I’m never going to waste food if I can help it. The fact that people casually throw away half of a meal is crazy to me, especially when it’s at a restaurant where they paid a $100+ bill.
Thrift shops and yard sales. If I did have a surplus of money, I’d rather spend it on things like travel or ways to treat myself (trying new food, beauty services, etc.) than material items. Also, fast fashion and overproduction are terrible for the environment, so it makes me feel great to not fuel those industries.
Leftover nuts and bolts (and other hardware/fasteners/tools) from new furniture kits, old broken appliances, etc. It goes to the garage so I can use it in 15 years.
I grew up with no money and now even though I have enough, I still really love eating my povvo meals – instant ramen with an egg, vegemite toast with cheese. Though that might just be childhood nostalgia
Not wasting food or throwing away food before 7 days.
I have a very comfortable financial life, but I will keep everything for 7 damn days and then I throw it away because I remember being hungry and that will never happen to me again.
If I use paper towels to just dry my clean hands, I don’t throw it away right away if there’s crumbs to clean up or a spill I use those same paper towels 🙈
Driving a sensible car that I have paid off. I have zero desire to upgrade to some mid-tier sedan of a particular make so that I can signal that I’m moderately well off.
Checking Clearance at clothing stores first. Sometimes I find great things for really cheap. Also, wait for the highest possible percentage off on a going out of business sale.
I’m not sure if it counts but even if I were filthy rich I’d still like to be on my bed laying with my cat and nap together. Depression sucks but I enjoy having company with my baby. We’re nap buddies. I mean as opposed to traveling or whatever if that’s what rich folk like to do.
I don’t upgrade my phone nor my car, we run them into the ground.
I still coupon.
I reuse gift wrap and bags.
Always turn down heat when not home or sleeping. Same with the lights. Mend clothes vs throwing them out.
I’ll never buy a new car. I’m good at finding clean, low miles examples that are 3-4 years old, and oftentimes am able to get them $20,000 off msrp. Our most recent vehicle was bought last fall, a 2020 VW Tiguan Highline 4motion with 20,000km (12,500mi.) for 29k CAD. In those first 3-4 years, I just don’t see anything but the depreciation. It makes it hard to want to buy new.
Also, I buy my shirts/sweaters from blankclothing, jeans from bluenotes ($20 each!) and everything else on sale.
I refuse to buy cheap crap, but I also refuse to pay full price for most things, unless absolutely necessary. I’m patient and will wait for deals, clearances, etc. My fall 2024 iMac I just picked up was for $650 off on openbox.
Eating shitty room temperature chicken nuggets. It’s nostalgic for me, because of elementary school. For a time, school lunch was the only time I’d eat during the day. For some reason those “chicken nuggets” with those duck sauce packets was heaven. I could be a billionaire and I’ll always return to it.
I know people who don’t eat leftovers. This is just so wasteful. Food is food is food. Throwing food away because it’s a day old is way too foreign a concept for me. I also can eat the same thing 3 days in a row and not be bothered about it. If that’s what there is, that’s what I’m eating. I can afford variety now, but wasting food? I just can’t do it.
Not paying $40-$60 just to park my car before a concert or sports event. I’d rather show up an hour early, free street parking, and grab a meal from a local spot before eating shitty stadium food.
Second and third guessing whether or not to throw out a thrashed T-shirt. “Well, it’s clean, so after wearing it I’ll toss it instead of washing it again.” washes it again
ESTATE SALES. Rich people’s stuff for $1? Absolutely. My whole house is furnished by downsizing octogenarians. Grandfather clock, hardwood 6ft dressers with dovetailed drawers, matching cherry nightstands, leather couch, and an entire wood shop of tools. All for pennies.
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Putting water in hand soap to make it last longer
feeling guilt whilst shopping
checking restaurant prices before looking at the menu like a broke muscle memory reflex
I don’t upgrade my phone until it stops being functional.
Borrowing from the library.
I like shopping at Aldi
When I buy a meal I generally refuse to buy anything that takes more than one hour of labor to pay for.
Drive cars to the ground, yard sales, not buy new clothes often
turning lights off when i leave the room.
