Money Saving Ideas That Are Cheap But Not Degrading
81money from everywhere
Money Saving Ideas
The columns about saving money have gotten way out of hand. For example, there was this one guy who called himself the 'King of Cheapness.' Why? He said he was so cheap he could teach people how to reuse toilet paper. Seriously! But I figure he is no worse than those smug columnists who like to tell us how to save a fortune on big ticket items like a 3rd vacation home or a Ferrari to go with the Rolls Royce.
I pass on those extreme columns, but I realized there are money saving ideas that we all do day to day - because living and saving is a day to day thing.
Here are some things that I do, even made money selling the first idea for $50. to a woman's magazine - and other ideas that can save money, or may be fun, or may be useful, or maybe will be necessary if your lights are shut off for non-payment.
Some Money Saving Ideas:
Saving on pedometers - During that "Walk 10,000 steps to lose weight" craze, I bought a pedometer. And a friend gave me one. Both are good enough to be land-fill because neither worked efficiently. So I mapped my own route. The equivalent of 10,000 steps is supposed to be 5 miles - I got on Yahoo and mapped a 2 1/2 mile route. Once I walked there and then walked back I've covered 5 miles or 10,000 steps - and it didn't cost a dime.
Saving with those inexpensive noodle soups - Those ramen noodle soups that you always see on sale, like five to eight packs for $1.00 - they have enough cheap sodium in them to ruin your health. But I admit I like ramen noodles. So I buy them anyway but don't use those little packs of scary seasoning. I use my own seasonings - I always have good soy sauce, sea salt, and garlic powder. Then to float on top I sprinkle a little paprika, and oregano - and when I have it - hot sauce. Delish! - and cheap with some good healthy herbs of your own. Kids seem to like those soups. Those little seasoning packets? Throw them in the toilet which is where they will wind up anyway, and scrub your toilet.
Saving with dried beans and even popcorn - By now we all know practically every can on the supermarket shelf is lined with BPA (Bisphenol A) - an endocrine disruptor. For that reason alone, it's best to use dried beans. Also microwave popcorn bags have toxic linings - which have allegedly been removed but I am no longer a trusting consumer. Dried beans not only taste better but are far cheaper than the canned ones. If they take forever to soak and cook - then store them in the fridge and also the popcorn. The fridge will provide just enough moisture to help the beans cook properly and the popcorn to pop better.
Saving on freshly packed ice cream - It always surprises me to find a shop that has fresh packed ice cream. So one summer day I decided to buy a pint. Well, the most muscled man in the world came from the back and packed the ice cream. I am sure he squeezed a gallon into that small container - I was able to share. But the next time I went back this young thin guy packed the ice cream and there were so many empty spaces in the container. Be careful here because the biggest guy is not always the best packer. In fact it was a teen-aged girl who packed the most in a container.
Saving by drinking water even if you don't like water - It's true that water is just not always tasty and who knows if it's safe. NYC always brags about its water supply which makes me suspicious. But I believe in varying my poisons so I often drink it. But if you want some tips on how to make it more palatable - see the link below on how to make a glass of water more exciting. It's still probably the cheapest drink and probably hopefully the healthiest.
Saving on an overnight vacation - I live in Brooklyn, New York City, often referred to as "Brownstone Brooklyn" - a friend and I live a little over two miles apart but our apartments are similar, with mine being about 5 inches larger. Well, there is a saying ' A change is as good as a rest' and my friend and I were in desperate need of a vacation and a change. We decided to change apartments for one night. The thing about Brooklyn is that it is filled with neighborhoods which often have their own character. My friend was happy to spend a Saturday and night in my neighborhood which is considered young and trendy and I enjoyed her older established neighborhood where I love the established eateries - and all the places to buy fresh shea butter and quality African jewelery and fabrics. It was soooo rejuvenating to spend a night away from my usual environment.
Saving on a bath tub cleanser - If you have recently discovered that your shampoo is just too harsh - rather than throw it out, use the left-over shampoo to clean out the tub and the shower door. The way those shampoos remove filth shows why it strips all the natural oils out of our hair and scalp. Not sure about those possibly toxic ingredients in personal care products? See the link below.
