Literally! I will be on a long weekend, fishing, canoeing, camping and relaxing until June 17th!
See ya then!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
20 Fun Things To Do With Your Kids
Spending quality time with your kids doesn't have to cost a bundle. Here are 20 inexpensive ideas for a fun summer.
Have a picnic. Find a cool shady spot, spread out a blanket and have a picnic.
Play games outdoors, Frisbee, catch, hide and seek, or make up games.
Lie in the grass and watch the clouds make shapes.
Pick up litter. “Adopt” an area in your neighborhood and keep it litter free.
Start a collection. Look for “cool” rocks, bugs, leaves, sea shells, (depending on your area), these are all free and fun to look for and collect. Coins or stamps are also fun to collect.
Dance. Turn on some music and “rock & roll”. This is not only fun, but good exercise too!
Read and write poetry. Encourage your children to be creative! Have a poetry reading.
Explore thrift shops.
Dress up in costumes, have fun applying make up and crazy hair styles. Let your kids “do” your hair/make up.
Attend the county fair. Enter a hand made item at the fair.
Go camping. If you don’t have time/finances to take a “vacation” type camping trip, camp in your yard or living room. Bring out the sleeping bags and spend the night.
Learn magic tricks. Who doesn’t love a good “trick”!!
Fly a kite.
Go to the library. Teach your child how the Dewey Decimal System works!
Make a video and post it on You Tube.
Visit the airport.
Visit a farmers market.
Have a tea party.
Cook/bake together.
Be sure to laugh with your child.
Have a picnic. Find a cool shady spot, spread out a blanket and have a picnic.
Play games outdoors, Frisbee, catch, hide and seek, or make up games.
Lie in the grass and watch the clouds make shapes.
Pick up litter. “Adopt” an area in your neighborhood and keep it litter free.
Start a collection. Look for “cool” rocks, bugs, leaves, sea shells, (depending on your area), these are all free and fun to look for and collect. Coins or stamps are also fun to collect.
Dance. Turn on some music and “rock & roll”. This is not only fun, but good exercise too!
Read and write poetry. Encourage your children to be creative! Have a poetry reading.
Explore thrift shops.
Dress up in costumes, have fun applying make up and crazy hair styles. Let your kids “do” your hair/make up.
Attend the county fair. Enter a hand made item at the fair.
Go camping. If you don’t have time/finances to take a “vacation” type camping trip, camp in your yard or living room. Bring out the sleeping bags and spend the night.
Learn magic tricks. Who doesn’t love a good “trick”!!
Fly a kite.
Go to the library. Teach your child how the Dewey Decimal System works!
Make a video and post it on You Tube.
Visit the airport.
Visit a farmers market.
Have a tea party.
Cook/bake together.
Be sure to laugh with your child.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Wise Spending
Spend Spend, Spend, this is what the government wants you to do with your economic stimulus rebate. They are counting on you to shuffle on down to the closest retail store and leave your money. Mega retailer, Wal-Mart, reported a 4% increase in sales for the month of May, and determined that the increase was a direct result of the stimulus rebate.
If you are still sitting on your rebate check, good for you!! A better way to spend your rebate check would be not to “spend” it at all. Here’s an idea: SAVE your rebate check!! Prepare for the unknown, start or add to an emergency fund. Experts say that your emergency fund should equal six months of your income, does it?
Consider buying a Certificate of Deposit, mutual fund or adding the lump sum to your 401K. 66% of Americans don’t have enough stashed away to live comfortable during retirement.
Try decreasing your credit card debt. If you can’t seem to get that credit card debt paid down, now is the time, use your stimulus rebate to decrease or eliminate this debt.
If you are still sitting on your rebate check, good for you!! A better way to spend your rebate check would be not to “spend” it at all. Here’s an idea: SAVE your rebate check!! Prepare for the unknown, start or add to an emergency fund. Experts say that your emergency fund should equal six months of your income, does it?
Consider buying a Certificate of Deposit, mutual fund or adding the lump sum to your 401K. 66% of Americans don’t have enough stashed away to live comfortable during retirement.
Try decreasing your credit card debt. If you can’t seem to get that credit card debt paid down, now is the time, use your stimulus rebate to decrease or eliminate this debt.
Monday, June 9, 2008
15 Ways To Multi Task Your Toothpaste And Save
Burns Toothpaste is great for soothing a burn. Toothpaste has a instant cooling effect on burns and helps to relieve the burning feeling, but don’t use it on open blisters. If you burn your tongue, toothpaste will relive the burning in your mouth.
Polisher/ Jewelry Cleaner You can use toothpaste as a silver polisher or a jewelry cleaner. If necessary, let the paste sit on the jewelry over night and then wash it off. Don’t use toothpaste on pearls.
CD/DVD Buffer Squeeze a little paste on a cotton ball, wipe it over the disc to remove scratches off CD's and other plastic like surfaces.
First Aid For Bites Mosquito, bugs, ant bites and bee stings dab a little over the bit, it will sooth the itching.
Crayon Marks On Walls Rub the marks with some toothpaste and a damp rag, then wipe clean. Voila! Crayon marks will disappear.
