I was sick again yesterday morning. To console myself, I made a cup of cocoa. As I was preparing to add the required three tablespoons of chocolate powder, it occurred to me that maybe I could get by with two tablespoons. I’d be saving calories and money at the same time!
The cocoa wasn’t quite as good as usual, but it was good enough. And by dropping to two tablespoons instead of three, I saved 33% (or about 29 cents).
Now obviously saving a few pennies on an occasional cup of cocoa isn’t going to make me a rich man, but this principle can be applied to other aspects of my life. That’s what thrift is all about: learning money-saving skills that can be transferred from one situation to another. When we use enough of these skills in enough places, the savings can be substantial.
One way to save money is to use less of things.
How much dishwasher detergent do you use, for example? I used to fill the soap containers to the rim. Sure, the dishes got clean, but do you know what? They get just as clean now that I fill them only halfway. (And I sometimes wonder if I could use even less detergent.)
There are many ways we can cut back on the things we use. Some of these are systemic changes: you might, for example, decide to eat less meat in order to reduce your grocery bill, or to drive less to save on fuel and maintenance.
Here are a few specific examples of how cutting back from the norm can save you money:
- Toothpaste. How much toothpaste do you really need? The instructions on Kris’ current tube say that she should “apply at least a 1-inch strip of the product onto a soft bristled brush”. Instead, she uses the pea-sized amount that once was the standard.
- Shampoo. Lather, rinse, repeat? The instructions on many packages are written from the manufacturer’s perspective, not the consumer’s. Use the directions as guidelines. Judge for yourself just how much shampoo (or anything else) works for you.
- Juice and drink mixes. Juice and beverage mixes can be made more dilute and still quench your thirst. Again, this saves calories as well as pennies. Made according to the directions, some drink mixes are too sweet for adult tastes anyway. Try increasing the volume of water by 50%.
- Pet food. If I were to feed my cats as much as the package suggested, they would look like enormous tribbles. Instead, I give them as much as they’ll eat in a day. It took a while to find that amount, but we have it now, and that’s what they get.
- Engine oil. The 3,000-mile oil change is a myth propagated by quick-lube places to get you in their doors more often. Most vehicles can go much farther between service appointments. This isn’t one you should experiment with, though. Failure to change your oil frequently enough can ruin your engine. Check your owners manual for the recommended interval. (It’s unlikely to be just 3,000 miles!)
- Shopping. Earlier this month, I shared how America’s Cheapest Family saves more by shopping less. By grocery shopping just once a month, they make better use of their money. Kris and I aren’t ready to make that leap, but we’re earnestly trying to limit ourselves to one trip every two weeks. (With a quick supplemental trip for milk and produce.) So far, so good.
- Water. When we first bought a house, I watered our lawn often. I paid to have a green lawn. Now, however, I’m happy to let the grass go dormant. I don’t water the lawn at all during the summer. The grass “dies” in July and August, but becomes green again when the rains return in September.
A friend of mine once worked for a large consumer-goods conglomerate. Recently he confided, “Some companies mess with cap and lid sizes as a way to increase consumption. Want a bottle of laundry detergent to run out faster? Then increase the cap size slightly. Many people use a capful per load.” Manufacturers want us to use more than we need.
In many cases, it’s possible to use less of something and still get satisfactory results. Cutting back can save you money, but finding the right amount can take a little trial and error. Don’t let it fluster you.
You might, for example, cut back too far on dishwasher detergent and find one load doesn’t get completely clean. That’s okay. Next time, use a little more. The key is to cut back until you notice a difference. (Or, more precisely, until the difference crosses your “irritation threshold”.)
Have you been able to reduce the amount or frequency with which you use certain products? What sorts of things have you cut back on?
Photo by Joel Telling.
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Everyone has to come up with there definition of frugal. My mother in law I would say has gone the other direction, you can call it cheap, tightwad or whatever but it actually is not just trashy looking it is trashy because you could not find anything if you wanted to. I posted more details on my sight: http://goingfrugal.blogspot.com/
I guess the point that can be made here is that everyone can do something. I have gone to a pump with my laundry soap one squirt and that is it, but I struggle with the shampoo, since I have kids there not very conservative so I buy the cheapest stuff I can find.
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@ Conrad: I think J.D. tackles the topics of being frugal in domeciles, automobiles and extravangances quite effectively and thoroughly in a *lot* of previous entries. Any person encountering this website can search (to the top right) for advice in those areas.
This specific blog is about the smaller (and still important) ways that we can cut down our daily costs. Please stick to it. Most of the 99 responses before yours have been informative, anecdotal, and pertinent. Thanks to the rest of you.
