Frugal Friday

Good Friday morning to you all. Well this week I managed to get through some of my closet and pulled out some items that didn't look "new" anymore. Instead of tossing them, I pulled out the RIT dye I've been buying a little at a time. At the beginning and end of the winter season the darks seems a bit faded so I give them a "dye bath" in the washer with Rit dye. (liquid or powder)

I used to be afraid of using the washer with this, but it seems to work quite nicely. The darker colors requier a double batch of dye. Just follow the direction on the package or bottle, making sure you have salt and bleach on hand. Salt helps soften the water and the fabric to take the dye better and the bleach is for cleaning out the washer immediately after you color your fabric.

I did the browns this week and tossed in an olive skirt that was faded and it turned out a nice chocolate color. Cotton works best to take the color and some synthetics don't work at all.

If you've got some cotton muslin fabric you can color it before making a skirt out of it. See what a little creativity can bring to your life.

Miss Precious
Goldy women are frugal in the way they manage the household for their husbands. We spend carefully and prayerfully so that we can also extend our hand to the poor and the needy. With the economy the way it is and people hurting around us, take care not to be stingy, but frugal.

• Take time to shop the sales to help stock your church food pantry
• Bake a loaf of bread for the neighbors
• Leave a bag of groceries on the door step of a family that is in need
• Mail a grocery gift certificate to a family member
• Pray for those in need

If you find yourself on the needing end this month, look to Jesus to fill the need. And remember that 75% of the world lives in poverty compared to Western Americans. If your income is more than $1,500 A YEAR you live on more than 75% oof the world.

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. Psalm 72:12

Frugal Tips

Young Woman Attending to Her Housework with a Dust Mop
It's Frugal Friday.

I've been dealing with an allergy attack this past weekend the kind that swells the throat shut and makes it difficlut to breathe...yes, that kind. So after not feeling well this week and letting mom help the best she can...with alzheimers it makes it difficult for her...but we both managed. However the kitchen floor needed cleaning after she tried doing dishes a few times and cleaning out the fridge of some items. The last thing I wanted to do was pull out chemicals to clean the laminate wood flooring, it was pretty bad...but I pulled out my usual cleaner of vinegar and hot water and it still worked great on the messy floor! I just use a spray bottle of 1/2 hot water and 1/2 vinegar and spray the floor section by section and clean with a swiffer sweeper. For really tough jobs I wrap the swiffer sweeper with an old towel and secure with a rubber band, and it does the tougher jobs much better. Best of all no chemicals to inhale.


I'd like to share a wonderful post regarding being frugal over at Homemaking Dreams regarding 2008 Financial Lessons, and don't forget to check out her Etsy shop as she has some lovley practical items. The site also has many before and after pictures of areas in the home that needed organizing.

Another featured site for thrifty wives and moms is at Civillas Cyber Cafe. There are great tips for all areas of the home, shopping, office, and garage. Some of the tips on this post are from housewives of the 1950's and some that have gone through the Great Depression.

Thanks cyber ladies for your help with Frugal Friday!

Frugal Friday February 6th, 2009

Baby Being Fed Baby Food

When I was young and at home, there were 4 more kids that followed me into the family. When mom bought baby food she would save the jars!

1. Dad had them in the Garage on every shelf with nails and screws, and all sorts of things.
2. Mom had them in the spice cabinet filled wtih dried herbs from the garden.
3. For holidays we would paint or decorate them and place a candle inside to burn.
4. We would use the larger ones in the bathroom to store q-tips, or cotton balls, or bath salts.

I suppose today many make their own baby foods, but they do so many organic baby food jars available, that if you find it good for you to use them, they can be recycled for many other uses.