Sweet Pennies from Heaven

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Top Laundry Hacks that every mom should know!

Top Laundry Hacks Every Mom Should Know

September 19, 2015 by Jenni 2,015 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator and Downy Wrinkle Releaser, however, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

top laundry hacks

 

Our Top Laundry Hacks

Laundry is a beast at our house. The piles get larger than life and it takes each and every day to keep it under control. With school back in session, parents are dealing with stinky gym uniforms and socks, grass stains on brand new blue jeans and ketchup blobs on the kiddo’s best shirts.

Our Moms Check In moms are talking all about our top laundry hacks to keep things moving along nicely in the laundry room. We’d love to hear your tips too! Drop us a comment below or chat with us on social media using the hashtag #MomsCheckIn and #LaundryHacks!

 Top Laundry Hacks from our Moms… 

 

Amanda-626x1024

“I’m a huge fan of sorting the laundry before it actually goes to the laundry! We have a 3 bin laundry hamper that really saves us time. One for towels, darks and lights. No more going through a pile! I was probably the last person on Earth to know how to wash pillows in the washing machine, but it’s so easy. You just wash them like your regular laundry and when you dry them be sure to throw in a few tennis balls or dryer balls. Nothing is better than getting in a bed with clean sheets and clean, sweet smelling pillows!”

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

 

stephanie

“Oh, laundry! No matter how much we do, it seems there is always more! Over the years, I’ve learned to quickly deal with stains so that removing them is easier. Taking advantage of great products also helps remove stains and smells. These are some of my favorite laundry hack ideas to keep things fresh and clean: Clean your washing machine by filling the basin with warm water and 2 cups white vinegar. Let stand for an hour, then run the cycle as usual. Get clothes dry faster (and fluffier!) by putting a couple of tennis balls in the dryer. Use a mesh drying bag so you never lose another sock!“

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

 

Jenni-Eaves1-213x300

“Laundry is the never-ending chore. It goes away for 2 seconds and then it’s right back. Nothing is worse than rough and stiff towels. I like mine super soft and fluffy. To fluff yours up, just add your towels to the washer, using hot water and one cup of vinegar and run a full cycle. Next, run another full cycle with hot water and 1/2 cup of baking soda. After 2nd cycle, dry towels in the dryer with tennis balls or dryer balls. You should notice a marked difference. If not, then repeat the process.“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

 

Some of our favorite laundry products include…

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My husband’s work clothes are the stinkiest things on the planet. So are my kiddos’ stinky socks. Febreze In-Wash Odor Eliminator really gets in there and gets that stink out. It’s no match against things like sweat and sports uniforms, smoke, pets and mildew. It has 3X more freshening power!!

 

downy-300x300

My family has some really nice clothes that wrinkle easily and I hate to iron, so needless to say…we don’t wear them often. Now with Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus I don’t have to worry. Just a few sprays and voila, the wrinkles start fading away! It’s my newest fave product, for sure!

 

 

laundry hacks twitter party

#LaundryHacks Twitter Party

You’re invited to the #LaundryHacks Twitter party this coming Thursday, September 24th at 1pm EST. We’ll be talking all about our favorite laundry hacks and how to make your time doing laundry much easier. We’ll be giving away a $150 Walmart gift card, some laundry products as well as some other incredible goodies. Make sure to RSVP below to be eligible to win!

 What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 3 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your top laundry hacks?

 

How to clean painted walls vs. repainting them! Simple and quick, with just one product!

How to Clean Painted Walls – Skip Having to Re-Paint! Plus a Mr. Clean Prize Pack Giveaway (ends 8/10)

August 3, 2015 by Jenni 1,649 Comments

This review was made possible by iConnect  and Mr. Clean. I was provided the featured product and compensations to facilitate this post, but all opinions are 100% mine.

 

How to clean painted walls vs. repainting them! Simple and quick, with just one product!

I’m blessed. I live in the old farmhouse that I grew up in. The wonderful thing about old farmhouses is that they have SO much character, right? The downside is that they ALWAYS require work and renovation. We’re always updating and renovating. Since the walls are one of the most visual parts of our home, they need to look good, right?

Now comes the shameful part…..

 

how to clean painted walls with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! No need to repaint!

OMG! This is disgusting and I’m hiding my face in shame!!!!!!

I’ve learned through the years that husband, kids and dogs can take a toll on a pretty painted wall. Sticky kiddo hands, wet dogs coming in and out, and husbands that spill cups and cups of coffee. I remind myself of Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Boo-Kay!) from Keeping Up Appearances. I’m always saying, “Watch my walls!” and “Don’t brush up against my walls!”….however, as you can see, they don’t listen to me.

This particular wall is in a very high traffic and busy part of our house. It’s near an entry door where daily comings and goings happen, where the dogs come in and out, and where my husband always manages to dump his morning coffee when he’s fumbling for keys and cellphone before work. Ughhhhh.

I’ve learned living in an old farmhouse that I don’t always have to repaint the walls. Painting does take alot of time and energy afterall, time and energy that I don’t have that. I’ve found in my own home, that a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can make your dirty and dingy painted walls, trim, and baseboards look BRAND new again! Not even kidding.

 

 

how to clean painted walls with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! No need to repaint!

Mr. Clean can give a “like new” clean because his products are tougher on dirt all around. I’m a big fan of their Concentrated Multi-Surface Cleaner!! This stuff is super powerful, however, my momma was always a HUGE fan of the Magic Eraser and now I’m a believer too. Just check out how insanely awesome my walls, trim and baseboards looked after an easy peasy wiping down.

 

How to clean painted walls in just 15 minutes! So much easier than having to repaint!

Another reason I love the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is because you don’t have to use nearly as much elbow grease! Just run under water, wring it out a bit, and start wiping down! In less than 15 minutes, I had that nasty wall clean as a whistle!

How to clean painted walls vs. repainting!

magic-eraser

 

 

How to clean painted walls:

Run a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser under water and wring out excess water.

Gently wash the walls, trim and baseboards with it. You don’t need to use much elbow grease, at all.

Gently use a butter knife or something similar to scrape off any super duper stuck on grime.

Let them dry, then rub a clothes dryer sheet over your baseboards to help keep dust and dirt from sticking later on.

 

cleaning tips

Some other great uses for Mr. Clean products:

  • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power is sure to give your home that like-new sparkle on a variety of surfaces. It works wonders on that pesky stove top, where grease and grime accumulate in tough to clean crevices.
  • Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power on the shower door to help remove hard water stains, cloudy build-up and soap scum; it will save you several hundred dollars versus replacing!
  • Get creative with vintage pieces that no longer seem to have a use. Like bringing back to life a retro vinyl or plastic chair with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power to add unique and a small area with light pressure before use on antiques.)
  • Still have crayon marks on your walls or remnants of how tall little Johnnie was each year? Help remove them with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power, but be sure to snap a picture first for posterity!

Visit Mr. Clean on Twitter and Facebook! They’re always sharing really awesome cleaning tips and tricks, updates and promotions!!

 

 

You’re invited to the Mr. Clean Twitter Party!

Date: August 5th at 8pmCST

Hashtag: #15MinReno

Celebrity Guest: Johnathan Scott of HGTV Property Brothers

Prizes: 4 Renovation Kits including multi-use screwdriver, tape measure, various Mr. Clean product and a piece of decor.

Grand Prize: $400 GC to a Home Improvement Store

RSVP here: http://vite.io/iConnectIM

 

 

how-to-clean-painted-walls-toolkit-mr.clean

Ready for a fun Giveaway?

We’re giving away a Mr. Clean prize pack to one lucky reader which will include a Mr. Clean product and a tool kit to make your #15MinReno easy-peasy! Just use the Rafflecopter form below, giveaway is open to US residents 18 or older. Giveaway ends 8/10/15 at 11:59pm EST. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So tell us, what needs a good sprucing up around your house?

