Inspired by Elisabeth’s recent series of frugal wins I feel like sharing a few frugal wins this year myself. And once starting to think about it they added up. I like finding ways to save money and sometimes to the amusement (annoyance) of my husband. Who can blame me that getting a good deal delights me. More money for other things. Lets check out my frugal list:
1. A New Airfryer & Kitchen Gadgets
We are part of a rewards program (Payback) and whenever we scan our card at participating shops we’ll collect points. You can also activate vouchers in their app so you might get up to 10-times the points or a certain amount just for showing up in that store in a certain time period. I usually activate all vouchers every week. We never shop based on vouchers but if we do shop in any shops they automatically will be transferring points. And since our American Express Credit Card is linked with the program we get points every time we use that one too. This makes for a lot of points usually and we have “bought” a bunch of household items through the points. Last thing we got was an Airfryer in August. It is not the latest model though. And it could be better looking but it was free. We also gotten some oil and vinegar spray bottles this August. Overall we have gotten probably three vacuums, rechargeable outdoor lamps and more. I can’t remember all.
Saved money: approximately 48,89 € AirFryer & 2×27,99€ =55,98 € 55,98€ for the spray bottles.
A total this year of 104,87 €
2. Food from the To-Good-To-Go-App
I have talked about the food saving app a few years back and I have used it ever since. I only have one really good place near me. I cannot always snatch a package when I want/need but it is great value for money. 3€! I have saved quiche and bread, rolls, cakes, danishes, veggie sticks and smoothies. There are other places I sometimes snatch up things. Dunkin’ Donuts or an Indian place with a full warm meal or the bakery with sandwiches and such. I like it. It is a win-win. I save money. Less food wasted.
Saved money over the years: 327€
3. Returning a book
For our book club we read a book that I wasn’t able to get through the library because it was so new and English books not yet translated usually take a bit to get into the catalogue. So I ordered it. And read it. I take good care of my books so the spine doesn’t crack. By the end I realized I didn’t like this book and wouldn’t want it on my shelf. I decided sending it back (I have read it in the two weeks of return policy). I know it is not really nice and maybe slightly illegal. I am sorry for the author who will not get the tiny payment. I am sorry. I feel a bit guilty. But it was not for me. I then ended up buying a book for another bookclub that was cheaper and which I had already read in German so I knew I would enjoy it.
Saved money: 13,59 €
4. Free Dessert
When I was celebrating my birthday with my parents I had mentioned that the reservertion was for a birthday. In Germany it is not common at all to get a birthday dessert or something like it is in the US. So I was really surprised when they came to the table with a dessert that evening.
Saved money: 5,90 €
5. Free Lunch
For one of my clients (the hospital) I get to shoot food for a monthly recipe they publish on their website, social media and their intranet. The kitchen is very progressive in healthy food and looking at food as part of the healing journey and have done so for over a decade. They also source mostly local social farming ingredients and organic foods. Anyway, I shoot three meals in one session a few times a year and usually I can pick one dish to eat afterwards. Everything has been amazing so far and not only do I get to save me some money but it’s also helping to reduce food waste.
Saved money: 3×7,50€ = 22,50€
6. Golf Balls
I mentioned that we started golfing this year. Until today, I yet have to buy myself a golf ball or a tee. I have just started looking for lost balls when I walk past the places and pick them up. Also some people leave/lost tees and those go right into my pocket. Currently I am owning xx golf balls. Luckily I am finding more than I loose myself.
Saved money: approx. 50*0,50€ =25€
7. Train Refunds
I usually travel by train when I go to my clients. Unfortunately the train can be a pain in the a**. Lately it’s been particular cumbersome because they take longer routes due to construction and this summer they also decided to not stop in my station because of scheduling issues. So I had to go back to main station to hop on the train there. And then the train I booked was canceled. And then it was delayed. And this was just one incident. As soon as the train arrives 60 min later you get a refund. It is a fraction of the cost but it is at least covering the coffee or snack you get while waiting.
Saved money: 9,50€
8. Using Hotel Booking Sites with refunds
Many companies have reward programs for their employees. As a freelance I obviously do not have access to this. However, a few years back I learned that one of the recruiting companies I have worked with opened their rewards program to their freelance partner. Of course I signed up immediately. I mostly use it for hotel bookings as I get a 8% discount and I can combine it with any other discount that I find elsewhere. It is just a log-in and click to copy a code. There is a ton of other stuff I could use but haven’t. Additionally, Expedia has a rewards program as well that reduces my costs as well.