Spackle If you are out of Spackle, use it as a quick remedy to fill in nail holes, etc. in your walls.
Acne Dab a small amount on a pimple before bed. Wake up and the zip will be gone! If you have sensitive skin, beware.
Nail/Cuticle Cleaner Put this miracle goo on a nail brush and clean under your fingernails!
Shoes/Sneakers You can clean leather shoes with toothpaste by squirting on a little bit where the shoe is scuffed. Then rub with a soft cloth. Wipe it all clean with a damp cloth. Clean rubber soles using an old toothbrush to scrub off scuff marks.
Kitchen Deodorizer Sour milk smells, rancid smelling water bottle/baby bottles, or long forgotten science experiments can be washed with toothpaste and rinsed and the smell will be gone!
Deodorize Hands Wash stinky hands with toothpaste to get out garlic, onion, fish or other bad smells regular soap will not control.
Defog Goggles/Glasses Toothpaste will “defog” your goggles, mirrors, windows or glasses. Wipe it on, clean it off, and the surface will stay fog free.
Cleaner Use some paste and an old toothbrush to scrub the grout/tile/mold due in your bathroom! Cleans, sparkles and smells great!
Remove Ink or Lipstick Stains from Fabric Rub the paste onto the stain for a few seconds, and rinse. This process may have to be repeated several times to do the trick!
Clean Your clothes Iron Scrub the gunk off of the bottom of your iron with a mild abrasive, non-jell toothpaste. Of course, make sure your iron is cool!!!
Polisher/ Jewelry Cleaner You can use toothpaste as a silver polisher or a jewelry cleaner. If necessary, let the paste sit on the jewelry over night and then wash it off. Don’t use toothpaste on pearls.
CD/DVD Buffer Squeeze a little paste on a cotton ball, wipe it over the disc to remove scratches off CD's and other plastic like surfaces.
First Aid For Bites Mosquito, bugs, ant bites and bee stings dab a little over the bit, it will sooth the itching.
Crayon Marks On Walls Rub the marks with some toothpaste and a damp rag, then wipe clean. Voila! Crayon marks will disappear.
Spackle If you are out of Spackle, use it as a quick remedy to fill in nail holes, etc. in your walls.
Acne Dab a small amount on a pimple before bed. Wake up and the zip will be gone! If you have sensitive skin, beware.
Nail/Cuticle Cleaner Put this miracle goo on a nail brush and clean under your fingernails!
Shoes/Sneakers You can clean leather shoes with toothpaste by squirting on a little bit where the shoe is scuffed. Then rub with a soft cloth. Wipe it all clean with a damp cloth. Clean rubber soles using an old toothbrush to scrub off scuff marks.
Kitchen Deodorizer Sour milk smells, rancid smelling water bottle/baby bottles, or long forgotten science experiments can be washed with toothpaste and rinsed and the smell will be gone!
Deodorize Hands Wash stinky hands with toothpaste to get out garlic, onion, fish or other bad smells regular soap will not control.
Defog Goggles/Glasses Toothpaste will “defog” your goggles, mirrors, windows or glasses. Wipe it on, clean it off, and the surface will stay fog free.
Cleaner Use some paste and an old toothbrush to scrub the grout/tile/mold due in your bathroom! Cleans, sparkles and smells great!
Remove Ink or Lipstick Stains from Fabric Rub the paste onto the stain for a few seconds, and rinse. This process may have to be repeated several times to do the trick!
Clean Your clothes Iron Scrub the gunk off of the bottom of your iron with a mild abrasive, non-jell toothpaste. Of course, make sure your iron is cool!!!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Healthy, Homemade, Low Cost Popsicles
Instead of serving ice cream or sugary Popsicles this summer, why not indulge with this homemade, healthy, low cost frozen yogurt treat with fresh fruit!! They are simple to make and oh, so good, even a domestically challenged diva can make them in a snap!!
Here’s what you will need:
1 cup yogurt, any flavor and any combination of fresh fruit that tickles your pallet:
Example: 1 banana, 6 to 10 strawberries, 12/cup of crushed pineapple
Example: 1 banana, ½ cup of blue berries, 6 to 10 strawberries
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 to 6 3 oz paper cups, Popsicles molds, or any small container that can be put in the freezer
Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute. If you want a smoother consistence, blend longer. When you are happy with the consistence, pour mixture in to the molds until they are two thirds full, cover with plastic wrap, stab the mixture with a Popsicle stick and freeze
for approximately 6 hours and enjoy!!
Here’s what you will need:
1 cup yogurt, any flavor and any combination of fresh fruit that tickles your pallet:
Example: 1 banana, 6 to 10 strawberries, 12/cup of crushed pineapple
Example: 1 banana, ½ cup of blue berries, 6 to 10 strawberries
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 to 6 3 oz paper cups, Popsicles molds, or any small container that can be put in the freezer
Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute. If you want a smoother consistence, blend longer. When you are happy with the consistence, pour mixture in to the molds until they are two thirds full, cover with plastic wrap, stab the mixture with a Popsicle stick and freeze
for approximately 6 hours and enjoy!!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Deal or No Deal
When shopping for new furniture, electronics, appliances, or sporting goods, don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson “what his best price is”. Most stores will shave at least 10% off of a big ticket item and it is not unusual for them to take 15% off just for asking. Many companies will also throw in free delivery to earn your business.
