I admit it. I’m what some refer to as a cheap bitch. That title doesn’t phase me, though. My mom and dad raised me a certain way. We never had a lot of money growing up, so they raised me to be frugal. They raised me to believe that name brand items aren’t necessary in life and that couponing is a good thing. I even remember my mom stockpiling food and nonfood items when she could. I have carried this knowledge into my adult life, and I hope my children remember these same things when they’re grown up.
Now that we’re a family of six instead of three, my boyfriend and I are ALWAYS looking for ways to save money, no matter how minuscule the savings may seem. In the end, it all adds up.
I noticed several weeks back that we needed new ice packs because all four kids bring lunch to school, as does my boyfriend to work, and we pack lunches when we go off to do things as a family. Depending on the stores in your area, one ice pack could range from $2.00-$5.00, if not more. It would have cost us probably about $15.00-$20.00 if I had bought all new ones.
So what did I do?
I did what every other cheap bitch mom like myself does when they want to save money. I took to Pinterest to find a solution to my problem. While on there getting slightly sidetracked by others projects ideas that would save us money, I came across directions on how to make homemade ice packs. I, of course, had to make them because they were going to cost us far less than real ones from the store.
Items needed:
Sponges
Water
Plastic baggies
Directions:
1- Run sponge under water until it’s saturated.
2- Place into Ziploc baggie and seal.
3- Place in freezer.
That’s it!! Easy peasy. I now have 7 sponges in my freezer that cost me approximately $3.00 to make.
(When I showed my boyfriend the frozen sponges last night when he got home from work, he got a big grin on his face and laughed. Whenever I do things like that, he thinks it’s cute. You should see him when I make a grocery list with prices next to each item. LOL! I wonder if he will find my homemade laundry soap making as adorable. Time will tell.)