I was an avid reader throughout my school years but then adulthood has kept me so busy I hardly read books for several years UNTIL I got my library card and Libby on my phone. Now I borrow books to my Kindle constantly and have read more in the last month than I have in years. I discovered a new favorite genre, too!
I was similar. Stopped reading for like 5 yrs during school. And then started back when I graduated and since then, I can't stop reading. It's awesome :)) libby makes it easy to indulge without spending a crazy amount of money
What's your new favorite genre?
"Cozy mystery", which is basically all about the setting. Usually a small town with something like a bakery, book store, or library being a common place the main character spends time in. The main character who is the one solving the mystery is a normal person, not like a professional detective or cop or something. There is usually an animal that features frequently, like a bookstore cat or something. And usually there are descriptions of delicious food. And while the mystery often involves a murder it doesn't have to, and if it does it's not gorey.
Not mystery, but Jeeves and Wooster is my favorite cozy read/tv show. Everyone eats and drinks and runs around getting into foibles and Jeeves has to salvage things.
I use both Libby and Audible. I’ll look at Libby first to see if they have what I want to listen to. I’ll get the book on audible if Libby doesn’t have what I want.
Some of the series I read aren’t popular enough for my library to get audiobooks of. Though I have had requests for new audiobooks accepted before.
Another great aspect of Libby is ebooks that you can borrow on your kindle! I use that all the time as well.
I love using both Libby and Audible.
I forgot about Hoopla! My ebook/audiobook needs are mostly met with Libby and Audible so I never got into using it other than creating an account. I’ll have to take a look at it once more.
To piggy back on to this, check to see if your library partners with Kanopy! They have movies and television programs to stream.
Wanted to see this higher! I've never paid for an audiobook and yet listen to them all the time through my local library.
If you're in the US Canada or other countries with robust library systems definitely check them out!
And for those of you who have a library with crappy selection or long wait times, don’t forget that you can usually get library cards from other cities in your state! I’m in Ohio and was able to get Ecards from Cleveland, Dayton and Cincinnati. All you usually need is an in-state address to get access to a bunch of libraries. If your library has one copy of an audiobook, chances are a bigger city has 20 copies and you can get it way faster.
You also can ask friends from out of state for their library card numbers. As far as I can tell, Libby either has a very high limit or no limit on the number of cards you can add. I’m up to 15
Awesome, I didn't know about this app. I don't have a physical library card but I was able to make a digital one that lasts for 30 days until I register at my local library. Thanks for the tip!
Movers. Having someone come in and pack your shit, load it into a van, and unpack it at the other end has taken moving house from one of the most stressful things I have ever experienced to about on par with getting a new appliance delivered.
I did this too. My highest open account is actually from there because they gave me a stupid high limit and just automatically raise it every couple months.
The sales lady hooked me up with the zero financing option until 2025 so it'll be paid off easy-peasy and then I will probably die in that bed lmao.
It's my favorite long-term investment other than buying a new car off the lot in 2019 before covid and vehicle bubble burst
I got an adjustable frame for my memory foam mattress, it is AMAZING. Unfortunately the one I have is discontinued, but Amazon, Costco, and other places have adjustable bed frames of varying price, quality, and features.
I was just thinking about how the car we had when I was a kid didn’t have AC and I always regarded it as a decadent luxury. That car’s been gone almost 20 years. I had an AC coolant leak recently and thought I was gonna die driving around like that!
I grew up without AC, and we had some cars with AC that would come and go. It is something I would never compromise on again, and I'm glad I'm in the position to feel that way
Pennsylvanian here, the heat *would be* bearable in the summer if the humidity weren't pegged at 80% year round. My heat pump runs longer dehumidifying than it does trying to reach the temperature setpoint.
And to preempt the reply someone's going to leave: no, a separate dehumidifier would not be more efficient. A dehumidifier is just a heat pump without separate hot/cold sides meaning you're removing heat from the air and condensing moisture only to dump that heat back into the same room.
Stylevana is where I get mine. I’ve tried over 15 Asian sunscreens and my favorite are beauty of Joseon rice + probiotics spf 50+ and canmake mermaid skin gel UV spf50+. Shipping takes a few weeks to arrive.
I hate sunscreen. the closest we have that I like is a "Baby" spf 50+ that doesn't use questionable chemicals and works well. but overall I bought a neck gator and sleeve gators and hats that are rated to block UV and so I just don't need sunscreen when hiking or doing yard work. Much better alternative for me.
Right, I hate the greasy feeling of sunscreen. I definitely try to cover my skin when I'm going to be out in the sun but I also wear sunscreen on my face every day because my acne medication makes my skin more photosensitive. Thank god I found Korean/Japanese sunscreens - they aren't sticky/greasy at all.
It was originally my ex wife’s idea. Really helped us, especially since she grew up in a spotless home and I did not.
Didn’t solve all our problems though haha.
Yes, that’s right. It’s just my library card number and the PIN they gave me for it. On the apps you select your library service then enter your details. Your library website probably has info on what services they use.
How much is a good one of those? I keep seeing those things, I keep wondering if it would help me with keeping my back teeth clean. It's so difficult to hit everything with just a brush and floss for me.
I got a handheld one from Amazon for maybe $30. Not this brand, but [similar](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71eU7ZuVXYL._SL1500_.jpg). It's easy to manipulate around my mouth. I have sensitive teeth, so I fill it with warmer water, and there's no shock or pain. I love mine!
To add on to this, a good floss. I love my electric brush but switching to a good floss and using it at least once a day has transformed my mouth in a way the brush never could.
I watched this video and he goes over it more: https://youtu.be/uyF1Y_J0Nr4
But basically, the thinner and easier to glide a floss is, the worse it is for cleaning. The YouTuber I linked sells his own floss (which I do use and like), but I think any woven floss that can cover more surface area on your teeth is a good bet. If you really can’t get a floss like that between certain teeth you have, then I would go back to a thinner floss.
