Showing posts with label frugal living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frugal living. Show all posts

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent Powder

       


 Do you know what ingredients are in your dishwasher detergent?  I know exactly what is in mine because I make my own dishwasher detergent! Most store-bought dishwasher detergents contain carcinogens, which are toxic.  Yes, they help prevent hard water stains and preserve the detergent so it will last longer but at what cost?!  

             I like to make my own so I can control what goes into it but also so I can save money.  It is very economical to make your own detergent and is less toxic too.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Powder

 

 1 c. Borax

1 c. washing soda

1 c. baking soda

1/2 c. sea salt

2 envelopes unsweetened lemonade (such as Kool-aid brand)

10-12 drops lemon essential oil


    Most recipes out on the internet calls for citric acid and that is something most people do not have on hand or costs more than I want to spend so I use the Kool-Aid lemonade packets instead.  There is citric acid in them so it is just as good and definitely more economical.  The citric acid helps to get dishes cleaner and without spots. 

    The essential oil smells lovely and lemon essential oil has disinfectant properties. 

    To make the detergent powder, place all ingredients into an air tight container like a canning jar and shake well.  Use 1 tablespoon for normal loads or 2 tablespoons for extra heavy or extra dirty loads.  

     Also, if your plastic ware ever has a white residue on them, fill up your rinse aid area with white vinegar and your problems will be solved.  

 


 

    Other frugal blog posts I have made that you should check out include: Homemade Air Freshener (similar to Febreze), Making your own DIY Foaming Hand Soap, Homemade Laundry Detergent, and Homemade Fabric Softener.


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Sunday, December 29, 2013

The Year in Review: 2013 on Countrified Hicks

   Two thousand and thirteen has been a great year for my blog and all of it social media connections.  On Facebook, we reached 5000 fans and the blog itself has had visits from over 134 different countries this year!  Amazing, isn't it?! And this post is my 200th post of the blog so lots of milestones are being made or met.
Here are some Top 10 lists from 2013.

Top 10 Visiting Countries

  1. United States
  2. Canada
  3. Germany
  4. Russia
  5. Poland
  6. France
  7. United Kingdom
  8. Australia
  9. Iran
  10. Latvia

Top 10 Most Viewed Recipes



Top 10 Most Viewed Frugal Living Posts

  1. Frugal Living:  How a family of 4 live off $1300 a month (over 57,000 page views this year)
  2. Homemade Fabric Softener recipe
  3. Cheap flea killer for dogs
  4. How we do laundry in the country
  5. Homemade laundry detergent
  6. Frugal living:  Waste Not
  7. How to make instant oatmeal packets
  8. How to save money
  9. Homemade Play-Doh
  10. Frugal Living Video Blog #2:  Don't waste nothin'

    What was your favorite post of mine this year?  If a post does not look familiar to you, I encourage you to go read it and see why my followers liked it so much.   Also, on the top right is a place you can sign up for my posts to come directly to your email so you never miss a post.  I encourage you to do so.  
Thank you for a great year!




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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Homemade "TV" Dinners

   Today I am going to share with you another one of my frugal tips on what to do with your leftovers.  I often do freezer meals and do them in a large cake pan.  Our family does not eat like it used to and often, we may have over a half of a cake pan leftover.  Sure, we may grab a bit for a late night snack or eat it for lunch the next day but that is it.  Instead of wasting it, I put it in a divided container with some vegetables and freeze it for a homemade "TV" type dinner.
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   This works out great.  If you have one or two pieces of chicken left-over or just a bit of meatloaf, put it in the tray, add a side dish and freeze.  Now if you ever need it, there are nutritional, single-sized meals that just need to be microwaved.  So much cheaper and better than the TV dinners you can buy and there is no waste.  Another idea is pack one in your husband's lunch instead of a sandwich!

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Friday, January 11, 2013

How to save money

    Recently, I received an email from a follower who needed some money saving ideas.  Many of them I have posted before but came up with some more and decided to post here for everyone.  If you have an idea that is not here, please leave a comment.  Let's help each other save some money.


