How to save....Ideas

I got this from a AOL pop up menu........some good ideas:






From Rags to Riches

AOL User JessPalumbo Says:

"You can buy four 15-packs of decent rags for 20 bucks, use them instead of paper towels and you will save hundreds in a year."


The Wonders of Wiper FluidAOL User Srdonalds Says:

"I buy windshield wiper fluid and use it on windows, mirrors and glass around the house. It is the same liquid, but oh boy do you get more bang for your money!"



A Cleaning 'Solution'AOL User GPCruise Says:

"I put water in a spray bottle, almost to the top, add a small amount of bleach and 3 drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid and it cleans everything! Windows look like mirrors! I also spray it on my carpet, rub it in with a rubber bristled broom "easier than hands and knees with a brush" after I vacuum and the 'spaniel stains' are gone! I started that with Oxy-Clean, since it removed hair dye stains from shower curtain and one day I ran out so made up my own solution. The bleach is just enough to kill germs and the detergent is just enough not to need rinsing."

My Five Ways to SaveAOL User Litengstrm69 Says:

"1. Groceries -- Buy spices, soups, snacks, bottled water, shampoo, bath soap and laundry detergent at the dollar store.2. Laundry -- If you're like me, and you don't have a washer and dryer, you have to go to the laundry house. The smaller machines, which will fit one load, cost about $1.75, but the jumbo machines will fit up to 5 loads. And they cost about $5 bucks. That's a savings of $3.3. Clothes -- If you don't have the money, don't shop!! But, if you really must, do it at the thrift stores.4. Food -- cook at home, and make enough for leftovers.5. Utilities -- if you're not in the room, TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. Don't let the water run while you're brushing your teeth. And wrap a blanket around your hot water heater to help insulate it."



New Life for Old FlannelAOL User CTMOMto4 Says:

"My daughter" has flannel nightgowns that she can no longer wear. Rather than just giving them away, since she needs new flannel pillow cases (at $20/2) I will re-purpose this material (the bottom of the gowns always gets much less wear than the shoulders) and make her some flannel cases for her bed. My cost: $0.00 as I have thread on hand. Good deal. The scraps of material will be used for dusting rags. I also use the larger pieces as Swiffer pads."




Every Bit HelpsAOL User Junipercanyon Says:

"I wash out all my Zip-Loc baggies in hot soapy water and hang up to dry and reuse. I also save bread wrappers for my homemade bread. I save bubble wrap envelopes when someone sends me one, and reuse them by taping it shut. If something is too expensive at the grocery store, I don't buy it. I always buy on sale and bulk meat especially. I never buy paper towels -- I went to thrift store and for $5 bought cloth napkins. I buy most of my clothes at thrift [stores], because we are a farm and most get ruined. I bought a down coat (nice) at the Good Will (GW) for $6.99. I cook extra dinner, for leftover lunch. I grind my own wheat and make whole grain breads and such. All the parts of meat we don't eat, I cook for a stew for our cats. I do my own vaccinations for livestock and cats. We cut up all old clothes for rags in garage. We put in a new thermostat for energy savings. We always turn heat off at night. We have a down comforter. I save hundreds on clothes at GW. We buy at garage sales, etc."




Save on Heating OilAOL User KATHEMOLLOY1 Says:

"I stop at my local gas station and pick up 12 gallons of Off-Road Diesel a couple of time a week. It's the same fuel as #2 home heating oil, it's dyed red. I use two five-gallon and one two- gallon fuel containers. They sell them at home depot and other hardware and automotive stores. At first, it felt a little [awkward] doing that, but the savings mounted up and I started seeing many more people doing the same thing when I was there. Shortly before Christmas, one guy was filling several containers and told me he had been stopping there almost every day all summer and had accumulated half a tank before he had to turn his furnace on. He had already saved $200 in heating costs."



Save Old CharcoalAOL User Ccdae5 Says:

"When those burgers and brats are done on the charcoal grill, close the lid and shut the vents. The fire will go out and you can relight the left-over coals next time. Just shake off the ashes and add a few new briquets and light it up. I find that doing this saves about 50% of the charcoal that can be reused."



Save on LaundryAOL User MKKTC Says:

"As soon as I get a box of dryer sheets, I cut them all in half getting twice as much use out of the box. Better yet (and my latest kick) I hang the laundry from a clothes line in the basement. I try to do one load per day thus allowing plenty of drying time. Also, wash in cold water and use very little detergent."



Bag the DeliAOL User CTMOMto4 Says:

"I pretty much gave up the deli this past year. I was limiting myself to 2 lbs. cold cuts per week (six of us bring lunch to work/school) and only buying Boar's Head by our choice. Due to escalating prices for deli meat, whole milk, anything made with flour, eggs -- I had to make some concessions. The deli was costing me at least $16-$20/week or $64-$100/month out of my $400 food budget. Instead, I [now] prepare the following: Adults take leftovers, homemade soup to work. Sandwiches are egg salad, PB& J, Fuffernutters, cheese, meatloaf, turkey/chicken salad, home roasted/broiled/grilled boneless chicken breast or turkey. Cheese is bought at $4 or less per pound and hand planed, if necessary. I have been buying 3 lbs. blocks of Land O' Lakes American at the discount grocer for $9.99 or $3.33/lb. It retails for $15.99 at the IGA. Identical product. Deli counter asks $4.99-$5.99 for American cheese. Not happening."




DIY Dryer SheetsAOL User Peaches3RN Says:

"I hated tossing those fabric softener sheets in the landfill, so I make my own with an old washcloth. Mix one part liquid softener to four parts water and place in an old spray bottle. Spray some on a dedicated washcloth and toss in the dryer along with the clothes. One bottle of liquid fabric softener lasts a very long time."


Buy a Bargain LunchAOL User Daddy1947 Says:

"If I know I am going to be out and about and needing a fast food lunch, I think one of the best bargains around is the Wendy's Value Menu. I get the Double Stack [burger] and a Value fries each at $0.99 for a total of $2.12 including tax. I bring a little ice chest with me for the day with a can of Coke. It is a satifying fast food lunch."