(Part 3) Top products from r/Frugal

I too bought a reel mower, though I was a bit fancier, and bought one of these Fiskar's Momentum mowers. From past experience using reel mowers, I knew that easy adjustability was important, and I felt that the added benefit of the flywheel mechanism would make mowing easier.

I love the thing so far. And I especially love not having to buy gas. I also got a cordless electric weed eater, and so far my lawn care regimen is gasoline free.

Kitchen: victorinox 10" chef knife for under $40 www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000CF8YO

The rest of the kitchen can come from goodwill initially. Replace with quality to fit your needs, but I could outfit a livable kitchen with less than $100. You can also just use your roommate's stuff.

Bed: I slept on an air mattress for a while once. It sucked, but I would rather do that while saving for a good bed than any alternative I came up with.

Furniture: roommates supply this while you save. I haven't used my own furniture in almost 6 years.

Clothing: assuming your old life went down in a fire I would go to a target, jc penny, tj maxx, ross, etc and buy 5 outfits that will cover your work clothing. Maybe $200. It might not look great or last long but it covers what you need it to and you can go purchase it tonight if you needed to. The rest you can gradually build up like everyone else.

Entertainment: books are cheap. There are lots of free things to do in most cities. Hang out in parks, play sports/games with friends. Share a bottle of wine or whiskey. Go hiking. Find friends with camping or boating stuff and go with them. I went camping for three days with borrowed gear and car and spent $35 on gas that I split. The food was no more than what I would normally eat.

All-Clad is kind of the "Cadillac" of cookware, and a big set costs over $1000. In a highly-regarded test kitchen, this Tramontina set for $135 gets good reviews and sells for a fraction of the price. There are other set configurations and open stock (to buy in pieces) items of the same Tramontina line. I would add an 8- and 10-inch nonstick skillet and you would be set for a long time.



The same reviewers like these Victorinox knives as their second best choice. The first choice is the far more expensive German knives. There are different knife set configurations, even big sets in wood blocks, but my link is to the basics.


You need a knife sharpener. This one works very well and is simple to use, and is inexpensive as well.



You will need a colander set. This is the one I use. Stainless steel, lasts for years, cleans up in the dishwasher.

You will need hot pads, trivets, rubber spatulas (bowl scrapers) cookie sheets, etc. Just think through what you like to cook (or eat) and make a list of what you need for each step. Cookies? Mixing bowl, mixer or big spoon, measuring cups, measuring spoons, cookie sheet and spatula. Spaghetti? Frying pan, spatula, can opener, saucepan, big spoon for stirring pasta sauce, bigger pot to cook the pasta, colander, tongs, hot pads or mitts to protect hands while draining pasta. Just think through the steps and make a list.

I second all of this. The R H Forschner by Victorinox are the best knives you can buy for the money, bar none. For $25, you get a chef's knife that's functionally the equal of just about anything else out there. It's a no brainer, and Cook's Illustrated recommended. You only really need 2 knives to start with; the chef's knife and a paring knife. A long serrated bread knife would be the 3rd, then you can go crazy after you learn to use those 3. I find a boning knife to be rather useful if you're cookin' a lot of meats.

I do not, however, recommend the rosewood handled ones. The "plastic" (AKA Fibrox) handles on the Fibrox Forschner's are more comfortable, and safer because they are much more slip resistant. Kitchen knives are tools, not decorations!

EDIT: And pick up the matching steel, and the best home sharpener you can buy: The Accusharp 001 for $10. Now we're talking frugality and function!

And for those of you who see time as money: this popcorn maker is a good investment. Occasionally it will go on sale for $10 (which is how much I paid for mine). It's nice because you can basically put the popcorn in, go do something else, and just listen.


I completely agree with OP, popcorn is the best frugal snack ever. You can pay $3 for a bag of potato chips or you can pay $2 for a huge bag of popcorn kernels that, when popped, basically equals... Idk, like 25 bags of chips? Just add butter and salt (or whatever seasoning you like, but with an air popper you can't use oil, so I like to melt a bit of butter for mine), and it's a great snack! (Not to mention a much healthier alternative to chips).

