How To Wash Clothes By Hand

Before the advent of the washing machine, people used to wash clothes by hand out of necessity.  There were a variety of ways to do this, from beating clothes against rocks in a stream or river to stirring them in a pot over a fire.

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Today, a small load can be washed in the kitchen or bathroom sink in less than a half an hour.  Large items, like blankets or comforters, can be washed in the bathtub.

Cold water works best to remove stains.  Have about twice as much water as clothes, add laundry detergent, agitate (push the water through the material) for about 5 minutes, then let soak for 5 minutes.  Agitate again for 5 minutes.  Drain all water from the sink and individually rinse each item.  Wring out and hang to dry.

As the clothes will drip while drying, choose the drying location carefully.  An outdoor clothesline is ideal, if you have one and if weather permits.  A folding wooden drying rack in the middle of the bathtub is optimum, as the drips will go directly down the drain.  The shower curtain rod is a great option as well for the same reason.  In a pinch, drape the clothes over the side of a laundry basket placed in the sink or tub.

Once dry, vigorously shake out each piece to remove any lint.  If you do a hand wash in the evening, it will usually be dry by morning.  Relocate damp items from the shower curtain rod to the towel rack or even the back of a chair if needed.

Total savings?  The cost of a wash/dry at the laundromat, plus transportation costs to get there and home.  Depending on where you live, that can add up to quite a bit over time.

Make Your Own Cat Food

Along the waste not-want not theme, you can use leftovers to make your own cat food.  In the book, Real Food For Cats by Patti Delmonte, there are recipes for making your own cat food that are vet approved.

For example, bone meal is a supplement that cats need, however finely ground egg shells can be substituted for it.  Instead of scraping plates into the trash after dinner, scrape the protein, rice, and green veg into the food processor. Add the pan drippings for flavor and "gravy". Pulse on low until the mixture resembles canned cat food and serve!

As cats have different nutritional requirements than people, it is not recommended to make your own cat food all of the time.  It is fine to use it in combination with commercial cat food.  Ask your vet if you have questions - they may even have recipes to give you for cats that require special diets!

On your next trip to the library, ask for this book.  Learn what your cat needs to be healthy.  Use this information, in combination with your family's table scraps, to stretch your budget.  If it saves $1 per week, that's $52 a year!

New Year Resolutions That Work

The best New Year Resolutions are ones that can be followed through on.  For this reason, the resolutions that work have an element of support built in.  In keeping with the theme of this blog, investment in self is the ultimate New Year resolution.

This means to learn a new skill.  How much money could you save over the course of a single week if you learned how to cook?  Browsing the web, it appears that the average cost per person of a home made meal is less than $3.  You can't even get a meal at McDonald's for that price.

You can teach yourself how to cook by reading.  Take a trip to the library or download cookbooks onto your e-reader.  Set a goal of learning how to make 1 new thing each week.  Cooking is little more than following directions!

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The people who work at the grocery store can help you identify things, from cuts of meat to produce.  Ask someone you know to help you learn to cook, or take a professional cooking class if you need assistance.  It will give you a chance to find out if other people like your creations as much as you do!

Another class you might want to resolve to sign up for is sewing.  If there is not already a sewing machine in your house, they are inexpensive to purchase and last a long, long time.  My first sewing machine is almost 30 years old and still going strong.

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How many pieces of clothing have you ended up throwing out due to a split seam or missing button?  Save on the costs of buying new by mending things yourself!  Get involved in the upcycle craze of taking thrift store finds and turning them into something brand new!

Another skill you can add is gardening.  No matter where you live, there is a way to grow your own food.  From fresh herbs and spices to apple orchards to potatoes, there is an incredible amount of information on the web and in books to learn from.

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True story:  We lived in an apartment that had a skylight over the refrigerator.  We both loved green peppers, but they were quite expensive.  My husband hefted a large planter on the top of the refrigerator in which we had thrown some dried seeds from a green pepper.  Someone told us to throw egg shells in the pot, which we did as we used eggs.  We made sure the planter got water, and ended up with a plant that reached to the skylight.  It produced about 2 peppers a week year round!

Other skills you may want to learn are auto maintenance or carpentry.  Why spend $40 or so on an oil change when you can do it yourself for less than half that amount?  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S., carpenters start at $11.96/hour and go up from there!

