[Jilly50]

I am going over ways to cut my bare bones budget even more. If I am to have my dream of perhaps one day owns a couple of acres and a small house and/or retiring early. Some ideas i've come up with:

1. Bathing with the bare minimum of water in the tub with a squirt of liquid soap. It does get you clean.

2. Air drying clothes.

3. Super cheap meals....peanut butter, scrambled eggs, pot of beans

4. bare bones wardrobe....couple of pair of jeans and assorted shirts and sweaters

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head...any more "bare bones living" ideas? thanks.

 

[LastDragonfly]

I am going over ways to cut my bare bones budget even more. If I am to have my dream of perhaps one day owns a couple of acres and a small house and/or retiring early. Some ideas i've come up with:

1. Bathing with the bare minimum of water in the tub with a squirt of liquid soap. It does get you clean.

2. Air drying clothes.

3. Super cheap meals....peanut butter, scrambled eggs, pot of beans

4. bare bones wardrobe....couple of pair of jeans and assorted shirts and sweaters

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head...any more "bare bones living" ideas? thanks.

make your own laundry soap. That alone has saved me TONS of $$

Start saving every penny. (check out the change challenge) You will be surprised.

 

[rebecca]

If work take lunch to work, check out books at the library if like to read, don't go anywhere unless you absolutely have to, don't buy anything unless you absolutely have to. I know there are more, but right now I am brain dead.

 

[onencgirl]

I too have saved a ton by making my own laundry soap.

 

[shortstack]

Use reusable cleaning cloths and napkins.

Andrea

 

[Buckeye5]

Dilute detergents, get freebies when you can off of the net, coupons, entertainment: go to fee things in your area, dilute milk, rice is a good food product to use for many recipes, I know there are tons more of ideas out there too.

 

[Wendy99]

go online for free samples of soap, shampoo, cleaners, laundry soap

 

[MamaTreadler]

I hang everthing to dry. It has really saved on the electric bill. It's amazing, after a while the family isn't even phazed anymore about stiff bath towels or even jeans.

I second (or third) the laundry soap idea.

If you're still at the point where you need them, switch to cloth pads. (I don't sew and have a really good online source for them if anyone wants it, just pm me. Alot of them online are soooo expensive. I have a lady that sells on Ebay and I can usually get them for $1-$2 a per pad, good quality.)

 

[Ebbie]

Some of the things I do now or have done in the past:

- gave up car, use public transit or walk (I have a cart to lug groceries home)

- use rabbit ears for tv (I got about 5 watchable channels doing this)

- accept hand-me-down clothes from relatives (honestly between Mom and sister I have not purchased clothes in YEARS...except for underwear and nylons)

- I mix milk with powdered milk...cheaper for me, plus I can freeze the regular milk and thaw it when I'm ready to mix it...that way I can stay out of the grocery store longer

- I have curly hair and it's actually better for it to NOT use shampoo. I basically shampoo with conditioner and occasionally give it a clean with baby shampoo. The 'no shampoo' method is cheaper because using just using conditioner instead of shampoo and conditioner.

- I cut my own hair. I dye my own hair, and use one of the bowl and brush sets from the dollar store. I just mix up a little of the mix at a time and use that to touch up roots. One box of hair dye can last me a long time that way (4 or 5 uses).

- I make my own foam soap. I bought a big jug of Dial clear liquid soap YEARS ago for $10 and use it to make the foam soap liquid (mix one part soap to about 10 parts water) and this has lasted me for years. I bet the jug isn't even half empty yet.

- water savings: use dishpans in your kitchen sink to wash dishes, you'll use less water. I also follow the 'mellow yellow' rule in the bathroom. I installed a low flow showerhead. My water bill is 33% less than last year.

- radically reduce your gift-giving. I'm down to cards for most people and a few token gifts or money for the younger kids only.

 

[MomToTwoBoys]

There are many great suggestions so far! We eat a lot of rice and spaghetti when times are tough and we stockpile. I'd check out local food pantries for help also. You can also try cutting out cable and taking up reading. If you want outdoor activities, try sledding or going for a walk in the park and then having hot chocolate with marshmallows when you get home.

 

[bumplett]

I don't know that I can add anything new to the list of ideas, just wanted to say thanks for a few that I haven't heard in awhile.

 

[Jilly50]

All good idea! I use only a tiny bit of detergent to wash clothes, have enough socks and undies that I dont have to wash often. I've also found that spending a little can save you a lot in some areas. For instance I bought an electric blanket and turn my heat down to 60 at night (i know this isnt possible in colder climates) have bought enough socks and undies so i dont have to wash often. I am single and for me cheap paper plates and cups save money...I dont need hot water to wash much. Again thanks for the great ideas.

