Favorite DIY/homemade money saver...

[TNT21]

good recipe for drain cleaner? please share! I am also looking for a good diy wood furniture polish, something that I can rub it in and really get it clean and shiny looking,my piano is in a terrible state.....

Okay so it's not homemade, but I found a great alternative to using harsh expensive chemicals in the bathroom drains...
At menards they have a tool called Zip it. At my store they are in the check out aisles. It's a long plastic wand with barbs on it that you use to clean out the drain. They come two in a pack for like $3. Granted it's not exactly pleasant to see what you pull out, but I haven't bought drain cleaner in years!
I also will put a little baking soda and vinegar down the drain followed by some hot water to keep the pipes clean...

 

[teacup princess]

Not homemade but I'm trying to learn to cut little boys hair. Could easily save me $30-$40 a month. So far we've had an occasional bald spot when the clippers got away from me and a day or two where we decided hats were a great accesory, but I'm learning. If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate it.

 

[pixiewings71]

Would love to get a tried and true laundry detergent recipe!

I make a lot from scratch, but my favorite is granola bars. So easy, and delicious, kids gobble them up!

My DH is a woodworker and very handy, so that has saved us thousands on home repairs and improvements.

1 bar of Fels Neptha, grated
1 cup of washing soda (NOT baking soda, washing soda can be found in the laundry aisle)
1 cup of Borax
Mix well, put in an airtight 32 oz container, use 1 tablespoon per load.

I make this taco seasoning recipe. There's a ton out there but we tweaked this one to our family.

Homemade Taco Seasoning:
2 parts chili Powder
2 parts cumin
2 parts onion powder
2 parts garlic powder
1 part crushed red pepper
1 part paprika


There's lots of other DIY recipes here that I want to try but haven't had time:

http://selfreliancebyjamie.blogspot.com/2011/08/tis-seasonings.html

Thank YOU!!! I've been wanting to make my own for the longest time but kept forgetting to search for a recipe! This is perfect!!

 

[Pigeon]

Not homemade but I'm trying to learn to cut little boys hair. Could easily save me $30-$40 a month. So far we've had an occasional bald spot when the clippers got away from me and a day or two where we decided hats were a great accesory, but I'm learning. If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate it.

My MIL was a penny pincher, and insisted on giving haircuts to her sons and any other slow moving male relatives who didn't get out of the way fast enough. The problem is, she was terrible at it and refused to read any books on the subject or look for help.

My husband and his brothers often went to school with their scalps strategically colored in with crayons.

 

[abcboys]

Not homemade but I'm trying to learn to cut little boys hair. Could easily save me $30-$40 a month. So far we've had an occasional bald spot when the clippers got away from me and a day or two where we decided hats were a great accesory, but I'm learning. If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate it.

This is just what I was getting ready to post that I do to save money. I cut my younger 2 boys hair at home. We probably save over $100/year. Most of the time the oldest still goes to the barber cause he is older and a little more picky. DH cuts his own hair in the summer. I don't really have any tips but I do think I have gotten a lot better the more I do it. The key for me is to cut off a little at a time and do more as needed. You can always cut off more but can never take it back! You can probably look up a tutorial on youtube. One thing I've learned after the first time or 2 is not to cut their bangs with the clippers! They end up too short...unless they like that. My middle DS cried and cried when I did that. Now I do bangs with scissors only.

I sometimes try to do my own household repairs but it takes me FOREVER to research stuff and try to figure out how to do it and DH is really no better than me. I fixed my dryer a few years ago with the help of my dad. I probably spent HOURS though looking up possible problems and how to fix it etc. I tried to tear into my dishwasher a few months ago but got frustrated and ended up calling a repair guy. I know NOTHING about fixing cars. I would probably spend 10 hours trying to fix something that someone else could do in 15 minutes.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

anyone got cat treat recipies? my cats need some new goodies! they dont like pumpkin but will eat most anything else.

 

[lttlmc3]

Lots of good ideas! Subbing!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I use various doughs based on what else I am making that particular week.

