What small thing would save you money if you got free?

@AmbiePam (109929)
United States
January 11, 2026 2:44pm CST
A lot of things don’t cost much, but when you buy so much of them, they start to add up. Is there anything that seems like an insignificant cost, but when you start to think of it, you realize you could really use getting a few of them for free because it starts to add up in the long run?
24 people like this
18 responses
@rebelann (115552)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Jan
Yep. I like to buy Tuffy those treats that I can squeeze onto his dinner and at just under $2 for one it doesn't seem that expensive but like you said, over time it adds up.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
11 Jan
My dog loves those squeezable treats too! She stole one of these, and tried to eat it through the seal! She doesn’t care they’re for cats.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
11 Jan
@rebelann Don’t worry, Sadie doesn’t get to eat them. I’m way to paranoid to give her anything not made for dogs.
2 people like this
@rebelann (115552)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Jan
Yeah, dogs love kitty goodies but kitty goodies are not good for dogs, they make those things with nutrients especially designed for cats, not dogs.
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22773)
• Palisade, Colorado
11 Jan
I tend to stock up on toothpaste and bodywash. They last a long time so I should wait to buy them when I am getting low. It is hard to pass up some of the sales but I need to.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
11 Jan
That’s a good example.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
11 Jan
@velvet53 I bet I would too!
1 person likes this
@velvet53 (22773)
• Palisade, Colorado
11 Jan
@AmbiePam You would be surprised of how much I have of both.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (81810)
• United States
21h
I get “points” for buying bird seed at a local pet food place. Enough points gets me a free bag!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
21h
Oh, that’s a great idea. My dad’s wife spends a heck of a lot of money on bird seed.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (490586)
• Italy
15h
I would say Greek yogurt. We eat Greek yogurt every morning for breakfast and real Greek yogurt is pretty expensive.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
13h
Oh yes, that is very true.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (490586)
• Italy
10h
@AmbiePam - A small pot is almost $ 1, it's not cheap.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (165521)
• United States
11 Jan
You mean things like dish soap and sponges? Or laundry detergent? Or dryer sheets?
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
11 Jan
My best friend uses reusable pee pads so she uses an exorbitant amount of laundry detergent. But she makes her own sponges so she never needs those.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (165521)
• United States
11 Jan
@AmbiePam We only do laundry a couple of times a month. We use far more dish soap than we do laundry soap.
2 people like this
• St. Clair, Michigan
22h
Bottled. Waters. For now. Not for much longer. (Thank God!) Me & well water don’t mix, Amber.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
21h
I don’t remember what well water tastes like. I buy bottled water because my apartment’s old pipes make my tap water taste terrible.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (201285)
• United States
11 Jan
Cat treats and wet food Costs add up over time.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (127836)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Jan
My red hots candy
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
11 Jan
2 people like this
@noni1959 (11996)
• United States
22h
When my kitty was alive, I spent almost $200 a month for her. That was specialized prescription food, good litter(Fresh Step), etc. I lost her a year ago so its coffee and toilet paper high on the list.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
21h
I’m sorry she’s gone now.
1 person likes this
@just4him (321023)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13h
I'm sure there is, but I don't know what it would be. A couple of years ago I started saving money on bottled water by going with the Brita pitcher. I'm sure I saved lots of money by not buying bottled water anymore. I don't know what I could do now to save money.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (368983)
• Rockingham, Australia
19h
I always seem to be buy shampoo and conditioner. I wouldn't mind some of that free.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (125913)
• United States
11 Jan
candles
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (210559)
• United States
14h
I buy a ton of wet wipes. I could save a lot of money there.
2 people like this
@Nakitakona (59244)
• Philippines
16h
Not so much in our end here for we are to auster buying less important thing or little value.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54019)
• United States
10h
Cat food and bar soap seem to constantly be bought.
1 person likes this
• United States
8h
I'm sure there's something but offhand I can't think of anything unless of course you consider coffee and yarn
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
7h
Those are good ones!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (33343)
• United Kingdom
11 Jan
Now that you ask I can't think of an example off the top of my head. One small thing where we do save money is at Christmas, we always open presents carefully and save the wrapping paper to re-use. My partner's family all think we are mad and should just rip the paper up, but we don't care, I even save the biggest un-ripped pieces of theirs! The same paper gets used year after year (getting a bit smaller each time) and we have our favourite patterns that we like to receive. We also cut up Christmas cards to make gift tags. Of course eventually we have to buy a new roll - and when I find out how expensive wrapping paper and gift bags and tags are, then I realise what a substantial saving we make each year!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
13h
@Fleura Absolutely!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
11 Jan
I save any bows, ribbons, bags, or tags I can get away with saving for the following Christmas. However, I haven’t had to use wrapping paper in ages. My family and I seemed to have all switched over to gift bags. I especially like the ones that you can use to put a present in, but also use to bag your groceries the next time you go to the supermarket. That’s sturdy!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (33343)
• United Kingdom
13h
@AmbiePam A few friends have switched to using fabric gift bags or wraps. That works well within the family where you can just hand the wrapping back. I have thought about that but since we receive wrapping paper (around gifts) each year we may as well just use it!
1 person likes this
• Northampton, England
5h
I get free out of date bread and milk ( same day date) from the local 711 so great value
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (109929)
• United States
5h
Well, you upped me one. Here I was so impressed by the free moldy bread I got from the food bank several months ago.