Tell Us Your Tightwad Secrets!!

[Plantlady]

OK I've wanted to ask this for a while. Where does everyone live that gets static in their laundry? I thought this was just up north? I don't get static in my laundry unless I'm washing a cetain fuzzy polyester blanklet my DH has had for years .Yuck I hate polyester. I only buy clothes that are cotton or linen. Is that why I don't get static?

I live in Fl. and don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets. I hate the way they make my clothes feel slimey. The oils or whatever it is in the softener imbed themselves in the threads of the fabric so your detergent can't penetrate as well and your clothes don't get as clean. So why use it?

I only get static if I'm washing fleece type blankets, then I throw in a fabric sheet. I've had the same box of fabric softener sheets for about 3 years, that's how rarely I use them.

While I'm already irritating people let me add, juice isn't good for you. Not even 100% juice. I've had two pediatricians, a dentist and a hospital's nutritionist tell me that juice is NOT good for your kid and it just premotes tooth decay. I think I'll believe them over what the ad companies tell me. Giving your kids juice is just like giving them soda according to my ped. Now that's fine if you understand it, but I see alot of parents on here who seem to think they're doing something healthy by giving their kids juice. Just FYI. So again, why buy it?

I think everyone here would agree too much juice would be bad, but I highly doubt that 100% juice can be ranked in the same category with soda. My very picky children, who hate fruits and veggies will drink 8 oz of juice no problem. They just got some vitamins there. I've read the nutritional content on soda, and I don't think it is equivilant to 100% juice nutritional value.

Fruit is high in sugar, that is why it's so sweet and yummy. Too much is not a good thing, yes, but that is true of most everything.

 

[OceanAnnie]

While I'm already irritating people let me add, juice isn't good for you. Not even 100% juice. I've had two pediatricians, a dentist and a hospital's nutritionist tell me that juice is NOT good for your kid and it just premotes tooth decay. I think I'll believe them over what the ad companies tell me. Giving your kids juice is just like giving them soda according to my ped. Now that's fine if you understand it, but I see alot of parents on here who seem to think they're doing something healthy by giving their kids juice. Just FYI. So again, why buy it?

I'm not irritated. Different Peds recommend different things. My Ped recommends V8 Splash. It's loaded with vitamins. I also purchase Juicy Juice and other 100% juices. I water them down so they still have flavor but not as much sugar. Even watered down the juices have nutritive value. Juice is healthy. Soda is not.

To me that's like comparing an apple to a candy bar. Clearly the apple is healthy even though it does contain sugar.

 

[ballle_98]

Our Ped recommends V8 Splash as well. It does have nutrients.

We don't buy it though. My DS (the picky one) would not quit asking for it or he would want to fill up on juice and not eat. My kids drink milk and water.

 

[grlpwrd]

ticktock, I have to agree with you.

100% fruit juice, even with no sugar added, has just as much sugar (and just as many calories) as Coke or Pepsi - so they are equal or thereabout in regards to sugar content. Sugar is sugar. Drinking either soda or fruit juices (I think the latest study was just 12 oz a day) are linked to obesity and diabetes.

Juice that you buy from a store, even 100% fruit juice, is not all that great and has very little nutritional value. The manufacturing process takes away most of the health benefits, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber (which comes mostly from the skin). A quote from a nutrition website:

Juice should not be considered a substitute for your child's need for fresh fruit. When compared to fresh fruit, juice lags behind nutritionally...

When the label says 100% Vitamin C or added Calcium or added vitamins, it still doesn't negate the bad effects that juice has on a child. It's like yogurt. Many people think eating yogurt is great and so healthy, but really when it is made with a lot of sugar it negates all the positives.

This is why I don't buy juice and I have a juicer that makes juice with the seeds, pulp, and all.

 

[minniemair]

When I was having my baby shower lo and behold 13 and 1/2 years ago one of my guests told me to save the wrapping paper from the larger gifts and line the baby's dresser drawers with it instead of drawer liners. I did that, and had wonderful memories each and every time I opened a drawer. It is still there all these years later and my DD loves the cute patterns. For my second we used birthday wrap. I didn't think of it as being frugal but there you go.

 

[mickeyfan2]

When I was having my baby shower lo and behold 13 and 1/2 years ago one of my guests told me to save the wrapping paper from the larger gifts and line the baby's dresser drawers with it instead of drawer liners. I did that, and had wonderful memories each and every time I opened a drawer. It is still there all these years later and my DD loves the cute patterns. For my second we used birthday wrap. I didn't think of it as being frugal but there you go.

I never knew people lined their dresser drawers. Why?

 

[Diznejen1]

You guys are GREAT!
I've gotten great ideas from all of you! The one thing I haven't seen is the idea my grandmother taught me. Turn all bottles up side down. Shampoo, laundry soap,& liquid dishwashing detergent get flipped over when they are almost gone. This brings all the stuff to the top and makes it easy to get it out. I also put some water in the bottle, replace the lid and swish it around, the pour the diluted solution where ever you need it. Just to get the goodie out of the bottom.

Also, when my sister & I were little, Mom used to put a bar of soap in an old(CLEAN) worn sock. We would run to the garden hose and wash up. Great use for old socks no one wanted to mend. This was not in place of a bath, it was just to get the bottoms of our feet clean before coming back into the house. The sock acted as a washcloth, kinda like soap on a roap outdoors!
Keep sending yur tips!

