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In the face of 40-year high inflation, you can’t help but watch your wallet get thinner. In fact, more than a third of American adults are tapping into their savings accounts to cover increased living expenses, withdrawing an average of $617 during the first six months of this year. As nearly everyone is feeling the effects of skyrocketing costs of everything from fuel to rent to groceries to entertainment, we could all use some helpful tips and tricks to stretch our dollars.

Being thrifty and finding ways to pay less for everyday goods is generally the way to go. But have you ever heard the saying "I’m not rich enough to buy cheap"? Turns out, some tactics that help reduce spending now can easily cost you more in the long run — whether in time, energy, or money.

So when one user reached out to 'Ask Reddit' inviting people to share "false frugalities" — low-cost things that turned out to be expensive — most people are unaware of, the thread immediately became a hit. We’ve gathered some of the most illuminating responses to share with you, so continue scrolling! Be sure to upvote the ones you agree with and then chime in with your own experiences in the comments.

Psst! After you’re done with this list, check out Bored Panda’s earlier piece with tips on how to live more frugally right here.

#1

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money There was a sub about how to budget food/living expenses. And the ideas that people had were ridiculous and required you to be financially well off enough to facilitate their idea of what saving money is. I don't think I received advice from anyone who knew what it was like to be poor, or actually truly need to responsibly budget their funds.

One guy wanted me to plant a garden to grow some carrots or other veg. I explained that I have a small apartment, and that carrots are a dollar for a big bag. He actually got uppity with me and became a total shithead when I explained that I live in a small apartment in the middle of the biggest city in canada. There is no benefit to turning half my apartment into a garden so I can grow five bucks worth of veggies in a few month's span. I can't just go outside and plant vegetables. It's also cold here 9 months out of the year.

I got berated out of the sub after pointing this kind of s**t out numerous times.

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JayhawkJoey
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I spent about $100 once on soil, plants, lumber for a raised bed, etc. to wind up with about $10 worth of a few veges. No green thumb here.

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#2

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Bottled water. It's marketed to appear that it's healthier and cleaner than tap water, plus the plastic bottles are not sustainable. Just buy yourself a thermos or reusable water bottle and stop buying overpriced plastic with over-glorified tap water included.

anon , RODNAE Productions Report

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StrangeOne
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's healthier if you're in a region that has contaminated water, or parasites, like in Mexico, * for example, and other regions in countries around the world that are otherwise developed around the world.

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#3

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Cheap batteries. They don't last, they don't work well, and many of them are duds. When I was in high school, I always, always listened to my discman. One day the batteries died so I walked up to the gas station and chose between the Duracell batteries and the bronze-colored batteries. I bough the cheaper no-names and they died before the day was over. And I had to go through social studies without music.
I learned two things that day; WWI history, and not to buy cheap batteries.

lazarus870 , Ian Report

#4

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money "Rent is throwing money down the drain"

Owning a home is not always smart. It can be, but not always. It's not just the house cost, but costs in taxes, interest, insurance, repairs and maintenance, etc.

Then there's opportunity costs. I know folks who can't move until they sell, and can't take better jobs cuz they can't move. A house can be a big anchor in some contexts.

Illah , Pixabay Report

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Eric G
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I might rent, but I know I'll never have to replace a roof for $20,000 or pay any maintenance. Notwithstanding, investors screwed way too many people out of affording a home. It truly is the American dream now because you have to be dreaming to think you can afford one.

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#5

Cheap, single ply toilet paper. You end up having to use way more just to get the same effect of the good stuff.

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Bobert Robertson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you generally end up with a middle finger in your bum after it pokes through the cheap paper

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#6

Aggressive lane changing while driving.

All that accellerating to get into the "better" lane just wastes fuel, and you save a negligible amount of time.

There was a small TV documentary here in Australia I remember watching that did tests on it. They sent two drivers across Sydney in rush hour traffic: one who would change lanes only when it was absolutely necessary (obstructions, turnoffs, etc), and one who was super aggressive changing all the time.

The aggressive driver got to the destination 2 minutes earlier, though with *80% more fuel consumption than the other driver*.

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Dietcocoabean
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, I've always wondered about that, but had no way of testing it out!

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#7

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money I once watched a show about extreme penny pinchers. One episode depicted a man who spent about 3 hours a day riding his bicycle or walking around looking for dropped change around pay phones, gum ball dispensers, etc. The whole time I couldn't help but think that even a minimum-wage job would yield him more capital for his time, especially once you factor in bicycle tubes and shoes.

In general, people of this nature fail to realize that the benefits of having money is its positive influence on your quality of life. When your quality of life suffers in order to save money, you've completely reversed your priorities to a mind-boggling level.

black_spring , Oleksandr Pidvalnyi Report

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StrangeOne
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a hobby for some elderly folks. Perhaps reliving an old past time joy of finding coins on the ground. I once found a $20 bill on the sidewalk. I was just walking, going about my day. I wasn't straining to meet quotas and multi-tasking. A minimum wage job, for the amount of work that you end up doing with little downtime, other than your required breaks, does not lead a great quality of life and the pay does not equal the time and efforts. IF I could make the same amount just walking and looking at the ground as I do at my current job I'd choose coin hunting. And the coins aren't taxed.

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#8

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money All construction.............do you want it done cheap? or do you want it done right?

firephoxx , Pixabay Report

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3 Owls In A Coat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When it’s done right, it’ll usually cost a lot less in the long term than when it’s done cheap.

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#9

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Not going to the doctor/dentist!

Wellness checkups are important. Your prognosis will always be better if something is caught early on.

castrator_gator , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Mrs S
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's really hard to keep up with self-care when you are deeply depressed.

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#10

Surprised I haven't seen this yet; using third party hotel booking sites. The sites guarantee you a room and a price but not the type of room you requested. Calling the hotel directly will not only guarantee the room you want but often they beat the price of the websites. On my last trip a particular site favored by an Enterprise captain quoted $129 a night, when I called the hotel they gave me $79 a night.

