How to Make Oxiclean - DIY Oxiclean

                                                        

Photo source: Homesteading in Ohio

Many years ago I started making my own cleaning concoctions that have saved me a whole lot of money.  For instance, I have a new respect for vinegar.  Just vinegar and water are like a magic potion.  It is great for cleaning so many things.

Anyway, I was searching for more concoctions that I can make to save more money and I ran across Cari from Homesteading in Ohio.  She is seriously into DIY cleaning products.  I'm already impressed and I haven't gotten beyond the DIY Oxiclean page.  I have lots to learn from her!  

Click here to be impressed by her page on Oxiclean and so much more.  You will be glad you did!

You are welcome.

Avoid Christmas Debt When Cash Is Tight

It seems like the older I get, the faster the Christmas holidays come around.  For me, I have taken care of avoiding the debt since I have not celebrated Christmas for a very long time since a lot of the people close to me have passed away.  I just don't feel it anymore.  However, it was a problem in the past.

The last seasons I celebrated, I cut way down on Christmas decorating.  It was once an obsession for me to decorate to the max.  It was beautiful, but expensive.  Anyway, that is where I started and just became very aware of where every penny was going.  Not being cheap, just frugal.

Another thing I cut out was the large open house Christmas celebration where we set up a large buffet of food that was outrageous now that I think about it.  It seems like we would invite everyone we knew.  It got out of hand fast and got bigger and bigger every year.  The smart thing would have been to make it a pot luck celebration where everyone brought a plate of food.  Well, it went away the last few seasons I celebrated.

Mary at Everyday Cheapskate has an excellent article with lots of tips on how to save money during the holidays.

Click here to go to the article.

I know it is early to start posting holiday stuff, but it takes time to start planning in order to save money.

The Frugal Mindset

 

Learning to be frugal with money by saving where you can so that you can spend where you want.  In my opinion, this is the foundation of being frugal.

A frugalista mindset focuses on what she/he needs, not trying make purchases based on what others have.  The major premise is to focus on needs.

Frugal spending habits is a good starting point to gain the mindset.  Remember that being frugal isn't being cheap . . . a positive attitude is key in anything you attempt to do.

Keeping a budget and sticking to it is very important.  Take your time to set your financial goals in order to develop a realistic budget.  A frugal mindset tracks expenses often as it relates to the budget.  I've developed a mindset of checking it every day, makes changes as necessary.  

Sometimes an emergency will make it necessary to update your budget.  It is not always easy.  But being frugal can make it easy to manage the emergency because you have probably saved money and hopefully put it in your savings to cover emergencies.  That one thing has saved me from a financial disaster when an emergency arises . . . I'm retired on a fixed income and saving money has become a major thing.

Your life situation will guide your mindset if you just give it lots of thought.  Just remember to make it about needs, not wants and save what is left over at the end of the month.