10 examples of extreme economising
- Aug 02, 2010
As Virgin Money Australia launches new products to help make everyone better off Down Under, we take a look at the most bizarre examples of people taking their thriftiness way beyond normal levels.
All of these money-saving tips have been suggested on the wonderful world wide web, some more tongue-in-cheek than others. Here at Virgin we would merely suggest getting a better credit card deal with Virgin Money. See if you can tell which examples were jokes and who really expects you to hunt jewellery in car parks. Here are 10 examples of extreme economising. Warning - these money saving tips are not recommended!
10. Go to the toilet at work
Almost Frugal explains that by going to the toilet before you leave work, you can save money by not having to flush your own toilet. Not only that, you won't have to pay for a public toilet, or use your own toilet paper. Worth it? Not really.
9. Make a shopping list
The reason why trips to the supermarket end up costing so much? No, it's not that you need to buy lots of stuff; it's that you didn't write down a shopping list in advance. Without your trusty shopping list you could lose all self control, due to sneaky tricks from the shops like, erm, playing music. Watch out - next time humming along to the Pussycat Dolls could result in you accidently buying a year's supply of cat food despite not owning a cat.
8. Date unattractive people
This one is for all the single ladies and men out there. Find Financial Freedom suggests going on dates with people far less attractive than yourself. The logic goes that they will be so pleased that you are dating them that they will happily pay for everything. As well as being pretty ludicrous, this tip is also just not very nice.
7. Pull apart two-ply toilet paper
The second and final toilet-related example of extreme economising is to purchase two-ply toilet paper, then pull the sheets apart. This would indeed make the toilet paper last longer – but it may also make you spend far too much of your life worrying about toilet paper.
6. Sleep in airports
Sure, travelling and holidays can be very expensive, so the website Sleeping In Airports suggests - yes you guessed it - sleeping in airports. If a hostel is too expensive and you don't mind concrete floors, then airports could be the boutique hotel you were looking for.
5. Find diamonds in car parks
Unusual Ways To Make Money lives up to its name when recalling an idea about finding jewellery in car parks. Apparently, due to temperature changes when getting in and out of vehicles, diamonds can come loose more easily. So next time you see something sparkling in a car park, it could be worth thousands. Or not.
4. Use underwear to wash dishes
Yes, just when you thought those old boxer shorts were getting too tatty to wear anymore, use them to dry your plates instead! Somebody suggested this to billsavings.com – someone whose dinner parties it wouldn't be advisable to attend.
3. Cut open toothpaste tubes
Ok, admittedly cutting open toothpaste tubes to get the last bit of toothpaste out isn't too far-fetched. On the other hand, once you start cutting open toothpaste, next you'll be cutting out shampoo, then washing up liquid – where will the madness end?
2. Stay married for money
Yes, divorces can be expensive. So one site suggests staying married to cut down on costs. Admittedly Doughroller explains logically the reasons why staying married for money could be the right thing to do. But still – really? Love, honour and eBay?
1. Steal from your friends
Pretty straightforward this one – Money Saving Blog (hopefully jokingly) explains that taking small items from your mates could save you money. They also mention taking flowers from graveyards though, so I'd steer clear if I was you.
Virgin Money Australia have some far more sensible ways to save money – head over to their website to see their new products.
Greg Rose
