Small Changes That Make A Big Impact

[pepperdoo]

I've made a few small changes that have made quite an impact and saved money over the last few months.
1. I stopped shopping for dish detergent at Wal Mart and the market, and bought 4 bottles at the 99cent store.

2. I made my own dryer sheets out of cheesecloth ( 4 layers) spritzed with liquid softener, letting them dry before I use them . I haven't had to buy dryer sheets in 4 months.

3. To get rid of static, I watered down lotion 1 part lotion to 3 parts waterand put it in a spray bottle lightly spray my carpet and furniture.

What small changes have you made that make a big difference?

[bobbysgirl]

I use baking soda for cleaning the tub and shower. The sinks too. I use bleach to clean the kitchen and toilets. I use vinegar to clean mirrors and windows and as a weed controller in the garden. I started these things about four years ago (except the weed control) and have saved a bundle in that time.

I keep an eye out for free toothpaste and brushes at the drug stores, saving money there too. Aspirin gets a bad rap, but it is my choice for pain relief. I buy $ store aspirin and it works just as good as any name brand.

There are only 2 things I have to have. Mary Kay foundation and Beautiful perfume. Everything else is up for grabs.

I don't use a lot of extra products so that saves cash too.

I like your idea of the cheese cloth. I was just trying to figure out how to continue making my dryer sheets. Thank you.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

We switched kitty litter. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it's saving us about $20 per month. We also switched cat food (to a higher quality, more expensive food actually ... but because the cats eat less of it ... it's saving us money. And they poop less!)

[pepperdoo]

I'm sorry folks, I forgot to add one thing about the cheesecloth. I folded the ends up to make a smooth edge and used this stuff called "Stitch Witchery" with my iron that makes a hem without having to sew one. ( Cause I still haven't learned to sew yet)

You can also use cotton flour sack towels cut down for the dryer sheets. I found out this last laundry day that they last longer than cheesecloth. Cheesecloth leaves no lint on dark clothes, though.

[cael]

Oh, stitch witchery is amazing stuff if you're lazy like me or don't know how to sew! LOL. Love the stuff. I like the idea of making your own dryer sheets, I might try that!

Molly - I'm trying to switch my kitty to natural food but she's turning out to be a picky little girl! Won't eat anything but her Friskies, grrrr. What are you using? I tried the Blue (wet food) and she didn't touch it, kept looking at me all pathetically like I starve her, lol. </thread hijack>

[Tiny]

Sometimes it helps to make the switch over in Cat Food slowly. Start by replacing 1/4th of the amount you feed with the new stuff... and then after a few days or a week replace another 1/4th, and so on. You may need to review the "serving" size of each type of cat food - so you ultimately serve the correct portion of the new food.
I've got two Adult Couch Potato Kitties (ones 6 years the other's guestimated to be 10/11) and they eat 2/3 cup of Hills dry and 1/3 of a can of Friskies a day... no treats (cause they won't eat them) and both kitties are "plump" - the old spay sway going (the vet says they are definitely fat!)... I'm trying my hardest to keep them from "eating me in my sleep" while not letting them become Bowling Balls (or Melons) with legs.

[Sharon]

Last summer I hung my clothes out to dry and my electric bill dropped by 10%.

[upstatemom]

I bought at awesome dryer rack at IKEA last year. It can hold almost a full load of laundry. I have it by our wood insert and hardly use the dryer in the winter. I do put towels and the kids jeans in the dryer for a few minuted to soften them up.
I use the dryer rack outside on my deck in the nice weather but not as faithfully as I use it when we are burning wood.

[toservewithlove]

Molly-I find your kitty food comments interesting. When I adopted my kitty from a lady that could no longer keep her, she was used to eating Iams. I kept her on it until she had time to adjust to her new home and then successfully switched her over to Friskies. I've noticed she now eats more and I'm definately removing more deposits from the litter box. I haven't gone as far as calculating which is the financially cheaper option. Since I live in a small upstairs apartment, I really like using Swheat Scoop kitty litter. It's more costly upfront, but it's completely flushable so the unused litter lasts longer than if I'd replace a whole litter box worth of litter at a time.

[pepperdoo]

I started drying my clothes half way after cleaning out the closet in the computer room and making space, and hanging my clothes there to dry the rest of the way. I want to see what goes on with my electric and gas bill for the next few months.

