Deb's Daily Dollar Idea: Skip the soda

Today's money-saving idea is simple: skip the soda.  When you go out to eat at a restaurant, whether sit-down or drive-thru, opt for water instead of a drink.  You may only save a buck or two, but if you're paying for several people it will add up.  Consider also the number of times you buy soda over the course of a year and by choosing water instead of other drinks, the savings really begin to pile up.  Add in the serendipity factor of not ingesting all that refined sugar, caffeine and who else knows what, and the health benefits add up also.  So do yourself, and your wallet a favor.  Drink up, but only H20.

Debi's Daily Dollar Idea: Thrift Stores

Today's Daily Dollar Idea may not be a new one to many, but it's one that has saved me hundreds, if not thousands of dollars through the years.  No matter where you live your town is sure to have one, if not a dozen thrift stores.  Before getting in your car to drive to Wally World, Macy's or Target, consider if you could purchase what you need at a Thrift Store.  Simple idea, but I for one sometimes "forget" to consider finding what I need at a thrift store, thereby paying a fraction of what I would if I purchased an item new.

Most thrift stores have clothing, dishes, appliances, furniture, books, shoes, toys, music and much more.  I love going in the store with a $5 bill in my purse, and then leaving the store with a bag of items and $1 still in my purse!   I couldn't begin to count the items of clothing thrift stores have provided for my children and myself, several pieces still with the original price tag on them (which means they've never been worn!)  One of my favorite finds was a round, glass turntable plate that goes inside a microwave oven.  I accidentally broke mine, so finding it was the highlight of my day!  Paid a buck for it, and it was the perfect size.  I've also purchased 3 different bread machines at various times, each for $5, and each in perfect working condition. 

I've also purchased canning jars, drinking glasses, dishes, bread pans, and a host of other kitchen dishes.  I bought dirt cheap winter coats for my daughters on a trip to Utah.  Why pay $50 for a coat they only need for 3 days?  At $3 each, the coats I bought in a thrift store were like brand-new, and you couldn't tell they'd been previously owned.

So consider shopping at a thrift store next time you head out to buy something you just gotta have.  Then see how little green you have to use to get what you need.

Debi's Daily Dollar idea: Free Samples

Today's money saving idea is brought to you by hundreds of businesses who give away their products for free, in the hopes to make you a lifelong customer.  Over the past couple of years I have stockpiled free samples of diapers, pull-ups, paper towels, garbage bags, make-up, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, pens, granola bars, candy, drink mixes, laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs, cereal, rice mixes, infant formula, dog food and more.  The internet makes it a cinch to find, and send for free samples.  My favorite freebies website is:  http://forums.startsampling.com/index.php

When you get to that website lick on "Real Quality Samples," and "Coupons/Deals" and "Other Free Stuff."  You should be able to find several samples to get started.  Visit daily, or a couple times a week or once a month, depending on how much time you have, and how much free stuff you want!

 I have used many of the individual samples of shampoo and conditioner when I go on trips.  I've given the diapers away to new moms, and we've enjoyed countless treats without spending a penny.  Sometimes you can request free samples when you visit individual company's websites.

Why pay for something when you can get the product for free?  Once you get started you may want to keep a "Got it for Free" journal to keep track of those freebies.  Feel free to leave feedback when a freebie shows up in your mailbox!

Saving money on printer ink

If you are like me the above picture may represent the number of ink cartridges you go through in the course of a year.  I find myself printing off articles, coupons, decorating ideas, instructions, coloring pages, kids homework and other things on a daily basis.  I do try to only print what I deem absolutely necessary, and still I go through reams of paper like water it seems.  While I've thankfully managed to score some great deals on paper, the major cost of printing is not the paper, it is the ink.

If you find yourself printing more than a few pages a month you might want to look into refilling your own ink cartridges.  I save about 75%  over the cost of purchasing new ink cartridges, and it just takes a couple minutes each time the ink cartridge runs low.  If you have never tried refilling, here are a few tips to consider:

1.  Don't be scared!  It's just black ink, not a snake!  Follow the directions on the refill kit and you should be fine.

2.  Not all printers work well with refills.  I use a HP printer and mine does just fine.  You'll just have to try it with your printer and see if it works.  Do some research on the internet for your particular printer, and see if others have any tips.

3.  Don't overfill.  If ink overflows the top of the cartridge slowly pull some back into the syringe.  Always better to underfill than overfill.

4.  Don't let the cartridge dry out - refill as soon as the printer starts running out.  Drying out will ruin the cartridge and then you'll have no choice but to purchase a new one.

5.  Check for a store that offers ink refilling.  Once in a while Walgreens in my area will run a one-day special, offering to refill an ink cartridge for $1.  Even I can't refill my own cartridges for that cheap!  Even their everyday refill price is less than purchasing a new cartridge.

6.  Set your default printer setting to draft, that way you save ink on every page.  The draft setting works just fine for 95% of what I print out - including coupons.  If I need to print something that I need to look professional, I change the setting to "normal," or "best" just for that document, then change it back to draft.

