Uses for Common Household Items: Part 2

Here are some other money saving tips for using common household items in new ways.  Enjoy and please comment and share your own tips with us!

Coffee Filters

- Use as prep "bowls' for cut veggies and dry ingredients while baking.  They are easy to clean because you just toss when done!

- Use as a lint-free cleaning cloth when wiping down static-prone electronics.

- Put in the bottom of small flower pots to help slow drainage.

- Place filters between fragile plates and bowls to help prevent chipping.  This also works great for non-stick cookware.

- To be "green", make sure to use previously recycled filters and unbleached if possible.

Dental Floss (unflavored)

- Use to cut soft cheeses into neat disks.

- It is great for vines and leaning plants.  Use to tie the stalks or vines to a trellis or pole.

- Slice a cake in half by pulling a piece of floss through the middle for a clean cut.

- Floss can be used as a thread substitute in a pinch, ie. buttons.

Other Neat Tips

- Use a paper towel stand to store rolls of masking/duck tape and ribbon for a wrapping station.

- Use the shreds of paper from your home office paper shredder as gift packaging stuffing instead of buying tissue paper.

- Coffee mugs make great utensil holders for open cupboards or while hosting a party so people are not rummaging through your drawers.

- Dry spaghetti noodles make great candle and fireplace lighters.  Their length helps to keep your fingers away from the flame.

- Have old small baby spoons leftover from your child? Use them as cocktail serving utensils which are perfect for dips, toppings, and nuts.

- Instead of using toothpicks at your next party, buy skinny pretzel sticks.  Not only are they disposable but also delicious.

- Freeze berries in ice cube trays instead of water which can water down drinks.

- Looking for a bright or new shower curtain?  Hang two extra large beach towels.  Can change out as often as you want to switch up the feel of your bathroom.

- When you are done with those cinnamon scented pine cones for the holidays place them in your empty window flower boxes for a nice decoration until planting season comes again.

- Place a few hooks, or replace your cabinet knobs with hooks, in your bathroom.  Hang your shirt and pants up while you shower and the steam will naturally de-wrinkle your clothes.

- Toothbrush holders make great simple flower holders for a nice way to bring some freshness to your bathroom.

- Inflate plastic sandwich and freezer bags with air and use as packing cushioning when shipping or storing items.

- Lint rollers also make great lamp shade dusters.

- Use napkin holders as bill organizer in your office.  (I have done this for years and love it, so simple)

- A file rack can be used as a holder for your cookie sheets and cutting boards.

- Cant find your rolling pin?  Place the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a wine bottle.

- Empty water bottles make great boot supports.  Place in boots to help keep them upright and keep their shape.

Enjoy!

Fragrant Cinnamon Ornaments

The smell of cinnamon is one of the most comforting and pleasant smells there are.  These ornaments are not only easy and affordable but add a touch of rustic elegance to your tree.

Simply mix 3/4 cup of Applesauce to 1 cup of Ground Cinnamon.  You can use your hands but beware they will turn brown.  However, it washes off and smells great.  This makes roughly 10-12 ornaments so double or triple the recipe as you see fit.  I used the paddle attachment on my Kitchen Aid Mixer and it worked great for mixing the dough.

Portion the dough into roughly 4 equal parts and roll between two sheets of plastic wrap.  This helps to prevent sticking and staining of the counter.  The dough should be pliable enough that it does not easily crack, but dry enough that it is not tacky.  If too wet, add more cinnamon.  If too dry, add more applesauce.  Roll to roughly 1/4" - 1/3" thick.  You want it thick enough that the shape will hold and it will be easy to pick up.

Using cookie cutters, cut shapes into the dough.  Larger more simple shapes work the best.  We tried a reindeer and smaller gingerbread man and their arms, necks and antlers were just too thin.  You can also use a simple shape and then use a smaller cutter to cut in the middle of it for a window look.

Carefully peel dough away from the cut shape and using the plastic wrap flip the shapes into your hand.  You can use a drinking straw or skewer to poke hanging holes in the ornaments.  This can be done in your hand or while still on the counter.  Then carefully place them onto a baking sheet.

Next you can air dry them for 2-4 days, flipping every so often.  But I don't have that kind of patience so I dried them out in a 200F oven for 2-2 1/2 hours.  You still may need to flip them if they are not drying out on the bottom but be careful they can become fragile.  I used a metal sheet pan and a Pampered Chef baking stone and noticed that the stone was much more efficient at drying them out, probably due to the natural pores in the stone letting air and heat in from top and bottom.