Saving on birthday presents - My children are as old as me now and really don't expect their dear old mother to buy them birthday presents. If I happen to be visiting, sure I'll bring a token gift if its around birthday time - and we always remember to call and sing or offer best wishes. One June day, I felt my son deserved to be remembered and we both pride ourselves on our sense of humor - so I sent my son a birthday card and put $1.00 in it. Yes, one dollar. It seems, humor goes a long way. Like the way my new daughter-in-law never stopped laughing. That was in June and she laughed all the way up to October when she asked me if I would send her a birthday card with a dollar in it. Of course, but I took two dollars and made an origami pair of pajamas - which she loved, saved and framed. Often I don't see friends and family because we all work and often live so far apart - but I have bought birthday cards, or sent a note and put a dollar in it - a surprise and a great laugh. Humor can really be inexpensive.
And Some Quick Tips:
- use rubber gloves to remove cat hair from your clothes - I have bought all sorts of vacuum cleaners and those roller thingees to remove cat hair but nothing works like those kitchen rubber gloves. Just rub in one direction.
- hanger to remove static cling - one day a co-worker came to work, took off her coat and her synthetic skirt was plastered against her pantyhose. We all had a good laugh - but rubbing just a plain metal coat hanger up and down on the skirt did get rid of the static.
- stir fry lettuce - whenever I bought a lettuce and made a salad or a great sandwich, the next day all that great crunch would be gone. I don't know why, but I decided to stir fry it with a little olive oil, sea salt and garlic powder. It was sooooo good. Even had a unique taste. No more tossing out the old limp lettuce.
See links below for some more ideas. And please do share a money-saving idea or two.
Colorwash Inexpensively
- How to Colorwash Walls as Cheaply as Possible!
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A gift almost handmade
- How To Make A Personalized Gift: The 'Love' Scarf
Completed 'Love' Scarf Materials used for 'Love' Scarf If you are looking for a little 'love' in your life - or on your scarf, the following is my quick and easy project (pictures below). List of Supplies:...
Shea butter
- The Amazing Healing Power of Shea Butter
Shea butter has been on this earth for thousands of years but it is only in the last decade or so that large cosmetic companies have started adding it to their products. But be warned - simply because it has...
Earn Extra Cash
- How New Yorkers are Earning Extra Cash
As a native New Yorker, I can always tell when a recession/depression is on the horizon; people flock to NYC in droves, in search of jobs. This time it is the young and single - perhaps to pay off their...
Eat less
- Dark Chocolate Helps to Fight Hunger
Dark chocolate has many health benefits, including the ability to help you feel fuller. Recently, researchers in Copenhagen found that people who ate dark chocolate had fewer cravings afterwards. Milk...
Walk more
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Maybe they can. Ive seen some results with a brand unknown in the US. By now most people are familiar with those negative heel shoes that are supposed to help you lose weight and fat - just by...
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Oh, you are very welcome Maita! I'm glad you enjoyed the ideas. And thanks for the devirgination!
I learned something--thanks! Fun hub, too!
I'm glad you enjoyed it RTalloni. Thanks for writing!
I will definetly be using the "stir fry your lettuce" idea. And the one about switching apartments for a brief and cheap overnight vacation - that was brillant!
I've tried the dried beans, I just can't get it right. I know it's cheaper and better for you, but I can't seem to wrap my head around properly cooking dried beans - at least to make them edible.
These tips were great, and I love the fact that you showed us that being frugal doesn't mean you have to degrade yourself.
I'm so glad you appreciate the need not to degrade yourself while being frugal Veronica Allen. Can you imagine reusing toilet paper? I could not even bring myself to read that cheap guys column.
Cooking dried beans can be tricky. All last year my neighbor and I complained about how our black beans just wouldn't soften and cook right. It was from my Daughter-In-Law that keeps her black beans in the fridge - that I leaned this and it made the difference. Black beans, my favorite, can take forever to soften. While dried large limas - just bring to a boil, shut off and let sit for an hour - they will almost be done. Then cook slowly.
We all probably do a bunch of great money-saving things just in the course of a day.
So glad you wrote!
Great selection of tips. I sometimes wonder if I'm the only person who likes to drink water, I think it's great.
We can all do with money saving tips that do not lessen the quality of our lives.
