What are some of the little things that you do everyday to save money?

**Mom23boys** · 12-22-2002, 06:27 PM

What are some of the little things that you do everyday to save money?

Some of the things I do are:
*Wash all laundry in cold water. Only wash full loads.
*Try to combine trips to town.
*Keep a well stocked pantry and freezer.
*Pay bills on time.
*Shop loss leaders.
*Mix half water and half liquid fabric softener in a spray bottle.

I am sure there are others, but can't think of them now.

What do you do?

**simplemom** · 12-22-2002, 08:07 PM

*I also wash in cold water and make make washer go only 7 minutes.(heard this tip at www.budget101.com )

*I close all the lights, all the time.

*I only buy what is on special at the groceries.

*I dilute my juice with a can or two of water.

*I drive at 90km/hr. only.(saves gas)

*I reuse and recycle many things with a second life.

*I wash my dishes in a minimum of hot water with a minimum of dish soap.

*I make lunches for my kids and dh everyday, instead of letting them buy at school or work.

.....mmm...I probably do more, but it doesn't come to me now...

Lucie

**nealy** · 12-22-2002, 08:38 PM

I bake my own bread, turn off all the lights when I leave the room, I pack my Dh's lunch, and stay home during the day instead of shopping!LOL.

Nealy

**CountryMom** · 12-22-2002, 09:18 PM

I dilute juice, make my own diaper wipes, use less laundry and dishwashing detergent, cut my dryer sheets in 4ths, line dry heavy clothing, keep a well stocked pantry.

**justjenn** · 12-22-2002, 09:20 PM

I am not as frugal as I used to be, or as frugal as I would like to be, but there are some everyday things I do that save money:

*Wash all clothes in cold water
*Try to use the least amt of everything that I can
*Hang laundry
*Turn off heat when dh and I leave for a long period of time
*Use a menu to help with grocery bill
*Never use a cc (I am not disciplined enough to pay it off in full

That's all I can think of at the moment.

**AmyBoz** · 12-22-2002, 10:41 PM

*I turn off all the lights, all the time.
*I use coupons and shop sales every week when I do the grocery shopping and never buy anything that isn't on the list.
*I reuse and recycle many things with a second life.
*I use only 1/2 of the recommended amount of laundry detergent and dishwasher soap and my clothes and dishes are just as clean.
*I hang at least half of every laundry load, so I only have to use the dryer half as much as I normally would.
*Pay off our credit cards every month.
*Dd, dh, and I bring our lunches to work/daycare so we don't have to buy. (I guess dd wouldn't be buying anything at daycare, but you know what I mean!)

**seadream** · 12-23-2002, 12:10 AM

I wash all clothes in cold water.
Hang out laundry when weather permits
Shop with coupons always
Turn off lights as I leave a room
Turn down heat when not at home & at night
Eat before going to work(Work 2nd shift) Take snack, & soda with
Combine errands

That's all I can think of right now

**heaven** · 12-23-2002, 12:15 AM

wash in cold water.

shower only 2 times a day.

use extra blankets instead of turn the heat up.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 12-23-2002, 02:38 AM

I keep a packed (I mean really FULL) freezer and pantry
Only do major shopping trips about every three weeks
Wash full loads of laundry
Pack the kids' lunches four days a week--once a week they get hot lunch for a treat
use piles of coupons
Keep the heat at about 65 degrees TOPS
use my Crock Pot
combine things in the oven (bake potaotes at the same time as the roast PLUS a pie!)

Can't think of other things right now. I am tired!

**Mom23boys** · 12-23-2002, 10:49 AM

Amyboz originally posted
*Pay off our credit cards every month.

Good one Amy! Me too! I pay the full balance owed each month.

I also make DH, DK's and my lunch daily!

**AmyBoz** · 12-23-2002, 12:52 PM

Ooh, I forgot. We keep the heat at 60 or 61 throughout the winter.

**grneyegrl** · 12-23-2002, 09:02 PM

i also shop lost leaders
use coupons
buy as many sales items as i have coupons
use less laundry det.
cut dryer sheet in 3rds
and i put water in my shampoo bottle(u now after u cant get any more out) &use to wash dishes
use cheap shampoo as shower gel
theres more but i cant think of any

**PrairieRose** · 12-23-2002, 09:22 PM

I cook most meals at home
I watch every penny I spend, dh has finally come around to this way of thinking too

Turn off all lights when not in the room BUT I do leave the computer on a lot, when I'm not in front of it
Keep a full pantry
Buy beef in bulk for the freezer (this one alone saves an amazing amount of $ not only for the meat but in quick trips to the store for meat for a meal)
Watch clearance isles for gift items, keep several gifts on hand so I don't have to pay full price for any in a pinch.
Go to garage sales and find all sorts of things that I would normally buy.... and pay full price for.... for example I have wrapped all of my Xmas gifts in paper that I bought for .10 per roll this past summer.
Try to NEVER ever pay full price for anything
Take drinks anytime we leave the house for a couple of hours, usually in our insulated cups
Again I'll say it "I make a huge effort to NEVER ever, EVER pay full price for anything". It doesn't always work but you'd be amazed how often it does.

**Shell** · 12-23-2002, 11:36 PM

Wow! You guys are doing great! The best way to save money is to stay out of the malls! I pay my bills on time. I try to use up all of our left-overs and make dh's lunches. I use half the soap I use too.

**cody15650** · 12-27-2002, 07:10 AM

I make my own cleaners.
Make my own bleach wipes.
Heat our house with a wood burner.
Try to buy store brands, if they are cheaper.
Don't make as many trips into town till I need a lot done.
Pay bills before or on time.
Reuse plastic bags.
I know there is more just can't think.