Your house will smell amazing as these dry out, and for some time after.  Once dry, place on a cooling rack to further dry and cool off.  Once finished choose any ribbon or string of your liking, and tie loops in the ornaments so that you can hang them.

A Christmas tree with some homemade touches is much more special and representative of the season than any store bought ornaments or decorations.  Enjoy this project with your family and friends.   Crank up some holiday music while you are making these and then watch a festive holiday movie as you wait for them to dry.  These can be saved year after year if carefully packaged.  But they are also so easy to make and fun so why not make it a yearly tradition.  And I hope I don't really need to say this but, just in case, these are NOT to eat and will not taste good, no matter how wonderful they smell! ;-)  Happy Holidays!

Uses for Common Household Items: Part 1

Here is the first part of a series of posts that will give you some great tips for using common household items, in new ways.  They range from cleaning to organizing and even health/beauty uses.  Feel free to leave comments with your own tips as well for others to see!

LEMONS:

- Grate the pith/flesh side of a half lemon on a cheese grater after using to help remove cheese or other residue.

- Rub the cut side of a lemon half over a wooden or plastic cutting board to whiten and refresh.  Rinse thoroughly after.

- Squeeze a lemon wedge into a bowl of just cut pears or apples to prevent browning.  This can also help to keep your guacamole green if done right after mixing.  Limes also add a nice flavor to guacamole.

- Roast a lemon half until the skin is bright golden yellow.  This helps to bring out the essential oils and cut the sour-ness of the fruit.  Then squeeze the juice out and mix with a teaspoon of honey.  Drink for a healthy and natural sore throat remedy.

- Adding 1/4-1/2 cup of lemon juice to your laundry's wash cycle will brighten whites.

- Lemons are a beautiful and simple table centerpiece when placed in a nice vase or bowl.

- When done juicing a lemon half stick it down your garbage disposal instead of throwing it away.  Simply turn on your disposal and run hot water to naturally clean and deodorize your disposal.

- Simmer sliced lemons in water for at least an hour and then place in a spray bottle.  This will add gentle highlights to blond hair.

VINEGAR:

- Use as a natural rinse agent by pouring it into the Rinse Aid container in your dishwasher.

- Splash some vinegar on your hands after cutting onions or garlic to help remove the smell.

- When making hard boiled eggs add a few drops of balsamic vinegar to the water just to slightly dye the egg shells.  This way you can place them back in the container and help to distinguish which ones are hard-boiled.

- Instead of buying Goo-Gone or other toxic residue removers let the area soak for a few minutes in vinegar then rub off.

- Vinegar makes a great natural fabric softener when added to your wash cycle and will not make your clothes smell.

- Adding vinegar to your bat will help to soothe dry itchy skin.

- Run 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water through your coffee machine to remove buildup and odor.

- As mentioned on this blog before you can mix it with equal parts dish soap for an amazing soap scum remover/bathroom cleaner.

- There are numerous household cleaning uses for vinegar, it is a wonder product!  I am sure I will be writing, at some point in the future, an entire post dedicated to vinegar.

DRYER SHEETS:

- Hang or place dryer sheets in your closets and dressers to keep your clothes smelling nice.

- Lightly dampen a sheet and use to clean the scum and buildup off glass shower doors.

- Leave one sheet in a especially dirty casserole dish or pan overnight and by morning the tough food will be much easier to remove.

- Place sheets in your shoes to help keep odor under wraps.

- Blot a sheet on your clothes when experiencing static cling.

- Stick a sheet in older books to help curb that musty smell.

BAKING SODA:

- Place a box of open baking soda in your fridge or closet to help prevent mustiness and tame odors. Change once a month for best results.

- Mix 3 parts baking soda and one part water for a natural and gentle face scrub.  This will leave your face with a nice healthy glow and smooth skin.

- Pour a baking soda and vinegar down your drains and let them work their magic.  Once the foaming subsides run hot water down the drain.

- If you run out of toothpaste you can always mix water and baking soda to a paste.  It is non-abrasive and helps whiten.

- Use baking soda as a gentle scouring agent on delicate surfaces.  Such as crayon and pencil marks on walls or furniture.

- A water and baking soda paste will remove stains from coffee and tea cups, shine your stainless steel sink, and remove greasy film from dishes.

