Are you getting your money's worth?
Those who are just beginning on the path of budgeting/ frugal living often get overwhelmed by the idea of making convenience items, rather than purchasing them. The following questions often come up:- "How much money canI possibly save?"
- "Do the homemade recipes work?"
- "Is it worth it to make your own products?"
Some Comparisons for you to view:
- Homemade Wheat Bread vs Store Bought
- Homemade Scouring Powder vs Ajax
- Homemade Dish Detergent vs Electrasol Detergent
| Product: Ajax | Note: 1oz = 2 Tablespoons Size: 21 oz Container Price: 99¢ (wal-mart 12/01) Cost per Use: 5¢ per use (rounded) Uses Per Container: 21 |
| Product: Borax |
Size: 76 oz Price: $3.79 (wal-mart 12/01) Cost per Use: 5¢ per use (rounded) Uses Per Container: 76 uses per box IF you use it straight, which you don't. |
| Product: Electrasol | Size: 65 oz box Price: $4.49 (However, this Cost per Use: 14¢ per use Uses Per Container :32.5 Uses |
| Product: Arm & Hammer Baking Soda | Size: 16 oz box Price: .69¢ (wal-mart 12/01) Cost per Use: .04¢ per use Uses Per Container : 16 |
1 cup baking soda (.32¢)
1 cup borax (.40¢)
1 cup salt (.16¢)
Makes 3 cups = 24 oz.
Cost .88¢ for 24. 0z
Uses: 24 uses (2 Tablespoons per oz)
Ajax: 21 oz Container .99¢
Gives you 21 Uses (2 Tbl per oz)
The Homemade Cleaner gives 3 extra uses and is .11¢ cheaper.
Homemade Dish Detergent v.s. Electrasol DetergentMix and use per dishwasher load:
1 T. Borax
1 T. Baking soda
( Increase proportion of soda for hard water.)
For 32 uses (like you were getting from Electrosol)
16 oz Borax .80¢
16 oz Baking Soda .69¢
Cost for 32 loads Homemade Detergent: $1.49
Cost for 32 loads of Electrosol: $4.49
The Homemade Detergent is $3.00 Cheaper.
Article By Liss Burnell – Creator & Designer of Budget101.com, “Digging yourself out of debt when all you have is a spoon” © 2004
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