Saving $$ - Part Two

Here are some reasonable things I believe that we can do to save those pennies. It might take a bit of time to convince my husband for some ideas. Some ideas do no directly impact him except for the saved pennies. Some ideas will take him a while but he will come around and then we can be saving THOSE pennies. These things also take organization and planning, but I’ve spent many years practicing to do that.

Tell me what you think….

• Using those bags we purchased to put our groceries in. King Soopers gives us 5 cents off of each bag we use.
o Bags are already purchased - a 5 to 30 cent plus to us each time we use them.
• Instead of purchasing those little pudding packs, fruits packs, or applesauce, package our own.
o I have the little containers – a package of Jello is 50 cents? Make them up on the weekends for the upcoming week. Instead of spending almost 3 dollars for 4 or 6 packages. Savings $2.50
• Grow a garden. This year we started our garden as usual. Planted were tomatoes, zucchini, spaghetti squash, bell peppers, and another squash as yet unknown to us. Over the 4th of July we had a big hail storm which basically killed our tomato and bell pepper plants. Then the squashes got a fungus. In the mean time we were able to harvest some food. Zucchinis 4; spaghetti squash 2; Unnamed squash 1. Probably just broke even there but we will keep it up because it is a savings most of the time.
• Use cloth napkins. This is a cost savings and good for the environment.
o I already have some cloth napkins as well as fabric to make more. Cost zero to purchase. Cost = laundry detergent. Savings – whatever it costs to purchase more paper napkins.
• Use cloth towels instead of paper towels.
o Same applies to this a paper napkins. It does take more to launder. At least napkins can usually be laundered in the sink.
• Make your own cleaning products.
o I have never really done this, but they say that vinegar and baking soda and alcohol will clean just about anything. And cleaning products are expensive!!
• Walk or ride my bike instead of driving the car.
o We basically live one block from the grocery, the cleaners (to be discussed later), a hair salon, the bank, several other shops. We also live about a mile from a book store, Target, Petco, the library, etc, etc. It’s a town center. Sometimes it is not feasible to walk or ride a bike. But put a basket on my bike and a backpack and I can probably save some bucks.
• Speaking of cars: when running in and out and doing a lot of errands, park the cars in the driveway instead of opening and closing the garage door.
o Not only will it save wear and tear on the garage door, it saves electricity.
• Also to do with cars. Wash them ourselves.
o It takes time but so does driving to the car wash and waiting while the attendants wash the car. It also costs money for whatever we clean the car with and water. But we already have rags to clean and the other items in no way will cost the same amount as the car wash and tips. Not to speak of gas to get there and we get exercise.
To be continued……