Let's save some $$$ around the house!!!

When we began our journey to become debt-free I scoured the internet and the library for tips on saving money.  I was eager to learn every way possible to save a penny.  Notice I said I was eager to learn every way, to actually do everything I learned was another story.  Most of the tips I found made sense (or cents in this case!). Others were completely ridiculous in my mind.  For instance, giving up indoor plumbing is not something I will be doing voluntarily!  Even for me that is just too extreme. I have to admit that a few of the "extreme" tips I rolled my eyes at, have actually made there way into my house. 

Anyway, I thought I would share a few of the not-so-extreme frugal tips I've learned along the way.  We've already talked about saving money on electricity, so I decided to just give a sampling of miscellaneous ways to save around the house.

In the Kitchen:
Make your own cleaners.  I used to think I had to have a specific cleaner for each cleaning job. You know, floor cleaner for floors, bathroom cleaner for bathroom, kitchen cleaner for cleaner, etc....Well, it turns out if it cleans the kitchen counter it will probably clean the bathroom counter!  Afterall, soap is soap, right?  I have been making my own cleaners for a while now and I have to say I'm partial to my homemade stuff.  With a few basic ingredients you can make just about every type of cleaner you need for the entire house.  A few of my favorites are posted under the "Frugal Household Recipes" page on this blog.

Limit convenience foods. Let's face it, convenience costs money.  And some conveniences just aren't worth it (and yes, some are worth it).  What are convenience foods? Well, that depends on you.  Some consider chips, frozen pizza, mac and cheese and so on, to be convenience foods. Others may consider the seasoning packets like the taco, chili, onion soup mix and the like. And then there's the individual packaged conveniences like the "100 calorie" packs, single serve jello and pudding, and hot cocoa mixes. I started with just trying to limit the frozen stuff I'd buy. For example, instead of buying frozen waffles, I make up a batch of homemade pancakes and freeze them. A little at a time I have weened my family off of many convenience foods.  Now, before I purchase anything, I ask myself if it is something I can make.  It does takes a little extra work on my part, but there is something very gratifying about making your own onion soup mix!  Instead of buying the "100" calorie or individual snack size stuff, buy the larger quantity and "bag" your own individual packs. Check out my "Homemade Convenience Foods" page for recipes to help get you started.
Beverages.  We all know water is the most frugal of beverages. Unless, you're buying expensive bottled water on a daily basis.  My family drinks whatever is most convenient for them. So I do make sure that water is convenient for them.  I do use bottled water, but I'm the one who bottles it! I reuse water bottles and keep them in the fridge. Before anybody gets upset - I do thoroughly clean the bottles and throw them away after a while.  Same goes for juice or kool-aid. I reuse gatorade-type containers and fill with juice or kool-aid and keep the fridge stocked.  When I pick up the kids from school or if we're going anywhere in the car, I make sure to grab a few of these drink bottles for the ride. This helps to cut down on the drive-thru temptations out there.  (I always keep the car stocked with snacks for this same reason)

No more paper towels!  Believe it or not, I haven't bought paper towels or napkins in at least 2 years. Instead of paper towels, we use cloth napkins and I cut up t-shirts and flannel fabric to use for cleaning up messes and spills.  I often use newspaper for grease blotters.  At first, the hubby and kids thought I was a little nuts, but now they just grab a cloth out of the drawer when they need a napkin.

Save and reuse containers.  Yes, I'm one of those people who wash and reuse ziploc bags. I like to say I'm being "green" because that sounds better than being cheap. But who am I kidding, I am a tightwad!  I also save any plastic containers I get. These are great for storing the homemade convenience mixes and also great for storing leftovers.  I also save things like the plastic bag liners from crackers and cereal boxes. These come in handy for using to separate beef and sausage patties. 


