I so agree with your frugal tips. These are very useful and creative too! I believe a lot of those who end up buried in debt and are not able to save are in this situation because they haven't even tried to control their impulsive buying. I especially like the 30-day list! That's very ingenious and true.
Oftentimes it's the imagination that controls the emotion which pushes us to buy stuff we don't really need or won't really use a lot. Thus, instead of imagining how we'll look in a particular dress, for instance, I suggest imagining first how your credit report and bank account will look and what will happen to you when you're not able to pay your bills. It may not be a good picture, but a lot of people have attested that this strategy is effective. It's efficient too for other emotions that you want to have control over. After all, these are ultimately for your benefit and better future.
Anyway, thanks so much again for these wonderful, practical tips!
Wash clothes inside out where the good side gets less abrasion from the tumbling of the clothes. Use Fray Check by Dritz, available at Joann's Fabrics at the first sign of wearing. It's a fabric super glue. I run it around thin spots on jeans to prevent further fraying. It's clear and goes through the wash and is still effective.
As far as deodorants, aluminum in deodorants causes the discoloring. Use deodorants without it. You can remove the stains with Dawn detergent, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, an old tooth brush, and a lot of scrubbing. Sometimes it takes more than one application, but I got out stains from a delicate rayon embroidered dress, T-shirts and dress shirts. This works on clothes that have been dried in the dryer, but avoid using the dryer if you notice that there are stains when taking things out of the washer. Heat sets some stains. I've also used it on tablecloths.
From the scraps of the two T-shirt quilts for my daughters, I made eco-friendly washable nursing pads for my niece. For each pair, cut 4 circles using an old CD as a circle size. Cut a diamond shape out pointed toward the center so that it fits snug. Make a fabric sandwich with cotton batting on the inside. Sew the dart and then zig-zag all the way around. They are quick and easy to make and use up those soft old T-shirts. She sent a Thank You note and remarked that they are a lot better than the store bought ones. You can also use adult size T-shirts to down-size to kids T-shirts if they're in good shape. And if they're colored, you can make bands of colors.
Purge, purge, purge, and if you absolutely have to, store things you can't part with at mom and dad's house. I've always lived in a small place with roommates (I'm in SF), so after moving in with my boyfriend I found we had doubles of a lot of things. I threw away a lot and took the rest back to my parents house to refurnish my old empty room with. It's still an ongoing process and when I eventually move to something a little larger than a tiny city apartment, my decor and home supplies will still be waiting for me, thankfully.
Great tips! Restaurants really load on the salt and I often feel much better eating meals cooked at home. Cutting back on eating out really helps me minimize salt intake and just keeps myself healthier overall.
+1 on the snow gear! Everyone in my area has been doing their winter clearance sales early too, thanks to a poor, record low snow season here in Northern California.
My favorite way to save money on cleaning is by using microfiber cloths for dusting instead of blowing money on Swiffer cloth refills. Just toss the microfiber cloths with your ordinary towels in the laundry when you're done.
I've started doing many of the things on this list -- added exercise into my routine, started planning the approaching day on the night before, and keeping my space cleaner and less cluttered. It's had such a profound effect on my energy and my productivity. I get more done, I feel healthier, and more positive about the outlook for my future.
I've turned too-tight blue jeans that still fit around the waist into skirts with the help of some thrift store dress shirts. (Also works for too-short shorts.)
The recommendations piously reflect the claims of the corrupt medical officialdom. The public should ask based on what data and claims does this author proclaim you must have these tests? For instance, the actual true facts, not the whitewashed version promulgated by the medical establishment, undoubtedly show that mammography is seriously harmful, instead of beneficial, for most women (see The Mammogram Myth by Rolf Hefti).
I still think that actually eating the fruit/ veggie is better. It's really wasteful unless you consume all of the fruit. Also, aren't you consuming more calories by juicing than eating the whole fruit/ veggie. Please correct me if I am wrong, but unless you are comparing the benefits of juicing to drinking soda; is there a huge gain. (btw I do think juicing is fantastic, but I don't get the hype).
And I think I'm going to try juicing bees because I like the juice, but I don't like eating them.
Lavender room mist. It helps the house feel and smell cleaner, even if I do nothing but spray it. It is also a natural way to calm people, so it is good for you at the same time, especially if you are speed cleaning before in-laws arrive.
