Best painless "stretching things" budget tips?

[Mermaid02]

Anymore ideas??

 

[cajunpeach]

It's not "home" related but it is budget related: I color my hair at home (actually, my husband helps me) .... saves about $40 a month!!!

 

[CobraBubbles]

So far I've bought 2 of 3 ingredients for the homemade soap...I have Fels Naptha and Arm & Hammer Washing powder at my local Meijer (until now I couldn't find the Washing powder at Walmart so yay!). I will go to Walmart to buy the Borax as it's like $1 cheaper there. I keep thinking AHH this is already more than what I pay for laundry detergent (about 3-4 dollars a bottle) but it's going to make a lot more, right?

 

[bear74]

It's not "home" related but it is budget related: I color my hair at home (actually, my husband helps me) .... saves about $40 a month!!!

I do this as well

 

[Mermaid02]

I went to the grocery store today and bought some staples... as well as some meat (package deal) and my goal is to NOT go to the grocery store for at least 3 weeks. If I need milk- I will send my husband (he can actually go in and buy JUST milk- it amazes me!)

Tomorrow my son and I are going to make some laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent.

 

[lisajl]

Question--Do you really save that much by making your own laundry detergent? I am all for saving money but this seems weird to me.
Plus, we have so many allergy issues. I have to buy the All free and clear laundry detergent. When you make detergent at home, can you make it "free and clear"?

 

[SGMCO]

Question--Do you really save that much by making your own laundry detergent? I am all for saving money but this seems weird to me.
Plus, we have so many allergy issues. I have to buy the All free and clear laundry detergent. When you make detergent at home, can you make it "free and clear"?

Yes, I do.
We also have allergy problems and I had to by All Free and Clear.
The Detergent I make has not caused any allergic reaction in our family.
I at first was worried that it would cause an allergic reation so I
just did a small batch of clothes and tested to see if anyone had
any kind of reaction--nothing. So then I started washing more an more
items with my mixture and have had no allergic problems.
I was also doubtful about the money savings at first because you do
have to invest a little bit of money upfront but I have been making
the detergent since 1st of July and the savings have been really noticable.
Plus I don't have to run to the store everytime I run out of detergant,
I just make a new batch. I used to spend at least $10.98 on All per month
and now that is like almost a 6 month supply of my homemade detergent.
I use the ZOTE laundry bar soap I have found it at Walmart and Target.
I have yet to find the Fel Naphta soap but I think it may be at local
Ace Hardware but I am conserned about this soap because it is for
heavy duty washing and may not be a gentle on the skin as the ZOTE.
(which I think is a coconut oil based soap).

 

[lisajl]

Yes, I do.
We also have allergy problems and I had to by All Free and Clear.
The Detergent I make has not caused any allergic reaction in our family.
I at first was worried that it would cause an allergic reation so I
just did a small batch of clothes and tested to see if anyone had
any kind of reaction--nothing. So then I started washing more an more
items with my mixture and have had no allergic problems.
I was also doubtful about the money savings at first because you do
have to invest a little bit of money upfront but I have been making
the detergent since 1st of July and the savings have been really noticable.
Plus I don't have to run to the store everytime I run out of detergant,
I just make a new batch. I used to spend at least $10.98 on All per month
and now that is like almost a 6 month supply of my homemade detergent.
I use the ZOTE laundry bar soap I have found it at Walmart and Target.
I have yet to find the Fel Naphta soap but I think it may be at local
Ace Hardware but I am conserned about this soap because it is for
heavy duty washing and may not be a gentle on the skin as the ZOTE.
(which I think is a coconut oil based soap).

Wow! Thanks for the info...maybe I should try this!
I am all for saving some money.
Lisa

 

[eh24fan]

Believe it or not the clothes still dry in the winter.....even with the snow on the ground. I have had the clothes get caught in a light snow shower this winter....and got a little freaked out....but I let them stay up, until the next day (they were dry by evening) and they seemed exceptionally clean. The cold snow seemed to make them..cleaner?!?..if that's even possible?!? My sisters, mother, and friends think that I have lost my marbles....no one can believe it has gone on this long, but I feel like it is better for my family budget and the environment, too!

I have to note that I didn't stop cold turkey, with the dryer, it was gradual. It does take more effort than throwing the clothes in the dryer. And I HAVE to keep up with the laundry....if I see that we are headed for a snow storm later in the week....you bet that I make sure all the laundry is done before hand!!!

