Mommy Hacks - Easy Peasy ways to save money in less time on stuff you have to buy.
Yes, I use coupons, and Cartwheel, but that's not what I'm talking about.
All that stuff requires time, newspapers, or printers, or forethought.
These simple things do not.
1) Buy (or put) things in pumps! Yes.. switch to pumps! Use generic empty pumps and fill them with things like shampoo, body wash, and dish soap.
First it started as an experiment, my boys were going through twice as much body wash as the rest of us. So I put it in an empty soap dispenser I had under the sink, I told them how many pumps would be enough, and BAM it worked. Then I realized my 4 year old was just opening the shampoo bottle and pouring it in the water to make bubbles like every night while I was getting her clothes ready. So.. I this time I bought a shampoo that came in a pump and it was wonderful! Now, my whole family is switched over to pumps for all shower products and it's easier to stocked, cleaned, and I buy about 50% less now because they aren't over using and wasting it.
(hint - even if you don't like the brand these pumps are great find on a a clearance isle and put your own product in it, it will save you time from shopping less and money from wasting it)
I now use my dish soap that I buy in a "regular" bottle and put in in a "pretty" pump bottle. Again, less waste and it looks pretty!
2) Laundry Soap (and dish soap) Packs - not liquid or powder. No matter how many "loads" the package always says I don't feel like I ever that much out of the package. It might say 105 loads but it still only lasted me 2 months and with the average 10 loads a week... that just doesn't add up. These new Packs are great. They really do last 105 loads. It's way awesome... another very cool thing.. it takes up less space, and it's way lighter! I hate carrying heavy detergent up stairs to the laundry room. Yep.. I'm that lazy.
3) Reusable Lunch containers - save the earth, and save buying baggies, plastic forks, and snack sized everything. Just buy regular packaged things and put what you need into divided boxes. It cost more for less when you buy snacked sized things, and most times they are more "processed". Personally love this product and this mom entrepreneur who created them! You can buy it through the link below.
As for drinks... we use a thermos with chocolate milk (just like the ones they get at school) but I buy it by the half gallon or gallon.
4) Use a cloth towel instead - Paper towels get expensive. Good back to the "good ole' days" and use a hand towel instead. Yes, you have a bit more laundry, but hey your saving money on detergent now so that helps :) Plus less paper towels, means less $, also less trash, which in turns means less trash bags and trips taking it out. All around a good idea! I have put an extra (well ventilated) trash can in my pantry that we put towels that need washing so it's easy to grab a clean one and keep germs to a minimum. I also use wash clothes (old rags) to clean with instead of "cleaning wipes".
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