J.D., I love topics like these. I am reminded of when my parents and I arrived from China almost 20 years ago, with a combined amount of $400. I used to think they were “cheap” (in a negative way), and didn’t recognize until much later that they were frugal. Some of the things we did:
-Ate small quantities of meat with a ton of veggies
-bought the little concentrates of juice and used tap water
-ate out about once a month
-we washed a lot of clothes (esp underwear) by hand (yes, this was somewhat extreme).
The things I do now:
-eating out
-adding veggies to meat dishes… gives me leftovers
-smaller amounts of toothpaste and shampoo
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I was just thinking about food, too, Nyomi.
One of the things I picked up from my grandmother was breaking my leftovers into discrete parts.
For example, cooking a chicken in the early part of the week, and shredding or cubing the leftovers, which can then be added in bits and pieces to other dishes. Same with mashed potatoes (tiny dabs of which can be used to fix soup that has been too heavily salted, or to make a potato pancake). Storing them separately and only combining as much as I want to eat that day reduces kitchen waste and gives me more flexibility in meal planning toward the end of the week.
I also got a food scale, because I realized that I don’t really know what a portion of food is supposed to look like. I was SHOCKED by how little (visually) 4 oz. of pasta is, but it was enough to fill me up without leftovers. Portion control is an easy and healthy way to reduce use and waste.
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I’m a big proponent of this. I use the bare minimum of laundry soap (seriously, about half the “recommended” amount on the bottle, and the “recommended” amount is often half or less of the cap). I love the foaming pump handsoap/dishsoap things, since you actually don’t use all that much but get the psychological edge.
I also found that I’m a TP miser. I go through way less than the average roommate I’ve had.
Other places where I save money by cutting back: only drink tap water, keep my electric lights off as long as possible (usually until it gets dark unless I need to read something closely), use cloth everything (napkins, rags, etc, which I then wash with my normal wash), clean out my vacuum filters before replacing etc.
One of the best tips I’ve seen but haven’t yet utilized is to use your dirty socks for dusting. They’re already bound for the laundry anyway, so why not just use them to swipe off a baseboard or wipe a surface? If you do just a little wipe every day, you can help keep your room low-dust, which saves time with cleaning.
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Heh. Conrad, I understand what you’re saying, but I try to cover a broad range of topics here. There’s more savings to be had in the big things, it’s true, but how often do you buy a house? If I devoted space proportional to the savings a person could have on an item, I’d be writing about homes 90% of the time. Yet people only buy a couple houses during their lifetimes. The same is true with cars.
But I hear what you’re saying. I’ll push a couple of posts I have in the works on these subjects to the front.
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(#99 conrad)
as far as #2 goes.. i’m one of those who is willing to pay extra for a luxury car.. i’m on the road a total of almost 2 hours everyday (roundtrip).. and comfort/quality is very important to me
i spent 25k for a 4 year old used lexus.. and trust me.. it was WORTH EVERY PENNY.. the car is now 10 years old and i just hit 170,000 miles with no major problems.. i plan on keeping it til it hits 300k.. and i have no doubt it will get there.. plus the car is FUN to drive.. v8.. 300 horses.. e-shift.. best car i have ever owned
oh and by the way.. i also have a 96 tercel that i drive every other day to give my lexus a break.. it’s a 4 banger and gets 30 mpg highway/city.. so i’m not a total car snob.. i appreciate value and common sense
——
and as far as plasma’s go.. who pays 3k for one? (unless you bought one 3 years ago)
hdtv is a means of survival for a man.. every guy needs one.. there is no price tag on that =D
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Things I have cut back on:
* Toothpaste (it’s really hard to use too little)
* length of paper towel in public restroom (I still don’t get every square inch of it wet when drying my hands)
* water flow while washing hands (if it’s just a trickle, less water is wasted between when I get my hands wet to soap up and when I start rinsing my hands, plus it takes longer to rinse my hands which makes me rub them even longer which—in conjunction with using soap—is what gets rid of germs)
* sugar and fat in recipes – I’m often happy using 1/2 the recommended sugar, and just about always happy using 2/3 the recommended sugar. I want only enough fat to make the recipe work. Unfortunately I haven’t figured out how to make low-fat cookies that aren’t cakey and brownies that aren’t cakey (though you can replace some butter with peanut butter, which at least has some protein)
#99 cracks me up because I remember when a 27-inch TV was considered big and a 13-inch TV was just fine thanks. Before that, a plain radio was just fine, thanks.
