What items have you "invested in" that will save you money later?

[katybug]

I know there are the usual items, like crockpot, sealing windows/doors, planting a garden, but I was wondering what other things have you invested in that maybe we have heard of?

I'll go first! A few years ago I bought long-johns for wearing around the house to keep warmer and keep the heat as low as possible. Well I couldn't find girls that year so I've been living with boys and they just don't fit well, so this year I bought girls. They fit under any pants I have (jeans & pj) and they really do help keep the chill off.

I also discovered another by mistake. I wanted thicker socks to wear in my boots while I was out in the yard (it is the wet season now here, and boots in the yard are a must!) I bought a pair of thick woolen socks and put them on as soon as I got home, but I noticed my feet were much warmer then my regular socks! I now have about a week and a half worth of these socks but they were more expensive then my usual socks, but I did purchase them as buy 2 get 1 free!

Of course, my heating pad, I almost always have it on low when I'm sitting around doing something.

I'm thinking about getting a mattress pad to pre-heat my bed so I don't shiver for a half an hour before going to be.

That reminds me of another tip, in the winter get a change of sheets that aren't the usual cotton. I find the regular sheets just aren't as warm as maybe a fleece/flannel or just fuzzy sheets. My MIL gave DH and I a set of fleece sheets last xmas and boy, are they nice. Another up side is you don't need as many blankets, which for someone who has difficulty sleeping (me) it is nice not to have 50lbs of blankets on me during the night. We have a few changes of sheets, but once the weather warms up, we store these and only have them on the bed during the colder season.

(Also, a tip stemming from the one above, to make sheets last twice as long. I don't like a flat sheet on me, I prefer a soft/fuzzy blanket. So I'm saving all my flat sheets and used them as fitting sheets once they wear out. I figure I'll just put them on the beds army/hospital style and pin the corners. Twice the sheets! And those suckers are expensive, I've discovered when I needed to replace sheets recently.)

Of course a programmable thermostat is a must, but we have it come on it the morning. I don't know want it is, but I just don't feel as cold or have as much trouble getting started in the morning (or just getting out of bed), when it is warm in the house.

Well all my tips are for cold weather and specifically, to keep heating costs down, but what are the things you've "invested in" that will save you money later?

~KB

[TexasPeanut]

Well we invested in the typical things that you listed like appliances, starting a garden, etc. But for us one of the biggest things we invested in money-wise in order to save money or ourselves was our generator. We live in hurricane country and while I can go without the lights, and even without the a/c without groaning too much, I must save my food! We have the regular frig/freezer, a large chest freezer and a large upright freezer (both freezers we bartered/traded work for and got free) so it's important to me to save our food, the insurance companies will only cover so much and who knows when or where you may be able to buy food during those times.

Another thing we invested in to save money later, a water softener. Our well water is awesome and free, but hard. So it plays heck on the washer and faucets, having the softener I know I can keep my washer going several more years and not have to replace faucets or gaskets constantly.

Another thing we invest money into to save later on. Tools. DH is a mechanic and he also does woodworking/furniture making on the side so all types of tools are a big part of his life and we've learned sometimes it's better to save up until you can afford the better quality with the guarantee then buying cheaply and having to replace it within a short amount of time.

That's about all I can think of right now that's not the usual type of things.

[vigilant20]

My soy milk maker has saved me tons of money. Soy milk is expensive in the store, and it takes just 1/4 cup of bulk soybeans to make at home!

For the future: I'm getting a programmable thermostat tomorrow, and I'm also looking into a tankless water heater.

[katybug]

sometimes it's better to save up until you can afford the better quality with the guarantee then buying cheaply and having to replace it within a short amount of time.

I think this is truly becoming my mantra!

[Grayce]

I can think of a bunch of things I have bought that will save me money in the long run.

-The materials for our 2 rain barrels were a little pricey but we were able to use them to water our garden all summer. They will pay for themselves in water-savings.
- Fuel efficient car
- freezer so we can freeze items bought on sale
- Costco membership, we have saved a ton of money at Costco. For us the cost has been well worth it.
- Regular dental check-ups. This is one thing people tend to put off but it's better to catch problems when they are little (cheaper to fix).

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Looking forward to seeing what other people do.

[chevy_chick95]

misto- makes my own veggie spray. I love it!
drying rack
fuel efficient car

[YarnTotingMama]

Hmm .. probably the biggest have been the freezer so we could buy in bulk and cloth diapers. I guess our Costco membership too.

[jas]

My big freezer, dog shaver, extra news papers, probabaly alot more.

[madhen]

One little thing I invested in, that saves me money daily, and that I think about every day in terms of how much money I'm saving, is a permanent filter for my coffee pot. They cost about the same as a box of paper filters, but you just wash and re-use them. I had just the one, and I would use paper filters if I hadn't washed it yet, or it was in the d/w. So I bought a second one, and I haven't bought paper filters since. The first one I bought is over six years old now, and shows no sign of age, so I think they last a while!

[MoonMommy]

My freezer was the best investment we made.

I am hoping in the next few years, to get rid of all of our credit card and studen loan debt. After that, we are going to invest in some green cost saving measures in our home.

[IntlMom]

Several years ago I spent 30.00 for a nice set of hair clippers with all the attachments. In the last several years I have not spent one red cent on my boys haircuts.......
yep, I'd say that was a nice investment!

[stinkbug]

This is gonna sound weird, but my best investment?

A good, honest, hard working husband!

He has a good paying professional job and he gladly hands over his check and lets me run the household. He trusts me completely and gives me confidence to make good decisions with our budget. This has allowed us to get way ahead on everything, no debt except the mortgage, which I pay 600.00 extra every month.

He's extremely handy and can build or fix pretty much anything. He keeps up with all the maintainance around the house, the yard, the garden, and so many other things. He'll do anything I ask, and most jobs we work on together. I can't think of a single thing he wouldn't tackle, or at least try.

He has probably saved me a millions dollars in therapy. He understands me like no one else ever has and helped me out of a deep dark hole that my life was becoming. He encourages me, makes me laugh and never makes me feel taken advantage of.

He's adventurous. We do fun things that are not expensive and are relaxing. He taught me to be more free and not frightened of failure or imperfection. He likes who I am and we spend a lot of time just hanging out, taking walks, riding in the woods, etc....

He's not picky. He'll eat pretty much anything without complaint, as long as there is always cookies! He loves homemade meals and also helps with cooking and shopping, and new ideas for meals, etc.

He's not into high end toys or electronics. He's just not a sit in front of the TV kind of guy. He does have toys, most of which were bought and paid for before we met, but the new ones, we decide on together, save, and pay in cash. He has his priorities straight about work/home/family/money, etc. He doesn't care about the Jones's.

He's a great partner and our contentment with our life is priceless. WE are an investment in our future!

[mickee311]

Breastfeeding and cloth diapering

[staciah]

I would have to say:

My dehydrator: I been able to save money on ALOT of food.(Spices, Granola, Vegs, Jerky and more)

My Food Saver Sealer: Seals frozen veg bags, potato chip bags,cereal bags and more.

My Freezer: Been able to stock up on alot of meats and vegs.

Energy Saving light Bulbs

Wool Blankets

Large food storage buckets for my flour and sugar and other foods.

[rachelj]

Stinkbug - I absolutely love your answer.

Ummmm....I think our freezer, hair clippers, breastfeeding have helped us a lot.

Also, buying a new furnace and ac unit.

Also, buying a fixer upper (twice) and doing the labor ourselves.

I also would have to say my dh- he's almost as frugal as me!