The Re-usable Toilet Paper Trend Made Me Overcome My Coupon Hate (How do you save money on health products?) [$1000 Target Giveaway]

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Asked the kids to get ready to go to Target and this is what I got: Jelly Bean pants-less and shoe-less while Son #3 has on two hats, a scarf, two pairs of gloves, snow bibs, two coats and boots. Note that neither is seasonally appropriate. Pretty sure this does not say good things about my parenting skills.

First they came for our disposable diapers. Next it was our shampoo, toothpaste and laundry detergent. But have you heard of the newest craze in cost-cutting healthy living? Reusable toilet paper. Yep, instead of splurging on Charmin now the super thrifty eco-conscious health bloggers are putting little baskets of cut up flannel next to their toilets with the instruction to wipe, rinse and repeat. Don’t get me wrong, this actually makes a lot of sense – toilet paper does seem kind of wasteful. And flannel strips are way more tushie-tender than, say, the corn cobs or Sears catalog pages of yesteryear. One blogger reported that the old-fashioned paper rolls set her back $136 a year but her new-old-fashioned cloth wipes only cost $42 a year (in laundering, I’m assuming). Yet while I did use cloth diapers for a while (until I got tired of the leaking) and have made my own shampoo and detergent (until I got lazy and went back to store-bought), I just can’t get past the ick factor of homemade TP. Not even to save $92. Call me a Luddite.

But even though I haven’t yet embraced all the tenets of cheap healthy living, that doesn’t mean I don’t look for ways to save money! Have you seen the price of coconut oil lately?? I’ve already shared some of my tips for buying healthy food on a budget but basically I go for store brands, shop at warehouses and discount stores, cook a lot at home and buy bulk online. The one thing I don’t do? Coupon. Here’s why: My basement is full of deodorant.

No, I’m not trying to overshare some insane body odor problem (although I do sweat like a dude). It gets worse: I have a basement full of deodorant that I can’t even wear because it gives me weird bumps and I have an aversion to smelling like flowers*. And someday soon my boys are going to wise up to the fact that it’s actually not cool to smell like a freshly powdered baby’s bottom or have glittery pits, which means then nobody will be able to use it and I’ll be left with a monument to… dun dun dun… my one attempt at couponing.

True story: I took a two-day couponing class once. I was lured in by a friend who is a pro-couponer with her tales of free stuff and adrenaline-charged confrontations with other ladies battling over the last pair of blunt-tipped children’s scissors at the drug store. Oh, and free stuff. Did I mention the free stuff? So I spent two days on a hard plastic chair listening to a woman talk about her strategies for turning little pieces of newsprint into household gold. She was a modern-day Rumpelstiltskin, I tell you.

My first hint that this maybe wasn’t for me was when she showed us her binder system that utilized more 3-rings than a circus. I “organize” my daily mail by dumping it on my counter and letting it pile up until Saturday. By the time she got to the part where she spends 30 hours a week couponing I was melting like a puddle off my chair and mentally calculating how many extra hours I could work to earn enough money so I wouldn’t have to coupon. But! I spent two whole days learning from the best and I was determined to give it a go.

So one fine morning I loaded up my four young children – who should have been named Alfalfa, Calvin (&Hobbes), Dennis the Menace and Angelica for their general demeanor in polite society – and set off for the first of six stores on my list. The drugstore didn’t know what hit ’em. After discovering that my kids would use my distraction calculating and reading coupons to open up lipsticks and use them like markers, I knew I had to make this end fast. I had a bunch of “store bucks” so I grabbed the closest thing I could find: deodorant. Armfuls of it. I mean, you always need sweet-smelling pits right?? Wrong.

While I know that other people love couponing – and I love that they love it! – it just wasn’t for me. I’m too disorganized, too busy and way too math-challenged to deal with 100 little pieces of paper of fine print. But my main complaint is that it always seemed like the coupons were for processed foods, feminine hygiene products (since I bought the Diva cup I never need them!), candy and other stuff I don’t ever buy. (Lie: I buy candy. But I am usually pretending that I’m not buying it so using a coupon would ruin my little game of self-delusion.)

I gave my free coupon organizer and tote from the class to my friend and called it a wash. No more coupons. So when Target contacted me about using their new coupon app Cartwheel, I was initially very leery. The thing that won me over is that when we lived in Minneapolis (home of the big red Target) I developed a deep devotion to it and now that we’ve moved Target reminds me of home. Sometimes I go there just to sniff their diaper display and nuzzle my cheek against the cardboard cutout of Bullseye and remember all the good times I spent in their restrooms with my kids over the past six years. Yeah, I know, I’m messed up. Besides, I still really, really like free or discounted stuff.

The test would be twofold: Would it be easy enough for me to use it without wanting to brain myself in the pet supplies aisle? And, more importantly, would it actually give me discounts on stuff I wanted to buy? Me being me, I was hurriedly installing the app on my phone as I pushed my kids around the store trying to remember my grocery list that I’d left on the kitchen counter.

The first thing I discovered was that you can see which coupons your friends are using – you know how I love seeing what other people put in their grocery carts! – but I supressed my voyeuristic urge and moved on to the next feature. It turns out you can use the barcode scanner in the app to check and see if an individual item is on sale. Perfect! Jelly Bean needed new shoes so I let her pick out a pair – she selected ballet flats coated in so much red glitter she leaves a trail like the love child of Hansel and Dorothy on the way to a rave – and scanned the barcode with my phone. All Cherokee brand shoes and clothes were 25% off! Did I want to add it to my “cart”? Yes, yes I did.

The next section I hit was grocery which was the real trial. I immediately walked to the produce section and scanned an apple. I almost never see coupons for fresh produce but Cartwheel popped up a 5% off! Sure 5% wasn’t much in the grand scheme of things but it was certainly better than no discount so I added that coupon to my cart and was delighted to discover that it counted for all fresh produce I bought that day.

Another reason I like Target is they have a large selection of natural, organic and/or dye-free options and since we’re currently trying the ADHD diet with my son, that is very important to me. I let Jelly Bean go a little nuts scanning stuff and discovered that the dye-free cereal and no-sugar-added applesauce he likes had coupons as did the fruit strips and Pirate Booty he gets when he trades in contraband goodies. We even ended up with a free 4-pack of those fruit “squeezers” that I’m too cheap to buy but my kids covet because they like anything that isn’t what they own.

All I did was click “add” to put the coupons in my cart and when we got to the register, I simply held up my phone and the cashier scanned the single QR code. And that was it! No little pieces of paper, no trying to figure out if I had the correct item (the app will tell you if what you scan isn’t on sale although with more than 700 sale items at a time, almost everything I scanned had some kind of discount), no worrying about buying crap I didn’t want and honestly very little time invested. It probably added an extra 10 minutes to my shopping trip and that was mostly because I had to install it and figure out how to use it the first time. Plus I’m a Red Card holder so I got an extra 5% off on top of all the Cartwheel savings. I saved over $20 after all the discounts and I still got the stuff I wanted. (Although since I’d forgotten my list of course I forgot half the stuff on it. Sigh.) Cartwheel is basically couponing for dummies. It was awesome.

