One way to save big through the year is to ditch the disposable products that you use on a daily basis. (Or reuse them.) While our household hasn’t 100% ditched the disposables, we’re still pretty good at reusing the stuff we can!
Here are some ideas to help eliminate or reduce paper/plastic products that you may purchase on a regular basis. I wouldn’t try to eliminate all of these products all at once, just slowly reduce and eliminate them one at a time.
Paper Towels
I still purchase paper towel, but maybe once a year? It’s honestly for my husband. Ha! For big wet messes I like to use beach towels (or any dirty towel I have laying around.) Washcloths work great for cleaning windows or small messes.
Napkins
Well, we don’t really use cloth napkins, but those little baby washcloths sure come in handy for cleaning up my daughter. We also have a pile of napkins from restaurants in the drawer and car that come in handy. (since they’d be thrown out at the restaurant anyways, we take them home.)
Plastic shopping bags
I try to have my own reusable shopping bags on hand at all times, but sometimes I forget! Plus, if I’m being honest, I like to bring home plastic shopping bags once in a while to use in our garbage cans.
Sandwich/freezer bags
I’m the crazy lady who washes and reuses sandwich and freezer bags. (I can’t be the only one?) I’ll have them drying out all over the place in the kitchen. I don’t wash the really yucky ones though or the ones that had meat in them. Those get tossed. I actually had to purchase sandwich bags the other day and I was surprised at the cost! (I didn’t even have a coupon!)
Aluminum foil
We don’t use aluminum foil very often, but sometimes when we do, I can reuse it because it wasn’t touching any food. I just fold it up gently then pull it out next time I need some for grilling veggies or covering a cheesy lasagna!
Straws
I have switched from plastic straws to stainless steel straws over the last few years and we have been loving them! Most of them come with cleaning brushes so they’re really easy to keep clean.
I think by eliminating or reducing the amount that you use these items, you can save big through the year.
What disposable products have you eliminated from your home? What items would you like to eliminate?
Are you one of those people that checks the expiration date on food before you open it? It's a habit for many, as we want to make sure the food we eat is fresh and safe for consumption. And while food expiration dates can help keep us safe, they may also be adding to the food you waste. The truth is, not all food items are dangerous if consumed past the expiration date. Many, in fact are still fresh, edible, and can be very much enjoyed. So how do you know what is safe and what is not? Below, we'll reveal the truth about food expiration dates!
The Truth About Food Expiration Dates
First, you need to know the difference between sell by dates, use by dates, and expiration dates.
Sell by dates:
Some items are marked with a sell by date, which is when the store needs to have it off the shelves and available for sale. You will often see this with fresh items such as bread, chicken, ground beef, and baked goods. Can you eat the items after the sell by date? YES! It is not expired, it is not unhealthy, it is just not permissible for the store to sell the items pass this date. When purchasing these items, you do want to use them within 2-3 days of purchase. If you can’t, then you should freeze them for use at a later time.
Use by dates:
You will often see “use by” dates on dried goods such as cereal, crackers, granola bars, and other dried pantry goods. These items are meant to sit on pantry shelves for a length of time, and will stay fresh for months as long as they are stored properly. The use by date on the packaging suggests which date to eat the item by in order to enjoy it at its freshest. After the use by date, the item may a bit dried out, stale tasting, or just not in its perfect, intended state. Many discount grocers that offer scratch and dent items or close out items offer dried goods that are perfectly safe to eat, but past their use by date.
Expiration dates:
Expiration dates can often be found on convenience items that contain fresh dairy or meat ingredients. You will see these dates on items like canned biscuits, cold dips, and yogurt. Often times, it will be on fresh items that contain dairy or eggs and can spoil easily. Items like this with an expiration date SHOULD be used by the expiration date. If you eat it after that point the fresh ingredients may not be good anymore and you could get sick.
General suggestions:
Dried and processed foods can typically be enjoyed within a reasonable time frame after the expiration or use by date. This would include pastas, cereal, crackers, and canned goods.