Money Saving Vegetable Tips

Produce is not the cheapest thing to buy.  However, it seems to be one of the things people end up throwing away the most of, due to spoilage.  Fresh vegetables are one of the healthiest things you can eat and are great to cook with.  They contain more nutrients and flavor than their commercially canned or frozen varieties.  Here are a few money saving tips to help you get the most out of your vegetables.

- Buy as fresh as possible.  Something that is already starting to look bad is not going to magically improve in your refrigerator or on your counter.  Only purchase what you know for sure you are going to use in a reasonable amount of time.  Once one veg molds it will spread to the rest, so be careful.

- Store onions and potatoes in dry, dark areas.  This can be a pantry, under a counter, or in a cupboard.  This helps to prevent early rotting, mold, and inhibits them from growing more.  You can always cut off the growing parts, which are not unsafe.  But if you do have a lot of little green stems sprouting out it is probably a sign that you are not using your veggies fast enough and should buy less next time.

-  Do not cut, portion, trim, or peel until you are ready to use it.  This will minimize shelf life and will just make your produce go bad even faster.

-  Tomatoes, eggplant, squash, peppers, beans, and avocados are best left at room temperature.  The cool climate of the fridge can actually cause browning and texture loss.

- Leafy greens and celery benefit from being stored in plastic produce bags, and sometimes wrapped very loosely in a slightly damp paper towel.  This prevents the dry air of the refrigerator from wilting these items.

- Lettuce and greens will last longer, even weeks, if washed in cold water and dried using a salad spinner.  Make sure all dirt and water are spun from the leaves and then store a plastic bag.

- Fresh herbs are one of my favorite things to cook with.  They blow away the flavor of the dried tasteless flakes you get in jars.  However many people buy them and leave them in the bag or container they come in which leads to a very short shelf life.  Leafy herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, and dill are stored best by placing them in a container with a little water.  Similar to putting flowers in a vase.  This will help to keep the stems and leaves hydrated and last longer.  Parsley can last for a week or more, while more delicate herbs such as basil will turn brown after 4-5 days.  Heartier herbs such as rosemary and thyme are best store wrapped loosely in a damp paper towel for a few days.

- If you are thinking the fresh herbs you bought are not going to make it then you can salvage them in other ways.  Before they are too far gone you can either chop and freeze them in little bags to later add to soups or other dishes, however the longer they are frozen they will lose their flavor.  You can also pour olive oil into an ice cube tray and place a small amount of chopped herbs into each cup.  Then simply freeze and take a cube as needed to melt into a saute pan and voila you have oil and herbs ready to go!

- Bananas are a fruit that gives off ethylene gas.  This can cause other produce around it to ripen quickly.  So unless you are trying to ripen a tomato or avocado quickly it is best to store all things separate from bananas.

- Tomatoes should never be stored in the fridge.  It causes them to become mealy and flavorless.

And finally here is a great trick that I learned to lengthen the life of scallions.  I was skeptical but happily surprised when it worked!  When you are using scallions cut away the green portions and leave the white bottom part whole.  It works best to have a good 2-3 inches left.  Then simply place the stalk root end in a little bit of water and in just a few days you will have a re-grown scallion.  Talk about getting the most bang for your buck!  The picture below is how much growth after one week.  The green part is what was grown from the original stump.  It has been about two weeks now and is pretty much as long as a scallion you would purchase in the store now.  I can't wait to do this with the rest that I have left now that I know it works!

Enjoy these tips and please leave comments and share any you may have as well!

Roasted Banana Oatmeal Pecan Muffins

I love banana muffins.  It is one of those things that just smells amazing when it is baking and then taste even better warm and slathered with butter.  There are always bananas at my house so inevitably there are also some that get a little over-ripe.  Some people throw them away, which is a waste of money, when instead you can make delicious banana bread or muffins.  This recipe is inspired by Chiquita's Oatmeal Raisin Banana Muffins, which are also delicious, but I decided to change a few steps.  It uses things most people have in their kitchen already so it really is a very cost effective recipe.  These are a little more dense than regular muffins because of the larger quantity of oats.  But this makes them a very hearty and filling addition to breakfast or any meal.

