About a year ago I cancelled our trash and recycling service and as a result, saved our family a whopping $420 over the course of a year. It’s funny. All I had to do was reduce what I was bringing into our home and find ways to recycle most everything else. These days we are down to about one plastic grocery sack of garbage every other week or so {which I then throw away at my parents place}. Crazy. 
As my parents and I were walking into their favorite restaurant the other day I found a whopping $0.69 on the ground and promptly picked it up.
Yesterday I found a dime. So now I’ve decided to keep all my “found” change in a jar this year and when Christmas time rolls around I’ll use that money to buy the HH a gift. 🙂
Those of you with pets…. can you imagine your life without them? Seriously. I don’t know why we waited so long to find our little Lucy Loo Hoo but I’m so glad we did. She’s better than candy.
I’m afraid Mrs. HB is taking my money saving tips a little too seriously.
But then again, if you’ve ever cooked with her… she’s going to need them. 😉
Play dates with old friends are the best.
Even when they wear you out.
Have a great thursday everyone, stay awesome.
~Mavis
Gail says
When my husband went back to school and I was working, money was tight and eating out was a luxury we couldn’t afford. As he jogged in residential areas, he often found loose change which we saved until we had enough to treat ourselves to a restaurant pizza. It was both delicious and free!
Lesley says
Best post ever. Every picture/story made me smile. GET IT MAVIS!
Kara says
I agree!
Linda says
We recently adopted a dog. Best decision ever. He gets us all walking more and everyone is happier. We love our pup.
Trinity says
You seem to get lots of love and support from your parents which is nice- but are they ever like hey how about some reciprocation? Wondering if you could write about this in a post some day. Like they get you gifts you don’t get for them. You use their garbage but they still have to pay for garbage they take you out to lunch etc
Meg B. says
I was about to comment with something similar….like, this is really disingenuous. She still uses trash service, she just gloms iff her parents to avoid paying for it.
Sue says
Wow is all I can think reading this. I am a parent, mother in law and grandparent and if my daughter brought over her garbage? Let her! And if she brings my beautiful grandchildren and wonderful son in law with her, what a bonus! Some of these comments sound like me, me, me, what’s in it for me. And that is sad….
Meg B says
No. That’s not what *I* said. I said she is being disingenuous. She still uses trash service, just gloms off her parents’ to avoid paying for it. Great for her. But SOMEONE still needs to have service for her trash to be removed. Sure, her portion of the total cost of her parents’ service is probably small, but still, she needs trash service of some sort, and someone is paying for it. Yes, I think I would be happy to let my adult child drop off a bag or two of trash to help out. In fact, my neighbor and I are always asking each other if there is room in the other’s trash so we avoid oversize fees. If Mavis was tossing this bag I , say, the local laundromat’s dumpster, she could be fined for theft of services .When trying to help people manage their household budgets, I think it’s important to let them know the cost of EVERYTHING, no matter how small, even if it is something a family member is (very willingly) paying. That said, way to go for reducing/recycling.
Lindsey says
Mavis definitely reciprocates. There have been posts about her cleaning out her mothers storage unit and there was a period of time , like two weeks maybe, where her mom stayed at her house and mavis hosted and cooked etc. and there was a recent post about her Christmas gift to her parents.
catherine says
As someone who’s parents are very much like Mavis’s, I can tell you from my experience, when they need help, we are always there and try very hard to do a lot in return for them, whether in monetary value or just by helping out. She also might not post everything they do in return either..
Stephanie says
Oh Trinity… did it ever occur to you that maybe her parents were taking her out to lunch to thank HER? After all, the drive is over 100 miles round trip and probable takes at least 3 hours. She is probably sneak cleaning, shopping, and overall spoiling her folks with her visit. That and giving of her TIME to show that she loves and values her parents. Wow, I’d take her out to lunch for that! (and let her throw out a small grocery bag of garbage in my trash)
Carrie says
Everyone’s relationship with their parents is different. My parents insist on paying for me or my brothers when we go out to eat. If I give them a gift that was expensive my mom always tries to give me money for it (and I refuse). Some parents enjoy treating their adult children with meals and gifts.
