Life can get expensive. I’m not even talking about luxuries and special treats here- I’m talking about regular household needs. It’s just the way we live today, and while it might seem like there’s no way around it, I’m here to tell you that there are easy ways to save money on typical household expenses.
Use coupons. This one’s pretty obvious. Take advantage of store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons for some really great savings on basic and not so basic necessities. Watch out for expiration dates and restrictions.
Shop smart. Go to resale shops and garage sales where you can score some great finds at really great discounts.
DIY. No need to pay someone for something you can do yourself. Of course you need to be smart about this- don’t undertake a big job if you have no idea what you’re doing. But for simple projects you can learn almost anything on YouTube.
Watch your thermostats. Set the thermostats a little lower in winter and a little higher in summer and you’ll save each month on heating and air conditioning.
Use less laundry detergent. You can use way less than what it says on the packaging and your clothes will still come out clean and fresh.
Line dry your laundry. This will make your clothes last longer, too.
Use energy saving light bulbs. Switch over to CFL or LED.
Eat leftovers. Don’t let them sit there until it’s time to throw them out. Repurpose dinner leftovers for another dish a night or two later. Cook extra from the start and take the leftovers for lunch.
Hand-me-downs. You can pass on old clothes in your own family, or swap with friends so everyone gets something new.
Carpool. Or walk when you can to save on car expenses.
Buy generic. Generic products are almost always just as good as the brand names.
Try these suggestions and see how much you save after a few months- then treat yourself to something special!
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Getting a haircut is sort of like a small luxury. Sitting back and letting someone tend to you for a little while is nice, and you always (let’s hope…) look and feel better after. And speaking about luxury- how about the price? A good haircut can seriously eat into your budget! The good news is that it doesn’t have to. You can stay well-groomed and it doesn’t have to cost you too much. Read on for some tricks to help you save money on haircuts.
Get a student. Go to your local beauty school and have a student give you a haircut. Don’t be nervous- the students are well supervised and you’ll save a lot. You may even score a free haircut!
Social media. Follow salons in your area so you’ll always know about promotions and specials.
Discount sites. Check for coupons on discount sites like Groupon.
Service swaps. Do you know someone who can cut hair? Try swapping a haircut for a batch of your famous chocolate chip cookies.
Go for a longer style. Maintenance is still important to keep long hair looking healthy, but you can go a longer time between trims, which is a savings.
Donate. Many salons will give you a free haircut when you donate your hair to Locks of Love or other organizations. There are guidelines for lengths and other considerations so check with your local salons.
Be a hair model. Model in ads for a salon in exchange for a free haircut.
Just the cut. Skip the shampoo and blow-dry, and save.
Walk-in salons. These are generally less expensive than more upscale salons where you need an appointment.
Haircuts at home. Find a stylist who’s willing to come to your home. Lots of stylists like to work this way because they get to keep whatever you pay them, instead of sharing a percentage with the salon. You’ll also save on transportation costs.
You don’t have to deny yourself a little pampering and glamming just because you’re trying to save money. You just need to find a cheaper way to do it!
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I always have mouthwash in my bathroom because I use it regularly as part of my oral care routine. So I was thrilled when I found out there are so many other ways to use mouthwash, and I think you’ll all love them, too! Who doesn’t love a multi-tasking product?
Dandruff treatment: If you suddenly find those telltale flakes or unexpectedly run out of dandruff shampoo, combine equal parts mouthwash and water and apply to your scalp after shampooing and conditioning as usual. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and rinse.
Treat poison ivy: Apply to affected areas to relieve itching and inflammation. Since it’s drying it will also help start healing.
Hand sanitizer: The alcohol in mouthwash will kill the germs on your hands. It can also help get rid of odor if you’ve been chopping garlic.
Deodorant: In a pinch, mouthwash will do the trick!
Clean your toothbrush: The moisture on your toothbrush makes it a great breeding ground for bacteria, not to mention the germs it collects just hanging around in the bathroom! Soak it in mouthwash for 20 minutes to sanitize.
Athletes foot: Dab mouthwash on your feet with a cotton ball twice a day. Be patient, though- it can take a couple of weeks to see results.
Prevent bruises: Next time you bang yourself apply some mouthwash to help prevent a bruise. This is not foolproof, but if you do get a bruise it will be smaller.
Heal blisters: Mouthwash on a blister numbs the pain and speeds healing. Do this once a day.
Glass cleaner: Put some mouthwash on a damp cloth to clean glass surfaces, such as windows, mirrors, and TV screens. Wipe, and dry with a cotton cloth for a great shine and fresh, clean smell.
It’s nice when something you use all the time anyway can do so many things for you. What’s great about mouthwash is that it comes in travel sizes so that you can always have it with you- even in your handbag!
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