Or you could just not use any of those products and save even more money!

just kidding. Thanks for the great tip!

One thing to add in here is that you should be careful about using this policy with prescription drugs. As I don’t use any prescription drugs, its easy for me to say, but…. I would think you could get away with using less of “certain” drugs, while others should be used as directed. Of course I’m not a doctor, so take this for what its worth. This is one area to be careful with.

As for regular household products, I certainly agree and try to do what you recommend all the time.

I do that already with Laundry soap. Another thing I do is add water to window cleaner, it makes it last longer and it still works fine!!

How blind to the obvious we are! I had never really tried to “see” commercials with those eyes - now I will be watching more closely to see if I can spot more obvious pushes. Does anyone know any that would apply to automobile ads?

This “half the amount” suggestion really works. I have been doing this for more than 20 years on household cleaning products and fabric softners. I also recommend people try this with eating meals. We are a nation ecourage to “super size” it, let’s encourage smaller is better with most things.

I never buy window/glass cleaner. I always use windshield washer fluid. I figure if it can clean a dirty car windshield it can handle anything in my house. At about .99¢ - $1.29 a gallon on sale its about 75% cheaper than even the store brands. It can easily be diluted with water and still work fine.

I’ve always done this becuase I thought I was cheap and thats how my mom taught me, to save for the family, but it turns out I am not cheap. I’m smart and companies are just greedy. Thank you. I feel much better now.

I know this may be obvious to most people, but I didn’t start doing it until last year. I always followed the instructions on the shampoo bottle to “wash, rinse, repeat.” Now I just wash and rinse and I still look just fine!

Are you sending this to the FOF? You may want to, this is a good tip

Jeff,

This is a good thought. I’ve heard it before, but still can’t manage to use less toothpaste - I’ve been programmed!

Jillybean,
I love your idea about windshield washer fluid for cleaning windows!! What an awesome idea! maybe they sell the anti-fog type for my bathrooms (:->)?

One thing I’ll never use half of is toilet paper!

Have a wonderful day,
Making Our Way

been doing this with laundry detergent for years (do let the clothes soak for awhile) only use vinegar water, borax and soap for household cleaning–cheapest ever and house never been cleaner. have started with shampoo (one time only) and 1/2 conditioner and have not noticed any difference in hair.
this is great tip

I always use the minimum level required plus drop or bit more that I can get a away with in most things that I use. As for toilet paper fold not crunch into a ball. It’s four sheets versus twenty sheets problem. Teach toddler’s that one early and you will save money over time.

[…] Use Half The Amount: Personal Finance Advice says that you can use half the amount of almost everything you purchase and the products will still be effective. […]

I guess breaking the rules neatly listed on the package (using less) may have merit. But please don’t swallow toothpaste or household cleaners.

Sort of reminds me of food. Supersize me portions and the obesity epidemic. Just how much should we eat? Hmm…

[…] One of my favourite principles (which I’ve paid lip service to and dreamed about for decades) is what I call simply “less.” This idea has been expressed in dozens of different ways with different implications since the beginnings of civilization, from the folksy (the KISS principle: “keep it simple, stupid”), to the practical (“always use half the amount”), to the scientific (Occam’s Razor: “entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity”), to the artistic (Aristotle’s Unities), to the political (George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language”), to the existential (Buddha’s Second Noble Truth: “the causes of suffering are craving and desire, and ignorance”) to the outright religious (Jesus’s gospel: “it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God”). These are not all exactly the same message, but they all have the same core idea in common: that excess leads us astray. […]

There is an illusionist/Magician in the UK Derren Brown who I recently went to see who does the most fantastic trick. He forces people to answer questions with his own answers by the powers of suggestion. He does this by mixing hidden phrases into his show dialogue. Basically he uses hidden words (that until I saw a replay show didn’t even realise he’d said) to influence the audiences way of thinking. The most neat trick I have ever seen.