Come on everyone, we can do it
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18612)
Jamaica
January 27, 2009 2:16pm CST
by helping ourselves and informing ourselves on how to save those pennies. Lots of discussions have been posted about hard times that we all are facing. I do not want to sound pollyanish but there are a lot of things that we can do . so let's get pro active. Over the weekend I started to make changes at home and in my office. This is what I have come up with:
1. Wash only when there is a full load.
2. Wash on short cycle only (hot country and we change clothes daily and twice daily.
3. Reduce amount of recommended soap powder to be used in machines. No difference
4. Reduce softener to half of amount used
3. Cut dryer sheets in half. Half does good.
4. Powdered pot cleaner. Open tab off perforated opening to half of perforations. Too much comes out and it is wasteful
5. cut down on paper towels. too many are wasted. Use cloths that can be put in washing machine or washed daily
6. Re use Aluminium foil. (Yes, I did this on Sunday) Wash carefully and dry before storing
7. Make a flask of coffee and take to work with home made sandwich for lunch
8. cut down in cleaning supplies. Bleach and Vinegar do wonders. I use vinegar and water to clean tiles in my home. Take a new look at Hydrogen peroxide and read the label carefully to see what wonders it can do.
9. Mix softener and water together in spray bottle and use as an air freshener. Or, pierce an orange or lemon in a few places and put on high in microwave for 2 minutes and use as an air freshener. sme;lls wonderful!
10. Whether you have a small garden or just a little veranda you would be surprised at how much veggies you can grow in containers. No pesticides or poisonings. This is good. Tomatoes too can grow in a pots.
Well, this is my top ten and you all have so many other ideas that we would love to utilise. So what would you advise to do in the home to save money?
5 people like this
15 responses
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
my three favourites are shop at thrift stores (you never know what you can get there!) make soup (who doesnt like hot soup on a cold winter day) and make a menu plan at least for a week (if not the whole month) when grocery shopping. take that list with you when you go grocery shopping. you would be suprised how much money you save if you only buy what you need!
3 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
I have never made a menu plan but tis is a good idea as there could be just one shopping for the week. Regretfully no thrift stores where I live. Thanks for responding
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
27 Jan 09
I already do most of that.
But you can do that with food as well. I think the biggest money waster is how much food people waste. Almost everything can be reused or frozen. One week I made some pizza, and normally I throw the left over sauce away. Instead I added it to meatloaf. You could also add it to spaghetti sauce or tomato soup or something of that nature. I freeze left over bread, veggies, and plain pasta for later use in other dishes. Whatever we don't eat for dinner is usually saved for lunches the next day. If there's enough I might save it for a whole other meal.
I also find ways to cut down my grocery bill. I buy a lot of generic brands to save money. I buy in bulk which saves a lot of money as well. I can buy $20 worth of pork or chicken or ham and make it last us for 3 dinners. That way we're eating cheap, but it doesn't feel like it's cheap, you know. You just have to be creative and making new recipes. I have so many pork and chicken recipes, that even though we have pork or chicken 5 days a week every week, we still never get sick of it!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
I knew that I could rely on you to come up with good ideas! I like the idea of keeping the left over spaghetti sauces etc. I just found a supermarket that sells meat, chicken, pork and fish very cheaply. I could have kicked myself as when I reached hoome I told my son in amazement that there were T Bone steaks there for US$2.50 per pound. Can you believe that I did not buy any? At that price. I have to be more savvy and you have given me lots of ideas. I hope that you learn some new ones from other mylotters too. Blessings
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
27 Jan 09
The store down the road from me often has great deals on meat. One time quite awhile ago they were selling beef roasts for around $5... not a pound... $5 for the whole thing! I bought one and came home and told my friend that I spoke to online, she told me to take $20 and go get some more and freeze them. I did too, and for the next month or so I could buy 1 less dinner per week because of that.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
Wow, that is amazing. I definitely has a senior moment over the beef I saw. The oprice was excellent for down here and I do not know when I last had a steak. Oh, yes I do, It was in Atlanta two years ago. I said that I could not return without having an amercian steak because they are incredible. I went on and on about the size of the steak and this puzzled the waiter. so I explained that I came froma small country and therfore the cows were the size of a big dog! For a brief moment he believed me! Note to self: must stop saying these things and embarrassing daughter.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
28 Jan 09
Hey cythiann! Those are some great tips! I have used some of
those already myself! I already cut down on laundry soaps and
fabric softners. And my boyfriend and I use bleach and water
to clean the tub, tiles and the floor with. I also use cloth
towels in the kitchen that can be washed. My boyfriend and I
are alot more aware about wasting food. We will try to use
whatever leftovers we have instead of throwing them out. We
have learned to be creative in building meals around what we
have left in the refrigerator.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
28 Jan 09
I am using cloth towels too but only had a couple so am going to buy 6 more at lunchtime. Paper napkins are so expensive and it seems that a roil only lasts a few days in my house. Actually I am not buying this Friday and we will see how well we can manage without using them. I have out cloth hand towels in bathrooms too but I have gathered so m,any of these over the years that I do not have to buy anymore.
