Save Money Around the House
With the SA economy not looking too good at the moment, everybody could do with some great household saving tips and advice.
Everyday Penny-Pinching
- When you can’t get that last little bit out of the mayonnaise jar, sprinkle a few drops of vinegar inside, add flavourful herbs and shake well. You’ll have enough salad dressing for one salad.
- Instead of facial tissues, use toilet paper. Remove the cardboard core from a roll; place the roll inside an empty tissue box and pull from the centre of the roll through the opening.
- Instead of buying detergents, add four tablespoons of baking soda to four cups of warm water. Sponge on appliances, refrigerator shelves and counters to clean and deodorise.
Family Saving
- Get everyone involved with a bit of DIY around the house; fixing/repairing things yourselves instead of hiring someone to do the job can save hundreds of rands.
Domestic Trimming
- Grow and can your own vegetables. If you buy herbs for cooking, grow your own.
- Wash everything in cold water only. Cutting out hot water will keep the geyser from running, which will save you money.
- Buy food in bulk, prepare in large quantities and freeze.
- Instead of throwing away extra food, save it for leftovers. It might not always be the best meal, but it will save you time and a lot of money.
- Make sure when you go shopping, that you make a list so you know what to buy. And when you go to the store, do not buy anything that wasn’t on the list! Planning ahead is the key to saving money.
- If your towels are getting worn, cut them down to size and hem them to use as facecloths.
Reader’s saving tip: “I fully believe in re-using things wherever I can, such as those empty butter and cream containers. Once washed, they are the best for storage. Another good idea is to re-use the styrofoam trays that your chicken/meat packs come in; just be sure to wash them thoroughly with disinfectant before re-using them.” – Elizabeth Isaacs
And, in closing, don’t forget the following:
- If you’re not using it, switch it off;
- Buy only things that you need; and
- Get used to the idea of recycling and re-using.
