More Than Bargains

Green Household Tips-Kids August 23, 2008

* My kids love to draw, paint, make projects, and color all day everyday, lol!  I was buying paper every week at Target.  I asked my husband if we could start recycling paper separately from the rest of the recycling/garbage.  I put a box by their craft bookcase that now holds old magazines and reusable paper. Big hit in our house for sure!

*My son has a hard time remembering to turn off lights.  Every night I ask and every night he forgets so I saw this cute idea for a REMINDER.  Thank you Family Fun!  Make a doorknob decoration that reminds you to turn off the lights.  Cut a light-bulb shape (about 3 1/2 inches wide and 6 inches tall) from a scarp cereal box.  For the base of the bulb, cut out a cardboard strip (1 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long)  wrap it around the neck of the bulb, and glue it in place.  Paint light-bulb.  Let it dry and then use a marker to draw the threads on the base and “Lights Out”.  For the hanger, tape a loop of ribbon to the back of the bulb.

Clothing Tips-USA Weekend-Great Money Saving Article August 5, 2008

*You’ll find the best prices THURSDAY evenings at major retailors.

*Looking for a particular item that you like but cost too much then check back in 6-8 after item arrived in store.

*Check newspapers for sales or coupons.  Make sure to check all pages!

*Clothing retailers often are willing to make a deal, especially if you’ve found same item for less at a competitor’s.  This works best if the staff knows you has a regular shopper or if your buying in bulk.

*Shop used and discounted: TheThriftShopper.com-get a list of thrift shops around your area.  Call and ask when they get their deliveries, and shop on those days to get the best stuff.

*For more upscale items go to ConsignmentShops.com to find stores that sell fancier used clothing.

*Outlet Malls are always good for a good sale on name brand items.  You can check out Outletbound.com for malls around your area.

Grocery Tips-USA Weekend-Great Money Saving Article July 26, 2008

* Buy local.  We go to the farmers market by our house every Tuesday and get fresh veggies and yummy fruit. 

* Check out Food Co-ops they offer discounts to members.

*Cut/Print Coupons- Couponmom.com is a GREAT site because it offers freebies, advice, other discounts, and more.

*If you shop at Kroger go to kroger.com and click on P&E esaver-choose your coupons and type in kroger card number and they will be automatically downloaded to your card.  Next time you go shopping the cashier will apply the downloaded coupons.

* Sign up for your grocery store savings card.  I shop at Safeway and have a card through them that also helps my son’s school.

* Compare Prices: Go to groceryguide.com and it will compare prices at local stores without wasting gas driving around looking for that right sale.

*Sign up for sale alerts with your favorite grocers.

*I stock up on items on sale that I know we will use.

Gas Tips-USA Weekend-Great Money Saving Article July 24, 2008

This article gave me some great sites and advice: http://www.usaweekend.com/08_issues/080720/080720save-money.html.  You really need to check it out.  I’m going to post the tips they offered every day for the next 9 days. 

Here is a quick overview of some of the GAS tips:

* The Discover Open Road card offers a 5 % rebate on gas and car maintenance up $1200 annually.  (Good idea but I don’t want to open another credit card account, too many already)

* Go to BedandBreakfast.com for a list of B&B that have deals.  (Now maybe I can get the hubby to go to B&B for our anniversary in Sept)

* Bookit.com offers half-price gas cards and flight credits up to $200 on some packages.

* Join Choice Hotels’ Choice Privilege’s program and, after 3 stays you can receive a $50 gas card.

* Price-Shop: go to GasBuddy.com to get best prices wherever you go-just enter your driving info.

* Share a ride- check with carpoolworld.com or eRideShare.com to connect with other drivers or passengers.

FYI-Target Pharmacy June 9, 2008

will add FREE FLAVORING to any liquid medicine.  Some of the flavors are apple, vanilla , cherry, watermelon, and even chocolate-banana pie (wow).  I’m just amazed at the flavors.  There are 19 flavors you can ask the pharmacist to add.  I didn’t know this cool idea so I wanted to share with fellow parents who have a hard time getting the lil ones to take their medicine.

My House My Rules~15 Minutes Cleaning Schedule. May 15, 2008

We are outgrowing our cute 900 sq ft house.  We have lived here for 5 yrs and 2 kids later.  My hubby and kids thought I was their personal maid and I got OVERWHELMED so I just gave up about 6 months ago!  I kind of went on cleaning strike.  Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t a pig pen but I wouldn’t want people to just stop by unannounced because I would be quite embarrassed.  I went into a depression and was not a fun person to be around.

