Over the past year or so, I have become quite a fan of vinegar.  I have learned that it cleans very well, is inexpensive, and safe for your family and pets.  Here are some of the ways to clean with vinegar:

1.  Add 1/4 cup vinegar to laundry, along with the usual soap, to brighten colors and make whites sparkle.  Also helps kills athlete’s foot germs on socks.

2.  Soak or simmer stuck-on food in 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar.  The food will soften and lift off in a few minutes.

3.  Remove ink stains from clothes by soaking them in milk for 1 hour.  Then cover the stain with a paste of vinegar and cornstarch.  When the paste dries, wash the garment as usual.

4.  Appliances sparkle if cleaned with a vinegar and borax cleaner.  Mix 1 teaspoon borax, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 2 cups hot water and put it into a spray bottle.  Spray it on greasy smears and wipe off with a cloth or sponge.

5.  Deodorize your sink drains: Pour a cup down your drain, let stand about thirty minutes, then run cold water.

6. Use vinegar instead of laundry softener.  Vinegar prevents your clothes from getting that waxy build up on them.  Vinegar is suggested for using to rinse cloth diapers to keep them absorbent. 

7.  Remove water stains from leather by rubbing with a cloth dipped in a vinegar and water solution.

8.  Loosen food grime and clean the microwave: Place a microwave-safe bowl with 2 cups water, 1/2 cup vinegar inside the microwave and microwave on full power for 3-4 minutes (it needs to boil). Keep your microwave closed for a few minutes to allow the steam to loosen the grime, then open your microwave, carefully remove the bowl, and wipe clean.

9.  Remove grease from kitchen walls: Put straight vinegar on a dishcloth to wipe grease off kitchen walls, or the stovetop.

10.  Prevent mold and mildew in the shower: Wipe down tile or Formica shower walls with a sponge or cloth dampened with water and vinegar. The vinegar will clean the walls and inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.

11.  An excellent toilet cleaner can be made from 1 cup borax and 1 cup vinegar.  Pour the vinegar all over the stained area of the toilet.  Then sprinkle the borax over the vinegar.  Allow it all to soak for 2 hours.  Then simply brush and flush.

12.  Add a cup of vinegar to your mop water or mop floors with vinegar and water after a normal mopping.  Vinegar removes the soap scum.

13.   Annie Berthold-Bond says her favorite window cleaning recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle.  Annie says the liquid soap helps remove the waxy residue.

14.  Boil vinegar and water on the stove to soak up bad smells from your house.

15.  Fill your water reservoir halfway with vinegar to clean your coffee pot.  Follow up by running 1-2 pots of clean water through to remove the vinegar.

16.  Vinegar also works as a safe degreaser.  No harsh fumes.  Use it on grease, undiluted.

17.  Clean vaporizers and humifiers by soaking unit in vinegar.  Soak unit and then run water through it.  I got this tip from the actual directions that came with my vaporizer, but it really does help to remove the deposits and also to sanitize.

18.  After washing your whites with bleach, run another rinse cycle with vinegar.  The vinegar will help to remove the bleach smell.

19.  If you have fruit flies, put some vinegar in a jar on your counter.  (I wish I would have known this one a few years ago.  I had some fruit flies and bought an expensive fruit fly trap.  It probably just had vinegar in it.  Errrr!)

20.  If your puppy (or child) has an accident on the carpet, apply full-strength plain white vinegar for about 10 minutes and then blot dry. You may want to test an inconspicuous spot first.

21.  Adding a cup of vinegar to a dishwashing cycle will help clean your dishwasher and will also help prevent spots from forming on your glasses.

22.  Vinegar helps to kill bacteria.  Mix up a solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.  Keep it in your kitchen to spray your sink and countertops. 

23.  Use vinegar to clean your garbage disposal.  Run a tray of ice cubes with 1/2 cup vinegar poured over them.

24.  Use vinegar, hot water, and a little soap to clean baby’s toys.  Rinse well.

25.  For cleaning laminate floors, mix 1/3 part white vinegar, 1/3 part rubbing alcohol, 1/3 part water, and 3 drops diswashing liquid.  Mix this into a (recycled) spray bottle and you have the equivalent of the Pergo floor cleaner. Just spray and mop; also great for deodorizing a room and for a fast cleanup. I also use this on my tile floors with great results. Pergo is better off when water doesn’t sit on it too long, the alcohol is added to make it dry faster.