When i wash items that don't get washed often (quilts, Drapes/valences, throw rugs, bed ruffles etc.) i always use borax in the water. This helps keep the item fresh smelling and resists mildew so no musty smells. We live in Florida with high humidity so this is a must for us.
This is a great post, Jim. Thanks for sharing. I have been blogging since 2008 and my site has recently fallen stagnant. The sentence about writing up a week's worth of posts you think are dynamite and then they just flop totally describes my last week. I will definitely be following some of your suggestions!
#1 is incredibly important. It really is the foundation for all of the other tips. If you start with a higher quality garment, it will be easier to take care and make last for several seasons. If you start with a cheaper quality garment, it's going to start falling apart the first season, especially if you wear it a lot.
I buy vinegar by the gallon for cleaning the kitchen and the bathroom. I found a recipe for homemade cleaner on Apartment Therapy for orange vinegar spray - you just soak orange peels in vinegar in an air-tight container for two weeks, pour through a strainer, and dilute in a 1:1 ratio. I've also made a lemon scented one using essential oil of lemon.
My current fave cleaning tip is to unclutter as I clean. Let's say you are dusting and you are frustrated by all of the knickknacks you have to pick up or move aside to dust. Get rid of the ones you don't really like or need. Box them up and donate them to charity, give to someone you know would like them or sell them. Or just throw them away! When there's less to clean, there's less cleaning. Period.
I have two of the best tips. One (from my mother) is that people should come to see you and not your house, therefore you must keep your house clean to your standards not someone else's! The second tip was from my mother-in-law: While it is just the two of you, get in the habit of cleaning an area a weekend (living room, bedroom, kitchen, etc.). You'll be so used to it that when kids arrive or life changes you just keep minimal tidying and it stays under control.
In my opinion the most important advice is the firts. Nowadays the clothes are so cheap (at least in my country)but they are also so bad quality.
I love the affordability and versatility of rice! These ideas are going to make their way into my kitchen!
I so agree with your frugal tips. These are very useful and creative too! I believe a lot of those who end up buried in debt and are not able to save are in this situation because they haven't even tried to control their impulsive buying. I especially like the 30-day list! That's very ingenious and true.
Oftentimes it's the imagination that controls the emotion which pushes us to buy stuff we don't really need or won't really use a lot. Thus, instead of imagining how we'll look in a particular dress, for instance, I suggest imagining first how your credit report and bank account will look and what will happen to you when you're not able to pay your bills. It may not be a good picture, but a lot of people have attested that this strategy is effective. It's efficient too for other emotions that you want to have control over. After all, these are ultimately for your benefit and better future.
Anyway, thanks so much again for these wonderful, practical tips!
Wash clothes inside out where the good side gets less abrasion from the tumbling of the clothes. Use Fray Check by Dritz, available at Joann's Fabrics at the first sign of wearing. It's a fabric super glue. I run it around thin spots on jeans to prevent further fraying. It's clear and goes through the wash and is still effective.
As far as deodorants, aluminum in deodorants causes the discoloring. Use deodorants without it. You can remove the stains with Dawn detergent, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, an old tooth brush, and a lot of scrubbing. Sometimes it takes more than one application, but I got out stains from a delicate rayon embroidered dress, T-shirts and dress shirts. This works on clothes that have been dried in the dryer, but avoid using the dryer if you notice that there are stains when taking things out of the washer. Heat sets some stains. I've also used it on tablecloths.
From the scraps of the two T-shirt quilts for my daughters, I made eco-friendly washable nursing pads for my niece. For each pair, cut 4 circles using an old CD as a circle size. Cut a diamond shape out pointed toward the center so that it fits snug. Make a fabric sandwich with cotton batting on the inside. Sew the dart and then zig-zag all the way around. They are quick and easy to make and use up those soft old T-shirts. She sent a Thank You note and remarked that they are a lot better than the store bought ones. You can also use adult size T-shirts to down-size to kids T-shirts if they're in good shape. And if they're colored, you can make bands of colors.
Purge, purge, purge, and if you absolutely have to, store things you can't part with at mom and dad's house. I've always lived in a small place with roommates (I'm in SF), so after moving in with my boyfriend I found we had doubles of a lot of things. I threw away a lot and took the rest back to my parents house to refurnish my old empty room with. It's still an ongoing process and when I eventually move to something a little larger than a tiny city apartment, my decor and home supplies will still be waiting for me, thankfully.
