Being Frugal? Just Use a Little Less.
I’ve been thinking about it.
Do I really need that much –
- shampoo when washing my hair?
- laundry soap per wash?
- dishwasher detergent per load?
- Spic and Span washing my floors?
- Drano unclogging my sink?
Simple answer: No, I don’t. As Dawn pointed out in her post for Queercents last October, a little dab’ll do me.
I find cutting back on cleaning products pretty easy. And I get a good “green” feeling about it. The planet’s happier, and I have a little extra jingle in my pocket.
Other ways to save on cleaning products:
- Buy in bulk when it’s on sale. It won’t go bad.
- Try generic versions. A chemical is a chemical, just like with your generic medical prescriptions.
- If you’re financially able, spend a little extra for “green” cleaning products and Clean Green. Their prices are coming down, and there’s more and more coupons available. Amazon often has great deals.
- There’s lots of good recipes out there for making your own cleaning products. It’s much more economical than buying them – if you have the time. While you’re at it, you can make your own homemade cosmetics.
Now, let’s move on.
Do I really need that much –
- ice cream?
- chocolate?
- wine?
Simple answer: Yes. I do. Did you know that dark chocolate and red wine have redeeming health benefits? Worth every penny!
Sigh. Nobody said being frugal would be easy.
What are your frugal strengths? Frugal weaknesses?
photo credit: PicApp
I recently started buying things for myself after playing catch up with bills that piled up with nursing school and my mother’s battle with cancer. Instead of an Apple iphone I bought a sansa view. I bought some new scrubs off the sale rack. I like wine and buy it by the box. I also buy very good vitamins when I have the money. Health is wealth. My mother was a home health aide for years and she’s learned to care for herself with cancer. Sometimes being frugal is tough but I like the piece of mind that paying down debts brings.
Buying green cleaning products from Amazon is NOT being green, or probably frugal. Consider the amount of fuel to deliver directly to your home, vs mass shipment to a local store, and the cost of shipping attached by Amazon vs none.
@Renee – I’m sorry that your Mom must live with cancer. So difficult for the both of you. I agree, health is wealth. I take my health for granted at times. I have an older aunt that said to me once – “when we were young all we wanted was money. Now, all we want is time.”
@Rick – it’s all about perspective. That delivery truck is going by my house every day, whether it stops or not.