Use tea bags and leaves twice.

I agree that there’s no need for dryer sheets. For years I kept forgetting to add them to loads, but discovered that it didn’t really make a difference when I remembered, so stopped using them altogether.

Use orange rinds with cinnamon sticks and water simmering on the back burner for an all day air freshener.

Drain canned tomatoes into a jar, keep in the freezer, and use the “juice” for soups and sauces when you have enough.

After deboning a cooked chicken, reboil the bones for more broth before discarding.

Save yogurt, sour cream and other containers to use in place of buying disposable Ziploc or Glad ware. Glass jars (from tomato sauce, mustard, jam, etc.) can be washed and used the same way.

On sunny days, I don’t turn any lights on except in the bathroom where there are no windows. The sunlight is invigorating and we use less energy and money on electric lights.

Environmental friendliness can literally help save money at stores that take 5 cents off your total for every reusable tote you bring to bag your groceries in.

Use old newspapers to wash windows.

Use the backside of paper (junk mail, flyers, etc) for most of your printing, scratch paper, and kids’ coloring paper needs.

Collect the water that runs while you’re waiting for it to get hot. (FYI this shouldn’t be more than a gallon or so, for most people in most circumstances.) Save as your emergency supply of water (don’t use milk jugs, they deteriorate in about 6 months, don’t ask me how I know this), use in washing machine if you have a top loader, watering plants (including outside ones), soaking anything, water for boiling, for rinsing dishes if you hand wash, washing produce (this water can be used again for watering plants, soaking dishes, and filling up your toilet tank).

Given that household water is very cheap in most places in the US, this is more about being conservative than about saving money. OTOH it will save you a little, and in some jurisdictions water water costs are calculated based on how much clean water you use.

Set your hot water heater to 120F. Uses less energy, safer for kids and the elderly.

Many foods we buy come in containers we can then use. Milk jugs are so versatile!

Buy the reusable cookie sheet liners instead of parchment paper or greasing. These are not silicone sheets; the ones I mean are lighter weight and a lot cheaper. Mine has lasted me over 10 years of constant use.

Home made firestarters: melt wax (such as leftover candle stubs), make a wick by dipping in a bit of thin string. Stir in saw dust (I got mine from a very bemused Home Depot manager) till it’s thick like oatmeal. Pour into cardboard egg cartons, stick in wick.

If it’s something that you use a lot (and we use everything a lot, right?), buy good quality. It pays for itself in the long run.

Buy one conveniently sized container (say, of soy sauce). From now on buy large size (only if the unit price is cheaper!) and decant into the small one. I’ve been using the same little soy sauce jar for 5+ years.

I’ve learned with years of couponing experience that most of the convenience foods–are just plain bad for me and my children. I’m not willing to risk cheap or free food—and pay for the dentist and doctor visits because of the American food diet.

I’ve found that you can have great savings on a variety of products—and save in a whole bunch of other areas….but feeding your family real food is going to cost something–and that is OK– I’d be very skeptical and worried about a practically nothing food bill or all these grocery pictures that have a majority of basically junk food in them.

It’s good to see those real foods…fresh fruits and veggies and basics like rice and oats, healthy meats and oils. The American diet doesn’t have enough real food—i guess that is obvious by all the cancer and heart disease, obesity and other health issues.

Check out http://www.debtproofliving.com to find great ideas on how to save time and money. Also, Mary Hunt has 2 great books- Tiptionary and Tiptionary 2 that teach you ways to save lots of time and money. I’m definitely learning a lot through her and the people that follow her blog, etc. Happy Saving!