It's hard to replace H&S . . . my DH uses it too and has not liked the generic replacements.  He's good with generics for lots of things but so far not H&S.  Costco has a huge bottle for about $6 and it lasts him at least a year, sometimes longer, not too bad.

I have trouble with some generics too . . . I don't like generic toilet paper!!

Yep...I find I use more generic toilet paper than if I had 'the good stuff' so it negates the savings.

I have a male member of the household with bottom troubles and requires aloe toilet paper and cottonelle or Scott wipes. Good grief I'm ready to get him a tube of diaper rash ointment! I figured making him buy his own t.p. would be a little extreme lol.

That big bottle of H&S at costco sounds like a better deal than the largest size available at Walmart for $9. We don't have a Costco over here thoug. Dh used to get the mega sied bottles that had a hand pump. I haven't been able to find those for a long time now, so he just refills the one he has. ...and yes he would notice if I poured generic into the pump!!!

About the laundry thing . . . I have really been hard on myself for starting to use my dryer more.  I actually really enjoy hanging the laundry. 

The challenge though is that I use drying racks and do it inside as it doesn't smell very good here when dried outside except for short periods of time in the fall and spring (we have bad air quality here I think it must be what gives the clothes a musty type of smell if dried outside).  We have very hard water as well and though stiff, everything, even knit items require at least a quick press.  (I actually don't mind ironing either once I get going.  It's a satisfying job for me.)  But the sheer quantity is impossible for me to keep up with when I line dry. 

I still hang DH dress shirts (he likes the stiffness combined with the starch and iron).  I also hang anything nicer, that I care about, that's delicate or plan to re-sell (like some of the kids clothes). 

I have been feeling guilty about my dryer use!  It doesn't seem very frugal to go back to the dryer.  On the other hand, I'm just not sure how to make it work as the volume of ironing with line drying is hours upon hours per week.  I've tried every trick I can think of to reduce wrinkles but have had little results.

So far, as I mentioned earlier, I haven't noticed a huge increase in my electric bill yet.  I'm hoping that remains the case.  I guess it starts to come down to time and where the most benefit of time usage is.  I can understands both sides of the laundry coin now!

Cinnamonhuskies:

Brandy-how many cloth napkins should I make/buy to get started with cloth?

How many napkins do you estimate are used in a day? How often do you think they will be washed? I made sure I had enough to last in between washings.

If you want to hold off making a purchase for company or special ocassions, paper can still be used then until the special napkins are bought. I need to buy another special set soon and put the ones I have into every day use. After awhile even these do start staining.

 Walmart normally has them marked down after Christmas. Ihave seen green, red, gold, blue or white with some trim. Good time to buy. I like to get wash cloths and dish towels then. Babs

Good babs! I could use green or gold ones.

Brandy:

Sometimes it's not about affording something but about your own efforts for self sufficiency and accomplishment to have a more enriched life.

Exactly. That and he sometimes has skin problems because of the perfumes in laundry detergent. I make mine with Ivory soap, which I know he's OK with.

Jill

Cinnamonhuskies:

I have a male member of the household with bottom troubles and requires aloe toilet paper and cottonelle or Scott wipes.

Have you tried using unscented baby wipes with aloe?  When I have bottom troubles, that's what I use, & it clears up the issues rather quickly.  You can get them in the snap-shut tops, & if you watch for the coupons/sales, it doesn't break the bank. They don't spoil & you can stock up on them.

The only drawback is they don't flush - they have to go in the garbage.

zohnerfarms:

They don't spoil & you can stock up on them.

I have had baby wipes begin to dry up. I added water to the container and shook it up and they worked fine. Just a tip in case it happens to someone else.

I do that.  wipes are handy for lots of things.   need to get another pack because I only have a few left.   especially good for little boys who like to draw on their faces!