I recently gave a personal finance talk and when I was talking about frugality I pointed out that my favorite thing about frugality is you can take what you like and leave what you don’t – though you do need to do a bit of experimenting to know what is what.

There are also a lot of frugal things that are more appealing when you have a little money and a lot of time compared to when you’re really busy or feeling more financially stable.

But I do still love that frugality gives me some immediate little wins. That burst of dopamine or whatever happy drug is my body when I save a few bucks definitely helps rewire my brain and helps me connect being good with money with feeling good.

And in the long run, that’s a useful muscle to build up – a lot of good personal finance is long distance marathons. Frugality is just a little wind sprint. Sometimes a win is a win though.

That being said, I’ve been blogging here for nearly 8 years folks! And working on my finances for the past 11 years.

I’m steadily somewhere in the middle between broke and rich. This means I’ve left some of my frugal ways in the past.

Though knowledge of how to do some of those things still sits in my mental personal finance toolbox in case I ever need to use it again. …maybe during the next pandemic.

But I still irritate my brother because I still water down soap to get the last bit out.

Waste not, want not, ya’ll.

It left me wondering what frugal moves have become a lasting part of my repertoire.

Using Things Up

Sometime I can take this a little far. Like my best friend is mind boggled that I fully burn down a candle before I start the next one.

Similarly, I create Frankencandles with the last bit of wax in each candle. It gets melted and dumped into Frankencandle until Frankencandle is full. Then I burn down Frankencandle. The aromas are always… interesting.

I open one body wash at a time. I add some water to swoosh out the last bit of soaps, shampoos and conditioners.

Buying in Bulk/On Sale

Clearly I can’t do this on tour, but there are several things I keep an eye out for an if there’s a good deal, I’ll pick up one. Toilet Paper, Shampoo, Body Wash, etc. This mostly applies to paper goods and toiletries, but I do my best to not just have to buy them last minute at full price.

Also, buying in bulk in usually a little cheaper.

Collecting Coins

I still have a jar for change (sadly it’s not been used to go on the Transiberian railroad yet) and when it’s full. I’ll take it to Coinstar. I could go even more frugal and roll those suckers myself (and I have in the past), but that is a move for broker days.

Free Samples

When I’m bored and just watching TV, sometimes I’ll still cruise the web for free sample sites. I also am still signed up at Influenster and PinchMe, though it’s been a hot second since I’ve been active enough to get a box.

Student Discounts

I am a perpetual student, for the last two years, I’ve been steadily creeping along towards an Accounting AAS. Despite being well into my thirties now, I brandish that community college ID proudly for student discounts.

UserTesting

I still do UserTesting evaluations even though I only make $10 at a time and the work is really spotty. It’s super easy and I have no problem letting the website run behind my school work or my blog work and checking to see if I qualify if there’s a ding.

Buy the Cheaper Gas

I do think driving miles out of your way for cheaper gas is a little nuts, but I do also know where the cheapest gas is in my town and will generally fill up anytime I go by there (and it’s right off the Parkway, so the majority of the time, it’s right on the way).

Use the Loyalty Cards

My two loyalty cards that get the most play are Starbucks and CVS – though Dunkin Donuts is a close third. For the coffee shops, I take the time to load gift cards in that I get from Raise to really maximize their benefits. For CVS, I just remember to scan the card. I also have a spot in my wallet for the numerous punch cards from local spots (especially the nearby bakery).

Regift

Folks, I totally regift. I know many consider it tacky AF and that’s cool, but I have a shelf in my closet of nice things people have gotten me that I don’t want. It’s not uncommon for them to become housewarming gifts for others or a little extra embellishment for someone who would like that item on a birthday or Christmas gift.

Collect Cans

Instead of just recycling cans, in this household, we take them to the guys who buy them back and make a whopping $20 or so a trash can full.

What frugal ways have you held onto as they’ve become less necessary?