We have all found ourselves in difficult financial circumstances at certain points in our lives, haven't we? It turns out that one great way to help make ends meet during these times is to cut the amount of things we consume or use, in half. Not only will doing so reduce your overall expenditure – it also means that the amount of waste is also reduced. Here are 10 ideas for things you can cut in half to save money, and will still work as well: 1. Sponges Cut sponges in half when they’re dry, using only half at a time. You really won’t miss the other half as much as you might imagine.
2. Dryer Sheets Cut the amount of dryer sheets in half if you’re still using them. Try drying your clothes without them. You will find that you don’t need them at all.
3. Dishwasher Detergent Use half the recommended amount of dishwasher detergent (one tablespoon) in your dishwasher’s detergent compartment.
4. Hand/Dish Soap Try filling any hand or dish soap dispenser you have at home only halfway, and the rest with water. Squirt the same amount of soap as you would have previously, and by doing so, you’ll only be using half as much!
5. Laundry Soap Try this one after you’ve given your laundry machine’s instructions a second glance. If it allows for it, try using half the suggested amount of laundry soap.
6. Paper Towels and Napkins Watch the amount of paper towels and napkins you're using, as we tend to throw these away without even using them properly. To avoid this waste, get rid of them completely and replace them with fabric napkins that you can wash and reuse. 7. Shampoo, Conditioner and Toothpaste Use the smallest amount of these items as possible. A smear of toothpaste on your toothbrush or a nickel-sized dollop of hair product will be enough to serve their purpose. In fact, it could be fun challenging yourself to see how little you can use. Toothpaste commercials always show people using an exaggerated amount to get you to spend more money.
8. Sugar Try cutting the amount of sugar you use in cooking and baking in half. You’ll be surprised to notice that there will be a minimal difference in taste to what you’re used to. There are some instances, such as when making tomato sauce, where you’ll be able to cut out the use of sugar completely. Not only is doing this better for your wallet – it’s better for your health too.
9. Portions Many people in the developed world could do with eating smaller portions. Try halving the size of your meals and you'll be saving money as well as benefiting from a far lower calorie intake. If you have kids, they don’t need to drink juice all day long – let them have it as a treat and drink water for the rest of the day. 10. Entertainment Instead of having both a cable and a Netflix subscription, for instance, get rid of the one that you use less. If you’re heading to the movies, wait until the movie you want to watch is in a second-run theater, which will allow you to watch it at half the usual price. Look for any free entertainment you can – think picnics, free concerts and free passes to museums or other places of interest. |
How to Celebrate Christmas Without Going Into Debt
You can be frugal and festive at the same time. We shared some tips on how to save on energy bills and gifts this Christmas.
Downsizing? Here's What to Do When Moving in
Consider downsizing? Here are a few useful things to consider before, during, and after the move.
Your Home Decor Could be Physically Stressing You Out
These home interior decorating tips will create a calming space in your home.
Bored of the Outlet Covers? Here's How to Paint Them Well
In this article, we'll learn how to paint and wallpaper plastic or metal outlet covers effectively and professionally.
These Tips Will Winter Proof Your Garden
Learn some tips to help you prepare your car, your home and your garden for the winter season.
How to Actually Enjoy Shoveling Snow!
As always at Babamail, we come in with some more tips on how to make your house chore easier than ever. This time, snow shoveling!
For Perfectly Boiled Eggs, This Guide Is All You Need
Follow these 8 simple steps to make perfectly boiled eggs.
There's a Reason Our Grandmothers Stored Bacon Fat
What are the uses for bacon fat? You'll be surprised what you can do with it.
What to Do if Someone is Drowning: The Complete Guide
Whether someone is a strong swimmer or not, drowning's always a potential risk. So you need to know how to deal with the situation. Here'a complete guide.
How to Spot a Liar with These 8 Tell-Tale Signs
It's actually really easy to tell if someone is lying to you. Follow this simple 8 part guide and you'll know who's telling porkies.
Have You Been Making These Toilet Paper Mistakes Too?
The next time you use toilet paper, avoid these mistakes.
Guide: How to Keep Street Cats Away Without Harming Them
This comprehensive guide provides you with a thorough plan of action for each strategy, ensuring that you can execute these tactics efficiently and effectively.
10 Surprising Items You Can Clean in the Washing Machine
The washing machine can be useful for more than just clothes. 10 surprising items you can clean in the machine with no trouble.
These 15 Charts Are Both Useful and Interesting!
The 15 charts cover topics like health, animals, and classical music, and they are full of useful information, perfect for a lifelong learner like you.
10 Wise Plumbing Tips From a Professional Plumber
Here are ten brilliant tips that can save you heaps of time and money when you've got plumbing problems at home.