First step before any non-staple purchase is an argument from myself as to why it isn’t necessary.
I’m never going to waste food if I can help it. The fact that people casually throw away half of a meal is crazy to me, especially when it’s at a restaurant where they paid a $100+ bill.
Thrift shops and yard sales. If I did have a surplus of money, I’d rather spend it on things like travel or ways to treat myself (trying new food, beauty services, etc.) than material items. Also, fast fashion and overproduction are terrible for the environment, so it makes me feel great to not fuel those industries.
Sale and discounts. I love a good bargain!
Leftover nuts and bolts (and other hardware/fasteners/tools) from new furniture kits, old broken appliances, etc. It goes to the garage so I can use it in 15 years.
Never stop buying Instant noddles, those have saved my life in my worst days when I only had 5$ for whole 2 weeks for my next paycheck lol
Poverty nachos
Eating a bowl of rice, beans and cheese! Love that shit
Using grocery bags as trash bags
Using every single last drop of any products/eating all my food. Lotion? I am cutting open the tube. Shrimp shells?- soup time.
I grew up with no money and now even though I have enough, I still really love eating my povvo meals – instant ramen with an egg, vegemite toast with cheese. Though that might just be childhood nostalgia
Empathy.
Wearing shirts that still fit me, even several years later.
instant noodles
Looking for the best deal-not the cheapest, but best quality for price…and coupons.
Thrifting!
Buying store brand, dying my own hair, second hand clothes or housewares.
Buying things used if it is an option. Saved thousands on things over the years
I pick up any coins found on the ground. Penny jar going strong.
Buying meat when it goes on sale, portioning it into useful amounts, and then freezing it for later
Keeping top ramen and Kool-Aid in my shelves. Along with pizza rolls.
Toast with butter, sugar and cinnamon
Looking for a coupon or sale before buying something
Smoking roaches til they burn my fingers.
Turning off lights, library, thrift stores, depression era foods (learned from Oma).
Putting on at home clothes once I get home
Not wasting food or throwing away food before 7 days.
I have a very comfortable financial life, but I will keep everything for 7 damn days and then I throw it away because I remember being hungry and that will never happen to me again.
The sauce drawer stays no matter what
If I use paper towels to just dry my clean hands, I don’t throw it away right away if there’s crumbs to clean up or a spill I use those same paper towels 🙈
Squeezing every last drop of toothpaste out of the tube
Don’t pay regular price if I don’t have to. I would buy either on sale or clearance and save money.
Turning off lights when leaving a room
Adding a little water to get the last of bottled sauces/condiments out
Saving the last broken bits in the bottom of the chip bags until I have enough to crush and dredge chicken in for oven baked chicken
Making and freezing homemade bread and biscuits (it’s cheaper and healthier)
Making my own jams/jellies and canning them
Using coupons and buying stuff on sale
Driving a sensible car that I have paid off. I have zero desire to upgrade to some mid-tier sedan of a particular make so that I can signal that I’m moderately well off.
I’ve been up and I’ve been down and there’s one thing that doesn’t ever change: you always compare hotel rates.
Use cloth towels instead of paper towels when able too
At restaurants my eyes always go to the cheapest options first. My wife catches on and suggests dishes that she knows I would prefer.
Being grateful for what I have, and living modestly. I don’t need a mansion or any other home for several people.
Checking Clearance at clothing stores first. Sometimes I find great things for really cheap. Also, wait for the highest possible percentage off on a going out of business sale.
Wearing a jumper instead of putting on the heating.
Walking everywhere
Check my bank account before I buy literally anything to see if I can afford it
Making my own coffee
I’m not sure if it counts but even if I were filthy rich I’d still like to be on my bed laying with my cat and nap together. Depression sucks but I enjoy having company with my baby. We’re nap buddies. I mean as opposed to traveling or whatever if that’s what rich folk like to do.
Buy things “on sale.”
I was raised on shopping clearance racks so now I can’t buy something if it isn’t marked down.
Household income over 200k and were still hand washing clean our Ziploc bags
Ordering water out to eat. Even soft drinks are like $5 at some places. I stopped getting a beer at concerts & sporting events once they hit $10
My MIL recycles plastic bags and tin foil despite living in a multi million dollar home. She was born during the depression.
