5 Money Saving Laundry Tips

1. Dry laundry outside or on a drying rack.  According to DTE Energy it costs $189.28 a year to dry one load of laundry per day in a dryer.  In addition to saving energy money, clothes are put through less stress and smell good too.
2. Wash in cold.  The US Department of Energy states that 90% of the energy used in a washing machine is to heat the water. 
3. Clean dryer lint traps often.  This improves the air circulation and helps clothes get dryer faster.
4. When purchasing a new washer or dryer choose with care.  Front loading washers use less energy and water.  Dryers that sense dryness will stop when clothes are dry. Appliances with a good Energy Star rating are more energy efficient.  
5. Wash full loads, but don't over fill. 

Pot Roast

One of my favorite money savings tools is the crock-pot.

photo credit: Mark Heard via flickr

Here is my favorite roast recipe.  I buy the cheapest cut of meat I can, it comes out tender because of the long cooking time with low heat.

3 - 3.5 lb beef roast
2 tsp dill
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

Rub both sides of the roast with dill.  Place in crock-pot add water and vinegar. Cover cook on low for 7-9 hours or until tender.

5 Money Saving Birthday Tips

Yesterday was Little Dude's Birthday, 2 years old.  In honor of his big day, I thought I would share some money saving birthday party tips.

1. Make your own invitations.  Not feeling particularly crafty, Microsoft Office has many party invitation templates

2. For a fun party, go to a local park.  It is free and kids love to play outside on swings and slide.

3.  Keep games simple.  Some great games that don't cost anything:  telephone, musical chairs, and tag.

4. Just serve cake and ice cream.  For more money savings make your own cake.

5.  Make a craft (and there a loads and loads of inexpensive craft ideas online) as a fun activity.  The finished craft is a great take-home party favor. 

Save Money by Not Buying Gift Wrap

Save money, don't buy gift wrap. Wrap gifts in cloth, using the Japanese Furoshiki folding techniques, instead.  This could be the beginning of a great family tradition.  By reusing the same cloths over and over for family gift giving occasions it saves space and money.  This would also be a great stash-buster, if you hoard collect fabric like me, this would be a great way to thin the collection.  The techniques to wrap the gift are simple and take no longer than wrapping a gift in paper. Added bonus: it is environmentally friendly.

4 Places to Save Money on Books

Books are a staple of any homeschooling family.  Books can be expensive!  Here are four places to find great savings on books.

1. Homeschooling events  Conferences and conventions almost always have a vendor area.  Vendors frequently offer special discounts, and no shipping if you buy the product there.

2. Library Book Sales  This is a great place to get encyclopedias (only a few years old), reading books and sometimes textbooks.

3. Garage Sales  These can be book bonanzas.  Finding that rare retired teacher or homeschool family garage sale is an extra special find.

4. Thrift Stores  Nearly every thrift store that I shop at has a book shelf, usually tucked way in the back of the store. 

Whiteboard Cleaner Solution

I use dry erase whiteboards to manage my day and plan my menus, but sometimes they get scummy with marks and residue.  Here is an easy solution to make them bright and white again with something you probably already have around the the house, rubbing alcohol.

Homeschool Central - helps us keep things on schedule

Scuzzy black marks and residue

I like to use alcohol swabs, because we have them, but a cloth, cotton ball or paper towel with alcohol would work.

Rub the alcohol all over the board, wipe off any excess.

Saving Grocery Shopping

When I decided to homeschool it was necessary to quit my job. This means that I am much more aware of spending and trying to be more frugal. This weekly topic will cover some of the things that make meeting ends easier. 

5 Simple Things  to get the most out of your Grocery trip.

Some people love shopping.  Some people don't.  Grocery shopping can be a trying, crazy-making, money sucking experience, or it can be a quick, productive errand. Here are five money saving tips that I use to make the most of my grocery shopping trip. 

• Make a list.  Then just buy what is on the list.  List making helps me to focus on what it is I need for my meals for that week.  Planning saves money.  I look at the sales circular and plan meals ahead of time, then making a list of those necessary or sales items.  It is hard to see that box of whatever when on a mission to find the next item on the list.
  

• Go alone. Grocery shopping is one of the times that I get to be by myself.  I love the kiddos and husband, but the grocery shopping is not family time.  Kids can be distracting, wanting, asking, needing, crying.  The husband too, has his own ideas about what we should be buying.  The result: more stress, more groceries, and more money spent.

• Go Full. That bag of Cheetos or that box of brownies will look less appealing when the stomach isn't doing the shopping.  Hunger is a focus-buster and will make every ready to eat, boxed, and easy to make, high priced food look that much more appealing.  When hunger does the shopping, more  food ends up in the cart.

• Take Cash.  Leave the credit/debit card at home.  This is a big one.  Stick to a grocery budget and bring cash only.  If the money isn't there you can't spend it.  Simple.

• Go on a weekday. Every mother and their brother go to the grocery store on Saturday and Sunday.  They are looking for the same great deals you are.  I have found specials bought out and bare shelves more often (at one grocery I go to this happens almost every time I go on a weekend).  It also takes more time to navigate crowds and stand in long lines.  The bottom line: if you can, go on a weekday.