Dear Aspiring:
I can help you with some of your future frugalness ideas. I have been frugal for several years since I bought my home. I too, have lots of bills and have to take care of an elderly parent who lives 25 miles away. I take a lot of time off from work with no pay to take care of my parent and I am still able to save money. So, I thought I would share some ideas with you. You will be surprised at just how frugal you can get and how you just seem to get used to it once it has been implemented.
I water down my shampoo, conditioner, liquid hand soap and dishwashing soap with water when it get's halfway down the bottle. I also make all my liquid hand soap. Easy to bring water just to a boil and grate a bar of soap and throw it in. Cheaper than buying from any store. I turn off all the lights and all the small appliances and electrical strips get unplugged before I leave the house because they still draw electricity. I live in the Northeast so, when the temp drops, I pull out my electric blanket and lower the thermostat. I make just about all my homemade cleaners, usually vinegar, water and a small amount of dishwashing soap or tea tree oil. This will clean the counters, floors and bathroom. I use the town paper (free) its like newspaper to clean my mirrors and windows. To clean wood make a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice and olive oil and wipe all your wood with this. It works wonderfully. I make leg warmers by using old socks just cut off the bottom near the ankle of two pairs of knee high socks and sew it to the other one near the upper calf. I make my own slippers too from old washcloths. Check it out on Youtube. I use old clothes, sheets and pillowcases to make rags and potholders. I go to thrift stores to buy wool and felt it or just wear it, or in my case, make mittens out of a cheap 100 percent merino wool sweater. Years ago, I got rid of my cable and home phone to save money. What a great money saver. Having cable year to year is the equivalent of buying a giant plasma tv every year and throwing it out the window. I decided to just throw out the huge bill and now I just have the internet. I can watch movies and tutorials on anything I want to learn on Youtube and some other free sites. I never go out to eat. If I do, it is a rare occasion. I always bring my lunches/dinners with me to work. I use all my clothes till they wear out and then turn them into something else useful. When you get paid from your job. Pay yourself first. That way you will always have something for a rainy day. When you go food shopping, Shop the perimeter of the store and buy food that will last a long time, such as dried beans, rice, dried milk. Also, buy only food from the four food groups. You can buy tea and make iced or hot tea as a flavored beverage. I don't buy soda and make this instead. I always drink water and tea. These are my only two beverages. I also buy loose tea and cheap coffee filters to make chamomile tea. Cheaper than buying the teabags. Buy only necessities, don't waste money on junk food. You can always make cakes and cookies. Buy store brands and you will definitely save a bundle of dough. Try to group your activities bank, library, grocery shopping into all in one trip to save money on gas. Stay at home instead of going out to save cash by having a game night, or bake a new dish, clean up the house or just enjoy each other's company. Always save your jars from food. Don't throw them away as you can make xmas gifts by putting homemade cakes, cookies, muffins or seasoning mixes in them (like starters) You can make them in advance by putting the dried parts of the food together, put your own labels on them and make the directions say add oil or eggs and they will have "Delicious muffins made by say the Jones's!" This way you can start your gifts now and have them already made before xmas. Throw in some homemade potholders and what a nice homemade surprise for the recipient!!! Everyone eats and homemade gifts are always better than store bought stuff because it comes from the heart.
I make earrings. I have done this for years and have never bought a pair since I have learned how to do this. You wouldn't believe the savings you get when you make it yourself. All my girlfriends get excited around their birthdays because they know they are getting jewelry that I made. If it ever needs to be fixed, I offer free fixing of jewelry that I made for them. Have never had that problem since I started 20 years ago
I hope that some of these ideas will help you to save more money and make your life easier. It has for me. And, believe it or not, I feel like my life is full and enjoyable. Even though, I don't have all the amenities that most of my friends have. I read more. I learn more. I have learned to use my sewing machine to help me along my way.
Please let me know if this helped you!
Happy holidays!
Frugalforever