Roasted Banana Oatmeal Pecan Muffins

1/4      Cup, Oats (old-fashion or quick cooking)

1/4      teaspoon, Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon

1         Tablespoon, Brown Sugar (Packed)

1         Tablespoon, Butter (Melted)

2         Whole, Bananas (Leave in peel at first)

1         Each, Large Egg (Beaten)

3/4      Cup, Milk or Buttermilk

1         Cup, Flour

1         Cup, Oats

3/4      Cup, Brown Sugar (Packed)

1         teaspoon, Baking Soda

2         teaspoon, Baking Powder

1/2      teaspoon, Salt

1/4      Cup, Pecans (Chopped and can substitute with your favorite nut)

1/2      teaspoon, Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 400F.  Line a muffin pan with paper cups.

2. When oven is preheated place the two bananas on a sheet pan and roast until peel is completely brown and you can smell bananas in your kitchen.  Using a fork scrape out inside of banana into a medium bowl. Place bowl into fridge so that roasted banana can cool.

3. For the topping combine 1/4 Oats, 1/4 tsp. pumpkin spice or cinnamon, 1 Tbsp. brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp. melted butter.  Set aside.

4. I toasted my pecans in a small saute pan for a few minutes to help bring out the flavor.  I also toast nuts for this reason, but it is not a necessary step.  Afterward, chop the nuts using a food chopper, rolling pin or meat tenderizer.

5. In a large bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, oats, brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and nuts.

6. Once banana is cool, add milk and egg to the medium bowl.  Mix together and then pour into the larger bowl of dry ingredients.  Mix until combined, batter will be lumpy.

7.  Divide batter evenly into the muffin cups.  An ice cream scoop works great for this.  Sprinkle the reserved topping over each muffin.

8.  Bake at 400F for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, or with only dry crumbs on it.

Try to resist not cutting one in half right out of the oven and spreading butter on it.  Enjoy!

Homemade Flour Tortillas

I recently borrowed the book "Make the bread, buy the butter" by Jennifer Reese.  It is an entertaining cookbook/short story collection about her way to discover if homemade is better than commercially made.  This book is not necessarily about saving money, going organic, or down playing commercial food.  It is however very entertaining and easy to read.  She breaks down each recipe by "Make it or buy it?", "Hassle", and "Cost Comparison."  Some of her attempts are funny, to the point I laughed out loud.  There are many recipes I bookmarked to try and the first one was homemade flour tortillas.  Now as she states commercially made ones are convenient and work just fine, however they are actually really easy to make at home.  I did find them a little more dense and floury tasting that I am used to, but they also are not slick and packed with preservatives and other chemicals to make them shelf stable and uniform.  They do not last long for this reason but for how easy they are to make and yummy you won't have many leftovers.

Homemade Flour Tortillas

3      Cups, All-Purpose Flour
3/4   Teaspoon, Kosher Salt (any salt will work, I like kosher flavor better)
5      Tablespoons, Vegetable oil, lard, or shortening (I used vegetable oil)
3/4   Cup, Water

1. Combine flour and salt.  Add the fat, mixing until the flour forms clumps.  It will look like loose pie dough.  Add 3/4 cup water and mix until ingredients come together and form a dough.  I had to add a tablespoon or so more of water to help my dough come together.  It should not be sticky at all and comes together quite easily.  I used my hands to mix it up.

2. Knead until smooth and tender.  Do not over knead it.  Divide into 12 equal pieces and roll into balls.  They should be a little larger than a golf ball.  Cover with a clean/damp dish towel, and let rest on the counter for 20 minutes.

3. Heat an un-greased skillet until very hot.  I used a 10" skillet so that I had space.  With a rolling pin, roll each ball into a 6-8" circle.  You don't have to get them paper thin or perfect, this is part of the homemade charm.  Roll them as thin as you are comfortable with and so you can still lift them up.  You should not need to add flour to your mat or counter to roll these out.

4. Place one tortilla at a time on the skillet and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.  You will see it start to puff.  Turn it over and cook the other side for the same amount of time.  You should have a nice white tortilla with some brown patches.  Stack on a plate with a clean towel or napkin between each one.  Finish cooking all the tortillas and serve immediately.

I made The Pampered Chef's 10 minute microwave chicken fajitas to go along with it.  And along with some cheese and salsa these were delicious soft shell tacos.  I urge you to at least try it once.  They were honestly so much easier than I imagined and you don't need any special tools.  Enjoy!

200 Views...Thank You!

I just wanted to pass on a big thank you for already having 200 views of my new blog, The Penny Pinch.  I know many of us are trying to save money in any way we can and I appreciate the support of this blog.  Please comment on any of the posts and share it with your friends and family on Facebook or other sites.  Please also feel free to "pin" any of these articles on Pinterest to help spread the word as well.

