ThelmaLou Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 My most recent include yogurt, chocolate syrup, shower cleaner, and facial cleanser. I'm always looking for ways to economize with groceries, household goods, etc... I'd love to hear your ideas, especially on items that might be unconventional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in IL Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Bread Noodles Most meals...most dining out quality :) Fancy desserts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamajo Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Dessert. I hate store bought cakes, cupcakes, cookies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Cloth wipes instead of toilet paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 Cloth wipes instead of toilet paper. Wow! Um...are these for both "duties" in the bathroom? How do you manage that???? And the laundry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Soap, laundry soap, bread, cheese, yogurt, bath bombs, perfume, household cleaners, toothpaste bath, lard(oh wait, most people don't buy that do they?) shampoo, conditioner, lotion, fudge, ice-cream caramel....I'm sure I'll think of more later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted February 11, 2012 Author Share Posted February 11, 2012 Soap, laundry soap, bread, cheese, yogurt, bath bombs, perfume, household cleaners, toothpaste bath, lard(oh wait, most people don't buy that do they?) shampoo, conditioner, lotion, fudge, ice-cream caramel....I'm sure I'll think of more later. Tell me more about your bath bombs and toothpaste? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 laundry soap bath soap dishwasher detergent yogurt candles used to make dog food, baby wipes apple cider vinegar we use baking soda and vinegar for cleaners and the soda for toothpaste and shampoo we harvest honey from our hives, milk our goats and have chickens :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Hamburger buns :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 chicken broth cloth mama pads clothes fruit on the bottom yogurt cups curtains costumes school cloth napkins web sites summer camps handbags/purses dream DIY = shoes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunD Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Baby food, most breads, pizza, tutus (as in dress-up clothes), bubble solution, premade mixes like my own biscuits, pasta, brownies, etc to store in zip bags and shorten prep time. Oh, and chicken nuggets. I also do a homemade version of Hamburger Helper because DH loves it. I think that's pretty odd as most people who cook meals from scratch seem to want to get away from Hamburger Helper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Cloth wipes instead of toilet paper. I've been contemplating doing this (for myself, at least) for quite awhile now. I hope to get around to it once we get settled in to our new place here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalea Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Today: Pizza Yogurt Granola Husband makes: furniture, cabinetry, computer systems, doors, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Tortillas, refried beans, laundry detergent, and as of this week, cough syrup and body wash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Some of you ladies need to start sharing your recipes! We need a monster resource thread. Shampoo, conditioner, cough syrup, chocolate syrup?? And here I thought I was pretty awesome for making laundry soap. Won't get me far around you awesome ladies. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Tortillas, refried beans, laundry detergent, and as of this week, cough syrup and body wash! Cough syrup?!! What's your recipe for that? We brought a foster dog home last week with kennel cough. Cured it with honey, lemon juice, and one other thing I can't remember. (Oh, my kingdom for a memory!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Mayonaise. That's about it. :) (although I do sometimes make bread). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricia Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Hmm, where to start. Waffles, cakes, cookies, bread, yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, tortillas, candy, kombucha, creme fraiche, jam, salad dressing to name a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Curricula and lesson plans. (Also bread and other assorted food items.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) Ok, I'll admit it. When I saw this thread, I was going to post -- as a joke -- that I made my own toilet paper. And then I read all of the responses. I know that saving the environment is a good thing, but I have to tell you that the idea of reusable cloth tp is not something I would be willing to even remotely consider. (And before someone points out that it's no different than using cloth diapers, I should mention that I didn't use those, either. :tongue_smilie:) But I do make some things --- mostly baked goods. Mostly from a mix, but I combine all the stuff in the bowl, mix it up, and bake it in the oven, so it sort of counts, right? ;) Oh yeah, and I also make Belgian waffles. You know, with Bisquick, because the recipe is right there on the box. :rolleyes: But they taste good and my family thinks I'm a regular Julia Child when I make them. :D But the tp thing? Not happening. Edited February 11, 2012 by Catwoman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I used to make my own bread and pasta. If I ever get a really, REALLY good mixer (think Kitchen Aid) that has the dough hooks, I'll do that again. Other than 98% of our food being from scratch, the only other thing is laundry soap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Kosher Dill Pickles Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Bread, pizza, desserts, homemade cleaner, refried beans, tortillas. DH has made chocolate syrup, pumpkin spice syrup for espressos, and pudding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Kosher Dill Pickles Bill I love homemade pickles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I love homemade pickles! I just had one. It was delicious :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Bread, pizza, desserts, homemade cleaner, refried beans, tortillas. DH has made chocolate syrup, pumpkin spice syrup for espressos, and pudding. How do you make pumpkin spice syrup? I love pumpkin spice coffee! (If it's really complicated or takes a long time to do, feel free to tell me it is beyond my skills and way beyond my attention span. ;)) I feel so clueless. I had no idea people made their own pumpkin spice syrup. I thought all of the coffee syrups came in bottles that you buy at the store. It would never dawn on me to try to make my own. But I might be willing to give it a try for pumpkin spice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I just had one. It was delicious :D Bill Now you're just showing off. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Now you're just showing off. :D Just telling the truth :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Pickled jalapeno peppers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 How do you make pumpkin spice syrup? I love pumpkin spice coffee! (If it's really complicated or takes a long time to do, feel free to tell me it is beyond my skills and way beyond my attention span. ;)) I feel so clueless. I had no idea people made their own pumpkin spice syrup. I thought all of the coffee syrups came in bottles that you buy at the store. It would never dawn on me to try to make my own. But I might be willing to give it a try for pumpkin spice. DH says it's beyond your skills. :D Just kidding. He said the recipes he tried weren't good. He was able to improve upon them but it's not there yet and he has no recipe. He's not currently working on it because we aren't buying milk anymore. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Ice cream toppings (hot fudge and caramel sauce) Desserts Bread (I don't make all of our bread, but if we're going to have a pot of soup, I'd much rather have a loaf of homemade bread) Pico de gallo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 DH says it's beyond your skills. :D Just kidding. He said the recipes he tried weren't good. He was able to improve upon them but it's not there yet and he has no recipe. He's not currently working on it because we aren't buying milk anymore. Sorry. That's OK. If he even sort of knows what he's doing and still can't get it right, it's definitely beyond my skills! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb in NZ Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 pizza / calzones hamburg buns sweet pickles* sweet pickle relish* plum jam plum sauce ketchup sweet chili sauce pickled beetroot beetroot relish bagels* homemade mixes (Just add water)---coconut muffins, scones, dumplings, lentil/rice meals, & a few more frozen burritos* refried beans laundry powder 'mama' cloth *some of the above I need to make homemade as they aren't available here in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetIrony Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Well, I am lazy but DH makes bread, tortillas, bagels, etc. and brews ale and mead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funschooler5 Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I would love to hear some recipes, especially how to make shampoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I'm posting some links to some recipes. http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2010/05/shampoo-formulating-regular-shampoo.html http://www.teachsoap.com/bombs.html For the toothpaste, I make a 100% olive oil soap, and add xylitol, coQ10(for gum health) and a food grade essential oil. Right now, I'm using a custom blend of lemon, rosemary, cinnamon, and clove. I pour the raw soap in a silicone ice cube tray, and keep it in a covered tin when it is finished. Miss Good grinds hers up, and adds baking soda and uses it as a tooth powder. Ugh. I can't stand it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samba Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Pickled jalapeno peppers. Could you post your recipe, please? Every summer I try this and can't get it quite the way we like them. I nailed it once and promptly lost the recipe. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Pickled jalapeno peppers. Me too, and spicy pickled okra. I also make most of our meals from scratch, plus bread, cookies, biscuits, pies, cakes, ice cream, cocoa mix, deodorant, some household cleaners, some of my jewelry, some of my clothes. In the past, I've made quilts, blankets, winter hats, nursing pads, curtains, area rugs, pillow cases, table runners, and other things. I like to try my hand at lots of things. If I like the results, I continue. If it didn't seem worth the time, effort, and expense, I drop it. This is why I don't make my own tortillas. :D I'm going to start making my own spaghetti sauce now. It is the next step I want to take on our road to ever healthier eating. I would like to make my own cloth pads, but the logistics of caring for them without embarrassment in a household full of males is beyond me at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingiguana Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Vanilla extract. I'm not sure it saves money, but it actually tastes good. Unlike the stuff from the grocery store. Cut up a vanilla bean and soak it in a small bottle of vodka for a couple months, up to six months if you want it very flavorful. I think I do about one vanilla bean to 4 oz of vodka. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I make my own chocolate syrup, barbecue sauce, laundry detergent, salad dressings (except ranch), croutons, and Bisquik. I can't be the only one who was visualizing my fridge, trying to remember how many mason jars are in there and what they're holding. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Where do you buy the ingredients for the shampoo? Dawn I'm posting some links to some recipes. http://swiftcraftymonkey.blogspot.com/2010/05/shampoo-formulating-regular-shampoo.html http://www.teachsoap.com/bombs.html For the toothpaste, I make a 100% olive oil soap, and add xylitol, coQ10(for gum health) and a food grade essential oil. Right now, I'm using a custom blend of lemon, rosemary, cinnamon, and clove. I pour the raw soap in a silicone ice cube tray, and keep it in a covered tin when it is finished. Miss Good grinds hers up, and adds baking soda and uses it as a tooth powder. Ugh. I can't stand it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Bread Baked goods - cookies, cakes, etc. pizza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashfern Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Pizza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 This thread reminds me of a book I'd like to read: Has anyone? The author, Jennifer Reese, gives a "how to" on making marshmallows in this NPR link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 frappuccinos (Starbucks and the local coffee shop are just WAY too expensive!) yeast rolls/sandwich rolls stromboli and pizza chicken noodle soup And last night I tried my hand at homemade Thai Red Curry Chicken, and it was a HUGE hit with the family. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I know that saving the environment is a good thing, but I have to tell you that the idea of reusable cloth tp is not something I would be willing to even remotely consider. (And before someone points out that it's no different than using cloth diapers, I should mention that I didn't use those, either. :tongue_smilie:) I'm TOTALLY with you on this (although I did do cloth diapers). :blink: :ack2::svengo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverFamily Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 computers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjlcc Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Baby food, bread, sweets, shampoo, conditioner, tooth powder, bars of soap, laundry detergent, pizza and garlic fingers, mustard pickles, dishwasher detergent, cleaners, yogurt, syrup. Next up is English muffins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violingirl Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Socks. And pretty much anything else you would knit. We also can and freeze a lot of food over the summer/fall for use later in the year, so all our jams, applesauce, syrups, tomato products, pie filling and as much produce as we can freeze well. There are some things we make some of the time but not always, like butter and our own bread and tortillas. I make and freeze chicken stock every time I make a whole chicken, but we sometimes use storebought too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) bread baked goods (muffins, pies, cakes, tea cakes, biscuits, cookies) stocks/soups sauce granola soaps scrubs shampoo cough remedies cold remedies pizza yogurt 'cream' 'chapstick' hummus :-) hats, scarves, mittens dresses aprons curtains Edited February 11, 2012 by justamouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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