Well guess what…things had to change!  If mommy isn’t happy then no one is happy!  

I implemented chore charts for everyone (yes hubby too) and it has helped A LOT!  I actually wake up to a clean house these days.  What I found that helped me the most is 15 minutes in each room!  Some rooms don’t even require that much.  Then at the end of the night I do a 15 minute clean up with kids.  Let me tell you my whole family is much happier these days.  Mommy is happy because her house is not in tornado land anymore!  Now I know CLEAN HOUSE=HAPPY MOM!  By the way I’m not talking eat off floor clean either.  With 2 young kids I have accepted the fact my house will have toys in every room and as long as I feel like I can live in it then its all GOOD!  I’m very proud of my family.

Give it try 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there and see how much you can get done.  Buy a timer too!

Dish-washing Tips and Tricks April 30, 2008

I will have to tell you dish washing is one of my least favorite chores in the house.  I was raised that whoever cooked dinner didn’t have to do dishes but that doesn’t work in my house.  I know I have raised this issue a couple (okay actually several )times to my husband but he just doesn’t GET it!  Tiny vent, lol!  Anyways here are couple great tips:

~Pamper yourself after washing dishes by giving yourself a hand massage with some nice smelling hand cream.  I have my hand cream by the sink so I don’t forget.

~Revitalize your dishwasher (wish I had one, lol): Each month run the machine empty on short cycle w/2 cups of vinegar in the detergent spot.  It will brighten up the interior.  Remember this from back in the day when I did have a dishwasher.

~Burnt food on pans/pots: slightly dampen spots, sprinkle liberally with baking soda and leave overnight.  Use your scourer to remove the remains the next day.  You can also use this for the bottom of the oven too!

Bed Sheets/PillowCase-Household Tip April 9, 2008

I came across a tip in Family Cirlce Magazine last month that I’ve been finding very USEFUL!

TIP:
Put sheets in their matching pillowcase and everything is together when your ready to make the bed. My bedding drawer even looks organized. I’ve been doing this for a couple weeks now and love it. Every Wednesday is change the bed day. In the morning I grab the pillowcase w/the sheets for all the bed’s and it takes about 10-15 minutes off searching for matching bedding.

Do you have a Disorganized Purse? I DO! March 6, 2008

I’m a PURSE lady! I have purses in all colors and sizes. The one thing that always happens no matter what size the purse is, it’s always disorganized. I’m constantly trying to find this or that and its frustrating. I’ve been trying to find that perfect purse but I think its just me being messy! 

On http://www.homemadesimple.com I found an informative article on How To Organize Your Purse/Briefcase:

Divide & Conquer the Clutter
A great way to conquer clutter in your purse, bag or briefcase is to divide the items you carry by their purpose and then store them in separate compartments. Keep small zippered bags like a makeup or pencil case inside your purse or bag where you can store loose items and organize all your essentials.
Storing common items in separate bags makes it easier for you to stay organized, find what you need and quickly switch to a different purse or bag when you’re on the go. Use bags of different colors to make it even easier to remember what you stored in each bag, and carry a small clip-on light or flashlight to help you find things inside your purse in limited light.

Organization Tips for Purse Necessities:

*Medicine and first-aid kit: Create a small first-aid kit with band aids, ointment, tissues, eye drops, throat lozenges and a small pill case with headache, allergy and other medicines you like to have on hand.

*Shopping essentials: Make trips to the store a more productive and pleasant experience by organizing your shopping essentials. Keep a zippered bag with coupons, a notepad, pen, loyalty cards, checkbook and a small calculator. Remember to sort through your coupons once a month and throw out ones that are expired or those you no longer need.

*Personal care: Use a zippered makeup bag for sample-sized bottles of lotion and hand sanitizer, lip balm, breath mints, a small brush or comb and other personal care products you use on a regular basis.

*Catch-all container: Despite our best efforts, bags tend to fill up with loose change, postage stamps and small pieces of trash like old receipts and candy wrappers. Create a catch-all bag for all those little items that don’t logically fit into your overall purse organization strategy. Use a clear plastic zip-top bag so you can see what’s inside it, or a cloth bag with a drawstring that you can wash and reuse. Whatever bag you choose, clean it out weekly to keep the clutter under control.