Ironically, I use more hot chocolate powder now. I’ve decided that the reason Godiva tastes the best is because they make you put the most powder in–four tablespoons for a regular small mug–I can do that with cheaper hot chocolate mixes or fair trade mixes, or now I just use 2 tablespoons of fair trade cocoa and 2 tablespoons of sugar when I want it to be super fabulous.
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Forget cap size increases, the company that has REALLY got it figured out is Febreze. They have a new-ish campaign to just spray the product INTO THE AIR to be extra fresh!
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@88, Beth:
Ew? Really? I’ve used a menstrual cup for months now (The Keeper, to be exact, though there are two others, the Diva Cup and the Moon Cup – just different materials for possible sensitivities).
It is so much less EWWWWW than tampons or pads! Not only is it beneficial financially and environmentally, but I’ve had no problems with smells and nothing icky to dispose of – it just rinses out. And you can keep it in far longer than you could a tampon and not have to worry about toxic shock or anything like that.
Basically, it cost me $35 for pretty much life, unless I have children and need a larger cup. It’s super-easy. And #96 Michelle is right – there is something liberating about it.
Don’t knock it ’til you try it, Beth. Every woman I’ve ever talked to who’s used one has sworn off tampons and pads – myself included.
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I agree on the oil changes. The shop where you get them usually recommends 3,500 miles, but the car’s manual for all the cars I have owned recommends 5,000, 7,000, etc. I have never had any maintenance issues as a result of following the manual.
I try to minimize my use of disposable products. Toilet paper is the only one I buy with any regularity. I don’t buy paper towels or sponges – I use dishclothes for dishes, and for all of my cleaning I use rags made by ripping up worn-out towels and sheets. I never have to buy trash bags because, living alone, I can use trash cans small enough to have plastic grocery or produce bags as trash bags. I also found that the dryers in my building can dry two loads of wash in one cycle, saving me $1.75 each week. The same is probably true at many laundromats.
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Great post, most people spend a lot of money by not using household supplies sparingly. My wife is extremely tight with money. She spends $100 or less per week on food and supplies for a family of four. Specials and coupons make a big differnece.
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I have done this for many years and it has been great! You save money, help the environment, make healthier choices and even less clutter.
Generally, I have a 50% rule. I ask myself: “What would happen if I only eat/use 50%?” In most cases either it is good enough or I eventually get used to it that anything more is too sweet (juice) or too foamy (soap). That’s an automatic 50% savings. If 50% does not work, I go with 75% of the recommendation which almost always works!
My examples:
* Tea with no sugar – had to get used to it but prefer it now.
* 50% chocolate syrup on my latte.
* Add 25-50% water on juice.
* 50% dishwashing detergent
* 75% laundry soap
* I split a Chinese take out meal into 2 (before I start eating) then I have lunch and dinner or 2 lunches.
* sugar in recipes 50%
* paper towels, we tear off a small piece every use.
* dog food 50% organic, 50% good quality commercial food – costco’s.
* I use conditioner only every other shampoo – 50%.
* Use the clothes dryer 50% time then air dry for the rest. Gets the wrinkles out without overheating.
* Up to 5,000 miles between oil changes (depends on the car and oil)
* 3-4 months between haircuts instead of 2-3 months.
I have many others but these are the major ones I can think of right now. It is a change of mindset but once you get in the groove, you will have enough.
-Charlotte
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re: menstrual cup — love it. There is the ick factor to get past. If you aren’t familiar with how all that works, you will be. I don’t miss having to keep extra stuff on hand, and I don’t leak at all. It was about $33, though, so after 8 months, I’m really not saving money vs. conventional products. DH doesn’t miss finding those products in the trash, though.
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On the dishwasher detergent – my mom had a dishwasher repair tell her to ALWAYS use the powder and to only use 1 Tablespoon (split between both cups if you washer has more than 1 cup) per load. That makes it go quite a long way.
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@bethh (post 91): The length of time between oil changes seems to vary between vehicles. My 2002 Honda Civic’s manual says 4,000 miles. I have coworkers whose manuals say a lot more, up to 12,000 miles in some cases.
I use synthetic oil and usually push it out to 4,500 or so. I’m afraid to try to push it much beyond that. By the same token, I’d be gaining nothing by changing the oil every 3,000 miles when my owner’s manual clearly says 4,000.
So I would suggest checking your owner’s manual and doing whatever it says. You may be pleasantly surprised about the interval it recommends.
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I want to chime in on the menstrual cup. I’ve used one for about 5 years.