In the Laundry Room:
Make your own laundry detergent. Too extreme? Hear me out. When I first started making my own deteregent, I was doing about 15-20 loads of laundry per week (at least). I felt like I was constantly having to buy that big plastic jug of laundry detergent. I despised having to spend so much money on that stuff. Not to mention how upset I would get when I realized I had ran out of detergent (after the washer was already full of water and clothes).  Then I found a recipe for homemade laundry detergent. I tried the "powdered" version first. It was okay, but since I use cold water to wash, it really didn't dissolve very well. Then I gave the "liquid" version a try. I was hooked. The ingredients were priced reasonably and the "recipe" was quite easy. In fact, it's kind of fun to make. (I know I'm a dork!)  My clothes are clean and I'm saving tons of money.  Costs just pennies per load! I've posted the recipe under the "Frugal Household Recipes" page if you would like to try it.

Cut dryer sheets in half.  If you use your dryer instead of hanging clothes to dry, then try cutting the dryer sheets in half. When I was still using my dryer, I only used a half dryer sheet and it worked just fine.  Another idea is to use a dab of liquid softener on a cloth and stick in the dryer instead of the dryer sheets.  I've also used a ball of aluminum foil.

In the Bathroom:
Toilet Bowl Cleaner.   Remember what I said earlier, soap is soap. Well, same goes for the toilet.  You really don't need to buy expensive cleaner with a fancy spout just for the toilet.  I use a shampoo bottle that is "empty", you know the one that doesn't have enough shampoo to wash another head of hair. Just take that "empty" bottle of shampoo and fill it with hot water and shake. Mixed with water, that little bit of shampoo that was left at the bottom, has now turned into toilet bowl cleaner! Squirt some in the toilet and scrub.  I can get 2 or 3 refills out of one "empty" bottle of shampoo. Cleans the toilet just fine.

Another great cleaner for the toilet, is plain ol' vinegar followed by some baking soda.  Did you know that vinegar kills as much bacteria as Lysol?  Besides getting the toilet clean, it's kinda fun to see the baking soda fizz when it hits the vinegar!

Body Wash.  I haven't paid for body wash in a while, thanks to couponing! But before I started with the coupons, I would use bubble bath for body wash.  You can usually find a big bottle of bubble bath pretty cheap at a dollar store and guess what - soap is soap! Works just fine as body wash.

I could go on and on with this post. There are just so many possibilities when it comes to saving money. I'd enjoy hearing what you all do to save money and stretch that dollar.  If you have a tip, leave a comment or send me an email so we can share with everyone. Always looking for new ways to save!

Delightfully yours,
Debbie

Walgreen's Weekly Ad 2/6 - 2/12

	Veripur Hand Sanitizer, $3.99 Get $3.99 in Register Rewards Final Price:  FREE!!

Right Guard Total Defense Body Wash, $3.99 Get $3 in Register Rewards (there are $1 peelie coupons on the product at some stores) Final Price:  .99 each or Free if you have the peelie Execdrin Extra Strength (8ct) $1.49 Use $1/1 printable Smartsource coupon and use $1/1 coupon Walgreens February Coupon Book Final Price:  FREE plus .51 moneymaker Mars Candy 1.1-2.17oz  .49 Use B1G1 FREE Snickers peanut butter squares coupon RP 1/23 Final Price: .25 each Mentos .99 with in ad coupon Use .50/1 coupon SS 2/6 Final Price:  .49 each Hershey's Pieces, Drops or Reese's Mini Candy 2/$5 Use $2/2 coupon SS 1/30 and $2/2 coupon Walgreens February Coupon Book Final Price:  .50 each wyb 2 Gain Dish Liquid 11oz $1 Get $1 Register Reward wyb 5 Use 4 - .25/1 coupon P&G 1/16 (coupon limit is 4 per transaction) Final Price:  5/$3 or .60 each Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap System $11.99 Get $7 Register Reward Use $3/1 printable coupon Final Price:  $1.99 each All Laundry Detergent $6.99 B1G1 Free Use 2 - $1/1 coupon SS 1/16 Final Price:  $2.50 each

	Planters Trail Mix, 3/$5 Buy 3 Get $2 in Register Rewards Final Price:  $1 each

	Ocean Spray Drink or Juice, $2.99 Get $2 in Register Rewards Final Price:  .99 each

	Gillette Venus ProSkin Razor System, $7.99 Get $4 in Register Rewards Final Price: $3.99 each

