TIP Frugal Tips - 2015

[Deena in GA]

Okay, we just bit the bullet and signed up for Christian Healthcare Ministries version of medical bill sharing (fits 0care's definition for healthcare). Now we have to figure out how to carve the $255 monthly fee out of our meager budget.

Those of you who have been around a while may (or may not, lol) remember that we've done these threads before, but I always need new ideas of ways to save money, so I'm hoping we can help each other with this and keep the thread ongoing.

Personally, we already shop almost entirely at thrift stores for clothing, housewares, etc, unless we find something on sale at a greatly reduced price. We also make use of all discounts, coupons, etc that we can get our hands on. If we eat out somewhere, its because we either have a very good coupon or we've bought the half-price cards on Dealsavers. For instance, we've had a Del Taco open up in town and Dealsaver offered two $5 cards for $5. We bought several. They also have a $1 discount on your next purchase, if you do their survey online. So we go, order $6 worth of food and use the coupon as well as the card and end up paying only the tax.

We also use coupons and sales at grocery stores and spend much less than most people there. One thing I'm going to go back to doing is baking our bread. Its much cheaper to bake it myself than buy it, and much healthier as well since I grind the wheat berries and bake it fresh.

We've talked here before about using rubbing alcohol as a cheap alternative to deodorants. I personally prefer a crystal block, but am having a hard time finding them around here now. Guess I need to check online. The crystal lasts me about a year, so is very economical.

I also found this idea to extend the usage of your stick deodorant - When you can no longer use the sticks because the deodorant is below the plastic line, set the container aside. When you have several near-empty containers, microwave them for about 10 seconds until the remaining deodorant liquifies. Pour the liquid deodorant into a plastic container and let harden, then you can use it again.

Please add any and all ideas you may have!

 

[PyratePrincess]

Great tip on the deodorant Deena! I've looked at those for years and it bugged me about the pieces... You can do that with makeup too, like lipsticks. I've invented some really pretty colors using the dregs of the tube!

I save paper towel rolls and toilet paper rolls, cut them to make little square seed starter pots. I can start seedlings indoors and just bury the whole thing when ready to move.

 

[WestGardener]

Okay, we just bit the bullet and signed up for Christian Healthcare Ministries version of medical bill sharing (fits 0care's definition for healthcare). Now we have to figure out how to carve the $255 monthly fee out of our meager budget.

Those of you who have been around a while may (or may not, lol) remember that we've done these threads before, but I always need new ideas of ways to save money, so I'm hoping we can help each other with this and keep the thread ongoing.

Personally, we already shop almost entirely at thrift stores for clothing, housewares, etc, unless we find something on sale at a greatly reduced price. We also make use of all discounts, coupons, etc that we can get our hands on. If we eat out somewhere, its because we either have a very good coupon or we've bought the half-price cards on Dealsavers. For instance, we've had a Del Taco open up in town and Dealsaver offered two $5 cards for $5. We bought several. They also have a $1 discount on your next purchase, if you do their survey online. So we go, order $6 worth of food and use the coupon as well as the card and end up paying only the tax.

We also use coupons and sales at grocery stores and spend much less than most people there. One thing I'm going to go back to doing is baking our bread. Its much cheaper to bake it myself than buy it, and much healthier as well since I grind the wheat berries and bake it fresh.

We've talked here before about using rubbing alcohol as a cheap alternative to deodorants. I personally prefer a crystal block, but am having a hard time finding them around here now. Guess I need to check online. The crystal lasts me about a year, so is very economical.

I also found this idea to extend the usage of your stick deodorant - When you can no longer use the sticks because the deodorant is below the plastic line, set the container aside. When you have several near-empty containers, microwave them for about 10 seconds until the remaining deodorant liquifies. Pour the liquid deodorant into a plastic container and let harden, then you can use it again.

Please add any and all ideas you may have!

