As I keep saying there are saving ideas all around us, it just a matter of taking advantage of them, to keep more money in your bank account.
[1] Shoes tend to lose their shape and appearance of newness in a hurry. If you can, buy two or three pairs and wear them interchangeably. They will all look new longer, as well as wear longer.
[2] Buy furniture "just as it comes from the factory — unsanded, unpainted, and unstained" — You can paint or stain it to the color of your choice for much less. There are lots of products to make this an easy job, plus save you lots of money.
[3] If you are going to a pot luck dinner and taking Deviled Eggs, buy medium size eggs. Most of us will eat 2-3 halves without taking notice to the size of egg you used. It will help with the cost for you and the calorie intake for the guest.
[4] Make your own instant oatmeal packets. Use a small zip lock plastic bag and add 1/3 cup of quick cooking oats, 1 teaspoon of chopped nuts, 2 teaspoons of the dried fruit of your choice [raisins, dates, prunes] 2 teaspoons of sugar or 1 1/2 teaspoons of brown sugar. When you are ready to eat..pour the mixture in a bowl, add 1/2 cup water and microwave for 30 seconds, stir and cook another 30-45 seconds, depending on the watts of your microwave.
[5] If summer time has left your feet looking like rough leather, try this little tip. Before bed time, rub a good coating of petroleum jelly over them, then put on a pair of cotton socks and sleep in them. After a couple of nights, you should see a great improvement.
Faylee
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Repurpose things you have on hand
Before you throw out something, think about other uses for it. Here are a few ideas.
[1] One of a kind earrings can become push pins for your bulletin board.
[2] Rubber doorstops can provide enough height to allow air to circulate under your laptop to keep it from over heating and crashing. They are light weight, sturdy, non skid on flat surfaces and light weight enough to carry any where.
[3] Treat yourself to a new cookie sheet and turn your old metal one into a message board. You can spray paint or cover it with a cotton material to make it match the rest of the decor.
[4] Use the bed linen bag your new comforter came in to keep all your art and craft supplies in one place. They are usually heavy duty enough to handle the weight of the supplies without ripping apart.
Faylee James
[1] One of a kind earrings can become push pins for your bulletin board.
[2] Rubber doorstops can provide enough height to allow air to circulate under your laptop to keep it from over heating and crashing. They are light weight, sturdy, non skid on flat surfaces and light weight enough to carry any where.
[3] Treat yourself to a new cookie sheet and turn your old metal one into a message board. You can spray paint or cover it with a cotton material to make it match the rest of the decor.
[4] Use the bed linen bag your new comforter came in to keep all your art and craft supplies in one place. They are usually heavy duty enough to handle the weight of the supplies without ripping apart.
Faylee James
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tips for Your Home
Our food budget is one of the places we can save the most in our home budgets but that doesn't mean we shouldn't look for other places to offer us some pleasures but still saving us money too.
[1] An old pipe rack makes an excellent toothbrush holder. You can find them at flea markets, resale stores and yard sales for less than 5 dollars. You can also spray paint them to match your bathroom decor, giving you eye pleasing savings.
[2] If you have a pet and vacuuming doesn't pick up all their hair, take a spray bottle of water and lightly spray the carpet. The hairs will come up quicker with less electric use and leaving your carpets looking new.
[3] If your window blinds need cleaning but you do not have time to take them down for a water bath, wipe them with a cloth that has been wet with alcohol. The dust and dirt will come off, leaving them shiny clean and dry in minutes.
Don't forget to check our website at www.HassiesKitchenTable.com for more ideas on how to save more money in your food and home budgets.
Faylee
[1] An old pipe rack makes an excellent toothbrush holder. You can find them at flea markets, resale stores and yard sales for less than 5 dollars. You can also spray paint them to match your bathroom decor, giving you eye pleasing savings.
[2] If you have a pet and vacuuming doesn't pick up all their hair, take a spray bottle of water and lightly spray the carpet. The hairs will come up quicker with less electric use and leaving your carpets looking new.
[3] If your window blinds need cleaning but you do not have time to take them down for a water bath, wipe them with a cloth that has been wet with alcohol. The dust and dirt will come off, leaving them shiny clean and dry in minutes.
Don't forget to check our website at www.HassiesKitchenTable.com for more ideas on how to save more money in your food and home budgets.
Faylee
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Everyday Savings
Summer is almost gone and most of us are looking forward to getting to our fall schedule, with children back in school, cooler weather and a little time to relax. With all the relaxing, we must not forget about our savings goal. Here are a few ideas to use in our everyday life.
[1] If you have a front load washer, remember to not only use less detergent but bleach also. Instead of using your normal cup, cut it to 1/2 cup and enjoy the savings.
[2] Use a black marker to date any food item you opened but do not use all of, before placing it in your refrigerator . This serves as a reminder for you to use it before it goes to waste thus saves you money in your food budget.
[3] I like the idea of saving money on laundry detergent but it's messy to do it home made, so I came up with the idea of cutting my regular powder detergent with washing soda. You can buy washing soda at most stores for less than 3 dollars. When I mix it with my 7 dollar detergent, I get twice the amount for about 50% of the cost.
[4] If you have small children at home, use clean wash clothes as table napkins. They wash up great and each child can have their own color.
[5] Choose three things each month and either, delete them from your spending or cut them back by half. You will be amazed at the savings.
[6] If you have to stop off for fast food on your way home, order from the $1.00 menu. Think before ordering. If you order 2 of those dollar chicken sandwiches, it's cheaper than the regular sandwich. If you are taking it home, do you need the combo with drink? Most of us have drinks on hand at home. Finding saving in your everyday life, even small ones, leads to more money in your bank account.
Faylee
[1] If you have a front load washer, remember to not only use less detergent but bleach also. Instead of using your normal cup, cut it to 1/2 cup and enjoy the savings.
[2] Use a black marker to date any food item you opened but do not use all of, before placing it in your refrigerator . This serves as a reminder for you to use it before it goes to waste thus saves you money in your food budget.
[3] I like the idea of saving money on laundry detergent but it's messy to do it home made, so I came up with the idea of cutting my regular powder detergent with washing soda. You can buy washing soda at most stores for less than 3 dollars. When I mix it with my 7 dollar detergent, I get twice the amount for about 50% of the cost.
[4] If you have small children at home, use clean wash clothes as table napkins. They wash up great and each child can have their own color.
[5] Choose three things each month and either, delete them from your spending or cut them back by half. You will be amazed at the savings.
[6] If you have to stop off for fast food on your way home, order from the $1.00 menu. Think before ordering. If you order 2 of those dollar chicken sandwiches, it's cheaper than the regular sandwich. If you are taking it home, do you need the combo with drink? Most of us have drinks on hand at home. Finding saving in your everyday life, even small ones, leads to more money in your bank account.
Faylee
Thursday, August 19, 2010
More Reusing and Quick Cooking Ideas
Good Morning,
Here are a few little things with your home and time in mind.
[1] To keep your burgers all the same size and portion, use a canning jar lid and ring. Use a wide mouth for adults or big eaters and the regular size for children or small eaters. Place your ground meat into the lid set, with ring facing up, use another lid to press down on the meat to get all the air out and fill in the ring. When you have it nice and neat, lift up the patty and push out from the back. You will get even size burgers, allowing for better frying, grilling and of course, eating.
[2] Keep your used coffee grounds to use in your flower pots or garden. They add nutriments and keeps the soil loose for better water retaining. If you are a non coffee drinker, ask at your local restaurant for their's. Provide them a container with lid. Set a day and time you will pick up your bounty that is convenient for them. Your plants will reward you, in a big way.
[3] If you like fresh chives with your soups, baked potatoes or salads but can not afford the cost, here is a quick and easy substitute . Buy a hand full of spring green onions and place them in a glass container on your window seal. Using scissors, snip off the tips as you need them. They will need fresh water every few days to keep them growing but you will always have a supply of fresh onion snips anytime you get the urge. The sprouts will grow back almost as quickly as you eat them.
[my kids reminded me recently, there was always something growing on our kitchen window seal,,and they are right..lol. even now]
Faylee
Here are a few little things with your home and time in mind.
[1] To keep your burgers all the same size and portion, use a canning jar lid and ring. Use a wide mouth for adults or big eaters and the regular size for children or small eaters. Place your ground meat into the lid set, with ring facing up, use another lid to press down on the meat to get all the air out and fill in the ring. When you have it nice and neat, lift up the patty and push out from the back. You will get even size burgers, allowing for better frying, grilling and of course, eating.
[2] Keep your used coffee grounds to use in your flower pots or garden. They add nutriments and keeps the soil loose for better water retaining. If you are a non coffee drinker, ask at your local restaurant for their's. Provide them a container with lid. Set a day and time you will pick up your bounty that is convenient for them. Your plants will reward you, in a big way.
[3] If you like fresh chives with your soups, baked potatoes or salads but can not afford the cost, here is a quick and easy substitute . Buy a hand full of spring green onions and place them in a glass container on your window seal. Using scissors, snip off the tips as you need them. They will need fresh water every few days to keep them growing but you will always have a supply of fresh onion snips anytime you get the urge. The sprouts will grow back almost as quickly as you eat them.
[my kids reminded me recently, there was always something growing on our kitchen window seal,,and they are right..lol. even now]
Faylee
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Tips for Saving Money on Automobile Costs
[1] Slow it down.
Studies have shown that the faster you go the more gasoline your vehicle will use. Lower your speed to put savings in your pocket.
[2] Use your brakes less.
Less speed is one way of cutting down on using your brakes, not tailgating is another. Not only do you burn more gasoline each time you use your vehicle's brakes, you also ware out the brake pads faster.
[3] Do Regular Maintenance on your vehicle
Keeping your filters, belts and tires in the best condition can make a big difference in the fuel use of your vehicle.
[4] Do not let your vehicle sit and idle
If you know you are going to be stopped for more than 30-60 seconds,[not counting time waiting at signal lights] turn your motor off. The motor only needs about 5 seconds of fuel to restart, anything over that is wasting fuel and your money.
[5] Check for alternate routes
If you travel the same route to work or events, look for other routes. Sometimes we can find shorter routes or less fuel use ways. Look for routes with less signal lights, pot holes or hills to climb. All these things cause you to use more fuel. Saving one dollar a day is 365 dollars in a year. Do this with 5 different everyday events and you will have saved $1825.00 in one year.
[6] Lighten the Load
All of us carry little used items in our vehicles. Unload them, put them in the garage, where they belong. Every extra pound of weight you carry in your vehicle, adds to your fuel cost.
[7] Roll down the windows
Air conditioning can account for 25% of your fuel cost. For slow city travel, roll down the driver's window a few inches. Do the same to the back passenger window on the opposite side for increased air flow. When going faster, close the windows and turn on the ventilation fan. Only use your vehicle's air conditioner on high heat days.
Using one or several of these suggestions will not only lead to more money in your budget but less ware and tare on your vehicle, allowing it to last longer.
Ways to save money are all around us, we just have to be open to using them.
Faylee
Studies have shown that the faster you go the more gasoline your vehicle will use. Lower your speed to put savings in your pocket.
[2] Use your brakes less.
Less speed is one way of cutting down on using your brakes, not tailgating is another. Not only do you burn more gasoline each time you use your vehicle's brakes, you also ware out the brake pads faster.
[3] Do Regular Maintenance on your vehicle
Keeping your filters, belts and tires in the best condition can make a big difference in the fuel use of your vehicle.
[4] Do not let your vehicle sit and idle
If you know you are going to be stopped for more than 30-60 seconds,[not counting time waiting at signal lights] turn your motor off. The motor only needs about 5 seconds of fuel to restart, anything over that is wasting fuel and your money.
[5] Check for alternate routes
If you travel the same route to work or events, look for other routes. Sometimes we can find shorter routes or less fuel use ways. Look for routes with less signal lights, pot holes or hills to climb. All these things cause you to use more fuel. Saving one dollar a day is 365 dollars in a year. Do this with 5 different everyday events and you will have saved $1825.00 in one year.
[6] Lighten the Load
All of us carry little used items in our vehicles. Unload them, put them in the garage, where they belong. Every extra pound of weight you carry in your vehicle, adds to your fuel cost.
[7] Roll down the windows
Air conditioning can account for 25% of your fuel cost. For slow city travel, roll down the driver's window a few inches. Do the same to the back passenger window on the opposite side for increased air flow. When going faster, close the windows and turn on the ventilation fan. Only use your vehicle's air conditioner on high heat days.
Using one or several of these suggestions will not only lead to more money in your budget but less ware and tare on your vehicle, allowing it to last longer.
Ways to save money are all around us, we just have to be open to using them.
Faylee
Monday, August 2, 2010
Frugal Use of Your Food Budget
[1] When going grocery shopping instead of making a shopping list, make a list of what you have in your pantry and refrigerator. This way, you will not buy duplicates items or things that can not be used with items you already have on hand.
[2] One to 2 days a week, eat from what is in your pantry or refrigerator. Delaying your weekly shopping even one day a week will save on your food budget. It's like eating free 4 days a month.
[3] If you are at a pot luck where food is left over, ask to make yourself a plate to take home. Even one free lunch will save on your food budget.
[4] Always ask for a doggie bag when eating out. Leaving half of your food on the plate is like giving away part of your food budget.
Happy Savings, Faylee
[2] One to 2 days a week, eat from what is in your pantry or refrigerator. Delaying your weekly shopping even one day a week will save on your food budget. It's like eating free 4 days a month.
[3] If you are at a pot luck where food is left over, ask to make yourself a plate to take home. Even one free lunch will save on your food budget.
[4] Always ask for a doggie bag when eating out. Leaving half of your food on the plate is like giving away part of your food budget.
Happy Savings, Faylee
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