The trick to learning a new skill is to have an interest in it.  The "how hard can it be?" attitude needs to be replaced with an "I can do this" one.  Short on cash?  Ask a friend or family member who knows how to do what you want to learn for help. Go to your local library for books and to see what your local community offers.  There are no shortage of resources for personal education. Resolve to spend an hour a week learning something new.

Its Time To Save For Next Christmas

Even if you've had enough of Christmas, this is the time to stock up on some real money savers.  Purchase gift wrap, gift bags and boxes and put them away with your Christmas tree lights and ornaments.  If any light strings need replacing, purchase a new string now and save 50-75% off of this year's prices.  Don't forget to grab a box or two of Christmas cards as well - it will save you both time and money next year.  None of these items go bad, as long as they are stored in a dry location.

Another thing you should pack away with all the Christmas things is the cards you have received this year.  It will make writing your Christmas card list for next year much easier, as well as provide you with material for the future.

Christmas cards can be upcycled as well.  Cut out the picture, glue to card stock, and you've got yourself a new Christmas card!  Cut out the picture and have the kids frame it in Popsicle sticks, add a ribbon loop and you have a new Christmas ornament for your own tree or to give as a gift. Cut out the figures from several Christmas cards and glue in a shoe box to make a Nativity diorama.   You can also make a Christmas card garland by stringing the cards on a long piece of rope or twine and hang it on the mantle or decorate a staircase.  Imagination will be the only limit!

How To Eat Healthy On A Budget

For years, I have heard the 'experts' talk about studying weekly sales flyers, writing up a menu and a shopping list, and buying only what is on the list.  That method never worked for me.  What has worked is spending time at the market, armed with meal ideas and a piece of paper and pen or a calculator.

Image:Grant Cochrane 

Add the price on the paper or calculator for EVERY item that is placed in your cart.

Step 1:  Meat and Fish Counter

Bypass everything at the front of the store and go directly to the meat and fish counters.  Protein is the basis of many meals, and almost every family has favorite recipes for how to prepare it.  What is on sale this week?  What can be purchased for $3/pound or less?

Fish goes bad quickly, so a sale at the fish counter means you should probably cook it that same night.  Learn what the 'average' price of your favorite fish is in your area.  For example, my daughter loves swordfish.  It usually runs $10 to $15 per pound, so I do not buy it until it goes down to $7.99 per pound.  Nothing on sale?  Bypass it.

Ground chicken, ground turkey, and ground pork can be interchanged with ground beef in many recipes.  It may take a little trial and error to find which what works best in, but any heavily spiced dish (tacos, chili) can be made with any of them without much flavor fluctuation.

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Look for meats that can be used for more than 1 meal, such as ham and turkey, or 'family pack' meats.  Think about what the secondary meal can be:  ham and scalloped potatoes?  Turkey pie?  Be creative.

Now that the meats are in your cart, you can tell what items you will need to make them into your favorite meals.  Off to the produce section!

Step 2:  Fruits and Vegetables

If it the right season and you have a local farmer's market, skip this step.  You will save money and get better produce directly from the farm.

What is on sale?  How can it fit into your meal plans?  Try to find as many items as you can under $1 per pound.  Individually priced fruits, say 2/$1 oranges, quickly add up.  Put 2 of those oranges in the hanging scale to get an idea of weight, and then do the math - is it cheaper to buy the oranges by the bag?  Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

If your family likes salads, do not get the pre-made ones.  You will get a much better salad for less money by making your own.  Purchase the favorite lettuce and veg (radishes, carrots) and spend 10 minutes in the kitchen prepping it - you'll have enough salad for a couple of days.

If the produce section looks like it has seen better times, and/or the prices are too expensive, keep in mind there are both canned and frozen options for many fruits and vegetables.

Step 3:  Dairy

Start with the staples:  milk, eggs, butter (or equivalent).  Next, decide what you need for your meals for the week based on your meats.  Cheese is sometimes cheaper grated rather than by the block, but not usually.  Do the math if in doubt.  Buy yogurt in the large containers - it is much cheaper and only takes a moment to spoon a half cup into a dish.  As always, look for sales and check 'sell by' dates!

Step 4:  Center Store

A look at your tally sheet or calculator at this point will tell you exactly how much you have left to spend.  The first aisle you should go down in the baking aisle for staples such as flour, sugar, salt, spices, etc.  Is your pantry well stocked?  Skip this aisle entirely.

