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Nifty Thrifty:  How does your Family save?  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
18165 Posts
Alee
Billings
MT Sister # 8
USA
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 Posted - Apr 04 2009 : 12:38:47 PM
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How does your family save money?
We use the Eco friendly light bulbs whenever one burns out we replace it. We also keep the packaging from the bulbs so if they burn out too early we can take them back to the store for a replacement.
We shop the outer rim of the grocery store only with very few exceptions. (I still buy commercial cereal and toilet paper)
We make our own laundry detergent (Equal amounts of Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Finely shaved soap, and Borax)
We make our own soap
We make our own bread
I don't take Doug to work anymore and save the car for my personal use. If I have errands to run I will either go into town and after errands are run, let Nora play at the park or at the Imaginarium.
We turn the heat down and wear sweaters.
We also check out tire pressure to make sure we are getting good gas mileage
We are going to put in a big garden this year
And we buy bulk when possible to save costs.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
592 Posts
Deb
Chicago
IL
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 03:50:01 AM
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I too make my own laundry soap.
We buy all our meat in bulk and freeze in meal size portions. Only buying when it's on extreme sale.
I buy our fruits & veggies at a wonderful store that has great prices and has recently started marking where the origin is. Love that! I only shop weekly for fruits & veggies. Everything else is monthly or further out.
We shop at the resale shop often. For books, clothes etc. I've been reselling books I no longer want at our half price books store. (for a little extra cash)
We garden every year and can the extra's. We also travel to pick blueberries & strawberries (usually camping that weekend) so we can make preserves which also serves as gifts at Christmas time.
We camp for our vacations.
We barter. Hubby is a carpenter. We've bartered his skills for a refrigerator, exchanged for electrical work as well as plumbing work.
We ask ladies at our church to teach us new skills. My girls & I are going to "officially" learn crochet in the next few weeks. We also have someone lined up for knitting.
I've been trying to keep my errands to one day to save on gas.
Cutting back even more on what we consider "convenience foods". No more rice mixes - making our own. Things like that.
I'm going to sew a liner into my dining room curtains to shield out some of the evening sun for summertime to help cut down on the heat back there. It gets way too hot in that room. Use more fans and keep the shades drawn.
We use up leftovers for lunches and other meals.
Hmmm, can't think of any others right now. Great topic. Can't wait to read what others are doing!
http://www.xanga.com/My_Pondering_Place |
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MissDana
True Blue Farmgirl
292 Posts
Dana
Lilburn
Georgia
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 07:06:46 AM
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Well, we do everything you do Alee except take Doug to work and Nora to the park!
I wish I could put in a garden but our house is in the woods. No sun, just dappled sunlight. However it does keep the house shaded and we do live in the south. It helps with the air conditioning bill.
I make all gifts that are given from wedding to birthday to Christmas. I sew, weave, bake, knit or craft gifts from what is on hand in my studio.
I make all our sponges, dish cloths, wipes.
We use only cloth napkins and placemats.
We use Angel Ministry food. Unbelievable savings on food!
Homeschool.
When the kids were little I used cloth diapers and wipes and sewed all their clothing.
We don't take vacations. :( Used to camp when my son was little (HATE camping!) So the rest of the family camps and I have a quiet weekend alone!
Cook from scratch. Tiring after 25 years, but two out of three kids are out on their own so it's just dinner for 3 now!
So, we live on one income and thrive!
Proud Farmgirl Sister # 267
www.schultztroupe.wordpress.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
18165 Posts
Alee
Billings
MT Sister # 8
USA
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peachy
True Blue Farmgirl
459 Posts
Melissa
Fennville
MI
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 10:00:24 AM
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I have a question! How much do you save (or) what is the cost approx. for making your own laundry soap? I've wanted to try and have gotten a few recipes but haven't been able to find everything I need!
Anyhoo...here's how we "save" (although I don't see the money in the bank yet! Hubby is getting laid off so we'll have to crunch even more now)
Our vacations - horse camping and as of this summer - pulling our camping gear/horses out to our own pasture.
