Saving Money on Laundry Detergent

Hello Fellow Broke Galaxians,

Have you noticed recently that the 50-ounce bottle of laundry detergent that you once bought is now available at the same price for 46-ounces? It seems that price gouging in the laundry detergent aisle has been going on for some time and customers are no longer getting great value with their purchases. Companies blame the price on higher manufacturing costs. It doesn't matter why prices are higher, my paychecks are still not increasing and something has to give. We found that one way to save money was to make our own laundry detergent.

For those who have sensitivities and allergies, knowing exactly what chemicals are in your laundry detergent can be important. One does not need expensive detergents to wash clothes, you can do it with just three basic ingredients found in a typical grocery store for a fraction of the price. All you need is Arm & Hammer Washing detergent (similar to baking soda), Borax and regular bar soap, such as Ivory soap, Fels-Naptha or Zote soap. While other soaps would work, I found Fels-Naptha to be my favorite. This is an easy off-grid project and the cost of making a 50-ounce bottle of laundry detergent is less than 75-cents.

For those who have allergies or are sensitive to certain smells, this can be a lifesaver. By knowing the ingredients in your laundry detergent, you can eliminate nasty chemicals that saturate your clothes. Modern laundry detergent contains chemicals like sulfates, fragrances, petroleum distillates, and phenols. In addition, commercial laundry detergents tend to be harder on cotton clothing, causing them to fade and wear faster.

On a recent visit to my mother's home, she had complained about the expense of laundry detergent and how the bottle didn't last very long. Her house, at times is Grand Central Station with grandkids visiting from college and friends coming to stay for weeks. All of the visitors at some point needing to wash their clothes and use up her laundry detergent. I suggested that she make her own laundry detergent. I showed her how easy it was to mix a batch with only three simple ingredients. It was a hit. The instructions were easy for her to follow and she was able to do loads of laundry for pennies, saving big bucks in the process. On average, regularly priced laundry detergent you buy at the store costs 40-cents per load. For most shoppers that’s money well spent, until you consider that you can make your own laundry detergent for about 5-cents per load.

If you have a large family or care for elderly or young children, this can be a life saver. It doesn't take a lot of time and once you see how easy it is, you'll love it.

Homemade Laundry Detergent
If you prefer laundry detergent in powdered form, the ingredients can be mixed, and stored in dry form. As you do a load of laundry, scoop ½ cup of the powder into the washing machine. If a liquid form better suits you, follow the instructions for the recipe. For us, I find using liquid detergent cleans more efficiently than powder and you don’t end up with white residue on the clothing. We also live in an area where we have high humidity in the summer and the moisture causes dry powder to clump.

Ingredients Needed: 
1. One third cup of soap (your choice). I like to use Zote Soap or Fels-Naptha. 
The bar of soap gives the detergent the cleaning power to scrub the clothes clean. You can use any favorite bar of soap that does not contain oils or chemicals. Some beauty soaps leave a film of oil on your clothing and inside the washer. While this may be great for your skin, it's terrible for your clothing. To shred the bar of soap into flakes, you can use either a cheese grater or a food processor. If you are opposed to grating the bar of soap, an easy alternative is to use Dawn Ultra Blue Dishwashing Liquid instead.

2. One half cup of Borax 
Borax is naturally occurring boron mineral/salt that is mined from the in the earth. It is used as a laundry booster and it has the ability to deodorize clothes similar to the way baking soda does. It is marketed as non-chlorine bleach that doesn’t whiten clothes, but instead it acts as a color booster and stain remover. Borax is sold commercially as a water softener in homes, so if you have hard water, you can try increasing the amount of borax in your recipe to soften the water. I consider borax to an effective natural cleaner and a safe alternative when compared to many conventional cleaners. It is safe as long as you don’t rub it in your eyes or ingest it. I also add extra to the wash when I bring cloths home from the second hand store. It helps to eliminate the off-smell the clothes absorb.

3. One half cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda. 
This product is specifically for washing clothes and is not the same as baking soda used in the kitchen. Washing soda helps remove dirt and odors from the clothes. It is basically sodium bicarbonate, the same ingredient in baking soda, but washing soda is processed an additional step by using heat. As it is heated, it releases carbon dioxide and water vapor, turning it to sodium carbonate, or washing soda.

If you find yourself in a situation where you can't find the washing soda, consider making your own. Spread baking soda in a glass pain and bake it in an oven at 325°F, for approximately 45-minutes to an hour. While it is baking, stir the baking soda every 10-minutes. Allow it to cool and store in a container marked washing soda.

