As a Penny Pincher by heart, I know to use my own resources for supplies before I spend money to purchase an item. Although some products are better quality if purchased already made, there are many that are just as good if I am able to make it myself. The following are three items that my family uses, that I choose to make to help save money.
The first I make myself, are Halloween costumes.
Why I do it:
Making my own Halloween Costumes not only saves me time from rushing to the store to beat the crowd for the “right costume” but it also saves me quite a bit of money that I would have to spend in retail. When I think about how much money I save on a costume, anywhere from $10 to $50 just for one, it gives me even more a sense of pride knowing I did it myself.
How it’s done:
Depending on what it is my children are imagining to be from year to year, depends on what materials I will need. Once I know what they are dreaming of transforming themselves as, I gather items from around the house that will be of use to help make them their fantasy. I never cease to amaze myself at the everyday items that can be used, when a little creativity comes into play. For example, eye shadow and powder can be used for a dramatic makeup effect. These I already have on hand and will only cost me from $5 to $20 dollars, depending on my preferred makeup brand.
How much I save by doing this:
In the long run, I end up saving myself at least $20 to $40 dollars depending on the costume and materials I have on hand.
The second I make myself, is hair detangler.
Why I do it:
One bottle of hair detangler will last a month or two between my daughter and I. This may not seem like much money, but if you have thick and unmanageable hair like ours, you know that this can get cost worthy. As a penny pincher by heart, I have learned how to create my own own hair detangler that is just as effective and much more cost efficient as well.
How it’s done:
First I take an empty spray bottle and fill it up three quarters of the way with tap water. Next, I add a few teaspoons of hair conditioner (preferably conditioner for frizzy or damaged hair) and add it to the mixture. I make sure that we spray our hair in the evening before bed time, so that the conditioner has time to set before we snuggle into bed. I also spray our hair before brush it, to help maintain the tangles as well.
How much I save by doing this:
The few teaspoons of hair conditioner compared purchasing a bottle of hair detangler every few months. Saves us at least $30 in a year’s time period (as I use to purchase a bit more expensive hair detangler, due to our unmanageable hair).
The third item I make myself, baby wipes.
Why I do it:
I make my own baby wipes because it saves me $ a month, verses paying the $15 for wipes that come in a package of three at the retail store. The cost I spend on a package of a roll of paper towels is only $1 and I only have to use a teaspoon of the baby wash (which I can get also for $1) with water as a mixture. You may also use rubbing alcohol in the mixture (which can cost you between $1 and $3 depending upon the retailer), but this is not recommended if your child has sensitive skin or until the child is older than a toddler.
How it’s done:
To make my own baby wipes, I simply take a roll of paper towel and begin to cut the paper in halves. Once I have cut the paper down to the sizes I prefer (which is small, as I like to not overuse what I don’t have to), I then place the paper in an empty container. The next step is to make the solution. I mix the water and other ingredients in a bottle, and pour the mixture onto the pre-cut paper towels, inside the container. Careful to not over due the amount I put on the paper, I make sure the paper is damp and not soaked. I save the mixture and seal it tight with a label, locking it away from small hands to assure its safety and it’s usage for later.
How much I save by doing this:
Diaper wipes can be costly if you’re not careful with how many you use or what they are being used for. As much I like to think that they are handy for just about type of cleanup, I know that the more I use, the more money I am spending as well. A package of three containers of wipes can cost me around $10, where if I make them myself, I am only spending around $5 for the other materials and when cut right will end up with more than what comes in the normal packaging.