How to Save Money on 10 Common Household Items - I Rarely Buy Them!
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Saving Money on 10 Common Household Items: I Rarely Buy Them!
There are many common household items that people can save money on. Over the years, I've found that I can either find cheap substitutes for these items or nearly eliminate them altogether.
1) Paper Towels:
I may buy a few rolls of paper towels a year. Paper towels are useful in certain circumstances. For instance, they’re great at draining the oil from food. You could ruin a cloth with all that grease! Also, what do you use to pick up the occasional hairball from the cat? Something you can throw away, right? So you grab a paper towel. I also use them for doing windows, but that doesn’t happen very often in my house. What I do NOT use paper towels for is wiping up spills (unless they’re really gross!) on counters or floors…or as napkins, which leads me to the second item.
2) Paper Napkins:
Use cloth. A one-time investment in some inexpensive napkins will save you hundreds of dollars over time. Throw dirty ones in the washer. Buy enough for several meals if you have a large family. I’ve bought them for almost nothing at yard sales. If you can sew a little bit, you might consider making them. The only time I ever buy paper napkins is for a large gathering. Then, to get rid of what’s left in the package, I use them for the things I would use paper towels for, so I’m really not out that much extra money for my purchase.
3) Cleaning cloths:
Tear up old T-shirts, towels, even old socks. (These are great to stick your hand in to wash the car with!) You need plenty of cloths, since you’ll be grabbing them to clean up spills throughout your house. If you have enough of these cloths, you can even use one to clean up something gross. If you have to throw it away, you haven’t lost much. You’ll have more old T-shirts coming your way to use before you know it!
4) Trash bags:
I use plastic shopping bags from various stores in all my trash cans. If they’re too small for a can you empty frequently—such as your kitchen trash—save the larger bags for just this trash can. Or use paper grocery bags, which are much larger. I keep a few larger bags (32 gallon) on hand for larger items I need to throw away, but I rarely use them.
5) Storage/Freezer bags:
These can be reused many times. Just stick them in the dishwasher! Or wash by hand and let them dry. You can get a lot of use out of these before they simply wear out.
6) Typing/Copy paper:
Unless I’m printing something I need to send out (i.e. resume, letter), I use the unused side of copy paper from other projects. Also, junk mail is a resource. You can use the backs of letters that are blank.
7) Small note pads/Shopping lists:
I keep a spot for envelopes from mail with solid white backs. These work great for grocery and “to do” lists, the latter of which I make almost daily!
8) Air freshener: Put cinnamon, cloves, or orange peels in water. Boil on the stove to get a great-smelling house. This is much cheaper and better for the environment than the chemicals in those sprays.
9) Pens:
Freebies, freebies, freebies. I pick up free pens every chance I get—at seminars I go to, at promotional events—wherever they are offered.
10) Bottled Water:
I NEVER buy this unless I’m on a trip and get thirsty, and it’s water that I want more than any other drink. Some say that bottled water isn’t necessarily healthier, anyway. If you’re sold on bottled water, see if using a filtered pitcher or faucet satisfies you.
Try some of these methods of saving. I find it challenging to see how long I can make things last, and it’s exciting to think about how much you can save!
Remember the old saying “A penny saved is a penny earned.” See how tight you can pinch those pennies on common household items so that you can use your hard-earned money on things that you really want. Stretch that dollar!
Other Money Saving Ideas
- Saving Money on Heating and Cooling Costs
Practicing many different techniques, investing in your home, and making sacrifices can save you hundreds of dollars per year on your heating and cooling bills. Many people may take for granted that they are going to have to pay so much for this bill - 6 Sure Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill
Who doesnt want to save money on utilities, particularly in the current economy? Conserving water is important, as water is a valuable resource. Besides doing something green for the earth, you can save money and put more green into your pockets. - Foods that Freeze Well - Stretching Your Food Dollars
There are many foods that freeze well that cooks dont have to throw out, but can use for later. While not all foods hold up well in the freezer, there are a number that do, from meats to vegetables to sauces, to cooked foods, and more. What freezes w - Thrifty Pet Owners: 5 More Ways to Save Money on Your Pets
Pet lovers know that budgeting for pet expenses is a necessary part of financial planning. However, it can be expensive. Learn to save on food, toys, grooming, boarding, and vet visits.
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Thanks, JT! I've always been thrifty, as I like to save money where I can. And you're right! In this economy, it's especially important to find ways to save.
No problem. I enjoyed the article.
JT
Very inspiring hub. I love financial management and this topic is part of them. Nice tips and we should to know about this. Well done and you got my vote. Take care!
Prasetio
Thanks, prasetio! I love trying to find ways to save money, and I like sharing them!
Surely if you want to save money, you need to do whatever it takes. It is good to look at your common household usage and substitute disposable items with reusable items when possible. This is easy for me to say, but I find it's hard for me to apply it. Although, I did raise up three children and saving money doesn't enter their minds when they were young.
Love the hub Victoria! I see we share a common interest.
STRETCH THAT DOLLAR! LOL
Thanks for the comment. I love the topic of saving money. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Well I like all your tips except air freshener, it will required sometime when you expect some guest or someone special.I always keep it handy.
I'm sad but glad that I already use almost all your methods.
I totally understand what you're saying, ArockDaNinja. I often feel that way when I read articles on how to save money, as I already practice most of what I read. You should be proud of yourself! I know what you mean by "sad but glad."
Days like these it sure is helpful and sometimes it can go a long way when you just do some simple changes. Thanks for the tips.
Yes, I agree--especially if the saving ways are ongoing and consistent. Thanks for reading, mysisters!
