I hope you all are enjoying this saving money series!  I’m enjoying sharing with you some of the ways our family is able to economize.

Once again, things will look different in your family, so please don’t feel like you have to do everything the way we do it!

1. Low maintenance
In some ways, Tad and I are pretty low-maintenance in the toiletries department.  I use hairspray four times a year and buy makeup about once a year.  I buy cheap shampoo ($3) in huge bottles and it lasts me over a year.  I also buy cheap conditioner ($3) and it lasts over two years.  (Side note: I’m hoping eventually to switch to a no-poo method, but one thing at a time!)  By not using a ton of different hair products, lotions, etc., we are able to spend less in this category. I also don’t go to the tanning bed or the nail salon (the former for health and financial reasons; the second just for financial reasons). 

2. Homemade body wash
I make Tad’s body wash now.  I use water and a bar of soap and it ends up being cheaper to make than to buy.  I modified this recipe.  For me, I just use a bar of organic shea butter soap, so I don’t use body wash very often (if I use it it was a gift or a B&BW freebie).

3. Homemade deodorant
I just recently made my own deodorant.  I haven’t used it for very long (about a week), but so far it’s worked great in the 90+ temps we’ve had lately!  I used a simple recipe: coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and baking soda.  Easy!  It actually has a very pleasant coconut scent.  I modified the proportions of this recipe.

4. Oil cleansing
I just started using the oil cleansing method for my face.  I’ve only been doing it for a week, but so far I love it!  If I continue to do this, I will no longer have to buy cleanser, toner, or moisturizer.  Score!  I use this recipe (normal skin version).

5. Stock up
Like I mentioned, I buy my makeup about once a year.  I order mineral makeup online and use it ’til it’s gone.  I purchase mascara in twin packs (it’s cheaper that way).  We buy toothpaste once a year (Target always puts big packs on sale in January), again, saving money because it’s in bulk.  I bought a huge amount of hand soap before we got married, and we’re still using that stash!  Once it’s gone, I will probably start making my own.

6. $.59 teeth whitening
I used to buy teeth whitening strips for upwards of $20 a box (before I was married).  I have since learned that the active ingredient in those strips is Hydrogen Peroxide, which you can buy by the bottle for around $.59.  Swishing with Hydrogen Peroxide for a few minutes each day can brighten your teeth!

7. Free samples
I always sign up for free samples of toiletries and other personal care items.  When we’re packing for a trip, we always have a travel size toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, etc. ready to go!  I know they’re only $1 each, but it can add up quickly.  We also bring home the complimentary shampoos and soaps from hotels when we travel so that we can use them for the same purpose.  All of our sample sized toiletries stay in our guest bathroom so that when guests come they have an assortment of toiletry items to use if they forgot theirs! 

8. Cloth pads
Okay, first of all, don’t knock it ’til you try it.  I use cloth pantiliners for everyday use.  I never thought I would use cloth pads, let alone blog about it, but here I am.  Check out that link and email me if you have questions (I’m still a little shy talking about it in such a public way)!

9. Dollar store shopping
Many times, dollar stores are great places to find cotton balls, q-tips, etc. for cheaper than you could get them at Wal-mart.  I’m sure it depends on your area and what stores you have, but we often find great deals at the Dollar Tree!

10. Haircuts
I cut Tad’s hair (speaking of which, he’s due for one!).  My mom cut my dad’s and brothers’ hair, so I learned from her.  I don’t get regular haircuts (I figured out recently that I’ve only gotten 4 since we’ve been married… averaging one every 8 months), but hopefully in the future we’ll be able to work it out financially so I can get one every 3 months.

11. Use it up
We try our best to use up even the last little bit of products before opening a new one.  For example, we have a little game where Tad and I try to use every possible bit of toothpaste from the tube.  It’s rather competitive.  I’m winning by 3 (not that we keep score or anything).  You’d be surprised how long a tube can last after you think it’s “out”!

12. Conditioner as shaving cream
Here’s one last random tid-bit for you. After I put conditioner on my hair in the shower, I use what’s left on my hands to shave my legs.  It’s quick, easy, and practically free (since you’re just using the conditioner that’s left on your hands), plus it makes your legs super soft.

I might be forgetting something… but I think this is a pretty thorough list for now!

