Budgeting

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 12 Recap

Good evening, savvy savers! Today I challenged you all to tackle cleaning out your little caves of wonder, your bedroom closets! If you are anything like me, your closet was nothing short of a time capsule of the last decade of your life, and probably need a cleaning overhaul today.

You were allotted: 40 hangers, a skinny bin, and that’s it! So, how did you all do today? For me, I was able to clean out my closet and had eight hangers left over, woohoo! As well, all of my purged clothes will be used next week during our “selling week;” all of the clothes being purged can be donated, sold, or upcycled, too! My closet, which was already small, went from having the rod bowing in the center, to being freed up! I can now see all of the pieces I love! I forgot I still had my Burberry wrap! How awesome is that!

Now, before anyone asks, my boxes shoes are located above my closet, and I have an awesome, huge set of built-in drawers which house my house clothes, pajamas, scarves, and more. But my closet, long the place where garments were pressed together so tightly they could not move, is now free-flowing, organized by fabric, and I now feel that despite losing a few dozen items, I have more options, as every item I kept I can fit, and just love!

As I organized my closet I kept three piles: A pile of wearable outfits, a pile of donations, and a pile of clothes which can be sold. And when I was finished I tried on each and every outfit in the keep pile, and guess what? Three outfits were too large for me currently, which was an awesome affirming moment for me! All-in-all, this was painless, and left me feeling elated!

The 40 hanger system is a keeper for me!

So, here’s the before and after:

As well today, I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
I finished a day’s worth of clerking assignments ahead of schedule!
I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
Read my daily devotional.
I waked two miles.

Today I saved:

I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95.
I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag.
My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00!

So, overall today my family saved: $14.57

This months savings goal remaining: $359.43

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Day 13 challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

7 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 12 (Clean Out Your Closet)

Good morning, savvy savers! I hope you are all well rested, and in the mindset to save this morning! Things are a little amiss at my home this morning, as two of my three fuzzy little girls are at the vet this morning, one with an ear infection, and the second getting her final round of puppy vaccinations; when all of my family isn’t home, human and fuzzy alike, this seems a little sadder, you know? So today, in keeping with this weeks cleaning trend, I want to focus on another problem area in many homes, our personal closets. Yes, our little caves of wonder. If you are anything like me, your closet is nothing short of a time capsule of the last decade of your life, and probably in need of an overhaul today!

So today, I challenge you to purge your closet. But there is a catch to today’s challenge, you can only keep 40 items. Now before anyone gasps in horror, this is a purposed experiment. I am challenging you to limit your closets to 40 hangers, 40 items so that your closet only contains clothes you can currently fit, look great in, and simply love! All of the clothes being purged can be donated, sold, or upcycled, too!

So here are a few tips to help you purge your closet:

Purge veraciously. Keep only the items that you absolutely love, can comfortably fit, and wear on a regular basis.
If something doesn’t fit “just right,” has holes, stains, is out of season, or you haven’t worn in one year, toss it!
Skinny Bin. For clothes that you are five pounds from fitting, create a bin or basket which can be placed in the top of your closet; no more than ten pieces.
Think Fabric. Torn or stained items, made of interested fabrics, can be reprieved from the donation bin, and instead may be cut into strips or squares for crafting; think pillo cases, framed vintage tees, tee-shirt rugs, and more!
Invest in great hangers. Think smaller, huggable hangers for clothing, and bendable hangers for swearers; plastic hangers can be re-purposed to hang fabric in your craft room, and wire hangers can be stored for wreath forms.
Maximize your losses. Purged items can be sold via Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, consignment shops, Threadup, or garage sales.

Don’t think of this as a chore, but a life lesson. By purging the things we don’t need, want, or use, we are making room for all of the clothing and accessories that make our bodies look and feel better. Today we are freeing ourselves for the bigger, better deals. So today, let’s see how we can change our perspectives, one closet at a time! Be sure to mosey on back her tonight to see my daily recap!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

8 Comments

February No Spend Month Challenge: Day 11 Recap

Hello again, savvy savers! So for the Day 11 challenge, I challenged everyone to clean off your homes most prized real estate, your counter-tops. So, today as my counter-tops were already cleaned off, but I thought I would share some of the ways I keep them cleared off!