Are you still a meal or 2 short?  Go down the pasta aisle.  A box of spaghetti and a jar of sauce can generally be purchased for less than $3.  Flat noodles and a can of tuna can be made into tuna casserole for less than $5.  Rice is a healthy, budget stretching starch as well when bought by the bag, not the box.

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The canned fruit and vegetable aisle is next, if all the needed produce for the week wasn't available or was too expensive fresh.  Although frozen "steam in the microwave" vegetables are said to be better for you, they are up to 5 times more expensive than a can of no-salt-added.  Look for bags (not cans) of beans as well -  a little extra prep time can save a ton of money!

Cereals tend to be very expensive, but 1 canister of quick oats can provide a fast, healthy breakfast for close to 2 weeks.  Do not be afraid to purchase generics, either.  Brand loyalty can be a budget buster!

Compare the price of peanut butter to the price of a jar or can of roasted peanuts.  You may be surprised to learn that a healthy peanut butter can be made from a jar of peanuts in a food processor in a few seconds.

Coupons can save money, but only if they are used (1) for an item you normally purchase, and (2) if it brings the price below the other alternatives available.  That coupon does not save money if the generic can be purchased for less.

I have not added breads to this list.  The trip to the bakery outlet store will save more money than the cost of gas to get there in most cases.  By keeping a running tally of the price of things in your cart, you will know how much you are spending, and how much you have left for the bread store.

Taking your time is the key.  Do not make a rush trip, as that leads to rash decisions and overspending.  Keep an open mind and closed wallet.

10 Ways to Save Money

The following is a list of 10 ways to save money in everyday life.  Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of inconvenience, as in one more stop when doing errands, to save money.

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1.  Visit Bakery Outlets

Why pay $4 or more for a loaf of bread when you can get the same BRAND NAME at a bakery outlet for as little as 50 cents?  The items on sale there are still within their sell by date, so you do not have to worry about them going bad immediately. Many bakery outlets offer much more than just bread, and therefore should make them the stop before the supermarket.

You can find bakery outlets at the following links:
http://www.hostessbrands.com/BakeryOutlets.aspx
http://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com/our_brands/outlet_stores.html

2.  Visit Manufacturer Website

Every major company has a web presence now.  Take advantage of this and visit them.  Many offer money saving offers and printable coupons.  Browse them in your spare time, or make an effort to find coupons before your weekly shopping trip.  If your grocery store offers double coupons, take advantage of it!

3.  "Junk" Mail

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Instead of automatically throwing away the store fliers and other "junk" mail, take a moment to browse through them.  If a local store has an item you use at a terrific price, it may be worth stocking up.  You can also find both store and manufacturer's coupons in these mailings. Perhaps a local garage is having a $10 oil change special.  It only takes a few seconds to flip through the junk mail, and doing so might save you money.

4.  Extreme Couponing

Whether you have seen the television show or not, extreme couponing is a real phenomenon.  By combining store specials with clipped and/or printed store and manufacturer coupons, you can get hundreds of dollars worth of groceries for less than $20.

Search the Internet for coupon sites, such as http://www.ivillage.com/coupons

5.  Freecycle

Do you have something that is still in usable condition but you don't have the time to sell it?  Do you need something you cannot afford to buy?  Freecycle puts these people together in a bulletin board type of format.  Everything from building materials to diapers can be posted, and the best part is that it is all free.

To find a freecycle group near you:  www.freecycle.org

6.  Food Shelf

Many communities have local food shelves.  These are places where food is distributed freely to those who need it.  Some have income guidelines, while others do not.  It is worth checking out what the rules are in your neighborhood.  You may be able to get a box of food for as little as a couple of hours of volunteered time!  Ask at your local town office or city hall where to get more information.

7.  Consider Being a Localvore or Joining a CSA


Community supported agriculture (CSA) works by purchasing a share in a local farm, which in turns delivers a box a fresh produce or meat at less than supermarket prices.  They can be weekly or monthly, seasonal or year round.  To find one near you and learn more about how a CSA works, go to:  www.localharvest.org/csa

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A localvore is someone who prefers to eat foods grown locally.  This not only helps the local economy, but reduces the carbon footprint of foods.  To find out more, go to:  www.locavorenetwork.com/proximity

8.  Combine trips and errands


Try to limit your outings to once a week, and get everything done on that day.  Doctor and dental appointments, picking up mail, dropping off dry cleaning, going to the bank, shopping - whatever errands you have to do, you will save time, money, and gas by combining as many things into one or two trips per week.

