Saving money….. now there’s a topic we all love. Most of you are here reading my blog because you want to save more money. We save at the grocery store and we save at the drug store. But there are lots of ways we could be saving and stretching our dollar.
So every day, I will be posting the series Let’s Save Some Money! It will range from money saving tips to what I did that day to save money. We will share tips, advice, and learn from one another’s mistakes. We are all saving for something and by sharing tips and advice, we will see those savings grow and grow and grow!
So everyone…. Let’s Save Some Money!
Tip: You don’t need a full dryer sheet. Try cutting yours in half. You’ll never notice the difference and a box will last you twice as long. You can also cut your facial cloths in half too! I tried this with baby wipes and that didn’t go over so well….
What else do you make last twice as long?
Kasey says
1) Use less laundry detergent. It sounds kind of iffy (ewww, will it get the stains/smells/dirt out?), but it really works since the agitator in the middle works everything up into a foam anyway. I usually use about a third of the “recommended” amount, and my laundry ends up clean and smelling great! And since laundry detergent is often so expensive, it’s an easy way to cut out part of that cost.
2) This is kind of a well known one, but…eat before you go grocery shopping. Just enough to make sure you’re satisfied. If you shop on an empty stomach, you’re more likely to get things you don’t really need just because they sound yummy right then! And if you shop when you’re too full, it’s likely you’ll skip over things you might need!
3) We plan our week’s meals out on paper and write the ingredients (separate into “have” and “need”) before going to the grocery store on Saturday. It really keeps us focused. You can even allot a small budget for “impulse purchases” if something’s on a really good sale!
Karen says
You can also cut your dryer sheets into 3 or 4 pieces. I used to cut they dryer sheets into 4 pieces and it worked great. I have been quite lazy on this lately-need to get back to it.
Kelly says
For us it’s meats. It’s one of the most expensive things on our grocery list. I butterfly all of our steaks and chicken breasts thus doubling the amount we have, and reducing cook time so it costs less to cook. We eat less that way too so it’s less on our waistlines. All around a win win situation.
amy says
cloth diapes reusable straws and of course you site;)
Sarina J says
We have always dilluted our kids juice with water. It cuts down the sugar and lasts twice as long. Now when they taste full-strength juice they say”eww-its too sweet!”
Jenn F says
Saw what some of you were saying about baby wipes in half. This is something I did when my kids were little…made my own. Must be sturdy paper towels, cut the roll in half (looks like TP roll). I would fold them into an old wipe tub and even the one I kept in the diaper bag.
Recipe 1
You will need:
10 cup container (ex: rubbermaid, w/lid)
1/2 roll of Bounty paper towels
2 tbls of baby oil
2 tbls of baby bath
2 cups of water
Recipe 2
No more expensive baby wipes! Here is a great recipe.
1-roll of Bounty papertowels cut in half & cardboard removed
2-cups water
2-Tablespoons each baby bath and lotion
1-plastic bowl (about 6 cup capacity-with lid)
JenniFer L. says
I separate 2ply bath tissue. Ok just kidding. Randi your above idea #89 is great. I’ve been adding powdered flavored drink mixes to my bottled water from the larger containers of mixes using a funnel. The packets are nice to have but I will only buy them if they are 50 cents or less.
Denise-Scrapmouse says
This is a little long, so I hope I don’t bore anyone. But a few tips I thought of to save money in our household are:
1. Use less laundry detergent. If it calls for a scoop, I use only half or sometimes a quarter depending on what I’m washing. The laundry comes out clean and smelling fresh with the smaller amount of detergent. This definitely stretches out the laundry soap.
2. We stopped paying for movie rentals. Now we rent from our local library for free. Granted sometimes it may be awhile before we see the popular movies, but we put it on our request list and then the library notifies us when it’s in and “voila” we have a free movie to rent. At our library you can also rent music CD’s. This is a great way to see if you really like the music on the CD (in case you want to buy it) and if you don’t like it, then you didn’t waste your money buying the CD. How many times have you bought a CD because of one song and then you realize the rest of the songs suck? Don’t waste your money anymore.
3. During the summer the electric bill can be outrageous. (Right now it’s 111 degrees here, yuck!) But we do a few things to help lower the electric bill. First, if possible do a “managed payment plan” with your electric company. This where based on your usage, they give you a fixed amount to pay each month. During the winter, your actual bill may be lower, so you build up a credit. And this helps during the summer, when the actual usage may be higher and then you need to dip into the credit. But with the managed payment plan, your electric bill is at a fixed amount each month, so you don’t have those sky high bills to pay in the summer. It helps spread out the cost during the entire 12 months and that can definitely help you with your household budget.
