Saving by Using Less - Literally

Well, almost by definition, "Frugal" can mean Living with Less...but in this case, I mean literally "living with less" in your day-to-day household management and living...the nice thing about this list....you'll never notice a difference in your quality of life by making these changes (just a difference in your bottom line).

This list is by no means exhaustive, but the goal is to start thinking about consumer goods before you use them...using less will save you money and is actually better for the environment (less waste, less packaging, etc.)...Here are just a few examples of what I mean:

• Toothpaste - a few months ago during my semi-annual cleaning, the hygenist and dentist both mentioned that most people use WAY too much toothpaste. Unlike the commercials we've all grown up watching, you should NOT cover the bristles with paste...instead, the ideal amount of toothpaste is smaller than a spring pea. Seriously. The dentist said it's really more the technique and amount of time that you brush that matters more...the average consumer could use up to 3 or 4 fewer tubes of toothpaste per year!
• Hair styling products - One of my "weaknesses" for spending is nicer hair care and make up products. I love Aveda (among other brands) but it cost a fortune (by my definition, at least). My stylist always told me to use 4 to 5 pumps of my "defrizzer serum stuff" each time I washed my hair. You know what? I found out that 3 pumps make my hair look EXACTLY the same. Savings? Since the change, my bottle lasts about a month longer...since the bottle costs $35 (no, I'm not kidding) It saves me about $100 per year! Same with my prescription adult acne gel (no secrets here, friends)... using a little less each night gives the same results with less money. Just keep it in mind as you're going through your routine each morning and evening...
• Detergent - For many years, I worked for a major consumer products company, which makes many of the products you probably have in your cabinets around your house. Here's something I learned, the goal of consumer products companies is to get you to love their products (marketing) and then buys LOTS of it (hence, the recommended amount to use in the instructions or on the convenient "pour cap"). Bottom line: you can use a little less detergent each time you wash your clothes and will never see a difference in the results. If you normally fill over the line (the line on the cup that tells you how much detergent to use), you are wasting your money. If you normally fill up to the line, go a tiny bit lower (just a little) and you'll save about one to two loads worth of detergent from each bottle and get the same results. Trust me on this one.
• Automatic dishwashing detergent - Use powder or gel? See above post. NEVER overfill and you can seriously use a little less than they say. If you overfill or throw in a little extra after you close the little soap door (yes, some people put "extra" in even after filling the little door) it literally gets washed away without cleaning your dishes.
• Fabric Softener - Best way to save money on this one? Don't use it. Really. The smell is actually just a chemical that coats your clothes. If you must use it, you can use a LOT less for the same results (see example above). Another solution: My grandmother used to mix a few drops of softener with water, pour it on an old washcloth and throw it in the dryer. Voila - instant, reusable dryer sheet. Cheaper than dryer sheets and better for the environment.
• Gift Wrapping - Lots of people do this, but not everyone, so just in case it's new to you...Use gift bags. The key here is to be organized. Get them cheap at end-of-season clearance sales, reuse ones that are given to you, get them cheap at the dollar store. The key is organizing them so you know what you have and can get to them quickly. When we exchange gifts in my immediate family (including with my mom, sisters, step-siblings, etc.) we usually discuss custody of the gift bags (who wants which ones back, who wants to trade to have something new, etc.). I have some gift bags that have been used at least 10 to 15 times! Obviously, if it's a gift for a wedding or someone we're aren't that close to, I don't get the bag back....but I think you get my point. Also, I've used Sunday "funny papers" and other creative ideas.
• Cooking - Cut back on some ingredients. When you're making a recipe, really examine what you're using. Do you really need two lbs of meat, or will one and a half do? Do you need 5 cups of broth or can you use 4 cups broth and one cup of water? Two cups carrots or maybe one and a half? Or, can you substitute a cheaper ingredient for a more expensive one? When you really start thinking about it, you'll find lots of little ways to cut back on what you're using in the kitchen to stretch your food budget (I'll have lots of posts on this topic).
• What are you rinsing off of your dishes? I recently started thinking about this while washing off the dinner dishes (Good times)....once I started paying attention to this, I realized that we were wasting a lot of stuff! I was rinsing off about 2 to 3 tablespoons of ketchup after almost every meal...not to mention mustard, jelly, steak sauce, etc. Now, this tip won't make you a millionaire, but this money does add up! Condiments can be found fairly cheap, but I think every penny counts (plus, it's an attitude of saving that can make the real difference - more on that in a later post). The point here...really examine how much you and your family are using and throwing away with the condiments and for that matter, all of your food....you might be surprised how much is going down the sink!

Any more ideas? Please email me and I'll add them to the list!