I was elated to find out that Martha Stewart was a fraud. I mean she isn’t perfect. I am far from perfection but I always pictured her having the right everything for every occasion. I have my moments of greatness and several that are pitiful. I did however decide once a week I will cook a different meal  which appears in my Wednesday column and I am now adding Domestic chores to my list of talents. This week I will attempt to tackle the laundry. The laundry pile is larger than my son standing up. This is caused by the messiest children ever. I am also Madame Deals so tackling the laundry means doing so “with in” the budget. I can buy laundry detergent using coupons for a lot less than most. The problem is my youngest has an adverse reaction to laundry soap. I decided this week I was going to make my own. I went to Walmart and was able to buy all the ingredients. I then ran into Lowes and bought a 5 gallon bucket and top.

 Dial Corp. 04303 Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap

 Church & Dwight Co 03020 Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

Dial Corporation 76Oz 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Pretreater

The total price is $20.14. I would buy several Fel Naptha Laundry Bar soaps at $1.42.  That will bring your total up to $25. I believe if you buy 5 bars total that you will have enough ingredients to make your laundry soap for an entire year. That breaks down to $2.00 a month. You could also split the cost between 3 or 4 friends.  This would honestly make a great gift to someone who who is trying to make ends meet or to someone who just had a baby or someone who is using expensive laundry soap because they have allergies.

Here is the recipe:

I used The Duggar Recipe for my first try.

I decided to make the yield of 10 gallons into two different 5 gallon buckets so I didn’t have to worry about watering it down later. I was also attempting to make my friend a bucket at the same time. If you only want to make a 5 gallon option and then water it down prior to use then do not do what I am doing.

Grate one bar of the Fel Naphta soap into a sauce pan of water.  You will need to set the temperature at medium heat. You can also use your food processor to grate the soap. You will do so until the soap dissolves.

I filled the bucket with the 2 cups of hot tap water. (Do 4 in one bucket if you are going to transfer your mixture to a laundry bottle and add water)

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add 1/2 of the melted soap in each bucket,  with 1/2 cup of the washing soda in each bucket and 1/4 cup of the Borax.

Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

If you did not make two 5 gallon buckets then:

Before heading to the grocery store, I checked the Food Lion deals and printed coupons for many items on my list.  Savings $8.34

It was time for an oil change.  After making an appointment with our dealership, I used a ValPak coupon and paid for the service with our Owner Advantage Rewards.  This amounted to a FREE oil change!  Savings $38.78

Our front loading washing machine was acting up, stopping mid-cycle and displaying an error code.  A quick internet search gave my husband instructions to fix the problem.  I don’t want to think about how much we would have paid someone to come out and fix it.  Savings $85-150

My husband and I had a rare moment where we were able to have lunch together.  We used a Buy One Get One 50% Off coupon from our local paper to make this treat more affordable.  Savings $2.25

I snagged a Living Social deal for $5 for $10 worth of food at Quiznos.  That will come in handy when we’re in town and want to stop for a quick and CHEAP lunch.  Savings $5

Christmas is right around the corner and I’m just now starting to round up presents.  Amazon offered a great deal on a full set of Harry Potter DVDs earlier this week.  I was able to use some of the Amazon gift cards I earned from SwagBucks to purchase this set.  Savings $60

We’re in the habit of paying cash for gas since our local station offers a 6 cent a gallon discount for cash paying customers.  Savings $1.15

Our local farmer’s market printed a $2 off coupon valid at any vendor.  My daughter and I like go to the market a few times a month and this coupon went toward her beloved loaf of banana bread.  Savings $2

Last but not least, I saved 50% at CVS buying Allegra D, body wash, hand soap and toothpaste.  Regular retail was $29.89.  Savings $14.37

Total savings this week:  $216.89 … which is enough to cover the electric bill!

How have you saved money this week?

Is the Art of dating gone? Do we live in a world where it is okay to text someone to ask them out? The answer is “yes” for some girls. I am still the kind of lady that requires a phone call. I have had a rule that many have failed to follow and that is adore me or be gone. I have to say my husband still follows that same rule that won my heart almost 14 years ago.

It is important to love the one you are with and adore them everyday. It is often difficult in our case with three children, work, travel for work, running a business or two, three children (I know I said that twice but boy oh boy are kids a lot of work), and managing a house. I have to say we often do not set up “dates” often enough. I am encouraged to get ourselves organized now that I have some ideas on childcare options.

This week my husband called me while he was on travel to ask me out. I started laughing at first then I realized he was serious, so after feeling like a goof ball, I accepted. He asked me to go to the movies at home. He is going to pick out something I will like from the library since it is free and then he will make me snacks and dinner. I did suggest the Blockbuster kiosk is $1.

This is very sweet and the reason behind the movie at home date besides saving money is my husband has a difficult time staying awake at the theater and I usually get really upset when he falls asleep during  the movie. He asked me why I am so surprised since on our first date he fell asleep during SCREAM. I’m sure didn’t marry him for his ability to stay awake during movies.