 

[l8eebugg]

- I cut my own hair. I dye my own hair, and use one of the bowl and brush sets from the dollar store. I just mix up a little of the mix at a time and use that to touch up roots. One box of hair dye can last me a long time that way (4 or 5 uses).

Ebbie,
Can you explain this? How do you know the correct amounts to mix?
thanks

 

[homesteadmamma]

~walk where you can
~if you use heat turn it down a couple degrees
~unplug all your electrical appliances when not in use
~think about using a/c less
~shop thrift stores
~shop loss leaders
~menu plan

 

[hunertime]

Cheap foods we make a lot of soup, I buy all my meat reduce for check sale freeze it right away and when ready to use I thaw in fridge. I get great meats and don't spend a lot. Use all your leftovers.
I also get seconds from our fruit and vegetable market, it may be a bruised fruit that won't sell but is fine to eat. Sometimes I think we eat better when we are broke then when we have money because I plan and think about things more.
- we use Grey water to flush our toilet.
- We hang most of our clothes and we wear clothes more then one day, underwear gets changed everyday. Bath towels we hang them to dry and use it again. full loads it takes the same amount of water if full or one thing. I use 1about 1 t. laundry soap and some borax or washing soda.
My Grandma always said "better days are coming!" I know she was right. God's Blessings on you. Candy

 

[Megareader]

1. NO extras when you grocery shop.
2. Like to read or watch movies? The library is your best friend!
3. When the weather is nice, take a walk. It's free and good for you.
4. Think before you part with your money. Do you really need that item or is it just a "want." If it is a true need, can you get it second hand?

 

[Ebbie]

- I cut my own hair. I dye my own hair, and use one of the bowl and brush sets from the dollar store. I just mix up a little of the mix at a time and use that to touch up roots. One box of hair dye can last me a long time that way (4 or 5 uses).

Ebbie,
Can you explain this? How do you know the correct amounts to mix?
thanks

Sure. Inside a box of Miss Clairol are two bottles like this:

The one on the left is the actual "dye" and the one on the right is the "activator". Once you mix the two together the solution becomes activated and is only good for about an hour. To get many applications out of one kit I only mix enough together to touch up my roots. I pour a little from each bottle into one of these these brush and bowl kits from the dollar store (mine is black):

Mix in the bowl, then use the brush to touch up just your roots. I just use a rough estimate of the amounts when I mix, keeping the proportions the same. For example, if I use 1/4 from the dye bottle, use 1/4 from the activator bottle. Generally it's usually about the same amount (or it is for the Miss Clairol mixes). I've done it many times, so even if it's not exact it will work. I just eyeball it, but you could also make notches on the sides of the bottles to help guide you to pour the right amount.

Remember, it's only when the solutions are MIXED that they can no longer be stored, so opening them without mixing them together is fine. Just keep the unmixed bottles somewhere for future use.

Hope that helps!

 

[sunshine]

- use meat as a condiment, instead of the main dish

- reuse water (save the water from showers, to flush the toliet - laundry water to water the garden), and take "navy" showers to start (get in and get wet, turn off the water, soap up from head to toe, turn water on and rinse).

- grow some of your own foods - even lettuce, radishes, onions in a container will save some money.

- learn to mend your clothing and take good care of all your belongings.

- barter

 

[craftypam]

Allright everyone What's the recipe for the homemade laundry soap. I already bought a front loading washing machine which uses 1/3 of the water, 1/2 the soap and spins so fast, clothes are almost dry when done washing.

 

[rowdy35]

this is what i do

* Work second job and take on odd jobs when I can (I do weddings, bartending on the side & i post an ad on Craigslist that I will do your event for $15 per hour)
* unplug washer when not using it. unplug everything that I am not using
* buy markdown meats/ stockpile loss leaders /sometimes I use coupons when I can
* buy bread at the bread store
* shop $1 store and dollar tree (frozen vegs, fresh fruit, otc meds)
* use Safeway club card/Fred Meyer card for the gas discount
* barter services with others
* accept freebies whenever they are offered to me (got lots of shoes and clothes doing this)
* use a wood stove and turn down my heater
* wash in cold water for everything except towels
* clean my dogs ears & teeth and do his grooming myself
* maintain my car by getting oil changed every 3K miles & regular services performed
* shop at Winco (bag your own groceries) - prices are cheaper
* take the item back to customer service if I was overcharged - you get the item for Free at Safeway when this happens

hope this helps you !