My wonderful followers have lent me ideas to share.
I mentioned in a previous post when buying gifts on-line to first Google the item or store with the words "coupon codes" or "discount codes" after it. For example, if you wanted to buy a sweater from L.L. Bean, first google: L.L. Bean Coupon code or L.L. Bean discount code. Sometimes you can find great discounts, and then go buy it for less!
One follower mentioned the site, http://www.retailmenot.com/ . If you go to this site and type in the name of the store you were going to shop at, you can find discounts including free shipping, 10% Off and more. It only takes a minutes and is worth a look before shoppping. Thanks Laura!
My other follower mentioned that if you are planning to buy gift certificates to restaurant to first look at http://www.restaurants.com/ where you can buy $20 or $30 gift cards for restuarants for half the face value. Not all restaurants are available but it is worth a look before paying full price. And after my post on how Experience Gift are great Green Gifts- these save you money and the enviornment! Thanks Lisa!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
More Decluttering- In time for the Holidays
Now that you've rested. We have so much more to do to tget the whole house ready. Your house will be so streamlined by the time you have guest over for the holidays.
Yesterday our decluttering let us help others. Today's decluttering will hopefully make you a few bucks. Everyone can use some extra money this time of year. So let head to find CDs and DVDs. Go through them. In this day and age I can't imagine why anyone would need either one- but I realise some people have emotional attachments to these items. Grab all your CDs and download them to your iPod (or at least your favorite songs) and get ready to get rid of them. Now take a good hard look at your DVDs with DVR and TiVo and the internet you can pretty much watch any movie at any time without needing to clutter up your house with DVDs. Plan to get rid of them all- if you have one or two that you feel you must keep ask yourself: How often do I watch this? When was the last time I watched it? and If I lost it, and wanted to watch this movie- could I find it somewhere (ie: OnDemand, internet, Tivo )? Your answers to these questions should tell you whether you really need to keep it.
Now take all those CD and DVD and list them on www.half.com . It will only take a few minutes to set up an account and listing the CDs takes seconds. You enter the UPC code from the case and it will bring up the disc and the last "sold" prices, you then choose the "condition" of your CD and decide your own price, and boom- You're done! Sit back and wait for emails that say "You've made a sale on half.com" You ship out the CD (or DVD) and half.com reimburses the shipping cost. They pay you on the 1st and 15th for what you have sold in that period. I have used this site for over a year and I am very happy with their service.
Let's take a second look at the stuff you cleaned out yesterday. In your closet did you find anything that you won't wear but just couldn't donate because it was worth too much. Maybe a designer label, or something you only worn once, or you never wore it and the tags are still on. This could be clothing, purses or shoes. These would be great items to sell on ebay. All you need is a digital camera to take a few pictures and if you price it well- it will sell on ebay. I have used ebay for about a year and have had great success selling children's clothing, gently used shoes (kids and adults), toys, exercise equipment, safety gates, purses, anything and everything. It is all stuff that I would have otherwise thrown away or donated and instead I have been able to make a few bucks, and it goes to someone else you can use it instead of the landfill.
Now lets tackle the kitchen. I would love to say empty all your cabinets like we did in the bathroom yesterday, but really that is a huge task, so let's not. Instead, open each cabinet and give it a good scan. Is there anything in there (be sure to look deep in the back of the cabintets too) that you can get rid of? Chipped plates, tupperware with no tops, that fondue set you never even opened, that set of mugs that are not microwaveable so you never use them. I am sure as you look into each cabinet you can find several things you no longer use (or never did). Pile all this stuff on your table. You should know by now I am not going to say throw it away. First, see if there is anything you can repurose. Maybe those mugs are pretty and you could use one in the bathroom to hold toothbrushes or Q-tips. A basket or bowl could be used to hold mismatched socks- put it ontop of the dryer to put them in when folding laundry. All the stuff that is left, take to a thrift shop or Good Will. They will take casserole dishes, bowls, mugs, serving pieces, decorative trays. Thrift stores may pay you a little for certian items. Remember it isn't about making money as it is about getting rid of the cluttter.