My grandmother has done this for as long as I can remember. We live in Delaware, so we don't get a lot of snow, but it's still COOOLLLLDDDD! Her clothes dry and sometimes freeze a little but they dry.

 

[semo233]

Question--Do you really save that much by making your own laundry detergent? I am all for saving money but this seems weird to me.
Plus, we have so many allergy issues. I have to buy the All free and clear laundry detergent. When you make detergent at home, can you make it "free and clear"?

I like making my own. Store bought laundry detergent is a petroleum product and so is the plastic the liquid comes in. When I make my own, it is better for my septic system and the only ingrdient that involves petroleum is the Fels Naptha soap, though lots less than store bought.

Fels Naptha does not smell great, but after rinsing, you can't smell it at all.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I do not know if this was suggested yet. My grandmother always used crisco for a moisterizer. I have oily skin and if I used that I would be one big zit. I have found that vaseline works wonders. I use it everynight on my face (it is absorbed by morning..use a thin layer) knees, elbows and feet. My skin is soft, wrinkle free and no zits.

 

[sunnyday123]

I do not know if this was suggested yet. My grandmother always used crisco for a moisterizer. I have oily skin and if I used that I would be one big zit. I have found that vaseline works wonders. I use it everynight on my face (it is absorbed by morning..use a thin layer) knees, elbows and feet. My skin is soft, wrinkle free and no zits.

My mom swears by vaseline!!! She said a woman at work told her and this woman was like 60 and looked 40.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My mom swears by vaseline!!! She said a woman at work told her and this woman was like 60 and looked 40.

It's also great for keeping bugs off a carved pumpkin. We smear it on the mouth and eyes of our jackolatern and keeps it from drying out.

 

[bonybroad]

One thing I bought YEARS ago was a foodsaver, basically the vacuum system for food.
I use it a lot.
On December 30, our grocery store realized that they were not going to sell all the pork roasts they had cut for New Years. They cut them all down to pork chops, and sold them for 89cents a pound! I bought 30# of pork chops for $27! These were in 10 pound packages, so I broke down the packages to meal sized for our family, and now I know they won't be yucky from the freezer when we go to eat them in the next few months.
I use it a lot. If you don't mind the initial cost, it can save you when you buy food in bulk.
I know this is a pathetic tip, but I have learned so much, I felt that I had to contribute something!

 

[SGMCO]

I have been trying to go Green because I am conserned about the
environment and have found that it is saving me money:

I invested in the Corningware bowls that are for Baking and
storing food (they come with glass and rubber type lids)
Our local Corningware outlet had 16 piece sets
for 29.99. I bought 2 sets and they are wonderful. I have cut my
use of plastic ziplocs to less than a 1/4. It is better for the
environment. They are safe for oven, healty for heating things in
the mirowave and can go into the freezer (for premaking quick meals).
They are very durable and should last a long time.

I also cut out buying plastic prepackaged water bottles for my DS lunch by
purchasing a Stainless Steel lined water bottle and refilling it.
He loves it. It keeps his water cold all day.
I am also trying to use the hard platic Sandwich holders instead of
always putting the sandwiches in a ziploc bag.
I'm also trying to send him a reusable dishtowel for spreading on the table or
using it as a napkin (instead of sending papertowels).

I also have purchased several of the Eco-grocery bags and am training myself
to bring them with me to the store. Our local store gives us .5 cents per bag
for not having to use the plastic ones. I find these bags are nicer than
the plastic grocery bags, they hold more and are more durable.

So going Green does save money and is good for the Environment.

 

[nancy drew]

One thing I bought YEARS ago was a foodsaver, basically the vacuum system for food.
I use it a lot.
On December 30, our grocery store realized that they were not going to sell all the pork roasts they had cut for New Years. They cut them all down to pork chops, and sold them for 89cents a pound! I bought 30# of pork chops for $27! These were in 10 pound packages, so I broke down the packages to meal sized for our family, and now I know they won't be yucky from the freezer when we go to eat them in the next few months.
I use it a lot. If you don't mind the initial cost, it can save you when you buy food in bulk.
I know this is a pathetic tip, but I have learned so much, I felt that I had to contribute something!

Oh my gosh, I could have written this! I just bought a FoodSaver and am in love!!! I buy meat (usually just chicken, as my kids aren't big meat eaters) on clearance (sold on its "Sell by" date) and freeze it, and now it will last so much longer. Plus I can now cook real meals and freeze single servings, so I have my own "Lean Cuisine" type meals without all the chemicals and other yucky stuff. Its my own good, healthy food ready to be eaten anytime. I used to toss leftovers because my kids wouldn't eat them and I couldn't eat the same food 4 days in a row. Now I can freeze them and save them for days when I don't have time to cook!

