Tell Us Your Tightwad Secrets!!

[TNKBELL]

As we know every penny saved is going for that next Disney adventure!
I thought we could post our secrets that help up us live our dreams!

This tip is from the tightwad gazette.
Cut up fabric softener sheets into fourths, you won't even notice a difference in your laundry. ( I was skeptical, but it's true, we really don't notice a difference.)

Reuse those "unused" swim diapers. As long as the swim diaper has not been soiled it can be washed in the washer and reused. We have done this a few times, those things are crazy expensive.

A spray bottle with warm water(initially just to mix) and a small amount of conditioner(2T) makes a great hair detangler, just be sure to shake it up before you use it each time.

Inexpensive gifts..

Coupons for free babysitting, massages(Dh's Father's Day gift), dinner of choice, (incentives for the Dks). this list could go on and on.

A Spiritual Bouquet a card with flowers that represent prayers that have been said for the recipient.

Homemade goodies...cinnamon rolls, cookies, bread, muffins, ect.

Homemade jewelry, t-shirts(reallly cool designs on the DISigns threads)
We make DM a new sweatshirt every Christmas with all the DKS handprints with thier names and ages in the center of each one. She wears this ALL the time!ect..

Just a few to get the ball rolling.

 

[HelenePA]

I'm all for saving money. I even use 1/2 cloth diapers on my son but I dont know how or why you'd even wash a "unused" swim diaper... why not just let it dry? you mean you acutally wash it in a washer?? doesn't it come apart? and to save money I buy my swim diapers at the end of the season for less than 2.00 a pack.. even less if I can find a coupon... I've gotten them for as little as .50 a pack save those coupons... wait til the end of the season to use them!!

 

[bellebuzzandpooh]

We cut the laundry sheets in half, but I've never done fourths! I might have to scale down to that.

Also, use less of most soap products. I only use 1/2-3/4 of the suggested amount of laundry and dish detergent.

Wash laundry in only cold water.

Hang dry all spring, summer and fall instead of using the dryer!

Use only 1/2-3/4 of the amount of sugar suggested in most recipes. (This is an easy calorie saver too!)

Don't buy flavored tea in bottles. I make my own with 1 regular tea bag and 2 flavored ones. (Mint, orange, mango, ginger, whatever I'm in the mood for.) Steep these in hot water, then mix with cold water and sweeten to taste and you have a yummy iced tea drink for a day or two that only cost a few pennies to make.

 

[megan4777]

I took DD#2 out of her swim diaper, yesterday, and thought, "hmmmmm, I don't think she peed in this at all."

If I knew how to save the stinking things, I would.

My big thing, though, is a gift bin. (We don't have enough closet space for gifts...they go in under the bed storage bins or big storage containers)

I find cheap gifts for our 7 nieces in the clearance or sale section of Target/Barnes and Noble/Toys R US. I refuse to spend more than $10-15/kid and I usually give them at least $30-40 worth of toys/clothes/books.

Oh, we also like to eat out, occasionally, and we sign up for b-day clubs to get free meals.

 

[madge]

Wash laundry in only cold water.

I wash nearly everything in cold water - except socks & underwear. I just feel better washing that stuff in hot water, with all the germs and such.

 

[Smydovro]

Great ideas! Keep 'em coming!

 

[Plantlady]

great ideas.

I too only use 1/2 the amount of laundry detergent.

When baking a casserole, that says to cover with aluminum foil, use an oven proof lid or even a baking pan instead. Very little need to buy aluminum foil.

I use a reel mower for our front lawn. No gas or oil needed. Just my muscles.

Use dishtowels in the kitchen, and reusable rags for the rest of the house, no need for papertowels.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

The Diva cup.

Avoid "convenience" foods as much as possible. You pay for someone else's time in making them and for the packaging. For example, I buy bulk quick-cooking oatmeal, add a little sugar, dried fruit and spices, and divide it into ziplock bags for quick breakfasts. Or make muffins or home-made granola bars to take along for lunches.

We all love to read, so we save money by going to the library very frequently. As a bonus, the library sells used books very cheaply, and I get a lot of gifts for my grandchildren that way. We also borrow DVDs, CDs, and books on CD from the library. It's a great resource.