Saved money: 5 bookings saved me 92,74€
9. Health Insurance cash back
My health insurance has some incentive to live healthier. For one if you schedule all your check-ups and dental cleanings. But also if you sign up for a gym or some health and fitness related courses. And then they have different kinds of challenges that last 3 month and you can earn points. All this combined will be checked after a year and then you can get a cash-back. If they are not wiring you the money and you instead use it for some health stuff or procedures the double the money. Last year I managed to earn 50€ and doubled it. I bought weights for that. This year I only managed 30€ because I missed two of the challenges – migraines and sickness kept me from completing. Now I need to figure out what kind of equipment I would like to get for the cash back.
Saved money: 60€
10. Insurance Discount
For my business I have to have professional liability insurance. When I needed to sign a contract and mine had just run out they mentioned that if I book one through their partner I would get a 10% discount. After a quick check of other suppliers I realized it is the best value and so I signed up. I just renewed for another year and save again. My plan is to do a check if it is still the best value before the next term comes up. So far it has saved me money – if insurances is about saving money… enter *eyeroll*
Saved money: 30 € per year (a current total of 210€ over all years)
11. Sixt Car Leasing
We have never owned a car as we are always leasing them. I do not know how my husband had come across the rather unknown offer to lease a car through Sixt. Yes, the one company you can rent car with. We are into the fourth cycle of leasing the car and every single time we had asked for car dealership to give an offer and none were able to compete. Ever. I assume it is because they have a bigger purchase power. Anyways, our rate is usually somewhere around 130€/month. This time we even have all insurance and auto shop repairs included because it was cheaper than concluding our own.
Saved money: a lot
12. Hair Cuts by the Husband
Have you had a haircut recently? They are so damn expensive. I can’t remember when I had the last one in a shop but I sure do remember I had to hand over 250€. For a trim and some color. Say what? I am too cheap to do it. I know when you get down to calculating the hair dressers costs it is just barely scratching by. Maybe I am not vain enough? Maybe it is because I grew up with my mom always getting us a cut. Maybe it is because I never had an amazing cut that I would immediately pay the money for again.
Anyways, now my husband is doing my trims. He has been cutting his own hair with fades and everything himself for the past 15 or so years. He is amazing. So I had zero issue telling him to do it. I am also easy with hair as it will grow back. And I am only asking him to do it like two times a year maybe? And I have stopped dying my hair because it felt so damaged. This might be the biggest frugal win.
Saved money: 500€
13. Annual Subscriptions
I was upgraded on my domain costs because I kept exceeding my storage. After not looking at it for a few months I figured I can’t ignore it. After I did that, I decided to switch from monthly payments to annual. And then actually decided to paying every three years. That saved me over 50€. I also have my Adobe Lightroom subscription set to annual. This usually saves a few bucks and if I am committed to a software I do that. Not only reduces it my monthly tax handling since I don’t have to log 12 but 1 invoice but it is easy money saved.
On that note how annoying is it that ChatGPT doesn’t have an annual subscription?
Saved money: 57,24€ on domain costs | 166,20€ on the Adobe subscription
14. Selling presents
This is – for me – a next level frugal thing. For years I had an issue with getting rid of things people gifted to me. Either if I didn’t like it but even more so when I liked it but didn’t need it anymore. Specially with puzzles. My sister usually gets me a puzzle for Christmas and I love that gift and look forward to it. But often I know I won’t do it again. And they are accumulating. So I decided it is ok to sell these gifts and from the money I make, I can buy myself a book or something else. I try to get something I will keep. So I end up with two gifts. Total win for me because it costs me nothing but I get double.
Saved money: hard to say since I don’t know what the gifts cost but I made approx. 24 € this year selling gifts.
I am currently in the process of a product recall and that should pay for the new water kettle that we got. The old one still did it’s job but if they recall it who am I to not file for it.
Alright what is your fugal win this year? How could I save up more money next year? What was an eye-opener for you and which one would you like to implement it in your life? Lets here your tips.
This is list #10 in my “Do a 50 lists blog project” from my 101 in 1001 days goal list.
