Have you been paying sky-high prices for products you could easily make yourself? Stop—because here are the hidden ingredients that’ll save you hundreds!

A study shows that the average American family goes through 39 boxes of shake-and-bake mix a year at a cost of more than $75. But did you know that you can create your own mix --for only pennies a box--by combining a handful of simple ingredients you have in your home right now?
"That's true for dozens of household products," says home economist Denise Lippman, M.S. "Manufacturers make them from cheap, common ingredients, then hide that fact and sell them at a huge market!"
In fact, if people knew what was in many common household and food products, they'd be shocked that they're paying so much, adds homemaking expert Leslie Sausage of FrugalHomemaker.com. "Besides, homemade always tastes better and is better for you since you won't be adding any unhealthy preservatives."
So, stop! We've persuaded insiders to disclose the quick-to-do secret recipes behind the products you use most. Read on to save a fortune on:


Shake-and-bake mix

1 cup flour
1 Tbs. paprika
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. each of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and dried Thyme
Combine all ingredients together in a one gallon zip baggie and shake to mix well.
Your yearly savings: about $85 if you buy a mix once a week.


Mayonnaise

1 egg (room temperature)
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
dash cayenne pepper
1 cup vegetable oil
3 Tbs. vinegar
Pour the first five ingredients in a blender on low speed. Slowly add 1/2 cup oil, followed by the vinegar, then the remaining oil. Blend until firm. Store in refrigerator.
Your yearly savings: about $30 if you buy a jar of mayonnaise every two weeks.

Cake Mix
Take less than 10 minutes to mix up this giant batch just once, and you'll have enough for three 2-layer cakes or up to 72 cupcakes!

6 cups all-purpose flour
4 1/2 cups sugar
3 3/4 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp. baking powder
9 Tbs. instant nonfat dry milk solids
2 cups shortening
Blend all ingredients until the consistency of corn meal. Store mix in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
Your yearly savings: about $30 if you buy a mix every three weeks.


Ranch dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup buttermilk
1 Tbs. green onions (tops only or chives)
1/4 tsp. each of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper
2 tsp. parsley, minced
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Combine all ingredients in a container with a lid and refrigerate before serving.
Your yearly savings: about $40 if you buy a bottle of dressing twice a month.

Caramel corn snacks

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3 Tbs. corn syrup
1/4 tsp. each of salt, baking soda and vanilla
8 cups popped popcorn
1 cup peanuts

Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt over low heat until the butter is melted. Cook without stirring for 3 minutes. Add baking soda and vanilla. Pour mixture onto popcorn and peanuts and mix until evenly coated. Bake 15 minutes at 300 degrees. Break into pieces.
Your yearly savings: about $65 if you buy one box of Cracker Jacks a week.


Dog treats

1 3/4 cup white wheat flour
1 1/4 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 cup warm water
Optional: 1/3 cup finely grated cheese or 1/4 cup peanut butter
Mix dry ingredients together, then mix wet ingredients. Blend both mixtures until dough is firm. Shape into an oblong roll, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour. preheat oven to 300 degrees and lightly grease a sheet pan. Slice roll into 1/4-inch slices, place on sheet pan and bake for about 1 hour (check after 45 minutes and every 5 minutes thereafter). Let cool before giving to your best friend.
Your yearly savings: about $45 if you buy 2 boxes of dog biscuits a month.

Glass cleaner

3 Tbs. ammonia
3/4 cup water
1 Tbs. white vinegar
Optional: 2 drops blue food coloring
Pour into a clean spray bottle.
Your yearly savings: about $30 if you buy glass cleaner once a month.

Daily Shower Cleaner Spray

3 Tbs. liquid Jet-dry (for dishwashers)
Water
Combine to fill a spray bottle. Spray shower walls after each use.
Your yearly savings: about $35 if you buy a commercial shower cleaner once a month.


Oven cleaner

1 tsp. each of liquid soap, borax. lemon juice and vinegar
1 qt. warm water
Using a sponge or soft cloth, apply this mixture to your greasy oven surfaces and let sit for 30 minutes, then wipe clean.
Your yearly savings: about $10 if you buy oven cleaner 3 times a year.


Lemony Furniture Polish

2 parts cooking oil
1 part lemon juice
Apply to furniture with a soft cloth. Wipe and buff to a gleaming shine.
Your yearly savings: about $8 if you buy furniture polish 4 times a year.

Laundry softener

2 cups white vinegar
2 cups baking soda
4 cup water
Combine all of the above slowly and carefully over the sink (the baking soda and vinegar will fizz). Pour into plastic bottle, cover and shake. Use 1/4 cup in the final rinse or in a laundry ball.
Your yearly savings: about $24 if you buy fabric softener once a month.

Soapless Hand Sanitizer

1 cup aloe vera gel
1 tsp. rubbing alcohol
2 tsp vegetable glycerine
6-8 drops Eucalyptus or Tea Tree Essential oil
Blend well, then use as you would any commercial hand sanitizer.
Your yearly savings: about $40 if you buy hand sanitizer every other month.

Facial Exfoliator

1 cup sugar (brown or white)
1/2 cup olive oil
2 crops vanilla or almond flavor extract.
Combine sugar and oil in a container and mix until a pasty consistency forms. Add extract. Massage gently over damp skin. (Do not use on broken, irritated or scarred skin.)


Bubble Bath

1 quart water
1 bar Castille soap, shredded
2 oz. glycerin
3 crops essential oil, your choice
Blend Castille soap and water until liquid. Add in glycerin and essential oil(s) of your choice.
Your yearly savings: about $30 if you buy bubble bath four times a year.