The one thing I didn’t like was that since I’d used my Facebook login the app started posting which deals I was using and cluttered up my wall until I fixed it in the settings. Since I’m one of those people who will hide you for letting Spotify post every song you listen to it was really irritating the app went rogue on my wall. I hate clutter, even in my virtual life – what can I say? My other small issue was that I sometimes have a hard time getting a cell signal inside my Target store which meant that at one point I was waving a bag of snap peas around my head while trying to snap the barcode with my phone. But that’s really more of an issue with my cell provider (and my need to make everyone else around me feel sane by comparison).

In the future I’ll definitely use the Cartwheel app again – unlike real coupons I can’t ever forget it or accidentally leave it at home and it’s an easy way to save a few bucks on the healthy foods I look for. They also have an option to look at the deals on your phone and put the ones you want into your cart ahead of time, if you’re the prepared type… as in, not me.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money? Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper?? What’s your best tip for saving money on health food? Leave me a comment to be entered to win a $1,000 Target GiftCard®!

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*Seriously hate it. My highly sensitive nostrils flare like a horse hate-watching My Little Pony whenever I get a whiff of fake roses, gardenias, and the worst of them all – lavender. I also hate anything musky. In trying to explain to a friend what kind of scents I do like I told her peppermint (my fave), almonds, and coconut. Apparently I like to smell like cookies.

 

247 Comments

  1. You love purple but you hate lavender?

    Really?

    I believe perhaps that Son #3 has seen you dress in layers, and also that perhaps your Jellybean has seen you ditch your pretty but painful shoes.

    And as they are following your example, this would then validate your parenting skills. N’est-ce pas?

    I have used coupons, happily but not passionately. I have no mountainous stash, but if one comes to my home and it is something I want/need then it will be used. If it comes with with a product, then it will be saved for next time.

    I pay attention in stores so I notice things like when this one that has twice as much is cheaper than the smaller one on sale.

    My cell phone is a step above rotary dial.

    No scanning. No pictures.

    And it has only been used to text once…and that was to reply to someone who did text me to tell them not to text me. Just call.

    Speaking of a text…

    In university I noted with raised eyebrow that required books for class were cheaper by a significant amount in the downstairs regular bookstore than the upstairs textbook center.

    I am about a hundred years over 18…but I am not a U.S. resident, so it pleases me to not be entered into your giveaway.

    I don’t read your blog for your giveaways.

    I read your blog because you smell like cookies.

  2. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money? – I’ve done a lot of things…for a while I refused to buy a mop and I would just use windex + paper towels, stick them under my feet, and slide around.

    Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper?? No.

    What’s your best tip for saving money on health food? – Use the freezer! Buy frozen and freeze what you don’t use.

  3. Oh my, reusable toilet paper? Not sure how I feel about that…tempting but my hubs would never get on that train!

  4. I’m freaking out about the re-usable toilet paper – eewww ! So that would be a no from me.

    I saw some show on YouTube recently – I think it was called Extreme Cheapskates or something and a husband/wife were sharing dental floss. I gagged – literally – and had to stop watching.

    I’ve never couponed – I guess I’m not very thrifty 🙁

    I’m glad you like your new App. Target in Australia isn’t like yours. It doesn’t sell food.

  5. I would NOT use reusable tp. I told my mother in law about this trend and she didn’t believe me! Fortunately the internet is full of links. Aside from the ick factor, I can’t imagine how much time you’d spend doing laundry!

  6. There is no way I would use reusable TP. That’s gross. I visit farmers markets to save money on healthy foods instead.

  7. People go WAY too far to save money sometimes.

  8. Some things should just NOT be. Reusable toilet paper is one!

  9. I use cloth grocery tote bags. I use cloth napkins. But no way no way no way will I EVER use and wash reusable butt rags. If that ever becomes mandatory, I’ll spend thousands on one of those European bidets instead.

  10. I would NEVER use reusable toilet paper! I would rather forgo my cup of coffee in the morning and that’s saying a lot!

  11. To save money on health food: shop sales where you can, buy locally grown organic produce (also farmer’s markets), cheaper than in a health food store; buy what you can afford.

  12. I am all for being Eco friendly but I think I will have to draw the line at reusable tp. I just got Cartwheel on my phone about a month ago and I love it. No more forgetting my coupons at home. So easy to use.

  13. I’m trying to figure out the logistics of reusable toilet paper. Do you have a hamper next to the toilet for all used toilet paper? Does it go straight into the wash? Do you rinse in the sink first? Do you separate the ones used for #1 and #2? Doesn’t it start to smell pretty funky pretty quickly if you don’t wash immediately? I definitely don’t think that I can get on that band wagon!

    • Those were all of the questions that I had right away too, Megan. Also wondering about the bacteria issues.

  14. It may sound strange, but one of my best tips to save money is to take your razor out of the shower after using it. Dry off the water and store it someplace dry – they last forever that way!

    I think I will pass on the reusable toilet paper – it seems kind of unsanitary to store them dirty until they get washed. I am sure that my husband would not be on board with this!

    My best tip for saving money on healthy food is to price match.Both Aldi and the Super Target in my area have very good prices on fruits and veggies as compared to the other grocery stores.

  15. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money? I used to be a crazy couponer..!! It got SO stressful; have you ever had ExtraBucks expire? It’s like anxiety and a half having to run to CVS at 11:00pm at night and end up buying something you don’t even need or use because you didn’t manage stacking your coupons/sales/bucks properly from the weekn before. Awful.

    Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper?? PROBABLY NOT. Ick. I’m all for using reuseable feminine products (love my DivaCup), but TP.. not quite there yet..

    What’s your best tip for saving money on health food? I’m a huge Costco shopper!

  16. Let’s be real here. TARGET IS DA BEST. Hands down.

  17. Would I use resusable cloth toilet paper? No, no, no.

  18. I could never do reusable tp! I love a good deal but don’t want to work for it…I might have to try cartwheel. Although I currently live 75 min from the nearest target…

  19. BAM! I can’t wait to use the cartwheel app. Target is awesome for discounting everyday things that you really will use. I love it when I get coupons at the checkout that give me a couple dollars off of frozen chicken breasts or 50 cents off produce. Useful!

    No – would NOT use resusable TP. Too far… way too far. I have used leaves before though… but it was outdoors during a trail ride so the setting was right. 🙂

  20. Re-usable toilet paper? No thank you! I wonder who came up with that idea!
    I love how your kids dressed up for target 🙂
    Also, I would love to read more about how the ADHD diet is working for you

  21. I have switched to cloth pads, but I’m not sure I’m ready for reusable TP!!

  22. No disposable TP! I actually do coupon, love it, and do NOT spend anywhere near 30 hrs a week (more like 2-3 and do 2-3 stores only) so I have tons of TP (and deodorant, and toothpaste, and razors, and on and on- my friends love me)

  23. No, I would never, ever use reusable toilet paper. Yikes! I am also interested, though, in how the ADHD diet is working.

  24. Re-usable tp? No way. I’ll give up kleenex and switch to handkerchiefs first, and as an allergy sufferer that’s saying something.

    Coupons? I’d love to use them more, but it takes too much effort to remember them. I do really well with Michaels and JoAnns. I walk in with one or two coupons….x% of one item. I get to pick the item. If grocery stores sent out a “5% off your entire bill” coupons, I’d be all over that.