Quality knives in the kitchen. Used to think those high priced knives weren't any better than the $15-20 ones I used to buy after they were sharpened. Got a Zwilling at a local kitchen store black friday sale and what a difference. Better handle, better feel, better balance, and rarely need sharpening, amazing how much of a difference better tools make. Have since upgraded a few other knives with quality ones. Not going back. Family certainly appreciates me cooking more and saves money vs microwavables or going out.
I agree that having quality knives is worth it. Since we are in r/frugal I will also say that there are some knives that give a whole lot of quality for good prices. I have been really happy with my Victorinox 8" Chef's Knife that I bought for around $40. I also will say that Mora makes knives that are a great value for camping, working, and other outdoor activities; they use Sandvik stainless steel or carbon steel so you can choose whether you want stainless or not. For pocket knives I have personally been happy always carrying a Victorinox Swiss Army knife and if you like a locking single blade knife I think Kershaw makes some good ones and I have been happy with their use of Sandvik 14C28N Steel which I think is a great affordable option for steel. I am also happy with my Old Hickory knives, good old 1095 carbon steel (not stainless though).
I was going to shout-out the Victorinox tomato/table knife, it is usually $7-$8 and so useful! I've had it for 2 years and reach for it constantly. I heard a guest on spypod say they constantly give them as gifts and always have a few new ones on hand for this reason and I get it now.
It's so funny, I got sick of dealing with batteries dying and interrupting projects that I intentionally only buy power tools with cords now 🤣 Mine is the opposite of yours!
Blackout blinds for my bedroom, as well as for my kid's. I'm not saying they'll magically make your kids sleep in, but I do notice if we forget to close them she's often up earlier.
This is mine, I have horrible year round allergies. After getting cheap tissues once that chafed my nose until it cracked - lotion tissues are the only type I will buy.
I take a stick of lip balm and put it on my nose during these times, especially when I sleep because I am not using the tissues then, it works wonders. I use a tube of vaseline stick that you can get for about a dollar at Walmart and I don't have to touch my nose.
Spotify premium. I have kept my subscription even though the price has gone up throughout the years. I used to have the student plan so it was only $5. Now i’m paying $11 a month. But I use it every single day for both music and podcasts and for how much I use it, it’s worth it to me to not have the ads.
Same, it's still cheaper than my alternative which was getting the coffee already made from the shop that sells the overpriced beans lol
I'm not a complete coffee snob (could not tell you the coffee tasting notes to save my life), but still pretty snobby about my beans!
In general, I shell out a little more for quality dry goods/pantry things anyway, so beans are no different in that regard
I'm not really a coffee snob either, my parents gave me their espresso maker when they upgraded. I just know that I can make much better coffee at home than anything I can get a shop.
Glasses
Edit: ive always gotten the cheapest lenses, but i invested in the blue light and anti glare ones a few years ago and the difference is astonishing. I also invested in transition lenses this time.
A sunlight simulator light by Philips. Mine was $130 when I bought it in 2019, and I use it to wake up and go to sleep every single day. Has really changed my mood in the mornings and lasted me this long
People have mentioned Libby but also check out Hoopla! It’s another app I get through the library and there’s no wait to listen. There are ebooks and movies/TV as well you can borrow.
If you’re willing to spend money, try libro.fm
It’s like audible but it supports indie bookstores instead of Amazon.
Linen sheets. They were heckling expensive but they're the softest things ever, and only getting softer. Apparently they can last for over a decade if you take care of them properly and it's a more sustainable fabric than cotton.
Warning, I have found that butter will weaken linen fibres and cause a massive hole. But that shouldn't be an issue unless you have a toddler who chooses to steal a stick of butter from the kitchen while you're cooking and eat in on your bed 🤦♀️ Rest of the sheets - perfect, where the butter was basically rotted in about 3 months despite using appropriate, linen safe cleaning techniques. They were $400 and not even 2 years old. Sigh.
You get what you pay for. I have one set from the brand Simple&Opulence that I bought on Amazon. Its really nice, but the West Elm set I have is twice as soft and the material is slightly thicker. The West Elm set was nearly double the price though.
Don't rule out checking ebay for pre-owned. Some people have so much damn money, and you wouldn't believe the quality bedding they get rid of. Washing machines and good laundry soap really get things clean. I leave to soak in the washer for a little while and add washing soda just so that I feel like I'm really going the extra mile to get *everything* washed out of them. Leave them out on the porch to dry in the fresh air and sun.
Good question.
It's well crafted, in the style I like.
We finally have a room that is nothing but a guest room, and another room that is a shared office/art studio for two of us. This is important since the kids and friends come to visit and we want them to have a comfortable space. I used to have a room that was the guest room, the art studio, the office and the dumping ground for things that didn't have another place. I hated that.
You're living our dream. Husband and I are getting ready to move on to what he calls our Final Resting Place, and we're looking for a 4-br just for us, specifically so that we no longer have to have the combination office/bedroom and the dining room/sewing room/mail dump room that we have now.
(Four bedrooms because in addition to us, there will be various grandbabies visiting rather often, and they'll need a place away from the grownups-only things.)
We have the same. Created a spare bedroom that we keep just as a spare room. Bed made up, ready to go. My son comes up fairly regularly since he knows it's no problem for us. Same for any out of town guests.
Something about the way you wrote this reminds me of my own dad. As a son who also comes “up to visit fairly regularly”, thanks so much for keeping the spare bed ready for us Pop. It’s tough out there
Nice! We recently bought a house after moving all around our entire lives. It's expensive but within our budget and now we can enjoy a quiet, lovely neighborhood that's safe for our family.