Fresh items such as meat, cheeses, and other dairy items can be used a few days past the sell by date, but should never be used past the expiration date. Spoiled meat and dairy products could result in illness.
Hopefully this clears up a little of the confusion out there about food expiration dates. So stop throwing away that food or passing up hot clearance deals based on these labels. Keep in mind their meanings and you can look at food in a whole new way!
Every Monday in 2015, I’ll be sharing a different idea to help you save money! Add all of these tips to your frugal repertoire and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this year! I hope you’ll gather a few new ideas or at least some inspiration from this series.
I’m going to be honest with you and say it’s been a busy/disorganized season of our lives so we’ve been eating out a lot more than we should be 🙁 This is something I want to remedy because truthfully, it’s only because I’ve been “lazy” and frustrated with trying to please everyone’s taste buds. Ugh! Several years ago we decided eating out once a week for a cheap dinner was okay. But lately I’ve been finding we’re eating out once a week plus stopping midday for some lunch or even a treat at least once a week. That really adds up!
I’ve come up with several ways that I think will get our family back on track and eating at home more. I think these tips will help you eat out less too!
Menu plan
Since I’m being honest in this post, I’ve been completely slacking in the menu planning department. And this is huge for me because I’m such an advocate for planning a weekly menu! I know the benefits it has for my family, yet I’ve still been slacking.
I don’t find it difficult to plan a menu, I’ve been doing it for quite a few years, yet it has become a chore to me trying to please everyone. (And there’s only three of us right now!) A wise woman I know, who has many children, once gave me some wonderful advice. I was wondering how she managed to serve meals that her entire family would eat. She told me that she mainly tries to think of what her husband would enjoy. Make him happy and the kids will have to learn to like what’s put on the table. I loved that because I don’t want my children to be picky eaters and it takes the pressure off trying to please every single person! Which would ultimately end up with several different meals being made at each meal time. No thanks.
If you have troubles planning a menu, there are plenty of meal planning services out there like: eMeals, The Fresh 20, Once a Month Mom.
Use the slow cooker
I love my slow cooker. Most recipes I use don’t involve any precooking. Just plunk all the ingredients in the cooker, turn it on, and walk away while dinner is being made! Using a slow cooker in the hot summer months is especially great because it doesn’t heat the house up!
You’ll find many amazing slow cooker meals on Pinterest, in books from the library and even Googling slow cooker meals.
Freezer cooking
Another time saver is using your freezer to stash a whole bunch of freezer meals that you can pull out in the morning to thaw and have on the table just in time for dinner madness. I’m a big fan of setting aside some time to prepare as many freezer meals as I can, especially when I know a busy season is coming up. (a new baby, guests in town…etc.)
You will find an endless amount of freezer cooking ideas online, but I also have some articles you may enjoy:
We often have dinner leftovers that get pushed to the back of the fridge. But by making a conscious effort to eat the leftovers, we can really start to eat out less for lunch or dinner. Besides, leftovers are so easy! Just heat and serve!
Keep it simple
Who cares if you eat tacos every Tuesday or have pizza night every Friday? If your family enjoys it and it’s healthier than eating out, just roll with it! Keeping it simple, especially in busy seasons can be just the ticket to keep you from eating out more than you need to be.
Make treats at home
Maybe it’s just our family, but I find we’re going out for ice cream once a week, or Ice Capps. Especially on nights when my husband plays soccer. Sienna and I like to bring a treat if we’re going to be watching his game. One way we could save, is by making treats at home before we leave. It’s easy to whip up a delicious blended drink or even bring a bowl of ice cream with the ice cream I bought from the grocery store. I just have to be more diligent in trying!
Give yourself grace
One of the most important things, though, is that you need to give yourself grace. If you have the wiggle room in your budget to eat out and it’s something that your family enjoys, I encourage you to budget it in.
Plus, when it’s in the budget, there’s no guilt!. Maybe that means you can budget to eat out once a week, once a month, or every six months. Figure out what works for you and then do it and don’t feel guilty!
