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Money Saving Tips
Reader's Frugal Hints

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 a previous article, 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!


From Patti:
  • My husband and I have been married for thirteen years and living off his income. We have two children, ages nineteen and twelve. I have a milk cow and raise animals to butcher on a yearly basis. I also have a big garden and can or freeze all of our veggies. We spend about $150.00 a month on items that we can't grow ourselves (flour, sugar,salt) This is my contribution to our family. Staying home and raising our kids is the most important thing in the world to me.


    From a Reader:

    1. Saving on baby wipes

  • Buy a quantity of terry face cloths (I bought a bundle of a dozen at Sam's) and reserve these for wiping off baby's diaper area. Dampen with diluted baby shampoo/ Johnson's baby wash. You can wash & sterilize them with your cloth diapers.

    2. Baby bibs

  • If you're handy with a sewing machine, buy a bundle of terry face cloths, and some bias binding tape in nice colours and make your own bibs. Use good quality face cloths that can take the "abuse" of frequent washing. Also, stay away from whites/ light colours. Saves money in replacing dingy bibs and it's also better value for money that ready-made terry bibs.


    From "Fly":
  • I save junk mail envelopes. Cross out the pre-addressed side well and mail bills, personal mail,or send field trip money to school, sort photos etc.


    From Timmi:
  • Here's a way to recycle those ponytail holders, the elastic ones with the beads that loop over each other. My daughters had a ton of them in which the elastic had been completely shot.
    First, I cut off the old elastic and saved the beads. Second, I bought some elastic cord and re-threaded the beads, knotting the end of the elastic so the beads are secured. Third, tie another knot in the middle of the elastic, so that each bead is separated by the knot. You could even mix and match, using beads of different colours.


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