I don’t do overdue library books: I keep track of our library visits and each child takes out the same number of books on each trip, so I always know exactly how many books have to be returned to the library at any given time. Each of my children would take out three books at each visit, which meant more frequent library trips, but to date, we have never had to deal with lost or missing books.
Now, despite all my efforts to save money, there are a few things that I refuse to do, even if it means paying a few cents more.
I don’t do $1 rebates: By the time you figure in the cost of postage, is it really worth the time and effort to fill out the form and submit the required proofs of purchase for fifty-three cents?
I don’t keep used plastic cups on my counters: I know that many people keep used cups in the kitchen because family members keep coming back for drinks, but I hate having plastic cups floating all over. Instead, each family member has their own water bottle in the refrigerator, which they are responsible for refilling. Not only does it keep my counter clutter free, but it means that I never take out my water pitcher for a meal only to discover that it is practically empty.
There are times when I splurge on name brands: Ketchup is Heinz. Mayonnaise is Hellmann’s. Cola is Coke. Tissues are Kleenex or Puffs. Paper towels are Bounty or Viva. Crayons and markers are Crayola. I won’t buy off brand gasoline and when I buy electronics, particularly anything music related, I only buy from a major company. You get what you pay for and sometimes it is worth paying a few cents more.
I won’t water things down to get them out of the bottle: Ketchup. Shampoo. Conditioner. Dishwashing Soap. You know how hard it is to get the last few drops of certain items out of the bottle – but watering them down changes the consistency which just doesn’t work for me. I confess to turning bottles upside down in an attempt to get out every last drop, but if there is still a sixteenth of an ounce left inside, I won’t go crazy trying to get it out.
I don’t bring my own bags to the grocery store: I know, I probably should. But if I use an average of a dozen bags on a shopping trip, we are talking about a savings of sixty cents if I bring my own fabric bags. For that amount of money, it hardly seems worth having to make sure I always have an inventory of bags in my car.
