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I just read a news article that talked about the economy that we find ourselves in now, post pandemic. It highlighted the divide between the working class and the “financially blessed” class. It seems that the divide is growing, with lower income families spending less on sporting goods and clothing while those with loads of money choosing to buy more luxury items than ever before. While I’m not surprised, I’m not impressed either.
If you find yourself on the side of having to stretch your money more than ever before, or if you just want to spend more consciously, here are some of our tried and tested tips and ideas that will help you to spend less, save more and at the very least have some say in where your hard earned money goes.
One of the most common themes that come to mind when thinking about saving money is making things yourself that you would otherwise pay for. Our ancestors had to rely on themselves to make so much of the stuff we take for granted today. Learning to replace store bought items with alternatives that you make at home, for a fraction of the price, can save you a lot of money over the course of a year. Here are some of the things we make for ourselves:
1.Laundry soap. I have made my own laundry soap for years and have had success with many different recipes. I recently tried a recipe for homemade whipped laundry soap and LOVE it! It is easy to make and takes up so much less space than the detergent I was previously making.
2.Cleaners. I make a variety of cleaners for a variety of cleaning needs. Making your own can save money and also provide the peace of mind of knowing exactly what is in them. Here is my favourite all purpose cleaner recipe.
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3.Windshield washer fluid. This is an item I just recently started to make for myself. My husband usually looks after the levels of fluids in my car but I was away last month and ran out of windshield cleaner. I mentioned to him that I would just pick some up when I got gas. He warned me that it would probably cost 8 dollars. When I got to the gas station it actually cost 11.99!! I refused to pay that much and set out to find alternatives. There are many recipes online suitable for each season. So far my diy windshield washer fluid works just as well as the store bought stuff at just a fraction of the cost.
Any area of the home that depends on consumables offers an opportunity to save money. The kitchen is probably the biggest example of this. Most of us buy the majority of the food we eat, even if we subsidise with food we grow ourselves. This is an area that we can really streamline to save money. Here are the things we do regularly to save money on our grocery bills.
1.Use water in baking recipes instead of milk.
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I have found that most of the recipes where I have made this swap have turned out just fine. Some even better! I also regularly use leftover coffee in anything chocolate for a richer, more decadent flavour.
2.Make your own veggie stock. I use the peelings, ends and imperfect areas of the vegetables to make my own vegetable stock. I just thoroughly wash my veggies and place the “waste” in a container in the fridge. At the end of the week I take what I have, cover it in water and simmer it all afternoon. When it has become fragrant and reduced down enough to suit me, I freeze it in tiny containers to pull out whenever stock is needed for a recipe. I like to really cook mine down so that it is super concentrated. This way it takes up less space and all I have to do is add fresh water.
3.Make your own Bowl covers. I hate plastic, I always have. I’m not sure why but I have never liked it in my kitchen. This has led me to look for alternatives though. Sometimes you just need to cover a bowl or dish. I really hated buying plastic wrap so when I found this idea I was stoked. I made my own. I have a sewing machine and know how to sew. They are very simple to make and would be a great learning project, but even if you have to buy your own they will eventually save you money. Here are some great ones we found. https://amzn.to/3JFYUoo
4.Reusable, non-stick cooking mat. In line with the spirit of the bowl covers, using a washable, reusable non-stick mat for cooking and baking can save you money too. I used to rely on the use of a lot of parchment paper. I was saving on the grease I would normally have to use and liked that it was healthier. When I found these cooking mats https://amzn.to/3A5tcxZ I realised just how much parchment paper I was going though! They have saved me a tonne of money and I never run out now.
5.Use glass jars in place of Plastic. Did I mention I hate plastic? Not only are plastic containers expensive, it seems that they are forever losing their lids! I do own a few glass containers with lids but find that empty jars from pickles and sauces work just as well and are sometimes easier to transport or freeze leftovers. You have already paid for these items, you might as well get the full use of them.
6.Replace or substitute. During the growing season, if I am out of onions I use chives. They are just outside my door and have a very similar flavour. If I run out of tea, I cut some mint and use that instead. This year I substituted rhubarb concentrate that I made myself for the lemon juice in my strawberry jam. The acid profile in rhubarb concentrate is similar to that of lemon, grows in my backyard and costs me nothing. With a bit of ingenuity you can substitute all types of things. It may take some trial and error but overall can help you save!
7.Grow your own food.
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Most people can do this to some scale. A full garden may not be in your wheelhouse but consider a few planters with some greens or tomatoes. Sprout some alfalfa seeds or have a windowsill herb garden. Any bit of food you can provide for yourself will both save you money and provide a sense of self sufficiency.
