Practical tips for saving money without going crazy in the process!
Apr 24th, 2010 by Kathy
Tomorrow’s Smart Source insert contains a $1 off coupon for Marcal Small Steps Toilet Paper or Tissues and a $2 off Small Steps TP. These can be used at Marc’s (Small Steps TP 4 pack is $0.99) to get free TP!
Most Marc’s stores will allow you to buy 2 packs for free with the $2 coupon. Also the $1 coupon can be used at Giant Eagle to get very cheap or free facial tissues. I’ve ordered extra coupons off eBay for this deal and we’re stocking up!
Mar 16th, 2010 by Kathy
Several weeks ago we ran out of our store-bought dishwasher detergent. Instead of buying more, we decided to finally try making our own. Those of you who follow me on Facebook probably saw my initial glowing review, where I wrote that I thought it was the best thing I’d ever used. Well, my opinion has changed. After using it for several weeks, we noticed a film that kept building and building on our dishes until they all felt kind of gritty. I still can’t figure out how they looked so good the first few days and then went downhill so fast!
The recipe I used was from About.com’s Frugal Living Section and consisted of equal parts of borax and baking soda. I don’t recommend it!
I was very disappointed with the long-term results of using the homemade detergent, first because I’m frugal and I like anything that will help save my family money, and second because I really like the idea of making my own cleaners. When you make your own cleaners you know what’s going into them and they are safe for the environment. So I’m not giving up and will continue my quest for a recipe that works!
In my initial research, I did come across three other recipes for dishwasher detergent. In the interest of time, I was wondering if any of my readers would be willing to become guinea pigs…er…researchers and help me test out these additional recipes?
If you’re interested, please leave a comment below and I’ll be in touch!
Mar 2nd, 2010 by Kathy
Before we had children or even before our second child was born, we were able to give to charity much more freely and in much larger amounts than we are now. Both my husband and I wish we could still give monetarily like we used to. One way we have found that we can still give and help those in need is through my use of coupons.
By couponing and playing the drugstore game, I often get things for free. Currently we have over a dozen bottles of shampoo in the basement. It would take us forever to use up all that shampoo! Throughout the year, as we get excess items, I put boxes together and donate them to a few different local shelters. The items you can most often get for free or really cheap like boxed or canned foods, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, maxi pads, and cleaning supplies are things that shelters and other social service organizations are in need of.
Other ideas for giving when you don’t have money to give include:
I’m sure there are many other opportunities out there. What have you done to give back?