9.  Avoid ATM and Credit Card Fees

A money saving trick I learned when I was little saves even more money today.  Set a weekly spending budget per week, and withdraw that amount from the bank in cash.  There is still no fee to visit a teller and cash a check.  As this will be the only trip to the bank for the week, you tend to be more careful and not go over budget while shopping.  You do not get charged ATM or credit card fees when you do not use them for weekly expenses.  Make sure you withdraw enough for gas as well, and walk into the station to pay for it in cash.  It's plain silly to incur interest and fees for the convenience of paying at the pump.

10.  Take Care of the Things You Already Have

This may sound like a no-brainer, but it saves enough cash to worth mentioning.  Have regular maintenance done on your car, furnace, and computer, or do it yourself if you know how.  It will save you time, money and frustration!  Take proper care of your other things as well, so they do not need to be replaced.

A little bit of common sense and foresight is all it takes to save money.  If you take a good, hard look at where your money is going and how you can save it, I am sure you can come up with many more ways of controlling spending.

Verizon Charging for Online Payments

I must admit I had to laugh at the news that Verizon Wireless was going to charge a $2 fee for paying bills online.  I don't think it's funny from the consumer's point of view, but rather, that the banks are charging Verizon enough to process payments that the fee was considered necessary to begin with.

I've seen and read a lot of talk about how people can't understand why a fee would be charged "for the privilege of paying the bill".  You are going to have to pay the bill anyway - Verizon is well known for it's aggressive collections.  There is no charge for paying at a Verizon Wireless store or mailing in your payment the old fashioned way.

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Yes, it takes an employee to process the free payment methods.  But these employees are already on the payroll - no new expense.  The fees for credit card processing - the kind done online and over the phone - requires ever increasing bank fees.  Thus, like any other business, the cost of this increase is paid for by the consumer.

Verizon could have transferred these increased bank charges by raising their rates, but instead chose the more transparent route of a processing fee.  I applaud them for this tactic, as it just might raise enough awareness of more bank greed that is required to put a legislative cap on it.  Here's hoping that the average consumer will place the blame where it belongs - not with Verizon, but rather with the banks.

How Much Stuff Do You Really Need?

Having a teenage child that is short on cash but wants to donate to Toys For Tots, we came up with an idea.  We are going through the things in her room and donated unwanted toys to the Salvation Army.

Certain items will forever hold memories, and those can be kept.  Most of it, however, can be donated.  We came across unopened items that were duplicate gifts in the same year.  These went to Toys For Tots.  In the process of going through things, we eliminated the clutter from the room at the same time as giving the toys a new life for another child.

It occurred to me that this same process can be used in the remainder of the house.

• Kitchen:  How many small appliances does a family actually need?  If it hasn't been used in over a year, it's time to let it go.
• Living/Family Room:  Pillows and throws, unused video games, VCR tapes - go through it!
• Bedrooms:  Sheet sets (especially ones with children's characters) that are no longer used, toys, books, and any other items that have not been touched in a long time that have no sentimental value.

If you cannot afford to donate these items, you can try to gain a little extra cash for them.  EBay, Amazon, and Craig's List all offer online marketplaces.  It does not take a lot of time to set up accounts, but EBay and Amazon each charge fees.  Craig's List is free, but you can expect many emails and/or phone calls.  Be careful of how much information you give out on Craig's List.  

Thanksgiving Leftovers

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!  Now, what to do with the leftovers?

First, let's dispel the myth that it all has to be eaten right away or it will go bad.  If you've had enough turkey for a while, put the leftovers in zip close freezer bags and toss them in the freezer.  You can easily defrost them and have the pre-cooked meat ready for another meal.  Don't forget to freeze the gravy as well.

Whether you decide to use the leftovers now or later, here are a few suggestions:

Sandwiches:

     -Combine the meat and the gravy for use as hot open faced sandwiches.
     -Shred the remaining white meat and mix with mayo or Miracle Whip for turkey salad.
     -To use many leftovers, make a hearty sandwich of sliced turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Make turkey pie:
     Throw some frozen peas, carrots, and corn in the mixture, pour in a pie plate and cover with pre-made pie crust or biscuits.  Heat in a 375 degree oven for about an hour.  You'll know that it's done when the gravy starts to bubble up.