	Kotex Products, 3/$9 Buy 3 Get $3 in Register Rewards Use $2.50/2 Kotex U Pads printable or $2.50/2 Kotex U Tampons printable or $1/1 Kotex U Product Kotex U Product printable or $1.50/2 Kotex Security Tampons SS 1/16 or$2/2 Kotex Pads SS 1/16 or$1.50/2 Kotex Liners SS 1/16 Final Price:  .83 each wyb 3

	Huggies Products Buy $25 Get a $5 Register Rewards Huggies Diapers, $8.99 Use $2/1 Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers Diapers printable or $2.50/1 Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers printable or $2/1 Huggies Pull-Ups Training Pants printable or $1.50/1 Huggies Diapers SS 1/23 or $2/1 Huggies Pull Ups SS 1/23 or $2/1 Huggies Little Snugglers/Movers SS 1/23 Final Price: as low as $4.82 ea. wyb 3

	Huggies Wipes, $2.50 Use $0.50/1 Huggies Baby Wipes printable or $1/2 Huggies Baby Wipes SS 1/23 or $0.50/1 Huggies Baby Wipes SS 1/23 Final Price:  $2 each

Buy $15 of the Following Products and get a $5 Register Reward Lipton Tea Bags, $2.50 Use .60/1 Lipton Tea Bags, To Go or Iced Tea Mix RP 1/30 or use .60/1 Lipton Tea Bags RP 01/30 or use .75/2 Select Lipton Tea Products RP 1/30 Final Price: as low as $1.06 each wyb 6  Ragu Pasta Sauce, $1.50 Use .75/2 Ragu Pasta Sauce RP 1/30 or use $1/2 Ragu Pasta Sauce RP 1/30 Final Price: as low as .50 each wyb 10  Skippy Peanut Butter, $1.50 Use .50/1 Skippy Peanut Butter RP 1/30 or use .75/2 Skippy Peanut Butter RP 1/30 Final Price: as low as .50 each wyb 10 Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, $2.99 Use .25/1 Hellmann’s Product RP 1/30 or use .40/2 Hellmann’s Product RP 1/30 Final Price:  as low as $1.90 ea. wyb 6

	Garnier Herbashine Haircolor, $5 Buy $15 and get a $5 Register Rewards Use $3/1 Garnier HerbaShine Color Creme w/ Bamboo Extract printable or use $3/1 Garnier Herbashine SS 1/09 or use $3/1 Garnier Herbashine Color Creme RP 11/07 Final Price:  .33 each wyb 3

	Garnier Hair Care Products, 3/$10 Buy $15 and get a $5 Register Rewards Use $1/1 Garnier Fructis Style Product printable or use$1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment printable or use$1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo RP 2/06 or use $1/1 Garnier Fructis Styler Product RP 2/06 Final Price:  $1.50 each. wyb 6

	Infusium 23 Hair Care, $5 Get a $2 Register Rewards Final Price: $3 each

	Scope Whitening or Outlast Mouthwash, 2/$7 Buy 2, Get $2 in Register Rewards Use $1/1 Scope Outlast Mouthwash RP 2/06 or use $1/1 Scope Mouthwash RP 2/06 Final Price:  $1.50 each wyb 2

	Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap System, $11.99 Get $7 in Register Rewards Use $3/1 Lysol Healthy Touch Hand Soap System printable Final Price:  $1.99 each

	Colgate Max Fresh or Max White Toothbrush or Toothpaste, 2/$5 Buy 2, Get $3 in Register Rewards Use $1/1 Colgate Toothpaste SS 1/30 $0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste SS 1/30 Final Price:  FREE!!!