The last way to pick up a few bucks - and clean out-before the holidays is for those who have a skill or craft or small business. This is the time of the year for all those "Holiday Boutiques" and "Craft Fairs". These usually cost about $20-$40 for a space and some provide you a table, for others you will need to bring your own table. Two standard card tables will work well. If you do not have tables, do not run out and buy them. Ask family, friends and neighbors if they have a card table you can barrow for the day. In most cases, you can easily barrow one rather then dishing out more money. As it is a bit late in the season, registrations for these fairs has probabaly happened already. But look in your local papers for ads for the sales and reach out to the contact person to see if space is still available. If they have space they are ususally willing to accomodate, since the more vendors they have the more money they make. Some fairs will allow you to sell household stuff (kind of like a yard sale)- but ask first, some will not be happy if you are selling junk. If you can sell household items-- clean up all the nicer stuff you have gathered from around your house, make sure to take a nice table cloth to make your table look nice and price low. $40 is alot to pay to try and make a few buck so ask a friend if they want to split a table with you. If you have some hand-made crafts to sell, this is a great place to sell them. As well as any home-party type business. If you have a home business, this is a great time to clean out old inventory (returns, exchanges that you still have)-- sell them here and get them out of your closet.
The last idea isn't for everyone but hopefully if you have gone through your CDs and DVDs, pulled out stuff to sell on ebay, and cleaned out the clutter in your kitchen cabinets- you have decluttered and maybe made some money in the process.
Tomorrow I have some ideas for decluttering Kid's stuff- this is where most of my home's clutter comes from!
Yesterday our decluttering let us help others. Today's decluttering will hopefully make you a few bucks. Everyone can use some extra money this time of year. So let head to find CDs and DVDs. Go through them. In this day and age I can't imagine why anyone would need either one- but I realise some people have emotional attachments to these items. Grab all your CDs and download them to your iPod (or at least your favorite songs) and get ready to get rid of them. Now take a good hard look at your DVDs with DVR and TiVo and the internet you can pretty much watch any movie at any time without needing to clutter up your house with DVDs. Plan to get rid of them all- if you have one or two that you feel you must keep ask yourself: How often do I watch this? When was the last time I watched it? and If I lost it, and wanted to watch this movie- could I find it somewhere (ie: OnDemand, internet, Tivo )? Your answers to these questions should tell you whether you really need to keep it.
Now take all those CD and DVD and list them on www.half.com . It will only take a few minutes to set up an account and listing the CDs takes seconds. You enter the UPC code from the case and it will bring up the disc and the last "sold" prices, you then choose the "condition" of your CD and decide your own price, and boom- You're done! Sit back and wait for emails that say "You've made a sale on half.com" You ship out the CD (or DVD) and half.com reimburses the shipping cost. They pay you on the 1st and 15th for what you have sold in that period. I have used this site for over a year and I am very happy with their service.
Let's take a second look at the stuff you cleaned out yesterday. In your closet did you find anything that you won't wear but just couldn't donate because it was worth too much. Maybe a designer label, or something you only worn once, or you never wore it and the tags are still on. This could be clothing, purses or shoes. These would be great items to sell on ebay. All you need is a digital camera to take a few pictures and if you price it well- it will sell on ebay. I have used ebay for about a year and have had great success selling children's clothing, gently used shoes (kids and adults), toys, exercise equipment, safety gates, purses, anything and everything. It is all stuff that I would have otherwise thrown away or donated and instead I have been able to make a few bucks, and it goes to someone else you can use it instead of the landfill.
Now lets tackle the kitchen. I would love to say empty all your cabinets like we did in the bathroom yesterday, but really that is a huge task, so let's not. Instead, open each cabinet and give it a good scan. Is there anything in there (be sure to look deep in the back of the cabintets too) that you can get rid of? Chipped plates, tupperware with no tops, that fondue set you never even opened, that set of mugs that are not microwaveable so you never use them. I am sure as you look into each cabinet you can find several things you no longer use (or never did). Pile all this stuff on your table. You should know by now I am not going to say throw it away. First, see if there is anything you can repurose. Maybe those mugs are pretty and you could use one in the bathroom to hold toothbrushes or Q-tips. A basket or bowl could be used to hold mismatched socks- put it ontop of the dryer to put them in when folding laundry. All the stuff that is left, take to a thrift shop or Good Will. They will take casserole dishes, bowls, mugs, serving pieces, decorative trays. Thrift stores may pay you a little for certian items. Remember it isn't about making money as it is about getting rid of the cluttter.