7.  Cartridges can usually be refilled between two and 10 times.  They will eventually reach the point where you have to just shell out money for a new cartridge.  Consider either recycling them (most schools have recycling programs) or turning them in yourself and earn some cash.  For example, I get $2 in Staples rewards for each ink cartridge I turn in.  Payment is sent out quarterly (I believe it's quarterly anyway) in the form of a Staples Reward certificate, which is just like money that you can spend at that same store.

8.  Once you are saving money refilling your own ink cartridges, start looking around for good deals on paper!

Say "Cheese!"

Today's money-saving idea comes from my favorite sister-in-law Debra:

Here are a couple of ideas that might be new to someone out there:

Did you know you can freeze milk?  The lower fat milks freeze best for longer times.  Whole milk ought to be used within 2 weeks.  To use frozen milk, just let it thaw (on the counter is how we do it), shake it well, and drink or use as desired.  We like it best when it still has ice slushies in it - YUM.  Anyway, freezing milk helps me limit my trips to the grocery store and thus save money.  I also get to take advantage of sales on milk this way.  Try it!

You can also freeze cheese.  Shredded cheese or stick cheese are naturals for freezing!  Just plonk them in and use them within a year or so.  I do like to buy my shredded cheese in bulk and divide it into quart or sandwich bags before I freeze it.  That way, I just get out what I will use right away and the rest stays fresh frozen. 

Block cheese freezes beautifully and can keep for about a year in the freezer.  When you freeze block cheese, there is a trick to getting it to not crumble when thawed.  Make sure you thaw it in the fridge instead of on the counter.  That is the big secret.    Now you can take advantage when cheese goes on sale and stock up for later!  BTW, I have frozen all kinds of cheese successfully from cream cheese (thaw completely, then stir it well to restore creaminess - or use without stirring for cooking) to Monterrey jack, cheddar, parmesan, Mexican cheese blends, etc.  I have NOT tried American cheese.  We don't like it, so I've just not tried freezing it.  Has anyone else?

Debi's Daily Dollar Idea

Anyone remember Reddy Kilowatt?  That lovable cartoon character that was the spokesman for electricity in the 1960's?  I remember my mother telling me not to stick forks and other items in the electrical outlets because Reddy Kilowatt would get me.  I've learned not to be so curious about those outlets, but Reddy still manages to get me anyhow - in my wallet.  If I'm not careful he'll drain that wallet faster than I can say "Reddy, leave me alone."  Thankfully I've learned a few tricks that keep Reddy, and his wallet-snatching lightning bolt fingers out of my pockets.

There are a hundred ways to conserve electricity around the home, and in the previous post I highlighted one of my favorites - putting the dryer on notice by using a clothesline instead.  I'd like to list another idea that helps to lower that monthly electric bill:

Unplug, unplug, unplug.  My kids think I'm the electric outlet czar because I'm constantly either unplugging appliances, or turning off the power switches.  Because of "phantom electricity," appliances and other electrical devices that stand ready to deliver power immediately when turned on can use up to 75% of the power used when turned OFF.  Yes, you read that right.  Televisions, computers, microwave ovens, digital clocks, and other appliances all draw power when turned off.  No sense having the television and microwave ready to power up when we're all sleeping at night.  In my home I have four television sets (I'm pretty embarrassed to admit to that number!)  Three of those either have an XBox, or a DVD player hooked up to them.  By unplugging them each night I'm stopping the electricity use from seven items.  Then add in the microwave oven, ceiling fans, lamps and other items I either unplug, turn off when not in use, or switch off at the power strip and there's even more savings.

CHALLENGE:  Take an inventory around your home and see how many items stand ready to deliver electricity and then get in the habit of either unplugging them, or plugging them into a power strip that has an off switch.

Use Reddy Kilowatt responsibly, and keep your green in your wallet!

Debi's Daily Dollar Idea

I'm toying with the idea of creating a new blog about ways to save money everyday.  This would include couponing, thrifty finds, ways to cut back on electricity, anything that keeps the green in the wallet and the red out of the checkbook.  My plan is to do the research and both save myself money, and pass along my info so as many as possible can benefit from saving as well.  Sometimes these savings ideas will be coupled with a challenge

So, here's my first Debi's Dollar Idea:

8/6/10  Hang up freshly washed laundry instead of using the dryer.  For the next week don't use the dryer, and keep track of how many loads you didn't spend that electricity on.  If you have access to a clothesline, use it!  Take advantage of the free drying power of the sun.  Or, hang items inside your home.  I frequently put wet clothes on hangers and line them up on the shower rod, from cupboard handles or doorways.  Large, heavy items such as towels, blankets and jeans often find themselves hanging over the fence.  Your neighbors, or even your own family may think you've lost your marbles.  But if you can save yourself a few bucks, who cares?

I'll be checking with my electric company to see just how much I'm saving per dryer load I'm NOT using.  Perhaps an extra challenge would be to use the money saved from not using the dryer to help pay down a credit card, or to add to an existing savings account.