this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2023
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Frugal

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Discuss how to save money.

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What "frugal" tricks have you found to just not be worth it, either in time or money? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I've noticed sometimes that there's some half-baked videos or blogs or whatever that purport this or that frugal trick, but if you look at the time or math, it's not actually frugal for you.

What are some examples of that you've come across? The things that "aren't worth it"?

For me it's couponing. (Although I haven't heard people talk about it recently--has it fallen out of "style", or have businesses caught up to the loopholes folks used to exploit?)

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Businesses have caught up and fixed the exploits.

For me, it's dried beans. Beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber, and it doesn't get much cheaper per serving than bulk dried beans.

But rinsing, soaking over night, and then boiling, only to end up with way more beans than we will consume, and canned beans are almost as good and almost as cheap.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago

You don't need to soak beans lol why do people always say this? Never have I ever soaked beans before boiling them.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Probably not frugal, but instant pot changed my life, in regards to soaking beans. What a time/effort saver.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Can you share your technique? I have a giant bag of black beans and I always reach for a can instead because it's such a hassle.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago

Pour em in the pot, fill with water about an inch over the top of the beans. 40 mins, and pull em, or 30 mins with 15 min natural release (recommended, but I almost never do it).

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

We use a pressure cooker for our dried beans. 20-40 minutes depending on the bean. You don't have to soak them overnight when using a pressure cooker. I ensure that each batch we make is consumed within five days.

Canned beans are considerably more expensive based on the amount we eat.

If you only eat a can here and there, it's probably not worth making them from dry.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I've found pressure cookers are the only way I can get beans tender. (I'm not a great cook.)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Do you have hard water? That can make beans not get soft if you’re boiling them.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 years ago

Soaking the beans with baking soda also help tremendously to get softer beans.