I am not an earth mother type. I am not up close and personal with my womynhood (not that there’s anything wrong with that, etc.).
But I can vouch for the fact that, over the course of five year with a $25 Diva Cup (highly recommended brand, by the way), I have never looked back, and I have saved a ton of money. They’re sanitary; safe (no risk of TSS); can be used while swimming, running, whatever; leak-free; and I have had zero concerns about smell or really anything else.
At the risk of being indelicate, I will also add that they are also less, um, messy than the other options, imho.
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If you can only afford a “pea sized amount of toothpaste”, it’s past the time to get rid of the pets!
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Re: menstrual cup, another bonus is no dioxin. Most disposable feminine hygiene products are made with bleached materials, the use of which exposes us to dioxin, a particularly nasty toxin.
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If I fed my dog as much as she’d like to eat in a day, SHE would look like a huge tribble. haha.
We use less dishwasher detergent, I use less toothpaste (thought my husband likes a lot). I don’t use a lot of body wash either… those fluffy loofah things make a little go a long way. Plus, I use it as shaving cream too, since it lathers nicely… so my shaving cream use is 0.
I often use vinegar+water to clean, rather than commercial cleaners.
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@105: JD
JD,
My basic point is that many, many people would not have to worry so much about 29 cents for cocoa if they stayed away from overspending on the BIGGEST ticket items like houses and luxury cars. I’ve seem some previous posts on homes and cars but those didn’t include clear and practical guidelines for CAPPING related costs. Just wondering if you could do some research and highlight each topic at some point in the future, even if this means repeating things you may have blogged in the past. Maybe focus on practical limits as opposed to Buddy mopeds… very dangerous and NOT Family oriented.
Houses and Automobile costs collectively represent 26-55% of after tax income (reference: Money Management International’s Consumer Credit Counseling Services). Why not limit your spending in these budget categories and forget about incessant penny pinching?
HOUSES-
True, if we are lucky we will only buy 2 houses in our lifetimes… but that Mortgage will be with most of us EVERY month for 360 months!! Why spend more than 30% of your TAKE HOME pay for that??
AUTOMOBILES-
Cars are bought more frequently. Most cars become too expensive to repair after 8 years which would mean an 85 year old driving since 16 years of age will purchase AT LEAST 8 cars in their lifetime. 8 cars at a frugal price of $25,000 each totals to $200,000…and that’s just the purchase price… don’t forget about brakes, tires, insurance, FUEL costs. Lifetime auto costs easily top out over $250,000 just for ONE person!! Most families have TWO autos which would bring lifetime costs to $500,000!! Waayyyy more money than most people spending on a single family home!! Why make it worse and buy a LEXUS?
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Sorry to chime on re: the Dive cup (I have heard of them and am intrigued) but I’ve always wanted to know – how do you sterilize them between uses? I’m a germaphobe and this really concerns me.
As far as using less – my mom always swore that manufacturers deliberately state to use more – so we have to buy more – genius! Out of habit from my upbringing I use less but enough to get the job done.
I do find though unfortunately, I always need more shampoo and conditioner than called for (a dime size dollap – ROFL) but luckily found out long ago I only need to shampoo every 4-5 days and condition every other day. Even if I am using less though, I still buy products that cost $15-$30…so I can safely assume it isn’t for frugal reasons I cut back on hair washing/conditioning
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The manufacturer suggests just washing it with hot, soapy water, which is easily done in the shower. Back when I started I would also clean mine after I was done using it by tossing it in a tupperware container and covering it with boiling water. My best friend (an MD) said that’s overkill.
There’s a good Diva Cup FAQ here: http://www.lunapads.com/productfaq/divacup.htm?RD=1
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@120 Conrad — where’s YOUR blog?
Sounds like you have a lot of ideas about challenging the status quo of personal finance blogging.
@122 B — sounds right to me! I also love sea sponges for the same use — no muss, no fuss reusable, sustainable products with no chemicals in them that don’t interfere with intimacy or athletics. (Wow, that does sound like a dream product, huh?)
Also, Instead Cups are a great transition product in that you can pick them up at Rite-Aid and other such stores and are disposable, but also washable and (lightly) reusable. I think it’s like $6-7 for a 12-pack, which will last you a few months.