How do you eat out less? How often do you eat out? Is this also something you want to change?
The reality is that sometimes things break and need to be replaced. When shopping for anything for your home, work, or yard, you might be wondering if you need to buy something brand new or if used is a better option. In some cases, used is perfectly fine and can score you a better deal. Other times, you will want to take the brand new route. So how do you know which way to choose? Take a look below at this helpful list of 5 things to buy new, and 5 things to buy used. Hopefully, this will help you decide if new or used is right for you when making a purchase!
5 Things to Buy New, 5 Things to Buy Used
5 Things to Buy New:
Bakeware: You want the piece to still have a good non-stick coating on it, so buying new is a good idea. Good deals are always around on bakeware, so it makes sense to go ahead and buy an unused piece.
Bras: This might seem obvious, but you would be amazed how many people are buying bras on Ebay, online sales sites, and thrift shops. You want excellent support, and you just don’t know how often the bra has been worn. Instead, avoid weak elastic and try a new one instead.
Area rugs: You might see a great deal on a used area rug or carpet remnant, but avoid getting sucked in. Chances are you will need to steam clean the piece anyways, and it could contain everything from bed bugs to the smell of cigarette smoke.
Space heaters: Space heaters are great to warm up a space, but avoid buying used ones. They could pose a fire hazard if they malfunction, and since you don’t know how much and how it has been used, it is better to skip it.
Bedding items: Due to health concerns, bedding items such as mattresses, sheets, pillows, and shams should always be purchased new. You don’t know how often they have been used, which is especially important with mattresses. Bed bugs are also a concern.
5 Things to Buy Used:
Wooden/metal furniture pieces: You can always get a better deal on household furniture when you buy used. Solid pieces (do NOT buy upholstered in case of bugs) can be easily cleaned and fixed if needed, and you will pay a fraction of the cost of new.
Jackets: Thrift stores have excellent sales on jackets, and even if you add in the cost of a cleaning you are still getting a great deal. And because people switch wardrobes often, you could very easily find a coat from as early as last season on the rack.
Books: Always buy used books! You can buy them at thrift stores for a fraction of the cost of new. Library sales are a great place to stock up on books, as are garage and rummage sales.
Picture frames: Picture frames are pricey, so try finding them used instead. You can find them at thrift stores and use them as is or give them a splash of paint for a quick pick me up.
Movies and Music: Don’t pay full price for movies and music. Instead, buy these items second hand or rent them from the local library. You will save a ton and still get the music and movies you love.
Baby and Maternity Items: Aside from car seats, I think most things related to baby should be bought used. You'll save big time when it comes to purchasing big ticket items like strollers and swings. Both baby and maternity clothes are also great to buy used because they don't get worn much before they're outgrown.
Hopefully, this list will give you an idea of the items you should buy new and the ones you should buy used. Take these into consideration when shopping and see how much you can save!
Pool noodles are fantastic for playtime in the pool, and the best part is you can snag them for about a buck at most dollar and retail stores. If you have a few extra pool noodles on hand, or just feel like getting creative, check out the creative uses for pool noodles below. You will find that pool noodles are not only fun, but that they can be quite practical too!
Creative Uses for Pool Noodles
1. Soften hard edges.
If your bed frame, outdoor fencing, or table has rough or sharp edges, you can soften them up with a pool noodle. Simply cut the pool noodle with a serrated knife to the length you need, and then slice the noodle so it fits over the sharp edge. No more sharp edges!
2. Make your own drink markers.
Don’t get drinks mixed up again when you make your own pool noodle drink markers. Cut the pool noodle into ½ inch slices, then make a cut into the slice so it can cling onto a wine glass stem. You can then write names on the slice or just give each guest a different color. No more drink confusion!
3. Provide proper plant drainage.
If you have a large flower pot to fill and want proper drainage, look no further than an old pool noodle. Cut the pool noodle into smaller chunks and line the bottom of the flower pot with them. It will provide filling so you use less soil, and provides proper drainage at the same time. No more soggy soil!
