 AM
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@floraposte: Oh you just don't know the joy of the mitts...

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hornrimsylvia
April 14, 2009 12:03 AM
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LAST ITEM: DIY female sanitary items - they're ok, but totally doesn't work if you don't like pads. get a diva cup, or some other cup. i got one 2 years ago, and it has already paid for itself in tampons. embarrassing morning trips to the store, and sending my husband to the store.

also: we don't have dimmable cfl's here.

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ShariC
April 14, 2009 12:22 AM
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Several of these tips can be summed up as 'do whatever it takes to be more aware of the money you spend.' One of the reasons handling cash tends to curb spending is you have a direct connection to the outgoing money and have a better sense of spending and losing something.

Japan has a largely cash-based culture despite having the technology in place to change over to debit cards and I think this is one of the reasons most people have very little debt. Personally, I don't pay my bills by automatic deductions from my bank account for this reason. It makes me far more aware of how much I spend on gas, electricity, etc. and makes the savings from changes in habits much easier to see.

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bibliophibian
April 14, 2009 1:52 AM
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@ShariC: I lived in Okinawa/Japan for a few years as a military spouse, and worked \"on the economy.\" Every week, I got my pay envelope... in cash, down to the exact yen. I wouldn't have believed it if someone'd told me it would happen this way, but those bills and coins were FAR more precious to me than the pay-stub and direct-deposit I got for my other job, on base. Looking at the balance in the checkbook was abstract; looking at the cash in my hand was concrete.

It also made it easier to quit that job - looking at a handful of yen and realizing that it wasn't worth what I was dealing with.

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Brontide
April 14, 2009 12:24 AM
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Pass on the rotisserie chicken and go for the roasters.

2 or 3 times the size @ ~1$/lb ( sometimes down to $.70/lb ) at hannaford. For $5-$8/chicken that's 3-5 meals for a family of 4 if you can be bothered to stick it in the oven 2 hours before dinner.

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HogwartsAlum
April 14, 2009 12:38 AM
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Don't buy pre-cut fruit, buy the whole fruit. You save a couple dollars every time.

I only do this when they are close in price. Sometimes a large container of cut up strawberries is the same as a container of whole ones. In that case, if I'm feeling lazy, I'll get the cut up ones.

KILL YOUR CABLE
I would do this, but there's something wrong with my internet and it goes out periodically. I think I may need a new router.

POTATOES
Very good and cheap food. Rice - okay, but brown is healthier. And he/she forgot the number one cheap/healthy food - LENTILS!!!!!

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Ed Schroeder
April 14, 2009 1:22 AM
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To make your disposable razors last longer dip them in baby oil or mineral oil after rinsing and drying them off.

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Avolition
April 14, 2009 1:23 AM
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Google uses of vinegar and baking soda.

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Brontide
April 14, 2009 1:26 AM
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CFL and Dimmers ?!? Credibility is very thin on these.

He claims that he uses BOTH CFL and Dimmers throughout his house. That is silly since CFL bulbs usually do not like dimmer switches, most of the time they will not work together.

Re-use ziplock: Why not just buy the non-ziplock bags in bulk. They work just as well for 99% of items and are a hell of a lot cheaper.

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cerbie
April 15, 2009 5:26 AM
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@snowmoon: dimmer-safe CFLs exist, but are pricey, defeating the cheapness bit. A good warm white non-dimmable CFL can be had for $1-3, and I don't know how long they last--at least two years, I guess (so far I'm at 0 failures).

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Holly Grimmett
April 14, 2009 1:38 AM
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The Tide trick alone would add to your money costs immeasurably when I filed for divorce. :-p

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MagicJewball
April 14, 2009 1:39 AM
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\"Never use credit cards to auto-pay for anything.\"

Really? I have everything I can set up with a CC. No balance + rewards = free cash.

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Scoobatz
April 14, 2009 1:39 AM
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113: Don't buy stuff you don't need.

