Generous frugality

[Stilettoprefer]

Right next to where I work is a Costco. I'm not a member, but I've been able to sneak in and eat lunch at the food court for the entire year that I've worked at the shop. $1.50 for a big hotdog and a Pepsi? Yes. And a foot long subway sandwich will cover two meals. So $2.50 for a semi-nutritious lunch.

I drive a 97 Honda accord. 30-ish miles to the gallon and I bought it used with cash.

I always get gas at Fred Meyer and since my mom buys a lot of stuff from there, the immediate family gets discounts on what is already the lowest priced gas in town.

I've noticed while shopping that the store brands are essentially the same thing as the big name brands, just about half the price. Big ole bag of knockoff lucky charms (at least 2 boxes) is less than 1 regular size box of the real deal.

Hopefully will be getting a nice big scholarship at school that will cover my entire tuition for the next 2 terms. If that goes through I'll be using the money that I've saved up to get out of my parents house and into an apartment. (FYI, mom and dad aren't paying anything for my schooling, I'm working my butt off at almost minimum wage to pay for it + most of my meals, all of my gas and car insurance.)

[slobake]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

Right next to where I work is a Costco. I'm not a member, but I've been able to sneak in and eat lunch at the food court for the entire year that I've worked at the shop. $1.50 for a big hotdog and a Pepsi? Yes. And a foot long subway sandwich will cover two meals. So $2.50 for a semi-nutritious lunch.

I drive a 97 Honda accord. 30-ish miles to the gallon and I bought it used with cash.

I always get gas at Fred Meyer and since my mom buys a lot of stuff from there, the immediate family gets discounts on what is already the lowest priced gas in town.

I've noticed while shopping that the store brands are essentially the same thing as the big name brands, just about half the price. Big ole bag of knockoff lucky charms (at least 2 boxes) is less than 1 regular size box of the real deal.

Hopefully will be getting a nice big scholarship at school that will cover my entire tuition for the next 2 terms. If that goes through I'll be using the money that I've saved up to get out of my parents house and into an apartment. (FYI, mom and dad aren't paying anything for my schooling, I'm working my butt off at almost minimum wage to pay for it + most of my meals, all of my gas and car insurance.)

Dude I'm impressed. I hope you get the scholarship. Good advice on the store brands.

[Stilettoprefer]

Originally Posted by slobake

Dude I'm impressed. I hope you get the scholarship. Good advice on the store brands.

Thanks man. I find out next week if I'm getting it or not.

[slobake]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

Thanks man. I find out next week if I'm getting it or not.

Awesome, let is know I would like to hear. Are you a music major?

[duff beer]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

I've noticed while shopping that the store brands are essentially the same thing as the big name brands, just about half the price. Big ole bag of knockoff lucky charms (at least 2 boxes) is less than 1 regular size box of the real deal.

To see even more savings, replace the lucky charms with oatmeal. It's better for you and has no added sugar.

[slobake]

Originally Posted by duff beer

To see even more savings, replace the lucky charms with oatmeal. It's better for you and has no added sugar.

Yes this is true but there is no pot-o-gold.

[Factor88]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

Hopefully will be getting a nice big scholarship at school that will cover my entire tuition for the next 2 terms. If that goes through I'll be using the money that I've saved up to get out of my parents house and into an apartment. (FYI, mom and dad aren't paying anything for my schooling, I'm working my butt off at almost minimum wage to pay for it + most of my meals, all of my gas and car insurance.)

Since this thread is about saving money, maybe if you get the scholarship you should stay where you are at rather than move out? You are still in school...it is acceptable to live at home. Unless you just can't stand living with them anymore...

I write this because I was about to post that I saved a tone of cash in my 20's by living with my parents even though I could have afforded to live in a small apt by myself or with room mates. My parents had no objections as long as I helped out with small and big projects around the house (cleaning gutters, routine painting, etc. etc.). And there are advantages to having to tell the girl she can't come back to your place...that way you don't have her showing up at inopportune times.....

Now a days, I mostly save money by doing almost all my own maintenence and repair on my car. I can do pretty much everything except total engine and tranmission rebuilds.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

\
I've noticed while shopping that the store brands are essentially the same thing as the big name brands, just about half the price. Big ole bag of knockoff lucky charms (at least 2 boxes) is less than 1 regular size box of the real deal.