The deodorant savings is something i do. You would be surprised at the amount of deodorant still in the "empty" container. i just take the insides out and scrape it out into a small plastic bowl with a lid. My grandmother used to keep the small scraps of soap and tie them up into a cut nylon and use them up that way.

 

[2Trish]

Some of the newer things that we are doing to stretch our budget is going meatless one day a week. I try to make a large casserole, big pot of spaghetti or stew with minimal meat that will last 3 to 4 days.

Also, we turn our hot water tank down to "vacation" after dinner and everyone's baths then turn it back up the next day an hour before we need it. It pretty much stays warm overnight.

I guess we are being forced into being frugal. My Mom always drilled it into our heads that it was impolite to ask anyone for anything. I know that is not true but it stuck with me.

 

[Lei]

Our water bill has gone down since I put a brick in the tank of both toilets and put water saver
showerheads on the showers. I put LED bulbs in all but the most critical
light sources around the house. Using the clothes line on nice days cuts down on the need for a drier.
I remember hanging clothes out in the winter and having them freeze. I could stand up
my dad's work pants when they froze . LOL

 

[1eagle]

Have you reviewed those old 'frugal' threads lately? Sure there are gems we've forgotten about.

Just off the top of my head, look for 'big ticket' items to reduce. Can you cancel your mortgage insurance? Reduce your auto coverage to liability only? Increase homeowner/auto deductibles? Renegotiate any cable/internet packages? Reduce living expenses/downsize?

 

[Sozo]

http://www.reddit.com/r/frugal

There are sometimes good tips and ideas here, just filter through the stuff.


And some good blogs:

http://www.livingonadime.com/

http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/

 

[2Trish]

Our water bill has gone down since I put a brick in the tank of both toilets and put water saver
showerheads on the showers. I put LED bulbs in all but the most critical
light sources around the house. Using the clothes line on nice days cuts down on the need for a drier.
I remember hanging clothes out in the winter and having them freeze. I could stand up
my dad's work pants when they froze . LOL

Laughed when I read your comment about drying clothes in the winter. I remember when we were kids and had to dry our wool leggings, (snowpants nowadays), they took forever to dry. We didn't have a dryer or fireplace so everything got piled up by the furnace vents. I still put my boots and gloves by the vents.

 

[skwentnaflyer]

Are you on an Azure Standard truck route? Good prices on bulk: lentils, dried peas, oatmeal, beans, rice, etc.

 

[raven]

obviously all you need to do to save the money to pay for your health insurance is
schedule baths for once a week
eliminate deodorant

Je suis French

 

[moldy]

Look for discount grocers in your area. Our nearest one is about an hour away, but each time I have to go to Denver or up that way - I hit them. Last buys were blueberries for 50c for 6 oz and large cans of Nido milk for $1.99. I get my spices from glensbulkfoods.com.

 

[kittyluvr]

I use baking soda for deodorant. Only takes less than an 1/8 teaspoon a day. I purchase those big bags of baking soda from Costco.

 

[Be Well]

Deena I would avoid using rubbing alcohol anywhere on the skin on a regular basis, especially thin skin, it is toxic and absorbs through the skin. I have used a teeny bit of baking soda applied right after bath/shower while damp. Here's another thing I do - make a small spray bottle with about 3 drops of essential oils in a cup or a bit more water, shake well each time you spray. I like coriander, lemongrass, nutmeg, lavender, palmarosa, geranium - a few off hand, any one or more. For men EOs like spruce, fir, wintergreen, birch. Experiment - maybe even 2 drops will work, depends on oil. You don't want a strong smell, just faint, but EOs also have antimicrobial action so they do kill germs.

We save all TP and paper towel rolls for starting fires.

Making home made tomato soup with canned tomatoes, we never buy pre-made canned soup.

Mending!!!!!! Therefore saving buttons, usable zippers, clean old clothes that are not longer mendable for good pieces of fabric to mend other things with, flannel from sheets for bandages and compresses. Learning a lot of old timey home remedies to save $ at drug store or doctors. Castor oil packs help with many kinds of pain, as well as other kinds of oils.

