Money Saving Tip #221: Re-Finance?

My husband and I have been living in our home for a couple of years.  Like most new mortgages, we opted for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.  With the new low interest rates, we decided to look into our refinance options.  After we settled on a lender, we qualified and acquired a new mortgage for our home.  Our new mortgage is a 20-year fixed rate mortgage.  And, our monthly payments only went up $17.  We get to have our house 10 years earlier for practically the same price. 

Money Saving Tip #220: Sports Equipment

My daughter recently signed up to play softball.  Having never played before, the last thing I wanted to do was spend hundreds of dollars on sporting equipment.  Our league required each child to have a glove, cleats, and a helmet.  The first (and last) place I went to to buy these items was a sporting goods store that sells used equipment.  Everything I got for her was used. 

The helmet was $15.00, rather than $25.00.  The glove was $8.00, rather than $25.00.  The cleats were $15.00, rather than $35.00.  I even bought used softballs for $1 each.  With the extra money I saved, I was able to buy her a used baseball bat.  Our bat was $10.00.  The bat originally sold for $50.00. 

Money Saving Tip #219: Super Cheap Fabric Softener

Most people use a form of fabric softener when doing their laundry.  Some people choose dryer sheets, and some choose liquid fabric softener.  Whatever you choose, the cost of these items can be quite costly over the period of one year.  For a fraction of the cost, you could use white vinegar instead.

I have substituted white vinegar for my liquid fabric softener.  I also do this for the purity of the vinegar rather than a commercially made product filled with unnatural chemicals. 

I took an empty container of fabric softener.  Then, I added the peel of about 8 lemons to the container.  Next, I filled up the container with white vinegar.  The vinegar becomes saturated with the lemons after a couple days.  I recommend changing out the lemon peels every couple of weeks.  I use a cap-full of vinegar in my washing machine.

If you don't want to use lemon peel (or any other citrus peel), you can always leave it plain or add some drops of essential oils.  The smell of the vinegar leaves the clothing before they come out of the washing machine.

My grocery store sells a gallon of white vinegar for about $2.00. 

Money Saving Tip #218: Auto Insurance Coverage

My husband and I are very lucky to completely own our three personal vehicles.  But, please don't think we drive the latest and greatest cars.  Our newest car is 12 years old now.  Our other two cars are over 19 and 25 years old.  Because we hold the titles for each of our cars, we are able to save money on our auto insurance coverage. 

Each of our vehicles have Liability Only insurance coverage.  For our 12 year old vehicle, this means a savings of over $400 each year.  Our policy has been reduced from $377 to less than $175 for 6 months. 

If you hold the title to your car, contact your insurance provider and see what your savings could be.  If you reduce your policy to Liability Only, understand that you will not be compensated for your vehicle in the event that you cause a collision with another vehicle. 

We looked at the estimated value of our vehicle to determine if we should reduce our coverage.  Because our vehicle is only valued about a few thousand dollars and we primarily drive our company cars, this decision was easy for us. 

Money Saving Tip #217: Salad Dressing

When eating a salad, don't pour your salad dressing all over the top.  Pour a small amount in a separate bowl or ramekin, and then dip your fork full of salad into the dressing.  You will probably find that you use about 25% less salad dressing if you do it this way. 

The added bonus to this suggestion is the reduction of calories that you consume. 

Money Saving Tip #216: Apple Cider Vinegar as a Hair Conditioner

Wait!  Don't go!  Keep reading...

The longer your hair is, the more money you will spend on hair care products such as shampoo and conditioner.  Some people wash their hair once a day, every other day, a few times per week, and sometimes even once per week.  Whatever your routine is, I can save you a lot of money if you switch out your conditioner for apple cider vinegar.  Yes, I said, "Apple Cider Vinegar."  Many people store their apple cider vinegar (ACV) in the kitchen where it is used for food preparations. 

Not too long ago, I substituted ACV for conditioner while showering.  I did it on the weekend, because I didn't know what the final result was going to be.  Combine 1 TBSP of ACV with 1 cup of water.  I then put the mixture in my spray mist bottle.  Off to the shower I went. 

After I washed my hair, I sprayed my damp (not soaking wet) hair with ACV.  I sprayed the outer layers, middle layers, and area around the nape of my neck.  I did all this while still standing in the shower.  Yes, the smell was quite disturbing.  Fear not, it fades once your hair is dry.  Some people rinse it out, and some people leave it in their hair. 

