Frugal tips that don't work for you?

**Josephhgoins** · 05-18-2011, 08:05 AM

In light of so many worthless articles that are on the internet now about new ways to be frugal. I decided that it may be interested for us to list some of the things we have tried that really didn't work for us.

When I first moved into my apartment I was overly concerned with getting my power bill as low as possible. I would keep the heat at 55 during the day and off at night and then keep the A/C 80 in the summer. I was never comfortable. I paid off a C/C one month and I decided that as a splurge I would allow the A/C to be at 70. The 10 degree cut made less than $20 difference for me. Having the heat at the same 70 in the winter meant about the same amount too. For a measly $20 a month I could have been comfortable!!

Also, when I first moved here I could no longer dry my clothes on lines outside. So, I just dried them on lines inside. Long story short I couldn't even tell a difference in my power bill when I started drying them in a dryer.

These are just two of the things that I tried that work great for others, but wern't worth the effort to me.

Please share yours.

**khaski** · 05-18-2011, 08:12 AM

I have never understood washing out foil/plastic bags for reuse, I guess just don't use them enough for that to make any sense to me personally.

**2ndGenGranola** · 05-18-2011, 08:22 AM

Meal planning and bulk cooking.

Not a one of us here like to eat a reheated meal. It is no better than most storebought frozen meals with the exception of chili/stew type meals. I prefer to repackage in small quantities and cook fresh. Cooking fresh takes no longer than reheating.

I follow the pantry principle instead of meal planning. I keep a stocked pantry and cook according to our hunger level and taste for the day. No extra shopping as my pantry is stocked with my staples.

**teagan911** · 05-18-2011, 08:25 AM

Making my own laundry detergent:

I drove around many stores looking for the ingredients which took a different trips and gas. The first load I did with it I was not happy. I have 4 little kids and the clothes still smelled like sweat and dirt lol. I used it for almost two weeks until I ran out and within that time period, ALL of my clothes, towels, and sheets were discolored. Whites were grey, clothes had permanent stains etc. I actually ended up having to use a lot of T shirts as rags since they were no longer wearable. I wasted a lot of time and money and ended up ruining clothes in the long run.

Now I use coupons (I am not a huge coupon person though) and combine it with sales and get detergent for nearly free. Right now we are using Purex. It's cheap, and gets the job done!

**greekislandgirl** · 05-18-2011, 08:31 AM

I also always cook fresh (no leftovers). I don't think doing the large batch cooking saves money. I think the negligible difference in electricity (I almost always cook in a pressure cooker) is made up for the tendency to eat more if you make more.

I don't want to give up toilet paper or tampons for reusable alternatives.

I can't be bothered to unplug the television when I'm not watching it. I'd have to crawl under a table to do so.

Coupons don't work for me, because they don't have coupons here, but if they had them, I'd definitely use them.

Khaski - I reuse Ziploc bags! I always have at least one drying on the line. But I have a good excuse: they don't sell in my country so I have a very limited stash!

**Ceashels** · 05-18-2011, 09:04 AM

We don't unplug the electronics when we are done using them... it is just too inaccessible.

I gave up on hm laundry detergent when I washed the neighbor's clothes and could still smell the cigarette smoke in them. I have started using Charlie's Soap and love it.

I tried clipping open the toothpaste tube to get that extra 1-2 uses but that is just too messy with dogs and cats and whiskers floating about the room. I might cut it to get the extra one time then I pitch the tube.

**LynnLC** · 05-18-2011, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by greekislandgirl

I also always cook fresh (no leftovers). I don't think doing the large batch cooking saves money. I think the negligible difference in electricity (I almost always cook in a pressure cooker) is made up for the tendency to eat more if you make more.

I don't want to give up toilet paper or tampons for reusable alternatives.I can't be bothered to unplug the television when I'm not watching it. I'd have to crawl under a table to do so.

Coupons don't work for me, because they don't have coupons here, but if they had them, I'd definitely use them.

Khaski - I reuse Ziploc bags! I always have at least one drying on the line. But I have a good excuse: they don't sell in my country so I have a very limited stash!

