(I still do for a LOT, but that list is beginning to shrink)
Since I retired, I have taken on a sense of frugality that is up a notch or two from my past level of frugality. I now look at just about everything we buy and bring into the house to see if there is a way to make it myself and not need to buy it from stores.
Someone asked me not too long ago if I was a prepper because apparently this pursuit makes me rather ‘granola’. LOL, No, I’m not a prepper. I’m more of a preparer.
I grew up out in the country and we were snowed in just about every year and had summer storms that made us lose power or even kept us home with trees down over the driveway. Being prepared is just in me!
I also like the idea of being more sustainable and not throwing things away that I spent good money on. For some of the things I’m working on and intend to make for myself in the future, I am also looking at what kind of chemicals are in the storebought stuff and in making it myself, can I get a ‘cleaner’, non-toxic product?
Bathroom swaps:
So far, I have made make-up removers using cotton and flannel that I had in my material stash. They’re not pretty but they work great. (I’ll make nicer ones in the future or deconstruct these sometime and redo them with a more finished look) They’re simple two-sided squares with the cotton (cute) pattern on one side and the flannel (soft) side on the other. I use those to replace cotton balls and throw them in the wash and reuse. (I’ve obviously used the ones in the picture and will keep the flannel color in mind for the future when I make more. The flannel will get stained from the mascara)
I used to use cosmetic sponges to apply foundation and switched to a reuseable one that I can wash between uses. I’m still getting used to this one, but I like not shopping for cosmetic sponges anymore!
Just the other day, I made my first batch of foaming hand soap. It was SO simple! (Castile soap, water and essential oil for scent). I refilled two bottles and so far, I love this soap. I’m looking forward to future refills and being able to play with the scents.
Kitchen swaps:
Most of these are on my to-do list and haven’t been done yet. But, I bought some flannels yardage to make reuseable paper towels. I’ll also use this material to make some Swiffer pads. All of these will be able to be washed in the laundry and reused over and over.
I have started making sourdough bread. This has been a learning curve, but I have stopped buying “THM on-plan” store-bought bread (sprouted bread). I’m still working out how to consistently get a good sandwich loaf. Some have been great, others, not.
I have started doing some fermenting with making kefir, kombucha and apple cider vinegar. These items store-bought are expensive, but SO incredibly simple to make at home. Kefir uses “grains” that eat the stuff in milk turning it into really good bugs for gut health. Kombucha uses a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) which ‘eats’ the sugar in sweet tea and turns it into a yummy drink that replaces pop and again, gives me good gut bacteria. And apple cider vinegar is so useful in the kitchen and delicious! This uses apple scraps and grows a ‘mother’. (yes, this is all VERY ‘granola’)
This is a continuing process and I keep thinking about what to make or try to get away from buying from the store. I think dishwasher tabs and liquid dish soap make be next on my list to make.