Cost cutting measures

[LoveDaisy]

Those sound like wonderful gifts!

I've been interested in trying to make my own vanilla but I'd have to order vanilla beans, and I'm worried about ruining it. The candy cane vodka also sounds really good. Do you make full sized bottles of these things and then pour them into smaller bottles for gifting when they're ready?

For the vodka I buy a larger bottle because it is less expensive and then put into smaller bottles to give away. I often use canning jars because I have them.

For the vodka I pour the bottle into a large glass container. I crush mini candy canes and add to vodka. Leave in for 3-4 days and shake a few times a day. If any small pieces remain I strain it.

It is very popular when I bring it‘be given it as gifts.

 

[varsityboyz]

Look out for offers like this.
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[gmi3804]

Since most people I know don't need "things," I make Limoncello every year to give as gifts. It takes almost a month to make.

 

[varsityboyz]

They

Since most people I know don't need "things," I make Limoncello every year to give as gifts. It takes almost a month to make.

View attachment 925945

They look cool!!!

 

[barkley]

so does anyone else track their usage of household products so they can time purchases with predicatble sales? I got into tracking our paper products when they were hard to come by during the pandemic. then I decided to take a sharpie and mark product packaging like my laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs and clorox wipes. I did it for a year and def. saw trends (more use of wipes when we bbq, more dishwasher runs with winter cooking that involves more pots and pans, more laundry runs during the summer with swimsuits and towels...) but I got a pretty good handle on it and can now plan to buy around the predictable quarterly or bi-annual sales we see at target and costco.

 

[Mle8308]

Those sound like wonderful gifts!

I've been interested in trying to make my own vanilla but I'd have to order vanilla beans, and I'm worried about ruining it. The candy cane vodka also sounds really good. Do you make full sized bottles of these things and then pour them into smaller bottles for gifting when they're ready?

I saw a recipe for homemade vanilla extract on Instagram. The person bought the "regular" size bottles of vodka and bourbon (80 proof) and vanilla beans from Amazon. He said to use about 20 beans per bottle, he sliced them on one side and put them in the alcohol. For the first 6 weeks, shake gently each day. Then store in a cool, dry, dark place for 11-12 months. Then put into smaller bottles for gifts! He said it worked out to about $1.50 to $2.00 per bottle. He also said to pour off a shot from each bottle before adding the vanilla beans - a test!

 

[goofytinkerbell]

1

 

[firefly_ris]

I can't remember if I shared this channel already or not, so just in case -- this woman does some extreme budget conscious meal ideas, whether you are looking for ways to reduce your bill or just need to do so out of necessity and only have 20 dollars in your pocket. Variety of ideas that can be modified to suit.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Occasionally I'll watch someone called Frugal Fit Lady or something like that. It's kind of cheesy, but it's not bad if you can get past that. I've never tried any of her shopping ideas. But seems she's got some good ones.

I can't remember if I shared this channel already or not, so just in case -- this woman does some extreme budget conscious meal ideas, whether you are looking for ways to reduce your bill or just need to do so out of necessity and only have 20 dollars in your pocket. Variety of ideas that can be modified to suit.

 

[kathy884]

This might sound pretty extreme, but my son and his husband who want to save up some extra money for an out of state move are moving in with us for 6 months which will save them rent and utility costs. We are fine with them staying with us rent free to help them with their goal. We are the same distance from my son's job as his apartment was and we are closer to our son-in-law's job than their apartment was. The one additional expense they will have is a 10 by 10 storage locker and insurance for that for some larger furniture and their washer and dryer, but there will be a large net savings for them. We can offer them two guest bedrooms, a finished basement for a private hang out area, and some storage space for everything except some larger pieces of furniture.

 

[disneyseniors]

This might sound pretty extreme, but my son and his husband who want to save up some extra money for an out of state move are moving in with us for 6 months which will save them rent and utility costs. We are fine with them staying with us rent free to help them with their goal. We are the same distance from my son's job as his apartment was and we are closer to our son-in-law's job than their apartment was. The one additional expense they will have is a 10 by 10 storage locker and insurance for that for some larger furniture and their washer and dryer, but there will be a large net savings for them. We can offer them two guest bedrooms, a finished basement for a private hang out area, and some storage space for everything except some larger pieces of furniture.

I think it's a great idea to help them out! There is almost no way for young people to save up for a house with the prices so high now. What you are doing will give them a leg up that they couldn't get elsewhere. What a wonderful thing to do

 

[gottalovepluto]

This might sound pretty extreme, but my son and his husband who want to save up some extra money for an out of state move are moving in with us for 6 months which will save them rent and utility costs. We are fine with them staying with us rent free to help them with their goal. We are the same distance from my son's job as his apartment was and we are closer to our son-in-law's job than their apartment was. The one additional expense they will have is a 10 by 10 storage locker and insurance for that for some larger furniture and their washer and dryer, but there will be a large net savings for them. We can offer them two guest bedrooms, a finished basement for a private hang out area, and some storage space for everything except some larger pieces of furniture.

Not extreme, yes smart and kind. I know of parents who let kids move back in for a bit to help them save up for a house. Not all families are tight knit enough to do that nor parents generous enough or financially capable of doing it, your son and his dh are lucky to have you.

 

[barkley]

This might sound pretty extreme, but my son and his husband who want to save up some extra money for an out of state move are moving in with us for 6 months which will save them rent and utility costs. We are fine with them staying with us rent free to help them with their goal. We are the same distance from my son's job as his apartment was and we are closer to our son-in-law's job than their apartment was. The one additional expense they will have is a 10 by 10 storage locker and insurance for that for some larger furniture and their washer and dryer, but there will be a large net savings for them. We can offer them two guest bedrooms, a finished basement for a private hang out area, and some storage space for everything except some larger pieces of furniture.

sounds like a great way to do this. I will pass on a suggestion as someone who has moved from one state to another that may help them in planning their budgeting/saving for the move. well before the move in addition to researching housing costs in the new state-investigate how much car registration/licensing runs, renters (or if buying-homeowners), what utility rates are like as well as the cost for any services you routinely feel need to be a 'basic' part of your life (internet, for some it's gym memberships/pet care....). it can be a tremendous sticker shock and a real eye-opener comparing the costs to what you have come to know as your budgetary 'norm'. for us it was (fortunately) like going back in time and experiencing a much lower cost of living in our new state but if we had moved in reverse we would have found our expenses to be at least 50% higher per month overall and upwards of 400% in individual yearly expenses.