Very good hub, full of great ideas. It's pretty bad to know how they have poisoned us over the years with chemicals and other dangerous stuff. Rated up and stumbled. :)
Thank you for an informative hub whith good solid advice.
Great hub! Thanks!!
Very CREATIVE title and hub full of great tips, BKCreative!!!!!
You are so Creative-BK! Thanks!
I'm a water drinker/lover too hublim - but I know of no one else - except you now. Nice to meet you!
Thank you hypnodude. Yes they have poisoned up and it is all legal! Imagine that. Thanks for sharing all the tips!
You're welcome Hello, hello. I'm glad you found the hub informative.
Thank you for commenting msorensson!
Hmmmm a creative title. I'm glad you said that Ann Nonymous. I need to work on more creative titles.
I like how you put that Micky Dee. Thank you too!
Thanks for the comments!
Interesting you mention water. I save money by refilling my plastic water bottles. The bottle is so convenient for my walks, but I can't stand paying for something that I get from my sink for almost free.
I am always on the look out for practical tips on saving money. I'll keep these in mind.
For sure TJ Stephens - we should have water for (almost) free. I think it should be a right - when I was a child every park had a water fountain - now it's hard to find free water. Thank you for writing!
Nothing like a good practical tip dahoglund - that you can easily put into effect that makes a difference. I like to save money regularly!
Thanks for the comments!
BkCreative, Great ideas and so unique---Kudos for not trotting out the usual stuff. I really like the 'place exchange' idea. You are the only person I've ever heard come up with that one!
Interesting. I shall try thr rubber glove on my very hairy dog thanks
Great ideas to save money. My favorite are the tips for cheap presents because I definitely believe that it is the thought that counts. My father and his brother exchanged the same birthday card for about three years.
But I'm not sure why you should need to watch your spending as you've obviously found the secret of eternal youth as your children are now the same age as you are! LOL!
Amber
Love the title! I did not know about storing beans and popcorn in the fridge. Thank you!
Interesting hub. Thanks!
I enjoyed your hub. I especially liked the part about switching apartments (and neighborhoods) with your friend! I can totally see that working!
I was born in Bklyn, so any time I see something about it I am interested.
Thanks!
Awesome advice and it is so true! I keep thinking how did we forget to do stuff like use nonprocessed? But that would be me! Congrats on being at 100!!!!
I LOVE this Hub! I don't eat the season pack in ramen noodles either! Oh...and when I've came across a shampoo I hate, I use it to shave my legs. lol :) I am so in need of trying your stir fry lettuce idea!! Thanks for such a useful Hub!!
This hub was great. Thanks for all these tips.
These are wonderful tips on saving money, and fun too! I never thought of using those MSG soup packets for toilet scrubbing... lol I'm sure that harsh additive will kill anything it comes in contact with. Before I cook my lettuce, I soak it in ice cold water for about an hour. If it comes back to life nice and crispy, I'll eat it. Otherwise, it gets cooked into soup. I'll have to try your mapped route for walking. That's a terrific idea! Thank you for these great ideas!
Hey I was about to be insulted until I read the toilet paper advice, lol, good hub.
Bk...
You do honor your handle! Pretty good ideas, so imaginative that they surprised me! You worked as your own "guinea pig" to post all these wonderful advices. I am positive they work like a charm!
Thumbs up!
warmest regards and blessings,
Al
Thank you Linda Myrshrall - that trading spaces idea was a real rejuvenator - plus it caused me to really clean my home! My friend beat me at this because she left great chocolates on the pillow!
Ethel Smith - that rubber glove idea is the only thing I can use to get rid of cat hair. My two cats looked innocent enough but oh, the hair - and we NYers wear lots of black. I was a mess until the rubber gloves - it has to be those kitchen rubber gloves.
Amber Allen - I love that card idea - back and forth for 3 years! I love a sense of humor and it seems to be contagious. Must try it. And soon I will be younger than my children - it happens where you kind of switch roles. Already they are kind of looking out for me.
Yes Lee B, I was ready to throw all the beans (which I love) and popcorn out the window. Then I remembered that my daughter-in-law came over, gave me black beans and put them right in the fridge. It made such a difference. Then I decided to try a bag of organic popcorn - awful, hard, it seemed like mostly hulls. But on the bag it said if dry to refrigerate for moisture. So beans, popcorn and an 'ah, hah moment!'
