Well here is part 2, hope you have found a few new ideas to help save money. In the upcoming weeks, I will be showing how to make and do some of these things.  Have a great day.  You can go here for pt. 1

With the rising inflation and everything getting more and more expensive every day, from fuel, food,  utilities, and everything in between we have to make our dollars stretch more and more. And saving every penny we can is more important than ever. Financial advisers all over are warning that a recession is only months away ( you can read it here).  When that happens it is going to be more important than ever to know how to make do and save everywhere you can.

Saving as much as we can where ever we can.  Here is a list of some of the things you can do to save money. Some are pretty extreme and some are pretty simple just depends on where you are and how much you need to save. Someone out of work or barely making ends meet is going to need to save a lot more than someone not in such a bad situation. Remember the more you have the more you can put back, pay off bills or add to your deep pantry. This is part one tomorrow I will post part two. In the weeks to come, I will be showing you how to do and make some of these things. 

Hygiene Products

1. Make your own Toothpaste.
2. Make your own deodorant.
3. Make your own lotion.
4. Make your soap.
5. Make your own Hair spray.
6. Make your own mousse.
7. Make your own Shave cream.
8. Make your own Shampoo.
9. I get my razor blades from the dollar store. They have blades that fit the old handles, which I have several of. You could also use an electric razor.
10. Use Luna Pads you can make your own or buy them. I know a lot of people have problems with this, but they are so much better for you they don’t have all the horrible chemicals that the disposables have.
11. And another controversial item is the family cloth, way cheaper even if you just use it for a pee. This is where that 1 dollar bag of rags comes in handy wash with bleach when you get them home then cut into 8×8 squares. To wash soak in a solution of bleach water then just throw in with your whites and wash in hot water.

Clothing.

1. Mend things that need to be mended, small rips, buttons, etc.
2. Patch larger holes, Some of Andy’s pants are more patch then pant lol.
3. Make your own clothes, As I mentioned before I made a lot of my kid’s clothes when they were smaller, I have also made a lot of my own, even the girl’s homecoming and Prom dresses. You can even make your own underwear and T-shirts.
4. Again shop 2^nd hand and yard sales. You can get something from the 2^nd hand store and redo it to your liking. One of Katie’s homecoming dresses was only 15 dollars but needed some work, It was all white with feathers, it was missing feathers, beads,tulle and the zipper was broken and she had wanted red and white ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­This was how it turned out, pretty good for a 15 dollar dress.
5. Darn your socks, If you have high-dollar socks this is an option, on cheaper socks sometimes it is more trouble than worth but if money is super tight then it is an option.
6. Crochet or knit your own slippers, sweaters, socks, scarves, ear warmers, hats, blankets etc.
7. Alter clothes that don’t fit.
8. Make your own starch for ironing.
9. Make your own Fabreeze.
10. Have a clothing swap with friends, for kids’ clothes and your own.
11. Buy plain inexpensive shirts and pants and embellish yourself.
12. Save your old jeans and clothes to use for patches, quilts and reuse the buttons off of things.
13. Sometimes it is cheaper to get something at the 2^nd hand for the buttons than to buy new buttons. Especially if they are fancy buttons.

Vehicles

1. Keep fluids checked and filled.
2. Keep correct tire pressure.
3. Change your own oil. I remember when I was younger my Mom always changed her own oil.
4. Clean and vacuum it yourself.
5. Wash it yourself at home, Use a bucket of water to wash it with, then rinse, don’t keep the water running though.
6. Keep a small tote with wipes, water, and snacks in your vehicle for kids so you are not tempted to go thru the drive through.
7. Plan and combine your trips so you are not making several trips a week.
8. Shop around for insurance every couple years, chances are you can find something cheaper.
9. Buy used instead of new the minute you drive it off the lot it loses a ton of value.
10. Try to pay cash so you don’t have the interest to pay.
11. If you can’t pay cash try to have a large down so you don’t have as much interest to pay. 

Entertainment

1. Cut the cable and satellite. We use antenna T.V. but as I said before we don’t watch much T.V. We do have Netflix which is under 20 dollars a month, a whole lot cheaper than cable and we can find something to watch when we want.
2. Use the library for books and movies.
3. If you absolutely want a certain book buy it second-hand. I have a couple of authors that I like to collect so I wait and get the books second hand you can save a ton doing this.
4. Wait for a new release to come out on video.
5. If you just have to see the new release go to the matinee and eat before you go so you don’t need snacks.
6. Look for inexpensive date night activities the internet is full of ideas.
7. Can’t really afford to go camping, have a camping night in the backyard. Kids love this.
8. Take the kids to the park to play have a picnic and feed the ducks.
9. Have a picnic in the backyard,
10. Look for inexpensive or free local plays and concerts. During the summer our town has free music in the park once a week.
11. Plan staycations, with the cost of fuel and the rising cost of everything, look around where you live more than likely there is something that you haven’t done or visited.

