BYO Popcorn

Save! Potentially $8 per movie trip. That's a savings of $96 a year assuming 1 movie a month for an average moviegoer.

The long and the short of it

BYO popcorn!

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Popcorn prices are just ridiculous. It's mark up is probably... oh... about 1000000%. 

Seriously! Have you ever checked out how much one packet of dry unpopped corn kernels cost? Even the super bloody atas brand kind in atas supermarket cost only $5.80 for a box of 4 servings!

If you pop the corn yourself from scratch then the mark up just becomes ridiculous.

So if you have a microwave, learn how to pop your own corn and BYO. You have a bag right? Use it. Be a ninja!!!!!

 

Recipes:

- http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_popcorn/

- http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/perfect-popcorn-recipe.html

(I love Alton Brown!)

- http://www.recipegirl.com/2011/10/13/how-to-pop-popcorn-on-the-stove/

(You don't even need a freaking microwave to pop corn but ok lah not as convenient.)

BYO Mug Kopitiam version

Save! About $1 per meal which works out to an average of $288 a year assuming 6 meals a week that you eat out at a coffeeshop or hawker.

The long and the short of it

BYO drinks or make your  own kopi / teh in the office or at home!

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Another simple no brainer though I suspect many will find this hard to do.
BYO drinks to your meals. It's simple and so obvious.

Every coffeeshop owner will run the drinks stall. You know why? Because that stall's profit margins are the highest! Ever thought about the cost price of that coca-cola can drink? I betcha it's probably $0.20 or less! The mark-ups are mad.

So save your wallet from being gutted. BYO drink or even better, drink plain tap water (bottled water does not count and is equally wasteful!)

If you need to have your caffeine fix, BYO to the office and have your beverage back at your desk. It's still way cheaper. The cost savings really builds up.
An example is fellow money saver AK from ASSI who's saved an amazing $9,216 over 16yrs! (His How I earned $9,216 with a mug? article) He's one committed fella!

Now why did I say many will find this hard to do? Because of peer pressure. When everyone buys a drink with their meal you will feel pressured. Resist! Persevere!

BYO Cup @ Starbucks

Save! - About $26/yr if you drink Starbucks once a week

The long and the short of it

BYO cup to get your caffeine fix at Starbucks

Local tip!

If you drink, put a mug in your car. If not, use your tumbler if you have one.

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This is a simple money saver. You get $0.50 off if you use your own mug at Starbucks. 

50 cents might seem measly but every penny counts. Money saved is money earned.

And this saving racks up. We're talking $26/yr if you just drink 1 cup a week. If you're a caffeine fiend, you'll save loads more. 

So just BYO mug! Especially useful if you drive (just keep the mug in the car) or have a Starbucks within walking distance from your office and wash your mug in their toilet using their soap from the soap dispenser afterwards. 

Helps save the Earth too! (Though this might be tokenism at work here. Not sure. Whatever floats your boat and tricks you into doing the BYO mug can already.)

Added cheapskate tip! 

Make sure your mug is at least the correct cup size so you won't get shortchanged on the amount of your drink!