I just returned from a trip to the Salvation Army. So, maybe that. I’ll also get greeting cards and other things at the dollar store.
Checking the calendar for the two months with three paychecks! (This only works if you’re paid every other week)
I don’t upgrade my phone nor my car, we run them into the ground.
I still coupon.
I reuse gift wrap and bags.
Always turn down heat when not home or sleeping. Same with the lights. Mend clothes vs throwing them out.
Flexible expiration dates on food stuff.
Reusing containers, especially glass jars, for any kind of storage needs. Buttons, pens, coins, plant cuttings? They’re all going in repurposed jars!
Cleaning my own place. I don’t like people touching my shit…
Public Libraries. Love them
taking home leftovers and making a bomb ass breakfast with them the next morning. also, imma take those ramekins if you don’t give me a to go cuppy.
I’ll never buy a new car. I’m good at finding clean, low miles examples that are 3-4 years old, and oftentimes am able to get them $20,000 off msrp. Our most recent vehicle was bought last fall, a 2020 VW Tiguan Highline 4motion with 20,000km (12,500mi.) for 29k CAD. In those first 3-4 years, I just don’t see anything but the depreciation. It makes it hard to want to buy new.
Also, I buy my shirts/sweaters from blankclothing, jeans from bluenotes ($20 each!) and everything else on sale.
I refuse to buy cheap crap, but I also refuse to pay full price for most things, unless absolutely necessary. I’m patient and will wait for deals, clearances, etc. My fall 2024 iMac I just picked up was for $650 off on openbox.
Always on the lookout for a good deal.
Making my lunch for work, it’s healthier, cheaper and it must look good cause often get complimented bit it’s seen as a poor person habit.
Using toilet paper to blow my nose
Eating shitty room temperature chicken nuggets. It’s nostalgic for me, because of elementary school. For a time, school lunch was the only time I’d eat during the day. For some reason those “chicken nuggets” with those duck sauce packets was heaven. I could be a billionaire and I’ll always return to it.
Collecting the complimentary soaps at hotels and keeping a stash of fast food napkins in my glove box.
One save your money and the other is just practical and cheaper than buying tissues or paper towels.
My dad had these habits and I picked them up.
He grew up poor, went to med school and became pretty well off and renowned. The habits never stopped though.
Adding my sliver of soap to the new bar.
I know people who don’t eat leftovers. This is just so wasteful. Food is food is food. Throwing food away because it’s a day old is way too foreign a concept for me. I also can eat the same thing 3 days in a row and not be bothered about it. If that’s what there is, that’s what I’m eating. I can afford variety now, but wasting food? I just can’t do it.
Being nice and courteous to working people.
poverty nachos – tortilla chips and shredded cheese nuked in the microwave
Reusing tissue paper when wrapping gifts
Fix things that can be done without paying a professional. Except things like electrical etc
Compare prices per unit
Edit. Per unit of measure. For example $0.36 per gram
Not paying $40-$60 just to park my car before a concert or sports event. I’d rather show up an hour early, free street parking, and grab a meal from a local spot before eating shitty stadium food.
Putting a grocery bag in the bathroom trashcan as a liner.
Second and third guessing whether or not to throw out a thrashed T-shirt. “Well, it’s clean, so after wearing it I’ll toss it instead of washing it again.”
washes it again
Licking yogurt tops to maximize value
Shaking the has nozzle to get the last drops after pumping gas
Searching for a promo code before each online purchase.
Re-using paper plates if they are not dirty.
If I make a slice of toast, I’ll knock the crumbs off the plate and keep it for later.
Using a tissue a second time, maybe a third time.
Using the back of an envelope for shopping list.
I could keep going.
Sneaking snacks into the movie theater.
I’ll always look at the clearance section, doesn’t matter what store.
ESTATE SALES. Rich people’s stuff for $1? Absolutely. My whole house is furnished by downsizing octogenarians. Grandfather clock, hardwood 6ft dressers with dovetailed drawers, matching cherry nightstands, leather couch, and an entire wood shop of tools. All for pennies.
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