Comments on: The Snowball Effect: How Little Moves Now Can Create Huge Effects Later http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:34:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: manila http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-761177 manila Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:28:31 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-761177 I will probably start with the diapers portion until I can find the soap ingredients. And probably look for other things to do to save money. I will probably start with the diapers portion until I can find the soap ingredients.

And probably look for other things to do to save money.

]]> By: Becky http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-461533 Becky Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:05:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-461533 Trent, what are some practical ways to actually "capture" the savings from frugal tactics, so that you can begin to create the snowball effect? I have problems really "saving" the savings I encounter, because the savings just stays in my checking account and I end up spending it eventually. I'd like to improve on this but am not sure if there is a simple approach. Trent, what are some practical ways to actually “capture” the savings from frugal tactics, so that you can begin to create the snowball effect? I have problems really “saving” the savings I encounter, because the savings just stays in my checking account and I end up spending it eventually. I’d like to improve on this but am not sure if there is a simple approach.

]]> By: steve http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-341507 steve Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:05:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-341507 “However, time is money, and if you can work for a nice pay instead of taking the time to make your own detergent, it might make sense to do that.” While this argument has its place, I find it less than convincing for the following reason: Yes, if it's possible to work extra hours, you may net more by working for the time it would take you to make the detergent than by spending the time making the detergent. However, in practical terms, most people cannot pick and choose the hours they want to work (their employer picks their hours, and they have to accept it or get another job). So, for most people, doing moneysaving activities in their spare time (activities which they also find to be enjoyable, like Trent does) is an excellent way to add money to their bottom line. A second part of this analyis would have to include the possibility of getting a second job and working more hours that way, but even in this case, there is a limit to how much time you want to spend in someone else's environment working on someone else's agenda. Unless you have a pressing need for the extra cash, It's more enjoyable to be at your own home, doing "frugal" things, than it is to be at work. regarding CFLs: there have recently been studies comparing cleanup methods, and there are now firmer guidelines for how to clean up after them if/when they break. The mercury of a broken bulb tends to stay on the bulb shards themselves, as well as the floor in the immediate area of where they broke. The safest procedure is: take it seriously 1st step is the get everyone out of the area and air it out for at least 15 minutes to eliminate as much as possible of the breathable mercury vapor. Then take a glass jar (mason jar), not a plastic bag, and, using disposable gloves, pick up the pieces of broken bulb, placing them in the jar. then take sticky tap[e like duct or packing tape and cover the area where the bulb broke, pressing the tape down to get good adhesion. pull the tape up and dispose of it in the jar (a big jar is good) as well. Seal the jar and mark it with warning signs re: the mercury. Bring to a hazardouse waste disposal area to dispose of. elemental mercury that stays on the floor surface is easily volatilized to high levels by vacuums (especiall) and foot traffic so it should be removed with adhesive. Never vacuum to remove the mercury, it will basically just disperse it into the air where it can be breathed. The safest procedure is to not install them on knockable lamp fixtures or where very young children can knock into them and break them. Actually, recently some chemists have invented a powder that can be spread on the area of the broken bulb and will "lock up" the mercury so that it can be cleaned up safely. However, this stuff is not on the market yet. “However, time is money, and if you can work for a nice pay instead of taking the time to make your own detergent, it might make sense to do that.”

While this argument has its place, I find it less than convincing for the following reason:
Yes, if it’s possible to work extra hours, you may net more by working for the time it would take you to make the detergent than by spending the time making the detergent.

However, in practical terms, most people cannot pick and choose the hours they want to work (their employer picks their hours, and they have to accept it or get another job). So, for most people, doing moneysaving activities in their spare time (activities which they also find to be enjoyable, like Trent does) is an excellent way to add money to their bottom line.

A second part of this analyis would have to include the possibility of getting a second job and working more hours that way, but even in this case, there is a limit to how much time you want to spend in someone else’s environment working on someone else’s agenda. Unless you have a pressing need for the extra cash, It’s more enjoyable to be at your own home, doing “frugal” things, than it is to be at work.

regarding CFLs:
there have recently been studies comparing cleanup methods, and there are now firmer guidelines for how to clean up after them if/when they break. The mercury of a broken bulb tends to stay on the bulb shards themselves, as well as the floor in the immediate area of where they broke.

The safest procedure is:

take it seriously

1st step is the get everyone out of the area and air it out for at least 15 minutes to eliminate as much as possible of the breathable mercury vapor.

