Add some UMPH to your Dish Soap!

In an attempt to keep your dish soap lasting longer and working harder for you - VINEGAR is your best friend!

When you buy Dish Soap, add 3 - 5 Tablespoons of Vinegar and shake. This adds extra cleaning power, and you will find you don't need to use as much!

Give it a try, let me know if it works!!!

Why pay for someone else to do your laundry?!

Did you know that Manufacturers slap on a "Dry-Clean Only" tag to carry the least amount of liability for mislaundering....google it! Few fabrics are really damaged by laundering with water. So if you let your common sense be your guide, most items in your closet can be laundered.

Dry cleaning can actually add up annually. Let's say you spend $10 - $20 a month on dry cleaning, that's about $200 a year that could be going into a savings account for the unexpected flat tire or dental work.......so next time you'd rather have someone else wash and iron your husband's shirt, grit your teeth, take a deep breath and do it yourself, you'll be saving money and in the long run, your bank account will thank you!

Free Febreze!

So when your bottle of Febreze is empty, don't throw it away.

Instead fill it up with water and add 1 cup of fabric softener and voila you've made your very own Febreze.

Super Quote Wednesday

"This too shall pass!"

When life is crazy and things feel overwhelming I remind myself that, "this too shall pass." Nothing will stay the same forever, everything we experience is seasonal, there will be an end and something new will take its place; that's the wonderful cycle of existence that God has established.

So when your debt seems too high, your child just won't use the potty, your life seems too disorganized for peace, and you can't remember the last time you had a full nights rest, just tell yourself: "This too shall pass!"

Homemade laundry soap

A great way to be frugal and save a lot of money is by making your own laundry soap. If you've never tried it, I encourage you to make this your week!!! Even if you or your kids have sensitive skin or eczema, you can use their sensitive skin bar soap instead of Ivory (store bought) soap. It will cost you the same amount to buy the ingredients as it will to buy a box of Tide, only instead of 30 -40 loads, you'll have enough to make hundreds!

Here's the recipe I use:

1 quart boiling water

2 cups Bar soap (grated)

2 cups Borax

2 cups Washing Soda (Arm & Hammer)

• Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is completely melted (20 min.) You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
  
  
• Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until it has dissolved.
  
  
• Add 2 gallons of water and stir until well mixed.
  
  
• Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the sap each time, as it will gel.

I saved a laundry softener jug and fill it up with my soap, then I use the lid as my measuring cup each time. It also makes it easy to stir - just shake the jug!

The key here is making sure your soap is completely melted, and yes it takes time, but it will save you a lot of money!

What to expect from this blog

Like I said this blog is just starting, but here are some things to look forward to....

Make it from scratch Mondays:

At the first of the week I'll be posting recipes for things to make from scratch. This could be anything from homemade cinnamon raisin bread to all natural floor cleaner, it's gonna be good!

Tidy up Tips:

Tidy-up tips will be added along the side of the blog to help us all maintain order in our home, cars and lives.

Super Quote Wednesdays:

Quotes have a way of getting us to think differently about things or to remind us of what's important. I look forward to sharing the many quotes and verses that inspire me in low (and high) times.

Travel Tips:

Traveling is something we all must do here and there. But how can you travel on a budget while keeping a peace of mind in the process? I'll share with you some tips to making traveling (with or without kids) frugal and fun.

Doing Date-night Right:

Before 2am feedings, train tracks on the floor and sippy cups in the car, there was a special someone you fell in love with. It's hard to find not only time, but money to get away with that person, I plan to help us think outside the box and be creative with datenights so we're not bored nor broke at the end of the night!

Who doesn't like FREE STUFF???

What better way to be frugal than with free stuff? This website is amazing, check it out!

seriouslyfreestuff.com

Welcome

Hi everyone, I decided to create a blog with frugal tips and info, while keeping our family blog as purely that: family updates!  This blog is a work in progress so come back soon to see what's new.

Have a beautiful frugal day!