Warning: Frugal Living Can Seem Gross

When you are trying to make your lifestyle consistently more frugal, the number one thing you do is determine the items you can live without (whether it is junk food, beauty products, or cleaning supplies).  Cutting out unnecessary items is certainly the first thing you should do when switching to a frugal lifestyle, but what about those items that are necessary?

There are certain things in our daily lives that we just cannot cut out of our budgets so instead, let us take a look at how we may drastically lower the cost of a few of these items.

Below are three things that my family cannot live without and I have a guess that at least two of them are necessary in your house as well.  I ask that you read with an open mind.  Try not to get grossed out.  Focus on the savings and recognize that living a frugal lifestyle can sometimes mean stepping far outside of the realm of "normal."

• Toilet Paper.  We all need it.  It is a monthly expense that is just always accepted as being there.  But what if I told you it doesn't have to be there anymore?  Consider, instead, using cloth toilet paper.  Using old cotton t-shirts, cut them into large squares and store them in a container in your bathroom.  Once you use them, toss them in a designated pail beside the toilet (using an odor-trapping bag if necessary) then wash them every day or every couple of days.  A lot of sites, including this one, push cloth diaper wipes, so what makes adults any different?  As long as you are washing the cloths in hot water with mild detergent (I recommend a second rinse), this process can be just as sanitary as using flushable toilet paper.
  Average yearly savings for my family: $120 - 150
• Feminine Products.  Many of us women are of the age where we require quite a stash of feminine products.  Whether you use pads or tampons, you will need to buy them regularly.  Much like cloth diapers and cloth toilet paper, consider using reusable pads and tampons instead.  Lunapads.com has a great selection of reusable, green-friendly, and affordable feminine products.  Pads are much like cloth diapers.  Rinse them after use and wash them regularly.  To replace your tampons, try the DivaCup.  It is reusable for a couple years and is easy to clean in the sink.  Be sure to wash your hands regularly and follow all cleaning instructions to ensure proper sanitation.
  Average yearly savings for my family: $75 - 100
• Piddle Pads.  This may not apply to everyone, but there is quite a market out there for piddle pads for potty training puppies and for regular use of small dogs with tiny bladders and sometimes even cats.  We have two cats and a small dog whose bladder does not always run on our schedule so piddle pads could add up quickly.  But one day I thought, "what makes them more special than my kids?"  From that day forward, we replaced our disposable piddle pads with cheap prefold cloth diapers.  I just lay them down on the floor like I would a disposable piddle pad.  I spent $10 on a pack of ten prefold diapers almost a year ago and have not spent a dime on piddle pads since.  Now that's savings!  If you have cats, you can train them to use the prefolds in lieu of their litter box.
  Average yearly savings for my family: $90 - 100

To cut back on laundering costs, try combining loads of laundry, especially if you are using cloth diapers for your children.  The children's cloth diapers, the cloth toilet paper, and the cloth pads can all be washed together.  Wash the piddle pads separately as to not contaminate anything used on you or your children.

I strongly urge you to step outside of your comfort zone, look at the savings, and mull over these ideas for a little while.  I promise, no one needs to know.  You can stash regular toilet paper somewhere in the house for when you have company.  But these methods, if done properly, are sanitary and will save your family a bundle.

Think of it this way, if you cut out toilet paper, maybe you can start buying that to-die-for frappuccino you have been sacrificing lately!

For more great frugal living and homemaking tips, check out: Growing Home, Homestead Revival and Learning the Frugal Life