Then take a glass jar (mason jar), not a plastic bag, and, using disposable gloves, pick up the pieces of broken bulb, placing them in the jar.

then take sticky tap[e like duct or packing tape and cover the area where the bulb broke, pressing the tape down to get good adhesion.

pull the tape up and dispose of it in the jar (a big jar is good) as well. Seal the jar and mark it with warning signs re: the mercury. Bring to a hazardouse waste disposal area to dispose of.

elemental mercury that stays on the floor surface is easily volatilized to high levels by vacuums (especiall) and foot traffic so it should be removed with adhesive.

Never vacuum to remove the mercury, it will basically just disperse it into the air where it can be breathed.

The safest procedure is to not install them on knockable lamp fixtures or where very young children can knock into them and break them.

Actually, recently some chemists have invented a powder that can be spread on the area of the broken bulb and will “lock up” the mercury so that it can be cleaned up safely. However, this stuff is not on the market yet.

]]> By: Leah Ingram http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-253718 Leah Ingram Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:24:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-253718 I agree with the first commenter here. I don't buy into this notion of working twice as hard to save a little bit of money. Maybe because I'm a self-employed writer and am always thinking about the return on my investment of time, doing something like making my own detergent to save so little each month just doesn't seem worth the effort. In fact, I would say that this is a cheapskate mentality more than a frugal mindset. Don't get me wrong, though. I love saving money, but not when I have to spend my earning time trying to reap small savings benefits. Does that make sense? Thanks. I agree with the first commenter here. I don’t buy into this notion of working twice as hard to save a little bit of money. Maybe because I’m a self-employed writer and am always thinking about the return on my investment of time, doing something like making my own detergent to save so little each month just doesn’t seem worth the effort. In fact, I would say that this is a cheapskate mentality more than a frugal mindset. Don’t get me wrong, though. I love saving money, but not when I have to spend my earning time trying to reap small savings benefits. Does that make sense? Thanks.

]]> By: yoth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-253443 yoth Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:22:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-253443 Makes sense. Thanks Matt! Maybe, to your point, the cost savings is for the first child and subsequent ones consume less resources. Makes sense. Thanks Matt!

Maybe, to your point, the cost savings is for the first child and subsequent ones consume less resources.

]]> By: Matt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-253343 Matt Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:29:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-253343 @yoth: 1.) $250K for a child up to 18 doesn't include college, you're correct on that. 2.) Cost of a child is in CY dollars. It adds up each year using basic inflation indices, and is reported in the current year. So if this study was compiled in 2007, then you'll have to inflate it again to put it in 2008 dollars. Inflation was something on the order of 3% last year, I believe. Oh, and it starts as if you're having the child today (or in the year the survey was conducted :)) 3.) The way the cost of having a child is calculated includes a bunch of things that you won't see as savings by not having the child. The biggest example would be housing space. The $250K includes the assumption that you upgrade to a larger house to accomodate the child. (I believe 300 sq ft per child or something like that). And extra gas and a different type car to accomodate child seats, etc. There's also the cost of buying in bulk that you won'd really realize, because feeding four cost less per person than feeding one. You will realize a good chunk of that $250K, but not nearly all of it. I'd personally say $150K. I have a hard time believing it will cost >$1000/month per child for 18 years!! @yoth:
1.) $250K for a child up to 18 doesn’t include college, you’re correct on that.
2.) Cost of a child is in CY dollars. It adds up each year using basic inflation indices, and is reported in the current year. So if this study was compiled in 2007, then you’ll have to inflate it again to put it in 2008 dollars. Inflation was something on the order of 3% last year, I believe. Oh, and it starts as if you’re having the child today (or in the year the survey was conducted :))
3.) The way the cost of having a child is calculated includes a bunch of things that you won’t see as savings by not having the child. The biggest example would be housing space. The $250K includes the assumption that you upgrade to a larger house to accomodate the child. (I believe 300 sq ft per child or something like that). And extra gas and a different type car to accomodate child seats, etc. There’s also the cost of buying in bulk that you won’d really realize, because feeding four cost less per person than feeding one. You will realize a good chunk of that $250K, but not nearly all of it. I’d personally say $150K. I have a hard time believing it will cost >$1000/month per child for 18 years!!

