Based on the response to the "A Complete Waste of Money" thread, here's the complementary version.

My spouse and I have brainstormed a partial list:

Craigslist

Goodwill

Garage sales

DIY: yard, home, cooking, car maintenance

Surfboard repair

Home gym

Craigslist and Goodwill have saved us thousands of dollars, and I don't think I'll ever go to a retail furniture store ever again.

Our daughter was pretty much raised on Goodwill & garage sales. She was a teenager before she realized that the clothes at Ross Dress For Less would fit her too.

I've always been thankful for the DIY skills that I learned in the Navy, but now it's much easier to pick them up at websites like Family Handyman or at classes from Lowes & Home Depot.

Believe it or not you can find plenty of websites on surfboard repair, too.

I'm still a little ambivalent on the home gym. On one hand, you don't need fancy equipment to work out. On the other hand, everyone puts their fancy equipment at the curb for bulk pickup, so it's not hard to equip a gym. I sometimes enjoy going to a base gym with its newer equipment and lots of shared misery, but spouse enjoys sweating at home where she doesn't have to worry about dressing up or loud TVs.

What else can you add to the list?

Totally worth the money:

1. home gym son uses this alot to stay in shape.

2. pressure cooker saves me time and money

3. HE washer and dryer has paid for itself in electric bill and water bill savings alone.

My FoodSaver, I am on the second one.  Use it all the time.

Yard Sales, find all sorts of things for bargain prices.

Black Friday fabric sales, get new fabric for pennies on the dollar, using the sales and coupons.

Farmers Markets, fresh, local food, for the same price or even cheaper than stores.

My own home, no more rent, instead I am building equity.  I am responsible for repairs, taxes, and insurance, but I can paint what I want, remodel when I want too, and no nosey inspections from landlords.  Gives me peace of mind, which is invaluable.

Habitat ReStore!

We have used this for almost all of our home DIY projects, large & small

Canning supplies, jars, canner, jar lifter.  Save money on food, we eat healthier. Babs

Here we go:

http://the-military-guide.com/2012/03/12/completely-worth-the-money/

My crockpots - countless easy dinners ready when we get home from work! (and everyone represents a fast food or restraurant bill avoided!)

My bedroom furniture. I bought it through Craigslist and I just love it! It is an Ethan Allen solid maple set and it provides me with more storage space in my small house. It is sturdy and beautiful.

My flat screen TV. I never go to the movies anymore. I don't watch a lot of TV, but it's still worth it.

My crockpots. I am an early bird and I get tired in the afternoon when it is time to cook. I only eat meals out a few times a year. So being able to put on the crockpot early in the day is very helpful to me.

My used cast iron skillet. It is so versatile and better than non-stick.

My book "The Complete Tightwad Gazette". It totally changed my relationship with money.

 

 

I can tell that I need to re-acquaint myself with our crockpot!

I think we've "upgraded" every piece of furniture in our house from Craigslist. It's particularly impressive to see how many TV wall units are on the market now that they can't hold a large-screen TV. They still have plenty of life in them for other objects.

I still re-read "Tightwad Gazette". I'm going to have to work up a post on "old-school frugal" for those who may just possibly be a bit too young to have heard of Amy, Joe Dominguez, Paul Terhorst, and Dolly Freer...

I must have read "The Complete Tightwad Gazette" four times already. I think it's time to dust it off and read it again.