Have you tried cleaning with vinegar?  Do you have any other ways to add to the list?

Post from: Keeping the Castle

While I believe the sales at CVS and Rite-Aid stores are pretty much the same across the U.S., I can’t guarantee that. So do check the flyers for stores in your area to be sure of these prices.

CVS Pharmacy

Good Deals:

selected General Mills cereals, 2/$5
Bic Soleil Razor cartridges, 4ct, $4.99
Centrum original or silver vitamins (varied reg. price), $6.99
Oreo Cookies 18oz, 2/$5
Wrigley’s multipack gum, 8-10/pk, 4/$4
Kodak FunSaver camera, $3.99
Energizer Max AAA Alkaline batteries, 4/pk, $2.99
Bic Velocity pens, 2/$5
Bic Mark-It markers, $3.99
Huggies Diapers Jumbo pack, $8.99
L’Oreal Visible Lift Foundation, $9.99

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Deals:
Betty Crocker Bowl Appetit
Kraft Mac and Cheese dinner
Planters Delux Mixed Nuts
Pilot G2 pens
Backpacks
Avery retractable hilighters
assorted notebooks (except licensed)
Avery 1″ binders
CVS Brand dandruff shampoo
CVS Brand Hand sanitizer
Soft & Dri Pulse deodorant
Right Guard Extreme deodorant
Brut deodorant
Colgate Wave or SpongeBob toothbrush
Reach Clean Burst Waxed Floss
Covergirl TruShine Lipcolor

Rite Aid Phamacy

Good Deals:

Hunt’s pudding snack, 4/pk, $.99
SunMaid raisins, $.99
Mott’s Applesauce, 24oz, $.99
Kellogg’s cereals, 2/$5
Oust Air sanitizer, 2/$5
Herbal Essences Shampoo, or Conditioner, 2/$5
Caress or Lever Body Wash, 2/$5
Finesse shampoo or conditioner, 2/$6
Rite-Aid diapers, mega pack, 2/$20
Speed Stick 24/7 Deodorant, 2/$5
Lysol basin, tub and tile cleaner, $1.99
Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, $1.99
Dawn dishwashing liquid, $.99
select Tylenol or Motrin, 20-24ct., 2/$5
Mead wireless notebook, 60 sheets, $.33
Mead One-subject notebook, 70 sheets, 6/$.96
Elmer’s school glue, 4oz, $.33
Bic Mark-It retractable marker or Grip permanent markers, 2/$1
Crayola crayons, 24ct., 2/$1

Buy One Get One Free Deals:

L’Oreal Voluminous eyeliner
Ban Deodorant
Brut Deodorant
Right Guard Extreme deodorant
Dry Idea Roll-on
All Laundry Detergent, 50 oz

Post from: Keeping the Castle

The savvy CVS shoppers I know make it a point to visit and shop there at least once a week. Last week, there weren’t many deals, except for candy. So that’s what I stocked up on to generate a decent amount of Extra Care Bucks (ECBs). Here’s a summary of last week’s transactions:

Transaction 1 from last week

Items:
several bags of assorted candy and chocolates, reg. price $24 , on sale for $17.50
3 x Kotex products, reg. price $11.97, on sale for 3/$7.50
2 x Tom of Maine’s deodorant, reg. price $10.98, on sale for 2/$5.98
1 pack Scott paper towels, reg. price $9.99, on sale for $4.99
1 pack Pampers diapers, reg. price $17.99, on sale for $12.99
2 x Maxwell instant coffee, reg. price $7.89, on sale buy 1 get 1 free
1 bag marshmallows, $1.29
SUB-TOTAL = $58.14

Coupons:
2 Kotex manufacturer coupons ($1 each) – $2.00
1 Kotex manufacturer coupon – $.75
1 Pampers coupon – $1.00
used ECBs – $7.00

Total after savings = 47.39
Tax = $1.47
Out of pocket expense = $48.86
New ECBs generated = $5.00 (candy)

Transaction 2 from last week

Items:
4 x Johnson and Johnson allergy medicines, reg. price $6.49 each, on sale for $5 each = $20
3 CVS brand medicines, $15.47 total
SUB-TOTAL = $35.47

Coupons:
1 CVS brand coupon ($2.50/$12.50) – $2.50

Out of pocket = $34.95
New ECBs generated = $10.00 (for Johnson and Johnson products)

