Make Your Own Drawer Divider
Posted: January 21, 2012 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Gadgets, Organize, Saving Money | Tags: DIY, Frugal, Organize, saving money 2 CommentsYesterday, I gushed over pinterest. I know. I’m way behind. The world probably realized how great the site was 5 years ago!
I did find a gem of a blog via pinterest, though. I’m very excited because it includes a picture tutorial on how to make a drawer divider out of cardboard. CARDBOARD! I’ve drooled over drawer dividers for years. NOW I can make my own for FREE! Who knew?!?
Next week I’ll attempt (I’ve never been good at measuring!) to make these handy gadgets and post the results! No more spending $6 per plastic ugly divider at Bed, Bath and Beyond and no more messy drawers.
Keep Your Kitchen Towels ON the Rack With this Tip
Posted: January 13, 2012 Filed under: Do It Yourself and Save, Frugal, Gadgets, Saving Money | Tags: DIY, Kitchen, Saving-Money, Tip 8 CommentsWe recently moved into a home with no towel racks in the kitchen. I used the bar on the oven door, but the towels constantly slipped off. It was driving me crazy! So, I thought of a solution! I clipped my towel into place with a clothes pin! Ta-Da! I’m so glad I thought of this, because I was thinking about buying a towel rack from Bed, Bath and Beyond. This is way cheaper and I don’t have to drill any holes in the wall!
Mini Kitchen Hamper
Posted: January 12, 2012 Filed under: Frugal, Gadgets | Tags: crazy, Frugal, organization, saving money 14 CommentsA few months ago, I quit using paper towels. Due to this fact, I started accumulating dirty rags at the bottom of my staircase. (My laundry room is upstairs and the kitchen is on the first level.) So, today I spent the rest of my Christmas gift money on this cute little magazine holder. I call it my mini kitchen hamper because that’s what I re-purposed it to be. It cost $16 at Target, which is probably what I used to spend at Costco for a large pack of paper towels. I like this mini-hamper WAY better and definitely don’t miss spending cash on paper just thrown in the trash. Do you think it’s crazy I don’t use paper towels, anymore? I know a lot of people do! Tell me what you think.
Decreasing Gas Bills…
Posted: January 12, 2012 Filed under: Frugal, Gadgets, Saving Money | Tags: laundry, laziness, saving money 4 CommentsRemember how I suggested hang drying clothes instead of drying them? 
Well, this last month laziness won over thriftiness and it showed on our monthly gas bill (we own a gas dryer). My husband opened the statement and stated,
“What? How did the gas price increase by $20?
I replied, “That has to be wrong! We were out of town for a week!”
We scrutinized the bill and realized that it was indeed correct! I remembered that throughout the past month I began throwing the clothes in the dryer instead of hanging them. I justified myself by saying,
“It can’t make that much of a difference.”
Well, now I know it does. $20 x 12=$240. Once again proof that the little things really add up.
RIP Heating Pad
Posted: December 15, 2011 Filed under: Gadgets | Tags: christmas, cup of tea, fuse, gadgets, heating pad, lexus, safety precautions, thermostat 9 CommentsRemember how I keenly advised people how to survive the winter when living with a thermostat nazi? Last night I was preparing to watch an episode of Modern Family. I dutifully plugged in my heating pad, grabbed a cup of tea and eagerly waited for the comedy to commence. Then it happened.
“SNAP!”
I turned to my husband and asked, “What was that?”
He replied, “It sounded like a fuse.”
This conclusion didn’t make sense since all lights were still shining brightly and a lame Lexus commercial played in the background (you know the one where some significant other receives a Lexus for Christmas?) I smelled smoke. So, I looked at my heating pad. The end of the cord was charred. Apparently, I twisted the cord ONE too many times.
Thankfully, nothing or no one started on fire. I am a little sad that I have to purchase another heating pad. That one has been in my life almost as long as my husband! Maybe I’ll follow the safety precautions a little more carefully this time! I advise you to do the same.
Cheap Exercise Equipment…
Posted: November 17, 2011 Filed under: Fitness, Gadgets | Tags: cheap, fitness, gluteal exercise, saving money, tone 1 Comment
I love/hate this exercise band! It works the gluteal muscles like none other! I bought one like this at Target for approximately $1. It’s cheap and it works. Who could ask for more?
Go HERE for exercise instructions.
