10+ Weird but Clever Ways to Save Money
Trying to save money can sometimes lead to some interesting (or downright weird) habits.
But here's the thing: weird often works! If you're willing to get a little creative — and maybe even look a little odd — you might stretch your budget further than you thought possible.
Today, we’re diving into 10+ weird but clever ways to save money.
Table of contents
- 1. Cooking food in the dishwasher
- 2. Reusable cloths instead of toilet paper
- 3. Adding water to soap bottle
- 4. Reusing paper towels
- 5. Reusing tea bags
- 6. Collecting water from a dehumidifer
- 7. Turning off your fridge (occasionally)
- 8. Sleeping without heat
- 9. Buying a whole cow
- 10. Dumpster diving
- 11. Reusing pasta water to water plants
- 12. Cutting your own hair
- 13. Cutting open tubes and containers
1. Cooking food in the dishwasher
Believe it or not, some people cook fish, vegetables, and even eggs in their dishwasher while washing their dishes.
By tightly wrapping food in foil or jars and placing it among the dishes, the heat and steam from the wash cycle do the cooking. It may take trial and error to perfect, but it saves on electricity by multitasking!
How to do it
Wrap your food securely in foil, make sure the dishwasher is packed efficiently, and let the heat do its magic. Just ensure no soap gets into the food.
2. Reusable cloths instead of toilet paper
Switching from disposable toilet paper to reusable cloths is another money-saver. While it might sound a little gross, it's similar to using cloth diapers for babies — a proven method that can cut costs dramatically.
How to do it
Use absorbent fabrics like microfiber or old t-shirts. After use, store them in a dedicated covered bin, then wash them in hot water to sanitize. You can even find pre-made reusable toilet paper cloths online.
3. Adding water to soap bottles
Stretching your soap by adding water can make one bottle last two to three times longer. Critics argue this dilutes the effectiveness, but the trick is to use a foaming soap dispenser, which naturally combines water and soap.
How to do it
Fill a foaming soap bottle one-third with regular liquid soap and the rest with water. Shake it up, and voila — more uses from one bottle!
4. Reusing paper towels
Why throw away paper towels after one use? If they're only used to dry clean hands, you can dry and reuse them. It’s like using cloth towels but with a disposable twist.
How to do it
After drying your hands, hang the towel to air-dry, then reuse it once or twice before discarding.
5. Reusing tea bags
If you're a tea lover, why not get two cups from one bag? Especially with specialty teas that can be more expensive, using a bag twice can save some money.
How to do it
Steep your tea for about a minute, then store the used bag in an airtight container in the fridge to use again later. Just don’t leave it out too long, or it could grow bacteria!
6. Collecting water from a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier can pull gallons of water from the air daily. While you shouldn’t drink this water, it can be repurposed for household tasks like mopping, washing your car, or even flushing the toilet.
How to do it
Collect the water in a bucket and use it for non-drinking purposes. However, avoid using it on edible plants, as it may contain bacteria.
7. Turning off your fridge (occasionally)
Turning off your fridge when away for an extended period, like during a vacation, can reduce your electricity bill. But turning it off regularly, like every night, could lead to spoiled food.
How to do it
Before turning off your fridge for a vacation, use up perishable items and clean it thoroughly to avoid bad smells. Store food in a backup freezer if needed.
8. Sleeping without heat
Some people go without heat at night to lower their energy costs. Piling on blankets and wearing warm clothing to bed can keep you cozy even if the house is chilly.
How to do it
Keep your thermostat at or above 55°F to prevent pipes from freezing. Layer up with blankets, thick socks, and maybe a cozy hat to stay warm while you sleep.
9. Buying a whole cow
Instead of buying small portions of beef, some people "beef share," purchasing an entire cow with friends or family. This method can save money per pound, but you need ample freezer space to store it.
How to do it
Find a local farm or butcher offering beef sharing. Make sure you have freezer space, and plan to use the meat within a year.
10. Dumpster diving
While dumpster diving might sound gross and unappealing, some people score big by retrieving usable goods thrown out by stores or restaurants. It’s legal in many areas as long as you don’t trespass.
How to do it
Focus on large retailers, and avoid areas with “no trespassing” signs. Dive just before trash collection for the best finds, and always leave the area cleaner than you found it.
11. Reusing pasta water to water plants
Don’t let that starchy pasta water go down the drain! It can be repurposed to water your plants, giving them a nutrient boost.
How to do it
Let the water cool, and use it on plants that enjoy moist soil, like tomatoes and herbs. Just make sure the water is unsalted.
12. Cutting your own hair
Haircuts can be expensive, but cutting your own hair is free! With some practice (and maybe a few online tutorials), you can save money and still have great hair.
How to do it
Invest in a good pair of scissors, and start with small trims. There are plenty of online tutorials for different hair types and styles.
13. Cutting open tubes and containers
Get every last drop of your toothpaste, lotion, or cream by cutting open the tubes and containers when they’re almost empty.
How to do it
Once you can’t squeeze any more out, cut the container open and use a spatula or Q-tip to scoop out the remaining product. Store the cut container in a Ziploc bag to keep the contents fresh.
Weird but clever ways to save money
Weird money-saving habits may not be for everyone, but many of these tips have proven to work for those brave enough to try them.
Whether it’s reusing tea bags or cutting your own hair, frugal living often requires thinking outside the box—sometimes way outside.
If you’re looking for new ways to stretch your budget, why not give one (or more) of these quirky habits a try? Comment your thoughts down below.
Frugal living is all about creativity, after all!
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