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congrad.. because the lexus will last 300k miles w/ basic services (oil change every 5k.. transmission fluid every 15k.. timing belt every 90k) i plan on keeping that car for at least 2 decades.. remember that is a $50,000 car that i bought for half the price because it was 4 years old.. i let the two guys who leased it before me pay for the depreciation.. one man’s trash is another man’s treasure
i pay for quality.. and for the fact i know i can smoke your a55 on the freeway if i wanted to.. and look good while doing it =D
lmfao! seriously though.. don’t knock my hustle.. i like cars.. fast, good looking, luxurious ones.. if it makes me happy then there’s no price tag on that.. i pay my mortgage on time.. i’m consumer debt free.. i contribute to my 401k/roth’s.. i have my emergency fund.. and i have a nice car that’s paid for.. i know my priorities
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I rinse my Divacup between uses, sometimes with some soap, and give it a good wash with hot water and soap after I’m done. I haven’t had any trouble with it– I usually use pantiliners for a couple days out of habit. The Divacup is medical-grade silicon, so it can be boiled.
I am one of the unlucky women who cannot go without shampoo and conditioner. I’ve tried– one week without washing my hair, wearing it up every day because it becomes visibly oily after the first day. My hair *smelled*. One of my aunts can go weeks, though.
It’s taken me a while not to feel guilty about that.
I try to use less laundry detergent; I bought the big bottle because it was cheaper, and try to use between 1 and 2 lines. I can’t tell when my clothes are dirty, though; I once realized while the clothes were drying that I hadn’t added any detergent at all, and I never noticed the difference. Other people probably can, though, so that’s that.
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Conrad (#120) has some great points and suggestions. I’ve added them to my Stack of Ideas. (And I’ve put them near the top.)
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Wow, serendipity. I just blogged about something similar: you can save on things by cutting back or buying a cheaper option… except when it ends up costing you more in the long term.
Like by buying lower quality stuff when it’s something you really need, or use a lot. That’s when spending more on quality will pay off in the long run. If it’s something you don’t mind cutting back on (like J.D.’s cocoa), or quality isn’t as important, then yes, you can save a bundle.
The trick is to know the difference.
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As JD always says, “Do what works for you”. This is not only about saving money but the wise use of resources.
We have different standards on things. Like with JD, I water my lawn just enough to keep them alive, not perfectly green. On the other hand, I only buy good quality food which I am willing to pay for.
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With regards to feminine hygiene, I used excess flannel and towels with holes in it to create reusable pads. I know, ick. It makes me sad that in this country women have been taught that their bodily fluids are disgusting and to be avoided. But, really, how is that any different from a tampon?
Re: dishwashing vs. dishwasher
As I understand it, the research was based on the idea that a person would allow the rinse water to run down the drain, instead of filling a dish basin with clear water. Now, I can’t site anything specific, but Amy Daczycyn addresses this in her “The Tightwad Gazette”. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in the sport of cutting back and extreme frugality.
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We did a test several years ago and found that many laundry detergent measuring cups were not set to match the instructions. Meaning the measuring cup line does not yield the amount recommended for use. Try it sometime. Pretty amazing how they attempt to “trick” us into using more product than necessary.
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Debbie in #107 – usually some combination of apple sauce/fruit puree and fat work in baked goods. It just takes some time to figure out exactly what ratio you need. You might also want to read the transcript of the Good Eats chocolate chip cookie episode (google Good Eats Fan Page – they’ve got all of them up), Alton explains how to manipulate the recipe to adjust the cookie texture to your liking.
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As for watering down juices, if you read the label, you will find that juice has as much sugar in it as a soda. You would be better off eating an actual piece of fruit, which has fiber in it. Plus, becoming accustomed to everything you drink being flavored is not necessarily a habit you want to encourage.
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I bought some cheap cookies in lieu of brand name cookies. Wow they are gross; but I saved fifty cents.
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Thank you. Never follow the recommended measurements and doses on the sides of the box including medicine (just don’t OD!) always use less.
Three scoops is a sincere gesture that they want you to have an extraordinary cocoa experience. Like you said cut back on laundry detergent. Never skimp on hot chocolate.
A note on shampoo especially for long hair…do not shampoo your hair everyday. There is no need. If you have long hair only shampoo near your scalp and condition the rest.
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As for yearly shots for cats, I would avoid a
vet who recommended such. The Cornell Veterinary School (famous for its cat center) has been recommending for a decade that most shots be repeated every three years. Check their Web site.
Cats were being over-vaccinated and there
were incidences of sarcomas at injection sites. Vets
in the know (who are motivated to help animals as opposed to making more money),
recommend a three-year schedule.
Most shots
last much longer. Do you get a yearly reminder
to have boosters for viral diseases? No. Probably never. Now
with bacterial diseases, such as typhus, we need a shot every decade.
