Cutting The Candle Bill!

Cutting the candle bill was my top priority! Week after week, over ten years ago, I watched my "ex" purchase candle after candle. Although I enjoy a good candle just as much as the next person, to take on another monthly bill for candle purchasing was ridiculous! Half burned candle jars were mounting up and $20 bills were flying out of the budget to fulfill the evergrowing need to fill the house with every seasonal scent available. I watched as the price of the basic 16oz designer candle jar went from about $15 to $20 virtually overnight! Now don't get me wrong, you could get a candle (and still can) for under $15, but what were/are you really getting? A candle that doesn't smell for the entire burn or smells good out of the box but barely a whiff while burning. After about 3 months of watching my money burn faster than the candles and realizing we were on pace to spending nearly $800 per year on candles, I figured it was time to take action!

So, I figured if I could find out how to make a decent candle and save money then it was worth it. For about a week I searched the web for directions, equipment and the supplies and did the math. I found I could spend around $400 and have enough candles to last for months. Now I know it sounds like a lot of money for start up but I was desperate to cut the candle bill! There are cheaper ways to start out but I was jumping in head first. I also figured I could sell a few to my friends and maybe recoup some of the costs.

Now I didn't tell the "ex" about my plan, this would have caused a battle. I was hoping the supplies would show when she wasn't there and I could sneak them to the basement a put my plan into action. A finished product and she'd be happy. No such luck. Caught in the act. Oh well, thats another story!

Off to the basement I go, supplies in hand. Once there I ripped the boxes open and got set up quickly. I concocted a makeshift double-boiler and used a hot-plate for a stove. Within a half hour I was cutting wax and melting it, preparing jars with wicks and measuring scent. My first attempt at making container candles! About two hours later I had four candles cooling and I was basking in my glory. As I sat looking at the cooling candles all I could think was how I just made $80 retail in candles for less than $20 and I had plenty of supplies to make more!

The next day, candles completely cooled, the burn test had arrived. A good smelling, long burning candle and I'm a genius! Sooty, non-smelling and quick burning, I'm in trouble. Half hour later, the house smelling like Spring Rain, I'm a genius! Project "Cut the Candle Bill" was a go and on its way to saving me hundreds!

Not only ten years later am I still making candles, I've recruited my wife and my oldest daughter. We've been making candles together for over 5 years and enjoy the quality time together. We make candles not only for ourselves but we give them as gifts to friends and family. Friends always ask where we get our candles and of course we tell them the truth and they don't believe us!

I now must give credit where credit is due and thank the big companies who mass produce these small containers of pleasure that almost ran me into bankruptcy! Well not quite but you get the point. I also want to thank them for helping me acquire a hobby that has brought my family closer together and given us hours of quality time together and of course the big one, HELPED ME SAVE MONEY! With a little time and effort, you too, can reap the benifits of making candles at home!

By: C. Fisk

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I've been making candles at home for over ten years. See my site www.makingcandles101.com for more information.