It was the no-name tin foil that got me thinking about doing this list. For years, I bought the expensive brand, listening to a little voice inside my head that said, “You know what a cheap haircut looks like. Now imagine cheap tin foil. It’s probably see-thru.”
And it’s true–there are some things you just can’t scrimp on. BUT that’s not the whole story. There are great freebies, reliable cheapies, and products that save you money because they’re so damned ingenious. To make it onto my list, a product has to be one of these things.
1. Tap water
You can’t beat it. Our city (Toronto) has a little campaign going on right now to convince people to drink water from the tap. I’m hoping we’ll join other communities in signing the Think Outside the Bottle pledge and switching to tap water. Kudos to my gym for going with filtered water and getting rid of the water and pop machine. Those plastic bottles? Bad. We don’t need ‘em. Go visit the Think Outside website to learn more.
2. Free e-cards
How many times have these delightful little products saved my kiester. Love the animation, love the music–love sending ‘em, period. Yahoo and Hallmark forever, but if you ever require a free human or pet sympathy card, check out the unique free cards at Self-Healing Expressions. I was so glad to find them.
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3. Defrizzer serum
When you’re a single mom, you don’t exactly get to browse the hair care aisle whenever you like so products you choose can be hit and miss. Not so with this one. For years, I searched for a product that would detangle, stop the “puff,” make my hair look sleek without oily build-up. And I found it! It even does a decent job on humid days. The defrizzer serums are amazing. My current favourite: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection.
4. Debbie Myer’s Green Bags
I got a set of these as a gift, and they blew me away.
And they’re washable.
Debbie’s bags are usually seen on shopping networks but you can order them directly from her website. If you’ve been under a rock since the new millennium, Green Bags prevent the build-up of damaging ethylene gas that occurs with ordinary plastic bags and let you keep fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers for weeks and weeks. Great for when you buy that broccoli, eat half of it, and can’t convince the kid to eat it again.
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5. No-name tin foil
Yup, I’d been buying the expensive brand for years when I stood in the aisle comparing 100 feet of no-name with 25 feet of brand name, and ka-ching. Everything you need tin foil for, you can do with no-name and if you want to double it up occasionally, it will still save you dollars and dollars.
6. Teriyaki sauce
How do I love thee, teriyaki? Too many ways to count. Teriyaki sauce is enhanced soy sauce. I add it to DD’s burgers, use it on salmon and chicken, and sometimes sprinkle a bit on vegetables if I’m grilling or browning them quickly. It just makes everything taste good. Note: You can eliminate salt when you use teriyaki. Our standby: Kikkoman
7. Matte lipstick
Speaking of food, did you know that a woman ingests about 4 pounds of lipstick over a lifetime? Blech. But here’s the deal: matte lipstick definitely lasts longer and I’m a diehard. Just detest wandering around with a set of puckers that feel like petroleum jelly. The queen of the mattes is Clinique’s Soft Matte Lipstick, which has been around for ages and costs $14 in the US. It really does stay on better than most. Note: Watch for it as a freebie in the bonus packs.
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8. The Samsung Mono Laser Printer
Bought one because my daughter’s godfather researched them all. When he bought his, he raved about it. Now I have one and I rave about it too. I have the old 2010 model, but you can generally find later models for around the $100 range. This printer often makes it into the top 5 in consumer research reports. It’s attractive, sturdy, and easy to operate.
9. Melissa and Doug Toys
First happened on these toys for kids when I was shopping for a gift for my new niece. Not only do I love the look and feel of the product, the value is superb. Opposite, the stamp calligraphy set which I purchased at a local Toronto shop for around $20 but which you can order an Amazon for $11.83. They also have a “responsibility” magnet toy to start kids thinking about simple things to say and do (saying please and thank you, helping with chores).
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10. Rainbow Cinemas
If you live in Canada, you already know that these theatres are the best deal in town. I mean, you’ve heard of Discount Tuesday, right? Well at Rainbow, Discount Tuesday (prices quoted for Toronto) is $4 for everyone. (In Regina, it’s $2!) The regular matinee price is a budget-busting $6 for everyone. Only in the evening does the price of an adult ticket rise to $8.50. Plus, they hold the line on prices of drinks and popcorn. Coming to Toronto? If you want to catch a flick, check out the Rainbow Market Square first.
Filed under: food, kids, life, solo life , cleap, Clinique Soft Matte Lipstick, Debbie Meyer Green Bags, free, free e-cards, Frizz-Ease, ingenuity, Melissa and Doug Toys, no-name tin foil, Rainbow Cinemas, Samsung Mono Laser Printer, tap water, teriyaki sauce