Making desserts a once in a while as a treat instead of daily; saves money, good for teeth and helpful for people who want to lose weight. I'm losing weight (got a lot off already) and I think not eating sweets much has helped.

 

[Be Well]

Are you on an Azure Standard truck route? Good prices on bulk: lentils, dried peas, oatmeal, beans, rice, etc.

I've gotten bulk flours, grains, cereals, legumes etc from them for years. Cheaper than anywhere else around here.

 

[Tennessee gal]

If I eat out, I go during the lunch time not for dinner. Our town has a good number of places that offer lunch specials and senior discounts.

 

[ReneeT]

Walgreen's has a crystal deoderent for $5.99 - not sure if it is the type you are looking for, but you can find it on their webpage. I was encouraged to use it when I had radiation. It works very well, doesn't stain clothing, and lasts FOREVER (unless you drop it in the sink and shatter it ) - I'm talking 3-5 years. If you don't have a Walgreen's locally, and it's the right type, pm me your mailing address and I'll send you one - I've about stopped shopping there and have some points I need to use up.

 

[Deena in GA]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone! ReneeT, we don't hardly go to Walgreen's either, so maybe I haven't checked there. I will do that. Thanks! That crystal really is my favorite.

I really didn't mean to make this thread all about me, just sharing my story as why we need to tighten the belt even more. I want this to be a thread that we can all share and learn from.

 

[ReneeT]

We keep the heat down to 64* unless the grandkids are here. If I'm reading or doing something else where I'm sitting down, I use a sleeping bag for a 'snuggle sack. I turn it sideways so that the zipper runs up the front side of my body; I'm short enough that there is plenty of sleeping bag left at the top to fold down over my shoulders like a shawl. I also dress in layers so that if I'm doing something like mopping, I can peel off a layer so as not to get sweaty, and then get chilled when I stop.

Re: the water saver showerheads - the Evil Empire (WM) has these; I paid about $7 for the last ones I bought a few years ago. They are not only water saver, but have a shut off on them so you can shut off the water while you soap up, then push the button back on and rinse at the same temp. I have them on two of the showerheads and they work very well.

Our local metal recycling place accepts metal food cans as well as aluminium ones - you don't get a whole lot for them, but if you're going there anyway...

 

[Laurane]

In AZ our water is so hard on skin, I bought a $40 showerhead which has a softener filter in it.......even if I want a bath, I run the water down the showerhead till there is enough water.

This way you can get rid of a water salt system - I expect they are expensive to maintain. We drink bottled water while down here too at 25 cents a gallon from a refill machine, and refill small water bottles to take in the cars.......cheaper than buying from a store.

 

[dogmanan]

obviously all you need to do to save the money to pay for your health insurance is
schedule baths for once a week
eliminate deodorant

Je suis French

Yep I quiet using deodorant many years ago, like fifteen or more that is a lot of money saved over the years for something that is not needed.

And you know what know body has complained about me smelling bad.

 

[dogmanan]

Here's one I have not baught envelopes in like 25 years now I save the return ones from bills and junk mail I don't use and then when I need one I go get one of the saved ones, I baught a box of labels at a yard sale for like 3 dollars that had ten thousand labels in it and I use that to cover over the address and wright the one I'm mailing to on it.

 

[dogmanan]

For people who spend money on stain removal products, use peroxide for all organic stains work great, especially for women on the undies blood stains, and it is really cheap especially at the dollar stores.


When I told my wife and daughters about it they were very happy and it is all they use now to removal stains.

 

[dogmanan]

For gardening seed starter pots, save old news papers and take a drinking cup that is not tapered lay a couple sheets of the paper on the table and put the cup with the open end inward and roll up the cup in the paper and then stuff the extra paper in side the opening of the cup and pull the cup out and sit the rolled up paper on the table with the bottom down reach in pot you made and push the paper down to form a flat bottom and you have a seed starter pot.