Since I'm paying for internet anyway, I do as much online as I can - pay bills, book Disney trips, etc. No point in paying for long distance phone calls or postage if it can be done online.

Teresa

 

[Tosie]

Used fabric softener sheets are great for getting baked on crust off your dishes, pots, pans, etc. Fill the dirty item with warm soapy water and throw in the used fabric softener sheet. Let soak for at least 30 minutes (I let them sit longer). The crud will come right off!

 

[Tosie]

Not a secret but using the grocery game has REALLY helped my grocery bill. I have saved over $1000 since I started doing it last summer. I LOVE getting stuff for free too!

And I have already enjoyed one free 12 week cycle from referrals!

(Anyone want a referral, PM me!)

 

[carmie3377]

As we know every penny saved is going for that next Disney adventure!

Reuse those "unused" swim diapers. As long as the swim diaper has not been soiled it can be washed in the washer and reused. We have done this a few times, those things are crazy expensive.

I've thought about saving those, but have always just tossed them. However, I do have a trick on pull-ups. My daughter was potty-trained at just over 2. However, she did have accidents occasionally at night. Therefore, I wanted her to wear a pull-up at night for a few months until I knew she would be fine. I would put her in panties, then put a pull-up OVER her panties. That way, they really acted as just a cover up and really didn't touch any part of her body. I would use them for 2-3 nights (sometimes longer) unless she had an accident, then of course they got tossed. Also, for when she did have an accident, she would feel the wetness more so than just in a pull-up. I recommended this to a friend that mentioned how expensive pull-ups are and she immediatley started using my idea.

 

[shoegirl1020]

Don't go to Target Send someone else. I was just there for two things and ended up spending waaaay too much on clearance.

Sometimes it's really cheaper to spend more money at the market than making a special trip to Target

 

[SeeDisney]

subscribing --- I might be interested in the grocery game.

 

[punkin]

Don't take your children grocery shopping. I always walk out with stuff that's not on my list if the kids (or DH is there).

 

[mjbaby]

- No food items like rice/pasta mixes, precooked or flavored meats (with the exception of some sausages), etc.

- Hanging laundry outside in spring/summer/fall and inside in winter for added humidity inside

- Not using our window AC units until the point in summer where we have a week or more of 95+ temps

- Figuring out a number of low- or no-cook meals to avoid temptation for eating out in warm months.

- Gift bin!

- Keeping my kids' expectations reasonable. Birthday parties are at home and don't include the entire class, Santa brings a couple toys with good, solid play value.

- Buying thrift store clothes for growing kids, buying ahead for future needs.

 

[WeRblam]

Shop at CVS and use their money (ECB) while stockpiling. Cut coupons and use them! My Grocery store has double coupons policy (WOO HOO). For example, they have Aquafresh toothpaste on sale this week for .99. I had 5 coupons for .75 off. Those toothpastes were free and I got money off ($2.55) towards something else!

Two coupon sites I love: hotcouponworld.com and madaboutsavings.com
much better than the grocerygame and they are free!

Also, subscribe to the freebie thread here on the budget board for lots of free samples, coupons etc! Have fun. Lisa

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I've thought about saving those, but have always just tossed them. However, I do have a trick on pull-ups. My daughter was potty-trained at just over 2. However, she did have accidents occasionally at night. Therefore, I wanted her to wear a pull-up at night for a few months until I knew she would be fine. I would put her in panties, then put a pull-up OVER her panties. That way, they really acted as just a cover up and really didn't touch any part of her body. I would use them for 2-3 nights (sometimes longer) unless she had an accident, then of course they got tossed. Also, for when she did have an accident, she would feel the wetness more so than just in a pull-up. I recommended this to a friend that mentioned how expensive pull-ups are and she immediatley started using my idea.

That is such a great idea!

 

[mickeyfan2]

- Not using our window AC units until the point in summer where we have a week or more of 95+ temps

 

[westcliffemom]

Cut your facial cleansing cloths (Dove, Olay) into quarters. It works just as good, only smaller!

 

[FigmentsBiggestFan]

My thoughts exactly....