Saving Money Laundry Edition
1. Wash full loads, this saves on the amount of water and energy spent on cleaning your clothes. So put off laundry one more day. I'm sure you won't mind.
2. Wash in cold water, the heating of the water in your washer is where a lot of money is used. There are special detergents that you can use in cold water but I believe most brand name detergents can be used in both hot and cold.
3. Limit your dryer usage. This can be done by hanging clothes that need to be dried on either hangers, or on a clothes line. I bought a clothing bar and use it on a daily basis. My laundry is dry in no time. Especially here in El Paso where the Summer weather can be put to good use. I have saved roughly about $5.00 to $6.00 on my utility bill. This might not seem like a lot but is adds up quickly to around $60.00 for the year. Not only do you save money on the utilities but your clothes look newer for longer. The dryer can tend to fade out clothes making them look worn out. It also can heat your house in the summer, definitely not something you want to do here in El Paso.
4. Use half the amount recommended. I have done this with many different laundry products and it has made no difference in the end result. I save money by stretching out my products, and my clothes are still clean.
5. How dirty are your clothes? Sometimes I get up change to go to store, come right back and change back into my comfy clothes. I hang up my "store clothing" because I don't consider them dirty yet. Take a spot check and see how "dirty" the clothing is before you wash. This can dramatically save you time and money.
6. Remember your laundry. This goes for both the washer and dryer, don't forget your clothes in either one. I will admit I have done this numerous times. Then I have to either start my washer because I left it over a period of time, or start dryer again because clothes are wrinkled. This of course can become costly if done many times.
7. Don't use your dryer as a iron, lol. I am also so very guilty of this. When I do use my dryer I try to remove clothes as quickly as I can after it is done drying them in order to avoid wrinkles.
8. I don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets. I have before and love the smell, but I find that my laundry is fine without the extra items. I will admit my laundry isn't as fragrant but it is clean.
9. Buy in bulk when you can, look at the price per ounce usually located next to price of item. This is a great indicator that you are getting the most for your money. I suggest doing the math because sometimes the price per ounce can be off depending on a sale or simply just not labeled correctly.
10. Powdered detergent in most cases seems to be less expensive than liquid detergent, but once again I recommend looking at your price per ounce. Sales and different name brands can also play a major role in finding your most money saving products.
11. Purchase a washer or dryer that is more Energy Efficient. This can save you a lot of money over the lifetime of your usage due to less water and time cleaning your laundry.
12. Finally I personally was a slave to using a certain brand due to my family having reactions to other detergents. This brand was unfortunately a pricey one. I found a recipe online for a homemade detergent and I decided to try it. I was pleased with it and I am using to this day. One batch has lasted me over three months and looks like I have another three to four months left of it. I find it does a great job, its price point is fabulous and no one has had any reaction to it :) I found it on pinterest.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Saving Money in Restaurants
1. Use coupons, these can be found in newspapers, they also come in your Tuesday mailbox flyers. I've used different coupons at Taco Cabana, Chick-fil-A, Red Lobster.
2. Fill out surveys located on bottom of restaurant receipts. Seems like your chances of getting one of these surveys on the bottom of receipts in a restaurant is greater when you pay cash. I have gotten countless free sandwiches from Chick-fil-A, and free drinks at Sonic. The only downside is you must fill out with in a certain amount of time or it is void.
3. Order water, or if you must have a drink make sure it has free refills. I have a family of 5, and 5 times $1.29 can add up fast. I once saw a man drink 5 sodas at a dinner, he had no idea the restaurant didn't offer free refills and spent $10.00 on soda, yikes!
4. Split a meal. I sometimes share a plate with my husband or share with my little ones. The kids meals can add up quickly and many time they don't even touch the plate. I usually order a side they like and they will eat that. I even pack crackers or a snack for them.
5. Skip the appetizers and dessert. Sometimes we fill up on the appetizers and we aren't even hungry for our main dish. These extras can add a quick $15.00 to $20.00 dollars to your bill.
6. Seems like Tuesdays are great days to take kids to eat. I have seen many different places that offer free kids meals on Tuesdays. Fuddruckers is just one example.
7. Visit a restaurant during promotions. I recently saw Olive Garden had a great deal, I believe it was a $12.95 for two meals one to dine in and one to take home. Grandy's also has a chicken fried steak that is only offered on a certain day for a deal of a price.
8. Order just an appetizer instead of a full meal, or order just dessert instead of a meal. These items can sometimes be just as big or as expensive as a meal.
9. Early birds or Happy hour times can help you save at some restaurants. I have seen a great example of happy hour at Sonic, you can get half price drinks and different snacks for 1/2 price. Starbucks does this also on occasion.
10. Order yourself a kids meal, I often do this. The portion size of a kids meal is more on track with what you should be eating anyway. Sounds crazy but its true. Regular size meals in a restaurant is sometimes double the calorie intake we should be eating. Your waistline and wallet will thank you.
11. Sign up for restaurant emails. IHOP offers free breakfast on your birthday and I believe Denny's does something also. I've also gotten free offers via email from Dairy Queen.
