Tell Us Your Tightwad Secrets!!

[WendyisDarling]

I buy quite a bit through Amazon. For me it is easier, no gas, no tax and usually cheaper.
I have saved a bundle by taking advantage of their price guarantee. If an item purchased lowers in price w/i 30 days, if you contact them you will get the difference refunded. It is very hassle-free and quick.

I make it simple by selecting the items I purchased a second time and put them in my cart for "save for later" (no intention of buying them again). When you check your cart on Amazon if there has been a price increase or decrease there is a msg at the top, stating the item and new price. The prices change a lot so you have to check regularly, but it only takes a minute.

My best example: we purchased a TV, a week later the price dropped by $100. I was refunded $100. The next week it dropped an additional $300! I emailed and asked for the additional refund. No problems. My 30 days has long passed, but I'm curious and continue to check, the price has since increased back to nearly what I originally paid; although it fluctuates at least once a week.

 

[KKB]

Thats so funny. My kids were drinking sprite and coke before, now they drink generic. They also only get one box and it has to last until the next grocery day, so actually they end up having maybe one a day and water the rest of the time now. At first my dd really grumbled alot about the generic, but I told her that if it wasnt up to standards she was welcomed to just drink water and the leave the rest for everyone else. Now she sings a different tune and things they are just as good. lol.

I don't want to spend the $, and they don't need caffeine or calories! (yes, Dh & I have soda, but we are also the bread winners!)

They are allowed to order sodas at restaurants (if it comes with there meal!). They may also have it at anyone else's house, parties, grandmas, etc. But it is water, juice, milk or Wylers "crystal light" ($1 for 3 pkg, vs. CL's $3!) at our house!

 

[KKB]

I love Fabuloso. I dilute it in a spray bottle for cleaning, use it to mop, and clean toilets. It is super cheap and it lasts forever. I use the purple one.

We live in Texas and no a/c is dangerous. We keep it set around 80 degrees and we use fans. Our electric bill is still very high. We have 2 a/c units, one upstairs and one downstairs. This actually helps alot.

Consignment stores here are awesome. I resell most of the kids clothes to get store credit to buy new clothes. Also, they have great toys.

We do not use paper towels unless it is to clean glass or mirrors. One roll lasts a long time. We use cloth napkins, dish rags, and towels.

Crocs actually saved us money this year. I bought them for the kids on shoebuy.com with a coupon. They were a little big but the way they are made they have worn them for 8 months! A record for us. My kids feet grow so fast. And they are easily washable so they still look nice.

Finally, I use Cashduck to earn extra money, Disneyrewards for a free Family Fun magazine subscription, and I took the plunge for a Disney Rewards VISA.

AT least for cleaning mirrors/windows--they actually leave lint. A 100% cotton cloth is better. OR our fav is NEWSPAPER! I thought , no way--but it is amazing how well it works !!

 

[me again]

Signed my kids up for www.kidzeyes.com

Its a survey for kids site, they get cash, not points for prizes, like some surveys. Its taking awhile to get started, you have to send in a permission form, takes awhile to get the site active, but then each kid can do surveys and earn a little cash.

 

[TNKBELL]

Signed my kids up for www.kidzeyes.com

Its a survey for kids site, they get cash, not points for prizes, like some surveys. Its taking awhile to get started, you have to send in a permission form, takes awhile to get the site active, but then each kid can do surveys and earn a little cash.

This is great!! The Dks have each earned $50.00 this year, they also have participated in some fun surveys where they got to try free products, one that comes to mind is yogurt. You can also phone in permission, this is what I did.

Also www.mypoints.com earn gift certificates for just clicking links in emails.
We have earned $50 total so far for our trip(2 email accounts)

 

[princess jackie]

My tip.. Rechargeable batteries.

My kids have 1 million and one toys/electronics that need AA batteries.

Even buying the cheap ones.. at the dollar store, paying $1 per package of four.. it is cheaper to buy rechargable.

Rechargable batteries cost about $7 for four. The savings will come through very quickly.

