Small Things Add to Big Savings Over Time

Here's a list of small things I do today to save money:

• Double a recipe and freeze half. Use the frozen meal instead of fast food for a quick meal when you are short on time.



• Shut all cabinet and closet doors. Don't pay to cool/heat "dead" space.



• Try living without one convenience item for a short time. Paper towels or paper plates are a good items to try and avoid. Even a week without them saves money. If you do use paper towels for drying hands don't throw them away. Save it for wiping up a spill. And after a paper towel dries works great to clean windows.



• When using oven, turn off the oven 5-10 minutes before the end of the cooking time.



• Use less of everything! A smidgen of toothpaste is enough to clean our teeth. Use 1/2 lb.- 3/4 lb of ground beef in a recipe that calls for a pound and "bulk" it up by adding rolled oats while browning. No one will know it is in there! Use half the recommended amount of laundry detergent.



• Wash clothes in cold water. They will get clean.



• Dilute liquids. Things like dish soap, shampoo, and even ketchup can easily be diluted.



• Write down every meal you cook this week. You just started a meal plan!



• Unplug appliances that are not being used.



• Hang laundry to dry on a the line or on small drying racks.

I would love to hear what small things others do to save money.