HOMEMADE DISH DETERGENT $.04 A LOAD (Compared to $.10 a load at stock up price)

Making my own Dish Detergent is another way I save a fortune!

I have always been a Finish person

(mostly because of the high value coupon that comes once a year)

The results were OK, but with my hard water my glasses still are covered with 

spots and look cloudy.  It didn't even matter if I used Jet Dry or Vinegar!

That is until I started to make my own!

Not only are my glasses sparkly clean....But the price comparison is not even comparable!!!

Regular price of dish detergent on average $.21 a load

A couponing stockup price on dish detergent is $.10 a load

Making your own dish detergent is $.04 a load!!!  

NEED I SAY MORE?!

RECIPE:

• 2c. Borax Soap  (find in the laundry section)
• 2c. Washing Soda  (find in the laundry section)
• 1 1/2c. Lemi Shine  (find in the dish detergent section)
• 1c. Kosher Salt

Combine all ingredients and allow to sit in an open container for a few hours.  Stirring occasionally.

*The Lemi Shine will make the mixture clump up, so by letting it air out you won't have this problem.

1 batch of homemade detergent is 6.5 cups of cleaner = 104 Tablespoons (loads)

Cost: $4.24 a batch ($0.04 a load)

Cost Breakdown: I bought all of these ingredients at Walmart!

Borax, 76oz= $3.38 (9.5 cups / $.35 a cup)

Washing Soda, 55oz = $3.24  (6.8 cups / $.47 a cup)

Kosher Salt, 48oz = $1.00 (6 cups / $.16 a cup)

Lemi Shine, 12oz $3.66  (1.5 cups/ $2.44 a cup)

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HEALTHY LIVING: HOMEMADE INSTANT OATMEAL PACKETS ONLY $0.07 A SERVING!!!

Do you buy the pre-packaged oatmeal packets?

Don't worry, I was guilty of buying them also!  I'm going to show you how easy it is to make 

your own.  It is super easy, cheaper & much much healthier for your family!!

Lets just start by looking at the cost difference:

• Store bought Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets, 10 pack (1/4 cup servings) = $2.99
• If you only eat 1 packet at a time = $.29 a serving
• If you eat 2 packets at a time = $.59 a serving
• Homemade Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets, 60 pack (1/4 cup servings) = $4.68
• Quaker Oats, 42oz = $3.68  & Generic bags, 100ct = $1.00
• If you only eat 1 packet at a time = $.07 a serving
• If you eat 2 packets at a time = $.15 a serving
• Of course this price will be cheaper if you buy the generic brand of oats 
• Using items that are already in your stockpile!
• Using reusable containers

HOW TO MAKE:

• Measure out 1/2 cup or 1/4 of oats into each bag and add dry flavored ingredients you would like!
• I store mine in baggies because I find my family seems to be more willing to eat breakfast or healthy snacks if it is already portioned out for them.  ( That is my nice way of saying LAZY)
• I do reuse the bags for the next batch of oatmeal since it is going to be the same thing put back in them
• I then store all the homemade packets in the original oatmeal container.
• You could also put it in smaller ziploc containers so you could even eat out of them and then wash to reuse
• Or you could mix the entire batch in a bowl and pour back into the Oatmeal container.  Just use a scoop to get your serving.  

WHEN READY TO COOK:

• For a 1/2 cup serving 
• Use 3/4 - 1 cup of milk or water
• Microwave for 2 1/2 - 3 minutes
• For 1/4 cup serving
• Use 1/2 cup of milk or water
• Microwave for 1 - 2 minutes

MY FAVORITE FLAVOR MIXTURES: *these measurements are for 1/2 servings

• 2 TB Brown Sugar & 1/8 tsp. of Cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup of dehydrated fruit & 3 TB of Powdered Milk or Powdered Creamer
• 2 TB of PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter Drizzle with Homemade Chocolate Syrup

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CUT YOUR GROCERY BUDGET IN HALF ~ PART 1, LIVE HOMEMADE!

Living on a Coupon isn't just about saving money with coupons; its about living a frugal happy & full life!  The number one way I do this is by choosing to live a homemade lifestyle.  I'm not talking Little House on the Prairie and you DO NOT have to be Suzy Homemaker to do this.  Living homemade means less money being spent at the store, getting more bang for your buck all while getting the best quality possible!