	Irish Spring Deodorant, $2.99 Get $2 in Register Rewards Final Price: .99 each

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, or Raisin Bran, $1.88 Use $1/2 Select Kellogg’s Cereals printable – Frosted Flakes or use $0.70/1 Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereal printable or use $1/2 Select Kellogg’s Cereals printable – Raisin Bran or use $1/2 Kellogg’s Cereal printable or use $1/2 Select Kellogg’s Cereals RP 2/06 – Raisin Bran or use $1/3 Kellogg’s Cereals RP 1/09 Final Price: as low as $1.18 each

	Olay Body Wash, 3/$10 Buy 3, Get $3 in Register Rewards Use the FREE Olay Complete Moisturizer wyb Body Wash P&G 1/30 or use FREE Secret Original wyb Olay Bar/Body Wash P&G 1/30 or use $3/1 Secret Deodorant wyb Select Olay Items P&G 1/30 or use $6/1 Olay Facial Moisturizer wyb Body Wash P&G 1/30 Final Price: Varies

	Gillette or Old Spice Body Wash, Buy 1 Get 1 50% off Use $1/2 Old Spice Product P&G 1/30 or use $1/1 Old Spice Body Wash P&G Everyday Savings Book or use $2/1 Gillette Body Wash P&G 1/30 Final Price:  Varies

	Got 2 B Styling Products, Buy 1 Get 1 Free $5.49 Use $2/1 Got2B Styling Products December All You Final Price:  $1.74 each

FILLER ITEMS:

Valentine Pencils .20 with in ad coupon
Valentine Gifts (Coloring and activity books, bubbles) .33 with in ad coupon
Valentine Candy .39 with in ad coupon

Rozier's Weekly Ad 2/2 - 2/8

Roziers's does not accept printed internet coupons. For the deals that suggest a printed coupon, take the Rozier's ad to Wal-Mart for a price match.

Kraft Salad Dressing 16oz 2/$4
Use $1/2 coupon SS 1/23
Final Price:  $1.50 each

Kraft Deluxe Homestyle Cheese Dinners 2/$4
Use $1/1 coupon SS 1/16
Final Price:  $1 each

Hormel Chili 15oz .99
Use .55/2 printable coupon
Final Price:  .71 each


Hormel Pepperoni 2/$5
Use $1/2 coupon SS 1/23
Final Price:  $2 each

Taco Bell Dinner Kit  or Taco Bell Salsa 2/$4
Use $1/2 coupon February All You
or use .75/2 printable coupon
Final Price:  as low as $1.50 each

Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso Dip 2/$5
Use $1/2 coupon February All You
or use .75/2 printable coupon
Final Price:  as low as $2 each

Taco Bell Refried beans or Taco Shells 5/$5
Use $1/2 coupon February All You
or use .75/2 printable coupon
Final Price:  as low as .50 each

Taco Bell Taco Sauce  $1.19
Use $1/2 coupon February All You
or use .75/2 printable coupon
Final Price: as low as .69 each

Taco Bell Seasonings 3/$2
Buy 4
Use 2 -$1/2 coupon February All You
Final Price: .17 each

Prairie Farms Sour Cream and Dips  16oz $1.39
Use .45/1 coupon RP 1/30
or use B3G1 Free coupon RP 1/30
Final Price:  .84 each

Hunt's Ketchup .99
Use .50/2 coupon January All You
Final Price:  .74 each

Pace Picante Sauce 2/$4
Use .50/1 coupon RP 1/30
Final Price:  $1.50 each

Red Gold Diced Tomatoes 2/$1
Use $1/4 printable coupon (use zipcode 43001)
Final Price:  .25 each

Lindsay Olives $1.29
Use $1/2 printable coupon
Final Price:  .79 each

Nestle' Pure Life Drinking Water 3/$10
Use $1/2 printable coupon
Final Price:  $2.83 each

Williams Taco Seasoning .59
Use .55/2 printable coupon
Final Price:  .31 each

Oscar Mayer Carving Board neats $3.49
Use $1/1 coupon SS 1/23
Final Price:  $2.49 each

Johnsonville Summer Sausage $2.99
Use .55/1 printable coupon
Final Price:  $2.44 each

Johnsonville Brats or Italian Sausage 2/$7
Use .55/1 printable coupon
Final Price:  $2.95 each

Johnsonville Sausage $2.69
Use $1/2 coupon SS 1/23
Final Price:  $2.19 each

Totinos Pizza Rolls 2/$5
Use .40/2 coupon SS1/30
Final Price:  $2.30 each

Bagel Bites 2/$4
Use $1/1 coupon October Woman's Day
or Use $1/1 coupon September Redbook
Final Price:  $1 each

Stouffer's Side Dish 2/$4
Use $1/1 coupon RP 1/30
Final Price:  $1 each

Kraft Deli Fresh Cheese 2/$4
Use .75/1 coupon SS 1/16
Final Price:  $1.25 each

Kraft Cheese Singles $1.99
Use $1/1 printable 2% coupon (no longer available)
Final Price:  .99 for 2%

 

Sunday 2/6 Coupon Preview!

