I recently joined the Freecycle group in my area. So far I have a large insulated dog house and all it needed was a coat of paint. Also got a large box of cow collectibles. Whenever I find something around the house or garage that we dont use, I post it on the site. Also helps with meeting people......who knows your friend could be just around the corner. Looking forward to all of the money saving tips these smart women have to offer.

One idea for coserving energy and laudry detergent is to wear items you know arent dirty more than once...especially pajamas for children. If they get a bath before bed then there isnt any reason not to put them in the same pj's the next night. Also I try to wear my jeans at least twice and hoodies even more.

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Never buy another cookbook. I had to stop myself yesterday at Half Price Books then I thought of all the places I can get recipes for free : library, friends, internet, this site. My mom has a collection of over 75 books so I just need to raid her cupboard.

I'm right there with you on the freecycle. I have been able to declutter my house without the extra work of taking the items to goodwill, AND I have recieved things like a sewing machine, bunk beds, clothing, perennials, and all sorts of items that come up. We have saved a fortune this way.
I also like to refurbish old hand-me-down furniture from family, friends or neighbors.
Garage sales are a big thing for me too...the only thing...I tend to buy things I really don't need b/c they are such great finds!!!! lol

After researching how to launder my cloth diapers, I found out that a large load of laundry really only needs about 2 tablespoons of detergent! The recommended amount does not completely rinse out of clothes and can last for the life of the clothing. So, to save on detergent, I use about 2 tablespoons to 1/4 a cup depending on how dirty the clothes are. It makes the detergent last alot longer

Research the cash back/rewards CC's.. i.e. Citibank dividends... as we speak I am waiting on a check for $246 (accum'd since start of yr)!!! It currently pays 5% back on groceries, drug stores and gas stations... that is changing to 2% starting sometime in Oct. but if you compare to other cards... it's still a great deal! Plastic pays!

When you run into pharma reps at the Dr.'s office ask for pens and paper... and someone else mentioned asking the Dr. for samples-- a defiinite!

Walgreens free after rebate program every month-- I haven't purchased toothpaste and toothbrushes (along with many other items) for yrs!

When my daughter was born, our house ran out of hand soap. I was really mad when my husband bought three Dial Complete Foam pumps. I thought I would have to spend a lot on the liquid refill. Instead I tried making my own with this recipe: 1:3 regular hand soap, 1:3 Bath and Body Works spray, 1:3 water. So now my soap smells like Bath and Body Works soap! I only have to buy a large container of soap refill about once a year. So I'm not mad at DH anymore!

If the clothes are really dirty how much do you use? My dh gets really dirty at work.

Usually organic produce is more expensive. I always glance at it at the grocery store, because sometimes it's on sale for a better price than the non-organic! Some people think eating all-organic will save money on doctor bills, too...

I would try using 1/4 the amount of recommended detergent on a load and give it an extra rinse cycle. If you aren't happy with the outcome, then up the amount of detergent. I really don't think you will need more though. The diapers I wash are very very dirty and smelly. If I have any residue, I just run another rinse cycle. It would be worth checking the machine to see if the water is clear in that last rinse. Good luck! I hope this helps you save on detergent.