Grocery shopping, cleaning products and entertainment — the bills start to add up indeed. However, there are some easy ways to save a few dollars around the home.
Making Cleaning Products
Many ingredients around the kitchen can be used around the home, such as baking powder, lemon juice or vinegar. According to Tanya Martinenko's Suite101 article "Natural Household Cleaning Guide," "these simple ingredients can be combined to clean the entire house." Lemon juice and vinegar, says Martinenko, have the ability to kill germs. Baking powder not only removes odour, but it's also effective as a scrub.
Be Grocery-Smart
In Judith Zwolak's Suite101 article "Grocery Shopping Tips," keep an eye out for sales and "stock up on non-perishables and foods you can freeze." Also, cut the driving trips to the grocery store. Try to complete grocery shopping at least once or twice a week rather than going back every other day. According to Zwolak, shoppers can save money on gas if they drive less to the market.
Reduce Utility Costs
Use nature to heat or cool the home. In the winter time, keep the blinds open and let the sun shine in — this will naturally provide you with heat. Then in the summer time, close the curtains wherever the sun peaks in.
When it comes to water, it doesn't take much to save money. For instance, use the dish washer only when there is a full load. If there isn't a a full load, just wash the other dishes by hand.
Gifts Don't Need to Be Expensive
So the family's been invited to a birthday party while being a little tight on cash. No worries here. According to "How to Save Money on Gifts," published on Suite101 on May 20, 2009, there are many ways to save some money in gift-giving. For instance, pick up a photo album at the dollar store. Go home, print out photos of loved ones, and fill the album up. Don't have photos of that special someone? Ask family or friends to email photos or better yet — visit his or her Facebook page and print out photos from there.
Overall, it only takes a little bit of effort to save money around the home. Making house cleaners doesn't just keep a few bucks in your pocket, they're also chemical-free. Not to mention, transportation costs can take up a lot of funds — with that thought, try to reduce your grocery-shopping trips. And don't forget heating and cooling the home! Just open or close the blinds. Finally, showing appreciation for others doesn't require too much money. Express TLC with a simple purchase or DIY craft.
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