Ways to save money

[shell4you_etsy]

The reason I posted my comment above is due to the fact that a Diva Cup was mentioned in a post as a way to save money...but from what I have read, there may be health risks for some women.

the health risks are no different then those possible from a tampon except less likely. I have since tried it, but not for long since the key reason for not being able to use it is if one has an IUD in, and i had one inserted about a month after buying the cup. Speaking to doctor i learned if i wanted to try the cup with the iud in i could it was up to me it just wasnt the most recomended. (if sucktion wasnt broke, could partly pull the iud out is the thought)

[AngJacob]

If everyone in your house is a non-smoker - call the company that you have your home-owner insurance with and ask if they have a non-smokers discount. Many companies do but they won't tell you unless you ask!

thats great hidden secret ,will call insurance and check with them .

[AngJacob]

I read the comment about printer ink being outrageously priced in one of the links posted by Ashedfc.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to save on printer ink (besides not using the printer)? I have an ink jet printer and it costs me a lot of money every time one of the ink cartridges has to be replaced. I thought about filling one of the cartridges with water, but someone told me that it could wreck the machine if I did that.

we got our ink from Amazon.com around Nov the price was only $11and few cents for 10 cartridge (sale) and shipped it to my family in the US they brought it when they came to visit.

[lor1492]

I did actually read this entire thread in one setting....lol. It was either this or re-runs, this was better!
1) I used cloth diapers with 2 of my kids, and I made them myself. I'm not an expert sewer. I picked up a diaper at a thrift shop, took it apart and used it for a pattern. I had to experiment to find a decent waterproof barrier and get the hang of it. I ended up choosing rubber backed curtains from thrift shops as the outside layer, as well as flannel sheets and layers of thick quality towels, also got my elastic, velcro and thread at the thrift shop. (even bought the sewing machine there) If you have to buy them, they are very expensive! I made doublers out of the scraps and bought extra diaper covers at thrift stores. I used pampers at night (otherwise you spend a fortune washing bedding) If you are pregnant now, start looking at thrift stores for cloth diapers, I highly recommend every mom having at least a dozen, you never know when they might be needed (snow storm etc). I hung mine to dry summer and winter (vinegar in the rinse water) and fluffed them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften.
2)freezing onions is great - but a note of caution- the first time I tried it (I was young) I didn't blanch or cook first, all my frozen fruit/berries ended up tasting like onions and I had to throw it all out - peppers bought in lg quantity in the fall can be easily frozen without blanching, in quarters with seeds removed (I save for planting)- least amount of work in terms of freezing something. If you are cutting a lot of peppers for the freezer make sure you wear gloves- I wish I'd had that advice the first time I did it, instead of sitting up all that night with my hands in icewater....lol
3) I buy each of the kids a pumpkin to carve Halloween morning- that night I cut up and make into pie filling, which I freeze in 2c ready to use amounts. I can use it in muffins too
4) I buy bottles of ink on ebay to refill my ink cartridge- what I difference in what i spend!
5) We get eggs from a farmer, they are bigger, organic and half the price - you CAN freeze eggs, ice cube trays work best for this- poke a hole in the yolk with a sterile needle - not great for frying when thawed, ok for scrambled, best for cooking (once frozen, dump out of tray and store in a good airtight container).
6)I have 2 clothes drying racks I use in winter, I just fluff on air dry to soften- when I do use the dryer I use a rag dipped in liquid fabric softener instead of dryer sheet. Still on the same bottle after 2 years. (a little liquid softener mixed with water in spray bottle can be used to cut rug static in winter, freshen drapes and will strip wallpaper with ease saving hours of scraping) Paint the clothes racks with oil based paint otherwise the sap from the wood bleeds through onto the clothing
7)we don't have cell phones - quite honestly I don't want people to be able to track me down 24/7 and pay for being annoyed
8) we buy in fall for summer and spring for winter IE I bought a $600 pool in Sept 09 for $200, set up in 2010. I got chemicals and accessories on Kijiji. Yes we spend on water to fill but save a fortune on air conditioning and/or taking the kids to the beach. I soak, scrub, bleach and reuse the filters at least 3 times
Last spring I bought 3 nice snow suits and 3 pr of winter boots at sears for $100 total, gave as xmas gifts,(total before discount was $325) last fall I bought short sets and sandals for $1 ea at LW and I'll give as gifts at easter (I buy extras for gifts so when the kids are invited to parties I have nice inexpensive gifts to give)
9)We also reuse all our gift bags, tissue and boxes, I make gift tags from recycled cards. I also whip up reusable gift bags from worn out clothes when I've got time. Worn jeans make cute pillows for teens and tweens, and they can keep notes and clips in the pockets.
9) In aug we still take the kids to a swimming hole (for a change of scene) where there are wild berries thick on the vine. After a swim the kids help me pick- I freeze and make into jam or syrup later. I also get berries at U-picks, fish at U-fish. In NS kids can fish without a license.
10) We got a slushie maker on freecycle and use real fruit juice instead of the pricey sugared garbage at 7/11- kids love making them too
11) one of the kids can't stand me turning off the heat at night, she always finds it cold so I send her to bed with a hotwater bottle (I can heat water for cleaning on my woodstove too- just keep a big preserve pot on the back so its always hot and replace what I take out and it also keeps the air from getting too dry)