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Anonymous
April 14, 2009 1:46 AM
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For the ghetto iced latte just make sure you dont' use the milk on the condiment bar. It's allowed to sit out for up to 4 hours at a time (though, let's be honest, if it's slow it might sit out longer) and it's considered safe b/c the idea is you're only ingesting a little of it (as a condiment) instead of a lot (a whole drink). Food poisoning isn't worth it!

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nsv
April 14, 2009 1:49 AM
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If you've gotten rid of cable, your local Freecycle group may be a good source of amusement.

Here's a recent message from my local Freecycle:

Hi all, my frig went out and dont have a replacement. Also i am looking for area rugs in a neutral colors and/or crazy design. I also have leather couches but would really like cloth plush with pillows. Still always looking for corsets of any kind, water ski, row boat or canoe/ kyack, and motorcycles... need some play things, life could be so much more fun and i sure wish i was on the water..

A year ago there were about four posts offering items to every one request for an item. I've gotten some great stuff (someone actually gave me a NordicTrack!) and I've given away furniture, old computers, monitors, a trailer hitch, an infant car seat, and more huge stuff than I can remember.

But now it's almost entirely begging. There are constant requests for furnishings for an entire house. People post things like \"I'm going to have a baby in two weeks and we don't have ANYTHING!\" (Um... did you just figure this out now?) One person posted daily demands for a large appliance and finished one demand with \"and I'm going to keep posting this until someone gives me one!\"

All this free entertainment is available at [www.freecycle.org] .

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Zain
April 14, 2009 4:23 AM
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A better way to share your internet would be to change your router settings so that it only allows whitelisted MAC addresses to connect (in addition to using wireless security of course). If someone's been naughty, you just take them off the whitelist.

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Anonymous
April 14, 2009 5:49 AM
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@ the tip about dimmer switches:

you are not saving electricity by using a dimmer switch. To get a bit technical: a dimmer switch works by sending part of the electricity through a resistor instead of the bulb. The same amount of power is used, but more is lost to heat when you have the lights dimmed.

That's why you hear a buzzing sound on some dimmer switches when the lights are low!

Don't think you're saving electricity by using a dimmer switch...

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Frank Murphy
April 14, 2009 6:59 AM
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I just get pens from the bank, they are free and free is cheaper than the microwave sparking from the metal of the pen you stick in the microwave.

As for disposable razors, an old toothbrush is great for cleaning them!

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Anneth
April 14, 2009 11:10 AM
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Freezing meat retards, but does not stop, decomposition. So be careful if you buy nearly-expired meat and freeze it; it won't keep forever.

Equally important is to be careful never to swallow the hydrogen peroxide/water mouthwash!

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theysaidwhat
April 14, 2009 12:45 PM
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I wouldn't cut my own hair, but the salon will let you dry your own hair. That saves anywhere between 15 and 30 bucks for blowout with a haircut for women's hair.

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Jeff9
April 14, 2009 12:58 PM
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113th way: Save money and the Earth and be clean at the same time! Get serious and add Bathroom Bidet Sprayers to all your bathrooms. I think Dr. Oz on Oprah said it best: \"if you had pee or poop on your hand, you wouldn't wipe it off with paper, would you? You'd wash it off\" Available at www.bathroomsprayers.com with these you won't even need toilet paper any more, just a towel to dry off! Don't worry, you can still leave some out for guests and can even make it the soft stuff without felling guilty. It's cheap and can be installed without a plumber; and runs off the same water line to your toilet. You'll probably pay for it in a few months of toilet paper savings. And after using one of these you won't know how you lasted all those years with wadded up handfuls of toilet paper. As for water use a drought is always a concern and must be dealt with prudently but please remember that in the big picture the industrial water users always far exceed the water use of household users and in the case of toilet paper manufacture it is huge. The pollution and significant power use from that manufacturing process also contributes to global warming so switching to a hand bidet sprayer and lowering your toilet paper use is very green in multiple ways.