 

 

 

gardening tips

61 EASY Gardening Tips that We Love #MomsCheckIn

April 10, 2015 by Jenni 1,650 Comments

gardening tips

 

EASY Gardening Tips We Love

How’s your green thumb? Do you even have one??!! I have to admit that my thumb is more black than green. I do love fresh garden vegetables though and I’m always excited to plant pretty flowers in the yard each Spring. I think we’ll be making these Spring Dirt and Carrot Garden Cupcakes soon. So fun and yummy!! Folks – they’re PUDDING filled!!!

Everyone’s starting to think about planting now so our Moms Check In moms are sharing some of our EASY gardening tips with you. Keyword being – EASY!!! So easy that anyone can do them. If you have any awesome tips, please drop us a comment or chat with us on our social media channels using #MomsCheckIn.

61 EASY Gardening Tips, Tomato Recipes + a Cute Garden Treat:

 

1. How to Container Garden – A Guide for Beginners

2. How to replant your Avocado Pit

3. How to Re-Grow Celery

4. How to replant your Kitchen Scraps

5. How to store green onions

6. How to re-grow Romaine lettuce

7. 55 of the Best Gardening Tips

8. 35 Garden Tomato Recipes

9. Dum Dums Lollipop Garden

 

 Sharing our own gardening tips…

Amanda-626x1024

“We love gardening! And by we, I really do mean we! I try to make it fun for Josh. Did you know you can regrow some vegetables? It’s been a fun science experiment. Our favorite to regrow so far has been avocados! As far as myself, we live in an apartment so we don’t have a yard. But I do have an Aerogarden that we have set up in our kitchen. It lets me grow herbs, vegetables and even flowers all year around! “

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

Jenni-Eaves1-213x300

“ So – just being honest here….a full fledged garden didn’t work for us. We just weren’t disciplined enough to keep it weeded and watered, so we’re opting for small container gardens. They’re so much easier to keep up with. Here’s our beginner guide on container gardening! It’s perfect for favorite produce like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and especially herbs.“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

LindsayHeadShot3Border-300x300

“ One of my favorite things about summer is growing our vegetable garden. The kids enjoy watching things go from a seed to real food, and I love being able to walk out the backdoor, grab some goodies out of the garden, and throw together dinner. Nothing better than a ripe garden tomato! And if you don’t have a green thumb, check out our lollipop garden. That’s an easy little project we had so much fun with! “

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

stephanie

“I’ll be honest — I don’t have a green thumb. But I do love beautiful flowers and plants! I’ve learned that it’s ok to have a small garden with hearty plants. A big part of the joy for me is just watching Sam enjoy helping out and being outdoors. I’ll leave the big gardens to the pros and enjoy what’s growing in our backyard!”

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!!

Before you leave, let us know…

What are your best gardening tips?

 

5 Reasons To File Your Taxes at Home with #TaxAct

April 7, 2015 by Jenni 67 Comments


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of TaxAct. All opinions are 100% my own, and honest as always.

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You’ve been there before. Tax time, endless hours waiting, endless lines, crying babies, griping adults, phones ringing, people in and out the door. Waiting in an office for 2-3 hours to get my taxes filed just isn’t an option anymore. Especially not since TaxAct came on the scene!! Do you have any idea how easy it is to file a simple return, right at home? On your own computer? In your pajamas, even?!?! Oh, and the best part is, it’s FREE!!

Here are the biggest reasons you should file your own income tax returns at home, using TaxAct!

 

tax-act-free

#1 – It’s FREE!

Yes! Filing your federal tax return with TaxAct is free! There are features that do cost and if your tax return is more indepth, like if you need to file long form or take business deductions, you should opt for the Deluxe or Ultimate options.

 

#2 – You can file both Federal and State returns

Most of us have to file both a federal and state tax return. You can do both easily with TaxAct. The cool thing is that it’s set up to pull your information on over to your state return too, so you don’t have to re-enter important information. Saves SO much time, you don’t even know! Just so you’re aware, most all state tax returns will cost a small fee to file electronically.

 

tax-act

#3 – Save time & money!

Most tax returns that are filed through a tax office cost anywhere from $100 on up to file. Some even $300 or more if you opt for fast refunds. Not only will using TaxAct save you money in your pocket, it’ll save you tons of time too. No more having to wait hours in lines!

 

#4 – Biggest Refund guaranteed, the fastest way possible.

They guarantee the biggest refund possible – and they ask all the right questions to determine if you’re getting all the tax breaks and deductions you can take. You’ll also get lots of great options for receiving your refund, including direct deposit.

 

#5 – Free Tax help and audit support

If ever you need assistance or have questions, TaxAct can lend you a hand. They’re also available to lend support if you’re ever audited. It’s good to know that you’re not alone in that situation!

Have you filed your taxes yet?

Save some time and cash and head to TaxAct!!

 

Iced Coffee Hack

Iced Coffee Hack + Easy Morning Routines

April 3, 2015 by Jenni 735 Comments


This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #McCafeMyWay #CollectiveBias

Iced Coffee Hack

Are your mornings pretty brutal? Ours are at the first part of the new school year for a few weeks but then we kinda get our morning routines down pat. I’m gonna share some of our morning routines for the family, including my morning iced coffee hack using some of my favorite coffee from McCafé. Okay, so our morning routine looks something like this…

Alarm goes off.

Husband draggggs me out of bed, kicking and screaming like a bratty teenager.

I fix coffee…and hop on Facebook for a few minutes. This is my morning ME time.

I wake up the kiddo for school.

Feed the dogs, and take them out to potty.

Get kiddo ready, fed – and on the school bus.

Ready for round 2 of coffee, and then it’s time to get myself dressed and ready to work.

 

Easy Morning Routines + Iced Coffee Hack!

 

eli's first day of school

1. Have backpacks, coats, shoes and outfits laid out the night before. This is a must do at our house. Nothing worse than trying to locate shoes and clean socks 5 minutes before the bus runs!

2. Have breakfast ON the GO options for the kids. This is another must for us. I mean really, who has time to fix a 5-star breafkast on a weekday, at 7am?

3. Make a command center. Use this space for keeping a big family calendar with everyone’s extracurricular and sports activities so everyone knows when and where – and what day/time everything is. Check it daily! The perfect command center spot is on the side of your refrigerator!

4. Shower/baths the night before. This is a really big deal at our house. Everyone in our family takes showers that last an eternity, so no morning showers are allowed! Nope.

5. Get a free timer app. Search for free timer apps for your smartphone. These are perfect for many different things. I use mine for all kinds of things, but they’re really helpful in keeping track of time when you’re on a tight schedule!

 

iced coffee hack

6. Iced Coffee Hack! Usually when you think about making one, you have to brew the coffee and then you have to let it sit and cool for awhile before you can blend with the ice and other ingredients. Our hack that we use ALL the time is iced coffee cubes! Yep! I just brew really strong coffee, let it cool a bit and then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. After they’re frozen, I store them in a large plastic bag or bowl with a lid and keep in the freezer.

 

iced coffee hack

iced coffee hack

Then in the mornings, I just drop my coffee cubes in the blender along with some milk, sugar and some chocolate syrup and voila! I have a yummy iced coffee in less than 2 minutes! BOOM! That’s how it’s done, folks!  I don’t really ever measure anything out. I don’t have time for that…haha. You can’t really go wrong with those ingredients. Pretty it up though, with some whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Did you know that McCafé coffee is now available at Walmart?! I almost flipped when I found it and guys – ohh…it is SO good! The flavor is spot on. It’s bold, but not bitter – and very smooth! Just like we like it. They have several flavors to choose from so you have lots of options. You can get it in the premium bags and coffee pods so it’s perfect if you use a regular brewer or a single cup brewer. We actually use both! Our kitchen looks like a coffee house, seriously. I ain’t kiddin! Who does that?? Who in their normal, right mind has TWO coffee makers in their kitchen? P.S. Make sure to check out all of our yummy homemade frappe recipes on the blog!