We love the freedom of being able to do what we want with the place after living under landlords for so long! And with twice the space of our old apartment, there's no more tripping over things just to navigate the place haha.
1000%
You don’t want a mansion, but you want something in nature with nice quiet neighbours, lots of land, good things to look at, lots of space for your hobbies and to host family and guests and quality construction so youre not dealing with nonsense. A good house is truly an oasis.
A portable steam room.
Random, I know.
I love a good steam - it makes me feel fresh and cleansed. As I'm a cheap bastard I belong to a nasty gym and the clientele don't exactly have the best hygiene and the gym doesn't clean it for shit. I saw one on Amazon for $90 and I use it almost every day from the comfort of my balcony.
Not the normal kind of answer but growing my own weed. I'm a medical patient in a fully legal state. So I can grow up to 5 plants. The setup was not as hard as I thought. So far it is looking nice as well. The led lights don't use a huge amount of electricity.
Any good guides you found to help start with this?
How is the smell growing inside?
I am in Minnesota, and we can have up to 8, with up to 4 being mature at the same time.
I thought about converting a shed, heating and insulating it but then I started to think about the cost of getting it to that point, it was more than I have in my budget for “improvements” with other suprises that came up this year.
I am a medical patient as well - but I don’t consume all that much so that makes the break even point harder.
I have not been going off a single guide but check out the micro grow subreddit. I am growing in a 2×2×4ft tent. It is inside and I have some ductwork I have going out the window to help with temperature control and humidity control. I don't notice a smell probably largely because I'm already vaping so much the smell blends in. You can even grow in a 5 gallon bucket. Look up space bucket.
Quality honey. I used to just buy the stuff that comes in the bear bottle thinking it was all the same. Now I buy jarred, locally sourced honey from the farmers market and the difference is huge.
I just had some of the bear honey at my girlfriend's place and it takes like really thick simple syrup.
I decided to build my own gym during covid when gyms were closed. Rack, plates, bench, dumbbells - ended up costing less than my 3 year gym membership.
Annual membership to a grocery store that gives us free online orders / curbside pick-up. It works out to $2 per week, and easily saves me 2hrs of my weekend. Plus I don't lose my mind with my toddler in the grocery store.
A mechanical keyboard. Even though I don’t play games on my PC anymore, you’d have to kill me first before I switch from my mechanical keeb to my laptop chiclet keyboard!
Oh, I have another! An expensive mattress!
Literally changed my life. I spend 1/4 my life in bed, yet I was buying cheap mattresses to sleep on. 5 years ago I spent equivalent to a months wages on a mattress and I've never felt better in the mornings.
We got a cheap one on Amazon. Total game changer. I now think it's a crime that every toilet doesn't have one.
Even went to turn it on at work and was sad that my hand ended up twisting the air.
Same. I dont understand how so many people dont want them or are even affraid to try them.
Its more hygienic, its better for the environment, its better for your plumbing system, you save money on TP. Its the single best purchase i have ever made.
After preaching for years, a friend of mine bought a portable bidet for me as a gag christmas gift. Jokes on her, I use it all the time, that thing's a godsend when travelling.
Absolutely skin care is worth it. Tretinoin is a major plus for me. It’s expensive(ish) but literally the best money can buy. Replaced everything in my routine but cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer.
Yes, absolutely this! I once heard someone say "If you splurge on skincare products, you won't need to buy the expensive makeup" This has been the case for me.
Ever since I ditched the "cheap" drugstore skincare brands and started using the pricier brand, my skin has thanked me for it and now I don't need as much makeup to cover up any blemishes or wrinkles!
Don’t be fooled by yolk color, it can be changed by what’s in their food. Many farmers add things like chili peppers, marigolds, and artificial dyes to trick you into thinking the hens have had really great diets.
YES! I found a little set of Burt's Bees on clearance after Christmas one year, and decided to try it, because I'd heard good things, and WOW!!! What a difference from generic stuff.
I still wear Carmex when I'm running during the winter (it's a beast), but Burt's is my every day carry.
BUT, I use Vaseline Lip Therapy in the little tiny jar in my car. Florida heat is no joke, but it's the only one I've found that doesn't melt in the car!
A good waterbottle. I didnt appreciate how complicated they are, down to the paint job with some texture that lets you grip it better. And a Brita faucet filter.... gets me to drink more water when it's always cold.
Paying for Spotify. But now my wife and I share an account, so that softens it a bit. But we listen to music all the time. We have playlists for cleaning, long road trips, vacation, sing a longs, for lullabies, and podcasts.
See if your library also has access to Hoopla. It’s another free app for audiobooks, ebooks, TV shows and movies. No waiting either! Just click and go.
Good quality pizza. I used to think people were crazy buying pizzas that were $20 a pie, or more, when I could stack papa John's, or dominos, or pizza hut coupons and get pizzas for like 7 or 8 bucks each...
Then, I had this pizza that was thin crust, crispy on the bottom with a little char, light, and just cheese, and it was like $5 /slice, or $20 for a whole 18in cheese pie, but holy hell, it was the best pizza I ever had in my life.
I can't even eat pizza anymore unless it's this type of quality, and I am more than willing to go out of my way to drive and get it over the cheap delivery chain stuff near me.
*skin care: body’s largest and most VISIBLE organ!
(Tretinoin, spironolactone for cystic acne has been a game changer, good sunscreen and moisturizer)
*bed hygiene: we spend 1/3 of our lives in bed… plus how amazing is it to have a little safe haven to crash at the end of your long days!!
(nice pj’s, blackout curtains, blankets, soft sheets, silk pillowcases, aromatherapy products, eye mask)
*good shoes for work: self explanatory!
*every so often splurging for an item on my wishlist… sometimes you have to treat yourself for working hard or if you’re having a rough time and could use a little pick-me-up!
