Mr. "we don't have any money"

Answers to some of the random comments to my frugal crusade...
I consider my "frugal projects" my hobby. Most of the frugal things I attempt don't take more than 20 minutes. I look at it like crafts....only I end up using the end product instead of it just sitting around looking pretty. Yesterday I whipped up another batch of window cleaner out of rubbing alcohol and dish soap and water. And I'm testing a new fabric softener I found on the Internet...it was a foamy mess to make though. Today I finally got around to making a Master Grocery List. I used the bones of one I found at www.heart4home.net in the printable section. I have shopped both ways...Fill the Pantry or By the Meal...and can attest that it is much easier on the wallet to Fill the Pantry and keep a stock of general things you always use. It's also easier to figure out what to cook if you have a stocked pantry.

Ara and I toured the Academy for Life and have decided to send Andi there for her 8th grade year. It looks like a perfect fit and is tailored for kids on the academic line that have gaps in learning, which Andi does because of all the moving we did her K-5 years. I'm kind of nervous for her , but excited at the same time. From what I saw today I wish all middle schools were designed this way. Strict strict dress code.

Mr. "we don't have any money" bought a blue ray player today. I don't think I'll take him grocery shopping any more...he keeps throwing things like this in the cart that totally cancel out my penny pinching and then he has the gall to complain when I want to buy something....like a new mower, outdoor furniture or even a new CAR. Hello! if you stop using tobacco and tossing random unneeded electronics in the shopping cart we could get a new car! And last weekend he bought a new weedeater because he doesn't think the one we have stays charged long enough. And last month within days of hearing about my job disappearing he buys a 40 inch flat screen! I'm guessing next is surround sound...

Found this at www.thriftyfun.com
I haven't tried it yet---but it looks easier to do than my laundry goo.

Powdered Laundry Detergent
2 bars Fels Naptha soap, grated (or enough bars to make 28 ounces)
8 cups washing soda
4 cups borax
4 cups powdered all-color bleach (optional)
20 drops (or more) essential oil (optional)
Mix all ingredients together and store in a lidded container. This will last a LONG time!
For light loads, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled loads, use 2 tablespoons.

Frugal Obsessing

Ok, it's time to make more laundry goo so while Jake was interviewing at Jamestown Settlement I made a quick run to Farm Fresh. The only store in Williamsburg that carried washing soda now has replaced it on the shelf with Tide Stain Release, which is sodium carbonate (washing soda) and oxy clean. And it's 11.99. I compared the ingredients to some dishwasher detergent in the same isle, and guess what! they are essentially the same product. A giant box of cheap dishwasher detergent for 2.99 or a box of Tide Stain release for 11.99....umm duh. One more reason to hate manufacturing giants. I'm sure millions of stupid American households will fall for Tide's new scam even in the economic downfall. So I am doing some research if dishwasher detergent (washing soda and enzymes and silica) can be used to make laundry goo. By the way, I stretch my dishwasher detergent (the cheap walmart powder) with borax and baking soda. The added benefit is no spots.
I also want to make my own bar soap....with lye and lard or recycled cooking oil. But since Red Devil lye was pulled from the shelves this is going to be a challenge. This is more because I want to see if I can do it more than an actual need for a pizza box size of bar soap. ;)
Now on Ara's to do list is a Lowe's run for frugal things such as a programmable thermostat and furnace filters and fridge filter and anything else we might need in the next year and may not have the extra cash for with my job loss.
Speaking of which Ara is driving me nuts with his constant talk about me finding a new job. Yesterday he filled out and online application for me with the college of William and Mary and left the education part blank. I personally think a college would kind of be interested in an applicant's education, but maybe I'm wrong. I just wish he'd back off and quit obsessing. Everyday he asks me if I checked online on the status of all the applications out there. This is only the second day of the first week without a job....I can't imagine how he'll be in three weeks.