The cat one-year and three-year rabies shots that my vet has are the same, just labeled so they match the state’s requirements. Fortunately, my county doesn’t require it, and my cats are indoor (with access to enough sunlight that is not filtered through glass, for Vit. D) anyway.
Rabies shots are valid for much, much longer, but there is no financial incentive for manufacturers to prove that they last longer.
Take your cats to the vet every year just to be safe, and save your cat’s health and money by not vaccinating yearly. I would switch vets if you can’t find one who is more modern (and less money oriented).
Many vets are rightfully
afraid that not enforcing the yearly vaccination rule means people won’t bring their pets in regularly. I take mine in yearly in order to learn new things and catch anything that isn’t obvious early. Of course, most of the vet costs occur when the pet is older.
Be sure to buy high-quality food for your pet. (And do some research because it isn’t always the most expensive.) A high-quality diet for us and for our pets adds up to a big savings in health care costs, and makes for a higher-quality of life.
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This might seem off-topic for this post but I’m curious…have people reading (or writing — this includes you, J.D.) decided not to have children for monetary reasons? Along with cutting back on houses or cars, that’s probably the biggest drain on finances over a lifetime.
I don’t mean this glibly. I think it’s a valid question, and one that many couples are probably asking themselves, even if they aren’t public about it.
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I’ve been cutting back on laundry and dishwasher detergent for a long time. Usually, you can get by with about two tablespoons of each.
I’ve also used tea bags more than once before. I don’t skimp on the cocoa, though — no way!
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If you like to think “lather, rinse, repeat” is a good marketing gimmick then you have to love “healthy hair” and “healthy skin”. Especially “hair so healthy it shines.”
The part of hair you see is *dead*.
The part of skin you see is *dead*. As the cells die they keratinize which makes them a good barrier. The reason you stay alive is because your skin dies (or, rather, you’d die if your skin didn’t). How’s that for irony?
How can something dead be “healthy”? Word game? Perhaps, but you have to see my point.
I especially enjoy Pantene Pro-V since provitamins have to be metabolized to yield vitamins, but then I’m not sure how dead hair metabolizes provitamins nor how dead hair even uses vitamins…
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My ways of using less (then advised by producers), without reducing quality:
- use one-cup teabags for a full pot, or two mugs (in a fairly close time span)
- don’t use a laundry dryer but hang laundry to dry, don’t do the laundry if the machine is not full
- never buy ready to go portioned meals, which are always too big for me: I can cook two meals for the price of one portioned meal
- use the plastic bags that come with fruit to put in my waste basket
- don’t go to the supermarket when I’m hungry (you buy more if you do)
- and last, I’m selling my car and taking my bike / public transport / occasional shared car to avoid rising parking costs, insurance, repairs, taxes, fuel costs etc.
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These are things I’ve been doing for years …
I buy high quality shampoo because it really does make a difference to my hair, but I only use about a dime’s worth. A small bottle last months and months.
I hand wash dishes most of the time (I actually enjoy those few minutes it takes to wash dishes–good thinking time), but use the dishwasher if we are washing for a big crowd. I use a very small amount of Borax mixed with a small amount of baking soda as my dishwasher detergent. Works great. I’ve had the same box of Borax for over 5 years.
Switched to synthetic oil years ago and it definitely saves money over time. I mainly did it for convenience though. I got tired of having to change my oil every time I turned around.
I buy concentrated frozen orange juice by the case from our local small convenience store (family run, been serving the community for years). They give it to me at costs. Again, as much as savings, is the time factor of not having to worry if I hae OJ on hand.
AC … even though we are in a warmer state, we are in the woods. Our AC is really only on for a few hours once we go home and until we go to bed. It works out just fine. Our house stays at 78 or below. We have ceiling fans and are quite comfortable.
I use the wax paper inside cereal boxes when the cereal is gone. I cut it into small pieces and use as a cover on food in the microwave (a plastic milk jug cut in half can also work well for this), separators between baked goods, etc.
I save butter wrappers and use them to grease baking sheets and pans. (I am a big baker, so this helps a lot.)
I cut old cotton socks down the middle, wash them, and then use them as rags for dusting, cleaning, etc. They do a great job (much better than paper towels) and I don’t feel badly if I decide to throw them away after use as I’ve gotten at least one more use from them. I’ve even used these as dish cloths when needed
I use white vinegar as my fabric softener. No dryer sheets are needed. I dry lots of things on a drying rack. (Very welcome moisture during our woodburning season.)
Plastic bags that come from stores get reused as small trash bags (e.g., in bathroom).