4. Make miniature sailboats.
Cut the pool noodle into one inch segments. Cut a small triangle out of scrapbook paper and glue the triangle to a toothpick. Then, poke the toothpick into the top of the pool noodle segment. Set it on water and watch it sail away. Goodbye summertime boredom!
5. Make your own stamps.
Cut pool noodles into 2 inch segments then dip them either in paint or onto a paint pad. Press the pool noodle onto paper and it will leave the impression of the noodle. This is a great way to beat summer boredom as well and enjoy some hands on fun.
6. Make your own tic tac toe game.
Take two pool noodles of various colors and cut them into 1 inch segments. Create a tic tac toe grid using chalk, and then use the segments as your markers. Just give each player a different color so you can keep track of whose is whose.
7. Make a pool noodle garland.
Get your next pool party looking festive when you craft a pool noodle garland. Just cut your pool noodles into ½ inch segments. Then, create a slice in each so they can interlock with each other. Start interlocking the pieces to create one long garland. Then, just hang and enjoy.
8. Make a bed rail for toddlers
Buy putting a pool noodle on the edge of a bed under the fitted sheet, you will help your child stay safely in bed!
9. Make tent rope visible
Are you tired of constantly tripping over the rope that is holding your tent in place? Cut a section of a pool noodle then cut a slit so you can slip it onto the bottom of the rope near the peg. This makes the rope way more visible so you’re less likely to trip!
See how fun pool noodles can be? Give these creative uses for pool noodles a try and you are sure to never look at pool noodles the same way again.
Every Monday in 2015, I’ll be sharing a different idea to help you save money! Add all of these tips to your frugal repertoire and you’ll be able to save a lot of money this year! I hope you’ll gather a few new ideas or at least some inspiration from this series.
How to Negotiate a Good Deal
Do you have friends who always seem to find great deals? Does it seem like no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to land the deals they do? Well the trick is dealing smarter, not harder. Learning to negotiate a good deal can help you to save big bucks throughout the year. If you want to learn to negotiate a better deal whenever you purchase a product, take a look at these helpful tips below.
1. Do your research.
It's best to go into a deal scenario well educated. If you know that item X can be purchased for a lower price at another store, this is excellent information to know. Know what the average retail price is of any product you are purchasing, so you know what you have to work with as far as price ranges.
2. Never disclose your budget.
Many times a salesman will ask you what budget you are working with when making a deal. Don’t tell them. They will still try to sell you at the higher end of budget. Instead, ask for your options to make a decision on. You are never obligated to disclose your budget, as it could actually hinder you from getting a good deal.
3. Don’t appear to be in a hurry.
If you appear to be in a hurry to purchase, it can be used against you. Instead, act as though you have all of the time in the world to make this decision. Make the salesman bring the good deal to you and attract your business.
4. Ask for a manager.
A manager may be able to give you a better deal than a floor salesperson. If you feel as though there is a better deal to be had, ask to speak to a manager. See if the price is firm by simply asking, “What is your best price on this? Is it firm?” and go from there.
5. Know your discount status.
Always ask if there is a discount for seniors, students, teachers, military, etc. It is always wise to ask the salesperson if they offer discounts AND if discounts can be stacked. For example, can you use your senior discount on top of a coupon or sale price? If so, the savings can add up!
6. Quote your competitors.
This is where it's wise to go in educated as mentioned above. Knowing the price of the store’s competitors can make a huge difference. Quote these prices even if they are about the same or more, and ask if they can beat the price. Some retailers will not only price match but offer an additional discount as well!
7. Be polite.
You can catch more bees with honey! Always be polite, charming, and put on a smile. Be respectful of the salesperson and they are more likely to want to work with you and give you a great deal.
See how simple it can be to negotiate a great deal? Give these tips a try and see what savings you can score!
I'd love to hear what sort of deals you have received over the years thanks to some negotiating! Let me know in the comments.
