Homemade Fabric Softener

I got this great recipe from my good friend Tricia over at The Money Badger.  I don't think she has posted this great recipe so I am on it!  I've been making my own laundry soap for a while now and was wondering about fabric softener.  I am a self proclaimed Downy-aholic.   I had a stock pile so I didn't try this recipe out until recently.  It is really simple.

What you'll need:  

2 cups hair conditioner

3 cups vinegar

6 cups hot water

I used Suave conditioner that I got free at Walgreens.  My dear Tricia informed me that the conditioner in hair conditioner is the same in clothes fabric softener.  

Vinegar I also bought with coupons.  Vinegar is a natural softener.  

Mix your hot water and conditioner until the conditioner is diluted.  Use some of your hot water to rinse out your bottle.  Then stir in vinegar.

That's it! 

I used an old Downy container to store my fabric softener.  

My clothes come out nice and fresh.  The scent is rather light.   You can add a fragrance if you like.  I would use a fragrance free conditioner and then add a couple drops of your favorite fragrance oils.   Tricia uses the clean cotton fragrance.  I have not invested in a fragrance oil yet but I will. 

Total cost:  about $.30 that I paid for the vinegar. 

I found that you should shake it up before each use.  

DIY Bug Spray

Alright ladies.  Do you hate getting treated like a buffet by mosquitoes?  Do you hate the smell of bug sprays?  This is for you if you answered yes to either question.
I am a mosquito magnet.  I have no idea why but they love me.  Needless to say when I want to hang out on the deck I have to douse myself in bug spray.  I hate the smell of bug spray.  Even the more expensive non offensive smells.  This then leads me to needing a shower before bed even if I've already showered.  I don't want the bug spray in my bed.
I've tried a couple other methods including rubbing dryer sheets on your skin.  I had mixed results with that method.  Of course, it did smell better.  I'm always open to new options.  Which leads to this discovery....

Earlier this summer we were at a friends house when a friend of a friend passed around her "bug spray".  I doused myself as per usual.  Then I asked her what it was.
She replied, Listerine.
What?  Listerine?  As in mouthwash?
She said yes.  She's been using it for years with her son who is 3 or 4 years old.  She said he's never had a bite.  I didn't get bit that night either.

I hit up Target for my supplies.
Target's Listerine  $2.99
used $.75 coupon from Target.com
Spray bottle $1.22

Pour the Listerine straight into your spray bottle.  For about $3.50 I have at least 5 bottles of bug spray.  I will keep you updated with the effectiveness of the spray.  Let me know if this works for you.  I figure it's a win win either way.  It worked for me once and if it doesn't I have mouthwash.
Here's to evenings outside without the smelly bug spray!  Cheers!

Thanks to Jen T for the great idea.

UPDATE:  I used this again the other night and it kept the bugs away but it was sticky so I watered it down by about 50%.

No more poo?! Update

I am into my 2nd week of not shampooing my hair.  For original post, go here.  I've tried a couple different ways of doing it.  I've tried the baking soda paste that you rub into your scalp but wasn't impressed.  It didn't seem to work for me.  I am back to diluting 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of water.  Then conditioning with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water.
I am still waiting for that day when I don't feel greasy.  Well, strike that.   I do have days when it doesn't feel greasy but others where it does bother me.  I am at the point now that I've done it two weeks why would I quit now?  Especially if I'm just about over the hurtle of oily hair.  I mean who knows, tomorrow could be the day.
I did color my hair last week which may have stripped the oil.  So now my hair could be over producing oil again.  Which makes sense.  argh!  I mean come on.  I had to dye those roots!
Overall, I am still happy with this experiment.  No one thinks my hair looks any different.   It doesn't smell like vinegar.  They can't tell that I have stopped shampooing my hair.

After searching the web a bit, I found these great tidbits!!!    So maybe that's what I'm doing wrong...   I need to just be conditioning the ends of my hair.  Hello!


If your hair becomes frizzy, try using less baking soda or leaving it on for a shorter period of time. Adding honey may also help.
If your hair becomes greasy, try using less apple cider vinegar, switching to lemon or lime juice, leaving out the honey, and/or using a comb instead of a brush. Also, make sure you re applying the apple cider vinegar just to the ends of your hair.
If your scalp itches, try the following essential oils; tea tree, lavender, rosemary. If your hair becomes dry, try a tiny bit of oil (any oil, I use olive) smoothed on bottom of hair.


I have to confess (and this is embarrassing to admit) that I usually get dandruff every winter along with itchy scalp.  This has really cleared that up.  I have no flakes what so ever.  That could be why I haven't given up on this.
I am off to NOT shampoo my hair.   Happy No Pooing to you!

Stack coupons

Another way to really save money is to stack coupons.

Around here we have Walgreens and Target that allow stacking.

Stacking means that these stores put out their own coupons.  Manufacturers put coupons out in your local newspaper among other places.  When you get a coupon look at which it is.  If it's a store it can be stacked with a manufacturers.  

Most Walgreens coupons are in their weekly ads and in their monthly booklets.

Target has coupons on their website.  here  

For instance today I bought the Scott's paper towels at Walgreens.  Normally they sell for $5.  I used Walgreens $1 off and a manufacturers $1 off.  Making the towels $3.  

This is why Walmart is not always the cheapest.  I fell into that trap: Walmart is cheaper than other stores.  They may be cheaper on a couple things to make you believe they are cheaper on everything.  

Not the case when your local grocery stores run good sales and they double coupons. 

