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Recycled toilets and other strange ways to save money

Posted Aug 26 2008, 03:58 PM by Karen Datko
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"Captain Frugal" may be a crazy Brit, but he's familiar with that quaint U.S. custom of recycling old toilets as outdoor planters. That, and using old bathtubs as lawn art -- "You can put it next to the toilet!" he observes -- are among his "10 of the strangest things people do to save money" at the Money Saving Blog.

As he says, "Some people do some pretty weird things to save the green."

To drastically reduce food bills, ladies can order large portions for each course when a fellow takes them out to dinner. Then, Captain Frugal says, "Eat a few bites of each and proclaim how stuffed you are. Take the rest home 'for later.' You're not lying. The rest of the week counts as 'later.'"

Among other strange things: reusing tin foil (a variation of the old plastic bag tip); turning old, undrinkable wine into vinegar; and asking the waiter for a lemon slice so you can upgrade your frugal glass of water to lemonade. Tell everyone you're leaving town for the holidays, lay low, and then buy their gifts at the post-holiday sales.

The library can be a source of free books -- and free umbrellas. Just tell the librarian you 'left yours behind on your last visit, and pick from the ones that people really forgot to take home. "You're not stealing, you're recycling," Captain Frugal rationalizes.

Captain Frugal's No. 1 strange way that people save money: "Spend less than you make! It's a drastic idea in this day and age, sure, but it's so crazy that it just might work!"

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Comments

 

I hope the person who lied to the librarian about "leaving the umbrella behind" does leave something precious to him/her behind and someone else claims it.  What if the umbrella claimed was a gift from a dear somebody and the real owner came to claim it?  What goes around, comes around.  The world is a nicer,safer, lovelier place if we remember the kindergarten and Sunday school lessons from our elders about playing nice with others!!!   pj

Pat (Posted 08.26.08 4:58 PM ) Report Abuse

There are some people who would recycle an old toilet to use...as a toilet!!!  Because federal law mandates that new toilets use no more than 1 1/2 gallons per flush, some new toilets don't work as well as the old models, which used 5 gallons or more per flush.  Sometimes you have to flush a newer toilet twice for everything to go down.  Some people who are recycling older toilets are restoring an older house and want vintage fixtures in their bathrooms; others prefer the performance of the older models, since they only have to be flushed once.  They would clean the rust and stains off the old porcelain and install new flushing parts inside the old toilets.

Toby Radloff (Posted 08.26.08 11:55 PM ) Report Abuse

"To drastically reduce food bills, ladies can order large portions for each course when a fellow takes them out to dinner. Then, Captain Frugal says, "Eat a few bites of each and proclaim how stuffed you are. Take the rest home 'for later.'"

Was this written in the 50's?

Donna (Posted 08.27.08 9:36 AM ) Report Abuse

I agree with Donna. Also, ordering extra food just for leftovers on a date doesn't make you frugal, it makes you cheap (and an expensive date)!

JJ (Posted 08.27.08 11:55 AM ) Report Abuse

JJ I think you are completely right. It does make you cheap.

If you want to have a real nice and fun date then why not have her back to your place and chill out watching a movie. You could even add an extra spice to it by using some pyramat chairs. See more here www.pyramatgamingchairs.co.uk

Marc (Posted 10.16.08 5:23 AM ) Report Abuse

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