I use tea bags until they can’t give any more. LOL I hate to waste and my tea is plenty strong still.
I use a high quality ostrich feather duster from Flylady, so no more Plege is needed.
I always save leftover veggies, small pieces of chicken and beef, etc. and put them in a freezer container for soup. Chicken carcasses are saved for the same reason. Leftover ground beef/venison (from spaghetti, tacos, etc.) and tomato stuff (like sauces, a bit of tomato paste, etc.) gets saved in another freezer container to make chili (makes wonderful chili!).
I use very little toothpaste. Occasionally, I use no toothpaste if I am brushing for a quick refresher. And, sometimes I brush for a little salt instead of toothpaste. It’s good for the gums and cleans well.
The cats get a small amount of food twice a day.
That’s all I can think of right now, but J.D., I love these types of posts frankly. For me, it’s not only about saving money, it’s about not wasting and saving our world. I think the variety of posts has been great lately.
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I intend to go without central heating this winter, since heating bills are now almost as high as the summer air-conditioning bills in our 115-degree climate. It doesn’t get that cold here in the winter–drops to freezing maybe two to four times–so I figure a space heater in the room where I spend most of my time will suffice. At night: blankets, heating pad.
And next summer, my plan is to install a room air conditioner in the bedroom and turn the central AC off at night. Why air-condition six rooms (eight, if you count the bathrooms) so I can sleep comfortably in one 11 x 14 room?
The way I figure it, if I set the programmable thermostat to come on a half-hour or 45 minutes before I get up in the morning, I’ll never notice the difference.
Really…I wish people would not let their houses go to pot for the sake of saving a few bucks here & there. It not only damages their property values, it harms all the neighbors’ property values, too, and it affects the quality of living in a neighborhood. I don’t wanna live in an HOA, but sometimes I can see the logic to it….
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I can’t quite swallow the “dirty socks for dusting” idea. Dirty socks are DIRTY (and sometimes pretty smelly, too, depending on whose feet they were on), and I can’t see how using them to dust would lead to any sort of a hygienic situation. I’d rather have some insurance of a clean duster, thanks. But maybe that’s just me…
Jerry
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I just have to add something about the cat food. I was looking at the can of Fancy Feast that I feed my cats the other day and I was SHOCKED to see the “daily ration” amount for one cat. 1 can per 3 pounds of body weight. I have a cat that is 12.5 pounds. That would be over 4 cans a DAY of cat food! I feed him 2 teaspoons of moist food supplemented with dry food. I can’t even imagine getting him to eat all 4 cans of moist food without puking!
Also, on the fabric softener, I have cut back to 1/4 of the recommended amount and am trying to get rid of it entirely because I have read that it is fairly toxic. Fabric softener sheets are actually a fire risk for the dryer as the chemicals from them tend to build up on the lint trap.
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Rick@117: My pets don’t use toothpaste, pea-sized or other, so I think I’ll keep them. What do you recommend to get rid of them? Bullet, rope, simple starvation? Or pawning them off on a shelter to kill?
I think that’s one of the nastiest damn “money savers” I’ve ever read. Yes, they cost money. If the cost is beyond someone, don’t get a pet in the first place; there’s nothing wrong with that. If you love animals and can’t afford one, or can’t have one in an apartment, you can always volunteer at a shelter. But to take a living creature which is dependent upon you and treat it as if it were disposable is disgusting. And if you backpedal and say well, you meant “find it another home”, that’s fractionally better; it means your idea of saving costs is to foist your money problems onto someone else. But if a pet is only a money problem to you, then a new home is certainly a better solution for the animal.
C@136: I don’t think your question is off-topic. I’ve spent most of my life poor, and I knew I couldn’t afford children on top of that. It just wasn’t possible, and that was the choice I made. I think too many people don’t discuss their financial goals before they marry, and I think even fewer actually factor the cost of raising childen into the money they make, the way they live, and what children need. My Dad didn’t propose to my Mom until he was making enough to support three people – himself, my Mom, and a child. I think the vast majority of people have children first, and then scramble to cover the costs ever after, and from what I read, a lot of them come up desperately short.
I have long hair, and it’s shampooed once a week, and I rinse the container of (inexpensive) shampoo until it doesn’t have any more in it. As soon as there’s any room in my conditioner bottle, I start adding water to thin out the conditioner; I probably get six months or more out of one bottle of conditioner.
