Money Saving Tips: 8 Cheap Tools You Want to Own

Posted on | July 14, 2010 | 8 Comments

Part of frugal living is to own sturdy, quality items that will save you money for years to come by allowing you to do something yourself instead of paying others to do it. The DIY lifestyle is not always possible or desirable; I am in no way an electrician, and you won’t find me cutting my own hair anytime soon. However, there are many cheap tools out there that should be staple items in any frugalites’ household.

  1. Plumber’s Snake: This allows you to unclog most drains without the use of chemicals or calling a plumber.
  2.  Ice Chest: You can load this up with ice and make sandwiches for a picnic, afternoon on the beach, or on a road trip, add in some wine and cheese for a romantic evening, use it to store your alcohol while you float down the Guadalupe River…the options are endless, and it will keep you from purchasing food from restaurants.
  3. Needle Nose Pliers: If you don’t want an entire tool set, this seems to be the most versatile thing to own. In addition to being able to unscrew lots of things you can also fix your twisted, gnarled bra metal clasps, making them last months to years longer.
  4. HDMI Cable: You can use this to hook your laptop up to your television screen and broadcast shows from websites like Hulu.com for free.
  5.  Tupperware/Rubbermaid/Plastic Containers/Pyrex: A good set of any food container with resealable lids will make it easier to bring in lunch, freeze extras, as well as store leftovers, all of which help you get the most out of your food budget.  
  6. Hot Glue Gun, Staple Gun, Duct Tape, and Super Glue: All of these items are great for broken things, crafts, and lots of DIY projects.
  7. Dish Towels: We use about ten of these per week in lieu of paper towels.
  8. Spare Keys: Enough said.

Bonus tip: Know someone who is moving into their first home? You could purchase an ice chest and include a few of the items above as a housewarming gift.

What are your frugal must-haves around the house that have saved you money?

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Comments

8 Responses to “Money Saving Tips: 8 Cheap Tools You Want to Own”

  1. Budgeting in the Fun Stuff
    July 14th, 2010 @ 1:03 pm

    I agree with your list, especially Super Glue and Tupperware!

    I’d also add a hammer, a Phillips head screwdriver and a flat blade screwdriver, white wash cloths (they don’t dye carpet or anything you scrub), a flashlight, and a step-ladder.

    The hammer and screwdrivers cover almost everything the needle-nose pliers don’t, the wash cloths really have a million uses (especially if you own pets), and the flashlight and step-ladder help you perform a bunch of maintenance tasks.

    [Reply]

  2. Weekly Links: Giveaway Edition
    July 14th, 2010 @ 8:45 pm

    [...] 8 Cheap tools you want to own at Frugal Confessions – After spending the better part of Sunday afternoon fixing the toilet, I know some of these will come in handy around the house. [...]

  3. Yakezie Alexa Challenge Carnival
    July 15th, 2010 @ 6:09 pm

    [...] Money Saving Tips: 8 Cheap Tools You Want to Own from Frugal Confessions [...]

  4. Squirrelers
    July 16th, 2010 @ 6:53 pm

    I like this topic.

    WD-40 is great to have. I have had it told to me that all one needs is duct tape, WD-40, and a hammer, and you’ll be on the way to solving half your repair needs. A bit of an exaggeration, but those items have many uses.

    Have you seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”? Great movie. If you haven’t seen it, you’ll have a new appreciation for Windex as the ultimate frugal, versatile product to have:)

    [Reply]

  5. Amanda L. Grossman
    July 17th, 2010 @ 8:49 am

    Hello Squirrelers!

    I love that movie:). Thanks for your comment! Several readers now have listed WD-40, and as I do not own any yet, I guess that will be on my list for the next time I go shopping:).
    Amanda L. Grossman recently posted..Frugal Confessions Friday- Frugal Living

    [Reply]

  6. Car Negotiation Coach
    July 28th, 2010 @ 6:14 pm

    Great tips. To expand on the HDMI cable one….check out monoprice for any cables you need. You can get the same HDMI or monster cables for a couple bucks (wholesale prices) that cost $100 in Best Buy.
    Car Negotiation Coach recently posted..Should car salesmen be allowed to profit

    [Reply]

  7. Car Negotiation Coach
    July 28th, 2010 @ 6:14 pm

    Great tips. To expand on the HDMI cable one….check out monoprice for any cables you need. You can get the same HDMI or monster cables for a couple bucks (wholesale prices) that cost $100 in Best Buy.
    Car Negotiation Coach recently posted..Should car salesmen be allowed to profit

    [Reply]

  8. FruGal
    July 29th, 2010 @ 8:44 am

    Hey Car Negotiation Coach!

    Thanks for the tip:).

    [Reply]

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