I've stopped eating cereal due to the price but also due to the nature of it. It doesn't fill up very well.

I have never been a fan of most knock-off cereal brands. Some of them are quite inferior. It varies. The cheerio-types are often terrible. The apple jacks knock offs (apple jacks are my person favorite), blech.

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by duff beer

To see even more savings, replace the lucky charms with oatmeal. It's better for you and has no added sugar.

But, is it "Magically Delicious"?

[Stilettoprefer]

Originally Posted by slobake

Awesome, let is know I would like to hear. Are you a music major?

Kind of. I'm going for a music technology certificate. It's a one year program that offers extensive training for running professional studios, live sound and making electronic music. I'm mostly focusing on the recording and live sound aspect.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Richland123

But, is it "Magically Delicious"?

Magically, no. But reasonably so.

[slobake]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

Kind of. I'm going for a music technology certificate. It's a one year program that offers extensive training for running professional studios, live sound and making electronic music. I'm mostly focusing on the recording and live sound aspect.

Now I know who to contact if I need a producer.

[Richland123]

Here is another money saving tip I have. Locally, we have a Schwebel's Thrift Bakery Store. They sell fresh (as well as day old) bakery items and other things at hugely discounted prices. Yesterday, I went there and bought all these fresh baked goods - an 8 pack of large Sausage Sandwich rolls, an 8 pack of Kaiser Hamburger Buns, 4 dozen Brown & Serve Rolls, and 2 dozen Slider Sandwich Buns - ALL FOR ONLY $3.00.

Quite often, they will have big overruns of fresh baked items too that come right off the trucks and they sell them either 2 for $1.00 or 4 for $1.00. A few weeks ago, they had loaves of Italian and Wheat Bread 2 for $1.00.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Richland123

Here is another money saving tip I have. Locally, we have a Schwebel's Thrift Bakery Store. They sell fresh (as well as day old) bakery items and other things at hugely discounted prices. Yesterday, I went there and bought all these fresh baked goods - an 8 pack of large Sausage Sandwich rolls, an 8 pack of Kaiser Hamburger Buns, 4 dozen Brown & Serve Rolls, and 2 dozen Slider Sandwich Buns - ALL FOR ONLY $3.00.

Quite often, they will have big overruns of fresh baked items too that come right off the trucks and they sell them either 2 for $1.00 or 4 for $1.00. A few weeks ago, they had loaves of Italian and Wheat Bread 2 for $1.00.

Schwebel's? You must be in my neighborhood.

I used to work at a lumberyard and a contractor/farmer would come in with Pepperidge Farm breads; he would get them for animal feed. He would let us at work take whatever we wanted. High quality stuff. I would usually grab some raisin bread and rolls.

Those thrifters are nice; grocery stores have discount bread sections as well. I am always pioneering around them. Only problem is either freeze it or eat it as it is going to go bad quicker.

[LiquidMidnight]

So, my BL is notoriously cheap. On the way to the gig last night, my guitarist tells me that my BL actually always unplugs his microwave after each use to save the electricity from the microwave's digital clock always being on.

So I ask my BL about this at the gig last night, and he proudly told me about the $120 he saves every year in electricity by unplugging the microwave, televisions, and computers when they aren't in use.

[Eric Perry]

I installed a keg system at my house so I didn't have to pay (substantially) more for cases.

[Cabazon]

I invite myself over to friends' and relatives' frequently for meals.

[Stilettoprefer]

Originally Posted by slobake

Awesome, let is know I would like to hear. Are you a music major?

Hey, man. I got the scholarship! The teacher giving them out had some family issues so I didn't find out until yesterday.

On a side note, I got hired full time at the machine shop that I've worked at for the last year, and got promoted to machining! So no more cut hours and hopefully a pretty good pay raise very soon. Still getting used to working night shift, though haha.

[pocketgroove]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

Hey, man. I got the scholarship! The teacher giving them out had some family issues so I didn't find out until yesterday.

On a side note, I got hired full time at the machine shop that I've worked at for the last year, and got promoted to machining! So no more cut hours and hopefully a pretty good pay raise very soon. Still getting used to working night shift, though haha.

Congrats on both counts! It seems like things are going pretty well.

[Stilettoprefer]

Originally Posted by pocketgroove

Congrats on both counts! It seems like things are going pretty well.

Thanks