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Rajagopalan Nataraja
April 14, 2009 1:44 PM
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Why keep dogs unless it is essential.
What is the implication of swap party in cost cutting?
Very useful tips. I will share with my son and daughter in law!
Cheers!

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seattleperson
April 14, 2009 4:10 PM
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Aren't there health risks related to electric blankets? My mother swore that they would give you cancer so I never got into them, even though as one of those people who is always cold, I would have appreciated them. Instead I bought a $15 hot pack from Rite Aid. I put it in the microwave for about 4 minutes and it stays nice an hot for a while. And in the summer it can be put in the freezer and used as an ice pack.

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subtlefrog
April 14, 2009 4:33 PM
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@lincolnplacelovesyou: I heart my Mirena too - but I never stopped getting my period (sigh). I can't say I'm too shocked though because the whole continue taking your birth control pills trick also never worked for me - my period is going to come, come hell or high water. Maybe I have a strong drive to know I am not pregnant? heh.

Of course, I wasn't sure that I was so in love with it when I got it - it being the most excruciating thing evah. Of course, I had a resident who apparently couldn't find my never having pushed out a kid hole (sorry - too graphic?) and fidgeted so long down there that I almost passed out. I really don't want to consider childbirth. It makes me scared.

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subtlefrog
April 14, 2009 4:44 PM
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@Alys Brangwin feels g-l-a-m-o-u-r-o-u-s: Oh yeah - omnivore boyfriend and I (vegan) manage to spend a lot on food. BUT that's because we're obsessed with things like olive oil. A typical meal is a grain (like Israeli couscous, but rice, quinoa, whatever is good), some greens (any kind, steamed with some sauteed garlic & onion), and some beans (cooked in the crock pot from dry). Pile the whole thing on the plate, top with some lemon juice and olive oil. Whole thing is under $4.00 for two people. That's what I'm talking about.

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subtlefrog
April 14, 2009 4:52 PM
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Several years ago a friend of mine told me he had never in his life bought paper towels. I thought this was a little extreme.

Eventually I realized that Target sells bar towels for cheap (a wad for like $4 or something) and a few wads will do me. Now I use those for most things like cleaning up spills and the counter tops. Then they get washed and bleached and they are good as new.

I buy paper towels only rarely, and use them for things like when the dog is just a little too excited to see us when we get home and the floor needs a little attention. You know, things that even after a little bleach you'd be...uncomfortable with cleaning the counters with the same rag.

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Mary Marsala with Fries
April 14, 2009 5:27 PM
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Baking soda / salt / peroxide FTW -- I've been doing this for years and it works great.

Also, cloth menstrual pads -- bit pricier up front, but they last forever and HEY, IT TURNS OUT PLASTIC IN YOUR UNDERWEAR ISN'T VERY COMFORTABLE --sorry. Just sayin'.

I *really* want to know if a clothesline can actually save $50 a MONTH, though. That seems like a lot just for not running the dryer!

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NewsMuncher
April 14, 2009 6:51 PM
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One problem with shopping online to avoid sales tax: Washington State has a use tax policy. If you buy something from a state that doesn't have sales tax (like Oregon) or less sales tax than Washington, you are required by law to pay sales tax in the form of use tax if the first use of the item is in Washington. (One upside is that you pay taxes on fair-market value instead of price for things like cars.) Washington's Department of Revenue site gives the low-down: [dor.wa.gov]

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NewsMuncher
April 14, 2009 7:03 PM
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@NewsMuncher: Oh. Looked a bit further: it seems all states with sales tax implement use tax as well. The state of Maine's website [www.maine.gov] indicates this, though the wiki article doesn't appear to state it straight out. One site referenced was [www.salesandusetax.com] you may want to check up on your state's requirements.

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rubella
April 14, 2009 11:55 PM
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Great way to make money - write obvious how-to articles.

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cerbie
April 15, 2009 5:22 AM
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MAKE SALADS LAST 10 DAYS: instead of getting a lettuce knife, just get a better general purpose kitchen knife (chinese cleaver, chef's knife, santoku, etc.). Your knife should not be reacting to lettuce, nor bruising it. It should glide right through it with a push-cut or draw-cut.

