I have not been having the best luck lately, and last week was proof of that. While my vehicle was parked outside my house with all of my art in it (that I had made for a local market), a truck hit it. The driver said he spilt his coffee, and believes he drove right over the tire of my SUV, wreaking the frame of my vehicle.

I was surprised by my reaction to all of this; I mostly just felt tired. I suppose that its my minds way of dealing with so many piled on problems, but it is weird that I could not even feel mad at the man.

Life is just like this sometimes, and I am sure it is a good day in comparison to some people out in the world right now. I will overcome this too, but with it comes the need to for forgiveness in myself for not meeting my own goals. They can wait, I just have to be patient with myself.

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Money Saving Tips:

My last post on money saving tips is still getting the odd like even now, so I thought I would try another one just in case it helps some people out.

1. Trade.

If you can, join a group or build one with your friends. Instead of trying to take everything on your self, specialize in different areas. For example, maybe you will grow potatoes, and your friend will grow carrots. Or perhaps you will help them move if they help fix your sink.

This one may sound obvious, but a surprisingly small amount of people do this outside of small towns.

2. Embrace Easy Meals.

It is fine if your meal does not have the freshest of vegetables or fruit. Instead, embrace dried foods (such as beans, mushrooms, pastas), and frozen fruit and veggies. Not only do these typically cost less for the amount you get, but they will not go as bad nearly as quick.

If you are making something like a soup or stir fry, save yourself the prep work by throwing in frozen veggies(often pre-chopped). Sure it might not look as nice or taste as perfect, but it is perfect for when you are tired during the week.

If you are making chili, bean soups, or baked beans, throw dried beans in water the night before and let them soak overnight. In the morning, you have beans ready for cooking. Even custard powder will last forever and tastes pretty comparative to the canned variety.

There are also healthy options that are ridiculously easy and inexpensive; such as banana pancakes (two eggs to one mashed banana).

3. Change Up Your Soap Routine

If you like liquid soap, try making your own using a condensed soap, such as castile soap. Simply mix 2 tbsp with 80% water in a pump bottle.

If you like bar soap, purchase soap savers. These little mesh poaches hold your soap so that it can still be used even after the bar becomes a small sliver. I have also noticed that they help to keep your soap from sticking to the trays, and work for shampoo/conditioner bars.

4. Water Barrel

Collect your rain water into a water barrel, and save money on your water meter. If you put the barrel at a higher elevation than your hose(if you can’t consider putting your barrel on a stand made from pallets, which are typically free), it will work just as well.

Some cities/towns do have rebate programs for buying water barrels.

For an extra tip, buy a battery operated faucet timer and a soaker hose so that you can have your garden water itself in the early morning, when you are less likely to lose water to evaporation.

Note: in some places in the USA, it is legal to collect water outside your home, but illegal to collect it in your home. As well as that, I have heard in some areas, it is illegal to collect water at all. If you live in the USA, please check your laws.

“The average barrel can save you about $35 a month on your summer water bills,” she said. “And rainwater can be better for your garden overall.”

Global News

5. Swap Fabric Softener for White Vinegar

Yup, vinegar can replace fabric softener, and no, it will not make you smell like vinegar. This swap-out can help with stains, deodorize your clothes, and help to stop colors from fading.

Simply add in 1/4 cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser. If you like a bit of scent, you can also add 4-5 drops of essential oil as well.

Vinegar is often even available in 1L bottles at the dollar store.

Edit: Reminder: do not use vinegar in your laundry if you use bleach. Mixing vinegar and bleach will produce a poisonous gas. (Thanks to Sarah Natale for reminding me to add this in!)

6. Insulate Your Hot Water Heater

It might feel fun to put an insulated blanket around your water heater, but doing so can save you 7%-16% in water savings costs, and should pay for itself in about a year.

7. Rechargeable Batteries

Use rechargeable batteries in your TV remotes and other items, and save you money in the long run. I believe I remember seeing them for sale at the dollar store as well

8. Embrace Automations

If you are bad for leaving the lights on, consider getting smart plugs. These plug into your regular socket, and they connect to your wifi to be controlled by your phone. Once that is done, you can set them up to automatically turn off when you disconnect from wifi(leave the house), or to turn on or off at specific times.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and CLEAResult found that using smart plugs saves between 1 and 4.58% of energy usage or about 500-1000 Kilowatts each year

Lifewire

If that idea freaks you out, consider getting motion-sensor lights in places like your stairs or mudroom/entryway. These range from a nightlight, to something you screw into your light socket. Price ranged vary as well.

9. Consider Second-Hand

From Re-store, to thrift stores, salvage centers, and online groups, there are many great options.

Check online (such as Facebook) for groups made for groups that are specifically for people giving away items. The items are usually by who comments first or who can pick up the item first, so be quick.

If that is not your thing, second-hand stores are great as well. While working on my writing shed, my cabinet and sink were both $5 each.

10. Stop with Bottle Water.

Assuming you have safe and available drinking water on tap where you are, consider getting a tap water filter or water pitcher with a filter instead of buying bottled water.

You will save money on buying the bottles, and you can fill up multiple reusable bottles and keep them in your fridge for quick grabbing.

11. Library Card

Your library card might have a lot more available than you know. For example, out here a library card includes the typical books and movies, but it also includes digital magazines, digital movies, audio books, music, programs, streaming platforms, and more!

Chat with your local library to see what yours offers. Most also have low-income discounts.

In one year of having my library card, I saved over $300 in just books.

12. Brown sugar

If you are good at remembering things, get clay brown sugar disks. All you have to do is soak the disks in water once a month for 15min, then pat them dry and put them in an airtight container with the sugar. The moisture in the disks will help keep the brown sugar fresh.

However, if you are like me and don’t have the best memory, what I do is separate the brown sugar into individual, 1 cup, bags (I use reusable), and freeze them. Then, I just take out how many cups I will need for the recipe I am doing, and the brown sugar defrosts rather quickly.

13. Reusable K-Cups

I do not have one of these machines myself, but a friend told me he was saving money by simply using reusable cups. He fills them at night before bed, and says it does not take all that much more time in comparison to the pods.

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That’s it for now! I hope this helps.