The Spirit of Self Sufficiency

Whoever you want to blame, one thing is certain, the economy is tough right now.  People are having to cut back and find more resourceful ways to use their money.  This is no different at our house.  So in the spirit of being more self sufficient (not to the point of owning chickens!) here are some of the things I have tackled.

#1–I researched and found a recipe for homemade laundry soap.  I was  skeptical because I am a huge fan of Tide.  Tide still rocks, however, Tide is getting more expensive each time I go to buy it. And I have the added realization that in a few short years I will have three kids in college at the same time.  I will need all the pennies I can get my hands on.

Thank you to the Duggar’s for this recipe.

4  Cups – hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup – Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

– Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer “Super Washing Soda” – in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent – It must be sodium carbonate!!

 http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/duggar_recipes/30455/Homemade%20Liquid%20Laundry%20Soap-%20Front%20or%20top%20load%20machine-%20best%20value.  Also thanks to Jillian http://searching4simple.blogspot.com/ who also gave me the courage to give this a shot.  I was surprised, pleasantly, at how easy this was to make.  I made this soap and so far I have been impressed at how well it works.  It has brightened whites and gotten out stains.  The clothes smell good.  And it is super inexpensive.  So until I use up the batch I have (600 loads), I am not buying any laundry soap.  Yay me!  And truthfully I may NEVER buy pre-made laundry soap again.

It is empowering to me that I can make this myself!  It is more ‘green’ or environmentally friendly which makes my eco-conscious children happy.

#2–This summer we have been taking advantage of the summer food program at the elementary school.  Free lunch for kids between the ages of 1 and 18!  Breakfast too, if you want it.  We have gone fairly often.  The kitchen stays clean, and the grocery bill goes down.  Two amazing bonuses for me.

#3–Couponing–I have gone back to using my coupons.   I will never be on Extreme Couponing, but I do know it saves my family money.  And I think I am doing okay at it. For instance, this week, for free I “purchased” the following:

3 packages of pens for back to school
8 bars of soap
2 deodorants
4 Benadryl itch sticks (super helpful for mosquito bites, by the way)
2 tubes of Bengay for the MIL

#4–Free days/give a aways–This week Chick-Fil-A was giving away 8 count chicken nuggets to each person in your party/car between certain hours.  (64 free chicken nuggets for us!)  That ended up being dinner one night.  Kids were happy, mom was happy!  Kitchen was clean!

In addition to this, I have also learned that I can make dishwasher soap.  I am totally going to try it!  I do think that I may have to draw the line at homemade toothpaste though!