Nevertheless, even if I netted 100k/yr I’d still refuse to pay for bottled water. I live in Michigan for cryin’ out loud. On a completely unrelated note, my 1991 Buick just crossed 200000 miles. However safe, in no sort of style. It’s brown and has a luggage rack. Which is funny because the trunk is already big enough to fit luggage for 12. Do they even still make luggage? Meh, I digress.

Love the post! I add not eating well. Buying highly processed food seems cheaper than fresh food (and sometimes tastier, especially at 3 am with a buzz). But the output of mega agri-business is not about optimal health for us, the eaters, but maximal profits for them, the corporations. Plus, processed food costs a lot more later in the form of hardened arteries, overweight and diabetes. So I say shell out a little more now for food in its original state (like fresh veggies) and avoid medical bill-induced bankruptcy later.

@Dee: Maybe your comment would have been better placed under a list of the Top 10 Ways to Save Money While Ending Your Life. Not sure you’re approach is fully scalable! Glad you’ve changed your approach!

I’m guilty of this one as I may be hungry, but I think of how much I’ll save by not eating at all.

1 – While you seem to be discussing mainly price shopping different stores (which will almost always cost you more time and/or fuel than it saves you whether you’re sick or not), stores make it pleasantly easy to price-shop without moving more than 2 feet. Just check all the packs for what their active ingredients are, and then compare price per pill. Takes 2 minutes and can save around $10 over buying the name brand by default, for a $300/hour return.

2 – Opting out of a night with friends is not always a bad idea. If you don’t like the venue chosen, you might well look forward to the company and still have a bad time. That would be a waste of time and money. This is why I almost invariably skip 5-cent wings night, since it’s always at a dingy, noisy bar.

9 – Purchasing water is always ridiculous unless there really is no other option (for instance failing to purchase water in Egypt would be stupid). But in a developed country where the tap water is potable? Seriously, invest in a reusable bottle and never worry about it again. I haven’t bought water outside a developing country in 15 years, and don’t intend to start now.

I’ll agree with “not updating sports equipment” with the caveat that the bigger mistake is not maintaining sports equipment. I bike a lot and I find it painful when I hear someone squeaking down the street…I see some people do this daily. Less than $10 on some chain lube and cleaner and 20 minutes of elbow grease and it’s good as new. Like most things a bit of care goes a long way.