Just being thrifty

Posted Saturday, July 25, 2009, at 10:41 AM

Buy used, fix and barter...

When I was younger I used to kinda laugh at some of the older folks, saving aluminum foil and such things I had thought were frivolous.

Now I see the wisdom.

The other day my Kirby broke. The hose that feeds the trash into the bag had torn a hole it in it. We managed to fix it by cutting off the bad spot and re attaching it.

I have found myself fixing or modifying things around the house to extend the life of them.

What are some of the things that you are doing to be thrifty and help extend the life of some of your things?

When I was a child we did not throw away the TV set, we went and had the tubes tested and bought new tubes..

I used to poke around in the dumps and find all kinds to treasures, much to the dismay of my mother.

I still look for treasures at yard sale and the Goodwill.

Some I can resale, some I keep.

We are putting up a privacy fence that formerly was used in a school in east Tennessee, we paid 500.00 for the lot on Govdeals.com.

That same amount would have cost double had we bought it new.

I am looking for ways to save for school supplies and clothing. Last year, when the ridiculous dress code came in effect, I went to Franklin and bought all my child's polo shirts at the Goodwill.

Our Goodwill here had been wiped clean.

What are you doing to save? Have you started a garden and are canning this year? (I hate cooking so that would not be me...)

I get used everything books, clothing and cars. I just bought a fantastic Volvo for a great deal. It just needed some TLC.

Tell me your ideas for saving. Do you barter, buy used or save and repair?

I look foward to your responses!

Comments
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Good Sam, Good Will, yard-sale items esp. toys our boys are sure to destroy, Save a lot, and United Grocery help with snacks and some grocery items. I very seldom go to WalMart. We save and save and repair what we can and take one good trip every summer.

-- Posted by countrymom on Sat, Jul 25, 2009, at 9:27 PM

I don'tknow about you, but I wish they had a Target here in town.

UGO has some good deals sometimes on cleaning stuff. Found some Cascade gels for 5.95 they are usually 9.00 something.

I scan the marked down meats at Walmart and Kroger. Got some ground turkey , which we love for .99 cent a pack last month.

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Sun, Jul 26, 2009, at 9:37 AM

I barter to save money on http://www.barterquest.com. It's a great trading site where you can swap almost everything: goods, services & real estate. I love it.

-- Posted by barterlove on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 8:18 AM

ooh barterlove thanks!!

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 10:03 AM

I am the queen of bargains as my husband calls me. I don't go to the grocery store with a list. I go to to buy all the sales. I especially LOVE buy 1 get 1 free. I try to go on the day the sales come out. Kroger is on Sat. Foodlion is on Wed. I stock up when things are on a great sale. Example-my favorite toothpaste was on sale. Reg price $2.50 on sale for $1. I bought 15 tubes. I saved $22.50 and I don't need to buy toothpaste for a year :)I like to do the samething with paper towels and toilet paper. When they're buy 1 get 1 free I buy as many as I'm allowed then I go back the next day and do the same. Then I have enough paper for a several months and save huge. I also LOVE Goodwill. The 1st Sat of the month the whole store is 50% off woo hoo. I also LOVE craigslist. We remodeled our house. I bought all my kitchen cabinets on craigslist all brand-new $400 compared to $3000 Lowes wanted HA not me. I just bought the best dishwasher ever made on craigslist for $20 top of the line Maytag. and many many many more but I think I've worn out my welcome. God Bless and happy savings.

-- Posted by UltraConservativeAmerican on Thu, Jul 30, 2009, at 5:07 PM

We need to leave this subject open for a long time Lesa. I have a feeling we're gonna be needing each other's tips and skills. Thanks for bringing this up. My motto is re-use, recycle and don't buy it new if you can find a better deal. Again, thanks to all for sharing.

-- Posted by ridgeroamer on Fri, Jul 31, 2009, at 9:03 AM

Yeah, thanks, but I don't have all day to fix every little thing that breaks around my house so it can work for a little longer and I can avoid the responsibility of just replacing it because I have a job and work and receive a paycheck (as opposed to just a check, unlike a disgustingly large portion of Bedford County residents) and so I can afford to replace things when they break and buy the replacements new because I work hard, manage my money properly, and live within my means. Enjoy wearing my old clothes, though.

-- Posted by Resentful Parent on Sat, Aug 1, 2009, at 12:45 AM

No problem I got a Nice set of new Calvin Klein sheets the other day at the Goodwill. (5.99)

Don't mind if I do wear your old ones!(clothes not sheets..)

I fill my retirement investments up and everything i have is paid for.

Oh if this blog pisses you off, read the next one!

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Tue, Aug 4, 2009, at 5:04 PM

It seems that Resenful Parent has a issue. Like most of America, she is spoiled. I can only echo the reply of 4fab. I am a Maint Engineer. I am very thrifty and can repair most anything. Resentful parent, please post your unwanted broken stuff that your going to discard on craings list. I will come and get it. I suppliment my income on the stuff that people are to lazy to take the time to repair. If you post your stuff, I can count on another IRA being opened for my retirement.

-- Posted by bear on Tue, Aug 4, 2009, at 5:21 PM

resentful parent: no prob man i work two jobs, i just refuse to pay retail for anything..

Keep buying ... I'll get it eventually.

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Tue, Aug 4, 2009, at 5:29 PM

I agree with bear - resentful parent is too used to running to the department store about every little thing. I won't mind wearing their old clothes either; with that attitude all their stuff is probably still new when they throw it out!

-- Posted by picaboo170 on Wed, Aug 5, 2009, at 9:58 AM

Clutter, Cats and Kids

Lesa Cox

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Lesa Cox has owned a cleaning service and a bookstore; now, she repairs and maintains computers for the elderly and others on a fixed income. She enjoys animals, gardening, books and fixing old cars. She and her husband have one son, who suffers from Asperger's syndrome.

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