Category: Frugal Living Tips

Today’s thrifty tip is buy an aloe vera plant. This is a wonderful plant that you can use for many first-aid remedies.

Aloe vera is great to use on: scrapes, insect bites, stings, cuts, burns and especially a sunburn. You can also use it for acne and patches of eczema.

All you have to do is cut off a small piece and squeeze out the gel to apply on the affected area. If you know someone that already has a plant, then ask for a couple of shoots. I have mine in a pot on a sunny windowsill inside my house. They are very easy to grow, and require little water since it’s part of the cactus family.

Do you own an aloe vera plant?

On today’s shopping trip, I went to several stores to pick up all the deals for this week. I first went to Rite-Aid and bought the Garnier Shine and had a $1 off coupon. So total was $3.25 and I am getting back $3.99 with rebate.

Then I went to Walgreens and bought the Airwick Flameless Candle and Glade Scent Candle. I paid $6.46 with tax and I’m getting back $4 in rebates so total is $2.46 for both items. That was 99 cents each. I also bought 3 Glade refill candles for $2.45 after rebate and coupon. They had 2 of them on clearance for $1 and I got one free with that coupon. I like to give the Trio candles as presents to the lady that delivers my mail and such.

I went to CVS and got the following:
2 Trident gum
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
4 Herbal Essence Shampoos (they have one that I can’t get anywhere else)
2 Bic Soleil Razors
1 Schick Intuition Razor (have rain check from last sale)

I used $15.74 in coupons and 9.79 in ECB’s so grand total was $6.42! I spent $16.13 total on everything and I’m getting $7.99 back in rebates for a grand grand total of $8.14 for all of it! The razors are going to be part of those Christmas gift bags. I also had to do some Wal-Mart shopping and bought 5 Skintimate Shaving creams that were $1.47 each and after $1 coupons I got them for $2.54 with tax. Those will also go in the gift bags. I missed that sale when they were $1.74 each and I think that was Walgreens. I don’t know how I missed it, but this is still good. My nieces love the smaller ones to use when they sleep at a friend’s house. I had another wonderful shopping trip and saved so much.

Today’s thrifty tip is turn your bottles upside down to squeeze out the last remains. I do this with all my bottles of shampoo, conditioner, dish liquid, and such. I also will add a little water and shake well to use it all. You would be surprised at how much more you can get from a bottle. I usually get at least 2-3 more uses this way.

Today’s thrifty tip is to use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream. Personally I don’t like doing this, but I will if I’m in a pinch. I really prefer to use shaving cream. I never pay more than $1 a can. I usually get them free or for 50 cents after sale and coupon. I also don’t use hair conditioner. I mainly buy the shampoo that already has it or is a very thick one like the L’Oreal Vive.

Today’s thrifty tip is to clean a microwave using vinegar. I pour half water and vinegar in a bowl which I then put inside the microwave. Turn it on long enough to bring to a boil. I usually do 2-3 minutes. It depends on how high and your microwave. The steam loosens food particles and deordorizes. This will be hot so be careful and just wipe clean. I do use the same mixture in the bowl. Then I pour the rest down the drain with the baking soda method I posted before.