How to Break Bad Money Habits for Good

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Money stress doesn’t usually come from one giant mistake. It sneaks in through tiny, repeated habits we barely notice. Swiping without thinking. Waiting to save “whatever’s left.” Carrying a balance just one more month. The encouraging part? Habits can be retrained. You don’t need a financial overhaul or a complicated system. You need a few small, repeatable actions that work in real life."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

The more tips on saving money the better!

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

How to Save Money on Groceries Like a 1950s Housewife

 

Photo source:  Retro Housewife Goes Green

"Want to learn how to save money on groceries? Check out these tips from 1950s housewives that can still help us save money today."  Comment from Retro Housewife Goes Green

That refrigerator looks familiar!  I'm sure everyone can use more tips on saving money.  I know I can!

Click here to go to the Retro Housewife Goes Green article. 

Castile Soap Cleaning Recipes for Every Room

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"If you value knowing what’s in your products and why you’re using them, these castile soap cleaning recipes put you in control of every solution. And once you understand how it works, you can customize it for nearly every room in your home."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

DIY cleaning recipes do work.  I don't know about these, but I have used other recipes I have found online.

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

DIY Dawn Powerwash

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"If you’ve spent any time at the kitchen sink lately, you’ve probably met Dawn Platinum Powerwash Spray. It promises quicker cleanup, less scrubbing, and fewer dishes waiting their turn. It works, but the price can sting if you cook at home and reach for it often. Below, I’ll walk you through a DIY copycat Dawn Powerwash recipe that delivers the same grease-cutting power for a whole lot less."  Comment Everyday Cheapskate

I can't wait to try this DIY version of Dawn Powerwash . . . love it!

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

Homemade Lemon Soft Scrub

 

Photo source:  Retro Housewife Goes Green

"All-natural lemon soft scrub is a great product for cleaning many surfaces in your home. It’s also very safe to use around your kids and pets."  Comment from Retro Housewife Goes Green

Look forward to making this.

Click here to go to the Retro Housewife Goes Green article.

Should I Let My Battery Die Before Re-Charging?

 

Photo source:  Family Handyman

"Cordless tools, cell phones, electric vehicles and other rechargeable devices have been with us since the 80s. But the batteries they use have evolved, and so has the battery care needed to maintain them."  Comment from Family Handyman

Good information to know.

Click here to go to the Family Handyman article.

Say Goodbye To Stains On Cast Iron Pans With Two Unexpected Kitchen Ingredients

 

Photo source:  Hunker.com

"Cast iron pans are fantastic for your kitchen because they retain their heat incredibly well, making sure your food is cooked well and thoroughly. They are also fantastic for a wide variety of uses without food getting stuck to them. That being said, maintaining this cookware can be tricky because although they can last a long time, it is hard to keep track of everything you need to know about caring for cast iron pans."  Comment from Hunker.com

Learn how to take care of your cast iron pans and you will never have to go buy a new one.

Click here to go to the Hunker.com article.

How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel The Right Way

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

''Stainless steel pots, pans, and silverware are highly coveted because of their durability; when properly maintained, kitchenware made of this metal alloy can last a lifetime and beyond. But the “properly maintained” part often causes problems for home cooks. Ugly rust stains and spots love to pop up on stainless cookware, and it can be difficult to clean these marks without skilled guidance. Luckily, we asked a group of professional cleaners for their top rust-cleaning tips involving stainless steel, and here’s what they shared with us."  Comment from Southern Living

Great article!  Stainless steel kitchenware is expensive!

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

How To Clean A Stainless Steel Sink So It Looks Brand-New Again

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"Even though sinks are used to wash your dishes, it doesn’t mean you should neglect to actually clean your sink regularly, too. Cleaning your stainless steel sink regularly will help prevent stinky odors from wafting around in your kitchen, will be more hygienic when it comes to rinsing your dishes, and will just look nicer in your kitchen, too."  Comment from Southern Living

Good information for me since I will be putting in a stainless steel sink soon.

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

Toilet Cleaning Trick That Outshines Expensive Products

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Nothing says “responsible adult” like scrubbing a toilet on a Saturday morning when you’d rather be doing almost anything else.

That’s exactly why this DIY toilet bowl cleaner stays in my regular cleaning rotation.

It’s quick. It’s inexpensive. And it actually works."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

This is one of the things I hate to do most.  

