Homemade shit and money saving tips

[bigrock74]

I was just washing up the dishes and rinsed out a few ziplock bags and got to thinking...I wonder if anyone else reuses ziplock bags.
I will reuse them if there hasn't been any meat in them. Cheese can leave the bag kinda grimy, so many times I won't reuse if I've had cheese in one. 

I've taken a page out of my (future) mother-in-law's book and started reusing things. When I first saw her doing this I though she was a weirdo, but you know what...it makes sense.  

So, I reuse ziplock bags...and you know the bags you get at the grocery store to put your fruits/veg in? Yep, I reuse these for stuff as well. I usually take the fruit/veg out of the bags when I get home. I find these bags useful for packing containers of Spencers food when we're going out. My FMIL actually washes out milk bags and puts baked goods in them for us.

When Mike was first laid off I started making my own fabric sheets but that didn't last too long. It wasn't hard to do, I just got lazy.

What do you reuse or make yourself to save money?

[Lola]

Love this thread! We use re-usable sandwich bags, un-paper towels, and put most stuff in glass Tupperware so it doesn't get weird when I microwave. I'm also reusing formula containers for all sorts of things.

[mamanorris]

I wash them out and let them dry upside down on the grass bottle rack. My dh is a sarcastic dick and says I have fixed all of our financi problems with them. I used to make baby wipes but then I got lazy. I also used to make laundry detergent but once again, the lazy got to me.

[bigrock74]

Mar 4, 2015 17:59:09 GMT -5 Lola said:

Love this thread! We use re-usable sandwich bags, un-paper towels, and put most stuff in glass Tupperware so it doesn't get weird when I microwave. I'm also reusing formula containers for all sorts of things.

What is "un-paper towels"?

[littlemissmarla]

Mar 4, 2015 17:59:09 GMT -5 Lola said:

Love this thread! We use re-usable sandwich bags, un-paper towels, and put most stuff in glass Tupperware so it doesn't get weird when I microwave. I'm also reusing formula containers for all sorts of things.

What kinds of things?? Every time I toss a container I think to myself how I could be reusing it for something but I can't think of anything. If I was still in my classroom I'd be filling them with pompoms and all other shit.. but at home I can't think of anything!

[bigrock74]

Mar 4, 2015 19:27:48 GMT -5 @zerozeroone said:

I also use glass for food storage because it generally lasts longer than plastic (unless broken of course).

I reuse ziploc bags for dry items like crackers.

I use wash cloths instead of paper towels for a lot of things like wiping DS down after meals. Also for cleaning the house.

Meal planning really saves money. I know what we eat and on what day so food doesn't go bad.

Haven't tried this yet but I'd like to try making my own household cleaners.

I use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean tons of stuff. Great disinfectant!

[Lola]

Mar 4, 2015 19:01:06 GMT -5 bigrock74 said:

Mar 4, 2015 17:59:09 GMT -5 Lola said:

Love this thread! We use re-usable sandwich bags, un-paper towels, and put most stuff in glass Tupperware so it doesn't get weird when I microwave. I'm also reusing formula containers for all sorts of things.

What is "un-paper towels"?

Fabric towels that you wash. You can buy them (etsy) that all snap into a roll but I just bought a yard of fabric and sewed squares that we have in a drawer.
Right now I'm using the formula containers to hold frozen baby food cubes and as organizers for our older boys car games. I'm looking for more uses.

I also just use vinegar and water for counter top cleaner. I read that if you put citrus peel in the bottle it will smell better but I haven't tried that.

[soon2bmrsn]

Mar 4, 2015 19:38:06 GMT -5 bigrock74 said:

Mar 4, 2015 19:27:48 GMT -5 @zerozeroone said:

I also use glass for food storage because it generally lasts longer than plastic (unless broken of course).

I reuse ziploc bags for dry items like crackers.

I use wash cloths instead of paper towels for a lot of things like wiping DS down after meals. Also for cleaning the house.

Meal planning really saves money. I know what we eat and on what day so food doesn't go bad.

Haven't tried this yet but I'd like to try making my own household cleaners.

I use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean tons of stuff. Great disinfectant!

All of this plus I make my own laundry soap.

[honeybee434]

I reuse ziplock bags for my pump parts. I rinse them out at the end of every day and use the same bag for a week or two before getting a new one.