The last way to pick up a few bucks - and clean out-before the holidays is for those who have a skill or craft or small business. This is the time of the year for all those "Holiday Boutiques" and "Craft Fairs". These usually cost about $20-$40 for a space and some provide you a table, for others you will need to bring your own table. Two standard card tables will work well. If you do not have tables, do not run out and buy them. Ask family, friends and neighbors if they have a card table you can barrow for the day. In most cases, you can easily barrow one rather then dishing out more money. As it is a bit late in the season, registrations for these fairs has probabaly happened already. But look in your local papers for ads for the sales and reach out to the contact person to see if space is still available. If they have space they are ususally willing to accomodate, since the more vendors they have the more money they make. Some fairs will allow you to sell household stuff (kind of like a yard sale)- but ask first, some will not be happy if you are selling junk. If you can sell household items-- clean up all the nicer stuff you have gathered from around your house, make sure to take a nice table cloth to make your table look nice and price low. $40 is alot to pay to try and make a few buck so ask a friend if they want to split a table with you. If you have some hand-made crafts to sell, this is a great place to sell them. As well as any home-party type business. If you have a home business, this is a great time to clean out old inventory (returns, exchanges that you still have)-- sell them here and get them out of your closet.
The last idea isn't for everyone but hopefully if you have gone through your CDs and DVDs, pulled out stuff to sell on ebay, and cleaned out the clutter in your kitchen cabinets- you have decluttered and maybe made some money in the process.
Tomorrow I have some ideas for decluttering Kid's stuff- this is where most of my home's clutter comes from!
Now- The Best Time to Declutter
Why now? Well is is the holiday season, and everything else is in overdrive- why not the decluttering too? And lots of organizations are looking for your donations right now!
Now is a great time to clean out, while you are in the attic pulling out your decorations (or your garage) take a minute to look around and see if there is a box or an item that you didn't even realise was there- and get rid of it! Start with one things and move on from there.
You need to start somewhere, why not right now. Look around right where you are sitting and find something to get rid of. If you are not home- think- of one thing you can get rid of. Getting rid of something does not mean throwing it away. Remember, I love to be Green! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
So for inspiration here are some great things you can do with all your "stuff" .
Go through your closets and pull out 10% of your clothes and give them to charity. If you have 20 tops- find 2 you could donate to Good Will or Salvation Army. Same with you pants, sweaters, etc.. Sometimes it is easier to get rid of stuff when you know you are doing a "good deed".
Now find all your "winter wear" - Do you have old coats, gloves, hats... take all the ones you never wear- don't fit - are out of style and donate them. There are people out there who can really use them! If you have kids who have outgrown their coats from last year- donate them to Coats for Kids- you can ususally find collections for this at schools, churches, and town halls.
Now hit up your linen closet- do you have old, ripped, stained towels, sheets, even linen table clothes- donate them to an animal shelter. They use them for the animals to sleep on, wash the animals, and clean the cages.
Now head over to your dresser. Pull out the same 10% as above for t-shirts, even PJ's in good shape. Then sort out that mess of socks- any with holes add to a "rag box" for cleaning- a sock slipped over your hand makes a great "duster"-even with holes. Old T-shirts that are beyond donating cut into rags- for cleaning. **Side note: I am a huge convert from Paper towels, I use cloth for everything now. I will post about this later. But this is great for the enviorment and saves money!**
Ok- now lets get to the bathroom and grab a big box! Pull everything and I mean everything out of the bathroom cabinets and put it all in the big box. Now wipe down all the shelves while they are empty. Then carefully go through each item in the box before putting it back in the cabinet. Some things to think about: Check the expiration date, think about how much is left (if a bottle is nearly empty is it worth taking up space? -now the Frugal me says add it to a similiar product- don't just throw it away. IE: almost empty shampoo? open another one and add it to that one) Also consider if it is a product you use daily, or weekly. If it isn't even used weekly- then it can probabaly go. Medication should not be kept in the bathroom- the humidity is not good for it- move all medications to the kitchen cabinets. With little ones in the house we keep our meds in a basket on the top shelf of the linen closet.
