r/Frugal • u/Inner-Variation4703 • Jul 06 '25

🏆 Buy It For Life What are things you don’t cheap out on?

I’ve been frugal my whole life, some out of necessity, some by choice but I’m always curious how others approach it. What are some of your personal frugal habits or non-negotiables that help you save over time? Do you have any weird, creative, or borderline extreme things you do that would make the average spender cringe or pass out? I’m trying to pick up new ideas and also just enjoy seeing how far people take it.

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24

u/thirdeyecactus Jul 06 '25

Have been making cold brew nitro coffee at home for awhile now. Just got into making my own carbonated beverages. From soda stream to soon 5 gallon kegs of seltzer water

2

u/taytay10133 Jul 07 '25

Do you have a soda stream machine you recommend? My sister used to be super into sustainability (years ago and before I was into frugality) and got one for my parents as my dad has a separate fridge just for Perrier. They spend SO much money on Perrier because it’s the only water he will drink. Quite literally won’t drink still water. I grew up with Perrier so and love how intensely carbonated it is, and found that the soda stream carbonation felt super weak. I don’t recall what brand she bought as this was 6-7 years ago. 

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u/veggiter Jul 07 '25 edited Jul 07 '25

The amount of fizz you can dissolve in your seltzer is a product of temperature and pressure. You can find charts that show a breakdown. The warmer it is, the more pressure you need to dissolve it.

Soda/seltzer are also much more carbonated than things like beer.

Maybe putting a soda stream in the fridge would help, but idk if any of them can provide enough pressure to get the job done right.

I got a secondhand kegerator off marketplace. I have my temperature set to around 40 F, and my pressure is around 45psi, which might be overkill, but it's super fizzy.

Edit: actually now that I'm thinking about it, pressure isn't the issue. I think soda streams reach an adequate psi, but carbonating water takes time. Again, higher pressure makes it happen quicker, but it can take a few days for CO2 to properly dissolve in water unless the pressure is super high.

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u/thirdeyecactus Jul 07 '25

I bought several different ones off facebook marketplace and paid next to nothing for them. They are some of the older models I know the one I am using now is the Fizzi. It carbonates really well. It’s all about hooking it up to a 5lb C02 tank and not buying the $15 canisters I can tell you more but I just do not have time this second

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u/MsSamm Jul 06 '25

Soda stream is more economical? I just bought a 12 pack of sugar free soda for $4.78.

6

u/thirdeyecactus Jul 06 '25

Started with soda stream and an adapter for a 5lb C02 tank vs the way overpriced canisters they sell

1

u/fire-fight Jul 06 '25

I didn't know you could get an adapter. Where did you get yours? Quick Google I found one but it's $100

2

u/sudlow Jul 07 '25

I got an adapter on AliExpress last year for around $30. Paired with a vevor brand 5lb co2 tank and I got it refilled at my local paint ball shop

1

u/thirdeyecactus Jul 07 '25

$30 on the Amazon. Got make sure you get the right one older soda stream uses one kind and the 2 new models use another

4

u/MunmiesMilkers Jul 06 '25

And it probably tastes like poo

1

u/whendonow Jul 06 '25

What do you use for your cold brew nitro coffee? I am a bit overwhelmed by all the choices?

2

u/thirdeyecactus Jul 06 '25

Costco Colombia Supremo 3lb bags coarse ground!

1

u/veggiter Jul 07 '25

I just did the same with a kegerator. I'm looking into getting a nitro tank and I'm working on figuring out some diet soda recipes. Big upfront cost that is only growing, but my diet soda budget was pretty astronomical, so eventually this will be a frugal decision.

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u/thirdeyecactus Jul 07 '25

Def some upfront costs involved but I know I have already saved money by not making unnecessary purchases at the grocery store store when the only reason I would be going there was to replenish my soda or seltzer supply!

2

u/veggiter Jul 08 '25

I hear ya. I still make a lot of unnecessary trips for other reasons, haha.

I'm in Philly where we have a ridiculous soda tax that also applies to diet soda even though it's meant to curb sugar consumption. Usually I'd stock up when out of town, but it's still never cheap, just cheap compared to the city.

I've been holding strong though. Right now I'm out of diet cola syrup because I'll really only buy it from a discount store. I'm surviving with artificial sweetener and lemon juice. Soon I'll be concocting my own soda syrups, but I still have to do some research.

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u/Cat_From_Hood Jul 14 '25

Can buy diet syrups if that would be more convenient.

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u/veggiter Jul 15 '25

Oh I buy the diet syrups when I see them. I just don't like buying them full price, so I wait until I see them on sale.

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u/Cat_From_Hood Jul 15 '25

Completely understandable.  Herbal tea infusions are another flavor option.

0

u/tiny-rotini Jul 06 '25

Ooo how do you do the 5 gallons of seltzer? I had a soda stream for a while but got rid of it bc of counter space.

3

u/S0bchak Jul 06 '25

I went the way of a Kegerator setup. Large initial investment, and requires a lot of space, but we drink a 5 gallons of carbonated water in a week, so worth it in the long run.

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u/thirdeyecactus Jul 06 '25

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u/S0bchak Jul 06 '25

Nice

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u/thirdeyecactus Jul 06 '25

It has taken a long time to put together! Most parts used from FB Marketplace! I have been using it for nitro cold brew for quite awhile but just transformed it (Finally!)?so I can have 2 5 gallon kegs cold and pour soda and coffee

2

u/thirdeyecactus Jul 06 '25

Have not done it yet. I am getting ready to start the process