  25. We try to use rags for cleaning up spills and we use cloth napkins to cut down on our paper towel usage. We use re-usable grocery bags both for environmental reasons but also because in our county we are charged 5 cents per plastic bag but also get 5 cents per re-usable bag – so that is 10 cents per bag of goods every time we shop. I’m terrible about coupons as well. I honestly don’t even know where to find coupons. Everyone talks about clipping coupons but the only coupons I ever see are from mailing fliers for fast food places, which we don’t patronize anyway. We do try to shop the weekly specials, but we don’t go out of our way to hit up all of the deals at all of the grocery stores in our area, it would be too time consuming. I am really interested in this Cartwheel app, though. I’m going to give that a shot – we love buying what we can at Target, it’s so much cheaper a lot of times than the grocery store.

    No way to cloth toilet paper. I can’t even bring myself to use a handkerchief for what comes out of my nose.

  26. Reusable toilet paper is a big fat no. I’m sure that some people are coordinated enough to manage the smell and e coli factor, but I’m pretty sure I’m not one of them.

    I saw reusable makeup remover pads on Etsy once, and honestly, I don’t understand why some people make things so complicated. You don’t want to use cotton balls? Fine. There’s this thing called a washcloth that’s been around for hundreds of years.

    I have dabbled in coupons, but not regularly. I don’t actually get any newspapers for the inserts and i don’t plan grocery runs to match to sales. Probably the most saving perks I end up with is CVS extrabucks.

  27. Please consider donating the deodarant that you can’t use to either the local VA or a women’s shelter. Oftentimes women show up to those shelters with nothing but the clothes on their back – they need basic items like toiletries. Also, many vets go the VA to get basic toiletries. We have many homeless vets in our area and they would just like to clean themselves. Also, if you are traveling, you can can take the free small soaps and shampoo you are given and donate them to the same places.

  28. Totally ick on the reuseable TP. I love the idea of coupons… but i am also just too disorganized. Instead I collect them in a drawer in my house in case I remember to take them to the store and then every few months I realize I have forgotten to use them so I purge them all. My hubby likes to dicker over everything. Somehow he manages to talk down all kinds of services (mechanic, plumber, satellite installation, etc). Drives me crazy because I will get a quote for something and then he will call back and get a lower quote for the exact same thing. Not fair really. Shouldn’t it be one price for everyone?

  29. I cannot imagine the toilet paper reusing thing… ick…. I just started making my own laundry soap- so easy and so cheap.

  30. I only read the blurb about the pciture and had to commet before reading hte blog: your parenting skills to me say:

    I embrace my kids individuality and let them make their own choices, experience the consequences,a dn experience life… great way to let them learn and be independent… how is that not good parenting? 🙂

  31. I’m the worst at saving money. It all seems like so much work to me. So I haven’t tried anything weird, but again, I guess it’s weird I haven’t even tried.

    I’m pretty sure no target has cell phone reception. And it’s usually the worst by the toys where your kids want to hang out and push all the buttons because you’re the parent who won’t buy your kids anything that makes noise because it drives you bonkers.

  32. Oh goodness, I cannot even imagine using reusable toilet paper! For people who do, I wonder what they do when guests come over?

  33. Strangest thing I’ve tried to save money? Not sure, but I think re-usable TP people are maybe trying more to save the earth than money (kind of like cloth diapers, which are similar). I hear you on a tidy Facebook wall, BTW!

  34. I don’t think re-usable TP would fly in my house, but I do make my own laundry soap! 🙂 I try to save a little where I can, here and there! The Cartwheel app definitely helps with that!

  35. I make my own body lotion on occasion. It doesn’t take much time and its far healthier/cheaper than buying from the store! I’m also attempting an indoor garden this year to save $$ on fresh produce. I sense it will not be as awesome as I hope it will be… but we’ll see!

  36. Weird way to save money: I used to give plasma. OK, that’s not really saving money, just making extra but it was the only thing I can think of. I used to LOVE coupons but now don’t really use them for the same reason – they never seem to apply to me. So, I recycle them by handing them over to a co-worker. She thinks they’re (and by association – me) wonderful!
    Reuse-able TP: never. Doesn’t TP dissolve anyway? What’s the big deal? I don’t get it so forget it.
    Tip for saving money on health food: I shop at Trader Joe’s. And I’m not married nor do I have a family so there’s two tips. (or three?)

  37. I do cloth diaper (most of the time), but no way would I switch to reusable TP. I’m imagining the clogged toilets from dropping it into the toilet out of habit… or having to fish the wipes out if you realize it before you flush. Having kids and using cloth diapers has steeled me to deal with all manner of ick, but that is too much for me.

  38. I would not use re-useable toliet paper, lol! I do love Target though!

  39. Reusable TP, ick! No, just no. My husband’s an environmental economist and I’m sure even he wouldn’t be on board with that.

    But thank you for the Cartweel reminder! I put it on my phone ages ago and promptly forgot about it. That pretty much sums up all of my coupon experiences. I get them and say, oh hey, we use this. Then stick it on the fridge and 6 months after it’s expired I recycle it. Ah well. Mostly we shop Trader Joe’s though which is cheap enough and doesn’t have coupons.

  40. My sis does the reusable TP thing.
    She keeps a small laundry basket with a lid right by toilet for the used TP. She and her daughters use it for pee only. ( her husband doesn’t touch it). She was an early adopter of the diva cup and other crunchy type philosophies. When I visit (we ‘re in different states) I use the regular charmin.

    I won’t clip coupons, but I do use store coupons that are emailed or have apps. But it has to be lazy-proof. 🙂

  41. Reusable toilet paper? Just to save $92 a year. Nope. Nope. Nope.

    I’m all for being eco-friendly but there is a fine line between “responsible” and “wacko”. That line (for me) is re-usable toilet paper. If I’m going to live with a bucket of my excrement, I’ll just have an outhouse dug and be done with it. Or start using the cat box.

    Speaking of, I totally clip coupons for cat litter and cat food. They’re about the only ones I clip.

    And have you noticed coupons are super CHEAP now-a-days? $1 off on three boxes of cereal. Oh, don’t act like you’re doing me any favors.

  42. Reusable TP? Just say no! And I’m an eco-warrior!
    I loved this post because I’m a Minnesotan living out of state and I go to Target when I’m homesick, too! I thought I was the only one.

  43. Sort of embarrassed to admit this but i wash and reuse disposable liners for my baby’s cloth diapers (wet only). It’s like frugal + frugal = sorta gross but it works. Best less-gross tip for saving money on healthy food is to find a way to use every last scrap. In my house this usually means soup or very odd salads.

  44. Nope – I won’t ever reuse TP. Never never never. I’ll stick with the nice disposable stuff.

    I’m going to check out the app since I’m a regular Target shopper – thanks for letting us know about it!

  45. Jessica Fletcher-Fierro

    Hmm, strangest thing I’ve done to save money…eaten random assortments of food for dinner to avoid grocery shopping for one more day. Only charged my cell phone in my car to save on electricity. Gone to the bathroom at work before I left to avoid one more toilet flush at home.

    Then I realized these things saved me such a small amount of money, they just weren’t worth it. But I like the cartwheel app! I will definitely start using that!

