conversation: User (JdH-AU): "Hi,\n\nI'm fairly well off, but I've made it a point to try and live frugally without it really impacting my lifestyle too much. I don't save on food, I eat out regularly, I have drinks and have fun. But I live by a few simple rules that help me maximise savings where possible. \n\nYou've probably seen many of these before, but I'll share hem regardless. I hope it helps:\n\n**[EDIT]** reworded a few things to be more accurate \n\n**[EDIT 2]** seems like this thread is taking off a bit and the haters and trolls are out for blood. In no way is this list supposed to be 'a blueprint to saving cash'. It's a list of things that happen to work for *me* in *my situation*. E.g. I don't have a car and am debt free. Take from the list what you think may be useful to you in your situation and discard what you don't.\n\n**[EDIT 3]** it seems like #13 is rubbing people the wrong way. I am in no way advocating you go out and blackmail restaurants out of free food. I'm just encouraging you to stand up to businesses who provide sub par service and get your money's worth. Now *shoo* get off your high horse.\n\n1. Payday? Transfer 25% to a savings / investment account. Live off the rest.\n2. Use a cashback credit card, but only use it when there's no surcharge (see 14)\n3. Use loyalty programs EVERYWHERE. \n4. Go grocery shopping with a full stomach to avoid impulse purchases\n5. Don't buy mineral water; tap water will do fine (your mileage may vary depending on where you live)\n6. Sell what you don't use, eBay is your friend\n7. Use public transport off-peak if at all possible\n8.  Drink from a glass, not from the bottle (also good for portion control)\n9. Brand clothing is bullshit; a dark pair of jeans and a plain properly fitting tee will do just fine\n10. Do you like to smoke and you can't / don't want to quit? VAPE instead\n11. Cold? Wear a sweater. Still cold? Wear a thicker sweater. Still cold? Maybe turn on the heater a bit.\n12. Compare insurance. This is huge; you have no idea what you can get just by asking. A simple "competitor X is running promotion Y if I switch, what can you do for me?" can do wonders.\n13. Unhappy with a restaurant / experience? Complain, and if they don't respond well, go public on their Facebook page. If you formulate your complaint constructively, you may just get something for free. Use photo evidence where possible. **Edit:** no I don't want you to go out and scam restaurants. For god sake people get of your high horses and learn to interpret. I'm just telling people to stand up against businesses that provide sub par service.\n14. **SURCHARGES AND BOOKING FEES ARE CANCER.** Avoid avoid avoid. Switch payment methods if it helps you avoid them. Have cash at hand as well at all times. Online booking fee? Fuck it, call.\n15. Dry clothes on a line outside. Only use the dryer when it's raining or extremely humid. Bonus benefit: your clothes will last a bit longer.\n16. Re-use stuff. For example, grocery bags as rubbish bags. Paper for note taking.\n17. LIGHTS OFF. Very elementary, so easy to forget.\n~~18. COMPUTER OFF. Not 'sleep' or any of that bullshit. OFF. **Note /edit**: some say that the spin up from an old hard drive may actually increase your power usage. YOu may want to do a bit of digging, but I'm using an SSD drive without moving parts so in my case this works.~~ \n*Note: looks like some savvy co-redditors have disproven this as being not very effective. Thanks for the heads up!*\n19. Compare utilities (gas, electricity, phone, internet). See 12.\n20. If something's half price, buy at least two. Use this to stock up on stuff like toothpaste, shower gel.\n21. Don't be afraid to upgrade you phone plan to save. I ended up saving $30 a month by upgrading to a higher data allowance.\n\nBonus for reading through my drivel:\n\n- If you get sick and need meds, always ask the pharmacist for a generic. Same stuff, just cheaper.\n\nHope it helps. Feel free to add your own!"
  Self: "I'm aiming at 50% of payday into savings"
  