We also never use the oven. It’s just too hot. Instead we use the stove top, a crockpot or we BBQ. And we do not use the washer and dryer during the day. We do laundry at night or early early morning before the heat hits. Also, if you use the dishwasher, run it when it’s a full load and run it at night when you are sleeping. We also have shade screens on our south windows. We really noticed a difference once the screens went up. There was a noticable drop in the temp inside and we realized the A/C wasn’t running as much anymore. I definitely recommend shade screens.
Hope this is of some help to people. Also, thanks for all the other great tips I’ve been reading so far. I’m definitely taking some notes. Stay cool!
Tiffany Thomas says
I love all of the tips!
Randi says
We fill a 5 gallon cooler (our is orange, like the construction guys use) with water each day and place it on the counter. I make one chunk of ice out of an old ice cream bucket and it stays cold all day. The kids are able to get their own water all day, and the fridge doesn’t get opened all the time.
Hilary says
I always cut open my lotion, makeup, etc containers…there’s so much left at the bottom!
Jodi says
This is a great section– I’m going to love reading all the great tips!
RK says
We’ve stopped using dryer sheets altogether. Don’t miss ’em at all.
Kristyn says
In response to the baby wipes comment, my money saving tip is for mommies to clean up messes that require baby wipes, because daddies use WAY too many!!! LOL
Kathie M says
I stretch my DD’s apple juice buy making it half water. I was going to by the Mott’s Tot juice but when looking at it the label said 50% juice. I figured I could add the 50% water at home and get a BOGO deal myself!
Emily says
When my babies were little, I used to cut all my baby wipes in half. If their diapers were really messy, I’d simply use more than one 1/2 wipe, but it really saved when their diapers were only wet.
I always reuse my dryer sheets. AFter I use them once (including the Purex 3-in-1 sheets), I keep them in a bag above my dryer. When I reuse a sheet, I always add 2 to the load. I can’t even tell the difference.
Amanda Johnson says
Great ideas. I use the dryer bar faithfully and actually the last one came off my dryer so I wrote them and guess what, they sent a free one and coupons. :P
lisa says
My husbands scraps after work and we have been able to get bikes, sewing machines, basketball hoops and tons of toys to resell in yard sales. He also picks up anthing metal or old washer and dryers, fridge and stoves etc. So far this summer we’ve made $3,000. Not too bad for trash huh? Our next few loads are going into our Disney fund.
Shellie says
This is something I did yesterday. Lock-in my therm rate for natural gas. I got a great 12 mo. fixed rate of .689 from my current natural gas provider. I was on a variable rate paying .999/therm. Right now my bills are low due to usage but this winter I’ll really see a HUGE difference in my bill.
Leslie says
Love all the tips! I am going to start cutting my dryer sheets in half.
Brenda says
Love the vinegar ideas. We also have hard water, and I use vinegar in the rinse cycle (my washer has a fabric softener dispenser, and I simply use vinegar). Works well, especially with my homemade laundry soap (many recipes available online)
There is a vinegar coupon available online at:
http://www.heinzvinegar.com/Coupon/
Angela says
I have always used dryer sheets 2 or 3 times with no problems. . .love it!
I recently started using the dryer bars and are a huge fan. I’ll never go back! There’s always coupons out for them, too!
As a Special Needs Teacher, I’m always washing out plastic food containers (butter, etc) and re-using them in my classroom for various things. . . sorting activities, compartments for math centers, etc.
Chasity says
I only use 1/2 the listed amount for laundry detergent….my clothes always come clean. You can use the dryer sheet twice too…if you don’t want to cut them.
Elyse says
When I print out my coupons I use the back of old papers that I don’t need anymore (like articles from class or flyers that came in the mail) I save so much paper this way (i hate wasting paper not only because of the cost but b/c I don’t want to kill anymore trees).
I also wear a pair of pants twice before washing them (unless they get too dirty).
I use a brita filter and refill old gallon jugs and keep them in the fridge. I drink about 1/2 gallon water each day so this ensures I have enough water without having to buy the jugs every week.
Tara Kate says
I do the same with the paper, I leave them for my toddler to color on.
Vilara says
I always use Mr. Clean floor cleaner for everything… diluted Mr. Clean in a spray bottle. It has febreeze in it so it leaves things smelling good and I figure if it is supposed to disinfect a floor it will disinfect any hard surface!
Kayla says
I have heard of the dryer sheet idea but never tried it. I can’t think of anything we really try to make last twice as long.
Rhonda says
Oh wow I’m going to love this new feature!
