The shopping cart must be one of the inventions of the Dirty Thirties we least think about nowadays. Still, back then, it immensely changed the way habitancy shopped. They no longer had to hand carry nearby all the things they were buying, but could put all things conveniently in the new beloved shopping aid: the shopping cart. Next time you're standing with a full shopping cart in line at the cash register, just fantasize how you would have been able to carry all that stuff without the cart.
But there is one huge question with shopping carts we think maybe even think less about; it is a great recipient for all kinds of germs and bacteria. It positively constitutes a real danger to our health, especially in these days of new flues and possible epidemics.
It is not just the cope of the shopping cart that is a major risk. Granted, the handles are held by so many habitancy day in, day out. You can be sure that some of them carry some pretty perilous germs on their sometimes unwashed hands. habitancy also cough and sneeze on them. And how about the shoppers that cope raw chicken, meat and fish? Do you think they are going to wash their hands before getting back at the cope of their shopping cart? All of this makes the cope of a shopping cart a whole one risk for virus or germ transmission to your hands. You might think that, all in all, it is not too risky since you can always wash your hands after you shop. But remember that with those hands you will be picking fruit and vegetables, handling your wallet or purse, and maybe touching your steering wheel and parts of your car.
Far worse and more perilous any way is the fold out child seat. habitancy put their infants in there, some wearing diapers and some of those diapers might hold a present. Woman also use it to carry their purses that have may have been put on the floor for example. And how about older children? Lots of them stand on the seat before positively sitting down in it. The horrors they might have stepped in before entering the supermarket...
Yet, most of us also use that same seat to carry our vegetables and especially our fruits, so they don't get bruised. Lots of vegetables and fruits are eaten uncooked and just maybe even unwashed (try convincing your teenager he always has to wash the fruit he's going to eat...)
The inside of the cart is no stranger to germs and virus either. Kinds sit and stand in them, sometimes packages of chicken or meat drip juice, you name it. The risk of contamination here are way lower though.
The University of Arizona conducted a four-year study on shopping carts and found them to be full of human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter and blood and juices from raw fish, chicken and meat. Closer examination of the handles and the child seats showed some harbored E-coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Influenza and many others. They positively ranked third on the list of worst social things to touch, just below playground toys and the armrests of social transportation. Shopping carts are far worse than social bathrooms; at least those get cleaned way more often.
So what can you do to protect yourself? If the supermarket offer sanitation wipes, use them diligently on cope and seat. Clean at least the bottom of the cart. If the supermarket doesn't supply any wipes, use commercially ready ones, like Clorox brand or simply use hand sanitizing gel with alcohol on cope and seat.
The Shopping Cart, a condition HazardBurt's Bees is one the most natural line of production skin and hair care products, using no chemicals and only natural products. It is an American firm that specializes in the production of over one hundred and fifty personal care products, that includes lip balms, facial masks, and eye make up. The products are good for personal hygiene and claim not to have any adverse effects on the users. The Burt's Bess house is environment amiable and uses its profits in an attempt to converse the environment.
All the ingredients that are used in a particular Burt's Bees stock is written and roughly detailed on the stock itself. Since the firm is committed to production the best products out of natural resources, they have had to halt a amount of their products - for more improvement. This idea had originally taken birth in Maine where, co-founder Roxanne Quimby had begun to make candles out of the left over Burt Shavitz's beewax. It drew attentiveness to the potential of the products, and they began selling this to the society at large. Soon enough, Burt's Bees was launched. They had even successfully launched a Baby Bee line which specialized in the care products for infants. Now, Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox firm since 2007. But the products continue to sell from 30,000 sell outlets which include drug stores. It had been founded in 1984.
Since Burt's Bees indulges in The Greater Good model, all its products are made from natural resources and they even take part in environment amiable activities. The firm also extends its humanitarian efforts to the society at large. Burt's Bees has found a very popular hold in the market, and with its online shop being open, most customers tend to buy directly from the consultancies. Websites have helped in the rise of sale of these natural made cosmetics.
Made In the Us - Burt's Bee CosmeticsTax season is over...The spring holidays have passed...
Hopefully by now you have sent your taxes in and recovered from your spring holiday preparation. You can Relax!
Sit back, get excited for summer.
Just don't let things slide too much. In order for you to be able to take the break you deserve, there are a few Vital organizing systems you need to have in place so clutter doesn't take over.
1. Mail-establish a place for incoming mail and outgoing mail. I like to keep a picture box with my stamps, envelopes, tape, scissors, a merge of pens, and whatever else I need to send letters.
For incoming mail, you can keep a tiered tray with dissimilar categories to look at a later date-bills, healing reimbursements, to file. Often check the tray to see when whatever is due.
Keeping your mail in one location prevents paper pileup.
2. Receipts and coupons- build a theory for receipts. You can use an expandable check file and label each section agreeing to store, prestige card, or type of purchase. Think about where you would look to find it if you needed it.
3. Library books/movies-keep whatever you can incur a fine for in one location.
4. Magazine basket-keep magazines in a basket and when it gets too full, sort and purge.
5. Keys-keep your keys in one place! It may sound certain to you but do you waste time desperately searching for your keys?
6. Birthdays-read more about retention a birthday tracking theory at [http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com/yahoo-birthday-reminders.html]
7. Gifts-I like retention extra gifts on hand for those last exiguous necessities. This may sound terrible- but I also keep gifts that I receive (that I don't particularly like) in this location. I do not allow my home to come to be cluttered with gifts I did not like and the guilt that goes along with not using them!
8. Cds/Dvds-believe it or not, I have seen media take Over much floor space and counter space when no exact place is designated for it. Devote one piece of furniture with drawers to include all of your media.
9. Lists- This is my favorite! You do not need to have any fancy software or device for this. I open up a plain Microsoft word document for any list I think of-tax deductions for next year, things I have borrowed or lent out, people to send holiday cards to, holiday list (for instance, I need a best can opener for next Passover), spring cleaning chores, books to read, wish lists, babysitting instructions, packing lists...
You name it! whatever view enters my head, I write it down to prevent thinking clutter.
If you are more of a creative type of person and hate the idea of development lists, do it in a way that speaks to you. For instance, originate "landmarks" for your lists. For example, if you have a picture of your spouse on your desk, perhaps retention a gift wish list or birthday list under his/her picture would remind you to plan their birthday gift.
10. Grocery shopping and cooking-Keep a running grocery list on the front of your pantry or refrigeration (with a pen!) so you can write down items as you need them.
Plan one day a week to plan all the meals for the week with the ingredients that you need. Be sure to add those ingredients to your grocery list.
Designate the same day each week to go grocery shopping.
11. Laundry and Cleaning routines One of the most important routines is the laundry and cleaning routine. Part of it is just having the supplies on hand and a comfortable spot to do the laundry.
I legitimately love the clorox wipes- whenever you go to the bathroom, take a quick wipe of the toilet seat, vanity, and sink countertops.
Designate 2 days a week to do laundry or if it works best for you to throw a load in each morning, that's fine. Make sure you have laundry baskets in everyone's room and a large sorter basket in the laundry room. That way, each person can bring their basket into the laundry room on laundry day and sort it by color.