There are also many pre-fabricated purse organizers available in stores that may be helpful organization tools for you.  

Briefcase Basics
With all the electronic equipment and other office-related tools we carry with us, it’s essential to keep our briefcase or laptop bag organized and clutter-free as well.

Take these simple steps to keep your work items organized when you’re on the go:
*Use color-coded folders to separate your files by subject and purpose. Use a red folder for your hottest “Must-Do” items, and keep it in a front pocket for easy access.
*Designate sections of your briefcase or bag for specific purposes, such as one area for your laptop, power cords and related items and another section for your cell phone, PDA or daily planner.
*Carry rubberbands or small bags to store power cords or chargers and keep them from getting tangled in your briefcase.
*Take time each month to clean out your briefcase or bag, file paperwork and restock supplies like pens and notepads.
More Time-Saving Tips
Staying organized when you’re on the go is a continuous process, so update important information on a regular basis.

*Keep a pocket-sized address book in your bag with important phone numbers like your favorite takeout restaurants, dentists, doctors, stores, car and home repair and others you might need when you’re out and about. Get even more organized by programming these important phone numbers into your cell phone or PDA.
*Also, carry a small notepad for taking notes and creating To-Do lists when you’re away from home. It will help you remember everything you need to accomplish while you’re out so you won’t need to make a second trip.

With a little planning and effort, you’ll be amazed at how you can cut down on clutter and keep all those things you carry with you every day more organized and easier to find.

 I love all these ideas and will be implementing some TODAY!

Saving Money on Food February 28, 2008

As a wife/mom I’m always trying to save money.  Actually it feels so good to be able to tell my husband we saved $85.00 at the grocery store.  Every day I’m researching for coupons, bargains, and how-to’s so I want to share some of the tips I use plus more!  

*Use coupons!!!  Great saving money resource.  I cut out coupons from the newspaper and print out from Internet. Great sites to go to for coupons:

• http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/index.php, 
• http://www.afullcup.com/upload/cmps_index.php
• http://www.couponmom.com/

*Farmers Markets~  My daughter loves going to our local one on Tuesday.

*Write out a menu before going to the store.  Buy only whats on sale and what you need.

*Do a price comparison book:
http://personalbudgeting.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_set_up_a_price_book 

*TheGroceryGame.com  Is a site that you can sign up for 4 weeks for $1 and it tells you what coupons to use with certain stores to get the most for your money.   I haven’t used this yet but I do know moms that have and they love it!

*There is also a site: http://www.angelfoodministries.com.  Angel Food partners with churches and community organizations throughout the country to help distribute food to those in need. For $30.00* you can receive a box of food containing both fresh and frozen items. 

Sample Menu: (this month’s menu can be examined by clicking here)

• 4 lb. IQF Leg Quarters
• 4 oz. Beef Back Ribs
• 1 lb. 80/20 Lean Ground Beef
• 2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders
• 1.5 lb. Bone in Pork Chops (4 x 6oz.)
• 1 lb. Ground Turkey
• 18 oz. Stuffed Manicotti (Cheese)
• 12 oz. Smoked Sausage
• Betty Crocker Seasoned Potatoes
• 7 oz. Cheeseburger Dinner
• 16 oz. Green Beans
• 16 oz. Baby Carrots
• 2 lb. Onions
• 1 lb. Pinto Beans
• 1 lb. Rice
• 7 oz. Blueberry Muffin Mix
• 10 ct. Homestyle Waffles
• Dessert Item

Check out http://www.angelfoodministries.com/hosts.asp to see if you have any hosts close by

I hope you can use some of the ideas or if you have your own please add them in the comments!

Valentine Romantic Tips February 11, 2008

I love romance. Valentine’s Day is so much fun. I’ve been with my hubby for 9 yrs and we haven’t lost that lovin feeling. I like to surprise him with little things on Feb 14th!

I got some great ideas from:http://www.mydearvalentine.com/valentine/romantic-tips.

There is so much information on this site about Valentine’s Day you should check it out!

I’m trying the light bulb tip for sure!

