Watching the Pennies Add Up

"A penny saved is a penny earned." "Look after the pennies, and the dollars will look after themselves" I think we all grew up learning those phrases! It just means take care of the pennies (watch those small amounts you spend) and they'll add up to big savings overall. Here are some money saving tips that I do and that were shared by others. All you frugalistas out there, please feel free to add to the tips in the comments.

1. Save your change. Above is a picture of my "egg money" (do you know where that phrase came from?). Jen mentioned that she has a jar where she puts her change and that's what she uses for decorating money. I use it for that too and more. Just last week I scooped out a handful into a baggy and took it to Kroger with me to deposit in those Coinstar machines. I had a little over $18 when I was through. Went to Goodwill and found this dog picture to add to my dog collection ($3). Went to Barnes & Nobles later in the week and had a lovely Pumpkin Spice Latte while looking at the latest magazines, bought one and still had some "blow" money leftover! I have also used it for grocery money when times have been really tight!




2. Make your own. Hip Chick makes her own laundry detergent (look here http://hipchickshome.blogspot.com/2008/06/ingredientsi-bar-ivory-soap1-12-baking.html). You can make your own cleaning products (I'll share some recipes I use in another post), your own tooth powder, you can make your own mixed seasonings (like taco etc), your own cream of ....soup, make your own granola (it's so easy!) you can make your own practically anything! The Internet is a great resource - lots of people have been making their own stuff for years and years so you're bound to find what you're looking for.


3. Conserve water. Glenda said that when she was growing up if you took a bath that water was then used to flush toilets. Don't let the water run when you brush your teeth and wash your face. We collect water in our rain barrels to use for a variety of things. Linda's husband fixed her washer so they can use the grey water to water their yard.


4. Don't waste. Clarice keeps a bag in her freezer to hold leftover bits of bread. When she gets enough she cubes them and makes bread pudding out of them. You can also make your own breadcrumbs. Keep those little bits of veggies that don't get eaten in the freezer and add to soups. I also reuse the other side of printer paper (you know when something you didn't want to print does or if you're finished with it). Rhonda in OK likes to use casserole dishes with lids so she doesn't have to even use foil. I re-wash my foil and use over and over.
5. Use White Vinegar. Phyllis said that her Mom used to use vinegar on her hair instead of conditioner (I don't know if hair color plays a factor in whether you can do this). Lots of people use vinegar in their washer instead of fabric softener. 1/2 cup for top loaders and a 1 tablespoon for front loaders (I would experiment with that as I'm sure all washers are different). I cut dryer sheets in half and use those when we don't line dry. I use vinegar and water to wash my laminate floors.
6. Do it yourself. I cut my husbands hair about every 10 days. He bought one of those hair cutting kits with the different blade attachments for about $40. It costs him $10 to get it cut at the barbershop (not including tip). So we save at least $30 a month on that. I trim my own bangs and my daughter's. I cut my own grass (which I hate doing btw because it takes me about an hour just to do the front yard). That saves me $100 a month (lawn service was $50 every two weeks just for the front). I of course paint my own everything (believe me I'd rather pay to have someone paint walls - that I don't enjoy).
7. Swap frozen pizza for delivered or make your own.
8. I use a broom instead of my vacuum most of the time, to save on electricity. I also don't leave my phone charger plugged in.
9. I cook extra and freeze for those days when I don't feel like cooking so I'm not tempted to get take out.
10. Check the dollar stores for bargains. I just found out the my Big Lots has bread considerably cheaper than Kroger. I bought a loaf of Arnold Healthy Multi-grain for $1.79. Kroger had a similar bread on sale for $3! I bought 2 loaves btw, one to use now and one to put in the freezer.
11. Watch those ATM & bank fees! If I use my debit card as a debit card and not a credit card at some places (like Blockbuster) I get hit with a $2 charge for not using an approved ATM. When my husband travels he always looks for banks that are linked with ours so we don't get charged for using another banks ATM.
12. Be organized about your bill payments! There's nothing worse than getting hit with a late charge because you misplaced or forgot about a bill and pay it a day late. Do call and try to get the charge dropped if you're just a day or two late. It doesn't hurt to ask!

I'll list some more of the tips left next week.