By going homemade I have cut my families grocery budget by more than 80%.  Before making these lifestyle changes we were spending anywhere from $800 - $1,000 a month in processed yuck I called groceries.  I still coupon, I have just changed my style of couponing.  I now focus on toiletries and kitchen staples like bread, condiments, milk, sugar, flour, nuts, grains and other main ingredients that will allow me to make my families favorites a healthier way.

I start off by preserving our favorite produce when it is at its peak.  By doing this I am able to purchase it at the cheapest price yet enjoy it throughout the year.  I personally only can/freeze the items I know we will for sure eat throughout the year.  This way I am not wasting my time or resources preserving produce that will just take up space.

For me this includes freezing corn, canning pickles, strawberry freezer jam, canning salsa, pumpkin puree &  applesauce to name a few.   The top of my cabinets are lined with all my favorite cookbooks I have collected from yard sales, thrift stores & cookbook clubs.  I also use meal planning programs like Meals by the Week because they keep my menu fresh and help me plan a menu based on the sales at my stores & what I have on hand.  Of course, we also have the web to find new creative recipes & I don't know what I would do without Pinterest! 

These resources help me stay creative with my monthly meal planning and makes sure I don't use the excuse of "I don't know how" when it comes to making something homemade.  I save a fortune by making some of my families favorites homemade....not to mention we stay away from processed preservative filled versions which makes me happy.    Some of the best ones are homemade noodles, flat bread, chocolate syrup & caramel 

I do not buy prepackaged snacks; Fruit snacks and other snacks targeted at kids have as much sugar and "yuck" as a candy bar.  I wouldn't buy a box of candy bars for my kids to snack on so why would I buy a box of fruit snacks.  I like to shop at my local market to buy dried nuts & fruits to make our own snack mix.  I buy raw oats and make our own flavored oatmeal.  I also choose to buy plenty of fresh seasonal fruits & vegetables as well as saltine and baked crackers to have on hand.  Staying away from the prepackaged snacks makes my budget very happy!  Plus, it teaches my kids to make good choices that will stick with them into the future.  

Another great way to cut your budget is to cut down on the portion size!  I always thought I needed to be cooking for an army and always want to make sure my family gets plenty to eat.  Though, what I quickly noticed was that my family was getting plenty to eat and I ended up with way to many leftovers.  Just by cutting down the amount of hamburger I cooked for one meal from 4 pounds to 3 saves me on average $3 a dinner!  I can feed 6 people on 3 chicken breast just by cutting them in half to make them thinner. This helps keep the portions under control and helps me make sure we always have a well rounded dinner consisting of a protein, starch & vegetable.  By doing this my family gets plenty to eat, doesn't cost me as much and nobody notices that I have cut the amount of meat down.  

Don't waste your money buying canned beans. Buy dry beans, cook in bulk and freeze them. Then, when you want to make beans all you have to do is warm them up and season.  When I find a crazy good deal I stock up and freeze milk, butter, yogurt, cream cheese, bread, brick cheese and lunch meat. Stocking up and Freezing these items are essential to staying in budget.  They are always expensive and for me is where I spend the most money.  I make sure I follow my price point guide to make sure I am getting the best deal and go crazy!  My kids enjoy baked goods so when I bake cookies I make a double batch and freeze them.  Same with muffins and cupcakes; this way when I have company or a few extra kids spending the night I can quickly pull out what they want with no fuss and no mess. 

My Homemade lifestyle doesn't stop in the kitchen!  I also choose to make my own cleaning supplies & detergent.  I love making my own products because they are clean of added chemicals, more gentle on my families skin and most of all extremely cheap!!  Even with coupons usually the best price you will get on laundry detergent is $1.99 for 32 loads (60oz) which breaks down to $.06 a load.  Or I can make my own homemade laundry detergent that is scent free & clear of added chemicals that only cost $1.76 for 480 loads!!  That breaks down to less than a penny a load!!  Some of my other favorites are homemade Febreze, Shout, Ice Packs & Swiffer Wet.  Get those recipes and more HERE.

I allow a budge of $160 a month and that is for EVERYTHING!  So, by making my own cleaning supplies means I have more money to spend on quality organic products, produce, milk & meats that I want to feed my family without a struggle.  Healthy living doesn't have to break the bank, you just have to make adjustments in where your money is going to make it happen!