Once you have put back only what you use- look through that box of garbage. Is there anything you can repurpose? **FRUGAL TIP: If there are small plastic bottles consider washing them out. Once clean and dry put then in your suitcase! Next time you travel you won't need to buy travel bottles. And the great thing about it is you can take your favorite shampoo (not all brand come in travel sizes), and you don't have to spend money to buy the generic empty bottles, and if you accidently leave it behind- heck it was garbage anyway! I keep a toiletry bag full of empty bottles and free samples in my empty suitcase, their all ready when I need them. **
Now that you have worked hard- take a break! I'll be back tomorrow with more decluttering and what to do with your "trash". Remember : One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure!
Now is a great time to clean out, while you are in the attic pulling out your decorations (or your garage) take a minute to look around and see if there is a box or an item that you didn't even realise was there- and get rid of it! Start with one things and move on from there.
You need to start somewhere, why not right now. Look around right where you are sitting and find something to get rid of. If you are not home- think- of one thing you can get rid of. Getting rid of something does not mean throwing it away. Remember, I love to be Green! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
So for inspiration here are some great things you can do with all your "stuff" .
Go through your closets and pull out 10% of your clothes and give them to charity. If you have 20 tops- find 2 you could donate to Good Will or Salvation Army. Same with you pants, sweaters, etc.. Sometimes it is easier to get rid of stuff when you know you are doing a "good deed".
Now find all your "winter wear" - Do you have old coats, gloves, hats... take all the ones you never wear- don't fit - are out of style and donate them. There are people out there who can really use them! If you have kids who have outgrown their coats from last year- donate them to Coats for Kids- you can ususally find collections for this at schools, churches, and town halls.
Now hit up your linen closet- do you have old, ripped, stained towels, sheets, even linen table clothes- donate them to an animal shelter. They use them for the animals to sleep on, wash the animals, and clean the cages.
Now head over to your dresser. Pull out the same 10% as above for t-shirts, even PJ's in good shape. Then sort out that mess of socks- any with holes add to a "rag box" for cleaning- a sock slipped over your hand makes a great "duster"-even with holes. Old T-shirts that are beyond donating cut into rags- for cleaning. **Side note: I am a huge convert from Paper towels, I use cloth for everything now. I will post about this later. But this is great for the enviorment and saves money!**
Ok- now lets get to the bathroom and grab a big box! Pull everything and I mean everything out of the bathroom cabinets and put it all in the big box. Now wipe down all the shelves while they are empty. Then carefully go through each item in the box before putting it back in the cabinet. Some things to think about: Check the expiration date, think about how much is left (if a bottle is nearly empty is it worth taking up space? -now the Frugal me says add it to a similiar product- don't just throw it away. IE: almost empty shampoo? open another one and add it to that one) Also consider if it is a product you use daily, or weekly. If it isn't even used weekly- then it can probabaly go. Medication should not be kept in the bathroom- the humidity is not good for it- move all medications to the kitchen cabinets. With little ones in the house we keep our meds in a basket on the top shelf of the linen closet.
Once you have put back only what you use- look through that box of garbage. Is there anything you can repurpose? **FRUGAL TIP: If there are small plastic bottles consider washing them out. Once clean and dry put then in your suitcase! Next time you travel you won't need to buy travel bottles. And the great thing about it is you can take your favorite shampoo (not all brand come in travel sizes), and you don't have to spend money to buy the generic empty bottles, and if you accidently leave it behind- heck it was garbage anyway! I keep a toiletry bag full of empty bottles and free samples in my empty suitcase, their all ready when I need them. **
Now that you have worked hard- take a break! I'll be back tomorrow with more decluttering and what to do with your "trash". Remember : One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure!
Two Notes
I now have 2 followers!! Yea!!!
On my last post I talked about Experience gifts and I forgot one that I think is really cute for kids (or even adults).
Create a "Treat of the Month" Club! Create the "flyer" or card or booklet that will show them what they are getting each month. And on the first weekend of each month, mail or hand-deliver, a diferent treat to the child or children. How much of the treat you send each month might depend on how many kids or people are in the family you are it sending to. Treats might include: January- New Year's Brownies, February- Red Velvet cupcakes, March- Green Rice Krispie Treats. You get the idea.
I thought it was a really cute idea!