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cadena kuhn
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know where ur staying. I work at quality inn and we can't even match those sites nevermind beat them.

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#11

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Doing the dishes by hand vs. using a dishwasher. The dishwasher requires a lot less water, time and energy.

mabimbo , cottonbro Report

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The Other Guest
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or in my case, doing the dishes by hand vs. not doing them at all (no dishwasher, and no space to install one).

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#12

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money When it comes to tools, buy nice or cry twice.

SkinnyMac , Anete Lusina Report

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#13

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money I saw a popular comment here a couple weeks ago talking about reusing those little handwarmer packet things by slicing them open and adding more magnesium flakes obtained by shaving down sparklers.

For f**k's sake, just buy some new handwarmers.

Planet-man , Technology Connections Report

#14

I knew a fellow who owned one of the most expensive houses in town, but was too cheap to run his swimming pool filter except when he was actually swimming. With virtually no filtration, the water would get thick with debris and algae. He would then by stuff to kill the algae, but then he would have water full of dead algae. And the crud would stiff on the pool bottom, making it very hard to clean off. He spent way more on chemicals than he would have spent on electricity. The owner of this cement pond was a retired rocket scientist.

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Gini Sarver
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i have always been told that the smarter a person is, the less common sense… because they’re focused on their whatever

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#15

Cheap condoms

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#16

i went to greggs, a well known bakery in the UK. I bought a sandwhich and a drink. as i went to pay, the guy offered me the meal deal. "a sandwhich a drink and crips (chips) for only £1.99. a sandwhich and a drink was £1.59. the sandwhich was £1 and the drink was 59p. by themselves, crisps (chips) were 20p but as part of the meal deal they were 40p. this means that the SPECIAL MEAL DEAL OFFER was more expensive than buying each item individually. CLEVER F*CK***

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#17

Heating and air-conditioning. Being uncomfortable, irritable, and unproductive isn't worth the few hundred dollars you save by lowering the heat or not turning on the AC.

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends. You don't need an industrial central air conditioning system in a tiny bungalow, as my my ex's parents installed. They like to be freezing in the summer. Nor does it have to be sweltering in your home in the winter. And they don't need to be kept on all the time.

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#18

In many cases, buying a name-brand product with a coupon is *still* more expensive than buying the store-brand.

Or, buying something just because it's on sale, but not necessarily because you need it.

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Lauren S
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The trick is to combine coupons with store sales. My husband is amazing at this.

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#19

Mobile phone contracts with a free iPhone etc.

You think you're getting a good deal with a free phone but with 35 pounds a month contact for 2 years, they really screw you.

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#20

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Buying heavily used cars, sometimes. There are exceptions, but all of my friends who religiously buy the cheapest car they can find are always having trouble. Very expensive trouble, that sometimes adds up to close to the cost of a new car, or at least a better maintained used car.

Sqyud , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Ed Brandon
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Believe it or not, some people would like to buy a new car, but can't afford one. Crazy, I know.

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#21

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Travel and times: A lot of people take the cheapest flight they can find, but to me, saving 50 bucks on a $500 ticket isn't worth a 7am flight or a red eye.

ironoctopus , Alan Levine Report

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Eric G
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It all depends. I'd rather get to a place super early so I feel like I at least have a few hours my first day on vacation.

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#22

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money "Buying that rent-to-own laptop Consumer Reports checked out is equivalent to paying 311% interest, which is far worse than the 30% interest rate you see on crummy credit cards.


laterdude , Djordje Petrovic Report

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Eric G
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any rent to own really. Check what you pay in the end. An $800 television will cost you $2,400

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#23

Buying a big cheap house far from your common destinations.
You will pay with time, petrol, housework, sleep, your relationships, and/or career
Instead:
1.Buy or rent a small house with a 10-30 minute commute.
2. Let happiness ensue.

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Kristal
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think not having to be with people/neighbors is worth the costs (if moving to a more rural area)

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#24

Home brewing beer.

It's a wonderful hobby and I highly recommend it, but don't think you're going to save money.

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StrangeOne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My ex like to make apple cider moonshine. He had to buy mason jars and a s**t ton of alcohol, apple juice and whatnot. Thought he was going to make all these underground sales from his friends. Pfft. He sold nothing and I got to keep most of the mason jars. Those come in handy for many things.

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#25

Extended warranty

You think you are saving cash on the off chance the product you bought doesn't hold on and you need repairs, but I don't know anybody who has ever been happy about this choice

On the opposite end of the spectrum, car insurance for rental cars. My father and his colleagues used to travel the world and rent cars for several weeks at a time. It would only take one car accident in all those years of renting cars to justify the cost. Many of these rentals were for off-road use. The rookies thought to save cash passing on the insurance and would eventually shell out thousands on repair

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Eric G
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On a totally unrelated topic... those reading this, I have been trying to reach you about your car's extended warranty.

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#26

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Cloth diapers. You still have to buy special (expensive) detergent, and run so many loads in the washing machine. I worked it out when we started cloth diapering 3+ years ago, and it cost the same as if we just did disposable diapers.
Plus all the TIME put into washing/drying/assembling.
I like cloth diapering, I do recommend it, but I hate when it gets lauded as a cheap alternative.

(Edit: Yes, really, you do have to use specially formulated detergent. You don't? That's cool. Your diapers are getting build up of both ammonia and detergent. Good luck with that smell and the leaks, and that is coming from experience.
Also, nowhere did I mention the upfront cost of the diapers themselves. When I talk about price, I'm talking about water and electricity bills.)

yampuffs , Brittany Report

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gas station cola
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

people don't do cloth diapers for the nonexistent convenience or the not-so-cheap price. they do it because it's more sustainable & better for the environment, & usually far more comfortable for the baby.

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Runponiesrun
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely not more comfortable for baby, I'm a pediatrician and all my patients with cloth diapers have way more diaper rashes, and cloth diapers are bulky. Disposable diapers these days are incredibly absorbant and comfy . . . but yeah, terrible for the environment!