 

[gottagodisney]

Just wanted to post that recently on some news source it said that you should never heat in a microwave with plastic (ie- the plastic wrap covering to prevent splatters). Apparently, some chemical process occurs lending itself to cancer causing agents.

I now use a small bit of waxed paper instead. To me, this is a budget approach too.

 

[ticktock]

ticktock, I have to agree with you.

100% fruit juice, even with no sugar added, has just as much sugar (and just as many calories) as Coke or Pepsi - so they are equal or thereabout in regards to sugar content. Sugar is sugar. Drinking either soda or fruit juices (I think the latest study was just 12 oz a day) are linked to obesity and diabetes.

Juice that you buy from a store, even 100% fruit juice, is not all that great and has very little nutritional value. The manufacturing process takes away most of the health benefits, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber (which comes mostly from the skin). A quote from a nutrition website:



When the label says 100% Vitamin C or added Calcium or added vitamins, it still doesn't negate the bad effects that juice has on a child. It's like yogurt. Many people think eating yogurt is great and so healthy, but really when it is made with a lot of sugar it negates all the positives.

This is why I don't buy juice and I have a juicer that makes juice with the seeds, pulp, and all.

Now that IS healthy! The yogurt thing is so true too!

I never knew people lined their dresser drawers. Why

Antique dressers had rough hand sawn wood inside the drawers which can snag delicate clothes (silks etc). This is probably were it started. I have an Eastlake Victorian dresser that while very well made and worth a ton (and wieghs a ton) has drawers that are slightly rough. I don't have delicate clothes so it doesn't bother me. Although Victorian is one of my least favorite styles, it came with my DH. I'm more of a Georgian girl myself.

 

[tyluvsdis]

Just bumping. I love this thread and look forward to reading it each day. Thanks.

 

[TNKBELL]

I just remembered that last year or maybe longer the man that won the "Cheapskate of the Year" award (or something like that) reused his own dental floss and cleaned it after each use with rubbing alcohol. He made like one package last a year!! Ummm I don't think I could ever go that far!! LOL

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

you guys are good! I wish i could be this frugal. (willingly) =0)~

 

[MELSMICE]

I just remembered that last year or maybe longer the man that won the "Cheapskate of the Year" award (or something like that) reused his own dental floss and cleaned it after each use with rubbing alcohol. He made like one package last a year!! Ummm I don't think I could ever go that far!! LOL

Now that's gross!

 

[disneymom3]

I just remembered that last year or maybe longer the man that won the "Cheapskate of the Year" award (or something like that) reused his own dental floss and cleaned it after each use with rubbing alcohol. He made like one package last a year!! Ummm I don't think I could ever go that far!! LOL

Oh that is gross!! And who wants rubbing alcohol in their mouths? That cannot be healthy! Besides, I get floss free from the dentist every time I go and don't generally have to buy any inbetween times.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

When I was having my baby shower lo and behold 13 and 1/2 years ago one of my guests told me to save the wrapping paper from the larger gifts and line the baby's dresser drawers with it instead of drawer liners. I did that, and had wonderful memories each and every time I opened a drawer. It is still there all these years later and my DD loves the cute patterns. For my second we used birthday wrap. I didn't think of it as being frugal but there you go.

What a clever idea! I'll have to do that when I receive a special gift- this way I can remember the moment time after time when I go into a drawer. Thanks!

 

[*MickeyFan*]

Don't stop now, I have learned so much! Keep them coming! jen

 

[TNKBELL]

If you go to the Target website you can print off coupons to use at the store. They have $1 off coupons for watermelon and cantelope, our Target has sliced packages for anywhere from .99-2.50, with $1.00 you can get it free or very cheap. We bought 6 packages today for less than $1.00!!!

 

[HeatherAnn23]

Where does everyone live that gets static in their laundry??

Here in Oregon we have static issues year round. It's not at all shocking to see my ds walking around the house with my underwear on his back, or having a sock stuck to your leg all day.
I'm afraid we need a whole sheet of fabric softener here!

 

[PartyOf5]

I learned quite a few ideas from this thread. I've already implemented three.

I love the idea of lining drawers with special wrapping paper. I'll have to remember that going forward.

I am leaving the house in 2 minutes to get the Millionaire next door book. Just checked the library online and it's in stock. I hope nobody else in my area is reading this thread and races down to get the book first! LOL

If I could add 2 things:

- shower caps: good idea. When I'm at a hotel, I always leave a note for extras for free.

- line drying. I don't have a clothes line but I do have a fairly large deck. I can wash towels and line 15 or so over the rails. I also have a large front porch but DH draws the line for drying towels out front! LOL

Again, great thread!

 

[mickeyfan2]

- shower caps: good idea. When I'm at a hotel, I always leave a note for extras for free.

Are you using them to cover food. If so, don't they are not produced for food consumption and not produced in a sanitized factory.

- line drying. I don't have a clothes line but I do have a fairly large deck. I can wash towels and line 15 or so over the rails. I also have a large front porch but DH draws the line for drying towels out front!

You wash your towels and them put them over a dirty deck railing to dry and they use them to dry yourself after a shower? Why would you want to dry with a dirty towel?