I HOMESCHOOL instead of sending my kids to private school!! I, too reuse glass jars for all sorts of things. Rice, popcorn, leftovers--even legos and "squinkies" are stored in glass jars! I also save plastic yogurt cups for the kids to use for mixing paints. I also stopped using commercial fabric softeners years ago (my youngest is allergic to most of them) Instead I add baking soda to the rinse cycle. I get boxes of it cheap at Aldi. I knit the majority of our socks in the winter, and all of our slippers, hats and mittens. I also knit all of our potholders and hot pads. This past winter my daughter and I sewed all of our pajama pants and skirts. Like many have already said, I shop at Aldi for the majority of our foods, with the exception of seafood and chicken which I get at Whole Foods, and produce with comes from either a local produce market or our food co-op. We live in a city, and when we go museums, theaters, and other attractions downtown I leave the car at home and take public transportation. It saves a lot on gas and parking garage fees. Our city is part of the recyclebank.com program and we earn points through recycling which I use for free admission to local museums. Finally, I've been mystery shopping since 1985, and work regularly with a few select companies. I challenge myself not to go out to restaurants, movies, amusement parks, the mall, etc...unless I am getting paid or reimbursed for what I spend! My kids are so used to me doing shops that on the rare occasion when we go out for dinner that is not a mystery shop they still make note of the server's name, whether the restrooms are clean, and how long it took us to be greeted! My kids call me "Frugal Franny" so I am sure there's a ton of things that I am just not remembering right now because they are so much a part of who I am! If I think of more I'll post them.
You know, i was watching a show recently that showed people CANNING meat! This lady said that they do this with all of the meat they buy on sale. They cook it and then can it, and if the electricity goes out or whatever, they can eat that stuff right out of the can!! I'm new at the canning game, but I have never heard of CANNING meat! It was super neat!
ShellChelle: We shop at Aldi too! It's super cheap and they have great stuff!! I really want to make some of my clothes. I'm a big girl and I can never find cute clothes in my size that are cheap. I have looked at buying a few patterns (found some triple cute ones at McCalls) and I am considering making some of my own clothes. My husband always jokes with me that I have "Craft ADD". LOL I will get SUPER into something, and then finish a project and put the stuff away for awhile, and start on something else. But I say that I am trying out what I really like. I'm testing certain crafts to make sure it's my thing! lol It drives the poor man nuts! lol
I have heard great things about Aldi's prices. We do not have an Aldi around here. Is it the same as Winco?