]]> By: Matt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-252726 Matt Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:35:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-252726 Great post, Trent, if for no other reason that giving people the ability to think on their own and run excursions off of your example. The people who have been posting "what-if"'s and insults clearly have no clue what the point of this article was. The idea of saving money by not buying your daily coffee for $2 is great. I for one am not into making that ghastly concoction for detergent, or use cloth diapers, because I find the disposal a great benefit of my time than cleaning the majority of filth off, then keeping it separately until I get enough of the rancid smelling diapers together to run a load of laundry with them :) But the bottomline is that anyone can save, and it all starts with saving a little. Just clipping coupons and buying in bulk can easily save a family of 4 $50-100/month in groceries. Eating out one less time a week with a family of four can easily save $100/month in dining out. Just like the budget calculator that was proposed, streamline this snowball effect to feel natural for your way of life. Whether it's lightbulbs, coffee or a deep freezer, the important thing is to do it! Great post, Trent, if for no other reason that giving people the ability to think on their own and run excursions off of your example. The people who have been posting “what-if”‘s and insults clearly have no clue what the point of this article was.
The idea of saving money by not buying your daily coffee for $2 is great. I for one am not into making that ghastly concoction for detergent, or use cloth diapers, because I find the disposal a great benefit of my time than cleaning the majority of filth off, then keeping it separately until I get enough of the rancid smelling diapers together to run a load of laundry with them :)

But the bottomline is that anyone can save, and it all starts with saving a little. Just clipping coupons and buying in bulk can easily save a family of 4 $50-100/month in groceries. Eating out one less time a week with a family of four can easily save $100/month in dining out.

Just like the budget calculator that was proposed, streamline this snowball effect to feel natural for your way of life. Whether it’s lightbulbs, coffee or a deep freezer, the important thing is to do it!

]]> By: yoth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-251635 yoth Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:20:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-251635 You know, this reminds me. The accepted number for the "price" associated with having a child is $250k. These questions are loosely related. 1. I've heard that this is through 18 years of age for the child so I'm guessing that doesn't include college? 2. Is that adjusted for inflation to today (they just turned 18 today) or to 18 years ago? 3. Is it fair to say that reducing the number of children you intended to have is increasing your savings by this amount? If so, would it be logical to say that you will have saved X dollars for your children by reducing your intended number of children? You could argue that this isn't money saved to an account and so not tangible, but it appears that the 'snowball' approach taken in this entry primarily 'reinvests' and only takes money out of the investment at the end, and puts it into savings so I would think that the same logic would apply. This last one is probably more philosophical than anything else but not terribly off-topic. You know, this reminds me. The accepted number for the “price” associated with having a child is $250k. These questions are loosely related. 1. I’ve heard that this is through 18 years of age for the child so I’m guessing that doesn’t include college? 2. Is that adjusted for inflation to today (they just turned 18 today) or to 18 years ago? 3. Is it fair to say that reducing the number of children you intended to have is increasing your savings by this amount? If so, would it be logical to say that you will have saved X dollars for your children by reducing your intended number of children? You could argue that this isn’t money saved to an account and so not tangible, but it appears that the ‘snowball’ approach taken in this entry primarily ‘reinvests’ and only takes money out of the investment at the end, and puts it into savings so I would think that the same logic would apply. This last one is probably more philosophical than anything else but not terribly off-topic.

]]> By: yoth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-251610 yoth Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:03:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-251610 Amy, He's saying that you roll the savings from one thing into the purchase of the next, etc., etc. until you eventually STOP spending (you now own a freezer and have purchased in bulk) and start saving the money you would have been spending. It's a sound theory and pretty low-risk, if you have spend habits that you can curtail as in the example. Amy,

He’s saying that you roll the savings from one thing into the purchase of the next, etc., etc. until you eventually STOP spending (you now own a freezer and have purchased in bulk) and start saving the money you would have been spending. It’s a sound theory and pretty low-risk, if you have spend habits that you can curtail as in the example.