Amazon actually sells a custom guard solution. It's not the cheapest option, but it's dentist-quality and should fit much better than a generic. They send you a package and you send them back a mold of your teeth, which they use to make a custom-fit guard. I haven't purchased one for myself, but the reviews are positive. Link

there are some cookbooks on amazon for frugal student cooking
used copies plus shipping is about $5. and some have great reviews.

Obviously there some awesome websites for recipes http://studentrecipes.com/ http://www.budgetbytes.com/


What i found useful were recipes you could make from raw ingredients you could get easily cheaply and store well. this is why pasta, rice and noodles are popular. the base is always handy and all you have to do is add dressings. Cans of beans and nuts are also great ways to add a protein to your meal without having to worry about it going bad before you eat it.

Find about 12 recipes you like and can make easily and then just rotate them. That's enough to keep you from being bored, save MEAT centered recipes for once a week, such as in a crockpot and the rest of the week eat meat free. Because meat is the most expensive ingredient and the easiest to screw up and let it go bad before you remember to cook it. Essentially you buy the meat on the same day you cook it and the leftovers go in the fridge and have to be eaten before the next time you cook meat, so the leftover won't go blue and fuzzy.



Indeed a crockpot is essentia Proctor 1.5 slow cooker $13 but i'd get the biggest one you can afford. ...actually when i moved in this apartment i had no serious money and no stove. I started off with all the inexpensive items from Proctor Silex - usually sold in walgreens, cvs, and other cheap appliance stores... Proctor 1 liter electric kettle $14 Proctor Toaster Oven $22 Proctor Hot Plate $14 which does have a draw back for boiling large pots of anyting, it's really a more egg frying/ grilled cheesy thing. Black and Decker has a 3 cup rice cooker for $12

It is easy for your dorm room to get unkempt if you start cooking in it for real, so a dedicated foot locker perhaps upright with shelves banged in. Put everything away clean when you don't use it. Put a dishpan in the locker, 1st thing you take out put your dirty items in it as you cook and eat, then take it to the bathroom and wash everything and then bring it all back and put it in the footlocker and then put everything in on top.

One of my favorite books was Cooking in a Bedsitter by Whitehorn..an English cookery book, but the ideas worked. A bedsitter is a dorm room with no running water, no fridge and nothing but a gas ring/hot plate to cook on. So basically you have to really think out what you are going to make and plan ahead. My solution was to cook small amounts very often so i didn't have to store a lot of food or leftovers.

A good double-edge safety razor, blade sampler pack, shaving brush, and shaving soap can free the both of you from expensive cartridge razors and canned goo. It could take you a little bit to learn how to shave the "old fashioned" way, but as someone who recently took the plunge, it's worth it. Gives a much better shave for a fraction of the cost. (Replacement blades are usually $0.07 - $0.30 each)

If you have hard water, you may want to go with a shaving cream instead, or you could get a gallon of distilled water for $1 that will last you through about a month's worth of shaves.

Shameless plug for /r/wicked_edge. There are a lot of resources there to help you transition.

[edit] Here's a cheaper alternate razor - this is what I have. You can get them even cheaper if you want to wait a few weeks.

Gaffers tape is also really great. It's very expensive though.

And also! For anyone that is having issues with a drafty window or cold room. I bought one of these (link below) and put it right under my window. It keeps the room toasty and is very energy efficient. I haven't even put plastic over my window yet and it really helps.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000A33B1C/ref=mlt_base_B000A33B1C

Maruchan Instant Lunch isn't a bad meal either, you can get them for 49 cents from Wal-Mart and other discount stores, they are super easy to make with an electric kettle and if you like hot tea you have a quick and easy meal right there.

Even better than a safety razor:

$18, one time

Followed by:

[$18, every TWO YEARS] (http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Stainless-Straight-Barber-Professional/dp/B002OND3LO/ref=pd_sim_hpc_6)

And that's if you change the blade more often than you need to. In two years, you'll spend $144. This will cost you $36, including the initial investment.

It looks and seems scary. And yes, you'll cut yourself the first week a few times. But, really, it takes a few days to learn, and you're good to go forever. Well worth the effort and a little blood, IMHO.

You'll save hundreds.

