2 DIY Saving Money Tips

I love saving money... almost as much as I like to spend money! I try to stay on a budget, so I can spend more money on the things I like and less on the things I need.

Being on maternity leave has meant that I have really needed to tighten up my budget. Some things were obvious changes - eat out less, more coffee at home, and in general, less frivolous spending. Other savings have been a little more creative. 

With the help of Pinterest, I have found some ways of cutting out expensive "must-haves" and replacing them with DIY versions. Here are some of my favourites:

1) DIY Foam Soap: I love nice smelly soap. I especially like the foam soap that can be bought by the handful at the mall. Unfortunately, each one costs over $6! Sure, they go on sale, but then I spend even more money, because I can't pass up a good deal.  To top it off, you're left with all these plastic bottles. It seems very wasteful.

Earlier this year, I saw a Pin about how to make your own foam soap, so I jumped at the chance. This is all you need:

• Liquid Castile soap - (~$12) I found Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile soap in the organic/natural section of the grocery store and have since found it at a natural store in town. It's certified fair trade and is made with organic oils. It comes in a lot of scents, like lavender, tea tree oil, peppermint, citrus, almond, and eucalyptus. I used the unscented one, because the store I bought my first bottle in didn't have many scents.
• Essential oil (~$5) - I used tea tree, but I've seen recipes with mint, lavender, and various citrus scents. I think mint and rosemary would be nice.
• Water (free!)
• A foaming pump (free!) - I reused some from my store-bought foam soap.)

This is all you have to do:
1.  Fill 1/3 of the bottle with Castile soap and 2/3 with water.
2. Add some essential oil for smell. I used about 10 drops or so. If you're not sure how much you want, add some, swirl it around and smell. Too weak? Add some more!
3. Gently roll the bottle around in your palm so everything mixes, without foaming up.

Voila! You have your very own foam soap!

You can find various "recipes" for this online. Be careful, because some seem a bit strange - like the one I saw about using shampoo and food colouring for hand soap.

I use tea tree oil, because I love the smell of it, and it has disinfecting properties. I think that I'll use the Tea Tree Oil Castile Soap next time, and buy different essential oils that compliment the tea tree oil. Maybe I'll give the rosemary/mint combo a try! Really, the possibilities are endless! 

I have refilled my bottle about 6 times and can probably refill it again at least twice more with the one bottle of Castile soap. The essential oil is still very full. I would say that each refill of soap costs about $1.50.  That's a great deal, and as a bonus, there aren't the chemicals that you'd find in the store bought foam soap!

2) Vinegar & Baking Soda: I guess I knew that mixing baking soda and vinegar is kind of magical, but I hadn't really taken advantage of the fact that they can also replace some more expensive (and chemical-filled) cleaners. They're like the dream team of simple cleaning products.

Here are some of the ways I use vinegar and baking soda:

Washing Machine: I have a love/hate relationship with my front-load washing machine. One of the downsides is that they can start smelling not so fresh - not something you want in a washing machine. In addition to leaving the door open when it's not in use, every month or so, I sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside the washer and about 1/2 a cup of vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Then I turn it on to the hottest (but shortest) setting I can. I think it's usually perm press on hot wash, cold rinse. It cleans everything out. After a quick wipe of the rubber on the front of the drum, it's all fresh and ready to keep washing!

Dishwasher: Similar to the washing machine, you start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, fill a mug with vinegar and place in the top rack of the dishwasher. Start a cycle that uses a high heat (although I try for the shortest cycle, to avoid wasting power.) Your dishwasher will smell better and it will get rid of left over residue from food and soap.

Kitchen Sink/Ceramic Stove Top: For the sink and stove top, it's a similar process. Sprinkle baking soda in the sink and on the stove. Then, I use a spray bottle filled with vinegar to generously spray over the baking soda. You'll see little reactions happening. That's the fun part - (carefully) involve the kids! I let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub off with a cloth. The baking soda will help scrub and shine the sink, without scratching. If the stove has any spots where pots have boiled over and burned, I use a "Scrunge" sponge to scrub without being abrasive. (Note: Make sure the stove is cooled off... I'm not sure what vinegar and baking soda would do on a hot surface.)

Microwave: This is great, because it takes such a short amount of time! vinegar and water into a microwavable bowl (I usually do one part vinegar, two parts water) and pop it in the microwave for about a couple of minutes on high. It really depends on your microwave, but at the end of the minute, you should see that it's steamed up a bit in there. Don't let it boil too much - you don't want things getting too hot. You don't want any explosions! The steam softens up the hard crusty bits and the vinegar up the microwave, softening everything while the vinegar gets rid of odours. Wait a couple of minutes before opening the door - make sure it's not too hot, then wipe off the sides of your microwave. It will be SO easy!