A few ways I keep my counter-tops clear:

I keep my toaster oven, microwave, tool crock trio, and produce baskets on a small bakers rack.
All paper products, wraps, and lunch items are stored in in-cabinet wicker baskets.
Snacks are stored vertically in hanging baskets.
I keep a rack above my sink for washing accouterments and my favorite e-Pantry candles!
I keep my small appliances in a bottom cabinet; grill and baking appliances on one shelf, and all others on the bottom shelf.
I place my cutting boards in an upcycled magazine holder, on the side of my pantry.
All spices, food, and pantry items stay in the pantry!
Extra tools belong on my pullman cart beside my fridge!

I also created a coffee and tea station on top of my antique buffet table in my dining room. The station holds all of my mugs, cups, and baskets holding my k-cup products in cabinet, to maximize space. I find that having all of my Keurig, tea station, electric kettle in one area not only cuts down on kitchen clutter, but forces my family to better utilize out dining room space; being able to sit and drink tea coffee, and cocoa in a designated area promoted quality family time for us all!

And before anyone asks, are my cabinets cleared out? You betcha! I just love how much more efficient my home has become in the few weeks my counter tops have been cleared off. Every projects, from pantry cooking, prepping blanching projects, to folding laundry now has an area! And at the end of the day, when I wipe my counter tops off I feel a true sense of relief, not seeing clutter in every direction I turn! I highly recommend clearing of your counters, as it truly is a game changing experience!

As well today, I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
I finished a day’s worth of clerking assignments ahead of schedule!
I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
Read my daily devotional.
I waked two miles.

Today I saved:

I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95.
I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag.
My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00!

So, overall today my family saved: $14.57

This months savings goal remaining: $374.60

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Day 12 challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

8 Comments

Wednesday Ways to Save: Craigslist Freebies!

Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Wednesday Ways To Save, I wanted to remind you all to daily check your local Craigslist group, from their Free Pages! I have found numerous items on these freebie listing, including a couch, DVD’s, yard toys, pets, and more!

To see if there are any deals in your area:

Go to Craigslist.org
Under the homepage, create an account.
Then go back to your home page, and select your Country.
Then select your State.
Then select the city or areas closet to where you live.
Under the middle “For Sale” column, you will see a hyperlink for Free, and then select this link.
Browse away!

A few tips once you have found a great Free Item:

When you have found an item you are interested, click the reply button and type a message.
Always be sure to keep your initial messages short and direct; ask only if the item is available, and then say thank you.
Once the giver has responded stating that the item is available, be sure to set up a time to meet for item pick-up.
Always select pick-up locations that are in public, during daytime hours, and try to take someone with you, safety first!
The most important part of this process, be sure to arrive ahead of time, and do not stand a giver up. It’s poor Craigslist etiquette!

I would also advise checking nearby groups, too! I have been able to find items such as a free piano, not in my city, but within an hours drive, and even with the cost of a U-Haul for three hours, it far outweighed the initial cost of the item; this one haul alone I saved $2,400.00 over the appraisal price of the item! Also, be sure to favorite/add the free site link to your favorite web browser tool bar, so you can check daily to snag any awesome deals in your area!

Here’s to saving,

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February No-Spend Month Challenge: Day 11 (Clean Off Your Counter-tops)

Hello again, savvy savers! So for the Day 11 challenge, I want to discuss kitchen counter tops.

For me, the kitchen is the heartbeat of our home, but too often our kitchen counters are cluttered, disorganized, and undervalued! This lack of prime household real estate, in my opinion, could be much better utilizes the day-to-day activities of a home. So, today I challenge you to incompletely clean off your counter-tops. This should be no longer than a 1-hour project!