Use a small cup for small pots and a large cup for large pots.

Don't worrie about the ink being bad for the soil as ink now on black and white news paper and on colored non glossy news paper is an organic soy base ink now so it is ok for the soil,.

Practice with it a little and you will find it works very well.

If you don't get the paper as I don't, I'm sure you have many friends who do, who will be glad to save them for you.

 

[Weft and Warp]

Are you on an Azure Standard truck route? Good prices on bulk: lentils, dried peas, oatmeal, beans, rice, etc.

I found this link for Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/getting-started-azure

I'm going to check out Azure Standard. Thanks!

Another thing we've been using to save on our grocery bill is to shop at a "bent and dent" store. We can't always predict what they'll have in stock from one week to the next, and we have to always check the expiration dates, but it's helped us out a lot.

Here's another tip I just found on Pinterest: No More Paper Towels - DIY reusable kitchen towels http://scribblesketch.tumblr.com/post/71919372635/no-more-paper-towels-my-craft-goal-for-this

 

[prudentwatcher]

One of the best things I ever did for winter was get a dual control heated mattress pad for the bed. That way we can keep the house cooler at night, but we don't freeze (my BH is always cold). We can each turn our side on to the level we want and don't need a lot of heavy covers on top. Granted, we live in Florida, but it is nice.

Also, my BH is known as the "go to" person for getting things to the right place. So when people have clothing, stuff to donate, etc. it ends up at our house before getting distributed to a charity or a thrift store or to a specific person in need. This allows us to get first dibs on things and we have managed to pull some decent clothing from the donation bags.

If you let people know what you are looking for, they will keep an eye out for you. People know we have pets, so they save the pet food coupons from the paper for us. Those come in really handy and the ones I can't use I pass on to others. If you are looking for something specific, put the word out.

 

[Deena in GA]

And adding to what Prudentwatcher has said, our daughter who lives with us, has started running ads on Craigslist offering to pick up people's unwanted items. She hasn't had a ton of responses, but has had some that absolutely shocked us. One man gave her the contents of his garage which included his father's phone collection (she called him back a couple of times asking if he wanted to reconsider that), a Keurig that was still in its box (worth $175), 16 rolls of screen that Lowe's took back, a working chainsaw, several boxes of nice material and tons of other things. Some of it we are keeping and some she is selling on Craigslist. She is/was very honest about what she is/was doing with it.

Its amazing what people will simply give away that is still either new or usable.

 

[Adino]

buy off season

at the end of summer lawn mowers go on sale

at the end of winter winter boots and clothing goes on sale

 

[1eagle]

buy off season

at the end of summer lawn mowers go on sale

at the end of winter winter boots and clothing goes on sale

For clothing, it's generally January/July, so they can make room for the next season. You'll notice swimsuits, shorts, beach towels, etc. NOW in the retail world.

 

[Amazed]

I spend a few minutes every morning reading The Tightwad Gazette. I find it keeps me aware of what I'm trying to accomplish.

DH just retired this week so we will be living on a lot less. I've been working for a couple of years trying to get the cheapest insurance that covers our needs, the best cable deal etc. It will be a challenge for DH. He thinks budget is a four letter word. I'm much more frugal but will have to rein in the spoiling of the grandchildren.

One thing that I've been successful at is not spending as much at the grocery store. I've always shopped the sales, looked for bargains, used coupons etc but still managed to spend a lot. Now I put aside maybe $15 for stocking up on rock bottom bargains and then make a careful list of what I need for the next week or so. I leave the list for a while and come back and question some items. It may be on sale but can I do without it. Amy D (Tightwad Gazette) says if you don't actually get the money to the bank, you really haven't saved anything.

I also read a quote from a very rich but frugal millionaire that stuck a chord. He said never going looking for things to buy. Make your list and stick to it. I used to go to say a department store for one thing but then would look around for bargains. Those bargains cost money and add up.