The only issue I've ever had was using red wine vinegar instead of white to clean my microwave when pregnant. I'm not really sure what I was thinking. I should have just steamed it with water. Let's just say the smell was like nothing I'd ever smelled before, so without going into details, you can imagine what happened when my pregnant-self caught a whiff of it! Not fun! (To this day, I can't smell red wine vinegar without getting a little queasy!)


These have all worked for me, so I hope that someone else finds them handy! What have you done to finds ways to cut down on materials commonly used in your house? I'd love to know!


(My next DIY money-saving project is to make my own Diaper Genie refills. Those suckers are expensive! Do you have any tips?)

What a Deal!

I like a good deal. I have always tried to be frugal, but since being on maternity leave I have become even more budget conscious.  I'm always looking for ways to save money. This weekend, I hit the jackpot! After procrastinating for hours over going for groceries on Sunday, I had an hour and a half to get to Sobeys before it closed on Sunday. It wouldn't have been that big of a deal, except Monday was a holiday here in New Brunswick, so I really needed to get groceries. My cupboards were looking bare!

Soon after I entered the store, I heard an announcement that said all store made bread in the bakery was now 50% off. Great deal! I pushed my cart into the bread department and got a loaf of multigrain bread (my favourite) and two loafs of garlic bread for the freezer. I was happy with that.

Then I rolled into the meat and seafood department and found even better deals! A lot of their fish and meat was 50% off as well. I checked the dates, and they had only been packaged the day before, so I started stocking up. I guess they only like to keep them on the shelves for 2 days, and since the next day was a holiday, they wanted to clear them out. I picked up fish, pork, and a beautiful looking roast.

This is what I bought at 50% off:

• loaf of bread
• 2 loaves of garlic bread
• Beef Inside Roast
• 4 Salmon Portions
• 3 packages of Haddock Fillets
• 2 boneless pork chops

The regular price was $57.31 and I got it all for $28.63!

Now my freezer is a little fuller, and my grocery bill should be a bit lighter for the next could of weeks. I love saving money!

Next time there is a holiday, I'm going to go an hour before the store closes to see if I can get some similar deals!

PEI - Here We Come!

We had said that we weren't taking vacation this year. Maternity leave equals a "pay leave," so that makes vacationing a little more difficult, financially.

We had said, absolutely not, no way, no how, but we were really sad that we weren't going to make a trip to PEI this summer, because it's one of our favourite places to visit each summer. Why? Well, it's usually warm, but not too warm. The people are friendly, and it's kind of like home, but different enough to make it a bit of an adventure, with lots of new things to see and do. We always find something to do, but are also content just relaxing, something that can be difficult to do at home. In addition, the food is delicious - we're all about the food, especially seafood. (We're true Maritimers!)

So all we could do was dream of a little vacation, feeling a little sad that our summer would be void of any trips.  Then, my parents called and said they were renting a cottage for a long weekend and invited us along. I (sadly) said, thank you, but no, we decided that we weren't going to go anywhere this summer. 

Later in the day, I mentioned the conversation to my husband. The next thing I know, I hear him on the phone to my mother saying we'd go. So much for solidarity. Ha! I really can't complain though, because I'm just happy we're going. Isn't that one of the best parts of marriage? When your partner just knows what your family NEEDS and finds a way to make it happen? A weekend of relaxation, fun, and (of course) lobster is just what we need!

So, now I'm in planning mode. (I love being in planning mode!!) It may only be a four day trip, but it will be Little C's first vacation, so it has to be a good one. Actually, a nice short vacation like this is a perfect way to see how he'll make out travelling.  

Before we did anything, we had to think about a vacation budget. We had some money set aside for summer fun, but now we need to boost it up a bit.  So, we've listed some things on kijiji, and have already raised some money that way, and are now planning a yard sale.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I've had many yard sales over the years. It's a great way to turn clutter into cash. Since we have a lot of clutter right now, it's perfect timing. It's a lot of work, but it will be worth it, if it's a success.  Fingers crossed for good weather in the coming weeks. So, now I'm gathering, sorting, and pricing. Fun, fun, fun.

Now I'm planning for what we're going to do. We want to make this a budget-friendly vacation, so I'm looking for inexpensive activities on PEI. We're staying in a central spot, so I think we'll stay in the middle of the island, and maybe take a day to explore the Points East Drive on the eastern side of the island.