Lately I have been using Bobby Flay's Pizza dough

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/pizza-dough-recipe/index.html

Then I vary the fillings

One week it was pizzay with a TBSP of sauce cooked ground beef and mozzarella cheese or just pepperoni and the stuff

Last week it was Ham and cheddar.

I have also used turkey broccoli and cheddar with a bit of Mayo mixed in because that one gets a bit dry.
I love these because really it's just using up leftovers into a pocket and he'll eat it! - I bake at 400 just until they start to lightly brown.

One and I forgot another one! Homemade Pizza lunchables!

I use the Bobby flay dough- roll it out into a rectangle- bake and then cute into 8 big squares. Freeze each one individually. Package up little sauce and cheese (I use tiny tupperwares) Just take one out in the morning pop it into a lunch box. I wasn't sure how those would go over but the boys loved them and their friends all want the "recipe!" how cute is that!

Thanks for bagel recipe! I am going to try that!

Thank-you, I'm definitely going to try that!

 

[pjlla]

1 bar of Fels Neptha, grated
1 cup of washing soda (NOT baking soda, washing soda can be found in the laundry aisle)
1 cup of Borax
Mix well, put in an airtight 32 oz container, use 1 tablespoon per load.

Any idea how well this works with cold water? I've been thinking for a long time about making my own detergent and finally decided to try it. I was planning to make liquid, but would love an easier, less messy approach with the dry. But I wash EVERYTHING in cold water and am concerned about whether this will dissolve properly. TIA......................P

 

[pixiewings71]

Any idea how well this works with cold water? I've been thinking for a long time about making my own detergent and finally decided to try it. I was planning to make liquid, but would love an easier, less messy approach with the dry. But I wash EVERYTHING in cold water and am concerned about whether this will dissolve properly. TIA......................P

I only use cold water to wash my clothes...well everything really (I don't use warm or hot water for washing), I've been using this recipe for 2 years now and haven't had any problems. No spotting, no staining, clothes are clean as they are when I use Tide. I have some Tide left from before I started making that recipe, I use it for washing when I run out of my detergent, I honestly can't tell the difference except for the scent.

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

Not homemade but I'm trying to learn to cut little boys hair. Could easily save me $30-$40 a month. So far we've had an occasional bald spot when the clippers got away from me and a day or two where we decided hats were a great accesory, but I'm learning. If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate it.

I bought a kit from Meijer that was around 20 bucks that has guards that fit over the clippers and a special attachment for around the ears. Also came with scissors and a comb. I saved money on the first round of haircuts. I do my two little boys, my husband and my dd. It has a chart with the kit too... There were several kits all in the 20 to 30 range. I was so sick of spending 30/ 50 a month on haircuts, when they were just getting a buzz most of the time anyway! my DD's bangs I have done in the shop every 3 rd time to keep them even, then I just trim them up in between. I cannot do my own hair tho, and I WONT let my hubby to it!

 

[stacielee]

Any idea how well this works with cold water? I've been thinking for a long time about making my own detergent and finally decided to try it. I was planning to make liquid, but would love an easier, less messy approach with the dry. But I wash EVERYTHING in cold water and am concerned about whether this will dissolve properly. TIA......................P

I only use cold water to wash my clothes...well everything really (I don't use warm or hot water for washing), I've been using this recipe for 2 years now and haven't had any problems. No spotting, no staining, clothes are clean as they are when I use Tide. I have some Tide left from before I started making that recipe, I use it for washing when I run out of my detergent, I honestly can't tell the difference except for the scent.

Same here! Only wash in cold, no problems whatsoever with the detergent dissolving. And supposedly if you have a front load washer, powder is better because it doesn't make it stinky! Since not using liquid, no smell at all!!

 

[3pletprincesses]

My contribution for this thread is baby wipes. My DD was always having infections that no antbiotic or cream could clear until I started doing baby wipes again. I did it for the triplets which saved me tons and now doing it for this one too.

I 'll have to try the soap detergent. Never thought of doing it at home and god knows that laundry dertergent is money down the drain litterally when you have a family of 6LOL Anyone tried using it on cloth diapers?

