What "Odd" thing you do to be frugal? - Page 2

allgirls · 07-13-2006, 11:52 PM

dd#3 uses the newspaper bags to make clothes for her stuffed animals/dolls. He Tigger has a couple outfits already. they actually looks really cute.

oh yeah I also do the cereal/cookie/cracker mix.

allgirls

Bonniebelle38 · 07-14-2006, 10:21 AM

I save the Walmart/Target bags too!! I save margarine dishes to give the dog her table scrap's. And, I have a huge gift bag collection!! I NEVER throw those away, & i haven't had to buy one in years!! I keep them organized by type, baby shower, wedding, Christmas, male b-day, female b-day!! I have a ton of tissue paper that i re-use too!!

cjemommy · 07-14-2006, 10:34 AM

I too use the grocery store plastic bags as small trash can garbage bags and to clean up after the dog or for poopy diapers. Although I started buying scented little diaper bags at the Dollar Store, 100 of them come in a box and they are great for smelly diapers. They are also great to keep a few in the diaper bag for things when you are out and about.

I also will wash the swim diapers and reuse them.

2bearsmom · 07-14-2006, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Bonniebelle38 @ July 14 2006,10:21)]. And, I have a huge gift bag collection!! I NEVER throw those away, & i haven't had to buy one in years!! I keep them organized by type, baby shower, wedding, Christmas, male b-day, female b-day!! I have a ton of tissue paper that i re-use too!!

Me too! I have them all seperated in the biggest gift bags and they're all stored under a desk in the garage...DH always makes fun of me for it, but I don't think i've bought a gift bag for a present in over 4 years!!! And yes, I save the tissue paper too, if it's not too wrinkled or torn

momof2boys · 07-14-2006, 01:17 PM

I wash zip lock baggies except those with raw meat.

I reuse plastic bag for diapers and dog doo

I make my own baby wipes

I cut paper towels in 1/2 for napkins (Costco brand are as good as Bounty IMO)

I invested in a good digital camera so that I only need to print the ones I want in frames and the rest are stored nicely on a disc, film processing adds up!

I recycle any newspaper and magazines in the bin at Church.

I make my kids use both sides of paper for drawing (yeah I am odd, and my dh brings any wasted paper for art from his work!

I do take a few extra condiments at restruants and sometimes even Splenda (yes thats probaly just being cheap)

While waiting for water to heat up for dishes/baths I sometimes put water in a bucket to water plants with.

I always use a little less laundry soap than recomended as well as dish washer detergent. Everything still looks and smells clean.

When I am out of my fabric softner I am going to start using vinegar. I cut dryer sheets into strips. Really it all works.

I pretty much make homemade mixes myself for cooking.

Make my own play doh for the kids they love it!

Leighann

mhender · 07-14-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (cjemommy @ July 14 2006,10:34)]I too use the grocery store plastic bags as small trash can garbage bags and to clean up after the dog or for poopy diapers. Although I started buying scented little diaper bags at the Dollar Store, 100 of them come in a box and they are great for smelly diapers. They are also great to keep a few in the diaper bag for things when you are out and about.

I also will wash the swim diapers and reuse them.

I do this too - those bags are genius! I can't believe I cleaned and sprayed that stupid diaper pail with the first two kids. We moved when baby #2 was turning one, and the pail made me sick, so I just threw it in the trash - planning on getting another. With three kids now, I take out the trash at LEAST once a day, so the diapers just get put in one of those scented bags and put in the main trash can.

I also use the Dollar Tree as prize central. When my 3 and 4 year olds do something amazing (example - dd getting a shot the other day...) they go to Dollar Tree and can pick ANYTHING in the store (it's all a buck!) My sister thinks that's cheap - wait until she has kids...

My other odd hobby is to buy up presents when they are on sale. Generic toys (last year I bought up bubble machines - great 3 year old b-day present). My sister also thinks that's cheap. With these kids - I can not take them to Target to get bday presents every other week. I also buy up stuff when it's on Amazon with free shipping - listed on Mommysavers. I bought the HUGE loving family dollhouse a month ago for $9.99 and free shipping. I put it up for the 3 year old for christmas....

Oh yeah - my sister also thinks that the Walgreens rebate thing is stupid. I LOVE going "free" shopping every month and haven't bought a toothbrush in years - there's one on the rebate almost every month. I also haven't spent much money in years because I keep putting the $ on that gift card instead of getting a check. Yes, it's a little trouble to fill out that form, but it's soooo worth it some months!

orchid3h · 07-14-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (jnbythesea @ July 13 2006,17:52)]This is not for the faint hearted: I reuse *swim diapers. I read that they could be machine washed and air dried... and, yep, they can! *Of course, any one with poo goes right into the trash, but if dd wears them at the pool, I wash them and put them in our "for the beach pile". Once they get to the beach I don't try to save them- too much sand and a hassle. But even if I can use each one twice, that is a big savings. They are expensive little rascals.

That's a really good tip thanks

momof2boys · 07-14-2006, 03:07 PM

I also use the wax paper from cereal boxes to cover food in the microwave vs using wax paper.

I would love to start the Walgreens rebates there just isnt one close enough to make it worth while.

Great job on the birthday presents! Smart thinking.

Leighann

orchid3h · 07-14-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Bonniebelle38 @ July 14 2006,07:21)]I save the Walmart/Target bags too!! I save margarine dishes to give the dog her table scrap's. And, I have a huge gift bag collection!! I NEVER throw those away, & i haven't had to buy one in years!! I keep them organized by type, baby shower, wedding, Christmas, male b-day, female b-day!! I have a ton of tissue paper that i re-use too!!

I save my dishes too. I save margarine & cool whip dishes.

orchid3h · 07-14-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (mhender @ July 14 2006,11:36)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (cjemommy @ July 14 2006,10:34)]I too use the grocery store plastic bags as small trash can garbage bags and to clean up after the dog or for poopy diapers. Although I started buying scented little diaper bags at the Dollar Store, 100 of them come in a box and they are great for smelly diapers. They are also great to keep a few in the diaper bag for things when you are out and about.

I also will wash the swim diapers and reuse them.

I do this too - those bags are genius! *I can't believe I cleaned and sprayed that stupid diaper pail with the first two kids. *We moved when baby #2 was turning one, and the pail made me sick, so I just threw it in the trash - planning on getting another. *With three kids now, I take out the trash at LEAST once a day, so the diapers just get put in one of those scented bags and put in the main trash can. *

I also use the Dollar Tree as prize central. *When my 3 and 4 year olds do something amazing (example - dd getting a shot the other day...) they go to Dollar Tree and can pick ANYTHING in the store (it's all a buck!) *My sister thinks that's cheap - wait until she has kids...

My other odd hobby is to buy up presents when they are on sale. *Generic toys (last year I bought up bubble machines - great 3 year old b-day present). *My sister also thinks that's cheap. *With these kids - I can not take them to Target to get bday presents every other week. *I also buy up stuff when it's on Amazon with free shipping - listed on Mommysavers. *I bought the HUGE loving family dollhouse a month ago for $9.99 and free shipping. *I put it up for the 3 year old for christmas....

Oh yeah - my sister also thinks that the Walgreens rebate thing is stupid. *I LOVE going "free" shopping every month and haven't bought a toothbrush in years - there's one on the rebate almost every month. *I also haven't spent much money in years because I keep putting the $ on that gift card instead of getting a check. *Yes, it's a little trouble to fill out that form, but it's soooo worth it some months!

I didn't know you can have the money put on a gift card at walgreens. WOW!