  46. I use a lot of reusable items, but I will never try reusable toilet paper. Yuck!
    Target is one of my favorite stores, so I am going to try Cartwheel next time I am there. I have already uploaded it to my phone.

  47. Unfortunately TP is just one of those necessary evils, like tampons, that companies can overcharge for since they know you probably aren’t going to craft your own. I wouldn’t.

  48. I don’t think I’ve done anything strange to save money, and I would never use reuable TP. Best tip for saving money on health food is following Target mobile coupons as well. They send $1 off coupons for fresh fruit,veggies, and meat. It’s awesome and it can be combined with cartwheel and the red card discount. lol

  49. Strangest thing might be cloth diapering and refusing to buy paper towels and making my husband only use towels…he hated it.

    I’d try out re-usable tp but it would get vetoes at the marital level.

    The cartwheel app sounds cool. I am not a crazy couponer but when I see one for something that I would normally buy I’ll clip it and try to remember to use it.

    My best tip is to always google for a coupon before checking out online. At least 75% of the time I can get an extra discount of some kind.

  50. I just don’t think I could I could do dealing with feces and reusable stuff. Just sayin’. I’ll conserve and cut costs elsewhere, thxuverymuch. I always forget coupons too.

  51. I never thought I could use a Diva Cup and I am now a devoted fan. But reusable toilet paper … I just don’t think I can do it.

  52. HELL TO THE NO on the reusable toilet paper. I would consider getting one of those butt sprayers to save on toilet paper, though! I’m still on the fence about it. I go through A LOT of TP.

  53. Reuseable TP? Ummmmm….not so much. There are just some things that are ‘one time use only’ and that is about tops on the list. I mean, would you wash out a tampon and reuse it? No, ma’am. I will eat beans and rice every day if needed to be able to afford TP 🙂

  54. I happily make my own laundry detergent. You will never catch me using strips of flannel to wipe my butt or for feminine care. NO THANK YOU.

  55. I would never be game for reusable toilet paper. Just ick!

    Like you, I hate coupons because I forget to use them before they expire or I forget them at home when I go shopping. That means I wasted time cutting them out to begin with, which frustrates me.

    I’ll definitely try the Cartwheel app because I LOVE Target.

  56. Best health money saving tip, do more small grocery trips so that you eat what you buy and don’t end up growing it out after a couple weeks in the crisper

  57. Reusable toilet paper just seems like having to have a giant diaper pail for the whole family. Ew…The thought of it sitting around and then having to put it in my washer to clean it? Nope. I’m such a germophobe that I have trouble washing my undies with the rest of my clothes!

    I would coupon more if I had the patience and time for it. I admit that when I do find the time for finding coupons I usually forget to use them. It’s only for things like Michaels crafts or Old Navy and Banana Republic where I get emailed coupons regularly for specific things I go there to buy that I seem to end up using them. The whole Cartwheel app sounds like my cuppa tea. We have a Target here and I’d go more if it were worth my while…to be able to see if something I want happens to have a coupon and use while I’m shopping seems like the perfect thing :).

  58. My money saving tip is an eye-roll inducing (for kids) long time favorite among veteran parents- we do the hand me down thing. I swap kids clothes and toys back and forth between my sister and friends with small children. I also pack cold lunches and only buy toys on clearance (usually at Target!). We only spent about $100 on Christmas presents for our 3 kids. Most presents just wind up adding to over-all clutter anyways! We also don’t put our kids in any expensive sports/activites. Cheap? Perhaps. We have a lot of family time though. 🙂

  59. Well, I can see the re-usable TP if you just went #1 – we re-wash and re-use our underpants, right? In fact, it would save me a lot of money – I want to be very clean “down there” and end up using baby wipes pretty much every time I go to the bathroom. So a wet flanel that I later re-wash would be just as effective – as long as used ones are stored in a air-tight container and I do laundry a lot?

    Wait… This sounds like a lot of work…

  60. SQUEE! I love Target! I tried Cartwheel, but I also forget to use it … I would tweet this, but I’m not really sure how to get the tweet’s URL … oh well 🙂

  61. I am pretty hippy’ we cloth diapered’ and use as little disposable stuff as possible. I make my own soap, and deodorant….but NO WAY to the poo pads. Sorry mother earth, my poop is getting flushed.

  62. I like the aspect of being more eco-friendly and saving money but having a container of toileted upon flannel just hanging around sounds less than ideal. Kudos to anyone brave enough to do it.

    I’ve heard of the Cartwheel app but haven’t actually checked it out yet. Off to do so!

  63. I am pretty hippy, we cloth diapered, and use as little disposable stuff as possible. I make my own soap, and deodorant….but NO WAY to the poo pads. Sorry mother earth, my poop is getting flushed.

  64. EWWWW!!! I WOULD NOT use washable TP! No way, no how, no chance!!!

  65. ive thought about the cloth wipes and would probably use them if my husband would allow it, as for healthy food savings it doesn’t get much cheaper than rice, beans, and frozen veggies pryfamily5@gmail.com

  66. See, when I saw that first picture I thought “every picture she posts of her kids makes me think she and her husband are doing an awesome job.” Your kids have personality, that’s way more important than wearing shoes.

    After spending time in Honduras where you don’t flush your tp, you toss it in the trash beside the toilet, I actually don’t think reusable tp is that crazy. I could see myself using it after peeing but that’s it. My biggest hang up would be having company over. I think we’d suddenly find ourselves a lot less popular :p

    I am definitely not a couponer but I do love these kinds of apps. Makes things way easier.

  67. Re-usable TP? NO thanks.

    Save money by buying straight from the folks that grow food, and by having a small garden of our own in the back yard. Home-grown tomatoes for the win!

  68. NO WAY! I have one stinky little boy, who seems to always forget to flush the potty. That is enough for me. I can just picture me having to fish out poopy cloths!

  69. I’ve never done anything really crazy to save money, but I do cloth diaper about 80% of the time. To some, cloth is crazy and a hassle, but to me it’s a faction of the cost and not a whole lot of extra work. I also use reusable bags for shopping, and I just got some reusable plate/bowl covers to use in the microwave. This is going to save a lot of wax paper, which has always been my go-to way to reduce splatters when reheating leftovers.

    Would we use cloth TP? Not a chance. It’s weird to say that, since I use cloth wipes with the baby’s cloth diapers, but for some reason I’m OK with washing baby poop out of diapers and wipes. I do not wish to clean poop rags for the rest of my family.

    I LOVE Cartwheel. I started using it last summer, and have saved over $100 so far just buying things I would have bought anyway – no splurging. The best part about it is that if I do remember to clip coupons, you can use them along with Cartwheel. Every so often, I hit the sweet spot on a product and use a Target coupon, a manufacturer coupon, and Cartwheel. I also get the Redcard discount. Like you said, even 5% savings can add up over time. I just wish they would make their wifi more reliable in the store. It’s sometimes hit-or-miss whether I’ll be able to pull up the site in store, since I do not have a smartphone and need to pull up the site on my tablet.

  70. We cloth diaper and before my first was born, I made a whole bunch of reusable diaper wipes out of tericloth. Then someone gave me a huge case of wipes and I never ended up using them on anyone’s backside so I moved them to the kitchen where they get used as napkins and paper towels instead. They are pretty small and can be squeezed in with pretty much any load of laundry, so I don’t see them as costing anything beyond the fabric which I got %50 with a coupon (I only clip coupons for JoAnn’s Fabric and the local toy store because it’s awesome but expensive).

