My top 10 money saving tips
June 10th 2009 04:45
1.) Sew
How many times do you buy jeans or pants that are too long and need hemmed. At 8 dollars per alteration, that can really add up. (Especially if you have a large family, or if you're a shorty like me.)
Spending 40 bucks on a sewing machine, and practicing a little would save a load of unnecessary dollars for paying someone else. It all adds up in the long run.
To hem one pair of pants would take the same amount of time you spend driving to and from the place your bringing them.
And if you own a sewing machine you will find many opportunities to use it for other things.
Everyone wants to be unique in their style and here's your opportunity to truely make things your own.
I just got a pixi singer little purple sewing machine and I can't wait to get started! I'm so excited.
2.) Mix beauty products
Making your own deodorant, hair styling products, and make up can save big bucks.
Well, I've researched (and I've been my own guinea pig), and found the best of the best of all their is to offer.
(I will be sharing some of my original recipes here.)
If you start from scratch, trust me, you wil spend a ton of money experimenting, but I can tell you the best ingredients are:
baking soda, glycerin, 100% unrefined coconut oil, cornstarch, evoo, vitamin E, water, and vasseline, and lanolin
With these ingredients you can make all natural deodorant, lip gloss, hair gel, hot oil treatments, curl enhancers, shave gels, after shave, lotion.......the list goes on.
The best part is.....half of the stuff, you probably already have in your home, and you can cook with some of the ingredients, so there are multiple uses.
You're going to be saving in the long run. And might be adding to your health by using natural products.
3.) Coupons
Just clip and save em when you have a chance and use them at stores that do double coupons, and you will really see how much you're saving..
There is a site called the coupon clippers. Its amazing. Pick the coupons that you know you'll use and start the savings. You might pay a few cents for coupons, but to save a dollar or 2 on a product is SO worth it.
4.) Garden
Make a seasonal garden. Even if you don't like veggies, you might be more apt to try them just because you grew them personally.
It's also an excuse to get out of the house and do a little family project.
You might save a little money at the grocery store, and make yourself healthy at the same time. And better health means less Dr. Visits. Another money saving tip.
4.) Craft
Save "junk" and turn it in to a work of art. Be creative. You would be surprized at how good you can make your house look by crafting your own decorations.
For instance jazz up an old lamp shade you don't like anymore. Paint some old frames. Decorate some old place mats.
The best part is, your house will be original and unique.
5.) Hand made cards and gifts
You can make your own designer cards with your scrapbooking supplies, for a fraction of the cost of commercial gift cards.
And aren't personalized gifts the best?! They mean so much more than just anything you can buy.
A gift from the heart and hands will make anyones day! And face it, when your trying to save money, every one will be pleased with the end result.
Make personalized crafts for gifts as well. It's not cheap its PRICELESS!
6.) Turn off the TV, and turn up the music
A little free time away from the TV, can really help you think of new ways to get busy and maybe make some money.
Turn your hobby into a business. Put your whole self into whatever it is you like.
TV can be a distraction. Turn on the radio, or some instrumental music, and be prepared to be inspired!
7.) Make your own party cakes, or desserts.
No one will know if you dress up a cake mix out of a box with some fancy flavors and extracts. And you can do the same with the icing.
There are so many possibilities!
You could even add a little liquor to it, for the grown ups!
Give it a go! You can get fondont at any craft store. Make the cake for your next planned event. For your kids party, your friends, wifes, husbands. Whoever.
Just make something incredible!!
8.) Stop eating fast food and take out.
Make your own. Find some easy Chinese food recipes to make, or grill up some burgers. Set a weekly date for your family to cook together.
Really make a fun time for your family to share.
Recipesource.com has all kinds of cultural cuisine.
9.) turn on the fans instead of the AC
Think twice about cranking up the AC on those hot summer days. Instead, wear some comfy breezy summer clothes and crank up the ceiling fans and those old box fans, and lounge around with some ice cold drinks!
10.) Buy your own spices
Instead of buying the season packets for different meals like for tacos, marinades, and gravy.......Learn how to make your own.
Marinades need acid, sugar, spice and oil.
If you just google it you can find anything.
What's 5 minutes of your time, if its going to teach you a small skill that you can use for your whole life?
Be self sufficient.
