There are a number of environmental reasons to cut down on your trash bags, and there are even more money saving ones, too. Today, I’m going to take a look at the later, and find you ways to cut down on the cost of trash bags. Buy fewer packaged foods. If you opt for less packaging and more whole food, then you will naturally have less trash that has to go into the trash bags. This includes the plastic bags that you might normally use to take home your fruit. Instead, make a homemade bag. Old pillow cases work great, … Continue reading →

There are many things in our home that we cut in half in order to save money. When we make those cuts, we never notice a difference. Using the recommended amount or the size something comes in isn’t necessarily the best idea, especially when something will work the same way, or sometimes works even better when it is cut in half. Your products will last twice as long! Laundry detergent I always use about half of what is recommended on those cap fill lines or the powder scoops. Why? I find that with a good detergent, the clothes get just … Continue reading →

Extend the life of common household consumables, from laundry detergent to cleaning wipes with my best use it up ideas. You’ll save more, spend less and have fewer trips to the grocery store. Cleaning Wipes/Baby Wipes It is inevitable that once you use that last wipe up, you still have a nice little pile of cleaning solution left in the container. Take advantage of the extra cleaner to get another five or six wipes, more cleaning than you expected. Simply detach a few paper towels and put them in the solution where they will soak it up and be as … Continue reading →

If you can get away with it, plan out your weekly tasks to one day. You’ll save money on gas, as well as wear on your car. With gas prices going up again, you can’t afford not to use this strategy. How many times do we take the car out for a single errand, only to find ourselves going the same way later in the day or later in the week? This is a waste of time and of gas. If both errands were done at the same time, completing them would take a single trip. This doesn’t seem like … Continue reading →

How many times do we have to throw out make up because it dries out, changes color, gets weird or even breaks? Every time you have to replace something, it costs money. Save your dollars with the following tips. The secret is to both preserve your makeup so it can be used longer, and to use it smartly, so you get the most out of it. Take advantage of rebates and return policies. Get to know the various rebates and return policies before you buy your makeup. The better stores usually have policies in place that say that if you … Continue reading →

Before you get ready to hit the road for your next vacation, have a plan to pack your own food and drinks. You’ll save a ton of money that can be used to help afford your vacation in the first place or to upgrade your accommodations. Plus, you’l eat healthier and waste less time. There is no more making reservations, fighting a long line of other vacationers or having to alter your activity plans to fit in with the scheduled restaurant meal times. When we drove down to Disneyland, we made sure that we had plenty of food and snacks, … Continue reading →

Wait, don’t throw those used coffee grounds away. There are many things you can do with coffee grounds. Why waste something that can be put to work for you for free? Keep Bugs Away Coffee grounds can be used as a natural way to keep ants and slugs off of your garden plants. Mound up the grounds and form them into a ring around your plants. The bugs won’t cross the ring. Deodorize Dry the grounds first and then place a bowl of them in your refrigerator. The coffee grounds will absorb stray odors from food and keep everything fresh … Continue reading →

Summer will soon be here, and it is a good idea to start getting your water saving strategies in place. This way, you will not only be saving money, but you’ll also be saving the planet. For example, you can save $37 a year just by fixing little leaks around the house or a whopping $271 if you use a low-flow shower head and keep showers to only 10 minutes. These figures are direct from the Environmental Protection Agency, and they reflect national savings for a family of four. So, what are some other ways to save on water, and … Continue reading →

The month of March is an excellent time to get your freezer stocked. This is because it is National Frozen Foods month, which means more savings for you. Frozen food manufacturers are issuing more coupons, and the stores are having more sales. Stock your freezer as cheaply as possible now, and reap the benefits in your family meals for the months to come. In order to have a successfully stocked freezer, you’ll first need the freezer space. You can often gain more space by taking items out of their original packaging and freezing them flat. If you have a larger … Continue reading →

When you are always aware of what you are spending and how you are spending, you’ll save money every time. Whether you seem to always be heading out to the mall, or you can’t resist creating a wall of canned goods while extreme couponing, consider reviewing a checklist of questions that will reveal the real answers behind your shopping. The urge to shop can often be a coping mechanism. It gives us a lift in the day and may be an attempt to meet emotional needs. Sometimes we simply find ourselves shopping or adding extra things to our list without … Continue reading →