Great tips! Restaurants really load on the salt and I often feel much better eating meals cooked at home. Cutting back on eating out really helps me minimize salt intake and just keeps myself healthier overall.
+1 on the snow gear! Everyone in my area has been doing their winter clearance sales early too, thanks to a poor, record low snow season here in Northern California.
My favorite way to save money on cleaning is by using microfiber cloths for dusting instead of blowing money on Swiffer cloth refills. Just toss the microfiber cloths with your ordinary towels in the laundry when you're done.
Clean up messes as they occur - they're easier to deal with than if they have a chance to dry/soak in.
I've started doing many of the things on this list -- added exercise into my routine, started planning the approaching day on the night before, and keeping my space cleaner and less cluttered. It's had such a profound effect on my energy and my productivity. I get more done, I feel healthier, and more positive about the outlook for my future.
I've turned too-tight blue jeans that still fit around the waist into skirts with the help of some thrift store dress shirts. (Also works for too-short shorts.)
Here's the link:
http://paintingontheceiling.blogspot.com/2013/08/finished-country-cute-s...
It's a quick way to get a skirt with pockets, belt loops, and a zipper without having to sew those things yourself!
The recommendations piously reflect the claims of the corrupt medical officialdom. The public should ask based on what data and claims does this author proclaim you must have these tests? For instance, the actual true facts, not the whitewashed version promulgated by the medical establishment, undoubtedly show that mammography is seriously harmful, instead of beneficial, for most women (see The Mammogram Myth by Rolf Hefti).
Any acid will cook any meat. Vinegars used to soak any meat or fish will chemically cook them.
I still think that actually eating the fruit/ veggie is better. It's really wasteful unless you consume all of the fruit. Also, aren't you consuming more calories by juicing than eating the whole fruit/ veggie. Please correct me if I am wrong, but unless you are comparing the benefits of juicing to drinking soda; is there a huge gain. (btw I do think juicing is fantastic, but I don't get the hype).
And I think I'm going to try juicing bees because I like the juice, but I don't like eating them.
Lavender room mist. It helps the house feel and smell cleaner, even if I do nothing but spray it. It is also a natural way to calm people, so it is good for you at the same time, especially if you are speed cleaning before in-laws arrive.
When i wash items that don't get washed often (quilts, Drapes/valences, throw rugs, bed ruffles etc.) i always use borax in the water. This helps keep the item fresh smelling and resists mildew so no musty smells. We live in Florida with high humidity so this is a must for us.
This is a great post, Jim. Thanks for sharing. I have been blogging since 2008 and my site has recently fallen stagnant. The sentence about writing up a week's worth of posts you think are dynamite and then they just flop totally describes my last week. I will definitely be following some of your suggestions!
#1 is incredibly important. It really is the foundation for all of the other tips. If you start with a higher quality garment, it will be easier to take care and make last for several seasons. If you start with a cheaper quality garment, it's going to start falling apart the first season, especially if you wear it a lot.
I will pass this on to my clients. Thanks.
I stopped getting cold sores, when I started washing my lips after every meal.
I suspect the acid in foods like fruit might damage the lining of the lips and that causes the cold sore.
I also avoid getting sun burnt.
I tried Zorvirax early on and had no luck with it.
vinegar. baking soda. swifter. best cleaning supplies!
I buy vinegar by the gallon for cleaning the kitchen and the bathroom. I found a recipe for homemade cleaner on Apartment Therapy for orange vinegar spray - you just soak orange peels in vinegar in an air-tight container for two weeks, pour through a strainer, and dilute in a 1:1 ratio. I've also made a lemon scented one using essential oil of lemon.
Thanks, Beth. So glad you enjoyed!!!
My current fave cleaning tip is to unclutter as I clean. Let's say you are dusting and you are frustrated by all of the knickknacks you have to pick up or move aside to dust. Get rid of the ones you don't really like or need. Box them up and donate them to charity, give to someone you know would like them or sell them. Or just throw them away! When there's less to clean, there's less cleaning. Period.
I have two of the best tips. One (from my mother) is that people should come to see you and not your house, therefore you must keep your house clean to your standards not someone else's! The second tip was from my mother-in-law: While it is just the two of you, get in the habit of cleaning an area a weekend (living room, bedroom, kitchen, etc.). You'll be so used to it that when kids arrive or life changes you just keep minimal tidying and it stays under control.