You should be able to find this product in the cleaning products section at the grocery store.



4. One and half gallons of water. 
Finally, something that's free. 

Step-by-Step Instructions
1—This recipe makes 1.5 gallons of laundry detergent. Grate ⅓-cup of soap using a cheese grater or food processor.
2—In a sauce pan, add grated soap to 6-cups of water. Dissolve over medium heat, stirring continually. (Note: Do not allow the mixture to boil).
3—Add one ½-cup of Borax, and½-cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda to the grated soap mixture and stir, ensuring that all dry clumps are dissolved. Once dissolved, remove from heat.
4—Transfer this mixture to a 2-gallon container.
5—Add 18-cups of warn water and stir.
6—Let the mixture sit for at least 12-24 hours, stirring occasionally. It will resemble a slurry mix.
7—After letting it sit, stir with an electric hand mixer. Just a few seconds of mixing should work.
8—Use the laundry detergent straight from the 2-gallon storage container.  If needed, stir before each use. Use ½ cup for smaller loads and 1-cup for larger loads of laundry.

Super Quick Homemade Laundry Detergent
Here's another recipe that's easy to make. I actually like this one better.

½-cup borax
½-cup washing soda
¼-cup Dawn Ultra Blue Dishwashing Liquid

1—Use an old laundry detergent container.
2—Add the borax, washing soda and liquid Dawn to the plastic container.
3—Add two cups of very hot water.
4—Screw on the lid and shake until the soda and borax have dissolved.
5—Now fill the container with cold water. Screw on the lid, shake, label and you’re done.
6—Shake the bottle before each use. Use ½-cup for smaller loads and 1-cup for larger loads of laundry.

Helpful Tips
1—Adding Vinegar to the wash cycle neutralizes the laundry detergent and you end up washing with salt and water. I have a neighbor who likes to do this and their laundry smells just as if it was never washed. If you want to use vinegar as a softener, use it during the rinse stage and you will get the results you want.
2—If you let your detergent sit and it separates into two layers, run it through a blender or use a hand mixer to blend it together again.
3—By using a liquid detergent, you will have less clogging in the pipes and less detergent clumps on your clothing. Dry detergent leaves residue on the clothing and you might have to rewash it.
4—If you're worried about how this will fare in your septic tank, don't. This laundry soap is better than store-bought detergents that have countless chemicals. 
5—You can use a food processor to grate the soap, which might save you from grating your knuckles.
6—Although homemade laundry soaps cause less residue in high-efficiency washers, manufacturers may not consider this viable and may discontinue the warranty if they know you are using it.

And there you have it--another way to save money. So my friends, go forth and save $$$. 

Peace Peeps, 

Broke Girl

Sadness for the next few days--so make some Sprouts

Dear Broke Galaxians,

Alas, I have sad news. I cut a chunk out of my finger so I will not be posting my blog for the rest of the week. So I will re-post a previous blog until it heals. I hope that if you haven't tried making your own sprouts yet that you will do it now. 

I'm always on the look out for new ways to eat healthier on the cheap. As such, I buy whole grains when I can find them. One grain that has multiple uses and is particularly healthy, inexpensive and useful is wheat berries. You can order wheat from many different Online Stores, but if you're lucky, you may also find it at Walmart. If not, you can order it from them online and they will ship it right to your door. 

Wheat is versatile. If ground into flour, you can make anything you would make with regular flour. You can grow it into wheat grass, which has wonderful health properties and you can sprout it. 

Wheat Sprouts 

You can get the most nutrition from wheat by sprouting it. It can stimulate food enzymes, boost vitamin content, and counteract anti-nutrients like phytic acid, which prevents you from fully absorbing needed nutrients. And, in the sprouted form, you can enjoy massive increases in B vitamins, E vitamin, and fiber by as much as three times more. 

What Can You Do With Wheat Sprouts?

Wheat sprouts can be added to most recipes for an extra boost of nutrition. Some sprouts will have to be put through a food mill or blender beforehand. It will come out as a green mushy mess, but don’t let that stop you. This can be added to breads, cereal, rice dishes, stir-fry, casseroles, cookies and brownies, muffins, pancakes, sandwiches and salads. Wheat sprouts can be dried in a dehydrator and then ground into flour to be used in tandem with flour for breads. For a nutty flavor and texture, toast the wheat sprouts in a frying pan with a little oil. As a side note, sprouted wheat bread has been around for centuries and is a great non-gluten option for those with allergies. 

Let's get started!

