The hunt goes on,,,

As some of you may have noticed, my posting of late has been dealing with my attempt to secure a job. I haven't had much to say concerning my debt reduction plan or living frugally. With no income, frugal living is a necessity. What little money I do have (savings and money earned through the paid to programs and surveys) is being used carefully. My household bills are minimal at the moment due to the generosity of friends; my only real expense is food. I will have to see what transpires this months as for utility costs, I expect they will increase based on the number of days I have been living in new apartment.

My debt reduction plans are on hold until I secure a job; it's impossible to pay down debt when one has no income. Once my employment situation improves I will re-visit my debts and begin making payments. In the mean time I will be taking a hard look at my method of payment, budgeting, and prioritizing my debts; I have some debts (ie. IRS) that I can no longer allow to hang around. I must decide how I want to re-pay my debts--pay a little each month to all debts or make one big payment to one debt till paid in full. I'm not sure how either method will affect my credit reports; it may be a moot point.

One task to do in the next few days, pull my Experian report from Quizzle. Need to see if new debt has been added since March. If my assumption is correct, and new debts have been added, I will start with the highest priority debts first and then work my way down to lowest priority debts.

My job search is still in progress; will have answers today concerning 2 possible positions. I am working on three cover letters and hope to have them sent out by 8/16/09. I do have a few applications to send out yet, but I'm waiting to hear the outcome of my calls before proceeding. There are still many more options to explore; compared to my situation in PA it's a good situation to be in. (Altho I would rather be working.)

Another task I need to complete soon, comparison shop for an eye exam and eyeglasses. I suspect that I will be using Zenni for my glasses, so that leaves the eye exam. Went to Wal*Mart and was shocked to find that it's $80 for an exam (without insurance). I do have a letter out to the local LIONS club but haven't heard from them yet.

I still have to finish my paper work for the hospital that treated my leg. Received nine stitches thanks to some idiot that threw a glass bottle out of their car window as I was walking by. The hospital assists self-pay customers in applying for public medical benefits. My one dilemma is some of my information needed is still in PA, it should be here in a few days. Thankfully my friend in PA has been willing to help with the cost associated with shipping my stuff; I'd be in deep doo if not for her assistance.

Update--Frugal Cleaning Challenge

I am happy to report that my cleaning challenge has been a success. Maybe not so much on the cleaning part but the recipes have worked wonderfully.

Another recipe to try (once again I don't know where I got this):
OVEN CLEANER-->3/4 c. baking soda--1/4 c. salt--1/4 c. water

Well it's supposed to be a recipe : /

I found another recipe floating around my computer, only problem is it does not look complete. Not sure what I was thinking when I saved this but I'm going to add it to my blog just for curiosity sake and in case I find the article it came from.

As I type this in I'm thinking that this was an easy way to use leftovers, or a quickie recipe. I like to play in my kitchen, cooking being one of my passions, so sometimes I write down recipes or ingredient lists that look good and then experiment. This recipe is for a hamburger skillet meal.

Ingredients I have listed:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 c. macaroni--I'm going to assume that this is cooked pasta, any type I think would work
• 2 TBSP flour
• salt
• pepper
• thyme--going to say 1/4 tsp to start
• 1/2 c. water

I know it's not much to go on but we all have made skillet meals before so this should assemble like all the rest.

I'm always looking for meals such as this, a few ingredients, 1 pan, good food. I'm a big fan of Hamburger Helper, but in trying to save money I am looking for lower cost options.

***Just a personal note: I spent 23 years in the food service industry in various capacities. Having been interested in cooking since I was a child it not unusual for me to just write down ingredients or seasoning combinations to experiment with. Al tho my range of experience runs the gamut I like food that is simple and easy to prepare; it also has to freeze and reheat well.

Update--Doing the Wash

I'm going to using one of the tips mention in this article--Frugal Laundry / Clothing Care

"...you don't have to buy dryer sheets. I bought a huge bottle of the cheapest fabric softener I could find about 2 years ago (less than $2 for the bottle) I bought some sponges from the dollar store (4 per pkg) and cut two of them up into 8 pieces each. I soak the pieces of sponge in a mixture of about 1 part softener to 8 parts water...

Today I purchased a 30 fl oz Ultra Downy @ $4.50 it is said to do 35 loads. I also purchased a 4-pk of O-celo sponges @ $2 which I cut into 16 pieces; total cost $6.50. I then measured out a single load amount of approximately 1/4 cup of fabric softener and added 1 c. of water and added the sponge pieces. They are now soaking and awaiting the dyer.

Al tho the original article used an 8:1 ratio I am starting with a 4:1 and will see how that works. I will then try a 6:1 ratio and then 8:1. So for less than 2 pennies/load I'm am figuring a 7 cent savings (35 loads/bottle x 16 sponge pieces = 560 loads--$6.50 cost/560 = .012 cents). The only variables in my equation would be the final ratio I use and how many loads I get out of each batch.

I will be keeping track of both variables to see what the actual cost may be al tho the final cost will be well below a penny in my estimation.

**Ultra Downy may be a bit pricey but it's the only fabric softener my partner and I both really like. Personally I don't mind the generic/store brands but my partner doesn't like them . With this new approach it should alleviate that difference of opinion.