A points I would like to add as a caveat to this challenge:

You may be thinking, is that really more convenient? Yes, is it. While leaving tools, crocks, and small appliances on the counters seems easier, this allows for your tools and appliances to be subjected to spatters of food, grime, bacteria, staph, and other contaminants. We place dishes in cabinets to prevent this same scenario, why not for your small appliances?
Will it take more than two seconds to pull out a toaster? How long does it take to plug-in?
Also consider the idea that an appliance regularly used for 1-3 minutes daily, remains plugged-in constantly, and so small appliances are a power phantom source!
Also worth noting, the appliance most likely to cause house fires, according to the National Home Owners Association, toasters!
You may also be thinking, will my cabinets be able to hold these items? Yes, I believe so. Divide cabinets by need, cook and food prep, dishes, and the like, and if items will not fit, and they have not been used within six months, consider donating or selling these items!
Larger appliances, such as stand mixers, can also usually be stored in larger, vertical below counter cabinets, as well.
Mid-size appliances such as bread machine, blender, immersion blender, and rice cooker can easily fit into most cabinets.

So how should you go about this? Follow these steps:

Declutter your cabinets: Clear out your cupboards of anything that you don’t use on a regular basis. Make room in your dining room, basement, or stockpile area for seasonal items, such as punch bowls and holiday dishes. Purge, recycle, sell, or donate items that have not been used in a year.
Zone your cabinets: I have a zone for coffee, baking, and pets; keep like items together. Creating zones in your kitchen helps to keep your cabinets organized, helps you to know where to store things, and helps you work more efficiently in the day-to-day running of your home.
Create Nook Spaces For All Other Items: Anything random, left over, and not able to be placed into cabinets, think of creative, upcycled ways to display and store these items.
Keep Counters Cleared: Nightly, as part of your bedtime home routine, simply take the items misplaced on your counters, and go put them away.

The process of minimizing your kitchen, clearing off your counters, and creating new home work stations is not an overnight process. It takes work. You will probably be able to clear off your counters in an hour, give or take the existing items you have on hand, but the real time will come into maintaining this standard– unless you work at keeping order in your kitchen, you will never have order in your kitchen.

This project will pay out great dividends in the long run, I promise! Know I’m pulling for you today!

Be sure to check back in tonight for my daily recap!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

6 Comments

February No-Spend Month Challenge: Day 10 (Bathroom & Linen Closet Organization)

Hello again, savvy savers! I hope you all are well rested, work-minded, and in the mood for cleaning and organization this week!

As you know, this last week, we focused the first part of the week on pantry organization, organizing food swap days, creating meals based on pantry staples, and then switched focus to alternative pantry re-stocking methods, and this morning we are going to scrub, dust, sort, purge, evaluate, and hopefully make a profit in the process! For the rest of the week we will be focusing on mini-areas within our homes, and today I want to tackle bathrooms.

So, today I am challenging you all to accomplish three tasks:

To tackle a one hour cleaning challenge: you will need to start by a visual decluttering and surface cleaning of your home.
To sort and purge from your medicine cabinets, makeup bags/drawers, and to clean out under your bathroom sinks.
To also clean out any linen closets and/or closets within your bathroom spaces.

A few tips to keep in mind today for your bathrooms:

All cosmetics older than one year, should be purged.
All cosmetic sharpeners, brushes, or curlers two year or older, should be purged.
All hair coloring products or kits, two years or older, should be purged.
All vitamins or supplement older than one year, should be purged.
All flue, cold, sinus, or allergy products older than two years, should be purged.
All essential oils three years or older, should be purged.
All first aid items, older than three years, should be purged and replaced.
All digestive aids, older than three years, should be purged.
Any fiber-based supplement, older than a year, should be purged.
Anything half-way or partially opened or consumer, than has not been utilized within the last months, should be purged.
Anything unopened that have in multiples, pharmaceutical or cosmetic, than you will not use in one season, should be moved to a stockpile area.
All expired medications should be purged in sealed Ziploc bags, with your home information blacked out with a sharpie.
Any nail lacquers that have been to separate should be purged.
All manicure and pedicure supplies, that are used, but have not been utilized within the last six months should be purged.
All paper or cotton products should be visible, organized, and easily accessible.
Purge your oldest towel set; towel, hand towel, and wash cloth.