How to Sprout Wheat

§  Rinse the wheat berries

§  Place about ½ cup of berries in a jar.

Fill up the jar halfway with water then cover the top with a nylon net or cheesecloth. Secure it with a Rubber band or a canning ring and soak for 12 hours or overnight.

§  Drain the water from the seeds.

§  Place the bottle in a dark area, such as a cupboard.  Be sure you haven’t covered the lid as the sprouts will need air. 

§  Twice a day, rinse the seeds with room-temperature water. 

§  In about 3 to 4 days, you’ll have sprouts.  I let them sit out on the counter for a day to green-up, but that is a personal preference.

Store your sprouts in the refrigerator and plan on using them within 6 days. 

How to Make Sprouted Flour

§  When your grain has just barely sprouted and the sprout is barely visible at the tip of the kernel a day or two into the sprouting process, it’s ready to use. If the sprout is too long, it will be harder to grind. 

§   Pour the grain in a thin layer and dry it in a dehydrator or oven of about 105° to 110° F. It’s better to use a dehydrator, than an oven. Grind the dried grain in a grain mill for flour.  

If you don't want to make your own sprouter, but you want to get started, consider getting a sprouter. 

If you're a serious super sprouter, this could work for you. 

And there you have it--you've just added valuable nutrition to your diet.

Happy Sprouting, friends.

Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl

Earning Extra Cash in a Pinch

Hello Fellow Broke Galaxians,

You may need extra cash . . . and soon!!!  There's so many people on the Internet yelling at the top of their lungs that you need to buy their system to make money that I don't know where to turn. I thought I would share my experience with AirBnB and let you know that the hype about this company was all true--they really do deliver on their word.

I was in this situation last year when I was minimizing all my expenses and still needed extra money to pay off my credit cards so I could get out of debt faster. I pulled out all the stops to reach my goals. After selling everything I could, I knew I had to find another way to bring in some quick cash. That's when a friend told me about renting a room on AirBnB. This brought in the money needed to put me over the edge of paying off my debts. It was extremely easy to sign up.

You can find them here at https://www.airbnb.com/

Once you've signed up, clean up your room, take some pictures and voila--you may have another stream of income. You don't have to have a 4-star residence to rent a room, many people just need somewhere to stay while working in town or vacationing and they're looking for a good deal. I've had both kinds of people contact me and I've stayed at an AirBnB when attending a workshop.

Once you have signed up, cleaned up your space, take pictures and post it.

PHOTO TIPS
1. Not everything needs to be in the photo. Crop out items that are messy.
2. Use an editing program (preferably free) to create the best photograph. I use Picasa, but that is discontinued and I suppose I will have to move on to another program.
3. Take photographs in the middle of the day when it is light, but overcast. This will give you a softer light and not produce hard shadows. You'll want to show your home in the best light possible.
4. Be honest. Don't take photos of the bear that passed through your yard 5 years ago. If the bear doesn't visit nightly, don't post the picture of it. People want to see exactly what they're getting.
5. Take a photograph of each room that will be available to your guest, as well as any amenities (deck, hot tub, patio set).

AFTER YOU'VE SIGNED UP
Walk through your home and decide what you will pack away and what you will leave out. This protects you and your guest as well.

It's important to ensure your family's safety, so check locks on all areas of the house that will not be available to your guest. It's great if the visitor can have a separate entrance with their own bathroom, then they will be able to enjoy privacy and safety as well.

Play up any interesting features the home has to offer. This may be your biggest selling point. My home was a log home with a totem pole out front and many guests wanted to feel like they were truly on vacation.

MAKING YOUR GUESTS COMFORTABLE
One of my guests told me a horror story of how they stayed with a family and the father told them under no certain terms were they to mix with the family. Their room was a small little hovel at the top of the stairs and once they came into the house they were expected to stay in the room. Wow! It's important to find out all expectations before you leave on a trip.

Make guests feel as comfortable as possible. Since it is considered a bed and breakfast, provide some kind of breakfast. This doesn't mean you have to feed them a 4-course meal. You can provide coffee, some drinks and some quick breakfast snacks. Either way, it's good to communicate with your guest beforehand and ask them what they would like. Some wanted a special tea and some were happy with whatever you had on hand. Asking will help you keep your expenses as low as possible, but not to the point where your guest has a bad time and doesn't feel welcome in your home.

