Five Easy Budget Savers

The economy is in the tank and we are all struggling. I have been searching for as many cost savings tactics that I can successfully implement into my own household.

Today I share 5 easy cost-savings steps that you can put into effect in your own household to help get through these difficult times. I am always searching for more, so if you have any ideas, add them down in the comments section for others.

Dump the Dry-Cleaning

Until recently I was spending 40 - 50 dollars per week on dry-cleaning. I sent all of my work clothes out to be laundered. When the economic crunch hit, this was one of the first things I cut back on. Now, I am laundering all my work clothes at home. I have started ironing while I watch television and it isn't so bad. One of my biggest worries when I started doing my own laundry was wrinkles, I love heavy starch in my shirts and can't stand wrinkles. A friend told me about a great product, Downy Wrinkle Releaser, it really works and gives the clothes a nice fresh smell as well.

Weekly Savings $40

Yearly Savings: $2,080


Save Your Change

For years I have saved change. I don't ever spend it under any circumstance, I only spend bills. At the end of the day I have a large jar I put the change in. I average at least $1.00 per day in change. During the Spring I emptied the jar because it was full, imagine my surprise when I had $1,368.49 in change saved!

Weekly Savings $7

Yearly Savings $365

Internet Coupons

We all know about coupons in the newspaper, but in today's culture one of the most important marketing tools any company has is their website. Before I go to the grocery I make my shopping list and then check out websites. Product websites often feature coupons that you won't find anywhere else, check it out, on my last visit to the grocery I had $12 in Internet coupons, I am a single person household so I don't buy as frequently as most, you can do much better than $12.

Weekly Savings $12

Yearly Savings $624

Hang It

As a child I loved the smell of sheets that had been hung out to dry on the line. I have reinstated the clothes line tradition in my own backyard. I am fortunate this time of year it is still warm in south Florida, so I can hang year round, but whenever available I highly recommend it, a clothesline is a great cost cutter and it is good for the environment as well! As in the last hint, remember I am a single person household so my cost may be lower than yours, I usually do 5 loads of laundry per week total, I know people who do that many per day, but if you save just 50 cents per load, that comes to $2.50 per week.

Weekly Savings $2.50

Yearly Savings $130

Brown Bag It

One of the best cost savings tools you can do on a day to day basis is brown bag your lunch. I have started cooking roast and turkey breast that can be extended through the week, this helps keep lunch interesting and tasty. I can't brown bag it every day, but I am doing 4 days per week, I usually spend 8 - 12 dollars per day on lunch. Over 4 days at just $8 that is $32 per week, brown bag it and eat in a nearby park, you get some exercise walking to the park and save money in the process!

Weekly Savings $32

Yearly Savings (Based on 50 Weeks) $1600

Those are some easy cost cutting tools that have a big pay-off. Any idea how much we just saved with those 5 easy tips?

$4,799!!!

And that is how you live on a budget and reap the rewards, Home Made Easy!

Ask HME

A dear friend from several other blogs, Lorraine, sent me an email earlier in the week to recommend I add a feature to the blog.

I loved her idea, so here you go.

Ask HME is for you. Email me here anytime with your questions about homemaking, crafting, recipes, or anything else and I will try my best to answer.

Lorraine's question....

"Dear Home Made Easy, I really love using linen water on my, uh, linens, but all a sudden it seems no one makes it anymore. (I really loved the lavender water from L'Occitane but last time I went to get some the woman said they weren't distributing it in the US anymore. Bastard French. Anyway, I suppose I could look for it online but I was wondering if you have any recipes for a nice linen water that doesn't smell like distilled weeds (because that's what happened the last time I experimented)."

I have to admit, I don't use a lot of linen water, but my mother swears by the stuff. I asked her about it and she admitted she hasn't bought any in years, so I decided to do a bit of online research to see if I could find a good recipe.

I found the recipe here. Made a batch used it earlier in the week and LOVED it! Thanks Lorraine, I have made another batch and will be taking it to my mom when I visit her later in the month.

The recipe is simple, try it for a great night's sleep.


Lavender Linen Water Recipe


Lavender Linen Water is a special sweet water that is designed to perfume cloths, bedding, or your collection of fine linens. Apply while washing or during the folding process.

Add a splash to the rinse cycle, or sprinkle, spray your linens before or during ironing. Lavender has a soothing, calming effect that will help one sleep peacefully.

Here are the ingredients for making your own:

100 drops (5ml) of Lavender Oil
1½ fluid Oz. (45 ml) Vodka. Use highest proof available.
20 Oz. of Distilled or Still Spring water

Blend/Mix the essential oils with the Vodka in a small glass bowl. Stir well to amalgamate. Pour water into a large glass container/bottle. Add the oil mixture to the water. The linen water may be cloudy. This is normal and will not stain linen. Shake well before use.

And this is Linen Water Home Made Easy.

Send your questions in, I look forward to answering them in future posts.