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There's no getting around it; times are tough, and a dollar just doesn't go as far as it used to. With prices spiking and jobs disappearing, making ends meet has gone from stressful to STRESSFUL, so any tips on how we can save a few bucks are more than welcome.
Looking to pool our money-saving knowledge together, Reddit user AmaraMehdi recently asked, "What is a 'poor person hack' you picked up during a hard time that you still use today, even if you don't have to?" The thread was full of invaluable advice, garnering over 5,000 responses, but here are some of the best:
1."I use free grocery pickup to stretch my budget. It's easier to get as many meals as you possibly can out of $100 by building an online cart instead of trying to do the 'can I get cereal if I buy one less pound of chicken' math in your head as you walk around the store."
2."Parks and trails are free entertainment that make you healthier and less depressed the more you use them."
3."My wife and I went down to one car five years ago when we needed some cash fast for an unexpected expense. It's only a four-mile ride to and from my office, so I figured I'd just deal with it and bike for a while. Turns out we have no real use for a second car 99% of the time, and the other 1% (basically if one of our kids gets sick in the middle of the day) just means my wife has to leave work early and work from home the rest of the day. I get my cardio done for the day, save a ton of money, and most days I genuinely look forward to the mental clarity I get from a quick workout after work."
—u/harshmojo
4."If something is broken, Google the fix for it and see if you're able to do it yourself. The amount of crooks in appliance repair is insane."
5."Out of toothpaste? Cut the tube open and scrape it clean."
6."Library library library! My kids ravage through books. We easily save thousands a year using the library."
7."I've gotten so much good stuff for free from my local Buy Nothing group. Freecycle is good too."
8."'No dollar days'. See how many days you can go without spending $1, and then try to beat your previous record. $3/day = $1,000/year, so it really adds up."
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9."A 20-50 pound bag of rice in your pantry will pick up a lot of slack in your diet when you’re poor. I’m not poor anymore, but I always have a ton of rice at home. Rice and eggs, rice and ground meat, rice and a can of chili, etc. I wasn’t always eating good, but I was never hungry."
—u/daytodaze
10."If you are absolutely, for sure, going to overdraw and there’s nothing you can do to prevent it, go buy a grocery store gift card before the overdraw hits. Now you have access to food and gas without getting dinged for multiple overdraft fees before your next paycheck comes in. Just make sure that the total overdraft (including the big bill plus the gift card) doesn’t exceed your maximum overdraft. Better still is to not have an overdraft in the first place, but when you’re poor, shit happens."
—u/thndrchld
11."When your batteries run out on your remote, just take the batteries out, rub them in your hands for 30-40 seconds to make heat friction, and bam, they work again. Not for long, but enough to get where you need to go on the TV."
12."I still use plastic grocery bags for my bathroom and office trash cans instead of buying small trash bags."
13."Keep old things as a backup: shoes, glasses, etc. Often, I wouldn't have money for new things if something broke, so if a pair of shoes fell apart, I would at least have a crappy pair until I could afford some new ones."
14."Oatmeal with peanut butter is a really cheap way to get your calories and nutrition. Also, chug water with every meal to feel full."
15."Darning socks and repairing ripped jeans."
—u/limbodog
16."There are some exceptions, but for the most part, store brand is just as good, or, in the case of Kirkland, it might be superior."
—u/Redditujer
17."Learning to love my crock pot and eating the same meal for an entire week. An amazing money saver, and I still do it because it was an ingrained habit for years."
18."Save and plant your seeds. Compost, and turn your compost regularly. Grow whatever you can, and can whatever you can't eat."
—u/nurdmann
19."Need boxes for moving or organizing? Don’t ever buy a cardboard box, EVER. Go to your local liquor store and ask for boxes; they’ll happily give you as many as you’d like, and they’re pretty sturdy since they’re made to hold heavy objects."
—u/cclonch44
20."Toilet paper is less expensive than tissues but works just as well."
21."Get a $5 Costco whole chicken once a week, along with Top Ramen, rice, beans, and eggs. This got me through periods of low income, and was only like $50-60 a month for two meals a day."
22."Carry a reusable water bottle everywhere, don’t buy drinks out. Look for free days at museums, the zoo, or the symphony. Check the health department for free vaccines, testing, and other healthcare."
23."Start a jar collection. I haven't used plastic baggies in years. Everything goes into the jars."
24."Shop at thrift stores. When that doesn't work, shop at TJ Maxx, Ross, etc. Generally, you can find quality without a huge pricetag."
25.And finally, "Help out your neighbors, without asking for payment, when they're in need and when you are able. I've been showered with free food, things, and acts of service from grateful neighbors."
Do you have any "poor person hacks" that you still swear by? Tell me in the comments or use the anonymous form below. Your response could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed article!
Note: Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
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