I used to work in a photo lab (Wal-Mart). All of the single use cameras have AA Batteries in them. You can easily take these out yourself with a flathead screwdriver. Make sure you are on the side with the flash button otherwise you will expose your film. Otherwise you can ask the photo lab if they are willing to give you some of the batteries. I used to take home tons every month. The photo lab is usually charged to take so many batteries away.

 

[OceanAnnie]

We love limeade. I get a container of limeade and then I get a bottle of club soda. I use about 1/2 limeade & 1/2 club soda. I don't like my limeade very sweet, but I do like it to have some fizz. So the club soda makes the limeade last twice as long!

 

[PartyOf5]

I don't remember seeing this one but over the last year I got my nerve up enough to color my own hair (thanks to a thread from the DIS) and it's soo much easier than I thought. The best thing is - nobody can tell the difference. I get just as many compliments doing my own coloring as I do by going to a salon. I'm coloring as I type!

I also go longer in between cuts which is easier in the summer months as I can put my hair up.

Thanks again for all the great tips! Time to rinse...

 

[lg3]

I don't remember seeing this one but over the last year I got my nerve up enough to color my own hair (thanks to a thread from the DIS) and it's soo much easier than I thought. The best thing is - nobody can tell the difference. I get just as many compliments doing my own coloring as I do by going to a salon. I'm coloring as I type!

I also go longer in between cuts which is easier in the summer months as I can put my hair up.

Thanks again for all the great tips! Time to rinse...

Is there a specific at home haircolor that you recommend? Do you have any gray issues?

 

[joha]

I make my own detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Items needed:

Pot
Grater
5-gallon bucket with lid
Measuring cup
Paint stick or large long spoon
1 bar of Fels Naptha soap
Borax
Washing soda
Bluing
Dawn Dishwashing soap
Skin safe fragrance (optional)
Water

Place in a large pot:
1 standard 5.5 ounce bar Fels Naptha soap grated
4 cups of water
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until all the grated soap is dissolved. (Do not boil)

Pour into a five-gallon bucket.
Add three gallons of hot water straight from the tap. Stir until dissolved.
Stir in:
2 cups of washing soda
1-2c of borax
1/2 c Dawn Dishwashing soap
1/2-1Tbs bluing
1-2 teaspoons skin safe fragrance (for those who have to have a scent in their detergent, lol)
Stir and mix well.
Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Stir before using.
Use 3/4 cup for top loading or 3/8 cup for front-loading machines. You can adjust as necessary for your own personal preference. Larger machines or heavily soiled clothing may require more detergent. This is a non-sudsing, fragrance-free laundry product.

*Fels-Naptha® Laundry Soap Bar: found in the laundry or soap aisle of your supermarket or you can call 800 258-3425 if you cannot find it.

*Super Washing Soda: found in the laundry aisle. It comes in a 55-ounce yellow box. Do not substitute baking soda. For more information see www.thelaundrybasket.com.

*Can’t find Fels-Naptha bars or Super Washing Soda? Purchase by mail order at www.soapsgonebuy.com.

*Borax: One brand name is 20 Mule Team® Borax, also found on the laundry aisle of most supermarkets.



Homemade laundry detergent
Powdered version


1 box of borax
1 box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 bar of soap, grated (you can use Dial, Ivory, Fels Naptha, or Zote)

Combine all ingredients and store in a container.

To use:
2 tbsp per load of laundry (no that's not a typo)

If the laundry is really dirty, I will add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the wash.

Thanks! I'm going to try the powder version. I was excited to find Naptha soap today at Publix!

 

[me again]

Cheap laundry!

I wash most everything in cold/cold, except towels and dh's undies Those go in hot/cold

Buy Kirkland's brand laundry soap at Costco (8.99 for 300 ounces, beats shopping with coupons), then use about 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount.