If you have not already "Liked" our Facebook page please click on the link on the right side of the screen.  The Facebook page is updated whenever there is a new post on the blog and various tips and tricks as well.

And if you ever have any suggestions or something you would like to see please share!  Happy penny pinching!

Couponing: Tips & Tricks

Being as I am someone who needs to save money in anyway I can, I have  taken up a love for couponing.  Now I am not an extreme couponer by any means and do not have a stockpile large enough to fill a bomb shelter.  However I do use coupons to get groceries and deals whenever possible.  It is FREE money and millions of dollars in coupons go unused every year.  So here are a few tips and tricks I have learned along the way.

- Check your grocery store to see if they accept store competitor coupons.  This can be a HUGE savings in many cases.  Publix, my local store, for example varies from location to location on what other store's coupons they accept.  Mine accepts Target, Winn-Dixie, Whole Foods and more.  Publix also accepts store brand coupons to use on their own brand.  For example you can use a coupon for Market Pantry (Target's brand) on Publix brand items.

- Most stores allow one manufacture and one store coupon per item.  So it is a good deal when you can find both to use on one item.  There are limits as with any coupon deal so read fine print carefully.

- Buy 1 Get 1 Free (also known as B1G1) deals can be a coupon person's dream.  The reason being is that you can use 4 coupons on the deal.  Remember 1 store and 1 manufacture coupon can be used per item.  Well even though you are getting one free, you can still use coupons on the free item.  This can result in huge savings and sometimes even free items.
                    

ie.  Pop Secret is on sale B1G1.  It is priced at $3.99 a box.   You immediately have to see it as $1.99 a box because you are getting one free, so divide the price in half.  Then let's say you have a coupon for $0.50 off 1 box.  If you have two of them use them on both boxes which will knock off $1 off the total.  Therefore you are paying $2.99 for two boxes, then if you divide in half that is $1.49 a box, for a total savings of $4.99 of the original retail price.  If you had a store coupon to use with the manufacture coupon, the savings would be even bigger.

- Always look for store extras like using reusable bags, store cards like the Target Debit Card which gives you 5% every purchase, and other coupon booklets as you enter the store.

- I only get one paper a week and print most of my coupons online. This does mean that at times I do not have multiple coupons to use on B1G1 deals, but I just don't see the need to get 20 papers and save coupons for months to rifle through.  I honestly don't have that kind of time.  Now if I know a great deal is coming up I will buy some papers or ask friends.  However many coupons are available online now and print up just as easy, and you don't need a subscription to the paper.

-  The last tip is to be organized when you go.  Put all coupons you are going to use in an envelope.  Write a list of the items you are getting.  As you shop check the coupons and prices to make sure the deal will work and is worth it.  Sometimes just because you have a coupon doesn't mean it is cheaper than the store brand.  You need to be flexible with what brands you get of things if you want the better deal.  Also do not buy things that you will not use just because you have coupons, that is called hoarding.   If you can't use up 10 bottles of salad dressing before they expire, then probably not a good idea to get 10.

There are many more things to go along with this, but this gives you a basic insight.  I count it as a win when I can save 40-50% of what the original total was.  I have had savings of 70% before as well, so it can be done.  I honestly don't spend much more than 30 min or so before I grocery shop to get everything ready, unless I have a bigger more complicated trip to do.  Below are the websites I use, so feel free to bookmark and visit them!

Totally Target - This is a site devoted to Target.  Weekly ads are posted with deals associated with them, contest, tips, and other ways to save at the best store ever.

Coupon Mom - This is one of the original sites that came up years ago.  She wrote a book on couponing and has been on all sorts of TV shows.  Her site can be a little hard to navigate but she does list many store each week and the coupon deals to be had at each.  There are also tutorials.

I Heart Publix - This is my local grocery store.  It can be a bit pricey for things, but is a great comfortable place to shop.  Their weekly B1G1 free deals and acceptance of many store competitors make it a great place to coupon.

Saving Well, Spending Less - And finally this is my favorite site.  This lady has put together a great easy to read site for coupons.  She also post deals she finds on amazon and other websites.  Because of her I was notified of a very cheap laser printer on Amazon that was only available for a few hours.  She has a large list of stores, national and local, and a list of their ads each week with coupon match ups.  She does the work for you and all you need to do is print or clip the coupons she says and the deal is yours.  She also has a great online coupon lesson that takes you week by week at slow steps to get used to it.  This site also has a sister site which is a blog about living on a budget and has some great tips as well.