On my last post I talked about Experience gifts and I forgot one that I think is really cute for kids (or even adults).
Create a "Treat of the Month" Club! Create the "flyer" or card or booklet that will show them what they are getting each month. And on the first weekend of each month, mail or hand-deliver, a diferent treat to the child or children. How much of the treat you send each month might depend on how many kids or people are in the family you are it sending to. Treats might include: January- New Year's Brownies, February- Red Velvet cupcakes, March- Green Rice Krispie Treats. You get the idea.
I thought it was a really cute idea!
Simple, Green & a Little Frugal Christmas Ideas
Holiday gifts don't need to be elaborate or expensive, the best gifts are the most thoughtful. Many gifts given today are "stuff", which takes up space, clutters our lives and in the end gets thrown away and fills our landfils. Here are some simple and green Holiday gift ideas (some are frugal, some not so much).
The two best types of Green Gifts usually take a bit of thought about who you are buying for and what they are interested in, but once you have an idea they are easy to put together and in most cases not to bad on the wallet either. I'll call them Experience Gifts and Comsumable Gifts.
Experience Gifts can be a bit costly, but are very easy on the enviorment. These gifts involve doing something, not purchasing a "thing" to clutter up your home. Experience gifts are things like theather tickets, tickets to a ball game, or certificate to a restuarant. Everyone has heard of these things, they are not new, but maybe you've nevered looked at it a being green, yet it is!
To move beyond the usual tickets as experiences, which can get very expensive, you can be a bit creative and make a very memorable experience of your own. How about a trip to the movies, taking a younger relative to mini-golf and ice cream, bowling and pizza, or an afternoon of baking cookies. How you package these gifts can be the key to the excitement. For an afternoon of baking cookies, create a "certifitcate" or "coupon" for Cookie Lessons with "Aunt Laura" (get it- like- cooking lessons, but with cookies) you can tie it to a package of sugar cookie mix, a few small cookie cutters and a child sized rolling pin, all wrapped in a bow. Children tend to need that instant gratification, so attaching a small item to the certificate is always good. For baseball tickets attach a pack of baseball cards. For movie passes attach a big box of snowcaps. I always encouarge "experience gifts" for my kids birthdays.Because the last thing they need it more "stuff". Their birthdays are just before school lets out for summer, so it gives them a bunch of fun afternoons to start off their summer vacations.
The second type of gift I'll call a comsumable gift. These are things that people would purchase and use anyway, you're just putting it together in a gift form. This gift has the quick chance of being corny, cheap or gimicey, if you are not careful to be very thoughtful in what you buy. These gifts are more like your traditional "gift baskets". But I warn not to buy the pre-made baskets at the drug store. These tend to be full of cheap items and knick-knacks or junk. If you know someone who likes candles , filling a basket with dollar-store candles probably won't meet their standards. And a true hobbiest, golfer, or gardener won't use the items in the pre-made set becasue they aren't the "brand" they prefer. But if you know someone's interests, really know what types, styles and brands they prefer. Putting together your own basket of a few smaller (less expensive) items, that you know they will like, into a gift set, really shows you care and that you put some thought into it. And remember it is better to get a few small items you know they will love then a ton of "junk" they won't use, because the ton of junk is just headed right to the back of the closet or even the dump.
Consumables are great because you are buying what this person would have otherwise bought for themselves. It adds less waste to the enviroment, and does not clutter up their house as it is something they will "use up". Here are some ideas for consumables:
For an animal lover:
their pet's favorite treat
a new leash or toy for their pet
pet brush or "messy bag" refils
For the Car lover:
Bucket filled with
car wash, car wax
new sponge
shamois
For the golfer:
set of 3 golf balls (make sure you know the brand they like)
sm. bag of tees, ball marker
or "key" for repairing ball marks
(Do Not buy the plastic drink dispenser that looks like a golf club and goes in their golf bag- this is where the "junk" or "kitch" would be bad)
For the candle lover:
be sure to know the brand and scents they like!
1-2 votives
snuffer
bic Candle lighter (one that pivots- is great)
Last year I asked for 2 "baskets" from my family- I was specific in what I would llike in them and I did receive the "cleaning" one. To share my idea I will tell you what I had asked for, with specific brands.
