Many of us have started off the year with the intention to save more money. There are thousands of ways to save money, and while some may be smaller scale than others, it’s good to save any amount as it adds up over time.

You hear about common methods to save money all the time. These methods include using coupons, eating out less, canceling unnecessary services like cable, and purchasing pre-owned items (automobiles, clothing, etc.). Lately I’ve discovered some strange, and downright weird ways to save money, and thought I’d share them with you today.

Cheap Eats

Many people choose to bring their lunch from home. It’s a smart idea, and doing so can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars each year. However, some people take this practice to tan extreme by packing the same super frugal lunch every single day. Among the most super frugal lunches I’ve heard about are rice and beans, cheese sandwiches, and cup of noodles. I used to work with a guy who brought his own small grill to work and cooked hot dogs every single day for his lunch. I think for him it was more about his love of hot dogs rather than frugality, but I’m sure he was saving plenty of money anyway!

Using Less

The cost of personal products such as shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer can really add up over time. Some choose to save money on their personal care items by using far less product. Rather than shampooing their hair every day, these frugal enthusiasts are choosing to wash their hair two or three days a week instead. Those who practice this new care regime claim they are saving up to one hundred dollars or more per year.

Reusing Items

I’ll admit, I have a hard time using a ziploc bag one time, and then tossing it in the trash. It’s common to reuse certain items such as plastic bags, plastic food containers, and even lightly soiled paper towels, however some really stretch their dollars to the max by reusing more unconventional items. Have you ever considered re-using tinfoil, paper plates, or even dental floss?

Confiscating Condiments

Plenty of people stock up on condiment packets for at home use. In fact some people even claim they never have to purchase condiments because they have such a large stash. While I’m still on the fence about whether taking more condiment packets than you need is frugal, or just plain cheap, not needing to buy condiments can cut down your grocery bill a few hundred dollars each year.

Dumpster Diving

If we’re talking about extreme frugality, I need to bring up dumpster diving. If you’re willing to sort through other people’s garbage you may be rewarded with treasure. You can find just about anything in a dumpster, clothing, dishes, and cosmetics just to name a few. If you don’t want to climb into a dumpster to source free goods, you can just scan your neighborhood on trash day.

Potty Training

I know several parents who rejoice when potty training takes off, and the need to buy diapers comes to an end. So, it makes sense that there are some frugal parents who begin potty training early in order to get a jump on those savings. However, this is where it gets weird. Some pet owners are potty training their cats in order to save on cat litter costs. Rather than using a litter box, the cat is trained to do their business right into the toilet. While the cost of litter is likely much less than diapers, it’s still a cost saving measure some are deploying.

What weird things do you do to save money?