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H.L.Lewis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm old enough to remember detergents before they were all specialized, so this coment is Not true. My mom washed them all, no diaper service either. Once they were done as diapers, they turned into cleaning rags. Washed diapers Never smelled like amonia. And they Were clean.

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Ivanh
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never used special detergent for our 2 kids, neither did my parents for my brother and i, ero smell and zero issues. Cloth diapers have been around for friggen ages and 'special detergents' for them didn't exist when I was a baby and all kids had cloth diapers back in the day, disposable wernt introduced here until 1965.

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Alfred Doubleday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because the 'normal' detergents were also different formulas, then. Some could be harsh, but they didn't have the same fragrances, HE formulations, etc

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Mary Jeffries
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d just boil the diapers with vinegar every few months for the build up. Worked great. They also potty train (in general) earlier because they can feel the wet against their skin better with cloth.

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Auntriarch
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually have a memory of waking up in a yucky terry nappy. They were definitely an incentive

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Frances V
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok, in my country we have a national cloth diapering association which gives detailed advice on all aspects cloth diapering, including how to wash and which detergents to use, and like 80% of the detergents on their list are normal inexpensive ones you can buy at any grocery store. The detergent I was already using before buying cloth diapers was on that list. Maybe OP has soft/hard water or something? Or there's something wrong with their washing routine and their way of solving it is to use hardcore expensive detergents. Also, the price of cloth diapers vary wildly, you can do it for very cheap if necessary without really sacrificing quality.

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Catia Rocha
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Right? I didn't spend much on my detergent OR cloth diapers at all and I got all-natural fiber inserts and even a wool cover (didn't waste my time with the rash-and-buildup-prone microfiber inserts people usually have issues with). I can see how it can get expensive ONLY BECAUSE people can't resist buying more! haha but if you want to be frugal, you absolutely can with cloth diapers. Sad to see so many falling for the inaccurate info on it

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Kathy Richardson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You do not need special detergent. I used cloth diapers for all 3 of my children and I just used the normal baby detergent, the kind you buy to save the flame retardant put on baby clothes. As for the ammonia, you just add a cup of vinegar to the wash. No smell, no leaks (unless you count the once in a awhile explosions that would leak even in disposable). My son uses/used cloth for his two boys and same thing; no special detergent and vinegar for the ammonia as this is what the diaper company that sold him the diapers said to do.

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Freddie Le Brun
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum used traditional cloth diapers for me and my brother, not once did she or my grandmother use special detergent. You aren’t creating a build up of ammonia if you wash them at the right temperature. 🤦🏽‍♀️

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Nila Griffin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, they were doing it “wrong”. You need Tide, but doesn’t have to be name brand. It’s maybe 4-6 extra loads a week. Starting set of covers and prefolds will run you $200. You CAN get fancy, but you certainly don’t have to. 6 years experience.

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Patty O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had twins and never did that many loads a week. Maybe every third day wash a load of 75 diapers at once.

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Oerff On Tour
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In some countries using cloth diapers is encouraged. It comes with a laundry plan. Twice a week the laundry company will collect the soiled ones in a special bag, and drop off clean ones. The price is equal to the top brands disposable diapers per week

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Di F
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol, I'm from the days where there were no disposables except really expensive ones. Don't recal any babies dying or getting infected from terry toweling diapers that we had back then.

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Sarah Coates
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not correct. I did cloth diapers with all my kids with generic detergent (which I use because of eczema) and no issues. The diapers cost more unless you use them for multiple kids. But no plastic waste.

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Snorkeldorf
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always knew I'd use cloth diapers. For my baby shower, family members pooled their money and got me one year of diaper service. I also purchased diaper covers that were butter soft wool (used in winter) or cotton (used in summer) that closed with velcro tabs. I didn't have to wash diapers, only covers, it was sustainable and my daughter never had diaper rash. Best gift I've ever received.

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Laura Moulton Cain
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

uhm. no. dreft is not expensive and works great. and when i was not working they saved not only a ton of mony but look at the landfills. Cloths diapers are a better way to go. and i washed in hot water to kill bacteria and then hung to dry. and at the time my washer broke for a while and i had to wash them by hand. still the better way to go.

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Jennifer Cullinane
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BS. My kids both wore cloth. My elder is a redhead with very sensitive skin, he couldn’t wear disposable because of the chemicals in the paper. Never used 'special' detergent, and both were toilet trained early. It was far less expensive and much better environmentally that the billions buried in landfills for the next thousands of years.

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Angelica Panda-Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Regular Tide powder is the gold standard for cloth diapers and it's cheaper than liquid. I saved money just switching all my clothes to that powder. Diapers are two extra loads per week, they're always clean, and my daughters skin is healthier. I paid $200 one time for her two week supply. I was paying $100 PER MONTH for disposables. The math is not mathing here, 8 loads of laundry, including water, heat, bleach and detergent, is not $100 per month.

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Tiffany R
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have a familial allergy to Tide, there are a lot of options, beyond what poster stated. Tide is great, but plenty of options as well.

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Ed Brandon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, just throw things in the bin and pollute your kid's planet to save a few minutes.

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Sadia Timmermans
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's more then a few minutes. It's time consuming. I don't regret doing it for my first and will repeat it for my second. But please only do it if you can handle it. If people have a constantly crying baby or feel tired they shouldn't put extra weight on that. I don't know if you have kids and used cloth diapers. If you do good on you, but don't judge other people for not doing that. Not cool dude.

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Annalisa Moore
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is literally just wrong. I already have to use free and clear for my family’s sensitive skin and borax is so cheap it barely factors into my monthly budget (but if I were to factor it in, I buy a $16 pack of borax every 4 months, so I guess it’s a whopping $4 a month). I’ve done water hardness tests, build up tests, and my water and electric bill have increased by about $10 per month with cloth diapers added to the mix. I had to overspend at the very beginning ($200 on diapers and inserts, but I know friends who spent $40ish on used) and have been going for a year now. My most recent buildup tests show no build up, so my routine is fine. I hit the mark two months ago of “breaking even” so as of that point, every diaper I save now is money in my pocket that wouldn’t have been there. And I’m having another baby in October so I will be diapering for at least the next three years. Cloth diapering isn’t only better on our planet, it 100% saves money in the long run.

