Saving in the winter . . .

Been thinking of remodeling? Winter is the time to get your price quotes and do the work. Since contractors have it slow this time of year, you'll end up reaping the savings.

Ask your electric and/or gas company for an energy audit or go to energystar.gov for tips on doing your own (under Home Improvement). Often your electric company or gas company will do this for free.

Now would also be a good time to clean your fridge or freezer. (I don't mean the inside, though that might be good too). Pull your appliance out, unplug it and vacuum or brush the condenser coil. This will reduce the energy it needs to run. Repeat every six months.

Also, if your freezer contents are running low this time of year (or anytime), fill plastic bottles with water and put in to freeze. Leaving them will prevent the freezer from working just to keep the air cold, saving on your energy bill.

Hope any of this helps.

Things to think About . . .

Just some things here to think about in the near future:

If your thinking about a vacation, but worried about high hotel costs, try calling hotels in the area you are going to directly. Call on Sundays around 4pm their time and after and speak to the supervisor personally. They are more likely to negotiate to a lower price at that time with no one for them to "ask permission" from.

Buying a new car? Not many people know, but the best time for the best deal is the week between Christmas and New Year's!

It might be tough, but to save money in the long run, add some extra cash to the principal of your house payment. You end up paying less in interest and, many years down the road, you could keep hundreds or thousands of dollars in your wallet.

It's been a while . . .

It has been a long time from my last post, but I have found new motivation: Both of my children are now off to school. My oldest boy started 1st grade this year and my little one has started (and loves) kindergarden.

Anyway, here are some awsome tips to make life easier for parents like us:

MAKE IT YOURSELF!
The Indoor Snowball fight. Anytime is a great time for a snowball fight! Hate getting out in the cold or you just don't have any snow around? Just use cushions from the couch or the furniture itself for a fort or two and throw socks as snowballs. My little ones love this!

TIP : Need to remove an oder on furniture, but the store products either don't work very well or just are to pricey to buy? Just sprinkle baking soda on your cloth furniture, let set about 10 minutes and vacuum away.

Holiday Decorations

Well, here's a quick tip for packing up the holiday decorations. Use an egg carton to store bulbs and other small trinkets. They stack well and store well, making life just a bit easier.

=0)

!!!!!!!Happy Holidays!!!!!!!

Make Room Deodorizers

Put a few drops of an essential oil on several cotton balls and place in a decorative jar with lid. Remove lid when you want to deodorize the room. Try peppermint, lavender or eucalyptus.

Hard Water Stain

Remove hard water stains in your bathroom with a dab of toothpaste on an old toothbrush. Scrub away. =0)

Clothes Drying

Stop-and-start drying uses more energy because the dryer has to warm up each time you begin a new load. Just dry clothes in consecutive batches to save money when drying. =0)

In the Kitchen

Try these tips to save money in the kitchen:

Install an aerator to reduce the amount of hot water flow used in the kitchen sink.

Invest in reusable microfiber cloths instead of using tons of paper towels. The super-absorbent fibers pull dirt into the cloth instead of pushing it around.

Cover half the holes on top of a scouring powder container with tape to keep too much from coming out.

Save $ When Drying

Separate dryer loads into heavy and lightweight. Lighter-weight clothes take less drying time so the dryer doesn't have to be on as long.

Also wash and dry comforters and bedspreads in jumbo machines at a self-service laundry instead of taking them to the dry cleaners. (Just be sure to check the care instructions first.)

Fabric Sheets

Instead of using expensive fabric softerner sheets, lightly dampen an old sock with diluted liquid fabric softener, squeeze out excess and toss in the dryer with each load. Even cheaper: Pour in 1/2 cup white vinegar with the final rinse.

Fight Odors!

Set out a bowl of 1/2 cup white vinegar overnight (where kids and pets can't reach). As the vinegar evaporates, smells will vanish. The vinegar (an acid) combines with odors (typically alkaline). They neutralize each other so you don't just replace the stench with a vinegar smell.

If the smell is in the kitchen, you can boil 3 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 cup of water. (Keep and eye on teh pan, of course).

Lavender

Try growing lavender in the house to repel insects.

Combine 1 ml of lavender essential oil into 25 ml carrier oil for multiple use massage oil. Use for treating painful muscles; rub this oil into the temples and the nape of the neck to treat tension headaches and migraines.

To treat lice, Lavender can also be used as a hair rinse. Simply dilute 5-10 drops of essential lavender oil in water. The hair rinse can also be used on a fine comb to treat hair for nits.

Essential oil of lavender can be used to make a healing cream. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a chamomile-based cream to treat skin problems such as eczema.

TRY THESE IDEAS AND LET ME KNOW HOW THEY WORK, PLEASE! =0)

Shower Heads and Decals

Having trouble with a clogged shower head? Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and fasten to the shower head with rubber bands. After several hours, remove the bag and clean off the deposits with a toothbrush and toothpick.

Remove bathtub decals by lifting the edge and spraying lubricating oil or cooking oil under the surface. Let the oil soak into the adhesive for a couple of hours. Then pry off the decal with an old credit card. Remove any remaining adhesive by rubbing it with more oil and a nylon scrubber.

Slow Drain?

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup salt and 1/4 cup white vinegar into the drain and let sit for 15 minutes. Then pour 1 quart boiling water into the drain and follow with tap water for one minute.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Hope everyone has had a fun and safe halloween! (With lots of CANDY!!!) =0)

Bathroom Tips to Save Time and Money

Try storing metal shaving cream cans upside down on their plastic lids to prevent hard to clean rust rings.

Try replacing soap bars with liquid soap which doesn't contain the fat that causes soap scum.

Prevent mold by going over shower walls with a squeegee after use.

Keep shower door or curtain open for a few minutes after use to get rid of moisture so mold won't grow.

Use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel to wipe away smudges and hairspray haze on mirrors and chrome faucets.

You can clean rubber or vinyl bathtub mats and shower curtains by tossing in the washer on cold, delicate with a couple of bath towels. 1/2 cup of detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda is enough.

Use a soft cloth saturated with white vinegar to make shower doors sparkle. Shine with a dry cloth.

Rub your metal shower door frames with lemon oil to remove water spots. Wipe any residue off with a soft cloth.

Try a wet sponge mop paired with an all-purpose cleaner to avoid bending and stretching.

Coffee Filters

Use coffee filters to clean mirrors, windows, and glasses. Use like a mitt and wipe for a lint-free, no streak cleanliness.

Use as a "bowl" for children and messy foods.

Line the inside of a flower pot with a coffee filter to prevent soil from escaping through the drainage holes.

Protect delicate dishes with a coffee filter between each piece.

Save wine after a broken cork by pouring the wine through the filter and catching the pieces of cork.

Pet Fur

Use old pantyhose to get rid of loose pet fur without a mess. Just slip your hand in the leg and scratch your pet. The hose picks up the loose hair without getting on your furniture, clothes or up your nose. Turn the hose inside out to keep the hair in place.

Lip Exfoliant

Mix a packet of sugar with a small amount of olive oil. Rub over lips for 60 seconds. Wipe away gently with a damp cloth and enjoy plump lips with less lines. =0)

Body Moisturizer.

For sensitive, winter-dry skin - Combine 2/3 cup distilled water with 1/3 cup mineral oil in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil. Spray and rub in after a shower or bath. =0)