I was talking with a friend about saving money and during the conversation, I realized there are a lot of things that I do routinely that I don't even recognize as being frugal anymore. To me, they're just normal! Please add any everyday frugal things you do!
1. Air drying most of my laundry.
2. Turning off the dishwasher after the rinse cycle. No heat cycle for me, air drying works just fine!
3. Turn off all lights but the room I'm currently in. (Sometimes) watch tv in the dark in the evening.
4. Routinely use the library for free books and movies
5. Trade DVDs and books with friends instead of buying new ones
6. Wash clothes in cold water
7. Unplug microwave, toaster and kitchen radio. Only plug in when in use.
8. Make ahead meals, package in individual portions & freeze
9. Meal plan
10. Measure out cat food to appropriate portions so I don't over feed (and therefore overspend OR make the cats obese!)
11. Pay bills online as much as possible
12. Get free checkbook registers from the bank. Yes, I use a register as well as online banking!
13. Use junk mail envelopes as scrap paper
14. Use a programmable thermostat to control heat and a/c use.
15. Wear appropriate clothes and use appropriate bedding for the season (sweater & sweats in winter, shorts & tanks in summer. Down comforter & extra blanket in winter, Light blanket and cotton sheets in summer).
16. Do my own nails.
17. Eat meals at home as much as possible. Pack lunches for work.
18. Keep pitchers of water & lemonade or fruit punch in fridge at all times to help limit soda use
19. Use the Farmer's Market and Produce stand for fresh (and cheap) fruits & veggies
20. Hand wash dishes and only use dishwasher for full load, bigger messes and dishes used in cooking meat.
21. Upload photos online instead of printing out every one. Back them up on free websites
22. Invite friends over for movie and game nights. (This is just fun for me!)
23. Research big purchases for quality items and price
24. Browse thrift shops for clothes/household items.
25. Use work printer instead of one at home (work allows this)
26. Repurpose items. Old tv tray is now a plant stand, ect
27. Repair clothes. Put buttons back on coats, hem pants
28. Use email instead of regular mail to stay in touch with friends
29. Use Hulu and Comcast On Demand to catch up on tv shows instead of renting a DVR from the cable company
30. Reorganize the closet every few months, putting clothes at the back towards the front. Its like shopping, but in my own closet! I love finding a sweater that I hadn't seen in a while 
31. Keep a small gift stock. Birthday cards, gift wrap and bags, small generic gifts
32. I'm happy to take 2nd hand items off the hands of friends and family if they're done with them. I've gotten furniture, extra linens, clothes, and books that way. And I've given some too!
33. Spend a lot of time outdoors. I like walking in the park, going to the beach, hiking, all of which are mostly free activities
34. Use websites for crosswords, soduku and card games and other forms of entertainment
35. Do as many home repairs myself as possible. Utilize how-to books and do research online. I'm sometimes overwhelmed in this area, so when I complete something on my own, I'm super proud of myself!
36. Use towels and dishrags in the kitchen. Limit paper towel use.
37. Use less of the recommended amounts of laundry detergent & dish detergent. You really only need a portion of what the packaging tells you
38. Use reusable water bottles instead of throwaway ones
39. Make do with what I have. For example, I have a great fridge where the icemaker doesn't work. My dad and I determined this is not a fixable problem. I went and got a 3 pack of ice cube trays from the dollar store & just make them myself now. No need for a whole new fridge.
40. Reuse ziplock baggies
41. Wear stuff out. I have a VERY old, inherited vacuum. With a clothespin on the cord because it no longer retracts properly, electrical tape and scratches and dents. BUT it still works great!
42. I use (and immediately pay off) credit cards for routine purchases to earn bonus points and promotions. In the last 2 months, I've gotten $50.00 from my Old Navy account alone.
43. Use mail order company for long-term medications
44. Use Health Savings account for pre-tax medical spending
45. I grow my own basil, oregano and mint. This is something I just started in the last few months, but is a pleasure to look at and to eat and SO easy to maintain
46. I reuse plastic grocery bags for trash can liners and kitty litter cleanup
47. Use Craigslist, visit garage sales only when looking for specific items
48. Utilize the dollar store. I find deals for shower liners, holiday decorations, food, over the counter medicines and toiletries.
49. Give and take plant clippings. Free way to add to a garden!
50. Do all my own yard work. Grass cutting, weeding, ect.
Everyday Frugal List
November 22nd, 2009 at 05:51 pm
November 22nd, 2009 at 06:54 pm 1258916060
A couple of things to add:
- we don't have an airconditioner or heater or clothes dryer (when it rains, we use a couple of ropes hanging from the roof in the garage).
- commonsense, but, we don't pay interest ever on credit cards
- i make our dogs food. i don't know if it's cheaper, it's more for their health than anything.
- we don't have a second fridge. a lot of people do and most of the time only have a few things in it.
- use car trips for more than one thing. on my way home from work I will have a coffee with a friend, pick up the dogs worming tablets from the vet and do the grocery shopping. etc.
- i fill the car up with petrol on the day that it is (apparently - sometimes I forget to look, but most times it is significantly) cheaper, which is a Tuesday.
- I don't keep anything extra in my car to weigh it down, and I don't use the aircon or heater unless it's really really cold or really really hot!
- I get my car serviced regularly.
- I grow my own herbs.
November 22nd, 2009 at 07:57 pm 1258919877
I keep the house heat set at 63 degrees.
I wash only in cold water.
I save aluminum foil and reuse it.
I never run the heat on my dishwasher either.
I make a list of my errands and try to only make 1 trip with the car.
I use coupons when grocery shopping.
If I need something from the drug store I try to get in on the first Tuesday of the month when rite aid gives 20% off to seniors.
I have saved every social security check I have received and never spent one penny of them.
I save all my change and deposit it into saving every few months.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 am 1258934486
I wouldn't even know what to add - we spend a lot of time selling old items (usually when replaced), price matching, and haggling on prices, etc. Just what comes to mind as to things we do a lot that I didn't see specifically on the list.
As far as not paying interest - as commented - I agree. I would never pay interest on anything (outside mortgage) nor fees of any sort - like ATM fees, bank fees, etc., etc., etc. Wherever something of equal value is offered for FREE...
Which reminds me, I really liked the tip about replacing things half as often as recommended. I forgot what your example was (oh, using less laundry detergent than recommended?), but I thought to myself, "We do that with EVERYTHING!!!" That is a biggie that can save so much money!
November 23rd, 2009 at 04:38 am 1258951124
I pack my breakfast and lunch for work. Pack my drinks in resuable containers. And all that other stuff for the most part too.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 pm 1259019877
EATING LESS. honestly, you get used to eating more, so it only takes a short while before you get used to eating less. and it's probably healthier for you too.
sometimes DF and I share food at restaurants.