Best painless "stretching things" budget tips?

[chickflick]

Home with a back ache, and found this thread--thanks for bringing it to the front of the budget board list.
One thing I've been doing is checking out garage sales and thrift stores for like new items, books and brand name labeled items--stashing for christmas for my DD.
Also using pumpkin puree(instead of oil) in my cake mixes for "homemade muffins" and adding a little flax seed, nuts and wheat germ to "bump" up the nutrional value, instead of putting store bought snacks in lunch boxes(have lots of mixes, because of sales)
Only on page 10, so I'm going back to reading, I'll see if I can add more as the day goes on.
Thanks again,
- chickflick

 

[X and G's mom]

For all of those that are starting to see those pesty Asian beetles/ladybugs. I used to use bug spray, but then my mom told me to put a small amount of dish soap with lots of water into a squirt bottle. Spray the beetles and they die instantly. It really works!

 

[minnie1928]

Last night I hosted a children's clothing swap. Everyone that "donated" clothing earned points based on how much they brought. Then they were able to shop using those points earned. Everyone left with clothing that was "new to them" and it didn't cost a cent. Our leftovers are being donated, so it's a win-win situation all the way around.

 

[semo233]

Home with a back ache, and found this thread--thanks for bringing it to the front of the budget board list.
One thing I've been doing is checking out garage sales and thrift stores for like new items, books and brand name labeled items--stashing for christmas for my DD.
Also using pumpkin puree(instead of oil) in my cake mixes for "homemade muffins" and adding a little flax seed, nuts and wheat germ to "bump" up the nutrional value, instead of putting store bought snacks in lunch boxes(have lots of mixes, because of sales)
Only on page 10, so I'm going back to reading, I'll see if I can add more as the day goes on.
Thanks again,
- chickflick

FYI: heat kills the nutritional value in flaxseeds and they cannot be digested whole....you need to grind them to get the benefits

 

[chickflick]

FYI: heat kills the nutritional value in flaxseeds and they cannot be digested whole....you need to grind them to get the benefits

Thanks so much, yep, they are the ground flax by Bob's Red Mill! Thanks though for the info, and if you've got other easy, inexpensive nutritional tips...I would love you to post them, my DD is a bit of picky eater--I'm trying lots of suggestions here--but I'm only to pg. 32, this is a monster of a thread--but soooo worth the time and money savings, everyone is so kind and encouraging.

 

[ticktock]

This is not a new idea but it might help some. A great hamburger substitute is Textured Vegetable Protein, also known as TVP. It's made from soya flour. It has no cholesterol and is an excellent source of fiber and of course protein. I buy mine at a bulk food store but of course a health food store would likely carry it too. Just pour a cup of boiling water over a scant cup of TVP, let it sit for about 10 minutes and use in your favourite casserole, stew etc. It looks just like 1 pound of browned hamburger and if you don't tell your family or anyone at the pot luck dinner, they would never guess. I've had friends insist there was hamburger in the casserole I brought. Of course you must let your vegetarian friends at the pot luck know, to give them more options. It's a lot cheaper than hamburger, and good for you too.

PLEASE tell everyone that you put soy in your casserole. Many people are allergic to it. By the way it is not as healthy as the people selling it to you claim.

 

[happycampers]

FYI: heat kills the nutritional value in flaxseeds and they cannot be digested whole....you need to grind them to get the benefits

Ground flaxseeds should be fine in baked goods. It appears that it's the flaxseed oil that breaks down and looses nutritional value when heated.

This site mentions the flaxseed oil issue and also recommends using it in baked goods:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/di...ng&tier=1&id=C74B54A9ECE34A038F7F8AB33775291A

The flax council of Canada also recommends using it in baked goods:
http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.jsp?p=recipes1&mp=recipes

WebMD and The Mayo Clinc suggest using it in baked goods as well.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed?page=3
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/AN01258

 

[pampam]

PLEASE tell everyone that you put soy in your casserole. Many people are allergic to it. By the way it is not as healthy as the people selling it to you claim.

That is a good reminder. I always label everything I take to a pot luck. I have plastic plant pokes I write on and insert them into the casserole or whatever. Today people are so sensitive to so many things so I always let people know if there is nuts, soy, low fat, sugar free or whatever. The exception is a weekly pot luck we go to with the same people we know quite well. The jury is still out on soy vs. meat, but since this is a budget thread, I thought I'd include it.

 

[Malisa]

This is an awesome thread and I'm pritty sure I've just spent 4+ reading this over two days. Haha luckily I'm finished now and can get back to studying.

 

[quantumottle]

subbing

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

I'm too dang lazy to read everything, so sorry if this is a repeat!!