I use theatrical makeup, which is much cheaper than department store or specialty brands (and is formulated to be tolerated by as many different skin types as possible), and I’ll squeak out the last bits of lipstick to use as an inexpensive blush. I use artist’s brushes, from the art supply store, rather than overpriced makeup brushes. I use drugstore brand baby oil as a makeup remover. I colour my own hair, and cut it, rather than go to a salon. I thrift shop my clothes, and what I don’t thrift, I make – including coats. I make my own clothes patterns (paper patterns can retail for $25 and more). I make my own jewelry – both precious and semi-precious jewelry. I buy the stones and make my own necklaces, etc., for one-quarter to one-eighth the cost of retail jewelry. I wear thermals and layer up in the winter to save on heat. I augment my food budget with whatever’s left over from conferences and meetings (thanks, White Guys In Ties!). I can’t afford the TV programs I want, so I don’t watch TV. I paid more than I wanted for the house where I am, and the house is not what I want, but my choice at the time was buy the house or sleep under a bridge, so I’m grateful for the house, pay my mortgage, and live on the rest of my money as best I can, since I’m not in a position to resell. Not now, at any rate.
Chickybeth@143: OMG, that’s too funny! I never read Fancy Feast’s “recommended” guidelines, because I give it to my cats as a treat to supplement their dry food! They would be delighted to have four cans a day, but it’s not happening.
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“Some companies mess with cap and lid sizes as a way to increase consumption.” -
The same can be said for fast food chains. Drink sizes, and Straw sizes. Notice the size of straws the next time you are at McDonald’s, compared to say, Wendy’s.
They want you to consume more so you’ll have to buy more It’s awful.
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The type of pet food you use also plays a factor in portions. We switched to grain-free food due to our one cat’s allergies, and even though the food costs more, we’ve found that they eat much less because they’re no longer eating fillers.
J.D., Trent at Simple Dollar has a great recipe for hot chocolate mix. Cheaper, and minus the chemicals.
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Thank you ladies on your comments re: the diva cup and hygiene. Very helpful!
Michelle #146 said:
“The type of pet food you use also plays a factor in portions. We switched to grain-free food due to our one cat’s allergies, and even though the food costs more, we’ve found that they eat much less because they’re no longer eating fillers.”
I agree with this. My kitty gets higher protein stuff with less carby “crap” in it. She does eat less. I switched because diabetes is getting more common in cats and she used to eat and eat and eat and eat but act “hungry” still. Now she is satisfied quickly. Good thing too because she is prone to being heavy (due to her compulsive eating habits with poor quality food). THe poo doesnt smell too bad either – really noticed a difference.
Now I just gotta get her to take more than a few licks of her (expensive) wet food before walking away….:P
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For that second pot of coffee, don’t dump the grounds from the first pot. Then you only need to add about 1/2 the amount of coffee to the basket for the second brew.
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Michele@146 and Frantic Woman@147, what cat food(s) are you buying? I know there have been problems with different brands lately, and I’d be happy to improve what they’re eating. Thanks.
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La Belladonna: I feed Blue Buffalo (Spa Select). You can get it at Petsmart so it’s convenient. I asked for samples from the company website and they happily sent me some. Their bags also include a ‘baseball card’ like thingy inside of someone’s kitty and their bio
I liked California Natural a lot before they lowered the fiber amt. I’ve heard “dangers” – whether real or imagined – re: Nutro so I stayed away. Kitty like Blue Buffalo just fine.
Look at the ingredients.
Ex: Blue Buffalo: (The first ones listed):
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground Barley, Oatmeal, Salmon Meal, Whole Potatoes, Chicken Fat (preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Dried Egg, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Lysine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Salmon Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Beta Carotene, Calcium , and so on
Cat Chow:
Ingredients:
Poultry by-product meal, corn meal, ground whole wheat, corn gluten meal, soy flour, brewers rice, beef tallow preserved with mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E), fish meal, brewers dried yeast, natural flavors, phosphoric acid, potassium chloride, tetra sodium pyrophosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, choline chloride, salt, taurine, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, vitamin supplements (E, A, B12, D3), l-alanine, riboflavin supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, copper sulfate, citric acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium
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I want meat to be the first ingredient – real meat. I think of it like people food: I could either serve a chicken breast or a hotdog. Both have nutrients, maybe equal amts or comparable amts, but what is the quality of those nutrients?
You can at least try samples from many companies and see if your kitties like them. THere are other brands. Dick VanPatten’s brand is v. popular but it is a huge hassle for me to go and get. Blue Spa fits my cat’s needs. A seven lb bag ($17) lasts over two months compared to $8 for Cat Chow, but I feel it is worth the cost.
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