Doing the Wash

Frugal Laundry / Clothing Care. Previously mentioned in "Articles of Interest--3"

• ...washing things to frequently--In my opinion yes. My dilemma, my partner is neurotic (a legitimate OCD issue) about cleanliness, personal and clothing. Altho I will admit she has adjusted where her jeans and sweatshirts are concerned. It's a small "victory" but one I will gladly take. She really is trying and has accepted some of the frugal ideas I have been trying, and I love her for that .
• ...keep hangers on the knobs of our high dresser and anything that is going to be used again for another day I hang up overnight to 'air out'--this is something to adopt, our clothes usually end up in a heap as kitty beds; really furry kitty beds!!
• ...taking prompt care of the clothes that you have--I'm a bit wishy-washy on this point. I would say that 50% of the time I am good about treating stains; I'm not always aware of the need to pre-treat.
• ...keeping a small sewing kit on top of my fridge. It is a kids zippered pencil case I picked up for pennies at the thrift store. Inside are 3 spools of thread (white, black and white button thread) a seam ripper, a small pair of scissors, a few safety pins, a thimble and a piece of cardboard with three threaded needles pushed through it--Interesting idea one I might add to my repertoire.
• ...Do you use a clothes line?--Uhm nope!! May be a lame excuse but I don't have time. I also do laundry at 100 AM, a bit difficult to hang clothes at that hour. I don't foresee any changes in this area unless I utilize an indoor line system.
• ...you don't have to buy dryer sheets. I bought a huge bottle of the cheapest fabric softener I could find about 2 years ago (less than $2 for the bottle) I bought some sponges from the dollar store (4 per pkg) and cut two of them up into 8 pieces each. I soak the pieces of sponge in a mixture of about 1 part softener to 8 parts water--Think I may try this one as I do use dryer sheets. Money wise tho I do not find dyer sheets to be expensive so I'm not sure if the savings would be worth it. Anyone know the price breakdown of this method compared to dyer sheets? Might be something to research!!

Homemade Laundry Soap

I'm going to try my hand at homemade laundry soap. I have read many blogs stating the financial benefits of using homemade versus commercial, so there is no need to convince me on that aspect. I'm also convinced about the relative ease of making homemade laundry soap--I just whipped up a batch in less than ten minutes, more on that later. My concern, many recipes call for borax, which I have found with no trouble at my "local" W****** store, and WASHING SODA which I have not found yet.

In light of this fact I have had to look for recipes that do not use washing soda. That is what I have an issue with. Is the recipe I found going to give me the results I need?

I found this laundry recipe at TipNut.com:

Recipe #8:
2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)
Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted. In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well. Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.

I just finished the first load with this recipe. It did not suds up much but our water is very hard. Clothes appear to be clean but the smell I'm not sure about. I will have to see how they smell after the dryer as these clothes are my gross work clothes from the manufacturing plant. So far so good

I will be doing a normal load later but I think this recipe will work as I do some more research and continue looking for washing soda. Clothes appear to be "cleaner" looking. This recipe may work yet!

I would love to hear your opinions and the recipes you personally use so please feel free to leave a comment :))

Frugal Cleaning Challenge

Whilst surfing the other night I came across a few web sites that "endorse" the use of homemade cleaning supplies. Altho I have considered this in the past, I never attempted this bit of frugality. So in the spirit of the Olympics I thought a 30 day challenge was in order.

The biggest decision was deciding which cleaning recipes to use. Some of the recipes included ammonia, and some included bleach (ingredients I do not like to use and do not keep in the house). The winner--white distilled vinegar, baking soda and Dawn!! How frugal is that, three ingredients that we all most likely have in our homes.

Listed below are the recipes I will be using. Regretfully I do not remember what site I got these recipes from and I apologize for that. I have been searching the past 2 days to no avail, as soon as I do find the site again I will include the link so proper credit can be given.

UPDATED 9/26/08: WooHoo!! I found the link to the original article. Read the full article Tightwad Tuesday: Homemade Cleaning Products.

WINDOWS-->2c. water--1/4c. white distilled vinegar--1/2tsp. Dawn

FLOORS-->1c. white distilled vinegar--1gal. hot water

***BATH-->1/2c. Dawn--1/2c. white distilled vinegar

TOILETS-->1/4c. baking soda--1/4c. Dawn--1/4c. water

CARPETS-->sprinkle baking soda on rugs, let sit 15 mins, vacuum as normal

***CARPETS (STEAM CLEANING)--Use white distilled as you would your normal cleaner

DRAINS-->1/4c. baking soda--1/2c. distilled white vinegar--flush with boiling water

I am very curious as to how this challenge turns out. We have 2 dogs and 3 cats so a clean house is a constant battle, especially where odor is concerned. From what I have read use of the vinegar and the baking soda should help. Only time will tell.

***Please note: Updated 8/24/08

Great Website!!

This is another find Hillbilly Housewife made during the course of the past year or so. This site in my opinion a #1 site. There is lots of information to digest so I suggest spending some quality time with Miss Maggie.

Some pages that I found helpful: $45 Emergency Menu for 4 to 6, Make Your Own Cup Of Soup, Recipes.