Frugal Tips

Homemade Window Cleaner

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May 7, 2013

Homemade Window Cleaner Ever been out of cleaning supplies just when you need them? Or maybe you simple want to cut down on chemicals in your home.

How about trying out some Homemade Window Cleaner? I really like my homemade cleaners.. I think they work great. Try one of these recipes out and then leave a comment.

1. Vinegar
Vinegar is germ killer and grease cutter. But make sure to use white vinegar It’s cheapest, anyway). With it you can get streak-free windows and mirrors. Use 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon vinegar for every 2 cups of water.

2. Liquid castile soap
Add 1/2 teaspoon castile or natural liquid soap to the above vinegar-water solution. Just spray it on and wipe with a soft cloth. Then use a squeegee to finish off the remaining cleaner.

3. Club soda
Combine 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of club soda and spray onto your windows or mirrors. Then use a soft cloth or crumpled newspaper to wipe away.

And a tip: don’t clean windows when the sun is shining on them. If they are warm or in direct sunlight you may find your Homemade Window Cleaner or any cleaner may leave streaks.

Homemade Window Cleaner

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Secret Tip #1 for Flavorful Sauces, Soups, Gravy…?

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February 13, 2013

I love to cook and to be honest I am half way decent at it.

I am a bit of a hack though.. I am untrained, organizing and I forget to read most recipes.. whoops!!

What I do have going for me is that I can generally taste something and tell you what kind of “flavor” is missing to give it a well rounded taste. The five generally recognized tastes are Bitterness, Sourness, Sweetness, Saltiness, and Umami.

Umami is kind of a “meaty, flavorful” tasty found in foods like Parmesan cheese and mushrooms. It gives a fuller flavor.

I find that when I make things like sauces, soups, stews and gravies this Umami taste can kind of be missing especially if it has not been cooked for a really long time.

I have seen friends and family cook and they try to make up for this flavor by adding more salt.. which helps, but still doesn’t give that long cooked flavor.

My secret ingredient?

Soy Sauce (gluten free in our home).

Now, not a ton.. you don’t want your Chicken soup to taste Asian if it is not. Start with a teaspoon or so the next time you gravy or soup is lacking in flavor. Stir it in and taste.. you will be surprised how it the rounds out of the flavor.

I use it in soups, gravy, stew, beans, sauce..

Let me know if you try it.. and what you think.

And stay tuned for Secret Tip #2 for flavor in your cooking!!

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Save $54.79 a Month: Skip Two Fancy Coffee Drinks per Week

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January 28, 2013

We all know how easy it is to swing through your local coffee shop and order your favorite coffee drink. As soon as you walk in the place smells amazing, your senses take over, and next thing you know you are ordering a grande latte with skim milk and extra foam. Oh, and of course you have to throw a banana nut muffin in there to go with it. Before you know it, your coffee run just cost you $7.00!

Suppose you do this twice a week. A large coffee with the fixings and a side bakery item are going to run you around $7.00 or more. So your average spent in a week on your caffeine fix is $14.00. Over the course of four weeks (and just think, some months have five!) you are going to spend $58.00 on coffee and side snacks.

So now you might be saying, “But I don’t buy the side muffin, I just hit up the drive through!” Ok, well suppose you just buy the coffee drink at $5.00 a pop, twice a week. That is still spending $40 a month on coffee. Yikes!

By cutting out those two fancy coffee drink trips a week, you can easily save $54.79 a month or more. The best part is, you don’t have to feel like you are sacrificing! You can still enjoy plenty of home brew blends that taste just as yummy for around $1.00 per serving. You can also add flavored creamers or some of the yummy flavored toppings now available for you to fix up your own fancy drinks right at home. Invest in a fun travel mug so you can take your creation with you, and be less inclined to make a quick drive through stop.

That $5.00 coffee drink may give you a jolt, but just think how saving $54.79 by skipping it each week will energize you!

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Back to School is Around the Corner.. Frugal Lunch Ideas

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August 3, 2012

School lunch prices are on the rise, and to be honest, the food quality isn’t. I think that, no matter your budget, your child should get to pack his or her lunch if that’s what is best for your family. These frugal lunch ideas are sure to get the ball rolling so you can create your own lunch idea list. Whether there are no dietary restrictions, you’re vegetarians, or you need gluten-free ideas, I’ve compiled a list for everyone! Feel free to add your own frugal lunch ideas to the comments.

Sandwiches and leftovers are easy staples in most packed lunches. Mix it up a bit with some fresh fruit and vegetables, and don’t forget the “I love you!” note.

Basic Lunch Ideas

Tuna Salad with Celery
Egg Salad
Left over chicken salad
Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich
Sliced Cucumbers & Cream Cheese
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Yogurt
Cottage cheese
Applesauce
Cheese cubes (cube your own – can get pricey unless bought on sale)
Peanut butter and saltines
Homemade granola
Homemade trail mix
Celery with peanut butter or cream cheese
Homemade muffins (blueberry, banana, apple, etc)
Tuna salad

Vegetarians? No problem! I’ve got you covered.

Vegetarian

*Many on the list above are vegetarian.*

Cold pasta salad
Salads (romaine lettuce and spring mix are better than iceberg but more expensive)
Deviled eggs
Veggies of all types – buy in bulk and individually package them yourself
*Same with fruits
Soup in a thermos
Homemade “Uncrustables” (cut pb&j sandwiches into circles and freeze in baggies)
Bagel and cream cheese
Tomato and cheese sandwich

Gluten-free lunches are harder to find, so you have to get creative!

Gluten-Free

Pepperoni or deli meat rolled up with cheese
Bananas
Grapes
Hard boiled eggs
sliced cucumbers with dip
Apples cut into thin slices (kind of like apple dippers from McDonald’s), with peanut butter and raisins on the side
Cut-up carrot sticks with dip

What do your kids like to pack in their lunches?

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Paid in Full.. After 10 Years!! Mission (almost) Accomplished

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April 24, 2012

Wow.. my hubby got this the other day..

One more big debt to go but what an amazing feeling!! Debt has been an overwhelming burden in this household for over 5 years. This is not because we were terribly careless.. but I do look back and see the mistakes we made. We were never crazy spenders, but life took hold of us and we let it.

It’s a good lesson in preparedness.

Save money.

It’s the best advice I can give you. Don’t think your financial situation will always be stable. Live as if it won’t.

We still have one big bill left, that should be paid off in a year and half or less.

But today we rejoice in this small victory.

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So I Think I am a Hoarder.. What Do You Think?

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April 23, 2012

Last week we cleaned out our office.. it was pretty scary. I don’t know what yours is like.. but ours is scary.

We took almost everything out of the office and put it in the living room. We had 3 boxes to sort stuff in: throw away, keep and recycle. Most of it actually went in the garbage. I am amazed at how much I do get rid of on a daily basis but yet how much is left and makes all these huge piles on my desk.. it really is out of control.

But we got thorough it, about 80% that is.. still have the closet and my shelves above my desk, but that will have to be another time.

Want to know what I ended up with though?..

This..

Oh. My. Goodness.

I think I am a hoarder.. this is all samples. They were in all sorts of different places in my office. It’s all stuff, at least mostly, that I could use without problem. The issue is that I think they just get lost in the shuffle of life.

Can you help me with my problem.. do I need to go on that Hoarders show?

Have you every accidentally hoarded something?

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