Frugal Ways to Stretch Everyday Products with Hope Ware – Frugal Friends Podcast Summary
Podcast Information:
- Title: Frugal Friends Podcast
- Hosts: Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni
- Guest: Hope Ware
- Release Date: May 13, 2025
- Description: Each episode of Frugal Friends delves into different aspects of frugality, offering tips and laughs to help listeners save money, reduce debt, and achieve financial independence.
1. Introduction and Guest Welcome
The episode kicks off with Jen and Jill reintroducing the podcast and welcoming their returning guest, Hope Ware, known for her popular YouTube channel, Under the Median. Hope brings her expertise in practical frugality, focusing on budgeting, debt repayment, and sustainable living.
Notable Quote:
- Jen [02:53]: "And today we are talking with our good friend Hope Ware. She's back on the show."
2. Assessing Product Usage
Hope emphasizes the importance of understanding how long everyday products actually last, challenging the habitual "Buy, use, replace" cycle. She shares a personal example with maple syrup, where tracking its usage revealed that a 32-ounce bottle lasted only 30 days. This insight sparked their journey into extending product longevity.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [08:19]: "The first thing that people need to figure out is how long stuff is lasting them."
3. Stretching Household Products
The core of the discussion revolves around innovative methods to make household items last longer without compromising their effectiveness or quality.
a. Maple Syrup Optimization
Both Hope and Jill share strategies to reduce maple syrup usage:
- Portion Control: Using serving spoons to dispense measured amounts.
- Smaller Containers: Transferring syrup into smaller bottles to limit excessive pouring.
Notable Quote:
- Jill [09:43]: "She puts smaller portions so that people are more aware of how much they're using."
b. Multi-Purpose Cleaning Products
Hope introduces the concept of morphing products to serve multiple functions:
- Foaming Soap: Transforming soft soap or shower gel into foaming soap using a foaming dispenser and water. This not only stretches the soap but also reduces plastic usage.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [14:45]: "Fill the bottom of that foaming soap container one fourth of the way full of the soft soap. Three quarters is water."
c. DIY Solutions with Castile Soap and Baking Soda
- Castile Soap: Used for dishes, laundry, and homemade foaming soaps, enhanced with essential oils for fragrance.
- Baking Soda: Versatile for dishes, laundry detergent, deodorizers, and drain maintenance.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [30:21]: "Basic ingredients like vinegar and baking soda can be used in various ways to keep things clean and deodorized."
4. Efficient Laundry Practices
Hope and the hosts delve into laundry-saving tips, focusing on detergent usage and washer capacity.
a. Reducing Detergent Use
- Measure Carefully: Using a measuring spoon to avoid overuse of detergent, especially with pods.
- Optimal Loads: Filling the washer to three-quarters capacity to balance cleaning efficiency and energy use.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [23:18]: "Use a measuring spoon, a real measuring spoon, to know you're using the right amount."
b. Washer Capacity and Cycle Selection
- Load Size: Adjusting load sizes based on fabric type, such as smaller loads for heavy items like towels.
- Cycle Selection: Choosing appropriate washer cycles (e.g., towel cycle) to ensure efficient cleaning without overloading.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [26:33]: "For towels, a half load is better to prevent the washer from struggling."
5. Energy Savings Tips
Hope introduces the concept of keeping an energy diary to monitor and reduce electricity consumption.
a. Tracking Energy Usage
- Diary Method: Recording the usage of high-energy appliances like microwaves and ovens to identify costly habits.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [43:03]: "We keep a piece of paper next to our microwave to record energy usage."
b. Choosing Energy-Efficient Cooking Methods
- Instant Pot vs. Other Appliances: Conducting experiments revealed the Instant Pot as the most energy-efficient cooking appliance compared to ovens, toaster ovens, and crock pots.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [46:10]: "The pressure cooker uses energy only until it gets up to pressure, then drops to zero."
6. Everyday Products Often Thrown Away Too Soon
During the episode, Hope and the hosts discuss common items that are prematurely discarded, advocating for better utilization and storage practices.
a. Food Products
- Expired Food: Clarifying that "sell by" dates don't always indicate the product's actual usability.
- Spices and Nuts: Highlighting that spices lose potency rather than spoil, and nuts can be stored in the freezer to prevent rancidity.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [52:18]: "People throw away expired food and spices too soon. Proper storage can extend their life."
b. Glass Jars
- Reusability: Encouraging the reuse of glass jars for storage, homemade products, and gifts to minimize plastic use.
Notable Quote:
- Jill [54:00]: "Glass jars are great for making salad dressings, DIY laundry detergent, and storing leftovers."
7. Determining What is Enough
The conversation shifts to the philosophy of "enough" in frugality, urging listeners to assess their consumption and decide what suffices for their needs.
Notable Quote:
- Jen [60:21]: "Finding our 'Enough' is what we are all about."
8. Listener Engagement and Community Goals
The hosts encourage listeners to engage by sharing their "Bill of the Week" and contributing to community goals, such as subscribing to their YouTube channel and leaving reviews for their book, Buy What You Love Without Going Broke.
Notable Quote:
- Jill [43:03]: "We have a goal of getting 500 reviews on our Amazon book by the end of the year."
9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The episode wraps up with Jen and Jill reiterating the importance of mindful consumption and stretching product usage to save money and reduce environmental impact. They thank Hope Ware for her invaluable insights and provide information on where listeners can find more of her resources.
Notable Quote:
- Hope Ware [57:58]: "You can find me at my website underthemedian.com or on YouTube at Under the Median."
Key Takeaways:
- Track Usage: Understanding how long products last helps in reducing unnecessary purchases.
- Portion Control: Measuring out servings can significantly extend product life.
- Multi-Purpose Products: Utilizing products for multiple purposes reduces overall consumption.
- Energy Monitoring: Keeping an energy diary can identify and help reduce high-energy usage habits.
- Proper Storage: Correct storage methods can extend the shelf life of food and other perishables.
- Mindful Consumption: Determining personal "enough" encourages sustainable and financially healthy living.
Final Thoughts: This episode provides a wealth of practical tips and encourages a mindset shift towards intentional and informed consumption. By implementing these strategies, listeners can enhance their frugal living practices, save money, and contribute positively to environmental sustainability.