Sorry for the lengthy post, there is just so much to share!  This is the first of a series I plan to share with you on how I live a frugal life without skimping on quality.

Next week, I will share with you how I create an entire month menu at one time!






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1 SWEATER ~ 4 DIFFERENT GIFTS! GREAT FOR A THRIFTY CHRISTMAS!!

One sweater - 4 different projects!

I shared these ideas last winter and thought we could revisit for

those of you looking for a very thrifty gift idea for this Christmas!

I have lots of old wool sweaters that I don't wear anymore; these sweaters will be making lots of goodies.  

All of these projects are no sew or very minimal sewing!

*NOTE*

Not just any sweater is going to work for these projects.  

You need to use a wool sweater that is at least 70% wool.  

The higher the wool count is means the tighter the fabric will be when you "felt" your sweater.

PREPPING YOUR SWEATER:

• You have to "felt" your sweater before chopping it up.  
• Wash your wool sweater in the washer on the hottest water setting possible.  
• Add a few towels or jeans to the wash with the sweater to create more friction.
• The more friction the more your wool will tighten up (that is the felting process)
• After washing put the sweater in the dryer to fully dry
• Why felt?  
• The process of felting shrinks and tightens up the wool fibers turning your wool sweater into felt.
• Felt then can be cut and does not have to be sewn because the fibers are so tight they will not frey.
• This also will keep your sweater projects from stretching out.

Here are 4 fun easy projects to do with just one sweater!

I used the body of the sweater to make this cute purse for my daughter.  This bag turned out so cute and she loved having her name on it.
Click Here for instructions.






Just 3 1/2 inches off one sleeve made this cute reusable coffee cup sleeve.  You could use all the sleeve to make several of these for gifts.  I only made 2 (one from each sleeve) and used the rest for the next project.  
Click Here for instructions.

I have always wanted a pair of fingerless hand warmers.  I used the remaining sleeve to make a set.  These are so cute and yes very warm!  
Click Here for instructions.

If you are not into the fingerless hand warmers you could make 2 very cute wine bottle sleeves.  These would be so cute with a ribbon around the body of the bottle or maybe a button or initial.  
Click Here for instructions.













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CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA: HOMEMADE CHAI TEA!!

I shared this recipe last Holiday season, it is a great gift to give!!

I have to say, Chai Tea is one of my favorite hot drinks.

Though not always the cheapest to buy!

Here is a wonderful recipe to make your own, for way cheaper then buying it!

This recipe makes 8 cups of mix. 

I made a batch for me and a batch to give away during the holidays as gifts!

I bough most of the ingredients in the bulk section at Winco.

Ingredients

• 2 Cups of Sugar
• 2 Cups of Unsweetened Instant Tea
• 1 1/2 cups Powdered French Vanilla Nondairy Creamer
• 1 1/4 Cups of Powdered Nondairy Creamer
• 1 1/4 Cups of Packed Brown Sugar
• 3/4 Cups of Nonfat Dry Milk Powder
• 2 1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
• 1 1/4 tsp. Ground Cardamom
• 1 1/4 tsp. Ground Cloves
• 1 tsp. Ground Allspice
• 1/4 tsp. Ground White Pepper

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
• In batches, blend the mixture in a blender or food processor until powdery.
• Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place.

To Prepare

• Mix 1/4 cup of mix with 8 oz of hot water.
• Want a creamer drink, use hot milk instead of water.

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HOW TO FREEZE FRESH CORN

Freezing Corn is a great way to preserve one of the best things of Summer!!

What I love about frozen corn over canned is you don't end up with soggy squishy corn....

Instead you are left with fresh crisp corn that is in a form that can be 

used for any recipe!!

I stored mine in Sandwich size bags (about 3 cups) 

this way it would be easy to pick how much I needed depending on my recipe!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Corn
• Pot with boiling water
• Large bowl of ice water
• several dry towels
• tongs
• Cookie Sheets
• Containers or bags to freezer the corn in

HOW TO

• Get a large pot full of water to a rapid boil
• Meanwhile, shuck and clean away all the silk from the corn

• Once the water is boiling it is time to Blanch 
• Place about 6-8 ears at a time into the water. 
• Boil for 5 minutes.  Use a time, trust me it is easy to get side tracked!!
• It should only take the water about a minute to return to a rapid boil
• If it takes longer you have to much corn in the pot and need to boil less at a time.
• Meanwhile, get a large bowl of ice water ready to shock the corn
• This is a very important step.  You want to stop the corn from cooking so you don't get chewy corn.
• After the 5 minutes of blanching is done, Quickly move the corn cobs to the ice water and let soak for another 5 minutes.