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

How To Patch a Hole in Drywall and Other Common Repairs

Photo source:  Family Handyman

"Fix damaged drywall with these DIY repairs you can do. Don't melt down if a doorknob, misguided chair or an impromptu hockey game knocks a big hole in your drywall. With a little patience, a little joint compound and a few dabs of paint even a novice can complete a near invisible wall repair."  Comment from Family Handyman

Learn to be your own handyman and you will save a bunch of money.

Click here to go to the Family Handyman article.

Things You Never Knew Your Dryer Could Do

 

Photo source:  Family Handyman

"If you don’t often experiment with your dryer, it’s time to start. That wallflower in the corner of your basement is capable of a lot more than the mundane task of drying your duds on the normal cycle. “As a cleaning expert, I can confidently say that your dryer is one of the most underrated appliances in your home,” says Nishant Prasad, co-founder at Clean Fanatics. “Sure, it dries your clothes, but it’s capable of so much more.”  Comment from Family Handyman

Click here to go to the very informative Family Handyman article.

Smart and Surprising Uses for White Vinegar at Home

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

As time goes by, I'm learning how to use vinegar in so many ways thanks to articles I find on the internet.

Click here for the article from Everyday Cheapskate.

Another article

Surfaces You Should Never Clean with Vinegar

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

Everyday Uses for Baking Soda That Work UPDATE

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Some of the cleverest uses shared below come straight from Everyday Cheapskate readers… longtime subscribers who know a thing or two about stretching a dollar and solving problems with what’s already on hand.

So whether you buy it in the supermarket’s baking aisle or in bulk, here are 40 creative, practical, and budget-friendly ways to make the most of that little orange box."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

I have been using baking soda in my cleaning routine for years, but could not believe all the other baking soda uses.

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article to learn all those baking soda secrets.

ANOTHER ARTICLE . . .

11 Things You Should Never Clean with Baking Soda

Click here to go to the Readers Digest article.

How to Clean Baking Sheets So They Look Brand New

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"Baking sheets are a workhorse in the kitchen. They're used for making everything from sheet pan dinners to your favorite desserts. Because of how frequently they're used, baking sheets often build up with grease and grime that can become difficult to get rid of over time. If this grime isn't adequately removed, it can make your baking sheets unsafe to cook or bake on. To help, we spoke to experts who shared their tips for how to clean baking sheets with common household ingredients."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

I usually just throw them away and buy new ones.  Not a good thing for a frugalista.  Better learn how to make them look like new and save money.

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article.

Common Winter Habits That Are Running Up Your Heating Bill

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"Heating bills can really add up in winter if you aren't careful. Certain outmoded practices can be counterproductive, costing you money when you're trying to save. In other cases, your personal habits may play a role in how often you crank up the heat. We've compiled a list of energy pitfalls to avoid, helping you save money and stay warm and cozy all winter long."  Comment from Southern Living

When my ac/heating unit went out and I decided not to replace it, I could not believe the tremendous difference in my electricity bill.  I live in Florida where I can go with it.

Click here to go to the Southern Living article.

Here’s What to Do When the Power Goes Out in Your Home

 

Photo source:  Readers Digest

"How ready are you for the next power outage? With causes ranging from thunderstorms to natural disasters to electrical grid issues, power outages are common around the country, and they go on far longer than you might think. If it happens to you, and it will eventually, you need to know what to do when the electricity goes out." Comment from Readers Digest

Those of us living in hurricane territory are mostly aware of power outages, however, everyone should know what to do.

Click here to go to the Readers Digest article to find out.

How to tell if your phone is hacked

 

Photo source:  Readers Digest

"Could cybercriminals be infiltrating your bank account or stealing your identity right now? Here’s how to find out if your phone is under attack."  Comment from Readers Digest

I've often wondered about how to check my phone.  Now I know.  Check out the article if you want to know too.

Click here to go to the Readers Digest article.

Grocery Store Items with the Highest Markups

 

Photo source:  Readers Digest

"If you’re trying to figure out how to save money on groceries, you need to shop smart. Start by avoiding shrinkflation—when product sizes decrease, but their prices don’t—a sneaky tactic brands hope you don’t notice. You can avoid shrinkflation with the help of websites like Mouse Print, that advocate for consumers. Get familiar with grocery store secrets and supermarket tricks to conserve cash. And finally, save up to half off your total bill by simply avoiding the steep markup on certain items, including the ones listed below."  Comment from Readers Digest

I need to pay more attention to this article because I am doing everything wrong.  Not a good frugalista thing to do!