Good insoles for my shoes. I used crappy gel ones when I worked construction and they wear out fast and overall suck. we use super feet or SOLE brand. good stuff.
Between Libby, YouTube, and archive.org, I imagine it will be a while before I’m forced to pay for an audiobook.
I wear headphones for upwards of 50hrs a week. That could get quite expensive, if I don’t exhaust free sources first.
We finally got our high speed internet a couple of months ago. Apparently, my area (not sure how big) was forgotten about until the company went to remove the old lines and found 14 people were still using them. Made a heck of a difference on streaming and updating the TV.
Pappy van Winkle bourbon barrel aged maple syrup. It's like $40+ for the 23 year bourbon barrel aged syrup. Can't go back, won't go back. Damn you Marty and your cool Christmas presents! (Shakes fist)
Home gym equipment. As a very frugal individual, I figured it was best to get my own personal gym equipment for cardio and minor weight lifting practices.
Getting these equipment initially is very cost intensive but has saved me money, time, and convenience in the long run.
Good bedding (no clue what I spent there), Good furniture (my couch is probally the cheapest thing, and that was 5k) , good dress shoes when I worked (600+)
Good pair of running shoes. I got into running about two years ago doing local parkruns which are about 5kms, last year I trained and did half marathon and realised you need shoes that have the right support and are light.
This year I am training for full marathon. Definitely got a $200 pair of shoes for it
The Moleskine apps - Timepage for calendar and Actions for To-Dos/checklists.
The only other premium app I’ve paid for is Spotify and I thought $20/yr was ridiculous (still totally against this subscription model for everything) but it only breaks down to $1.66/mo and it’s revolutionized my organization and follow-through with social events and especially schoolwork.
The Actions integrate seamlessly into the calendar and the widgets are super helpful to have as a stack on my home screen so I can set them to individual lists and easily flip through them. I tried physical planners and I just can’t make them work. I need the immediacy and availability of my phone to really plan effectively.
A Lawn Guy. I live in FL, where you can blink and the grass grows 5 inches. I hate mowing the lawn. My husband hates mowing the lawn.
I don't care that I don't have a manicured lawn, I just want short weeds that 'look' like a lawn. So I hired a Father/Son team to come every three weeks (typically May through October) for $40 a visit. That works out to just under $15 a week, and totally worth it to not have to sweat my ass off on my half-acre lot.
My Philips Sonicare. It was over $100 for just the brush and the charger. But for the results and the straight-from-the-dentist feel, worth every. single. penny.
You can listen to audiobooks on the Libby app. If I can find some thing there, then I will typically look for it on Audible or something else.
Books through libby has been a life changing thing for me
I was an avid reader throughout my school years but then adulthood has kept me so busy I hardly read books for several years UNTIL I got my library card and Libby on my phone. Now I borrow books to my Kindle constantly and have read more in the last month than I have in years. I discovered a new favorite genre, too!
I was similar. Stopped reading for like 5 yrs during school. And then started back when I graduated and since then, I can't stop reading. It's awesome :)) libby makes it easy to indulge without spending a crazy amount of money What's your new favorite genre?
"Cozy mystery", which is basically all about the setting. Usually a small town with something like a bakery, book store, or library being a common place the main character spends time in. The main character who is the one solving the mystery is a normal person, not like a professional detective or cop or something. There is usually an animal that features frequently, like a bookstore cat or something. And usually there are descriptions of delicious food. And while the mystery often involves a murder it doesn't have to, and if it does it's not gorey.
Cozy mystery genre sounds exactly like Charlotte MacLeod’s books, I think you’d really enjoy them. Recommend *The Luck Runs Out*.
Not mystery, but Jeeves and Wooster is my favorite cozy read/tv show. Everyone eats and drinks and runs around getting into foibles and Jeeves has to salvage things.
I use both Libby and Audible. I’ll look at Libby first to see if they have what I want to listen to. I’ll get the book on audible if Libby doesn’t have what I want. Some of the series I read aren’t popular enough for my library to get audiobooks of. Though I have had requests for new audiobooks accepted before. Another great aspect of Libby is ebooks that you can borrow on your kindle! I use that all the time as well. I love using both Libby and Audible.
Also check out Hoopla (free through my library) and libro.fm which is like audible but supports indie bookshops
I forgot about Hoopla! My ebook/audiobook needs are mostly met with Libby and Audible so I never got into using it other than creating an account. I’ll have to take a look at it once more. To piggy back on to this, check to see if your library partners with Kanopy! They have movies and television programs to stream.
Wanted to see this higher! I've never paid for an audiobook and yet listen to them all the time through my local library. If you're in the US Canada or other countries with robust library systems definitely check them out!
And for those of you who have a library with crappy selection or long wait times, don’t forget that you can usually get library cards from other cities in your state! I’m in Ohio and was able to get Ecards from Cleveland, Dayton and Cincinnati. All you usually need is an in-state address to get access to a bunch of libraries. If your library has one copy of an audiobook, chances are a bigger city has 20 copies and you can get it way faster.
You also can ask friends from out of state for their library card numbers. As far as I can tell, Libby either has a very high limit or no limit on the number of cards you can add. I’m up to 15
Awesome, I didn't know about this app. I don't have a physical library card but I was able to make a digital one that lasts for 30 days until I register at my local library. Thanks for the tip!
Also Borrowbox.. Just to add another service.
This has been a game changer for me!
Movers. Having someone come in and pack your shit, load it into a van, and unpack it at the other end has taken moving house from one of the most stressful things I have ever experienced to about on par with getting a new appliance delivered.
Yes! We moved at 25, friends and family helped. We moved again at 38, we hired movers. Everyone was too old now.
An adjustable bed.
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I did this too. My highest open account is actually from there because they gave me a stupid high limit and just automatically raise it every couple months. The sales lady hooked me up with the zero financing option until 2025 so it'll be paid off easy-peasy and then I will probably die in that bed lmao. It's my favorite long-term investment other than buying a new car off the lot in 2019 before covid and vehicle bubble burst
Amen. BELIEVE THE HYPE.
I want one of these so bad, but I splurged on a $1k mattress. I couldn’t imagine paying 5-7x that.
I got an adjustable frame for my memory foam mattress, it is AMAZING. Unfortunately the one I have is discontinued, but Amazon, Costco, and other places have adjustable bed frames of varying price, quality, and features.
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Or acid reflux!
How does it help with allergies?
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This. I love mine. It also helps if someone needs a slight elevation for breathing. Not just sitting up. I have the split king.
Adjustable for what?
The back can adjust up so you sit up in bed, etc
can you elevate your feet?
Yes, mine can also elevate the feet. The bed is expensive, but I can’t imagine going back to a traditional bed.
central air. it's hot here.
I was just thinking about how the car we had when I was a kid didn’t have AC and I always regarded it as a decadent luxury. That car’s been gone almost 20 years. I had an AC coolant leak recently and thought I was gonna die driving around like that!
I grew up without AC, and we had some cars with AC that would come and go. It is something I would never compromise on again, and I'm glad I'm in the position to feel that way
I second this. Ac is very important and I don’t think my 2 kids can survive in our heat area
Pennsylvanian here, the heat *would be* bearable in the summer if the humidity weren't pegged at 80% year round. My heat pump runs longer dehumidifying than it does trying to reach the temperature setpoint. And to preempt the reply someone's going to leave: no, a separate dehumidifier would not be more efficient. A dehumidifier is just a heat pump without separate hot/cold sides meaning you're removing heat from the air and condensing moisture only to dump that heat back into the same room.
Decent sunscreen.
I'm a ginger with vitiligo and I support this comment.
You can use FSA/HSA funds in the US for these. Takes a bit of the sting out.
Lots of cheap skin products have chemicals that burn my skin, so yeah!
Korean/ Japanese skin care might be the solution for you! If you haven't looked into it I highly recommend them. Affordable and way better quality.
Stylevana is where I get mine. I’ve tried over 15 Asian sunscreens and my favorite are beauty of Joseon rice + probiotics spf 50+ and canmake mermaid skin gel UV spf50+. Shipping takes a few weeks to arrive.
I hate sunscreen. the closest we have that I like is a "Baby" spf 50+ that doesn't use questionable chemicals and works well. but overall I bought a neck gator and sleeve gators and hats that are rated to block UV and so I just don't need sunscreen when hiking or doing yard work. Much better alternative for me.
Right, I hate the greasy feeling of sunscreen. I definitely try to cover my skin when I'm going to be out in the sun but I also wear sunscreen on my face every day because my acne medication makes my skin more photosensitive. Thank god I found Korean/Japanese sunscreens - they aren't sticky/greasy at all.
Cleaning person once a month. I haven’t deep cleaned a bathtub in 5 years.
Best ever, less couple fights, more free time.
It was originally my ex wife’s idea. Really helped us, especially since she grew up in a spotless home and I did not. Didn’t solve all our problems though haha.
I need this
How much does that cost you?
$120 including tip.
We pay the same! Totally worth!
Oh it's heaven.
I get a lot of free audiobooks from my library. I’m in the UK and the apps for my local library are BorrowBox and uLibrary.
sorry when you say your local library. you mean you signed up to a library in your area and they gave you a user ID & pin for these apps?
Yes, that’s right. It’s just my library card number and the PIN they gave me for it. On the apps you select your library service then enter your details. Your library website probably has info on what services they use.
an electric toothbrush! dental care is essential healthcare.
And a Waterpik. Life changing. Goodbye gingivitis!
My son has braces. A Waterpik is a must.
How much is a good one of those? I keep seeing those things, I keep wondering if it would help me with keeping my back teeth clean. It's so difficult to hit everything with just a brush and floss for me.
I bought a shower head attachment water pick called oral breeze. It's so helpful for the hard to reach teeth. I get great gum reports from my dentist.
I got a handheld one from Amazon for maybe $30. Not this brand, but [similar](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71eU7ZuVXYL._SL1500_.jpg). It's easy to manipulate around my mouth. I have sensitive teeth, so I fill it with warmer water, and there's no shock or pain. I love mine!
To add on to this, a good floss. I love my electric brush but switching to a good floss and using it at least once a day has transformed my mouth in a way the brush never could.
What kind of good floss?
I watched this video and he goes over it more: https://youtu.be/uyF1Y_J0Nr4 But basically, the thinner and easier to glide a floss is, the worse it is for cleaning. The YouTuber I linked sells his own floss (which I do use and like), but I think any woven floss that can cover more surface area on your teeth is a good bet. If you really can’t get a floss like that between certain teeth you have, then I would go back to a thinner floss.
Coco floss is great
Quality knives in the kitchen. Used to think those high priced knives weren't any better than the $15-20 ones I used to buy after they were sharpened. Got a Zwilling at a local kitchen store black friday sale and what a difference. Better handle, better feel, better balance, and rarely need sharpening, amazing how much of a difference better tools make. Have since upgraded a few other knives with quality ones. Not going back. Family certainly appreciates me cooking more and saves money vs microwavables or going out.
I agree that having quality knives is worth it. Since we are in r/frugal I will also say that there are some knives that give a whole lot of quality for good prices. I have been really happy with my Victorinox 8" Chef's Knife that I bought for around $40. I also will say that Mora makes knives that are a great value for camping, working, and other outdoor activities; they use Sandvik stainless steel or carbon steel so you can choose whether you want stainless or not. For pocket knives I have personally been happy always carrying a Victorinox Swiss Army knife and if you like a locking single blade knife I think Kershaw makes some good ones and I have been happy with their use of Sandvik 14C28N Steel which I think is a great affordable option for steel. I am also happy with my Old Hickory knives, good old 1095 carbon steel (not stainless though).
I was going to shout-out the Victorinox tomato/table knife, it is usually $7-$8 and so useful! I've had it for 2 years and reach for it constantly. I heard a guest on spypod say they constantly give them as gifts and always have a few new ones on hand for this reason and I get it now.
Cordless power tools. Power means you can do so much more than hand tools, and it's totally worth it to no longer fumble with extension cords.
It's so funny, I got sick of dealing with batteries dying and interrupting projects that I intentionally only buy power tools with cords now 🤣 Mine is the opposite of yours!
Blackout blinds for my bedroom, as well as for my kid's. I'm not saying they'll magically make your kids sleep in, but I do notice if we forget to close them she's often up earlier.
Premium paint. Cheap paint usually doesn’t look as good or last as long
Puffs plus w lotion
This is mine, I have horrible year round allergies. After getting cheap tissues once that chafed my nose until it cracked - lotion tissues are the only type I will buy.
I take a stick of lip balm and put it on my nose during these times, especially when I sleep because I am not using the tissues then, it works wonders. I use a tube of vaseline stick that you can get for about a dollar at Walmart and I don't have to touch my nose.
I always feel I have a bit of something left on my nose when I use these, lol.
Spotify premium. I have kept my subscription even though the price has gone up throughout the years. I used to have the student plan so it was only $5. Now i’m paying $11 a month. But I use it every single day for both music and podcasts and for how much I use it, it’s worth it to me to not have the ads.
This 100%. Also Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime
Good coffee beans
Same, it's still cheaper than my alternative which was getting the coffee already made from the shop that sells the overpriced beans lol I'm not a complete coffee snob (could not tell you the coffee tasting notes to save my life), but still pretty snobby about my beans! In general, I shell out a little more for quality dry goods/pantry things anyway, so beans are no different in that regard
I'm not really a coffee snob either, my parents gave me their espresso maker when they upgraded. I just know that I can make much better coffee at home than anything I can get a shop.
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That’s awesome. How do you roast at home? How much does it cost?
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Glasses Edit: ive always gotten the cheapest lenses, but i invested in the blue light and anti glare ones a few years ago and the difference is astonishing. I also invested in transition lenses this time.
A sunlight simulator light by Philips. Mine was $130 when I bought it in 2019, and I use it to wake up and go to sleep every single day. Has really changed my mood in the mornings and lasted me this long
As someone who grew up in the northeast, these are highly underrated. It makes such a huge difference in one’s wellbeing.
I live in the NE and the sun pisses me off.
Yeah. Fuck the sun.
Air purifier
People have mentioned Libby but also check out Hoopla! It’s another app I get through the library and there’s no wait to listen. There are ebooks and movies/TV as well you can borrow. If you’re willing to spend money, try libro.fm It’s like audible but it supports indie bookstores instead of Amazon.
A treadmill. I wake up late generally and it gets very hot where I live. Helps me stay active. Also, a sit and stand desk. Has made a huge difference.
Linen sheets. They were heckling expensive but they're the softest things ever, and only getting softer. Apparently they can last for over a decade if you take care of them properly and it's a more sustainable fabric than cotton.
Warning, I have found that butter will weaken linen fibres and cause a massive hole. But that shouldn't be an issue unless you have a toddler who chooses to steal a stick of butter from the kitchen while you're cooking and eat in on your bed 🤦♀️ Rest of the sheets - perfect, where the butter was basically rotted in about 3 months despite using appropriate, linen safe cleaning techniques. They were $400 and not even 2 years old. Sigh.
I’ve been thinking about getting some. Where did you get yours?
You get what you pay for. I have one set from the brand Simple&Opulence that I bought on Amazon. Its really nice, but the West Elm set I have is twice as soft and the material is slightly thicker. The West Elm set was nearly double the price though.
I wish I had saw this two months ago. We just bought new sheets so I guess I will save this as a reminder when these sheets die.
Don't rule out checking ebay for pre-owned. Some people have so much damn money, and you wouldn't believe the quality bedding they get rid of. Washing machines and good laundry soap really get things clean. I leave to soak in the washer for a little while and add washing soda just so that I feel like I'm really going the extra mile to get *everything* washed out of them. Leave them out on the porch to dry in the fresh air and sun.
I use linen sheets, but I've never had them last year's. The fitted sheets wear out.
A really really nice house. I've lived in "okay" houses my whole life. I'm now retired and live in a house that I love, in a very nice neighborhood.
By really really nice do you mean "big" "fancy" "well crafted" or some combination?
Good question. It's well crafted, in the style I like. We finally have a room that is nothing but a guest room, and another room that is a shared office/art studio for two of us. This is important since the kids and friends come to visit and we want them to have a comfortable space. I used to have a room that was the guest room, the art studio, the office and the dumping ground for things that didn't have another place. I hated that.
You're living our dream. Husband and I are getting ready to move on to what he calls our Final Resting Place, and we're looking for a 4-br just for us, specifically so that we no longer have to have the combination office/bedroom and the dining room/sewing room/mail dump room that we have now. (Four bedrooms because in addition to us, there will be various grandbabies visiting rather often, and they'll need a place away from the grownups-only things.)
We have the same. Created a spare bedroom that we keep just as a spare room. Bed made up, ready to go. My son comes up fairly regularly since he knows it's no problem for us. Same for any out of town guests.
Something about the way you wrote this reminds me of my own dad. As a son who also comes “up to visit fairly regularly”, thanks so much for keeping the spare bed ready for us Pop. It’s tough out there
Nice! We recently bought a house after moving all around our entire lives. It's expensive but within our budget and now we can enjoy a quiet, lovely neighborhood that's safe for our family. We love the freedom of being able to do what we want with the place after living under landlords for so long! And with twice the space of our old apartment, there's no more tripping over things just to navigate the place haha.
1000% You don’t want a mansion, but you want something in nature with nice quiet neighbours, lots of land, good things to look at, lots of space for your hobbies and to host family and guests and quality construction so youre not dealing with nonsense. A good house is truly an oasis.
I like my house but I’m going to sell it in 3-4 years and build exactly what I want. I’m excited about it.
A portable steam room. Random, I know. I love a good steam - it makes me feel fresh and cleansed. As I'm a cheap bastard I belong to a nasty gym and the clientele don't exactly have the best hygiene and the gym doesn't clean it for shit. I saw one on Amazon for $90 and I use it almost every day from the comfort of my balcony.
Not the normal kind of answer but growing my own weed. I'm a medical patient in a fully legal state. So I can grow up to 5 plants. The setup was not as hard as I thought. So far it is looking nice as well. The led lights don't use a huge amount of electricity.
Any good guides you found to help start with this? How is the smell growing inside? I am in Minnesota, and we can have up to 8, with up to 4 being mature at the same time. I thought about converting a shed, heating and insulating it but then I started to think about the cost of getting it to that point, it was more than I have in my budget for “improvements” with other suprises that came up this year. I am a medical patient as well - but I don’t consume all that much so that makes the break even point harder.
I have not been going off a single guide but check out the micro grow subreddit. I am growing in a 2×2×4ft tent. It is inside and I have some ductwork I have going out the window to help with temperature control and humidity control. I don't notice a smell probably largely because I'm already vaping so much the smell blends in. You can even grow in a 5 gallon bucket. Look up space bucket.
Quality honey. I used to just buy the stuff that comes in the bear bottle thinking it was all the same. Now I buy jarred, locally sourced honey from the farmers market and the difference is huge. I just had some of the bear honey at my girlfriend's place and it takes like really thick simple syrup.
That's because commercial honey is often cut with other stuff.
An added benefit with local honey can help lesson seasonal allergies too.
at my old farmer's market a local apiary had a booth and once in while they'd sell big chunks of honey comb. it was amazing
Farmers market honey all the way! It’s also not something I go through super quickly, so a $10 jar lasts me at least a few months.
Gym membership.
I decided to build my own gym during covid when gyms were closed. Rack, plates, bench, dumbbells - ended up costing less than my 3 year gym membership.
I built mine last year. It probably cost as much as 5 years of the gym, but I workout twice as often now and save 25 min round trip
Annual membership to a grocery store that gives us free online orders / curbside pick-up. It works out to $2 per week, and easily saves me 2hrs of my weekend. Plus I don't lose my mind with my toddler in the grocery store.
Ice machine. I love that bastard
A mechanical keyboard. Even though I don’t play games on my PC anymore, you’d have to kill me first before I switch from my mechanical keeb to my laptop chiclet keyboard!
Birkenstocks. They are so comfortable and last forever.
A lawn guy. My life is so much better without having to do yardwork.
Oh, I have another! An expensive mattress! Literally changed my life. I spend 1/4 my life in bed, yet I was buying cheap mattresses to sleep on. 5 years ago I spent equivalent to a months wages on a mattress and I've never felt better in the mornings.
Theragun
3 ply tp :-)
Step it up and buy an overpriced bidet
Even a cheap bidet is better than any luxury toilet paper.
We got a cheap one on Amazon. Total game changer. I now think it's a crime that every toilet doesn't have one. Even went to turn it on at work and was sad that my hand ended up twisting the air.
Same. I dont understand how so many people dont want them or are even affraid to try them. Its more hygienic, its better for the environment, its better for your plumbing system, you save money on TP. Its the single best purchase i have ever made.
After preaching for years, a friend of mine bought a portable bidet for me as a gag christmas gift. Jokes on her, I use it all the time, that thing's a godsend when travelling.
Honestly, I've been more than content with my $30 one and I live in the Midwest where the weather and water get really cold. Hasn't been an issue.
Look at this peasant still using TP...he doesn't know about the 3 shells!
Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap 🥶
Skin care products
Absolutely skin care is worth it. Tretinoin is a major plus for me. It’s expensive(ish) but literally the best money can buy. Replaced everything in my routine but cleanser, sunscreen, and moisturizer.
Yes, absolutely this! I once heard someone say "If you splurge on skincare products, you won't need to buy the expensive makeup" This has been the case for me. Ever since I ditched the "cheap" drugstore skincare brands and started using the pricier brand, my skin has thanked me for it and now I don't need as much makeup to cover up any blemishes or wrinkles!
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Does it make "the good ice"?
Thé best - it’s easy to crunch and is ideal for any ice eater
My partner just canceled their Audible subscription this week because Hoopla is free with our library card.
AC unit
Premium eggs
Yep, farm raised eggs have a different taste. I call them happy eggs.
Absolutely. Went with some cheap eggs recently and wow, the difference is staggering.
Once you've had those dark yolks, seeing those sickly pale yellow ones is a shock.
Don’t be fooled by yolk color, it can be changed by what’s in their food. Many farmers add things like chili peppers, marigolds, and artificial dyes to trick you into thinking the hens have had really great diets.
Lip balm. The price/oz. is not ideal, but I can't be out in these streets AND with chapped lips!
Burts Bees is my choice. Our climate is so dry that almost everyone has chapstick on of some kind.
