10 Products That Boomed During the Recession

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It KILLS me that people are paying $150 for this machine, and on top of THAT, have to buy a whole new genre/packaging of the actual coffee that goes INTO it....you cannot use "traditionally packaged" ground coffee. I have had my Black & Decker single-cup brewer for going on 13 years, and the coffee just keeps getting better! Plus, I get to use my favorite blend! It has its own reuseable metal filter, so you don't even have to spend money and waste paper on filters. I began to worry about what I would do if and when this baby went belly-up, and lo-and-behold! There it was on B&L's website for the same price as when I bought it: $18.95 + S/H!! Now, that's what I call saving money!

max kelly of FL 10:49PM June 12, 2010

I use baking soda in my fridge to fight odors.
You can make crack with baking soda? Wow!
Who would have thought?

marky mark of CA 8:56AM June 03, 2010

baking soda is used to make crack ....dumba.....It is sad that the drug wars are not a war on drugs but the people and freedom. I will probably go to jail 4 this

i'm sad with our people of GA 5:11PM May 31, 2010

I buy only United States Pharmaceutical quality baking soda since a heavy metal contaminant has been found in most baking soda, including that designated for food use and that put into baking powders. Some I get from the Hulda Clark store online and some from a wholesale supply for candle and soap makers

Mary of GA 10:07AM May 21, 2010

We have always been frugal before it was savvy. We were in a babysitting co-op for years and never paid for a babysitter. We shared coupons and tightwad ideas. We all went camping A LOT! We shared ideas and coupons for our neighborhood. stores. We even all threw in $1 to subscribe to the Tightwad Gazette! All of our kids are in college or on their own and we are still sharing ideas---free summer movies, Dollar store deals etc. Now we feel America has come down to our level. Welcome Aboard!

Rosemary of MO 7:42PM May 03, 2010

Baking Soda and lemons has become my best friend. I save an enormous amount of money every month by using baking soda and lemon juice for all my cleaning needs. Put lemon juice in a spray bottle and sprinkle baking soda on the surface then spritz it with the lemon juice (foaming action), let sit a few minutes and clean as normal, this works better then most expensive cleaners on the market AND its safe to use with no smelly chemicals. You can also use a little baking soda in your shampoo to remove hairspay build up.

Brenda of AZ 9:02PM March 25, 2010

you don't know what "doing without" is until you have lived in a third world country,as i did for five years. then you can really put it in perspective. Examples: cars (of course, not in all cities); prepackaged foods, soft drinks, new clothes and appliances and smartphones.

mary janssen of GA 7:07PM March 25, 2010

Start competing with members of your family on how you could have saved more--make it a game. Listen to each other whether you like it or not. And for goodness sake just have fun with each other. This too shall pass!

Betty Gibbons of OK 4:49PM March 25, 2010

I was brought up in a home where my parents had lived through the great depression. So pinching that penny was second nature. My daily logo is "if you don't need it right now, wait for a sale".
I have virtually cut out using paper towels. Old t-shirts and sweat shirts make great wipe ups, and they can be washed and reused. A holey sock can be used and thrown away.
I am fortunate enough to be able to hang my clothes on the line, inside and out, I haven't used a clothes dryer in 2 years. I am saving energy and money for fuel.
These are small things and I could go on.

Sharon Frederickson of MN 1:18PM March 25, 2010

wow, if people are buying cars, tupperware, monster drinks and the "good quality " food, they aren't really suffering. When they're living on peanut butter and saltines, stop buying any kind of drink and get their containers at the dollar store----that's lowering the budget.

cheryl of WA 1:33PM March 22, 2010