I have been wondering what my efforts to be frugal are worth so I started a little spread sheet. Then I got to thinking: “What else can I do?” So first I will list out the results and if you have any other frugal ideas please leave a comment.
Baby
1. Cloth Diapers: On average we go through a pack every 4-5 days which cost $9 each. Yes, I know there are cheaper diapers, but my son is allergic to them. So to save we moved to cloth diapers. A one time cost of less than $100 got us 10 diapers plus liners that will fit from 10-22 lbs. Estimated Annual Savings: $700 (if you use 1 pack of diapers a week).
2. Suds pump for baby soap: I took a suds pump I already had and made my own foaming baby soap. One bottle lasted me an entire year, it will in January. Since I got the soap from my baby shower there has been no cost to us. Estimated Annual Savings: $96 (1 bottle per month of Burt’s Bees)
3. Baby Powder: I have noticed that the main ingredients on our baby powder are corn starch and baking soda. So I have started mixing my own. Again, this was a gift at our baby shower, so there was no initial cost to us. Instead of $6.99 a bottle (we got the Burt’s Bees at our baby shower) I mix our own for less than $0.75. Estimated Savings: $78 (1 bottle per month)
4. Diaper Disposal: Instead of buying bags to dispose of dirty diapers when we are out (the only time we use disposable diapers), I just save my small bags from the grocery store and keep them in a zip lock in our diaper bag. Zero Cost. Estimated Savings$3 (if you only buy one pack a year).
Cleaning
1. Trash Bags: I have a pack of regular garbage bags, but we ohnly use them when we have guest. I save my bags from grocery shopping and we just use them when its just us. This appeases both my frugal nature and dislike of garbage. Since the bags are small, they go out frequently. Otherwise we would use a bag a day. Estimated Annual Savings: $32
2. Cleaners: I read an article once where a study was done between bleach and just using peroxide and vinegar. (I would link to it, but I have recently lost all of my favorites. I will update when I find it). You keep the peroxide and vinegar in seperate bottles and just spray a few squarts of each on a mess. This kills more ecoli and salmonila than bleach did. It was cheaper than buying cleaners so I was sold. Estimated savings $24 (Average cost of bottle of cleaner is $3, 1 per month. This was probably a conservative total)
3. Hand Soap: I go through a lot of soap by myself. Add my kids and we could go through a lot of soap in a year. I started getting the suds pumps and refulling themself with soap I deluted. It’s the cheapest way to get a suds pump. Estimated Savings: $27(if you average one bottle of soap a month at $1 each and keep soap at three sinks, this total was probably actually higher with our soap usage.)
4. Laundry Detergent: I started making my own this year and to my surprise it worked better than Tide. It cost just over $1 a batch to make and each batch will wash the same number of loads as one box of detergent (maybe more). Estimated Savings: $105 (1 box per month, very conservative considering I have a toddler)
5. Dryer Sheets: Another item that is so simple to make at home that works just as well. Estimated savings: $43 (used the number of loads you can get from using 12 boxes of detergent a year. Again this is conservative considering)
6. Paper Towels: This year I started taking scrap cloth from towels, sheets, old clothes, etc… I surged the edges to prevent raveling and they are my new cleaning clothes. They are more absorbant, don’t tear, and best of all FREE. Estimated Savings: $26 (and that is if you use the cheap ones).
Food (includes anything used for preparing or eating)
1. Coffee Filters: Being frugal and wanting to be environmentally friendly I got a washable coffee filter. Estimated savings: $15 (based off one pot of coffee per day)
2. Napkins: In my quest to be more environmentally friendly I got cloth napkins. I got a great deal on a pack of 12 ($5) at a discount store. This doesn’t add up to much, but every penny counts. Estimated Savings: $12 (I can’t even remember the cost of napkins so I will double check this next time I am at the store).
3. Birthday Cakes: Last year I took a cake decorating class for fun. To get practice and for the fun of it, I started making our own birthday cakes. It cost less than $5 for everything I need to make the cake. This adds up quick when your family is growing. Estimated Savings: $60 (Estimating $20 per cake if store bought, I’m sure that has gone up since I have bought a sheet cake.)
And the grand total is (before tax): $1364
So needless to say, my New Years resolution is to beat this total in 2009.