You're welcome Paradise 7!
Nice to meet you nadp - and I know you understand the Brooklyn neighborhood concept. One mile, two miles, sometimes right around the corner and you have a whole new neighborhood with a whole new identity.
You're welcome akirchner and thanks for the 100 heads up!
Love your new avatar - theherbivorehippi - and thanks for that shave the legs with shampoo idea. And thanks for all the LOVE!
You're welcome nancy-30! Thanks for commenting!
You're welcome Beth100 - I'll try the lettuce in soup. I love soups, and lettuce - but I got tired of buying it because so much was always wasted. And about soaking it in cold water - my cousin passed on a similar idea - he washes his in cold, cold water then puts it in the fridge and it keeps a bit longer - but then I am tired of it anyway.
You know pollyannalana - now I am curious about that toilet paper advice and maybe I will look it up. Hopefully, it is a gag to get you to read - but somehow I doubt it - aargh!
Thanks for your warm regards Mystique1957. I think being on earth so long gives me this edge because either recently or 100 years ago I tired this or that. Hmmm, I have to think of more ideas. I'm so happy folks are enjoying the suggestions.
Thanks for all the fun comments!
Great hub! I like the quick tips too.
BKCreative: Whenever I look at your avatar of Brooklyn, I sort of miss NY, as crazy as it can be at times. :) Good tips, the exchanging apts for a mini vacation, sounds like fun and is indeed creative!
Congratulations on your 100 hub score!
Nice to meet you Better Yourself. Thanks for writing and thanks for the compliment. I'm coming to visit you!
Always great to hear from you VioletSun! The population has probably tripled here in Brooklyn. I have never ever seen so many people, especially young people, and the foot traffic never stops. But I have to admit - the energy here is what has always inspired me. You'd be surprised at the never ending changes and faces.
I'm glad you like the mini vacation idea. I've since packed up and spent time housesitting for my son and daughter-in-law and spent extended times at my cousins when they were traveling. These little breaks from my apartment have been so nice and energizing.
Thanks for commenting!
Thanks for such a nice and wonderful blog. Yes i absolutely agree with you that we should save money where ever we can because a penny saved is penny earned. Then another way of saving money is cook at home. we get nutritious food at a fraction of cost and we dont have to tip too. We also know what has gone inside the food and also the quality of oil and ingradients if we cook at home.
Nice Ideas you have here ! Really with all the things happening in the world economy -- Everybody should start saving in any possible means they could.
Kudos to your hub !
Excellent tips here.
Re the cheap pressies - i always include a lucky dip lottery ticket inside a birthday card - costs me €1 and the recipent has the chance of becoming a millionaire :))
Re: the popcorn - I always use the microwave stuff, I don't know how I'd make it otherwise!
Definitely the greatest money saver sweetie1, preparing our own foods. Nutrition is everything yet we have turned the responsibility over to everyone else. Thank you for your input!
Thank you for the compliment christianbooks, I'm glad you enjoyed the hub!
A nice idea Suki C to put in that lottery ticket. I'll do that the next time for my son and daughter-in-law! I want them to be millionaires - they work so hard.
Thanks for the comments!
Awesome advice lot of simple ideas to save money
Thank you Lgali! I think if we keep it simple - and realistic - we will actually do it.
Thank you for writing!
great ideas. for a man, he can grow a beard and then wont have to shave and save on shaving foam.
Great idea for a man - and it does make sense. Thanks for the tip bihar. And nice to meet you too!
I am glad that I found this one. It was helpful and enjoyable to read.
Thank you MaggieKubicko. Nice to meet you too. Thanks for finding me!
Nice hub and very informative. I liked the Quick tips too. especially the metal hanger one..Thanks for sharing.
You're very welcome Dmrfam! Nice to meet you too!
Some great tips here. Thanks for sharing them. I love the taste of real (not canned) beans!
Nice to meet you Deborah Donados! And there is just no comparison - I cannot go back to canned beans!
Thanks so much!
Really a useful hub! Drinking water is also good for one's health.
Great tips thank you for sharing them. I am a big promoter of drinking water. Good stuff. :)
Cheers,
Grant.
