Homemade Dish/ Laundry Soap

I attempted to make my first batch of laundry soap last week. Why, you say??? To save money, why else? So far I am pleased with the laundry soap, not so much with the dishwasher soap.


How To:
Grate one bar of soap (your choice) many recommend Ivory.


Mix 1 cup Borax w/ 1 cup of Washing Soda.
Add grated soap. 


Use 2 Tablespoons per load.


* I had a hard time finding the Washing Soda, finally found it at Homeland.

If you want to be frugal try these! A.K.A. "Save a Buck Sunday"

One of my favorite books is the Tightwad Gazette. If you don't own it and you are striving to be frugal you must own this book. It is awesome! One suggestion that it has is using TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) as a meat substitute. I have wanted to try it for some time but have not had the courage to do so, until tonight! My SIL was over and we were trying the Millet I had made and then I brought out the TVP. We soaked it and then she so bravely tasted it first, it was not bad at all! We both agreed that it could easily serve as a meat sub in many dishes. Not that I am against using meat, I'm just always looking for ways to save a buck. It is about a dollar a pound and it is much healthier than actual meat. Less fat more fiber etc... I must add that she has texture issues and still liked it! We were trying it with a little seasonings etc... I think it will be much better in an actual recipe. If anyone would like to share your experiences I'd love to hear!


Now on to the Millet. This is a grain that is similar to wheat, yet is gluten free! Yipee! It reminds me of cous cous. It is prepared like you would prepare rice. Tonight I tried it with butter. Thats as far as I got. I am going to look for some good recipes to use it in. Once again very cheap. One bag cost $.99 at Cao Nguyen (Asian food store off Classen). I know it is possible to make a flat bread with it so I will be researching that. I'm starting to get tired of corn tortillas! I have yet to make a good gluten-free bread, even though I have a great recipe for one. I have a strange fear of making bread for some reason???

By the way, I have an idea of starting a "Save a Buck Sunday" post. Basically you would post a frugal idea that you have and use, on Sundays. Similar to the "Random Thoughts Thursday", "Flashback Friday", etc... join in if you'd like!

March Money Madness Progress...

So far so good! Our family has not eaten out since the last day of February! It was a little challenging at first... I really wanted to get something at McD's for lunch this last week, I resisted! Today was a challenge today too, Sophie has been sick this weekend and I just wanted to run and get some tacos... once again I resisted. We DID eat at home. I have estimated that we have saved at least $75.00 since the first of the month. We usually eat out on Sunday's at $25.00 a pop... and that's actually on the low end.

Once again this is most difficult for me. I have been amused by my son and his comments. He is actually supportive of the whole thing. He tends to like things that are different and a challenge. Unless it involves sports... that's a different story.

Until next time!

March Money Madness

Praise God I believe Davis is over the virus that hung on for 2 1/2 weeks. Thank you for praying and for all of the encouraging comments!

On to the title of my post. As many of you know I strive to be frugal... and at times I fail. I have an obsession with learning ways to be a"tightwad", "miserly mom", whatever you want to call it. I call it smart. Anyways, after looking at the budget I had the grand idea of NOT eating out for the whole month of March...David said we will call it March Money Madness, in efforts to save money of course. As I have written previously we spend waaaaaay to much eating out. I am too afraid to add it up to be honest... it will depress me. Even since being diagnosed with Celiac I have found some things that I can tolerate, and I have indulged. I haven't been taking my lunch to work as often and McD's has gotten the best of me....I can actually have their fries, so I have taken it upon myself to have them a couple of times per week. Ugh!

So starting today we are not eating out for 31 days! Oh my! What will I do over Spring Break? I guess we will pack an ice chest when we travel....hmmm... haven't thought of this one yet. Some of you may be thinking that this is crazy and it would be a cinch for your family... I am so proud of you! Some of you may agree you eat out too much. Feel free to leave your comments. I'd love to hear your thoughts and encouragement!

Today was tough on the kids, we always eat out on Sunday w/ family... today we declined. The kids threw fits, but they were short lived thank goodness. In all honesty this challenge will be most difficult for me.

I must go, the lasagna needs to be taken out of the oven!

* A good friend questioned why I didn't do it for February since there is only 28 days... good point! To late now.