ALTERNATIVE IDEAS ON AirBnB
If you don't want to rent your home, consider offering an experience on AirBnB, such as a hike or bike ride. Sometimes people want to do something fun, but they don't want to go on a guided tour with 15 other people. As a local, you will have experience in the area and may know the best fishing spots or hiking trails. Some people even offer cooking classes. There may be something that you're good at that someone wants to learn so put your hobbies to work for you to earn some extra cash.

One of the good points of AirBnB is that they handle all the money. If there's an issue or complaint, they work hard to resolve it. In the end, I enjoyed my experience as a host and as a guest.

So, go forth and save $$$.

Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl

Putting a Little Life into the Fire--Heating with Wood

Hello Fellow Broke Galaxians,

Sometimes it's so hard to start a fire in your wood stove you wonder how forest fires even start. Those of us who heat with wood know the work involved with keeping the cabin warm all winter. Sometimes when you heat with wood, starting a fire and keeping it going can be exhausting. To save time and money, you can make your own fire starters.

Fire Starter Sticks and Fuel
We keep a squirt bottle filled with 90% rubbing alcohol. It comes in handy when starting the wood stove. Squirt a small amount on the newspaper or kindling and light. Although others have used fire starter, I prefer rubbing alcohol.

The secret to a great fire is a lot of dry kindling. Keeping fire starter available can be expensive if you're heating on a full time basis.

Kindling 
I have a friend who collects twigs and limbs all year and ties them in small bundles with string or yarn. Then when it's time to start the fire, she grabs her tied twigs and tosses it into her stove.

Garbage
One thing I like to do is to save cardboard boxes and stuff them with junk mail and old newspapers and kindling we've collected throughout the year. This burns fast unless you add some wood strips to the box.

Candle Strands
Dipping a couple of cotton mop head strands into hot wax can act as a large candle. You can use any cotton string twisted together into a big knot and dipped in wax. These can burn for approximately 8 minutes or longer.

Orange Skins
Dry orange skins and use them as a fire starter. Oranges contain flammable oil inside the skin that can be used to start a fire. In addition, they create a citrus scent when burned. To dry orange peels, lay them on a cookie sheet and set them next to your wood burning stove. Store the dry peels in a zip-lock bag until needed.

Cotton Balls and Petroleum Jelly
Find the largest cotton balls you can find and rub Vaseline into the center of each one. When the cotton ball turns into a giant ball of goo, drop it into a zip-lock bag and start another one. Although these are messy, they work great at starting fires.

Fire Nuggets
There are plenty of fire sticks sold in camping section of stores. Most of them are made of paraffin, paper and cotton. Lighting a small nugget made of wood chips and candle wax can produce a 10-15 minute burn that will help keep a fire alive. For most logs, this will give you plenty of time to get the fire roaring without having to repeatedly stuff in more paper and cardboard. This fire starter is easy to make and simple to store.

Making Your Own Fire Nuggets
You should be able to find most items you need at yard sales or second-hand stores. Look for ugly, old used candles that are cheap.

Next, find hamster bedding in the pet section or saw dust in the home improvement sections. You can use cedar chips for dogs, but they are large and cumbersome and will probably need to be put through the blender first. If you have enough dryer lint, this could also be used instead of sawdust.

If you know a wood-worker, ask them for their sawdust. Next, take fiber-based egg cartons and use them to mold the wood chips. The egg carton serves two purposes, first, it will hold the chips in place while pouring hot wax and second, it is flammable. Once finished making the fire starters, use scissors to separate into individual fire starters. Don't use foam egg cartons because they are not environmentally sound.

Next, line a mini cupcake tin with mini cupcake papers so that when you pour in the hot wax, the holders will be secure. Minis fit perfectly in the egg carton. They're easy to find at the grocery store and not expensive.

Items Needed

·         Wood Chips, Saw Dust or Dryer Lint

·         Old Candles

·         Tin Can and Pot of Water

·         Fiber Based Egg Carton

·         Mini Cupcake Holders and Mini Cupcake Tin

Step by Step

1—Start by melting the wax in a discarded tin can, set the can in a small pot of water and add heat. If you have an old pot and you are not worried about ruining with melted wax, then use it.  A double boiler is the best for melting the wax without causing the wax to burn. Don’t forget wax is hot and will burn if splashed on your skin. Wax has a low flash point, and can catch fire if left on the stove unwatched.

2--Place cupcake papers in either a cupcake tin or a fiber-based egg carton. 

3—Slowly pour a small amount of wax into each cup. Just enough to act as a base for the sawdust.

4--Layer in some fine-textured sawdust or wood shavings and cover the top with more wax. Let cool, and add repeat if necessary. Store the nuggets in  a zip lock bag.

