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Ideas for saving money on cleaning knick-knacks, homemade laundry detergent, nursery bargains and more.
To clean your knick-knacks, set them in a dishpan, spray with window cleaner and then let them air dry. They will sparkle again.
Betty
When I look through a catalog and see items that I want, I fold over the corner of the page only, and I do not mark the actual item. Then I leave the catalog for a few days. When I go back to the catalog, I only look at the folded pages, and if I cannot figure out what the item was that I wanted, I simply throw it away. This has saved me from "over ordering" items that I do not need or really want.
Rachel
My fourth grader has different extra-curricular activities after school, so I attach a different charm
Jamie R.
Some think that it is cheap to install new locks. However, it's even faster, easier, and cheaper to have the old locks re-keyed. You remove the cylinder (the round area into which the key slides) and take it to the locksmith to have it re- keyed. In five minutes, you have two new keys and your old cylinder, which now only operates with the new keys. You do not have to remove the entire lock, and there is no risk that a newly purchased lock will not fit exactly into the opening for the old lock. Also, you have only purchased two keys, not an entire lock assembly and not all the non-biodegradable plastic packaging for the new lock. You've also patronized a small neighborhood business instead of a mega-store. All around, it's a "win/win" solution to the problem.
Karen K
We have seven children and even with a discount at the barbershop, we were spending $60 a month on haircuts! For the same amount, I bought a great pair of hair scissors, a cape, clips, a water bottle and a razor/clipper. I checked out a couple of books at the library and I cut all of my children's hair with no problem at all! They look great and I did it without a half a day spent going to the barbershop.
Dawn R. in Gaffney, SC
I buy the hard side containers for kitty litter as they make great "litter lockers." Not only is it cheaper to buy in bulk, but also I can take a grocery bag, scoop out the dirty litter into the bag, tie it off, and throw it back into the empty container. With the lid shut, you can't smell it and don't have to walk it outside everyday. It's extremely helpful during the winter months!
Melody D.
One surefire way to save money is to learn how to sew. I was shocked when my friend told me that if she ran across a garment that needed mending or even a button sewn on, she threw the item away. Towels and clothes are easily repaired, and I make simple curtains and pillowcases and even sew quilts. Sewing classes are available for any level at your local fabric shop and these classes are quite reasonable. Used sewing machines can be found in the classifieds or many times at stores that sell vacuums. They are also reasonably priced.
Bruce B. from TN
I stopped in at a local nursery to see if they had any plants half off this time of year. I didn't see any and was getting back in my car when I noticed a lonely shrub by the dumpster. Of course, I went back in to see what they were going to do with it. The manager said that a man brought it back and they were going to throw it out. I asked if I could have it and the manager said that I could. I brought it home, cut it back, loosened the roots, put compost in the hole and fertilized it. This is the time of year that nurseries throw plants and good potting soil out. Just check and see what you can find.
Sophia
I've been using the Fels Naptha laundry soap recipe for many years now. People are amazed at how inexpensive it is, and I love that fact that it has no perfume or additives in it.
In my area of California, you can't find Arm & Hammer's Washing Soda anymore, so I went online to find out what I could do. In my investigation, I found out that Arm & Hammer's Washing Soda has some sort of brightening ingredient that isn't good for the environment. With that in mind, I did more research and discovered that washing soda is the same as soda ash. Soda ash increases the pH of the water to get clothes cleaner. I found a replacement in a product called pH plus (+) by Kem-Tek. It is a swimming pool product. You can find it at places like Home Depot and Lowes.
Carole S.
Sometimes I get into a funk and want to buy something for myself. While I stick to a certain dollar amount (such as $5 or $10), I challenge myself to see how much I can get for that amount. In addition, all of the stores must be (roughly) on the way home from work, so I do not use a lot of gas.
So, I look at my coupons, see what is on sale, and maximize my small amount. In addition, I look when I am shopping for other good deals, which are not advertised. So, right now, I can get filler paper (which I use a lot) for 10 cents and packs of markers for 25 cents. To me, this is not only fun and gets me out of my funk, but it greatly stimulates my mind and helps keep me sharp.
Robin H.
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