In terms of a cleaning routine, you have a lot of flexibility. You can prescription one day a week for cleaning in expanding to cleaning for a 1/2 hour every morning and evening. Think like a restaurant server-pick up after using, wash dishes, wipe down dirty surfaces often. That way you will not need a heavy duty cleaning too often.
Review! 1. originate a place for everything. legitimately give the items that clutter up your home an address.
2. Build habits-Establishing routines is a very important view in maintaining continuing organization. Going to the grocery store the same day every week, or returning calls in the middle of 3-4 Pm every afternoon can save a lot of time and prevent corporeal and thinking clutter.
It is my hope these tips for basic organizing systems enables you to relax more freely this upcoming summer season. Happy Organizing!
A Place For all And all In Its PlaceThe shopping cart must be one of the inventions of the Dirty Thirties we least think about nowadays. Still, back then, it immensely changed the way population shopped. They no longer had to hand carry nearby all the things they were buying, but could put all conveniently in the new favorite shopping aid: the shopping cart. Next time you're standing with a full shopping cart in line at the cash register, just imagine how you would have been able to carry all that stuff without the cart.
But there is one huge question with shopping carts we think maybe even think less about; it is a great recipient for all kinds of germs and bacteria. It honestly constitutes a real danger to our health, especially in these days of new flues and potential epidemics.
It is not just the deal with of the shopping cart that is a major risk. Granted, the handles are held by so many population day in, day out. You can be sure that some of them carry some pretty risky germs on their sometimes unwashed hands. population also cough and sneeze on them. And how about the shoppers that deal with raw chicken, meat and fish? Do you think they are going to wash their hands before getting back at the deal with of their shopping cart? All of this makes the deal with of a shopping cart a amount one risk for virus or germ transmission to your hands. You might think that, all in all, it is not too risky since you can all the time wash your hands after you shop. But remember that with those hands you will be picking fruit and vegetables, handling your wallet or purse, and maybe touching your steering wheel and parts of your car.
Far worse and more risky any way is the fold out child seat. population put their infants in there, some wearing diapers and some of those diapers might hold a present. Woman also use it to carry their purses that have may have been put on the floor for example. And how about older children? Lots of them stand on the seat before honestly sitting down in it. The horrors they might have stepped in before entering the supermarket...
Yet, most of us also use that same seat to carry our vegetables and especially our fruits, so they don't get bruised. Lots of vegetables and fruits are eaten uncooked and just maybe even unwashed (try convincing your teenager he all the time has to wash the fruit he's going to eat...)
The inside of the cart is no stranger to germs and virus either. Kinds sit and stand in them, sometimes packages of chicken or meat drip juice, you name it. The risk of contamination here are way lower though.
The University of Arizona conducted a four-year study on shopping carts and found them to be full of human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter and blood and juices from raw fish, chicken and meat. Closer test of the handles and the child seats showed some harbored E-coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Influenza and many others. They honestly ranked third on the list of worst communal things to touch, just below playground toys and the armrests of communal transportation. Shopping carts are far worse than communal bathrooms; at least those get cleaned way more often.
So what can you do to safe yourself? If the supermarket offer sanitation wipes, use them diligently on deal with and seat. Clean at least the lowest of the cart. If the supermarket doesn't provide any wipes, use commercially available ones, like Clorox brand or plainly use hand sanitizing gel with alcohol on deal with and seat.
The Shopping Cart, a condition Hazard
The shopping cart must be one of the inventions of the Dirty Thirties we least think about nowadays. Still, back then, it immensely changed the way citizen shopped. They no longer had to hand carry colse to all the things they were buying, but could put everything comfortably in the new favorite shopping aid: the shopping cart. Next time you're standing with a full shopping cart in line at the cash register, just dream how you would have been able to carry all that stuff without the cart.
But there is one huge question with shopping carts we think maybe even think less about; it is a great recipient for all kinds of germs and bacteria. It really constitutes a real danger to our health, especially in these days of new flues and potential epidemics.
It is not just the cope of the shopping cart that is a major risk. Granted, the handles are held by so many citizen day in, day out. You can be sure that some of them carry some pretty perilous germs on their sometimes unwashed hands. citizen also cough and sneeze on them. And how about the shoppers that cope raw chicken, meat and fish? Do you think they are going to wash their hands before getting back at the cope of their shopping cart? All of this makes the cope of a shopping cart a number one risk for virus or germ transmission to your hands. You might think that, all in all, it is not too risky since you can all the time wash your hands after you shop. But remember that with those hands you will be picking fruit and vegetables, handling your wallet or purse, and maybe touching your steering wheel and parts of your car.
Far worse and more perilous however is the fold out child seat. citizen put their infants in there, some wearing diapers and some of those diapers might hold a present. Woman also use it to carry their purses that have may have been put on the floor for example. And how about older children? Lots of them stand on the seat before really sitting down in it. The horrors they might have stepped in before entering the supermarket...
Yet, most of us also use that same seat to carry our vegetables and especially our fruits, so they don't get bruised. Lots of vegetables and fruits are eaten uncooked and just maybe even unwashed (try convincing your teenager he all the time has to wash the fruit he's going to eat...)
The inside of the cart is no stranger to germs and virus either. Kinds sit and stand in them, sometimes packages of chicken or meat drip juice, you name it. The risk of contamination here are way lower though.
The University of Arizona conducted a four-year study on shopping carts and found them to be full of human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter and blood and juices from raw fish, chicken and meat. Closer examination of the handles and the child seats showed some harbored E-coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Influenza and many others. They really ranked third on the list of worst communal things to touch, just below playground toys and the armrests of communal transportation. Shopping carts are far worse than communal bathrooms; at least those get cleaned way more often.
So what can you do to safe yourself? If the supermarket offer sanitation wipes, use them diligently on cope and seat. Clean at least the bottom of the cart. If the supermarket doesn't contribute any wipes, use commercially ready ones, like Clorox brand or simply use hand sanitizing gel with alcohol on cope and seat.
The Shopping Cart, a condition Hazard
How to clean vintage clothing varies by the age of the garment and the type of material. The main basic rule is not to put anyone vintage straight through the washing engine or dryer. Hand wash or dry cleaning are the best ways to clean vintage, although I have used the washing engine as a basin when the garment is too large to fit comfortably in the kitchen sink, but make sure that you do not use the agitator when the garment is soaking. I regularly fill the washer half full with warm water, a tablespoon of salt and mild detergent and let it soak. To move the garment around, I use a long wooden spoon to gradually move the garment around, being truthful not to tear the material.
Cleaning Vintage Clothing Based on Type of Material of the Garment
Never hand wash velvet, silk, or rayon crepe. These materials should all the time be dry cleaned, if it is vital to clean them, although older silk garments (particularly structured silk) can be no ifs ands or buts shredded by the intense heat and harsh chemicals used by the dry cleaners. You need to make sure the silk item is strong enough for cleaning. Silk is likely to bleed or the fibers may cut off when hand washed. Rayon crepe was so favorite from the mid 30s straight through the 40s and is a durable material, unless you get it wet, then it will shrink some sizes. Velvet can be altered no ifs ands or buts from washing, steaming and particularly from ironing. It will cause the fibers to lie flat and build a shiny appearance, which is constantly damaged.