 

[Mermaid02]

I like making my own. Store bought laundry detergent is a petroleum product and so is the plastic the liquid comes in. When I make my own, it is better for my septic system and the only ingrdient that involves petroleum is the Fels Naptha soap, though lots less than store bought.

Fels Naptha does not smell great, but after rinsing, you can't smell it at all.

I was surprised that I couldn't smell the soap after I washed my clothes! It's so strong- but there's not a TRACE of it in the finished wash! I will be making all my own detergent from now on. I do have some store bought left- I'm going to give it to my daughter in college.

 

[Mermaid02]

We are almost out of fuel oil. We have a pellet stove- but use the furnace for hot water- this morning while showering I decided to shower like I do in the camper- saving hot water! I don't know why I never thought of this before.

 

[JodyLynC]

Here are my savings. I apologize for duplicates.

1) We hardly use laundry detergent. We use a little detergent as the tub is being filled with water. We sprinkle in baking soda throughout. (add some clothes, sprinkle soda, add clothes, etc). Then we fill our downey ball with white vinegar. This is so great for removing smells!

2) We are now using baking soda for cleaning. My Dh makes a paste of soda and a little water. It cleans everything. We also sprinkle on the carpet before vaccuuming. (I think arm and hammer has a website with more ideas.)

3) Old clothes that can't be sold or donated are cut up to use as cleaning or dusting rags. (Old ripped towels are great for this, too!) Old sheets are cut up and given to the girls to use for their dolls' bedding. Old white sheets can be taken outside in the summer and used as a painting canvas. (Hang over fence or on clothesline.)

4) I use the week's grocery ads to plan meals for the week or stock up on.

5) We have a freezer so I stock up on meats, frozen veggies, pastas, etc. when on sale. I keep pen and paper on the freezer for my inventory. Every time I put something in or take out, I update my list.

6) We have an old bookcase in the garage that we use to keep canned and bottled goods. When these items are on sale, we stock up. This gives me more room in my kitchen pantry to store boxed goods. (crackers, helpers, pasta, cereals, etc.)

7) Take advantage of post-holiday sales. We freeze marked down cookies and cakes. We buy baking bits and candies to make goodies with. (The kids don't care if the M&Ms or bits are only red & green) Don't forget to check post Valentine, Easter, Halloween, etc. We also built up our supply of seasonal decorations this way.

This year we bought a bunch of pricey toys and bath/beauty goods that were heavily reduced. Now we have some birthday gifts for the year at a fraction of the original cost.

We buy next year's clothes at this year's end of summer or end of winter sales.

8) Let your grocer's meat dept slice your meat for you. Ex: We buy pork tenderloin when it is on sale for $1.79 lb and have them slice it. They won't repackage it for you so you will need to get some freezer bags, but the savings is more than worth it. (I usually get a small roast and the rest nice thick chops the way I want it.)

9) When bacon, sausage, and ham is on sale I buy it and freeze it. Then I wait for eggs to go on sale. When they do, I buy a few dozens. Then I go to the bread thrift store to buy reduced muffins or I make biscuits. We use this to make our own breakfast sandwiches. We cook everything up and make up the sandwiches. We wrap each in a sandwich baggie then stuff them in a freezer bag. If the girls want a breakfast sandwich for the next morning, they put take out of the freezer and put in fridge the night before. In the a.m, wrap in damp paper towel and pop in microwave. (I cook for 1 minute. If not hot enough, flip over for another 30 seconds.)

10) We save all butter, sour cream, etc. tubs

11) I take leftovers to work for lunch.

 

[Aubrielle]

Here are two quick and easy tips we have used lately:

1. Don't forget that you can call and negotiate a better price on some of your services. A 5 minute call to our cable company saved us $20 a month. Amazing what a threat to cancel service can bring about.

2. Your power company may provide rebates on energy saving new appliances and other home improvements. They are trying to encourage people to replace old energy-sucking appliances with newer, more efficient ones. Ours offers the following rebates:


$30 on a new Fridge, plus they will haul away and recylce your old one.

$50-100 on a new Washing machine

$50 on a new hot water tank

$3 per sq ft on new windows

$350 on a new furnace

Up to $1600 on replacing insulation

$3 for each CFL bulb