I've been using that 20 inch Scotts mower for the last 3 years. Works great, but extra long grass and twigs are a pain (which is true for all reel mowers). Reel mowers tend to "skip" the long grass, especially if it's laying down, and small twigs will bring the mower to an abrupt halt. I kind of wish I paid a bit more for the Fiskars 6201... not that it would solve any of those problems.

I'll stick with reel mowers unless I ever get an extremely large yard. Super quiet, lightweight, and relatively maintenance free.

Amazon sells these mattresses that are similar to ones sold at Ikea that get shipped to you in a duffel bag and they unfold.

Here's a twin for $160. It's the #2 best selling mattress on Amazon. Here's the best selling mattress list if you're interested.

Another suggestion is to go to Target and get the Target brand air mattress. When I first moved to an apartment, all I slept on was my air mattress because I couldn't afford a bed. I've had it for 3 years with no problem. Here's the one I have. It's $46 plus you'll need a pump ($15). There are cheaper ones if you want a smaller one.

Also, I'd second someone's suggestion of buying a futon. It can function as your couch and bed. Good luck!

I personally found the Feathers to be great. You might try a sampler pack yourself.

Here is the pack I bought, although it was about $8 when I bought it. About half have been fair, then 25% awesome, and 25% absolute garbage.

Also I can't speak for your technique, try /r/wicked_edge.

Don't even question it. Great price, great mattress, free shipping, no need to go to a store.

http://www.amazon.com/Signature-Sleep-Contour-Inch-Mattress/dp/B004LQ1RJ2

dont bother with an OTC one that you have to boil or whatever. i spent the 90bucks on this custom made one from amazon and its made the exact same way as it will from your dentist. the only difference? your dentist takes the mold, and sends it off to be made. you can save 500 by making the mold yourself then sending it off.

edit: for what its worth, ive used mine every night for the last year. still works, and in good condition (i brush mine in the morning with whatever toothpaste is leftover on the toothbrush after brushing my teeth). also, there is an option to "upgrade" to the harder, tougher material for an extra 10-15 bucks that the top poster is raving about for which he paid $700. i declined as the soft one seemed to make more sense for me. you can also get a replacement for ~20 bucks through them as well if you do lose it. they keep your mold on file! all of this information is on the included instructions

www.amazon.com/Professional-Custom-Dental-Teeth-Direct/dp/B0042UAZCM

my credit is a little shot (590ish) but I've been through the ringer with care credit. most of the insurances I've had, through myself or work, doesn't always cover dental and, at the time, it was considered cosmetic thus not covered.
someone in the thread posted this
http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Custom-Dental-Teeth-Direct/dp/B0042UAZCM
and I plan to try it. I don't grind as hard as I used to but i find myself clenching a little when I'm overly sleep deprived(newborn daughter).

If your place is reltively small, those oil-filled portable radiant heaters are wonderful.

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-TRD0715T-Safeheat-Portable-Oil-Filled/dp/B000A33B1C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1410279004&sr=8-2&keywords=oil+filled+radiant+heater

Or get one for the bedroom and the living room - wherever you spend the most time.

I used to have a couple when I lived in apartments. I found that they pay for themselves quickly. They use very little electricity (compared to electric heat anyway) and keep the place nice and cozy.

You can buy them most anywhere for $50-$100 or so depending on what you get.

My wife and I bought a farm now. We've lived here for almost 6 years. We have a 1,000 propane tank that runs out heat. I got really tired of buying 800 gallons of propane at $3 a gallon, so then we bought a Franklin stove insert for our existing fireplace.

It was a bit pricey up front ($4,500) but in the two years we've had it, it's just about already paid for itself in propane that we don't use. Plus, when you heat your home with wood, it smells awesome and it's just cozier.

Sometimes being frugal is about being frugal in the long run.

I would spend a little more on the knives. cheap knives, imo, are a waste.

Going with something like Forschner would be good, inexpensive, and last.

Chef's

Bread

Paring

Optional - mid size Utility Knife

That's $60 - 80 for all the knives you'll need to last you a long, long time. I would add a honing "steel" for sure, and perhaps a whetshone later on to keep them in excellent shape.