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MK86
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cloth diapered my kids. You don't need expensive detergent. The only thing was the starting cost. But other than that, it was just another load of laundry. My diapers didn't leak like disposable diapers did.

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Patty O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So also in the debate of disposable vs cloth and which is more environmentally friendly...does this debate take into affect the actual manufacture of the disposable and that environmenal impact vs cloth...and how cloth diapers at end of life can be recycled and repurposed?

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Sharon Ingram
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow….I didn’t know it was such a big deal; cloth diapers. My mom did it with 5 kids. Last 2, I changed diapers for 3 years starting when I was 7 and a half. Shake the poop out in the toilet, flush. Then rinse diaper in toilet well, flush. Toss in bucket with bleach water and leave. When ready to launder dump bucket in washing machine and add detergent. Wash in hot water. Dry on clothes line in 95 degree heat in NC. Take in and fold.

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Jacklynn Renee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don’t need special detergent lol. No, they’re not getting any build up. Where are you getting your info from. And the energy/water use for one load of laundry is pennies.

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AnkleByter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lmao, this person really doesn't understand cloth diapers. If you wash them right, no, they do not get build up of anything. If you're buying that "special expensive detergent for diapers", guess what? That's the buildup people are talking about, lol. It's not always cheaper alternative, but it definitely is when you're choose to make it so. We definitely don't run so many loads in the washer (and line drying, indoors or out, can help a LOT with drying). It takes no time to put them together, that doesn't even make any sense. We have used cloth diapers for all of our kids and it's definitely the better and cheaper option, for us, always has been. But the problem is, you have to make it be the cheaper option and for some people, that's more hassle than it's worth, which is a-ok for them.

glynisbuller avatar
Glynis Buller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

absolute nonsense. When my children were growing up there was no option to cloth nappies. We did not have "specially formulated detergents" and experienced non of the problems listed above. And we weren't destroying the planet while we did it. Nappies also last for years so your second child can use them and then they are used as rags. Did you factor that in?

supervalkyrie2001 avatar
Giana Hominini
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did cloth diapers (combo prefolds and pocket diapers) for my kids and calculated the cost including water and electricity. With both kids, I spent a third of what I would have spent on the cheapest disposables, and my kids NEVER had a rash except the time we went on vacation and used disposables. I now have the best rags ever too. I don’t know what the OP was doing or buying, but it just isn’t true, and that is BEFORE taking into account the manufacturing and pollution in production and disposal of disposable diapers.

hmoore_1 avatar
H M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Special detergent? Nope, soaked them in a bucket, then washed with the usual washing powder is all. No there was no smell or leaking. There were no "disposable" nappies when my kid was small, how do you think babies managed for thousands of years? Build up....hilarious....

tash-penpalling avatar
Tenacious Squirrel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People need to seriously consider what is more important - the pollution of the environment (and their child’s future planet) along with all the associated issues (animal extinction, human health issues from pollution, and so on) or their time. I would’ve thought not wrecking the planet for everyone, including your kid, might be more important. Nappies/diapers are full of plastic and HUGE pollutants, so many millions of parents are disposing of so many every single day. Be less selfish and think of the planet, animals, and the future generations that you’re supposedly raising.

sydneyrogers avatar
Sharkbait1313
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Struggling as a new mother? Feeling inadequate? Postpartum depression? Well that is simply not enough! Let's heap a hefty scoop of guilt on top of it for an extra dose of insanity......

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Pavlina G
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I made my diapers and covers. Also used reg laundry soap, no weird smell. A lot cheaper, cleaner and nicer

melinda_flick avatar
Melinda Flick
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, the smell of the unwashed diapers, even if you do them daily. Not a fun smell at ALL.

simperium avatar
Šimon Špaček
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The "special detergent" is a huge scam. It is marseille soap, grated and mixed with water to make gel. Then there is usually some fragrance, in most cases it was lemon grass or tea tree oil. You can make this at home for 1/5 of the price and it takes ~20 minutes? To make enough for a month.

enea avatar
Enea
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disagree. I used cloth diapers for all my three kids, and it does pay off. It's really a lot of work bur definitely cheaper and more ecological (because I used them for more than one kid because production costs only pay themselves off after the first kid). I didn't need a special detergent, and was able to sell most diapers afterwards. I think it was a great win - not timewise but financially, ecologically and for the health of my kids (they never got diapers rash).

nasiomnc avatar
Collette Moisan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't use expensive detergent on my child's diapers & they never stunk. How many diapers are you using & how long is the child sitting in that dirty diaper??

deb_dedon avatar
Deb Dedon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to snicker. Once upon a time, there were NO disposable diapers. Dirties were rinsed in the toilet and tossed into a special hamper, then washed separately in very hot water with no special detergent. I think we had Tide. The choice to return to cloth diapers isn't to save money but to help save the environment. Dirty disposables get tossed into landfills, while the effluent from washing dirty cloth diapers goes through your sewer or septic system, both designed to remediate bacteria present in human waste.

yellowdeer129 avatar
Lori
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, but diapers in landfills is a horrible, real thing to be concerned with!

krobsmum avatar
Claudette Shaw
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used reusable cloth diapers for my children now 28 and 31. One set of diapers for both children and I sold them to a used children's clothing store. I never used "special detergent" and the time spent washing them was no more than the time sent washing any other load of clothes in my low water low energy washing machine. My husband and I were always fussy about tracking energy and water usage of all our major appliances. Trust me we saved both time and money. Our nanny liked the cloth diapers and although she was never asked to do laundry as part of her care duties, she usually did the diapers " When the children are napping, it gives me something to do." Disposables were only used if we were travelling.

