Life Hacks for Saving Money – what goes around, comes around!
If there is one thing I’ve learned in the last fourteen years, is that saving money is timeless. It never goes out of style.
The ideas that our grandparents (and great-grandparents!) used to stretch a dollar, make sense. They don’t need to be trendy and they never go out of fashion.
They are classic. And they work.
Way back in 2012, I shared a super simple tip for saving money on milk that seemed a little risky (maybe it would be too frugal?). But when I’m looking for simple solutions to stretch the food budget, I’m willing to take a risk! And wouldn’t you know it, just last week a big fancy newspaper shared a link to those “Old Fashioned Tip.”
But there is one important difference – now we’re calling them, “Life Hacks for Saving Money”
And I kinda like it.
After all, what could be cooler than making your own vanilla extract?
And saving money on great furniture?
Or finding ways to stretch your grocery budget that work in 2023?
I guess we’re the cool kids now. Trend-setters. Thought leaders. And overall rockstars. I knew it all along.
So, what are your favorite life hacks to save money?
Linda says
I’m an old-timer Mavis having been married in 1970. My husband and I moved to a very rural home with a drive of 12miles for groceries or any other need. I learned then to shop sales, stock a pantry, become as self sufficient as possible which meant learning homesteading skills really. We have never been sorry to depend on ourselves as much as possible.
Kathy says
I’ve been using powder milk for at least 20 years. My boys could go through 5 gallons of milk a week so it was just more economical to go the powder route (less trips to the store.) The vinegar in the wash? Not only gets rid of smelly smells (think McDonalds as one of mine works there and says even his socks smell like fries) but is a great fabric softener when paired with aluminum foil balls. Those foil balls in the dryer helps reduce static electricity and can be used up to 2 months. Box of baking soda in fridge/freezer needs to be changed? Use down your sink with a cup of white vinegar to help keep pipes clean; I’ve not had to use chemicals OR a plumber for 30 years! Can also use the baking soda on carpets, to keep them smelling fresh. Just sprinkle, let sit oh 10 minutes or so them vacuum up. Will kelp keep vacuum smelling good too. Lavender Epsom salts to repel slugs and snails, just make a barrier around your garden that they won’t cross. Cats seriously do NOT like the smell of coffee grounds or citrus (orange or lemon.) After my son’s cat used my couch for litter box several times, I cleaned it with vinegar and baking soda paste then soap and water. Sprinkled a little bit of fresh coffee grounds under the cushions and the cat never did it again. Tiny kitchen? Used citrus smell at entrance kept cat out and off my counters. Basil in a pot outside my apartment door has kept flies/mosquitos away for years. Added bonus is use said basil for pesto! I could go on but can’t think of any more hacks I use.
Laura L says
I love your hacks and look forward to anymore you can think of, Kathy.
Rosemary says
I am now using mason jars for food storage instead of Ziploc bags. I will still use a Ziploc bag every now and then, but I have reduced the amount that I buy. I cut up old t-shirts and use them for dusting and cleaning cloths instead of paper towels. The cloths can be washed and used over and over, and I have reduced the amount of paper towels that I buy. I have reusable cloths for my Swiffer (cut up t-shirts and some that I crocheted) – no need to buy the disposable ones.
If I have bread that is going stale, I will make a batch of French toast and freeze it. I also will just freeze the bread as is for later use.
One of the main things I do is think outside the box. When I need a particular item (that I don’t have), I will see what I can use in its place. Example: A greenhouse in the summer in Florida is useless (except for storing stuff). By taking off the roof (which lets all the heat out), I am now enjoying fresh tomatoes and cucumbers – no need to buy them at the store.
When my kitchen sink got clogged, I used boiling water and dawn dish detergent. It took several tries but the clog broke free -I think it must have been grease that hardened in the pipes. The boiling water melted the clog and Dawn flushed it out.
My son has his own gutter business and he asked me if I could make him a strap for the aluminum rolls. He was using tape but that is costly. I had some denim and a bunch of Velcro and created a strap that is adjustable (Velcro that totally covers both sides makes it adjustable). He tried it and it worked!
The main thing is that I will try to see if something else will work before I buy it. If I end up having to purchase it, then I will check around for the best price. If it can wait, then I will wait to see if what I want goes on sale. Instead of wanting everything immediately, it pays to have some patience.
Samantha says
Instead of purchasing plastic ziploc sandwich and gallon bags invest in silicon ziploc bags. They are not only cost saving but better for the environment! I rarely purchase paper towels. Years ago to save money, I started purchasing large packs of tea towels instead. The newer ones are used as daily use napkins. Once they become stained they are used for soaking cooking oil or become cleaning rags. I purchase them in a large pack about once a year.
Kristen says
Do you have a method for differentiating between the towels that have been “demoted” to rags or soaking up cooking oil?
Tracey says
I would think that you wouldn’t wash them together. I do have a system with old socks to be used as furniture polishers and all of them have a black X done with a permanent marker on the soles so they don’t end up back in the dresser drawers
Samantha says
Yes. The good towels are kept in a drawer in my kitchen and the “rags” in my utility room. When I do the laundry I decide when it’s time to demote towels to rags based on wear and tear.
Kristen says
Thank you! You must have separate “dirty laundry” containers for your rags and for your kitchen towels? Mine all end up down the laundry chute but I bet I could mark the rags like Tracey marks her socks!
