Differences

Tyler and I have always had our differences. Here is one in particular I've been thinking about.

We don't have a lot of money, obviously we're still pretty newly wed and trying to figure things out. It would be great if we could spend more liberally, but we're doing pretty well in my opinion. We try to save money by: not having internet at our house (just on our phones), no cable, not eating out a lot (which we still do more than we should sometimes), not impulse buying (we're bad at this when we get bored), and more. I have noticed that one way I try to save is by trying to get every last drop of things before throwing them away. Examples: Toothpaste, body wash/shampoo/ basically all soaps, big tub of yogurt... you get the idea. I will squeeze the inanimate daylights out of a tube of toothpaste because I'm sure there is enough in there for at least one more brushing. I've thought about cutting it open to scrape the stuff out and put it on my toothbrush so I can be sure I'm using it all before I throw it away and buy another. Soaps, I will turn them upside down and wait for all the soap to drip down to the lid and with some I will add small amounts of water, shake it up and use that to get the last amount out of the bottle. Yogurt and sour cream, I scrape as much off the sides and bottom as I can to clean it out and eat every last drop.

Tyler differs on the subject. If it requires much effort to get the stuff out, he's done with it and will throw it away. He thinks I'm crazy.

Am I crazy? I guess I figure all those last bits will someday add up to a tube or bottle that I won't have to buy... so I'm saving.... $5? Maybe I am crazy.

Comments

Bethany Louise said…
Haha, I love this. Those little differences make things interesting, don't they? You're probably only a tiny bit crazy :). Being as frugal as you can is great! By the way, I love all of your cute family pictures on the side. What a beautiful family!
Lorie said…
You are not crazy! You are saving money and the planet! You feel better every single time you squeeze the last drops -- don't you? I say keep it up but don't require him to do the same. You could ask if he would be willing to save the last bit for you. Tell him you feel better about the struggle. It often helps a stay at home mom feel like a contributor to the financial side of life. It is like clipping coupons...not everyone does it but those who do save money and feel better about what they do spend.
Shay said…
I am the exact same way! I know that I can get more out of that toothpaste tube. Sometimes I get a little frustrated because I know there is still some in there and I just can't get it out!
Amy said…
I'm with Tyler. :D But you're not crazy. I'm a thrower awayer waster.
kimmers said…
On my mission I cut a tube of toothpaste open to get the most out of it that I could because I knew I could get it to last just 2 more days until transfers. Haha. I felt SO poor but it was awesome. There's nothing wrong with being frugal as long as you are taking care of your family. Every dollar counts! :)