    A frugal friend saw my reusable paper towels and decide to make a set of her own and then later made a set to use as TP, but only for #1. Since I’m still cloth diapering, I wouldn’t be opposed to reusable TP that I could just throw in the diaper pail, but I don’t think I would do it otherwise. I always wash the diaper laundry by itself and can’t see myself waiting to accrue enough washable TP to do a load of laundry.

  71. I make my own natural cleaning products and laundry soap but, draw the line at reusable toilet paper.

    Once you’ve completed potty training, I am no longer obligated to touch anything that’s cleaned your behind, thankyouverymuch. 🙂

    Love your blog Charlotte!

  72. He’ll no im not using old flannel. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my normal laundry. The last thing I need is s festering pile of “toilet paper” waiting to be washed. Full body shudder. I save applesauce cups and plastic to go cups and freeze homemade baby food in them

  73. I wouldn’t use reusable toilet paper…and I’m admittedly a cheapskate!

    I save money with coupons.

  74. tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/428973576490737664

  75. I’ve used leftover laundry detergent as a kitchen floor cleaner. It’s all the same thing (yet not).

    I would not use reusable cloth toilet paper. Nope, just couldn’t do it.

    My tip for saving money on health food is to keep meals simple and grow my own veggies. Everything doesn’t have to be “gourmet” or “organic” this and that in order to be healthy.

  76. The strangest thing I’ve done to save money? I tried making my own laundry soap once. It…did not go well. I ended up with a gloopy mess that I had to bury in the backyard since I couldn’t think of anything else to do with it.

    I wouldn’t use re-useable TP BUT I am considering re-useable menstrual pads after I have this baby and get my period back. (Yay for babies!) I’ve read some glowing reviews.

    My best savings tip on health food? Amazon Prime. I can order my supplements there for the same price as Whole Foods (less, sometimes) and I get free shipping. Less time shopping, more time eating! Okay, and spending time with my family, too.

  77. Reusable TP? GAG. I should have read this before lunch. The giveaway makes up for it though!

  78. A big NO on the reusable TP. My hubby has a very passionate(and funny) argument for installing a bidet, though. My hubby thinks I am crazy for scouring the ads and going to three different stores for groceries every week, but it saves so much money. He doesn’t realize what a genius I am…I also have a garden every year and can what I can (he he). I also make jam in the spring from our strawberries, in summer with our raspberries and in fall I use our grapes to make jelly and wine. My hubby makes hard cider from apples on my parents’ property, too. I haven’t bought canned tomatoes, frozen corn, jelly, jam, salsa or hard cider in years. Target is my favorite store, but the one in my town isn’t a greatland or a super, so it has very limited food selection, but I forgive it.
    Great post today , Charlotte. Funny as heck!

  79. As an adult response, reusable TP…uh no…thinking my 4 children would be sanitary in this regard….Heck no! Some things you just gotta splurge on! Money saving tip: I do a lot of my shopping online and always make sure to log in through ebates first…free money!!

  80. We used flannels as baby wipes during our daughter’s first year. They were much gentler on her tushie and saved us a lot of money! My husband attached a water sprayer to the toilet tank, and we used to rinse “solids” (not much as far as solid during breastfeeding). Then we’d put them in a hamper dedicated to the flannels and cloth diapers.

  81. I just learned how to make my own lip balm, which is a fun way to save money, but nothing too outrageous.

  82. No reusable TP for me. Never not ever.

    I use cheap hair conditioner to shave my legs. It seems to work better than soap, is much cheaper than girly shaving gel, and smells better than men’s shaving cream. Not the greatest tip for those who have reached the level of crafting their own hair products, but there you go.

    Here in the Pac NW, Fred Meyer has a great selection of healthy food choices, including bulk. They often do offer coupons for some of these items (even produce). Plus, if you’re in the rewards program, they send you a coupon for a certain amount off your order every quarter. Oh, the joy in our house when the Freddy’s coupon arrives! 🙂

    That app sounds awesome. Yet another reason to upgrade my phone.

  83. Hi, Charlotte!

  84. I get so excited when I have a manufacturer coupon, a Target coupon, AND a Cartwheel coupon. Like, ridiculously excited. My husband makes fun of me but I don’t care.

    I’m not the most frugal person out there so I can’t think of the strangest thing I’ve done to save money. So I would DEFINITELY not do reusable toilet paper. Blech. I do like going to clothing swaps, though. More fun than thrifting for me!

  85. There are couponing CLASSES?!? And coupon APPS??? Wow. But that Cartwheel thing does sound great.

    Reuseable anything that wipes my nether regions is a no-go for me. There is no way that you will ever get me to believe it is better for the environment or my wallet with all the washing and bleach and heat needed to properly clean them. And I’m a pretty big hippie, but that is GROSS. Sorry. No.

    I wish I were better and had tips for saving money. I am the worst though.

  86. What the? Reusable to is so gross!! Though I’m super excited about the coupon app! That’s the way I like to coupon!!

  87. I use cloth bags, avoid using plastic produce bags in the store, only use cloths and rags for the kitchen and cleaning, make my own beauty and cleaning supplies… I do a lot of things, but I don’t use cloth TP.

    Thanks to this post I ended up on YouTube watching clips from “Extreme Cheapskates”. I now feel the need to take an hour long, HOT, shower. Blech!

  88. Ok first – I think that picture is a parenting WIN! You let the kids be themselves to pick out what to wear and then supported them and let them experience the consequences. So total win. (My mom once let me eat 75% of my halloween candy that night after multiple warnings – definitely never did that again!!!)

    Reusable TP – NOT HAPPENING. EVA (which is far more than EVER). I am all about reusable grocery bags and recycling but there are some things that I won’t be frugal about. And I am already picky enough about toilet paper.

    My one experience really couponing was a failure – bought one of the wrong things which through it all off and then the coupon printer was out of paper so I had to go to customer service to get my $5 off my next bill coupon. So much hassle and definitely not worth it. If I get a store coupon for something that I buy anyway than I will try and remember it. Granted even if I have it at the store with me there is no guarantee I will remember to give it to the cashier! I am good about Joann’s and Kohl’s coupons. Also do check to see if there are any online discount codes before ordering anything.

    Totally will have to check out cartwheel – wonder if it automatically gives you the coupons you would get at checkout or if you could somehow scan them in. Target always seems to do the best job of giving you coupons you would actually use.

  89. I tried to use regular coupons for a while, but the store brand was always cheaper. Especially because for most of them, you have to buy like 72 items to save $100. This app sounds great! Installing it now 🙂

  90. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money? I can’t recall anything strange. Stubborn, yes. I’ll wait and make do with whatever is in the house if I think what I need (Windex, etc.) will go on sale soon.

    Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper? Oh dear, NO.

    What’s your best tip for saving money on health food? Buy nonperishables and frozen in bulk when it’s on sale. Make batches of things and freeze them for lunches.

  91. I’ve only ever done coupons and ad matching, I’m not that disciplined in my money saving ways! I don’t think I could do the reusable tp…ick!

