Last month on a group hike near Asheville, someone told me newspaper is useless when everything is wet and to save money by collecting dry pine needles in a ziplock before I leave. I switched to that method and honestly the pine needles catch way faster and cost zero dollars. Anyone else get a cheap tip that totally changed their outdoor game?
I found this beat up ukulele at a goodwill in Portland for $8 about a year ago and it sounded pretty good for what it was. Yesterday the bridge just popped clean off while I was tuning it, no warning at all. I tried to glue it back with some wood glue I had but it didn't hold, the wood underneath is too cracked. Anyone know if there's a way to fix a split bridge plate on a cheap uke without spending more than the thing is worth?
I spent $12 on some beat-up Red Wings at a Goodwill in Portland last month, conditioned them myself for like $5. Compared to my buddy who dropped $80 on new work boots from a big box store that fell apart in 6 months. Which side are you on - pay upfront for quality or gamble on finding used gems?
I was at the downtown branch picking up a book last Tuesday and noticed a weird display near the checkout counter. Turns out they have a whole bin of fishing gear you can check out with your library card, no strings attached. Has anyone else stumbled onto free rental programs at their library that caught you off guard?
I was trying to save $40 by fixing my rusty old bike myself. Turns out I spent 4 hours messing with the chain and gears, only to realize the tire was just flat. My neighbor walked by and pointed it out in like 10 seconds. Has anyone else gone down a ridiculous rabbit hole over something simple?
Was at the goodwill on 43rd street last Tuesday digging through books when I found a practically new moleskine sketchbook. Been using it for pen drawings every night and it's lasted 3 weeks so far. Anyone else score art supplies at thrift stores?
I spent 3 years grabbing random paperbacks for a buck each until I timed myself - I was wasting 20 minutes per book on duds I'd never finish. That moment at the library last Tuesday when I walked out with three free books I actually wanted tipped me off. Anyone else quit the thrift book grind for library cards?
I used to spend like $15 a month on Audible just to get through my commute. Then last winter my buddy showed me the Libby app connected to my library card. I've listened to 8 books since January for zero dollars. Anyone else sleeping on free digital resources from their local library?
I built a bird feeder out of scrap wood and a plastic bottle last month. Worked great for about 2 weeks until squirrels found it, then rats showed up at night. They chewed through the plastic and scattered seed all over my tiny backyard in Denver. I ended up taking it down and now just scatter seed on the ground during the day instead. Has anyone else had backyard critters wreck a cheap DIY project?
I was dead set against Libby for like a year. Figured the selection would be garbage or the wait times would be months. Then my coworker in Cleveland showed me her holds list. She had 12 books lined up, all popular stuff. I downloaded it that night and haven't paid for a book in 6 months. Has anyone else had better luck with library apps than they expected?
I live near the Denver Botanic Gardens and they have a free entry day on the first Tuesday of every month, so I finally checked it out. There's this one bench tucked behind the Japanese section that has a perfect view of a koi pond, and I just watched the fish swim around and sketched a little in my notebook. Anyone else find a good free spot in their city that feels like a secret?
I was sitting at home last Tuesday staring at my empty wallet after paying the electric bill. My youngest was napping and I had 45 minutes of free time. So I filled up an old thermos with diner coffee I made at home, walked three blocks to the city park downtown, and just sat on a bench watching dogs chase squirrels. Did it again Thursday. Then Saturday morning. Now I do it twice a week. Costs me maybe 50 cents in coffee grounds. No gear to buy. No membership. Just a bench and a warm cup. Anyone else do stuff like this or am I just describing being old?
I saw this guy at the thrift store last week bragging about saving $10 on a stack of novels, but he was buying ones I'd already read for free from the local branch on Main Street. Why pay even a buck when you can just borrow and return with no clutter?
I grabbed a bundle of 5 hoops at a thrift store thinking it was a steal, but the screw clamp stripped out on the biggest one after two days of stitching and now I'm back to wrapping yarn around a plastic takeout lid to keep my fabric tight, has anyone found a cheap hoop that actually holds up?
I used to go to this place near my place in Austin called Brewed Awakenings - it was great for drawing on napkins for free cause the owner didn't care if you sat for hours. Then new people took over in July and now there's a sign saying 45 minute limit unless you buy food every hour. It went from a chill hangout to a strict cash grab real fast. Anyone else have a spot you used to love turn into something totally different overnight?
I was about to drop $20 on a new set of brushes for my painting hobby until a friend showed me how to clean my old dried-up ones with vinegar and a wire brush. Turns out soaking them in cheap white vinegar for 30 minutes breaks down all the crusty acrylic, and a little rubbing alcohol gets the rest. Saved myself a trip to the craft store and my old brushes work better than the cheap pack I was gonna grab. Has anyone else found weird household stuff that works way better than the fancy hobby products?
I spent 6 months using Krita on my laptop for digital art because everyone said it was the best free option, but my phone runs Ibis Paint X and the layers system just clicked way faster for me. Drawing with my fingers actually gave me more control than my old $15 stylus on the laptop. Anyone else find a cheap tool that worked way better than a fancier option?
Someone told me my patches would last longer if I stopped being lazy with a glue gun and did a basic stitch instead, and after 3 washes they were right, so has anyone else had a random critic totally change their cheap hobby game?
The stones were all worn uneven and the guide angle thing was missing, has anyone else gotten scammed buying used sharpening gear?
Picked up this old desk lamp for $3 last Saturday. Got it home and the little metal contact inside had rusted through so it wouldn't stay on. Took the base apart and cut a strip from a soda can to act as a new contact tab. Been working fine for 4 days now. Anybody else find weird household items work as replacements for broken parts?
My neighbor Lisa told me last summer that borrowing books from the free little library down the street was pointless because they're just old junk. I grabbed three paperbacks anyway and found a guide on identifying mushrooms that helped me start foraging on local trails near my apartment. That one free book turned into a hobby that costs me zero dollars and I've found like 15 edible species so far. Has anyone else gotten a weird useful tip from a random free source?
I was about to cancel my Spotify subscription because I just can't afford it right now... then a librarian at the downtown branch told me they have a partnership with Freegal. You get 3 free song downloads per week just with your library card. I downloaded 12 songs this month and it cost me zero dollars. Has anyone else found a hidden perk like this from their local library?
I used to pay $65 a month for a big chain gym downtown and honestly I only used the treadmill and some free weights. Last month I found out my local rec center (the one off 8th street) has a weight room for $20 a month. The equipment is older and there's no spin class but it gets the job done for what I need. Has anyone else made this switch and found a good cheap alternative for their workouts?