Jenell says
We have resuable water bottles that I keep filled for my kids. It is a lot cheaper than buying bottled waters.
Sara says
I like this idea!
The vinegar idea is so handy!
Ellen says
I use bookmooch.com and paperbackswap.com for books, instead of buying new paperbacks all the time.
Brittany says
Join your local freecycle. You can find all kids of things that you need on there.
Heather says
I never thought about cutting the dryer sheet in half, I will have to try that one. I shop at second hand stores and always head to the clearance racks at stores. Saves me alot of money on kids clothes.
charlene says
I love the dryer sheet tip. I look forward to all of the tips and ideas on saving money. Thanks a million!!
Patti says
This is gross…but I save forks that come from fast food places and grocery bags. The forks are great for digging the dog poop out of the blades of grass. I can’t stand poop in the yard, since the baby plays outside now. So I clean it up each time the dog goes. Toss it in the grocery bag and to the garage.
Patti says
you know those expensive little bottles of holiday spices that we use a dash of, stick in closet, and find a year later and cant use because it went bad.
well now a few of us friends go in together and buy one bottle and divide it up. no waste of product and saves a ton of money…
elaine says
I use liquid fabric softner, but I always delute it half & half, works great.
Patti says
i wish i could do that…i have harder than hard water and i have to use twice as much softener just to be able to fold the towels and use them without being scratched.
Laura says
I have never thought about the dryer sheet idea. I will have to try that I just ran out so when I buy a new box I will try that! Thanks!
Thrisha says
As a student, textbooks costs can get overwhelming. I started to rent some textbook that I know will not resale very well to save money.
Sarah says
I do the same thing! I rent from Chegg.com. They have awesome prices and they plant a tree for every book that you rent! :-)
(A book for one of my classes last Spring was priced at $189.00. I rented it on Chegg for $49 for the whole semester!) College book stores are such a rip off! I would have purchased the book for $189 and then they would have bought it back for $75 at the end of the semester (oh and then re-sold it to someone else for $150). It’s ridiculous! I would have lost over $100 on one book. SO glad I found Chegg.
Belinda says
I’m a homeschool mom, and can tell you that I have got alot of my textbooks and material from abebooks.com and from FreeCycle. I just bought all of the textbooks that I will need to teach my daughter for 9th grade (Algebra I, Physical Science, History, Language Arts) from abebooks and spent $20.00. And they were all Teacher’s Editions.
Randi says
Thanks for the tip Belinda! I’m a HS Mom too and starting lesson planning for next year. I’ll have to check out abebooks now.
Yvette says
Belinda, last year was my first year to HS. How do you use only the TE’s??
Belinda says
My daughter is going into the 8th grade right now. But I normally plan a year ahead because financially you never know what is going to happen. I currently use alot more than just the textbooks. I create worksheets that I keep in binders. Along with various websites, videos, educational games and more that are free to use. iTunes have alot of free educational videos that you can download onto your PC and use. This will be my 3rd homeschooling. I mainly use gift cards that I have earned throughout the year to purchase our school needs.
Melinda D says
When we bought our new fridge it came with a plastic container which we use to store all the extra ketchups and other condiments that we get from fast food restuarants. It comes in handy when you want a little of something like malt vinegar but don’t want to have to buy a big bottle of it. If we are planing a picnic, we use the little packets of mustard and mayo so that we don’t have to take the bottles with us.
Jen says
My husband found these blue spike-like balls at the store one day that are used in place of dryer sheets. I haven’t bought/used dryer sheets in over a year and I can’t tell the difference! I love my little spike balls!
Randi says
I did the same thing with a set of three new tennis balls. My kids love searching through the just out of the dryer clothes to find the balls and return them. It also cut down on the amount of time it took to dry them.
MaryAnne says
I cut steel wool pads in quarters with household scissors. Seems like I use them rarely, and a whole pad gets used once and then rusts on the sink and is thrown away. A quarter of a pad is big enough to do all but the biggest jobs, and the box lasts 4 times as long.
Monique Rizzo says
I like to keep butter wrappers in a baggie in the fridge. When I need to grease a cake pan I use one of those. They work perfectly!!
Becca Filley says
I get bread from our outlet that is on the sale rack, usually 5 loafs for 2.00 and then I use those to make bread crumbs. Toast them in the oven with a little bit of olive oil on them, pop them in the food processor and you have a HUGE amount of bread crumbs, or do the same for crutons and just cut rather than process. You can add seasonings to the bread before you bake it for Italian bread crumbs or ranch flavored crutons.
shannon says
i clean and reuse the scoops in my son’s infant formula. they make great scoops for coffee and sugar :)
Yvette says
Does anyone know if you cut the Purex sheets (3 in one) in half lenghtwise if that will still work? I buy those now that my children are doing their own laundry, and was wondering how to make them go further. It seems we just blaze through them!!
