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The Dollar Stretcher

The Many Ways Home Maintenance Saves Money

Published 11 days ago • 2 min read

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A professional carpet cleaner gave me this advice. The absolute best carpet stain remover is Dawn liquid soap diluted in the hottest water you can handle. I've also found that Dawn is excellent for removing stains from clothing, including hard-to-remove grease stains.
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Don't waste your money on separate stain removers for each item in your house if you don’t have to!
Carla

​7 Ways Home Maintenance Saves Money​

Put off maintenance and the bills show up later. Stay ahead of small tasks and you’ll avoid emergency repairs, cut energy costs and make appliances last years longer. Here’s where the savings add up.
I bought a vehicle 3 years ago and have been paying it off regularly. My credit score recently went up from several credit cards/another vehicle being paid off, so I investigated refinancing this vehicle, which had 29 months left on the loan. With my higher credit score, I qualified for a new-vehicle loan for 36 months, saving me $75/month and paying only $25 more in interest over the life of the loan!
Debbie

Dollar Stretcher note: Debbie’s experience is a good reminder to revisit your auto loan after your credit score improves. Before refinancing, compare the interest rate, total interest over the life of the loan, loan term and any fees. A lower payment can help cash flow on a tight budget, but make sure you’re not stretching the loan so long that you erase the savings. If the numbers work as they did for Debbie, a quick refinance checkup can put real money back in your monthly budget.

EVERGREEN SAVINGS FROM THE TDS ARCHIVES

​Storing Rice Long Term: Bulk Rice Storage Tips for Preventing Waste​

Rice is one of the cheapest meal staples you can buy, especially in bulk. But those savings disappear fast if it goes bad. Here are practical, reader-tested tips for storing 5- to 50-pound bags of rice safely and keeping bugs, moisture and waste out of your pantry.

I once read a tip on using peanut butter jars as mini greenhouses and protection from hungry critters! It got me thinking about reusing jars rather than recycling them.
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I now use cleaned peanut butter jars for many things, including storing dry snacks like nuts, raisins, coconut, candy, etc. This keeps the food fresh without using plastic bags. I use them to freeze fruits, veggies, soups, etc. and to organize my buttons and other craft supplies, small game pieces, little cars, puzzle pieces, nails, small tools, etc. The uses are limited only by imagination!
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Another plus for me is the red lids (guess which brand I buy!), as I have a predominantly red kitchen.
Marge

EVERGREEN SAVINGS FROM THE TDS ARCHIVES

​Ways To Avoid Feeling Deprived During Tough Financial Times​

Use these tips to prevent feelings of depression, resentment, and deprivation when going through difficult financial times.
I use the cardboard core from a toilet paper roll to start seedlings. I fold it all the way around one end and fill it with good soil. I put one seed per "pot," starting a few weeks before spring. When the weather is right, I simply plant the cardboard "pot" and all. The cardboard disintegrates over time.
J.S.

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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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