For the first transaction, I miscalculated and ended up being $2.50 short of getting another $5 in ECBs so I went back for another trip:

Transaction 3 from last week

Items:
more bags of candy and chocolate, reg. price$51, on sale for $35.50
2 x Crest toothpaste, reg. price $5.58, on sale 2 for $3.98
1 pack Bandaids, reg. price $3.29, on sale for $2.99
1 CVS brand medicine, $4.79
SUB-TOTAL = $47.26

Coupons:
2 x Crest coupons ($1 each) – $2.00
ECBs used – $15.00

Total out of pocket after savings = $30.26
New ECBs generated = $22.00 ($20 from candy + $2 from Bandaid)

****

My out of pocket expenses were a little high last week, but I got medicines and candy that we always buy anyway. And I now have enough candy to last us until Halloween! The ECBs I have left from last week were put to good use yesterday.

Pay close attention to this one, because there is still time left to duplicate these deals this week:

This week’s Transaction 1:

Items:
2 x Dawn dishwashing liquid, reg. price $1.99 each, on sale for $.88 = $1.76 for 2
2 x Crest toothpaste, reg. price $3.29 each, on sale for $2.49 = $4.98 for 2
2 x Oral B toothbrushes, reg. price $3.49 each, on sale for $2.49 = $4.98 for 2
2 x Covergirl make-up, reg. price $8.99, on sale buy 1 get 1 free = $8.99
2 x Sure deodorant, reg. price $2.69, on sale B1G1 = $2.69
2 x Magic tape, reg. price $2.79, on sale B1G1 = $2.79
2 x pencil pouches, reg. price $3.99, on sale B1G1 = $3.99
2 x erasers, reg. price $1.79, on sale B1G1 = $1.79
1 instant energy drink, $4.99
2 x large bottles of Pert plus shampoo, $5.99, special manager’s price B1G1 = $5.99
1 greeting card = $3.99
SUB-TOTAL = $46.94

Coupons:
2 x Sure manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00 (final cost $.35 each)
1 Covergirl manu. coupon (buy 1, get 1 free) – $8.99 (final cost, both free!)
2 x Pert Plus manu. coupons ($2 each) – $4.00 (final cost $1.00 each)
2 x Oral B manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00 (final cost $1.49 plus $1.50 ECB each)
2 x Crest manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00 (final cost $1.49 plus $1.50 ECB each)
2 x Dawn manu. coupons ($1/2) – $1.00 (final cost $.38 each)
used ECBs – $20.00

Total out of pocket after savings = $8.26
New ECBs generated = $10.99 (from energy drink, Crest and Oral B purchases)
Rebate amount = $5.00 (school supplies + Pert/Sure)

After rebate, the total for this transaction is … $3.26!!!

It would have been even lower than this, but I’d forgotten I had another $2 in ECBs tucked away. I could still use that $2 coupon next time, so it’s OK.

I also had a little bonus from the very nice manager of the store. You see, the Pert Plus shampoos were the big ones, instead of the smaller bottles advertised in the CVS flyers. They’d run out of the small bottles. But the manager told me I could substitute something else for them. So I got the big Pert bottles for 1/2 off each. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring the $3 coupons I had for these, but had the $2 ones for the small bottles. Can you imagine if I had those $3 coupons? My total would have been $1.26! But the manager was really nice, so again it’s OK. The deal he gave me only makes me love my local CVS even more.

You still have time to do this deal at your CVS store. Tips: I was able to stack the B1G1 sale for the Covergirl make-up with the manufacturer’s coupon, essentially making both items free. If you have a coupon for the $5 worth of school supplies with a $5 Pert/Sure purchase, be sure to use those too.

If you want to follow the progress of my CVS experiment, I keep track of everything at the CVS Savings page on the right.

UPDATE (8-8-08):

I made a second visit to CVS this week, and it turned out to be my best run yet!

