~To be or not to be... Frugal!

We all, well, most of us that is, have some kind of debt to pay off. My husband and I do not have tons of debt piled up, but we do have a mortgage.  Which to me is debt.  I hate the idea of paying for my house two x's.  I heard about this book and have started reading it.  It's been a good read thus far.  I am learning some money saving strategies, one of them being making your own laundry detergent.  I was skeptical at first because I really like my laundry to smell fresh!  Anyhow, I decided to give it a try and, much to my amazement, I LoVe it!

I used a bar of Zote, a bar of Fels-Naptha, Borax and Washing Soda.  I purchased these all at WalMart.  You can find it all on the laundry isle.  I usually buy 'Tide Original' because of skin allergies in our family.  This cost me almost exactly the same, however, it will last 3x's longer!  Super excited about my new detergent!  It's probably better for us anyhow!!

You do have to grate the bars of soap.  I'm a weirdo and actually enjoyed it. ha  I used our cheese grater and the buckets we use to wash the car.

Then I combined all the ingredients into a different bucket.  I added one cup of each until I ran out of soap and washing soda.   I wish I could tell you how many cups it ended up being but I forgot to count.  I had a little Borax left over, saving it for the next batch.  I put some in a jar (pictured below) and the rest in a bucket with a lid.  This jar sits on my dryer and the bucket is up in the cabinet.  I add a tablespoon to reg. laundry and 2 tbls to heavily soiled laundry and my load of towels/washcloths.

I'm a big fan of softener!  This is something I already had been using.  You can find Cleaning Strength Vinegar on the isle where regular vinegar is.  I add about 10 drops of Lemon Oil to the jug of Vinegar.  My washing machine has a place for softener, I fill it up to the bottom line.  Im guessing it's about 1/4 of a cup.   I purchase the vinegar at WalMart.  The Oil is from my favorite place to get Oils, Safe Cleaning products, Vitamins and Natural toiletries and such.  Melaleuca, The Wellness Company!  If you are interested in purchasing  safe/natural products let me know!

What's your favorite money saving tip?  Please!! Share it with us!