Simple ingredient substitutes to save money

Earlier in the week I wrote about all the super-stingy things I do to save money.

Since I wrote it I've thought of even more that would probably cause much embarrassment if I was to share them (anyone else re-use tea bags?).

I mentioned that I try to find substitutes for things before I spend my hard-earned moolah.

You'd be surprised how many exclusive ingredients can actually be replaced with much less expensive substitutes.

Here are some of my favourites:

• buttermilk 1 cup - 1 cup milk + 3 tsbp lemon juice
• sour cream, natural yoghurt and cream can all be used in place of each other in most recipes
• sour cream - cream with a few tablespoon of lemon juice
• oregano, thyme and marjoram can be used interchangeably in most recipes
• egg - 1tsp cornstarch + 3tbsp water
• self-raising flour 1 cup -2tsbp baking powder +1 cup plain flour (I never buy SR flour)
• golden syrup, molasses, treacle and corn syrup are pretty much interchangeable
• honey with a bit of brown sugar can be used instead of any of the above
• brown sugar - white sugar with a bit of golden syrup or similar
• icing sugar - sugar whizzed in the blender
• bread crumbs - crushed wheatbix, cornflakes, potato chips, corn chips, savoury crackers
• cream of tartar, lemon juice and vinegar can be used interchangeably except when the lemon is for flavour
• ricotta and cottage cheese can be used for the same purpose
• wholemeal flour 1 cup - ¾ cup plain flour + ¼ cup rolled oats

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is also a fantastic thing to have on hand.

These are just a few things I've used it for

• ½ cup bicarb followed by ½ cup of vinegar, left for 1 minute then followed by a kettle full of boiling water will clean the drains
• absorb smells - place a tub of it somewhere stinky (I have a jar ½ full of baking soda with some holes punched in the lid in each bathroom)
• clean jewellery
• mix it with a little water to form a paste and use it to clean tough grime
• you can use it to exfoliate your skin just rub it on with a little bit of water

Subsitutes aren't just for the kitchen. I use $1/L shampoo to fill my hand-wash dispensers.

I DIYed a reed diffuser and put a few drops of lavender oil, with a bit of water in a jar with skewers.

I have lots of other tricks up my sleeve but I'll save them for another day.

What about you?

What do you substitute in your house?