Not only is back to school season, a good time to buy your home office supplies for the coming year but it's a good time to refresh your children's bed or play rooms.
Often you can find festive furniture or bedding, to add color, new style or completely change a room for a lot less. You can update your little girl's room to the teen she is becoming, with the help of dorm furniture. Add a small refrigerator or microwave to your family room for easier snack time. Buying them all during Back to School Savings time.
Happy Savings,
Faylee
Monday, August 2, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saving Money the ReUse and Make Do Way
We all have things we use in our everyday lives that help us keep our budget down but still enjoy the good life, these are a few of mine.
[1] Planning a backyard party..Use your beach towels as table coverings. They will add a festive touch without you spending any money.
[2] If a storm leaves you with trees down and you have no way of getting them cut up for disposal, put an add in the newspaper or online for free wood. You will be surprised at how fast it will disappear.
[3] Using Comet Cleanser around your baseboards and windows will keep ants out. It clings to their bodies, then they carry it back to their nest, where it will kill the colony. It takes a little longer to work than chemicals but the ants stay gone longer, once it does.
[4] A good reuse, recycle and make do item is an old popcorn tin. You know the kind you get popcorn in at Christmas. It makes a wonderful portable charcoal grill for picnics or camping. Use a pointed tip can opener to make some air holes an inch from the bottom of the can, for air circulation, add your easy light charcoal in the bottom. Then using an old rack from a cooking stove, refrigerator or canner, you can have dinner quick and easy. The tin will last 1-2 seasons depending on how often you use it.
Using the same method you can also have a portable smoker by adding damp to wet hickory chips to the charcoal then placing a grill a few inches above the chips [my grill was the insert from my old canner, turned upside down] then placing your meat on the grill. To make a smoke release, simply punch holes in the top of the tin. I used a hammer and a large nail. Soon you will be the best cook at the camp grounds.
Faylee
[1] Planning a backyard party..Use your beach towels as table coverings. They will add a festive touch without you spending any money.
[2] If a storm leaves you with trees down and you have no way of getting them cut up for disposal, put an add in the newspaper or online for free wood. You will be surprised at how fast it will disappear.
[3] Using Comet Cleanser around your baseboards and windows will keep ants out. It clings to their bodies, then they carry it back to their nest, where it will kill the colony. It takes a little longer to work than chemicals but the ants stay gone longer, once it does.
[4] A good reuse, recycle and make do item is an old popcorn tin. You know the kind you get popcorn in at Christmas. It makes a wonderful portable charcoal grill for picnics or camping. Use a pointed tip can opener to make some air holes an inch from the bottom of the can, for air circulation, add your easy light charcoal in the bottom. Then using an old rack from a cooking stove, refrigerator or canner, you can have dinner quick and easy. The tin will last 1-2 seasons depending on how often you use it.
Using the same method you can also have a portable smoker by adding damp to wet hickory chips to the charcoal then placing a grill a few inches above the chips [my grill was the insert from my old canner, turned upside down] then placing your meat on the grill. To make a smoke release, simply punch holes in the top of the tin. I used a hammer and a large nail. Soon you will be the best cook at the camp grounds.
Faylee
Sunday, July 18, 2010
No Lemons but Still Making Lemony Aid
I often find lemons are expensive to keep on hand for everyday uses. Desperate for lemon juice one day last winter for a salad dressing, I searched my pantry for something lemony. I found a package of dry unsweetened lemonade drink powder. I decided to reconstitute it with 8 ounces of cold water and try the resulting mixture as a lemon juice substitute in my recipe.
It worked great and no one was the wiser. I have since used this mixture in many recipes calling for lemon juice; salad dressings, drinks, coating fresh fruit, etc. I store my "lemon juice" refrigerated in a glass jar, tightly sealed to allow for shaking before using. For just pennies per package, I have a ready supply of a great citrus stand-in!
Another use for the lemony mixture is making your own lemon wipes, using 2 tablespoons of the citrus mixture. Fold up to 5 or 6 paper towels, place them in a zip lock plastic bag, then gently pour the mixture over them and close the bag. Take them when you eat out or have picnics. They are always ready to clean sticky faces, fingers or taking food smells off your hands.