He apparently didn’t marry me for being the shy type, so we’re even. The point is to make an effort with the person you love. That means call them and invite them out even if “out” is dinner and a movie at home. I mean there is a really good chance they will say “yes” so at least the pressure is off.

There are a lot of great local deal sites where you can find something new and exciting to do without breaking the bank.

A little known, but particularly easy, way to earn gift cards is to register your Visa debit and credit cards with Visa Extras Rewards.  Most banks, including the small one where I bank, participate in the program.  Every time you make a purchase, you are awarded points which can be redeemed for hundreds of items, including gift cards.

Many people don’t realize it costs nothing to use your Visa debit card as a “credit card.”  How many times have you gone to the store and been asked “credit or debit?”  Did you know if you use your Visa debit card as “credit” and have it registered with the Visa Extras Rewards, you’ll earn points?  This program costs nothing but truly rewards.

By registering my Visa debit card a few years ago and using it for all my purchases (instead of writing a check), I’ve been able to redeem my points for a number of Barnes & Noble gift cards.  These make great presents for kids, teenagers, parents and friends … and it costs you nothing!

I also use my Visa debit card as “credit” to pay monthly bills and find the points accumulate quickly.  Think about how much you spend for groceries, household items, and monthly bills.

What could you do with these points?

Life has truly become a matter of “making dollars out of change.”

Here are a few of the changes I’ve made:

• shopping with a plan
• organizing my coupons (thanks to the Madame Deals’ Coupon Solution)
• setting “price points” for the things we buy
• maintaining a three-month stockpile
• consistently shopping at only two or three stores (any more would be a waste of time and gas)

I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with each of you and welcome your comments, suggestions, advice and encouragement.

How about you?  What changes have you made …?

Now it’s your turn!
If you are a blogger, write a post about your idea for making dollars out of change.  It can be on any topic as long as it has to do with saving money.  Please link directly to your post and not your homepage.

If you do not have a blog, we still welcome and encourage your participation!  Please leave your thoughts in a comment below!

With the impending snow storm, it became imperative I make an impromptu trip to the mall last night to buy a new winter coat (with a hood) for my daughter. She knew the coat she wanted was at Sears so we headed out to the mall. We lucked out and found the perfect coat!

Then came the fun part … paying for it. The tag read $109.50 which was WAY out of my price range. However, it was hanging on a rack showing a sale price of $50. When we got to the register, I asked the salesclerk if there were any sale flyers with $$ off coupons. Guess what? She pulled out a $10/$50 coupon, scanned it, and SCORE! New winter coat valued at over $100 for less than $50 out of pocket.

We then went to Justice to check the clearance racks. Missy found a shirt she wanted but the price tag read $16.99. I told her we would buy it if the clerk would honor a 40% discount I had seen earlier in the week. Once again, I asked about a discount and GOT IT!

Enough said, it never hurts to ask for a discount (even if you don’t have a coupon in hand).

Now it’s your turn!
If you are a blogger, write a post about your idea for making dollars out of change. It can be on any topic as long as it has to do with saving money. Please link directly to your post and not your homepage.

If you do not have a blog, we still welcome and encourage your participation! Please leave your thoughts in the in a comment below!

This post is linked at My Coupon Teacher. ]]> http://madamedeals.com/making-dollars-out-of-change-it-never-hurts-to-ask/feed/ 1 http://madamedeals.com/making-dollars-out-of-change-do-you-volunteer/ http://madamedeals.com/making-dollars-out-of-change-do-you-volunteer/#comments Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:36:59 +0000 Madame Deals http://madamedeals.com/?p=23675

Do you regularly volunteer?  If so, be sure to keep track of your mileage.  If you itemize your deductions (most homeowners itemize), make a point to check with your tax preparer to determine if the miles driven in connection with your volunteer work are tax deductible.

It’s not to soon to start thinking about potential tax deductions.

If you do not have a blog, we still welcome and encourage your participation! Please leave your thoughts in the in a comment below!

This post is linked at My Coupon Teacher.

One thing that I am excited about this winter is that we should have much lower electric bills! We had the unfortunate experience of needing a new heat pump last spring. Although it was a hefty bill, our electric bill is significantly lower since it is way more efficient.

As the colder weather of winter sets in, you may be thinking of a couple of different things. On one hand, if you’re anything like me, you’re thinking ahead to the holidays and planning special events for your family. On a less exciting note, though, you probably find yourself starting to worry about the hefty heating bills that come with the colder weather. Whether your home uses electricity, propane, or natural gas to heat itself, you can bet that you’re going to see higher utility bills in the coming months.

If the thought of trying to fit higher utility bills into your monthly budget is causing you to freak out a little, try not to panic. Although nothing will completely insulate you from having higher utility bills in the winter, you can follow these three easy tips to try to minimize your increase.

Check for drafts. The biggest threat to your home’s utility heating efficiency has to be the cold air from outdoors. Thoroughly inspect your home, focusing around windows and doors especially, for any gaps or air leaks. Use caulk to plug gaps and install weather stripping around doors to keep your heated air inside the house and the cold air outside the house.

