Making your own cleaning products has two great advantages. Depending on what types of cleaners and what brands you use, it can literally save you hundreds of dollars over a years time. But, home made cleaning products are non-toxic and chemical free and are completely safe to use around children and pets. It’s the perfect way to save money and create a healthier home.
Most people are completely misinformed when it comes to cleaning products. They believe that the only way they can clean really dirty areas or remove grease and grime is with harsh chemicals. This is simply not true at all. If you really think about it, people managed to keep their homes clean way before we had all these fancy cleaners in all these fancy containers!
Your great grandmother probably kept her home spotless and she did it without all of these foaming, bubbling cleaners that come in really neat packages and smell like flowers. Whether you are trying to find ways to save money, or you just want to get away from harsh chemicals, making your own cleaners is the perfect solution. It takes very little time and you’ll be amazed at how much money you can really save. Read more…
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In today’s economy, most of us have found ourselves needing to stretch every dollar. Many people are cutting back on entertainment, turning off lights when we leave the room and even adjusting our thermostats. We are taking less trips, eating out less and admiring this years fashions from afar. We are simply dreaming of our “wants” and only purchasing our “needs”.
One of our most basic needs is of course, food. It’s also one of the largest expenses most people have each month. There are a lot of different ways to save money on your grocery bill. You can use coupons, switch from name brands to generic and watch for sales. You can also sacrifice some of the foods you want for the foods you can afford. But, there are some other really easy ways that you can save money on groceries.
Make a Shopping List (and stick to it) Important!
One of the easiest ways to save money on groceries is to make a shopping list. However, the key to saving money with this easy step is to have the control to stick to the list and only purchase what you need. While it’s fine to splurge and now and then, impulse shopping greatly increases your total at the checkout. A grocery list can help you save money on gas. You’ll be less likely to forget something you really need and won’t have to make another trip.
When hunger is near, stay far away from the grocery store! Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry. Make a point to eat before you shop even if it’s just a quick snack. When you are hungry, everything in the store can have your mouth watering. And, your grocery cart will quickly be filled with items you didn’t intend to purchase.
Read more…
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food, Groceries
Buying the special made baby detergent can be quite a hit in your wallet. But with this you can save allot of money and still have detergent that is safe for your little ones, and you don’t have to worry about rashes on your babies due to what you wash your clothes in. You can wash all of the family’s clothes in this.
What you will need:
• 4 cups of water.
• 1/3 bar of cheap grated soap (ivory would be the best).
• 1/2 cup washing soda (not baking soda).
• 1/2 cup of Borax (20 Mule Team).
• 3 gallons of water.
• 5-gallon bucket for mixing.
You can get every thing you need at your local supermarket.
You can use a cheese grater to grate your soap. Take your grated soap and the four cups of water and mix in a large sauce pan. Place the heat on low and let the soap dissolve completely while stirring. After all has dissolved add the hot soap mixture to three gallons of water then add in your borax and washing soda then stir until it the mixture is thick. Place a clothe over the bucket to make sure nothing gets in it over night and let set for 24 hours. I am also sure that you can get some type of aroma that you may like to add into the mixture. But do not add the aroma into all of the detergent till you know what your baby may or may not be allergic to.
And that is it you just made home made laundry detergent. You may want to find some type of container to pour this in instead of keeping it in the bucket and that is easier to pour the desired amount into your wash load. You get more this way which will last longer and clean your clothes as good as the store bought brands. This is so simple that a kid can do it so don’t worry that you can not do this money saving tip. I mean it is not as easy as going to the store and buying a jug but you will be happy with the results.
Written by Tasha Slone 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com
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Pets are a part of many families lives and they are an important part at that. Pet owners want to give their animals the best care possible, however to do so can cost a pretty penny. Here are some ideas to give your pet the care and things it needs without spending all of that money.
The important thing for a new puppy or kitten is getting the early shots needed to protect them from diseases. Most animal shelters will do these shots for much less than the commercial veterinarians do. Rabies shots are required by law in all states, but the others, such as parvo and distemper are important to get as well. Check your local animal shelter for their prices.
There are companies that now offer health insurance for pets. Beware of these offers, as you will most likely pay more in premiums each year than would be spent otherwise. Often pets can be treated at home for minor injuries, and keeping them on a healthy diet and giving them the care they need will prevent the necessity for multiple trips to the vet. So bypass on the pet insurance.
Pets do NOT need fancy food to eat. The canned cat and dog foods that are specially prepared to look better than meals people eat will make great claims to their health benefits. In all actuality, those foods often upset their digestive system. The important thing is a good, vitamin enriched dry food and to be consistent with what is given. The vet you choose may have a preferred brand, but a good one will also tell you a cheaper alternative.
