Comments on: Frugal Friday: How We Saved $15,000 on a Bigger Minivan

By: Patti

Patti — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:36:13 +0000

My really weird tip is to cut the ends off of tubes to get to the last drop. When I cut open the toothpaste, I usually can get several more days worth of paste! So now I cut off all tubes to use the last dab – makeup, moisturizer, shampoo… you name it. I figure if I get another weeks worth, that is saving me from buying more. I cut open the bottom and as I use it up, I slice off another inch. Try it – it works!

By: Challice

Challice — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:00:25 +0000

@In the Bag,

Recipe I have
“for less than $5 you can have 5gallon laundry soap that’ll last for months.

based on Walmart prices in the IN area
1 Fels Naptha Soap Bar grated (.98)
1 cup washing soda (Great Value BK soda) .50
1/2 cup borax $2.98

Instructions:
Grade soap bar into a small sauce pan. Cover with hot water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring continually, until the soap completely disolves.
Put washing soda and borax into a 5gallon bucket. Pour in the hot, melted soap mixture. Stir well, until all the powder is disolved. Fill the bucket to the top with more hot tap water. Stir, cover securely, and let set overnight. The next morning, stir the mixture. Mix equal amount of soap concentrate and water in a smaller laundry-detergent container/dispenser. Shake before using.

For top loading machines: use one cup of the soap mixture per load
For front lading machines: use 1/2 cup per load.

By: Coby

Coby — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:19:21 +0000

@In the Bag,
I use recipe number 4 with Zote bar soap from this site: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

1 bar of zote ($.80 @ big lots) is about 3 1/2 cups grated. Borax is about $3 at walmart, and the box will make about 10 batches. Washing soda was $3.50 at a local, non chain grocery store and enough for about 5 batches.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:18:36 +0000

My husband purchased a second bench seat for our older caravan. He found it at a junkyard for $100. There were many Caravans there and he matched our interior for very little money.

By: Jessica Fisher

Jessica Fisher — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:53:20 +0000

I don’t think we ever did three across. The most we’ve had in seats/boosters was 4 at a time, so we did 2 in back and 2 in middle

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:28:10 +0000

Good to know! I’m interested in knowing what combinations of carseats and boosters you’ve been able to fit 3-across in your van.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:12:08 +0000

Wow! I never knew you could do that!! I’m talking to hubby about it tonight!

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:31:30 +0000

We did something similar. We had captains chairs in the middle, but it was so tight for my third child to go into the back seat and anytime my mother-in-law was visiting, one of us had to squeeze in the back seat as well since both captain’s chairs had carseats on them. My friend had the same minivan that we did and the bench seat in the middle made for so much more room. So we, too, trolled Craigslist and bought a middle bench seat for $75! Our captains chairs are still in our garage. We might use them again or try to sell them on CL if we decide we don’t need them. I LOVE Craigslist!

By: Ana

Ana — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:56:52 +0000

We’re thinking of planting a bigger garden this year. I kind of dread it, but it’s a good project for the kids, it decreases the food bill by a good lot, and it’s food that I trust. Like anything else, you just have to get into the habit.

By: Ana

Ana — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:53:00 +0000

@Coby, Way to GO Coby! We've got a cloth kitchen, too.