Here are a few money saving ideas to use for cleaning jobs around the house. Most are more economical than buying packaged cleaners.
All Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1 tsp. lemon juice, 1 tsp. liquid soap into 1 quart of water. For moping floors, use a pail. For cleaning counter tops and appliances, use a spray bottle.
Bleach substitute: Soak item in lemon juice for 15 - 20 minutes and then wash as usual.
Brass and Copper Cleaner: Combined vinegar and salt to make a paste, rub with a soft cloth.
Drain Cleaner: Weekly - put ½ cup of baking soda in drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. For clog - put ½ cup of baking soda in drain, followed by 1 cup vinegar.
Furniture Polish: Mix ¼ cup white vinegar and ¾ cup of olive oil, rub with an old sock.
Mold Cleaner: Cut a lemon in half and scrub. If abrasive is needed use a little salt.
Room Freshener: In a spray bottle mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with 2 cups of water.
Rug Shampoo: Mix ½ cup mild soap, 2 Tbs. of vinegar with 1 quart of water. Whip into a foam. Apply the foam with a sponge mop and scrub. Let dry thoroughly, and then vacuum.
Scouring Powder: Combined 1 Tbs. baking soda and 1 Tbs. salt; for non abrasive cleanser just use baking soda.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl, spray on some vinegar and scrub. If you happen to have dentures and use denture cleaning tablets, take 3 overnight denture tablets and drop into toilet bowl; let soak overnight, then scrub.
Window Cleaner: In a spray bottle mix ¼ cup of vinegar into 1 quart of water. Unlike packaged sprays, this will not streak your windows. Use black and white newspapers instead of paper towels to clean windows, they work much better. A great way to save a few pennies and recycle!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Eliminate Your Electic Bill? Too Good to be True?
I ran across this site www.power-save1200.com/incentives2
OWN POWER-SAVE™ PRODUCTS AT LITTLE OR NO COST! Government Incentives and Rebates Mean You Save Thousands! Decrease or Eliminate Your Electric Bill Today! Power-Save Energy Co.'s unique business model allows us to offer the most sophisticated energy generation and conservation products at the most competitive prices on the market. Additionally, our Power-Save Solar System and Power-Save Wind Turbine are eligible in most states for government incentives that will significantly reduce your costs. In some states, incentives will reduce your investment to $0!
Sign up NOW to Receive All of the Information You Need to Decrease or Eliminate Your Electric Bill Today!
I signed up for the free information, I think this is worth checking out. According to this site, I can purchase this and get a rebate from the state of Colorado for the total purchase price. There are 12 other states that are listed as giving a total rebate.
OWN POWER-SAVE™ PRODUCTS AT LITTLE OR NO COST! Government Incentives and Rebates Mean You Save Thousands! Decrease or Eliminate Your Electric Bill Today! Power-Save Energy Co.'s unique business model allows us to offer the most sophisticated energy generation and conservation products at the most competitive prices on the market. Additionally, our Power-Save Solar System and Power-Save Wind Turbine are eligible in most states for government incentives that will significantly reduce your costs. In some states, incentives will reduce your investment to $0!
Sign up NOW to Receive All of the Information You Need to Decrease or Eliminate Your Electric Bill Today!
I signed up for the free information, I think this is worth checking out. According to this site, I can purchase this and get a rebate from the state of Colorado for the total purchase price. There are 12 other states that are listed as giving a total rebate.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Free Recreation Verses Expensive Entertainment
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on theme parks, concerts, movies, or plays. Most cities have free attractions; check out this site for inexpensive activities in your city: http://www.free-attractions.com/.
Pack a lunch and take the kids to a park. Play Frisbee, or catch, fly a kite. Go on a scavenger hunt. Drive to a lake, take a nature walk, hike or learn how to fish. Take some books, sit under a tree and read. Teach your kids that they don’t have to be “entertained” to have a good time. Recreation does not have to be expensive entertainment.
Pack a lunch and take the kids to a park. Play Frisbee, or catch, fly a kite. Go on a scavenger hunt. Drive to a lake, take a nature walk, hike or learn how to fish. Take some books, sit under a tree and read. Teach your kids that they don’t have to be “entertained” to have a good time. Recreation does not have to be expensive entertainment.
Friday, April 25, 2008
15 Gas Saving Tips
With the national price of gas currently averaging $3.55 a gallon we are all looking for ways to get the most miles per gallon possible. Here are a few tips:
1. Avoid letting your car idle. Do not let your car idle more than 30 – 60 seconds to warm up, then drive conservatively until it reaches normal operating temperature. If you are going to idle for more than 60 seconds, turn your car off. Starting your can uses as much gas as it would if it idled for 30 seconds.