Thanks BK, for a fantastic,thrifty and saving hub, congrats on the 100 pt. score. I hope I will score one 100 on my hubs on day soon. Thank you for sharing. God bless you dear. creativeone59
BKCreative, Excellent hub! You always have the greatest ideas! You are so creative! Thank you for sharing, In His love & Blessings!
I love that you change your avatar creativeone59 - hey we are both creative - judging by our names. We probably all do a bunch of clever money saving things - that make sense. I'm looking forward to more such hubs! Thank you for commenting!
Thanks for the compliments DeBorrah K. Ogans. I'm always glad when you come by with your kind words of support. I'm glad you liked the hub!
Water makes so much sense hubbb. I just read some great things about rain water in its natural state - of course by the time it gets to us it has been treated. Nice to meet you by the way.
Thanks Grant's World - water is the more logical choice - and when you think about it - some people drink soda to avoid water but water is used to make soda - then you add the HFCS and coloring or artificial ingredients - and you have to pay for this privilege.
Thanks for the comments!
Just saw a tv program today, a well known chef met a family who were eating to much supermarket pre packaged meals and introduced them fresh foods cooking from scratch. The family will now save over £3500 a year on their grocery bill.
Hello 49lart - that is an added benefit to eating fresh foods - it is so much cheaper! And healthier - less health issues as well.
Thanks for your input. Nice to meet you too!
Lots of good tips here. Cheap food junkie that I am, I actually like the Ramen seasoning. What else is in it except starch? Gotta add veggies and/or meat. Also, I like your sense of humor too. By the way, I notice your rating dropped to 97. Hey, nobody stays on top forever. Later!
hahaha Kosmo - darn that rating - what happened to the 100 that I consistently get.
I'd say the cheap sodium in those packs are the worst problem - it is shockingly high. Here in NYC restaurants are being asked to reduce this sodium in their foods as it is related to high blood pressure. Most often it is the cheap sodium that comes in the prepacked products they use or the cheap supermarket salt. (Of course since it is voluntary it will not happen).
Thank you for commenting because I am convinced it is the many comments that keep my score up there!
These are some great ideas...bookmarked!!!
Thank you pmmcray! Sooo glad you like the hub!
BkCreative This is a great humorous hub on saving money. It made me laugh and smile. And I am going yo use the lettuce stir fry idea and the ramon idea. I think I am going to have to the way things are going for me financially. Boiling beans and then letting it sit for one hour and then cooking it works for me for all kinds of beans. And yes humor can be inexpensive and lots of laughter can keep stress and ill health away and save you mucho money from doctor's bills and drugs. That is my contribution to saving money. Use it often. Thanks again. I had fun reading this.
Thank you so much lelanew55! I like what you say about humor - it truly is the best medicine. I'm glad you like the ideas and I do want to laugh more and I want to add more humor to the hubs.
And the bean method - you know it well - it is so easy and works so well.
It is so nice getting to know you. I am enjoying your hubs. Thanks so much for commenting!
I like this, you have a natural humour but I'm surprised at how much your hub highlights some of the differences between the U.S. and the U.K. - I've never heard of half the things you refer to! - I'll think I'll try to do an English version, if you don't mind - I've spent 3 days and worn out 2 pairs of shoes searching for ramen noodle soups and freshly packed ice cream! Nice hub, my friend :)
Please, please do an English version- that would be so brilliant! Sometimes the terminology is different. About freshly packed ice cream, my cousin in England says do not even think about coming to England and looking for ice cream. I remember when he and his partner came to the US and I made this great pitcher of iced tea - and of course had to be reminded that it's only hot tea that is the British thing. You may have ramen noodles - they originated in Japan and I think are still made by a Japanese company. I'll check my Tesco magazine (I love when my cousin brings that from England) and see if there is anything similar.
Looking forward to your hub - so I will follow you!
What is interesting is you know a lot about what is not healthy to consume... yet you choose to do it anyway. Hmmm.
Isn't it sad that we live in a country with so much information available to us about making healthy choices yet nobody is doing anything about the contamination.
Last year a major story broke about pharmaceuticals in the drinking water. Yet nothing was done.
Sea Food is increasingly contaminated with Mercury and nothing is being done.
People want to be "green" and do the right thing... but the product choices we are given don't allow us to!