After I dried off, I took a comb to my hair.  Fully expecting it to filled with tangles, I braced myself for a tugging session with my scalp.  To my complete surprise, my comb glided through my hair with no tangles.  Once it was dried, my hair was so silky smooth and shiny.  And, still no tangles.  I have been hooked ever since. 

Some people only do this Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse every other day or a couple of times per week.  Give it a try and see what works best for you. 

So, if you want to spend pennies on conditioning your hair, make the switch to apple cider vinegar.  You will be happy you did.

Money Saving Tip #215: Drafty Doors

Depending on the age of your home, you may have some drafty doors.  Our home is 12 years old.  We have a basement door near our kitchen.  Below the basement door is about a 3/4 inch gap.  This gap allows air from the basement into our main level and allows our main level air into the basement.  This means that our toasty, heater air (in the winter), and our cool, air conditioner air (in the summer) seeps into our unfinished basement. 

Prevent the escape of air into your basement, garage, and exterior of your home by placing a barrier at the bottom of these drafty doors.  You can buy something specially made for these doors, or you can use no money at all.  If you prefer the "no money" method, grab a bath towel, roll it up into a long roll, and place at the bottom opening of the door.  You can also use a bath mat, old t-shirt, or anything that can can be molded to fit the shape of your door. 

Money Saving Tip #214: Cheap, Good-For-You Eye Make-up Remover

I use eye make-up remover every night to remove eye shadow, mascara, and eye liner before I go to bed.  Just about every grocery store and drug store sells conventional eye make-up remover.  The price ranges from $5 to $20 depending on where you shop.  I used to buy Target's Up brand of eye make-up remover. 

Now, I use an all-natural, organic oil to remove eye make-up that works just as effectively and is good for my eye lids and skin.  It's called Jojoba oil.  It is pronounced "yo yo bah."  Jojoba oil is terrific for your skin, not just removing eye make-up.  I apply it to my entire body, especially my face.  Unlike some other oils, it does not leave your skin greasy or oily. 

When using it to remove eye make-up, dab about 1-2 drops (that's it!) to your baby wash cloth.  Then rub it on the exterior of your eyes to remove the make-up.  It works fantastic!  Though the cost is slightly more per ounce, you only use 1-2 drops rather than about 1/2 teaspoon of the traditional stuff.  It will last 3-4 times longer than the chemical product you buy at the grocery store.  I prefer the organic option, but it also comes in non-organic too.  It is usually purchased at nutrition stores or on-line.

Money Saving Tip #213: Don't Use Cottonballs to Remove Eye Make-up

Cottonballs are disposable. If you use them to remove your eye make-up, you toss them in the garbage everytime you use them. Things that are disposable mean that you toss your money in the garbage after its use. Instead of cottonballs, use something that can be washed and re-used to remove your eye make-up.

Because I have three kids, I have a huge stockpile of baby washcloths. They are different than regular washcloths. Baby washcloths are super thin and slightly smaller. They are perfect for removing eye make-up. Eye liner and mascara can be difficult to remove, but the thinness of the baby washcloths make removal easy to manage.

Stay tuned for what I put on my baby washcloth to remove my eye make-up. Hint: It's all natural, organic, and good for your eyelids, face, body, and hair!

Money Saving Tip #212: Can Openers

A couple decades ago, almost every American home had an electric can opener. They plugged into the wall, and some were even mounted to you under-cabinet or the wall. Yeah, you remember those.

Prices for these can openers range from about $10 to more than $30 depending on the features. Save the money, and buy a hand-crank can opener. The cost is usually about $5. They hardly ever break. The may need to be replaced every ten to twenty years or so. I've been using the same can opener for almost a decade, and it probably has another 5-10 years left on it.

These items can even be washed in the dishwasher.

Money Saving Tip #211: Sliced American Cheese

My kids love grilled cheese sandwiches (and so does my husband). American cheese slices are found on almost all my weekly grocery lists. My grocery store sells American cheese slices two different ways. It comes in a package where each slice is individually wrapped. This is the most traditional way to buy American cheese slices.

