How to Save Money

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Margies3

I've started making my own laundry soap. It works really well and is a whole lot cheaper than the stuff you have to buy in the stores!

My friend told me (but I haven't tried it personally) that instead of fabric softener, she takes a hunk of aluminum foil and makes a ball out of it and throws it into the dryer. Then between each load she unballs it and balls it back up again. That way she can use it for 6 or 7 loads before she needs a new one.

I make my own laundry soap. The only problem I ever had with the soap is that it was taking swaths of color out of t-shirts and other clothing. I think that the borax and washing soda is the culprit. So now I make sure that the washer is filled with water and mixes well before I put my clothes in.

Also, after washing awhile with this soap, the clothes did not smell fresh, so I put just a little bit of fabric softener in and that freshens them nicely.

I figured up that 5 gallons of my own laundry soap cost me $1.30/gallon to make. I figured up that my ingredients would make approximately 20 gallons of soap by the time I got to the end of the box. Pretty good eh?

[ILG]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Wow! A sign huh! You are going high tech!!! What a great idea.... I will try that next time, and maybe *RandyWayne* won't roll his eyes at me, and the cashier won't feel like quitting when I show up in her line.

Yes, you can see the relief on the cashier's face! I had one cashier hold the sign up and wave it to the other cashiers!

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

I make my own laundry soap. The only problem I ever had with the soap is that it was taking swaths of color out of t-shirts and other clothing. I think that the borax and washing soda is the culprit. So now I make sure that the washer is filled with water and mixes well before I put my clothes in.

Also, after washing awhile with this soap, the clothes did not smell fresh, so I put just a little bit of fabric softener in and that freshens them nicely.

I figured up that 5 gallons of my own laundry soap cost me $1.30/gallon to make. I figured up that my ingredients would make approximately 20 gallons of soap by the time I got to the end of the box. Pretty good eh?

That was the first lesson I learned with my own laundry soap. I have to fill the washer with water, make sure the soap is mixed in well, and THEN put the clothes in. But if I make the liquid version of this soap, it's not as crucial. On the other hand, making the dry version is so much easier, so that's what I do Do you do the dry or the liquid?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by ILG

Yes!

I have my list of groceries that are all ad match on one sheet and under the grocery store name what items I am buying. I put all items that are not ad match out first. Then, I say "These items back here are Ad Match." Then! I pull out my sign. My sign says COUPON LADY! If you are in a hurry, please choose another line. Many people do not read the sign so I tell people who pull in behind me. This makes the cashier happy, the people behind me happy (some choose to stay so they can watch. ) and me happy because I am not annoying anyone. And I save a bundle.

Excellent idea!

And yes, it would make me very happy, or at least let me know what I was in store for if I had no other options.

[RandyWayne]

Speaking of detergents, we have to use the HE types since we have a front loader BUT we also use 1/3 - 1/2 the "recommended" amount, which does JUST as good of a job. Consumer Reports has even done comparisons between detergents in the past where they used just water (no soap) as a baseline and the plain water did 85-90% as good as many of the detergents!

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Margies3

That was the first lesson I learned with my own laundry soap. I have to fill the washer with water, make sure the soap is mixed in well, and THEN put the clothes in. But if I make the liquid version of this soap, it's not as crucial. On the other hand, making the dry version is so much easier, so that's what I do Do you do the dry or the liquid?

I make the liquid and it did take out the color too. I have to get one of my guys in the house to tote it to the laundry room it's so heavy.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Excellent idea!

And yes, it would make me very happy, or at least let me know what I was in store for if I had no other options.

I felt kind of weird the first time I used it, but it has definitely been a hit! Thanks for your two cents from someone on the other side.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Speaking of detergents, we have to use the HE types since we have a front loader BUT we also use 1/3 - 1/2 the "recommended" amount, which does JUST as good of a job. Consumer Reports has even done comparisons between detergents in the past where they used just water (no soap) as a baseline and the plain water did 85-90% as good as many of the detergents!

I use about 1/3 to 1/2 the recommended amount. I do not make my own soap and hope to never do so unless I simply have a boatload more time than I do now. I do use coupons and buy when I get get them for maybe $1.50 for a 33 use bottle. I always buy unscented. Scented detergent can make my head swim.

I also buy unscented fabric softener and use a half sheet. I may try that aluminum ball thing sometime.

[Titus2woman]

We grow and raise everything we eat with few exceptions. Right now I have 2 upright and one chest freezer packed with meat; beef, venison, lamb, cabrito, chicken, turkey, duck, goose... I grow a big garden and can, freeze, dehydrate. I milk cows and goats and gather eggs. I believe that we could feed ourselves for a year if there was no grocery. We could feed our entire family (five kids, their spouses and five grands) for months which would allow us to grow fresh food. I buy grains in bulk. Our grocery bill last year was $680.

I only go to the store once a month. Buy toilet paper, detergent, etc. in bulk. Don gets 2 new pars of Carhart overalls a year, I buy a jean skirt or two, we buy under clothes and work boots when they wear out, other than that we have enough clothes to last for the rest of our lives left over from when I was mall shopper. Once I gave up shopping I froze getting rid of stuff and now we wear it out and then I make quilts, rag rugs and craft stuff out of what can no longer be mended. Our total clothing bill last year was $145.

I know our situation may be a little different than many... but I think everyone can do some of what we do... I have several friends who have started edible landscape and now grow all their own veggies in their tiny suburban yards.

[RandyWayne]

This weekend we're picking up two halves of a whiskey barrel from Home Depot and growing our own white and red potatoes.

Everything is tricky to grow in the desert!