The Miserly, Penny Pincher, Tightwading, & Thrifting Thread

Parent Cafe
121

<p>Peroxide does not bleach fabric, and yes I use the mix on all whites and colors. I’ve never had a problem with fading or bleeding colors. The smells really do disappear! My husband and I work out for over an hour every day and some of the wicking fabrics really hold on to smells if they can’t be laundered right away. You have to kill the bacteria, and vinegar won’t do that, unfortunately.</p>

<p>To make laundry soap, I use equal parts washing soda, hydrogen percarbonate (i.e., oxiclean - it contains the brighteners used in commercial detergents. Interestingly, hydrogen percarbonate converts to hydrogen peroxide when water is added), and borax and add one grated bar of Fels Naptha (you can use castille soap also if skin sensitivity is significant) for every 9 cups of dry mix. I will use up the entire box of washing soda in one batch, have a little borax left over (for stain treatment and kitchen cleaning) and a bit more oxiclean (again, to use in kitchen and bath as a cleaner on its own). I bought 2 cheap plastic containers to hold the batch. I use no more than 2 tablespoons in a heavily soiled load (more like 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp normally) and use vinegar for the rinse. Works great in my front loading HE machine. Comes out to about .05 per regular load and .10 for heavily soiled loads for me. YMMV.</p>

122

<p>Bake your own bread - so much cheaper and tastier than store bought. </p>

<p>Google “no knead bread” recipes. Very simple, easy, and inexpensive.</p>

123

<p>eireann, I so agree with the idea of making eating out ‘intentional’. That’s one of our issues. We get so used to just picking something up…or we don’t have a plan at the house and it is just to simple to sun out and grab something. Also, your post about bringing lunch to work reminded me…I often try to bring lunch to work, but am often running late in the morning, so occasionally will just grab ingredients (lunch meat, bread…) that I can put together at work. If you have access to a refrigerator at work, you might be able to run out at lunch on Monday and get the things you’d need for lunch for the week on those busy weeks…just a thought.</p>

<p>YNAB…We started using this software/download (YNAB stands for You Need A Budget) several years ago and it helped us ‘give every dollar a job’. It works as a zero budget system, where you preplan what all your money will do that month…If you don’t already have a system you like, I’d recommend it. Now that also have an APP, which I am about to start using. They have great, live training too…a lot of that going on this week! lol We just finished watching the training on how to get back on track. ;-)</p>

124

<p>

</p>

<p>Meremom,
Where do you buy these things? I haven’t looked for them, but since they are so unfamiliar to me, I wonder if they are easy to find. I know I won’t grate soap (I am really sensitive to soap smells and standing there grating it wouldn’t work for me…plus I don’t wanna lol)…Any suggestion for something ‘pre-grated’, or would that be the castille?</p>

125

<p>Mom2collegekids–do you know you can get those sports like drinks for .50 cents or less if you use coupons and stock up only when on sale? </p>

<p>My uncle and aunt have 5 kids that are ALL into sports and now all play at the college level, excepting the oldest that graduated. They were going through HUNDREDS of dollars a month just on sports like drinks. I helped them with basic couponing on those drinks and peanut butter–two items they went through a tremendous amount of each day.</p>

<p>The key is to obtain enough coupons via a clipping service. You are NOT paying for the coupons, but the time the coupon clipping service spends locating, cutting and organizing the coupons. Most coupons are .03-12 cents, but save tons when stacked with a rock bottom sale. </p>

<p>So, for my uncle and aunt, when the drinks would go on sale, they would buy CARTs full at several of the stores that sold them. For example, this summer one store had them on sale 10 for $5.00, with the coupons worth $1 off 2 or .50 off 1, they paid only tax. They no longer buy carts full of the drinks, but do keep a supply on hand for drinking after their workouts and for when the kids come home on breaks.</p>

<p>ETA: make sure to review the coupon booklets within your Sunday paper each week. When you see that a coupon was issued for the sports drink, use a clipping service to purchase as many as you need for about 2 months. Items usually go to rock bottom prices in cycles of 4, 6, 8 & 12 weeks. </p>

<p>Clipping services I use:
<a href=“http://www.thecouponclippers.com/[/url]”>http://www.thecouponclippers.com/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://www.couponsthingsbydede.com/default.asp[/url]”>http://www.couponsthingsbydede.com/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

126

<p>Shoboemom-- most grocery stores, Kmart, Walmart & Target should sell the items mentioned in Meremom’s post.</p>

127

<p>shoboemom, I googled “no grate laundry detergent” and got a couple of hits (!)
There are two ways around this grating thing (I had the same reluctance as you):</p>

<p>Use liquid Dawn instead: [No-Grate</a> Homemade Laundry Soap | One Good Thing by Jillee](<a href=“Homemade Laundry Detergent: Best Recipes 2023”>Homemade Laundry Detergent: Best Recipes 2023)</p>

