Best painless "stretching things" budget tips?

[pixiemel]

I cut Brillo or soap pads into eighths (or more), that way a whole one doesn't get ruined for just one use. A box of them lasts much longer now. Doing this also sharpens your scissors!

 

[reginaastralis]

We have the kids come up with a few entertainment choices that require no money, like watching a double feature of the Princess Diaries movies (already owned), painting toenails and popping popcorn. Going for bike rides, playing tennis, making dinner in our fire pit (with food we already have) are all ideas they've had. I usually pull out craft or science kits that have been forgotten about. I don't hear much whining about what they can't have. They really get into the whole challenge mindset.

I really REALLY like this idea! I think I am going to start doing this with my daughter. I know she will get a kick out of it. We already frequent our local parks A LOT, so it'll be fun to come up with new free things for us.

 

[reginaastralis]

Wow, this is a great thread! I spent some of the day, off and on, going over this thread.

 

[semo233]

bump

 

[Chicklogic]

I just made a months worth of meals for $150! All set to go and I have all "sides" in-house too! Now all I need to get are bread,eggs milk and small odds and ends for the month

BTW.....I made "mostly" healthy and lower fat foods with a veg or fruit at every meal; Albertson's had great deals on meat ~ I bought 52# OF MEAT(boness skinless chix,porkchops,fresh sausage,babyback ribs, NY strip) plus all the "fixin's" for that $150!

 

[Kimberly Hill]

::bump::

 

[Donnainnj]

I cut Brillo or soap pads into eighths (or more), that way a whole one doesn't get ruined for just one use. A box of them lasts much longer now. Doing this also sharpens your scissors!

I don't do this, but I do put the used Brillo/SOS in the freezer in a sandwich bag. I can take it out and use it over and over without it getting rusty.
Donna

 

[abish19]

pampam - I second your idea of using Crisco as a face cream! My grandmother used it her her entire adult life and always had the most beautiful skin...

It's inexpensive, but it sure seems to do the trick! And it takes the smallest amount to cover your whole face.

If this seems distasteful, just look at the ingredient list of more expensive creams and you'll see that it's (basically) just various oils.

I LOVE this thread!

 

[pampam]

Something else I do is stir instant coffee crystals into my shampoo. When I shampoo, I leave the shampoo sitting on my hair for a while, and my grey hair is not so noticable. It doesn't cover the grey completely but it helps the grey to blend in with my brown hair. It's not permanent, but is something like a tint.

 

[bear74]

Something else I do is stir instant coffee crystals into my shampoo. When I shampoo, I leave the shampoo sitting on my hair for a while, and my grey hair is not so noticable. It doesn't cover the grey completely but it helps the grey to blend in with my brown hair. It's not permanent, but is something like a tint.

wow interesting

 

[Patti_C]

I've never heard of that. Does your hair smell like coffee? I'm not making a joke either just curious if I should try it.

 

[SGMCO]

Something else I do is stir instant coffee crystals into my shampoo. When I shampoo, I leave the shampoo sitting on my hair for a while, and my grey hair is not so noticable. It doesn't cover the grey completely but it helps the grey to blend in with my brown hair. It's not permanent, but is something like a tint.

I wonder if this would work with used coffee grounds?
also how acidic is it on your hair?

 

[Grendalynn]

Not so much stretching something, but it does stretch our budget! DH and I spent $160 on Sunday and have our freezer stocked with 9 lbs of Ground Beef, 5 lbs of Pork Chops, 5 lbs of Boneless Chicken, Enough steak for 2+ meals, also got 4 boxes of Capri Suns, Huge quantities of Snacks for lunches, huge bags of chips, 2 Cases of Gatorade and Seltzer Water, a huge box of go-gurts, 30 pack of hot dogs, double pack of Bologna, tripple box of cereal, laundry soap for 110 loads of laundry, 2 jumbo boxes of dryers sheets, 3 lbs of ketschup, case of dog food, and a few other thinsg I cannot remember. I will still have to pick up a few things like Milk, bread or fresh fruit, a few veggies - but all in all - i wont have to do any real grocery shopping for a few weeks! I used to spend $150 a week - now we will go to Sam Club once a month! Not too shabby!

 

[tzolkin]

Home made pasta sauce is cheaper....but much more labor intensive! My sauce costs only a few dollars to make but takes me 6 hours.......

I know this post was from a few months ago, but it made me think of my family. I have eaten homemade sauce my whole life and my grandma will start making it in the morning (my mom a few hours before dinner).

If I'm just making sauce (no meatballs or sausage or anything) I don't start it until I put my pasta water on to boil (or whatever else I'm using sauce for). It only takes me about 5 minutes of work and then it just cooks for the amount of time it takes to have the rest of the meal ready. I learned to cook from them and use the same "recipies" (don't actually measure anything), but I just never cook as long as they do. I figure I'm saving by not running the gas on low for hours and fortunately my DH prefers my cooking.

 

[Califgirl]

pampam - I second your idea of using Crisco as a face cream! My grandmother used it her her entire adult life and always had the most beautiful skin...

It's inexpensive, but it sure seems to do the trick! And it takes the smallest amount to cover your whole face.

If this seems distasteful, just look at the ingredient list of more expensive creams and you'll see that it's (basically) just various oils.

I LOVE this thread!

This is a great tip! If you want a little added benefit, go to the health food store and get a small bottle of Lavender essential oil, or geranium essential oil and add a FEW drops to the crisco. try to mix it in. Now it's even better than the most expensive face cream!
(btw, my DMIL who has the most beautiful skin, uses olive oil on her skin.)

 

[Tigge50447]

Love all the ideas.

I save containers like peanut butter and mayo contains that are plastic with plastic tops, clean them out and use them to store my son's small toys like star wars accessories, small bouncy balls etc. Keeps his stuff more organized and I didn't have to buy special containers.

I found out our library has a magazine exchange you can bring in your old magazines and get different ones. I haven't done this yet but plan on bringing my old magazines there instead of throwing them out.

I always thought I'd like to start a toy, clothes, book swap at our school. Bring in 5 items and take 5 items. I was able to take part in a book swap for kids once it was fun.

 

[pampam]

I've never heard of that. Does your hair smell like coffee? I'm not making a joke either just curious if I should try it.

Now and again, I will get a whiff of coffee. I don't think there is much of a smell, however, because I have never told my husband what I am doing, and he has a very sensitive nose. He has never remarked about the smell of my hair. Of course, I rinse my hair after shampooing. I just let the shampoo stay on my hair for a while, before shampooing.

As for the acidiity, it hasn't harmed my hair. As a matter of fact, I also rinse my hair with a strong tea made from flax, rosemary and very strong brewed coffee. My hairdresser noticed right away how thick my hair was and so much longer. Rosemary and flax are very good for the hair to help it grow. I brewed this tea in the coffee to give more colour to my hair. Rosemary and flax tea will also tint the hair.

 

[B&Bforever]

Thanks

 

[Chickysmom]

We watch for sales on meat at grocery stores that have a meat counter. We then ask them to bag and wrap the packages the way we plan on using them. This saves coming home and spending time seperating meat and repackaging into baggies or whatever. Our local Albertsons is great for wonderful meat sales.....and packages for free!

 

[semo233]

Just waitin' to see if there are other ideas out there!