Welcome 2012 !! The year everyone is looking to live with less !! Not exactly what my I thought this year would be like. But Hey !! I am game !!! But I need a game plan !
So I am going to use this blog to start developing a game plan on how to spend less... If you know me then you know my biggest weakness..... Spending money on "Art" or "Craft" stuff !! So since it's the place I "waste" the most I will not start here... Why you ask? Because I would be defeated tomorrow !!!! Saying that I am going to put my passion as a priority on the list, but not as number one !.
Let's talk about some ways I have already cut costs in case you're new to this living with less idea.
Cleaning supplies!
Throw out any cleaning product you have that has more than 3 things you can not say.
Throw out any product in your house that has a Hazardous label on it, yes this means the BLEACH!
Throw out any cleaning product that is artificially fragrant.
Make your own non-toxic cleaning supplies!
Baking Soda:
visit: http://www.armandhammer.com/ for ways to use and ways to save
Wal-Mart list's Arm and Hammer Baking Soda 4lb for $2.12, I know we buy the largest bag available for around $6.00 These large sizes are found where swimming pool supplies are located; yes you can use it in your pool and save money!
So exactly how does baking soda fit into my scheme to spend less? Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, helps regulate pH… keeping a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. When baking soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance, its natural effect is to neutralize that pH. Beyond that, baking soda has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as buffering. This dual capability of neutralizing and buffering allows baking soda to do things such as neutralize acidic odors (like in the refrigerator) as well as maintain neutral pH (like in your laundry water, which helps boost your detergent’s power). It’s a simple reaction, but one that has far-reaching effects for a number of cleaning and deodorizing tasks.
Baking soda also makes an excellent replacement for many personal care products, which are also adding to the list of toxic pollutants and personal health destroyers (mainly in the form of synthetic fragrance, sodium laurel sulfate, and parabens). Almost all fragrance ingredients are synthetic.
There are over 101 ways to use Baking Soda, but my personal favorites are:
Greasy pans - sprinkle and let sit for a few and wipe off... No need to scrub!!
2. Scouring powder - cleans sinks, tubs and toilets as well as the tub and shower
3. Tooth Paste additive - Yes, add it to your toothpaste and see how it cleans your teeth (or buy toothpaste with it in it)
4. Face Wash!! I use it as a micro abrasion cleanser. I add a little to my daily cleanser and wha la!!
5. Shampoo!! It removes hair spray build up!! Use it alone or add to your shampoo.
Vinegar:
White distilled vinegar runs about $3.00 for a gallon and there are over 101 uses for it too and here are just a few:
1. Smell Killer! Even though it smells it's a great way to reduce the odor of foods and smoke in your house.
The smell of vinegar dissipates in about 10 minutes but it continues to reduce odor
2. Reduces grease in taco meat. I don't know if this a published fact but I have a recipe that adds 1/2 tsp of vinegar towards the end of the cooking time for taco meat and it enriches the flavor and reduces the grease from the ground meat, so give it a try!
3. Fabric softener and rise. Replace the downy with vinegar it cuts the soap residue in your wash and leaves your clothes soft. If you hang them out on the line it reduces the stiffness that comes with nice clean and refreshing line dried clothes!
4. Hair Rinse! Either white or apple cider vinegar makes a great rinse for your hair and makes it soft.
Peroxide: THROW OUT THE BLEACH!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved hydrogen peroxide as a sanitizer. Even though there are many good ways to use this in your body, and technically it won't kill you, please be advised that it will kill bacteria and can damage cells... It is a SANITIZER! Just as with any sanitizer use sparingly to avoid kill GOOD Bacteria.
1. Kitchen Use:
Add to wash water, dishwasher for disinfecting, clean counters and the refrigerator.
2. Bathroom Use:
Toilet Bowl cleaner, tub/shower, and counters. Can be used to clean toothbrushes.
3. Fungus/Boils and other medicinal purposes. Again use caution but will handle these situations
Liquid Soap:
This requires the realization of product ingredients. Many soaps have chemicals with names we can not pronounce, let alone know what they are. I personally like to use Dr. Bonner's Liquid castile soap. It is an all-natural type of soap that can be purchased from a retailer. This soap is not the cheapest product but it is worth every penny. Living with less doesn't mean to live without quality.
For more information, visit their site: http://www.drbronner.com/index.html
You can make your own out using good grade of Olive Oil and a soap making process. Liquid castile soap is suitable for cleaning dishes in a dishwasher and is a safe alternative to chemically based soaps. However, DO NOT use regular liquid soap in this recipe or any type of soap that isn't castile soap. Regular soap foams in the dishwasher and may break or damage the dishwasher.
1. 1/2 cup soap, 1/2 water, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tsp of lemon juice makes a great dishwasher soap
2. Can be used for liquid bath soap as well. I mix it with a little water to stretch it out.
3. One part soap to 40 parts water for general household cleaning
4. 1/3 to 1/4 cup for laundry (might not be as cheap as other alternatives but it works great)
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