Save $$$ Ideas

Taking an extra 10 seconds to scan clothing tags wash instructions prior to making a purchase can save $$$ and time! Simply limit the amount of clothing you purchase which states Dry-Clean Only. It will save you at least $10 a time on dry cleaning bills not to mention the time of picking and dropping it off!

With holidays fast approaching, kicking back with a few good books is a great way to relax. But books aren't cheap... so why not check out the local library? It's also a great place to find craft activity books to keep the kids entertained (between video game sessions that is!)

Hmm, (a.) long shower + shampoo hair, condition, apply styling product then blow dry OR (b.) dry shampoo and sleep another 30 minutes... Decisions decisions!

Dry shampoo can refresh your hairstyle, giving you another day between hair washes. If you don't have dry shampoo handy, the age-old baby powder trick is effective in a pinch and super-cheap. Apply powder to roots and brush it out 5 minutes later to remove excess oil!

There are loads of good kid's websites out there with great ideas on how to keep 'em entertained without having to spend loads of $$$. Good sites to check out are kidspot.com.au and essentialbaby.com.au

Book in a few hours on a weekend and search through some of the online sites which can help you find a better deal when it comes to your home or mobile phone, internet provider, credit card or even home loan. A little time can save you a lot of dimes in the long run.

Pop your used tea bags (after ringing them out) into the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Kick back, relax and place the tea bags on your peepers for 10-15 minutes. Remove to reveal eyes with a little less baggage!

Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible and set your rinse cycle to cold and you can save up to $120 per year on your laundry costs.

Going out to dinner can be pretty expensive. Even if you're in a couple, dinner for 2 can cost anywhere from $70 to a whole lot more (when you include wine, corkage etc).

Why not make a cosy dinner at home, you could even have an indoors picnic for a laugh, simply layout a blanket on the loungeroom floor, make some fingerfood, dips and warmed bread from the oven! Romantic, fun and cheaper than a night out!

Why not also play the 25 new songs you've been able to download from iTunes with your savings - bonus!

This mask is great for soothing chapped, sunburned or otherwise irritated skin. Extra tip: This mask works well for other skin types as well. For oily skin, add a couple drops of lemon or lime juice. For dry skin, mix in a couple tablespoons of honey.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup natural yogurt (we like it just-out-of-the-fridge cold)
• 1/2 cup oatmeal (any type of basic oatmeal works here)

Preparation:

Mix the ingredients together. Apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes. Wash off mask with a washcloth steamed in the microwave (careful that it's not too hot).

Mix sugar with lemon juice and massage the mixture once a week for 5 minutes onto your hands, and then wash off with warm water. You'll have soft and smooth hands in no time!

Old fridges can add significant costs to your energy bills. A standard 10 year old fridge would add around $50 more a year to your electricity bill compared to an efficient new fridge. A second old fridge can increase electricity costs by $190 a year. It is smarter for your wallet to have a new fridge at home and remove the barely-used second fridge. Check our Haier's refrigeration range.

Organise lavish dinner parties at home or make your own High Tea in your backyard. Eating out can be costly, so why not take advantage of the savings AND the fun you would have cooking up a storm with your best pals. If you eat in once a month instead of dining out, you can save at least $20 each month, enough money at the end of the year for that not-to-be-missed concert!