12) we get our firewood at a steal. We met an older retired guy who mentioned that even though he didn't burn wood anymore he still cut and split it from his property for exercise. We asked if he'd sell it to us, so every year we get it at $50 a cord (the usual going rate is $200) We frequently see people on Kijiji giving firewood away, or selling it cheap because they got rid of the stove or other reasons- we don't go after it, we could use it but we get a good deal so we leave that stuff so others can benefit
13) I also use vinegar and soda for cleaning but I also use alcohol in a spray bottle with water, used like lysol and I also buy peroxide for stains in the laundry, works like oxy but a lot cheaper
14) Nova Scotia also has a pharmacare plan for low income and seniors, we can't use it but i thought I'd post the info for others
15) I make/cook a lot from scratch but I also compare price per person per meal, IE I can usually serve frozen pizza cheaper per person than I could make it.
16) I make no secret in my neighbourhood that I'll take hand-me-downs for the kids so when they want to get rid of clothes (and one lady spends an insane amount on brandname clothes for her girls they hardle wear) they just drop them off here and I donate what I can't use.
17) I talked to some of the neighbours with gardens and they give me some produce, I give them some finished preserves, I figured out that when I'm generous with the preserves, the following year they add more or different produce/ berries/fruit. Sometimes we swap preserves too so we all have more variety.
18) when the kids take an apple or orange and don't finish I use them to freshen the air, put them in a sm pot or tin can with water and a pinch of cinnimon and put them on the wood stove, but you can also put them in a tuna can over heating vents etc. I'll also throw those scraps along with lemon or orange peels/ apple cores/peelings into the freezer to use later. Add drop of vanilla from time to time, it smells so yummy!
19) I shop the thrift stores but I try to buy the most when they have bag sales. Fill a garbage bag for $10 is my fav
20) I give good quality second hand stuff for gifts- anyone who doesn't appreciate it didn't deserve it in the first place
21) I make a lot of stuff, You'd be shocked what you can make with cardboard, plastic containers, fabric scraps and a glue gun! (if you'd like to see some of the stuff we make for the kids PM me and then you can send a friend request for facebook, I've got some pictures posted there)
22) we volunteered to tear down a 16x 20 deck, we cut off the damaged ends and used it to build a 10x12 deck for our own house. It cost us about $100 for nails, paint and post blocks. We even used the cut off ends from the deck boards, we trimmed them and used to build a picket fence around a couple of our gardens.
23) we used scraps of plywood from freecycle to build the kids a pirate ship! its about 30" wide, 10 ft long and it can hold 8 kids, we used a discarded round table to make rockers so it moves like its on the water (a bit like a see-saw) and we used old stair treads for benches and the plank to walk (we picked up costumes and decorations at the $$ store) and used a broken patio umbrella for the mast and sail. I did spend $40 on trimclad paint so it would last longer. I tried to get the paint on freecycle but no luck, however in cities like TO you can often get free paint at transfer stations.
24) if you are planning renovations or need appliances try your local Habitat for Humanity store- awesome deals there on windows, doors, counters, cupboards, ceramic tiles and so much more- plus the money goes to a good cause
25) if you need new roofing call building supply places and ask if they discount broken bundles of roofing shingles, they often do. Also call a roofing /siding company and ask about left overs of roofing or siding removed from a building (if you need to do a shed or playhouse) - they would often prefer to have someone willing to take it than to pay tipping fees at a dump.
26) we save copper scraps - hubby designed a little tool from a screw and a wood scrap that easily helps us strip copper from wires, we just toss it in a tote until we save enough to make it worthwhile and then take it along with our bottles to a recycle depot once or twice a year. All our friends and family save cords from discarded appliances and tools for us. Sometimes I see copper at thrift stores in the form of a decoration, if its damages the ladies give it to me cuz they know me so well....lol)
27) Kids sport offers subsidized sports programs for low income families and so do many community programs ie if you call the YMCA/YWCA and explain your situation they offer forms to let you sign your kids up for all kinds of things, including sleepovers and day camps for a small fee or nothing. Many town and city recreation programs offer the same.
28) many disability groups (ie Let Abilities Work in NS) will help with the cost of hearing aids, computers and special devices/software. Depression is included with their covered conditions. I know because they bought my neice a computer and paid for her to attend community college.
29) one lady mentioned a 50 mile yardsale and that reminded me of something, we have a lot of them here, great community things that cut gas when you want to get to a lot of sales in one day, but every year I hear many people say,"if someone were selling bug spray they'd make a fortune". After the one last spring I asked someone at the beginning of the route if i could set up in their driveway and I'm going to sell avon samples of Skin so soft and OFF wipes. Hubby was thinking of setting up in another spot mid route with the BBQ and selling hamburger/hotdogs- I think we'd make out like bandits since its a country route. So if you know of a busy annual yardsale route ask someone along the route for permission to set up with them, 98% people will say sure because the more that people can see in one spot the more likely a buyer is to stop and look.
30) I buy every foil pie plate or tart pan I can find at thrift or yard sales- little ones are perfect for making lunch snacks and I can use the larger ones to give pies away at christmas.
32) I also read alot of DIY books and mags, craft mags, candlemaking, preserves, HHH books etc, if i can learn something from it I take it, but only through freecycle or thrift stores - I want to keep for reference later.
I've got more but peoples eyes are probably bugging out by now...lol