My mother saved EVERYTHING to the point where I just can't reuse too much anymore. I'm kind of scarred by it. I have to toss a lot because I can't stand reusing much more than that.

[anotherdreamer]

I reuse thicker plastic freezer bags, depending on what they had in them. Waffles or other bread like stuff, sure. Meat or cheeses, heck no.

I used to make batches of waffles to put in the freezer on the weekend, it was cheaper than store bought and added bonus: I could add whatever I wanted. Like real blueberries or flaxmeal. I would make them, let them cool on the cooling rack, then "flash freeze" them (put on wax paper on cookie sheet, freeze just long enough they won't stick together) then throw in a plastic bag. Then during the week I could just pop them in the toaster for DS and myself. I can't seem to find time for waffles, which makes me sad. I love waffles. I used to make bigger batches of muffins and throw some in the freezer for later too. Muffins are incredibly cheap to make from scratch, and they freeze just fine. I make batches of breakfast burritos for DH now.

I use a vinegar and water solution for mopping, and I add a few drops of peppermint oil. I can't use commercial cleaners, all of them seem to either give me a rash or trigger my asthma. This is a good disinfectant and pretty cheap.

I shop deals, places like Aldi, and try to meal plan too.

[mary1217]

Mar 4, 2015 23:57:56 GMT -5 anotherdreamer said:

I reuse thicker plastic freezer bags, depending on what they had in them. Waffles or other bread like stuff, sure. Meat or cheeses, heck no.

I used to make batches of waffles to put in the freezer on the weekend, it was cheaper than store bought and added bonus: I could add whatever I wanted. Like real blueberries or flaxmeal. I would make them, let them cool on the cooling rack, then "flash freeze" them (put on wax paper on cookie sheet, freeze just long enough they won't stick together) then throw in a plastic bag. Then during the week I could just pop them in the toaster for DS and myself. I can't seem to find time for waffles, which makes me sad. I love waffles. I used to make bigger batches of muffins and throw some in the freezer for later too. Muffins are incredibly cheap to make from scratch, and they freeze just fine. I make batches of breakfast burritos for DH now.

I use a vinegar and water solution for mopping, and I add a few drops of peppermint oil. I can't use commercial cleaners, all of them seem to either give me a rash or trigger my asthma. This is a good disinfectant and pretty cheap.

I shop deals, places like Aldi, and try to meal plan too.

We are finally getting an Aldi up the street (we don't have any in our city) and I'm excited. DH is a little disappointed though because he was hoping it was going to be Trader Joes.  

[soon2bmrsn]

Mar 4, 2015 23:56:36 GMT -5 @zerozeroone said:

Mar 4, 2015 22:24:32 GMT -5 soon2bmrsn said:

All of this plus I make my own laundry soap.

How do you make laundry soap?

Boil 2 cups of water in an old pan/one you don't mind "sacrificing" for soap-making. Add about half a bar of grated soap (any kind -- I use ivory because my DH has very sensitive skin) and stir until the soap is melted. In your detergent container (I use one that originally had powdered detergent in it), mix 1.5 gallons of water with 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/4-1/2 cup of borax. Both the washing soda and the borax can be found in the laundry aisle at the grocery store. Add the soap/water mixture to the water/soda/borax mixture, give it all a good stir to dissolve the washing soda/borax and let it sit 24 hours beforw using. That's it!

[bigrock74]

I've thought about making my own laundry soap many times but have never done it. I did find a way to stretch out fabric softener, but have since gone back to using either the sheets or liquid.
Found the idea on Pinterest, they have a TON of ideas!

Here is the link I used:
www.clarkscondensed.com/diy/homemade-reusable-fabric-softener/

[bullybutt]

I am the WORST about not being efficient. I really need to get my act together especially since my budget has gotten tighter.

I was watching an episode of extreme cheapskates (or something like that) and a guy was resusing the plastic bag in cereal boxes to store things because it was such a durable and more strong plastic than regular plastic bags. It was smart (not that "I" ever do it). I'm so lazy.

[soon2bmrsn]

Mar 5, 2015 9:23:37 GMT -5 bigrock74 said:

I've thought about making my own laundry soap many times but have never done it. I did find a way to stretch out fabric softener, but have since gone back to using either the sheets or liquid.
Found the idea on Pinterest, they have a TON of ideas!