Here's a preview of what coupons we can expect in this Sunday's paper. Remember, inserts vary by region.

RED PLUM

Crisco Olive Oil, any, $0.75/1 4/30/2011
Fixodent Adhesive or Cleanser, $0.50/1 3/31/2011
Folgers any Coffee 7oz or larger, Singles, or Gourmet Selection K-Cup Portion packs, $0.25/1 3/31/2011
Jimmy D's any, $0.75/1 6/30/2011
Kellogg's Poptarts Mini Crisps, $0.55/1 4/3/2011
Kellogg's Poptarts toaster pastries any 8ct or larger, $1.00/2 4/3/2011
Kellogg's Special K Cereal Bars any 6ct or larger, $0.75/2 4/3/2011
Kellogg's Special K Multigrain Oats & Honey Cereal,$0.70/1 3/20/2011
Kellogg's Smart Start Cereal, any, $1.00/1 3/20/2011
Kellogg's All-Bran, Frosted Mini Wheats, Raisin Bran, FiberPlus Cereals, $1.00/2 3/20/2011
Mach 3 Disposable 3ct, Sensor3 4ct, CustomPlus3 4ct, Venus Disposable 2ct or 3ct, Simply Venus 4ct, Daisy3 4ct or 8ct, or Daisy 10ct or 12ct, $3.00/2 3/31/2011
Mach 3 disposable 6ct, Sensor3 8ct, CustomPlus3 8ct, Venus Disposable 6ct or Daisy 18ct., $4.00/2 3/31/2011
Marcal Towel, Bath Tissue or Facial Tissue, FREE any single roll of ~OR~ $1.00/1 any Marcal Small Steps Towel, Napkin, Bath Tissue or Facial Tissue 3/20/2011
Milky Way or 3 Musketeers Bars, Buy 2 get 1 FREE (up to 2.13oz) 3/31/2011
Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls, $1.00/1 5/31/2011
Rhodes Warm-n-Serv Rolls, $1.00/1 5/31/2011
Sara Lee Cheesecake, $0.75/1 3/31/2011
Secret Flawless, Scent Expressions, Fresh Effects or Smooth Effects Deodorant, Buy 2 get 1 Secret FREE - excludes Clinical Strength, Soothing Efects and base Deodorant up to $5.00 3/31/2011
Scope Mouthwash 710mL or larger, $1.00/1 3/31/2011
Temptations Treats for Cats, $1.00/2 3/20/2011