I just want to see something new.  We go to PEI most summers, so we've seen all the popular tourist traps. I want to see something different. The challenge is that my son is only 9 months old. What does a 9 month old like to do? I know that he likes to see new things, so that should be easy. He also likes animals, so I'll try to find some of those. What he doesn't like is to stay still for long, be strapped into a stroller for long, but he can't walk yet. It makes it a little more difficult. I'm up for the challenge though!

Any ideas?

Turn Your Clutter Into Cash: Host a (Successful) Yard Sale

I’m getting ready for a yard sale.  I haven’t had one in a couple of years, and my house is starting to get a bit cluttery.  Holding a yard sale can be a lot of work, but it can also be worthwhile.  It’s a great way to make some extra cash for the summer.  Over the years, I’ve had many successful yard sales, so I thought I’d share some of my tips for a money-maker yard sale.

1) Collect early: I usually have a box in my house that is dedicated to a yard sale.  Throughout the year, I toss things into the box. It may be some dishes that I’ve upgraded, a movie that we never watch, a knickknack or decoration that doesn’t match anymore, or <gasp!> a gift I’ve received that I know I won’t use. This box can also come in handy if you have people ask for donations for different sales throughout the year.

2) Gather the Goods:  Yard-salers will often drive by to see if a yard sale is worth stopping for.  No one is going to stop for an old lawn chair and your collection of VHS tapes.  You want a good selection, so go through your house and gather all that "stuff" you haven’t used in years (and probably won’t use again.)  Don’t think you have enough for a sale? Join forces with family and friends.  Yard-salers love a multi-family yard sale, and you’ll love the company!  Sometimes, family members don’t know what to do with their cast-offs and don’t want the hassle of organizing a sale, so they may just give you a box or two to add to your sale.  Instant bonus!

3) Set a Date: Right now, I know I’ll be having a yard sale. It’s not going to be this weekend, but it may be next weekend.  I have to play it by ear, depending on weather, and when I can get everything together.  Don’t be stuck on a date, because you want it to be a nice day.  Be flexible enough to change it if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

4) Price Your Items: Yard-salers appreciate having a price already on your item.  Buy a package of stickers and a sharpie from the dollar store. I don’t price anything less than 25 cents, and try to keep everything under $5. Buyers will still haggle, but they will know what you think your item is worth.  Not sure what something is worth? Books, CDs, DVDs, will sell relatively low, compared to the original price.  If an item is in very good condition, you may be able to price it at a third or half of the original price.  Just remember that the items are used, so set a reasonable price.

5) Organize Your Items:  While some people love to dig through piles of stuff, many don’t.  For this reason, try to organize the items you’re selling.  I usually start going through my boxes a few weeks before. I put all the books, movies, and CDs together in one box. Kitchen stuff goes in another box. Toys will go together, etc.  Think ahead to what you’re going to physically put your items on for the sale.  Make use of any table or table-like surfaces you have. Bring out your kitchen table, coffee table, bench - even two chairs and a piece of wood can become a table. Set up can take a while, so plan for it.  If you have a garage, you can have your tables completely ready to go the day before.  Drag them out in the morning, or make it a garage sale!

6) Advertise.  You need buyers!   Put up a few brightly coloured, simple signs in the neighbourhood, near main intersections.  Post on your Facebook page, and invite your friends to share.  (Make sure the privacy setting on the post is set to public, so non-friends can see it.) The best tool I use is Kijiji. There are lots of online classified sites that would work, including Facebook groups.  In your ad, make sure that you include some key words – is it a multi-family sale? Moving sale? Do you have baby items? Toys? Camping gear? Video games? Retro/vintage/antique  items? Collectables? Tools? If you have something that you think will be a good seller, advertise it! Some buyers are looking for those keywords.

 

8) Day of Sale Tips: Have a small stash of change (quarters, toonies, loonies, and some $5 bills) and have a plan for your money. Make sure you keep it safe. You don’t want all of your hard work to be for nothing.  Also, that big collection of plastic grocery bags could finally be of use to you too. While some people bring bags with them when they go to yard sales, most don’t, and they’ll appreciate the offer of a bag.   

9) Leftovers: Once your sale is over, you’ll inevitably have some leftovers.  Don’t let them back in your house to re-clutter it!  Look for opportunities to pay it forward.  I set out boxes when I’m packing up. The best items go in the Hospice box.  Hospice sells the items in their shop and gives me a tax receipt.  Clothing goes to the clothing depot, who give clothing to those in need. Everything else goes to Value Village. They also donate to charity.  There are also organizations that will pick up leftovers.  Look for opportunities in your community.  You’d be surprised what you can find. It’s a great way to give back after a successful yard sale!  

 

Right now, I’m still gathering, organizing and pricing items for my yard sale.  Hopefully these tips will help me again this year. What do you do to make sure you have a successful yard sale?