dilute hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle - just a couple of teaspoonful with water in a spray bottle. Can also be used in kitchen and bathroom. Kills every germ in sight. Thanks for responding. I like your idea of using what you have left to work with when planning a meal. Blessings
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
27 Jan 09
Hi ya cynthiann
These are very good tips that should be adhered to if you are indeed finding times a bit hard due to the recent credit crunch!! I have heard that washing your windows with newspaper (yes newspaper) and vinegar does the job just as well as any store bought product it's just that newspaper is messy and vinegar doesn't smell nice that it is off putting and we have, over the years, opted for something a little more pleasant. Also using mayonnaise to polish your leather handbag brings it up a treat, I saw that one on tv years ago and it worked. Trouble is that it might seem like an invitation for the neighbours dog or cat to come up and lick you bag!! LOL 
. For the last one that I can think of is that if you do live in a hot country and suffer from mosquitoes having a nibble then eat plenty of marmite which contains vitamin E, which, apparently, mosquitoes don't like, (I read this somewhere!) but then how would they know that your body contained loads of vitamin E without taking a bite? I think that maybe your body releases some sort of vitamin E scented odour, I dunno, should leave it there shouldn't I? LOL
. For the last one that I can think of is that if you do live in a hot country and suffer from mosquitoes having a nibble then eat plenty of marmite which contains vitamin E, which, apparently, mosquitoes don't like, (I read this somewhere!) but then how would they know that your body contained loads of vitamin E without taking a bite? I think that maybe your body releases some sort of vitamin E scented odour, I dunno, should leave it there shouldn't I? LOL 2 people like this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
27 Jan 09
Marmite - you either love it or hate it eh? I am actually one of those weird, probably 1% of people that kinda likes it but not loving it but certainly not hating it. I like it thinly spread on thickly buttered white bread and that is it. As I now eat only wholemeal there is not a jar of it in my cupboard at all and if I did have one it would last probably a year!! I think that cooking oil would probably do the same job as the mayo to be honest or whatever oil is used in mayo as I am sure that is what does the trick!!
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
It was just that I had not thought about it in years and all of a sudden I was salivating! I use to love it on butteres toast. Thanks again
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
What bliss that would be - cup of tea and marmite on toast. The mozzies don't bother me anymore and you have brought back memories of my mother using newspaper and vingegar to clean the windows. I have a lot of windows including a sliding glass door so I am going back to doing that one. next time I fo to the capitol city then I am going into one of those upmarket supermarkets and see if I can get marmite. I am now longing for it! Thanks for responding. I heard about mayonnaisse on the face being good but sisn't know that it could clean bags. 
Blessings
Blessings2 people like this
@bodhisatya (2384)
• India
28 Jan 09
Hello dear friend,
The discussion is very interesting although I am not that much into homemaking, but still there are a couple of things I follow to maintain the budget. There are a couple of SALE outlets which takes place at regular intervals here in my city and I try to buy things out at a relatively cheaper price, which includes right from clothes to things of daily use. Then Dmart is really good as they charge way below the cost of MRP which makes us save a good ammount of money. For vegetables to fish we have this place called the APMC where these wholesellers deal. One can get a good bargain there too.
I dont know whether my response would be of use or not but I strongly do belive that one really needs to save money, and as they say, "A penny saved is a penny earned".
