Ways to save money in the herp world ?!

I was just wondering if everyone wouldn't mind sharing their own particular ways of saving money when it comes to taking care of reptiles... ?!? :)

Like for instance, I buy most of my feeder mice/rats at reptile expos so I don't have to pay shipping costs...
I breed dubia roaches so I don't have to worry about buying crickets or anything...
I use plastic storage totes from Walmart and use a wood burning tool to cut out some squares and hot glue in mesh screens for air ventilation to house my geckos in...
I use dollar tree dog bowls as water bowls for most of my larger reptiles...
I use egg cartons and paper towl tubes as little hides for my smaller reptiles...
Hmm. I can't think what else...
... but you get the idea!
Share, share, share!
If you have any ideas of ways to save money when it comes to reptiles, please inform us all :) Thanks!

Make your own hides. Usually everyone has shoe boxes or gift boxes they just throw out. Or you can pick up black one gallon buckets at the dollar store and cut off the bottom 3 or 4 inches, flip it over and cut an access hole. Easy peasy and very cheap.

To REALLY save money, stay as far away as possible from the addictio...errr...hobby, as possible! :D

I raise my own feeders but I don't track the expenses so I don't know that it really saves me anything over a few cents per animal.

I buy f/t in bulk, substrate in bulk, make my own hides / cage furniture / etc. I actually don't end up spending very much at all... Also, I've been able to find some nice screen gecko cages for next to nothing off Craigslist.

Being resourceful and creative with enclosures. Buying in bulk helps save in the long run. Planning ahead is great also.

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