For something a little different:
    Coat a frying pan with cooking spray.  Toss in the chunked turkey meat, pour in some teriyaki marinade and some fresh or frozen broccoli.  Cover and simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the broccoli is crisp tender.  Serve over rice.

For a Mexican flair:
     Coat a frying pan with cooking spray.  Toss in the chunked turkey meat, cover with a jar of your favorite salsa.  You can also add in black beans and corn if you'd like.  Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 15-20 minutes, until heated through.  Serve over tortilla chips.

Like curry?
    Coat a frying pan with cooking spray.  Toss in the chunked turkey meat.  Pour in enough orange juice to almost cover the meat.  Add a teaspoon of mustard and sprinkle generously with curry to taste.  Simmer, uncovered, over medium heat until most (but not all!) of the orange juice has reduced.  Serve over rice.

You can substitute turkey in almost any recipe that calls for chicken.  Use your imagination AND your leftovers - you may even make a new family favorite!

Upcycle to Make a Tablecloth

Just like matching socks, sheet sets tend to get lost.  For some reason, there always seem to be more top sheets than fitted sheets.  If the mate to a pretty top sheet is known to be lost or destroyed, give that clean top sheet a new life as a tablecloth.

Twin size top sheets are the perfect size for most tables.  They measure approximately 72" x 108".  It is already fully hemmed. If you want to dress it up a little, you can sew lace trim around the edges.

 If you have a small table, cut it in half so you have 2 reusable tablecloths.  You may want to either sew or use fusible webbing to turn the unfinished size so it does not unravel.

The best part of either one is that cleanup is a breeze!  Shake off the loose crumbs over the trash barrel, and toss the cloth in the washing machine.  This free tablecloth works especially well for families with small children who can get quite messy.

This is a great way to reuse a top sheet that doesn't match any other sheets.  By re-using what you already have, you save money!

Make Your Own Shop Towels

It boggles my mind how willing people are to pay $20 or more for shop or cleaning towels when they are so easy to make yourself for free.  That's right, free!

Whoever does the laundry in your home will know what clothing items need to be replaced.  If any of them are 100 percent cotton, such as tee shirts and underwear, they should be washed and set aside.  These can be recycled into cleaning towels.

Here's all you have to do:
     1.  Cut or rip out the side seams of the garment.
     2.  Cut the remaining fabric into 14 inch squares.   These are your new shop towels.
     3.  Toss any scrap materials into the compost bin.

That's it! You will end up with a pile of shop towels ready to use.

I remember watching my grandmother clean the house when I was little.  She would use underwear that had torn or had holes.  She never bothered to cut them into squares, and they worked just fine.  Personally, I prefer to make them look like towels before use.

You can use these towels in place of paper towels to save even more money.  Taking the time to make your own shop towels out of what you already have just makes sense!

Pay Yourself First

If the banks and credit companies had their way, all of your hard earned cash would be handed over to them.  This has never been more evident than it has in the recent past.  How is the average person to survive?

Start by wrestling back the control of your own money.  This means confronting the banks, debt collectors, and creditors head on.  It also means paying yourself.

Each payday, take 10% of the net, what you take home, and stash it somewhere.  If you trust a local bank or credit union, start a savings account with it.  Keep in mind, though, if you are behind on taxes or other major debt, the government can freeze any of your accounts at any time.  If you don't feel that the pennies you'll earn with a bank account is worth the risk, stash your cash somewhere safe: 10% of your pay, every payday.  You'll feel more secure having that cash on hand for emergencies.

Start a stack of mail, the bills that are owed, and once a week go through it.  The goal is to pay down your debt as soon as you can.  In the days before direct deposit, our grandparents would bring their checks to the bank and receive cash for it.  One strategy at the time was to have a shoebox full of envelopes, one for each debt, organized by importance. The first envelope was for mortgage or rent, second for food, third for heat, etc.  Each week the cash would be divided among the envelopes, ensuring enough money to pay the bills at the end of the month.  Some weeks the envelopes at the back of the box would get nothing.  Some weeks there was some money left over, which would be saved "for a rainy day", usually under a mattress or in a jar buried in the back yard. 

The banks obviously hate this strategy.  They would prefer direct deposit, so THEY have first dibs on your cash.  Isn't it time you took the control of your money back?