[lor1492]

so sorry! for whatever reason my spacing didn't appear when I posted causing it to all run together - so hard on the eyes!

[lyssapaquette475]

Combine coupons with sales, and just buy what is on sale that month.. if you buy a lot of it, eventually there will be a selection at your place (can be hard the first couple weeks).

Cook from scratch (or near scratch) as much as possible.

buy the meat on sale and freeze it.

Use plates instead of saran wrap to cover stuff, the wrap adds up (and adds to landfills).

Go in with your friends on bulk purchases if need be

the inside wrap of cereal can be re-used as parchement paper

buy cheaper plastic containers for all your food to re-use rather than little baggies (started this a few months ago for the environment, as was surprised when I started saving money right away!)

Turn the heat waaay down at night (about 10) and just pile on the blankets
Edit: I turn the heat up first, to make it nice, then way down for the night.

You can find cheap breadmakers at garage sales, value village, and occasionally london drugs.. they are actually worth it for the money you save, and you get more variety.

Bread maker also allows you to make your own pizza dough.. if you stocked up on ingredients (cheese and pepperonni freeze well, pineapple goes on sale) you have pizza for next to nothing!

Always pack a lunch

Try Freecycle if you suddenly need a microwave, etc

Try the library for books to read, and dvd's.. I was suprised at the selection in regina!

carpool if you drive

cook in bulk and freeze the extra- less money spent on food on the go

A deep freeze was one of the best birthday investments I made money wise... if you stock up on what is on sale (and have coupons to boot!)

I am sure there is more, but you are probably sick of this list by now

That pretty much sums up my life of saving i would also add.
Try to do one load of laundry instead of lots of little loads it saves money

[marchBB]

.

[lor1492]

ever buy firestarter for your woodstove/ fireplace? you can make it from sawdust, dryer lint and cardboard egg cartons (or tims cup holders) and wax scraps:
mix lint and sawdust, fill each cardboard cup, melt your wax scraps and pour a spoonful over the stuff in the cup, cool and tear off a cup as you need it - works like a charm!

after you clean a paintbrush put a rubber band over the bristles, instead of the bristles starting to stick out or fray at the sides it will be good for many uses, even $$ store brushes.

you don't have to clean a paintbrush if you plan to use it again anytime in the next 2 weeks for the same color (saves water and work) put in plastic bag, squeeze out the excess air and tie the bag (double bag for oil base paint) and put in the freezer. Take it out about an hour before you want to use it.

I buy whole milk and mix 1 L water for 2L milk, get a consistancy of about 2% - this saves me about $60 a month - just remember small babies/children shouldn't have 2%, they need the fat - or so my Dr said.

most recipes that call for milk will turn out just as well with water or a smaller portion of milk (don't forget to replace the milk you take out with other liquid)

If you need a computer ask call center employees if their company sells them cheap - hubby's company replaces the computers about once a year and they sell the "old" models to employees for $50. We've gotten a lot of computers for people this way.

I save clear bakery trays to put stuff in for my yardsales - or to make up gifts of baked goods at Christmas

When your neighbours are thinning out their garden ask for the bulbs/plants they don't want. I offered to do it for a neighbour last year and they gave me hundreds of dollars in plants.

I have 2 sets of mini blinds for my house, dark ones for summer, light ones for winter. I picked up most of them at yardsales for $1 or less - well worth the energy savings.