 

McCafe-Pods

McCafe-Coffee-instore

You can find the McCafé coffee in the coffee aisle at Walmart. We found the coffee pods for single brewers on the bottom shelf and the premium bags of coffee about 4 shelves up. I hope this little snippet photo helps you out in case you have trouble locating it! Let us know what you think about it when you try it……yummmm!

I’ve shared my morning tips with you, I’d love to hear about yours! Leave us a comment below and let us know how you make your mornings run smoother!

 

Fashion for Moms – Dress for Less with thredUP #SaveOnStyle #MomsCheckIn

February 11, 2015 by Jenni 434 Comments


This is a sponsored post in cooperation with thredUP. This post does contain affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own, and honest as always. #SaveOnStyle

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My style is VERY casual. But folks, jeans and t-shirts are still pretty expensive especially for brand name quality clothing. That’s the reason that I really love thredUP. They have new and “like new” clothes, shoes and accessories from some of the big name brands like Coach, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Michael Kors and more at up to 90% off retail!

thredup-logo

If you’re new to thredUP you can get $10 FREE right now!

Click HERE to get your free $10 credit!

Our Moms Check In crew and I are partnering with thredUP this week! We wanted to actually SHOW you how busy moms can save a huge amount of money on namebrand clothing and get YOUR fashion back! Check out this cute and casual outfit I picked out — all for under $108. Now, you might be thinking $108 is alot of money and you’re right – it IS…..but this includes the scarf, the COACH handbag and the boots!! It would cost me a whole heck of a lot more if I had bought all these pieces new!

 

thredup-topThis Bcb Generation Short Sleeve T Shirt is just $11.99 at thredUP. Originally $44 retail so that’s a whopping 73% off. The gray and white stripe is a classic look that I love.

 

 

thredup-jeansI’m loving these Rock & Republic jeans. I love a great pair of blue jeans and these are only $20.99 at thredUP! Regular retail price is $88 so they’re about 76% off.

 

 

thredup-bootsOh my gosh, I just love these boots! These Gianni Bini ankle boots are $26.99 at thredUP. Regularly priced at $60 so they’re about 55% off. I love the color, the style and that they’re cute with just about anything.

 

 

thredup-coach-handbagThis cute white COACH handbag is just $33.49 at thredUP. Regularly $158 retail price – it’s almost 80% off. I love these kinds of deals on handbags since they’re my FAVE accessory!!!! Who doesn’t love Coach at a huge discount?!

 

 

thredup-scarfIt’s still winter time so I’m still sporting warm and cute scarves! This red Pendleton scarf is just $14.99 (regularly $60 retail!) at thredUP. That’s a huge discount!! I’m crazy over the red color….just adds a nice pop of color!

 

Don’t forget to visit thredUP and snag your own free $10 credit!

 

You’re invited! #SaveOnStyle Twitter Party 2/19 1-2pm EST.

Next week on Thursday, Feb. 19th from 1-2pm EST we’ll be hosting a #SaveOnStyle Twitter party with thredUP. We will be giving out tons of awesome prizes and discussing fashion for moms on a budget!

Now, what’s your fashion style?

 

 

best money saving tips

Our Best Money Saving Tips for 2015 #MomsCheckIn

January 9, 2015 by Jenni 684 Comments

best money saving tips

Our Best Money Saving Tips for 2015

Saving money is always on my mind. Now that the New Year is here, it’s something I want to work harder at too! Even if that money saved is to go towards our vacation fund. Put towards groceries. Date nights. You get the drift…..it’s money that can be spent somewhere else or saved for a college fund even!

Our “Moms Check In” crew and I have some really awesome ideas and we’re sharing our best money saving tips that we use all the time. Hopefully it’ll help make your 2015 a little better!

 

 

Amanda-626x1024“We try to keep our electric bill in check. We do lots of different things like using power strips, using energy efficient appliances, and using smarter lights. You can find lots of energy saving tips here! I also do the $5 method. Every time I get a $5 bill it goes into savings. When I am out at the store, I try to spend just $5 less. It makes it easy and at the end of the year, all of those $5 bills really adds up! “

– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

Jenni-Eaves1-213x300

“My biggest tip is to turn down the thermostat a few degrees in the winter and turn it up a few degrees in the summer. Our heating/cooling bill is the biggest chunk of money spent and just by turning it up or down a few degrees can REALLY make a big difference. I’m a big believer in wearing layers in the winter. If you’re cold, put on a sweater…haha! Actually though…keeping it a little cooler in the house during the winter is better for you too. Doctors will tell you to keep your home between 65-70 degrees. The cooler the better, because heat dries up your sinuses, making infections easier to breed. Yuck!“

– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

LindsayHeadShot3Border-300x300“The thing we spend the most money on is food. If I slack in the menu planning department we are at the store a few times a week and it adds up fast. Really fast. This year I’m planning to be more strict with myself about planning a menu, doing one shopping trip a week, and shopping from the flyer so I can buy what’s on sale and plan my menu around that, stocking up while I can save. It makes a huge difference and just requires a little bit of planning each week!”

– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

stephanie“I’m not much of a couponer or a flyer watcher. But I do watch our spending tightly so that we can focus on the priorities for our family — like retiring early and giving Sam an excellent education. When I am going shopping, I take out the amount of cash I want to spend for the day and keep to that budget. That way, I’m not tempted to use my credit card or overspend because I see something that’s too good of a deal to refuse. It’s worked well for our family and helped us keep on budget — which I’m really proud of!”

– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!

 

 

moms-check-in-1 What is Moms Check In?

Who are the moms of Moms Check In? We’re 4 moms who are also professional bloggers. We chat about a new topic each week. We talk about things from dirty diapers to date night, and everything in between. Moms love to talk to other moms and let’s face it…MOMS know everything!! If you happen to be a blogger also, and want to be a guest host one week, please fill out this form. We’d love to have you join us!

Check out our Money Saving Tips board on Pinterest to get some more ideas!

Follow Sweet Pennies from Heaven’s board Money Saving Ideas on Pinterest.

Before you leave, let us know…

Do you have any helpful money saving tips?

 

how to save money on Thanksgiving Dinner

7 Tips on How to Save Money on Thanksgiving Dinner

November 15, 2014 by Jenni 27 Comments

This is a sponsored post in partner with IFOF. All opinions are my own.

 

how to save money on Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I know making that shopping list can be daunting! You don’t ever cook THAT much any other time through the year and it can end up costing a fortune. There are 7 ways that I’ve learned how to save money on Thanksgiving Dinner and I wanted to share them with you.

7  Tips on How to Save Money on Thanksgiving Dinner

1. Make a list and then find coupons to use on as many of the items as you can.

2. Shop at stores that you can combine store coupons with manufacturer coupons.

3. Price match. Walmart price matches, so take ads in and price match as many of the items on your list as you can.

4. Volunteer other family members or friends to help cook. This will take some of the burden off of you.

5. Shop around for prices on turkey or ham. Usually though, the week or 2 before Thanksgiving is the best time to buy. They’re on sale everywhere.

6. Scale back! Most times we end up having WAY too much food and there are usually 3 or 4 dishes that no one would even miss. Drop $15/$20 just by scaling back!

7. Buy frozen over fresh turkey. These are cheaper, however, you have to allow plenty of time to thaw. Here’s a post that gives turkey thawing instructions.

 

I have a few fantastic recipes that are thrifty and perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or as snacks. Just click on any of the links below to visit that recipe, and enjoy!! Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving Day with family and friends!