A few tips for cleaning out your linen closets:

Bundle like sets of sheets together.
Keep necessity items, such as bathroom staples, in small baskets, labeled, and clustered on a single taller shelf together.
Corral cosmetics on servings trays for easy removal.
Any mismatched items should be donated.
Any fraying towels should be donated; animal shelters are a great place to send unneeded linens.
Prevent dust from covering linen sets, by placing them inside their coordinating pillow cases.
Antique linens are best to hang; install two hooks and a dowel rod in the bottom of a closet for hanging linens.
Store throw pillows and guest pillows in a top shelf basket.
Store towel sets in stacks for easy removal.
Store like items on like shelves; linens with linens, towels with towels, and the like.

Now, while this list seems extensive, depending on the size of your home, should only take a couple hours today, and in the long run should greatly help you not only today but in the future. This week is not only about creating long-lasting cleaning solutions in your home, but establishing routines that will help you not only keep your home cleaner and safer, but to shave the time it takes you to do so, in half!

Be sure to come back this evening for today’s cleaning recap!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

9 Comments

February No-Spend Month Challenge: Day 9 Recap

Hello again, savvy savers! I hope everyone’s Monday without without a hitch, as mine did not!

So, today I challenged you all to accomplish three tasks:

To tackle a one hour cleaning challenge: you will need to start by a visual de-cluttering and surface cleaning of your home.
To establish a three box donation, toss, and recycling hub in your home; set up three boxes that can be used this week for ending cluttering.
To establish an evening cleaning ritual.

So today was I able to accomplish my cleaning goals, yes! Was I able to accomplish little more, no! Earlier this morning two transformers in my area failed, rending my home office inept, and my home without power. Thank goodness for gas heating, you know?

Today I completed my morning routine (see below), preformed a 1-hour, no-power needed cleaning routine ( I vacuum after I regained power), and then established a three bin system for upcycled items, trash, and donations. I also created a bin for items which can be listed for sale online next week. Each time my boxes filled, I emptied them accordingly; with upclcyed items being placed in my basement for Spring projects and donations in reusable bags, placed in my trunk for donating in the evening tomorrow. Amazon Pantry boxes make the best boxes for such a project! An easy day, but a good day, if I say so myself!

As well today, I was also able to accomplish:

As part of my #Choose30 Daily Challenge, I woke up at 7:25, walked my fur babies, showered, & dressed to my shoes. (Thanks, Flylady!)
Worked on my daily Motivated Moms Planner.
I completed Money Saving Mom’s Monday deep cleaning project, a purse decluttering!
I finished today’s Day 9 No-Spend Challenge!
I cooked from my pantry for each meal.
Read my daily devotional.
I planned out the rest of the months daily challenge posts!

What I missed today:

Work, ha!
A Skype Chat with the ladies of the Merry Monday Linky Party!
Scheduling posts for my blog.
Any and all product reviews.
Earning survey points/ gift cards.

Today I saved:

I eat at home this evening for dinner, saving our family $6.95.
I recycled, upcycled, and composted one bins of deluge, and saved $0.25, the cost of 1 trash bag.
My family drank water today, and saved $0.69, the cost of a 2-liter of soda.
I also did not watch cable tv, and saved $3.68 by doing so.
I lost a half day’s worth of electricity costs, and saved $3.00!

So, overall today my family saved: $14.57

This months savings goal remaining: $403.09

A full day, a new way to find to save at home! Be sure to come back tomorrow morning for a new day’s challenge!

Here’s to saving,

Challenge Links:

11 Comments

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