L Bryant says
I sew a zigzag line with my sewing machine across one corner of the towel .
This means it can be used I. The kitchen or the house for cooking, cleaning, etc. as a . I use dark red. When they get less “acceptable” and they should be used in the garden, for painting , or in the shop I add a dark black line too.
Stacie says
I thought of you when I saw this island for sale in Maine! What a piece of paradise; not much garden space though https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/85-E-Lake-Shore-Dr-Peru-ME-04290/2057629320_zpid/
Diana near Atlanta says
Zip locs cost a lot more than plain plastic wrap, so when I buy lots of muffins or other baked goods to freeze, I wrap them in the plastic wrap, then put them in the freezer bags. The bags stay clean and are reused frequently.
I have favorite sheets that one of my dogs has ripped up (the digging syndrome, lol) so I used iron on tape and patched them back together. Once taped up, then I zigzag stitched the seam – and you can barely tell it’s there.
I use firewood for heat and here in the South, wood goes punky fast. I save the punky wood and use it in the bottom of raised garden beds as filler so that I don’t use so much of the expensive garden bed soil. Plus, punky wood is spongy and absorbs water, so helps keep the beds moist during dry spells (official name of this is hugelkulture).
My Mom would save old aluminum and plastic blinds and cut the slats to use as garden markers.
To save money on my water bill, I’ve bought Rubbermaid garbage cans to use as rain barrels (which are a LOT cheaper than ‘official’ rain barrels). I’m on my 7th year with them and have had only 2 leaks out of 17 cans (which I can patch easily). I use old screens on top to keep out trash while it’s raining and put the lids on them in between rainstorms to keep out the mosquitoes.
I use vinegar for laundry rinse water instead of fabric softener. No smell and it cuts the soap residue. I also use aluminum foil balls in the dryer. I rarely have problems with static and my clothes come out soft. Also, I only use the dryer for towels – everything else gets put out on a clothesline. Especially sheets – they smell so good!
Sue says
Since following One Hundred Dollars for a long, long time I have learned so much and practice daily.
I use glass jars also, to store left overs in the frig, you can see the content cause it’s not covered. If I see that it’s not going to be used up before its time I put in portions to freeze.
I use coffee filters to drain veggies and foods after frying. I don’t use paper towels very much. Coffee filters are inexpensive and go a long way. Can use to hold a sandwich or wrap. I use these also inside my pots when repotting to keep soil in place.
When rinsing veggies or needing the water hot, I catch the water to use to water plants.
I use bay leaves in all containers that I store rice, flour, meal, pasta or anything that might get little critters in them, works very well for me.
Reuse, reduce, recycle, refuse and composte.
Geunita Ringold says
I love all of your ideas. I’ve been following you since the HOA days. Had to let you know, I’m in your beloved Maine at a camping ground in my RV. We are on the bay at Georgetown. Sagadahoc campground. It is just beautiful. I can see why you love it here. We went to Acadia yesterday and as we drove through all the little towns and could see houses facing the water, I thought this could be you now and your last move.
Paula says
We simply our meals: Breakfast is oatmeal, lunch is our big meal of the day (It varies and I try to cook enough for 2 meals.), dinner is either soup or salad (I’ll cook a pot of soup at the beginning of the week), when we run out we have salads. It saves, time, energy, and money. My husband has acid reflux. So, eating a smaller meal later in the day helps with that.
Thank you Mavis for continued encouragement and wonderful ideas!
Laura L. says
Great idea for 2 people as it gets overwhelming to come up with meals to cook day in and day out, plus we don’t have a large freezer to put future meals in so there’s that. Your method does indeed simplify each meal, thanks for sharing.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
Those jars need to be in a place where light will not reach them so they will retain nutrients and nice color. I do like the cabinet.
I like finding furniture on the side of the road, on move-out day at universities, and from friends who are moving. But, I have bought furniture from flea markets, yard sales, and antique shops.
I had a friend who bought a huge dresser with one drawer missing. So, she painted the inside of the drawer opening and put candles and decorated inside the opening. She then used it in the living room.
Terry McA says
Vinegar has so many uses, from a cleanser to a fabric softener to a conditioner. It’s great in your toilet if you have hard water deposits. Just put a cup in the bowl, give it a swish and let it sit overnight, then clean as normal. I use apple cider vinegar as a hair conditioner (I have soooo many allergies). It leaves my hair soft and when it’s dry there is no smell. Windows, floors, countertops, you name it and vinegar can clean it. Use coffee filters to clean your windows with the vinegar, it leaves them streak and lint-free. Using a swiffer wet-jet? Soak the cap end of the cleaner bottle in near-boiling (or boiling) water for about a minute, then you can twist the cap off and refill it with your cleaner of choice. To avoid having to do this again, cut, file, or dremel off the little tabs inside the cap. I love to use my crockpots (I think I have one in every size). I tend to use them overnight quite a bit! Earlier this week it was cut up apples, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract, in the morning, blend together until smooth, then return to crockpot on high heat, uncovered, until thick and creamy. Such a wonderful apple butter! When you have a ton of leftover onions, cut in half, slice thin, then throw in your crockpot overnight. In the morning you’ll have nice, carmelized onions! Just divide them up in a few ice-cube trays and freeze, then pop into a container or ziploc to throw into recipes!