Stretching a buck

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I save water by only showering once a week. In turn, that saves face lotion, body lotion, shampoo/conditioner, electricity from my hair dryer.

Really though, i save condiment packages. The Hat has everything you need, and even paper plates, napkins and utensils. It's not stealing if you eat there... occasionally.

I sure save those new dip and squeeze ketchup packets I never even saw a review from you on those after all of the hoopla (but I had company that whole week....) did I miss it?

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

I sure save those new dip and squeeze ketchup packets I never even saw a review from you on those after all of the hoopla (but I had company that whole week....) did I miss it?

I haven't been over to chik-fil-a yet. I'm still waiting by the mailbox, I thought you were gonna send me some

[107barney]

Originally Posted by jadabug

What do you use to make your cleaning products? I would love to make all of mine too. Cleaning products are all so expensive.

Yes they are so expensive and they don't work as well as your own home made. You can make most cleaning products with a few staple items such as borax, white vinegar, baking soda and then I usually add a few essential oils for nice smells. I have things storedin 32 oz spray bottles. If you want specifics, let me know and I'll give you the names of a couple of good books for exact recipes of if you want to try just a few things let me know and I'll write out the recipes.

It sounds so simple and it is. It is very effective. I have a very clean house. I do admit to the occasional use of bleach in the bathroom (like once a month or so) and sometimes use something else in the kitchen on floors. This is not because the house is dirty but because old habits die hard

I use microfiber towels on everything.

Here are a few quick tips -
Stainless Steel - Cream of Tartar, use with microfiber and buff
Windows/Glass - club soda with a few drops of essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle.
Toilet - white vinegar, baking soda, castille soap, few drops of peppermint oil
Bathroom Sinks/Counters - vingegar/water/castile soap/lime oil
Showers /tub and tile - vinegar/water/castille soap/tea tree oil
Kitchen counters - vinegar/water/lemon oil (i also add lavender)
Tile Floors - vinegar/water/castille soap/lemon
Wood and wood floors - water/castille soap/olive oil/lemon/vinegar

There are so many more options, and you can make up your own too once you know the ingredients.

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I haven't been over to chik-fil-a yet. I'm still waiting by the mailbox, I thought you were gonna send me some

You told me not to bother because you were going to free fry day......I guess you didn't make it :

I DID send you a pic though if you remember

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by 107barney

Yes they are so expensive and they don't work as well as your own home made. You can make most cleaning products with a few staple items such as borax, white vinegar, baking soda and then I usually add a few essential oils for nice smells. I have things storedin 32 oz spray bottles. If you want specifics, let me know and I'll give you the names of a couple of good books for exact recipes of if you want to try just a few things let me know and I'll write out the recipes.

It sounds so simple and it is. It is very effective. I have a very clean house. I do admit to the occasional use of bleach in the bathroom (like once a month or so) and sometimes use something else in the kitchen on floors. This is not because the house is dirty but because old habits die hard

I use microfiber towels on everything.

Here are a few quick tips -
Stainless Steel - Cream of Tartar, use with microfiber and buff
Windows/Glass - club soda with a few drops of essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle.
Toilet - white vinegar, baking soda, castille soap, few drops of peppermint oil
Bathroom Sinks/Counters - vingegar/water/castile soap/lime oil
Showers /tub and tile - vinegar/water/castille soap/tea tree oil
Kitchen counters - vinegar/water/lemon oil (i also add lavender)
Tile Floors - vinegar/water/castille soap/lemon
Wood and wood floors - water/castille soap/olive oil/lemon/vinegar

There are so many more options, and you can make up your own too once you know the ingredients.

I do much the same, Cathy. I just don't usually add the essential oils for no other reason than they are not in my cupboards

vinegar and castille are great on the floors ~ just don't put it in the FloorMate

[jadabug]

I have a steam mop, but I do use white water and vinegar when the furbutts miss the pee pad. I mix it 50/50 and keep it in a spray bottle. It is all I ever use to mop with. I will have to mix it up with some castille nest time I mix up a bottle.
I have also thought about using some essential oils in scents I like for the laundry detergent too. That is the only thing I don't like about it, the scent.

[sugarmamma]

I use vinegar with my floormate as well~ but don't put it IN the machine after talking with 107Barney about how she had 2 that were destroyed by adding bleach to one and something else to a second that wasn't recommended.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

One thing I do is have a garden. At the VERY least I always have an herb garden. I can make a can of spaghetti oh's taste 5 star with herbs! (okay......gross exaggeration )

Oh fun, I love fresh stuff - and the smell of herbs. Fresh BASIL, yum. I tried growing a garden here in Phoenix, we planted some stuff - and I swear it's so hot and dry here that everything just looked at me and then keeled over.

I'm bad w/ leftovers. I do buy some generic stuff (instead of brand labels) bc so much of it doesn't taste any different to me.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh fun, I love fresh stuff - and the smell of herbs. Fresh BASIL, yum. I tried growing a garden here in Phoenix, we planted some stuff - and I swear it's so hot and dry here that everything just looked at me and then keeled over.

I'm bad w/ leftovers. I do buy some generic stuff (instead of brand labels) bc so much of it doesn't taste any different to me.

That happened with me too! When we finally got our own house I said I wanted to plant an herb garden. i looked at those table top ones, but they were over $100. So I tried to do a regular one outside. As soon as they started to sprout, they dried up and died. The only thing that grew a bit was the garlic chives, but then I think a rabbit came and mowed them over. I didn't get to use them even once.

[Cha Cha]

Speaking of laundry detergent, if you don't want to make your own, you can dilute a bottle of liquid detergent by half, making one bottle go twice as far. It is concentrated way too much straight out of the bottle. If you buy it on sale or with a coupon, that's even better.

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

Speaking of laundry detergent, if you don't want to make your own, you can dilute a bottle of liquid detergent by half, making one bottle go twice as far. It is concentrated way too much straight out of the bottle. If you buy it on sale or with a coupon, that's even better.

I skip the dilution part and only add a few tablespoons per load ~ unless I am washing peepads I still add half as much as required but I also add white vinegar!

[Cha Cha]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

I skip the dilution part and only add a few tablespoons per load ~ unless I am washing peepads I still add half as much as required but I also add white vinegar!

I've wondered if you could cut it down even more.

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by sugarmamma

I try to do that too. I will usually at the very least put the item(s) back and come back for them the next day if I cannot live without. I RARELY return the next day

lol... I do that a lot too.

[Lil Sis]

I have cut back a lot on shopping for food. I plan meals better and use the leftover either for lunch or the next day. I also don't shop for other stuff as much.. alway looking for sales.
We drive a prius so gas is not too much of an issue .. yet.

I am sad to say... I really want another dog... but am saving money by not getting one until I can afford one (vet bills and all)

[shamrocks]

I use coupons to help me stretch a buck. I have a small stock pile and will not have to buy laundry soap for a year. I look for match ups to use my coupons with to get free or cheap items. I now don’t pay over $1.00 for laundry soap I get toothpaste for free same goes for toothbrushes. I am all about making my money stretch