It worked great and no one was the wiser. I have since used this mixture in many recipes calling for lemon juice; salad dressings, drinks, coating fresh fruit, etc. I store my "lemon juice" refrigerated in a glass jar, tightly sealed to allow for shaking before using. For just pennies per package, I have a ready supply of a great citrus stand-in!
Another use for the lemony mixture is making your own lemon wipes, using 2 tablespoons of the citrus mixture. Fold up to 5 or 6 paper towels, place them in a zip lock plastic bag, then gently pour the mixture over them and close the bag. Take them when you eat out or have picnics. They are always ready to clean sticky faces, fingers or taking food smells off your hands.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Useful Saving Tips and Ideas
I like trying out the tips I read elsewhere before passing them on to you but I think I have gone overboard on this one. Over three months ago I started keep track of how long I could use a throw away razor before it refused to shave. I bought a 3 pack of razors for $1.00 at CVS and to my surprise I am still using those three razors almost 100 days later. I rotate using them but each one gets used a couple times a week.
I started using a baby oil gel as my shaving lubricate. I apply it to the area that needs shaving, [legs, underarms or other body parts] then shave as usual. I then clean the razor in hot soapy water [I use a little shampoo for this] blow it dry with my hair dryer, then pour 2-3 drops of the baby oil gel in my hand. I spread it to the width of my razor and using a backward motion I push the razor through the gel. The razor's cutting blades get covered in a light coating of oil and is ready to use when I need it again.
Truly I am amazed that they are still cutting as well as they are and still have an edge sharp enough to do so. Another side effect to using the baby oil gel, is my skin has never looked better. Even after bathing, enough of the oil remains on my skin to give it a healthy glow.
Here's a couple of new ideas for something you might already have.
If you have a children's 42" wading pool, here is a handy idea on how to use it to help you with a household cleaning problem, keeping your blinds clean. Place the pool on a picnic or patio table, filled it with suds and warm water, and washed your window blinds in it. By placing the pool on a table, your back wont be hurting from all the bending or stooping, and you wont have made a mess in the house. After you washed the blinds, hang them over your outdoor chairs, rinsed them with a hose and let them dry.
Other ideas for using the pool beside giving the kids an afternoon full of laughter...bathing your pet, use it as an under lining for changing your potted plants [keeps the dirt all in one place for easy clean up], soaking your BBQ grill removable parts for easier cleaning, are a few.
Happy savings to all of you!!
Faylee
I started using a baby oil gel as my shaving lubricate. I apply it to the area that needs shaving, [legs, underarms or other body parts] then shave as usual. I then clean the razor in hot soapy water [I use a little shampoo for this] blow it dry with my hair dryer, then pour 2-3 drops of the baby oil gel in my hand. I spread it to the width of my razor and using a backward motion I push the razor through the gel. The razor's cutting blades get covered in a light coating of oil and is ready to use when I need it again.
Truly I am amazed that they are still cutting as well as they are and still have an edge sharp enough to do so. Another side effect to using the baby oil gel, is my skin has never looked better. Even after bathing, enough of the oil remains on my skin to give it a healthy glow.
Here's a couple of new ideas for something you might already have.
If you have a children's 42" wading pool, here is a handy idea on how to use it to help you with a household cleaning problem, keeping your blinds clean. Place the pool on a picnic or patio table, filled it with suds and warm water, and washed your window blinds in it. By placing the pool on a table, your back wont be hurting from all the bending or stooping, and you wont have made a mess in the house. After you washed the blinds, hang them over your outdoor chairs, rinsed them with a hose and let them dry.
Other ideas for using the pool beside giving the kids an afternoon full of laughter...bathing your pet, use it as an under lining for changing your potted plants [keeps the dirt all in one place for easy clean up], soaking your BBQ grill removable parts for easier cleaning, are a few.
Happy savings to all of you!!
Faylee
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saving on Air Conditioning
Saving on air conditioning cost can cut your electric bill by twenty percent or more. These small changes can help in that endeavor.
[1] Save on your power bill by placing a fan in a window after sundown to circulate cooler night air into your house, then trap it there in the morning by closing all windows, pulling your blinds shut or draw the curtains to keep there sun out. In some cases you may not have to turn on your AC until afternoon.
[2] If each room has it's own thermostat, set the rooms you are not using to a higher temperature than the one you are working in.
[3] Keep cooler by wearing natural fabric clothing. Things made with cotton, silk or linen will let air pass through, thus feeling cooler.
[4] Wear less clothing when indoors. Take off hats, shoes and tight fitting clothing when coming home from work. You will find you will not need your air conditioner set lower to feel cooler.
[5] Keep a small spray bottle filled with water and occasionally spray your face and arms with a mist of water. You will feel cooler instantly.
[6] For food prep, use crock pots or an out door grill to cut down on the need for the oven and long cooking times that will heat up your home.
[1] Save on your power bill by placing a fan in a window after sundown to circulate cooler night air into your house, then trap it there in the morning by closing all windows, pulling your blinds shut or draw the curtains to keep there sun out. In some cases you may not have to turn on your AC until afternoon.
[2] If each room has it's own thermostat, set the rooms you are not using to a higher temperature than the one you are working in.
[3] Keep cooler by wearing natural fabric clothing. Things made with cotton, silk or linen will let air pass through, thus feeling cooler.
[4] Wear less clothing when indoors. Take off hats, shoes and tight fitting clothing when coming home from work. You will find you will not need your air conditioner set lower to feel cooler.
[5] Keep a small spray bottle filled with water and occasionally spray your face and arms with a mist of water. You will feel cooler instantly.
[6] For food prep, use crock pots or an out door grill to cut down on the need for the oven and long cooking times that will heat up your home.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Something to Add a Smile to Your Day
This applesauce oatmeal muffin recipe is great for breakfast or a snack on-the-go. For added variety, you can substitute the applesauce with ripe bananas, prunes, pears or peaches. Place your fruit in a food processor and pulse to the size you like, then add to the mixture.
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
2/3 cup applesauce
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, prepare muffin pans by spraying cooking spray on them or use cup cake paper holders.
Mix dry ingredients well with a fork. Beat egg, then add oil and milk, stir in applesauce. Add the dry mix to the wet mix until just combined.
Spoon into pans and bake for 20 minutes or until the muffin top springs back after a light touch.
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
2/3 cup applesauce
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, prepare muffin pans by spraying cooking spray on them or use cup cake paper holders.
Mix dry ingredients well with a fork. Beat egg, then add oil and milk, stir in applesauce. Add the dry mix to the wet mix until just combined.
Spoon into pans and bake for 20 minutes or until the muffin top springs back after a light touch.
Tips and Ideas On Shortcut Cooking
If you are like me, you are always looking for cooking shortcuts or ways to "fix" a little mistake you have made while cooking. Here are two that I have used many times over my 50 years of cooking.
[1] To cut hours of cooking time off your dried beans, microwave them for 14-15 minutes. Place the beans, peas, lentils, etc, in a microwave safe bowl, large enough to cover them with water about 2 inches higher than they are. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl. Make a small slit in the middle to allow steam to escape. Put into your microwave set on high for 8 minutes. When it stops, check water level, add more water if needed. Replace plastic film and heat for 6-7 minutes more. Let the bowl cool before removing. Rinse, place beans into your cooking pot, add fresh water and seasoning. Cook as usual but for half the time.
[2] If you have used to much Mayonnaise in your Tuna or Chicken salad mixture. Place 6-8 plain or saltine crackers in a plastic bag and crush them into small pieces, with your dough roller. Then add as much as you need to help soak up the extra mayonnaise. Don't add too much or you will have the opposite problem. Taste your mixture before adding more salt.
Never give up on something as you will find a way to save or improve 99.9% of them.
[1] To cut hours of cooking time off your dried beans, microwave them for 14-15 minutes. Place the beans, peas, lentils, etc, in a microwave safe bowl, large enough to cover them with water about 2 inches higher than they are. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the bowl. Make a small slit in the middle to allow steam to escape. Put into your microwave set on high for 8 minutes. When it stops, check water level, add more water if needed. Replace plastic film and heat for 6-7 minutes more. Let the bowl cool before removing. Rinse, place beans into your cooking pot, add fresh water and seasoning. Cook as usual but for half the time.
[2] If you have used to much Mayonnaise in your Tuna or Chicken salad mixture. Place 6-8 plain or saltine crackers in a plastic bag and crush them into small pieces, with your dough roller. Then add as much as you need to help soak up the extra mayonnaise. Don't add too much or you will have the opposite problem. Taste your mixture before adding more salt.
Never give up on something as you will find a way to save or improve 99.9% of them.
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