  
5--Slightly cool the layer of sawdust and wax.

6--Add another layer of wax, followed by another layer of sawdust.

7--Cool the final sawdust/wax cupcake holder.




Light the nugget and let it burn. 



There you have it Fellow Broke Galaxians. No need to freeze or exhaust yourself with fire-making this winter/spring.

Go forth and save $$$ my friends.

Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl
   

Extreme Couponing . . . or not.

Hello Fellow Broke Galaxians,

We’ve all heard the stories about people who use so many coupons that they only pay $10 for $200 worth of groceries. I have never had the ability or patience to go to extremes, but I have saved quite a lot of money with coupons.

For one thing, I use a list when I go to the store. Finding a coupon for specific items on my list is difficult. Am I truly saving money by couponing? Yes, it takes time to coupon. However, if you’re like me and have time but no money, this is a perfect trade off. Searching for each individual coupon may be worth it.

Before you do anything, create a list of items you will need for upcoming meals. Some people shop every two weeks. I find it easier to make a weekly shopping trip. On Tuesday evenings, we sit down as a family and create a menu for the week. Why Tuesdays? We go to town and shop on Wednesdays. Everyone is different and will have their own way of doing things. Bottom line—we start with a list of ingredients needed for each meal.

Now that you know what you need, search the area store circulars for “loss leader items.” These are sale items that are designed to lure you into the store with hopes that you will purchase other items not on sale.

If possible, find coupons for those loss leaders to save the most money. Find out if the store will let you double your coupon or even Stacking Coupons. When you combine manufacturer coupons with store coupons, this is called stacking.

Where do you find coupons?

Newspaper circulars. Since I don’t buy the paper, I am sometimes able to find extra circulars at the recycling depot or friends who will contribute to my cause.

Store Internet Coupons. Most stores will have internet circulars that will be sent to your personal email.

Internet Coupon Sites. The Blog site, “The Well Kept Wallet,” by Laurie Blank, has a wonderful list of internet sites that I have never considered. You can find her at
https://wellkeptwallet.com/best-coupon-sites/. However, I have used www.coupons.com and www.coolsavings.com with success.

Other sites include:
www.coupons-grabber.com
www.befrugal.com
https://thekrazycouponlady.com
www.passionforsavings.com
www.grocerycouponnetwork.com
www.couponmom.com
https://hip2save.com/grocery-coupon-network

Coupon Apps will provide cash back for some items you buy. Some App sites are Snap by Groupon, CartSmart, Ibotta, Checkout51, SavingStar. Passion for Savings App. Downloading Apps from grocery stores where you shop can help.

USPS Mail. Sometimes, you can receive coupons from companies that you contact.
Sign up for Store Rewards Programs. Some stores will offer discounts and specialized coupons depending on your purchases. It pays to sign up for these.

Rebates. Be sure to save your receipts for rebates. You may not find a rebate when you bought the item, but it may be available a few weeks later.

When you find a good deal of products you use on a regular basis, make multiple purchases.

After you start collecting coupons, organize them. I used to use an index card box with dividers. You will be able to create a system that works for you.

The next step is to search weekly store circulars for sale items. Circle them and then find a coupon, if available, to go with that item. If you don’t have a coupon for that particular item, enter that particular item on a search engine and you may be able to find one.

It’s easy to get carried away, buying a lot of different grocery items you may not need. Stick with your list. You won’t save money if you’re buying a lot of unneeded things.

So, go forth and save $$$.

Peace Peeps,

Broke Girl

Broke Girl is Still Here

Hello Other Broke Galaxians,

Yes, I'm still here. I spent the last week in New Smyrna Beach, Florida taking the Level I Bob Ross Painting Course. I plan to finish off the course with Level II and Level III eventually so I can (1) Learn to be a better artist and paint awesomely wonderful paintings and (2) Give classes so I can be less broke and teach others to paint awesomely wonderful paintings.

As you see, I have a plan.



Whether I'm able to pick up a job or not, teaching Bob Ross Painting classes on the weekend could help me meet great like-minded people and I wouldn't mind having a side gig to help with expenses for my hobby and pay a few bills.

Hobbies are important. They build self confidence, as well as new skills. Collecting things--not so much because you may have a hard time parting with your collectibles. Seriously, what are you going to do with that matchbox car collection that you can't part with?

Take a look at your hobbies and interests and see if there's something you can do to bring in extra income, whether it's piano or guitar lessons, or how to put together a kicking resume. There's something that you excel at that will benefit someone else. Take a good look at yourself and make a list of what you can do.

