Save shampoo

Don't toss that shampoo bottle because it looks empty. Instead, put a tablespoon or so of water in it and swish it around. There's plenty of shampoo stuck to the sides and under the cap to wash your hair at least once more.

Cheap volumizing shampoo

Don't spend money on expensive volumizing shampoo. Instead, mix about a teaspoon of Epsom Salts to a quarter cup of hot water and mix it into regular, inexpensive shampoo.

Putting freebies to work

If you have samples of shampoo that you don't like, don't toss them. Put them in a pump bottle, add half again as much water or even as much water as you have shampoo and use it for hand soap at the sink. Bonus is that some of it smells great! Each sample is usually around 2 tablespoons, so if you add 2 tablespoons of water, you'll have around a quarter of a cup of free liquid soap for each sample.

The Ultimate Cheap Shower

I can take a shower and wash my (long) hair in two gallons of water. It's a lot easier than it sounds. Fill two one gallon containers with warm water then stand in the tub or shower. Pour enough water over your head to wet your hair, put down the container, shampoo and pour enough water to rinse. You'll be thoroughly wet by this time, so lather up all over. Pour the remaining gallon or so over yourself to rinse and you're done.

Cheap substitute for clarifying shampoo

Instead of buying clarifying shampoo (used to remove buildup so you can continue using your favorite shampoo), use a table spoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water. Work it well into your hair and scalp, rinse, then use half water and half vinegar as a final rinse. This will remove shampoo residue and leave your hair very soft.

Soap is soap

If you bought shampoo and didn't like it, don't throw it out. Use it to clean the bathtub or mop the floor, wash painted woodwork or launder delicate items.

Freebies

Freebies are frugal! The internet is a fantastic way to sleuth them out. Toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and coffee samples can help stretch your budget. Don't be wasteful with them just because they're free. Use them carefully and put off the time when you'll have to replace the item.