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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 to c/frugal@lemmy.world
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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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[–] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

If you're interested, here's a 2009 Australian environmental study in which reusable diapers come out on top: https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2096268/08.1-Attachment-Life-Cycle-Assessment-Reusable-and-Disposable-Nappies.pdf

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    I feel compelled to point out this important bit of context for anyone who doesn't read the paper:

    Overall, based on the four environmental indicators used in this study, home-washed reusable nappies have the potential for the least environmental impact if washed in a water-efficient front￾loading washing machine in cold water, and line-dried.

    The UK study similarly found that colder water and line-drying would sufficiently reduce the carbon footprint to a lower level than disposables.

    But seriously? Who does that?

    For regular clothing, where you can use a more powerful detergent? Sure.

    But for something that goes directly against your child's most sensitive skin, which will need to be laundered with gentle detergent?

    Maybe we can find a paper on how to do all that without heat but with proper sanitation? Remember, laundry detergent is designed to clean, but not necessarily to sanitize.

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