Set your thermostat and leave it alone. Once you’ve chosen the appropriate temperature for your home (we try to stick to sixty-eight degrees), don’t be tempted to bump the thermostat up a degree or two on chilly days. You should also avoid turning the thermostat up when you’re in a hurry to heat the house. Turning up the thermostat won’t make your house heat any faster. (If you have a programmable thermostat, however, you can program the thermostat to drop the temperature in the house when it’s empty or everyone is in bed.)

Use your home’s window dressings to make the most of Mother Nature’s heating system. Open the curtains on southern-facing windows during daylight hours. As soon as the sun sets, though, close the curtains back up to keep the cold night air from chilling the room.

Save On Winter Heating With These Three Tips was reprinted with permission from NotMadeofMoney.com

Now it’s your turn!

If you are a blogger, write a post about your idea for making dollars out of change. It can be on any topic as long as it has to do with saving money. Please link directly to your post and not your homepage.

If you do not have a blog, we still welcome and encourage your participation! Please leave your thoughts in the in a comment below!

This post is linked at My Coupon Teacher.

An easy way to cut down on Holiday stress is to start planning now. You will save yourself time and money by doing a little planning. Thanksgiving will be here before you know. Start thinking about your menu and start shopping for ingredients.

Here are some tips:

• Check your pantry, refrigerator and freezer for items you may have on hand. Make sure to check your spices and herbs too!

• Get all of the recipes you will be using in order.

• Write a list of ingredients you will need to buy. Some ingredients will be called for in several recipes (like butter and sour cream). Make sure to note the total quantity you will need for all recipes.

• If you are cooking for more days than just Thanksgiving, plan menu items that can be made over the next day. For example, Wednesday night we will have baked potatoes and cold cuts. The leftover potatoes and cold cuts will be made into appetizers for Thanksgiving day.

• Use your slow cooker since your oven will be packed. Plan some menu items that can be cooked in a crockpot or ahead of time. I make a sweet potato custard in the crockpot.

• Shop early if you can. The stores will be overcrowded as we get closer!

What are your tips for reducing Thanksgiving planning stress?

Now it’s your turn!

If you are a blogger, write a post about your idea for making dollars out of change. It can be on any topic as long as it has to do with saving money. Please link directly to your post and not your homepage.

If you do not have a blog, we still welcome and encourage your participation! Please leave your thoughts in the in a comment below!

This post is linked at My Coupon Teacher.

I talk about shopping year round for gifts frequently. I do this for all occasions. It really helps our budget when I can find items on sale and space out the money out of pocket. Today Mrs. Not Made of Money is guest posting on budget saving tips for Birthday gifts.

Birthdays are special occasions. Everybody likes to receive gifts to celebrate the day of their birth. But if you have a big family, purchasing birthday gifts could prove an expensive labor of love. However, there are ways you can express your feelings for someone without spending a lot of money. Here are some ways we save money on birthday gifts for our family:

Keep The Gift Age Appropriate
When shopping for children, consider the age of the recipient. Kids younger than four have a short attention span. It may seem like a good idea to buy that big toy that lights up and makes funny sounds, but after a week, the child will be on to something else. A more practical gift may be a toy xylophone or a wind-up music box. These toys don’t require batteries and never go out of style. Remember the commercial with the expensive toy and expensive wrapping paper? In the end, the baby played in the box. Priceless.

Keep An Updated List Year Round
Whenever a family member mentions something they would like to have, add this item to a list. This gives you choices when it comes to gift ideas. Perfume may be an item on the list. Instead of a big bottle that may be costly, purchase a couple of small bottles or even samples along with another item they may like.

Gift Baksets are Budget Stretchers
Gift baskets are the present that keeps on giving, but it’s always more affordable to create your own. Baskets are inexpensive and can be purchased anywhere. Add colored tissue paper and ribbon to decorate the basket. Then, add the goodies. Even for children a basket filled with several small items is like treasure waiting to be found.

Start A Gift Closet
Any time you have extra money purchase items that can be used as birthday gifts. When shopping for yourself, pick up something extra for just such an occasion. In your closet, start a gift box to store all of your finds. Then, shop in your gift box first whenever a birthday approaches, before heading out to the store.

Take A Trip To The Dollar Store
Wrapping paper and cards can be expensive accessories. Your friendly neighborhood dollar store sells rolls and sheets of birthday wrapping. T hey also sell bows, ribbons, and birthday cards. Stock up and keep them in the same place where you store your potential birthday gifts.

Gifts given to another should come from the heart. Thoughtful gifts do not have to leave a hole in your pocketbook.

Budget Saving Strategies for Birthday Gifts was reprinted with permission from NotMadeofMoney.com

Now it’s your turn!

If you are a blogger, write a post about your idea for making dollars out of change. It can be on any topic as long as it has to do with saving money. Please link directly to your post and not your homepage.

If you do not have a blog, we still welcome and encourage your participation! Please leave your thoughts in the in a comment below!

This post is linked at My Coupon Teacher.