The other way my grocery store sells this cheese is without the individual wrapping. To buy it in this package can save you a little bit of money. Plus, it is annoying to have to unwrap each slice everytime. Once I open the package, I place the opened package in a ziplock baggy. The bag keeps it fresh.

Money Saving Tip #210: Skip Shaving Cream

Some people swear by shaving cream for all their shaving needs. Women use it on their legs, and men use it on their faces. Have you ever run out of shaving cream? What did you do? I bet you simply used soap. Chances are, there was no difference. Save the money and use traditional soap instead.

Money Saving Tip #209: Avoid Certain Items in your Dishwasher

Most everyone in this country has a dishwasher in their homes.  For our family, the dishwasher is one of the most used appliances we use, besides our refrigerator.

There are certain things that should not be placed in the dishwasher for a couple of different reasons.  Don't put large pots and pans in the dishwasher.  They take up valuable space in the dishwasher that can be better utilized by putting in 10 dirty dinner plates instead. 

Don't put cast iron skillets in the dishwasher.  These should always be handwashed.

Wood chopping blocks should be handwashed.  The dishwasher will likely split the wood. 

Avoid putting copper pots/pans in the dishwasher. 

Some of us have nice reusable, aluminum water bottles.  The earlier versions of these bottles were not meant to be placed in the dishwasher.  Check the bottom of the bottle.  If it is not dishwasher safe, the colors can chip off and contaminate the other clean items in the dishwasher.  Hand wash these items using a bottle brush.  You can find a bottle brush in the baby section of your grocery or warehouse store.

Some portable coffee mugs are not dishwasher-safe either.  Check the bottom of the cup. 

Money Saving Tip #208: Disposable Make-up Sponges

Some ladies use make-up sponges to apply foundation to their faces each morning.  They usually cost about $2.00 for a 30-pack.  They are disposable and meant to be trashed after each use.  Save the money, and don't use them.  Use your fingers to apply your make-up. 

If you insist in the seamless look by using the make-up sponges, consider washing them and reusing them.  This is what I do.  I place my used ones in a lingerie bag and wash them with my laundry.  They come out looking brand new! 

Money Saving Tip #207: Homemade Fruit Cups and Snack Servings

This was an original bonus tip from one of my prior postings (#4):  Avoid buying fruit cups and individually packaged food items. For my homemade fruit cups for my daughter's lunch, I pack her sliced-up fruit, grapes, mandarin oranges from the produce section, a large can, or frozen fruit (like blueberries) that can defrost by lunchtime. I buy animal crackers and pretzels in bulk and put them into re-usable 4oz. containers.

Everyday, my daughter gets all natural applesauce in her lunch.  I don't buy the individual servings.  I buy the biggest jar I can find, then sort out portions into 4-oz. containers. 

Money Saving Tip #206: Don't Wash Clean Dishes

I know what you are thinking.  The title says not to wash clean dishes.  Who does that?  Well, you might be surprised.  There are some people in this country who feel the need to wash any dish, any cup, any plate, etc. everytime it is used.  Unless the iem is dirty, you don't need to wash it.  Free up valuable space in your dishwasher for dishes that are actually dirty. 

For example:  If you bake a cake from a premade box like Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker, you will have to add some liquid ingredient.  That ingredient may be milk or water.  If you take out a measuring cup to measure out that milk or water, don't automatically throw it into the dishwasher.  If it was used to measure water, you can just put it back into your pantry without even washing or rinsing.  It never even got dirty.  If you used it to pour milk, give it a quick rinse with cold water and put it back in your pantry.  You don't need to put those measuring cups in the dishwasher. 

The next time you go to put a dish in your dishwasher, look at it and see if it is actually dirty or not. 

Money Saving Tip #205: Beverage Refrigerator

Everyone knows that refrigerators consume a lot of energy to operate. Most people have their primary refrigerator in their kitchens for food and beverage storage. Some people have another refrigerator dedicated to keeping their beverages cold on a constant basis. This extra refrigerator is probably completely unnecessary. Unless you are the Dugger family from 19 Kids and Counting, your family cannot possibly consume 50 gallons of any beverage on a daily basis.

Since I don't drink sodas, I have given my husband half of the bottom shelf of our refrigerator for storage of his Cokes and Mountain Dews. Empty out the extra refrigerator and use only one. Sell it and earn a few extra bucks!