One place I don’t skimp?  Toilet paper!  I buy brand-name, soft and fluffy toilet paper.  Sometimes I use a coupon, but usually I forget.  🙂 

**In case you’re wondering why I don’t play the “drugstore game,” I address that in this post.

So… do tell… how does your family save money on personal care items?

Linking to:
Life as Mom

I’m starting a new series here at Feathers in Our Nest.  I want to share with you some of the ways that our family saves money, not so we can save thousands each year in a bank account or take dream vacations, but truly so we can make ends meet.  This is not to make anyone feel guilty who doesn’t economize in these ways, but to encourage you in several ways.

First, I want you to know that if you are struggling financially, there are other people out there who are struggling to keep afloat as well.  We can provide support and encouragement to one another, as well as share practical advice for ways to be better stewards of our finances in our own families.

Secondly, I want to encourage women who would like to become stay-at-home moms, either now or in the future, that it IS possible to live on only one income.  You will probably have to cut back in certain areas and not live at the same “level” as many of your friends, but it is entirely worth it and doable.

I’ll say it again… these posts are not meant to discourage you if you would like to be saving more money but just can’t right now.  We ALL have limits, whether those limits be on our time, our creativity, or our physical location or capabilities.  For example, you may be able to “play the drugstore game” and get all of your toiletries for free (and even make money!).  I am not able to do this because of where we live.  The town near us is 12 miles away and has one chain drug store.  It just doesn’t make sense for me to clip coupons and make special trips every week to a part of town I am not normally traveling to.  (That’s just one example, but I’m sure there are many other examples of limitations.)

So… without further ado, here are some basic ways that our family saves money.

1. Cable
We decided before we were even married not to have a TV, period.  This may be shocking to some of you, but we weren’t raised in families that watched a lot of TV in general, so we don’t even “miss it.”  We aren’t morally opposed to someone having a TV, of course, but we have chosen not to have one.  We still watch things on our computers (DVDs from Redbox on rare occasions, and online with Hulu or Amazon Prime), but we don’t have to shell out money each month for a cable bill.  We also have the added benefit of more time spent together as a family and as a couple, and more time to read, play games, and do creative projects!

2. Used Cars
By God’s provision, we have paid cash for all of the cars we have owned.  We don’t have any debt on these cars, so that saves us another payment each month.  We certainly have had our fair share of car trouble, but we know people who have purchased new cars who still experience the occasional breakdown.

3. One Car
For almost two and a half years of our marriage, we had only one car.  We needed a new vehicle when Cordelia was born because the car we had could not fit all four of us.  Tad still uses that car to drive to work, since it gets great gas mileage, but I could see in the future us possibly going back to one vehicle if we needed to.

4. Utilities
We try to keep our utility bill lower by keeping the thermostat high in the summer and low in the winter.  We try to be content with being a little warmer or cooler than we would prefer in an effort to save money.  We also try to turn off lights we aren’t using and turn off/unplug electronics we don’t need.

5. No Home Phone
Like many people are now choosing to do, we don’t have a home phone.  We both have cell phones (generously part of Tad’s parents’ family plan), so we haven’t had a need for another phone that would cost us probably $20 a month (minimum). 

6. Buying Used
In addition to buying used cars, we also buy used furniture, books, clothing (both for us & the girls), home decor items, toys, baby things, and many other items!  We are not afraid of thrift shops, consignment stores, Craigslist, Goodwill, or yard sales.  I love getting a good deal and I don’t mind at all that someone else got to enjoy something before I did!

7. DIY
I’ll talk about this more in upcoming posts, but if we are capable of doing it ourselves, we usually learn how to do it (thanks, Google!).  Tad has learned a lot about plumbing since buying a 90-plus-year-old house, and he has also repaired dryers and fixed cars.  I don’t think he’ll mind me saying that he’s not a “fix-it man” kind of guy… or at least he wasn’t. 🙂  I’ve learned to persevere in sewing even though I don’t love it in order to make clothing, gifts, and things for our home that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.  We’re becoming better painters since the cost of hiring a painter for our house would be prohibitive.

Well I think that’s a good start!  I can’t wait to share more money-saving ideas with you soon!

What are some big ways your family saves money on monthly expenses?