12. I have also seen restaurants use Facebook as a means of offering different coupons and discounts. Panda Express often gives a free item and posts the coupon on facebook to print and show in order to redeem.
13. Order to go at some places can save you money. Leo's Mexican and Terrazas restaurants has a great deal on 4 enchiladas, 4 tacos, 4gorditas, rice,beans,1/4 tostadas,1/2 salsa, 6 sopapillas, for$15.99! I've had this many times and it is great. Also Little Caesars Pizza, I am sure you all know about that one.
14. Some restaurants may offer come back cards. You get a punch on your card for so much money spent. I have only seen one at Taco Tote, and at Bahama Bucks.
15. Groupon and Living Social deals can be great but beware that you are more tempted to purchase on item because it seems to be a limited time offer. I have been guilty of this. Be sure you really want to eat there and you will use the Groupon or Living Social deal within the time it permits.
16. Some restaurants sell coupon booklets or calendars. I have purchased these booklets at McDonald's for a $1.00, they have coupons for free ice cream, apple juice, and apples. Taco Cabana also had them for $1.00, offered free bean burritos. Chick-fil-A offers a calendar full of coupons and I also buy one of these every year.
17. Eat out less often. This sounds like a no brainer but eating out in general can take a big bite on your finances. Let's do the math on a $30.00 meal eating out a modest twice a week for a month. This equals $240.00 a month on dinning out. In my household that is two in a half weeks of groceries. I can make about 50 meals with this amount compared with 8 meals eating out. We go out to eat maybe once a week or once every two weeks. When we do go its a real treat and we look forward to it.
2. Fill out surveys located on bottom of restaurant receipts. Seems like your chances of getting one of these surveys on the bottom of receipts in a restaurant is greater when you pay cash. I have gotten countless free sandwiches from Chick-fil-A, and free drinks at Sonic. The only downside is you must fill out with in a certain amount of time or it is void.
3. Order water, or if you must have a drink make sure it has free refills. I have a family of 5, and 5 times $1.29 can add up fast. I once saw a man drink 5 sodas at a dinner, he had no idea the restaurant didn't offer free refills and spent $10.00 on soda, yikes!
4. Split a meal. I sometimes share a plate with my husband or share with my little ones. The kids meals can add up quickly and many time they don't even touch the plate. I usually order a side they like and they will eat that. I even pack crackers or a snack for them.
5. Skip the appetizers and dessert. Sometimes we fill up on the appetizers and we aren't even hungry for our main dish. These extras can add a quick $15.00 to $20.00 dollars to your bill.
6. Seems like Tuesdays are great days to take kids to eat. I have seen many different places that offer free kids meals on Tuesdays. Fuddruckers is just one example.
7. Visit a restaurant during promotions. I recently saw Olive Garden had a great deal, I believe it was a $12.95 for two meals one to dine in and one to take home. Grandy's also has a chicken fried steak that is only offered on a certain day for a deal of a price.
8. Order just an appetizer instead of a full meal, or order just dessert instead of a meal. These items can sometimes be just as big or as expensive as a meal.
9. Early birds or Happy hour times can help you save at some restaurants. I have seen a great example of happy hour at Sonic, you can get half price drinks and different snacks for 1/2 price. Starbucks does this also on occasion.
10. Order yourself a kids meal, I often do this. The portion size of a kids meal is more on track with what you should be eating anyway. Sounds crazy but its true. Regular size meals in a restaurant is sometimes double the calorie intake we should be eating. Your waistline and wallet will thank you.
11. Sign up for restaurant emails. IHOP offers free breakfast on your birthday and I believe Denny's does something also. I've also gotten free offers via email from Dairy Queen.
12. I have also seen restaurants use Facebook as a means of offering different coupons and discounts. Panda Express often gives a free item and posts the coupon on facebook to print and show in order to redeem.
13. Order to go at some places can save you money. Leo's Mexican and Terrazas restaurants has a great deal on 4 enchiladas, 4 tacos, 4gorditas, rice,beans,1/4 tostadas,1/2 salsa, 6 sopapillas, for$15.99! I've had this many times and it is great. Also Little Caesars Pizza, I am sure you all know about that one.
14. Some restaurants may offer come back cards. You get a punch on your card for so much money spent. I have only seen one at Taco Tote, and at Bahama Bucks.
15. Groupon and Living Social deals can be great but beware that you are more tempted to purchase on item because it seems to be a limited time offer. I have been guilty of this. Be sure you really want to eat there and you will use the Groupon or Living Social deal within the time it permits.
16. Some restaurants sell coupon booklets or calendars. I have purchased these booklets at McDonald's for a $1.00, they have coupons for free ice cream, apple juice, and apples. Taco Cabana also had them for $1.00, offered free bean burritos. Chick-fil-A offers a calendar full of coupons and I also buy one of these every year.
17. Eat out less often. This sounds like a no brainer but eating out in general can take a big bite on your finances. Let's do the math on a $30.00 meal eating out a modest twice a week for a month. This equals $240.00 a month on dinning out. In my household that is two in a half weeks of groceries. I can make about 50 meals with this amount compared with 8 meals eating out. We go out to eat maybe once a week or once every two weeks. When we do go its a real treat and we look forward to it.
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