In addition to a freezer, a food processor is a fantastic investment, especially if you want to freeze produce in the fall when its the cheapest

I bought a case of little chubs drinks (these are smaller bottles with twist tops) and reuse the bottles for juice for the kids lunch. i can make up 24 at a time and I freeze them, they usually thaw by lunch and double as an ice pack in their lunch- its a lot cheaper than tetra packs


I find a bag of 12 glow sticks ($1) to be cheaper than buying batteries for flashlights and safer than candles - the white or yellow are the brightest- this is a power outage suggestion

[lor1492]

we put a screw just below our thermostat lever to prevent the kids from cranking up the heat above 20 first thing in the morning or when we were going out. (we use the furnace to take the chill off the house while we are waiting for the stove coals to catch.) Before we did that we'd get up some mornings to find our teens had turned it up as far as it would go and we were all cooking! This doesn't work for the dial type thermostat.

[lor1492]

if you make up large amounts of things for the freezer, (berries or meatballs for example), freeze them spread out on a cookies sheet first so they don't all stick together when you put them in a bag, that way you can take out just the amount you need with no left-overs or excess.

[Valiant]

Eat according to the portion-size and amout of the Canada Meal Guide.

[Blue Flower]

1. I barely used wipes for my babies (big kids now)...., I always wash them with water beside it is more clean and hygenic I think....
2. I save the wash cloth from my babies and used it in dinner table (if we don't have guest) so we barely buy "Bounty"/paper towel. The size is small if it is not to dirty, you can just wash it with water and hang it to dry.
3. I prefer hand wash the dishes and dry it on my dishwasher, save on electric bill and also diswasher cleaner. I can guarantee you this one and I have compare with my neighbour who use dishwasher in daily basis. I did use it once twice a month to keep it clean and hygenic. Always wipes the drip.
Many many more that I can think of but I am running out of time now...I will post more....try it...

[ilovecoupons23]

We are now trying to clear out our cupboards and freezer...last year we threw out so much food because it either expired or got freezer burn lol.

Twice a week we try to eat something from the freezer, and I try to not buy as much bread, produce and milk because it always went bad..I was throwing so much money down the drain!

So far i've been surprised at how much money I was able to cut from our weekly grocery bill just by eating what we have in the house instead of buying more stuff.

I suggest everyone to try this for a week and see how it goes

[lor1492]

that is really true: re eating what you already have. I found the same thing, as well as so much left over waste, especially with the kids, they'd open crackers then leave them on the table, come home with cereal bars banged up in their lunches that they hadn't opened but were crumbs from getting crushed between juice and apple, being bumped around all day. Just things like that. Our family was filling a huge organic container each week and it was keeping me up nights / giving me bad dreams.

When the kids first came here I tried to tempt their appitite to get them to eat by offering them several things, that seemed necessary at the time but after a couple of years it had turned into a situation where the kids acted like it was a restaurant and I seemed to be cooking/cleaning all day, ie breakfast was toast for one, pancakes for another, oatmeal for the third - it took a while to change it but now I don't ask what they want, I make what I have extra of or I know what needs to be used up - if the eggs are a week from expiring thats what they get, even if its for lunch, some times I'll even make french toast for supper if I know these things must be eaten. I don't "make" them eat it, but if they don't they can't be looking in the fridge 20 minutes later.
Those (unopened) banged up things that come back in their lunch bag get saved whenever possible- I can crumble cereal bars and use them for topping on muffins and apple crisp. The kids hate bread crust- it use to bother me to see that thrown out, but now I cut the crust off ahead of time, in anticipation of the request, instead of after, when it already has butter or mustard on it, I can freeze them to make bread crumbs later.
I also travel a distance to get groceries, so when I do I buy a lot, often about 2 months worth - so I have to clean out the freezer, fridge and cupboards the day before to make sure everything will fit - I always dicover things I'd forgotten about or know needs to be used so I came to the conclusion that regular cleanouts reduces waste.

I freeze left overs as much as I can rather than putting them in the fridge,(I find its more likely to be used if I do) because chances are no one wants it 2 days in a row, so if I use small containers, a lot of it can be used in the kids lunches - ie I hate reheating pasta, I only like it fresh, but the kids love taking left over pasta to school and heating it in the mircowave so left over pasta is always saved for that.

[Sangi]

Hello

I just want to add something , I honour your high sense of good morality .
I know for sure that those little napkins and salt and pepper packs along with the the ketchup are all there to be used . Actually restaurants, and hotels do take it into consideration when they stock items that it is to be expected that poeple will walk away with some things hence the cost is are already worked into the system , so those little bars of soap and conditioner and ketchup are already paid for by you the customer ...