  92. I would not use cloth toilet paper. I save money by shopping sales and using coupons

  93. I use coupons. I keep trying to kick the habit but I can’t afford not to. This week I got ragu, toilet paper (the kind you flush), cream cheese, laundry detergent, almond milk, and Kleenex. Killer prices on everything!!! And no junk food. 🙂

    A thought on your piles of deodorant- the food bank here in town is always looking for donations. If you really can’t use it, just clear it out and donate it!

    And I’m sorry, but things would have to be pretty dire before using reusable tp. That’s just disgusting.

  94. Buying produce that’s in season is a great way to save on healthier foods!

  95. I will have to try this app.

  96. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money? – couponing. Strange being that it make a you cut coupons for things you don’t need. And it’s a lot of work. And you drive to different stores to save pennies on the dollar. No thank you to that anymore.

    Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper? No. No. No. No. No.

    What’s your best tip for saving money on health food? – grow it in a garden. I grow only the things I want and, aside from a little summer labor, end up with lots of yummy veggies and fruits come fall.

  97. Definitely wouldn’t use reusable toilet paper—Charmin is soft enough for me!

  98. I don’t think I would try reusable toilet paper…but I do love shopping at Publix for healthy items where I can use both a store and a manufacturer’s coupon!

  99. I Have the cartwheel app but haven’t used it yet in store, hopefully your posts reminds me to use it! Thanks for the contest!

  100. NO WAY on the TP. I am creeping out.
    I’ll load coupons onto my grocery loyalty card for the items I typically buy anyway.

  101. Let’s be real- I work late, and my work bathroom stocks extra rolls of that extra-thin economy toilet paper I actually love (I hate thick toilet paper, weird I know), and, well, when I’m the last one there, a roll frequently finds its way into my things when I walk out. Money saving? Yes. Dishonest? Probably. Easy? VERY.

  102. I have attempted to save money by driving in neutral downhill so I wouldn’t use gas haha! I would never use reusable cloth toilet paper, no way! My tip on saving money on health food is just looking out for sales or shopping at sprouts!

  103. I’m all for trying to help our environment but I’m sorry, I just don’t think I could do reusable toilet paper. I do use coupons…when I remember them…and only if the coupon is for a product I usually use.

  104. Reusable toilet paper? No thanks. I’d rather skip a dinner out a few times a year to make up for the savings.

  105. I use coconut oil for conditioner and styling product for my very curly hair and also for facial moisturizer.

    I would NEVER use reusable toilet paper. That is yucky on SO many levels.

    I look for deals at the discount stores in our area. One location carries odd lots of food and health items at very low prices. Many of these items are organic and normally very expensive. I shop there once a month and go weekly to Aldi (where they are carrying an organic and natural line of many items) and Trader Joe’s.

  106. Wasn’t a fan of cloth diapers either and so no, no no No to reusable toilet paper. I love my Charmin. We save by ordering a ton of stuff on Amazon, everything rom diapers to tahini. Love their Subscribe and Save program. I never cut coupons b/c I would always forget about them but having a smartphone makes it so much easier. Will definitely be checking out the Cartwheel app!

  107. Let’s see… Cheapest thing I’ve EVER done? Well… I bought my wedding dress off craigslist. We probably wear 95% used clothes at this point, I am just the cheapest! I went to my son’s end of season soccer party and they had these super cute lego paper plates they were using. It just so happened that my son’s birthday party was that evening so I took all the plates and wiped them down and used them! I still have them too, will probably use them again…
    And you know what- I would not be too opposed to reusable tp. I mean whatever- I clean up so much pee anyway with my 2 boys, what’s a few rags to throw in the washing machine? They are the worst at wiping anyway…
    p.s. Talk to me about the ADHD diet

  108. Reusable TP is major ICK! Since we have a septic system we don’t use bleach (kills all the good bacteria that eat the nasties) so how would you sanitize the cloths and why would anyone want to do all that laundry? I’m with you on the couponing thing…we don’t get a newspaper (save money and read news on-line) so no coupon inserts and most coupons are for products we never buy. I save money by going to the farmer’s market, growing my own herbs and buying my meat from a semi-local farmer who raises grass fed beef, free range chickens and pastured hogs. O,K, so the meat doesn’t really save on the grocery bill, but it saves money by reducing my pain level and so I need less Vicodin, plus it is soooooooooooooooooooooooo yummy!

  109. Coupons overwhelm me. I would end up under a clothing rack blowing a whistle ala Rachel in Friends. But I do love Target!!

  110. I couldn’t do the reusable toilet paper either. I try to limit paper towels and use rags and hand towels instead, so I hope that makes up for some of my toilet paper waste lol.
    I’m terrible with spending money on healthy food. I need all the advice I can get. I live alone so shopping at Costco doesn’t make a ton of sense for me- buying things in bulk takes up a lot of space in my tiny apartment and things go bad before I can use them.

  111. I don’t think I’ve done anything crazy to save money but do try to buy in bulk! Especially grains like quinoa.

    Idk about cloth toliet paper. Even if I did convert I’d keep regular paper for guests 🙂

  112. no, I would not reuse cloth toilet paper

  113. I would never ever reuse cloth toilet paper! Would get a second job first!!!

  114. Good to know! I’ve had the ap on my phone for a while but haven’t bothered to actually try it (I hate coupons too!). Thanks for the review/kick in the pants:).

  115. I love to save money but I don’t ever think I could use reusable cloth toilet paper. I save by going to a fruit and vegetable store a few times a week and buy what is in season.

  116. sounds like a cool app

  117. Can’t talk myself into trying the reusable toilet paper either. I’ll stick to buying it!

  118. I buy SO many things second hand, but the thing that seems to gross people out is the second hand mattress I used to have (which, I admit, had …stains… on it. But it was still better than the no mattress I had before), and second hand earrings. That one, I don’t get. Just wipe em down with rubbing alcohol and you’re good to go!

  119. I can’t do reusable toilet paper–I use reusable baby wipes for my daughter though. I also save money on health food by shopping at farmer’s stands in summer!

  120. I consider myself frugal, but could never reuse cloth toilet paper. Saw that on Extreme Cheapskates and was mortified!

  121. While this isn’t all that strange, my favorite way to save money is to look for things that are used on Craigslist or at yard sales. It’s treasure hunting, recycling, and thriftiness ask in one!

  122. I mean, I use a moon cup and have thought about buying washable pads before, but washable toilet paper is a step too far for me…

  123. I would not use reusable toilet paper! But I do use flannel cloths to wax my legs instead of the paper strips you can only use once (saves money and hurts way less too!)

  124. I use coupons somewhat regularly for the products I like or for ones that I want to try and I consider myself to be rather frugal, but reusable toilet paper is a definite NO.

  125. I’ve prolonged doing laundry for far too long…

  126. Mary Beth Elderton

    I used to save a little money with the “Diva Cup” but I don’t think we are quite ready for the “Family Cloth.” I do save money by buying healthy ingredients in bulk for cooking

  127. You will never catch me reusing toilet paper cloth or not. I seen this done on etreme cheapskates! sweepmorey at gmail dot com

  128. I would not use re-useable toliet paper.
    austma7@aol.com

  129. I would not want to use reusable cloth toilet paper. No!

    I have cut baby wipes in half to save money.