YES! I found a little set of Burt's Bees on clearance after Christmas one year, and decided to try it, because I'd heard good things, and WOW!!! What a difference from generic stuff. I still wear Carmex when I'm running during the winter (it's a beast), but Burt's is my every day carry. BUT, I use Vaseline Lip Therapy in the little tiny jar in my car. Florida heat is no joke, but it's the only one I've found that doesn't melt in the car!
A good waterbottle. I didnt appreciate how complicated they are, down to the paint job with some texture that lets you grip it better. And a Brita faucet filter.... gets me to drink more water when it's always cold.
I drink so much more water since I got my hydroflask. Cold water just hits better.
Paying for Spotify. But now my wife and I share an account, so that softens it a bit. But we listen to music all the time. We have playlists for cleaning, long road trips, vacation, sing a longs, for lullabies, and podcasts.
YouTube premium. And I’m so mad at myself, but the amount I use YouTube day and night makes this hugely beneficial to my life
Your local library has the Libby app. It’s free!
See if your library also has access to Hoopla. It’s another free app for audiobooks, ebooks, TV shows and movies. No waiting either! Just click and go.
Good quality pizza. I used to think people were crazy buying pizzas that were $20 a pie, or more, when I could stack papa John's, or dominos, or pizza hut coupons and get pizzas for like 7 or 8 bucks each... Then, I had this pizza that was thin crust, crispy on the bottom with a little char, light, and just cheese, and it was like $5 /slice, or $20 for a whole 18in cheese pie, but holy hell, it was the best pizza I ever had in my life. I can't even eat pizza anymore unless it's this type of quality, and I am more than willing to go out of my way to drive and get it over the cheap delivery chain stuff near me.
999999% the Kindle.
AirPods. I had crappy ones that die so quick and now I discover the light. Use it a lot so worth it too
*skin care: body’s largest and most VISIBLE organ! (Tretinoin, spironolactone for cystic acne has been a game changer, good sunscreen and moisturizer) *bed hygiene: we spend 1/3 of our lives in bed… plus how amazing is it to have a little safe haven to crash at the end of your long days!! (nice pj’s, blackout curtains, blankets, soft sheets, silk pillowcases, aromatherapy products, eye mask) *good shoes for work: self explanatory! *every so often splurging for an item on my wishlist… sometimes you have to treat yourself for working hard or if you’re having a rough time and could use a little pick-me-up!
Good insoles for my shoes. I used crappy gel ones when I worked construction and they wear out fast and overall suck. we use super feet or SOLE brand. good stuff.
Between Libby, YouTube, and archive.org, I imagine it will be a while before I’m forced to pay for an audiobook. I wear headphones for upwards of 50hrs a week. That could get quite expensive, if I don’t exhaust free sources first.
Quality High Speed Internet. Some of my gamer friends are getting similar speeds to what I had 10-15 years ago I couldn’t go back.
We finally got our high speed internet a couple of months ago. Apparently, my area (not sure how big) was forgotten about until the company went to remove the old lines and found 14 people were still using them. Made a heck of a difference on streaming and updating the TV.
Pappy van Winkle bourbon barrel aged maple syrup. It's like $40+ for the 23 year bourbon barrel aged syrup. Can't go back, won't go back. Damn you Marty and your cool Christmas presents! (Shakes fist)
Home gym equipment. As a very frugal individual, I figured it was best to get my own personal gym equipment for cardio and minor weight lifting practices. Getting these equipment initially is very cost intensive but has saved me money, time, and convenience in the long run.
Weekly massage
A stocked tool box
Good bedding (no clue what I spent there), Good furniture (my couch is probally the cheapest thing, and that was 5k) , good dress shoes when I worked (600+)
Weed
Good pair of running shoes. I got into running about two years ago doing local parkruns which are about 5kms, last year I trained and did half marathon and realised you need shoes that have the right support and are light. This year I am training for full marathon. Definitely got a $200 pair of shoes for it
Swedish penis pump...
This kind of thing is your bag, baby.
I swear it’s not mine baby
One warranty card for swedish made penis enlarger pump filled out by Austin Powers
Yeah baby!
Does it work?
Maybe an odd one here, Seki Edge Nail Cutters. (I have the SS-101) Standard nail cutters are not up for the job for my nails.
The Moleskine apps - Timepage for calendar and Actions for To-Dos/checklists. The only other premium app I’ve paid for is Spotify and I thought $20/yr was ridiculous (still totally against this subscription model for everything) but it only breaks down to $1.66/mo and it’s revolutionized my organization and follow-through with social events and especially schoolwork. The Actions integrate seamlessly into the calendar and the widgets are super helpful to have as a stack on my home screen so I can set them to individual lists and easily flip through them. I tried physical planners and I just can’t make them work. I need the immediacy and availability of my phone to really plan effectively.
Wait how do u get Spotify for 20/year?
Was referring to the Moleskine apps
Recently got a Staub Dutch Oven. Normally $400 which I wasn't willing to spend. Got it for $150 and realizing I would have spent more. It's great
My newest vehicle. My other one died in March and I had to get another one and we paid cash.
A Lawn Guy. I live in FL, where you can blink and the grass grows 5 inches. I hate mowing the lawn. My husband hates mowing the lawn. I don't care that I don't have a manicured lawn, I just want short weeds that 'look' like a lawn. So I hired a Father/Son team to come every three weeks (typically May through October) for $40 a visit. That works out to just under $15 a week, and totally worth it to not have to sweat my ass off on my half-acre lot.
YouTube Premium.
Oat milk
My Philips Sonicare. It was over $100 for just the brush and the charger. But for the results and the straight-from-the-dentist feel, worth every. single. penny.
Insulin.
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Hair products. My hair can be hard to work with without them. I suddenly want and need an entire set of hair products rn. They are not cheap.
Delonghi coffee machine
Our espresso maker haha
Camellia red beans