DIY Cloth Baby Wipes
Posted: February 22, 2013 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Frugal, Saving Money, Sewing | Tags: baby wipes, DIY, Frugal, saving money, Sewing 2 Comments
DIY baby wipes. So easy and will SAVE, SAVE, SAVE you money. I made these when I found out I was expecting and I’m glad I did because I like them better than disposables. They clean more efficiently and 8 million of them don’t come out of the dispenser when I want just ONE. (Have you ever tried to pull out JUST ONE disposable wipe?) I made about 50 wipes and it cost me a little less than $10. Here are the directions:
What you will need:
1) Flannel (I chose white because I didn’t want any dyes to bother my precious one’s bottom)
2) Thread
3) Sew Machine
Directions:
1) Buy the flannel from a fabric store (I found mine at Wal-Mart on sale).
2) Wash and DRY the material. This is very important as the fabric will shrink.
3) Cut into 8 inch by 8 inch squares.
4) Zig-zag the edges (or use a pretty stitch if you like!)
5) You are DONE!!
I looked up baby-wipe recipes, but decided to use plain water. I didn’t feel comfortable adding essential oils, soaps or etc to a mixture I was going to be using on my child. That being said, water works GREAT.
I’m so glad I made these, especially when I see Target advertising that their wipes are “only $4.56 per 256 count.” I’ll likely be able to use these wipes through the diapering of this child and my future one(s), too!
DIY Granite Countertop Cleaner
Posted: February 18, 2013 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Frugal, Money Saving Recipes, Organize, Saving Money | Tags: Clean, DIY, Frugal, recipe, Save Money 1 CommentI love this cleaner. It works GREAT. It leaves no streaks. I also this on my mirrors, stainless steel and oven top. Make sure you test the product in an inconspicuous area before first use! I found this recipe here.
1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
2 cups water
8 drops dish soap (I have used Kirkland and Joy..both work fine)
Mix together and store in spray bottle for easy use! I love using this on my mirrors. It’s streak free when I wipe with an old newspaper. I LOVE this cleaner.
DIY Liquid Hand Soap
Posted: February 5, 2013 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Money Saving Recipes | Tags: Budget, DIY, Frugal, home, money saving recipe, Save Money Leave a comment
The other day I happened upon this DIY liquid hand soap recipe. I decided it was worth a try! I followed all the instructions set up on this blog, but used Irish Spring Soap instead. It smells wonderful and works well. This DIY hand soap is also much cheaper than the kind you buy in the store!
Hired…
Posted: January 29, 2012 Filed under: Frugal, Saving Money | Tags: Frugal, saving money, unemployment, work 9 CommentsI recently wrote about my unemployment frustrations. I’m happy to share that I was recently offered a full-time job and I accepted! This unemployment era (this is what I have nicknamed it) of my life has taught me a lot about saving money. I will continue to apply these principles to my life, but I’m sure I will look for CONVENIENT ways to cut down costs while working. Does anyone have any suggestions?! I’d love to hear them!
A Little Motivation…
Posted: January 24, 2012 Filed under: Saving Money | Tags: DIY, Frugal, Motivation, Save Money, saving money 4 CommentsSometimes my will to save money falters. Bad days tempt me to spend. How about you?
When my will power is starting to fail, I read posts by fellow bloggers who are also trying to squirrel some cash away. Their words usually inspire me to keep my credit card tucked in my wallet.
Enjoy. Hope these blogs motivate you!
Budgets are Sexy Their blog will make you think.
DottieDomestic-Her blog will inspire you to count the sheets of toilet paper you use. Wow!
How I Save Money.Net. I just found her blog today. Gotta love the clear skin tips, too.
Design Sponge This blogger really knows how to DIY! I love DIY because it can really save some dough.
I Tried It: DIY Drawer Divider
Posted: January 23, 2012 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Frugal, Organize, Saving Money | Tags: DIY, do-it-yourself, Frugal, Organize, Project, saving money 4 CommentsMy work out clothing has never been organized. It’s always bothered me. So, I tried Design Sponge’s DIY idea. I made my own dividers out of cardboard, except I didn’t measure because I don’t believe in using measuring tapes 🙂 Here are the directions, step by step:
1). Hold cardboard over drawer and estimate wear you need to slice it (or your can measure if you REALLY want to), by slitting it with an exacto knife. (Do this with all four pieces of cardboard)
2) Cut a slot into the tops of the cardboard that will serve as your base. Do the same to the cardboard that will help divide your drawers, except cut the slots into the bottoms of those.
