1. The most important thing to remember is that what works for me- may not work for you.
Often people want to tell someone else "how it should be done". Each family uses different products for different reasons. For instance:
Assuming both families even use Paper towels:
1 Family one has Mom, Dad, 16 year old daughter, 5 year old boy and 24 month old boy
Needs good strong paper towels for quick clean up of a two toddlers.
2 Family Two has Mom, Dad, 16 year old son, 15 year old son
Needs all purpose paper towels as not too many messes to clean up. Any thing will do
Carpet Cleaners
1. Family has quick spills but not too strong of the stains. Mostly juice and milk. Father is white collar worker.
2. Same family as #2 above needs strong cleaner because the 16 year old is taking mechanics class and forgets to take his shoes off. Family live on a farm. Strong cleaner needed
I hope you see my point.
Now for the good stuff. Times have changed from that of your Grandparents and Great Grandparents. We use different products than they once did. While generic or store brand may have been cheaper at one time, that is not necessarily true today. If your family wont eat it - it is a waste of money- no matter what you paid for it! Plain and simple.
However, I can share a few tips with you that can increase your families like for the cheaper products.
1. Start from scratch. I have a group called Homemade Mixes. It has recipes for making your own mixes and recipes for how to use the mixes in everyday cooking.
No, It does not take more time to prepare using the homemade mixes. The trick is to take a day and make up all your mixes. Label them and add recipes that go with them. Now you have created your own mixes. No need to run to the market to purchase anything. Thus saving that gas you would use at the last minute trip.
2. Cook "simply" back to basics cooking has the best flavor. We had friends over for dinner one night. I was out of my canned corn so I opened a can and drained most of the water off to use in the gravy. . I added a teaspoon of sugar, pepper and butter. Let it boil for a bit. While we were eating, the elderly man said "You home canned this, didn't you? I can tell. It is so good." I just smiled and felt bad for his elderly wife. They were no longer able to raise a garden. After dinner, I shared my tip with her. She called the next day and said "It worked".
My tip is to use lots of spices. It is amazing how they can transform a simple food into a wonderful dish. Cook Simple.
3. Use Coupons. Often coupons will bring a sale item down below the generic product price. Once you learn the techniques that work for you... not someone else,........ You will be able to save money. Sometimes it is possible to even MAKE money while shopping. Yes, it can be done. You can find tips for this in my group CVS,Rite Aid & More.
4. Make your own cleaning supplies.
Have you ever took the time to see how much of your grocery money goes to cleaning supplies? A gallon of vinegar, , baking soda, peroxide, dish washing liquid, essential oils of your choice, a few rags , a bucket, a couple spray bottles and you are good to go. You can clean anything with these simple cheap products. The house will smell nice and it will be disinfected.
5. Enjoy life. I have found that the more I am outside in nature, enjoying life as simply as possible, I eat healthier and the food tastes better. Gather those wild plants that are edible and enjoy them. Enjoy life and save money at the same time.
EXTRA TIP:
To make a great upholstery and carpet cleaner, mix about a teaspoon dishwashing liquid, some essential oil and some warm water. Works great! Baking soda will clean the spills when wet with the solution, let stand a bit and add some baking soda, use a toothbrush and scrub in. Clean as usual. Baking soda will also remove the scents from your carpet. Remember to test on a spot before using it.
REMEMBER: What works for one family wont work for all families. Find what works for you. Now I would love it if shared your tips with us.
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Comments: 37
I noticed here lately, that most of the stores in my area have a lot of the "off brand" things on sale each week and barely any name brand things which makes it hard to use coupons for. :(
I've realized the floor streaks LESS if occasionally I just hot mop it with no cleaner. If I want it to look really good, I find myself re-mopping it with a rinse of clear water AFTER I Murphy's Oil Soap it.
I do almost all my cooking from scratch. I considered your homemade mixes. I think it's time for me to start making my own baking mix. Right now I just start with flour, fat, salt, baking soda and milk and do it all each time...
I cook more than one meal at a time...especially if I am using the oven. It saves on fuel.
I only buy things with coupons that I normally buy. I don't buy just because I found a coupon.
Do all your errands at one time or close together to save on gas.
Our Aldi's stores have very fresh vegetables. I shop there first. I am lucky because the larger grocery store is right across from it. I go there after Aldi's.
Our Sam's club has very nice chicken and ground beef. I buy bulk from there. I will make meatballs and little meatloaves in small pans and freeze them. The meatballs can be used for meatball sandwiches, spaghetti and meatballs, and for stuffing large shells, manicotti, etc.
I use denture tablets to freshen up my huband's thermos. Fill the thermos with warm water and drop in a tablet or two.
Shaving cream will remove soap scum from fiberglass tub and shower surrounds.
I'm searching the site right now for some interesting content that would be a great addition to the new Gather group called 'Mother's Day 2008'.
I found this article and would love for you to post this to the group because these tips are great for mothers or anyone who takes care of their family. Mother's Day 2008 is a group that celebrates the moms and mother figures in our lives and I know that all the new group members would really like to see this in the group.
Thanks so much!
I use vinegar and water to clean countertops and my laminate floor. It works great and everything smells clean afterwards.
Call your local Big Lots Store. They have them in our area. Also if you could find an estate auction, they usually have them.