Perfect Paper

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Teresa

You have ton’s of rolled wrapping paper, but you have a hard time keeping it organized.  I managed to luck across a few of the cardboard boxes that were used by a retail store for their Christmas paper display.  I placed them in a corner of the closet.  If you can’t find one of these, just fine a box that is about 1/2 the height of your paper tubes and use it.

After I open a roll of gift wrap, I grab 2 small hair rubber bands.  If you don’t have kids, you get get a package for a dollar or two in the hair section of your local store.  I place a rubber band and both the top and bottom of the tube, holding the paper securely in place so it does not come unraveled and get torn.

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Organizing Objects

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Teresa

You child has so much little stuff!  Balls, Jacks, Seashells, markers, crayons, toys, you name it.  They are all small and hard to store.  You can actually organize it easily for them.

Grab an over the door shoe holder, the kind with all of the pockets.  You can either hang it on a door, or you can mount it to the wall.   Now all you have to do is pick a pocket and start putting stuff away.  You can draw what is in each pocket on the outside, or you can glue or sew an item so that you know what is in each pocket individually, and your child can start learning how to put it where it belongs.

This also works great for office supplies, craft and sewing notions!

Posted in Cleaning, Crafts, Organization, Storage, Work/Office | Leave a comment

Sweeping the Walls

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Teresa

You need to clean the cobwebs off of the walls and from the corners, but it is pretty hard work.

Why not make it easier?  Grab a swifter, or like floor mop, and go to town.  Not only will the pad collect all of the dust and cobwebs, but the long handle will let you get to the ceiling much easier.

While I am at it, I will run it across the air returns to help keep the dust from building up.

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Simple Spice Finding

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Teresa

When you go grocery shopping and are looking at the row of spices they are alphabetized so that you can find the ones that you want easily.  Guess what? You can do the same thing at home.

If you take a few minutes to alphabetize your spices in your cupboard at home, you will now be able to find the spice that you need when cooking easily!

Posted in Food, Organization | Leave a comment

Bringing Baggage

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Teresa

Baggage fee’s have gone crazy the past few years.  It seems that almost all airlines are charging them now.  When booking your flight, check around and find out if anyone is running a special for free bags, or if it is a regular service.  You may pay a little more for the flight, but if you compare to a cheap ticket that you have to pay for your luggage you could be saving money.

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International Inconvenience

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Teresa

Before you leave on an international trip, check with your credit card company to see if they charge a conversion fee.  Some credit cards will charge a percentage of the purchase price for the conversion from foreign currency to your currency.  There are cards out there that do not charge this.  Find one before your trip, or talk to your current card about waiving the charges for your trip.

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Another Airport

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Teresa

You are trying to find the best deal for your vacation, but airline prices are driving you nuts!  This easy tip, although maybe a little inconvenient might save you a few dollars.

Instead of booking your flight from a larger airport, take a look at prices from smaller regional airports.  Some airline pricing sites will give you options if you are not sure.

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Map Memory

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Teresa

You are in the car or in a plane and the kids are driving you nuts!  Here is a quick and easy game that is actually educational also!

First, find a map.  In the car you have to have one somewhere.  In a plane, there is typically one in the magazine that is in the seat pocket in front of you.

Give the map to your child/children and have them study the map for 5 minutes.  Now, using your finger, block out the name of one of the cities or states and have the child name which one is being blocked.

If you have more than one child playing the game, keep score and see who can remember the most!

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Leveling Laundry

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Teresa

You seem to be going through too much laundry detergent.  The boxes are getting smaller and *poof* it is gone!

Boxes are getting smaller because the detergents are getting more powerful.  Read the box carefully about the instructions for how much to use on your loads.

If you pretty much use the same size load for your washing, look for a scoop that holds the proper amount of soap.  This will save you time of trying to find the correct measurement on the little cup that is enclosed and it will be easier for others in the house not to over do it!

 

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Pinching Pennies

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Teresa

Don’t always assume that the largest container of something is the best buy.  Lately I have been finding that larger packages are often costing more, not less that their smaller counter parts.

I use the calculator in my phone to figure out the pricing even if it isn’t listed on the shelf label.

I also use a shopping program in my phone (Mighty Grocery) and it keeps track of the pricing for items from different stores.  Now I can tell at a glance who has the better deal, Costco, Walmart or whichever stores you like to frequent.

Posted in Shopping | Leave a comment