Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Frugal Challenge - Room By Room and my Faves from the .99 Cents Store

I have been doing some inventory in our house examining where we can save in each room as part of my frugal challenge. Making my own cleaners is one way and what to buy at the dollar stores to save money making homemade cleaners. We have had brief meetings at the kitchen table reminding the kids of ways to save around the house. So I thought I would take my money saving challenge around the house and share with you so I will be doing my Frugal Challenge Room by Room.
It will challenge me to see where I can save in greater detail in each and every room.
Also wanted to share what I think are good buys at the .99 Store. Basic cleaning supplies are a good buy there and since I am committing to making as many of my own cleaners cheaply, I stocked up.

Today, I took a few bucks and bought some things I use for basic cleaners. I bought ammonia, cleanser, scouring pads, bleach (you can't find it for .99 anywhere else around here) and some dish soap.
The ammonia and dish soap go to make my homemade laundry stain remover. It will easily last the year.

The Zote which I grate for my home made laundry soap, is .59 a piece at the .99 Store. Better price than any where else. I now use Zote to make a great all purpose cleaner and also an all purpose bleach cleaner. So cheap to make my own and costs just pennies.

what to buy from the .99 store

I also buy rubbing alcohol that I mix with water to use as my all purpose spray cleaner. It is the best glass cleaner ever and I use it on counters as well. The recipe is here. You will see other items I use like vinegar and baking soda. Check out all of our Frugal Tips on our Frugal living page.

23 comments:

  1. looking forward to your series. I've been doing this frugal thing a long time but am always looking for new ideas and inspiration.
    I also don't feel so alone when I see others in the same boat we are.

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  2. Sounds like you've found some great ways to save money.

    I went to the dollar store myself yesterday, and picked up a few supplies.... a bucket for scrubbing, and some little organizers, etc.

    Looking forward to reading your frugal tips, and getting some fresh ideas :)

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  3. Thanks for sharing! I love to try homemade recipes for cleaner, will try yours soon! Have a great week!

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  4. I am following this series closely! Love your ideas and room by room sounds great!

    hugs, Linda

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  5. Elaine ~ I am definitely looking forward to this. I make my own laundry soap and I use vinegar and water as a general all purpose spray cleaner in the kitchen. The only thing is, we can't get Zote soap here ~ sigh

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  6. I never tried rubbing alcohol as a glass cleaner but many years ago I worked in a used bookstore and we used to use it to wipe off the cover of every paperback book - it cleans and won't wreck the cover like water would. I will have to try it on glass. Thanks for the tip!

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  7. Wow, I will have to go buy some Zote there! I use it for homemade laundry soap too!
    Good tips!!
    See you Friday?
    xo Kris

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  8. I didn't know that the dollar store sold Zote. I wish I had known that when I was making powdered soap. I know made liquid soap with dawn and it seems to work better for us and it's cheaper too. Just borax, washing soda, water and dawn. No more soap shredding and I can make a batch in about 2 minutes and use it right away. Love these frugal posts!

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  9. I'm not sure why I forget about the dollar store. Thanks for the reminder. I'll be re-evaluating some of my purchases.

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  10. $$$$ tips I always appreciate. Gotta love Dollar Tree!

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  11. I use a lot of the same things you do, Elaine. I really like the alcohol for windows and mirrors. Someone mentioned a "glass cloth" the other day and says it lasts for years and you just wipe the windows/mirrors clean with water and that is it- xo Diana

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  12. Inspiration!! Just what I need...thanks!!

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  13. Zote is new to me. I don't think I've seen it ever, anywhere. I do like to stock up on certain things at the Dollar Tree. I have a blog post about all my favorites from there.

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  14. Elaine, you should write an ebook of all your frugal ideas.
    Brenda

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  15. Just an FYI- if you're planning on making your own laundry soap with ZOTE, it has a LOT of chemicals in it. If you or your family have allergies you may want to buy a more non-toxic soap like a castile bar. It grates really easy to make a liquid laundry soap.
    Little Homestead In Boise

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  16. Love the Dollar Tree here...so many great things there...zote won't work for us...allergies here...but I use vinegar and rubbing alcohol for mirrors and glass all the time! have a great evening!!

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  17. Ok, I will be watching. Can't wait. Hugs, Marty

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  18. Hi Elaine,

    Is your 99 cents store like a Dollar Tree? We shop for certain things there....but I really should take a closer look at the cleaning supplies and such.

    Looking forward to more frugal posts!

    Blessings,
    Tammy

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  19. My dollar store doesn't carry Zote. I wish it did. I will be following your frugal series. I love to make it home made if I can.

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  20. OK when you finish cleaning your house, come and do mine! You seem to get bargains in your $ store well worth keeping your eyes out for things.

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  21. I have thought of making my own stain cleaner and others, perhaps I will Pin them and then I will have them for sure.
    Good for you, we all need to work at saving, rather than spending.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  22. Elaine thank you for the tips on the cleaners. I just made your rubbing alcohol mixture!!

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  23. Nice post. Great minds think alike. I did a room by room savings for utilities today. I am also going to make your rubbing alcohol mixture.

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