I love to know what people do to save money. I personally have seven children six at home and babysit a friends child. Then on the weekends I have two extra teens that tend to hang out here. So I have learned ways to get more bang for my useless dollar. So this thread is just that ways you save money and I will be adding things I do as I do them because while I have taught friends some of these things I do, I don't write it down in any one place. So please ask me questions I can tell you what I have learned. 1. I scout the thrift stores for mason jars. I use them for food storage in the fridge labeling them with masking tape that peals right off. If you use ziplock bags this can save you 5.dollars or more a week. that is 240a year. (onion smell does not leak from the jars to taint other foods either). I use them to put gifts in them Store screws hold pencils hold tooth brushes I use a really bog nice one I found to store my cupcake papers in and it looks nice on my kitchen shelf. Small 40z jelly jars store my hair pins and clips as well as safety pins on bathroom shelf. The parmesan cheese lids fit mason jars and I use those lids for jars that I make my own carpet fresh in and it shakes very nicely. I hope you all enjoy this post.
Great thread! I use mason jars to store pasta sauce. When I do make it I make a lot. Enough to last two months. Maybe that could be called a way to save money. When I cook, I often make enough to make at least one more meal. It's always in the freezer if I need it. I also use zip lock bags to keep food and cold cuts fresh so they last longer. Things like paper towels and toilet paper I buy at the big box stores as I've found it's cheaper than a grocery store.
I use cloth napkins and throw them in the wash with my towels. We also use reusable coffee pods. I buy veggies when I sale like celery, mushrooms, scallions, fennel, leeks and slice them up and freeze them. I do use zip-lock for freezing.
I make out a grocery list of everything I need for the week and I stick to it so I'm not tempted to impulse buy. I buy things ahead of time that I use often for my home office like printer ink, paper etc. That way I don't run out and I can wait until places like Staples and Office Depot have free shipping. I have it sent to my house for free and I save gas money that way. I only run the dishwasher or washing machine when I have a full load. It saves money on dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent and also saves on the electric and water bills too. I unplug the chargers for my electronic devices when I'm not using them. I don't buy bottled water.....it's too expensive and tap water is just fine with me. And I have two stainless steel water bottles for when I need to take water with me if I'm gonna be out of the house for an extended period of time. Plus it's not good for your health to leave plastic water bottles in your car when it's hot outside. I use green bags for my fruits, veggies and herbs. It keeps them from going bad as fast so I don't waste money throwing out rotted food.
Awsome Lulu! I write meals plans for two weeks and buy meat at Costco divide it and freeze it in meals plan packs. We have a big popcorn popper we use on snack nights and I make spice mixes instead of buying pop corn seasonings. Right now at target you can get crayons and pens and pencils for cheap cheap so I buy my limit I can get at the stores selling them for 50 until I get 18 packs since I have 4 little kids. After school starts I buy the glitter crayons and pencil toppers the fun school supplys that the stores mark way down to pennies for Christmas stockings. I also have a bin I stash after holiday markdowns in for Christmas or birthdays. End caps at stores have clearance right now on toys and things to make room for Christmas buys. This is when hubby and I do all our Christmas shopping. I got my son Joe an electric Scooby doo race car track marked down to 10.00 it was 199. CRAZY! I find something like that every year or so this time of year. Batteries in my area are cheaper at Home Depot! I know right never would have thought to look there. I also hunt the thrift stores for hats and gloves all summer because those always get lost. Look for baskets and tins to put gifts in as well. What woman wouldn't want to get a basket gift. I give my mom themed gifts every year easy to make it cheap if you watch for sales. I have learned if you like a product and call the company and tell them you where thrilled with it they will sometimes send you coupons more then once. Apples that sit around and become less nice to eat I slice dip in lemon juice and freeze for BBQ recipes or crockpot recipes or even apples. Boiling the ends of washed veggies skins of veggies and such and straining it makes an awesome broth. I find cheap frames at the thrift store and use them for kid art that I like in small areas of my house that need something on the wall but I don't want my nice stuff there.
Just recently I read a blog about windows and saving energy. The person purchased flat sheets from ikea and sewed them to the back of her curtains to use as a lining. She also added clips to the bottom of her window and hooks to the corner of her curtain. After last winter I think this is an awesome idea.
Yes such a simple idea. You could probably do the same but just getting sheets from the thrift for small curtains. I was thinking I could buy cheap quilt batting and tack that in the curtains as well. It wouldn't be heavy using the thin stuff.
Im a long time Verizon user and they have great service but its crazy how much I'm paying over the years so Im looking at Ting which uses Sprints network and has pretty good reviews. The savings look huge. Republic Wireless is another alternative carrier. I dropped the local paper and also switched to another sanitation company which was about 50% less.
We went through last winter with no furnace and now I cry when I get cold. My olive oil froze in my kitchen last year.... it was bad! I will have to check it out
We took a loan out on our 401k and purchased a house with not loan. In three years our 401 k will be repayed.
For a week now I have been using a homemade laundry soap and I love love it!!! Its quick and easy and cheap! 3 table spoons of washing soda and borax. Mix into hot water about 4 cups. Add three tablespoons of dawn dish soap and after powders have dissolved and then add water to fill a gallon container. I have been using the thick trade winds tea containers and they do really well. One cup does a load of laundry. I add a bit of lavender EO to the mixture because it keeps the bugs away from my kids.