If anyone has tried it, I would love to know if it worked, Thanks!
Melissa says
I have switched all of my liquid handsoap dispensers to the foaming type. I buy a large bottle or jug of regular liquid handsoap and pour just a small amount into the empty container (maybe an inch deep). I slowly fill to the top with water, close and gently rock until it’s all blended. My guess is that it stretches the soap 75% longer and I feel the kids are washing their hands better. Before they would just pump the gel into their hands and not rub them together enough to break all of the gel up into a foam and most of it would end up in the bottom of the sink.
Ann says
I reuse dryer sheets for multiple things around the house. They work great to eliminate shoe odors and they also work wonders in a heavily soiled pot or pan. Just stick the dryer sheet in the soiled dish and let it soak with the water. The food comes right off.
Lisa Gray says
I love saving money again who doesn’t. I love all your tips.
Christina says
These are some fabulous tips! I keep a lot of tips like this in my “household management” binder so I don’t forget them. I’m definitely going to be adding some of these!
Brandy B says
These are all great ideas! I can’t wait to start saving money. My tip is actually pretty simple. When we leave in the morning I make sure to turn the thermostat up to 78. When we get home in the afternoons I try and leave it at 78 for as long as possible. I go through the sounds and turn on all the ceiling fans in our bedroom and living room. at 7:30 when my daughter gets a bath I turn the temp back down to 74 to cool the house for sleeping. I really didn’t think it would make that big of a difference but I just got my power bill and it was almost $20 lower than it was this time last year. That can add up quickly!!
Kim N. says
When I take my dryer sheets out of the dryer, I put them in a bag and use them a second time. The second time I use them I usually put 2 or 3 sheets in the dryer but they work great and I can go longer without having to buy dryer sheets!
sam vershum says
We watch garage sales for cheap items name brand and reale I got a coach purse for 10 and resold it for 122
Amber says
great ideas! kristen is SO the new einstein! but much prettier;)
Sara says
Yahoo! I love saving money, I am looking forward to these tips! I use the bounce dryer bar, it is awesome, you would be amazed at how nice it is NOT to have to put a dryer sheet in the dryer.
Amanda says
I have set price limits on thing I buy for my daughter for instance shirts and jeans, ect. I can’t help but spoil her, but this way, If I find a clearance rack with thinks I “can’t live without her having” I am able to keep my spending in check! She has entirely too many clothes!
I also like to shop used on bookoo.com (similar to craigslist) I have been able to save a TON of money this way!
Jen says
Freecycle is a great option too. I have gotten some cool things on there for free! It is also a nice feeling when someone is looking for something you have and you can help them out.
Lisa Webb says
I love Freecycle too. Great way to clean out the basement, garage(when the hubs out of town) lol and not fill up the land fill.
Kelly says
Love the tips! But I’m with you on the diaper wipes! Some things just can’t be downsized!
Darlene says
Make dishwasher detergent: mix equal parts borax and washing soda. I mix mine in a mason jar and store under the sink. Pour vinegar in the rinse agent compartment.
Make liquid hand soap: mix equal parts water and Bronner’s castile soap. Use any scent or add essential oils for scent. (this may also be used for shower gel)
Make general purpose household cleaner: mix equal parts vinegar and water.
Jen says
I buy my bread at the Sara Lee Outlet. I can get five loaves for $2. Then I freeze them.
Penny =^.^= says
I use the used dryer sheets for cleaning my ceiling fan blades off with. They hold the dust bunnies and webs and then I throw them away.
Randi says
I do this too, it works on picture frames too. Our hall is full of them, and the dryer sheets help reduce what sticks to them. :)
Brooke says
I make my own fabric refresher. I soak a couple of dryer sheets in water and then pour the water in a plastic bottle and voila, works great! I also make my own all purpose cleaner. 1 tablespoon vinegar, a drop of dish soap, and fill the bottle with water.
Angela Redd says
I love the dryer sheet trick, never thought of that. I use vinegar to kill weeks, just make sure not to get on anything you want to stay alive, it will kill it. Also, it seems to work better if it is at more than room temp. I keep it outside.
Marist says
Having a stockpile has allowed me to go shopping free some weeks.