I use cloth napkins

I refill hand soap containers, shampoo bottles, cereal tupperware containers with off brands from Aldis.

I shop at Savers and Goodwill, donate and get coupons toward your purchases!

I'm on a coupon train!

 

[crispychicky]

Just remembered another one while cleaning my car...

When your windshield wipers start to not work so well, instead of replacing them, just pour a little straight ammonia on a paper towel and wipe both sides of your wiper blades until no more black stuff comes off on the paper towel.

Of course, if your wiper blades are actually cracked, they need replacing. Oils from the road build up on the blades making them not wipe so well. (Picture all the spray from other cars on your ws while highway driving in the rain.)

You extend the life of wiper blades a lot longer this way. You will see the difference, it's amazing! Not only saves $ but less trash for environment too.

eta: Windex works ok in a pinch but ammonia works best and is cheaper.

My wiper blades were getting really streaky. I was about to replace them when I stumbled on your post. I tried the amonia trick and it made a HUGE difference!!! Thanks SO much for posting this!!

Awesome thread!

 

[semo233]

Ground flaxseeds should be fine in baked goods. It appears that it's the flaxseed oil that breaks down and looses nutritional value when heated.

This site mentions the flaxseed oil issue and also recommends using it in baked goods:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/di...ng&tier=1&id=C74B54A9ECE34A038F7F8AB33775291A

The flax council of Canada also recommends using it in baked goods:
http://www.flaxcouncil.ca/english/index.jsp?p=recipes1&mp=recipes

WebMD and The Mayo Clinc suggest using it in baked goods as well.
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed?page=3
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/AN01258

I read the articles you attached. It doesn't make sense to me though.....the oil is IN the seeds, so even if you included whole seeds (or ground) into a dish that you bake, the oil within the seeds still gets hot and spoils (loses the nutrients).
Am I missing something?

 

[happycampers]

I read the articles you attached. It doesn't make sense to me though.....the oil is IN the seeds, so even if you included whole seeds (or ground) into a dish that you bake, the oil within the seeds still gets hot and spoils (loses the nutrients).
Am I missing something?

I wondered the same thing. Perhaps it has something to do with the concentration of only oil without the fibrous parts?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My wiper blades were getting really streaky. I was about to replace them when I stumbled on your post. I tried the amonia trick and it made a HUGE difference!!! Thanks SO much for posting this!!

Awesome thread!

Yay! So glad it helped!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I started making my own laundry detergent. Surprisingly fast and easy to do. It's no Tide, but I've never had a pretreated stain not come out.

I stopped buying most paper and plastic products. I did this more to save the environment than money, but it has both perks. Tupperware instead of baggies, cloth napkins instead of paper, etc.

I stopped using the heated dry cycle on the dishwasher.

Vinegar has a TON of uses http://www.vinegartips.com/ I use it instead of fabric softener.

Thanks for the vinegar website!!

 

[chickflick]

Just stopped in at my local Value World today, and am well on my way to a "frugal" WDW trip--2 WDW shirts for DD(one had a tag from AK) and 1 Mermaid mug--$4.49 and 2 board games in shrink wrap, put away for Christmas--so my tip is check out thrift stores for gifts and upcoming "souvenirs" to take with you

 

[chickflick]

Mixing coffee with chicory! It really stretches your coffee and gives you a very smooth, yet full-bodied drink. Never thought I would like it, but I did!!
Also....this is kind of gross....but last week I forgot to get new coffee filters and ended up washing out and reusing the same (paper) filter for 3 days!! I figured even if the coffee was gross, it would still be better than instant! It actually made no difference to the taste!
So it is possible to reuse those paper filters, if you want to be extremely frugal

Gonna try this one! Where do you by chicory though?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Mixing coffee with chicory! It really stretches your coffee and gives you a very smooth, yet full-bodied drink. Never thought I would like it, but I did!!
Also....this is kind of gross....but last week I forgot to get new coffee filters and ended up washing out and reusing the same (paper) filter for 3 days!! I figured even if the coffee was gross, it would still be better than instant! It actually made no difference to the taste!
So it is possible to reuse those paper filters, if you want to be extremely frugal

You can also buy a reusable filter. It's a fine mesh and makes great coffee and lasts for years. Our last 2 Mr. Coffee makers came with a permanant filter. Also better for the environment.

 

[pampam]

I used to use a permanent filter, but then I learned that the paper was supposed to be better for us. It supposedly filters out some chemical or something better, so I switched back to paper. I still have the permanent one though, in case things get too bad and I can't afford to buy paper. It's good to know I can wash out the paper ones too.