Very Very Cheap...but among the very best things to own...

[Stuart G]

...list as many or few as you wish. I got just 2..

1. Aspirin tablets.
2. Library Card..

1.. Aspirin is so cheap because it has been in the "public domain" for decades..or a hundred years or more...It is also cheap to make, and widely available...

Now here is a piece of information that tells you how important this is: If this drug were discovered ..today and its ability to relieve pain and thin blood were made known for the first time, and proven beyond doubt as it has been, the cost per pill would probably be about $10.00. That is what the pharmaceutical companies would charge in my opinion. Maybe more.

2...Library Card....this is also not new. What an incredible gift this is. Most cities have libraries and lots of stuff available to take out for 2 to 3 weeks, and easily renewed. In my lifetime, the libraries have increased there "stuff" to incredible degrees...It used to be books and maybe LP records. Also some old pictures and documents that might have some kind of collectable value. Like pictures of the town or city from the early days or the equivalent. Old magazines and other kinds of "old stuff".. I remember 50 years ago going into a library at the university I went to in order to see some old "newspapers" it had saved..and those newspapers were from the "Civil War" yes, originals..........
.....But now, oh my...Yes, old LP records or what is equal to that...but what else? OK...CDs, Video Discs, meetings of all sorts, Computers for public use, current newspapers to read, historic news, new books, help at understanding tax laws,, help at understanding things, and all kinds of ideas that have been left out. A library card is an outstanding thing to have. And in general, it is one thing that is very, very, cheap. Often, if you live in the town, it is free, but you got to pay taxes. Oh well, what else is new?

[exboyfil]

1. Library Card

In addition to your excellent list:

DVDs
Online movies, books, comics, music, and audiobooks
Interlibrary loan
Meeting rooms
Study rooms
Test proctoring
Research assistance

My daughter had a friend that graduated with her. They went to the same college. She had a very good scholarship so the story is not totally tragic. Once at college she went through several majors and eventually withdrew mid-semester in what would have been her senior year.

She is now working at our public library and enjoying it very much. It is a shame she didn't start there.

[fierywoman]

31. My library system (King County in WA state) also gives each member

75 free printed pages per week (if b & w; 25 if color!)

[CousinIT]

2. Republicans have long wanted to defund/shut down public libraries

They get more votes from more ignorant people that way.

[Stuart G]

4. Well said...in order to be a republican...you got to be somewhat ignorant.....you ask,

where did I find that out?....I read something about it at the ..........local library..... ..

[Kurt V.]

28. good one.

[RockRaven]

3. graphite pencils and pencil sharpener

regular old hexagonal/round graphite pencils are cheap and reliable, they write on a lot of surfaces which ball point pens will not, and they are sturdier and make an easier to read script than mechanical pencils. Granted, their erasability/impermanence is both a bonus and a drawback, depending on the circumstance.

But you have to sharpen them. And the old hand-crank style manual pencil sharpeners are very fast and give a reliable, consistent result.

[yonder]

20. Yes, yes and yes. Pencil is always the way to go.

A box of Ticonderoga #2's and instead of the sharpener, a good (expensive) pocket knife.

[bigbrother05]

30. Have a nice 60's vintage electric sharpener that's has very cool designer look

But my special pride is my brass #982 Kon-I-Noor handheld sharpener I've had for years. Similar design to the little plastic ones kids get for grade school, but this is a precision item made in Germany that can shave off a paper thin wooden spiral and gives a .1 mm point.

[zanana1]

45. America spent millions...

Trying to invent a pen that would write in space, America spent millions of dollars in research. The Russians used a pencil.

[yonder]

5. Good choices there.

Mine on the cheap:
1. Some sort of reusable water filter.

2. A splitting maul and/or splitting wedge.

Mine, not so cheap:
1. Two or three good friends.

2. A decent fiddle and bow.

[Stuart G]

8. That last one is outstanding...thank you

sorry I had to put that one up...no meanness intended. (trying to get a laugh Guess I am nuts too..)

and I like this one... ...........never saw that one before........

[yonder]

10. How true. Those last two are what happens when playing without a good bow.

[enid602]

38. Tots 'n pears

Thoughts and prayers. And of course internet porn for its numbing effect.

[onethatcares]

19. "splitting maul and or splitting wedge"?

I've been storing some American made wedges for the past 40 years. I don't know why because I don't have a fireplace.

If you're in the neighborhood, hmu and I'll give you one.

I had an axe head for about the same amount of time and finally fitted a handle to it. Gave it to my grandson. One can never have enough American steel hand axes.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

6. canned or dried beans, stock/broth, canned tomatoes

I always pick these items up when they are on sale, and keep them in the pantry. I can make a mean chili with these items and any left over beef/chicken, left over salsa, left over vegetables I have in my 'frige. I also add masa if I want to thicken it a bit. Oh yes and the spices. I pick up the chili seasoning packs when they're on sale.

These staples can be made into different types of delicious soups and sauces (ie: spaghetti)

tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, fire roasted - what ever's on sale.

[Stuart G]

7. And about the ...dried beans....very important..Yes...

They are grown right here in the U.S.A. 25 miles from where I live..yes..beans..

and in the summer, I can grow...are you ready???...tomatoes....right in my back yard...

Also: this part of the U.S.A. also grows corn, some fruit like apples, cabbage, pickles, and of course..popcorn..

I like popcorn...cause it is good to watch the TV with...............

[AnotherMother4Peace]

9. I soak dried beans overnight to cut down on gas. My hubby said it takes all the fun out.

to edit: Maybe I should file that under cheap entertainment.

[enough]

11. If you're on Medicare, your membership at the YMCA is FREE through the

Silver Sneakers program. This gives you unlimited access to swimming, exercise classes for all levels of fitness, yoga, weight room, stationary bikes and treadmills, etc. And especially a diverse and positive community.

Of course it’s great to exercise outside whenever you can, which is also free. But the Y offers a lot of ways to diversify your exercise in all weather.

[TexasBushwhacker]

14. Yup, plenty of private gyms too

I don't have a Y near me, so I go to 24 Hour Fitness. Silver Sneakers pays for a basic membership.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

17. Yes and showering there saves on your water bill.

I pay for a monthly pool pass, so I try to get my money’s worth. I try to swim daily. I’ll be eligible for Medicare soon and appreciate the tip.

[underpants]

33. That explains all the old farts around the coffee station

I kid!

Actually I didn’t know that.

[Niagara]

12. In NYC library cards can get people free entry to certain museums

You can read more here if you like:

https://nypost.com/2018/07/15/nyc-library-cards-can-now-get-you-free-entry-to-some-museums/

[TuxedoKat]

24. Thanks

for posting this - will be there next month with two out of state friends so I can request some passes!

[Niagara]

39. You're very welcome

I'll also include several other points of interest that you might be interested in.

There are museums that participate with Smithsonian's Free Museum Day. The next free museum day should be sometime in September of 2019. Link:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-day-2018

Also, if you're ever in the Buffalo area, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery has free admission the first Friday of every month and $5 Family Fun Day on the second Sunday of each month. Link:https://www.albrightknox.org

The Buffalo Botanical Gardens has Dollar Day about once a month. Link:https://www.buffalogardens.com


Enjoy your visit in NYC!

[TuxedoKat]

46. Sorry

Just saw this right now. Thanks for this info too. I will definitely file this away for future reference.

[MicaelS]

13. The Fort Worth Public Library has started lending hotspots.

Three weeks, no data cap. They have 200 of them ,and the programs is very popular.

[TexasBushwhacker]

15. Have you heard of Kanopy.com

It's a streaming service that uses public library catalogs. Not all libraries participate, but if yours dies, you can watch 4 programs per month FREE.

https://www.kanopy.com

[underpants]

34. That's it!

I heard about that on the radio about a month ago but couldn’t remember the name. Awesome.

[TexasBushwhacker]

37. It's really cool

Of course, it has mainstream Hollywood movies and TV programs, but it has a wealth of independent, foreign, documentary and educational programs you won't find anywhere else.