<p>Microwave Ivory soap, put it in a plastic bag and magically it crumbles, Other people said they used their food processors (I’m not comfortable with that either):
[Reader</a> Tip: No-Grate Powdered Laundry Soap :: Money Saving Mom®Money Saving Mom®](<a href=“http://moneysavingmom.com/2013/07/reader-tip-no-grate-powdered-laundry-soap.html]Reader”>Reader Tip: No-Grate Powdered Laundry Soap | Money Saving Mom®)</p>

<p>I think I’m going to try the microwave thing.</p>

128

<p>*Mom2collegekids–do you know you can get those sports like drinks for .50 cents or less if you use coupons and stock up only when on sale? *</p>

<p>Oh yes! That’s what I do. However, I can’t get H to cooperate. He’ll run into a gas station and pay some crazy price. EVEN if I have put extras in his car because those aren’t cold anymore. </p>

<p>I’m probably not the only one who’d like to economize more but has a spouse who doesn’t want to bother or cooperate. :(</p>

129

<p>If you are not a bread baker, but would like to be, try this VERY easy recipe. You make the dough the day before you want to eat it. (so mix it up today for baking tomorrow). Nice and crusty on the outside, soft on the inside. Try variations w/herbs, dried fruit/nuts if desired. I don’t have a Le Crueset, but just use a deep large pyrex casserole dish with lid and it works just fine! Don’t forget to preheat the dish as the recipe describes.</p>

<p>[Simply</a> So Good: Crusty Bread](<a href=“http://www.simplysogood.com/2010/03/crusty-bread.html]Simply”>http://www.simplysogood.com/2010/03/crusty-bread.html)</p>

130

<p>^^Those look like great alternatives to grating - I’ll have to try the Ivory Soap trick. </p>

<p>I really don’t mind grating - takes only a couple minutes and I get a VERY shiny clean grater and bowl when I wash them out. I can see where others would like to avoid this process, though.</p>

<p>I get my supplies at Walmart, Target and/or our area chain grocery store. I’ve even found cheap h. percarbonate at the dollar store on occasion.</p>

131

<p>Recently, have learned to make a very nice syrup that is tasty and seems to help me fight off potential infections (tho YMMV). It is made with freshly grated ginger that has been peeled 9about 1.5 inches of the root), the juice of a lemon and sweetener–honey or simple syrup made by heating 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar until it has completely dissolved. Mix it with 3 or 4 parts water for a refreshing drink, hot or cold. It has become our favorite drink these days.</p>

<p>I think it may have been responsible for me NOT getting sick this holidays season for the first time in 13 years! It also is very inexpensive, especially if you can get free citrus from neighbors or family members.</p>

132

<p>A few more suggestions:

  1. If (and only if) you always pay your credit card bill on time, get a credit card that pays you a rebate (in money, miles, or points). This is essentially like getting a 1% (or more) discount on everything you buy. Once you do this, use the credit card for all your purchases.
  2. If you travel a lot, learn how to maximize the benefits of air and hotel status cards. This may mean preferring one chain over another, watching for promotions, getting status that gives free flights, free breakfasts, etc.
  3. Check out books and movies from the public library.
  4. Listen to music on Pandora, Spotify, or ITunes rather than buying CDs.
  5. Buying and ripping a used CD can often be cheaper than downloading songs.</p>
133

<p>A few things I do:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I stopped ordering beverages out. I don’t really like soda, and although tea is okay, I am fine fine fine with water. That save $1-3 per meal alone.</p></li>
<li><p>I use a fruit and veggie CSA. For $15 this “black” thumb can get seasonal F&V…each box is probably about $30 worth.</p></li>
<li><p>Crockpot wednesdays. For my “long” work days. Nice to come home to a hot fresh ready meal and saves on going out. </p></li>
<li><p>Bring lunches from home.</p></li>
<li><p>No cable. I get 4 network channels (including QUBO which is for young kids) and have Amazon Prime. I’m not much of a tv watcher and my kid doesn’t need more disctractions.</p></li>
<li><p>Use the public library rather than buying books. This one is hard for me. I spend a lot on books. They have digital downloads now too. </p></li>
<li><p>Insulate. Those of you in cold climes probably already have this, but I am in the desert and I noticed a big difference in my electric bill when I insulated under my sink (outside wall) etc.</p></li>
</ol>

134

<p>double post deleted.</p>

135

<p>If you must eat fast food, look carefully at the menu. Combos are not necessarily cheaper, especially if you don’t really need a soft drink. Often the items on the “value” or “dollar” menu are substantially cheaper than similar items on the other menu.</p>

<p>If you eat out a fair amount, use Open Table to reserve restaurants. It gives you coupons for discounts after a certain number of meals.</p>

136

<p>I love YNAB (You Need A Budget) – I’d probably have a 50% higher net worth now had it been available and used thirty years ago. Best purchase I’ve made in years, hands-down.</p>

