Posts by Life or Debt
Way to Save #155: Breast-feed
Dec 20, 2009 - Keep abreast of the cost of formula. You can spend $1,500 a year on formula. Breastfeeding is free and according to many, healthier too.
Way to Save #154: Consign Baby Clothes
Dec 19, 2009 - Rent your baby clothes and supplies. Well, not actually rent perhaps, but practically. Buy your baby clothes, crib, stroller toys and other things at up to 75% off by shopping at consignment stores. When your baby outgrows them, consign them yourself and make part of your money back. You can even consign online: try www.kindercloset.com.
Way to Save #153: Homemade Baby Food
Dec 18, 2009 - Make your own baby food. There are plenty of free recipes online and in library books for food that is better than name brand because it won’t have as much salt, sugar and preservatives. It’s also infinitely cheaper.
Way to Save #152: Dump Disposable Diapers
Dec 17, 2009 - Washing your own diapers can save you a couple of hundred dollars in a year and your landfill will be happier too!
Way to Save #151: Free Or Discounted Pet Services
Dec 16, 2009 - Odds are you’re already paying taxes to subsidize some basic pet health services. Call your local Humane society or county facility and ask about discounted inoculations or other services.
Way to Save #150: Homemade Pet Toys
Dec 15, 2009 - Make your own pet toys. Pets are like babies. They’re more likely to enjoy the box the toy came in than the toy itself. You’ve got plenty of interesting, entertaining and chewable items lying around the house already. You can grow catnip or find it cheap at herb stores.
Way to Save #149: Shop Pet Food
Dec 14, 2009 - Unless your dog and cat read or watch a lot of TV, they probably won’t complain about getting generic food. Read the labels, and you’ll find that name brand pet food often has the exact ingredients at twice the price! Buying in bulk could also be a good idea, and don’t forget to try online [...]
Way to Save #148: Adopt A Pet
Dec 13, 2009 - Why would anyone pay a pet store for a furry friend when there are perfectly wonderful dogs and cats for free (or nearly free) at the Humane Society? Not only are you getting an inexpensive companion, you could be saving a life! But remember before you take one home that pets can be expensive. An [...]
Way to Save #147: Homemade Cleaners
Dec 12, 2009 - Clean up on cleaners! You can often make your own cleaners that will save money and work just as well as their heavily advertised cousins. For example, combine 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and two tablespoons of cornstarch to a bucket of warm water and you’ll have a great window cleaner! And while [...]
Way to Save #146: Reuse Aluminum Foil
Dec 11, 2009 - Foiled again. Aluminum foil can often be reused.
Way to Save #145: Reuse Plastic
Dec 10, 2009 - Plastic has a half-life of a million years. Wash and reuse plastic food storage bags.
Way to Save #144: Use Hand Towels
Dec 09, 2009 - Save a tree or two. Use a clean hand towel in the kitchen instead of always reaching for paper towels.
Way to Save #143: Freeze Scouring Pads
Dec 08, 2009 - Freeze your scouring pads. They last longer that way.
Way to Save #142: Inexpensive Decorating
Dec 07, 2009 - Sometimes you just need to change the look of a room. A new tablecloth can transform a dining room, and you’ll probably find one at the Salvation Army for $5. Plants are great decorations that you can get free by exchanging clippings with your friends. A plywood circle sitting on a round trash can look [...]
Way to Save #141: Stop Being So Clean
Dec 06, 2009 - Americans can be obsessive when it comes to cleaning our clothes. Result? High dry-cleaning bills, high utility bills and high clothing bills. Nobody’s suggesting you should use body odor to cull your circle of friends, but the fact is that many items, especially the expensive-to-dry-clean-kind can often be worn more before we have them cleaned. [...]