C ya,
Bodhi
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
28 Jan 09
Hi Bodhi, thanks for visiting today and for responding. Your tips are good. I wish that I could buy fruits and veggies at a wholesale but I can't. However, I have put in banana and plantain around the back of my house and sugar cane and pumpkin and am going to put in potatoes and maybe a few yam hills too. so I am on my way to being frugal and saving money. Read the posts and you will get some good ideas too. The responses have been amazing. Blessings dear friend.
1 person likes this
@theweerouss (982)
• United States
28 Jan 09
1)cut your budget down by 25%
2)STICK TO YOUR BUDGET!
3)literally save pennies! whether from the couch cushions or the car floor, they all add up!
4)stop throwing away bottles/cans that have redemption cents and turn them in
5)shop in your own closet (i mean it, spend a few hours on a saturday trying things on in your mirror, you'll be surprised what hidden gems you'll find and how much you'll save!)
6)unplug all appliances when not in use. my sister used to work for the EPA and they say devices with lights/timers are sucking energy even when they're turned off (think microwaves, coffee makers, tvs if feasible, etc). also, cell phone chargers are pulling energy from the outlet even when the cell phone is not hooked up. you can save a ton this way!
7)wash all loads with cold water. it is proven that detergent in cold water is just as effective as killing germs and bacteria and removing dirt as in hot water. and just think of how much brighter your colors will be :)
8)stop renting movies and swap with friends
9)for those with babies, you may not be willing to do this one, but switching to cloth diapers makes for huge savings - disposable diapers are expensive!
10)turn your thermostat down 2 degrees
11)i switched from digital cable to regular cable and saved a bunch - it's not a sacrifice everyone's willing to make in today's age, but it's a thought
12)hand wash your dishes as you use them
13)learn to do basic tailoring and buy a dryel kit to do at home tailoring and dry-cleaning
ok - i think i'm running out of ideas for at-home savings... saving in general, however, i have a whole ton more to offer! great topic cynthiann, and good luck savers :)
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Jan 09
Here is what I do. I use vinegar in the rinse water instead of fabric softener. I buy the best toilet paper instead of the cheap kind because you use less and get the double rolls. It may not seem a saving, but you get what you pay for. I use baking soda and a damp towel to clean the top of my ceramic stove. I use cold water for washing. Also I do not turn the thermostat down too low, 17 degrees C. because it is no use saving money and getting a cold.
If we buy frozen food, we save the containers. That is my tips.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
31 Jan 09
You're welcome. Our gas bill was very high. Our electricity is not that bad, but I am allergic to the perfumes in the fabric softeners and even the fabric softener sheets are bad for me. We did buy cheap toilet paper and it was so itchy. The same with paper towels, if they fall apart they do no good. I sometimes felt I had to use the whole roll to wipe something up and that was without tearing off a sheet just rub the roll over the stain.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
30 Jan 09
I have never heard of this use if vinegar before and I use vinegar a lot. Trust me - a lot. I do not buy cheap toilet paper either. Going to have to do better on the hot water and electricty as I just got my electric bill and it is high! Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16060)
• United States
28 Jan 09
[i]Wow..this is great!
In our case here, we try to shop at Aldi where everything is cheaper compared to other grocery stores, we save indeed!
Lessen our eat out activity and hubby has to take lunch with him during workdays.
I love gardening and always looking forward for summer to do that.
Look for sales when going for shopping and buy only what is needed.[/i]
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
29 Jan 09
But you are doing so well already! I am glad that these posts have helped you.
Thank you for responding dear friend.
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
30 Jan 09
Regretful;ly, we do not have coupons out here. But if I was in the U.K. or the USA I wouold vertainly use them. Thanks for responding
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Jan 09
i save newspapers to cut things or peel instead of a paper towel. i also use teh to drain things on, put a paper towel on top of then but doesn't take so many. keep all kight off ecept the room i'm in. don't go to the grocery as ofen because i could fing something to buy if i went every day. lol.do all my errands at one time & not be making so many tripps. this is not a whole different than i have always done. i have always had to be careful w/my money or maybe i should say lack of it. lol
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
28 Jan 09
I cannot believe that I wrote a long response to you and then deleted it. Many thanks for the newspaper ideas. Being on a farm was either feast or famine depending on whether we got hit by a hurricane or not. I have become a bit careless over the past few years - too many fast foods and laziness in not bringing lunch from home! This is going to change. I can do better. Many thanks for responding
1 person likes this
@deborahkat (519)
• Brazil
28 Jan 09
Wow you have great ideas here to save. I am not a housewife what I do is close the lights when not using them, close tv also when not using. Do not take long showers, try not to waste soap and try to wear clothes more than once before washing. Also be carefull with food not to use too much the microwave oven and also just buy what you are going to eat and pain attention to prices. This already helps cut the costs a bit.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
28 Jan 09
I think that everyone has come up with lots of fantastic ideas to save the pennies. and we all need to do that in this world economic meltdown. you have good ideas too so thank you for responding
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
27 Jan 09
We have been doing most of those things for years so that I can be a stay at home mom.