To hand wash most vintage garments, use Luke warm water, a tablespoon of table salt (to control fabric bleeding) and a mild detergent like Woolite, Dreft, or Ivory soap flakes. If the material is durable, I often use Tide. If the item has a bad smell, add baking soda or white vinegar to the mix, a few tablespoons of either item.
If the garment has only a small flaw, like a singular spot, I recommend one of the following spot cleaners. One of my favorite methods is the cleaning explication found in a box of Dryel. It can be applied without having to rinse. It is great on fresh stains and good on old stains. Other spot cleaners that do not wish washing are applying white vinegar, rubbing alcohol or like Dryel, the Tide to Go Pens can be applied on the spot and air dries. All of these spot cleaners should have a white cloth settled under the spot that you are cleaning so that it can catch the stain.
Spot cleaning methods that need to be rinsed out after applied are:
Oxyclean spray - I use this often and depending on the material will leave on the spot for 30 minutes to 2 days and then rinse and hand wash and rinse again. Then air dry in an area without direct sunlight.
Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking soda, and water mixed in equal parts into a paste. Apply the paste to the spot. Allow to sit on the spot for 30 minutes, then rinse, hand wash, rinse again and air dry in an area without direct sunlight.
Aspirin, Cream of Tartar, and water in equal parts mixed into a paste. Apply the paste to the spot. Allow to sit on the spot for 30 minutes to a few hours, then rinse, hand wash, rinse again and air dry in an area without direct sunlight.
Lemon juice with a layer of salt applied to a spot and then settled in full sun for some hours. Rinse the solution, hand wash, rinse and air dry. This method is helpful with mold or rust, but is also helpful on other stains.
Clorox beach pen can be applied on a white spot, as long as it is not a artificial material. On most synthetics, bleach will turn white yellow and is very hard to remove, particularly on polyester and nylon. The pen can be reapplied some times. Once you are happy with the results, you can rinse it off thoroughly. It does not necessarily need to be washed again after rinsing, that can be left to your own discretion.
Wink is a rust remover for porcelain, but can be used on durable white material. The best method for this is to but the stain area on top of an open bowl, dampen the stain with water and then squirt the wink on the spot. Let it sit for a few moments, if the stain is still gift you can reapply. After applying, rinse thoroughly, then hand wash, rinse, and air dry. Whites can be dried in direct sunlight.
I know some people, who recommend applying hairspray to a stain and allow sitting for 30 minutes to a few hours, then hand wash, rinse, and air dry. I have not had success with this method, but I do know people who like this method.
If after hand washing and spot cleaning, the stain still remains, there are yet a few methods that may help. I have success with all four of these solutions and recommend all of them. They are:
A explication of white vinegar and water in 1 part vinegar to 3 part cool water soak. This is the safest method and you can soak the garment a few hours to 2 days. You need to hand wash after the soak to eliminate the vinegar smell. This method works no ifs ands or buts well on that pale orange spotting that appears on garments that were stored in an uncontrolled climate area, like an attic. all the time hand wash the item before you soak in vinegar and water, then wash again. This will sacrifice the orange best than any other way that I have come across.
Oxyclean powder and water helps to eliminate a lot of distinct type stains, but you have to make sure the material is durable enough. I have used this method on fragile items and the garment approximately wholly disintegrated. You need to mix the powder with hot water, once it is mixed well, and then you can add cool water to soak the garment in a Luke warm bath. Depending on the garment, you can soak it from 20 minutes to a few hours. Rinse wholly and air dry in an area without direct sunlight.
For whites that have whole yellowing, you can soak the garment in Iron Out. It is also used for iron spots. The garment should be white and durable, as this is a more harsh solution. You mix the powder in hot water in a plastic tub or bowl. After the mix has dissolved, then you can add cool water to soak in a Luke warm bath for 20 minutes. Rinse wholly and hand wash, rinse and air dry. If the garment is white cotton, it can be dried in the sun, but other materials don't fare well in sunlight.
The most harsh solution, but old standby is a short soak in Clorox bleach and warm water. Make sure the item is cotton and that is durable. Watch the garment closely when soaking. After a 5 to 20 wee soak, rinse, hand wash, rinse and air dry.
Never use a dryer on vintage clothing. Hang and air dry a garment. Unless the item is white cotton, I do not recommend hanging to dry in or near direct sunlight. Some garments will fade and others will yellow in the sun. I ruined a silk blouse drying on the clothes line in the sun. It made light and dark blotches of color on a excellent garment and is now constantly damaged. I have a few plant hooks on my ceiling that I place the garment on a hanger and let air dry in a room with very wee sun light.
Cleaning Vintage Clothing Based on the Age of the Garment
Antique garments and vintage items from earlier than 1935 should be considered examined and considered before any type of cleaning, be it hand washing or dry cleaning. Silk and velvet tend to be the most fragile of materials and if they were made before 1935, probably should not be cleaned, unless you are going to arrange of the item unless it is cleaned. At that point I would recommend dry cleaning for velvet and hand wash for silk. Wool is the other material that would have been made before 1935. Some solid color wool pants can be hand washed, but if it is a sweater or knit material, I would recommend dry cleaning. When this type of wool gets wet it tends to make holes, especially if it is hung up to dry. It should be dried flat. Wool jackets should be taken to the cleaners. Wool is more durable than silk or velvet unless weakened by old stains or moth holes. Cotton garments from this era may be ok to hand wash in Woolite and then air dry, but again cleaning anyone this old is risky.
Cleaning vintage clothing from the later 1930s to 1940s should be ok. Cotton and linen can be hand washed or dry cleaned, depending on the stain. Some hand washing spot cleaning methods may be best than the dry cleaners, depending on the fabric. Never hand wash rayon crepe. I have many 30s to 40s dresses made of rayon crepe. It is a thick somewhat spongy texture and if gotten wet, it will shrink some sizes and probably cannot be reversed. Jersey rayon can sometimes be hand washed, but you need to do a test on an inside seam to check. All of the color prints need to be washed with salt to forestall bleeding. Rayon from this era can regularly be dry cleaned. Silk and velvet from this era are still risky to clean by hand or by dry cleaning and a judgment call will have to be made.
The garments of the 50s can be hand washed or dry cleaned, except for silk, which can still be problematic. Probably a jersey silk is ok to dry clean, but structured silk can be shredded by the dry cleaners, unless you are lucky enough to have cleaner who specializes in vintage clothing. Cotton, linen, and nylon can be hand washed. Rayon crepe still needs to be dry cleaned and rayon jersey possibly can be hand washed but be truthful of color bleeds. all the time use salt when hand washing a colorful print in any type of material.
Items from the 1960s can all be either dry cleaned or hand washed, depending on the material and the instructions on the garment. Silk, velvet, rayon crepe, wool and blends should probably go to the cleaners. Cotton, linen, nylon, polyester and some rayon jersey can be hand washed. all the time add salt into the mix for hand washing colors to forestall bleeding. There were some unusual blends in the 60s that I would not recommend hand washing. Just be sure and check the article label and instructions, which should start showing up in the 1960s garments.