Take care my fellow Broke Galaxians. Go forth and save $$$.

Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl

Popped Wheat Berries -- The Perfect Healthy Snack

Hello Broke Galaxians,

One of our big expenses at the grocery store come in the way of snacks--crackers, chips, sweets. When I shop when I'm hungry, it's even worse. Crackers are a big downfall. 

One way to avoid the extra expense and still enjoy nightly snacking is by making your own popped wheat--not puffed wheat, but popped wheat. 

Wheat is fairly inexpensive when bought in bulk. Many health food stores carry it. You can even buy wheat berries online at Wal-Mart. 

Although you can buy puffed wheat cereal at the store, this is not something that can be safely done at home. Commercial manufacturers have equipment that pressurize the wheat berry with high temperatures and steam to the point where the steam flashes and the kernel puffs up like popcorn. So when "they" say, "don't try this at home," it's probably best to listen. 

Wheat can still be popped, it just won't fluff up like popcorn. However, the kernels will expand slightly and can be eaten as a tasty, healthy treat that has a nutty flavor. 

How to Pop Wheat.
1. Soak the berries overnight. 
2. The next day, boil the wheat berries for a few minutes, then simmer them for 45 minutes. They should double and triple in size.  
3. Drain the wheat berries and then put them on a clean, dry towel and pat them dry to take the excess moisture off them. 
4. In a frying pan, add a few tablespoons of oil and the boiled wheat berries. 
5. Cover the frying pan with a lid. 
6. Pop the wheat berries as you would pop corn. (Gently shake the berries in the oil on top of the stove). 

When your wheat berries are popped and still hot, remove the lid and add salt or seasonings to the popped wheat. 

You can even add popped wheat to salads or sprinkle on top of your granola. 

The popped wheat berries are much better than processed snack food that is much more expensive and bad for me. 

So, my fellow Broke Galaxians, go forth and save $$$. 

Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl 



.

Stop Losing Money on Your Garden

Hi Fellow Broke Galaxians--

Guess what? It's time to plant your starts if you don't want to spend a fortune in a few months at the garden center.

I know I can drop large amounts of hard-earned cash every spring to get my garden going. By doing this, I am not helping my cause to save money in the long run.



The dilemma of the plastic garden start kit.

You see the kit at the store and you get excited--at least I know I do. The promise of a productive garden that is overflowing with vegetables makes you practically salivate. Before you know it, your cart is filled with seeds, little peat buttons with the associated pots and you're standing at the check out line.

You may think you're saving money buying those little peat pots or buttons, but I'm not sure this is the case. First, while these little starts have all the nutrients for your plant in the convenience of a button, they are expensive and you may find yourself transplanting well before you're able to get the start into your garden.

You'll lose some of your tender plants to transplant shock and if you wait too long, you'll have root-bound plants that never quite recover. You've probably seen it before--the roots grow through the bottom of the container and you have to damage them when you pull them out to transplant.

Your plants outgrow the plastic container before they are big enough to transplant. Plants don't germinate at the same rate. So while your tomato plants are one height, your pepper plants are another. You may still need to have the warmth of the plastic cover on the peppers, but you can't because the tomato plants are too tall.

First, tomatoes have long, luscious root systems that stretch into the ground--and frankly, those little, tiny peat pots aren't going to cut it. Roots don't like someone messing with them. They don't respond well to constant transplanting. Think about it in these terms--how would you handle moving every few weeks? It would be traumatizing.



Consider growing long rooted plants in 2-Liter soda bottles. Cut off the top of the bottle just below the neck. Poke several holes in the bottom of the container and fill it with soil. This gives plants, like tomatoes, the length they need so you're only transplanting them once into your garden. When it's time to transplant, cut a circle in the bottom and push the plant into the hole.

If you don't have a "coke" habit, you may know someone who does and wouldn't mind having you take those pesky bottles off their hands.



Empty Milk Cartons make perfect planters. Instead of adding to the local landfill, reuse some of the empty containers around your house.



For those smaller seeds that respond well to transplanting, consider using fiber-based egg cartons or empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls. Some seeds have shallow root systems and grow slower than tomatoes.

Take the empty toilet paper roll and fold one of the ends inward. Continue this process with three more folds to make an envelope shaped bottom. Fill it with soil and you'll have your own little planting pot. Cut an empty paper towel tube in thirds and fold them the same way you would the toilet paper roll. You should be able to plant these directly into your garden and the container will eventually deteriorate and become part of the soil. This will keep the roots intact and undisturbed.



