Janelle Esker In this economy, I am always looking for ways to save money. You too? 10 Things I DON’T Buy should help!
Because I am a stay-at-home mom and we have only one income. I have always been interested in frugal, zero waste, and simple living. Our family has been living simply for the past 25 years!
At the beginning of our journey, I felt frustrated. Slowly, I learned how fun it can be to think in a creative way to solve one’s problems! I get real pleasure from solving daily living issues in new and inventive ways. Now as I look back in time, I am so very thankful to God for leading the way! I see that living with a frugal philosophy is biblical and has saved us from many troubles, it keeps us healthy and gives us real joy!
10 Things I DON’T Buy
Paper towels
Why use paper when you can get a bunch of reusable dish towels that last and will save you LOTS of money over the years?
Spaghetti sauce
Why pay money for someone else to make your spaghetti sauce? I purchased the organic tomato sauce at COSTCO and added 1 TBS. of Garlic Powder and 1 TBS. Italian Seasoning. You have superior sauce for 1/10th of the cost! Experiment with the seasonings you like best.
Cleaning supplies
I make my own using baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, lemons, and water. Non-toxic and makes things wonderfully clean. I must confess that I still do purchase bleach.
Paper napkins
I sew napkins from leftover fabric. It is a very easy sewing project. If you don’t sew rip the fabric for a rustic look. Here is a tutorial from On Sutton Place.
Convenience foods
We make everything from scratch…being gluten-free helps to stick with this! We also have allergies to sugar, yeast, and food dyes in our family! Making things from scratch is time-consuming but so much healthier and home baking always tastes better!
Laundry detergent
I make my homemade version. It costs about 2 cents a load! I will be sharing my recipe in a future post.
Coffee at a coffee shop
OK, I don’t do this one too often…make your coffee at home for the day. Put them in reusable stainless steel or ceramic cups.
Don’t buy anything at full price
This one is self-explanatory, get creative, and ask God to help you think of ways to “do without” or think of a substitute.
Coffee filters
Get a reusable filter for your coffee maker. They even have reusable cloth filters for the Chemex Coffeemaker!
Saran wrap and tin foil
Use Pyrex reusable containers to store food. Or try these lovely beeswax covers that work just as well as cling wrap and tin foil and you only pay once!
I do hope this post will help you to think outside the box, spend time together as a family solving problems, and give you some new ideas that will spark your imagination!
Looking for more ways to save money? CLICK HERE!
YOUR TURN…
Comment below, what don’t you buy?
Blessings,
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I don’t know anyone more frugal than Janelle and I am frugal! I am looking forward to the laundry detergent recipe.
Thank you Dorian!
Coming from you, I take that as a GREAT compliment! You know I have learned a good many things from you over the years 🙂
Love, love, love these ideas. I need to implement a lot of them. I use way to many papertowels, napkins, buying cleaners are expensive. I am going to try your pasta sauce….sounds easy enough. Thanks Janelle!
Thank you Laurie for your comment!
I am still learning new ideas all the time…I can’t wait to hear how you like the pasta sauce. If a recipe comes from me it has to be easy and quick! Thank you again for you comment!
I’m really hoping Devin doesn’t read this post! He hates it when I buy napkins and paper towels! He says it’s like wiping up messes with dollar bills.
I know you’re both probably right. But, I love the convenience.
I have to admit I love the convenience too 🙂 Thank you for your comment and I promise not to tell Devin about the post!
Great ideas! I’m at home too and it seems like our three boys eat more with each passing day (and our foster daughter is trying to give them a run for their money, I think!) so we are trying to stretch our budget as far as possible too! I love the sew your own napkin idea since we need a lot of those with boys 😉 Thanks for linking up!
-S.L. Payne, uncommongrace.net
Thank you for commenting. I only have two boys and they can eat me out of house and home! My girls can hold their own too 🙂 I also am struggling to make our food budget stretch! Prices keep going higher and higher and it is really causing me to think in more creative ways! Please feel free to share how you are saving money…I am always looking for more ideas!
We try to buy things on sale, paying full price is definitely silly. But since I’m not crafty or good at making things myself, and really don’t have the time, I still do buy things like cleaning products and convenience items. I still haven’t gotten used to the rags idea, since once used it always looks dirty to me and I’d want to throw it out anyway heh.
Hi Julie,
I agree that change is hard 🙂 I also agree that the rags look dirty. I purchase navy blue towels for my kitchen and when they are looking old I send them to the rag bag for cleaning. The dark color does not show the stains. Black would work too…I think that everyone is different and that is ok! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment!
We do many of these things, too. I sure aspire to do even more. I love having things that are homemade, in all manner of speaking. Plus, I get such a kick our of creating something, even as simple as “hey look at this rag I made!” 🙂
Swinging by from Capture Your Journey!
Thank you for stopping by The Peaceful Haven! I love to create things too…so rewarding! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Hi this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding knowledge so I wanted to get advice from someone with
experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hi! Thank you for your comment and I would be glad to answer your question…yes sometimes you do have to use HTML but if I can manage it you can too. If I might recommend a blog that will give you all the information you need …blogambitions.com The reason I have a blog is because of them. I am not a technical person. Check out this link http://blogambitions.com/category/how-to-start-a-blog/ I pray this will help you as much as it helped me! Oh! by the way…it is FREE!
I don’t buy paper towels either. Washcloths works just fine! I have made our napkin before. Just tear muslin into whatever size squares I like, fringed edge. Homespun and gingham can make cute unfinished napkins! Busy prints hide dirt.
I also made my own diapers for the babies. Just squares of flannel prints and serged around the edge. Then fold them to fit. No disposables. I brought a bucket with me on trips. I even brought my cloth diapers to the hospital!
I don’t buy Starbucks unless I have a gift card or it’s my free birthday drink. I don’t have disposable income.
Thank you for these great ideas! I used cloth diapers too but I never thought of bringing a bucket with me on trips…GENIUS!! I love Starbuck but I never go unless someone gives me a gift card too. Sounds like we are kindred spirits! Thanks for your comment!
Great article, totally what I was looking for.
I’m so glad you found it helpful Lara!
Helpful info! Lucky me I discovered your web site by accident, and I’m surprised why this accident didn’t take place earlier! I bookmarked it.
I’m so glad you made your way to The Peaceful Haven and that you found the post helpful!