It sounds simple enough but how many people have actually tried it?
Take a damp cloth (a warm damp cloth works even better) and see how much dirt and grime is removed simply with water.
We've been programmed by advertising companies to think that we NEED cleaning products.
Sure, they can make our life easier.
Sure, there are TIMES when an anti-bacterial agent of some description is called for.
But that doesn't mean that we ALWAYS need to use them.
Try cleaning with water first to SAVE MONEY EASY.
Cleaning With Water Will SAVE YOU MONEY
Can You SAVE MONEY on Your Laundry Detergent
So many of us are obedient little consumers. We purchase a product, believe what the product promotion tells us about how effective the product is and take the provided scoop and fill it to the brim with product.
BUT, do we REALLY NEED that amount of product?
What is going to make the company more money? Encouraging consumers to CONSUME MORE of their product.
DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ!
For a start, the company is going to give you the maximum amount of product that MIGHT be needed.
Factors such as how your machine works, the mineral content of your water and how dirty the clothing you wash in will all affect how much detergent is required for that load.
Using too much detergent may even lessen the life of your machine. In effect meaning you're paying for the privilege of having to purchase a machine earlier.
How do you know how much detergent you really need?
Experiment. Every time you wash a load, try a little bit less. Keep going until you actually notice a difference in the cleanliness of the clothing coming out of the machine.
A little bit of time spent experimenting can add up to a LOT of dollars saved over the long term.
Use less laundry detergent and SAVE MONEY EASY.
Use Bicarb Soda to SAVE MONEY in the Laundry
Bicarb/Baking Soda can be very handy in the laundry.
It softens fabrics, whiten whites and brightens colours.
Adding to your wash can enhance the effectiveness of your laundry detergent and allow you to use less.
It can also be used to help rid garments of smells such as gasoline and motor oil. Simply sprinkle on the garments and seal in a garbage bag for a couple of days to allow it to absorb the odours. Wash as normal.
Try Baking/Bicarb Soda in the laundry to help you SAVE MONEY.
Use Bicarb Soda to SAVE MONEY Cleaning
Bicarb soda (also known as BAKING SODA) makes an EXCELLENT cleaning product and will help you to SAVE MONEY on cleaning. It's a great non-abrasive cleaner.
Sprinkle a tiny amount on a wet cloth and away you go.
You can also use it made up as a paste.
It will cut through grease and can also be used to clean jewellery and other shiny materials.
To clean silver, use as a paste. Wipe on with a cloth, rinse and then buff dry.
For odours, simply place some bicarb soda in a paper bag and place in the offending area (fridge, cupboard etc). It will absorb odours quite quickly.
Look out for bicarb/baking soda at wholesalers to save even more.
Bicarb soda is a great way to SAVE MONEY cleaning.
A Simple And Affordable Way To De-Pill Clothing
Image via WikipediaI have revamped a number of garments using this simple tip.
Use a disposable razor to de-pill older garments.
All you do is scrape the razor over the clothing. The blade collects the pilled fluff and leaves behind a much smoother appearing garment. You do need to clean the fluff from the blade regularly to get the best results.
I have given a number of my own clothing items a new lease on life with this tip.
It's also great for items of clothing that are picked up second hand.
In fact, I used it just a few days ago on a jumper I paid 20c for (for my daughter).
She now has a jumper that looks "near new" thanks to a handy little disposable razor.
Save Your Two-Year-Olds Clothing
When your toddler grows out of their clothes, save any items where the length isn't overly important.
Items like shirts, shorts, skirts and dresses can be reworn by your child when they go through the preschool age.
Their trunk slims out and clothes that were once too snug will fit again.
I LOVED it when my children were able to rewear garments that were once too small.
It's a great way to Save Money Easy.
It Pays to Ask The Bank
When we were saving up for our new house, I spoke to our bank teller about account options. A term deposit didn't really suit our needs as we were adding very small amounts to the total all the time.
They came up with an at-call account which offered more than 4 times the interest our current "savings" account was offering us.
By the time our house was built and needed to be paid for, the extra interest we earnt was enough to purchase a brand new dishwasher.
That's really what I call "money for nothing".
Turn It Off to Save Money
Image via WikipediaI know this may sound like a really BASIC tip. But here's the thing. Turning stuff off is habit. And many of us are not IN this habit.