I think the whole frugal lifestyle is first a mind set. You question everything. Can I get it cheaper? Can I make it last longer? Can I use less? If you can do all three, it's a homerun. And you read and you learn. I want to spend my money on things that really matter to me so I don't mind giving up the little conveniences so I can have what I really want.

Being organized helps. Making lists helps.

So that's where I am on this road. We'll see how it turns out. I always did like a challenge.

 

[Amazed]

I just had a brainstorm. How about we do an "I wish I had done this instead of that". Too many of my frugal lessons have come only after I've messed up.

Here's one. I bought the grandchildren electronic game devices for Christmas. I got 2 Innotab2's, a Leapster GX, and a Leap Frog Mobigo. When I went to buy them game cartridges, I found good deals for the first three games but the Mobigo games were much more expensive. I wish I had priced the game cartridges before I bought the devices.

PS: I buy gift cards at Card Pool for places I usually shop. I get anywhere from 10% to 20% off (ie a $50 card costs $40). It really helps at Home Depot, TJMax, restaurants etc. Right nowthey have Payless Shoes cards for I think it was 26% off.

 

[Be Well]

Amazed, is the Tightwad Gazette still being written? I got a book (or was it more than one?) at the library, compiled Gazettes, and they were interesting.

Cooking everything or most everything from scratch really saves money. I need some good recipes for CRACKERS!!!! I buy cases of oranges when cheap and can them, they taste really good, almost like fresh. I get apples cheap or free when I can, even quite poor apples, and make chutney, sort of like glorified spicy chunky applesauce, and make pints and pints of it. Eating very simply and liking it saves a lot of money.

Using things that most people would throw out, here's a funny example. My rough heels wear out socks too fast, so with wool socks (when the hole in the heel is too big to mend), I cut off the foot, and the ribbed part for wrist warmers or even jar warmers. Dh drinks hot drinks out of a mason jar, and he doesn't like it when they cool off, and the wool sock keeps it warm.

Hmm, just saw this above:
Here's another tip I just found on Pinterest: No More Paper Towels - DIY reusable kitchen towels http://scribblesketch.tumblr.com/pos...-goal-for-this

When bath towels get too icky/worn, I cut up and use for hand towels. Then when they get worse I give them to DH for "industrial" use. I keep meaning to sew the edges but my sewing "station" needs attention.

 

[Deena in GA]

Adino, you are right about buying off season. We do that whenever possible, if we are buying new. In fact, we just bought me a jacket that we agree hubby will give me next year for Christmas, lol. It was at a great discount since they are trying to get rid of winter things now.

W&W, thanks for the Azure Standard link! I'll check them out too, although we're set for a while on that type of thing.

Amazed, that's a great idea for "wish I had done this instead of that". I'm sure I have plenty of those, but have to try to remember them. Hopefully others will chime in with thoughts too!

Be Well, I never even thought of canning oranges! Do you have a recipe for that? I can apples and pears into sauce, "butter"or preserves.

That's a great idea for jar warmers from old socks too. Btw, the scrubbies I made you work great for rough heels and elbows.

The Tightwad Gazette only lasted a few years, but they are great! I have copies of the books and think I even have some of her old newsletters around somewhere.

Thanks for all the ideas! Please keep them coming!

 

[Be Well]

I just got the scrubbies today since hub didn't go to the PO box for a few days....CHECK TOMORROW and sorry for the delay. I'm running sort of ragged right now... I'm going to give him one for his grubby hands and I'll try one on my feet. I went barefoot when I was a child from warm enough in the spring to too cold in the fall.