Heat - wood only
Dishwasher is locked and dish water is heated on the wood stove
Clothes are washed in cold water only and hung to dry by the wood stove/outside in the spring
Unplug all electrical "things" we aren't using
Try to cook as much as possible on the wood stove
Only shop at the second hand stores/barter/computer for clothes, furniture, household etc
We raise our own meat and have a whole crew of hens producing our eggs
I do my grocery shopping first at the dollar store, second bulk and then grocery. In the summer I try only dollar store and farm markets.
We have a big garden (bigger this summer) and I can and freeze alot!
Cloth napkins also instead of paper and no more paper plates
Whew, I know there's alot more but I just can't think of it!!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
18165 Posts
Alee
Billings
MT Sister # 8
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 11:02:06 AM
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Hi Melissa- It's about 10 cents per load when I calculate it up. I only use about 1/8th of a cup in my washing machine unless something is really oily. Then I use a bit more. Most commercial laundry detergents are between 15 to 20 cents per load.
Here is how I calculate it:
1 Box of washing Soda at $3.15 for 55 ounces
1 Box of Borax at $3.50 for 76 ounces
1 Bars of soap at about $1.25 at 5.5 ounces
1 Box of Baking soda at $1.50 for 32 ounces
So a total of $8.90 and 168.5 ounces
So for $8.90 I get roughly 84 loads. But I also know exactly what is being used and I know that it is environmentally friendly to boot.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Michigan Girl in TX
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Kristi
Cottonwood Shores
TX
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 11:38:03 AM
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I am trying to get better on the cooking from scratch, and we are putting in a vegetable garden this year... so hopefully by next I will be better on the food.
But, I don't buy hardly any convenience foods (no snack-y junk foods).... though I still get premade items like tomato sauce, noodles, bread, etc. I am not that talented yet!
Hardly ever go out to eat... usually just for a special occasion!
Me and the kids don't go to the movies. (The last time we did I we snuck in drinks and snacks!) We have super movie night at home and make popcorn in our airpopper (that I found on super clearance at Target for $3.75!)
I buy most of my kids clothes & my clothes on eBay or on super clearance (usually 75% off) at Target, Old Navy or Justice. I LOVE finding a deal on something we need!
I buy most of my kids school supplies (which can seriously add up in the public schools!) after season for the next year. It is usually the same items year to year.... I buy them for 75-90% off and save them!
Most items in my house are from second hand stores or garage sales that I re-do.... plus I love telling people how much I spent on something they admire! ("Wow... you got that for $3?")
When my kids want new gagets or toys they have to get rid of something.... we put it on eBay... so they can pay for it themselves.
I sell items on eBay to make extra money. Sometimes you NEVER know how much it will get. My best finds that sold: a old book about Alaska I bought for 1.00 sold for 100.00, a Thomas the Tank Engine CD I got for free sold for over 50.00 and I bought a scraggly American Girl doll for 1.00 at a garage sale, fixed her up and sold her for 50.00.
I am now making lots of our cleaners. Gotta love vinegar!
We hardly ever take family vacations. Me & my kids go camping at the State Parks or take day trips. A $60 park pass kept us very busy last year!
My next big project to save is to learn to sew!
I buy gifts when I find them on sale.... same with gift bags (love them since you can use them again!) That way Christmas isn't a financial burden! I also like to make gifts... especially with pictures on the kids in them.... my family loves pictures! (especially of my photo-elusive 15 year old boy!)
Me, my mom and my aunt read the same type of books (mysteries) so we swap books even though we live far apart. About once or twice a year... voila... a huge box out & a huge box in! That and the library... my kids love it!
The one thing we have a hard time with is gas. My husband commutes 110 miles a day roundtrip, and my work and the kids school is 30 miles roundtrip.
I love finding ways to save money.... you have to these days!
Thanks for the great ideas girls!
