Brandy Long

Savings 101

7 Ways I “Seek the Minimum”

1. When you wash your dishes, do you always fill the sink to the top? If you use the dishwasher do you always run a full load? If you’re washing a small number of dishes, will a sink half full of water suffice? See if a one-second squirt of dish detergent will work instead of a three-second squirt.

2. When you wash laundry, do you always put the recommended amount of detergent in each load? Isn’t it handy the way the manufactures provide you with a plastic scoop so you never think about using less? Think about how dirty each load is and add detergent accordingly. Often a half scoop will work as well. Do you need to wash in hot water? When you wash in warm water, instead of hot, you cut your energy use in half! What about drying? Can you dry clothes on a line or put heavy items in the hot summer sun to dry?

3. Do you use an inch of toothpaste because a brush has inch-long rows of bristles? Besides, every toothpaste ad you’ve ever seen portrays a newt, full bristle-length swath. Experiment to see if a half inch of toothpaste works well.

4. When you shampoo, do you experiment to find the least amount that will work? If you pour a quarter-sized dab into your palm, try using a nickel-sized dab. Then, a dime-sized dab. It lathers just as much-I’ve tried it. In fact, shampoo makers use to put “lather, rinse, repeat”. Now most shampoo manufacturers include another one of their products to try. This is a marketing ploy to get you to use the product more frequently so you will have to buy more of it.

5. If you blow dry your hair, are there days when air drying would be suitable? Do you need the full makeup regimen every day? Could you scale it down or not use any at all?

6. When baking, do you always set the timer the recommended time? Maybe your oven thermostat is high and your oven bakes faster, especially at a higher altitude. Try checking for doneness early or bake a lower degree. In baking, you can use less oil, sugar and eggs. This also saves on calories/fats/carbs.

7. When you drink and eat, do you always fill the cups or plates full? Maybe a smaller portion would satisfy you or your kids as much