Originally posted by jacqui Great idea Denise would have never thought of it , thanks.

I agree. My little one had baby eczema. Instead of expensive lotions and humidifiers running all day, my mom showed me an easier way...
we gave him a mist bottle and he had so much fun spraying everywhere. Had a child busy and happy, meaning save on money and also mom and dad had cute pictures and spare time.

Originally posted by Denise (from Dollar Stretcher) If I have potatoes that I am afraid may go bad, I bake them in the oven in foil and then throw them in the freezer. When I want a baked potato, I unwrap it and throw it in the microwave. It has that great oven baked potato taste, and all my potatoes are used before they begin to sprout. This is also a good way to use a large bag (10 pounds or more) economically when you either live alone or have a small family.

Same goes for apples. I buy a huge bag. Peel and core the apples and bake in slow cooker. Have a family dinner, have everyone bring something so we have a huge meal and a great dessert. I make my apples cut in half and put ice cream in, everyone loves it. My mom brings chicken, brother brings salad, etc. Works great with holidays and extended families.

My mom works in Superstore, a few things I learned:

- Never shop Mondays. That's when the prices are highest. Best days are Thursday and Friday mornings.

- If something is torn a bit (like a label on a pop bottle), they can give you a huge discount, about half price. Just have to ask a worker in that area or manager.

- Always look for coupons. If too much, shop with a friend, divide the savings.

- Check the grocery isle. They usually have an area where those items are cheaper due to a defect. Something like a box got damaged but the fruit in it will not be defective. Or just odd shape or something. The savings there are half the price at least.

- Many things can be found in bulk bins that are twice the price in isles.

Originally posted by firegirl1106 Same goes for apples. I buy a huge bag. Peel and core the apples and bake in slow cooker. Have a family dinner, have everyone bring something so we have a huge meal and a great dessert. I make my apples cut in half and put ice cream in, everyone loves it. My mom brings chicken, brother brings salad, etc. Works great with holidays and extended families.

May I ask, regarding the cooked apples, do you freeze them? and them use them a couple months later?

Originally posted by barlabarlabarla May I ask, regarding the cooked apples, do you freeze them? and them use them a couple months later?

You know, to be honest, so far I made them and they are gone right away...lol But that's a great idea, thanks

Hi everyone

I'm new to this site, but I do a couple of things to save money... I have a Canada Savings bond where $45 is taken out of each pay before I ever see it, So that saves $90. a Month! and I don't miss it. Then I have just begun taking $40 out payday morning and putting it into a high intrest savings acount that charges you $5 for every withdrawl or purchase if you dare use your debit card for it!! But you can transfer to a different acount or go into the teller for free.

I have begun using coupons as much as posible... was very dissapointed that no one would let me join a coupon train since I was new to the site

For Christmas this year I went to the dollar store bought glass jars and baskets and plan to make everyone home made baskets with goodies and trinkets.

My parents have a long distance plan... I don't. So I call collect (dial 0 before their number) they DON'T accept the call, but know to call me.

I brown bag our lunches and my husband and I meet up at lunch and park the car by the river and have a great lunch together. I also have begun a part time job at an exclusive make-up store... I just work 4 hours on Saturday BUT I get amazing discounts and samples and she even lets me bring products home for free to try so I can sell them better "with first hand knowledge" to the customers.

We also just installed a pellet stove... in NB we are almost always electric for EVERYTHING and lets face it power is going up, my parents helped finace the pellet stove... so it'll be cutting down on heating costs and a 40 lb bag of pellets is only $4.99

when I think of more I'll post them.

radiogirl

I just remembered my BIGGEST money saving idea... now this will not work for most people unless you live close to the U.S.A border. I live about 10-15 min from Maine, so on the weekend I go over and fill up my gas tank and buy lots and lots of chicken! hahaha... I can get 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts for 3.99!! that's compared to $9-14 here in NB. If I go for the regular bone in and skin on chicken I can get 6 peices for $4.00! Also milk for double the amount (a quart) I get for .05 CHEAPER than for 2 liters here in Canada.... Also it's easy to find US only coupons online so I print and use them over there. I can go over one weekend a month and spend 60.00 and have a full gas tank, and enough chicken and milk to last the entire month. If you live ANYWHERE close to a US town it really is worth it big time for some items.... Just thought I'd share.

radiogirl.

we only use cash when shopping, and dont spend the coin that we get from what we bought. then 2 a year we take the coin and the do something that we couldnt normal a ford to do. this time round were going to the USA to go Christmas shopping.

we also only buy the childrens clothes and the second habd shops, as you can buy the clothes for 1/2 or less and most times they are still in exsalent condition.

ok Just remembered one more! (are you getting sick of me yet )

My husband was the king of Tim Hortons and I use to get upsett with how much money he was waisting... he would then get mad saying that if he can't afford to buy a coffee or two than there was something seriously wrong....

It wasn't until (during a casual conversation) that I mentioned we could save around $500 or more a year if he stoped buying them every day... I guess he just needed an actual dollar number... we now make the coffee every morning and he brings a travel mug to work! about once a week or so he'll treat himself to a Tims and I am OK with that!!

when I cook fresh or frozen vegetables in water, I save and freeze the broth and then later use it in soups and sauces that call for vegetable broth, or I add a beef/chicken cube to the broth for recipes that call for beef/chicken broth (makes for a richer tasting broth for a fraction of the price)

I never do this with canned vegetables - too salty

Originally posted by Denise when I cook fresh or frozen vegetables in water, I save and freeze the broth and then later use it in soups and sauces that call for vegetable broth, or I add a beef/chicken cube to the broth for recipes that call for beef/chicken broth (makes for a richer tasting broth for a fraction of the price) I never do this with canned vegetables - too salty

I use the water to water my plants.....inside and out....never have to buy plant food!

Originally posted by radiogirl I just remembered my BIGGEST money saving idea... now this will not work for most people unless you live close to the U.S.A border. I live about 10-15 min from Maine, so on the weekend I go over and fill up my gas tank and buy lots and lots of chicken! hahaha...

This would not save me a cent. The border crossing I would have to use is always so backed up that I would waste so much gas creeping slowly forward in line that it would cancel any possible savings.

Anyway-a couple hours extra of my time (and the resulting frustration!) is worth WAY more than a few dollars.

Hi I don't know if you are still looking for a recipe or cheat for Toilet Bowl Cleaning but someone once told me to get some Polident Tabs and put one in the toilet overnight and it cleans it but here's a site I use for household recipes (Especially the Make Your Own Baby Wipes!!!)

http://www.budget101.com/

Go to the Tips and Tricks and then to Household then to "T" and there are a Whole bunch of Make it yourself things!!!
I personally use Good ole Comet and a little elbow grease - sometimes a splash of Bleach (after the Comet)!!!

I use coupons,coupons,freebies,coupon and more oupons lol

If you shop at Value Village, you probably already know this, but I didn't.....if you drop off a donation (ours has a drive through, it's really quick) they give you a coupon for 20% your next purchase. It does have an expiry date so make sure you check if you're not using it right away like I did last night.

(Nov. 19 is the 50% off sale again.)