2. When visiting a fast food restaurant, park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. This especially helpful if you are running the air conditioner. Idling with the air conditioning on uses extra fuel.
3. While driving, accelerate slowly, this is not a race, you don’t have to be the first one off the line. Stop driving aggressively! This can be a huge savings. Maintain a safe following distance. Don't stick to the bumper of the car directly in front of you. You will brake more and accelerate more.
4. Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If you have heavy objects in your car that you don't need, remove them. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you're going. This can be a savings of 2%.
5. Remove unneeded racks. If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you're not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.
6. Anticipate red stop lights (and stop signs). Look far ahead; get to know your usual routes. You can let up on the gas earlier. Coasting to a stop will save the gasoline you would otherwise use maintaining your speed longer. If it just gets you to the end of a line of cars at a red light or a stop sign a few seconds later, it won't add any time to your trip. Why keep accelerating only to hit the brakes to stop?
7. Park in the shade. Gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly in the sun - winter or summer. Parking in the shade also keeps it cooler inside, and you will need less A/C to cool off when you get back in. If there is no shade available, park so that your gas tank (the actual tank under the car, not the valve to fill it) is facing away from the direct sun.
8. Instead of running your AC, lower your windows; AC can waste up 15% of your gas. When you are “on the open” road and driving faster, it is better to close your windows and sunroofs to eliminate drag. The point at which AC is more efficient is at 35-40 mph.
9. Go to RideSearch.com and find a carpool. Check with co-workers to see if there is anyone that you can carpool with. Use the bus. Take a look at a map, maybe there is a better, shorter route to work. Avoid heavy traffic, and a lot of traffic lights. The shortest route may not always be the most efficient route if you have to stop a lot.
10. Do not rest your left foot on the brake. The slightest pressure could cause a drag that will demand additional gas, and will wear out the brakes sooner.
11. Anything electrical that is on in the cars draws electricity from the battery which causes the alternator to run, which causes the engine to work harder which, in turn, uses more gas. In theory even the radio would decrease gas mileage but it would be so insignificant that you would not be able to tell.
14. Save 3% in gas by maintaining correct tire pressure. My Theory is to over inflate tires by a pound or two of pressure. This makes them roll easier and, therefore uses less gas. Don’t over inflate more than 2 lbs.
15. And to repeat a tip from a previous posting: Get organized before you leave the house! Make a list of the stores/errands that you have to go to and make a mental road map of the shortest distance between stores. Combine your shopping: buy postage stamps at the grocery store instead of making a trip to the post office. Does your grocery store have a Red Box? Get your movie there too. Pick up your dry cleaning on the way to/from work. A little planning will save you big bucks on gas.
1. Avoid letting your car idle. Do not let your car idle more than 30 – 60 seconds to warm up, then drive conservatively until it reaches normal operating temperature. If you are going to idle for more than 60 seconds, turn your car off. Starting your can uses as much gas as it would if it idled for 30 seconds.
2. When visiting a fast food restaurant, park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. This especially helpful if you are running the air conditioner. Idling with the air conditioning on uses extra fuel.
3. While driving, accelerate slowly, this is not a race, you don’t have to be the first one off the line. Stop driving aggressively! This can be a huge savings. Maintain a safe following distance. Don't stick to the bumper of the car directly in front of you. You will brake more and accelerate more.
4. Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If you have heavy objects in your car that you don't need, remove them. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you're going. This can be a savings of 2%.
5. Remove unneeded racks. If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you're not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.
6. Anticipate red stop lights (and stop signs). Look far ahead; get to know your usual routes. You can let up on the gas earlier. Coasting to a stop will save the gasoline you would otherwise use maintaining your speed longer. If it just gets you to the end of a line of cars at a red light or a stop sign a few seconds later, it won't add any time to your trip. Why keep accelerating only to hit the brakes to stop?
7. Park in the shade. Gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly in the sun - winter or summer. Parking in the shade also keeps it cooler inside, and you will need less A/C to cool off when you get back in. If there is no shade available, park so that your gas tank (the actual tank under the car, not the valve to fill it) is facing away from the direct sun.
8. Instead of running your AC, lower your windows; AC can waste up 15% of your gas. When you are “on the open” road and driving faster, it is better to close your windows and sunroofs to eliminate drag. The point at which AC is more efficient is at 35-40 mph.
9. Go to RideSearch.com and find a carpool. Check with co-workers to see if there is anyone that you can carpool with. Use the bus. Take a look at a map, maybe there is a better, shorter route to work. Avoid heavy traffic, and a lot of traffic lights. The shortest route may not always be the most efficient route if you have to stop a lot.
