Your best random frugality tips - Page 4

[gabbyraja]

I "make" my own dishwasher detergent, too. I've tried all the above recipes and never got the results I could get from commercial detergent. So, I use 2 parts commercial dishwasher detergent (7th generation when I can get it cheaply enough, store brand on sale when I can't), 1 part borax, 1 part baking soda. This makes the boxed detergent go SO much farther. Using vinegar in the rinse cycle makes it all turn out just like using boxed detergent + jet dry. I do not rinse my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, just remove large particles of food with the fork.

Thank you Karenwith4 for the idea on canning. I've never done it, and it kind of intimidates me. But I've recently noticed how much jelly the kids are going through! And my babies are born food allergic, so I have a good 1-2 years where I'm eating only homemade foods because of the additives, so having homemade applesauce and jelly, etc, would be great! I never knew about seconds. I just put a wanted ad on Craigslist looking for seconds. And I found an ad for 60-80 jelly sized jars for $60. If I can talk them down I could get them for $50. That sounds good to me... (freecycle doesn't yield much around here).

[urchin_grey]

One half-gallon of organic milk wasn't quite lasting us between weekly shopping trips but two half-gallons was too much and was often going bad before it got used up. I have limited freezer space, so freezing it wasn't really the best option. So instead I started giving DS half fresh whole milk, half powdered whole milk. Its only $1.16/can and makes 3/4 of a gallon prepared. So that saves me at least $3/week, more if I cook/prepare something that uses a lot of milk and I use the powdered.

[Ruthiegirl]

My best random tip? Work hard!


Be a little uncomfortable ... little hot in the summer ... a little cold in the winter. Work a little harder. Sweat a little more. Get up a little earlier. Learn something new and pass on your skills.


But really...frugality is all about a good, hard work ethic.

[Turquesa]

Read The Tightwad Gazette. Take what works, ignore what doesn't. Scoff at anything in it that sounds ridiculous (cutting up a credit card to use it as guitar picks? ) and take the rest seriously.

[Callimom]

Originally Posted by gabbyraja

Thank you Karenwith4 for the idea on canning. I've never done it, and it kind of intimidates me. But I've recently noticed how much jelly the kids are going through! And my babies are born food allergic, so I have a good 1-2 years where I'm eating only homemade foods because of the additives, so having homemade applesauce and jelly, etc, would be great! I never knew about seconds. I just put a wanted ad on Craigslist looking for seconds. And I found an ad for 60-80 jelly sized jars for $60. If I can talk them down I could get them for $50. That sounds good to me... (freecycle doesn't yield much around here).

Check the price for new ones first and watch the thrift stores and garage sales. Also ask older neighbours - especially ones whose kids have grown. Often there are stashes to be had.

Depending on the price you can negotiate, you may find you are better off buying new jars. New 250 ml jars here (about a cup full) cost $6.50 a dozen and they come with new lids and rings which may be cheaper than your Craigslist prices. (You can't reuse the lids and you will need enough rings to cover a batch of canning at a time - you can take the rings off after everything has set.)

Pick your own has a good section on canning and there are lots of good books out there.

Good luck!
Karen