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The Dollar Stretcher

Tips for Making Clothing (and the Clothing Budget) Last Longer

Published 2 months ago • 3 min read

Wednesday, March 4 | Volume 31, Number 23

​View this issue in your web browser​

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This week, you may notice a free eBook with 226 Money-Saving Tips on The Dollar Stretcher, which I am offering to new subscribers. If you want a copy, you don’t need to submit your email address on the website.

Simply view the ebook here and download it to your device.

Also, we’re releasing a second eBook in the next few weeks — 785 Dollar Stretcher Reader Tips for Making a Tight Budget Stretch Further. Watch the newsletter for a 50% subscriber discount.
​Andrea​
​

I found a way to get grease off clothing. It can be anything from cooking grease to car grease or axle grease. (My husband is in sales, and he is in and out of his car all day and in some filthy places.) You can buy a bottle of eucalyptus oil in the pharmacy section of Walmart or other discount-type stores.
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It costs a little, but it will last and last and last. And it does not spoil. My sister and I have used the same bottle for eight years. I have saved so many dress pants/shirts, and other clothes. It even gets the greasy food stains off clothes. I have yet to find anything that it would stain, and it has never harmed my clothes. Our clothes look nice much longer. Believe me, it has saved many clothes.
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Also, Murphy's Oil Soap is a furniture polish and laundry stain remover. It works much better as a laundry stain remover than a furniture polish. I swear by it.
Bonita T.

Dollar Stretcher note: Before trying any stain remover, it’s always wise to test a small hidden spot first to make sure it won’t affect the color or fabric.

​Budget Stretcher: Make Your Clothing Last Longer​

When money is tight, replacing clothes shouldn’t be the default. Learn simple ways to wash, dry, repair and refresh your wardrobe so you can keep your cash focused on more pressing expenses.
I always use Daylight Savings time as a reminder for spring home maintenance. Not only do I change batteries and test our smoke detectors, but I also pour a little bleach into the A/C drain lines to keep them clear and clear any plant growth around the outside unit. As it warms up, we won't need much heat or A/C for a few months, but it's good knowing that my unit should be running efficiently (and bills will be lower) when we do crank up the A/C.
Jim

​How Dollar Stretchers Are Saving on Dog Food​

Dog food is part of the essential budget. Here’s how Dollar Stretchers are cutting the cost with bulk buying, rewards programs, portion control and a few smart adjustments that add up over time.

Do you have a way to save on dog food?

Many of our readers are trimming pet costs by bulk-buying, freezing dry food, stacking coupons and measuring portions carefully. I know there are more creative ideas out there.

If you’ve found a way to lower the cost of feeding your dog without sacrificing their health, I’d love to hear it. Reply to this email and share what you do. Short and simple is fine.

Your tip may be featured in a future issue (edited for clarity if needed).

Whenever I have a load of dishes from a particularly greasy meal, I add some baking soda to the detergent. It helps to absorb the grease and makes the dish soap work better. Since I started adding the baking soda, I rarely have to rewash anything.
Donnette

​A Side Gig Isn’t Always the Fix for a Tight Budget​

A side gig sounds like the obvious answer to a tight budget, but many require startup costs and time before real income shows up. Here’s how to decide whether a side hustle makes sense — or if a steady part-time job is the smarter move right now.
At a time when our budget was very tight, I made a deal with my husband that I wouldn't spend any money on craft supplies from our family budget. Instead, I would only use whatever money I made selling my crafts. And any dollars that I made this way were mine to spend as I chose.
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This did several things. I was more motivated to market my crafts and didn't let unfinished projects pile up. Also, it eliminated any guilt I had when buying craft supplies. And when the money was gone, it was gone. There was no "borrowing from the grocery money."
L.

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Reader Tips are edited for length and readability. The Dollar Stretcher is an Amazon Associate and may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on a link and make a purchase.

The Dollar Stretcher website's content, products and services are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. The information should not be used as a substitute for professional financial advice. The Dollar Stretcher encourages you to make any financial decisions with your financial advisor, planner or other financial professional. The Dollar Stretcher is owned by Jackiranda Media, LLC.

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The Dollar Stretcher

Andrea Norris-McKnight, Publisher & Money-Saving Strategist

Get practical money-saving ideas for everyday expenses, plus a free eBook with 226 simple tips you can use whenever you need them. No extreme frugality. No complicated systems. Just practical help that works in real life.

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