If you take inventory of all of the cleaning agents you have in your home and add up the price of each, you may surprised to learn that you are spending a small fortune on cleaning supplies alone.
There is a general consensus among consumers that there are only three or four items that you actually need in your home. These are just as effective but, more to the point, safer than most of the cleaning agents used today.
They are: Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and your favorite brand of dish soap detergent.
Given the state of the economy, any savings we can incur as a result of using alternative cleaning supplies is welcome. Therefore, here are a few money-saving tips posted on a wide variety of home cleaning websites.
For microwave cleaning, one website had this suggestion: Add vinegar and water to a bowl and place it in the microwave until it comes to a boil. Remove the bowl and wipe the inside with a damp cloth. This is a steaming process that, according to one user, is effective in cleaning any sticky residue from the inside of the microwave.
Another consumer recommends that if your microwave oven is quite dirty, take a lemon slice and add it to a bowl of water. Also add a tablespoon of baking soda. Place the bowl in the microwave, uncovered, for approximately five minutes. Afterward, you will find it much easier to remove the grease from the inside.
Vinegar appears to be an all-inclusive cleaning agent. Used with water and dish-washing detergent, it can be utilized as an all-purpose cleaner. It is recommended that you pour the liquid into an empty spray bottle, shake it up, and you’re ready to go.
Vinegar is also known to effectively clean windows. However, there are some consumers who assert that using water and rubbing alcohol yields much better results.
Baking soda also has many uses other than placing a box in the refrigerator. Proponents of baking soda add vinegar, water, and dish-washing liquid as a tile and tub cleaner.
Others state that baking soda and water is great for cleaning the top of the stove. For inside the oven, baking soda is the only cleaning agent needed. Just sprinkle it on any stains or grease, then wipe clean using a wet cloth.
For drain cleaning, baking soda combined with vinegar seems to do the trick.
At a time when we are all watching how we spend every penny, these tips could save time and money. The suggestions are environmentally sound as well.
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How many times have you made a purchase online and then found it cheaper on another website? How many times have you shopped at a department store only to find that the same item cost less at another store?
Comparison shopping is probably the best way to save money on items, unless you have coupons or belong to an online discount site. There are many ways to comparison shop utilizing some terrific websites.
Cnet.com is great for comparing computers, software, and other electronics. Trip Advisor, for comparing travel information, offers five comparison sites when you enter your destination and travel dates.
There is no reason not to compare prices these days.
Considering the current economic crisis, many companies are offering discounts every day. The key is to find them. Bizrate, Pricegrabber, NexTag, Best Buy, Shopzilla, shopping.com, and Pricing Central, to name a few, offer you the opportunity to comparison shop for just about any item.
Another website, comparisonshop.com, allows you to enter the item in question, and then brings up nine different websites and their prices. All you have to do is click on “see results” and you can check each item to determine the best price for you.
Comparison shopping for groceries is still a great way to save money as well, as long as you are not driving long distances to save a few pennies.
There are some websites that will offer a product and, if you find it cheaper at another online store, will give you the product for the cheaper price. This is also true for retail stores in your area.
Gone are the days when the first item you find that you think is well-priced is actually purchased. More and more shoppers are comparing prices because that is the nature of retail competition.
The next time you look for a product, check out the online sites so that you can compare prices. The time is well spent and the savings can be substantial. Why pay more when you don’t have to?
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Making dinner every night can be difficult, especially if both you and your partner work. But there is a way you can save both time and money, and prepare delicious and healthy meals in the bargain.
Here is an example of how you can prepare a simple meal at home and save a fortune in the process.
First, check the Sunday papers to find out what’s on sale at the supermarket. Clip coupons then go online and print out more coupons.
The following Friday, after work, take a trip to the supermarket and buy only those items you need for the meals you are going to prepare for the following week.
The next morning, Saturday, spend the entire day cooking. Place the meals into containers, label them, and put into the freezer – ready for the upcoming week or, in some cases, the next two weeks.
Regardless of whether you work at home or outside the home, the meals are prepared and there is much less stress placed upon you.
The beauty of cooking meals at home is that not only can you save quite a bit of money, but you are also creating healthy and nutritious meals for the family.
No matter whether you prepare soups, stews, poultry, meat, or vegetable dishes, you would be surprised at how little effort it takes to prepare simple meals and save money by not eating out. Think about how much you spend on parking, tips, and taxes plus the cost of the meal at the restaurant. Compare it to how much it costs to cook comparable meals at home. It’s a substantial difference.
Moreover, there are wonderful and easy recipes you can print out from FoodTV.com, as well as tuning into the food channel and watching as a favorite personality prepares simple meals in 30 minutes.
Here’s another example: Instead of ordering a pizza pie that may cost around $15.00, you can make little English muffin pizzas for a third of the cost. Besides, they taste great and the kids will love them.
As each of us prepares to make sacrifices during this recession, what better way can you think of to save money than to prepare meals at home?
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