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Linen Napkins

9 Responses to “Linen Napkins”

1. AnotherReader Says:
   November 23rd, 2017 at 03:08 am 1511406520
   1511406520
   The solution for a recurring expense such as paper towels does not have to be another purchase. Look for free solutions or much cheaper alternatives to buying new substitutes. Maybe a friend or coworker has cloth napkins they are not using. Also, paper napkins are very cheap if you get an inexpensive brand at Walmart or some other discount store..
   
   Paper towels are expensive these days. I use them very sparingly. Cloth rags are much cheaper for cleaning up messes. Use them a few times and rinse each time. After a few uses, throw them in the laundry.
   
   "Oh well" is not an explanation for why you spent the money to eat junk food at McDonald's. If you dropped $5.00 there, that adds up quickly. Look at the reasons you ended up there and see what you can do to avoid the same events next time. It's not good for your budget or your health.

2. DW Says:
   November 23rd, 2017 at 10:25 am 1511432758
   1511432758
   Well said AR. Amber, if you had “gazelle intensity ” all these little purchases over the past month could have paid off cc2” by now.
   The $50 you didn’t spend last weekend, the tickets you recently purchased for a game, McDonald’s, Christmas gift budget, etc...
   It all adds up.
   

3. Amber Says:
   November 23rd, 2017 at 11:39 am 1511437154
   1511437154
   The office closed early yesterday and I didn't pack my lunch. A co worker gave me a tv to to give to the young lady we donated the food to, by time I got to her house and was leaving I was starving. Next time better planning, I'll pack snacks for early days, you never know.
   
   I'm going to have to take a look at my budget. I budget $60 for my fun money each pay period. I feel like if I don't I'd blow a lot more than that. Christmas is only for the great nephews, and one nephew. I'm hoping to keep that spending at $100 vs the $150 budgeted.
   It's a tough journey but I appreciate the tough love reminders of the end goal

4. creditcardfree Says:
   November 23rd, 2017 at 06:42 pm 1511462521
   1511462521
   I agree that buying napkins is an expense that you don't necessarily need now, but at some point investing in something that that will save you from a recurring expense is wise. I know you started to sew recently. Any chance you have cotton fabrics you could make into napkins? I know a family that just uses rags for paper towel uses. They have a ton, and will throw away any very icky ones (such as pet clean up)...because they have plenty.

5. terri77 Says:
   November 23rd, 2017 at 11:29 pm 1511479776
   1511479776
   I never think to use linen napkins, not even today, on Thanksgiving. It's a good idea & probably better for the environment.

6. rob62521 Says:
   November 24th, 2017 at 12:44 am 1511484249
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   I read about using napkins a few years ago and that's what we use. How many new napkins have I purchased...well, maybe 8 total in over 12 years. Four were a Christmas gift and I bought 4 to go with some placemats and tablecloths I already had. I do pick up some used ones now and again to replace the ones we use that have worn out, but that is a rarity because keeping them clean and folded keeps them going. Why not use what you have right now?
   
   Another hint would be to keep snacks either in your vehicle or in your desk so if you can't get a lunch, you have something. I used to keep a microwavable cup and can of soup and spoon at school in case in forgot my lunch or something came up and I could just heat up the soup for a quick go to meal. Someone gave me a nice microwavable mug with a lid just for soup one Christmas and I used it a lot in every day lunches -- either soup I had made or cans I bought on sale. I gave it to a working friend when I retired so she can keep a can of soup and the mug at her desk so she doesn't have to go out if things go awry and she forgot her lunch.
   
   A big part of saving is planning ahead.
   
   We do use paper towels, but sparingly. I have kitchen towels I use and some look kind of ratty. I hide them when we have company over, but I use them as well as dish cloths I have crocheted instead of sponges or dish cloths that are purchased. I have enough crocheted that I can use a clean one every day. The cost of these dish cloths besides my work...nothing. They were left over yarn from the hats we made and no body wanted to use it. I give them away to lots of friends so they have them too.

7. LuckyRobin Says:
   November 24th, 2017 at 04:07 am 1511496450
   1511496450
   I keep a box of granola bars and a container of cashews and a package of jerky in my van for emergencies, but I have also done an emergency McDonalds run myself, even when we were getting out of debt. Not great and I knew it, but be aware, change what you need to change, dust yourself off and keep going. For everyday use, we use plain white wash cloths for napkins. We have nicer linen ones for company, but the 12 pack of wash cloths at Walmart was $2.50 or something ridiculous at the time I bought them. As for paper towels, again, unless it is grease, I use dish cloths and dish towels. If you sew, and you are interested, I can link you to a video for making reusable "paper" towels that is quite clever.

8. Amber Says:
   November 24th, 2017 at 11:51 am 1511524312
   1511524312
   Thanks for the tips. LR I'm a beginner sewer and would love the link. I have a few pieces of fabric that I could use to make the napkins

9. LuckyRobin Says:
   November 25th, 2017 at 09:00 pm 1511643649
   1511643649
   Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCqt9OTbyew
   
   If you don't have snap pliers (and most people don't), you can skip the snaps for now and just put them in a drawer instead of a roll.

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