Enjoy and Happy Shopping!

DIY Detox Bath

We all need some stress relief in our daily lives.  Baths are one of the most relaxing things to do.  Just sit back and let your body melt away in the soothing warm water, music playing, eyes closed...ahhh.  There are many therapeutic types of bath to takes and today I am going to share with you a easy and cheap detox bath that you can take.  Detox baths go way back to ancient times.  In detoxification groups and practice the skin is known as the "third kidney",  meaning it is used as a way of ridding the body of toxins.  The point of the bath is to rid the body of toxins by opening your pores up and sweating it out.  The bath also provides your body with minerals and nutrients that it can absorb as well.

Detox Bath

First set aside 45-60 minutes for the whole bath process. It is also a good idea to do this towards the end of the day or on a day you have no where to go.  This will leave you tired and very relaxed so it is not wise to do much of anything after but rest.

Run a bath with comfortably hot water.  Add the following ingredients, amounts can be adjusted for larger tubs:

2 Cups Epsom Salt - Epsom salt, also known as Magnesium Sulfate, is found in the pharmacy area of your store and can also be found in the garden center area in larger bags.  Epsom salt alone makes a great bath because the magnesium helps to prevent hypertension and the sulfate helps to form brain proteins and healthy tissues in your joints.  It is great for sore muscles as well.

1-2 Cups Baking Soda - Baking Soda is of course a very common ingredient and can be found in the baking aisle.  It can also be found in larger boxes in the cleaning aisle as well as the garden section in some stores.  Baking soda is known for its cleaning properties, is anti-fungal as well as a great skin softener.  You will feel very refreshed with this in your bath.

Ground Ginger - This can be added in amounts ranging from 1 Tbsp to 1/3 cup depending on your skin sensitivity.  This is added to increase the heat level of your skin causing you to sweat easily.  It may turn your skin red for a little while because of the increased heat, therefore start small and add what is comfortable to you.  This is a great addition to the bath to help push the toxins out but also great when sick because it really helps you sweat out that bug you are trying to get rid of.

Essential Oils, Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils - You can add any of your favorite oils and herbs to help add to the enjoyment of your bath. I have rosemary growing readily on my patio so I chose that.  Mint helps to increase the warming sensation, while chamomile and lavender help to soothe.  It is really up to you, and also not necessary for the bath.

TIPS:

- Drink plenty of water before, during and after the bath.  You will get dehydrated from all the sweating.  Treat this as if you are having a massage.  If you choose to ignore drinking water you will feel sick like the flu as the toxins are released and exit your body.

- It is reccomended that you stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes, and up to 40 if you can.  You really want to allow at least 20 minutes for the sweat glands to open and start releasing and another 20 to soak up the healthy nutrients in the bath.  If you feel like it is just too hot in the bath, feel free to add some cooler water to the tub.

- After the bath continue drinking water and just relax.  You may watch a tv show or two, but chances are you will want to go to sleep. Which is fine but make sure you drink enough water before.  Yes, I know I keep repeating that!

- Apple Cider Vinegar has also been suggested to help increase positive acids in your body that aid in things like fighting acne.

- BE CAREFUL when getting out of the tub, the salts make the tub slippery.

- DO NOT use this bath if you are prone to high blood pressure, heart or kidney problems, or pregnant.

- Do not eat immediately before or after your bath.

- I am not a doctor or medical expert.  Please research the addition of any other items to the bath as they may have harmful effects.


So sit back, relax, and detox those nasty toxins away.  Consider making a large batch of this mixture with some good smelling oil and give as a gift as well.

Crock Pot Bean & Ham Soup...$6

I love bean soup.  The smoky ham flavor, the saltiness, and the richness.  So I was happy to come across a really easy recipe that only cost $6 to make!

First chop one onion. I also had some carrots in the fridge so chopped those up as well.  Now if you have or want celery you can also do that as well.  The traditional soup starter is onions, carrots, and celery.  I did not have any celery so skipped it this time.  Place chopped veggies in crock pot. 

Add two ham shanks/hocks.

Add one bag of Great Northern beans or the beans of your choice.

Add 48oz of chicken, or the stock of your choice, to the pot.  I chose the low sodium stock because of the saltiness already in the ham.  You can also add more stock if you want to fill the pot up more or have a larger crock pot.

Simmer on low for 6-8 hours or until beans are cooked.  Your house will smell amazing as the delicious ham shanks cook down.  I then added salt, pepper, and chopped rosemary from my garden.