Use 1 c white vinegar for rinse for towels

use baking soda if really dirty load, then might use warm/cold

use dryer sheets from Costco, cut in half

Make my own pre-treat using Dawn dishwashing liquid, about 2 teaspoonfuls in a spray bottle filled with water

Hey, none of us stink Actually, the way I do laundry is easier on clothes, too, the colors stay longer, less shrinkage, etc.

 

[Pixieshouse]

Cheap laundry!

I wash most everything in cold/cold, except towels and dh's undies Those go in hot/cold

Buy Kirkland's brand laundry soap at Costco (8.99 for 300 ounces, beats shopping with coupons), then use about 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount.

Use 1 c white vinegar for rinse for towels

use baking soda if really dirty load, then might use warm/cold

use dryer sheets from Costco, cut in half

Make my own pre-treat using Dawn dishwashing liquid, about 2 teaspoonfuls in a spray bottle filled with water

Hey, none of us stink Actually, the way I do laundry is easier on clothes, too, the colors stay longer, less shrinkage, etc.

The vinegar for the rinse of towels, do you put that in during the rinse cycle? Or do you put it in the laundry softener/bleach tray thing?

 

[loud-frog]

Regal Cinema's has free family movies on Tues. and Wed. @ 10am.!!!!
You pick one of two movies playing. All are g or pg
go to there web site for local listing.

Just don't buy too many snacks or drinks - that's where the get ya!

 

[OnourwaytoWDW]

Garage sale, garage sale, garage sale!
I'm a bit nerd when it comes to garage sales. I hit them every Friday morning and Saturday.
My son and I are garage sale buddies. I get clothes, and I even got a GREAT Mickey Mouse costume, the NICE ones for $5 for my daughter this fall! Or even next fall for when we go to WDW!!!
Gayle

 

[ThunderMTexpert]

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

What's the groceries game? I'm interested to know/play, too!! I always end up with a bunch that wasn't on my list, but I know DFiance would appreciate that I thought of him when I bought it.. Goofy Love..

 

[PartyOf5]

Is there a specific at home haircolor that you recommend? Do you have any gray issues?

I've been using Loreal Natural Match. One box retails for $11.99 but there are always coupons available for Loreal products. All you do is put on the gloves, mix the color, put it all over your hair, wait 30 minutes, and rinse. Then you put the conditioner in your hair for 2 mins and rinse again. It's that simple. What I like about Natural Match, the box will guide you by showing a sample of your current hair and what shade your hair will be after. Personally, I've been using 7N but this time I tried 6W as I wanted to go a little lighter for summer. But it turned out about the same. I do have some gray, but I'm not covered. I'm pretty sure there is another version of Loreal for covering gray. I hope this helps.

 

[PartyOf5]

Not sure if this is an option for some of you but I've started to work at home 2-3 days a week to save on my commute, which normally averages an hour each way. I see a definite savings on gas. By end of summer, I am going to request full time work at home and see what happens. The worse thing they can say is no. Then I would only have to make the commute once every two weeks. This will be awesome as my oldest is getting his license in August and he wants to buy one of our vehicles from us....it would be nice if hubby and I could share a vehicle for as long as possible (he gets picked up and dropped off at the house for his job).

 

[me again]

The vinegar for the rinse of towels, do you put that in during the rinse cycle? Or do you put it in the laundry softener/bleach tray thing?

Ok I don't use the vinegar for every towel load. I just do it about 2x month. After I run the whole cycle, I run another cycle with just the vinegar. Its amazing the amount of soap that comes out! At first I thought I had made a mistake and added detergent! Once I actually ran the load 3x's with just the vinegar until it came clear. The advantage was that my towels came out fluffy, soft, bright and like new. Every once in awhile I do the vinegar thing just to get the soap out.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

my friends who have babies swear by using full strength dawn dish soap for "baby stains" of all kinds on clothes.............. says it works better than shout!

I've been to baby showers where the new mom-to-be was given shout as a gift.

I personally can't say I've tried it but my friends sure do.

 

[jessica52877]

I use dawn all the time. I never use shout and the few times I have it has set the stain!