Medical

1. Stay in shape, you are a lot more healthy when you are in shape,
2. Use herbs for medicinal purposes.
3. If you have an emergency go to the urgent care, they are faster and a whole lot cheaper than the E.R..
4. When you go to the Doctor and get a prescription ask if they have some samples you could take instead.
5. Ask if you get a discount for paying with cash.
6. Try to buy your herbs and some of your vitamins in bulk in powder form then make your own capsules.
7. Make your own cough drops, cough syrup, salves, and ointments.
8. Learn some basic 1^st aid so you don’t have to run to the doctor for something minor.
9. Learn more about herbs there is so much you can heal and help with them.

In the Yard and Garden

1. Put everything on a drip system.
2. Plant things that produce something in your yard, no sense in watering something that doesn’t give back. Fruit trees, herbs, berry bushes, even tuck a veggie in somewhere.
3. Cut your own grass. Many years ago I lived in a mobile home Park and the grass couldn’t be over a certain height or they would cut it for you and not for cheap, well my lawn mower was broken so I cut my grass with scissors for several weeks. (Not Fun, especially the week they went ahead and cut it, after I had used the scissors on it lol.)  
4. Make your own patio furniture, use pallets or other inexpensive materials once again all kinds of ideas on the internet.
5. Use solar lights in your yard for light.
6. Use your grass clipping to make compost, along with kitchen scraps. 
7. Use mulch to help keep the water from drying out as fast.
8. Save seeds to use next year.
9. Start your own seeds indoors instead of buying small plants.
10. Water in the early morning or late evening.
11. Use gray water to water trees and bushes.
12. Ask friends and neighbors for plant starts and cuttings.
13. When patio furniture cushions wear out recover them, new cushions are expensive.

Holidays and Birthdays

1. Plan your child’s Birthday party at home or the park, there are all kinds of low-cost do it your self-ideas for kids party’s on the internet. A couple I did for the girls was a puppy party and an under the sea. The kids loved them and they didn’t cost very much.
2. Give homemade gifts for holidays and Birthdays, something from the kitchen, sewn, crocheted, woodwork, etc.
3. Large family, draw names and put a limit on the spending.
4. Buy wrapping paper and decorations after Christmas on markdown, look for some that you can use year-round. ( like red ribbon it can be used for valentines, and find wrapping paper that can also be used year-round.)
5. Need a gift bag get one from the dollar store for a dollar or make your own out of wrapping paper or make your own.
6. Make your own party and holiday decorations.
7. Have the kids make their own Easter baskets, or if you buy them get containers that they can reuse.
8. Make your own Halloween costumes.
9. Make your own greeting cards and gift tags.
10. Instead of eating out for birthdays fix their favorite meal instead.
11. Instead of buying a birthday cake make their favorite dessert or make the cake yourself.

Save on fuel. I did a post on this a while back but thought I would go ahead and include it here since fuel just keeps getting higher with no end in sight.