My "Cleaning " basket:
A new "caddy" to hold it all
scrubber sponges, regular sponges
Lysol all-purpose spray (I love this stuff & use it on everything- kitchen/bathrooms-everyroom)
Comet
Windex wipes
Pledge wipes
Magic Erasers
I had also asked for a "bathroom" basket, but did not get it, but I will share what might be in such an item:
For the bathroom (this basket you would really, really need to know the person or family)
5 new toothbrushes (one for each person in my house)
Kids Crest Toothpaste (the only kind my kids will use)
Adult toothpast - any kind will do
Q-Tips
Flossers
Kids Act Rinse- bubble gum flavor
Soap Soft pump dispenser- any scent
Two new hand towels and matching washcloths
I hope this helps you to think creatively about what you are buying people this year.Think Green! Think experience and consumable! Use a little imagination & take some time to think and then the actual buying should be easy. If you noticed most of these items can be purchased while you are doing your grocery shopping or a quick click on-line. Both save gas (go green) and do not cause you to waste time driving all over town.
The two best types of Green Gifts usually take a bit of thought about who you are buying for and what they are interested in, but once you have an idea they are easy to put together and in most cases not to bad on the wallet either. I'll call them Experience Gifts and Comsumable Gifts.
Experience Gifts can be a bit costly, but are very easy on the enviorment. These gifts involve doing something, not purchasing a "thing" to clutter up your home. Experience gifts are things like theather tickets, tickets to a ball game, or certificate to a restuarant. Everyone has heard of these things, they are not new, but maybe you've nevered looked at it a being green, yet it is!
To move beyond the usual tickets as experiences, which can get very expensive, you can be a bit creative and make a very memorable experience of your own. How about a trip to the movies, taking a younger relative to mini-golf and ice cream, bowling and pizza, or an afternoon of baking cookies. How you package these gifts can be the key to the excitement. For an afternoon of baking cookies, create a "certifitcate" or "coupon" for Cookie Lessons with "Aunt Laura" (get it- like- cooking lessons, but with cookies) you can tie it to a package of sugar cookie mix, a few small cookie cutters and a child sized rolling pin, all wrapped in a bow. Children tend to need that instant gratification, so attaching a small item to the certificate is always good. For baseball tickets attach a pack of baseball cards. For movie passes attach a big box of snowcaps. I always encouarge "experience gifts" for my kids birthdays.Because the last thing they need it more "stuff". Their birthdays are just before school lets out for summer, so it gives them a bunch of fun afternoons to start off their summer vacations.
The second type of gift I'll call a comsumable gift. These are things that people would purchase and use anyway, you're just putting it together in a gift form. This gift has the quick chance of being corny, cheap or gimicey, if you are not careful to be very thoughtful in what you buy. These gifts are more like your traditional "gift baskets". But I warn not to buy the pre-made baskets at the drug store. These tend to be full of cheap items and knick-knacks or junk. If you know someone who likes candles , filling a basket with dollar-store candles probably won't meet their standards. And a true hobbiest, golfer, or gardener won't use the items in the pre-made set becasue they aren't the "brand" they prefer. But if you know someone's interests, really know what types, styles and brands they prefer. Putting together your own basket of a few smaller (less expensive) items, that you know they will like, into a gift set, really shows you care and that you put some thought into it. And remember it is better to get a few small items you know they will love then a ton of "junk" they won't use, because the ton of junk is just headed right to the back of the closet or even the dump.
Consumables are great because you are buying what this person would have otherwise bought for themselves. It adds less waste to the enviroment, and does not clutter up their house as it is something they will "use up". Here are some ideas for consumables:
For an animal lover:
their pet's favorite treat
a new leash or toy for their pet
pet brush or "messy bag" refils
For the Car lover:
Bucket filled with
car wash, car wax
new sponge
shamois
For the golfer:
set of 3 golf balls (make sure you know the brand they like)
sm. bag of tees, ball marker
or "key" for repairing ball marks
(Do Not buy the plastic drink dispenser that looks like a golf club and goes in their golf bag- this is where the "junk" or "kitch" would be bad)
For the candle lover:
be sure to know the brand and scents they like!
1-2 votives
snuffer
bic Candle lighter (one that pivots- is great)
Last year I asked for 2 "baskets" from my family- I was specific in what I would llike in them and I did receive the "cleaning" one. To share my idea I will tell you what I had asked for, with specific brands.