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Love and romance is a flower that brings happiness and fragrance to everyone who touches it. It gives us a reason to smile when the world seems upside down. It fills the empty places in our heart, giving us hope for a future. It brings shine in the eyes making us the most beautiful person on the earth. Love is happiness, love is joy, and love is the happiness in everyone’s life.
Let this love envelop you in its romantic cuddle this Valentine. Let Valentines Day not be the occasion but love the occasion to Valentine. Here are some romantic tips to bring back that magic spark into your lives. Never underestimate the power of love. Even these small gestures, will fill your love life with romance and happiness.

Love Until The Roses Die
When your girlfriend is feeling low or you had a fight this romantic tip will work out just marvelous. Go to a florist and buy a bunch of red roses. Also along with it buy a fake rose and put it in the center of your bouquet. Put a note saying, “I will love you until all the roses die.” She will definitely be surprised and at the end of it she’ll simply adore you. After all she’ll know that one red rose will never die like your eternal love.

Love Poems
Love poems speak the eternal language of love and romance and are a perfect way to bring a smile on that pretty face. So on this Valentine, along with your gift select a nice poem self-written or you can select one from our love poems section.

Short and Sweet
Fill some romance into your world with just tiny gestures to spark the magic of love. If you guys are living together, then scribble small messages and leave them in different places. Like if you leave for work earlier than your hubby then write a romantic message with soap on the bathroom mirror. It will be a great way to start your day.

Compliments
Compliments go a long way. So pick up a thesaurus and describe your lover with the words that truly bring out the best in him/her. Use words like beautiful, handsome, angelic, divine, sublime, alluring, bewitching, stunning, gorgeous, exquisite, marvelous, magnificent, charming, enticing, fabulous etc. This is a great romance tip that works just perfect for both the sexes.

Pick a number
This romantic tip is real fun and truly gives the meaning of love. Tell your sweetheart to pick a number between 1-50 and then shower him/her with that number of kisses.

Express your love
Show your beloved how much he/she means to you by telling her that you love, adore, admire, cherish, desire, want, need, prize, esteem, idolize, revere, treasure him/her forever.

Valentine Date
When you are planning for your grand date this Valentine, leave a little suspense in the air. Leave chits around places in the house directing your date to the restaurant where you are waiting for the romantic evening together. Arrange a car if transportation is an issue.

Tip off
Prepare a nice romantic home cooked dinner for your sweetheart. Enjoy a cozy candle light meal and then put your bill across. Like salad: One kiss. Main course: Eight kisses. Dessert: Three kisses. (Tipping is strongly encouraged)”. Your man will never mind these expensive dinners ever.

Perfumed Romance
Sprinkle some perfume on a bulb. And when the bulb is turned on it will fill the room with its fragrance. Isn’t it a truly romantic setting? So let this Valentine be the beginning to a life long love with these romantic tips brought together especially for you. 

Caring for your Valentine’s Day Flowers February 9, 2008

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and some lucky people will be getting flowers. Do you know all the good tips? I don’t! I always want my flowers to LAST awhile (more than 2 days) so I’m always looking for good advice. Here are some great tips from http://www.cleanhomejournal.com.

Buy early.

Purchase flowers still in bud to get the longest display.

Snip smart.

When you get cut flowers home, snip at an angle at least ½ inch off the bottom of the stems with a pair of sharp shears or scissors, to maximize their absorption of water.

Deep dunks.

Before arranging, give flowers a good long dunk in deep water. You’ll firm up the stems and help them last longer-they’ll absorb half the water they need in the first 24 hours. If you’re cutting flowers from your own garden, carry a container of water with you and immediately plunge your cut stems in.

Snack time.

Use that sachet of plant food that usually comes with purchased flowers. If you’re cutting plants from your own garden, add some sugar, lemonade, or aspirin to the water to keep flowers vigorous.

Special cuts.

Cut carnations just above a leaf nodule to prolong their beauty.

Daffodil dunks.

Before arranging daffodils, leave them overnight in water to remove excess sap.

Warm soaks.

Use tepid water for arrangements because slightly warmed water allows the oxygen to travel more readily up the stems than cold water.

Cool mists.

Spritz arrangements frequently with cold water to keep them looking fresh.

Freshen up.

Changing water regularly (every other day) maximizes the life of your flowers.

Tulips, beware.

Be prudent in pairing tulips with other flowers; they tend to shorten the life of nearby blooms.

Scent sense.

Scented flowers release their scent better in a heated room.