1970s garments are regularly marked for laundry instructions and material content. Most of the fabrics can be dry cleaned and some can be hand washed. Cotton, linen, polyester and nylon can be hand washed. Rayon and acetate should be cleaned agreeing to the instructions only.
By the 1980s, approximately all garments are marked with cleaning instructions and material content, unless the label has been intentionally removed by the former owner. Most of the fabrics can be dry cleaned and some can be hand washed. Cotton, linen, polyester and nylon can be hand washed. Rayon and acetate should be cleaned agreeing to the instructions only.
Ironing or Steaming a Vintage Garment to remove the Wrinkles
Cotton and linen garments can be steamed or ironed, but it is my preference to iron cotton with a touch of starch. I use faultless premium Starch, which does not leave white flakes behind. To me, the steamer just does not make cotton look as good as an iron, but cotton and linen from the 1940s and later are durable enough to be steamed or ironed on the high setting. Garments from the 1930s and earlier can go straight through either process, but the iron should be on a low setting. You may want to place a damp clean white wash cloth in between the material and the iron, which is the safest way to iron any garment.
Some rayon can be steamed or ironed on a low artificial setting, but others need to avoid the steamer. In particular, my steamer drips and on the later 80s rayon, the water drops from the steamer no ifs ands or buts leave water marks. The only way to remove them is to dampen the whole garment and dry iron or iron with a damp white clean wash cloth in between the garment and the iron. Some of the rayon nightgowns from the 30s and 40s should also be ironed with a white damp cloth in between the iron and the garment. My assistant was steaming a 40s nightgown and where she had steamed one area too long, the material became damaged and weak leaving lines in the fabric. It was constantly damaged. Rayon crepe can be ironed with a dry iron. Since water makes it shrink, the steamer and ironing with a wash cloth are both bad ideas.
Never use an iron on velvet. It wholly changes the appearance to flat and shiny. I do use the steamer on velvet, but only from the inside of the velvet, never allowing the steamer to touch the surface layer of the velvet. You have to move the steamer no ifs ands or buts fast over the inside to avoid damage. Velvet older then the 1950s should not be steamed. Most of the 1940s and earlier velvet has become thin and somewhat fragile, so I no ifs ands or buts do not recommend dry cleaning either for velvet earlier than the 50s. 1950s and later velvet should be dry cleaned for wrinkles or cleaning.
Silk does best with an iron on a low silk setting and a damp clean white wash cloth settled in between the iron and the garment. I do not recommend using the steamer on silk. The drycleaner is good on later silk garments but only from the 1960s and later. The dry cleaner here in York Sc shredded 2 of my 50s structured silk dresses in the process of removing the wrinkles and then expensed me for this service. Not a good buyer service experience.
There were some odd combinations of artificial and natural materials made in the 1960s used generally for dresses and suits that you have to be truthful of when steaming or ironing. I had a suit that was part linen, part rayon and part nylon that did not like the water drops from my steamer. It left water spots on a Nos suit. I had to dampen the whole suit and then iron with a damp white wash cloth in between the suit and the iron. It never no ifs ands or buts looked quite right though.
Acetate can be ironed or steamed, but some acetates, particularly the type used as a lining in 50s prom dresses will convert colors if submerged in water. It regularly can be steamed, but ironing is probably the best method. You can use a lightly damp white wash cloth in between the iron and the material, which helps to get the wrinkles out better, but you want to make sure not to get the cloth too damp.
Polyester is a phenomenal material for maintenance - the only thing that bothers it is bleach, which will make it yellow. Polyester can be steamed or ironed, but on a low or artificial setting.
Nylon can be steamed very nicely and can be ironed too, but on a low setting. The only qoute with nylon is that stains do not come out well, so be truthful when considering purchasing a nylon garment with a stain.
Most garments of the later 70s to gift are marked with material article and clear cleaning instructions. I recommend following those instructions, it will increase the life of the garment.
Cleaning Vintage ClothingTax season is over...The spring holidays have passed...
Hopefully by now you have sent your taxes in and recovered from your spring holiday preparation. You can Relax!
Sit back, get excited for summer.
Just don't let things slide too much. In order for you to be able to take the break you deserve, there are a few Vital organizing systems you need to have in place so clutter doesn't take over.
1. Mail-establish a place for incoming mail and outgoing mail. I like to keep a photograph box with my stamps, envelopes, tape, scissors, a combine of pens, and anyone else I need to send letters.
For incoming mail, you can keep a tiered tray with distinct categories to look at a later date-bills, healing reimbursements, to file. Frequently check the tray to see when anyone is due.
Keeping your mail in one location prevents paper pileup.
2. Receipts and coupons- found a principles for receipts. You can use an expandable check file and label each section agreeing to store, credit card, or type of purchase. Think about where you would look to find it if you needed it.
3. Library books/movies-keep anyone you can incur a fine for in one location.
4. Magazine basket-keep magazines in a basket and when it gets too full, sort and purge.
5. Keys-keep your keys in one place! It may sound safe bet to you but do you waste time desperately searching for your keys?
6. Birthdays-read more about retention a birthday tracking principles at [http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com/yahoo-birthday-reminders.html]
7. Gifts-I like retention extra gifts on hand for those last itsybitsy necessities. This may sound terrible- but I also keep gifts that I receive (that I don't particularly like) in this location. I do not allow my home to come to be cluttered with gifts I did not like and the guilt that goes along with not using them!
8. Cds/Dvds-believe it or not, I have seen media take Over much floor space and counter space when no exact place is designated for it. Devote one piece of furniture with drawers to consist of all of your media.
9. Lists- This is my favorite! You do not need to have any fancy software or expedient for this. I open up a plain Microsoft word document for any list I think of-tax deductions for next year, things I have borrowed or lent out, population to send holiday cards to, holiday catalogue (for instance, I need a great can opener for next Passover), spring cleaning chores, books to read, wish lists, babysitting instructions, packing lists...
You name it! anyone conception enters my head, I write it down to preclude reasoning clutter.
If you are more of a creative type of person and hate the idea of manufacture lists, do it in a way that speaks to you. For instance, generate "landmarks" for your lists. For example, if you have a photograph of your spouse on your desk, possibly retention a gift wish list or birthday list under his/her photograph would remind you to plan their birthday gift.
10. Grocery shopping and cooking-Keep a running grocery list on the front of your pantry or refrigeration (with a pen!) so you can write down items as you need them.
Plan one day a week to plan all the meals for the week with the ingredients that you need. Be sure to add those ingredients to your grocery list.
Designate the same day each week to go grocery shopping.
11. Laundry and Cleaning routines One of the most leading routines is the laundry and cleaning routine. Part of it is just having the supplies on hand and a comfortable spot to do the laundry.
I no ifs ands or buts love the clorox wipes- whenever you go to the bathroom, take a quick wipe of the toilet seat, vanity, and sink countertops.
Designate 2 days a week to do laundry or if it works great for you to throw a load in each morning, that's fine. Make sure you have laundry baskets in everyone's room and a large sorter basket in the laundry room. That way, each person can bring their basket into the laundry room on laundry day and sort it by color.