I remember a number of years back when my grandparents were staying with my newly-wed husband and I. We had some friends over after a street function in our local town. My grandparents were sitting at the dining room table while we were in the lounge. The two rooms were adjoined and while they had sliding doors between them, these were mostly left open.
At one point my grandparents left the room, turning off every single light switch along the way. We were left with just the light in the lounge room and surrounding darkness. It was an odd feeling to us to be sitting in such darkness with only a light on in the room we were using.
We had a little bit of a giggle, figuring they were headed off to bed. We even wondered if that was a hint that they were ready for our friends to leave.
A couple of minutes later they walked back through the room and turned on the lights again.
It was the oddest experience my husband and I had encountered. Why turn the lights off when you're coming back in less than 5 minutes time?
Simply because it was a habit. A lifetime habit than when you left a room, you turned the light off.
It sounds like a basic tip, but developing a habit like this can add up to MULTIPLE savings over a lifetime.
Go on, turn it off and save yourself money.
Pita Bread Pizza
Image via WikipediaConsider the cost of going out for pizza. You're paying a premium price for globules of fat, a tiny bit of topping and the convenience factor.
How convenient is it though?
You don't only need to take into account the cost of the pizza but also any sides you may order, the time taken to decide what you'll have, fuel to pick it up (unless you PAY for home delivery) and wear and tear on your car. Not to mention having to go out into the elements instead of staying in the cosiness of your own home.
Pita Bread Pizzas can be whipped up in minutes, save you money AND are healthier (lower in fat).
Simply keep a packet of pita bread (or any flat bread) in your freezer ready for when you want to make your own pizzas. Top with pasta or pizza sauce (depending on taste), your favourite toppings and some grated cheese.
It's so quick and easy, you can even get the kids to do it. Or everyone can make their own, putting their favourite toppings on top.
EXTRA MONEY SAVING TIPS
To make your pizzas even cheaper, you can follow these tips. They take a little more effort but will save a few dollars.
- Make your own pizza bases. A simple scone dough works OR use a bread dough (bread dough makes DELICIOUS pizza bases)
- Grate your own cheese
- Top with leftovers rather than specifically purchased toppings
Save Money Op Shopping
Image via WikipediaI know some people draw the line when it comes to saving money on clothing, household goods, books and other items found in second-hand stores.
I think op-shopping (also known as thrift stores, second hand stores, charity stores and so on) can be likened to mining. If people weren't prepared to get down and dirty, dig deep and separate the treasures from the muck, we wouldn't have the beautiful minerals, metals and jewels that delight us so.
So, what do you think? Do you think it's worth getting down amongst the not-so-wonderful items in order to search for those precious gems just waiting to be found?
There is LOTS of money to be saved by doing this. It takes time. It takes perseverance. It even takes accepting defeat sometimes. But if you want to keep a few dollars in your pocket, there are some wonderful gems just waiting to be found and given a bit of a shine.
Save Money with Epsom Salts
Image via WikipediaEpsom Salts have many uses. One of my favourites is as a luxurious bath product. How often do we spend big money on lovely products to pamper ourselves in the bath?
With our skin being our largest organ, a soak in the tub with Epsom Salts is a great way to get magnesium, an important mineral for many body functions. The sulphur in Epsom Salts is great for helping the body get rid of toxins.
Where is the cheapest place to buy Epsom Salts?
The cheapest place I have found so far is a Horse Supply place. At around half the price per kilogram that the supermarkets sell it for. It's not food grade but how many of you drink the bath water? ;) I bought several kilograms from a horse supply place last time I bought it and it looks as clean and white as what comes in the tiny box from the supermarket.
A great way to save money!
Save Money with Easiyo
Image via WikipediaI LOVE our Easiyo yoghurt maker. It makes yoghurt making so easy and cheap. The kids LOVE it and the yoghurt is so much fresher and therefore stronger in all the healthy bacteria our bodies need.
It is definitely one of the best investments I've made.
Keeping the sachets on hand means you can make it as needed and not be running to the shops to purchase more.
The variety of flavours are great. You can add your own fruit, have it plain or have a smooth yet flavoured yoghurt. I find it great for my children who don't appreciate "lumps" in their yoghurt.
Easiyo is a great way to save money on the grocery bill.
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