This Week’s Readers’ Tips

Each week we publish a new batch of money-saving tips from our frugal readers that can help you stretch your dollars and live better for less.

by Dollar Stretcher Reader Contributors

Note: This is the last week new Readers’ Tips will be posted on The Dollar Stretcher website. Most Dollar Stretcher subscribers receive the Dollar Stretcher Tips newsletter and there simply are not enough readers who view the tips on the website to make it worth the time to post them. You can subscribe below if you’d like to receive the Dollar Stretcher Tips newsletter. The newsletter features six to seven tips every Tuesday and Friday.
Andrea Norris-McKnight, Editor

An Easy Way To Save for Next Christmas

I have an easy way to create a Christmas fund. I take two of our monthly bills (such as electricity and water) and figure out the total payment for the previous twelve months. Then I divide that number by 11 and make that amount my payment for January through November. When December comes, I use the extra money for gifts or a weekend trip. It has made December and our January such a relaxing and fun time while only taking a small bite out of our monthly budget.
Lynn

Another Reason To Waterproof Shoes

In response to the tip about waterproofing shoes, I’d like to add a reason to waterproof shoes that has nothing to do with the weather. I waterproof my kid’s athletic shoes to protect against stains. I have found that waterproofing makes cleaning dirt and spills from their shoes easier, keeping them presentable for school and church much longer. I use Kiwi Sneaker Protector.
Tina

Fast Food Savings

With a grandson I’m raising, we frequent fast food places several times a week. What I’ve discovered with all of them is the bonuses available only in the apps. I’ve gotten orders of onion rings or French fries for free, free or BOGO burgers, half-price shakes, etc. Sometimes, I sit in the parking lot and STILL order from the app as my points for free food increase. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t download/use an app because of the benefits!
Debbie

Related: Raising a Grandchild on Retirement Income

Laundry Money-Saving Tips: Part Two

1. If you have moderately hard water and no water softener, consider adding a small amount of borax to each load. I dissolve a tablespoon of borax in 2 cups of warm water and use about 1/4 cup per washer load.
2. I don’t use fabric softener except on flannel sheets where it is explicitly called for. I bought six wool dryer balls online, cheaper than in local stores. They still work after more than two years.
3. Always promptly remove items in the dryer and fold or hang them to allow any wrinkles to hang out.
4. I use a steamer on t-shirts and other slightly wrinkled items. I hang the items, then steam them. It takes less time than ironing. Be sure to use distilled water so the steamer doesn’t clog.

Barbara

Related: Budget-Friendly Beneficial Borax

A Solution for Tough Toilet Bowl Stains

I was getting a home ready for sale and cleaning furiously, but I could not get the toilet bowls cleaned. They had accumulated this dark gray stain that I couldn’t get off. I had tried everything. I finally found the answer in a pumice scouring stick. All I had to do was wet it and rub away at the stains. They came off like magic! Best of all, it didn’t leave any scratches. I was left with three sparkling white toilet bowls!
G

The High Cost of Good Bargains

Reading the hint about waiting to buy anything that costs more than $100, I was reminded that each of us probably has our own weak spot when it comes to budgeting.

For me, I long ago discovered that it was the “little things” that really caused problems. Maybe I didn’t spend money on expensive coffees or stops at fast food places, but I couldn’t seem to resist “bargains” on small household items, toiletries, clothing, etc., even if I wasn’t immediately in need of them. What I finally learned is to do the math of doubling that bargain’s cost, especially if I still had any credit card balance at all — because if I ended up continuing to pay monthly for the item, it wouldn’t take long to have the actual cost end up being double. That $1.99 sale on shampoo that I didn’t need but that caused me to continue to carry an expensive interest-charged balance could end up really costing $4 or even $5. An extra “cute” t-shirt on sale for $12.99 could ultimately hit my long-term budget at $25 — and, of course, I wouldn’t have paid that much!
hl

Related: How To Keep Bargain Hunting From Blowing Your Budget