8.Can, dehydrate and freeze food for later.
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Usually food that is in season is cheaper and more nutritious than at other times of the year. Here in Nova Scotia we have an array of farm markets where local farmers can sell their harvest. Taking advantage of the season I put down whatever I can. I can, pickle, dehydrate, juice and freeze. This takes more money up front and is quite a bit of work but I am left with the security of knowing that I have nutritious foods for the coming months all while saving me money in the long run.
9.Buy In Bulk. This is another tip that requires a bit of foresight. Buying in bulk often equates to big savings. Because you need more money up front it might mean that you have to budget a bit differently but I promise it is well worth the sacrifice. Not only will you save money on the item, but you will need to replace it less often meaning less trips to the store.
Clothes and personal care items are another area to look at when wanting to save money. We live in a society full of immediate gratification, fast fashion and a marketing monster that makes us feel like we need their products to be acceptable. In order to save money in this area you need to first see yourself as enough just as you are! You aren’t your clothes, your makeup or the car you drive. And, by shifting your mindset you can save a lot of money.
1.Create a capsule wardrobe. Having less pieces of clothing that all work well together is often a great strategy when trying to concur this arena. Choose clothes that you love, that you can mix and match and that are of high quality. Fast fashion is just that, fast. It usually lasts for a very short time before it falls apart and just doesn’t hold up in comparison to a quality piece. Having pieces that work well together means that you have removed the guesswork when getting dressed. Not only can this save you money because you have less but it can also save you time.
2. Buy second hand. If you are wondering where the money is coming from to buy this capsule wardrobe, I always recommend second hand. Even if money is not an issue for you. The amount of waste caused by the fashion industry is criminal! By choosing secondhand not only can you afford more quality pieces, you save money and help the environment at the same time.
3.Skip the dryer.
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There have been many times in my life that I haven’t even owned a dryer. Here in Nova Scotia most people still use the good old fashioned clothesline. Why pay for a service that will happen naturally with a bit of planning and patience. Ditching the regular use of your dryer will both save you money while also saving your clothes. The dryer is very hard on most clothes and can take years off the life of your garments.
4.Mend your clothes. By learning even the basics of mending you can lengthen the life of your clothes. This means buying less overall. I have seen people throw away perfectly good clothes because they were missing a button! By mending seams, tears, replacing a button and patching holes you can extend the length of the life of your clothes.
5.Graduate your clothes. When your “good” clothes have seen better days don’t throw them out! Graduate them to work clothes, or what I call house clothes. Use these clothes when you are doing anything that requires you to get dirty. Cleaning the house, gardening or mowing the lawn.
6.Learn to sew. I made many of the clothes my children wore when they were little. Now I like to sew for my grandchildren. Sewing is a skill like anything else. It is easy to learn and can help you to save money if done right. It also feels wonderful to sew something special for someone you love!
7. Learn to knit, crochet. I am still working on this one! I am left-handed and find it a bit challenging, but I am learning and someday will be proficient enough to make more than just a scarf or a hat.
8.Use up an item before opening another. For me this especially applies to make-up. I used to have so many products on the go at once that it was overwhelming. I usually use the same few items daily anyway. Now I make sure to use up an item before I allow myself to open or buy another. What I have noticed is that I get by on much less than I thought and I end up throwing away far fewer items too.
9.Use shampoo bars. Have I mentioned that I hate plastic? This extends to plastic packaging and bottles too. While I can’t always avoid buying items in plastic, shampoo is no longer one of them. As an added bonus, I noticed that a shampoo bar lasts way longer for me than liquid shampoo. It works just as well as the liquid, reduces plastics in the environment and saves me money! I love this brand! https://amzn.to/3zFFtHR
There are so many areas of home and life where we can cut costs and save money. Here are just a few more tips that we will call miscellaneous.
1.Reuse screws, nails, nuts and bolts. When I asked my husband how he saves money this was his first tip. He always saves and reuses these types of items. He even straightens nails that have become bent!
2.Use power bars for all of your electronics, and turn them off! If you don’t have power bars, you can unplug electronics when not in use. It is crazy that we pay power just for having the item plugged in when we aren’t even using them!
3.Fill the empty space in your freezer with water bottles. Once the water is frozen it will help to insulate the other frozen foods making the freezer work less hard.
4.Sell things you do not want or do not use. Even if you don’t want it, chances are there is someone who does. There are many online platforms that let you sell your stuff for free. This is a good way to declutter your space while making a bit of cash on the side!
Hopefully this list will help you to save more of your money!
With Love, Ellen