What about missing out on the nutrients in the peat buttons?

You can get the same results if you buy a bag of potting mix and provide your own containers. Don't go out and spend money on fancy-shmancy containers when you've probably got something you can use laying around your house. It feels good to give new life to something you would normally throw away--but it feels even better to save money.

So Fellow Broke Galaxians--Go forth and save $$$.

Peace Peeps,
Broke Girl

5 Triggers That Prompt You To Spend Money

Hello Fellow Galaxians, 

I'm pretty sure you know that it's literally impossible to save money by spending money. 

If your goal is to get out of debt and save money, you must find a way to stop spending on items that are not absolutely necessary. But telling yourself to not spend money isn't enough--you need to understand the psychology behind your spending habits and learn how to fight your urge to spend yourself broke.

First, you must make a list of everything you buy--and I mean everything. By doing this, you will begin to see habits and patterns. Think about what would happen if you didn't buy anything that day. Why did you buy each item? What feeling did it bring you? Did you buy it because of convenience or to make your life easier?

1. Retail Therapy. 

Spending money can give you a false sense of happiness that lasts about as long as it takes you to get your credit card bill or to look at your bank account. Maybe something bad has happened or you feel bad about yourself and spending money makes you feel good. Some people eat to elevate their mood and some shop, and some do both. Recognize retail therapy for what it is.

Find another activity that doesn't cost money. What else can give you that high? What else can cause your endorphins to raise? Try going for a walk in the sunshine. At first you may not enjoy the walk, but by the end of the walk, I promise you'll feel better. If you must spend money, go to the dollar store and by one item to satisfy your urge. Invite a friend over for a movie night. Maybe time with a friend will lift your mood. 

2. Boredom. 

Maybe you shop because you're bored. Recognize this for what it is and admit that you're bored. You may need a new hobby. There may be an area in your life that needs attention. Trade shopping for another activity that doesn't cost money.

3. Sales events. 

Marketers study how to lure shoppers into spending their hard earned money. We may feel like we need to participate and buy items we don't actually need because we're afraid we will miss out on the sale. Black Friday is a perfect example of this. No one wants to miss out on a good deal. To combat this, you may want to go visit a friend that day or unplug yourself from the internet and avoid television during that time. If there are big ticket items you need, give yourself time to save for them. It's like Christmas--you know it's coming, it's not a big surprise--it comes every year. So, save for it. Set up a savings account and put a small amount of money in it for this particular event. 

4. Reward Spending. 

You may want to reward yourself for some achievement or in celebration. Find another way to reward yourself. 

As a dieter, it's essential that you don't reward yourself with food when you lose a couple of pounds. As a habitual spender, you may want to not reward yourself by spending money. 

Maybe buying that daily specialty coffee is your reward. You may want to find another way to reward yourself. More people buy gifts for themselves at certain times of year, such as a birthday or Christmas. 

5. Impulse Spending. 
Don't immediately run out and buy something you need. Do your homework, researching the model and price range. Take the time to find the best value. You may need to spend money on newer models instead of ones found on the secondary market. Electronics should be bought new, but you may not need the latest gadget since you will pay more the closer you are to the release date. Consider buying a later model that has a good track record on Consumer Reports or on research sites. By researching, you may find a better deal than just buying one at the first place you look. Search for coupons, rebates or sales on items you need. 

Try the 30-day rule. If you feel that you need something new, give yourself 30 days to decide if you actually need that item. By practicing delayed gratification, you will feel a semblance of self control and you will also have time to decide if you really want to spend money on what you are planning to buy. 

Breaking bad habits. 
If you enjoy that morning cup of coffee on the way to work, can you replace that with a coffee made at home with a specialty creamer? What is it that you specifically like about that coffee? Perhaps you feel that you need a new outfit. Can you accessorize instead? Maybe you can sell your unused clothes in a consignment shop to afford the clothes you want. If you go out with friends and spending money is part of the event, plan for it. Cut back in other areas of your life so you can afford the night out.

Knowing why and how you spend money is important to breaking the habit of over-spending. One of the ways to break a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. 

So, go forth and save $$$ my friends. 

Peace Peeps, 
Broke Girl 

10 Ways to Cut Costs at the Grocery Store

Hello Fellow Broke Galaxians,

Getting your financial lives in order can feel like a giant monster that is out of control. One problem many families have is that of that monthly grocery budget. A few dollars here and a few dollars spent there can quickly spiral out of control and all the sudden your money is gone-gone-gone. So how do you tame that Monster? Maybe these tips will help. 

