I was thinking today about some of the funny things I do to save or avoid spending money.  Keep in mind that these aren’t just things I thought of…these are things I ACTUALLY do.  Pretty sad, huh?

  • To avoid buying mp3’s of songs I like, I find people’s blogs that have good music, plug my speakers into my computer, crank up the volume…and listen all day!
  • I learned from Patricia Stevenson that the library doesn’t just check out books…they have toys, DVD’s, CD’s, and even sheet music!  Thus, I’ve been going there a lot more lately.
  • I shop Craigslist and KSL constantly.  If I can’t get it used there, I usually won’t buy it.
  • I rent movies from Redbox using the free codes.  I can’t remember the last time I went to Hollywood Video.
  • I had this pair of black boots that I loved.  I bought them in 2003, and after two winters they started to get holes in the seams at the heel.  I sewed the holes up and I still wear them because boots are so expensive!
  • I accompany for myself while teaching voice to I don’t have to pay a pianist.  Hey, it keeps costs down for my students, right?!
  • I make jewelry, headbands, cards, and invitations.  (I occasionally break this rule when I see something super cute that I can’t make or when I find a really good deal.)
  • I have to admit it…I am a “party” addict.  I have had them all…Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia, Close To My Heart, Arbonne…I just can’t turn down those hostess deals!
  • Anytime I am invited somewhere for dinner, I accept.  I can’t turn down free food.  Plus, I don’t have to cook!  We’ve been to the MasterGuard fire safety dinner three times, even though we got the alarms after the first dinner.
  • I’m an avid coupon clipper.  I keep all my coupons with me all the time, just in case.
  • When my jeans shrink, I cut them off and wear them as capris instead of getting rid of them.
  • I sew patches in the seats of our pants so we can wear them longer.  Why is it that the first place you always get a hole is by the back pocket?  Why can’t it be the calf or somewhere else that wouldn’t reveal your backside?
  • If I need more than one thing from Robert’s I go there every day of the week and buy one of the things I need so I can get them all at 40% off.  Sometimes I even bring Nathan with me and we go through the line separately so we can each get the 40% off.
  • 9 times out of 10, we eat out somewhere that we have a coupon or discount for.  We are shameless Starving Student Card holders, even though neither of us are students any more!
  • I use cheap diapers during the day and Pampers only at night.

So what kinds of crazy things do you do to avoid spending money?