Here is the link I used:
www.clarkscondensed.com/diy/homemade-reusable-fabric-softener/

Regular old white vinegar is a great fabric softener! And, no, you can't smell it in the clothes.

[stellabunny]

Mar 4, 2015 19:26:50 GMT -5 littlemissmarla said:

Mar 4, 2015 17:59:09 GMT -5 Lola said:

Love this thread! We use re-usable sandwich bags, un-paper towels, and put most stuff in glass Tupperware so it doesn't get weird when I microwave. I'm also reusing formula containers for all sorts of things.

What kinds of things?? Every time I toss a container I think to myself how I could be reusing it for something but I can't think of anything. If I was still in my classroom I'd be filling them with pompoms and all other shit.. but at home I can't think of anything!

DH uses the formula containers to put grease from cooking in and then he can throw the whole thing away once it's full.

[liziz]

I re-use ziplocs when it's easy (they just had crackers or cookies or something in them)

Often, if a bigger ziploc is slightly used, I throw it in the diaper bag as a "just in case" bag.

We are making most of our own baby food so far, which I assume is cheaper, but haven't looked in to buying jars, so I don't really know.

[sararl07]

I love this thread!!!

[anotherdreamer]

Mar 5, 2015 12:01:22 GMT -5 liziz said:

I re-use ziplocs when it's easy (they just had crackers or cookies or something in them)

Often, if a bigger ziploc is slightly used, I throw it in the diaper bag as a "just in case" bag.

We are making most of our own baby food so far, which I assume is cheaper, but haven't looked in to buying jars, so I don't really know.

I made baby food for DS, and just haven't gotten around to it right now for these two. I really should. It is a lot cheaper, especially for produce that's in season or on sale.

[anotherdreamer]

Mar 5, 2015 8:42:55 GMT -5 mary1217 said:

Mar 4, 2015 23:57:56 GMT -5 anotherdreamer said:

I reuse thicker plastic freezer bags, depending on what they had in them. Waffles or other bread like stuff, sure. Meat or cheeses, heck no.

I used to make batches of waffles to put in the freezer on the weekend, it was cheaper than store bought and added bonus: I could add whatever I wanted. Like real blueberries or flaxmeal. I would make them, let them cool on the cooling rack, then "flash freeze" them (put on wax paper on cookie sheet, freeze just long enough they won't stick together) then throw in a plastic bag. Then during the week I could just pop them in the toaster for DS and myself. I can't seem to find time for waffles, which makes me sad. I love waffles. I used to make bigger batches of muffins and throw some in the freezer for later too. Muffins are incredibly cheap to make from scratch, and they freeze just fine. I make batches of breakfast burritos for DH now.

I use a vinegar and water solution for mopping, and I add a few drops of peppermint oil. I can't use commercial cleaners, all of them seem to either give me a rash or trigger my asthma. This is a good disinfectant and pretty cheap.

I shop deals, places like Aldi, and try to meal plan too.

We are finally getting an Aldi up the street (we don't have any in our city) and I'm excited. DH is a little disappointed though because he was hoping it was going to be Trader Joes.  

I love Aldi. I don't buy everything there, but I always hit them up first on shopping trips. Sometimes the produce is a complete steal.

I buy some of the sale stuff and freeze it. Like bags of onions sometimes go down to .29 in the summer. I buy it, chop, freeze, and add to meals as needed. Same thing with the peppers.

[rlb]

Thank you, ziplock bag reusers, for making me feel a bit better. I had a co-worker make fun of me for sticking plasticware in the dishwasher and called me grandma. I try and reuse everything. I never buy food containers because I reuse takeout ones. Chinese (not the boxes), Olive Garden and Noodles & Company have the best. I also use baby food jars for smaller portions when I bring food to work.

I'll try to think of some that don't revolve around food.

[Lola]

I started sending DHs lunch in the Chinese ones when he started loosing the glass Tupperware.

[bigrock74]

Diaper cream:

3/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup corn starch

with electric mixer, beat coconut oil for about 8 minutes. Add in corn starch, mix well. Will keep in a sealed container for a month.