• Remove the corn from the ice water and place on dry towels to wick away the excess water.
• Once the corn is dry cut the kernels off the cob and place in an even layer on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer until the kernels are completely frozen! (about 3-4 hours)
• Yes, you could just put the fresh wet kernels into a bag and freeze them....if you like to have a brick of water corn!
• If you would like to have frozen corn like you get from a store (frozen individually so the kernels are loose in the bag & not water logged) DO THIS EXTRA STEP!
• Try to keep your munkin from eating it all!

• Once the kernels are frozen place into freezer safe bags & enjoy summer corn all year long!

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FRUGAL LIVING: FREE HOMEMADE SOUND SYSTEM...NO BATTERIES OR OUTLETS NEEDED TO WORK!

Did you know you don't need to 

buy some expensive portable speaker system 

or docking station to play your favorite tunes on the go?!

All you need is a bowl & your music!

Place your phone or iPod (speaker down) in a bowl and let the bowl do all the work!

P.S. 

I don't pay for music either!

Sirius Radio is over rated and expensive.....

I use Spotify......IT'S FREE!!

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MY FAVORITE HOMEMADE & SIMPLIFY MY LIFE TIPS & RECIPES!!

Many of you asked for my homemade versions of my favorite brands....

While I have posted all these in the past, they do get lost over time.

So here is a list of my favorites and quick links to the "how-to"

For all the rest of my tips and tricks be sure to check out the 

Simplify my life, homemade or Clip that Tip Tab at the top of the homepage!!

 Homemade Laundry Detergent

 Homemade Febreze

 Homemade Shout/Stain Remover

 Homemade Ice Packs

 Homemade Jet Dry

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner 

Homemade Swiffer & All Purpose Cleaner








    Hang Pictures Perfectly - Fool Proof

   Open Clamshell Packaging without losing a finger

    Remove sand from skin at the beach

   Clean Stove Tops

   Clean Microwave with ease





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PARTY IDEAS: CHEESECAKE BAR

For our son's Graduation Party he didn't want a normal cake....but Cheesecake.

I was rather happy to hear because I also LOVE Cheesecake.

Though serving a plain white cheesecake was just not going to do for a party 

(if you know me and my parties you know what I'm talking about)

So, I came up with a Cheesecake Bar!

This was a blast, and a great way to keep the waste at a minimal.  

My wonderful Step-mom made the cheesecake, and instead of making several normal 

huge thick cheesecakes she baked them in a baking sheet.

This made the cheesecake much thinner and of course stretches a regular recipe

way beyond a 10 inch cake!

Making a cheesecake in a baking sheet also makes it very easy to cut into small bars.

We served the cheesecake in disposable champagne cups (i got from Zurchers).

These cups added a fun little fancy flair to the Cheesecake Bar & where just the right portion size. 

What's a Cheesecake Bar without toppings....

We used mason jars to hold several different toppings 

(Winco Bulk ~ I love you)

This is what we had:

* Mini M&M's * Mini Chocolate Chips * Crushed Oreo's * 

* Chocolate Syrup (my recipe) * Caramel Sauce (my recipe) * Cherry Pie Filling *

This was a huge hit & will definitely be happening again!

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PARTY IDEAS: MEMORY LETTERS

Earlier this month we celebrate our oldest son 

graduating from High School & Going to the Marines.

I wanted to display pictures of Tyler in all the different stages of this life,

though didn't want to pay the price to have so many pictures printed.

This was a very simple project & would be fun to do for any Birthday or Anniversary Party

So, I came up with Memory Letters.  

• I used my Michael 50% off coupons to pick up the wooden letters for $1 each
• I printed the pictures on normal printing paper at home to cut down on printing cost.  
• I printed all the pictures no larger than 3x2 inches so I was able to fit lots of pictures on 1 page of paper.
• We attached two letters together on an angle.  This made them more stable to stand up

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