Here Are the Safety Precautions You Need to Take This Xmas
Christmas can be ruined by not paying enough attention to safety, but this guide will bring your attention to all the things you need to be aware of.
Can't Seem to Find a Good Pillow? This May Be Your One
You may be on the verge of settling for a pillow that is less than optimal for you, but we can suggest an alternative - buckwheat pillows.
Say Goodbye to Shrunken Clothes with This Neat Laundry Trick
Recently I accidentally shrunk my favorite pair of pants. I was preparing to bid them farewell until my friend suggested a laundry trick that would revert them back to their former length. I didn’t even know this was possible. See how it's done!
10 Great Extra Uses for Charcoal Briquettes
Here's how you can put those extra charcoal briquettes to good use at home.
13 Great Ways to Decorate Your Potted Plants
Use one of the methods outlined in the following article to decorate your potted plants in an original way.
Here's All You Need to Know about Travel Medical Insurance
Planning a trip abroad? This guide will teach you everything you need to know about travel medical insurance!
The Devil Is in the Detail, Even When it Comes to Cleaning...
This guide shows you how to clean every room in your home, as well as specific parts of each one. You won't find a more detailed home cleaning guide than this.
Mouthwash Can Do So Much More Than Freshen Your Breath
Did you know mouthwash is the number 1 household product you should keep at hand? Discover its fantastic multiple uses to see why.
What Causes Large Pores, And What Can You Do About It?
Do you have large pores? This guide will tell you what you need to do to diminish them.
The Egg Secret Tips You Never Knew...
This video shows you some of the best egg life hacks you never knew you needed, but now you'll see them - use all the time!
11 Reasons Why Garlic Is a Gardener's Best Friend
Not only is garlic extremely tasty, but it is also very effective in the garden. Check out its uses here.
Make Your Garden As Beautiful as Can be With Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are highly rich in nutrients, and this means that they're great for helping flowers and trees to grow beautifully and healthily. Read these 15 tips.
Your Toothpaste Can Be More Harmful Than You Think
Stop using toothpaste that fills your body with nasty chemicals, and try making one of these natural versions instead.
Your Saucepan is More Useful Than You Thought...
If only I had known these priceless kitchen hacks sooner!
Keep Your House Smelling Amazing with These DIY Tips
These are some of the best and cheapest things you can do to make any part of your home smell nice and welcoming.
I Bet You've Never Thought of Using Wax Paper Like This!
There's so much you can do with wax paper. Here are 11 surprising uses.
6 Harmful Types of Mold That Could Be Growing in Your Home
It’s important to identify and prevent these dangerous types of mold in the house.
Speed Up Your Laundry By Reducing Drying Time
Learn to speed up your laundry by reducing your drying time!
Has There Ever Been a Substance As Useful As This?
Vinegar has so many different uses around the house! You should always have a bottle of it handy.
A Smarter Approach to Measuring Body Mass Index
The body mass index can actually be misleading. Here’s what you should use instead.
This is How You Keep Your Marriage Strong & Life-Long!
Here are 12 ways you can keep your marriage long-lasting, strong, full of love and support.
11 Household Lifehacks You Should Never Forget
These 11 tips are complete life savers!
15 Reasons to Never Throw Away Used Corks Again!
There's no limit with what you can do with a simple collection of corks. Make your used corks useful again with these brilliant DIY ideas.
How to Revive Your Plants to Shiny Green Again
To help you out, we've put together a comprehensive guide that covers eight signs of plant sickness and provides solutions to restore their health and beauty.
Know Your Kitchen Tools - the Uses for Every Type of Paper
Learn when to use (and when to avoid) each type of kitchen paper, aluminum foil, cling film, and all other wrapping mediums.
12 Clever Ways of Decluttering Your Home of All That Junk
Don't just throw away the junk you have at home, learn to reuse and recycle it the smart way with these 12 clever tips
How to Build a Heron's Fountain That Runs Forever
Make your home a soothing sanctuary with this DIY non-stop water fountain.
Hey! Did You Know Soap Has So Many Extra Uses?
Soap is much more than something useful for cleaning your hands and face. Here are 21 stunning uses for a bar of soap that I never even knew.
10 Essential Sewing Tips You Cannot Do Without
Whether you are experienced at sewing, or a complete novice, here are 15 simple sewing tricks you won't be able to live without.
9 Body Language Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making
most communication between people is through body language, make sure you're not conveying the wrong messages by avoiding the 9 mistakes.
This Ice Cube Hack Will Keep Your Burger Juicy
Check out these essential tips to ensure a juicy burger.
The Way We Were - Shocking Ads from the 1950s
This series of advertisements from the 1950s is more than just your regular nostalgia. Look at these ads and be amazed with all the progress women have made!