1. Grocery Store Reward Cards.

Many grocery stores have free membership cards that offer awards, cash-back or coupons. They even offer occasional sweepstakes and promotional offers. It pays to sign up and use them at stores you frequent.

2. Go alone.

One way I lose money or overspend is when shopping is a family activity. Everyone is indiscriminately adding to the cart. They cannot leave that store without that one item they absolutely cannot live without. Chances are, family members weren't even thinking of buying it until they saw it on the shelf. The Marketing Science Institute notes that the amount of these unplanned purchases can significantly skyrocket when kids or the spouse comes along on the shopping trip--so go alone.

3. Go armed with a list and don't buy anything not on the list.

By preplanning your trip, you avoid any unnecessary spending. Also, you will know which store offers the best deals on each item. By knowing exactly what you need, you will be less likely to add extra items to the cart. 

4. Buy in Bulk.

Buying in bulk only works if the item costs less in bulk and if you will definitely use the items bought. A good deal is only a good deal if you will use what you buy. Bring a calculator and know how much a roll of toilet paper costs in lower quantities before you buy 30 rolls in bulk at a higher price. If you're afraid of food going bad before you use it, research how to store it. As long as you store the items correctly (out of sunlight and properly sealed), they should last a long time and be there when you're ready to use them.

5. Buy Generic.

It pays to try generic brands. For the most part, there isn't a marked difference between generic and brand names. Sometimes the food is processed in the same plant and the only difference is marketing and packaging. If the family complains about their brand name cereal, try storing it in a plastic container--out of sight out of mind.

6. Buy Sale Items in Bulk.

Look at the sales fliers each week. Grocery stores offer what they call loss leaders which is designed to lure you in with cheap prices. They make their money off the other items you buy that aren't on sale. Stock up on loss leader items and you'll save. 

Don't bypass the produce isle without seeing what is starting to ripen. Sometimes bananas go on sale and I snap them up. I use bananas for banana bread and in my morning smoothies. Peel the bananas and store them, three at a time, in freezer bags. They will be there when you're ready to use them. I ounce found a sale on carrots, bought several bags and pressure canned them. It's extra work, but by processing sale foods you will have them when you need them and them at a discount.

7. Use Coupons.

There's a show on television that shows how people extreme couponing. Sometimes they buy a couple hundred dollars of groceries for very little. Most of us don't want to put in the time to do extreme couponing, but you can still save quite a bit of money with them. 

Coupons can be found in many places--on sales fliers, in the newspaper, on the internet, and by signing up for coupon sites. By investing a little bit of time, you should be able to save a lot of money by doing this. Be sure to watch for the expiration date and if the coupon rules. You may end up buying two items to take advantage of the coupon and it may not save you as much money as you think. Some stores will allow you to double your coupon value, but be sure to ask first. You will want to make the most of your money. 

Coupons can also be found at Internet sites such as redplum.com, queenoffree.net, and smartsource.com.

8. Sign up for Saving Apps.

By downloading an App, you may be able to find the best price for an item or even receive cash back on something you've bought. It may pay to check out sites such as Ibotta, Shopmium, Checkout51, Groupon Snap, and Saving Star. Some Apps pay you in coins that you can redeem for cash, while others pay with PayPal or gift cards. Either way, saving money will definitely put a smile on your face.

9. Buy Groceries on the Internet.

Sometimes you can find grocery items on Amazon that cost less than the local grocery store. I've ordered food from Wal-Mart and had it shipped to my door free. When we want to use pecans in holiday cooking, we sometimes find cheaper prices online with free shipping from vendors. More now than ever before companies are offering grocery delivery services. In some cities you can have it delivered within a few hours of ordering. However, if saving money is your game, you will need to know the price per ounce you normally pay for something to ensure you're getting the best deal.

10. Shop the Scratch and Dent Sales.

There are usually shelves or carts at the grocery store that have discontinued or dented items. This is a great area to find bargains. Be sure to check that all packaging is not compromised, meaning that it is still sealed. use good judgment because slightly dented cans are usually fine, but cans with severe dents may have a damaged seal that can lead to contaminated food. Grocery stores that have a bakery usually sell day-old bread at a discount that you can store in your freezer for a later date.

With a few tweaks to your buying habits and a little research and preparation, buying groceries doesn't have to kill your budget.

So, my fellow Broke Galaxians--Go Forth and Save $$$.

Peace Peeps,

Broke Girl