Karen Harris says
I found that the Bounce Dryer Bar lasts WAY longer than a dryer sheet. It’s easy to slide out on loads that you don’t want to use (like kids fire retardant clothes or towels). I have 5 people in my family so laundry is a never ending “heap” and I have gotten lots longer than the package advertises on uses.
Tanya in Carolina says
I love my Bounce Dryer Bars!!!! It saves me time and money!
Megan says
Me too! I think it’s almost time to replace it and it’s been at least 5 months when it was advertised at 3.
Becca Filley says
Me too, I don’t think I will ever use sheets again!!
Michelle says
I have a front loading dryer. I always wonder if it messes up the mechanics of dryers because of the weight being on one spot of the dryer (I suppose this counts for really any dryer). I’ve heard that the bar can throw it off.
Erin Percy says
i cloth diaper. Save tons.
Lisa Webb says
I buy bread and buns with every good coupon i can get. I LOVE to shop Walmarts bakery markdown rack…they have some really good french breads and artisan breads.
Just throw the bread in the freezer. It thaws in less than ten minutes (for slice bread or buns) and is Normally pretty fresh…If not toast it, grill it, I use most of the frozen artisan breads for pizza crust, slice it thin and let the chicklets top it the way they want. They’s used taco leftovers, alfredo sauce, you name it.
Heather M says
My husband takes a cooler of ice water and a cup instead of buying bottled water
Sharon says
I’ve put the kids bath soap, shampoo, and condition in recycled hand soap containers. Now they just use a small pump – plenty for little folks – and I’ve noticed their bath soap last MUCH longer now!
Lacey says
I love this idea! Gives them independence without using too much!
Christina says
I love this tip too!! I have a 4 year old who thinks he can do everything on his own!
marie says
I agree..we also do this when we buy the large bottles of shampoo then pout them in to the smalller pumps so nothing heavy gets knocked on a little head and in case there is a shampoo battle, not as much is lost :-)
Brooke says
Love the dryer sheet tip! Never thought of that before. I add a little water to my hand soap bottle when it’s running low to make it last a little longer. Plus, I bought 7 clothes items for my kids at consignment last week for just under $15!
Belinda says
I buy the Bounce dryer sheets from Sam’s Club and I use the same sheet for 2 and sometimes 3 loads of drying. They work just as if they are new.
Another tip that we use is the used dryer sheet: spray a little air freshner or favorite scent and put it at the bottom of your trash can before you put the bag in. This works great in our bathroom and kitchen trash cans!!
Kristen says
I jsut thought of another. I always cut the tops of my toiletries off. (this only works with the kind that come to a point at the top). i am always able to get a ton of conditioner, shampoo, and make-up out of the tube. I even do it with medications, like my tube of face cream, and hydicortisone. You would be suprised how much you can get out of a tube that your thought was empty.
Kimberly says
I’m guilty of adding water to my hand soap bottles.
Kelly says
Haha me too but I figure you’re going to use water to mix with the soap so why not :)
Ginger says
ME too!! Guilty as charged.. It works, so why not.
Randi says
I have my old B&B Works foaming dispensers and I add a smidge of soap and water to them. Works like a charm and my hand soap last practically forever!
diane says
My tip is vinegar. It has so many uses and its cheap. Its a great weed killer and a lot cheaper than round-up weed killer. Just google vinegar for all the great uses.
Belinda says
Thanks!! I didn’t know about the week killer. We do use it to clean the windows.
Jen says
I am soooooooooooo going to look into the weed killer thing! I LOVE vinegar, it has so many uses!
Jenell says
I use it for mold in our apartment. It is a lot better to use around my kids and seems to help keep it away.
Cindy says
Oh, I didn’t know it killed weeds!! I will try asap! Thanks.
Candace says
Watch for “free stuff” on craigslist! Lots of times, people just want it out of their house or yard. We pick up things and then re-sell them (on craigslist) and make a few bucks!
Kristen says
That is a great idea! My tip: We have switched all of our light bulbs to CFL. We purchased them at Sam’s club, and got a really great deal. I can deffinetly tell a difference in our elecric bill. Just think, our bathroom light fixture holds EIGHT light bulbs. Just switching those would save a ton.
Michellyn says
We only put 2 or 3 light bulbs instead of putting them in all the spots. You still get LOTS of light with only a couple fluorescent bulbs…
We also put fluorescent bulbs outside & replaced the light switch with a timer & the lights outside go on automatically at night & turn off in the morning.
Sharon says
Buy used and sell used….we bought a bike trailer for around $60 and plan to sell it for $50…that’s only $10 for three years of use!
brittneysmith says
When my shampoo or face soap is getting low, I add water to it and it usually gives me another week of use.