New to you thrifty ideas

[love2read]

On another thread we listed money saving ideas that we had been using like cooking from scratch, shopping thrift stores, etc. Have any of you found "new to you" ways of saving money over the past few months or year?

 

I ask because the other day in the grocery store I passed the Rit Dye and the denim color caught my eye. I bought a box and have been busy dying faded jeans and denim skirts that I was ready to toss because of the uneven fadding. So far 5 skirts and 3 pairs of jeans have been saved by that one box and I've saved the water for more. The kids have more jeans to be dyed and a few more skirts. I'm leaving them in for different lengths of time so that everything doesn't end up just one shade.

 

My mom used to dye things, but when the kids were little everything wore our before they faded and so I total forgot about dying.

[Mom to Aly]

That is such a great idea! I have always condiered it too expensive, because the one time I used it I did it with one thing in the washer and had to go through two more washer full cycles to get it out! I did get a box recently to dye towels that were stained a darker color to match a bathroom.

 

Also, I have found ebay amazing for coupons--you can buy great ones ($1 off) something you will really use for like 10 for a dollar or so! And if you buy from the same buyer, the ship for additional is almost nothing.

 

Also, I did get a tye dye kit, that my daughter has been wanting to do anyway, and we are going to take light colored clothing that is stained and tye dye it darker, which will save a lot of items (I just hope we get to it before she out grows it!).

 

One more (we are on ultra tight budget, so we have a bunch)--I have found canning jars are so much better than rubbermaid, and so much cheaper--although I did find out, the hard way, to leave more room than they say with food you are going to freeze--it will expand quite a bit if there is liquid in it (lentils) and the jar will break.

[E_Edgerton]

Library book sales! I have been going for about a year now...I have increased my home library by 50% for probably $25-40! The money goes to the library...and you get once read books! I have found such amazing things. Books are kind of an extravagance for me...so the book sale has saved me hundreds on Amazon. :)

Also, we shop at a couple different places...stock up at the big box store for some things...farmers market for some things...regular grocery for the rest.

 

[LauraGB]

One more (we are on ultra tight budget, so we have a bunch)--I have found canning jars are so much better than rubbermaid, and so much cheaper--although I did find out, the hard way, to leave more room than they say with food you are going to freeze--it will expand quite a bit if there is liquid in it (lentils) and the jar will break.

 

I use the 2 qt canning jars for storage in the cupboard, too. Dry pasta, peas, beans, etc, flour, brown sugar, coffee beans. Super cheap, and I bought a bunch of the plastic white lids. They work well as pitchers for juice and such also.

 

I know its been said in other threads, but there is literally nothing that can't be cleaned with vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda or borax. Saved me oodles of $ on cleaning supplies.

 

*And, a few months ago I discovered that I did not need to buy the expensive facial scrub any more. I mean the beady stuff that sloughs off the dead skin and makes your skin super smooth. Baking soda works better than the $30 tube I had been buying for years! Every couple weeks I do my arms, legs and feet in the shower as well - SO SOFT afterwards!

[MicheleB]

But, I can't believe the price of cooking oil! So I have been substituting ground flax seed for oil in my recipes. I use measure for measure, and so far I have substituted up to 2/3 of the oil for flax seed and everything comes out great!

[Ferdie]

On another thread we listed money saving ideas that we had been using like cooking from scratch, shopping thrift stores, etc. Have any of you found "new to you" ways of saving money over the past few months or year?

 

I ask because the other day in the grocery store I passed the Rit Dye and the denim color caught my eye. I bought a box and have been busy dying faded jeans and denim skirts that I was ready to toss because of the uneven fadding. So far 5 skirts and 3 pairs of jeans have been saved by that one box and I've saved the water for more. The kids have more jeans to be dyed and a few more skirts. I'm leaving them in for different lengths of time so that everything doesn't end up just one shade.

 

My mom used to dye things, but when the kids were little everything wore our before they faded and so I total forgot about dying.

 

Great idea! Where do you do the dying? We don't have a utility sink so I am wondering if I could use a large pot or dish pan.

 

Thanks!

[love2read]

substituting ground flax seed

How are you grinding them? mortar and pestle? Are you buying the seeds at a health food store?

[love2read]

Where do you do the dying? We don't have a utility sink so I am wondering if I could use a large pot or dish pan.

Thanks!