------------------------------------------------------

SMARTSOURCE

$0.50/1 on any package of land o lakes eggs exp 4/3/11
Afrin $3.00/1 on any afrin 12 hour nasal spray
Air heads save $0.50/1 airheads 6pack exp 3/30/11
Archway $1.00/2 on any two (2) archway brand cookies varieties. exp 4/30/11
Bausch&lomb $3.00/1 on your next purchase of bausch & lomb soothe eye drops exp 4/30/11
Campbells $0.40/2 select harvest condensed soup exp 3/20/11
Campbells $0.50/2 select harvest or chunky exp 3/20/11
Campbells $0.60/2 on any7 two (2) v8 vegetable juice exp 3/20/11
Claritin $4.00/1 on any non- drowsy claritin 15 ct. exp 3/6/11
Claritin $6.00/1 on any non- drowsy claritin 42 ct. exp 2/13/11
Coldstone $3.00/1 any icecream cake exp 3/6/11, $1.00/1 smoothie, shake, iced coffee exp 3/6/11
Colgate $ 1.00/1 on any multi-pack wisp exp 2/25/11
Colgate $0.35/1 on any colgate sensitive toothpaste exp 2/25/11
Colgate $0.50/1 on any wisp exp 2/25/11
Doubleshot starbucks $1.00/1 any 4-pk of doubleshot starbucks. exp 4/30/11
Edwards $1.00/1 good on any 2 pack singles exp 3/06/11
Glade $1.00/1 glade scented oil candle exp 3/12/11
Glade $1.00/2 glade scented oil candle refill packs 3/12/11
Glade $1.00/2 on any 2 jar candles exp 3/12/11
John frieda $1.00/1 on any haircare product exp 3/5/11
Kraft $1.00/1 on (1) package of kraft deli fresh slices exp 3/13/11
Kraft $1.00/1 on any 4-pk of philadelphia minis exp 3/20/11
Land o lakes $0.50/1 on (1) package of land o lakes spreadable butter products exp 4/02/11
Melitta $1.50 on melitta café collection coffee exp 3/31/11
Mentos $0.50/1 mentos item exp 3/30/11
Mentos $1.00/1 big bottle 45 pc. or larger exp 3/30/11
Mentos $1.00/3 big bottle 15 pc. or larger exp 3/30/11
Miralax $2.00/1 on any size exp 5/1/11
Mystic pizza $1.50/1 on mystic pizza 3/31/11
Mystic pizza $2.00/3 on mystic pizza 4/30/11
Olay $3.00/1 on any facial moistorizer or ficial cleanser exp 3/31/11
Purina $1.00/1 on one (1) bag of purina cat chow or kitten chow any size any variety exp 4/10/11
Schiff $2.00/1 on any vitamin or supplement
Schiff $2.00/1 on mega-3
Schiff $3.00/1 glucosamine
Schiff $5.00/1 move free
Scotch brite $1.00/2 on any two (2) scotch brite scrub sponges, scour pads,dishwand or refills exp 3/15/11
Sorrento $1.00/1 on (1) ricotta cheese exp 5/6/11
Sorrento $1.00/1 on any (1) sorrento block mozzarella cheese exp 5/6/11
Starbucks $1.00/1 any 4-pk of frappuccino coffee drinks exp. 4/30/11
Stays wet longer $1.00/1
Stonyfield $1.00/5 6oz cups of stonyfield organic yogurt exp 3/13/11
Trojan $1.00/1 any 10+ count trojan condom product exp 5/6/11
Trojan $1.00/1 any trojan vibrations product exp 5/6/11
Weight watchers $1.00/3 on any (3) weight watchers fresh meals exp 3/15/11
Weight watchers $3.00/10 on any (10) weight watchers fresh meals exp 3/15/11

(Thanks Cathy!)

$2/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Coupons!

There's a  $2/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Aerosol Bath Products available over HERE.  Use the zipcode 07039. This could make for some pretty cheap cleaner.

Huggies Wipes Coupon!

Target has a .75/1 any Huggies Wipes coupon on their website. This is a manufacturer coupon and can be used at other stores.  Wal-Mart and Target have the trial size Huggies wipes for around .97, use this coupon to get them for .22!

Extra Gum Coupon!

Go HERE to print a .50/2 Extra Gum (15 pc). I really like the Strawberry Cheesecake flavor!

Free Tostito Salsa at Walgreens!

Cape Walgreens has a coupon tearpad hanging next to the Tostito Chips for Buy 2 bags of Tostito Chips get 1 Salsa FREE!  This week the Tostito Chips are on sale for $1.97 and there is a .55/1 coupon from last Sunday's inserts.

Buy 2 bags Tostito Chips @ $1.97 each
Use 2 - .55 coupons RP 1/30
Use the tearpad coupon from store display
Final Price:  $2.84 for all 3 items!

(Thanks Donna!)

New Printable Coupons!

There's some new coupons available over at Coupons.com. I also noticed some that have been reset, like the Spic n Span coupon.

P&G Coupon Booklet!

There is a new coupon booklet available from HomeMade Simple called Organize in Style that is supposed to have over $35 in coupons! Go HERE to sign up to receive your free booklet