Oh, you're one smart shopper. These small items can actually add up in a big way to our yearly shopping bill! I have to agree that we can do without the paper napkins and towels.
Thanks, kerlynb. Yeah, I don't have much fluff in my budget! There's a lot we can do without if we just think about it and sacrifice a bit. Thanks for reading!
great Hub! These are some great money saving tips...Some of them I already use (like re-using shopping bags [always a good idea]) and others I can start trying out!
Thanks, LittlePayday! I love your name. Sounds like you may have some tips of your own for me to check out. Thanks for stopping by!
These are all items I tend to go through quickly! Instead of purchasing bottled water I bought one of those purify water machines for my faucet. It gets the job done great. I can even use it to fill up water bottles and take them on the go.
That's great, Jennie, that you put the filter on your faucet. That alone can save you hundreds of dollars in bottled water. You're right. All the items mentioned are ones that people don't think anything about purchasing and do go through quickly. I just think there are so many ways to save money--if we just think about it. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I relate to what you say in the hub. I also find ways to save money, such as using filtered water instead of buying bottled water. I laughed when I read your suggestion to use shopping bags for garbage. I thought I was the only one who did that! And I'm actually surprised that people pay their hard-earned money for garbage bags when they can use free plastic shopping bags. You gave me a bunch of other ideas that I never thought of. Thanks. Voted up and useful.
Victoria...no kidding! Why would anyone BUY plastic bags when they are, literally (litterally) EVERYWHERE and FREE! I, too, use shopping bags as garbage bags and litter bags and storage (against bugs...like sweaters, etc.)..great hub..always fun to read and educational, too. UP Useful Awesome, Funny, too. Kathy
Wow great hub! I too do all the things here to save money that you do except the only one is that I buy garbage bags as unless we have our garbage in the large garbage bags they will not take it. The plastic grocery bags I use sparingly as in Ontario we have to pay 5 cents per bag. I normally take cloth or heavy duty plastic bags with me when I go shopping.
Aw, Lucky Cats Kathy, I caught your "litterally." haha. I, too, use those plastic bags to dispose of my cats' used litter. Very handy. I also use them to take on my walks with my dog. The walking gets his bowels moving, I guess, so I clean up after him with a plastic sack. Thanks for your compliments on my hub!
But, it looks like Susan has to pay for the plastic bags! They are so plentiful--too much so--here. I do take cloth bags when I shop at Aldi since they don't have bags except for sale.
Great to see you both, ladies! Thanks for reading and commenting!
I'm glad you sent me to this hub. I love this one: Air freshener: Put cinnamon, cloves, or orange peels in water and boil. Very good information. Rated UP and now I want to click on your link for saving money on pets.
Thanks so much!
vocalcoach~
vocalcoach--thanks! I find it a challenge to find way to save. I love being frugal. Thanks for checking out my hubs!
One of my first hubs ever! Doesn't seem that long ago, but then seems like forever! hahaha
This hub is rich with money saving ideas (excuse the pun). I never thought of cloth napkins. What an eye-opener! Now if I can convince the fam that napkins AREN'T kleenex, I think it'll work! LOL!
My dad cleaned out his food storage bags and reused. I don't think he thought of the dishwasher, though, which would probably make it safer health-wise. Great hub! Voted up and useful.
Victoria, I'm saving at least 40 bucks a month with this hub. I came to your hub by chance. Well done! and thanks!
We can get freebies from the Internet also..right?
LORD
Great ideas! I like the boiling orange peels and using junk mail as printing paper, great ideas! Thanks.
good hub!
Victoria, thank you for sharing these tips. Growing up paper products such as paper towels, napkins and kleenex were a luxury. We even had cloth handkerchiefs.
Great ideas.
loved it.
great pun, sinea! haha I think that napkins and paper towels are some of the most overused and wasted household items. Cloth napkins can save a lot, as can cloth rags for cleaning. I even use handkerchiefs for my nose. All of those things can be washed and re-used over and over. Well, off my soapbox for now! haha. thanks for your comments!
Lord, I'm glad this hub is already saving you 40 bucks per month. hahaha Good job! Yes, we can get freebies from the internet, too. Good to see you again!!!
Thanks, danielle andhowtojunkies--every little bit helps!
mljdgulley--I, too, think all those you mention are luxuries, and I use handkerchiefs, too! Thanks!
kikalina--Thanks for the love!
Voted up and useful! I was just thinking about my paper towel use the other day. Two labs and a toddler have me going through more than I want to. I never bought them before I got married. I'm looking forward to fewer toddler messes. Thanks for sharing. I'm officially on the lookout for cheap napkins.
That's great, Jennifer, that you're going to get real napkins! I got mine at yard sales or they were major clearance items. No need for paper towels for napkins! And I recycle old clothing or towels for most messes. Great comments--thanks!
I am on the same page with you on all of these suggestions, thanks for putting together such a great list! Have you tried using newspaper on your windows/mirrors instead of paper towels? It works beautifully.
veggie-mom--I haven't tried newspaper on windows and mirrors. I will do that! Yet another savings. Thanks for the great tip!
Hi, thanks for this article - I've also started not buying paper towels (or kitchen roll in the UK) but using cloths - and the same with old bags for trash (rubbish) bags. Looking forward to finding out about more tips
You're welcome, Purple Jubilee. Cool that you do those things, too. Thanks for reading.
Now, This is what we call frugal living. Nice info. Voted up
Anjili--I love frugal living. Thanks so much for the comment and vote!
JT Walters 9 months ago
Nice Hub. Very useful especally in these current economic times.
JT