Nanny to Mommy

1. Use Microfiber Wash Cloths for Cleaning. Instead of using throw away disinfectant wipes, invest in some microfiber cleaning cloths. I made the switch about a year ago and I DO NOT regret it at all. They work wonders with just water so I am saving money because I don't have to buy so many cleaners and I also don't have to worry about a ton of chemicals around my family.


2. Invest in a Make Up Eraser. Instead of using all of those throw away makeup remover wipes, invest in a Make Up Eraser. Each cloth will last a thousand washes, and you only need to add water and then remove makeup. This ultra-soft, woven polyester-blend cloth gets rid of tough makeup without leaving behind a residue.

3. Invest in Glass Products. Containers, glasses, etc. We use to have a stock pile of plastic containers to store our leftovers and our meal prepped lunches. And while they are okay for the freezer and fridge in general, they can't be heated because there are chemicals in plastics that can get in your food. If you have ever seen the stained film that gets on a plastic container after it has been microwaved, then you know what I am talking about. Even some plastic products labeled microwave safe can react differently to some types of foods especially if they are acidic. For Christmas I received glassware containers and they have been the best addition to our kitchen.


4. Buy only Reusable Straws. Plastic straws are a big menace to the environment. You might think that your one straw a day habit isn't hurting anyone, but it is just a representation of our throw away culture. And after 50 years or so of hundreds of thousands of people throwing them away, things stack up. My issue with straws has been finding a straw that was easy to carry with me to restaurants. That's why I love Zoku's reusable stainless steel Pocket Straw. This small and lightweight straw telescopes for storage and easy transport on the go. It extends up to 9 inches and fits any glass size. Loop hole for keyring on the carrying case and included cleaning brush makes it easy to bring with you anywhere and anytime. It is also BPA and phthalate free.


5. Explore Using Cloth Diapers and Wipes. Although my family is out of the cloth diapering stages now, I think it is a great way to save money and the environment. There are pros and cons to cloth diapers so make sure you take the time to do your research on how to launder them properly etc., but cloth wipes are so easy because they are just wash cloths and need no extra laundering. I still use throw away wipes when out in public for the convenience factor, but when you are paying the price in store - that's what you are paying for, convenience.


6. Try Reusable Menstrual Pads. I don't know if this is necessarily a product for everyone, but if you don't mind doing the laundry part of it, then you are good to go. I recently was sent some reusable menstrual pads and pantyliners from Pink Lemonade Shop. They are a mama owned, Southwest Ohio small business. From pads for girls to pads for postpartum, Pink Lemonade Shop has the best selection of cloth menstrual pads on the web. The main reason I wanted to try out reusable pads was simply because I wanted to steer clear of chemicals. You can also try menstrual cups if that is more your speed.



7. Buy a Reusable K-Cups. If you have a single use coffee machine, maybe when you got it at first (like me) you didn't think about the environmental impact of all those plastic cups. I also didn't realize that k-cups are so much more expensive than getting ground coffee. So I invested in a reusable k-cup.


8. Start Using Reusable Dryer Balls. All those little sheets add up, plus liquid fabric softener is full of chemicals. I removed some wool dryer balls a few years ago and, back then, I didn't understand the full magnitude of why reusable dryer balls are the way to go. Clothes will come out soft, fluffy, with fewer wrinkles, and less static cling while reducing drying time and saving on energy.


9. Invest in Reusable Snack Bags. All those little baggies add up. I love my set of reusable snack bags that I received from Revelae Kids a few years ago. They have so many cute patterns and my kiddos like taking them to school too. They also have so many different sizes to choose from even though we use the sandwich size the most. They even make reusable plastic wrap now too. Whether you make homemade baby food or you want to save money by buying the huge container of yogurt, they also make reusable food pouches.


10. Invest in Rechargeable Batteries. When taken to landfills, most batteries (even rechargeable batteries) can release harmful metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium into the environment. The good news is rechargeable batteries are surprisingly easy to recycle. And, because batteries can be recharged and reused numerous times, they contribute less waste to landfills. Plus making the investment can actually cut down your spending over time.

What Unconventional Ways Do You Save Money?

Win Zoku's Stainless Steel Pocket Straw #5

-----------------------

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter