Monday, February 25, 2008

Spread The Knowledge

My mind is drawing a blank on some fresh, creative, and thrifty ideas right now. And I know there is a wealth of knowledge in the minds of my readers. So here’s your chance to pass on your favorite thrifty tip. Whether it’s a recipe, a shopping tip, an encouraging website, or something you’ve learned through experience, here’s your chance to pass it along to other thrifty minds. Just leave a comment.

13 comments:

MaryLu said...

Just a quick one. Cut your fabric softener sheets in half, I use my kitchen shears and cut about 6 or 7 at a time. Then I put them back in the original box. Twice as many for the price!!

MOMMY said...

I bring all 4 of my children grocery shopping with me, here is how I keep us all on task so that we don't have temptation of buying extras.

I circle pictures of what I we need in the grocery sale flyer, magazines, etc. and the kids cut them out and make their own grocery lists. My oldest can write hers out. This way we all have lists and they focus so much on them that they forget to look around and beg for extras.
http://journalofamomma.blogspot.com/

Wifey said...

We eat a wide variety of soups and stews. They are filling and often very inexpensive to make, especially bean/lentil soups.

I second making your own bread. Not only can it be cheaper than buying bread at the store, it can be so much healthier, too.

Anonymous said...

I, like you, have a baked potato night I make more bacon than I need and extra potatoes and the second night we have baked potato soup with cheese and bacon on top my kids love both of these meals!! Easy, fast, and cheap!
Heather Kay

EEEEMommy said...

I keep my heat set at 67F and turn it down to 60F at night. We bundle up in warm socks (sometimes two pairs), sweaters, turtle necks; and snuggle up with blankets. The kids all have flannel sheets, and plenty of blankets on their beds. Not only is it more cost effective, but germs thrive in warm environments, we don't get sick as often as everybody else. In the summer, I resist the urge to turn on the air conditioning until it gets really really humid. We keep the windows open and the ceiling fans going. Even when I do turn it on, I keep it set in the high 70s.
I grew up without air conditioning, and my mom only turned the heat up to 62F, and turned it down to the 50s at night.

April said...

I love magazines and so do my mom and mil. We split subscriptions 3 ways and then pass them around to read. When everyone is done, it usually ends up at my house and the kids use them or we send them to school.
We take our aluminum cans to a recycler that pays...usually it's enough to get a new board game or find a previewed DVD we have been wanting to buy.

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

I try to get people to invite us over for dinner. But that doesn't really work so well. ;)

We wash clothes in cold, do freezer cooking with friends, eat easy meals, and buy generic!

And I read great blogs like this one to get more ideas!

Anonymous said...

I just read that throwing in a couple of dry hand towels with your load can cut down on drying time 10-20 minutes (from canadagirl) Have you noticed any difference in drying time since you've started using the spray on a towel instead of dryer sheets? There were a lot of good tips on the tightwad tuesday links if you go to Canadagirls's site.

The only thing I can't think to add is that a full freezer uses less power to keep cold so if there is extra room in yours add old containers filled with water (like milk jugs/water bottles). It should help cut down on your PUD bill.

Anonymous said...

I use half the amount then what is called for when using laundry detergent. Wash in cold except for towels and sheets.

Cut the bottom off of a tube of face wash to get a couple of more uses out of it.

Hide the papertowels, its amazing how many papertowels were wasted. Now everyone will use a towel for spills, etc.

Tamara said...

I shop for children's clothing at Goodwill. I have found name brand clothing for 3.50. It is such an inexpensive way to dress your children without having to go to wal***mart! :)

Michele @ Frugal Granola said...

I often use "vegan" recipes, since they usually don't call for egg or milk. I have a few suggestions on my blog for my week's menu plan today.
By the way, I visit your blog often, and I have it bookmarked. Thanks so much! :)

Monica said...

My newest thing? Walmart carries ground turkey that's 96/4 for $1.77 in a one pound roll. It has no additives. Normally this would be nearly $4.00.
I'm browning it with a little bit of garlic and using it instead of ground beef. My family doesn't even notice:)

Anonymous said...

Refill your own ink cartidges - the kits at wal**mart are super cheap and super easy and work great!

Also a great book for making your own kitchen mixes is called Make-a-mix Cookery - this is one of my favorites for low cost cooking!