How I Really Save Money When I Shop

It's Thursday (obvs) and usually I'd do a recipe blog on Thursday but I'm cold and had to shovel the snow when I got home from work. I know, at first glance it may seem like I have a loser unemployed husband who won't even shovel the snow. But in actuality I have a loser (kidding) unemployed husband who has a leg that is hurting and the memory of a not-quite-a-year-old back surgery. So I'm cold and hungry and excited about some things and bummed about others. Therefore, enjoy this post I wrote yesterday. I hope you can agree and disagree along with me.

Tuesday someone wrote over on Wise Bread an article called, "How to Really Save Money When You Shop." You don't have to read it, because I did and here's what the author says: You're not really saving money if you're buying something on sale. You can only save money if what you're buying either: A) lets you avoid consuming something or B) lets you produce something. He also mentions buying things you would rent repeatedly and investing.

I agree and disagree and here's why:

Agree: Avoiding Consuming. Last month we purchased two doo-hickies (technical term) that you put in your water faucet that aerate the water and lets less come through. These two doo-hickies cost about $6. So far as we can tell, we've already saved $20 in water in one month. So they've more than paid for themselves twice. The verdict is still out on some of our other purchases: LED lights (Christmas and regular bulbs), insulated curtains. And there are yet other things that may/will never pay for themselves in terms of savings by consuming less energy: new doors, windows, hot water heater.

Disagree: One of the things he mentions in category B is knitting needles--which is interesting because I just finished my first knitting project: a scarf. I don't remember how much I paid for my needles or yarn (well, actually I think they were a gift--so nothing, but for argument sake...) but I guarantee you that I could buy a scarf for what my time, the needles and the yarn cost. Factor out my time and I would still bet that I could buy a scarf on clearance (with gloves) for less than the yarn and needles. If I keep knitting and get good at it, then yes, I could save money with my knitting needles, but I'd still have to buy different sizes of needles and yarn isn't cheap. It would still be possible (likely?) that any project I make could end up costing more than a similar item bought on sale or at a thrift shop or garage sale. The same is true for sewing--clothes are often cheaper to purchase (new) than patterns, material and notions--not to mention the cost of a good machine and the other tools you need. Again, same with the stuff you need to can produce from your garden. This stuff is only cheaper if you are persistent enough to get good at it and use these tools over and over.

Disagree: Obviously, I'm a big believer that buying something on sale (or with coupons) will save you money if these are things you would buy anyway and use. I've often fallen into a trap of buying something like a bag of apples only to not eat them and have to throw half the bag--and half the money I used to buy the bag--away. But if you're smart and don't get caught up in the marketing aspect of sales, deals and coupons, then yes, buying things you need on sale is absolutely saving money.  

So here is what I ate today. And guess what? I saved money by not eating out.
Breakfast:  Peanut butter on toast 17 cents. That snow-day bread was a good deal.
Lunch: Free delicious beef stroganoff.  Yeah, I get by with a little help from my friends.
Snack: Orange and free applesauce. 17 cents. I have ways of getting free applesauce.
Dinner: I feel like it should cost 17 cents. Instead I'll continue the free theme with sweet potatoes. Sweet potato fries with Greek Yogurt (Here's looking at you, Amb.) and a Grilled Cheese because I'm 5. 70 cents

Total:  $1.04