 

baked mac and cheeseEasy Baked Mac and Cheese

 

mashed potatoesEasy, Rich and Creamy Mashed Potatoes (The Pioneer Woman’s recipe!)

 

Pumpkin PieLight Pumpkin Pie

 

pumpkin pie puppy chowPumpkin Pie Puppy Chow

 

 

Affordable Food Tips (1)

I am an IFOF (Indiana Family of Farmers) Ambassador for the Affordable Food Tips For Your Family, From Our Family Series. I have written a few other posts in this series. You can find them below.

Week’s Meal Plan Under $50 Plus One Pan Pasta with Chicken Recipe

 Everything in Moderation | What I Learned at the Grocery Store

13 Guaranteed Ways to Stick to Your Grocery Budget

 

Why We Switched to the Straight Talk Wireless $45 Monthly Unlimited Plan

September 24, 2014 by Jenni 1,113 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk Wireless. All opinions are 100% mine.

Back years ago, my husband and I got stuck in a cellphone contract. OMGeeze, we couldn’t wait for that contract to be up! It just got to where we couldn’t afford it anymore, but we couldn’t afford NOT to pay it either. Have you been there too? Are you there NOW? At the time, my husband had lost his job and we were just stuck. S-T-U-C-K in that cellphone contract. The late fees adding up because we couldn’t pay on time were downright EVIL.

Last day of the contract = aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

That moment was the equivalent of getting home from the longest day on earth and taking off your bra, ladies. THAT’S how good it felt!

straight talk logo

Needless to say, once that contract was up…….so were we. We were up off our butts and headed to Walmart to buy new phones and pay-as-you-go Straight Talk Wireless services for both of us. Going from what we were paying to just $45 a month was like a breath of fresh air. I ain’t even kiddin’ and we have never looked back!

 

 

straight talk coverage Straight Talk Wireless has the same smart phones and iPhones you love, on the same networks you are used to, just without those super inflated and over-priced plans.

 

 

straight talk rollback phones samsung

My husband has a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and I have an iPhone 5. Both through Straight Talk Wireless. We get 3GB of high-speed data, umlimited talk and texts for just $45 a month, and YOU can too! My sister in law and her family are FINALLY switching over! After years and years of being stuck in their contract, they’re finally making the switch! I think we’ll throw them a part-ayyy! haha! In case you didn’t know, 3GB of data is quite a bit! Do you know what you can do with that much data? I didn’t either really, but this will give you an idea.

3GB of data is equal to:

  • 105 hours of Pandora radio
  • 2,460 webpage views
  • 41,900 emails
  • 1,920 Flickr image uploads
  • 153 hours of Facebook browsing
  • 85 hours of Google Maps usage
straight talk phones
 BEST PART!
Besides the savings, of course….is that you can keep your phone (if you’re in love with your current one!), your number and your network with the Straight Talk Bring Your Own Phone program! Whoop-whoop!

No-contract plans are perfect for the first-time phone owners in your family too. We bought my dad one, just a simple one and it’s all he needs. You have the flexibility to pay-as-you-go so it’s perfect for teenagers too or for the pre-teen who is learning the responsibility of owning a cellphone.

Who in your family do you want to get a Straight Talk Wireless phone for?

Visit Sponsor's Site

grocery budget

13 Guaranteed Ways to Stick to your Grocery Budget

September 17, 2014 by Jenni 166 Comments

I am an IFOF Ambassador for our “Affordable Food Tips For Your Family, From Our Family Series”. This is a sponsored post in cooperation with IFOF (Indiana Family of Farmers).

grocery budget

Are you struggling to stick to your grocery budget?

Kids are back in school. This one has soccer practice {and he’s hungry}, that one has cheer {and she’s hungry}….oh, and this one just remembered to tell you you have to bake 5,211 cupcakes for the classroom by tomorrow!!! Gahhhh! Does this sound like you? Grocery budget is all out of whack?!

It’s hard to save on groceries at times…but we need a plan, man!

Convenience is expensive. That’s why we spend twice as much for milk in a “convenient” store than you do at the grocery store, people!!! Americans (well, me!) love convenience but I love my money more. I was actually surprised to find out that Americans spend less of their income on food than other countries?! I had no idea until I read about it through my IFOF (Indiana Family of Farmers) ambassadorship. With the grocery affordability series I’m part of, I’ve been learning some wonderful things!  I wrote a post about it, and also included a 7-day meal plan, which all together was just under $50. Just goes to show that we can spend less on groceries than we think!

 Affordable Food Tips (1)

 

Plan your Grocery Budget…and stick to it!

I’ve learned that planning – or at least STARTING a plan can and does save so much money, and TIME! Don’t forget about time!! I wanted to share some tips to help you SAVE some time and money and how to stick to your grocery budget, especially during this crazy and hectic time of year. Put your grocery budget back to work for YOU! Then save that exra money you would have spent for datenight!! Or donuts…Yeah, go with donuts! And coffee. And maybe a mani/pedi. Just kiidddding!

Okay, so here are some tips to help you stick to your grocery budget when life is just crazy and hectic! Also, remember that you can still eat healthy on a budget!

13 Guaranteed Ways to Stick to your Grocery Budget

  • Prepare a weekly menu. (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Make your shopping list according to your menu(s), and stick to it.*
  • Make only ONE trip to the grocery store through the week (so don’t forget the coffee, bread and milk!).
  • Never go to the grocery store hungry. EVER.
  • Cook dinners that are freezer friendly.
  • Make double or triple batches of freezer friendly meals to heat up for busy weeks.
  • Slow cooker meals save so much time and you always have leftovers for the week.
  • Pack snacks/drinks into the kids’ backpacks or gym bags for quick after school/before practice or games.
  • Buy snacks like chips, crackers, nuts, in bulk and portion out in snack bags vs. buying pre-packaged.
  • Buy meat in bulk or family size packages. Separate and freeze. Usually the more you buy, the less it costs per lb.
  • Use your store loyalty programs or savings apps, and coupons.
  • Make coffee at home in the mornings vs. hitting Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.
  • If you or your family members make waves about the drive-thru spending, give each member an allowance weekly and once it’s gone, it’s gone! This includes your “running late” coffee stop in the mornings.

* When making your shopping list, be sure to include the extras like snacks, condiments, bread, milk, and other food staples. 

Do you have other ways to save on your grocery budget during the busy times of the year? We’d love to hear them, make sure to leave a comment below!!

 

uses for borax

25 Awesome Household Uses for Borax

August 24, 2014 by Jenni 1,704 Comments

We live in the country so pesky little critters are unavoidable. Seriously. Mice make me all creepy crawly and ants just drive me crazy!! Having kids and pets in the house make me and I’m sure – you – a little nervous about using chemicals that are poisonous to clean and problem solve (critters, being the problem). Borax is a natural product that most overlook. There are so many awesome uses for borax around the house and even topically! It IS safe to use on human skin.

uses for borax

Uses for Borax

Borax comes from California where one of the world’s largest deposits of boron was discovered in 1913.  What I like best about Borax is that it doesn’t cause cancer, accumulate in the body, or absorb through the skin.  On your box of borax you’ll see that it may be listed as “poison” on the box, however keep in mind that it’s only toxic at very, very high levels. (like baking soda for instance, and even water ) Borax is also considered “sustainable mining” so if you’re a “crunchy girl” you’ll be happy to know that it is mining from the earth in a safe and sustainable way. You can find Borax here on Amazon or at your local stores. A huge thanks to Family Frugal Fun for sharing this list with us!

