[MaineBean]

What are some small things you do around the house to save your pennies? I'm not talking about cancelling cable or putting into a 401K... I'm talking about the things that literally save pennies each time you do it, which might only add up to $50 a year- but a $50 you can spend on something else!

At our house we:

- Recycle as much as possibly including circulars and bottle caps so it doesn't go into our pay by the bag curb pick-up system

- Gone back to using cloth napkins at dinner. I didn't realize how many we had, so now if we use the same set for a couple of nights, we easily have enough for 1-2 weeks

- Squeeze every last drop of toothpaste out before opening the new one! I mean, when we get to the end, it's like a fun challenge for us to literally use every muscle in our arms to get that very last bit of paste out. We're at the point today where most people I think would toss it, but I'm determined to get another week out of that tube!

- Buy the reject cheese at the deli (you know, where they slice of the end of the cheese block and toss it in that bin of mismatched cheese slices?) for things like mac and cheese. Not only is it a cheaper price (usually around 50% off), it makes for a nice mix for things like cheese soup where you want a smooth texture.

- One outlet in our dining room is on a power strip with an on/off switch. We plug a lot of our rechargeable things and a few lamps into it and when we're not using it, we turn the power strip off so the chargers aren't sucking energy. I wish I had the ambition to unplug more of our appliances to save on energy draw- but it's too much of a pain at this point.

That's all I can think of for now, but I want to hear how you guys are finding savings!

[MommysPocket]

I'm getting better at trying to Upcycle many things. I hate spending money in the first place so I'm always buying off brand (and trying to use coupons). Yesterday I made my own laundry detergant, I'm super excited to use it today.

We also use cloth napkins 90% of the time. Yard sales are my best friend. buying in bulk also.

With Payton's eczema and DH stomache issues I'm trying to get us to more organic whole foods which makes it hard to be as frugal but I'm trying!

[mommy2eden]

I make our own sandwich bread (super yummy, easy and cheap).

I unplug everything that isn't in use.

I hang dry almost all of our laundry.

I shower every other day (my hair and skin thank me for this more so than the money saving aspect).

I make everything homemade for the most part unless it costs more to make it at home than buy it at the store (and my time does factor in to it).

Cloth diapering our kids. I am not obsessed with buying them, so it has actually saved us moola! LOL

[AndreaRenee]

I'm really good at turning off lights in rooms

I buy store brand as much as possible

I'm currently obsessed with repurposing things, it's fun to use what you have

[amyhk]

I'm not really good at this. But I like to internet shop for the lowest deals, which does often save us $. I will buy generic if it's identical to the name brand. I never use our dry cleaners with out a coupon. And I LOVE upcycled clothing!

[AutumnLove]

I have barely bought clothing for Carleigh because we are reusing a ton of Autumn's clothes, as well as hand me downs from some friends. We buy new shoes..

I have started really shopping for lower grocery prices, and listing exactly what we need so that we don't go over purely on last minute buys.

My heavy foot has gotten considerably lighter on the pedal lately. Trying to keep my RPM's low to save some gas moneys.

Always turning things off as I walk through rooms. Unplugging what is not in use also.

[AmyLM]

I do a lot of what's already been mentioned. We buy in bulk, use cloth napkins, shop online, thrift-store shop, turn off lights. DH always puts his loose change on the counter when he walks in the door and never picks it back up. About once a week or so, I take it and put it into a money jar and use it for a starbucks treat for myself!

[lynnicka]

When I cut my grocery bill in half I realized how much food I through away weekly too. So now I try to make dinners that are either doubled so half is frozen for later or enough for one lunch left over. When I buy special items for a recipe I try and find other uses or recipes for the item to be used up. So not only have I cut my bill down but I now through away a lot less spoiled food. Everytime I finish a container of cream or sour cream I get happy. I used to through that stuff out / find in the back of fridge moths later all the time.