 

[pocomom]

Any idea how well this works with cold water? I've been thinking for a long time about making my own detergent and finally decided to try it. I was planning to make liquid, but would love an easier, less messy approach with the dry. But I wash EVERYTHING in cold water and am concerned about whether this will dissolve properly. TIA......................P

I make a liquid version in my HE machine, mainly because it has the liquid dispenser built in. Tiny bit of Dawn instead of the grated soap. washing soda, borax and water, and I addded a little essential oil blend for scent. I do throw extra borax + washing soda in for a bad load occassionally, and I have never had a problem. I use cold as well. Also I'm using a little vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser sometimes. The clothes don't smell like vinegar at all but they are softer and the machine doesn't get the funky odor that HE machines get sometimes.

 

[pocomom]

My contribution for this thread is baby wipes. My DD was always having infections that no antbiotic or cream could clear until I started doing baby wipes again. I did it for the triplets which saved me tons and now doing it for this one too.

I 'll have to try the soap detergent. Never thought of doing it at home and god knows that laundry dertergent is money down the drain litterally when you have a family of 6LOL Anyone tried using it on cloth diapers?

Baby wipes are a HUGE money saver. I probably make half my own and use half store bought now. With three kids I have probably saved thousands. Keep a baggie of them in my purse still for easier on the road cleanups. I did the same with diapering for the first some cloth, pampers for when we were out/traveling etc., but then there was a drought in our area and I wasn't sure if it was actually better for the environment under those circumstances....second baby was Pampers all the way, and then I did some cloth diapering with my youngest much better for his sensitive skin, but once he was on the move we switched back. The only problem I had with the cloth diapering is I was always uncomfortable with washing them in the washing machine... I know I'm looney, but I just always was wondering if I was getting the machine all the way clean after.... even when the kids potty trained if they had a serious accident I always just throw the undies out... guess I'm a bit of a germaphobe.

 

[pocomom]

Not homemade but I'm trying to learn to cut little boys hair. Could easily save me $30-$40 a month. So far we've had an occasional bald spot when the clippers got away from me and a day or two where we decided hats were a great accesory, but I'm learning. If anyone has any tips I'd appreciate it.

I do my husband and my son's but I had to give up on my daughter's when she was 2 because she had THICK hair I couldn't get even- My son's is curly and he wears it long, so it hides a lot of imperfections. DH's is easy he just likes a size 3 all around so I snap on the attachment, quick buzz, then clean up his neck with a beard trimmer that gets in a little tighter, never any problems I do his every 2 weeks. Even at a cheap place we would spend hundreds a year (and for him more importantly, a lot of time) otherwise.

 

[auntmeme7577]

I've used a homemade fabric softener for 5 years
Empty a cheap bottle of hair conditioner, like 89 cent VO5, into an empty gallon container, add about a half gallon of white vinegar and fill the rest with hot water.
Close the top and shake to blend it. Use exactly as you would any liquid fabric softener for a fraction of the price.

 

[tampabrat22]

1 bar of Fels Neptha, grated
1 cup of washing soda (NOT baking soda, washing soda can be found in the laundry aisle)
1 cup of Borax
Mix well, put in an airtight 32 oz container, use 1 tablespoon per load.

This is the recipe I have have been using for about 2 years now. My daughter is a swimmer and we go through so much laundry & towels with 5 people in our house. I was spending about $40-80 a month on just laundry products. Now I spend less than $2 a gallon! Twice a year we make 10 gallons of soap and use a half cup for each load. I have a HE front loader and have never had any residue on our clothes and it does not fade the colors.

You can purchase all the ingredients and try it for less than $12 so there is not much to lose. Test it on old towels or rags if you are worried. We are saving a minimum of $500 a year so it's possibly one of the smartest $$ savers we have ever done!

 

[mrsklamc]

We fixed the shocks on our washing machine- new ones for under $20 on amazon and a youtube video. You can find them for many kinds of appliance repairs.

 

[michelleh1]

This is the recipe I have have been using for about 2 years now. Twice a year we make 10 gallons of soap and use a half cup for each load.

Are you adding water or something else to the recipe? 1 T versus 1/2 cup is a big difference in the amount being used. Thanks!