Comments on: So You Think You Are Frugal? What Lengths Are You Willing To Go To?

By: Rashmi

Rashmi — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:45:52 +0000

Hi, I bumped into your site this afternoon, and I cant stop myself going back to archives and reading all of them. I am on the journey of becoming a minimalist. Thanks for your great tips.

To use the toothpaste to the last drop possible, when you cannot squeeze it, roll it with a rolling pin. It has worked for me always .

By: Tara

Tara — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:00:34 +0000

I quit using laundry detergent for all but my kids grimiest clothes. I use plain cold water for most loads, and sometimes add a splash of vinegar. And never use softener, because I don’t want to buy chemicals (and support chemical corporations) and I don’t need to waste the money on it either.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:39:52 +0000

Much like Carla, I also turn my nearly empty shampoo bottles upside down to get the very very last bit out and when it’s at the last stage, will add water and shake to get the last bit out for the last hair wash.
I like Ellen’s idea of diluting shampoo – will definitely try that.
I also squish my toothpaste tube flat against the counter edge to get the very last bit out – I have managed to get toothpaste out of a ‘finished’ tube for a full two weeks!
And when it comes to bars of soap, when it gets down to that last little sliver that is almost too small to use, I ’stick’ it to the next new bar of soap (if you get both bits a bit lathered up and put them together, they inveriable dry stuck together – and voila! – you get to use every little bit of soap)

By: james

james — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:41:19 +0000

I know I get more frugal as the package empties; toothpaste, condiments, dishsoap, laundry detergent, etc.

I could probably stretch things 20 % by not being lax in the 1st half of the container.

By: CARLA BLEDSOE

CARLA BLEDSOE — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:28:50 +0000

I have one of those shoe bag looking net things you hang in the shower- whenever a shampoo bottle or lotion bottle gets to the “empty” stage I put the bottle in one of the pockets upside down and let it run down. I also squeeze the last of the toothpast out by putting the tube against the edge of the bathroom counter starting at the bottom of the tube and pull down with the tube constantly against the counter edge. This pushes everything to the end of the tube (or up to the point it can’t go on) and leaves the tube flatter than a pancake!

By: David

David — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:01:56 +0000

Thanks for the comment Katie – so very glad to hear I am not alone. And glad you like the site, will head over to check out yours now!

By: Katie @ Making This Home

Katie @ Making This Home — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:55:41 +0000

My husband does this. I give him so much grief. Then he looks at me and says, “You know you’d be doing it if I weren’t.” He’s right, especially now. We live in Germany, and our favorite toothpaste is Tom’s of Maine. We have to bring it with us.
Just found you through Savvy Christine. It looks like we think alike and follow the very same blogs. Sorry I’ve been missing you.
Katie

By: SavvyChristine

SavvyChristine — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:58:17 +0000

I do something similar with condiments in the fridge. We haven’t bought a new bottle of ketchup in a long time (we’re trying to cut back on plastics), so we’ve been making do with the last little bit left. In the same way that you add water to your shampoo, you can add a little vinegar to your ketchup and mustard to get the last bit out. I wouldn’t recommend cutting the bottle in half, though — it makes for crusty ketchup. Yuck!

By: Enrique S

Enrique S — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:51:16 +0000

I’ve punched holes in the bottom of laundry detergent bottles to get the last drop, but never with toothpaste. Something else for me to try. Thanks.

By: David

David — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:57:35 +0000

Glad I am not alone Danielle!

And thanks Ellen, appreciate your kind words!