  130. My hubs and I have talked about doing “Family Cloth,” but I just don’t know. The logistics are what’s holding us back – like, I realize it wouldn’t be for everyone, so what would we do when people visit?

  131. The strangest thing I have tried to save money on was probably reusable wipes. I try to stock up on healthy items when on sale and often buy the organic meat when on clearance and freeze it.

  132. I would use a reusable cloth toilet paper.

  133. I would not use a reusable cloth toilet paper.

  134. I would love to win a target gift card!

  135. no reusable toilet paper but I save on healthy organic good by watching sales at several stores then buying quality at the best price. Target is where I buy my seventh generation and CA Baby items!
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

  136. Definitely no reusable TP!

    Love Cartwheel! I use coupons all the time, and it saves our family lots of money.
    chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com

  137. Well I know now I’m not the only person out there trying to safe money! But to reuse tp, I’m not even that cheap! That’s a little to far out there! But one crazy way I have tryed to safe on money is going without a phone, I hate having those high cell phone bills, it seems like such unnecessary need!
    I can’t wait to try the new cartwheel app. I do love target !

  138. I don’t think I’d be able hang around for long if a friend or family member just relied on reusable toilet paper. I’m all for saving money, but…. That’s all I’m going to say. Haha. 🙂

  139. I love using coupons it helps when you are trying to save money.

  140. I haggle…if I can!

  141. I could never do reusable toilet paper (or cloth diapers if I had kids). Yuck. I try to buy store brands and cheaper options for a lot of things and reuse stuff where I can, but I have my limits! ha ha

    I’ve tried using coupons but it always too way too much time and effort and I ended up only using 2 or 3 here and there. I don’t eat a lot of packaged food, so I could never find ones I’d actually use. My grocery bill is way too high for only 2 people, which makes me :-O

    I’ll definitely give the Target Cartwheel app a try, but the Target closest to me is pretty small, so I can’t really do my grocery shopping there.

  142. Reusable toilet cloths? No way! I’m cheap, but some things are worth the cost! As far as saving on health food, our local health food store has bulk bins that are relatively reasonable in price and cuts down on packaging waste as well.

  143. I would NEVER use reusable toilet paper. We routinely use coupons now.

  144. Reusable toilet paper is a little too much for me… I saved a lot of $$ on produce by joining a CSA. Better quality veggies too!

  145. I made all my own cleaners for a while, including laundry detergent. Then I realized it took so much time and so much product for it to work like store bought, that it wasn’t worth the money I was saving!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  146. Never heard of re-usable toilet paper and would never try that one. I save money by catching sales/clearance and using coupons. I love the buy 1 get 1 free sales and don’t let me have a coupon. I’ve gotten stuff free.

  147. As a cloth diapering family…..we MAY have tried this while out of TP. Make your own cleaning products!

  148. I don’t have a device that uses apps. I love finding home decor items at Target.
    lazybones344 at gmail dot com

  149. I have not tried Cartwheel

  150. I don’t think I’ve tried anything weird to save money. If there is something big that we need than I do a ton of research before buying. I look all over the web for the best deal and then will look for a coupon to make the deal even better. thank you!!

  151. I certainly would not use flannel as tp…there are limits! I do coupon pretty successfully but I’m not a nut about it.,

  152. My best tip for saving money on health food is use the store coupons for those products and buy the store brand organic and health food products.

  153. Tires are the strangest or hardest thing to find coupons for.

  154. I like to buy items on sale and with coupons and sometimes a rebate,
    I would not use resusable toilet paper.

  155. Reusable toilet paper? I don’t think I would ever feel like I could get it clean enough to use again! I don’t do coupons. For the most part, they’re hardly ever for things I actually use. Even if I do find one that could be useful, I forget to use it at the store. I typically buy off brand stuff as long as it’s a good quality- and it usually is.

  156. O…m…g…. I would never never never use reusable cloth toilet paper! I had never heard of it before this and I’m super grossed out! Yikes! 🙂 As for saving money on health food, coupons and store sales are my best bet…but I don’t buy health food much 🙂

  157. Cheapest thing is to borrow my Mother of the Bride dress from a great friend.

    Reusable toilet paper…no, ick..

    Best savings on Organic and health is to join a farmers co-op!

  158. I definitely wouldn’t want to doing that to be green.. I have no great methods of saving money however. The best earth friendly/money saving thing I do is air dry my laundry. This cartwheel app sounds great for me!

  159. I love the cartwheel app – makes couponing so convenient.

    Would I ever use that TP? Absolutely not.

  160. I don’t think I’ve saved on anything weird. I use a mix of online and newspaper coupons for healthy foods

  161. I love lavender smell, but to each their own. Maybe Jellybean will like it when she hits puberty?

    The app sounds great! I don’t live near a Target that has a full grocery, but it might help with the household stuff I buy. I’ve started shopping there since Walmart makes me feel poor and hate humans, not to mention I wait in line for a half hour and debate if I should just leave every time. (I only kept going because I live only a few blocks from a Walmart and a good couple miles from a Target, but I think I make up the drive time to Target from the time spent trying to find a parking spot, dodging stupid people, and waiting in line at Walmart.)

    Also, on the TP…I can only be so dirty of a hippie. Have you seen the reusable paper towels though? Those seem like they’d be alright for most day to day. (Though not draining bacon. That requires paper products.) http://www.etsy.com/listing/95598071/custom-tree-saver-towels-reusable-eco

  162. hmmm….the strangest thing to save money may be when my husband and i do two separate orders somewhere so we can each use the same coupon that you can only use one of per order (like at a pizza place)
    we would not use reusable toilet paper.

  163. I would not use reusable toilet paper. Does not sound to sanitizing.

  164. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money?

    Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper?
    I would not, that is just a step too far for me.

    What’s your best tip for saving money on health food?
    One would be to get a vacuum sealer so that you can keep food fresher for longer and thus you aren’t wasting money on food you end up throwing out. The second is to join a CSA where you get a large and diverse quantity of fruits and/or vegetables for a set rate throughout the season.

  165. Lauren-Olivia Wood

    I would never use reusable toilet paper. My tip for health food is to buy it from local growers.

  166. This is my second comment but I just wanted to say that I could drop $1000 in Target in about a minute! I mean, the furniture and home decor they have going on right now it’s like CB2 lite! I used the Cartwheel app today and it was great! The best part was how the employees were so excited to see me using it and were stopping to show me stuff on there and how it works. Man I love that place….

  167. Hi there! No to reusable TP, yes to couponing, but only on the most minimal scale (as in, the company sends the coupon to my house, it’s for use at a store I go to anyways, and it’s a product I will actually use). My philosophy is that you aren’t saving money when you buy things you don’t like or don’t want, even if they are a “good deal”!

    As to the cheapest thing I’ve ever done…. Our local grocery store marks down produce when it’s just about to pass its sell-by date, and you can get a lot of good deals in that bin (most produce is just fine for several days past its sell-by date!) Once they marked down carrots to only 10 cents a kilo. So I bought 10 kilos worth of carrots. Best deal ever! Except, 10 kilos is a LOT of carrots (especially when they’re just on this side of going soft and must be processed quickly). We had a lot of carrot soup. I blanched and froze a lot of carrots. We ate carrots raw until we were almost orange. But still. We were pretty much off carrots for months after that. Good eyesight, though!

