I make my plant markers from old mini blinds. I cut a deep V at one end that goes in the ground and mark the top part with the name of the plant or row of seeds I’m planting. I also use anything I think would look neat as a plant pot outside: old wheel barrow, a picker’s basket, coal scuttles, even a toilet tank. A leather strap then hangs the basket on the tree on an old hook I found. It grows great shade plants like Begonias and Impatience plants. One year, I even planted a boot that had been thrown in the ditch by our place! IYAMCHEAP

My family is notorious for using a lot of tomato sauce for pasta and parmesans, etc. After pouring the sauce out of the container, there’s always some left behind. In order not to waste it, we put some water inside the jar, put the lid on tightly and shake it until there is nothing left on the sides. When we pour it out into the sauce we have warming up, we get a little extra. An added bonus is that we don’t have to rinse out the jar before recycling it. IYAMCHEAP/WE ARE CHEAP

I save around $30/month by shaving with a straight razor instead of my five blade cartridge razor. For a little less than $100, I had a complete straight shaving kit in hand, and the shaves are much better to boot! In just a year’s time, I’ve saved approximately $250 with the price of the kit included. The savings only add up after that! IYAMCHEAP.

I use sites like Bookmooch and Readitswapit to exchange old books that I’ve read for other second-hand ones. I also buy second-hand CDs from a store which provides paper bags. By re-using jiffy bags which people send me books in and cutting up the paper bags for brown parcel paper, I save extra money by recycling the packaging while also helping the environment. I am eco-friendly and IYAMCHEAP.

I go to dollar stores to pick-up my living basics: deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, shaving cream, body wash, loofahs, cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, dish washing soap, etc. I also picked up cooking supplies, dishes, and utensils while in college at one and saved a tons. For the price of one item at bigger stores, I can easily pick up 2-3+, so I can stock up and make less trips for the basics, which means I’m saving on gas as well. IYAMCHEAP

I like giving gifts for holidays and special occasions, but don’t see the point in spending money on wrappings that will just get tossed aside. I also get “junk” catalogs and fliers that are typically printed on colorful, glossy paper, so I’ve taken to using those as wrapping paper! My friends and family think it’s clever, and it’s much less tedious than hoping you can reuse paper from what was given to you; IYAMCHEAP.

I have a pay as you go phone. 100 bucks and I’m set for a year not a month. Sure it’s not an iProduct, but who needs a phone that does more than make calls? IYAMCHEAP.

Every time I get change I put anything less then a quarter in a jar. Its been a few years but I have saved over $400. IYAMCHEAP