1. . Plan ahead before you leave home, make a plan. With a plan, you won’t be doing a lot of back and forth. Look at where you need to go and make a plan so you are not going back and forth in an area.
2.  Carpool. Try to carpool whenever possible. If you live close to a co-worker try to work out a carpool, Also try to work with other parents to get kids to sports and after-school activities.
3.  Combine trips. Look at everywhere you need to go to for the next couple of weeks and try to do it all in one trip.
4.  Use google maps. To find shorter routes or less traffic areas.
5.  Alternative modes of transportation. Use a bike or walk if you live close to your destination.
6.  Maintain your vehicle. Keep your tire pressure at the manufactured recommended PSI. It has been shown that if tires are not at the correct pressure it can use more gas.
7.  Use Cruise control. Curse control can help keep from unnecessary acceleration which uses more gas.
8.  Go the speed limit. The slower you go the less gas you use. This is why during the 70″s gas crises they mandated a country-wide speed limit of 55.
9.  Use A.C. as little as possible. The Air Conditioner uses extra gas so try to roll down the windows for cooler air. Or if possible travel before it gets hot.
10.  Don’t idle. If you know you are going to be somewhere for an extended time turn off the vehicle.
11.  Run errands in less traffic time. If at all possible run errands during low traffic times, this will cut down on stops, starts, and speeding up and slowing down.
12. . Staycations As you are planning this year’s vacations look for fun things to do in your area instead of traveling a long distance.
13.  Work from home if possible. I know some of you have been able to do and a lot are starting to return to the office, you might see if it is possible to work from home even if only a day or so.
14.  Public transportation. If you have public transportation you might look into seeing if that would be a more cost-efficient way to get around. Keep in mind though that as fuel increases they will be passing the cost on down.
15.  Shop once or twice a month. Try to do all your shopping only once or twice a month.
16.  Freeze bread and milk. If you shop only once or twice a month you can freeze your bread and milk to keep it fresher longer. There are also ways to keep fresh produce fresh longer, I will do a separate post on that in the next few days.
17. . Order online. Order online for delivery you will have to see if it is cheaper, in the long run, to do this or pick up items on a monthly shipping trip.
18.  Order pick up and share with a friend. Where I live we don’t have an option for delivery if you are in the same situation you could get with a friend or two from the same area and take turns picking up each other’s grocery orders.
19.  Gas rewards. Several stores and gas stations have gas rewards, get the cards and use them.
20.  Swag bucks for gift cards. If you are on the internet very much you can use swagbucks and earn gift cards which you could use for gas.
21.  Reduce the weight in your vehicle, Get as much weight out of your vehicle as you can. If it doesn’t need to be in it get it out. The more weight the more gas it takes to move it.
22.  Fill up the first of the week. So I don’t really know if at this time this is a thing. But used to they would recommend filling up at the first of the week because that is when gas prices were the lowest. As I mentioned I don’t know if that is a thing right now since they are upping the price every few hours (or so it seems).
23.  Gas buddy. When looking for gas use gas buddy to find the cheapest gas in your area.
24.  Don’t go way out of your way for cheaper gas, the money you save you will just spend on gas to get there.
25.  Find things to do at home. Stop eating out and look for ways to entertain yourselves at home instead of going out. Or at least cut back on outside activities.
26.  Coast to stop signs and red lights. When you know you are going to have to stop coast to the stopping/red light not only will this save on gas it will save wear and tear on your breaks.

Miscellaneous and Things I forgot to add to the different categories.

1. Grow your own sprouts, very easy and very inexpensive.
2. Recover your furniture or buy slipcovers way cheaper than new furniture. I am in the process of recovering mypatio furniture.
3. Have rugs, sheets, towels, and clothes that you don’t like the color of just dye them.
4. Trade daycare with a friend.
5. Make your own vinegar.
6. Want decorative candles, buy cheap plain ones and embellish yourself.
7. Save your bacon grease to cook with. I use bacon grease in my green beans best thing ever.
8. Make your own hankies to use instead of Kleenexes, you can use old t-shirts they work great and are so much easier on the nose.
9. Do your own taxes there are a lot of programs out there to help do this and it is so much cheaper than paying someone to do them for you.  I have always done my own taxes from when they were simple to now when we have the farm, daycare personnel and couple of other things.
10. I know a lot of people like the Swiffer products if you use these make your own pads, and refill the cleaner with your own cleaner.
11. If you have light fixtures that use more than one bulb just use one or two instead of all of them.
12. Instead of a gym membership download a free workout program on your computer, phone, or tablet, Youtube has really good ones.
13. If you don’t use your cell phone a lot buy a track phone they make nice ones now and are a lot cheaper than some plans.
14. Refill your ink cartridges I haven’t had very good luck with this but I know some people who that is all they do.
15. Assign everyone a Towel for the week to use, you just got out of the shower how dirty can your towel get.
16. Use rechargeable batteries.
17. If you feed animals (chickens, goats, horses ext.) sprout their feed it extends it and adds more nutritional value to it.
18. Get out of debt so you are not paying crazy interest rates, go check out Dave Ramsey to see how.
19. Get a toaster oven. This way you don’t have to heat the whole kitchen and it uses less energy ( Thanks NRP for reminding me of this one.
20. Check your swap and sale sites. I have found some really good deals on our swap and sale FB page. 
21. Upcycle your leftovers, I have gotten very creative with leftovers. One thing I do is if we have leftover spaghetti I will add cheese and put in a casserole dish put it in the oven and bake till the cheese is melted.
22. Be on the outlook for Birthday and Christmas gifts all year long. If you can find a good sale on something that would make a nice gift not only are you having money but time and stress at the holiday season.

If you have any ideas not posted here please share. Love to hear your ideas and comments. In the upcoming weeks, I will be showing how to make and do some of these things. If you would like you could subscribe to the email and not miss any of them. Have a great day.