Hey, that's catchy

I heard and read a couple phrases in the past few days that I really liked.

"Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle."

When first getting into getting financially fit, it's easy to read stories about people who started way before you and to feel discouraged because you will never reach (or it feels like you won't) what they have accomplished and you are just getting started. First of all, comparison will get you nowhere. Secondly, what matters is that you have started! There are still so many people out there who haven't started!

"Professional Home Economist" as the job title of a stay at home mom.

I heard Dave Ramsey say this about a woman who was staying home with the kids, but money was still tight. It was her job to make sure the house ran affordably and efficiently. This means learning to cook, make things from scratch, find the best deals on things they need. I aspire to be a part-time professional home economist (see: sewing, canning, cooking, gardening hobbies!).

"Don't blame other's for your financial problems"

This is what really got me going. I've been blaming my under-employed boyfriend for my finances, or that I don't get paid enough. But really, when I look at my budget, I make enough to live on, I just have been spending too much on food, or gas to go places I really couldn't afford, or going out to eat for dinner when I'm too tired to cook, or forget to bring lunch. There are so many things I am  in control of. Now I am focusing on the final quote:

"budgeting is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went!"

Homemade, saving money and impressing people

I love making things. Several of my home cooking experiments have stemmed out of "I wonder if I can make that. As I am preparing for my super budget, the one where I will have money for the things I need (3 months spending emergency fund) and the ones I want (a shed/office in the back yard of my new house) I am trying to figure out ways of cutting down on my spending.

One project I will be in need of soon is dishwasher detergent, so I did a little research and found a few recipes for homemade soaps. They are quite cheap as the components are cheap and you don't need to use very much to get results (according to the posts).

All recipes found at www.diynatural.com 

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Citric Acid
1/2 cup Kosher Salt

Use white vinegar as rinse aid

Combine in container with sealing lid, shake, use
Simple cheap, impressive!

Homemade Liquid Dish Soap

I'll be needing this soon, not so soon that I don't have time to over think what I want it to smell like!

1 3/4c boiling water
1 Tbsp Borax
1 Tbsp Grated Soap
15-20 drops Essential oils

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl, boil water, pour over dry ingredients, stir, add essential oils and let cool 6-8 hours on countertop, stirring occasionally. Put in a squirt bottle.

Homemade Laundry Detergent (Dry, you can make wet ones but I worry that I would make too big a mess sloshing it into the washing machine)

1 bar shaved soap (I plan to buy some handmade soap, all natural ingredients, from Slab)
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda

Combine in sealed container, shake, use, 1 Tbsp per load (2-3 for soiled loads)

The next step for me will be figuring out which containers to use and how to decorate them! Squee, art project!