This quote comes to mind......... "Give a man a fish; feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; feed him for a lifetime."
How many times do you buy jeans or pants that are too long and need hemmed. At 8 dollars per alteration, that can really add up. (Especially if you have a large family, or if you're a shorty like me.)
Spending 40 bucks on a sewing machine, and practicing a little would save a load of unnecessary dollars for paying someone else. It all adds up in the long run.
To hem one pair of pants would take the same amount of time you spend driving to and from the place your bringing them.
And if you own a sewing machine you will find many opportunities to use it for other things.
I just got a pixi singer little purple sewing machine and I can't wait to get started! I'm so excited.
2.) Mix beauty products
Making your own deodorant, hair styling products, and make up can save big bucks.
Well, I've researched (and I've been my own guinea pig), and found the best of the best of all their is to offer.
(I will be sharing some of my original recipes here.)
If you start from scratch, trust me, you wil spend a ton of money experimenting, but I can tell you the best ingredients are:
baking soda, glycerin, 100% unrefined coconut oil, cornstarch, evoo, vitamin E, water, and vasseline, and lanolin
With these ingredients you can make all natural deodorant, lip gloss, hair gel, hot oil treatments, curl enhancers, shave gels, after shave, lotion.......the list goes on.
The best part is.....half of the stuff, you probably already have in your home, and you can cook with some of the ingredients, so there are multiple uses.
You're going to be saving in the long run. And might be adding to your health by using natural products.
3.) Coupons
Just clip and save em when you have a chance and use them at stores that do double coupons, and you will really see how much you're saving..
There is a site called the coupon clippers. Its amazing. Pick the coupons that you know you'll use and start the savings. You might pay a few cents for coupons, but to save a dollar or 2 on a product is SO worth it.
4.) Garden
Make a seasonal garden. Even if you don't like veggies, you might be more apt to try them just because you grew them personally.
It's also an excuse to get out of the house and do a little family project.
You might save a little money at the grocery store, and make yourself healthy at the same time. And better health means less Dr. Visits. Another money saving tip.
4.) Craft
Save "junk" and turn it in to a work of art. Be creative. You would be surprized at how good you can make your house look by crafting your own decorations.
For instance jazz up an old lamp shade you don't like anymore. Paint some old frames. Decorate some old place mats.
The best part is, your house will be original and unique.
5.) Hand made cards and gifts
You can make your own designer cards with your scrapbooking supplies, for a fraction of the cost of commercial gift cards.
And aren't personalized gifts the best?! They mean so much more than just anything you can buy.
A gift from the heart and hands will make anyones day! And face it, when your trying to save money, every one will be pleased with the end result.
Make personalized crafts for gifts as well. It's not cheap its PRICELESS!
6.) Turn off the TV, and turn up the music
A little free time away from the TV, can really help you think of new ways to get busy and maybe make some money.
Turn your hobby into a business. Put your whole self into whatever it is you like.
TV can be a distraction. Turn on the radio, or some instrumental music, and be prepared to be inspired!
7.) Make your own party cakes, or desserts.
No one will know if you dress up a cake mix out of a box with some fancy flavors and extracts. And you can do the same with the icing.
There are so many possibilities!
You could even add a little liquor to it, for the grown ups!
Give it a go! You can get fondont at any craft store. Make the cake for your next planned event. For your kids party, your friends, wifes, husbands. Whoever.
Just make something incredible!!
8.) Stop eating fast food and take out.
Make your own. Find some easy Chinese food recipes to make, or grill up some burgers. Set a weekly date for your family to cook together.
Really make a fun time for your family to share.
Recipesource.com has all kinds of cultural cuisine.
9.) turn on the fans instead of the AC
Think twice about cranking up the AC on those hot summer days. Instead, wear some comfy breezy summer clothes and crank up the ceiling fans and those old box fans, and lounge around with some ice cold drinks!
10.) Buy your own spices
Instead of buying the season packets for different meals like for tacos, marinades, and gravy.......Learn how to make your own.
Marinades need acid, sugar, spice and oil.
If you just google it you can find anything.
What's 5 minutes of your time, if its going to teach you a small skill that you can use for your whole life?
Be self sufficient.
This quote comes to mind......... "Give a man a fish; feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; feed him for a lifetime."
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