Money crunch!

This week I bought an almost new car. It is only a year old, has very few miles, and has all the fuel saving perks a frugal girl could want. While I got a great price given my credit situation (thank you recession), it still is a lot more money than I spend on things. Of course after the purchase, I panicked about money. So today, I am looking for ways to save even more money around the house. I already use dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar to do most of my cleaning (especially the floors) and shop sales for commercial cleaning products. I buy the store brand or equivalently priced item for nearly everything else. I also take advantage of various store perks and programs such as Wal-Mart Savings Catcher and grocery store member cards but still think I can do more.

Another step I have taken is to start an indoor herb and scrap garden. It's been slow going since I have been quite busy lately, but I have basil and cilantro going strong. I started them from those small $1 kid's growing sets. The containers are recycled tea cans. I also have onions, both green and yellow, growing from what was purchased from food we bought. Apparently this can be done with a number of produce items. I have some ginger that will find itself in a pot before the weekend is over as well. The most expensive part of this venture was the potting soil (yes Mom, Miracle Grow). Recycled containers help, but even the ones I purchased were only $1 from Wal-Mart.

This is a beginning, but by no means the end of this quest. Feel free to comment below on some of your container gardening adventures, and I'll keep you updated on my progress.

My herbs and green onions. 

Hard to see, but a small yellow onion plant is popping up here.