Deb's Daily Dollar Idea: Save the Soap

Today's idea comes from my mother, a truly frugal woman!  Sometimes we overlook ways to save money because we may only save a few coins in so doing.  But consider that a few coins added up over the course of a year is no small change!  Saving money in many instances just requires a frugal mindset.  Most of us want to get the most possible use out of something before we have to replace it.  Replace an item fewer times and save some green.  So today's idea has to do with making those bars of soap last longer.

1.  To make bar soap last a lot longer, open the packaging when you get home and let the bars "dry" out and harden before using.  A month or two should do - especially if you live in the WEST where we have dry mountain air to do the drying.  Ever notice how a bar of soap that falls in the bath water just melts away?  A soft bar of soap won't last long.  A rock hard bar of soap will last a long time - yet get you just as clean.

2.  Don't throw away soap bar slivers.  Collect them, along with those little bars you collect from motel visits, and put them all through your grinder - like your food processor.  Add a little water until softened and form into "new" soap bars the size of soap bars.  Forget them for a while and you have new, hard bars.  It is amazing how fast those slivers and bars add up.  Another plus side is a fun activity to do with your kids or grandkids.  You can use cookie cutters to form the soap into fun shapes.

Debi's Daily Dollar idea: Freecycle it

 

Over 8.2 million people around the world have discovered that sometimes you can get what you want by leaving your wallet at home. Over 3,000 people in my city alone are members of Freecycle, an online network that makes it possible for people to give away or receive items for free.  There are over 4800 groups worldwide, so there is sure to be one in your area.  Simply visit www.freecycle.org and put in the name of your city.  You can then join the group for your area and sign up to receive emails when people post items.  The only catch is that no money be exchanged.  Items must be offered free of charge.  You may either post an item(s) you are wanting to give away, or post an item that you are looking for.  I have used freecycle to give away a number of items, and have also picked up a few useful things, like dishes, Christmas decorations, diapers and a shelf unit.

You'd be amazed at the items people give away.  If you don't mind an item being used, it's a great idea to check freecycle before purchasing it.  It is also a good idea to ask a potential buyer to email you personally to arrange for pick-up of an item.  Unless the item I'm giving away is too large, I usually opt to meet at another location rather than my home.  Safety first!

If you do sign up for freecycle and receive an item for free, post your lucky find!

Happy New Year!  As 2011 rolls out I, like many people will be setting some New Year's Resolutions which will include among other things, how I handle my finances.  One thing I've committed myself to doing is paying myself first, instead of last.  It's always easiest to to set a little money aside while you still have some, instead of "just seeing" if there is money left at the end of the month to put in savings. 

PMF - Pay Myself First will be my motto for the year.  I have done this off and on but I'm determined to use a little more self-discipline in my spending and savings habits.  To do this I I'm going to start with just one simple habit:

   - put all loose coins and bills in a jar at the end of the day.  This jar as of today is sacred and will not be   broken into except in the case of dire extremeties.  By saving a little as I go I'm hoping to erase the need to use my credit card if I get in a pinch.  In my case using cash is always better than using plastic.

So here's a challenge and a request.  Get a piggy bank, jar or bottle and start plinking in your loose change at the end of each day.  At the end of the month decide what you'll do with it.  You could use it to pay down a credit card, simply let it continue accumulating, stick it in a savings account or something entirely different.

I'm interested in two things from my readers.  First, let me know at the end of January how much you've been able to stash away using this idea, and what you'll be doing with that stash.  I personally will just let it accumulate so I have a little cash on hand for emergencies.  What we don't want is for your piggy bank to look like this at the end of the month:

   -

Debi's Daily Dollar Idea: Crock it

I'm all about saving money.  And if I can save some time in the process all the better.  Making use of your crock pot will do both.  Especially in the summer when heating up your oven to cook a few baked potatoes also means your air conditioner needs to work even harder to keep the room cool. 

In my "investigations" about crock pot versus an electric oven I've discovered that an average crock pot uses about 200 watts of electricity an hour, while an oven heated to 350 degrees uses about 2,000.  The crock pot uses less electricity, doesn't heat up the kitchen the way the oven will, and you can fill it in the morning and forget about it until you're ready for dinner.

There is a plethora of websites devoted to crock pot cookery, including thousands of recipes.  I'll share just one simple idea: use the crock pot to cook baked potatoes.  Simply scrub the potatoes, grease and place in the crock pot.  An average sized pot will hold 10-12.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5.  That's all there is to it!

What is your favorite crock pot recipe?

Debi's Daily Dollar Idea: Call, Call, Call

Some of us have at one time or another forgotten to pay a bill on time, written a check before adding money to the account, or are just paying a high interest rate on a credit card.  Those late fees, overdraft and high interest charges take a bite out of an account balance.  It "pays" to just pick up the phone and call the bank, the credit card company or the business and beg for mercy.  I have had late charges removed, credit card interest rates reduced and bounced check charges reversed simply because I called.  I was told once by a customer service agent that they allow a charge to be reversed once a year.  Now that credit card companies are under more stringent regulations you may not get the interest rate reduced, but it can't hurt to try.  They want your business, and it pays to keep the customers happy.   So next time you incur a late fee pick up the phone and see if they will either reduce or eliminate those charges.  Ask them if there is anything else they can do to reduce your bill.  Always be courteous, remember the adage "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar."  

Debi's Daily Dollar Idea: Rediscover the Public Library

Simple idea, but don't pay for something you can get for free at the public library.  Unless you want to keep a book you're probably only going to use once, why pay for it?  Most libraries let you check out a book for three weeks, and one week for newly released books.  If someone else hasn't placed a hold on the book you can usually renew the book twice.  Plenty of time to finish the book and return it.

I regularly check out videos and DVD's.  However, you can rack up late fees is you're not careful.  At my library videos may be checked out for a week, DVD's for two days.  And as with books, as long as there is not a hold on the item they may be renewed up to twice.  I can place a hold for a particular movie I want to watch and am notified when the movie is available.  No need to run to Blockbuster and pay $4 for a movie when they're free from the library!

Need to check out something from a newspaper?  Head to the library.  My library carries all the major newspapers, as well as our local papers.  They also have every magazine available.

A lesser known resource at the library are conference rooms.  My Toastmasters club met at the library for several years at no cost.  If you are a member of a club or organization that needs a place to meet check out availability at the library.  If there is a fee for a room it will be nominal.

Check out your libary schedule for monthly events such as book clubs, lectures, teen and children's events.  Our library system regularly offers classes on painting, making jewelry, local history, health, exercise, gardening, cooking, and more.  Craft classes are held weekly for children and teens.

Libraries also provide assistance with filling out tax forms, and usually provide the forms.

If you find yourself driving by the library on your way to the book or video store, make a u-turn and keep the green in your pocket.

 

 

I read this info at the blog (link provided at the bottom of this post.)  Since most of us are in the throws of a cold winter, any ideas about staying warm while keeping the electric company out of our pockets is welcomed.  I typically see electric blankets on clearance after Christmas.  So if you can wait a week or two you might get a great deal on something that can save you a lot of money.

 

Electric blankets and pads cost little more than many non-electric comforters, and only use about a nickel's worth of electricity per night to operate. Yet according to the U.S. Department of Energy, for every degree you turn down the heat during the winter, you'll probably save about one to three percent on your total home heating bill.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/save-money/how-to-save-money-at-home-47011401#ixzz18lruEKRB