This week’s Transaction #2:

Items:
2 x CoverGirl make-up, reg. price $7.99 each, on sale B1G1 = $7.99 for  2
2 x CVS envelopes, reg. price $1.69 each, on sale B1G1 = $1.69 for 2
SUB-TOTAL = $9.68

Coupons:
2 x CoverGirl manu. coupons ($1 each) – $2.00
1 Covergirl manu. coupon (buy 1, get 1 free) – $7.99

Total after savings = -$0.31
Tax = $.58
Total out of pocket = $0.27

Yes, that’s 27 cents for four items! The coupons paid for part of my tax. I didn’t even use ECBs for this one. If you have these coupons, try this scenario at your store. Some stores may not allow you to use the $1 off and B1G1 coupons together, but it’s worth a try.

image used with permission via CVS Media Library

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Kellogg’s cereals were buy 1, get 1 free, so I bought some even though I had no coupons and no ExtraCare Bucks (ECBs) were generated.

Here’s my CVS loot for this week. I’m showing you this photo so you know I’m not making this up.

Items:
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal, reg. price $4.39, on sale for $3.99
Kellogg’s Apple Jacks cereal, reg. price $4.19, FREE
2 packages Kotex pads, total reg. price $13.68, on sale for 2/$11
3 packages Refills for Glade scented oil candles, total reg. price $10.57, on sale for $7.47 ($2.49 each)
Gillette shampoo, $5.99
Reeses candy, $1.49
Tic Tac, $.89
SUB-TOTAL = $30.83

Coupons:
Gillette manufacturer’s coupon – $1.00
Glade refills manufacturer’s coupon, buy 2, get 1 free – $2.49
Kotex manufacturer’s coupon – $1.00
Kotex manufacturer’s coupon – $1.00
CVS coupon, $5/$30, – $5.00
used ECBs – $15.98

Total after savings = $4.36
Tax = $.21
Out of pocket expense = $4.57
New ECBs generated = $7.00 (Kotex $3, Gillette $1, Glade $3)

***
For $4.57, I brought home $41.20 worth of merchandise! Without the coupons, sales and ECBs, I would have stepped out of the store with only the Rice Krispies in hand. But stacking these deals together meant that I saved a whole bunch, and still have some free money to use next week.

The key with these deals is that you buy those items that you know you will use. This way, you’ll never have to pay full price for them again. You can track my CVS totals with me at the CVS Savings page on the sidebar to the right.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

* Turn your clutter into cash (via Best Syndication)

* Cloth napkins can save you money (via Philly Burbs)

* Shopping strategy (at Bend Bulletin)

* Freezer cooking and frugal living (at Filling my Freezer)

* Tips for sprucing up your home (via Suntimes)

Post from: Keeping the Castle

This week, CVS has a special “Free after Extra Bucks” promo for their photo books. The photo books are hardcover 10-page books that are printed in the Kodak Digital Kiosks inside CVS stores. The current promos are:

4”x6” 10 pg. Hardcover Photo Book (holds 36 photos maximum) – regular price is between $5.99 and $7.99; on sale for $3.99, PLUS $3.99 in Extra Bucks

6”x8” 10 pg. Hardcover Photo Book (holds 54 photos maximum) – regular price is $12.99; on sale for $7.99, PLUS $7.99 in Extra Bucks

The Extra Bucks generated means that the photo books are essentially FREE!

There isn’t much that I plan to buy at CVS this week, other than these so here’s my transaction today:

Items:
photo books, 6×8, regular price $12.99; on sale at $7.99 X 2 = $15.98
candy bar = $1.29
Sub-total = $17.27

Coupons:
$3/$15 CVS coupon – $3.00
used Extra Bucks – $7.98

Total after savings = $6.29
Tax = $.30
Out of pocket expenses = $6.59
New ECB generated = $15.98

Click here to see my total CVS savings.

image used with permission via CVS Media Library

Post from: Keeping the Castle

This is my second week trying to find savings at CVS. My first week at CVS, I spent $30.23 and got $16.50 Extra Care Bucks (ECB). These ECBs started me out this week. Here’s what I got today:

Transaction #1:

Items:
Olay lotion, reg. price $10.99, on sale for $8.99
Olay body wash, reg. price $8.39, on sale for 5.99
Olay body wash, reg. price $6.99, on sale for 5.99
Sub-Total = $20.79

Coupons:
Olay manufacturer’s coupon – $1.00
Olay manufacturer’s coupon – $1.00
Olay manufacturer’s coupon – $2.00
CVS coupon $4/$20 – $4.00
used Extra Care Bucks (ECB) – $12.50

Total after savings = $.47
Tax = $.27
Out of pocket expense = $0.74
New ECB generated = $10.00

Transaction #2:

Items:
Febreze fabric refresher, reg. price $5.99, on sale for $3.99 each, x 2 = $7.98
Febreze air effects, reg. price $3.29 each, on sale for 2/$5 = $5.00
Revlon hair brush, $4.99, x 2 = $9.98
Sub-Total = $22.96

Coupons:
Febreze coupon (buy 1 fabric refresher, get 1 free air effects) – $2.50
Febreze coupon (buy 1 fabric refresher, get 1 free air effects) – $2.50
CVS coupon $4/$20 – $4.00
used ECB – $12.00

Total after savings = 1.96
Tax = $.42
Out of pocket expense = $2.38
New ECB generated = $10.00

Transaction #3:

Items:
Dawn dish liquid, reg. price $1.69 each, on sale for 2 for $2.00
CVS pantiliners, $.99, x 2 = $1.98
Gilette venus razor, reg. price $11.99, on sale for $9.99
Cortaid cream, $3.99 x 2 = $7.98
Sub-Total = $21.95

Coupons:
Gilette manufacturer’s coupon – $2.00
CVS coupon $4/$20 – $4.00
used ECB – $12.00

Total after savings = $3.95
Tax = $.36
Out of pocket expense = $4.31
New ECB generated = $7.98

So, to sum it up, for this round of CVS shopping, I got $80.24 worth of merchandise. By combining store sales, manufacturer’s coupons and Extra Care Bucks, my total out of pocket expenses came out to $7.43. And I still have about $8 worth of ECB for next week. Not bad for just my second week of “CVSing”!

Of course, I still have to see what effect this will have on my regular grocery budget. I’ve bought items that will eventually be used (which is important too!). So I do expect to see a cut on my grocery bill over the next few weeks.

The CVS deals I got are going on this week, so you still have time to check them out for yourself. I got a lot of the manufacturer’s coupons from an insert on the Sunday newspaper. The insert was made available in many areas, from what I gather. Remember, you need to sign up for the CVS Extra Care card to make use of these deals. And for maximum savings, stack manufacturer’s coupons, store deals and ECBs!

image used with permission via CVS Media Library

Post from: Keeping the Castle

The quick points to remember are:

1. Weather-strip drafty windows and doors.

2. Turn down your heater.

3. Turn electronics off.

4. Set your water heater’s thermostat under 140F.

5. Wash only full loads of laundry.

6. Install insulation.

7. Buy and use ‘green’ products.

Remember, we can all do something to help save our planet, and save a little money on the side as well.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

This week, I decided to see whether I can cut on my grocery budget with serious CVS savings.

Here’s my CVS transaction for today:

Vaseline lotion – 5.99 (+ 2 ECB)
Viva paper towels (8pk) – 6.99 (+ 2 ECB)
Coppertone sunscreen, Sport – 7.99
Coppertone sunscreen, Waterbabies – 11.49 (+ 10 ECB)

Coupons:
Coppertone manufacturer’s coupon -  1.00
CVS $3/$15 coupon – 1.00

Subtotal = 28.46
Tax = 1.77
Total out of pocket = 30.23

For this transaction, I received a total of 14 ECB, plus another 2.50 ECB for Spring spending. This means that for next week, I have 16.50 ECB to spend. This first week’s transaction should be the most I’ll spend at CVS from now on.

The whole idea behind CVS shopping is to roll over the ECB so I will spend as little out of pocket as possible. I will do this by using existing ECB to buy only items that generate additional ECB. Other tips for saving even more money at CVS are to:

* combine manufacturer’s coupons and extra CVS coupons with ECB

* buy only items that will be used eventually, like soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc.

Next week, I’ll check out the sales, and post my CVS transaction again. I want to track whether or not I’ll truly be able to save money using the CVS extra bucks program.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

* Coupon crazy: Shoppers finding steals and deals online (via Statesman)

* Festival of Frugality #131 – Summer Savings Edition (via Broke Grad Student)

* Thirteen ways to save money on your grocery shopping (via Frugal Fridays)

* Tips to offset gasoline expenditures (via AZ Central)

* Food bill getting fat? Slim it down: Frugal mom feeds family of five on $300 a month. Here’s her coupon-free plan (via Ohio)

In addition to these articles, I thought you might be interested in browsing the following sites, all of which are dedicated to saving money!

* Money Saving Mom

* Mommy Saves Big

* Thrifty Mommy

* The Frugal Family’s Kitchen

* Free Stuff Times

Post from: Keeping the Castle