Saving money

[bzmomo7]

In the tough economic times that we are in right now, I was curious how many of you are trying to save money and how you are doing it. I thought it would be neat to have a whole thread on ways we can save. We are doing some interesting things lately. I'll just name a couple.
1. I am making almost all of my breads homemade now (and that is a whole LOT of it!).
2. I'm making my own laundry detergent from washing soda, borax and soap flakes, using vinegar for softener...it is "green" and cheap.

[Bakershalfdozen]

Hey, could you share the "recipe" for the laundry detergent? Sounds interesting...

[Guest Guest]

could you share some of your bread recipes, too? :smile

[matie-k]

Could you share some of your motivation and energy while you're sharing stuff too?

[bzmomo7]

This is one recipe and has other info you might want to know about it.....this is the "gel" type.
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

There is also a powder version where you grate (very finely) 1c of soap and add it to 1/2c each of washing soda and borax. Use 1Tbs. per load of laundry. Right now I'm using the powder, it seems to work fine so far.....it is not as economical as the gel though. I plan on trying it, too. There are several videos on-line, too that show people actually making them.

[bzmomo7]

Could you share some of your motivation and energy while you're sharing stuff too?

Don't worry, Matie, that'll come back in a few months. Lydia is 5mo. now.....I'm just now starting to feel like I'm part of the real world again! (although, I am still sitting here typing one handed while she gives her "opinion"!)

[matie-k]

A few years back, I remember telling a friend that it took me around 6 months to feel like myself again after having a baby. I thought I was doing better this time around, but these past few days have been SO tiring, and I'm feeling like that! --> :bonK:

[kevinmiller]

I'm trying to eat out less. Not cause of the tough times but because I haven't gotten paid for a full month of teaching yet so cash is low. :frog

[Guest Guest]

Could you share some of your motivation and energy while you're sharing stuff too?

Yes! Please share this with OB. Thanks in advance...bzmomo7. :smile

[Guest Guest]

Don't worry, Matie, that'll come back in a few months. Lydia is 5mo. now.....I'm just now starting to feel like I'm part of the real world again! (although, I am still sitting here typing one handed while she gives her "opinion"!)

What is my excuse? Oh, yeah...we have moved. It is exhausting. Katie...keep that in mind, too. You are back in China. I just moved over one city. LOL. I dislike moving. :yawn:

[bzmomo7]

Yes! Please share this with OB. Thanks in advance...bzmomo7. :smile

How 'bout I share some of my kids!? Now THAT is sharing energy indeed! (I'm j/k for those sensitive folks out there. )

[Guest Guest]

How 'bout I share some of my kids!? Now THAT is sharing energy indeed! (I'm j/k for those sensitive folks out there. )

Sure! I'll trade you my 2 dogs. :lol j/k. They are adjusting...I guess.

[bzmomo7]

Sure! I'll trade you my 2 dogs. :lol j/k. They are adjusting...I guess.

Oh, man, our dog (puppy) is nearly as much work as the baby! I was thinking I'd done a good job of hijacking my own thread until it occurred to me how much money a "trade" would save me! My teenagers just about eat us out of house and home. Anyone have any money saving ideas for THAT?

[brosmith]

In the tough economic times that we are in right now' date=' I was curious how many of you are trying to save money and how you are doing it.[/quote']

The best way to save money is to become debt free. The key to becoming debt free (and staying debt free) is to prioritize your finances into needs, wants, and desires:

Needs - necessities of life (such as food, clothing, shelter)
Wants - comforts of life (such as furniture, appliances, automobiles)
Desires - luxuries of life (such as eating out, vacations, investments)

We think we need the comforts of life but we really don't need them. We want them. Why? To make our life more enjoyable. We think we need the luxuries of life but we really don't need them. We desire them. Why? To pamper ourselves and make ourselves feel good. However, one who is in debt cannot afford to spend money on anything that is not necessary for survival. If you only spend money on your needs and you use all other money to pay down debt then you will save thousands in interest payments.

[Guest Guest]

Oh, man, our dog (puppy) is nearly as much work as the baby! I was thinking I'd done a good job of hijacking my own thread until it occurred to me how much money a "trade" would save me! My teenagers just about eat us out of house and home. Anyone have any money saving ideas for THAT?

Oh...they are such work. LOL. I don't remember our son being as much work as this little Pomeranian. :lol

Hubby, my son, my brother, and the doggies are ALL eating us out of house and home. Now, I get the call from my brother about what we are having for supper everyday. :Green They eat anything that "isn't nailed down" as my mom would say. :smile

We are buying in "bulk" again. It saves us more in the long run.