There is a thrill in finding ways to save money, and for many people, that drives a lifelong pursuit of penny-pinching hacks.
But even I was floored by some of the more ingenious and radical tips on frugality that readers sent my way. Since I shared some of my favorite stories about saving money, my inbox has become a confessional for a kind of thrift that borders on a competitive sport. The tales of creative cost-cutting involves, among other things, an elaborate filing system to save on foil and a water conservation effort that requires a detergent bottle and a steady hand.