On the subject of veterinarians…choose carefully. There are standard rates for basic medical needs for pets such as shots or neutering, and many vets will charge nearly double those rates. Again, most animal shelters offer all the basic shots and will also spay or neuter your pet for a reasonable price.
The important thing to remember when deciding to get a pet for the family is to take into account this is a living thing. It will need care and money to provide that care. Make sure that you can afford a pet before you get one, and plan ahead before doing so. Your family and your pet will thank you for it.
By Angela Sangster Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010.
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We all look forward to it…the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. We dream of days on the beach or going camping…all the fun activities of the outdoors. What we tend to forget about is the intense heat that can come along with those summer months.
It is of course tempting to stay inside with the air conditioner cranked up…and then the power bill comes. As electrical rates continue to be on the rise, running the air conditioner all of the time can cost precious dollars your family needs.
Keeping the sun from coming directly in your house, especially between one and four P.M. will keep the cool air in your home more contained. These hours are generally the hottest part of the day, so you want the curtains drawn. Keep fans low to the ground as heat rises and the lower areas of the home will be cooler. After all, you don’t want hot air blowing around!
When you do use the air conditioner, start as early as possible to get the air in the home cooler…especially if you have a window unit. Once the home is cooled down, you can turn the air conditioner off and circulate the cooler air with fans…keeping your utility costs down. If you have central air, check into getting a programmable thermostat. This will make it easier to set cooling times for when they are most needed.
If you have an infant at home, it is of course important to keep the temperature as comfortable as possible. If you cannot use air conditioning, fill a bowl or small tub with ice. Place a small fan directly in front of the ice and tilt it upward toward the crib. This will bring the cool air towards them and is very effective.
Of course, always make sure there is plenty of water on hand…keeping the body at a comfortable temperature requires hydration. And sweat proudly! While it may be annoying, it is the body’s natural way of cooling down…so don’t sweat the sweat!
There’s no need to dread the heat if you keep these simple things in mind…so enjoy your summer!
By Angela Sangster, Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010
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I have been shopping online, comparing and taking notes, trying to decide what air mattress to buy for our camping trips. On most shopping sites you will see a user rating, usually with a series of stars to display the rating value on a scale of 1 to 5. These product reviews can be very helpful in making the choice on which one to buy. Of course this is true whether you are shopping for a new air mattress or most any other item.
Don’t just look at the rating number. Go ahead and read through the individual reviews. Remember that these product review/ratings are nearly always done by consumers who have already purchased that particular item. You will see that even when the majority of buyers recommend the item and say it is a great choice there will still be some who disagree. Perhaps they got a defective item or perhaps they are just harder to please. Either way look for a trend in the reviews. If, for example, you keep reading that the product fails (i.e. the air mattress does not hold air well) you should go on to a different model or brand.
Reading product reviews and ratings before you make a purchase can save you money. It helps you to avoid spending money on inferior products which you will usually end up buying again. Get what you want the first time and you will save money in the long run and you will get much better service out of your air mattress, camera, car, or anything else you buy.
You don’t have to make your purchase online to take advantage of product reviews and ratings. Use online shopping sites to research for those important purchases and once you make the decision what to buy you can purchase it locally.
Always remember that the actual dollar price you pay for something isn’t the only factor that determines whether or not you got a good value for your money. All too often folks go for the lowest price and forget about quality. Naturally you want the best quality you can get for the lowest price possible but always make your purchasing decisions with more in mind than a low price.
Neil Young said “You pay for this but they give you that” and that is exactly what happens when you are not careful. Be a wise shopper. Compare and learn before making that purchase.
Written by D Slone, Copyright 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com
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Discount coupon codes are just like getting free money! I always search for discount codes whenever I am shopping online and most of the time I do find them. It just takes a few minutes extra time to do this and it is well worth it when you save money. That’s what it’s all about! Saving your hard earned money whenever you can.
A few days ago I decided I was going to order one of those prepaid cell phones. I went over to the website of the company I had decided to buy a phone from and started looking around.
Before I made the decision on which phone to get I opened up a new browser and typed in the name of the company along with “coupon code”. I was able to find two coupon codes that I could use with my order which really helped me to save some cash!
The first discount coupon code I applied to the shopping cart took off $5 from the total purchase price. The second one gave me a free accessory kit (charger, case, hands free, etc) which was really awesome because I needed that and normally the cost was 14.95.
If I had not taken the time to do a quick search for discount coupon codes I would have spent 19.95 more for my cell phone and accessories! Now that was really an excellent savings and I can spend that twenty bucks somewhere else!
Whenever you are shopping online always take a few minutes to search for discount coupon codes. Personally I do a lot of my shopping online and whatever I am looking for I can almost always find a handy discount coupon code.