Here are the top 25 uses for Borax:

  1. It makes a terrific all-purpose cleaner for your home. Simply mix 2 tablespoons borax and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle.
  2. Keep roaches, waterbugs, and ants away by sprinkling a combination of equal parts borax and sugar (yes, sugar…it attracts and the borax eliminates!)
  3. Sprinkle borax on the floor along the wall and keep mice out of your house
  4. Don’t let the bed bugs bite! Get rid of them by sprinkling borax on your mattress,  let it sit for about 30 minutes then vacuum it up.
  5. Kill fleas or dust mites by sprinkling borax on your carpet. Let it sit for an hour and vacuum thoroughly.
  6. Clean mildew off your outdoor furniture by washing it with a spray bottle of: 1 teaspoon dish detergent, 1 teaspoon borax and 1 quart warm water.
  7. For mattress stains and odors, mix 1 cup water and 1 cup borax (make a paste), apply to mattress stain and scrub. Allow to dry, vacuum (if necessary any dried paste) repeat if necessary (now you don’t have to worry about chemicals on your bed)
  8. No more stinky disposal smell when you clean your garbage disposal by putting 3 tablespoons of borax down the drain. Let it sit for an hour and flush it with warm water to get rid of smelly bacteria growth.
  9. Borax makes a great weed killer, too: Sprinkle a small amount of  borax where you’ve seen weeds previously appear (driveway cracks and  walkways, etc., not in the garden because it will kill your plants, too)
  10. Scrub dirty pots and pans with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of borax and warm water. Because borax is non-abrasive, it will work on the laundry grime without damaging the surface material.
  11. Add borax to each load of laundry and boost your cleaning power.
  12. Make your Own Laundry Detergent – One 55 ounce box Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, One 76 ounce box of Borax, One Bar Castille Bar Soap (grate) Mix all of these ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket and enjoy huge savings, PLUS chemical free laundry! If you desire scent, simply add a few teaspoons of essential oil, such as lavender or peppermint oil.
  13. If you use cloth diapers, Borax is great to use for soaking and washing dirty diapers.
  14. Carpet stain remover or deodorizer – use 1/4 cup borax to 1 cup water. Mix and dissolve. Spray or pour directly on stain. Works well for indoor pet accidents.
  15. Rust remover – Make a paste of borax and lemon juice and scrub the rust (use some elbow grease). Rinse and pat dry.
  16. Clean Pet Carriers – make a solution of borax of 1 cup to 2.5 cups water. Allow to dissolve then spray and clean pet carriers chemical FREE.
  17. Water spots on Dishes – 1 tablespoon of borax on in your dishwasher to help remove water spots
  18. Add 1 cup borax to 2 cups water and use to clean out your trash cans
  19. Toilet cleaner – Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to your toilet bowl, scrub with your toilet brush and flush to rinse clean  – no chemicals, great when you have a septic system!
  20. Candle Wicks –  Soak heavy twine in a solution of 1 tablespoon of table salt and 3 tablespoons of Borax in one cup of warm water, for at least 24 hours. Allow twine to thoroughly dry before using to make candles.
  21. Want to save feathers from a special bird feather you found when on vacation or out in the woods? Collect the feathers in a bag and place 1 cup of borax in your bag with the feathers for 2 weeks to preserve the feathers.
  22. Place flowers in borax to dry them, so you can save those special roses.
  23. For a homemade ant bait, take one teaspoon of peanut butter and mix it with two teaspoons of borax. You can put this into a container with a lid. Like one of those containers they sell the sliced meat in at the deli. Punch several holes in the lid and place the trap close to where you’ve seen ants but where your animals and children can’t get to it.
  24. Make an at-home acne remedy: 1 tsp. glycerine, 1/2 tsp. borax powder, 1 cup distilled water, 1/2 tsp. camphor lotion – make a paste, apply wherever you suffer from acne. Allow to dry like you would a face mask, then remove well with warm water. Take care to avoid areas around the eyes.
  25. Got age spots? Get rid of them with this home remedy:  mix 1/4 cup borax with one half cup granulated sugar in a glass jar. Cover and let stand for 48 hours. Once a day, stir the mixture and use a Q-tip to apply mixture to age spots.

Here are some other posts that you might like. I love to find ways to use more natural and thrifty things…don’t you?!?!

20 uses for Almond Oil

20 uses for Peppermint Oil

Be sure to check out my other money saving ideas and thrifty household tips!

One Pan Pasta with Chicken

7 Dinners Under $50 Including One Pan Pasta with Chicken

May 30, 2014 by Jenni 1,444 Comments

I am an IFOF Ambassador for our Affordable Food Tips For Your Family, From Our Family Series. This post has been sponsored as part of the affordability series.

One Pan Pasta with Chicken

Sometimes I just go through the grocery store blindly, throwing this and that in my cart all willy nilly. I am usually pretty thrifty, but I know that I don’t stretch my dollar out as far as I possibly can. I was challenged to take $50 and see how far I could stretch it for our menu plan this week, which includes this yummy one pan pasta with chicken!

Since me and little man are home most days by ourselves, we tend to pick around at breakfast and lunch. We don’t really break the bank there. It’s dinnertime that costs. Husband is home from work in time for dinner and he’s a meat and potatoes man, if you know what I mean. He don’t fool around.

So – I set out to make my $50 stretch out through 7 days worth of dinners. Below is my menu plan for the week plus a fun one pan pasta dish, but before I share it…I wanted to share some of the tips that I find most helpful on saving money on groceries. I was able to buy everything needed and still had some extra leftover to buy some fresh fruit and dessert.

Affordable Food Tips

Tips to Save on Groceries:

  • Make a weekly meal plan.
  • Plan your week’s menu plan out according to the meats and produce that are on sale that week at your local grocery store.
  • Buy meat in the larger/bulk packs and then divide for individual meals.
  • Try to make meals that you can have twice. Nothing wrong with leftovers! Freeze them if you’re not planning on eating in the next couple of days.
  • Watch for manager’s specials on meats, dairy and produce.
  • Of course, use coupons when you can!

 

This week’s meal plan at our house.
Luckily, lots of these meals can be stretched out to have twice. We don’t mind leftovers!!

  • Friday – One pan pasta with chicken (recipe included below!)
  • Saturday – Sloppy Joes with baked potato and salad
  • Sunday – Crockpot pork chops with corn on the cob and green beans
  • Monday – Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans
  • Tuesday – Chicken and dumplings with cornbread muffins
  • Wednesday – Grilled chicken sandwiches, baked potato and corn on the cob
  • Thursday – Grilled onion bombs, salad and mashed potatoes

 

Now, the one pan pasta with chicken recipe………

One Pan Pasta with Chicken Ingredients:
1/2 box of angel hair pasta
1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of pre-cooked chicken
1 tablespoon of parsley
2 tablespoons of garlic powder
1 cup milk
1 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste

One Pan Pasta with Chicken
First start by adding your pasta into your pan and then follow with everything else.
One Pan Pasta with Chicken
 Turn the stove on high until a boil. Then turn down to a low simmer. Continue to cook until noodles are tender.
One Pan Pasta with ChickenThen mix around and serve. Enjoy.
7 Dinners Under $50 Including One Pan Pasta with Chicken
Author: Jenni
Ingredients
  • 1/2 box of angel hair pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup of pre-cooked chicken
  • 1 tablespoon of parsley
  • 2 tablespoons of garlic powder
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1 cup of water
  • (Salt and pepper to taste)
Instructions
  1. First start by adding the pasta into the pan and then follow with the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Turn the stove on high until the pan reaches a boil.
  3. Then turn down to a low simmer.
  4. Continue to simmer until noodles are tender.
  5. Stir, and serve.
3.2.1310

 

Check out this graph below. This shows the percent of income spent on food consumed at home! Looks like the US comes in at 6.6%.

Percent of Income Spent at Home

Now, even though the US has one of the most affordable food supplies in the world, that’s not to say that it is an easy job to stretch those dollars. That’s why it is key to menu plan and budget. Keeping an eye on what is on sale in your stores, what’s in season, buying in bulk when you can. Those are the things that will make a difference!

