toothbrushDoes it ever seem like you are constantly buying the same things over and over again? Maybe you are constantly buying tissues or sugar for your coffee or laundry detergent for example. Maybe a tube of toothpaste only seems to last a couple of weeks. When you’re buying these things constantly it can end up costing you a lot of money.

One simple way to help you save money is to start using less.


Liquid soaps and shampoos are a good example, especially if you have small kids who are in charge of administering how much soap they should use. For awhile there it seemed like I was refilling the bathroom soap almost daily. I couldn’t figure it out until I realized my son was using waaaaaaaaaaay too much soap each time he washed his hands. Washing your hands is important. I’m glad he does it. But you only need a small little dab of soap really…you don’t need half the bottle.

There are other things you can get away with using less of. Yesterday morning I made banana muffins. Instead of 3 bananas, I used 2. Instead of a half cup of butter I used a third. Instead of using up the last of my flour that I had, I decided instead to use a cup of oatmeal, which I have a whole container of. And I left out the egg completely. Guess what? They tasted fine and I still got the normal 12 muffins either way. And, because I found something else for the flour, I still have the flour to last a few more weeks for cooking other things without having to buy it.

It’s quite simple really: the less you use, the less you need to buy. And that saves you money without you even thinking or realizing about it.
Here are some things you can start using less of to see little differences:

Kitchen Spices: Things like Flour, Salt, Pepper, Seasonings, and other spices are usually best in moderation. I only use a tiny bit, then taste it first to determine if more is actually needed. Most of my spices last far longer this way and the food tastes just as good, sometimes better.

Butter, Oil: Not only is this healthier for you, but again you won’t likely notice much difference in taste.

Paper products: Things such as TP, Paper Towels, Tissues can run out really quickly, so I tend to just use a very small amount. Sometimes cutting paper towels in advance can help you use less. I also cut my new kitchen sponges into four pieces so I can regularly use a “new one” but make it last four times as long.

Plastic Wrap & Foil: I’ve found I could probably use a whole roll of these items if I’m not careful. Getting reusable leak proof containers or using baking dishes with washable lids may end up being a better investment all together.

Dish Soap: Especially if using a dishwasher – about 1/3 the amount is only actually needed. If washing dishes by hand, try squirting a little into the water to make bubbles and only add more if absolutely necessary.

Laundry Detergent: Most laundry soaps are pretty watered down, though more and more have started to sell you smaller, more concentrated bottles. I’ve found that if I pre-treat stains correctly, I only need about a half a capful to get the clothes smelling fresh and clean.

Toothpaste: If you ever read the directions, they actually say to use a pea sized amount – that’s a lot less than most people use and what you see on commercials or on boxes.

Drive Less: Whenever I have errands to run, I always think about the best way to drive less and make sure that I don’t drive any more than need be to get somewhere to use less gas.

Cigarettes: While it would probably be far better for you to quit entirely, I have seen many smokers buy the 100’s or extra long cigarettes and only smoke half at a time. This can drastically make a pack of smokes last longer.

Cut Down on Utilities: You don’t need every light and television on all the time, neither do you need to have the heat on all the time. You can also save water by taking faster showers. There’s plenty of ways to save on your utility bills.

Shampoo and Conditioner: Work the lather up in your hands, and then into your hair. For things like conditioner, you only need to apply it from your ears down to the tips of your hair. On average a bottle of shampoo and conditioner will last me about 6 months, sometimes longer. You only need a tiny amount, so try to start with less and only add more if needed.

Watch Less TV: Do you really need to watch TV? Could you do without some of the premium channels? Not only will this save you on your cable bill if you reduce your package, but it can also save you electricity as well.

The less you use, the more you save. While these savings aren’t going to be apparent immediately, they can save you several hundred dollars over the course of the year.

What can you do with the savings? You can enjoy higher quality products if you would rather do that, or you can set the money aside into a savings account or keep it for something else you’d rather buy. These little savings can make a huge difference over time, and are definitely worth it.

What are some things you can use less of to save money? Share your ideas in the comments section below.