Discount coupon codes are easy to use. Generally you just enter the code into a special spot on the checkout screen, hit update total to apply the coupon code and voila instant savings. This is a really simple and easy technique you can use to save money on most things that you may order online. Never pay full price until you have searched for a discount coupon code and you are sure that none are available for that particular purchase.
Written by D. Slone, Copyright 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com
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With the economy squeezing every last cent out of our wallets, everyone is looking for the best ways to save money. Saving money on some things is fairly easy. You can always switch to generic brands and purchase items that are on sale. You can even skip a night out at the movies and cuddle on the couch to watch television. But, you have to go to work, go to the store and make other trips such as doctor visits.
If you drive you simply have to purchase gas and gas is the one thing that never goes on sale! In fact, seems like every time you have to stop at the pump, the prices are even higher. While you might not be able to find “generic” gas, there are some simple ways that you can make the gas you purchase take you farther.
*We all know that keeping our cars tuned up and in good running condition can extend the life of the motor. But, it can also help to increase your gas mileage substantially. Giving your car a tune-up can actually increase your mileage by as much as 25 percent. That means for every 40 miles you travel now, you’d be able to travel 50 miles!
*When you stop to get gas, take the time to check the air in your tires. If you tire is just one pound low on air pressure, it can increase gas usage as much as 6 percent.
*If you don’t already have steel belted radial tires, you might want to consider purchasing them the next time you need tires. By simply using this type of tire, you can get as much as 10 percent more mileage from every gallon of gas you buy.
*If you’re driving on the open highway, keep your windows rolled up and use your air conditioner. Having the windows down will actually have your car fighting against the wind and cause it to use as much as 10 percent more gas. If you are driving through town, you can save money on gas by turning your air conditioner off and rolling down the windows.
*Avoid letting your car idle as much as possible if you are going to be sitting in one place for longer than a minute. Leaving the car running while you are pumping gas, or running back in the house to grab your shopping list uses a lot more gas than turning it off and restarting it when you are ready to go on your way.
Written by Connie Corder, Copyright 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com
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Cooler
Buy yourself an insulated cooler (or dig that one out of the closet or garage) and you can save some serious money, especially during the summer months when we tend to travel more.
As funny as it may sound a nice cooler is actually an investment. You will also want to get a few of those reusable ice packs depending upon the size of your cooler. When we get ready to take a trip, even a short one we usually throw some drinks into the cooler along with some ice packs from the freezer.
Later on when we are out on the road and the kids start saying “I’m thirsty!” you can give them what you already have, chilled and in the cooler. No need to stop at a “convenience” store and pay those ridiculous prices ($1.89 for a cold drink?) and for those who have several children a stop for refreshments can be an expensive one.
Insulated Cooler
Of course you can also pack in some lunch meat, condiments or even candy bars. If you shop wisely you can be out on the road and have candy bars or other snacks, often at less than 20% of what it would cost in a “convenient” store. How did the world get to the point where people seem to be willing to pay more for a 20 ounce drink than they would for an entire 2 Liter or nearly a 6 pack; of the same exact brand and flavor to boot.
When you go to the grocery store and your are making plans for those dinners also consider family trips. It doesn’t just Think about how often you stop at a convenient store to get snacks and drinks. Or when you pay for your gasoline – do you also grab yourself a treat?
Take a few minutes of preparation and bring that stuff along with you in a nice insulated cooler or ice chest!
Written by D Slone, Copyright 2010 SaveMoneySpot.com
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Earlier, I had done a post about taking the time to make things ahead rather than stop at a drive thru or convenience store..and how much can be saved by taking a few steps extra. I decided to try a little experiment.
I made a list of some basic items…coffee, bread, milk, and a gallon of juice for the kids. I went to the convenience store on the corner (two blocks away) and checked the prices of the items in their “off” or generic brands. They were as follows (before the 1% sales tax):
Coffee (11.3 0z can) $3.99
Juice (gallon) $2.79
Bread (1 loaf) $2.19
Milk (gallon) $3.99
______
$12.96
I then went to the supermarket that is 3/4 of a mile away from my home. I found the coffee in the larger can for only two dollars more ($5.99), the juice concentrate which makes two quarts cost $.89. two of which would add up to a gallon, making the total cost for a gallon of juice $1.78. The loaf of bread was $.88, and the gallon of milk was $2.19.
By going a few extra blocks and taking just a small bit of time and effort, I was able to save $2.11, and ended up with twice the coffee as going to the convenience store. I used these items because they are the ones that are most often bought, and they are at the top of many grocery lists. When one thinks of how often these items are bought…and how much money one shopping trip saved…it gives pause to wonder if “convenience” is worth it.
By Angela Sangster, Copyright SaveMoneySpot 2010.
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