Save Money Doing Laundry

I used to live in apartments that had crappy washers and dryers and I hated doing laundry. Now that I have my own house and my own washer and dryer I love doing laundry! But doing laundry can be expensive. Here are a few ways that I have found save me money doing laundry. 

1. Wait for sales and use your coupons when you buy laundry detergent. Then you can afford to get the good stuff! I love my Woolite, but it's normally 10 bucks a bottle! Recently I was able to get it for just 3 dollars a bottle though and that's when I stocked up. 

2. Instead of using fabric softener or dryer sheets, try using vinegar. I just fill up my fabric softener dispenser with regular distilled vinegar and it works great! It also has the added benefit of cleaning your washing machine as you do laundry as well. A gallon jug of vinegar cost me about 2 dollars at Winco and it lasts for at least 40 loads of laundry. 

3. Only ever wash full loads. I have the "super" size setting on my washing machine, and I never change it from that setting. It will save you money because you don't have to run your washing machine as often and you also aren't using as much hot water all the time.

4. If you need clothes washed in hot water, set it to warm (the difference in temperature is subtle) and wash in cold water when possible. Hot water is a huge expense to consider when running your washer. 

5. Set your dryer to run for as little time as possible in order to dry your clothes, and when you are able watch the dryer if you have a "cool down" setting. Stop the dryer and take out your clothes as soon as it hits the cool down setting. If you let it run, you are just wasting energy that is really unnecessary. 

Crockpot Creamy Italian Chicken

I love this recipe because it is super easy and delicious! Just throw it in the crockpot in the morning before work or school and it's ready in the evening for dinner. I serve this over rice or pasta, whichever I prefer that day.

Creamy Italian Chicken
2 lbs. chicken breast, cut in pieces
1 can cream of chicken soup or substitute recipe (see below)
1/2 cup italian dressing (I use light because it's a little healthier)
rice or pasta

Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours. Serve over rice or pasta! It's that easy! Throw some steamed veggies on the side and you've got a well balanced meal.

Here's my substitute cream of chicken soup recipe. I use this a lot because it is so cheap to make, and I usually have all the ingredients on hand all the time. I usually make my own chicken broth using chicken bouillon granules as well, which makes it even cheaper. 

Substitute Cream of Chicken Soup
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. garlic
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup flour

Combine broth and seasonings and bring to boil. Meanwhile, stir milk and flour together until smooth. Add milk/flour mixture to the boiling broth and bring back to boil for 1 minute. 

The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

I absolutely LOVE chocolate chip cookies. I try not to make them very often because I feel guilty eating all that fat and sugar, but sometimes you just HAVE to have a chocolate chip cookie. Besides, if I don't have cookies I just end up eating other junk anyway, so what's the point in trying to ob-stain? 

I have been searching for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe for years. I love cookies that are soft and gooey. I hate when I get crunchy cookies! And I finally found the perfect recipe that is so perfectly soft, but still has a very very slight crispy outside. I'M IN LOVE!

Big & Buttery Chocolate Chip Cookies
(Taste of Home magazine, June 2012)

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)

1. In large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. 
2. Shape quarter cupfuls of dough into balls. Place in airtight container, separating layers with waxed or parchment paper; cover and refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
3. To bake, place dough balls 3 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Press a shallow indentation in the center of each with your thumb, reshaping sides to smooth any cracks. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. 
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks; cool. 

Now, I am very impatient when it comes to eating delicious cookies, so I will admit that I skipped the whole refrigeration process. And they still turned out amazing! So your choice. I'm sure if you have patience and refrigerate them they will turn out even better! Maybe sometime I'll try my patience and see if I can do it.