Frugal Living Tips #1
@renitaperrone (547)
United States
October 26, 2008 12:19pm CST
With the economy as it is in the United States, everyone is looking to save money. Here are some practical tips to help:
1) don't buy different types of cleaners for everything. Buy multi-purpose cleaners instead.
2)Put a rubberband around the pump of liquid handsoap to lower the amount that comes out. One pump is probably 3x what is needed.
3) Do you use a scouring cleanser such as Comet or Ajax? If so, cover half of the holes with tape to prevent too much coming out at once.
4) Window & mirror cleaning - don't buy expensive window cleaners. Mix White Vinegar and water in equal parts. Also, use newspaper to wipe with. It will leave your windows cleaner and saves money on buying paper towels.
5)Use less detergent in the dishwasher. Try using just a couple of tablespoons and see how your dishes look. Depending on the detergent you use, this may be enough.
4 people like this
6 responses
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
26 Oct 08
Thanks for these tips. Most of these I already do except for the rubberband. I never thought about wasting any of that soap. I don't buy many cleaners as I use a multi purpose cleaner and I love it. I also have looked for ways to make cleansers from home. we use vinegar to clean with some.
I have also started unplugging anything that we don't use during the day so that we are saving on electricity. Anything that I can do to save money.
2 people like this
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
26 Oct 08
We've been unplugging alot of things throughout the day as well. I can't say as I've noticed much of a difference doing that, but I'm on a budget billing program so I probably won't notice until summer when we use the a/c alot more. (I'm in Florida so we don't use heat).
Thanks for your comments.
2 people like this
@narayan2006 (2954)
• India
26 Oct 08
Cost saving is certainly important in to-day's crisis time. You can eliminate several wastages in many ways,once you identify the items that contribute to relatively higher cost. Cleaning is only a small aspect of the total household budget.The major items incurring higher cost include energy and fuel,health care and medicine,food articles and consumable,transport.You can explore various ways and means to reduce cost by adopting self-discipline,restraints,healthy habits and using economic methods of using energy,choosing energy efficient gadgets and methods,choosing alternate means of transportation and conveyance. Thanks.
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
26 Oct 08
Those are great tips and certainly other things we do to save money wherever possible.
Thanks for the advice!
2 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
28 Oct 08
Unless your family really get their clothes durty use abour 1/2 the laundry soap. Use white vinegar to soften your clothes too. I use 1 cup white vinegar pluse a pint of rubbing alchol (I get mint scented at big lots) a squirt of dish soap then enough water to fill a gallon jug. Vinegar is a good disinfect ant. I use this for all cleaning. Baking soda works just as good as comet or other cleanser if used regulary. Be sure to be careful to check if the baking soda can also be used for cooking. Don't get the 2 mixed up. One can bused for both cleaning and there is one that is dangerous to cook with.
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
28 Oct 08
Covering the holes on the comet is a great idea. We always have to much come out then I try to spread it around to make it go further. I have never even tried to make less come out. Thank you so much.
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
29 Oct 08
You're welcome! I know what you mean. I've always ended up with far more than I need as well! I also will sometimes put the cloth on the holes and just tip it over onto the cloth and that works too.
Thanks for your comments.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
26 Oct 08
Researching how to make your own soaps and cleaners frugally is also less expensive than buying multiple types of cleaners.
With comet and Ajax you could just peel the sticker off part way to open it rather than the entire sticker.
Great tips thanks!
1 person likes this
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
26 Oct 08
I have also made my own laundry detergent, but with diluting and using vinegar for some things, I have really found the need to make any other soaps or cleaners. I usually pick up enough with sales & coupons to make it cost effective for me.
Thanks for your comments!
2 people like this
@fortknox75 (842)
• Philippines
28 Oct 08
That was a very good tip you have written. Thanks for sharing these information. I guess, with the problems in our economy right now and everybody is affected, we need to have a change in attitude towards buying products and see to it that we will tighten our belts (financially) and try to follow tips such as yours so we could at least save some amount.
1 person likes this
@renitaperrone (547)
• United States
28 Oct 08
Yeah, my problem is I've tighted all the financial belts as tight as they can go and the ends still don't stretch far enough around to make ends meet!