mommabear101 avatar
Karissy Found
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two kids clothe diapered here. If you are going to do it expensive that’s your choice. Because with rubber pants any absorbent material is a cloth diaper. Yes ive used torn up rags, towels, and even moss when in the bush, I also used the same clothe diapers used on me and my sisters, and paid $28 a diaper for going out. We used natural laundry soap, vinegar, baking soda, and sunshine. Maybe your wash machine is broken?

pleepca avatar
Patricia Perrings
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The upside is that you don't contribute to plastic pollution in the landfills. Thank you for that.

ted_doscher avatar
Ted Doscher
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't agree less. initial cost of the cloth diaper system I used was 250 dollars including the cost of a spray attachment to rinse of solids before going into the wash. switched all laundry to be washed with dreft detergent for the time being so no real change there. and used a high efficency washer and line dried. I diapered 2 kids with the initial 250 dollar cost of the diapers. never had a diaper rash incident. both kids were potty trained early and easily. and we actually sanitized our diaper kit and gave it another parent. our biggest hurdle was finding daycares that would deal with the cloth diapers. thankfully we had luck out with an at home daycare who cloth diapered her kids for our first child and a daycare center with a hipster attitude that was willing to try.

twirler_gurl2 avatar
Erika Hunting
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as you have a good wash routine I used the same detergent I used on my cloths and was only two extra loads a week. It did help me and my family save money when I was out of work with health issues after my baby

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Kathleen Nelson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a free month of diaper service and extended it until I went back to work. The best part was seeing the delivery guy once a week... it gets lonely being home all day with a newborn!

robin_childers avatar
Robin Childers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A cloth diaper will rot. The disposable diapers will still be hanging around when your grandkids are in diapers if not longer.

kilyth avatar
De Burke
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the child. My 1st got hardly any rashes, my second was a little more prone. 2 extra loads of laundry a week at 15 minutes of my time, using bio washing powder. Cloth nappies have been around for centauries; it's hardly rocket science. Plus, we had a grand total of 1 poonami in 4 years.

lsaizul avatar
Lsai Aeon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was cloth diapered from 1979 to 1982 ish. Pampers (the only brand you could really get back then) didn't "breathe" and in the one hour that mom would put a "Pamper" on me for church I would have the worst diaper rash, blistered from here to kingdom come. Mom used regular Tide detergent religiously without a problem. I still have some of my original cloth diapers from 43 years ago, with no stains, and no smell. Your "specially formulated detergent" is a scam

shivasgirl66 avatar
Angela Woodrow Parker
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I cloth diapered my three kids, one is 34 now and the twins are 17. I dont know who snowed you about special detergent, but my diapers were always snowy white, very absorbent and my kids never had rashes. I washed them in regular detergent (whatever I had a coupon for and was on sale), ran the rinse with a cup of vinegar and dried them in the sun. I was young and not well off with my first, and cloth diapering saved us a ton of money. I was better off when the twins came, but think of the money I saved using cloth vs disposable for 2 babies...

juliet_bravo avatar
Jill Bussey
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow. When my kids were in nappies, disposables were absolute rubbish. Special detergent? No way. Just non-biological. No tumble drier in those days, either. Dried on the line in the sunshine and if it was raining, over a clothes airer.

sheilanoreen47 avatar
Sheila Noreen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did cloth diapers for all four of my kids. Boiled the rinsed soiled ones in a big pot with baking soda. Came out w/o stains. Disposable diapers should be against the law.

jclaabschandler avatar
Juanita Austin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I made cloth diapers for my son (42 years ago). I just bought “birdseye cloth “ and designed contoured diapers which I put into a diaper pail with water and bleach, when it was full I just dumped into the washing machine, spun the water out and washed them in hot water with bleach. I lived in the desert, so hung them out to dry, then tossed them into my dryer for five minutes to soften them. Cheap, easy, and environmentally friendly.

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Marianne Kearney-Brown
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Nancy Cavanaugh
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let’s not forget the vomit factor regarding g the diaper cleaner. Disposable it is

martysunderland avatar
Marty Sunderland
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter was allergic to whatever they put in disposables. Bad rash in under an hour. Not to mention the effect on the landfill

tonalius avatar
Angi Hillin
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn't use expensive detergent, never had those problems with 5 kids. Just washed them by hand, hung them up to dry. Late 90s, early 2000s. Vinegar isn't that expensive and it usually took no time at all every day. 3 of my kids would get terrible reactions from disposable. The diapers themselves my grandmother sewed up. I'm lazy as hell and it really wasn't that much trouble.

hakitosama avatar
Hakitosama
Community Member
6 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the other hand, cloth menstrual products are cheaper in the long run (that and there's no harmful chemicals in them) and more comfortable

riccarter avatar
ric carter
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did my way-back-when infancy, before disposable diapers, contribute to making me a cranky old geezer?

campasheck avatar
SkekVi
Community Member
8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when my sister and I were little in the late 80s/early 90s, there were laundering services for the cloth diapers. Does that not exist anymore?

jamiecassetta avatar
Jamie Cassetta
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My youngest had to use cloth diapers due to allergies to the disposable ones (back in '87—'88). I used a diaper service bcos I was in a tiny, 1-bedroom apt, no personal washer/dryer, no place to hang-dry outside to sun said diapers (it's the best way to keep them sanitized), and I worked/studied from 7a to 7p, M-F, with my 2 Littles trying to recover from Epstein-Barr viral infections. The svc was a sanity saver. My baby boy nvr once had a rash evr again, and I nvr ran out of diapers, no one ever messed with my bags, dirty or clean, left at my door. And my neighborhood at that time was kinda dodgy. I taught my babysitter how to use the cloth diapers, how to use the bagged container, and dispose of the solids. She had no issues, and the "plastic" pants weren't. Instead they were made of taffeta, I seem to recall. I just couldn't use whatever disposable diapers were made with. Price ended up being the same as what I would've spent on disposables as well.

jenm_1 avatar
Jen M
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a baby, they didn't have disposable diapers yet. We had to use a diaper service. They'd pick up diapers loads, sterilize them, drop off clean ones. My mom was so happy when disposables came out in time for my sister.