 

I started off doing one skirt in a very large stock pot on the stove. I added the one box of dye to about 2 gallons of hot water and the skirt was ready in 30 minutes. I squeeze the water back into the pot and realized it was too slow that way, so I poured the dye into the washing machine and filled it about 1/4 with water. I added the other clothes and agitate the machine for a few minutes. I did that about every 30 minutes and then went to bed. In the morning I agitated two more times, about an hour apart and then drained the water and ran it through the rinse cycle twice with cold water. After throwing everything into the dryer I ran it through the rinse cycle again with bleach. It was very simple and given the cost of jeans and good denim skirts now it was so worth the cost of the dye and even the electricity for the washer. If I didn't have so many things to do, I would have stuck with the pot on the stove.

[Jean in Newcastle]

At the thrift shop I got some queen size flannel sheets (flat). I cut them in quarters and hemmed the sides that weren't already hemmed with the sewing machine. Perfect summer blankets for my dd6!

[Ferdie]

I started off doing one skirt in a very large stock pot on the stove. I added the one box of dye to about 2 gallons of hot water and the skirt was ready in 30 minutes. I squeeze the water back into the pot and realized it was too slow that way, so I poured the dye into the washing machine and filled it about 1/4 with water. I added the other clothes and agitate the machine for a few minutes. I did that about every 30 minutes and then went to bed. In the morning I agitated two more times, about an hour apart and then drained the water and ran it through the rinse cycle twice with cold water. After throwing everything into the dryer I ran it through the rinse cycle again with bleach. It was very simple and given the cost of jeans and good denim skirts now it was so worth the cost of the dye and even the electricity for the washer. If I didn't have so many things to do, I would have stuck with the pot on the stove.

 

Thank you! I have always wondered how it was done. I am super tall and pay a small fortune for long blue jeans so I know this will come in handy.

[Cricket]

I only use half a fabric softener sheet in the dryer. It works just as well as a full sheet. Dh taught me that one.

 

I love coupons. I used to not bother with them because full price name brand items were still more expensive with the coupon than the store brand. Well, now I've learned how to use coupons. Like Mom to Aly, I've even bought some on eBay. I store them up and use them to stock up on supplies when they are on sale at places like Walgreens and CVS or Albertsons. A couple of months ago I bought over 20 bags of tortillas chips for $5. I have a box full of about 36 tubes of toothpaste that I was actually paid money to buy. When dc want something, they ask, "Mom, do we have a coupon for this?" :lol: My 2 yo's favorite new word is "coupon."

 

Freecycle is great too. We got our couch from there. A couple of days ago I picked up a massage table. Dh always said that if I got one, he would give me a massage every day. I'm still waiting..... :)

[Julie in AZ]

I love coupons. I used to not bother with them because full price name brand items were still more expensive with the coupon than the store brand. Well, now I've learned how to use coupons. I store them up and use them to stock up on supplies when they are on sale at places like Walgreens and CVS or Albertsons.

 

I've just recently figured out how to coupon and I'm having a ball at CVS too! :)

[MicheleB]

How are you grinding them? mortar and pestle? Are you buying the seeds at a health food store?

 

I grind them in my blender, then keep the ground flax in the freezer because it doesn't keep well once it's ground. I buy my flax seed at a little country Mennonite store around here. It costs less than .50 cents for about 2 cups or so I would say. Next time I'll have to measure exactly how much is in the container I buy.

[Mom to Aly]

I use the 2 qt canning jars for storage in the cupboard, too. Dry pasta, peas, beans, etc, flour, brown sugar, coffee beans. Super cheap, and I bought a bunch of the plastic white lids. They work well as pitchers for juice and such also.

 

I know its been said in other threads, but there is literally nothing that can't be cleaned with vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda or borax. Saved me oodles of $ on cleaning supplies.

 

*And, a few months ago I discovered that I did not need to buy the expensive facial scrub any more. I mean the beady stuff that sloughs off the dead skin and makes your skin super smooth. Baking soda works better than the $30 tube I had been buying for years! Every couple weeks I do my arms, legs and feet in the shower as well - SO SOFT afterwards!

 

Where do you find the lids? I haven't found those yet--that is the one thing I have to buy over again, the lids.

 

Also, what do you do with the baking soda, make it into a paste? I love this thread--so useful!!

[Mom to Aly]

Ooh, have to add another--I used to think Goodwill was too much to go through, but have found it is WONDERFUL!!! Kids books and paperbacks for a dollar, and clothes for so little! I have found a ton there, and saved a fortune! Wonderful place to shop for the whole fam!

[Guest kacifl]

I always buy things that are 'two for one'. Things that we actually use. Also, we're stocking up on things like toilet paper, dish soap, tooth paste when we find great sales. We're hoping this will take the 'bite' out of our grocery bill each month.

 

My 14 year old loves making homemade noodles. They are so easy. We just use our granite counter top as a rolling board. Let them dry for an hour. Very filling. Does anyone know if you save money making your own bread?