]]> By: gr8whyte http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-251321 gr8whyte Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:01:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-251321 @ Ginger (comment #53) : I've gotten 25 lb plastic buckets of washing soda from pool supply stores and 50 lb bags of anhydrous from chemical supply stores. The 50 lb bags were the best deal -- pure stuff at ~50 cents/pound -- but this was a few years ago. Be aware anhydrous sodium carbonate is by weight ~2.7X stronger than washing soda which is sodium carbonate decahydrate with 10 molecules of water of hydration. Be careful with washing soda; it's insidiously powerful stuff that can wreck clothing color and texture if used excessively (I've done it). It's also best to first crumble any lumps into powder before adding it to the water as lumps don't break up and dissolve well. @ Ginger (comment #53) : I’ve gotten 25 lb plastic buckets of washing soda from pool supply stores and 50 lb bags of anhydrous from chemical supply stores. The 50 lb bags were the best deal — pure stuff at ~50 cents/pound — but this was a few years ago. Be aware anhydrous sodium carbonate is by weight ~2.7X stronger than washing soda which is sodium carbonate decahydrate with 10 molecules of water of hydration. Be careful with washing soda; it’s insidiously powerful stuff that can wreck clothing color and texture if used excessively (I’ve done it). It’s also best to first crumble any lumps into powder before adding it to the water as lumps don’t break up and dissolve well.

]]> By: amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-251254 amy Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:02:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-251254 am i missing something? u take the savings from detergent to go to lightbulbs. how can u take that money and put it in the bank again for later use (ie college fund, car fund, freezer fund)? am i missing something? u take the savings from detergent to go to lightbulbs. how can u take that money and put it in the bank again for later use (ie college fund, car fund, freezer fund)?

]]> By: Greener Pastures http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-251124 Greener Pastures Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:04:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-251124 1) I have a house full of fluorescent light bulbs, but if one breaks, I'm cleaning it up asap, with a protective mask. Mercury=Bad. 2) I stopped buying a coffee at work every day, and put the two dollars into a can. I now have about $200 dollars painlessly saved (I bring tea bags from home). 1) I have a house full of fluorescent light bulbs, but if one breaks, I’m cleaning it up asap, with a protective mask. Mercury=Bad.

2) I stopped buying a coffee at work every day, and put the two dollars into a can. I now have about $200 dollars painlessly saved (I bring tea bags from home).

]]> By: darkness_and_light http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-251100 darkness_and_light Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:44:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-251100 Skeptical George, your analysis is giving me fits. You are using a hypothetical increase in energy costs selectively, applying it to the CFL case but not the iridescent bulb case. Increased energy costs, inflation, hidden costs for hot water, etc. do take a bit out of the projected savings, but it seems that there is enough margin that its still a net gain. Skeptical George, your analysis is giving me fits. You are using a hypothetical increase in energy costs selectively, applying it to the CFL case but not the iridescent bulb case. Increased energy costs, inflation, hidden costs for hot water, etc. do take a bit out of the projected savings, but it seems that there is enough margin that its still a net gain.

]]> By: Colleen Costello http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-251022 Colleen Costello Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:10:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-251022 FYI Amy and others who have CFC bulbs go out "early" -- Keep the package and write the purchase date in marker. If one blows too soon, CALL the 1-800 number. We have been less than impressed with the lifetimes of some ofthese bulbs so far, but when you call the company to tell them you had a burnout, they are GREAT and will send you a coupon for a free replacement. The last rep I spoke with told me they keep on working to improve the bulbs but in the meanwhile, whenever one is a poor performer they are happy to replace it. I have called about 3 times and each time they send me a coupon for up to $10 which actually buys me a whole new PACKAGE of lights at Walmart. All they ask is the number off the package. Also, I want to add that while groceries are definitely getting more expensive, I save a ton of money buying practically NO MEAT. I don't agree with offering much of it to my children and don't want them to grow up thinking food has to come from animals. In the meanwhile I am saving a fortune (so I can splurge on some veggie burgers!) FYI Amy and others who have CFC bulbs go out “early” — Keep the package and write the purchase date in marker. If one blows too soon, CALL the 1-800 number. We have been less than impressed with the lifetimes of some ofthese bulbs so far, but when you call the company to tell them you had a burnout, they are GREAT and will send you a coupon for a free replacement. The last rep I spoke with told me they keep on working to improve the bulbs but in the meanwhile, whenever one is a poor performer they are happy to replace it. I have called about 3 times and each time they send me a coupon for up to $10 which actually buys me a whole new PACKAGE of lights at Walmart. All they ask is the number off the package.

Also, I want to add that while groceries are definitely getting more expensive, I save a ton of money buying practically NO MEAT. I don’t agree with offering much of it to my children and don’t want them to grow up thinking food has to come from animals. In the meanwhile I am saving a fortune (so I can splurge on some veggie burgers!)