In terms of a cleaning routine, you have a lot of flexibility. You can designate one day a week for cleaning in increasing to cleaning for a 1/2 hour every morning and evening. Think like a cafeteria server-pick up after using, wash dishes, wipe down dirty surfaces often. That way you will not need a heavy duty cleaning too often.
Review! 1. generate a place for everything. no ifs ands or buts give the items that clutter up your home an address.
2. Build habits-Establishing routines is a very leading conception in maintaining chronic organization. Going to the grocery store the same day every week, or returning calls in the middle of 3-4 Pm every afternoon can save a lot of time and preclude physical and reasoning clutter.
It is my hope these tips for basic organizing systems enables you to relax more freely this upcoming summer season. Happy Organizing!
A Place For all And all In Its PlaceThe shopping cart must be one of the inventions of the Dirty Thirties we least think about nowadays. Still, back then, it immensely changed the way habitancy shopped. They no longer had to hand carry colse to all the things they were buying, but could put all comfortably in the new favorite shopping aid: the shopping cart. Next time you're standing with a full shopping cart in line at the cash register, just dream how you would have been able to carry all that stuff without the cart.
But there is one huge qoute with shopping carts we think maybe even think less about; it is a great recipient for all kinds of germs and bacteria. It as a matter of fact constitutes a real danger to our health, especially in these days of new flues and possible epidemics.
It is not just the deal with of the shopping cart that is a major risk. Granted, the handles are held by so many habitancy day in, day out. You can be sure that some of them carry some pretty perilous germs on their sometimes unwashed hands. habitancy also cough and sneeze on them. And how about the shoppers that deal with raw chicken, meat and fish? Do you think they are going to wash their hands before getting back at the deal with of their shopping cart? All of this makes the deal with of a shopping cart a number one risk for virus or germ transmission to your hands. You might think that, all in all, it is not too risky since you can all the time wash your hands after you shop. But remember that with those hands you will be picking fruit and vegetables, handling your wallet or purse, and maybe touching your steering wheel and parts of your car.
Far worse and more perilous however is the fold out child seat. habitancy put their infants in there, some wearing diapers and some of those diapers might hold a present. Woman also use it to carry their purses that have may have been put on the floor for example. And how about older children? Lots of them stand on the seat before as a matter of fact sitting down in it. The horrors they might have stepped in before entering the supermarket...
Yet, most of us also use that same seat to carry our vegetables and especially our fruits, so they don't get bruised. Lots of vegetables and fruits are eaten uncooked and just maybe even unwashed (try convincing your teenager he all the time has to wash the fruit he's going to eat...)
The inside of the cart is no stranger to germs and virus either. Kinds sit and stand in them, sometimes packages of chicken or meat drip juice, you name it. The risk of contamination here are way lower though.
The University of Arizona conducted a four-year study on shopping carts and found them to be full of human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter and blood and juices from raw fish, chicken and meat. Closer test of the handles and the child seats showed some harbored E-coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Influenza and many others. They as a matter of fact ranked third on the list of worst public things to touch, just below playground toys and the armrests of public transportation. Shopping carts are far worse than public bathrooms; at least those get cleaned way more often.
So what can you do to protect yourself? If the supermarket offer sanitation wipes, use them diligently on deal with and seat. Clean at least the lowest of the cart. If the supermarket doesn't furnish any wipes, use commercially available ones, like Clorox brand or naturally use hand sanitizing gel with alcohol on deal with and seat.
The Shopping Cart, a condition HazardHere is a list of all I can think of that I do to save money. You may not agree with all I do. But this is how I make ends meet in this economy.
I'll show you mine, if you show me yours. How do you save money?
1. Online Coupon Code Obsession
Ever since I discovered coupon codes, I will not buy anything online without a quick search. I am Obsessed with these codes because they categorically save me big dollars. Generally I never pay shipping and usually get a % off or $ off code as well. Try these sites for codes for your beloved stores: Coupon Chief Good Bazaar sell Me Not midpoint Savings: Free Shipping, 10-30% off
2. Aldi
This is a chain of small grocery shop in 29 of the United States and 18 countries, where you can save 40-50% on your groceries. They mainly carry their House Brand, but occasionally have extra Purchases. This is where I spend the majority of my food budget. midpoint Savings: 0/year.
3. Buy One Get One Free (Bogof), Especially with Meat
Though I usually do all my food shopping at Aldi, I all the time browse the ads from the other, more expensive grocers. About once a month one or the other has a Buy One Get One Free Sale. However, I do believe they raise their prices for these events, so I am pretty picky. I usually opt for the whole pieces of meat: roasts, turkey/chicken breast, chops, etc., where I get the biggest bang for my buck. midpoint Savings: about 40-50% off.
4. Cashing In On Kid's Presents, Gift Cards
Since my kids were born they have received many, many duplicate gifts or gifts that were the wrong style or size. There have also been things we plainly didn't need or want, to be honest. Thankfully most citizen consist of a gift receipt these days. So, I do not hesitate to return many of these gifts for gift cards or store credit. My kids also get cash and gift cards as gifts, too.
I put the cash in an envelope and over time, buy the gift cards to be used for household purposes. I keep track of each transaction on the envelope and ultimately my kids have a lot of cash. This is also a great learning experience for my kids as we talk about their "savings envelopes" often. I use this cash for Big label items my kids want, but we can't afford. Recently, this money paid for 1/2 of a beautiful swing set! Now we are salvage up for a Wii system. midpoint Savings: 0/year.
5. Diy
Anything assistance citizen can do, I can do better! Well, not better, but without fail cheaper! I all the time check my bookshelf and quest machine (try swagbucks) for ideas on "How to..." do anything.
* When the fridge leaked water all over
* When the washing machine quit
* When the garage door wouldn't open
* When the (gasp) computer wouldn't let me get online
These issues all occurred in the last 4 months. (Yes, I have had some bad luck). Out of these four inherent disasters we managed to fix it all ourselves. My beloved websites for Diy repairs are: The Samurai Appliance Guru, repair 2000, and The Natural Handyman. (Thanks, Maggie May). midpoint Savings: 0+ in assistance calls.
6. Make it Myself
I all the time try to make it myself, if I can. I make all my own cleaners, and baby wipes. I make my own concoction of:
* Hand soap : Clorox Natural Dish Soap, diluted 60/40 with water
* Shampoo: Baby Shampoo, diluted 60/40 with water and 10 drops tea tree oil
* Honey face mask: warm for 5 seconds in microwave and smear on face. Leave on 15 minutes. Results: less oily and softer skin
* Instead of Nose Strips: I packet Gelatin, with 1 1/2 Tbsp milk, warm in microwave for 10-15 seconds and apply to T-Zone. Leave on 15-30 minutes until dry. Will peel off and take hair with it, so be cautious where you use it. Results: minimizes pores.
* I make dinners in bulk and then frost them for future use. I especially like to make frost chimichangas. They are easy to cook from frozen and so good!
* Acne: Ugh. Try using tea tree oil dabbed right on the blemishes.
Average Savings: 0-0+/per year.
7. frozen Milk
Freezing milk saves me Big!
8. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is seriously my new beloved website. It's a lot of money saving, plus a wee treasure hunting. You sign up and use them for searches, which are powered by Ask and Google. Every third quest or so, you earn 1-5 swagbucks. You can also subscribe to their Twitter feed and they will tell how to get a "code" to enter in their homepage, which will also get you a Swagbuck. I just earned 45 bucks in 5 weeks of casual use and turned that into a Amazon gift card. How fun! midpoint Savings: and counting!
9. Websites and Forums
My beloved money salvage websites and forums:
* frugal Girls!
* Money salvage Tips
* Pays to Live Green
* The Greenest Dollar
* Wise Bread
Average Savings: 0 so far this summer!
10. Never Carry Cash
When I quit smoking, I realized how the cash I carried lasted me so much longer. However, when I had kids, the opposite occurred. Any cash I now have on my person, is like gone, in a flash and I couldn't tell you where it went.
I now have a credit/debit card from my bank and I use it for Everything, even amounts less than (though there are few of those these days). My bank offers me points that add up to in free gift cards every three months. midpoint savings: -0/year.
11. garage sales/Goodwill/Clearance/Generics
I categorically only spend money on something if it's from a discount store, on sale or clearance, at a garage sale, or maybe goodwill.
* garage Sales-I keep a running wish list of used things I'd like for a bargain. Examples include: an extra dresser, lanterns, night stand and clothes for my oldest.
* Good Will- I love buying clothes, jeans especially at good will. They sometimes also have clothes for my kids and occasional furniture I can refinish or paint. And all for a great cause.
* Sale or clearance- I *heart* sales, especially end-of-season clearance. Find out when the Kmart near you does their .99 on apparel sale, I believe it's twice a year and well worth a trip, even if things are already picked over. I found pajamas, work slacks, underwear for my kid and a bra for me. All .99 each. Really.
* discount store - shop early and often to get the best deals. When discount shop have clearance, you can bet you're getting the best deal out there.
* Generics or House Brands- I will buy just about anything in the generic form (prescriptions, napkins, paper towels, food, coffee, wrinkle cream (not that I have wrinkles or anything), lotion, etc.
Average Savings: 0-0/year.
12. Lowering Utilities
This is easier than you think. Galvanic and Gas clubs sometimes offer you a guide to changeable rates. If you sign up, you can select when to run your biggest vigor appliances, like dishwasher, washer/dryer and the air conditioner. In addition, invest in a power strip to use on your Tv/Dvd/cable box center. Turn off all when you go to bed. You can also turn off your hot water heater (covered in an insulation blanket) when you go away on vacation. Replace all those quarterly bulbs with Cfl bulbs. Setup a digital thermometer so you can operate the temperature. If you categorically want to get fancy, Setup ceiling fans, and reuse your grey water from the washer to water plants. midpoint Savings: 0+/year.
These are tricks that have taken me years to learn; I hope you can advantage from them all right now, today!
My 12 Deepest, Darkest Secrets to rescue MoneyHere is a list of all I can think of that I do to save money. You may not agree with all I do. But this is how I make ends meet in this economy.
I'll show you mine, if you show me yours. How do you save money?
1. Online Coupon Code Obsession
Ever since I discovered coupon codes, I will not buy anyone online without a quick search. I am Obsessed with these codes because they truly save me big dollars. Commonly I never pay shipping and commonly get a % off or $ off code as well. Try these sites for codes for your beloved stores: Coupon Chief Good Bazaar sell Me Not midpoint Savings: Free Shipping, 10-30% off
2. Aldi
This is a chain of small grocery market in 29 of the United States and 18 countries, where you can save 40-50% on your groceries. They in general carry their House Brand, but occasionally have special Purchases. This is where I spend the majority of my food budget. midpoint Savings: 0/year.
3. Buy One Get One Free (Bogof), Especially with Meat
Though I commonly do all my food shopping at Aldi, I always browse the ads from the other, more expensive grocers. About once a month one or the other has a Buy One Get One Free Sale. However, I do believe they raise their prices for these events, so I am pretty picky. I commonly opt for the whole pieces of meat: roasts, turkey/chicken breast, chops, etc., where I get the biggest bang for my buck. midpoint Savings: about 40-50% off.
4. Cashing In On Kid's Presents, Gift Cards
Since my kids were born they have received many, many double gifts or gifts that were the wrong style or size. There have also been things we naturally didn't need or want, to be honest. Thankfully most people comprise a gift receipt these days. So, I do not hesitate to return many of these gifts for gift cards or store credit. My kids also get cash and gift cards as gifts, too.
I put the cash in an envelope and over time, buy the gift cards to be used for household purposes. I keep track of each transaction on the envelope and at last my kids have a lot of cash. This is also a great learning feel for my kids as we talk about their "savings envelopes" often. I use this cash for Big label items my kids want, but we can't afford. Recently, this money paid for 1/2 of a beautiful swing set! Now we are saving up for a Wii system. midpoint Savings: 0/year.
5. Diy
Anything assistance people can do, I can do better! Well, not better, but definitely cheaper! I always check my bookshelf and crusade engine (try swagbucks) for ideas on "How to..." do anything.
* When the fridge leaked water all over
* When the washing engine quit
* When the stable door wouldn't open
* When the (gasp) computer wouldn't let me get online
These issues all occurred in the last 4 months. (Yes, I have had some bad luck). Out of these four inherent disasters we managed to fix it all ourselves. My beloved websites for Diy repairs are: The Samurai Appliance Guru, heal 2000, and The Natural Handyman. (Thanks, Maggie May). midpoint Savings: 0+ in assistance calls.
6. Make it Myself
I always try to make it myself, if I can. I make all my own cleaners, and baby wipes. I make my own concoction of:
* Hand soap : Clorox Natural Dish Soap, diluted 60/40 with water
* Shampoo: Baby Shampoo, diluted 60/40 with water and 10 drops tea tree oil
* Honey face mask: warm for 5 seconds in microwave and smear on face. Leave on 15 minutes. Results: less oily and softer skin
* Instead of Nose Strips: I packet Gelatin, with 1 1/2 Tbsp milk, warm in microwave for 10-15 seconds and apply to T-Zone. Leave on 15-30 minutes until dry. Will peel off and take hair with it, so be cautious where you use it. Results: minimizes pores.
* I make dinners in bulk and then ice them for hereafter use. I especially like to make ice chimichangas. They are easy to cook from frozen and so good!
* Acne: Ugh. Try using tea tree oil dabbed right on the blemishes.
Average Savings: 0-0+/per year.
7. frozen Milk
Freezing milk saves me Big!
8. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is seriously my new beloved website. It's a lot of money saving, plus a wee treasure hunting. You sign up and use them for searches, which are powered by Ask and Google. Every third crusade or so, you earn 1-5 swagbucks. You can also subscribe to their Twitter feed and they will tell how to get a "code" to enter in their homepage, which will also get you a Swagbuck. I just earned 45 bucks in 5 weeks of casual use and turned that into a Amazon gift card. How fun! midpoint Savings: and counting!
9. Websites and Forums
My beloved money saving websites and forums:
* prudent Girls!