imamanimal avatar
Ima Manimal
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just get some regular diapers… The environment will forgive you

fd avatar
Maikai
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or potty train early if you have the luck & luxury to do so. This sucks for those that can’t afford the logistics in certain situations, but it saves so much more than just convenience.

rosemonsell avatar
Rose
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication I haven't used it because it wasn't around when my kids were little. I like the idea.

brookeannsimmer avatar
brookeannsimmer
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In terms of sustainability and what not, I feel strongly that medical waste should be the last concern addressed. Handle industrial waste before worrying about diapers ay.

janembull avatar
MonsterMum
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saved loads using cloth nappies. The local council give some money towards the purchase here. I got loads given to me second hand. The nappy soak is cheap too. Of course if you buy brand new, latest style nappies they will cost more. I had enough to run a full wash load every two or three days.

linda238 avatar
Linda Carter
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Better yet - don’t have kids. Saves a fortune and even better for the environment.

leas_ avatar
Lea S.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've never heard it lauded as cheaper. I've heard it as better for the earth.

weatherwitch101 avatar
weatherwitch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's the weird plastic gadget on the front? I grew up in the 1970s and cloth nappies were normal, but I've never seen that before. No special detergent then either, boil wash on the stove in a big special pan or into the ancient twin tub! My poor mother 😔

trancis avatar
Francis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cloth diapers are not about saving money but about saving the environment of those plastic diapers that will never degrade

surfblueslug avatar
Mary Kelly
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

gas station cola - babies don't feel better in cloth...i started baby sitting when people were switching from cloth to disposable...the urine in cloth diapers just sits on the child's skin and causes horrible diaper rashes...and they have to be covered with hot rubber pants that inevitably leak...i've seen diaper rashes on babies where the skin looked like a mass of blisters...and, yes, the mother's changed the babies, and powdered and applied ointment...so, they are better for baby's bottom and mobility, not just convenient...oh, and i've seen studies that indicate that the amount of water and high temperatures needed to effectively clean cloth diapers produces more greenhouse gases...yes...there is pollution...but that doesn't mean take a step backward...it means make disposable diapers more environmentally friendly...

catiarocha avatar
Catia Rocha
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, if you layer your cloth inserts properly the liquid does not sit on your child's skin. You can't knock cloth diapering if you were doing it wrong! :) In fact, microfiber is so moisture wicking it can cause rashes from being too drying (cloth diaper rashes are either from using microfiber improperly, not changing enough or an allergy to the fabric type.) Though in general other inserts are less drying than disposables, it's actually a benefit for speeding up potty training and way more comfortable when dry - just change often which you should do with disposables as well. Also, wool diaper covers and cotton diaper covers are available, not just plastic ones and the wool option specifically is moisture-wicking with a bunch of other benefits as well. Environmentally, disposables vs cloth are very close but cloth diapering is still slightly less, AND you can choose methods of laundering that will cut down the impact of cloth diapers further by 40% (with line drying for example). & when you have more than one kid, the benefits only compound. Plus they're reusable and are often sold/purchased used, keeping them going for many years. There's just so much more benefit to cloth than disposables, but disposables are much more convenient for sure.

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I'mNotARoboat
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technically, even the crunchiest, greenest, eco-lovingest, hippy lifestyles are not eco-friendly if children are born. You could live in a jungle completely off the land and definitely off grid and there would still be a not-insignificant carbon footprint because of reproduction.

thomasewing avatar
Thomas Ewing
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the diapers become great shop rags after the kid is trained.

pattyo_1 avatar
Patty O
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I don't see here is how most daycares won't accept cloth and if you have to work you don't have much choice. This is definitely a stay at home parent problem

bolton_anthony84 avatar
Anthony Bolton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Talk about all the diapers in the landfill. Might end up being the same price as buying diapers but you are saving the environment more than buying store diapers.

sueelda avatar
Susan Lang
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My children are grown now but I soaked nappies,in soap powder then boiled them in my gas boiler, then washed them.once. . Always came out brilliant white.. With no ammonia.. Was well worth the time and effort.. No nappy rash with all 3 AND I was a full time working single mother

shawnwoodbury avatar
ZeroCapacity
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They also do it because their kids are allergic to plastic diapers, least that's why my Mom did it.

pricesteve259 avatar
Stephen Price
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

just do like the trailer park women do their babiies still in diapers....put them outside on days when the weather is nice buck necked so they can poop and pee "organically" saves money on them "pampers" especially when they "cousins" come over for a visit while baby daddy is in prison for his DUI or drug charges! (can't make this s**t up folks seen it first hand 15 years!)

lisajanea68 avatar
Lisa
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don’t need ‘special’ detergent but you do need hot water and a commercial detergent or even hotter if it’s an eco one. Clean cloth nappies website and Facebook group have all the science to back this up, you can buy secondhand nappies too, it’s waaaay cheaper!! And way better for the environment.

thetinkle avatar
HannahNo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And it's NOT more sustainable!!! There are a few studies that found out, that they actually waste more ressources because of all the washing. Environmentally seen, they are only more sustainable if you diaper for at least 4,5 years AND use a diaper service.

bluemom2017 avatar
Pamela Blue
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has anyone compared the costs of purchasing disposable diapers constantly? I know cloth diapers are an expensive start up, but once you have them, it's not so bad. I used to use cloth (terry) diaper (or nappies, as we called them in the UK) We had a bucket with cold water that presoaked the nappies, and then they were washed in the washing machine with normal detergent. I didn't have a dryer, so they were pegged out on the line. We also had thin soft disposable liners to place on the nappy, and that caught the poop so it wasn't stuck all over the nappy. My babes (3) didn't have issues with diaper rash.

channon_doughty avatar
Channon Doughty
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going cloth isn't about saving money. It's about creating less Plastic waste for the landfill.

