Cheaper and Better: Homemade Alternatives to Storebought Goods

by Nancy Hayfield Birnes

Shares recipes and instructions for making foods and household items, including snacks, beverages, health care aids, cleaning supplies, toys, craft items, and pet care supplies

Paperback

First published May 1, 1988

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thick book of DIY recipes for food and nonfoods. Some may save you money. In my opinion the benefit is knowing what is in your homemade product.

[Ellen Spes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will remain in my library for use when there is no internet to use pinterest. Recipes for all things.

[raccoon reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book might be seen as being "old" (1987) it certainly still packs a punch about telling would be bakers how to do it from scratch. It covers how to make seasonings, salt substitutes, all sorts of syrups, oils, and dressings. It has brownie, cookie, bread, bisquick type mixes etc. You name something that is already "mixed together" when you buy and she'll break it down in easy ingredients for you. Just disregard money estimates though. I don't know how accurate they are as I don't know my prices that well but I can imagine they are sorely out of date. It includes more than just food items, suggesting how to make gifts, hygiene products, and household cleaners (I especially like that!).

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is hard core stuff right here. I found some of it very helpful and have used some of the recipes. Some of it I just think is a bit too much, and I think it's just worth it to buy it already made. Sometimes it's even healthier to buy it already made. Just my opinion though.