* Money saving Tips
* Pays to Live Green
* The Greenest Dollar
* Wise Bread
Average Savings: 0 so far this summer!
10. Never Carry Cash
When I quit smoking, I realized how the cash I carried lasted me so much longer. However, when I had kids, the opposite occurred. Any cash I now have on my person, is like gone, in a flash and I couldn't tell you where it went.
I now have a credit/debit card from my bank and I use it for Everything, even amounts less than (though there are few of those these days). My bank offers me points that add up to in free gift cards every three months. midpoint savings: -0/year.
11. stable sales/Goodwill/Clearance/Generics
I truly only spend money on something if it's from a reduction store, on sale or clearance, at a stable sale, or maybe goodwill.
* stable Sales-I keep a running wish list of used things I'd like for a bargain. Examples include: an extra dresser, lanterns, night stand and clothes for my oldest.
* Good Will- I love buying clothes, jeans especially at good will. They sometimes also have clothes for my kids and occasional furniture I can refinish or paint. And all for a great cause.
* Sale or clearance- I *heart* sales, especially end-of-season clearance. Find out when the Kmart near you does their .99 on apparel sale, I believe it's twice a year and well worth a trip, even if things are already picked over. I found pajamas, work slacks, underwear for my kid and a bra for me. All .99 each. Really.
* reduction store - shop early and often to get the best deals. When reduction market have clearance, you can bet you're getting the best deal out there.
* Generics or House Brands- I will buy just about anyone in the generic form (prescriptions, napkins, paper towels, food, coffee, wrinkle cream (not that I have wrinkles or anything), lotion, etc.
Average Savings: 0-0/year.
12. Lowering Utilities
This is easier than you think. Electric and Gas clubs sometimes offer you a guide to changeable rates. If you sign up, you can pick when to run your biggest power appliances, like dishwasher, washer/dryer and the air conditioner. In addition, invest in a power strip to use on your Tv/Dvd/cable box center. Turn off all when you go to bed. You can also turn off your hot water heater (covered in an insulation blanket) when you go away on vacation. Replace all those quarterly bulbs with Cfl bulbs. Install a digital thermometer so you can control the temperature. If you truly want to get fancy, Install ceiling fans, and reuse your grey water from the washer to water plants. midpoint Savings: 0+/year.
These are tricks that have taken me years to learn; I hope you can benefit from them all right now, today!
My 12 Deepest, Darkest Secrets to salvage MoneyThe shopping cart must be one of the inventions of the Dirty Thirties we least think about nowadays. Still, back then, it immensely changed the way people shopped. They no longer had to hand carry nearby all the things they were buying, but could put everything favorably in the new favorite shopping aid: the shopping cart. Next time you're standing with a full shopping cart in line at the cash register, just imagine how you would have been able to carry all that stuff without the cart.
But there is one huge problem with shopping carts we think maybe even think less about; it is a great recipient for all kinds of germs and bacteria. It honestly constitutes a real danger to our health, especially in these days of new flues and potential epidemics.
It is not just the deal with of the shopping cart that is a major risk. Granted, the handles are held by so many people day in, day out. You can be sure that some of them carry some pretty perilous germs on their sometimes unwashed hands. people also cough and sneeze on them. And how about the shoppers that deal with raw chicken, meat and fish? Do you think they are going to wash their hands before getting back at the deal with of their shopping cart? All of this makes the deal with of a shopping cart a estimate one risk for virus or germ transmission to your hands. You might think that, all in all, it is not too risky since you can always wash your hands after you shop. But remember that with those hands you will be picking fruit and vegetables, handling your wallet or purse, and maybe touching your steering wheel and parts of your car.
Far worse and more perilous any way is the fold out child seat. people put their infants in there, some wearing diapers and some of those diapers might hold a present. Woman also use it to carry their purses that have may have been put on the floor for example. And how about older children? Lots of them stand on the seat before honestly sitting down in it. The horrors they might have stepped in before entering the supermarket...
Yet, most of us also use that same seat to carry our vegetables and especially our fruits, so they don't get bruised. Lots of vegetables and fruits are eaten uncooked and just maybe even unwashed (try convincing your teenager he always has to wash the fruit he's going to eat...)
The inside of the cart is no stranger to germs and virus either. Kinds sit and stand in them, sometimes packages of chicken or meat drip juice, you name it. The risk of contamination here are way lower though.
The University of Arizona conducted a four-year study on shopping carts and found them to be full of human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter and blood and juices from raw fish, chicken and meat. Closer test of the handles and the child seats showed some harbored E-coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Influenza and many others. They honestly ranked third on the list of worst public things to touch, just below playground toys and the armrests of public transportation. Shopping carts are far worse than public bathrooms; at least those get cleaned way more often.
So what can you do to safe yourself? If the supermarket offer sanitation wipes, use them diligently on deal with and seat. Clean at least the lowest of the cart. If the supermarket doesn't contribute any wipes, use commercially available ones, like Clorox brand or simply use hand sanitizing gel with alcohol on deal with and seat.
The Shopping Cart, a condition Hazard
Here is a list of all I can think of that I do to save money. You may not agree with all I do. But this is how I make ends meet in this economy.
I'll show you mine, if you show me yours. How do you save money?
1. Online Coupon Code Obsession
Ever since I discovered coupon codes, I will not buy anyone online without a quick search. I am Obsessed with these codes because they genuinely save me big dollars. Ordinarily I never pay shipping and regularly get a % off or $ off code as well. Try these sites for codes for your beloved stores: Coupon Chief Good Bazaar sell Me Not mean Savings: Free Shipping, 10-30% off
2. Aldi
This is a chain of small grocery stores in 29 of the United States and 18 countries, where you can save 40-50% on your groceries. They generally carry their House Brand, but occasionally have special Purchases. This is where I spend the majority of my food budget. mean Savings: 0/year.
3. Buy One Get One Free (Bogof), Especially with Meat
Though I regularly do all my food shopping at Aldi, I all the time browse the ads from the other, more high-priced grocers. About once a month one or the other has a Buy One Get One Free Sale. However, I do believe they raise their prices for these events, so I am pretty picky. I regularly opt for the whole pieces of meat: roasts, turkey/chicken breast, chops, etc., where I get the biggest bang for my buck. mean Savings: about 40-50% off.
4. Cashing In On Kid's Presents, Gift Cards
Since my kids were born they have received many, many duplicate gifts or gifts that were the wrong style or size. There have also been things we simply didn't need or want, to be honest. Thankfully most people contain a gift receipt these days. So, I do not hesitate to return many of these gifts for gift cards or store credit. My kids also get cash and gift cards as gifts, too.
I put the cash in an envelope and over time, buy the gift cards to be used for household purposes. I keep track of each transaction on the envelope and eventually my kids have a lot of cash. This is also a great studying caress for my kids as we talk about their "savings envelopes" often. I use this cash for Big mark items my kids want, but we can't afford. Recently, this money paid for 1/2 of a gorgeous swing set! Now we are recovery up for a Wii system. mean Savings: 0/year.
5. Diy
Anything aid people can do, I can do better! Well, not better, but absolutely cheaper! I all the time check my bookshelf and crusade engine (try swagbucks) for ideas on "How to..." do anything.
