Sunday, August 29, 2010

School Suppies on the Cheap.

I still have no idea why we have "fund raising" for people to get school supplies for their kids.  There are so many sales before school and things are so cheap; I just don't get it.  We have a whole "fill the bus" full of school supplies at my place of employment for those that are unfortunate in this community.   I went shopping for my own child and even with the expensive $15 calculator he needed for Algebra, I only spent $25.00.  Ok, that's not exactly all I spent, a couple of weeks ago I got him a new backpack for $16.00.  But still; the problem I see is that people don't know how to tell their children "no".  My child doesn't need the $3.00 notebook just because it has some sort of "cool " character" on it.  The $ .15 plain blue notebook works just fine and has the same amount of paper in it.  If he wants something "cool" on the outside; then get the markers out and let your creativity take control!  Besides, from what I remember from being in school; those covers to the notebooks don't last very long anyway.  To save money throughout the year; be sure to stock up on, at least,also twice as much as you need to start the school year so that when you need to replenish stuff, you have those lying around (it also saves on those last minute trips to the store which always costs more in the long run).

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Preparing for the Holidays

Check out my friend Chris' blog about getting ready for the upcoming holidays.

http://christinesenter.com/preparing-for-the-holidays/

I know..it's only August but ya know..she has a point...Christmas is just around the corner and if you want to give a homemade gift; you have to plan ahead.   You can't just wake up around Thanksgiving and decide to make something for the people in your life.  So...what should I make for those I love?  I don't really know how to make much of anything.  I've been playing with my sewing machine making some baby gifts; but none of my friends or family member have babies.  I have been trying to crochet, but that hasn't been going very well.  Maybe a batch of cookies...I can bake pretty ok, nothing gourmet, but I haven't killed anybody yet. LOL

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Multi-purpose Product from the Laundry Room

I got this emailed to me the other day...thought I'd share the knowledge.  More uses for the Bounce dryer Sheet:


1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

5. .Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling..

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan..

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds.. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.

21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

22. Wet a Bounce sheet, hose down your car, and wipe love bugs off easily with the wet Bounce.

By the way...I have used many of these ideas over the years...and they do work.  My favorite way to do this is just about the time I am prepared to throw away that used fabric softener sheet.  I never use the name brand product and I always use it in at least 2 dryer loads.  I always look at ways to stretch the use of things which adds up to lots of $$ in my pocket to use for more important things.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Bartering..the Ultimate Frugal Idea

I needed help getting my sewing machine working...she needed to get her e-mail up and running.  She had the know-how about sewing machines and my hubby is my computer geek.  This was a perfect match.  This was a great way to help both people involved and no one spends any money..just a little time.  Remember when people use to pay their bills by offering goods or services?  Why don't people do this more often?  I think this is the best frugal idea in the world!  I think we sell ourselves short by not offering this as a solution to help everybody involved.  Am I suggesting that we pay all our bills that way; that is not how society works anymore.  But why not allow us to use our talents to benefit everyone involved?  Think about how you could exchange your goods or services the next time you need or want something..this could be a win-win situation.