My "Cleaning " basket:
A new "caddy" to hold it all
scrubber sponges, regular sponges
Lysol all-purpose spray (I love this stuff & use it on everything- kitchen/bathrooms-everyroom)
Comet
Windex wipes
Pledge wipes
Magic Erasers
I had also asked for a "bathroom" basket, but did not get it, but I will share what might be in such an item:
For the bathroom (this basket you would really, really need to know the person or family)
5 new toothbrushes (one for each person in my house)
Kids Crest Toothpaste (the only kind my kids will use)
Adult toothpast - any kind will do
Q-Tips
Flossers
Kids Act Rinse- bubble gum flavor
Soap Soft pump dispenser- any scent
Two new hand towels and matching washcloths
I hope this helps you to think creatively about what you are buying people this year.Think Green! Think experience and consumable! Use a little imagination & take some time to think and then the actual buying should be easy. If you noticed most of these items can be purchased while you are doing your grocery shopping or a quick click on-line. Both save gas (go green) and do not cause you to waste time driving all over town.
Making Your Home a Haven- Day 5
qaA bit late in posting what happened on Friday, since it is now Saturday evening, but... in the idea of completing what I started. Here is my Friday.
Friday was a very uneventful and yet still very productive.
The Morning Routine- Done!
MY To Do list: 1) Buy cat food (poor cat has no food!), and a few other items that are a "good Deal" this week at Shop Rite. Done! 2) Finally get to bank and deposit b-day check.-- done! 3) Clean off Hutch and put up nativity and make room for Xmas Cards. - Done!
My 15-20 minutes- was spent straightening up before heading to work.
The day went smoothly and all my To do items were done right after I got home from work.
After dinner we had our December Fridays family night- The kids opened the puzzle, and game and we worked on the puzzle (more like just Garrison and I, with a little help from Kailtyn) then the family played Scooby-Doo Trouble - Kailtyn won! The kids them watched the Drake and Josh Christmas Movie on Nickelodeon.
So that ends our week. Not too much excitement, yet I got stuff done- little by little. I still have a ton to do before Christmas and therefore have had a bit of Christmas on the brain. I'll be posting some ideas on Christmas this weekend.
Hope you enjoyed your week!!
Friday was a very uneventful and yet still very productive.
The Morning Routine- Done!
MY To Do list: 1) Buy cat food (poor cat has no food!), and a few other items that are a "good Deal" this week at Shop Rite. Done! 2) Finally get to bank and deposit b-day check.-- done! 3) Clean off Hutch and put up nativity and make room for Xmas Cards. - Done!
My 15-20 minutes- was spent straightening up before heading to work.
The day went smoothly and all my To do items were done right after I got home from work.
After dinner we had our December Fridays family night- The kids opened the puzzle, and game and we worked on the puzzle (more like just Garrison and I, with a little help from Kailtyn) then the family played Scooby-Doo Trouble - Kailtyn won! The kids them watched the Drake and Josh Christmas Movie on Nickelodeon.
So that ends our week. Not too much excitement, yet I got stuff done- little by little. I still have a ton to do before Christmas and therefore have had a bit of Christmas on the brain. I'll be posting some ideas on Christmas this weekend.
Hope you enjoyed your week!!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Coming Up This Weekend
Just wanted to give you some bites of what I am working on for this weeknd. I 've got Christmas on the Brain!
Planning Saves Money & Your Sanity
Now- The Best Time to Declutter
Simple, Frugal & Green Christmas Ideas (not crafts!)
Enjoy the end of our week for Making Your Home a Haven...
Stop by and read up some ideas for the Christmas Season..
And next week Pop In to find some easy way to save money!
See you There!!
(And I hope to figure out how to add pictures to this blog- so you have something nice to look at while you read.)
Planning Saves Money & Your Sanity
Now- The Best Time to Declutter
Simple, Frugal & Green Christmas Ideas (not crafts!)
Enjoy the end of our week for Making Your Home a Haven...
Stop by and read up some ideas for the Christmas Season..
And next week Pop In to find some easy way to save money!
See you There!!
(And I hope to figure out how to add pictures to this blog- so you have something nice to look at while you read.)
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