Incandescent Bulbs are being banned very soon in the United States. LED is way too expensive. The bulbs forced on use will be Compact Florescent. They contain mercury... the most toxic non radioactive metal known to man. Imagine 100's of millions of toxic CFL's in the landfills. Is this more "green" than burning coal in the first place?
It seems the choices are part of the problem MikeV. For so long this consumer nation was trusting - only to find out that we were blatantly lied to. It wasn't that we were told the truth and then decided not to pay attention - it's because information was intentionally withheld - all legally.
Our manufacturers have been allowed to have no accountability. It makes me think of when 'ephedra' was put on the market as a dietary supplement. This herb, aka known as ma juang comes from the lower herb category in TCM - and should only be used under the care of a qualified herbalist - but here dietary supplements, usually synthetic versions, can be marketed with no oversight. The FDA only demands recalls after the harm is proven.
I've so often been called a cynic and of course back in the 60's - when we became aware of the industrialization of our foods - I was then labeled a health nut. It seems no one wanted to believe what was happening. And the cry was always 'well, we'll lose jobs if we stop these practices' - as if the jobs would not be taken away anyway, like now.
I did write a hub about the toxic so-called low energy bulbs on the market not only filled with mercury but which have been shown to be damaging to the skin.
I think once we realized that we have been duped for decades - with the results being obvious with poor health - we can effect some change. As long as we did not see the devastation - manufacturers with their paid scientist could tell us that there is no scientific reasons we should be concerned about safety.
Change is probably going to happen because we really have no choice - decades of harmful toxins, and the results have finally opened our eyes.
When we were saving money to get out of debt we cut of Christmas Presents and Vacations for 1 year, and yes people made some remarks, but now that we are debt free I think we give the best gifts in the family because we can afford it. I little sacrifice goes a long way.
What a great way to save money abigail33 - and it should be a family project. Everyone sacrifices and everyone benefits and it just makes so much sense. Now I'm thinking why not give up cable for 6 months. I don't have cable and I am amazed at the amount of money people spend to watch TV - that was supposed to be commercial free but is not. Just 6 months and you'll probably save about $600.
Thanks for your input. Nice to meet you too, by the way!
thanks
You're welcome favouritetravel! Thanks for commenting!
I hate that too! Limp lettuce is really disgusting...
I'm gonna try stir-frying the lettuce. Great info in here, BK.
Try as you might knowledgeeater - you just can't find a way to enjoy that limp lettuce and I hate to throw it out. One hubber left a comment about trying it in soup. I'll try that one day.
Thank you PerfumeFan. Hope you like the lettuce stir fried. It has a nice taste and even tastes a bit crunchy.
Thanks for commenting!
Hi BK,
Great hub idea, and good tips. And thank you for not recommending that we reuse our toilet paper. Yes, that is going a bit too far. :) Steve
I like your saving tips with some healthy ideas to consider. I do exercise in an uphill park at least twice a week instead of buying a treadmill. You are right. It's worth it! I also like to eat ramen noodle soup but I just limit it, at least not more than two packs in a month. I agree with you. It is not good for your health. I like your idea when you exchange apartments with your friend. It is really a cheaper way of spending a weekend vacation. A change in the environment will help a lot of people to wind up and be energize on a weekend. Great hub!
Hello CarpetDiem! Thanks so much for checking out the hub. I admit - just reading that someone suggested reusing toilet paper keeps it floating around in my mind. Good grief. Nice to meet you by the way!
It makes so much sense TINA V - go out and exercise. When I lived in S. Korea, all the mountains and parks were filled with exercise equipment - thus offering all citizens equal access. And there was always fresh water - even solar toilets up in the mountains! I'm going to come and visit you now!
Thanks for the comments!
Great hub! You are right about Brooklyn, very unique. I used to live in Brooklyn. It was nice to read your hub and not get the similar information from everyone else. Thanks!
Hello from Brooklyn tim-tim! So glad you lived here - there is something for everyone although it is sooooo crowded now. In the last 5 years I'd say about double the population with tons of young people here for teaching jobs.
I'm glad you like the hub. Thanks so much for commenting!
