What do you do to be frugal and save your pennies?

@CRSunrise (2981)
United States
December 3, 2008 9:48am CST
What can anyone do to save money in today's economy? One thing I just started doing was making my own laundry soap. I works just as well as the name brands. It not only gets my close clean, I'm buying my soap for a whole lot less than I was. I'm even recycling since I can use my previous detergent containers. Tell me where you can do that with the name brand detergents.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
15 Jan 09
I am interested in how you make your own laundry detergent and how much you use. I am all into saving more money and need all the ways I can find. Thanks for all you help and God bless you!
@CRSunrise (2981)
• United States
15 Jan 09
This is the recipe that I used. There are many variations on the internet. I got it off the Duggar Family website. TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: We use Fels-Naptha bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2. Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value 4 Cups hot tap water 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar 1 Cup Washing Soda 1/2 Cup Borax - Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. -Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. -Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel) -Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. -Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. -Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads) -Front Load Machines- 1/4 Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
@Momma_B (51)
• United States
7 Dec 08
I really love making my own laundry soap and especially when I can splurge and buy the scented oil! I was very surprised at how clean my clothes were! I also like making more than 1 meal at time as a way of saving money. I am always open for frugal tips. I tried posting a discussion for Christmas gifts that would be inexpensive but had only one response that said cheap and Christmas do not go together in the same sentence LOL. sigh oh well
@CRSunrise (2981)
• United States
8 Dec 08
Thanks for the message. I was wondering if someone would find this discussion since I didn't put it in a specific interest.