Absolutely NOT negotiable.

**Ali Lee** · 05-18-2011, 09:39 AM

HM dishwasher detergent did not clean my dishwasher. HM "Shout" did not work-- stains still there! HM tortilla's-hopefully I will get better making them or that's getting scratched.

**TigerGirl1226** · 05-18-2011, 09:50 AM

Reusing baggies gave me the creeps. Don't know why...it just did. I can't do it!

**sunshine** · 05-18-2011, 09:54 AM

use of the library - we don't have a library in our area, nearest one is 30+ miles away, and charges $60/person. Instead I hit up yard sales, etc. for books, magazines, movies then resell them at my yard sales.

coupons - as a rule. We don't have stores that double, I don't subscribe to a newspaper. We seldom use premade foods that have the most coupons are available. I will use coupons for department stores, and items that I have intended to buy anyway - I print coupons online.

**Josephhgoins** · 05-18-2011, 09:55 AM

I agree with the homemade detergent both for clothes and the dishwasher. I couldn't get the stuff to make it cheaply and it didn't clean as well.

I ended up going to Sams club on one of the free entry days and stocking up on Finish for the dishwasher. I purchase laundry detergent when it is on sale and with coupons. I got a bunch of Purex for free like that recently.

I have tried the home made and quality store bought stain removers and always end up ruining the article of clothing or not getting rid of the stain. My trick now is that I either trash it right away if it is well worn, or take it to the dry cleaners for less than $5 and get it back to new.

**Judi Dial** · 05-18-2011, 10:30 AM

Re the last 2 doses of toothpaste? My dad used a pair of pliers to get them out, no cutting, no open package. That was in the days of tin tubes, don't know if it'll work with plastic tubes, but it might be worth a try?

Mine is probably washing all plastic bags. I find the zip top, heavy duty bags, from sugar, veggies, etc. are worth washing/saving, but the others aren't. I'm actively trying to find reusable containers to replace baggies with here.

Other than that, probably my biggest gripe about "money saving" things is that many of them are just exchanging time for $$. If I'm willing to spend the time, I do (like making bread, for example) but if I'm not and I can buy bread on sale for .75 a loaf, then I refuse to feel guilty about it. The materials for HM bread are probably about .30, but by the time I add my time & the energy to mix/bake it, I bet it's right around the same .75 or more....

Judi

**Jamielane** · 05-18-2011, 10:35 AM

There have been a few things that have not worked out. I didn't like hm dishwasher soap, Feminine hygeine products are non negotiable here as well especially since there is myself and two daughters. Also , I tried really hard to get used to one ply inexpensive toilet paper until my 11 year old (at the time) who rarely complains about anything asked for "real toilet paper". Sigh.... That was that. I dont resuse baggies either. I rarely use them other than for lunches and get them at sav a lot for 1.00 a box so they get pitched when used. My husband is majorly flexible on almost anything, he will not budge on the heat or the a.c. since he works outside, He wants to be comfortable when he comes home. Winter time means the heat is on 70 and the a.c. is on 75 in the summer.

**Cricketlegs** · 05-18-2011, 10:45 AM

I have an HE washer and dryer and when I make my liquid soap I make a huge cat litter tub and pour half into another tub so I have 2 tubs half way full then I take a cheap soap, usually Sun 130 wash load size, regular laundry soap not HE and pour half in each tub.

It gives me cheap soap out the wazoo, extra soapy cleaning power and the scent of the soap to deoderize my laundry.

Just a tip for any who would still care to give it a shot but want the extra boost laundry soap can give tio home made soap.

I get about 6 gallons a pop.

**joyofsix** · 05-18-2011, 10:46 AM

We don't unplug the appliances and I just set the computer to sleep. We come and go at all hours and having everything shut down and unplugged drove us all crazy.

Coupons~I just find Aldi cheaper overall, at least in our area.

We have no problems with cooking ahead, bargain basement TP and generic toothpaste so I save money on the things that don't bother us and leave the above stuff plugged in.