Ways to save money on house cleaning

 Environment, Finances, Fitness, Green Living, Saving Money, Weightloss  1 Response »
Apr 192012
 

With a challenging economy, there is an inclination to try to save money wherever possible.  One area of your life you can easily save money is on house cleaning.

The most obvious way to save money if it applies to you is to stop paying someone else to do it for you.  There are many way to efficiently clean your house and save money at the same time.  As a bonus, you will be burning more calories and losing weight.

Here are some tips to get you started with saving money on your house cleaning:

 

  • Use mild dish soap or water for general cleaning around the house.  Mild dish soap can clean most areas of your home such as your kitchen and carpet stains.  Hot water also works well on carpet stains.
  • Buy in bulk and use store coupons.  Being a member of a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club can help save money on cleaning products.  It is ok to buy cleaning products in bulk since they have a long shelf life.
  • Clean regularly to avoid having bigger messes that are harder to clean later.  As soon as you see a spill or mess, clean it up.
  • Use reusable cloths whenever possible.  When clothes become unusable, cut them up to use as rags around the house rather than using paper towels.  Use dish cloths for wiping counters and spills instead of paper towels.
  • Simplify your supplies by buying products that can do double duty.  Maybe a cleanser can clean the kitchen and bathrooms including the toilet bowls, tubs and sinks.
  • Reuse grocery plastic bags as liners for your trash cans.  You are also helping the environment by reusing any plastic bags.
  • Wash your laundry in cold water and line dry whenever possible.  This will save money on utilities.
  • Run the dishwasher only when it is full.  This will save on your utility bills and make the process of taking dishes in and out of the dishwasher more efficient since you will do it less often.
  • Make your own cleaning supplies using items you have around the house like baking soda and vinegar.  Baking soda can also be used to reduce odors anywhere by placing some in a small glass jar half full.
  • Reduce clutter.  When you have less stuff, you have less stuff to clean and maintain, saving you time and money.  Buying less stuff also saves your money.  Selling some of your current stuff also brings in more money!
  • Have your kids help.  Your kids learn responsibility and you save money on hiring cleaners!

Banking Dream

 Finances, Saving Money, Simplicity  Comments Off on Banking Dream
Dec 152009
 

A company I’ve had great experience with, in contrast to Chase, is ING Direct. I’ve been an on-line customer since 2005 and love the simplicity and savings in time and money I’ve had.

Almost all my bills are automatically deducted from there.  I just make sure I’ve got enough money to cover them and don’t have to take the time to mail bills. If anyone is still doing that, STOP! Why waste the time and postage? Conquering tasks such as bill-paying helps with having more balance in our lives.

This ritual is not fun for anyone and I don’t miss it at all. I see the amounts that go through, so can take action if I see an amount that seems unusual. I’ve also historically gotten a higher interest rate than I’ve seen, which has been going down steadily.

I felt even more validated for my banking choice when I recently read an article in Money Magazine stating we should have an emergency saving account in ING.  Making sure we have at least an emergency savings account is a goal all should try to achieve to feel some basic semblance of balance.  Leave a comment if you are interested in joining the bank and would like a $10 referral bonus.

The more simplicity we have in our lives, the more balanced we feel.

Business Banking Nightmare

 Finances, Saving Money, Small Business  Comments Off on Business Banking Nightmare
Dec 092009
 

Where should I begin with my business banking nightmare at Chase?!  I just cried over them I was so frustrated and violated!  After fees on my business checking that made no sense (for inactivity – nowhere in their documentation does it state this as a concern), I closed the account, moving funds to the savings until I could transfer to another institution.  Today I noticed a fee on the savings.  When I called about it, I was told I needed a minimum balance.  When I asked what that was, they put me on hold for a while (they don’t know??) and came back with $10k.  Agggghhh!!!   They even said it says in “their notes” that I was informed.  It doesn’t say that in MY notes!!!

They stated that the only place this is stated is in their employee info.  Customers aren’t privy to this information??!  I already have a BBB report started from the checking issue and now I am to contact the CEO’s office.  I already know how that will go.  This is so sad for anyone struggling to start their own business in these economic times.  You would think the government would be doing everything they could to encourage banks to be good to their small business customers!  I wanted to pass on this caveat to anyone starting a business and looking for a bank, don’t consider Chase!