  • Try to limit your driving. Your hubby driving to work is a necessity but if you need to drop off mail, go to the library, pay a bill, or go to the grocery store, have him do these things on the way to work or on the way home to limit your gas usage.
  • Also, NEVER buy from a convenience store. Plan ahead so you don't have to buy overpriced items there.
  • If you or your hubby buy fountain drinks, coffee, etc. stop. Pack a thermos. Buy a 2 liter of soda and fill up a cup with ice and pop from home. If you can, cut soda out of your diet. Drink iced tea, coffee, etc. A lot cheaper.
  • For snacks, instead of microwave popcorn, buy a bag of unpopped popcorn and cook it on the stove. A bag is a dollar and can make TONS of popcorn with it. 
  • Try to go to the grocery store once a month or every 2 weeks. The more you go to the grocery store, the more you end up buying. Make a list and stick to the list. Don't splurge shop. Eat before you go and look only for items on your list. 
  • Instead of buying cookies, buy some chocolate chips or peanut butter and make your own.
  • If you really are struggling, cut off the cable and cell phones. Get a straighttalk phone and plan from wal-mart. $30 for 1000 minutes or $45 a month for unlimited.
  • To lower your water bills, drink from the same glass all day long and wash it only at night (instead of using a different one all day). Some families only flush after a bowel movement and close the lid at all times. 
  • Wash clothes only when they are truly dirty. If they are a bit musty, throw them in the dryer with a dryer sheet for 15 minutes to freshen them.  Or in the warmer months, wash your laundry outside and hang on the line to dry like we do here
  • Check your dryer often. Don't overdry the clothes and waste electricity.
  • If you use a dishwasher, turn it off before the end heat cycle and let the dishes dry naturally to save electricity.
  • Make your own dishwasher soap, fabric softener and laundry soap. This saves a LOT of money.
  • Instead of buying boxed mac and cheese, rice-a-roni, etc. Buy rice or pasta and make it yourself. You get a lot more for your money and it tastes better too.
  • Make your own bread and pizza's instead of ordering out or buying frozen.  Tastes so much better!
  • Use freecyle. If you need a dresser, clothes, or whatever, post to freecycle what you need and see if you can get it free first. You'd be surprised.
  • If you have stuff to sale, take it to a consignment store or even better, post it online on Facebook at your local "garage sale" page. For example, for my area "Talihina yard sale page, or Leflore Country yard sale page". You can sell about anything. Your jeans that don't fit anymore and you get more than you would at a consignment shop or garage sale generally.
  • Buy generic. Check labels and if it is the same, buy it cheaper. Check wal-mart's 88 cent aisle for cheap meds. They have alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, cold meds, etc. for 88 cents. Ask pharmacy people to direct you to them.
  • Instead of your hubby buying lunch, send him a lunch to work. It doesn't have to be just a sandwich. Get creative. Most employers have a refrigerator and microwave so you can send just about anything. Add a little love note in with it to really brighten his day!
  • Buy bagged potatoes and use for side dishes instead of box items. Make french fries, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, etc. It is more work but you get a lot more for your money. Also, if potatoes or onions are on sale, put them in panty hose and put them in your closet. They can save like that for up to 9 months.


    • That is how you do the onions and potatoes. Tie a knot between each one and cut off one when you need it. I tie 3-4 potatoes together though instead of individually. Also, if you buy a green pepper or onion and you don't use it all, dice it up and freeze it in a baggie for next time so you have no waste.
    • Cutting down on sodas and eating out will save you the most. Before you buy anything, ask yourself if you really need it or if you have to eat out, do you need a $8 meal or can you buy a $1 burger from McD's to hold you over until you get home. Or hey, your kids want a bag of Doritos. They cost $4.00. Is it worth $4 or say "hey, let's buy a bag potatoes (for french fries) and a pound of hamburger meat and we can have hamburgers and french fries for the same cost". When I am out and think about buying a fountain soda, I always ask myself, what else could I use that $2 for? Makes you really reconsider purchases.
    • As far as clothes, shoes, etc. buy used when you can or get it free from freecycle. Shop 2nd hand stores, etc.
        Here are a few more posts to help you:


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    Thursday, August 2, 2012

    Monthly Grocery Shopping in Pictures!

       I have blogged in the past about how I only shop once a month.  I have been asked a lot of questions but one people keep saying is "I would love to see that".  Well, here you go.

    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Groceries on the bed
         This may not look like a lot of groceries but mind you, this is a KING sized bed and it is full from side-to-side and end-to-end.  I drive an older Mercury Sable and my trunk and back seat were full and I had to call my mother-in-law to meet us at the store because I had no more room in my car.  We filled up her trunk also.  I usually am not able to get this much but I found a LOT of sales.  I spent the exact same as always but got more (We live on a strict budget).

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    Baking supplies

         These are the baking supplies I buy for a month.  Some months I buy more of one thing and other month's I buy less.  I actually ran out of brown sugar and powdered sugar last month so I bought 2 bags a piece this month.  I also bought a 25 lb. bag of flour and a 25 lb. bag of sugar this month.  Again, I usually do not buy that much but after all the good sales I found, I had extra money and I like to stock up when I can.