Consider having one vehicle if work is close by.
Cut back or drop cable TV.
Share magazines with friends and keep passing them on.
Cut your kids' hair.
Buy cheaper makeup and shampoo. It's really all pretty much the same anyway.
Add water to hand soap bottles to stretch it when soap gets low.
Recycle to spend less on trash pickup.
Order water for a beverage if you must eat out.
Buy cheaper toothpaste (as long as it has fluoride it's good for you)
Turn down the furnace 2 degrees.
Put on a sweater.
pass clothing, shoes and toys to others
Color or perm your hair at home.
Bring snacks on long car trips so you won't be tempted to buy fast food.
Wash you car by hand.
Make half the coffee you normally do.
If you have no money to give to charity, volunteer your time.
Matinee movies are cheaper and never buy snacks at the theater. Better yet. Rent a movie.
Use grocery store coupons. Many are available on line.
Always plan your shopping according to grocery sales. Buy in season.
Buy meat in bulk (it's cheaper). Divide and freeze.
Freeze berries and melons when they are on sale to be used later.
Just a few of the things that work for us.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
I was in the Netherlands many years ago and had a wonderful time. The architecture and the paintings to die for. The sight of barges loaded with tulips drifting down the canals was an amazing sight. They grow the tulips for the bulbs so what tulips cannot be sold are dumped. The people were very friendly and kind. I would love to go again one day.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
You are incredible. I remember doing some of the things you mention when I was a full time mom at home on the farm. We buried are garbage and I also used any shampoo. I agree with you that they are the same. My son pays for the cable TV as he wants to see the English football and international sports. We only have 2 TV stations which are pretty awful. I also cut my children's hair. We don't have coupons so that doesn't apply to me. I use to make ketchup and tomato sauce if we had a glut. I have so much to learn re shopping. Thanks for a very informative response. Blessings
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
27 Jan 09
Your ideas about the wash is good! I have tried to do these things:
1.) Wash in cold water instead of hot or warm
2.) Hang any clothes that I can.
3.) Keep lights turned off and small appliances turned off/unplugged when not in use.
4.) Keep heat down to 70 degrees and everyone wear warmer clothing if they get cold.
5.) Kitchen scraps (such as veggie peelings, coffee grinds, egg shells) go in compost
6.) Compost is great for the garden.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
I forgot to say that I have been washing in cold water for years. My son told me to unplug everything especially a cell phone charger-as it burns more in the plug than when being charged. Yes, I also have a compost heap that I out everything on. My son left for the U.K. today but he did plant bananas and plantain for me and fruit trees and coco (vegetable like potato) I have to do better on the lights though and plugging out small appliances. Blessings
1 person likes this
@Thumper11 (662)
• United States
27 Jan 09
one of my friends makes her own soap, laundry detergent, and candles. You can find recipies for these online. Her's costs her about 2cents per load, where as the store bought stuff cost about 20 cents per load...... Imagine being able to do 10 times the laundry for the same price....... I always donate my clothes to the women's shelter or good will, so that someone else might have clothes..... I also shop at consignment shops and thrift stores....... put some baking soda in cat litter, you don't have to buy the expensive odor eliminating kind.... the baking soda eliminates the odor.....
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18612)
• Jamaica
27 Jan 09
I didn't even know that peoplle made soap powder. I am going online later to check this out - the soap sounds interesting too. Yes, I give my clothes to Church Jumblw sales or anything I don't need to our local Cancer Society. Thanks for the interesting ideas.
1 person likes this