*This blog reflects the opinion of the author. Please understand that all information or opinions gleaned from this blog are done so at your OWN risk*
The Importance of Measuring
Posted: November 14, 2011 Filed under: Frugal, Gadgets, Saving Money 5 Comments
I recently realized I was using WAY too much of the following:
1) Laundry Detergent
2) Dishwasher Detergent
3) Cleaning Products
4) Coffee Creamer
I discovered this because I started using those handy gadgets called “measuring cups and spoons.” Apparently, I have been using 2-3x the recommended “serving size” of each product listed above. That means I have spent 2-3x the amount of cash needed on these products over my lifetime. Good thing I’m still youngish:) Seriously. Use your measuring tools.
Money Saving Gadget #4
Posted: November 2, 2011 Filed under: Frugal, Gadgets, Uncategorized | Tags: Frugal, gadgets, saving money 4 Comments
I think we all know that using a clothes line saves money. I live in a town home and this is not possible. PlUS, we have environmental allergies. Hanging our clothes outside would not be a healthy move. So, I have started using two drying racks. I bought the one pictured above at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was $20, but I had a $5 coupon. Therefore, my total cost was $15.
I’ve been using my dryer racks since I saw our first utility bill (we recently moved to NJ). I was shocked. It was approximately $160! Luckily, our bill was only $39 last month. I attribute this drastic drop to many life-habits I’ve changed, including the use of my dryer racks.
Do you know how much it costs to run your dryer every year? According to this site , it costs approximately $130/year depending on the cost of electricity in your area and the number of loads you do. I KNOW that this is not a huge chunk of cash. Yet, it’s the little things that add up, folks! PLUS, if you hang dry your clothes, they will look less worn.
Don’t think I’m a dryer-hater! I will never hang my bath-towels on the rack. I tried it once and did not like the itchy feel. I also don’t air-dry my husband’s work shirts. That would require too much work in the ironing department! When I do use my dryer, I make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible. Here is a great tutorial regarding this topic.
*This blog reflects the opinion of the author. Please understand that all information or opinions gleaned from this blog are done so at your OWN risk*
Money-Saving Gadget #3
Posted: November 1, 2011 Filed under: Gadgets, Saving Money | Tags: gadgets, saving money 6 Comments
I love my space heater. It keeps me warm and allows me to save on electricity. Who could ask for more? Just make sure it’s SAFE. I don’t usually use mine for long…just enough to get the chill out of my bones. I also use a heating pad…which is even cheaper! It keeps me warm, even when my home is only 64 degrees F. I have mentioned before that looking more closely at your utility bill will help save money! We decreased our bill from $160 (july) to $39 (august). I realize that heating/cooling is directly affected by season, but you can still DECREASE your monthly bill by analyzing your habits. Here a couple of questions you should ask.
1) Do you put on a sweat-shirt BEFORE turning the heat up? You should because increasing the temperature one degree above the recommended setting could increase your bill by 4%. I found this statistic HERE.
2) Do you adjust the thermostat before going to sleep or leaving the house? Think about using more blankets and LESS heat. This will save you.
I hope this encourages you to look for alternative/additional ways to keep yourself warm!
*This blog reflects the opinion of the author. Please understand that all information or opinions gleaned from this blog are done so at your OWN risk*
Sonicare Toothbrush
Posted: October 28, 2011 Filed under: Gadgets, Saving Money | Tags: clean teeth, gadget, saving money Leave a commentI have a secret. Feel special because it is one I’ve only told my husband and dental hygienist. I used to be convinced I would have to start wearing dentures in my 30’s. Kind of a weird fear, right? Well, I grew up drinking well water. This means I did not have any fluoride in my water. Thus, I began living a life filled with cavities. I brushed, scrubbed and gargled with fluoride rinse but it was all for naught. I still had a cavity EVERY time I visited the dentist (which was a lot because of my poor teeth).
Fast forward a few years. My hubby bought me a Phillips Sonicare toothbrush. Guess who has not had a cavity since? Me. I’m so proud. Therefore, I’ve concluded that using a Sonicare toothbrush is essential. Yes, there is an upfront cost, but staying out of that dentist chair has really saved me time and money. Plus, I don’t see dentures anywhere in my near future. What a relief.
*This blog reflects the opinion of the author. Please understand that all information or opinions gleaned from this blog are done so at your OWN risk*
ihavetriedit 