[LauraGB]

Where do you find the lids? I haven't found those yet--that is the one thing I have to buy over again, the lids.

 

Also, what do you do with the baking soda, make it into a paste? I love this thread--so useful!!

 

The lids are usually right next to the canning jars. They are white and come in a box of 6 or 8. I have even seen them at the general dollar stores (the ones where everything is rounded to the nearest dollar, not the actual everything-is-a-dollar stores), and also at Wal-Mart and the farming stores like Fleet Farm.

 

With the baking soda, I just put about a 1/2 palm full in my hand and add just the tiniest amt of water to make a paste. Rub it gently around my face and neck (and everywhere else, sometimes, lol) and rinse it off. Dd has been doing this to help with the clogged pores she's developing around her nose and it has been working beautifully. It is also nice on feet - looks like you had a pedi without the need for a brush or pumice!

And elbows, and knees, and... Honestly, I think I read about it right on one of the boxes. I told an aesthetician I know about this little discovery and she laughed and said, "Shhh - don't tell anyone!"

[Robin Hood]

How are you grinding them? mortar and pestle? Are you buying the seeds at a health food store?

 

It is also possible to use a coffee grinder, if you have one.

[MomOfOneFunOne]

Kacifl,

 

I would address your cost of bread question: it depends on the bread you buy.

 

I am aquainted with a woman who buys white bread at the "day old" store. It's practically free and I don't think I could beat her price.

 

I buy whole grain breads that are made with nothing more than whole grain flour, water, yeast, oil, and sometimes honey. I don't know why but the fewer the ingredients, the more expensive the bread. I can make that bread WAY less expensively than I can buy it. Also, just plain white from the regular grocery store can be made more cheaply than bought.

 

Here is where it seems more expensive, though: unless you buy in bulk from Whole Foods or something, you can't just buy a loaf's worth of ingredients. But if you break it down (and my husband did!) it's less expensive in every way to make plain ww or white bread. Like anything, though, you can fancy it up and make it more expensive. Even our expensive loaf is cheaper than boughten, though.

 

I have taught a couple of informal bread-making classes and used the following recipe. The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it with any kind of flour and tweek it in any way you can think of. It is my standard weekday, nothing fancy recipe. I use stone ground, ww flour and honey which makes a denser loaf. B/c I use ww flour, it doesn't get to be as BIG as it does when you use white.

 

Outrageously Easy BIG Bread

http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=5716.0

 

if you have any questions about bread making, please let me know. I don't consider myself an expert by any means but love to get ppl making their own bread!

 

Two drawbacks to making your own bread: you have to clean up after it and b/c you don't use preservatives and stabilizers, it doesn't last as long. But then, it is so delicious, it doesnt' last long anyway.

[elegantlion]

I buy most of my clothes at Goodwill's .50 sales. I've very picky, but we have a huge store. I use paperback swap.com.

 

We've also rediscovered dehydrating fruit. I just bought an industrial size of pineapple chunks. We dehydrated the fruit and had about a quart of juice left over. The whole jar was around 4.50. Now we have healthy snacks.

[LauraGB]

Shame on me! I almost forgot about apple cider vinegar on a qtip for the occasional zit. Works better and faster than salicylic acid or benzoil perox, imo. I don't know how it would work for acne, though, might be too drying.

[Guest Virginia Dawn]

Hurrah for baking soda!

 

I've stopped using soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotions. I've substituted baking soda, vinegar and olive oil. I'm going to get some coconut oil soon and try that on my skin this winter. My skin is loving it, and it's cheaper.

 

We got an electric water heater instead of used our oil burner, and we are going to put a "blanket" and a timer on it. We plan on it shutting off from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., we may even try to stretch it for longer. Our plumber said the longer you can have it off the more the savings multiply.

 

Dh has been paying all our bills online, which saves stamps and envelopes.

 

When we have to be out and about, instead of buying everyone an ice cream cone from a shop,or soda from a machine or fast food place, we stop in a grocery store and buy a box of klondike bars or ice cream sandwiches, or a six pack of store brand sodas. They still get the treat but it's less than half the price. I also carry a large container of ice water in the car when we are going to be gone for a while on a hot day.

[Diana in OR]

A few of my favorites:

 

Homemade sugar scrub--I take about 1/2 c. sugar, and 1/4 c. olive or vegetable oil and mix it together until it makes a nice moist paste. If you end up with too much oil, just add more sugar until you get the consistency you want. You can add essential oils to it if you want. You can use all organic ingredients. When you scrub with it, it exfoliates and leaves your skin nice and soft. Just make sure you get it all rinsed off, or you will be sticky in places you never thought possible.;)

 

I use the Grocery Game and/or coupons in general. I think it takes a little practice to get it down to a science, but yesterday, I bought $120 worth of groceries for $40.