Both Schnucks and Dierbergs double coupons up to $.40.  Kroger will double up to $.50. 

It will take a little more time until you get the hang of it.  But make a list.  Get what is on sale with a coupon.

Stack coupons.  I do go to more than one store a week.  In most cases I hit 2 stores a week.  It can be more depending on what's on sale.  

Which leads people to think it takes me longer to grocery shop than them going to one store. 

This may be true but only a small amount of time.  Why is this?   First of all, in our town all of our major stores are on the same block.  Not a lot of driving from one to the other.  Second, I have a list of what I'm getting.  I waste no time looking around and deciding what I want.  I go in and get it then get out.  This also helps me stay on budget.  Looking around usually means spending more money.   

Another great place to look for coupons is coupons.com.

Sometimes you can find high dollar coupons that are not in the paper.  

Pay with cash

A great way to save money is to pay with cash.  I know this sounds silly but it is so true.  When my friends laugh at me because I get aggravated when I spend $40 at the grocery store it is because I am paying cash.  It hurts to pay cash.  Back in the day I would do what so many of you do.  I'd drop $200 at the grocery store.  It's partially because I didn't have a plan and partially because of my debit card.  I used to see my debit card as a money saver.  I thought if I took out cash I'd spend more.  Really it's the opposite.
How many of you don't pay attention to what you are putting in your cart?  Monetary wise.  You see these things as needs so you don't think about it.  You also don't consider that you may not have enough to pay for it.  You just swipe your card.
I still get off track once in a while now.  I'll go in with my cash but have that debit card just in case.  This always leads to me over spending.
If you start out with a hundred dollars how far will you get?  After the gas station and the grocery store?  Most wouldn't get past the gas station these days.  Some gas stations give you a discount for paying cash. Why not try it?  Commit to a week or two.   See if you think more about what you are putting into that cart.
It's the same principle as going to a casino.  They give you chips so that you disassociate that it's money.  Your hard earned money!

Homemade Sugar Scrub

Homemade Sugar Scrubs 

I have seen lots of different ideas for this including using olive oil. 

After trying all a couple recipes I decided if I was going to do 

this I might as well invest in some better oils.  

Sweet Almond oil is a great base for sugar scrubs.

I also add Jojoba oil and glycerine and a coconut fragrance oil.

You can also use coconut oil.  I wouldn't use this as your main oil because it 

is a solid oil.  You have to melt it and it will re harden.

I have also used Dr Bronner's Castile liquid soap for the fragrance.  

Whatever you choose to use the basic recipe is the same.

Use 2/3 sugar to 1/3 oil mixture.
I start by putting 2/3 cup of sugar in my container.
Then measure out 1/3 cup of oils.  I looked into glycerine and
found out it's great for your skin so I add that in with my oil.
Add a couple drops of fragrance oil or Dr Bronner's Castile Soap.
I love using the peppermint soap with this.  It makes a great
peppermint foot scrub.
I use 1 cup ziploc containers.  You can also dress this up by putting in jars.

I found all of my oils on Amazon.  

Lux Seven-Day Programmable Thermostat $43.99

Today's deal of the day on Amazon..

A Lux touchscren seven day programmable thermostat.  Normally $79.99.

This is another great money saver.  We set ours to go down at night when we are

going to bed and also when no one's home during the day.  Why heat the house if no

one's home?  

Amazon Deal of the Day Lux thermostat

         

Homemade laundry soap

I have heard of many people making their own laundry soap lately  I first heard of it from my father. He has been making liquid soap for years.  I looked into it but being that I had a stock pile of laundry soap I never followed through. Then I found a powdered recipe.
It is so simple and it is great for people with sensitive skin.  And it works!


What you need:

1 cup of bar soap.  Ivory or Fels Naptha.
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda

You can grind your soap up many ways.   Use a box grater, a food processor, or my way.   I use the ninja blender the hubs got me for Christmas.   I'm sure this isn't what he had in mind but it works great!

Mix all ingredients.
Store in an air tight container.
Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load.



As far as costs..
The washing soda costs $3.25
Borax :  approx $9  ( I haven't bought it in a while)
Ivory:  Less than $1 with coupons.

I've made many batches of this laundry soap and still haven't had to replace the borax or the washing soda.  It will cost you pennies a load!

use your local library

Many people got nooks or kindles for Christmas.  I am surprised so many of them didn't know that they can get free kindle or nook books through the local library.
In St Charles Co the link is:
http://overdrive.youranswerplace.org/46217AA0-8CED-47DA-BAEB-8EACD62F8A2E/10/494/en/Default.htm
On the left hand column scroll over the browse collections tab.   I have a kindle so I choose to browse that collection.  They do not have all the new popular books because the publishers have to allow it.  But I have found many to read.   When I see a book I want on Amazon, I go to the library site first.
When I check out a book I get an email from amazon.  Then just send it to my kindle.   Easy!

Another good tip is to watch the top 100 list.  They keep a list of the top sellers along with the top FREE books.   My favorite word!
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Kindle-Store-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/154606011/ref=pd_ts_zgc_kstore_154606011_more?pf_rd_p=1308356082&pf_rd_s=right-3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=1286228011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0J7BRB6TPV0EGAQW685Q

You can also get CDs and movies from your library.  I've also heard they are starting to carry some video games!  I'll have to look into that.
You can reserve them from home through their website and they will call or email you when they are in.  Gotta love that!

**UPDATE**  I did see that our local library has 169 Wii titles.   Too bad I just sold my Wii.