Do you have tips and tricks to save money on groceries? We’d love to hear them!!

Healthy Ways to use apple cider vinegar

20 Natural Remedies – Healthy Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

May 20, 2014 by Jenni 450 Comments

Healthy Ways to use apple cider vinegar

Healthy Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Let’s get back to the basics folks. What’s wrong with what our grandparents, and their grandparents used? Did you know that there are so many awesome AND healthy ways to use Apple Cider Vinegar (aka: ACV)?


I’ve heard nothing but awesome things about this organic, raw and unfiltered Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. Many rave reviews!

It even helps to get rid of fleas on your dogs, for goodness sake!

Now, here are 20 uses for us humans to help get us and keep us – healthy! Literally, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. So many awesome uses!! Thanks to Maggie at Family Frugal Fun for sharing this awesome list of remedies!

1. Dissolves kidney stones

2. Aids in prevention of the flu and stomach viruses

3. Is a natural acne-preventative

4. Regulates your body’s pH balance naturally

5. Gets rid of nail fungus

6. Lowers cholesterol

7. Lowers blood pressure

8. Reduces inflamation

9. Helps relieve heartburn

10. Helps reduce chronic acid reflux

11. Helps break down fat

12. Serves as a natural appetite supressant

13. Eliminates buildup on the scalp such as dandruff

14. Helps relieve gout

15. Reduces sinus pressure

16. Naturally helps fight migraines

17. Reduces arthritis symptoms

18. Relieves allergy problems

19. Supresses nausea symptoms

20. Prevents flare ups of athlete’s foot

Now, do you have any awesome ways that you use apple cider vinegar? I’d sure love to hear about them, maybe even add them to this list!

 

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love these! Check’em out:

homemade cleaner recipes
15+ Homemade Cleaner Recipes That Will Rock Your Socks

uses for borax
25 Awesome Household Uses for Borax

20 uses for peppermint oil

20 Uses for Peppermint Oil – Natural Remedy to Keep Mice Away and So Much More!

uses for almond oil

20 Uses for Almond Oil from Skincare to Hair Treatments

Reuse Diaper Wipe Containers

20+ Ways to Reuse Diaper Wipe Containers #Recycle

eye makeup remover

Homemade Eye Makeup Remover with Only 2 Ingredients – Costs Just $0.32 Per Ounce

how to get rid of bugs on roses and plants

How to Get Rid of Bugs on Your Plants and Rose Bushes – Natural and Thrifty Alternatives

 how to container garden

How to Container Garden – A Vegetable Container Gardening Guide for Beginners

Sell Kids Clothes Swap.com

Swap or Sell Kids Clothes the Hassle-Free Way with Swap.com

May 16, 2014 by Jenni 441 Comments

This article was published for Swap.com Kids’ Consignment. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Sell Kids Clothes Swap.comEach season, we go through the closets and get rid of things we don’t wear anymore. If you’re like me, you like to get a little bit of the money back that you paid for the clothes, especially the kids’ clothes! No use in keeping them stored in boxes out in the garage! That’s why I wanted to tell you about Swap.com — a great place to buy, swap or sell kids clothes!!

Swap.com started back in 2013 – and they have tons of baby and kid’s clothes, baby gear, toys and games, movies, video games and maternity clothing.

Swap.com is different from other consignment places. You can buy from there, or you can swap and sell kids clothes and other goodies. From the seller’s standpoint, the biggest difference is that you own the products and price them but then….

  • they inspect it
  • they grade it (like new, good condition, etc.)
  • they take photos of it
  • they store it
  • they SHIP it out
  • they SAVE you a TON of work

I’ve sold on eBay and Craigslist before — but never did someone else do all the hard work for me. I always had to do it all.

{{{Below are a couple of deals I found.}}}

Sell Kids Clothes Swap.com

Sell Kids Clothes Swap.com

From the buying standpoint – it’s alot like buying from Amazon. You add products to your cart from various sellers and then checkout. Badda bing. Swap.com ships the goodies to the buyers within one business day. You can expect to get massive discounts – anywhere from 50-95% off of retail prices.

FIRST TIME customers also get FREE shipping…

…and then for repeat customers, any order over $50 ships for free!

As far as the quality of the items, they’re all pre-screened by professional merchandisers at Swap.com. Each item is marked as fair condition, good condition, like new, or new with tags! Since the items are thoroughly checked out by the folks at Swap.com, there is no fear of being scammed by sellers. You always get the items you order and they have a 100% hassle-free refund policy. You can return an item for any reason and get your money back!

WIN WIN!

I know that it’s too early to be thinking “Back to School” but I always spend more than $50 so I’ll be using Swap.com to save a TONNNNN of cash and get FREE shipping too! I’ll be loading up now though, on some summer clothes.

What’s your favorite feature of the Swap.com site? Will you be using it to buy from or swap or sell kids clothes?

how to container garden

How to Container Garden – A Vegetable Container Gardening Guide for Beginners

May 6, 2014 by Jenni 2,373 Comments

how to container garden

How to Container Garden
A Vegetable Container Gardening Guide for Beginners

Growing vegetables in a container is a great way to grow vegetables when you just don’t have the room or know how to start a full size garden bed. To get started you only need a few supplies along with the seeds that you want planted for the summer. Once you are ready to begin, there are some basic rules of thumb to know about. Learning how to container garden really is a lot easier for anyone growing vegetables for the first time.

Choosing a Container

The container that you are gardening in is an important first step because you want it to be able to provide a suitable growing space for the entire season. The style that you choose is entirely personal, but there are requirements that must be met. Your container must have holes in the bottom for draining. A deeper container is better for growing vegetables and a wider container makes it possible to add a companion plant.

You can use most anything that is suitable, like wooden planters or plastic. Even terra cotta pots. I prefer wooden cedar planters because they’re naturally rot resistant. This set of 4 cedar planters below is perfect because they’ve already got the drain holes. There are a couple of smaller ones for your smaller plants…then a couple of bigger ones for the larger plants.

Starting From Seed or Transplants

Container Vegetable gardening from seed or transplants that you purchase are both possible with time. Seeds should be started indoors, well before being planted into your container. You will be able to find a better variety of tomatoes, peppers, peas and lettuce to grow when you begin with seeds.

Growing from transplants is great if you do not get an early jump on planting. Transplants are already weeks old, so choose those that look healthy and whose roots are not coming out of the container they are in.

how to container garden

Choose Your Vegetables

Decide what to grow so that you have suitable supplies available to provide for their needs. It will also help when it comes to knowing the number and sizes of pots available and how much potting soil to purchase. Then decide where you are going to place your pots for maximum sunshine.

Tomatoes, peppers, peas and lettuce are the easiest vegetables to start with and all well suited to container gardening. Other fun choices are potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, zuchini and other squash.

Plant and Care for Your Garden

Fill your pots with potting soil, five inches to the top for transplants, or two inches for seeds. Add your transplants or seed and fill with potting soil to just below the lip of the pot. Be sure not to overcrowd too many plants in one container, as this can hinder growth.

Water thoroughly after planting, and continue watering daily immediately after planting to ensure germination of seeds and that the plant roots establish themselves. Make sure to feed your plants often too, with Miracle Gro. Place your pot in a sunny corner, avoid moving once it is there, and try to cluster containers close together to encourage growth.

Learning how to container garden, is really that simple! You’re well on your way to enjoying fresh veggies that you grew yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back!!

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homemade cleaner recipes

15+ Homemade Cleaner Recipes That Will Rock Your Socks

May 1, 2014 by Jenni 1,731 Comments

homemade cleaner recipes

Don’t diss the homemade cleaner recipes!