3) Fit all the pieces together and organize your drawers!! Super easy!!
Slit cut with an exacto knife…believe me, it doesn’t have to be very exact!!
The finished product!
ahh…I can find stuff in my drawers!!
I would say this project was worth the effort! I even labeled the compartments when I finished. Now my husband can’t tell me he doesn’t know where my clothes go when we’re folding laundry!
Cost-$0
Money Saved-At least $10. I own a couple of drawer dividers that cost $12 for a pair.
Make Your Own Drawer Divider
Posted: January 21, 2012 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Gadgets, Organize, Saving Money | Tags: DIY, Frugal, Organize, saving money 2 CommentsYesterday, I gushed over pinterest. I know. I’m way behind. The world probably realized how great the site was 5 years ago!
I did find a gem of a blog via pinterest, though. I’m very excited because it includes a picture tutorial on how to make a drawer divider out of cardboard. CARDBOARD! I’ve drooled over drawer dividers for years. NOW I can make my own for FREE! Who knew?!?
Next week I’ll attempt (I’ve never been good at measuring!) to make these handy gadgets and post the results! No more spending $6 per plastic ugly divider at Bed, Bath and Beyond and no more messy drawers.
I secretly dislike the lamp shades in my master bedroom. I know. This is a minor problem, but I think I may have found a solution. Pinterest. This site is CHALK-FULL of frugal yet creative ideas! Here are some other reasons I love this site:
1) There are inspirational ideas for EVERYTHING. Not only can I look up a pin on how to fix my drab lamp shades, I can learn how to organize the cans in my kitchen and make my own wall art.
2) There are so many DIY tutorial’s. (This is a frugal person’s dream!)
3) The site lead me to some other blogs I am in love with.
So, before you go buy a new lamp shade, light fixture, piece of art or etc…check out Pinterest. You may be able rig up something you like on your own and save a few benjamins while you are at it!
*I was not paid to write about Pinterest. I just tried their site and really like it!
Mini Kitchen Hamper
Posted: January 12, 2012 Filed under: Frugal, Gadgets | Tags: crazy, Frugal, organization, saving money 14 CommentsA few months ago, I quit using paper towels. Due to this fact, I started accumulating dirty rags at the bottom of my staircase. (My laundry room is upstairs and the kitchen is on the first level.) So, today I spent the rest of my Christmas gift money on this cute little magazine holder. I call it my mini kitchen hamper because that’s what I re-purposed it to be. It cost $16 at Target, which is probably what I used to spend at Costco for a large pack of paper towels. I like this mini-hamper WAY better and definitely don’t miss spending cash on paper just thrown in the trash. Do you think it’s crazy I don’t use paper towels, anymore? I know a lot of people do! Tell me what you think.
Unemployment
Posted: December 22, 2011 Filed under: Saving Money | Tags: Frugal, saving money, unemployment, volunteering 6 CommentsRecently, my husband and I moved cross-country for his job. We left my career behind. Since I work in healthcare, we figured it would not be difficult for me to find a new place of employment. We were wrong.
I have 8 years of education, good references and experience. Still no job. During my period of unemployment I have discovered:
1). How wasteful I used to be. I shopped for convenience when I was working. Now I think about everything I purchase. Do I need it? Am I getting the most for my money? I used to spend a lot of my former income on convenience and frivolous items. (for example, I used to buy 20 oz soda’s every day I worked. In fact, I usually bought two since I worked 13 hours at a time).
2) How naive I was. I rarely thought about the economy and the effect it has had on people’s lives when I was employed.
3) The value of volunteering. The other day I helped tutor inner-city children at an after school program. Giving my time to those less fortunate is truly humbling.
4) How emotionally draining unemployment is. I constantly wonder, “Why aren’t the recruiters calling me?” “Did they even get my application?” “What if they think I don’t have enough education?!!?” “Why did I spend all that time/money/effort on those degrees if I can’t even use them?” “Why did we move away from my last career?” I also cringe when meeting new people and am asked, “So, what do you do?” I constantly feel as though I have to justify myself.
Recently, I’ve been reading The Nouveau Poor, a blog about a family struggling in the new economy. The author’s posts challenge my views regarding food stamps, welfare and unemployment. Read it. It’s eye-opening.
ihavetriedit 