[keepinthefaith]

DH and I close gaps in our grocery budget whenever we realize that something is taking up a big chunk of it. Several years ago we were astonished at how much we were paying for the big gallons of OJ, so we started buying concentrate. Then we realized we were spending a ton on daily shower spray so we found a recipe to make our own at home. SO much cheaper. Then we realized how expensive coffee creamer is, and how quickly we were going through it. I found a recipe online and we started making our own using sweetened/condensed milk, milk, and vanilla. Pretty soon we'll probably resort to using milk and sugar.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Feb 10, 2011 21:56:22 GMT -5 @toservewithlove said:

Molly-I find your kitty food comments interesting. When I adopted my kitty from a lady that could no longer keep her, she was used to eating Iams. I kept her on it until she had time to adjust to her new home and then successfully switched her over to Friskies. I've noticed she now eats more and I'm definately removing more deposits from the litter box. I haven't gone as far as calculating which is the financially cheaper option. Since I live in a small upstairs apartment, I really like using Swheat Scoop kitty litter. It's more costly upfront, but it's completely flushable so the unused litter lasts longer than if I'd replace a whole litter box worth of litter at a time.

We have 9 cats, so we tend to notice price differences for things like food and litter more than an average pet owner, I'd think. But I do know that our longer-haired and older cats (especially) seem to just "do better" on the grain-free, low carb cat food we've switched to.... so even if it's costing us more, we hope to reap the long-term benefits in the form of healthier cats.

[pepperdoo]

There's so many things that you can do that make a difference, if you just stick with what you're doing and don't cave in to thinking the small amount won't make a difference, you'll see results.

[gsbrq]

Feb 10, 2011 14:43:39 GMT -5 pepperdoo said:

3. To get rid of static, I watered down lotion 1 part lotion to 3 parts waterand put it in a spray bottle lightly spray my carpet and furniture.

I admire your inventiveness, but using watered-down lotion will create a residue that attracts dirt...not good for carpets or upholstery. I would skip this particular money-saver.

[pepperdoo]

Thanks gsbrq for the info. It only happens once in a while:) I may try finding another remady:)

[dogmom]

Pepper, what we do is take a fabric softener sheet (possibly you could use one you made), and place it inside a heat register (we have forced air heat that comes up through our floors). It helps cut the static electricity and makes the room smell nice. Just a thought.

[wackyaunt]

How to make French Vanilla Creamer without sweetened condensed milk is on my blog...feel free to stop by if you are interested in the recipe... and yes, I know, I really, really need to get back into the habit of adding to the blog...it is currently a huge blogweb right now!

stoneyscrew.blogspot.com/2010/04/stoneys-crew-back-door-guests-are.html

[Agatha]

Feb 19, 2011 7:14:17 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

I finally gave up on sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving. I like them but nobody else does. So, making them for me isn't worth the time. I had to accept what they like and go with it and it makes less work for me as well.

I've always had a "majority" type rule about cooking. At least two people, out of a household of 3, had to like something for me to keep cooking it. If someone really loved something but the other two didn't I might be persuaded to make it for you on your birthday. Birthday menus are always written by the celebrant.

[998fbird]

Hi Molly, I have an aging long-haired queen who I'd like to keep healthy, can you tell me what brand of cat food you use/prefer? Also, my son has a 2 year old short hair that has allergies, can you recommend a brand of food to help with that? Thanks!
And thanks for the tips about coffee creamer...The light bulb just came on. I can buy extracts of my favorite flavors, mix with 1/2 & 1/2 and flavored coffee creamer.

[blackcard]

My mother cuts the bounce dryer sheets into 1/4 parts. They still eliminate all the static cling and smell just as good.

[pepperdoo]

dogmom:) Nothing beats Downy:)

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

We use Evo cat food ~ grain free/low carb. (But any grain-free variety should work just fine!)

[Apple]

The really simple, even made my life easier, small change with big results for me was changing my thermostat to a programmable one. $26 and a few minutes to install and I've saved a ton off my gas and electricity bills! They weren't super high to begin with, but probably paid for itself in a month or two and now I don't have to remember to turn it down at night or when I leave for work.

[Becks]

Lowering the temp of & insulating my water heater. Setting the programmable thermostat accordingly, I don't need it to be toasty when I'm gone 10 hours out of the workday. Using spray foam insulation to seal any gaps outside of the house, especially where the foundation meets the framing. Using an internal insulating kit to cover my patio door. All inexpensive fixes that have to be saving a few bucks every month!