Have you ever read the labels on the back of your household cleaners? Seriously. Not only do you need to be a scientist to MAKE the cleaners, you need to be one to understand the labels too! Honestly though, the biggest downfall for me is the cost. Before you know it, that $3 bottle of window cleaner is gone and you don’t have the clean windows anymore to prove you used it all. Right? I see the smeared peanut butter, the sticky fingerprints, evidence of a dog lick or two….

….and OMG!!! Is that…..dried snot???!!! WHERE’S THE WINDEX!?! And the bleach??!!

I’ve found tons of awesome homemade cleaner recipes that are green, cheap, and half of which are even safe enough to EAT! Not that I would. Except for the vinegar. That’s pretty decent on salad. 🙂 Check these out and save yourself some cash! There are still some cleaners that I will continue to buy, but for the most part…I try to stick to the natural stuff!

homemade cleaner recipes

Homemade Laundry Detergent
This is the detergent I use ALL the time. I love love love it. My husband is a welder and his clothes are filthy dirty when he comes home from work. This detergent cleans his clothes and removes the stinky smell too. Best part is…it only costs around $0.02 to $0.03 per load! Say WHAT?! Yep!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

Homemade Streak Free Glass Cleaner (copycat Windex)
As much as we (and I’m sure you too) use glass cleaner, this recipe will save us a ton of cash! She also has this Homemade Tub Cleaner that works great! My tub and shower are always pretty grimey. This is a very simple recipe that works wonders! One of her commenters on the post said that they had a stain they thought was permanent for 3 years, and this recipe removed the stain!!!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

Homemade Carpet Deodorizer
Even though we have mostly hardwood floors, we do still have area rugs and one room that is carpeted so I still like to keep carpet deodorizer. This recipe is also perfect for couches, chairs or any other upholstered furniture. We have dogs so it’s nice to keep the furniture smelling fresh too!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

10 Homemade Household Cleaners
This post with 10 homemade household cleaners includes the following recipes:

  • Kitchen Counter Scrubber
  • Window Cleaner
  • Glass Shower Cleaner
  • Carpet Spot Cleaner
  • Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • Disinfectant
  • All Purpose Cleaner
  • Floor Cleaner
  • Oven Rack Cleaner
  • Furniture Polish

 

 

Citrus-Cleaner

 Homemade All Purpose Citrus Cleaner

Teresa also shares some more great tips including how to make your own wool dryer balls and a fun little tip for your shower!

 

homemade cleaner recipes

7 Things in Your Pantry You Can Use to Clean With
Ellen shares some great tips here. She talks about several different things we usually already have in our cabinets that we can clean with. She also goes into a little detail about what each product is and how it works to tackle the jobs.

If you’re looking for something to clean your stainless steel appliances, check out Dina’s homemade stainless steel cleaner! She also shares a few other homemade cleaner recipes that you’ll love! While we’re on the subject of natural and non-toxic, you have to check out Kim’s natural weed killer recipe! I’ve used it and I won’t be buying the expensive stuff in the store anymore! Do you have any natural or thrifty homemade cleaner recipes that you use? We’d love to hear all about them! Leave us a comment and let us know what your favorites are!

If you’re looking for more helpful ideas, check some of my other posts out:

  • 25 Awesome Household Uses for Borax
  • How to Remove Ink from Plastic Containers – Reuse Your Containers
  • How to Spring Clean Like a Pro – Spring Cleaning Checklist and Guide
  • How To Safely Brighten, Whiten and Clean a Porcelain Tub
  • 20 Uses for Peppermint Oil – Natural Remedy to Keep Mice Away
  • 20+ Ways to Reuse Diaper Wipe Containers #Recycle
  • Homemade Eye Makeup Remover with Only 2 Ingredients – Costs Just $0.32 Per Ounce
  • How to Get Rid of Fleas Using Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Hallmark #ValueCards #shop #Cbias

Organize Birthday Cards for the Year on a Budget with Hallmark #ValueCards #Cbias #shop

March 10, 2014 by Jenni 1,231 Comments

CB Disclosure White Background 600 px wide
Hallmark #ValueCards #CollectiveBias

Hallmark #ValueCards #shop #Cbias #CollectiveBias Organize Birthday Cards

How to Organize Birthday Cards with a Birthday Card Organizer

How many times have you remembered – at midnight – that tomorrow is your bestie’s (or sister’s, mom’s, aunt, or HUSBAND’s) birthday. You forgot to get a card. Crudddd.

So, you jump out of bed to make a pitiful excuse of a card online to print. You KNOW those never turn out well.  Or, you have to get up a half hour early to make a quick stop at the closest store on your way to work and pay over $4 for a card?! I know, I’ve been there. More than once.

Hallmark has this really cool Rewards Program where you get 1 reward for every 5 cards you buy. Well, guess what?! They also have these super cute Value Cards that are under $2. Many of them even as low as $0.47 and $0.97 each and you can earn your rewards on those cards too. Cha-ching!

Hallmark #ValueCards #shop #Cbias #CollectiveBias

I had to make a quick trip to Walmart, because you know…the family and the dog have to eat. Pfft. So, before I grabbed some groceries, I stood in the Hallmark card aisle and picked up some of the Hallmark Value Cards. Luckily, I have everyone’s birthday memorized. That memorization somehow just doesn’t register the day of the actual birthdays though.

Hallmark #ValueCards #shop #Cbias #CollectiveBias

I grabbed a card for everyone on my list. I found several that were perfect for each person and then I even grabbed a few extras for those I may have forgotten. No more, “Ooops, I forgot!” moments. I couldn’t pass this card up of the dog! My brother in law, Larry….has a dog that looks JUST like this pooch. Boomer is his name! Awwww.

hallmark-#valuecards-#shop-card #CollectiveBiasLooks just like Boomer!

I had the grand idea to make a little DIY Birthday Station of sorts for my office to organize birthday cards. I already had a cute hanging organizer, and this birthday card organizer/station thingy was the perfect way to use it. I separated the cards into two different spots. One for kids and one for adults.

At the top, I have a large calendar that I put everyone’s birthdays on. I also have a spot to keep some colored markers to write birthday messages inside the cards. Then, I have a spot to put cards that are ready to deliver or mail out.

Hallmark #ValueCards #shop #cbias

Now I’ll never forget another birthday AND I’ll never have to pay over $4 or $5 for a birthday card this year.

How to Stock Up for the Year:

  • Make a list of people you send cards to
  • Shop for Hallmark Value Cards ($0.47 – $0.97 each) at Walmart
  • Redeem your Hallmark Rewards either online or by using their free app! How to do this is below.

*I love the app….it’s so easy to use! You just scan the UPC code on the back of the cards you purchased and then for every 5 cards – you get a sweet reward. They offer lots of great restaurant and shopping gift cards.

How to Get Hallmark Card Rewards using the Free app:

Either sign up for the Hallmark Card Rewards program online or download the Free App on your phone or other mobile device. Just search “Hallmark Card Rewards” through your app store. After downloading, create your new account. Then follow these 3 steps (for app users).

hallmark-#valuecards-#shop-Rewards

  • Step 1: Scan the UPC codes found on the back of your purchased cards
  • Step 2: Choose the store you’ve purchased from
  • Step 3: Scan another card or check your rewards progress.

hallmark-#valuecards-#shop-card organize birthday cards

How to Organize Birthday Cards for the Year:

  • Use a hanging organizer or even a binder or album of sorts to organize birthday cards.
  • Separate cards out for “Kids” and “Adults”.
  • Keep a large Calendar above or inside your organizer. Something that is very visible and can be seen quickly for easy reminders.
  • Keep things in your organizer like stamps, extra envelopes, pens, tape. If your organizer is large enough, like my hanging organizer…you could even include tissue paper and small gift bags.

Do you forget important birthdays? How do you keep your birthday cards organized?