* When the fridge leaked water all over
* When the washing engine quit
* When the garage door wouldn't open
* When the (gasp) computer wouldn't let me get online
These issues all occurred in the last 4 months. (Yes, I have had some bad luck). Out of these four potential disasters we managed to fix it all ourselves. My beloved websites for Diy repairs are: The Samurai Appliance Guru, mend 2000, and The Natural Handyman. (Thanks, Maggie May). mean Savings: 0+ in aid calls.
6. Make it Myself
I all the time try to make it myself, if I can. I make all my own cleaners, and baby wipes. I make my own concoction of:
* Hand soap : Clorox Natural Dish Soap, diluted 60/40 with water
* Shampoo: Baby Shampoo, diluted 60/40 with water and 10 drops tea tree oil
* Honey face mask: warm for 5 seconds in microwave and smear on face. Leave on 15 minutes. Results: less oily and softer skin
* Instead of Nose Strips: I packet Gelatin, with 1 1/2 Tbsp milk, warm in microwave for 10-15 seconds and apply to T-Zone. Leave on 15-30 minutes until dry. Will peel off and take hair with it, so be cautious where you use it. Results: minimizes pores.
* I make dinners in bulk and then freeze them for hereafter use. I especially like to make freeze chimichangas. They are easy to cook from frozen and so good!
* Acne: Ugh. Try using tea tree oil dabbed right on the blemishes.
Average Savings: 0-0+/per year.
7. frozen Milk
Freezing milk saves me Big!
8. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is seriously my new beloved website. It's a lot of money saving, plus a diminutive treasure hunting. You sign up and use them for searches, which are powered by Ask and Google. Every third crusade or so, you earn 1-5 swagbucks. You can also subscribe to their Twitter feed and they will tell how to get a "code" to enter in their homepage, which will also get you a Swagbuck. I just earned 45 bucks in 5 weeks of casual use and turned that into a Amazon gift card. How fun! mean Savings: and counting!
9. Websites and Forums
My beloved money recovery websites and forums:
* thrifty Girls!
* Money recovery Tips
* Pays to Live Green
* The Greenest Dollar
* Wise Bread
Average Savings: 0 so far this summer!
10. Never Carry Cash
When I quit smoking, I realized how the cash I carried lasted me so much longer. However, when I had kids, the opposite occurred. Any cash I now have on my person, is like gone, in a flash and I couldn't tell you where it went.
I now have a credit/debit card from my bank and I use it for Everything, even amounts less than (though there are few of those these days). My bank offers me points that add up to in free gift cards every three months. mean savings: -0/year.
11. garage sales/Goodwill/Clearance/Generics
I genuinely only spend money on something if it's from a allowance store, on sale or clearance, at a garage sale, or maybe goodwill.
* garage Sales-I keep a running wish list of used things I'd like for a bargain. Examples include: an extra dresser, lanterns, night stand and clothes for my oldest.
* Good Will- I love buying clothes, jeans especially at good will. They sometimes also have clothes for my kids and occasional furniture I can refinish or paint. And all for a great cause.
* Sale or clearance- I *heart* sales, especially end-of-season clearance. Find out when the Kmart near you does their .99 on apparel sale, I believe it's twice a year and well worth a trip, even if things are already picked over. I found pajamas, work slacks, underwear for my kid and a bra for me. All .99 each. Really.
* allowance store - shop early and often to get the best deals. When allowance stores have clearance, you can bet you're getting the best deal out there.
* Generics or House Brands- I will buy just about anyone in the generic form (prescriptions, napkins, paper towels, food, coffee, wrinkle cream (not that I have wrinkles or anything), lotion, etc.
Average Savings: 0-0/year.
12. Lowering Utilities
This is easier than you think. Electric and Gas fellowships sometimes offer you a guide to variable rates. If you sign up, you can select when to run your biggest power appliances, like dishwasher, washer/dryer and the air conditioner. In addition, spend in a power strip to use on your Tv/Dvd/cable box center. Turn off everything when you go to bed. You can also turn off your hot water heater (covered in an insulation blanket) when you go away on vacation. Replace all those quarterly bulbs with Cfl bulbs. Setup a digital thermometer so you can operate the temperature. If you genuinely want to get fancy, Setup ceiling fans, and reuse your grey water from the washer to water plants. mean Savings: 0+/year.
These are tricks that have taken me years to learn; I hope you can advantage from them all right now, today!
My 12 Deepest, Darkest Secrets to recovery MoneyThe shopping cart must be one of the inventions of the Dirty Thirties we least think about nowadays. Still, back then, it immensely changed the way people shopped. They no longer had to hand carry nearby all the things they were buying, but could put everything comfortably in the new popular shopping aid: the shopping cart. Next time you're standing with a full shopping cart in line at the cash register, just fantasize how you would have been able to carry all that stuff without the cart.
But there is one huge problem with shopping carts we think maybe even think less about; it is a great recipient for all kinds of germs and bacteria. It well constitutes a real danger to our health, especially in these days of new flues and possible epidemics.
It is not just the handle of the shopping cart that is a major risk. Granted, the handles are held by so many people day in, day out. You can be sure that some of them carry some pretty dangerous germs on their sometimes unwashed hands. people also cough and sneeze on them. And how about the shoppers that handle raw chicken, meat and fish? Do you think they are going to wash their hands before getting back at the handle of their shopping cart? All of this makes the handle of a shopping cart a estimate one risk for virus or germ transmission to your hands. You might think that, all in all, it is not too risky since you can all the time wash your hands after you shop. But remember that with those hands you will be picking fruit and vegetables, handling your wallet or purse, and maybe touching your steering wheel and parts of your car.
Far worse and more dangerous any way is the fold out child seat. people put their infants in there, some wearing diapers and some of those diapers might hold a present. Woman also use it to carry their purses that have may have been put on the floor for example. And how about older children? Lots of them stand on the seat before well sitting down in it. The horrors they might have stepped in before entering the supermarket...
Yet, most of us also use that same seat to carry our vegetables and especially our fruits, so they don't get bruised. Lots of vegetables and fruits are eaten uncooked and just maybe even unwashed (try convincing your teenager he all the time has to wash the fruit he's going to eat...)
The inside of the cart is no stranger to germs and virus either. Kinds sit and stand in them, sometimes packages of chicken or meat drip juice, you name it. The risk of contamination here are way lower though.
The University of Arizona conducted a four-year study on shopping carts and found them to be full of human saliva, mucus, urine, fecal matter and blood and juices from raw fish, chicken and meat. Closer examination of the handles and the child seats showed some harbored E-coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Influenza and many others. They well ranked third on the list of worst social things to touch, just below playground toys and the armrests of social transportation. Shopping carts are far worse than social bathrooms; at least those get cleaned way more often.
So what can you do to safe yourself? If the supermarket offer sanitation wipes, use them diligently on handle and seat. Clean at least the lowest of the cart. If the supermarket doesn't provide any wipes, use commercially ready ones, like Clorox brand or simply use hand sanitizing gel with alcohol on handle and seat.
The Shopping Cart, a condition Hazard