GREAT ARTICLE BK...AN ABOUT MAPPING OUT DISTANCES WITH PEDOMETERS....I ALWAYS DID IT THE EASY WAY....JUST DRIVE IT AN WATCH THE ODOMETER...LOL....AN ABOUT REUSING TOILET PAPER...YOUR SO RIGHT.....PEOPLE FORGET YOU HAVE TWO SIDES TO IT! LOLLLL......(KIDDING) BUT GREAT ARTICLE MY FRIEND.......GONNA READ ALL YOUR HUBS AN OTHERS TOO... ;0)
MONEY?CASH?DOUGH?PROBLEM? http://kcinmors.blogspot.com
Very cool! What a lot of wonderful ideas! I recently bought a bottle of hand lotion that was WAY too aromatic (like made my eyes water and made me sneeze if I put it on my hands).I hated to throw it out. Then I decided to use it as bath oil! Works great! :D
In this hub of yours thrift and creativity go hand in hand. I loved the idea of making origami pajamas... I am a big fan of home made and hand made gifts and hampers.
Good stuff I like this. In these days we need to be innovative and you have done just that. Congrats and thanks a lot.
Ramkkasturi
Thank you BOSSDAWG! I think (secretly) most people do check out walking distance - in the car! And that toilet paper idea - intriguing, yes? Glad you joined hubpages!
Thanks kcinmors!
I get so many hand lotion gifts justmesuzanne - so tried it in the bath - and yes! it does work - who knew? Thanks for sharing that tip!
Thank you cashmere - I must say the origami pajamas was a big hit! I like the hamper idea too. A friend would buy baskets and fill it with nice things - good idea! Thank you!
I'm glad you used the word innovative ramkkasturi! We need to start using the creative brain. It works. Thanks for writing and nice to meet you too!
Thank you for the comments!
Great tips! We have cut down on eating out which was costing us way too much. Just stopping that one night a month saves us some serious cash.
Absolutely Adam80! - even a slice of pizza is $2.25 at my local pizza shop. I can buy a giant bag of my favorite black beans which would accompany probably a thousand meals. Once you do the math - wow! it does add up.
Thanks for your input!
nice hub and i learned lots of things. thansk and I will follow some of your tips.
Thank you midnightbliss. Nice to meet you too!
Great hub and it has inspired some really great comments - keep up the good work.
The comments are always priceless KwameG. I'm glad you read them and enjoyed them too. There is always some good input.
Thanks for writing!
You have some great ideas here. I haven't used the rubber gloves yet, but I have a sponge that works fine for picking up cat hair. I'll admit it's one "designed for the task" but it was $5 and I've had it for at least 5 years and anticipate having it at least 5 more.
Sounds like a good deal with the sponge. Something had to be done - I was living in a cat hair haven. It was so hard to find something that really worked. Thanks for passing along the sponge information!
Awesome Hub and it really couldn't have come at a better time!
Thanks so much JenDobson27! Nice to meet you too!
Great hub.
Thank you Jacob Darkley. Nice to meet you!
You did it again Bk, I expect no difference. I do the shampoo thing, but some of the others I never thought of. Thanks, I got to bookmark this one, because I'm into saving where ever I can.
Thank you fastfreta - always good to hear from you!
BK, I must try the rubber gloves. Our white cat leaves a mess when he sits on my lap and I was thinking about buying one of those new pet hair removal thingies. You just saved me some $!
I tell you, Delores Monet - that rubber glove was often the only way I could get out the house in the a.m. and not look like I ironed my clothes with a cat. No matter what I did (and here in NYC we wear a lot of black) cat hair was an issue. This saved my sanity. Just be sure to rub in one direction.(And of course I gave up first and just threw out a lot of clothes).
Hope this works for you!
We soak our lettuce in the sink with water as cold as you can get tap water and mix in ice cubes from the ice maker. Soak it and swish it around for about half an hour and then spin it in a lettuce spinner to remove the water and store it in the spinner in the fridge. our spinner will hold 2 romaine stalks. The lettuce will stay very crisp just like a restaurant for about 10 days. have been doing that for about a year now and we have a crisp salad with our supper every day.
Try it if you like crisp lettuce on a sandwich or a crisp salad.
Oh, I do like crisp lettuce. Thanks so much for this suggestion My 2 Sense. I'm sure others reading your comment will really appreciate your (money saving) tip.
Thanks for you input. I'm enjoying your hubs by the way.