Click here to go to the Readers Digest article.

Understanding Food Expiration Date Labels Made Simple UPDATE

 

Photo Source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Ever tossed out milk the second it hit its “Sell By” date, only to later wonder if you just poured money down the drain? You’re not alone. Food expiration date labels are confusing on purpose (well, almost). The truth is, most dates are about quality, not safety. And knowing the difference between “Best By,” “Use By,” and “Sell By” can save you a small fortune over time. Let’s decode the mystery so you can waste less, save more, and maybe even brag about your grocery smarts."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

That is exactly what I was thinking yesterday when I threw away almost a full bottle of milk.  I'd love to get educated on this since I throw away so much.  Could this be a food industry ploy to get you to spend more money?

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

And here is another article . . .

What Best-By Dates Really Mean, According to Food Scientists 
Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article.

12 Foods You Must Toss After Their Expiration Date

Click here to go to the Readers Digest article.

Things You Should Always Wash In Cold Water

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"On laundry day, it may be tempting to lump whites and darks into two big piles to make quick work of the overwhelming mound of dirty clothes in your laundry room. But besides color and fabric type, the temperature of the water you wash your laundry in matters too. Hot water can damage delicate fabrics like wool or silk, or cause them to shrink. Your new satin blouse may be clean, but you don’t want it to come out of the washing machine a size smaller. Cold water is safer for washing these items. Before you separate your laundry, check this list for things to always wash in cold water."  Comment from Southern Living

Click here to go to the Southern Living article and learn how to prevent having to spend money on more clothes by taking proper care of what you have.

Tricks For Unclogging Your Kitchen Sink You Need To Know

 

Photo source:  Chowhound.com

"When it comes to kitchen maintenance issues, nothing is quite as frustrating as a blocked kitchen sink. But before you go calling a plumber at those expensive premiums, there are many ways you can try solving this issue yourself. Whether it's a combination of the best natural ingredients, a heavy-duty chemical solution, or another hack for clearing a drain, there are many ways to resolve a stubborn clog."  Comment from chowhound.com 

I've used some of these tricks and they do work.

Click here to go to the Chowhound.com article. 

Appliance Maintenance

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"It was Christmas Eve, and our refrigerator decided to play the ultimate prank by hitting 70°F. With guests due any minute, I was in full-on panic mode. That’s when I discovered the lifesaving power of DIY appliance service. A little quick maintenance, and we narrowly avoided a holiday disaster. This experience drove home the importance of regular appliance upkeep—something that can save you a lot of headaches and money down the road."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

Be prepared to take of these appliance maintenance tasks and save a lot of money.

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

Safely Wash Dry-Clean-Only Clothes at Home

 

Photo source:  Martha Stewart

"The dreaded "dry clean only" tag may have you skipping over that boutique item even though it would make a gorgeous addition to your wardrobe. But is there a way to wash dry-clean-only items at home? 

Below, garment care experts and laundry professionals share how to wash dry-clean-only clothes at home—and when a professional dry cleaner is absolutely necessary."  Comment from Martha Stewart.com

Back in my working days, I would go to the dry cleaners once a week and spent way too much money.  Not now!

Click here to go to the Martha Stewart.com article and find out how you can save money on dry cleaning.

Easy Ways to Make Your Jeans Last Much Longer

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Ever feel like your jeans give up on you way too soon? Turns out, most of us are literally washing them to death. The fix is surprisingly simple and it doesn’t require fancy detergents or expensive denim care kits. A few small changes to your laundry routine can keep your jeans looking brand-new for years."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

Since I have made some of these changes, I have noticed a big difference.  With the price of jeans these, I really appreciate all that I have learned.

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article.

The Frugal Habits That Never Go Out of Style

 

Photo source:  Everyday Cheapskate

"Anyone who’s spent real time testing what actually saves money knows the truth: It’s not the flashy stuff. It’s the quiet, repeatable habits, the ones that work whether the economy is booming, sputtering, or doing something in between."  Comment from Everyday Cheapskate

I've written about some of my frugal habits.  They are little things that adapt to my lifestyle.  If you are serious about being sensible with your spending habits, you will find a way since you know your needs.  Check out Mary's article and it may inspire ways that will conform with your routine.

Click here to go to the Everyday Cheapskate article for some inspiration.