With most of us stuck at home either working, searching for work, or perhaps stressing about work, there’s no question that money has become top-of-mind for many Granite Staters and Americans across the country. Here’s a list of creative ways to save a little cash and hopefully find a little peace, while using everyday household items and strategies, and without having to look too far or spend much money.
1. Homemade disinfectant: Do you have a bottle of bleach that you use for towels and linens? Per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, a bleach solution can be easily prepared by mixing:
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- 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Always be sure to mark the bottle in some way indicating its contents, particularly if you have small children.
2. Sugar Scrub: Stay healthy by reducing your sugar intake and exfoliating your skin. Take half a cup of sugar in the shower with you, and gently scrub your skin and face in a circular motion. You will be as smooth as a Spring chick!
3. Rosewater relief: Do you have roses in your yard (not treated with pesticides)? Pick a couple of stems after they’ve bloomed, pull the petals, rinse them off to clean, and boil the petals in water. Voila! You will have yourself some homemade rosewater. Rosewater is known to contain antioxidants and soothe skin irritation. Over the summer, I store a bottle in the refrigerator and wipe my face on warm days – so refreshing!
4. Layaway: Do you use credit cards a lot for gift purchases? Consider shopping at stores that provide layaway plans. Layaway plans allow for you to purchase items over time without having to pay interest.
5. DIY pasta: With pasta and many other nonperishable items currently in high demand, consider making your own. With basic pasta recipes calling for flour, eggs, oil, and salt and give or take an hour, you can have fresh noodles for dinner, and if you’re like me, an activity to keep the kiddos busy too!
This series on money management and financial literacy is brought to you by Morgan Franklin Fellowship Foundation. Learn more here.
Elizabeth S. Evans is a Morgan Frankin Fellowship Visiting Scholar and President & CCO of Cayena Capital Management
