My Walk Through Life 2/8/2025

Years ago I was a military wife and stay at home mother. One thing I learned quickly, military pay wasn't very high. Paying bills and feeding 3 kids on a small paycheck, I learned to be a tightwad and stretched each dollar as far as I could get it. 

I am more financially fit now, and have been negligent and carefree with my money. The past few days, I have been rethinking this. Groceries are more expensive and I think things may only get worse. I am going to go back to my tightwad ways. The more money I can save, the better. I want to travel, buy new furniture, and hopefully a house. Besides, it is fun finding ways to stretch a dollar. 

I have always enjoyed collecting helpful hints, making my own cleaning products and have found out sometimes they work better than the pre-mixed, store bought products. The same can be said about pantry items that you make up yourself. They are healthier, without the preservatives. 

I have made my own bathtub cleaners, laundry detergents, stain removers, hot chocolate mixes, spice mixes and more. 

I will share some ideas for readers to try every Saturday.

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Soft Soap

This has many different uses and you may find it referenced in other recipes shared. You can use it for washing delicates or add scent and add into the tub while the water is running. If you don't have enough to soap slivers, you can add soap flakes to make 1 cup.

Basic Soft Soap Recipe

Several bits, slivers, and pieces of used soap- enough to make 1 cup, dried out, or 1 cup soap flakes

1 cup boiling water

1. If you are using soap bits, grind them to a fine powder in blender or food processor. Mix with the soap flakes, if necessary to make 2 cups.

2. Pour boiling water over the soap and stir until soap is dissolved. Cool.

3. Label and store in a pump dispenser or squeeze-top plastic container.

Easy Scrub

Good for fiberglass tubs and inside of the refrigerator. Anything that needs a soft touch instead of a hard cleaner

4 Tbs baking soda

1 Tbs Soft Soap (recipe above)

4 cups ward water

1. Combine baking soda and water and pour into a clean plastic pump spray bottle. Label bottle. 

To use: Spray directly on the surface to be cleaned and wipe-off with a damp sponge or soft rag. 

If the surface is heavily soiled, make a paste of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon Easy Scrub, leave on the stain for 30 minutes and then scrub off with warm water. 

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