My best knife wasn't even $30 shipped (Forschner santoku), and has not caused lettuce any blemishes, even sitting in the fridge for days after being sliced up.

If you put your knives in the sink or dishwasher, ignore this comment :).

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dlab
April 15, 2009 3:13 PM
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I really take issue to the tip about CFL lightbulbs. A year ago I spent an outrageous amount of money replacing about half the lightbulbs in my house with CFLs. Nearly 3/4 of those year-old CFLs no longer work, while the incandescents that I DID NOT replace a year ago (most of them came with the apartment when I rented it) are still going strong.

I think the energy cost savings of CFL's are probably negated by the fact that I am having to replace them on a yearly basis.

Also, new studies suggest that the supposed energy efficiency of these bulbs might actually be a myth:
[hardware.slashdot.org]

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cerbie
April 15, 2009 7:33 PM
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@dlab: I haven't had any issues with burning out. In fact, I have yet to see one fail indoors (GE, and whoever makes Kroger's brand, which is the cheapest 2700K I know of B&M--could be GE).

Warm-up times are in seconds, now, so I don't get that, either.

Power factor, OTOH, I have wondered about, given how they're often working in the 20-50kHz range, and are small and cheap (many of your appliances have power factor correction circuitry in their power supplies). I wonder how much more a CFl with PFC would cost? It seems like passive PFC it could be done for a quarter, or maybe less...but I could be way off the mark.

Even so, the whole double real wattage thing is highly overstated, much like the mercury scare. PFC should be in them, if they really have such low PFs, but it's not like it's coming anywhere close to negating their benefits in power saving.

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Anomaly69
April 16, 2009 9:33 AM
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CHANGE YOUR LIGHT SWITCHES

Unless you have electronic power regulating dimmers this just won't work. Why? Because the way dimmers work is to adjust the amount of resistance of the dimmer itself. What that means is the dimmer consumes power that would otherwise be used by the bulb, it's why the bulb burns dimmer.

The moral of this story: Get the high dollar power regulating dimmers or you are just fooling yourself with this one.

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Wendy Lynn Gantos
April 20, 2009 11:31 PM
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Diatomaceous earth is a great, natural product that will kill ants, slugs, and fleas. Can use it indoors on carpets and pets too.

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stands2reason
May 5, 2009 3:36 PM
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That is epic.

But, I noticed that a lot of advice is lacking regarding gaming and computers.

-Always buy games used. I usually use amazon.com, but you can buy wherever you're comfortable.

-Get your friends' old computers. I had one desktop that was given to me after a hardware failure. I stuck a spare hard drive in it, and it works perfectly. Even on 512 MB of RAM, it can do anything I need it to do. If you use Windows XP or your favorite Linux distro and keep the bloatware to a minimum, even a very old \"underpowered\" computer will work fine.

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Jahnavi
February 14, 2011 5:46 AM
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buy macs - what kind of fan boy stuff is that? Macs are notoriously expensive, especially for the computing power you get. To save money, get decent middle of the line HP or Dell and install Ubuntu on them, then you'll really save money.
* buy everyone lunch - not sustainable in the long run, that's how the dot com boom eras companies went bankrupt, by having daily buffets in the office, horrible idea. People need time away from the office to relax.
http://www.financemetrics.com/

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Jahnavi
February 14, 2011 5:48 AM
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http://www.financemetrics.com/

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Jahnavi
February 14, 2011 5:56 AM
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buy macs - what kind of fan boy stuff is that? Macs are notoriously expensive, especially for the computing power you get. To save money, get decent middle of the line HP or Dell and install Ubuntu on them, then you'll really save money.
* buy everyone lunch - not sustainable in the long run, that's how the dot com boom eras companies went bankrupt, by having daily buffets in the office, horrible idea. People need time away from the office to relax.
http://www.financemetrics.com/

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