| New Year's Resolution: Save Money | |
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For many families, the New Year is a time to examine their budgets and to resolve to save money. In previous articles, our readers shared their frugal tips. This week, I would like to share more tips that parents have submitted. Thanks to everyone who has sent in their frugal hints!
To use: Spray on spots on clothes, let sit a few minutes and add to washload.
I have had great success with this and never have to buy the expensive stuff anymore.
2. Use the Sunday comics for gift wrapping paper.
3. Forget the whitening toothpastes... after brushing with cheapie toothpaste (to get your flouride) mix a little baking soda with a few drops of peroxide, until paste-like. Whiter teeth and fresher breath - really!
From Granny:
Milk- children love milk- here is my recipe for milk. Mix powder milk, 2 cups of powder milk-6 cups of water-add 1 can of evaporated milk. Stir well; makes about 2 litres. My son and grandchildren like the milk a lot.
From Nicole:
COUPONS, COUPONS, COUPONS! I never go to the store without them. I save even more by watching sale ads and using my coupons on things already on sale. I usually save at least $30 at the grocery.
From Michelle:
I had been paying $30 and up for my printer cartridges (and there's a color and a black one!). I found a website that sells my cartridges for $7 for color and $4 for black. They are recharged, but I've seen no difference in quality at all. Even with shipping, I got 2 of each for less than I paid for one at the store. Transfer Technology is the company's name.
From Iv:
In an empty spray bottle( I use a spray -n- wash bottle my neighbor threw out) add two full capfuls liquid oil soap and slowly fill bottle with cold water. Gently turn bottle upside down and back several times to mix.
From Peggy:
A friend of mine told me about a scratch and dent grocery store in our area so I went and checked it out. Everything in the store was dented or the boxes had been crushed and diaper packages ripped. I had an entire shopping cart full of canned goods and boxed foods for $50.00. It would normally have cost me over $100.00 for the same items, even though it was scratched and dented. In the older days our mothers were taught not to buy a dented can of food, but in today's society, somebody has to buy it so why not me and save money too! I recommend looking in your area for a scratch and dent grocery store.
From Valarie:
Instead of buying prepackaged or canned juices, I buy the frozen concentrate (which is less expensive) and add 5-6 "cans" of water to dilute. The concentrate is so powerful, we never notice the extra water; just the extra savings! And it's healthier for all of us (less sugar).
From Darlene:
With two children running around, time is money to me. I try to buy family packs of ground beef- often from the reduced section of the meat counter. My husband cooks all the meat at one time in a deep frying pan. After it is cooled, we fill ziplock bags with the amount it takes to make spaghetti sauce, tacos, soup, etc. and freeze them. This makes dinner a snap to prepare.
From Mindy:
I was a stay-at-home-Mom for 9 years. I "work" now, and I still consider myself a stay-at-home-Mom. Here's how~
I work as a (paid-although not much), Aide at my children's elementary school. I have the exact same hours as they do, they same days off as they do, the same vacations, etc. I bring my lunch, do not have to wear any special clothes, don't pay for child-care, and my kids know that 'Mommy is in the building all day with them'! I can't think of a more frugal, rewarding, and convenient way to make money!
From Corinne:
I don't ever buy kids clothes retail anymore. Gone is the day of torn, worn out clothing at the consignment shops. They have gotten very finicky about what they will accept to sell and their prices are generally right along the lines of Goodwill or Salvation Army. Plus you will find some great name brands at 25-30% or less of their original cost and in excellent condition!
From Marianne:
1. Keep your brillo scouring pad in the freezer when not in use... it won't rust, stays just like new!
I want to thank everyone for their tips and hints, and please keep them coming!
| More Reader's Frugal Tips |
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