The Rule of Half

Have you ever heard of this?  
It is basically the story of my life, and has been for ages.  Now there are stories about this idea on the news!  They are saying it's the new way of thinking!  LOL- it's been the frugal way forever!!

The idea is to use half or less of just about everything.
Manufacturers recommend serving sizes, measures and uses for items.  Their purpose?  To get you to use up the product and buy more - thus making more money.
Frugal folks have been using LESS for ages and SAVING money.  This principle can be utilized for just about anything.

If you go out to eat - try buying one meal and splitting it.  Buy just appetizers and split.  Order water.  Buy one dessert (or better yet - eat dessert at home).

I like to buy concentrated fruit juice - I always add at least one extra can of water than that it states to use.  If making kids drinks like Kool-aid - use less sugar than called for.
Try using a little less coffee in a pot each day.  Use a tea bag more than once.

Soaps of all kinds can be watered down.  I have a bottle that I fill 1/3 with shampoo  - then add water.  Let it 'melt' for a day then shake.  It makes more suds than full strength.
Make you own foaming soap - 1/3 bottle (soft soap bottle) of body wash or liquid soap and fill with water.  Works perfectly.
Liquid laundry soap - I always use a lot less than recommended.  Soap doesn't easily wash out of clothes and can actually damage them.  Most people don't actually get their clothes that dirty - so less soap works fine.  Now if you have mud or grease on clothes you will need to experiment.

                       Dish soap watered down and a splash of vinegar added to help cut grease.

Along the lines of laundry soap - cut fabric softener sheets into 1/3 or 1/2 size pieces - works just as well.  Better yet, just use vinegar in your rinse - or throw in a drier ball or ball of foil into the drier.

All cleaning products can be diluted down.  Simple remedy - use vinegar and baking soda to clean.  Works for most things.
I also like peroxide instead of bleach - keeps whites white and colors brighter.
Toothpaste - use a pea size drop on brush and it works great.
Lotion - a little goes a long way.  Think about using a natural ingredient like coconut oil - a big jar can be purchased cheaply and will last for ages!

Food - if we eat less it is healthier.  There are many of us that could stand to lose a few pounds.  Meat should be consider a side, not a main course.  Use a palm size piece per person.  (I know this may take some getting used to - but try).
If using meat in soups, stews or casseroles - use half of what is called for and load up with veggies.
About the only place I don't recommend using half - is in baking.  Baking is more scientific than everyday cooking.
Meals for CHILDREN - place half of what you think they should have on the plate.  Odds are that will be enough - if not then give them more.  No more waste!!!!  Same idea with milk or juice - start with a half glass - then add more is needed.

Think along these lines with things like cable as well.  I can bet money that you only watch a portion of the channels you receive.  Cut back your package to basic!  Think Netflix or other service.  Cheaper and you still get variety.
Go back one level on Internet speed if possible.  Odds are you will not notice the change at all and it is cheaper. 
Do you really need that fancy phone?  Seriously - who  needs internet connections while shopping or in the car???  Use a simple phone and keep it for emergencies only.  Saves money on phone and plan!
I wish we could eliminate 'smart' phones - as they have truly DUMBED UP the world.  No one interacts much any more - they are spending all their time looking at the phone.
(OK - sorry that is a whole other rant!!)

Utilities - can be halved as well.  keep of lights when not truly needed.  I very seldom turn on a light during spring and summer months - as well have daylight early and late.  I use more in the fall/winter.  Turn them off when leaving a room.  Turn the heat down or the cool temp up.  Dress accordingly.
Don't just run water all willy-nilly!!!  Be mindful of what you use.  Do full loads of laundry.  Don't leave running when doing dishes, brushing teeth, etc.


The RULE OF HALF works for about everything.  It is the frugal way!  Use less - save money.
Consciously think about everything you use and at least TRY to half it.  You may be quite amazed!
You surely will save dollars and foil the plan of the manufacturers!!!!!  WIN - WIN!