Do It Yourself Everything!

So any of you that read mine or Casey's status' I'm on a huge do it yourself kick. From home decor to cleaning supplies. Thanks a bunch to my friend Ashley and her husband Willy (with their precious newborn) for always doing so many cool do it yourself projects I've gotten really into it myself.

For those of you who are on a tight budget or even those of you who aren't and are frugal with your money here are some good money savers. First food. A family of 4 that eats out at fast food every night will spend an average of  $140 a week or more. Thats approximately $20 a night. Making meals every night (though tedious) saves bundles of money. Simple meals that are many favorites, such as spaghetti, cost about $5 for a family. thats $1.25 per person! Most meals for a family with meats, breads, and veggies cost a max of $10 per night saving $70 a week! I don't know anyone who doesn't think that having an extra $70 a week is awesome.

DIY Cleaning Supplies: Anywhere on the internet you can find recipes for cleaning supplies that you can make yourself...and they really work!

1) Laundry soap: some people have a big issue with changing laundry soap because of skin sensitivity or they're just used to their favorite brand but trying to make it once is definitely worth it.

Recipe:
-Get 2 bars of your favorite bar soap any kind is fine but most preferred is Ivory, ZOTE, or Fels-Naptha
-2 cups of borax
-2 cups of washing soda (NOT BAKING SODA)
(All should be found at local grocery stores)

-Shave soap bars with fine grater into a bowl
-add 2cups of Borax and 2 cups of Washing Soda
-Mix for about 5min and enjoy!
(this makes up 64-128 loads depending on how many Tbsp used per load and is about $0.05 per load)

2) Surface cleaner

Recipe:
-Empty Milk Jug
-2Tbsp ammonia
-1Tbsp dish detergent
-2cups rubbing alcohol
-Few drops of of your favorite essential oils (I personally like orange or lemon)
- and a couple drops of food coloring (optional)
-Fill the rest of the jug with Hot water and pour into spray container to use as needed

3) Window Cleaner

Recipe:
-This one can be made right in your spray bottle. 

-½ tsp mild dish detergent

-3Tbsp vinegar

-2 cups water  

-Put all these ingredients into a spray bottle.  Shake this up some and use it just like the commercial variety

4) Floor Cleaners

Recipe for regular floors:

-1 cup vinegar 

-1 gal warm water

mix in bucket and use

Recipe for hard wood floors:

-1/2 cup vinegar

-1 gal warm water

mix in bucket and remember to not soak wood floors with water.