Citrus fruit is easy - just started doing it last year. Peel (washing first of course), then take apart into segments, try to get off white stuff and if the "cellophane" is really unpleasant you can try taking some of that off, works better in navel than valencias, ask me how I know... Grapefruit would be easier but I haven't gotten any cheap enough to get in a case yet. So you set aside a big bowl of those citrus segments. Make a light syrup, get it hot, and then pack in the jars, put in the kettle and process say 10 minutes. I use some very old instructions (Good Housekeeping cookbook from 1950s, and an instructual manual from a canning kettle from around the same era) and they say 10 minutes IIRC. If different, I'll post. I use organic citrus and sometimes include a thin slice of peel for flavor. Oh, I save ALL organic citrus peels - I slice off a lot of the white innards, thin slice, and dry on plates or cookie sheets until totally dry, then store in pint jars. When making chutney, or spiced plum "stuff" which I make a lot of, I put in a bunch of the citrus slices and it adds great flavor. I tried making orange flavoring with alcohol and fresh orange peel, the way I make vanilla, but it was only semi-successful. The dried orange peels can be whizzed up in a spice grinder and added to baked goods, like cakes, cookies etc, and it tastes really good.

 

[Flippper]

I just dehydrated a bunch of oranges I picked up at the AFB Commissary, some I dried round slices, others I dried as quarter slices. (I didn't know you could can the darn things, I love fresh oranges, thanks for the tip BeWell!) I had bought lots of apples too, planning to juice and be healthy but that didn't go as planned, so I also sliced them up, dumped them in lemon water, and dehydrated them. If any of you here are family to a retired military member, you can go with them to the local base and get some really good deals on groceries.

I am on www.sierratrading.com's email list, sometimes they send out 45% off coupons, so I' go see what is in my price range. I picked up a double glove consisting of a normal pair of winter cotton gloves, in white with the cover being finger gloves, with grip surface, one pair in turquoise, one pair in pink and paid $2 a pair. I got 3 Hanes Beefy T's for $2.20 each, a pair of Lands End leather driving shoes listed at $90 for $11. $90 jeans for $5.90 a pair. Cheaper than the old junky used crap at Goodwill, and it's new.

It's a rare day I buy any clothing that is not on sale. Electronics also. Buy furniture that is a little shopworn, vintage, but with good lines or detail and either sand it and refinish it or paint it with a good oil base paint and change out the knobs (always remembering to put the originals in a plastic bag and back into a drawer in case the family wants an original heirloom look 50 years down the road.)

If you like to read, go to www.thriftbooks.com there is no shipping charge, and they have a wait list if they don't have the book you want.

I went to the Dollar Store and picked up their 4 packs of seeds for a buck deal, $14 worth. This is a great deal as they are the same seeds Walmart sells for a lot more. I also picked up a spray bottle and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to spray down the porch and entrance where the local crap cats have peed on everything and it stinks like satan. I sprayed it on the walls, a Rubbermaid container, some boxes and other things, along with the steps and rugs, and so far the smell is gone. Working until it's warm enough to take the hose and some Dawn to it all.

 

[Melodi]

I'd say look at what your family actually use because sometimes spending on something can save in the long run - in my house that is Kindle readers (though my husband just uses his computer) - we were drowning in hundreds of "cheap" used paperbacks, and while husband still insists on buying some the number has gone down dramatically since I've mostly been using the Kindle reader. Since husband is a speed reader (as in War and Peace in a couple of hours) I found that the 10 dollars a month for the Kindle Library makes sense, I read at least 10 books a month and this has cut way down even of buying 99cent Kindle books. Not all families would have this issue, but since husband can knock off 4 paperbacks in an afternoon, it is a savings for us; but that is very individual.

I'm also now saving a lot of money by joining an organic vegetable/fruit box delivery from a local organic farm; they do meat and other stuff as well - instead of having tons of rotting store bought vegetables and fruit that no one wants to eat laying around, we now have good food than even vegetable phobic husband will eat! This also saves me from even looking much at the shops except for stuff to feed the animals and one of my personal downfalls is simply buying too many things if I am out shopping.