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    Cabbage and leaf lettuce.

        I know that looks like very little produce but we do have a garden.  We also do our own canning and dehydrating so we did not buy much produce this month.


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    Canned goods
        This is the canned goods we bought this month.  That is mainly soups, etc.  I did not buy any canned veggies this month.  I could not find any on sale and we have plenty still on the shelves.  If I had found some on sale, regardless of how many I had back stocked, I would have bought more.

    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Cereal
         We bought a total of 7 boxes of cereal.  I have one little one that does not eat omelets, breakfast burritos, breakfast quinoa, etc. so he eats a lot of cereal for breakfast instead.  Please do not write me and complain about the sugary cereals I purchased.  We try to eat healthy but if he won't eat it, I am not going to waste my money.


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    Cheese
         There are 2 bags of mozzarella shredded cheese and 6 bags of shredded cheddar cheese and one pkg. of sliced cheese.  We use a lot of cheese in the baking that I do.  Cheese makes everything better.  :-)   I have at least 5 other packages of shredded cheddar already in my freezer because last month they had them 50 cents a bag (yes, you read that right) and I bought a BUNCH!


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Potato Chips
        Again, I know potato chips are not the healthiest thing to buy but we do not eat them as a snack.  I have MS and we eat soup and sandwiches for one meal a day and I let everyone have potato chips with their sandwiches.  I bought 6 bags to last the month.


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    Crackers...
         We do eat a lot of soup, yes, even in the summertime so we need crackers.  I bought 4 boxes of regular crackers and the oyster crackers are for when I cook chili.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    French fries and hashbrowns
          I use hashbrowns in a breakfast casserole and the french fries in a supper time casserole.



    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    The meats
         This is the meat I bought for the month.  Four packages of lunchmeat for our sandwiches.  Two whole chickens, lots of round steak (we make steak fingers, etc.), it was on sale.  I bought those packages you see on the left middle for $2.00 or less a package.  Three packages of sausage (on sale for $1.98 a pkg.) and misc. other things.  The corn dogs were an added purchase because of all the sales I could buy a treat for the family.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
        Yes, I bought a lot.  Fifty-four boxes in fact.  They had these on sale again this month for 3 boxes for $1.00.  How can I pass that up?!  Add them to the ones we bought last month and did not eat all of we now have 92 boxes of the stuff.  They taste good and make a great side dish.  If we eat one a day, then we have enough for the next three months.  Good shopping I think.  (Yes, the store still had plenty when I left.  As I already said, they had these on sale since last month so people have had sufficient time to buy some if they wanted some).  Normally even generic brand costs 2 for a $1.00 so this is an awesome purchase.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Juice
         Five bottles of juice and 2 things of grapefruit juice.  I normally don't buy grapefruit juice but these were on sale for 50 cents each.  Naturally, I bought 2 of them.  Not our favorite to drink but a coffee cup size for breakfast will be a nice change. I give my boys one glass of juice a day so these should last a month.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Milk
         We normally do not buy soy milk but the store had these on sale for 50 cents a piece.  They are one quart size so basically just $2.00 a gallon.  WAY cheaper than regular milk.  Even if everyone in the house does not like the taste, I can still use it in cooking, etc.  There were actually 3 more of the Silk Milk that is not pictured here.  So I bought a total of four gallons.  We freeze our milk to last the month.  I have 2 more boxes of milk still from last month, another gallon in the refrigerator and 2 more in the freezer.  We also keep powdered milk on hand in case of emergencies.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Misc. stuff
        This is a shot of misc. items.  Peanut butter, creamer, spices, beans, etc.  You get the idea.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Potatoes
        We are Southerners and love our taters.  The smaller bags of small, new potatoes were on sale for 99 cents a bag.  I still have 5 lbs. of potatoes left over from last month.  We did not get too many taters from the garden this year so have to supplement it.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Rice and quinoa
         A 5 lb. bag of rice and a bag of quinoa.  We use rice for burritos, side dishes, breakfast, etc.  The quinoa  I use to make breakfast quinoa.


    once-a-month shopping, grocery shopping, grocery list, how to shop just once a month, frugal blog, frugal living,
    Ronny and Scooby Snacks
       My son was THRILLED that I bought him a box of "Scooby" snacks.  We had a little extra and he helped so much at the store I couldn't deny him this purchase.

       BTW, I realize that this is a lot of processed food but I am disabled (with MS) and am currently not able to make my own bread and cook properly.  If and when my health improves, I will go back to buying things differently.  Please refrain from harsh comments...

        Thanks for allowing me to share with you!

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