Coconut oil is soothing and has anti-fungal properties.
Corn starch acts as a talcum powder and will help keep the little bum dry.

I plan on making this tonight.

[dawnfire]

Hmm, I should keep some of LO's plastic Gerber baby food containers. They are a good size for little things.

I have to be careful about keeping too much, though. If I feel compelled to keep things, I'm like one step away from going full-blown hoarder. DH didn't get me any chocolate for Valentine's Day this year because of my habit of saving it and eating it slowly.

I try to recycle as much as I can, so that makes me feel less terrible about my carbon footprint and whatnot. (But yeah, sorry about all those diapers, Mother Earth.) I just don't have the time or energy for a lot of other things I could be doing.

[Lola]

I usually make baby food,but i've been buying it lately, and i buy the glass because i know I can reuse the containers.

[bigrock74]

So I made the coconut oil/corn starch mixture. It smells delish, I wanna eat it!! We'll see what happens...

[anotherdreamer]

So, I got around to making some homemade baby food finally! DH is visiting his dad, and he took DS with him- both girls are napping! So I had a moment to myself

A 2x3.5oz (so 7oz) of Gerber baby food is around $1.08 here. I bought a bag of carrots on sale last week for $.68 (thanks Aldi!) and got this much out of them: That is 29oz (each food-cube is 1oz). So, Gerber= $4.50 worth of pureed carrots vs Homemade= $.68.

Making homemade baby food is a lot cheaper, and I know it doesn't take a lot of time to make... but cleaning my pots and food processor take more time and annoy me. Bah.

I have some blueberries to make up later, I'm going to mix them with applesauce. I buy applesaucece unsweetened from the breakfast aisle. I actually got huge containers of it for $1-2 at Aldi recently, Simply Nature Unsweetened. We got through a lot of applesauce at our house between DS and the babies!

[soon2bmrsn]

Apr 3, 2015 11:47:47 GMT -5 anotherdreamer said:

So, I got around to making some homemade baby food finally! DH is visiting his dad, and he took DS with him- both girls are napping! So I had a moment to myself

A 2x3.5oz (so 7oz) of Gerber baby food is around $1.08 here. I bought a bag of carrots on sale last week for $.68 (thanks Aldi!) and got this much out of them: That is 29oz (each food-cube is 1oz). So, Gerber= $4.50 worth of pureed carrots vs Homemade= $.68.

Making homemade baby food is a lot cheaper, and I know it doesn't take a lot of time to make... but cleaning my pots and food processor take more time and annoy me. Bah.

I have some blueberries to make up later, I'm going to mix them with applesauce. I buy applesaucece unsweetened from the breakfast aisle. I actually got huge containers of it for $1-2 at Aldi recently, Simply Nature Unsweetened. We got through a lot of applesauce at our house between DS and the babies!

Go you! I can't imagine buying food x2! But I also can't imagine making it with 2 babies around! Super Mom!

[anotherdreamer]

Apr 3, 2015 11:59:44 GMT -5 soon2bmrsn said:

Apr 3, 2015 11:47:47 GMT -5 anotherdreamer said:

So, I got around to making some homemade baby food finally! DH is visiting his dad, and he took DS with him- both girls are napping! So I had a moment to myself

A 2x3.5oz (so 7oz) of Gerber baby food is around $1.08 here. I bought a bag of carrots on sale last week for $.68 (thanks Aldi!) and got this much out of them: That is 29oz (each food-cube is 1oz). So, Gerber= $4.50 worth of pureed carrots vs Homemade= $.68.

Making homemade baby food is a lot cheaper, and I know it doesn't take a lot of time to make... but cleaning my pots and food processor take more time and annoy me. Bah.

I have some blueberries to make up later, I'm going to mix them with applesauce. I buy applesaucece unsweetened from the breakfast aisle. I actually got huge containers of it for $1-2 at Aldi recently, Simply Nature Unsweetened. We got through a lot of applesauce at our house between DS and the babies!

Go you! I can't imagine buying food x2! But I also can't imagine making it with 2 babies around! Super Mom!

I made it for DS when he was a baby, but never seem to have time to with these two. But now they're eating more and I really wish I would, since we're buying more baby food. I think I'm going to do a combo, some store bought and some made. Hopefully I can find time to make some more!