Having the stuff delivered means I sit down and order the veg and fruit, we already buy our meat in bulk from small holders and local non-GMO feeding farmers so again I only need to buy a few things (like chicken to make husband's oven friend chicken to take to school). I am now able to tell myself "you don't need that" when I see stuff at the store and it makes it a lot easier, since we are planning to move when husband finishes medical school it also helps to avoid buying stuff with the question "how badly do we really need this and is it just going in a bin when we leave?"

We buy most of our paper products at a local warehouse in bulk, which also helps and I also save the tubes for fire starter (the planter idea is a good one too, I've usually used egg cartons but now I save them for chicken eggs).

Great thread - most people here are already doing a lot of things but sharing is the best way to pick up new ideas.

 

[Peapicker]

We too use baking soda as our deodorant, but I add 1 or 2 drops of peppermint oil in about 1/4 cup of baking soda. It really works even at the end of the day no under arm odor.

We also use the same as toothpaste.

Tried adding some coconut oil in the mix but never could get it right, especially since we keep the house cool in the winter to save on heat bill.

 

[Dafodil]

Here's the old link http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/show...E-WHAT-CAN-WE-DO-!!!-(Original-post-8-30-2006)
Deena does your daughter travel south??

 

[Old Gray Mare]

We dropped cable and went to ROKU. Now we only pay for and watch what we want to see. The up side is we are saving money the down side is we may have to wait a day before seeing a new release. We can wait a day.

DH (over my objections) installed in a programmable thermostat. The old fashion one that was originally there did not require power or a battery. I have to admit with the programmable thermostat the heat is not staying on as long and the home is more comfortable. It can be programed to automatically turn the heat down at night and up just before we get up in the morning.

I make a menu for the week before I go grocery shopping.

DH and I do a budget each paycheck we both agree to and try to stick to it. This has taken most of the arguments out of our marriage.

Unless it is a very special occasion date night is now a date breakfast or lunch out.

 

[Songbird7777777]

Deena I would avoid using rubbing alcohol anywhere on the skin on a regular basis, especially thin skin, it is toxic and absorbs through the skin. I have used a teeny bit of baking soda applied right after bath/shower while damp. Here's another thing I do - make a small spray bottle with about 3 drops of essential oils in a cup or a bit more water, shake well each time you spray. I like coriander, lemongrass, nutmeg, lavender, palmarosa, geranium - a few off hand, any one or more. For men EOs like spruce, fir, wintergreen, birch. Experiment - maybe even 2 drops will work, depends on oil. You don't want a strong smell, just faint, but EOs also have antimicrobial action so they do kill germs.

We save all TP and paper towel rolls for starting fires.

Making home made tomato soup with canned tomatoes, we never buy pre-made canned soup.

Mending!!!!!! Therefore saving buttons, usable zippers, clean old clothes that are not longer mendable for good pieces of fabric to mend other things with, flannel from sheets for bandages and compresses. Learning a lot of old timey home remedies to save $ at drug store or doctors. Castor oil packs help with many kinds of pain, as well as other kinds of oils.

Making desserts a once in a while as a treat instead of daily; saves money, good for teeth and helpful for people who want to lose weight. I'm losing weight (got a lot off already) and I think not eating sweets much has helped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8qB8G3VXh0

Country Tomato Soup

Makes about 4 1/2 quarts

Wash 1 peck (8 quarts) of ripe red tomatoes; remove blossom and stem ends and cores; cut in pieces. In a large kettle, cook and stir the tomatoes until soft - about 15 minutes. Push the pulp and juice through a wire strainer or food mill to remove skins and seeds; return the puree to the kettle (I cut up my tomatoes and run them through the food strainer raw).

Cook together until soft (in enough water just to cover) 3 large onions and 2 green peppers - all finely chopped. (I used 2 onions and 1 pepper) Sieve and add to the pureed tomatoes in the kettle.

