Homemade Laundry Soap

In my quest to save money and live a little simpler, I decided to try making my own laundry soap.  Even though it is just two of us, I typically do about 6 loads of laundry a week.  I found an easy recipe (which was a must) and mixed it up.   I made my first batch in mid-January and just ran out this week, that means the soap lasted close to 4 months! I was unsure if I would like it but have found that it cleans well and leaves clothes brighter, even when washing in cold water.  It doesn't have a strong scent, but you can use fabric softener or add a few drops of essential oil to each load.

Cost breakdown: I bought enough of everything to make 3 batches and it cost a total of $23.  Each batch costs me about $7.67 and lasts 15 weeks or about 90 loads of laundry!  That's 8.5 cents a load!

Supplies:

55 oz Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
4 lbs Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
76 oz Borax
3 lbs Oxi Clean
3 Fels Naptha Laundry Bar  

*I have been making smaller batches and keeping it in an empty, gallon ice-cream pail.  To make a smaller batch, you can use: 19 oz washing soda, 22 oz baking soda, 26 oz Borax, 19 oz Oxi Clean, and 1 Fels-Naptha bar.  

Step One:
Using a cheese grater, grate the Fels-Naptha bars.


Step Two:
Add all ingredients into a large bowl or bucket.



Step Three:
Stir everything together.







Step Four:
Store in an air tight container.

Use: I use the scoop that came with the Oxi Clean and use one scoop per load.  When I wash A's work clothes I add an extra scoop for a little extra cleaning power!

Paying Myself to Workout

Yep, that's right.  I am going to start paying myself to workout.  My motivation to work out is pretty much nonexistence.  I love the thought of it and the benefits I would get if I actually did it, but I rarely make it off the couch to actually work out.  I have been inspired by something I found on Pinterest, which is really no surprise, that will hoepfully accomplish a multitude of goals. 

1. I will actually work out
2. I will spend less money on clothes, shoes, and various accessories (A will love this one!)
3. My self esteem will increase as my strength does  
4. A healthier me!!

This is how I plan on doing it.  For every half hour I work out, I get $1.  If I go everyday for a whole week, I get a $5 bonus.  The money I earn can then be spent on those items I don't need, but want, like shoes, clothes, and accessories!  Unlike my Pinterest inspiration, I have decided that I will not require myself to save up $100 before I spend any of my workout money, but that I can choose to spend it at anytime. 

Guilt free spending and a healthier me!  It's a win-win!        

Young, Fabulous, and...broke?

We are not actually broke, but some days it feels like it.  When I switched jobs, we knew I would have to take a drastic pay decrease.  I crunched the numbers and decided that having to limit our spending a little (ok, a lot) was worth loving my job again.  Things started out ok and A took on some side jobs to help make ends meet.  We have, however, incurred some additional expenses that we had not planned on.  These things can never be planned for, but it can make for some scary and stressful times (I am sure some of you can relate to the stress finances can cause).  And with the holidays, side jobs for A are pretty much non-existent...Anyone need a painter? ;)  So 2012 is starting out a little on the difficult side financially.

Last year, I was set on bringing our debt down and creating an emergency savings account.  Let's just say that didn't happen.  I had the best of intentions, but was unwilling to give up the quality of life A and I had been accustomed to.  The choices we made brought us to this point and so only we can make the changes necessary to improve it.  In order to be comfortable in the future, we are going to have to make some sacrifices in the present.          

This year, one of my challenges goals will be to find ways to live more simply and cut costs to help us improve our financial situation and our lives overall.  We took the first step this year by growing a garden, and I froze some salsa and tomato sauce with our harvest.  I plan on attempting this again this year and hopefully learning how to can even more items.

I am currently looking into homemade laundry soap and household cleaners.  I like this idea not only because it will save us money, but because it is better for us and the environment.  It seems like a win, win.  I will be sure to keep you posted when I try these out in case you are interested in trying them out yourself.

Let me know if you have any other ideas to help us live more simply (and fiscally responsibly) over the next year.   

Living Within Our Means

Now that our financial situation has drastically changed, we are trying to be strict about our budget.  This is much easier said than done.  A and I have had a budget since we first got married but we were never good at following it.  We spent what we wanted and figured it would all work out.  And it always did. 

The time has come for us to actually follow a budget.  It is paramount to our financial survival and we need to ensure we have enough money to cover all our bills.  On paper, I have been able to figure out how we can makes things work and perhaps even save a little.  The biggest hurdle now is to follow it.

It is a challenge to learn to live within your means in a society that focuses on getting you to spend in excess.  In the next year, we won't want for food, clothing, housing, heat, water, or any main necessities.  For that we have much to be grateful for.  But I know it will be challenging to give up the "extra" spending for awhile so we can work towards our future.

I can't thank A enough for allowing me to take a job that is in my best interest, but puts us in a bit of a financial strain.  I hope this year will help us grow in our marriage and learn what we truly need and to be thankful for what we have.