  168. To save money, I use binder clips to squeeze the last bit out of tubes of toothpaste.
    I don’t think I could ever use (and then wash to reuse) cloth toilet paper.
    To save money on health food, I shop the sales, and I comparison shop. Target has the best deals on some things, Trader Joe’s is the winner on others, and in a few instances, Whole Foods is best. Who would’ve thunk…

  169. Pingback:How Do You Feel All the Feelings? Learning To Be Okay With Not Being Okay.

  170. I think reusable TP is pushing it a little too far…! I save money (I think) by making my own trail mix – I just buy the individual ingredients in bulk and mix them all together. 🙂

  171. I like to go to Aldi for some of my produce and other groceries. It’s consistently fresh and well priced!

  172. As for saving money… eating out less! I have a crazy schedule and find myself eating out a lot for convenience, which leaves me with too many calories and too little cash. I save money and eat better just by cutting out that habit!

  173. The thought of using reusable toilet paper is a absolute turnoff. I love saving on purchases but I will pass and keep purchasing toilet paper.

  174. Buy food from the clearance area that might be outdated is probably the worst way to save money for me

  175. Trader Joes makes healthy food shopping easy…it’s like I don’t have to think about it. I’ve also found that signing up for the subscribe and save on amazon is helpful-I only almost run out before the shipment shows up. It’s helping…why does it feel like a never-ending challenge?

  176. Yikes, no for the reusable tp. But to keep things cheap and healthy, I make most special things instead of buying them (cookies/bread/granola/etc.) and trade clothes and toys with others or go to thrift stores.

  177. No reuseable TP for me.

  178. No bueno on the tp…no way, could not handle that. I do quite a bot to save money, but nothing out of the norm…coupon, conserve energy with less lights/ac/heat, reusable bags, cloth vs paper, homemade detergent/softner/soap/deodorant, etc.

  179. unplugging EVERYTHING. it’s not worth the hassle anymore.. i’ve never done reusable TP. I don’t know if i could!

  180. I wouldn’t ever use resuable toilete paper! I do buy food that has been discounted before it expires.

  181. I HATE the smell of lavender! Not a fan of added fragrances in general, but lavender is the WORST! Blech!

    A few years ago, I read Colin Beavan’s No Impact Man, about the author’s attempt to go totally eco-friendly. As I recall, the issue of toilet paper was the one thing he refused to discuss publicly. Now I’m wondering if cloth wipes were the answer.

    I don’t know if I could trade paper for cloth, myself. Though cloth menstrual pads, diapers, and baby wipes are all totally normal to me now, so I guess I can’t say never . . .

  182. My best tip for buying health foods is to buy from the bulk section! You can get dried fruits, nuts, grains, and spices for a fraction of the prices of packaged brands!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  183. I saved money recently traveling by bringing an empty water bottle through security and then filling it at a drinking fountain once I was through security. My husband thought I was insane!

  184. Maybe a sympathy card? Is that just tacky?

  185. I haven’t done anything crazy to save money…except some of my friends call me crazy for not buying things I really want unless they are on sale. I have to say…I would probably never use reusable toilet paper. That just doesn’t sound like it is for me.

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  187. not strange but I do use coupons and stock up on sale items which I store in my “store” area…ummm reuse tp-not on my list of things I have the energy to deal with at this time…

  188. My best tip for saving money on healthy food is to shop seasonal and shop savings!

  189. No to reusable sanitary coupons. I tried to save money on dented cans once with no labels never again

  190. like the Mossimo Supply Co. Yoga Pants

  191. I used to coupon, but I don’t do so very much any more. I do like to save and shop the sales, but luckily we’re not in a position to have to be very careful about spending and budgeting. I LOVE Target, though. You can find a lot of great deals there!

  192. Nothing strange, re-use plastic shopping bags as trash bags. My family works at a large chain store and they know when things are on sale, and they bring the price-match ads home.

  193. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money? I cut bottles open (for example hubby’s gel, shampoo, conditioner) and scrape to get the last bit of product, i know it sounds awful but i hate to throw it out knowing there’s a whole handful at the bottom. Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper?? NO! I would never we have 3 kids I can’t imagine the smell & I certainly DO NOT need any more laundry to do! What’s your best tip for saving money on health food? Check sales, when theres a great sale stock up on veggies & fruits and freeze them!

  194. reusable TP is absurd. in the time and effort to launder poop stained flannel sheets i’d rather spend the money on TP. target is a great place to save money, especially on orgainic food items. the cartwheel helps save a little extra.

  195. The best tip is to just look for great deals…there are hardly ever coupons on it!

  196. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! I LOVE Target for their cute and quality products and the opportunity to save in so many ways (Cartwheel, manufacturer coupons + Target coupons, gift card offers).

  197. I would not use resusable cloth toilet paper

  198. I would never use re-usable toliet paper, no, not ever! I think by the time you wash them with detergents, consume water & electricity to wash them then you have defeated the purpose whether it is to save money or the environment. I think the strangest thing I do to save money has to be entering giveaways so I can win things I could otherwise not afford!

  199. I’ll go above and beyond to save money on items I buy, but reusable TP is not something I’m interested in.

  200. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money?
    the fireplace logs they sell during winter

    Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper?? NO!!!!

    What’s your best tip for saving money on health food?
    Buy local

  201. The best way I know of to save money on health food is to wait for it to go on sale and then buy it in quantities you need (until the next sale) and use coupons with it. That’s why Cartwheel is so great, you can check in the store for any coupons and not have to worry about carrying around tons of little bits of paper.

  202. My family would never be on bord with reusable tp

  203. NO. There is no way I could or would use reuseable TP I LOVE this APP though! going to save me some serious dough!

  204. Sorry, but reusable toilet paper is a little too retro for me–and can you just imagine the clogs when a toddler decided to see how much could go down the toilet?

  205. What’s the strangest thing we’ve tried to save money?
    Making our own pickles by putting fresh cucumbers into the leftover pickle jar. Didn’t get to be much like pickles but at least they didn’t spoil.

    No way on the reusable TP. What do you do about storing the used ones until you wash them? Ewwwww…..

  206. What’s the strangest thing you’ve tried to save money?
    Shopping at many stores to save a few cents when I first started couponing years ago.

    Would you (or do you) use resusable cloth toilet paper??
    Nuh uh.

    What’s your best tip for saving money on health food?
    Look for those sales in the flyers, they’re worth their weight in time spent searching.

  207. Reusable TP that is unthinkable. I’ll buy blocks of cheese when it’s on sale and freeze it? Is that strange?

  208. I would never use re-useable TP!

    a_ski25@yahoo.com

  209. No re-useable TP for me!

  210. Check out The Bum Gun bidet sprayers and you never have to touch toilet paper anymore. Unless you have a cat and you want to provide a roll or two for it to destroy. I know my cat loves to rip them apart. There’s no need to reuse toilet paper when you can get properly clean with a jet of water. No comparison at all. Give The Bum Gun a try and do yourself a massive favour.

  211. I am using flannel TP since last week, only for #1. I don’t want to buy things that often, I don’t want to be forced to spend when I can get away with reusable. Doing whites every week, so one meshed laundry bag doesn’t take much space. I live alone. I didn’t tell anyone.

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    from this article.

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