Remove the ham shanks and discard the bones.  Chop or pull apart the meat and add back to the pot.

Then I like my soup to have a little more body to it, so I pureed some of it.  I took my Pampered Chef Manual Food Processor and pureed about 1 1/2 - 2 cups of the soup and pour back in. 

And there you have it.  A cheap and easy meal with little effort.  Serve with a side of some nice crusty bread or fluffy biscuits and you are ready to go!

DIY Reusable Dryer "Sheets"

I have loved my homemade laundry soap and fabric softener so much that I wanted to complete the trifecta. So I researched a few homemade dryer sheet ideas and found this one I like.

1. Buy your favorite fabric softener and pour into a large container or bucket.
2. Full the fabric softener container twice with water and pour into larger container.
3. Buy a few sponges and cut in half. Place in container.
4. When needed take one sponge out and squeeze excess out. Pop in the dryer and that's it!

I uses Snuggle because it was on sale and I had a coupon. I also bought the Scott Green Sponges because I like that they are made from natural and recyclable material, plus they were on sale. I used a 6qt plastic container with a snap close lid. You could also go to your local grocery store and ask the bakery for a old frosting bucket. By only using a little bit on each sponge this will last for a long time. Plus you won't have those pesky wasteful dryer sheets showing up in random places in your house. All in all this cost me about $6.

Patio Gardening Idea

I love to garden.  It is very fulfilling when you see something you planted grow and to be able to harvest it when it's ready.  However, living in apartments for years has prevented that from really being possible.  Florida has a hard climate to grow many things in.  However this patio I have now has just the right amount of sun and weather for gardening.  We have recently planted heirloom tomatoes, peppers, aloe, and a few other decoration type plants that have all done well so far.

I saw the idea online to use a closet shoe organizer to hang on a door or wall when space is an issue.  It has to be a sturdy canvas one to allow drainage and air to get to the plants.  Then simply fill with soil and seeds of your choice.  Make sure the hardware used to hang the organizer is sturdy and the door is able to close.  I had to bend my hooks to fit on this thicker style of metal door.  I have planted Basil, Parsley, Cilantro, and Leaf Lettuce.  I am eager to see how this works and will definitely post progress pictures on the blog as I go along.

Comment on your favorite things to plant and any other space saving tips you may have!

Easy Soap Scum Remover/Sink Cleaner/Overall Cleaner

There are a million cleaning products on the market, especially those targeted at removing soap scum and cleaning your shower/tub.  However a lot of them make you feel like you are going to pass out from the fumes and still don't do that good of a job.  I found a very easy DIY cleaner online.  After using it to clean my tub/shower, bathroom sink, and kitchen sink I have to say that I am sold.

Easy Soap Scum Remover

Equal Parts Vinegar and Liquid Dish Soap.  Put into a spray bottle, preferably one that has a mist option, and shake.  That's it!  Then spray on surface to be cleaned and let sit for 10-15 minutes.  Wipe clean with a sponge and rinse.

I found all surfaces to have a nice shine and clean look. The vinegar smell is apparent but it fades away and honestly it is still better than smelling toxic chemical fumes.  As with any cleaner if your shower or other areas are heavily soiled it may take a few applications to get it clean then you just need to clean more regularly to keep it that way.  Another site suggested putting some of this mixture in one of those sponges that have the handle attached so that you can just clean the walls as you are showering.  Which is a benefit of this because its just soap and vinegar.  I would not be in the shower cleaning with a more toxic cleaner but I can see how using this tip would keep it clean on a more regular basis.

Try it out and leave your comments below with your opinions!

DIY Dishwasher Detergent

After trying my own laundry soap and loving it I decided to try dishwasher soap.  Now this took a little more research as there were many opinions on it.  I do like the one I have and had to do a little trial and error with it but overall I am happy.  The results of this depends a lot on your water (hard or soft) and if your dishwasher is clean.

There are products out there that can clean your dishwasher, but there is a easier way.   Fill a glass measuring cup, or something similar, with about 1-2 cups of vinegar and place it in the bottom basket of the dishwasher.  Run your sink faucet for a few minutes to make sure HOT water is running through the pipes then turn on the dishwasher for the longest setting.  The vinegar will eat away the grime, mold, hard water, and clogged up sprayer jets.  Once completed sprinkle a cup or so of baking soda on the bottom of the washer and run again on just the rinse cycle.  This will freshen and shine the dishwasher.  I would suggest doing this every 1-2 months depending on how heavily you use your machine.