Mix together 3/4 cup of sugar and 8 tablespoons of regular Clear Jel; blend in 3 tablespoons of white vinegar and just enough water or cool tomato juice to make a smooth paste. (Optional - add 2 tablespoons of salt to the paste) Pour slowly into the tomato mixture, stirring all the while. Heat to boiling and stir until the liquid clears.

Pack hot only, in jars. Pour boiling hot soup into clean, hot jars, leaving 3/4 inch of headroom for pints, 1 1/4 inches for quarts. Adjust the lids. Pressure process at 10 pounds pressure for 20 minutes for pints, 30 minutes for quarts.

 

[Songbird7777777]

Amazed, is the Tightwad Gazette still being written? I got a book (or was it more than one?) at the library, compiled Gazettes, and they were interesting.

Cooking everything or most everything from scratch really saves money. I need some good recipes for CRACKERS!!!! I buy cases of oranges when cheap and can them, they taste really good, almost like fresh. I get apples cheap or free when I can, even quite poor apples, and make chutney, sort of like glorified spicy chunky applesauce, and make pints and pints of it. Eating very simply and liking it saves a lot of money.

Using things that most people would throw out, here's a funny example. My rough heels wear out socks too fast, so with wool socks (when the hole in the heel is too big to mend), I cut off the foot, and the ribbed part for wrist warmers or even jar warmers. Dh drinks hot drinks out of a mason jar, and he doesn't like it when they cool off, and the wool sock keeps it warm.

Hmm, just saw this above:
Here's another tip I just found on Pinterest: No More Paper Towels - DIY reusable kitchen towels http://scribblesketch.tumblr.com/pos...-goal-for-this

When bath towels get too icky/worn, I cut up and use for hand towels. Then when they get worse I give them to DH for "industrial" use. I keep meaning to sew the edges but my sewing "station" needs attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UE_GE_0zUA

Plain Soda Crackers

1 1/2 cups bread or all-purpose flour (I used White Lily all purpose flour)
2 1/4 tsp. yeast
1/4 tsp. salt, plus extra for sprinkling
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
2/3 cup hot water (120 - 130 degrees)
1/2 tsp. malt syrup (I used 1/4 tsp. molasses)
2 tbsp. vegetable shortening
2 tbsp. melted butter

In a large bowl mix flour, yeast, salt, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Set aside. In a small bowl mix water, malt syrup and shortening. Stir to blend then add to flour mixture. Mix until well blended then knead for about 4 minutes until the dough is soft and elastic. Add more flour if needed. Put the dough into a butted bowl, flip over to coat all sides of the dough, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 18 hours. The longer the better. Roll the dough into a 18" x 6" rectangle which is 1/16" thick. Fold the dough from the short ends, brushing off excess flour, to make 3 layers. Roll again to 1/16" thickness. Cut into crackers, place on a greased cookie sheet and poke holes in the crackers to prevent them from puffing up. Sprinkle with salt if desired. Bake at 425 for 10-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush the crackers with melted butter, sprinkle with salt if desired, then place crackers on a rack to cool.

Variations: For sesame-onion crackers, add to the dough 4 tsp. each sesame seeds and grated onion. For an herb cracker, 4 tsp. each chopped fresh parsley and chives and 1/2 tsp. dried dillweed; also try 4 tsp. caraway seeds or 2 tsp. poppy seeds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvbljAzuwA

Graham Crackers

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp milk
additional milk to brush with
cinnamon sugar if you're making cinnamon sugar graham crackers

In a large bowl combine flours, sugar, salt, cinnamon and baking powder. Mix well. In a separate bowl mix together egg, oil, honey and milk. Stir into dry ingredients, adding a little more milk if needed. Mix well until you form a stiff dough. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for 1 hour. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll out 1/8" thick. Cut into crackers about 3" square. Place crackers on a lightly greased baking sheet and prick each cracker several times with a fork or sharp object. If you want to make the cinnamon sugar type of graham cracker, brush with milk then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen.