Monthly Archives:

August 2014

Housewife Hacks: Remove Rust with Cream of Tartar!


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Good morning, savvy savers! For this weeks Housewife hacks, I want to give you my tried-and-true secret to removing rust around the home, from sinks, tubs, and bathroom surrounds, cream of tarter! When I find some of my stainless steel appliances, such as my over, toaster, coffee maker, and refrigerator, all of which are stainless steel, have small spots of rust, gunk, spots, or dirt, I use a simple paste of cream of tartar and water, along with a toothbrush, to clean these items to a shine! This trick works well, is economical, and a real time-saver! Enjoy the sparkle your appliances, and pots and pans for that matter, will have after using this trick!  Also note, from time to time my local Dollar Tree carries this spice rack staple, and when they do be sure to stock-up with this purpose in mind!

Here’s to a cleaner home!

Misty

Wednesday Ways to Save: What To Buy In August!

 

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Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Wednesday Ways to Save, I wanted to share with you my list for the things to buy in August here at The LadyPrefers2Save!

 

Here’s what to be on the lookout for:

  • Laptops; online outlet stores are offering laptops and net-books as much as 60% off!
  • Back-to-school items, including paper products, dorm furniture; check manufacturer and store websites for money-saving coupons before shopping!
  • Office supplies, even if you do not have school-age children; remember that most office supply stores will also price match ads!
  • Summer apparel, with shorts and sleeveless shirts up to 70% off.
  • Patio furniture & grills, up to 75% off; Target and Walmart are the places to check on these normally high ticket items after the 25th of this month!
  • Year old Halloween and Autumnal Decor; many large and small retailers will start the season with 75% off savings, then go back up to 25% off for the holidays, especially craft stores!
  • Turkey and Ham; if you freeze your meats for the holidays, then now is the time to purchase them at under $0.10/lb at Walmart, for example!
  • Holiday toys; All major retailers have already released their perspective top-ten lists for the must-have holiday toys, and many can be paired with manufacturer coupons, purchased now, and stored for priced half of what they will be Black Friday! Toys should be purchased before Halloween to save on holiday markup then discounted pricing!
  • Cola; cola pricing, around Labor Day, will be at its lowest price point until Christmas, so stock-up now. A good price point is for any 2-liter under $0.50 each, 12-packs 4/$10.00, and 24-packs under $3.50!

 

What to Wait To Purchase:

  • Fall clothing, like sweaters and long sleeve shirts: October is the time to buy these items at rock bottom prices!
  • iPhones; As the  new iPhone 6 is set to be released in September, October will find 5S and 5C phones slashed in price!

 

Here’s to August savings!

 

Misty

 

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Organizational Ideas: Makeup Storage Containers!

 

 

Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Organizational Ideas post, I wanted to share a quick post with you all as to how I organize and store my personal makeup and cosmetic stash!

 

 

 

Did you know that the average makeup and cosmetic item only has a one year shelf life, once used or utilized? And that the number one reason for skin breakouts was contaminated cosmetic products or tools? These are several reasons why I generally like to keep my makeup and cosmetic items in neat, tip-top shape? How do I do this, by using inexpensive office supply organizational desk boxes in my bathroom to store my cosmetic and hygiene items!

I use Sterlite Office Organizer boxes, sitting on two of three shelves on my behind-the-toilet organizer in my hall bathroom. Each box retails for less than $4.00 each at Walmart, and each box holds over a basket of cosmetics! These boxes despite their small size currently hold over four gallons of makeup, razors, facial products, hair items, and more! I love that each drawer is sub-divided, and as the boxes feature clear front drawers, I can easily spot what is inside each compartment without having to label the boxes!

My favorite drawer, my lip gloss drawer, though used most often, is just as accessible as every other compartmentalized section on this shelving unit! I find this method cuts down on clutter, prevents sink drawers from being bombarded with products never to see the light of day, and for me, the more I see products, samples, or items the more likely I will use them before expiration, or seasonally! So, for me this is my go-to makeup storage and organizational system!

I hope my drawers inspire you to sort through and organize your own makeup stash at home!

Here’s to organizing!

Misty

Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style: Monthly Seamstress Tape Measurements!

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  • Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes!  All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60 lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!

Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weigh 199 lbs; I am down two pounds since last week. I walk my dogs but beyond this am not terribly active. My lifestyle causes sedentary behaviors; I work-from-home, blog, run two internet businesses, and perform advocacy work online as well. I am an internet-based excuser! Today finds my continued yoga, meditation, walking my dogs, using a pedometer, portioning my meals, and now I also measure myself monthly!

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For my 10th post, I wanted to discuss a new lifestyle strategy I have implemented, monthly measurement logs. Using a seamstress tape, I measure my neck, arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs, and calves, then log my progress each month, good or bad, to see a visible result of my diet strategy. I have found this method daunting at first, but now, in my weight lose, find that seeing my actual results, is amazing and euphoric!

More reasons to measure yourself monthly, as part of a healthy lifestyle plan are:

  • There are the best ways to track yourself OTHER than a scale! I generally do not weigh myself. I find that in the process of both losing weight and toning up, there will be periods where you will not show progress on a scale, but you will have instant results when using seamstress tape!
  • A photo is worth a thousand words.  Stand in front of a mirror in a bathing suit or your underwear with your cell phone camera and take a picture.  Then turn to the side and take another picture of your profile view.  Store your photos in an album on your computer, and over time, using a slideshow, you will see results more effectively and concretely than by way of a scale; between each segment of photos show a photo of your seamstress tape measurements for effective record keeping.
  • Take stock in your measurements.  Your seamstress tape will help you pinpoint areas of weight lose success. Be sure to measure the following areas:

-Neck: this will help you see immediate water lose weight.
-Shoulders: this will help you see toning results further into your weight lose.
-Chest: this will help you see toning results further into your weight lose; for women bust reduction is also a great indicator of carb ad fat reduction as well.
-Biceps: this will help you see toning results further into your weight lose.
-Waist: this will help you see immediate results, by way of clothe sizing.
-Hips: this will help you see toning results further into your weight lose.
-Thighs: this will help you see toning results further into your weight lose.

You will be surprised at how an inch lose in any of these areas will alter the way your clothes will fit, your attitude will change, and you health will better!

I highly recommend pushing your boundaries to the side, and see how you measure up to your own personal, obtainable healthy lifestyle goals!

Here’s to the Journey!

Weekly Gardening Update, 8/17!

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Happy Sunday, everyone! Here is this weeks gardening update!

This weeks Gardening Update revolved around my $1.00 rose bushes from Fred’s Super Dollar have thus far produced some of the most beautiful roses I have ever grown, as seen above. They are just so lovely, and I will be giving some today to my neighbors as a little community happy gift! I also love my free lattice, as it was recycled from discarded pallets, and works just as well as anything purchased at my local supercenter! I feed my roses a special homemade blend, which i will be blogging about in the weeks to come!

Here’s to next week!

Weekly Menu: Feeding A Family of Four, For Only $23.87!

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Good morning, savvy savers! This weeks menu consists of Cupboard Clearing ideas, so stepping out to the market is not necessary! Without further ado, here is my weekly menu, for which was derived from couponing deals, freebies, and cupboard cooking; I will be feeding a family of four this week for only $23.87!

This week we will be having:

Monday
Breakfast: Mini meatless mushroom frittatas, Fruit cups, and Juice.
Lunch: Turkey and Cheese roll-ups, with Humus dip, sweet potato chips, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Almonds, Grapes, and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crockpot Cola Chicken, Green Beans, Baked Potatoes, with Corn Muffins, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Key Lime Cookies.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cereal of Choice, Milk, and Apple Slices
Lunch: Freezer Cooking Chilli, crackers, carrot sticks, and Crystal Light.
Snack: Trail mix.
Dinner: Taco Tuesdays!
Dessert: Brownie Ice Cream Sundaes Sandwiches.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Yogurt with granola, and juice.
Lunch: Taco Salads, with juice.
Snack: Grapes and apple slices.
Dinner: Grilled Hamburgers, steamed corn, and crystal light.
Dessert: Homemade flurries, with leftover brownies.

Thursday
Breakfast: Cereal of choice, with fruit cup, and milk.
Lunch: Tossed Salad with Turkey, Crystal Light, and homemade banana chips.
Snack: Hummus and crackers, with grapes.
Dinner: Baked Spaghetti, and tossed salad, with milk.
Dessert: Butterfly Cake.

Friday
Breakfast: Smoothies.
Lunch: Tossed salad, with walnuts, grapes, blueberries, and  homemade Greek dressing.
Snack: Granola and fruit cup.
Dinner: Kosher Dogs, With Slaw and Chili, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Coca-Cola slushies.

Saturday
Breakfast: Pancakes, with sausage, and milk.
Lunch: Grilled Chicken sandwiches, with Sweet Potato chips, and Crystal Light.
Snacks: String Cheese and grapes.
Dinner: Grilled Bratwurst, with steamed corn on side, pasta salad, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Cupboard Clearing Cake

Sunday
Breakfast: French Toast, with Milk, and Honey.
Lunch: Grilled Salmon Fillets , baked mini macaroni and cheese cups, steamed Broccoli, with Crystal Light.
Snack: Grapes and walnuts.
Dinner: Crockpot Pot Roast, Twice Baked Sweet Potato Souffle, and crystal light.
Dessert: Hot fudge sundaes, with splenda fudge topping!

DIY Summer Fly Killer Bags!

Good morning, savvy savers! If you are anything like me, you are always looking for more natural ways to clean and remedy situations in your home, and pest removal is no exception! For this weeks House Wife Solutions, I wanted to share with you how I have found to naturally rid my home of flies, and that is with Homemade Fly Killer Bags!

This project could not be any simpler to create! Any room, or area that is prone to flies, just fill a one gallon Ziploc baggie 3/4 way full of water and add four pennies. How does this work you may ask? Great question! Pulling out my former knowledge in the areas of Chemistry, I can state that the myriad of water molecules each act as a natural prism, and as flies have multiple eyes, the bags create a blinding, dizzying, and neurological need for the flies to leave the presence of the bags, generally for the good. I place the bags in groups of three on my patio and a group of three, hung from clothespins, in my kitchen in the Summer and early Autumn season each year!

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