Household tip on how to save money!

I tried to make my own dish detergent for my dishwasher to try to save some money and it didn't work out so well. The dishes came out with a thick layer of soap scum on them. (we are still trying to get it of some of the dishes!) I did find out however how to conserve on the detergent. Most dishwashers have two spots for the soap. A prewash and the actual wash. The cups for the detergent are huge! To get the dishes clean you don't have to fill them all the way. (I think it is a conspiracy on the soap and dishwasher makers to try and get us to spend more money) I just put one Tbsp of soap in each spot. I have been doing this for 6 months now and have saved a lot. I only buy dish detergent about every two to three months now. It is great!

My Three Chickens

This year for my birthday, my mom made me a chicken coop, and my brother gave me three of his new chickens! So far they have been really fun. One of them is really feisty and doesn't like going back in the coop when I let them out, but eventually they always get back in there.

this is where I collect the eggs

They love being out of the coop, they scratch up my back yard to their hearts content!

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have been making my own laundry soap for almost a year now and it saves me so much money. I love not having to put laundry soap on my shopping list every month. You can also put all the ingredients in your food storage so you will not have to worry about it if times get hard.

For those of you who are scared of trying it for yourself let me show you how easy it can be!

1 cup baking soda
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax powder
1/3 bar of zote soap

In a large bowl grate 1/3 bar zote soap with a cheese grater. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir it all together. Put the mixture into a food processor to grind the zote soap and mix it all together. Put it in a storage container and you are done!
Add one Tablespoon of laundry soap to the wash!

Jo's tips:
You can get the baking soda and the borax powder at Wall mart for really good price. They might also have the zote soap there as well. I get the washing soda at Reams because Wall mart does not carry it and Reams sells a big box. I haven't seen as big of a box anywhere else. I found the zote soap at Reams as well.
There are also liquid soaps you can make, but I find the powder a lot easier and it works just as well.