| Living on One Income | |
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Even during the best of times it can be difficult trying to make ends meet on one income. Saving a few cents here and there can make a big difference at the end of the month. In previous articles, our readers shared their frugal tips. This week, I would like to share a few more tips that parents have submitted. Thanks to everyone who has sent in their frugal hints!
First, get a a tight fitting container big enough to hold half a roll of paper towels, you can get them at Walmart.
In the container combine 2 cups of hot water, 1 tblsp. of baby lotion, 2 tblsp. of baby bath. Mix with a fork until lotion is dissolved.
Cut one roll of Bounty paper towels (must use Bounty) in half (electric knife works best). Insert half into container (cut side down). Put lid on and let sit upside down for one hour.
After one hour, remove middle core holder (it should come out real easy). You have homemade baby wipes!
A used book store in our area buys books at close to half the cover price (depending on condition), you get store credit for the book. I buy hardback good condition books at the yard sale and trade them in for credit. A .50 book could be worth $8.00 in "new" books for me.
Here in Australia we have full cream, reduced fat and skim milks. I purchase full cream milk in 2 litre cartons. I then get skim milk powder and make up 1 litre which I then combine with 1 litre of full cream milk. The effect is, I get 4 litres of milk that the kids (and husband) can't pick the difference!!
I go to the commissary to shop they have a reduced bin in the back of the store, I have stocked my pantry up this way. I go on Wednesday to the Wonder Bread store, where they marked their bread down to $.50 each and snacks. I also go out early in the morning and catch the reduced meat prices in different stores.
From Beth:
My husband and I have 3 children (ages 3, 2, 1) and one income. We still enjoy going out on dates, but the cost of eating out takes a lot of the fun out of the evening. In order to save money, we sometimes eat a sandwich, or something else cheap and easy at home before we leave, and then just get a soft drink and an appetizer at a restaurant. We get the "feel" of going out, and we get the quiet time for conversation without the killer bill at the end.
From Ruth:
My husband loves KoolAid. I found that if you save some glass juice bottles they make perfect, (disguised under the real label), replacements for the more costly name-brand juices you pick up at the store.
From Felecia:
Take the time to learn the generic names of common "over the counter" medications. Benadryl sells for about three times the price of generic (diphenhydramine) and (acetaminophen)sells for a lot less than Tylenol. Learn to decipher the backs of combination type medicines. It is frequently much cheaper to take the medications individually rather than pay the manufacturer to combine them. You also avoid taking unnecessary drugs.
From Julie:
My daughter is highly allergic to mosquito bites. I went to a health food store and the lady suggested tea tree oil and gave me a list of things it can be used for. It is amazing how it brings the swelling of the bites down immediately! I haven't tried it for any of the other ailments but I can testify that it works on bites.
From Taylor:
I took advice I had heard before and started shopping for my daughter's clothes and toys at baby thrift stores. I was surprised and pleased with the quality of items and also the lower cost. Therefore, when the time came to redo my wardrobe, I decided to try my luck at another thrift store. Looking through the shirts and pants, I was disappointed to see that the clothes were rather worn out and dingy. Determined, I continued my search in the skirts and dresses section. I was pleased to see that the dresses, jumpers and skirts were much more likely to be in almost new condition than the pants and shirts were! For less than $10 I chose 2 dresses and 2 jumpers that even had the original price tags still attached. My husband appreciates the more feminine look as well! I guess that's 2 blessings in one!
From Suzanne:
I got this simple recipe as a baby shower gift from a friend. Make your own babywipes.
From Geri:
Instead of contact paper on worksheets, I use the plastic covers for reports and other important documents. They are cheap and much easier- just slip the page in. They work the same; slip worksheet in, write with overhead markers and erase with damp paper towel.
From Lisa:
I have three children, the two eldest are boys (10 & 5) and drink more milk than I can keep up with financially!!
From Amber:
I have a family of three. Although I cook for more like six. So when I cook chilli or spaghetti, I freeze the left overs. Then the following week I take a bowl out for lunches.
From Marianne:
Some of the ways I save money, I shop at secondhand stores. I go to yard sales, church rummage sales and moving sales. The church rummage sales are the best, because people donate good items to a church.
I want to thank everyone for their tips and hints, and please keep them coming!
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