My father in law is the opposite. He is tight as a tick with his money and doesn’t offer to pay for meals or gives gifts. MIL does give us gifts for birthdays and Christmas and will cook us a meal but we rarely go out to eat with them.
I can see myself spoiling my children well into adulthood. If they take the time to visit and spend time with me I will always take care of them.
OregonGuest says
Ha! Was Mrs. HB picking up the beer can…or putting it down? Maybe the grocery savings plan is causing stress…!
Sharon says
Great post Mavis! Made me laugh out loud and miss having friends around.
Denise B says
What a fun post! I spilled a bag of flour on the floor during the holidays, and it is a mess to clean up! I love the dogs, and I don’t know what I would do without the joy my pet gives me every day. My mom and I are always looking for ways to help each other out. The older she gets, the more she needs my manual labor for jobs she has difficulty with, and the more she enjoys us going out for meals or shopping together. It’s wonderful that you and your family have such a great relationship!
Sally says
My grown kids do laundry at my house, eat my food and let me babysit their kids. I love it! Mavis don’t let the debbie downers get to you. You obviously have a great relationship with your parents. Keep up the good work and I loved this post. Thanks for giving us a glimpse of your life.
Tracy L. says
I wanted to let you and Mrs HB know that you are helping not just Mrs HB but others as well. I went to Costco last night (first time in over a month-NEVER happens, have had the flu, strep, bronchitis). BUT ANYWAY, there were SEVERAL times I went to reach for something, and thought of you two,……….and…… put it back. I don’t shop with a budget either. But, would really like to funnel extra money into more productive areas. So, like I’ve mentioned before, thank you for making me think!!! Eagerly anticipating the next installment of as “Mavis’ & Mrs HB World Turns”!
Annnnnnd, thank you for giving me the courage to finally get a DOG. We also cannot imagine our lives without her. She brings so much joy to our lives, and WAAAAY better than candy!
Mona says
You might think I am stalking you as i have commented twice in two days but I have had awesome things to share. 🙂
The Found Money Foundation at University of Idaho (Go Vandals!) is a 30+ year institution. Here is the link to more information https://www.uidaho.edu/alumni/foundmoneyfund and the history of this is a download link at the bottom of the webpage.
Mavis Butterfield says
I LOVE this!
La Bellla says
I recently cancelled my trash service too, but mine cost almost half of what yours did, Mavis…ouch that’s a big bill! But you’ve included postage in your cost (+2.94), that is hilarious! Reducing trash output is hard, time intensive and great for the environment. I applaud you! I am currently making about the same amount of trash, but all by myself- looks like I have a ways to go to catch up with your trash=less techniques.
It would be nice if neighbors could connect more on sharing trash service, it would cut down on fuel costs and wear and tear on streets etc. Depending on how the trash system works in any particular area.
Pat Webster says
Walking out of a convenience store after the ice storm earlier this week my husband got his knife out, bent over and dug 11 cents off the sidewalk. He’s taught all the grandchildren to pick up dropped money. Ages 4-27. And they do it!
jackie says
I frequently found money when I walked my dogs. Parking lots and other places where someone dug in a pocket for their keys, (spilling out a coin or two) were especially lucrative.
E in Upstate NY says
When my oldest son’s landlord stopped supplying trash pick up as part of the rent [and still raised it!], he asked if he could bring it over to our house. Oh course I said yes, For a few small bags as week, he helps gather our household trash [we have lots since my hubby is on home dialysis] and takes the garbage can to the dump.
Together we both save. $3 a bag every other week versus over $50 a month curb service. Plus the recycling bins are there so it is easy to keep our trash down. I hear the trash trucks work our street every week, and I wonder why my neighbors continue their service with the dump transfer site less than 3 miles away.
In a city where we used to live, the city did the trash, but charged for the bags. There were three different size bags, so people could pay their share. Thought that was a fair solution to the varying family trash outputs.