10. Do not rest your left foot on the brake. The slightest pressure could cause a drag that will demand additional gas, and will wear out the brakes sooner.
11. Anything electrical that is on in the cars draws electricity from the battery which causes the alternator to run, which causes the engine to work harder which, in turn, uses more gas. In theory even the radio would decrease gas mileage but it would be so insignificant that you would not be able to tell.
14. Save 3% in gas by maintaining correct tire pressure. My Theory is to over inflate tires by a pound or two of pressure. This makes them roll easier and, therefore uses less gas. Don’t over inflate more than 2 lbs.
15. And to repeat a tip from a previous posting: Get organized before you leave the house! Make a list of the stores/errands that you have to go to and make a mental road map of the shortest distance between stores. Combine your shopping: buy postage stamps at the grocery store instead of making a trip to the post office. Does your grocery store have a Red Box? Get your movie there too. Pick up your dry cleaning on the way to/from work. A little planning will save you big bucks on gas.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Free Magazine Subscriptions
Here are a few links to free magazine subscription sites:
http://www.magazines.com/ 1-800-624-2946
http://all-freemagazines.tradepub.com/
http://www.startsampling.com/
http://www.dealtaker.com/Free-Magazines-and-Catalogs-f61.html
If anyone knows of any other place to get free subscriptions, please let me know! Thanks!!!
According to Kaiser Permanente and the American Psychological Association 63% of Americans reported that money issues were their leading stressor in 2006. Do you suppose it is any different in 2008?
http://www.magazines.com/ 1-800-624-2946
http://all-freemagazines.tradepub.com/
http://www.startsampling.com/
http://www.dealtaker.com/Free-Magazines-and-Catalogs-f61.html
If anyone knows of any other place to get free subscriptions, please let me know! Thanks!!!
According to Kaiser Permanente and the American Psychological Association 63% of Americans reported that money issues were their leading stressor in 2006. Do you suppose it is any different in 2008?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Save a Little, Save a Lot!
1. Stop your Starbuck habit! If you have to have that cup of Joe in the mornings, buy a coffee maker with a timer or buy a cheap coffee maker and a cheap timer. Your coffee can be waiting for you when you wake up. If you insist on flavoring in your cup, you can buy huge bottles of flavoring that last forever for around ten bucks and small bottles for about two bucks).
2. Read the daily newspaper on the Internet. You should only subscribe to the Sunday paper that includes valuable coupons.
3. Use those Sunday coupons!
4. If you drink soda, give it up! One can of soda contains 12 teaspoons of sugar! If you must drink it, buy it on sale, stock up and take a can from home for lunch instead of buying it out of a vending machine.
5. Drop your gym membership. Buy an exercise DVD and work out at home. Take up walking or running, it’s free.
6. Don’t buy lottery tickets! You have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than winning the lotto!
7. If you smoke, QUIT!! (I know, I know, easier said than done!!) Now’s the time!
8. Stop buying bottled water. Reuse bottles you already have and fill them from the tap. Most cities have water that is better to drink than some bottled water. If you must, invest in a purifying system.
9. Look for free magazines on the Internet and stop buying them. Here is a list of the FREE magazines that I get! These are subscriptions, not just a free issue:
Prevention, e Week, Alzheimer’s Association, Car and Driver, Inc., Turf, Executive Controller, Computer World, Automotive News, Government Video, Elevate, Nutraceuticals, World, Skiing, Water-ski, Business Week, Spin, Antiques, Nylon, Road & Track, Radar, Vibe, Kit Planes, Landscape Care, Blender, Baby, Star, Flying, Boating, Metropolitan Home, Electronic House, Computer Shopper, Charisma, Seventeen, climbing, Redbook, Ellie, Country Living, Gaming, Cosmopolitan, Cosmo Girl and Miracles.
Once I am done with them, I put them on Freecycle.com or take them to the library for others to enjoy.
10. Rent your movies for $1.00 from Red Box! Red Box has many locations and rent new releases for only $1.00 compared to Blockbusters $4.99.
11. Get organized before you leave the house! Make a list of the stores/errands that you have to go to and make a mental road map of the shortest distance between stores. Combine your shopping: buy postage stamps at the grocery store instead of making a trip to the post office. Does your grocery store have a Red Box? Get your movie there too. Pick up your dry cleaning on the way to/from work. A little planning will save you big bucks on gas.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Postage is Going Up, But You Can Still Save
If you don’t already pay your bills on line, now may be the time to start. Postage goes up to 42 cents May 1st. The average household receive about 180 bills a year, that’s $75.60 for postage a year. Most banks have on line banking and free bill paying; take advantage of it and save $75.60 a year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