Looks like it's been pretty consistently available for the past four years, if you include Amazon and 3rd party new sellers.

It's also $16.76 if you get it without Prime.

I commented further up, but I may as well chime in here too:

I have a Fiskars Momentum (this one, now called the Staysharp) and I love it. Between how utterly quiet it is (your neighbors will sound like they are mowing with jets in comparison) and never having to gas up, I don't think I'd go back to a gas mower unless I had really difficult grass (this mower does not handle those round grass stalks well).

I don't have a knife set, just random knives. Is a honing steel important enough to buy separately? I've got a bamboo cutting board and do a fair amount of vegetable cutting.

Is this what you have? http://www.amazon.com/AccuSharp-1-001-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B00004VWKQ Is it pretty easy to use?

> No offense, but I think self control is what you should be aiming to fix

That's kinda the goal. Removing one click near instant satisfaction helps with self control...

> A side note, generic Zyrtec is even cheaper at Costco (365, 10mg tabs for $16 vs. 45, 10mg tabs for $20)

Amazon sells the the same kirkland brand bulk medications, which is why I order them there (costco is in a part of town I'd have to go out of the way to drive to).

Your solution lies not in which consumables to buy, but rather in reducing your requirement for them. In the case of toilet paper, install a modular bidet system on your toilet. After you've relieved yourself, activate the water spray. After that, the job of toilet paper is to dry your already-clean arse. The bidet will pay for itself in terms of reduced consumption of toilet paper. Mine has paid for itself many times over.

I was inspired to try it after reading about it in these posts:

>http://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/180f95/what_is_your_best_dont_knock_it_till_you_try_it/c8agzdt

>http://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/1c7dmy/poop_marker_the_bane_of_my_existence/c9du6ot

They were right.

buy a steamer since it shouldn't break ANY school dorm rules at all, (and maybe an electric kettle like this for things like tea or whatever.)

Then, just every few days, pick up healthy meals at a cheaper place, say Aldi. (Aldi has frequently been cheaper than Walmart or Costco per oz. Just figure out when they get their shipments, though, because produce is only good there like twice a week) and just steam your meals. Buy some spices to make it yummy, and if you get the electric kettle you can heat water or milk to makes sauces.

The only thing that is difficult to do with a steamer is red meat. Usually to cook meat via steam you need a pressure cooker. That said, though, if you cut it into small pieces it can work. That would take some messing around with. I'm assuming your dorm has a microwave somewhere too and maybe a community toaster?

You can make lots of things in the steamer, including some not-quite-so-healthy foods like many of the Asian style of appetizer (dumpling, pork bun, etc).

There's a chance you could get a mini fridge with a larger freezer portion, but unfortunately until that happens with my method you'd have to buy in small portions and go shopping once every 4 days or so too keep the food guaranteed fresh.

<ahem>

Edit: Weight loss is accomplished in the kitchen, fitness and strength in the gym/field.

I am considering one when our free push mower dies. We have a large yard and I use a rider for most of it, but only a push for a small part. The only gas mower I'd consider is self propelled.

Something like this or this for a reel mower.

Pretty sure it is this one

Go for a high quality reel mower. This one I have, and it works great on my slightly larger than 1/4 acre property. Takes me about an hour and a half (with a few breaks) to mow. Reel mowers don't require any gas or electricity, just powered by you.

If you stick with fans, a good trick for when it gets really hot is to stick a bowl of ice in front of the fan.

A window air conditioner is also an option.

I'd say forget about the dryer, something like this costs a lot less to buy and is free to use.

http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-DRY-01610-Heavy-Gullwing-Drying/dp/B00383O2UU/ref=zg_bs_695488011_1

My wife and I have two of these and they are amazing - they hold soo much clothes and fold up flat.

That looks great. I've got a Scott 20" Classic, and it doesn't do very well around the edges of my raised beds. I don't like weed whackers so I've pretty much gotten used to the grass being higher around the railroad ties. How closely does that mower edge?

You can cook complete meals on your engine, if you need help in learning to do so Manifold Destiny can teach you how to do it.

