Went to a coupon class the other night . . . .

[chickenvirgin]

schellie69 wrote:
1 bar fels naptha soap (you can also use any bar soap you want dove, ivory ect)
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda
1 cup baking soda (use this due to babies and teenage boys)
grate soap and mix with 2 cups water heat until soap is melted
fill 5 gallon bucket half full with hot water add other ingredients when soap is melted add to bucket then finish fill with hot water mix well let set over night then stir will be semi jelled. used about 2 table spoons per load it comes out to less then a penny a load I love this stuff my son has eczema and my daughter also has skin problems but can use this soap no problems. it last me 7 months, I have 11 people living here. it works great


How is this recipe in hard well water?

 

[asher]

Warning on the home made laundry detergents. If you/your family has a history of asthma/breathing issues, they do not recommend it for them. My son didn't have any problems, but we did stop once I found out about it because I didn't want to take the chance.

 

[lockedhearts]

Being unemployed, I definitely try to use coupons, sales and anything else to save money. I would love to have the information if you don't mind.

 

[schellie69]

Quote:
my son has asthma so does our roommate no problem with either one of them I never heard about any problems with using the soap and breathing I know the clothes smell less chemicals then when I use the store bought soap. I love it the clothes smell really clean.

 

[eastbaychicks]

So I love this blog hip2save.com for couponing. I simply save up the inserts in the paper, date them and then watch for deals here. She doesn't do groceries, so I have to do that on my own, but it's pretty easy. I love getting free or next to free razors, soap and random drugstore stuff that always adds up so fast! Good luck.

 

[Quillgirl]

If you hate cutting and organizing coupons (I do), then you will LOVE couponmom.com! No cutting or organizing. Just save the coupon inserts (red plum, smart source, P&G, Kellogs, etc.) from the sunday paper, and/or download those from cellfire into your store loyalty card, or print online coupons.

Each week, when making your grocery list, go to couponmom.com, pull up your state and your store (Publix, Kroger, Wallgrenes, etc.) and the store deals for the week are listed with little check boxes next to them. If there are coupons that are a match up with the specials/sales, those are displayed on the list so that you are not only aware of all the sales at the store before you go, you are also directed to cut out the particular coupons you need for that trip. This often doubles or triples your savings. It's really very easy if you watch the video "how-to" on the couponmom webpage.

If you need to buy something not on the weekly flyer list for the store (meaning it's not a special at the store that week) you can pull up a database of ALL coupons that have been issued and are not yet expired. For example: ask it to show all "juice" coupons. Anything that's juice will display so you can see if the brand you like or were planning to buy has a coupon in a past insert. Then you go to that insert, clip it and use it.

I pretty much always look around on the shelf before I toss something in my cart. I don't buy just because I brought a coupon for something. If there is a better value on the shelf (generic, or store brand) and I find it an acceptable substitute, I can decide to ditch the coupon for it. But sometimes the coupon value, coupled with a store sale on a name brand, beats the generic price. It's not unusual to walk away with a free item or two on every shopping trip.

There is a strategy at work, and it's a little bit like a fun game for me. I don't mind it because it takes so little effort...the info is already organized for me on couponmom.com. All I have to do is keep the coupon inserts each week, make a grocery list by clicking boxes and cutting out the coupons that match. When you print the list at the end, it even calculates the savings.

My family of 4 eats really well. We don't scrimp on groceries or meat or much of anything, and pretty much get what we want. Our bills went from about $150 per week to around $80 per week. (And I rarely buy generic unless I know for sure it's comparable quality.) Some weeks I am so stocked up with freezer and pantry items, I skip a week other than milk and a few fresh vegs. from the farmers market. Those weeks we get by on around $20. I tell you, this works! If I were REALLY frugal, I'll bet I could push our grocery bill down to around $40 per week or less.

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

Quote:
I have hard water and a front loader and have been using a similar recipe for two years with no issue. It is very fine and dusty so I wear a mask when making, but it lasts so long this is only like every 6-8 months so I am not that worried about it.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

My hubby makes our own detergent and the recipe is basically the same as above, minus the baking soda. I have found that this works much, much better than store bought and is MUCH cheaper. Also, using this recipe (I use Ivory, as I have MAJOR scent and dye allergies) I have stopped using fabric softner. I don't need it with this.

Washing soda can be bought at grocery stores, usually in the laundry detergent isle right with the Borax. The brand I use (and the only one I have been able to find here) is Arm and Hammer. It IS different than baking soda, so you can't replace it with baking soda.

Also, you can use the grated soap, borax, and washing soda as a powdered detergent. Just mix it together in a bowl and use about a tablespoon.

 

[WriterofWords]

Count me in that info, it sounds great!