Now on to the recipe.  In this recipe you can replace the Lemon Kool-Aid with Citric Acid, which is a little harder to find but works as well.  You will need to look up a recipe with that if you choose to because the amount is different.  The first ingredient in Kool-Aid is Citric acid, so it works the same and much cheaper.  You will need to experiement with this, as some people suggested using Lemi-Shine product along with this to help the cleaning power, while other suggested placing 2-3 drops (no more or you will have bubbles all over your kitchen...yes I learned the hard way!) of dish soap on the inside of the door before closing it.  Lastly the best rinse aid is...vinegar.   Vinegar is amazing and I have many more posts about how awesome it cleans, not to mention is cheap.  Fill you rinse aid compartment and you will have spotless shiny dishes.

This comes out to around $0.04/Load!  Way cheaper than Cascade or Finish which can run upwards of $0.30+/load.

Dishwasher Detergent

1 Cup Borax

1 Cup Washing Soda

2 Packets of Lemon Kool-Aid (other store brands work too)

1/2 Cup Kosher Salt (Acts as a natural scrubber)

Simply mix all together and place in an airtight container.  Use 1-2 tablespoons per load by placing it in the normal soap compartment.

DIY Powdered Laundry Soap/Fabric Softener

For those that asked here is the recipes for these two items.  They both worked great and are much more friendly to the wallet!  I did not add fragrance to my soap but you can add drops of any essential oil that you choose.  Just be sure they are pure essential oils and not room fragrance oil.  Many sites suggested using at least some Tea Tree Oil because of it's anti-fungal and bacterial qualities.  Lavender, Rosemary, and Thyme are also popular scents.  If you use these in conjunction with the, very fragrant, DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets also featured on this blog, you will not need to add fragrance to your soap.

The Laundry soap averages out to about 6 cents a load.  Tide is roughly 12 cents a load and Sun is roughly 9 cents.   I did both whites and darks and both came out clean. The Fabric Softener worked as well.  Vinegar is an amazing household item that you can also make pretty much any household cleaner out of.  The smell does not linger at all.  In fact from doing some research many laundry professionals have been adding it undiluted to their wash loads for years.  It is a stain fighter, whitener, color brightener, and fabric softener.

Laundry Powder Soap (1 Batch)

1 Bar of Soap (Ivory is cheap and works best, plus many times almost free with coupons.  You can use what you want just remember some soaps contain a lot of fragrance and additives that can irritate some people.)
1 Cup Washing Soda (Comes in the same yellow box as baking soda, but much larger.  In Laundry Aisle.)
1 Cup Borax (20 Mule Team is most popular brand)

I made this batch times six.  Grate the bar of soap with a cheese grater or you can use the grater attachment on a food processor to make it quicker.  Then simply mix with the two powders and place in a container.  I bought a cheap coffee scoop to portion it out. 1 Tbsp for regular loads, 2 Tbsp for heavy Soil loads.  It works in HE machines and even in cold water.

Fabric Softener

2 Cups Hair Conditioner (I used Suave because of the price and the Ocean Breeze Scent, but you can use any.)
3 Cups White Distilled Vinegar
6 Cups Warm/Hot Water (The warmer water helps to break up the clumps of conditioner)

Simply mix together well with spoon or whisk and place into a container. I bought a cheap plastic pitcher.  I use the Downy Ball so just poured into it the load size I was using as I would regular softener.

*Update (1/7/13) - I have now used this for a little over 5 months and I am in love with it.  My clothes are clean without the use of harsh chemicals. I have not had to buy laundry soap or fabric softener. I only recently had to make a second batch of softener, but still have PLENTY of soap left.  And that was a 6 times batch which took me less than 20 minutes.  So I have saved money and time with this.   Used in combination with the DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets I could not be happier with my DIY laundry experience!

Welcome to "The Penny Pinch"!

Welcome to "The Penny Pinch" blog!  I am always looking for ways to save money, because like most of us I live paycheck to paycheck and like to do whatever I can to pinch my pennies.  This blog may not be updated constantly but it will include DIY projects, homemade items, recipes, couponing ideas and stories, and more.  Please feel free to comment or suggest topics for posts as I am sure anyone reading would like to see how you save money as well.  So thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!  Please "LIKE" our Facebook (link on the right side of this page) page to keep updated on new posts and quick tips.