Do your homework and let the sales person know that you have been shopping around and are familiar with the competitions products and prices. Take the competitor newspaper ads or sales flyer's with you to back up your claim.
If you are going to pay for your purchase in cash, let the salesperson know that and ask them if there is a discount for cash. Many times there is.
Don’t hesitate to haggle for a deal, most merchants are willing to do what it takes to make a sale.
Do your homework and let the sales person know that you have been shopping around and are familiar with the competitions products and prices. Take the competitor newspaper ads or sales flyer's with you to back up your claim.
If you are going to pay for your purchase in cash, let the salesperson know that and ask them if there is a discount for cash. Many times there is.
Don’t hesitate to haggle for a deal, most merchants are willing to do what it takes to make a sale.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Recycle Soap Silvers
What do you do with all those annoying little slivers of soap that no one wants to use? I always hate throwing them away so I have been looking for ways to use them up. Here are a few ideas!
Put the slivers in a spray/pump bottle, add some water, and shake! The annoying little slivers will turn in to liquid hand soap! Or, you could just buy liquid soap to begin with and you wouldn’t have this problem!!
If you have children, let them soak the left over soap in hot water to soften it, then they can press the softened soap into molds or cookie cutters to create tiny bath soaps for the bathroom. Oatmeal can be added to give the soap an exfoliating element. Essential oils can be added for fragrance. This makes a great “hand made” gift for teachers or grandparents.
In the 80’s, “Soap on a Rope” was a popular gift to give. Turn your “recreated”, jazzed up soap slivers into “Slivers on a String”! (Or a ribbon!)
You can rub soap shavings on a door hinge to stop the squeaks, or rub them on the runner of sliding doors or windows that stick. Rub soap on a sticky zipper to make it zip like new.
Break soap slivers into very small pieces and use to hand wash delicates.
Crochet a “bath mitt” with a pocket to hold the soap slivers, or cut a slit in a sponge to put the slivers in. Now you can scrub-a-dub dub with your body mitt to use up the scraps of soap.
Lay a few pieces of soap in your flower beds to keep pest from snacking on your flowers.
While bathing, wet a new bar of soap, and press the sliver into it until they stick together, TaDa! Problem solved!
Put the slivers in a spray/pump bottle, add some water, and shake! The annoying little slivers will turn in to liquid hand soap! Or, you could just buy liquid soap to begin with and you wouldn’t have this problem!!
If you have children, let them soak the left over soap in hot water to soften it, then they can press the softened soap into molds or cookie cutters to create tiny bath soaps for the bathroom. Oatmeal can be added to give the soap an exfoliating element. Essential oils can be added for fragrance. This makes a great “hand made” gift for teachers or grandparents.
In the 80’s, “Soap on a Rope” was a popular gift to give. Turn your “recreated”, jazzed up soap slivers into “Slivers on a String”! (Or a ribbon!)
You can rub soap shavings on a door hinge to stop the squeaks, or rub them on the runner of sliding doors or windows that stick. Rub soap on a sticky zipper to make it zip like new.
Break soap slivers into very small pieces and use to hand wash delicates.
Crochet a “bath mitt” with a pocket to hold the soap slivers, or cut a slit in a sponge to put the slivers in. Now you can scrub-a-dub dub with your body mitt to use up the scraps of soap.
Lay a few pieces of soap in your flower beds to keep pest from snacking on your flowers.
While bathing, wet a new bar of soap, and press the sliver into it until they stick together, TaDa! Problem solved!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Cute Ideas to Help Small Children Learn to Save
I apologize for not having posted in several days. My step-dad passed away last week, so I have been busy with family details. I'm back now and I hope you enjoy this post with a couple of cute ideas to help small children learn to save a few pennies!!
Instead of letting a child load the tooth brush with paste, tell them to brush their teeth with a “rain drop”. A small dab of past in the shape of a rain drop is all the paste they need to have a good brushing job.
If your child is learning to use the “big” toilet, I’m sure he/she loves to use a lot of toilet paper!! Instead of flushing paper down the drain, put a box of facial tissue close by and teach them to use only one sheet per visit!
Shampoo is another fun thing to squeeze out of the bottle!! With bath crayons, draw a small circle on the tile in the amount you wish them to use. This way they have a reference as to how much to use.
Instead of letting a child load the tooth brush with paste, tell them to brush their teeth with a “rain drop”. A small dab of past in the shape of a rain drop is all the paste they need to have a good brushing job.
If your child is learning to use the “big” toilet, I’m sure he/she loves to use a lot of toilet paper!! Instead of flushing paper down the drain, put a box of facial tissue close by and teach them to use only one sheet per visit!
Shampoo is another fun thing to squeeze out of the bottle!! With bath crayons, draw a small circle on the tile in the amount you wish them to use. This way they have a reference as to how much to use.
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