]]> By: George http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-250968 George Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:40:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-250968 @Skeptical George - Oh, wow, another 3 minutes of research and I discover that your government is at work for you: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.display_products_html Looking through the list, you'll notice that about half the models listed use less than 525 kilowatt-hours in a year. @Skeptical George -

Oh, wow, another 3 minutes of research and I discover that your government is at work for you:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.display_products_html

Looking through the list, you’ll notice that about half the models listed use less than 525 kilowatt-hours in a year.

]]> By: George http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-250960 George Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:33:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-250960 @Skeptical George - I'm beginning to think you're a skeptic because you don't do any research. I used Google for a quick search on freezer electricity use... and quickly found an upgright GE freezer model FUF14DPRWH uses 621 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and a 60 watt bulb left running for 365 days uses 525 kilowatt-hours in the same period. While that's not less than a 60 watt bulb, it's a reasonable bet that there's a model out there that uses less than a 60 watt bulb. @Skeptical George -

I’m beginning to think you’re a skeptic because you don’t do any research. I used Google for a quick search on freezer electricity use… and quickly found an upgright GE freezer model FUF14DPRWH uses 621 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and a 60 watt bulb left running for 365 days uses 525 kilowatt-hours in the same period.

While that’s not less than a 60 watt bulb, it’s a reasonable bet that there’s a model out there that uses less than a 60 watt bulb.

]]> By: Ginger http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-250916 Ginger Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:33:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-250916 Found washing soda online, but with shipping 55 oz comes to around ten bucks, way too much. BUT, I stumbled across 2 more cool recipes for natural cleaners (and thanks Innovative Traveler for your recipe). Natural Cleaner Combine in a spray bottle 1 tsp Borax 2 tblsp vinegar 1/4 tsp veggie based liquid soap 1/2 tsp super washing soda Add very hot tap water, shake till all is dissolved Natural Scouring Powder 1 cup baking soda 1/4 cup Borax 1/2 cup super washing soda Combine and put in jar. I have just GOT to find the washing soda. Arm & Hammer makes it but I guess there's no demand in my area. :( Found washing soda online, but with shipping 55 oz comes to around ten bucks, way too much. BUT, I stumbled across 2 more cool recipes for natural cleaners (and thanks Innovative Traveler for your recipe).

Natural Cleaner
Combine in a spray bottle
1 tsp Borax
2 tblsp vinegar
1/4 tsp veggie based liquid soap
1/2 tsp super washing soda
Add very hot tap water, shake till all is dissolved

Natural Scouring Powder
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup Borax
1/2 cup super washing soda
Combine and put in jar.

I have just GOT to find the washing soda. Arm & Hammer makes it but I guess there’s no demand in my area. :(

]]> By: Sharon http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-250891 Sharon Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:56:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-250891 I'm trying CFLs now that they are having a sale at Shoprite on them...pack of three for 3.99. I’m trying CFLs now that they are having a sale at Shoprite on them…pack of three for 3.99.

]]> By: Ginger http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-2/#comment-250858 Ginger Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:16:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-250858 I am having a huge problem finding 'washing soda' at my local Safeway. I tried the slime, had fun making it but used baking soda instead. My clothes didn't feel as 'clean', so went back to regular detergent. Now I've found the 'dry' recipe and want to try that. Help! I am having a huge problem finding ‘washing soda’ at my local Safeway. I tried the slime, had fun making it but used baking soda instead. My clothes didn’t feel as ‘clean’, so went back to regular detergent. Now I’ve found the ‘dry’ recipe and want to try that. Help!

]]> By: Daniel Koontz http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/comment-page-1/#comment-250831 Daniel Koontz Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:44:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/21/the-snowball-effect-how-little-moves-now-can-create-huge-effects-later/#comment-250831 Great article as always Trent--small habit changes can bring about enormous results if you're just willing to apply a little creativity and discipline. But can you actually get pregnant by making your own detergent and using CFLs? "Now, from the CFLs and the detergent, you’re saving $7.98 per month. Now you find out you’re pregnant, so you save up that $7.98 per month for seven months, giving you $55.86." Wow, they left that part out of sex ed when I was a kid! :) Dan <a href="http://casualkitchen.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Casual Kitchen</a> Great article as always Trent–small habit changes can bring about enormous results if you’re just willing to apply a little creativity and discipline.

But can you actually get pregnant by making your own detergent and using CFLs?

“Now, from the CFLs and the detergent, you’re saving $7.98 per month. Now you find out you’re pregnant, so you save up that $7.98 per month for seven months, giving you $55.86.”

Wow, they left that part out of sex ed when I was a kid! :)

Dan
Casual Kitchen

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