Amazon link

A good chefs knife, honing rod, sharpening stone, end grain cutting board and some butcher block oil. I have all this stuff and enjoy using it regularly:

• http://smile.amazon.com/Victorinox-47521-10-Inch-Fibrox-Handle/dp/B0000CF8YO/
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/DS4F-14-Inch-Diamond-Steel-Sharpening/dp/B00004WFSZ/
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/SE-DF8524DS-Diamond-Whetstone-Sharpening/dp/B001A6G0A2/
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/Madeira-Mario-Batali-M-10-Grain/dp/B0091EY8WC/
  
• http://smile.amazon.com/CLARKS-Butcher-Block-Oil-Conditioner/dp/B00FE72UQ6/

http://www.amazon.com/Signature-Sleep-Contour-Inch-Mattress/dp/B004LQ1RJ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1409014943&sr=8-3&keywords=tuft+and+needle

This "Signature Sleeper" has a ridiculous amount of good reviews on Amazon. I am considering getting it. Anyone have experience with it?

It's my gf's, and she's at college right now, so I'm not sure of the exact model or brand. But it looks like this. Yellow rim, clearish plastic lid with a tray for heating up butter or oil while the popcorn pops. I'll ask her tomorrow for a specific brand.

You could also get the Manifold Destiny cookbook. ;-)

Amazon also has it for a reasonable price. $19.75 for 365 pills. That is where I load up for my wife.

http://www.amazon.com/Kirkland-Signature-Aller-Tec-Cetirizine-Hydrochloride/dp/B0036DEALS#

Pregnancy tests are cheaper if you buy them on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AOMAOG/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Presto on Amazon $23 prime eligible

If you're looking for a more frugal option, you can buy these in bulk on Amazon. They don't have the plastic stick, just the indicator strip that you pee on, but they are the same quality as ones you buy in a store.

Here's 50 for $18.99; they also have packs of different quantities if you search!

http://www.amazon.com/Frigidaire-FRA052XT7-000-BTU-Window-Conditioner/dp/B003F4TH6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341437363&sr=8-1&keywords=air+conditioner

You can order one from amazon for $25.

http://www.amazon.com/Frigidaire-FRA052XT7-000-BTU-Window-Conditioner/dp/B003F4TH6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374427805&sr=8-1&keywords=air+conditioner

Link. You need the http:// for it to work.

A gallon of milk. http://www.amazon.com/Tuscan-Whole-Milk-Gallon-128/dp/B00032G1S0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311808964&sr=8-1

50 pregnancy tests for $19.

I've used a reel mower on a bigger yard than that for years and it's easy, as long as there are no hills. Of course it takes longer than a powered mower, but it feels like taking a walk, rather than doing a chore. The Scott 14 inch will be too small, but they also make a 20 inch.

The big disadvantage of reel mowers is that they don't work when the grass gets really long.

Milk - just check out the reviews, you know it's good shit.

no. try ordering milk. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00032G1S0/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

There is also a book from the same guy with the same title. You Are Your Own Gym

Right now I'm trying to loose weight so I'm focusing more on my diet than on training.

If you have the space invest in this thing so you can avoid dryers http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-DRY-01610-Heavy-Gullwing-Drying/dp/B00383O2UU/ref=lp_695488011_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375752511&sr=1-3

I got myself 240 razor blades for under $20, to fit my stainless steel barber's straight razor, which was also under $20.

Damn, I've never felt so much like a spammer.

I have two DeLonghi oil filled that have timers on them. The good is no exposed heating elements and the oil stays hot for a while after they turn off. The bad is no fan.

No problem, it was something close to this.
Can't complain, except like you said, the cold water.

Bought my own straight razor not so long ago for less than $40 with 120 blades. They no longer have that specific set, but I can recommend this razor, this soap set and some extra blades.

Not sure if it shows for everyone else, but under the blades it has all three of these items for $46.85. That's enough to shave for a year if you shave about once every three days and change a blade every time. This also keeps you from having to strope the razor and possibly mess it up, which is something that can ruin your shaving experience.

That said, your first few times with a straight razor is going to suck. Pure and simple. You're going to nick yourself and feel awkward. After a few months at it, I will never go back because of the money saved and how naturally it feels now.