What are your best cost-saving ideas??

[HerMajesty]

That is what "how clean is your house" uses on many things. Vinegar works well too. I keep a jar with cut lemons filled with vinegar for tough cleaning, probably is antibacterial too. Just pour some out and it works. Smells great. Super cheap and looks interesting too.

ohhhh,..,,,,I like the idea of the lemons.....I think I will add limes, too. There go some of the savings, but who cares!!! Vinegar is great for shiney counters.

I also buy white or cider vinegar and add a big spring of tarragon to it. It's lovely on the kitchen counter, and makes, after a few days, realllly tasty vinegar and oil salad dressing.

[astral276]

Never go food shopping when hungry.

[HerMajesty]

I'd never be able to go food shopping, then!!! lol......but a great idea!!!

[lejoueurdepipeau]

So far these are all great ideas!!! However, even tho we live in the country, I'm not going the pig route.......vegetarian, you see. lol

Well, there's a good way to save money in itself - I am always staggered at the price of meat ! Good job I don't eat it.

My tip - When you are getting to the end of a bottle of shampoo, shower creme, moisturiser (whatever) never throw it away without standing it on its head for a while. It's amazing how much more you can get out of the bottle that way!

[lejoueurdepipeau]

Oh and for needlewomen - save your scraps! As a famous quilt designer once said, sorry I can't remember which famous quilt designer ( rueful smile):

"Don't forget - that scrap cost you £xx per metre just like the rest of the length of fabric". (Scrooge like grin!)

[HerMajesty]

There's a bumper sticker in the states that I like - it says...."REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE"

All good tips......Our family would save Christmas paper - unwrapped the gifts carefully......then next christmas, but off any bad bits, and wrap something else for te family. It got to be a game to see how many years we could use the same pretty piece.....of course the gifts got smaller and smaller to fit!! lol.....

[madelaine]

Washing soda can be used as a substitute for washing powder - much cheaper and if you must have a nice smell, then use a bit of fabric softener (but never on towels). However Washing soda does not replace water softener (Calgon in UK but that name means something else in other countries). About 3-4 tablespoons is enough for a wash. You will notice no difference at all on coloured washes. The chemical brighteners in washing powder will make whites look whiter (they are no cleaner.. just have extra chemicals shining at you).

You can cook pasta in a wide-necked vacuum flask - boil water.. pour into flask containing pasta.. about 10 minutes later it is cooked

That vacuum flask can also be used to make yoghurt...

[HerMajesty]

Washing soda can be used as a substitute for washing powder - much cheaper and if you must have a nice smell, then use a bit of fabric softener (but never on towels). However Washing soda does not replace water softener (Calgon in UK but that name means something else in other countries). About 3-4 tablespoons is enough for a wash. You will notice no difference at all on coloured washes. The chemical brighteners in washing powder will make whites look whiter (they are no cleaner.. just have extra chemicals shining at you).

You can cook pasta in a wide-necked vacuum flask - boil water.. pour into flask containing pasta.. about 10 minutes later it is cooked

That vacuum flask can also be used to make yoghurt...

Pardon my ignorance, but is washing soda the same as baking soda??

[madelaine]

Oh no!

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/washi...king-soda.html

[astral276]

Pardon my ignorance, but is washing soda the same as baking soda??

Note to self: If Maj ever offers you a home baked cake...REFUSE IT.