An Old Family Gift Giving Rule

Have you ever been frustrated at trying to think of things to gift for the person who has everything?  Everyone has one person on their list that seems to have it all.  My family has integrated a rule that has eased the burden of this.

It's quite simple.  No one can purchase anything for themselves for an entire month before the big day - birthday, Christmas, graduation, whatever.  During this time frame, everyone keeps a sharp eye and ear on the intended recipient, and will not hesitate to stop them from purchasing something for themselves.  It is then relayed to the rest of the circle of family and friends that this is an item the recipient wishes to have.  Someone will purchase it and give it to them on the special day. 

This does a few things.  First, the recipient ends up receiving only items that they want.  Secondly, it saves the recipient money.  Thirdly, everyone feels good that they managed to give something that would be truly appreciated by the person who has everything.  Fourth, it saves everyone money as they are not purchasing unwanted, needless items.  Everyone ends up happy.

Give it a try in your own family.  Certain individuals may be a bit disgruntled at first, but when they discover how fun the reciprocation is they will also get into it.  My kids love the idea, and make it into a game over who is watching who as we go Christmas shopping. 

Make Leftovers Into Meals

One trick I have learned over the years to reduce grocery costs is to find items that make multiple meals.  Roasts can be a great deal when you get multiple meals out of them.  If you think about Thanksgiving, for example, and how many meals that one turkey provided, you get the idea of where I'm going with this.

Whole roaster chickens are good to stock up on when they go on sale.  A 6-8 pound bird can feed a family of 4 two dinners, at least.  Use the leftovers from the roast to make a second meal of hot open faced chicken sandwiches, or mix the meat with a package of frozen mixed vegetables and gravy to make a homemade chicken pie.

The same logic can be used with other meats as well.  The leftovers from a 3-5 pound pot roast can be made into hot open faced beef sandwiches.  Mix the meat with barbecue sauce and have barbecued beef.  Or you can cut the leftover meat into cubes, throw it in a pot with the leftover pot roast veggies (carrots, potatoes, etc.) add water to make a stew.

One favorite around my house is the pork roast.  Mix the leftovers with barbecue sauce for barbecued pulled pork sandwiches.  Or you can cube the meat, mix it with gravy, add veg, and make a pork pie.

You don't have to be a chef to make great tasting meals from leftovers.  All it takes is a little imagination.

Waste Not, Want Not

The devastation left in the path of hurricane Irene underscores the need to take care of your things.  Why invest in the same item twice if you don't have to? 

Would that window have been broken if the time had been taken to board it up or cut that limb?  Home repairs are expensive enough!  The demand for building materials has just risen, due to the amount of destruction.  How many items were destroyed that could have been saved with a little forethought?

When it comes to money, sometimes being overcautious is the way to go.  If flooding is expected, get as much as possible off of the floor.  Hindsight is 20/20 - learn from the experience!

Salvage what you can.  Tree limbs down?  Take out the chainsaw and cut it up for firewood.  Clean up flood damage yourself.  It costs less to purchase a dehumidifier and/or sump pump and contractor trash bags than to hire a company to clean it up for you.  Get some exercise while raking up the yard. 

Every experience in life offers an opportunity to learn something.  Take note of what can be done differently next time the situation presents itself.  Protect your possessions so you do not have to reinvest in them. 

Saving Money On Gas

The simplest, easiest way to save on gas is to walk.  Think about it - do you really need to drive 1/2 mile to the store to pick up milk?  Walking not only saves money, it benefits your health and well being.  Take an umbrella if it is raining.  You can always ride a bicycle if your destination is more than walking distance.  Invest in saddle bags or a basket to carry your purchases on the bike safely. 

If you live in a rural area, start planning your trips.  Write down everything you are going to need for the week, and purchase it all at once.  This saves money not only on gas, but a single trip means you face the temptation of impulse purchasing only once.

Buddy up with a friend or two to get errands done, taking only one car.  This way the gas only costs a fraction of what it would if you traveled alone, as it can be split between you.  Grab a backpack and take public transportation if it's available.  Use your imagination to come up with viable transportation options. 

Take advantage of car pools, where the participants take turns driving to work.  If they are not offered by your employer or state transportation group, ask around the office to see who lives in your area. 

If you think back 100 years, when a trip to the store in town was an all day affair, you will realize that those people did just fine planning out what was going to be needed.  Today's convenience comes at a price, and the more you rely on it, the more you will end up paying.