Asklemmy

First date. If you just want to get laid, go lavish, no problem.

But if you want to find a long-term partner, take her on a cheap first date. Like, coffee and a walk through the park.

Kind of a "duh" thing but, only buy used cars.

Always have a trusted mechanic who doesn't work for the dealer look it over before you buy. Usually new car dealerships are reputable and are looking to move their trade-in inventory, especially at the end of the year when they need to clear the lot for the next year's models. You can even find deals on vehicles that are only a year or two old like a returned lease, with a moderate number of miles on them and little to no wear and tear. Those are usually just as good as new but so much cheaper.

Be super cautious of the used car dealer chains, like Drivetime and Carvana, they have loads of customer complaints and legal problems in a couple of states (basically, if it seems too good to be true, it is). Do not ever buy a former rental car, unless it's true love at first sight or you're desperate... even then think about how people, who've only paid like $10-20 for rental insurance, have probably treated that vehicle and reconsider.

The newest and most expensive car I ever bought was a previous model year's dealer demo. A dealer demo is what it sounds like, it's the car the dealership displayed in the show room, used for test drives with unsure buyers, running office errands, and showing off at the mall or in parades. Cons: There's only a few of them, they'll have a couple hundred miles on the odometer, and you don't get to pick the color or options. Pros: They're usually at a decent trim level, in an agreeable color, and well maintained... for thousands less than brand new because they've already left the lot a whole bunch.

Free computer operating systems are great these days.

I regularly spend hours designing electronics to be cheaper. Not worse -- just cheaper. Electronic components sometimes vary in price by two orders of magnitude for the same performance, so it's worth cramming datasheets in your head as a professional or hobbyist.

For tools, I've found good midrange Chinese brands, and stuck to them. I could never afford things like Tektronix and so on.

I don't strictly require clothing to be cheap, but I do require it to be fungible -- this works out similarly though. When I find something that's good value for money and looks good, I buy a bunch and rotate them. That way I don't have to think about what to wear, and it always looks decent.

I also prefer cheap laptops. I don't need a supercomputer to work. When I do need a supercomputer, I rent one from google cloud for a few dollars an hour.

Mascara. I’ve spent $20+ dollars a few times for some high-end Sephora brands, but I’ve never thought they were any better than the $8 Maybelline I can get at the grocery store.