What have you purchased that has helped your frugal lifestyle?

[Sonnenwende]

I also agree with the computer now that I read someone else mentioning it. That is how we save and make money right there.

Some other stuff I forgot...

Our cars we own outright. They have problems, but I just can't get the math to work that it would cost less to have a car payment + full coverage + maintenance than liability + maintenance. I mean, I am going to have to shell out $500 to fix my car next weekend, but there have been several months now where I have spent nothing but gas money on it.

Living in an apartment saves money. Less sqf to heat and cool and less to clean. Renter's insurance is cheaper than homeowner's. No property taxes. When things crap out, it is not my problem to pay for it.

Pre-pay cell phones help a lot.

AAA membership saves us some money.

[PrairieGirl]

Oh, I forgot one thing:
-my bike (I started commuting on it rather than driving or even taking transit. saves me money, environmentaly friendly, and I get my exercise so it saves me time as well!!!)

[vigilant20]

washboard and drying rack for laundry
yogurt maker
soymilk maker
bread maker
crockpot

[Fitgal827]

I'm relatively new to this lifestyle and I think I've only bought two things:

1. a shower curtain rod to hang clothes to dry - I have a bathtub that isn't used and I don't have a place to put up a line outside so this what I use

2. CF light bulbs

Other stuff I had before being frugal:

1. programmable theromstat - now though I keep my heat a lot lower than I used to

2. crockpot

3. gas grill - I just realized that I can use this to cook and it'll save me electricity.

4. my brain - wasn't using it to think frugally at all

[Judi Dial]

crockpot, new toaster/micro combination, 2 used pyrex bread pans, twirlypop, bought at a yard sale and converted into a coffee roaster, laundry & dish detergents purchased in bulk, used cloth napkins from commercial laundry.

Judi

[Siebrie]

Great thread!

- my PA-training (Executive Assistant and Legal Secretary). Very expensive and intensive, but I always find a job when I want one.
- drying racks. One to hang over a door and one with five lines over the bath. Also saves me on fines from the apartment block I live in (they don't allow drying racks on the balcony)
- the studio we're renting now: we're on the 8th floor of a 22-floor building, right in the middle of the row, so we hardly ever turn on the heating.
- good shoes, so I can walk a lot.
- our shopping trolley (think 'grandma'; the one with a big sturdy cloth bag that you pull behind you). We don't have a car and it's the best way to get a reasonable amount of shopping home.
- cloth shopping bags (received free from promotional activities). In addition to the trolley. They can hang from our shoulders and don't cut our fingers the way plastic bags do.
- my cookery books. They inspire me to make nice meals
- my gardening books. see above.
- my gardening tools (thrifted or received as gifts)
- skills I gained through experience (painting, wallpapering, sawing, basic electricity wiring - nothing major, but I can change a plug/socket and hang a new lamp)

[Pemberleyan]

Most if not all of my items have been listed by others:
Various thrift store clothes and items, including discounted Tupperware
Crock pot (gift)
Wood stove (the wood is free)
DH’s tools (purchase and hand-me-downs)
front load washing machine
bread machine
sewing machine
drying racks
clothes line
freezer – even though it uses more electricity, of course, it keeps us from having to make more trips to the grocery store, (saves on gas)
Tightwad Gazette books
Professional clippers – used to cut poodles’ hair and DH’s hair!
Many of my cooking and baking items are hand-me-downs or yard sale items