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Robert A Reider Jr
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isnt "Tidy-Didy" still around? A lifesaver! Cheap (you dont buy the nappies, you put a deposit down and pay for the laundry service.) Been awhile, but in my day they came right into the house, empted the hamper and left bundles of fresh drawers. Cloth is superior for baby skin, and um the planet or whatever.

eengland avatar
Stinkypie Ticklebum
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When my friend used cloth diapers 20 years ago, there wasn't a special soap, but they did have to be washed in hot water.

wenzdaymary avatar
wenzday mary
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree. You don't need "specialty" detergent. You need certain detergents, and those could be your every day brands. We cloth diapered, our neighbors did not. Kids are the same age, they definitely spent WAY more than we did on diapering. Way way more. I do agree it takes extra time to wash and fold but c'mon, the literal thousands I saved were worth an extra few loads of laundry a week. BONUS: disposable diapers have wetness wicking so the kid doesn't know they are wet and stay comfortable longer. Cloth Diapers do not. That neighbor I was taking about is still using diapers at 24 months with no signs of slowing, my 4 months shy of 24 months has been out of diapers for over 2 months. (Yes, it takes more than just diapers to potty train but the type of diaper used definitely helped)

jillhojnacki avatar
Jill Hojnacki
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can assure you that neither my parents, nor my grandmother’s used special detergent when cleaning my cloth diapers in the 1950s, and they cleaned and held up just fine. How do I know? After I grew out of them, they kept them as rags and burp towels for grandkids. Up until a few years ago, when I had a house fire, there was still a stack of them in the closet. They were all sparkling white and had no smell other than “clean”. Bleach is a marvelous thing when used correctly, and it’s been around for longer than germ theory.

terdex avatar
Manny_Flawz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My 2 siblings were born when I was 11, and 13. Parents insisted on cloth diapers. Guess who had to take them out of the bucket they soaked in, then wash them. *Shudder*

zanoni608 avatar
Patti Vance
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i confess that i am an old fart now but when i had my son disposable diapers were just coming out. they were expensive at the time because there were only a couple of brands on the market. i lived on an island so i did a lot of catalog shopping. the catalog store (yes, there was a store dedicated to this) employee told me that i could order 'seconds' from the companies. was very cheap by the case and the only issue was that the adhesive tab were sometimes messed up. just threw a roll of masking tape in the diaper bag. cloth can be environmentally friendly but when you add to the use of electricity and decent soap it works out the same

kimwimgoddess avatar
kim morris
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My older son was disposable diapers, had diaper rash so bad we had to give him light therapy. We had to leave him exposed to sunlight, and bring him in for light to the hospital. My second son was cloth diapered with a service. He never had a rash.

jmachan avatar
JimSue Machan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our baby was highly allergic to disposable diapers. I preferred he did not get painful sores that required medical treatment.

christinawebster avatar
CWebby
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Take my upvote - not sure why you got downgraded for a genuine question!

nila0403 avatar
Nila Griffin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s an insidious popular Facebook cloth diapering group that absolutely ruins peoples diapers and experience. No doubt this person fell victim to their “advice”.

southon avatar
Bobert Robertson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some reason my brother's dog wears reusable diapers.... he's not even an old dog...

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Jiminy
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's probably a female dog and wears them in her estrous cycle.

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Addi Strasser
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man. So true. And let's not forget that all the poop doesn't just magically disappear at the end of the wash cycle. No! It's sticks to the inside of your washer in a nice film and rubs off on the next load of wash. If you don't have a separate washer for diapers (and who does?) you are basically living life wearing clothes covered in a light film of baby s**t.

narunarusegawa8148 avatar
Angelica Panda-Queen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me you have no idea how laundry detergent works without saying "I don't know how laundry detergent works."

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#27

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Being cheap with anything you’re going to use a lot or over a long time. Better to spend $180 on a single frying pan that will last 10+ years than buy a $40 frying pan each and every year because they c**p out so easily no matter how careful you are with them. This metaphor, of course, fits the bill for almost any frying pan that is non-stick or costs less that $100 to begin with.

rekabis , RODNAE Productions Report

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Mimi M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BS. I've had the same non-stick 12 dollar fry pan for the last several years. And a cheap cast iron (10-15 bucks) will last indefinitely.

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#28

Leasing a car instead of buying one. I'm not gonna get into the specifics but it's pretty much always more costly

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Okkkkk
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only if you plan on keeping your car for longer that's two/three years. But if you plan on getting a new car every couple of years then paying only the depreciation seems like a better deal. But if you keep your car for 5-10 years... then buying is definitely cheaper. Longer than 10... might start looking at costly repairs.

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#29

Justifying the purchase of anything solely because it's a "good deal." I hear this misconception all the time.

If you spend $100 on shoes, even if you bought it at 99% off, you're still out $100. You haven't saved a penny, and that'll be a real problem if you needed that $100 to pay your utility bills.

Edit: clarity and $10,000 shoes.

http://www.luxist.com/2010/02/26/louis-vuitton-offers-10-000-alligator-wingtips/

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StrangeOne
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all in the intended budget of what you were planning on spending. If you're expecting to buy $200 shoes and had allowed room in the budget or saved for them, and then the shoes are found to be $100 on sale, then, yes, you saved $100.

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#30

Professional home repair services. Real companies have insurance, you can sue if things go wrong. Some handyman that someone knows is likely going to do something that violates a warranty, will be judgement proof, and won't get a permit.

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Eric G
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do construction defect claims and this is partly true. A contractor's work product is not covered by insurance. That's if you hire a guy to install Windows and they are defective, insurance does not cover the replacement of defective windows. Not unless they are installed in such a way they cause damage to other parts of the home. I.e. Leaks and damages the interior drywall

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#31

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money People with flex fuel vehicles buying E85 instead of gasoline. The reduced mileage you get out of E85 eats up any saving you get at the pump.

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#32

I know people that skip going to the doctor until the last minute to save the office visit payments. It's a terrible idea since by the time they get there the simple cold turns into pneumonia and costs much more to heal.