<p>One of the key things is that most families don’t know how much they do spend, especially on meals outside the home. Tracking all your expenditures, even if it is just for a month, can be a huge wake-up call. I spend less than 5 minutes a day managing expenses and paying bills and updating YNAB, and it is remarkable how much adjustment it was easy to make once I could see where money was really going and then answer the question if that was really how I wanted to use my resources.</p>

137

<p>The cash H and I get at the beginning of each month isn’t an allowance, it’s just cash. Once it runs out or low, we notice and try to adjust a bit. Plastic is just very easy to spend without noticing until the bills come. Having larger denominations also makes folks a bit more reluctant to break them and make impulse purchases. ;). </p>

<p>Only have a budget for our nonprofit but we are conscious of how and where we spend the book keeper we pay for the nonprofit provides regular financial reports.</p>

<p>If we personally wanted to be more aware of our spending we would likely use quicken as one of our relatives does. He documents ALL spending and is doing great financially due to frugal nature and huge income of him and his wife.</p>

138

<p>

</p>

<p>Awesome looking recipe–thanks, for posting!</p>

139

<p>I just want to remind readers and contributors to this thread, that it is NOT about saving for college, but using CURRENT income to pay for college. Several parents of the HS Class of 2015 want to get a jump start on this by having a cushion to pay their EFC in fall of 2015 or to supplement their 529s or savings out of CURRENT income. This current income will go into a 529 or savings account or directly to the student’s college/university, so the word “savings” may be used often, but not in the same context of a traditional savings plan started years ago. </p>

<p>The You Need A Budget Software looks good: [Personal</a> Budget Software - Finance Software for Windows & Mac](<a href=“http://www.youneedabudget.com/]Personal”>http://www.youneedabudget.com/) It’s similar to how I helped my co-worker pay her daughter’s tuition every month.</p>

<p>This coupled with other expense reducing methods surely will help folks with using current income to pay college expenses.</p>

<p>3ToGo also stated he is willing to provided a scrubbed down version of his spread sheet in his liked post: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/16777988-post75.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/16777988-post75.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Use software or spreadsheet! You cannot reduce spending and begin saving until you know where every penny of your net income goes each day, yes day, not paycheck.</p>

<p>Reduce Grocery budget—try to shop on 75% of current budget & reduce the amount spent every few months as you learn how to shop loss leaders and “real” grocery sales</p>

<p>Reduce H &B and HH supply budget with same method as for grocery budget</p>

<p>Reduce eating out</p>

<p>Reduce eating prepackaged foods (my standouts are pantry basics such as vegetable broth, pasta sauce, pasta, frozen vegetables, canned tomatoes in the winter, and, etc.)</p>

<p>Cook at home & make double batches—this makes automatic lunches to freeze</p>

<p>Take lunches to work & school</p>

<p>Make your own fancy coffee or Chai & drink out of a reusable Starbucks or Caribou cup that looks like the paper cups</p>

<p>Reduce clothing budget by shopping when NEED items are 50% off or more—shoot for 60-75% off. My D loves fashion! But never buys retail unless at least 60% or more off. </p>

<p>Shop 2nd hand & consignment shops—just because your saving money does not mean you cannot be fashionable and wear name brand clothing. My kid does where Diesel, Joe, and & 7 for All Mandkind jeans, but I pay anywhere from $1.49 to $10 a pair–same goes for other brands. </p>

<p>Reduce home and car insurance costs by increasing deductibles</p>

<p>Reduce the number of single place drives—combine as many stops within one trip
Use coupons whenever possible. Think of it this way, a coupon is money from your wallet. For every coupon you use, you save the face value of said coupon in real money. I’ve given examples of using coupons at Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and posted on the Good Deal of the Day thread of how I used Kohl’s Cash Bucks to purchase a 8 towels and a Keurig Mini for $3.74 for her future dorm room. </p>

<p>Reduce your Entertainment budget—this does not mean not seeing a Broadway play or musical that comes to town, but see a matinee or purchases cheaper tickets. </p>

<p>Use budgeting software or spreadsheet!</p>

<p>Keep the ideas and examples of frugal living coming!!!</p>

<p>Please, if you use free online budgeting programs or downloaded a free budgeting spreadsheet, can you give share the resource and give a bit of background info? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

140

<p>1. I stopped ordering beverages out. I don’t really like soda, and although tea is okay, I am fine fine fine with water. That save $1-3 per meal alone.</p>

<p>This is a huge deal, especially when eating out with family. Restaurants are now charging nearly $3 per soda…and then when you add tip and tax, that can easily mean an extra $20 added to the restaurant cost. </p>

<p>Does anyone have ideas on how to get a reluctant spouse on board? H grew up in a family who’s motto was: do what’s easiest and makes you happy. So, that’s not conducive to thoughtful budgeting or cutting back.</p>

<p>To give you an idea…H just picked up an Rx and we had to pay $147 for it. He could get it cheaper (MUCH cheaper…as low as $40), but it’s “easier” and “quicker” to get it where he does. CRAZY!!! I’ve offered to get it for him!!!</p>