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Michigan Girl in TX
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Kristi
Cottonwood Shores
TX
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 11:41:51 AM
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| Alee... would the laundry detergent work without the bar soap? |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
960 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 7:12:58 PM
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I have always used every idea in the book to save money. Everytime I see something on TV that tells us what we can do to save money, I am already doing it. Our home is paid for, car paid for, Motorhome paid for. We have no debt. Sounds great? Then there is INSURANCE. Car, motorhome, homeowners, life and the big one health. Our medicare and supliment runs us over $600 a month. And we have to pay for all our meds. So don't let anyone tell you that medicare is going to solve your problems. Obama's health care program is going to cost us all. Not just in $ but in poor care.
We have always had a garden and canned as many fruits and veggies as possible. Raise chickens, barter for pork and beef. We cook everything from scratch. We don't go to town but once a week. We don't travel except a couple of weeks a year. We usually go "see" somebody so park the motor home in their yard. We buy very few cloths. Trying to wear out what is already hanging in the closet. Haven't bought a pair of shoes for over 2 years.
We could and will if we need to, cut a few more corners. We live just like we always have.
I make myself rich by keeping my wants few. H.D.T. |
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MissDana
True Blue Farmgirl
292 Posts
Dana
Lilburn
Georgia
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 7:16:03 PM
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Alee, thank you for the info on shade gardening! I might be able to do something! And I saw that funny tomato upside down planter on tv last night and thought it might work on the deck! We do have a bumper crop of mulberries in the early summer! And dandelion greens now. Of course, we might see... dare I say it?.....snow tonight in Atlanta!!! It will be 70 on Wed. so it is a hiccup in weather here! I won't plant anything until after Easter down here!
Dana
Proud Farmgirl Sister # 267
www.schultztroupe.wordpress.com
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peachy
True Blue Farmgirl
459 Posts
Melissa
Fennville
MI
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 8:23:57 PM
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Thanks for the laundry info Alee! I'll begin my search again for the ingredients and see what I can come up with it sounds much better than buying detergent and knowing where it comes from is important!
Melissa
Farmgirl Sister #360
http://oldethymecountrybarn.blogspot.com/
Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
18165 Posts
Alee
Billings
MT Sister # 8
USA
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Posted - Apr 06 2009 : 9:06:05 PM
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Hi Dana!
The upside down tomatoes work really well if you let them grow for about a month upright. Otherwise they are a bit too spindly.
Melissa- You are welcome! If you can't find the ingredients locally, www.soapgonebuy.com sells them by the case. And I also make an all natural laundry soap if you don't want to use the commercially produced ones like Fel Naptha.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Suzan
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
suzanne
duncannon
pa
USA
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Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 08:39:07 AM
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| I too do everything we've talked about to save expenses. One other thing I do is use paperbackswap.com - I read everything I can get my hands on and this has been great!!! and I don't keep accumulating all those books that I don't know what to do with after I read them. so I save money cause I don't buy new anymore, and I save space because I relist and pass them on. I also open all packages carefully and reuse the packing contents and envelopes/boxes etc. |
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Michigan Girl in TX
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Kristi
Cottonwood Shores
TX
USA
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Posted - Apr 07 2009 : 11:02:03 AM
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Suzan~ Thank you thank you for the info on paperbackswap.com! I am so excited! I am signing up! I LOVE books.... this will be great!
Alee~ Thanks for the info on soapsgonebuy.com too! There is a bunch of items I use and have had to scour to find around here! I am going to try your laundry detergent recipe.... cannot wait! |
Edited by - Michigan Girl in TX on Apr 07 2009 11:06:16 AM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
18165 Posts
Alee
Billings
MT Sister # 8
USA
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3649 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
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Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 07:31:52 AM
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Alee - this is the recipe I use for my laundry soap.
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
I have never figured out the cost like you did, but the author of this recipe (Crystal Miller), figures it out at the bottom of the page and says she spends about .01 a load. The prices she quotes for the supplies may be out of date, but it's still really cheap and sounds a lot like your recipe.
Farmgirl Sister #98
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Nifty Thrifty: How does your Family save? |
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How does your Family save?
