Instead of using paper napkins or papertowels, we use cloth napkins alot that I have collected from garage sales, clearance, etc...I spent very little money on them and they are great. They don't add too much to the laundry and are more like fillers. For example, if I have a load of whites, I just add my white napkins to that pile.

I've been told that you can add water to products like your shampoos, liquid soaps, dish washer liquid, etc. They say they are so concentrated that it's okay, as long as you don't add to much. I add a drop or two every time I use them. This makes them last longer. And the quality is still there. But, as with everything, there are exceptions that really don't work.

I picked up the tip of using VINEGAR for fabric softener from this board. What a great idea! Not only do I use it on my laundry, but I have found lots of uses for vinegar as well. To wash my floor, I've started pouring the vinegar in the water with some dishsoap and using that on my hardwood. Works out great.

I don't just cut my dryer sheets in half, I cut them in thirds. I find it still works great! I also line dry alot of clothes, not all of them, but alot of the kids things that I want to resell on ebay don't go in the dryer.

Adding to the yardsale idea, I also shop at Goodwill alot for me and the kiddos. I have a few really nice ones in the area and I always walk out with something. Last year, I was SHOCKED when I found pieces to my Noritake CHINA set there, a bunch of dinner plates, and some salad plates. What a FIND!

I have seen some great ideas here! I like the clothes napkins idea I'm gonna try that.

Does anyone buy memberships to the parks in your area?? I ususaly buy one to the zoo and the aquairum. It may cost alot innitally, but when you become a member there are so many benefits. You can take your kids there anytime for free, and there are discounts for special programs they might have. I always end up making my money back in one visit, and it solves the "what are we gonna do that won't cost alot?" syndrome. Plus most memberships can be used at other zoos/ect anywhere in the country.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan7.Samantha6,Cameron4

A Pirate's Life for ME!!

Hi there, I am new so hopefully I'll do this right. I have three kids and they all have asthma and my saving idea is shop around for medicines different pharmacys price medicine differently. Everytime we go to the doctor also I ask for samples of medicine. I agree on all the other money saving tips. The zoo, the parks camping in our living room. It is always an adventure.

Tips for saving money if you do go out to eat:

1. eat out for breakfast or lunch (some places supper is more expensive)

2. order water with lemon, try not to order pop or alcohol

3. use coupons

4. go on kids eat free day

5. check if a restaurant offers a free meal on your birthday.

6. order an appetizer as a meal if you aren't that hungry

7. take home leftovers for lunch the next day.

I have been doing this to! I grab a squeeze bottle and put water in it for the car and I keep a pkg of graham crackers in there too. It's SO hot right now they don't get soggy.

I try to look in the marked down areas for stuff that I know I need first, I try and watch my prices overall, and staying home does save money!

I pack lunches for the girls and myself. I try and leave the kiddo's home if I'm going somewhere that I know will have tempting stuff. I don't mind telling them no but it's really hard for me to decide if I'm telling them no because I don't want to spend the money or if I should loosen up and let them enjoy being a kid. It gets me ever time. They are super good about it I just have to deal with guilt

We live in a SMALL town and when I want to go somewhere I ask myself if I'm willing to walk there to get it or if its that important. Trust me as hot as it is it had better be important if I'm going to walk

Keeping the house clean and organized I save money because I'm not constantly over purchasing because I can't find something or dont' realize I have it because it's burried.

throw out magazines and take yourself off of e-mail lists that are tempting. Longing for thigns that you don't need makes you not only feel bad when you shouldn't but you are not satisfied and at peace. Mentally this is not good and you will tend to purchase out of impulse to justify the inner frustration. I trash stuff that I know will cause me to be at unease.

some of these aren't daily I know but they really help me to save!

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~Home is where your heart is~

We bought a family membership to the zoo and have already more than made up the cost (we also happened to get it at a discount which was a plus also). With it being so hot out right now, its great to be able to come and go whenever (we live about 15min away). There's also a water park in the kids section so that's really nice too. And since we usually bring our own drinks/snacks, we don't have to fork out any extra money.

I think next year we may buy a family membership to the museum in our area also for a little variety.

Stop reading the Sunday circulars and ads. That really removes temptation

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I don't believe in miracles; I depend on them

I am really enjoying reading everyones tips! Alot of great ideas.

I don't know if I have anything that hasn't been mentioned:
I cut my dh and ds's hair
I wait for things to go on sale
I use coupons and web site to help me when the best time to use them
I use used fabric softener sheets to clean fossets and to dust with instead of papertowels
I shop consignment stores
I try to keep my purse in the trunk so I won't be tempted to go through drive thru's
I only allow $40 spending money a week
movies from red box
we use budget billing with BGE
I clean windows with newspaper instead of papertowels
I bath the kids together
I water down dish detergent
I make a list before I go to any store even for clothes
I set the thermostat at 80 during the day
I buy gas at BJ's
I make my own chocolate sauce for the chocolate milk my son's addiced to

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Agreed. Also I stopped grocery shopping at places like Wal-mart and other super stores where you can do one stop shopping. The temptation was too high to buy other things. I do pay a little bit more to stay at the grocery store, but I save so much because I'm not being tempted to buy other things. Also family doesn't like to grocery shop so I am free to go alone, which cuts out extras to be thrown in the cart.