Here's a favorite of mine called "Blame". It's a modern take on "The Crucible". Kind of like if "Mean Girls" was a drama. Check it out.


https://hcpl.kanopy.com/video/blame

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. Free streaming

Tubitv.com - All free (with commercials)

Vudu.com - Some free (with commercials)

[Rhiannon12866]

18. I always vote "yes" on the library budget whenever it's on the ballot

One of the most valuable resources we have in this small town - and not just books, they also offer musical programs, computer access, classes, videos and more.

[Brother Buzz]

21. The smartest card in my wallet? It's a library card - Stan Lee

1."When I was a kid, I couldn't afford to buy the books I wanted, but three blocks away there was a public library and man, to me it was a magic place."

2. "There was the book. I walk in, I give them the card, they stamp the card, I take the book home, it's mine for a few days and I can read it."

3. "When you have a library card, it's like having a key to all the information in the world."

4. "When you have a library card, you can read anything about anything, and I found whatever you read it doesn't matter--it increases your fund of knowledge."

5. "So a library card is an 'open sesame' to all the knowledge in the world."



Interesting, after some Roto-Rooter® work on my arteries yesterday, my doctor put me on a slick blood thinning agent - a daily 81 mg baby aspirin pill

[jonjones229]

22. i like caffeine pills

they help suppress my appetite as well. when i take them i barely eat any food

[bif]

23. A sense of humor

[TuxedoKat]

25. Indeed

I love library cards - they're my new obsession. The state I live in has reciprocal agreements so I have about seven from various library systems in my state. It's great for e books, and e audio books. I think most states will do this for their own state residents who don't live in their particular library system.

[avebury]

26. Our local library system also sponsors cultural presentations

at the various branches.

[tblue37]

27. Duct tape. nt

[Kurt V.]

29. the library is right across the street from my work.

I'm very fortunate

[flibbitygiblets]

32. penicillin

Discovered in 1928, been treating infections with the '40's. Similar with amoxicillin, which has been around since about the '70's I believe. Both are very inexpensive since they've been around so long and generics available.

If either of these were just coming on the market today, I shudder to think what they would cost.

[underpants]

35. You can also buy some Rx at the pet store

Basically it’s the same thing. This is a THING in the prepper world.

[underpants]

36. Toilet paper - they have it free at work

I saw a Jeopardy contestant who’s personal tidbit with Alex was that she didn’t buy toilet paper for ten years. She explained to him that it was free work, the gym, grocery store bathrooms, etc.

[flibbitygiblets]

40. A relative used to steal TP from the office, despite making a very decent living

I've always presumed it came from a "have not" mentality. Or maybe it was a way of acting out because her boss was always hitting on her. But she would also wait to pay her bills until they were all far past due, causing unnecessary stress for herself and family.

My inlaws have 2 lakeside mini-mansions in an exclusive private community, yet they buy generic toiletries.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

43. LOL. When I was a young man learning the ropes of courting on a budget.....

Maybe second only to chocolate, a pack of soft toilet paper always got the girl's attention and gratitude......

They also networked with friends on the best places to steal the good stuff......

[diva77]

41. Baking soda

can be used to extinguish certain types of fires - such as grease fire

85 other uses:
https://www.moneytalksnews.com/85-uses-for-baking-soda-and-how-could-save-your-life/

[KY_EnviroGuy]

42. Here's a few miserly things...

1. Toothpicks: For those tinkering in electronics, a toothpick is best tool ever for clearing solder from component holes. Also handy for filling stripped-out wood screw holes.
2. Old-fashion coat hangers: Hold on to a few to make hanger wires for bird feeders and hanging flower pots, and many other tasks.
3. Plastic tee shirt bags: Handy for carrying many things, although going out of vogue due to environmental concerns (and rightly so). I keep a bunch around for packing stuff to my truck on Mr. Fix-it day trips.
4. Clothes pins: Good for holding things for soldering, for keeping food bags closed, etc. Glue a magnet to them to hold papers on the frig.
5. Small tin cans: I keep a few around to sit glass bottles of valuable liquids in to prevent toppling them while open. I use for my essential oil blending work and to retain flavoring bottles for my e-cig liquids while I'm mixing.

Nuf sed.........

[Alpeduez21]

44. A can opener

bicycle-used from a secondhand shop

deck of cards

snow shovel