Make sure you check out connectionsfromhallmark.com to sign up for Hallmark Rewards, and to see great content from other bloggers. Join in the #ValueCards conversation on Twitter!

mysupermarket

Use the New Price Alerts Feature at mySupermarket to Save Even More

February 19, 2014 by Jenni 702 Comments

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of mySupermarket, however, these opinions are 100% my own and honest, as always.

I know you all love saving money. That’s why I told you all about mySupermarket awhile back. If you aren’t familiar with them, make sure to click here to read my first post about them. Then you’ll understand why I love them so much!

Doing some of your normal household and grocery shopping from mySupermarket will save you lottttts of time and money! That’s what we busy mommas need, yo?!

mysupermarket

My favorite feature to use when shopping there is their unit price feature. I love, love, LOVE that part because I know I’m getting the best deal and I don’t have to stand in the middle of an aisle scratching my head figuring out which toilet paper is the better deal. Or whispering to myself, “this jar of sauce has this many ounces and it costs this much, but THIS jar has….”.

You know how it goes.

I’m really excited though, because I just found out that mySupermarket has another NEW and awesome feature…

PRICE ALERTS!

I don’t have a ton of time to always be on the hunt for the best deals. That’s why I’m excited about this new price alerts feature. You can now turn price alerts on for any product. You’ll receive an instant email when there’s a new offer or coupon on that particular product. Doesn’t matter which retailer. Amazon, Walmart, Walgreens, Target, or any of their other partners.

mysupermarket

So, not only can you save by using their unit price feature – now you can be alerted when your favorite products are discounted even more! YESSSS!!! I recently stocked up on toilet paper, paper towels, Jif peanut butter, coffee and some other things from mySupermarket. I saved over $40 by using their unit price feature so I’m excited to see how much I’ll be able to save with their new price alerts!

You can also manage the price alerts that you’ve turned on through their site. You can see all the alerts together, switch them on and off. That’s just a very cool way to keep your alerts exactly how you want them!

 

 

mysupermarket

You can see here with this screen shot I grabbed, with our favorite coffee as an example, you have the option to turn price alerts on.

 

mysupermarket

Now, here you can see I went ahead and turned the price alert ON. The button turned blue. All you have to do is click the button from off to on, and you’ll then be alerted each time that product is discounted more than it’s regular lowest price.

These price alerts kind of make me feel like a bargain sniper!!

Again…if you’d like to learn more about how mySupermarket works and how it can save you a ton of time and money, click HERE to read my previous post about them!! Or click HERE to begin shopping and saving now.

mysupermarket

You’ll love shopping there. I was completely sold the first time I shopped at mySupermarket because of the amount of time and money I saved. You can see from the photo above, all of the other companies who are raving about mySupermarket (including MY site)!! Just so you know, first time customers will receive $20 off their first shopping cart. Just watch for an email after you sign up!

Have you shopped using mySupermarket yet? If so, leave us a comment and let us know how much you saved or what your favorite feature is!!!

save for family vacation

5 Easy Ways to Save for Family Vacation

January 20, 2014 by Jenni 491 Comments

Family vacations can break the bank, but we don’t have to let that happen if we strategize, prioritize, and save-itize (is that a word?!). I like to break things down, especially goals. Instead of looking at the BIG goal and thinking “there’s no way I’ll EVER get there”, break that big goal down into smaller chunks!

For instance, say you want to save $3000 for your family vacation. I’m being tight there, but that’s the frugal side of me coming out. I could have a rockin’ good time anywhere for $3000! So, that sounds like a lot but if you break it down into weeks, that means you only need to put back $62.50 per week. There are a few ways to do that.

save for family vacation

Ways to Save for Family Vacation

1. Start an automatic savings program. This is a great way to save back without really even missing anything. These programs are perfect for other things you’re saving for too…not just vacations. It’s a great idea for retirement, home repairs, or just a rainy day fund.

2. Sell, sell, sell. Instead of dropping off your gently used items at the donation center, sell them on eBay or Craigslist or even the community yard sale. This could be houseware items, clothing (kids clothes sell on eBay really well), toys, collectibles, etc. You should even consider buying things to re-sell online to make some extra cash. Put back 100% of the cash for your fund!

3. Spend less on holiday gifts. We spend a lot at Christmas and throughout the year for other holiday gifts. Cut your gift spending budget and put the extra money back. Let the kids know that this is the plan so they don’t feel “ripped off”. They might gripe a bit, but less IS more and when they’re laying on the beach or playing in the ocean months later – they’ll be thankful!

4. Change jars. Everyone has a change jar. Keep sticky fingers out of them through the year and let the change in the jugs get deeper and deeper. We even throw bills in. Sometimes $1 bills, even $5 and $10 from time to time. You’d be amazed at how much is there in a years time.

5. Change your normal spending budget. We all know what we spend too much on. Morning coffee and donuts, fast food, weekend shopping, or our QVC addiction (haha). We all are guilty of overspending in more than one area from one week to the next. Next time think to yourself, “Dunkin Donuts for breakfast or a week on the ocean?!”. Suddenly, coffee from home and a bowl of cereal looks SO much better, right?! Little decisions like that on a daily basis can make a difference in our savings accounts in a year!

Do you have other tips you use to help your family save back money for your vacation fund? We’d love to hear how you do it!

caring for delicate garments

Laundry 101: Caring for Delicate Garments

December 27, 2013 by Jenni 347 Comments

The pace of life today does not leave much time for taking care of fussy, complex items. Clothing in particular has been made increasingly easy to care for because people do not have the time or inclination to take care of clothes that require more than a straightforward cycle in the washer and dryer. Even as shirts, jeans, and work clothing has become simpler and easier to care for, there are still many items in a woman’s wardrobe that will benefit from gentler handling.

caring for delicate garments

Bras, panties, plus size hosiery, and other intimate garments are used on a daily basis and can quickly wear out if not cared for correctly. Since many intimate garments are expensive to replace, caring for them correctly becomes a matter of economy. You can greatly increase the useful life of your intimate garments by following a few simple principles.

Buy multiples

Since intimate garments get used more than just about any other article of clothing in your wardrobe it is to your advantage to buy lots of them. Women know just how hard it is to find bras or plus size stockings that fit well and look great so when you find a brand that you really like, stick with it. Having many pieces will help you spread out wear and tear, too. If you are trying to spread out daily use among just a few intimate items then you will find that these few items wear out very quickly. Having more items allows you to spare each of them from overuse.

Wash in dedicated cycles

Your washing machine has more settings than simply hot and cold. Delicate or gentle wash cycles are there for you to use on garments that require careful handling. Wash your intimate items on a dedicated cycle so that they can fully benefit from the laundering process. You might find it helpful to invest in a particular detergent. Many of the cleaning ingredients found in general use detergents may be too harsh for these delicate garments. Consider purchasing a bottle of gentle detergent to use on these dedicated gentle wash cycles.

A delicate wash cycle can be used for:

  • Bras
  • Panties
  • Hosiery
  • Evening gloves
  • Silk blouses
  • Slips and camisoles

If you only have a few delicate wash items then it might be a waste of time to wash them separately. You can still get them clean without simply tossing them in with your jeans and socks. A laundry bag is a lightweight bag made of mesh that will hold your delicate items apart from other things in the washing machine while still allowing them to get clean. This will prevent the items from getting damaged and will  preserve their quality. Laundry bags can be purchased from well-stocked department stores, specialty house goods stores, or on the Internet. You can also make your own if you have some soft polyester mesh.

Think about appropriate storage solutions

Storing your delicate intimate garments correctly is just as important as washing them correctly. Look for storage solutions that keep these items separated from other things. Do not store your intimate garments with jewelry or other items that could catch or snag on fine fabric. Boxes and bins can be used inside drawers to create a storage area that is set apart. This will help keep your intimate garments clean and organized.

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the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!

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