I just have to say...
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I just have to say...
| Sat, 05-31-2003 - 5:38pm |
That after my first visit here earlier today I decided that the ony way to overcome all this madness was to actually sit down and figure everything out. So I did..I sat down and H came over and was looking at me like I sprouted a head and we figured out a plan together. I also set up automatic weekly on line payments so now I know the money will be coming right out of the bank every week and going to the CC companies and the electric company and the cell phone and the phone and well all of them...even the dentist. My H knows how much he needs to make his checks every week in regards to the overtime he chooses to work and I can rest a little now.
I also read the post...Im sorry Im not sure who posted it...about the groceries being 45 a week and I cannot wait to try that plan. I think if I make it a game of sorts than I will be just fine.
I also read a post where someone said they made their laundry detegent and their cleaners...this may sound clueless but can someone tell me how????
Thanks so much for this...you have no idea how much you all helped even though you said nothing directly to me!!!!
SweetPea
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Rebecca
http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/articles/detergent.html
It costs me $1.60 Cdn. for 60 loads. Normal laundry detergent would cost me $10.00 here.
Here is a link of quick cleaning solutions http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/articles/solutions.html
There are books to get you into a frugal mindset around the house. Any of the Tightwad Gazette's by Amy Dacyzyn or Miserly Moms & Miserly Meals by Jonni Mccoy are awesome and indispensible. Available at libraries usually. ebay always has the Tightwad Gazettes up for auction cheap.
and there are a ton of frugal living website. go to www.google.com and type in frugal living or frugal solutions and you get a ton of results.
Glad you found us, you'll like it here :-)
Lorraine
That was me! :) I'm glad it was helpful. I'm also glad you found us and joined us. You'll love it here.
Yes, the groceries thing is kind of like a game. It gets discouraging sometimes to feel hungry and go to the fridge and there's "nothing" to eat. But there's always food really--it just either requires preparation or it's fruit which isn't always what I'm in the mood for. But that discouraging feeling never lasts long, and often it prompts me to make cookies or prepare something healthy but filling, and it keeps me from idle boredom browsing. I've lost about ten pounds over the past several months on this "poverty diet" because if I want something junky, I have to make it myself! LOL I call it the "poverty diet," but I actually feel pretty good about it. It's fun finding the best deals and seeing how much food I can really get for $45. It's amazing what a nice feeling it is to be at the farmer's market and have her total everything up and realize there's still $2 in the budget and I can get a nice, juicy cantaloupe for my son (who is a melon freak!).
And you know what? We *really* enjoy the treat of that sweet, juicy melon in a way that we never would if I had just thrown it in the grocery cart along with chex mix, peaches, and beer. It's a simple, sensuous pleasure, and I love it.
Thanks for joining us!
Blessings,
Heather
Thanks for the links. You would make a great addition to the Voluntary Simplicity Board:)
Sweatpea - here are some boards you may have helpful in finding way to budget and to cut costs and/or be frugal.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-fdfrugal&nav=start
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-hgfrugal&nav=start
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-ppfrugal&nav=start
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-mlsavings&nav=start
I visit the Budget and Tips board quite often and when I have time I visit the Frugal Kitchen and Frugal Living boards.
I have cut down as much as I can except for the groceries which I am working on. Rule of thumb is the less prepackaged and processed foods you purchase the less it should cost you. I now bake my own bread, cookies, and muffins, make my own baby food, and stopped buying a lot of regular prepackaged/processed foods but I still have a ways to go before I am only spending 45.00 like Heather does :) I am hoping to get there soon!
Sandra
I'm pretty sure the first ingredient is a melted hersheys bar ;-)
Thanks so much for joining us, and I hope you find that we're all full of ideas and support.
I don't make my own detergent, but I do cut my dryer sheets in half - they work just as well and last twice a long. I keep a pair of mini sewing kit scissors near the washer/dryer, and snip snip as needed.
As for frugal living boards, there are also some boards here on iVillage that I thought I would plug in case you would like to check out. They are:
1. Frugal Living: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-hgfrugal
2. Simplify your Life: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-hgsimplify
3. Coupon Clippers: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-mlcoupons
4. Frugal Gifts and Fun: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-mlfrugalgift
5. Frugal Kitchen: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fdfrugal
Oh - and this isn't a frugal board exactly, but I've found that I've saved LOTS of money the weeks I make crockpot meals, and this board is just BRIMMING with great recipes:
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fdcrockpot
Enjoy and happy surfing :)
Danni
All my best,
Danni
Heather
Here is a 'diet shake" recipe
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,163,158190-240204,00.html , I would suspect though (or at least hope) that the slimfast has some protein powder in it, which is available in bulk or health stores.
There's also an article on frugal shake drinks at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980226a.cfm
Sandra, I lurk on the simplicity board now and then, I do well to keep up with this group though, I can't keep up with all the posts everywhere! :) Even right now I have to let a ton of these ones go unread, I need a manservant to keep me up to date on what everyone is saying!