 

For clothes, I shop a lot at Ross Dress for Less. I often find that their prices beat the Goodwill. For example,the other day at Ross, I bought a pair of Calvin Klein denim shorts that had an msrp tag of $59.50 for $5.99. I'm sure they would have cost more at Goodwill, since they tend to mark up designer labels, especially if the item is new.

[Jenny in Florida]

This is one that might come in handy for folks during the holidays.

 

A few years ago, my family decided to quit buying gift wrapping paper. It was initially motivated by environmental concerns, but ended up saving money, too.

 

I buy inexpensive holiday-themed fabric, just a yard or so of each, and sew simple bags in various sizes. We then use those, tied closed with re-usuable cloth ribbons, to wrap all of our Christmas gifts. The first year, I probably spent less than $30 to buy the fabric, plus used some odds and ends I had in my stash, and we've been able to re-use those bags every year since.

 

I do end up adding a bag or two each year, either because I found some really cute fabric for cheap or because we need a specific size for a certain gift. However, it still ends up being a fraction of what we used to spend on disposable wrap, even when I bought ahead on clearance.

 

And it's so wonderful on Christmas morning to end up with just one small bag of trash (mostly packaging from the gifts, themselves) to throw out. Then we just fold up the cloth bags and put them away with the decorations.

[Guest kacifl]

Thanks for information. We enjoy making bread. We let my breadmaker mix it and then I let it rise in our car. We're in Florida and it usually rises in about 20 minutes!

 

I do have a question, I have noticed that our whole wheat often has a slightly bitter taste. I have to mix white flour with the whole wheat. Store brands are sometimes bitter, too. But, I am trying to get my children to convert to heathy bread. Any suggestions? I'm using King Arthur's bread flours... purchased on sale and stored in refrigerator.

 

One more question, if you don't mind... Is there a way to save money on yeast. I heard that you can use some bread dough for your next batch instead of using yeast. It takes longer to rise, but works. Is this true?

[Guest kacifl]

A cheap washcloth.

 

I don't mean to be 'cheeky', but it does work. I use to work for a dermatologist and women thought I used special creams, etc. Nope, just a washcloth. I'd use vasoline around my eyes at night and in the morning use a 'baby wipe' to clean my face. Once a week, I'd use a wash cloth with just plain water to exfoliate.

[unsinkable]

I use the water from the dehumidifier to wash clothes.

 

You use it for plants, too.

[jmgconner]

I use the water from the dehumidifier to wash clothes.

 

You use it for plants, too.

 

Genius! I'm hate the little bit of water running from the humidifier hose into our sump pump. I'm going to put a watering can at the end of the hose now. Why didn't I think of that? :001_huh:

[Nestof3]

Rit Dye and the denim color caught my eye

 

I wanted to do this too, but when I read reviews, they said the color would never look like denim and nothing would ever match it, so I declined. Did you not have this experience? I have a very faded skirt I'd love to renew.

[Diana in OR]

Thanks for information. We enjoy making bread. We let my breadmaker mix it and then I let it rise in our car. We're in Florida and it usually rises in about 20 minutes!

 

I do have a question, I have noticed that our whole wheat often has a slightly bitter taste. I have to mix white flour with the whole wheat. Store brands are sometimes bitter, too. But, I am trying to get my children to convert to heathy bread. Any suggestions? I'm using King Arthur's bread flours... purchased on sale and stored in refrigerator.

 

One more question, if you don't mind... Is there a way to save money on yeast. I heard that you can use some bread dough for your next batch instead of using yeast. It takes longer to rise, but works. Is this true?

 

 

I'm not MOMOFONEFUNONE, but I'll answer your questions, :001_smile:

 

The best way to get great tasting whole wheat flour is to grind it yourself. I know that on the outset, that's not super thrifty, as you have to buy a grain mill. However, not only does it taste better, but freshly ground flour retains nutrients that store bought whole wheat flours have lost. Whole wheat flour becomes rancid after a few days unless you freeze it. You might try freezing the King Arthur's flour instead of just refrigerating. I've heard that store bought whole wheat flour is treated so it won't become rancid, but I don't know what they use to treat it with.

 

I buy SAF Instant Yeast in 1 lb. packages for around $4.00. You use half the amount of it as you do regular yeast. I have found this at Costco and another local grocery store. There are also places you can buy it online. It's a bit more expensive that way, but still much cheaper than individual packets. And it works really well.