It seems to clean everything just fine and my detergent lasts like 4x as long.

And I am not a “lightweight” cook as I cook all or nearly all of my own food.

I, like the reader above, also dilute my hand dishwashing liquid.

I also ride my bike to work and to the store, as I live within 5 miles. This includes the winter.

The car is reserved for out of town trips and some serious shopping trips or times I am short of time.

I use one tank of gas per month or less.

I understand why some people think it’s beneath them to do stuff like get more useful life out of a lighter, but I think they are missing the point and have a way too cavalier attitude about their money. Remember, that extra $1 can actually buy you something useful, instead of being wasted. Or it can go in your savings.

The comment about increasing one’s income is true. But you are always doing the right thing by maximizing the use of your purchases. The trick is to keep doing that and keeping your expenses down where they are while also increasing your savings by increasing your income, if that is necessary.

Once all your current needs are paid for and you are also on track to meet your needs in the future (like retirement), then I’d say it makes sense to be willing to spend any extra money beyond that if you feel like it. But only if your reasonalbe current and future needs are accounted for and paid for.

I looked through your income. You definitely need to work on that. I see the problem as income, not expenditures here as you’ve reached a point where you can’t cut many more expenses out and still have a huge debt to pay off.

DivaJean – that is an awesome idea!! I have two colleges near me and I never thought of watching when they leave….hmmm…

Mandi – that’s cute what your husband says. You have some great frugal ideas!

I dilute all my shampoo and conditioners.

I make crinkle toys out of old socks and plastic wrappers off of food containers for my 9 month old.

I have a “freebie” email address to get the “free” samples of shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, and such, and I USE THEM.

And many others.

I’d go on, but there is a storm coming.