Skip to main content

Pinchin Pennies

I don't know about your household but this household is in major penny pinching mode. It has a little to do with the economy and a lot to do with the four growing children.

They need stuff. They need stuff all the time. They almost always insist on being fed. There are days that the only thing my 12 year old says to me is, "What's for dinner." I highly suspect saying, "Dinner, no dinner tonight" would not go over well.

Then they need things like glasses and shoes and school clothes and school fees and...

Well you get the picture.

I wonder whose brilliant idea it was to have four children?

Well what is done is done and we are really learning to the best of our abilities to save money where we can. Part of that money saving is buying certain household items like toilet paper, laundry soap and dish soap in bulk.

In fact until recently Costco sold a huge bucket of dishwasher soap for a very reasonable price. Then one day I went to buy it and they didn't have it. We checked around at other Costco's and other stores and have been unable to find it. Which had us buying other Costco soap but being a little annoyed that the cheaper version was gone.

After a little digging around on the Internet we found that dishwasher soap is actually very easy to make at home. Easy and did I mention very cheap! Yay Cheap! So here it is Krissi's first ever money saving tip.

Take these two ingredients:


P6284439
Mix them in equal parts (one cup/one cup)


Put them in a handy to use container with a one tablespoon measuring spoon.

P6284442

Fill your dishwasher with dirty dishes, put one tablespoon of soap in the pre-wash and one tablespoon in the wash container, and start. Total cost to wash your dishes 4.5 cents :)

Just in case your wondering the cheapest we are able to buy dishwasher soap now is Costco's liquid brand that cost about 9.5 cents a load. That is if you get every last drop out of the container. Brent also wanted me to mention that you have to have a Costco membership so those two things combined make the actual cost a little more.


P6284441

We also read that you can use vinegar instead of JetBlue in the dishwasher. We have tried it and the dishes are coming out clean and streak free.

What kind of tricks and tips do you have for saving pennies?

Labels:

Comments

jesussavesyeehaw said…
You know the duggars have a recipe for laundry soap on their website?
July 1, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

At my Age

I saw this quote the other day and had to smile. It has been interesting finishing school at my age. I have had this feeling more than once that I am a little old, and finishing school is something I should have done a long time ago. Usually I remind myself that we all have our own paths to take in life. My path had me marry at 19 and become the mother of four beautiful rug rats by 27. Marriage and children defined me more than anything. I became more aware of my talents and abilities. I really didn't know who I was before I became a wife and mother. Waiting until now to finish my degree gave me time to figure out who I am. Well, at least to have a better idea of who I am. I love being in a classroom, I love learning, and I love helping others learn. My inner nerd does little happy dances every time I learn something new. Each person on this planet has their own God given talents. We have a responsibility to find our talents and to make the world a better place. How old you are wh...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hip Hip Hurray, Tomorrow is PIE Day

Well in a little less then 24 hours I am going to have to reset this counter.  I can hardly believe that it says 30 days.  I have to tell you I never thought I would make it this many days I really thought I would have to reset it at some point in time. It has been a huge motivation for me knowing that you guys are watching the counter.  Also, knowing that even if you didn't catch me in the time allowed you would see that I punked.  That I didn't have the self control, not to eat sugar. Every time I would think of eating a goodie, I would think about reseting the clock.  I would wonder who was online, I would wonder if I would get caught, I would wonder who would catch me.  By the time I got through thinking about all of that I would decide the treat wasn't worth it. Another motivation has been my kids, who have said, "Mom you don't have to reset the counter no one would know."  I wanted them to see that  I could be honest and not do something I shouldn't ...
3 comments
Read more

Pinewood Derby or Bust!

If there is one thing that Brent and I both agree on.  One thing that we both believe is essential to the proper development, growth, and raising of a son. That no boyhood would be complete with out.  It would be participation in the Pinewood Derby.   Yes, on this one thing Brent and I are in total agreement.  A boyhood is not a true boyhood until a boy has built a pinewood derby car and then competed in a pinewood derby.  It is that important!  I'm sorry if you have never had the opportunity to live in a house filled with the air of pinewood derby. If you have never had the opportunity of watching a father stand to the side as his son uses HIS power tools. The opportunity to take a chunk of wood and see that inside the wood is the makings of a CAR.   You wonder why men are so obsessed with cars, with how there made, and how fast they go.  Well if you have ever brought home a pinewood derby box kit to a home with boys and men all your questions would be answered. Once the car is b...
3 comments
Read more