Books
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I could not live without books. But I don’t care to own them, and even free ones are just clutter to me – they get passed on or donated. I’m a lifelong library lover, myself, and I can think of only a tiny handful of books I might actually want to possess (none of which I do).
Movies at the cinema
Perhaps it’s cheating, but I pretty much only go to movies on reward dollars earned from using my CC. (But I’m not *spending* anything in doing so!) I also get to go to the odd free screening through work. With regular tickets now costing something like $16, prices are just insane.
Hair removal
I have to admit I am lucky in that I’m pretty hairless (especially as I’m dark-haired). I use T’s cast-off razors (which sounds disgusting, I know, but he only uses them once or twice each) and plain old soap. Wouldn’t work for everyone, though.
Conditioner
I have the greasiest mane in the world. It really doesn’t need it. I rotate shampoos a lot and sometimes get two in one shampoo/conditioner; otherwise, if the ends really are dry, a spot of oil (coconut or olive) rubbed into the ends suffices.
Lunchboxes and ziplock bags
We do have a few proper tupperware type lunchboxes, but otherwise I rely on plastic takeaway containers and ice cream cartons. Ziplock bags, I wash out when we use them to get nuts or lollies from the supermarket bulk bins.
Glass and oven cleaner
The things you can do with vinegar and baking soda are boundless.
Bank fees
My account is entirely free because I no longer receive paper statements. I rarely use ATMs, and if I do, I hunt out ones that belong to my bank in particular (T does generally run on cash though, and unfortunately isn’t as nutty as I am about only sticking to own-bank ATMs). Credit card fees are a given, but more than paid for through the rebates I earn just for using it.
Delivery charges
It’s almost always cheaper to get in the car and drive out yourself to pick up food. (Maybe it’s different overseas.)
And there are plenty of other things I won’t pay full price for – DVD rentals, facials/massages, skincare. There’s just no reason to, between daily deal sites, discount sales, coupons and mystery shops.
What things do you refuse to fork out for?
Parking. I will try my hardest to avoid going into town before 6pm and if I do, I will park far away and catch a 50c bus down! That is the no.1 thing I avoid and won’t pay for..
1. Parking
2. Movies — I loathe going to the cinema
3. Bank Fees
4. Lunches
5. Warranties on electronics
I just.. I really can’t pay those prices and some services (warranties), I feel are a legal scam…
I wish I could go without conditioner. Alas, I have curly hair, so I shampoo once a week and condition every day. Maybe I save on shampoo? I am with you on everything else.
Cover charges. I used to refuse to pay cover charges in my party years, which was really a great thing because dive bars are the best places to go anyway.
I refuse to pay full price for things. I hate it. Grocery stores, departments stores. I will be the person perusing the sale racks.
I needed a medical test last night and was asked for a deposit since I had not satisfied my deductible. I refused because 3 years ago I had a similar test and they did not ask for a deposit then. Besides, I pay my bills and did not want to give them money while I wait for them to bill the insurance. I won! It just bothered me and it made me feel I was a bad credit risk.
Magazine subscriptions. In general, there are so many ways to get subscriptions for free via survey, airline miles etc..
I’m a big library fan too. I also get a lot of free books sent to me. But I still buy books, because I figure if I want books to continue to exist, I need to make sure authors can make money. It’s kind of like supporting a local pizzeria because you want it to stay in business.
I don’t buy warranties, though.
I refuse to pay money for simple automobile issues, like oil changes, tire rotations and what not. I will say that I’m lucky enough to have a dad and husband who are pretty handy in that area, so it makes it easier.
So far I haven’t had an issue with my car (other than a broken side-view mirror) that has cost me a trip to an autobody shop!
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