A penny saved is a penny earned
By Denise
@petatonicsca (7070)
Japan
January 29, 2016 8:22pm CST
I'm becoming more and more aware that anything you can keep from having to buy is money that stays in the bank. (Not that it earns much in there, mind you.)
I am talking here about paper and plastic disposable things, things that we have to buy over and over if we use them, such as tissues, paper towels, napkins, sanitary napkins, and toilet paper, to name a few.
I have all these things in my house, and use them. However, I have saved a lot of money over the years by having washable, cloth alternatives to all these things.
I always carry a handkerchief. Sometimes the kids at school are surprised when I pull it out of my pocket and use it. The other day a kindergartener asked if she could smell it! She thought I had put perfume on it and was sniffing it! I said, "Really? I just blew my nose on it." Hilarity ensued.
I hope that I can inspire a few of these kids to carry a handkerchief. They sure do use a lot of tissue.
How do you save money?
6 people like this
6 responses
@JudyEv (381810)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 16
I always carry a handkerchief too. I can't go anywhere without one. You have a good point here. The other one I like is that if you save 50% by buying something on special, you save 100% if you don't buy it at all - talking about non-essentials of course.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381810)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 16
@petatonicsca There were many posts about couponning on BB but we don't have it here.
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
30 Jan 16
In the States it is tempting to buy one get one, but usually I can't take both back with me so I buy none. In Japan they don't have 50% off sales often except sometimes clothing that is going out of season. I find the States to be coupon-crazy and have trouble understanding the "buy lots" attitude. I think we don't do that here because we have no space to store it.
2 people like this
@T_gray (7772)
• Salina, Kansas
30 Jan 16
I also stopped using a few things like this. I stopped using paper plates. I started using cloth napkins. And I am always looking for other ways to save money. Going to a handkerchief is a great idea as I used to use one years back when I worked outside in the cold.
1 person likes this
@T_gray (7772)
• Salina, Kansas
30 Jan 16
@petatonicsca It's all about convenience anymore. Being frugal is a lost art.
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
30 Jan 16
My dad always carried and used a handkerchief. I had a bunch of pretty ones because handkerchiefs are a popular gift in Japan. Women used to always have one to dry their hands as there were no paper towels or air dryers in the bathrooms. Now most places have air dryers so young women have not learned this frugal habit.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
30 Jan 16
well, i make sure that i would laundry them afterwards. one time i used my handkerchief the maid complained about it lol as she did my laundry
@Auntylou (4262)
• Oxford, England
30 Jan 16
I use old towels to dry the floor after mopping and old face cloths for cleaning
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
30 Jan 16
That's a good start. Sometimes I control myself, instead of eating somewhere expensive I go to somewhere affordable or at least practical.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
30 Jan 16
I hardly ever eat out as Japanese restaurants have no concept of gluten intolerance. Saves me a lot of money but it would be nice to eat out occasionally.
2 people like this
@nottoooldtowrite (2715)
• Philippines
30 Jan 16
@petatonicsca true, especially when you are out with family or friends.