You mentioned some money saving ideas that no one has ever discussed. I especially like the tip about using your "harsh" shampoo to clean the shower doors - works pretty good. And yea, I cringe at the fact I used it on my hair.
I'm glad you liked the tips lewgard. I tell you that shampoo cleans my tub better that anything I've ever used - and to think these products are sold to clean hair - yipes! Thanks for writing!
Time to save money Now. I liked the tips and going to implement these very soon!
Thanks for commenting deepanjana. I'm glad you liked the tips!
I'm going to have to try your rubber glove tip next time I need to clean up cat hair. Saving money while getting rid of fur sounds like the perfect combo!
So glad you like the rubber glove idea Rachel B. Great to meet you by the way!
Thank you for these excellent tips and hints. Perhaps some more when you have the time?
Thanks for the suggestion JustColl and I will work on it. I probably do a lot of money saving things that are just a way of life so I don't think about them.
Nice to meet you by the way!
Loved the tips - always looking to save money!
Thanks so much Esmeol12! Glad you loved the tips! I must find more to share!
How about saving on redecorating? Perhaps, making old furniture new again with upholstery fabrics or adding color to a room with some great new window treatments? A lot cheaper than buying new furniture especially if you buy your fabrics through fabric maven online.
What a wonderful hub and I bet tons of people will use your advice.
I posted your hub on my blog. You can find the link to my blog near the bottom of my profile page.
Cheers
Dale
So true Tracy Monroy - why not be creative! I'm a great believer of painting a room (with zero VOC paint of course)! Thanks for writing!
Great Dale Mazurek! Thanks so much. I'll head over your way. Glad you found the hub wonderful!
Thanks for commenting!
Very nicely written timely Hub !
Thank you FirstStepsFitness. I appreciate the compliment!
Very creative ideas! I've figured out that I can eat for about a week on a package of dried beans and brown rice. [sigh!] I can't believe this is the world we live in! What's worse is, I saw it coming 20 years ago and there was nothing to do about it then, either.
So true AngelaKaelin - we saw all this happening and when I spoke on it I was called a cynic. On the bright side I did prepare myself. It helps that I am a lover of beans - and not a meat/chicken eater. Beans have kept me healthy, happy and kept my weight down.
But one thing I don't have in the city is my own garden and that I need. When I had a garden many years ago I always had the absolute best of everything and rarely went to the market. Fresh food is also more filling and nurturing.
Thanks for writing. I'm enjoying your hubs!
very good ideas. I have found that my wife and I have saved tons of money simply by not eatign out and cooking at home more. I love to cook anyways, so it's a nice excuse. For $7 we made enough lasagna to last us three nights. That's a lot betetr deal then going out and getting a slice of lasagna for $12 at Olive Garden and leaving hungry! Good hub. Voted up! Useful!
I so agree with you about that PDXKaraokeGuy! By eating in I am saving a fortune and the food is sooooo much tastier. I fear too that so many chain restaurants are using GM ingredients because they are cheaper and last forever on the shelf. But have you noticed there is almost no aroma in restaurants anymore? Even when a dish is put in front of you - no aroma. Maybe this is why we leave restaurants hungry - no nutrition.
Thanks for writing!
Or feeling icky afterwards, though I cant complain about the bottomless soup and salad at the olive garden. That's a hell of a deal :-)
I do like that bread too PDXKaraokeGuy. I haven't been in ages though and didn't know about the bottomless soup - good way to fill us up. Well, I suppose if we must go, lunch menus are always supposed to be cheaper than dinner menu.
yep. it's 6.95 for bottomless soup and salad. I usually polish off four huge bowls of salad, two bowls of soup and 2-3 bread sticks
Love those bread sticks. And the price is right. I think it may be time for a loooong visit. Thanks. This is important information.
Ya, I usually sit there and write for a couple of hours and get all kinds of free refills :-)
Ah, we writers do learn how to be creative.
yes, indeed we do. Otherwise, our writing would be quite boring
prettydarkhorse Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
I like the way you title this article and the content BK< I am so glad to read this one firsthand, Lucky me, I devirginized your article, I learned so much about the lettuce as well, Great tips specially about the pedometer, and hey I wish I have a friend whom I can exchange places for a night hehe, Good night! Thank you! Maita