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gas station cola
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bad example. going to the doctor for a cold is a waste of time & money. there's no cure for a cold, nothing the doctor can do other than say "you have a cold." so if someone has a cold, yeah they're gonna wait until it turns into something bad to get help; it would've been a needless expense & it's not like they could've known beforehand that this particular cold would be pneumonia...

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#33

Not paying off your mortgage to save the tax breaks...

While it is nice to save taxes, the long term financial benefits are astronomical when you free up a mortgage payment.

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Donkeywheel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Completely stupid assertion because it obviously depends a lot on the situation. If the interest rate is very high and the property value not increasing then yeah, pay it off early if you can. If you have a low rate, if the value is plummeting, if you use the extra money to invest in anything with better returns then no, don’t pay it off early and keep it for as long as you’re in the second situation. Never heard of leverage or gearing?

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#34

Dining Plans at college. I literally could go out to eat for every meal for the price of them. And I often did. I saved a ton of money because I don't eat that much/snack more often .

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harpling
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Part of my scholarship at school was earmarked for the dining plan. I got the cheapest one available - one meal a day. I'd go to the dining hall once and make sandwiches for the rest of the day.

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#35

Supermarket specials.

Next time you go shopping, grab a calculator and work out the cost per 100 grams (or whatever equivalent weight) and you'll almost invariably find that the products with the big 'Sale!' signs are not the cheapest.

Of course it's impractical to do this with every item so you can of course estimate, or shop at a store that all ready has the cost per 100 grams of the price tag like I do.

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Peter Parker
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Germany (or the entire EU?) the store needs to put the price per 100g on each item, so you can easily compare.

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#36

Shaving with a straight razor. It's a larger down-payment to start into it (simple but nice razor, strop, and brush cost me about $100), but I recouped that in less than a year just by not buying more cartridges. In theory, a razor will last pretty much forever, for free.

Here's the problem, though. I nicked my blade and had to repair it, so I bought about $80 worth of reworking stuff (much less than I could have spent). Then I bought a fancy 1930's blade and restored it. Then I bought a better brush, and a better stop, and a better shave mug, etc.

I started because it appealed to my practical side. Then it quickly became a ritualistic money hole.

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JayWantsACat
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could also split the difference and buy a double edge razor, where you just need to replace the blades, which are cheap.

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#37

A $5 pair of sneakers is not a deal, no matter what your wallet says.

Maybe consider them if you only need shoes for another month...

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gas station cola
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

$5 isn't gonna be great quality, but most $20-30 shoes are just as good as $100-200 shoes. so don't go to the other extreme either. depends what type of shoe & how much use you'll get out of them. i've been wearing a $30 pair of off-brand converse that i actually got for half price at $15. they've lasted five years & counting, & they're my go-to everyday shoes.

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#38

Where I work, we do price adjustments on products that have gone on sale since the customer purchased them. Most of the time, the refund isn't worth the amount of time, energy, and gas the customer uses driving to the store.

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Little Wonder
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't even imagine making the effort to go get the adjustment. It's on sale now and I bought it last week? Oh well. My bad timing.

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#39

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Steam sales. You think all these games are a great deal, but you end up playing very few of them and proceed to buy new games you would buy anyways. Remember, you didn't save $7.50, you spent $2.50.

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#40

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Stopping at Costco for just one thing because its cheaper than the grocery store. Sure I save 3 dollars on the initial item that I went in to get, but the bill at the till always seems to average 400 bucks.

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Bobert Robertson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol this is dumb. I get that it's easy to spend a fortune at Costco (I love costco) but I regularly go in for a couple things and spend less than $50

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#41

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Cheap legal services.
A good lawyer that takes 3hrs at $300 an hour will do a much better job far cheaper than a shitty lawyer that takes 5hrs at $200 to do the same job.
This is partly why good lawyers are so expensive - because they're cheaper.

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Eric G
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a former lawyer, BS. All it means is that they had their paralegal or secretary prepare everything and they spent less than a half hour on it. They charge that much to pay for the paralegal.

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#42

People overinflate the hell out of their tires to get better gas mileage, then have to spend much more to get new tires when they wear out far sooner.

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Valden
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't mess with air pressure in tires period. Those numbers are not just a suggestion. It may cost you more than just a new set of tires. Does not matter what your dad's nephew's uncle's hairdresser's dog's ex roommate said, keep your tires properly inflated. Also the air you put in tires is already 78% nitrogen, don't pay for the other 22%. Edit: Sorry for any confusion. I am referring to paying for 100% nitrogen in your tires.

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#43

"False Frugalities": 45 Examples Of People Trying To Save But Actually Losing Money Rewards points. You are paying for them.

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A. HAM
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not necessarily true. I’ve had a rewards points credit card for 10 years now, and they haven’t gotten a dime out of me. My card carries absolutely no fees, and no interest because I pay it off every month. I get the convenience of paying by card vs cash, and I receive between $200 - $400 back each year in Amazon gift cards. (I purchase from Amazon anyway, so it’s as good as money in my pocket). If you have the discipline to pay off your credit card every month, you can be the person credit card companies hate.

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#44

Restaurant specials. It's rarely cheaper and it's typically food that is about to go bad and needs to be sold instead of thrown out.

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StrangeOne
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But then people complain when food is thrown out, and if it's still good enough to be consumed without much difference then it's all good.

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#45

Hybrids. Sure, you save $200-$500 dollars a year on gas costs. But every 5-10 years you will have to replace the battery pack, which can go from anywhere from $2,500 to as much as $6,000, especially on some of the new electric cars with larger packs. Not to mention the initial bump in price you pay with most hybrids. You add a small cost for low rolling resistance tires every time you change them.

Furthermore, the so called point of a hybrid car is saving the environment. The materials used in hybrid cars, specifically the batteries and other components that require rare earth elements, not only require more energy, but put out more harmful types of chemicals than traditional processes. The story gets worse if you go with a plug in hybrid, as 60% of wall power comes from coal plants, a less cleaning fuel than gasoline.

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APFLAC
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope nope. In germany alone the charging stations are powered by windmills

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