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organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

Name Brands at Dollar Tree!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree

These are TWO HUGE Dollar Tree Hauls featuring some of my favorite name brand products and kid toys that I’m loving this month.  How can you go wrong when everything is just a buck?   These are my favorite ways to save your family money without sacrificing what you want and need.

Let’s start with my favorite name brands for everyone (and a few extras)…

You can save money at the Dollar Tree, too using IBOTTA!  It’s a free app that gives you instant cash back.

Here are some of my favorite deals for kids…

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

Name Reveal!

by Filed Under: Advice & Vlogs

So excited that this news is finally public and we can share with you the name of our second son!  It came to us pretty quickly.  I know some people like to wait until the baby is born to share, but we didn’t wait with Carson and we want to be able to connect with this little guy, too.  We love you, little guy!!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

:45 second breakfast ideas!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

*Thanks to Jimmy Dean for sponsoring this segment of Cooking with Carson!  All opinions are genuinely our own…including Carson’s commentary ;)*

Getting breakfast ready in the morning can be stressful.  Especially if you are constantly running late like me!  Ha!  Here are some :45 second breakfast ideas that are easy to have on hand to keep busy mornings simple.

**Want more easy breakfast ideas?  Check out Jimmy Dean Breakfast on YouTube!

**Also, don’t forget to download your $1 off Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage coupon!

****SAUSAGE AND PITA SANDWICH****

  • Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage
  • Round Wheat Pita
  • 2 slices of Gouda cheese
  • 3-4 sliced grape tomatoes

Cook sausage for :45 seconds (it’s really that fast because it’s fully cooked!)  Add your pita, cheese, and grape tomatoes and you’ve got an instant on-the-go breakfast!

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIPS:

  • Download a $1 off Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Sausage coupon (hurry offer ends soon!)
  • Gouda and Edam cheese both have similar flavors.  Sausage pairs well with stronger, buttery or nutty textures.  Cheese not on sale?  Look for other similar cheeses on sale like Baby Swiss or Havarti.  If you have a really picky eater, Munster is also a great option.  Most grocery stores rotate significant, rotating markdowns in the deli aisle.

****READY-GO SMOOTHIE****

  • 2 bananas
  • 1/2 a container of spinach
  • 2-3 small cartons of berries or frozen berries
  • frozen mangos

Add ingredients to individual baggies and freeze for up to 3 months.  Keep in a tupperware to prevent freezer burn.  Add a cup or so of juice to the frozen packs in a blender and you have a smoothie that is ready to eat in seconds.

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIP:  Frozen and Fresh berries usually pack an equal amount of nutrients so when in season, buy fresh, and when out of season, buy frozen.  You’ll get the biggest bang for your buck.  Want organic?  Frozen is almost always the way to go!

****FRUIT AND YOGURT ROLL-UPS****

  • 8 flour tortillas
  • 2 small cartons of berries
  • Greek Yogurt (2 containers)
  • 1/2 Cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • spray butter

Add a frosting layer of Greek yogurt to a tortilla.  Top with berries and roll like a burrito.  Spray with spray butter and run through combined sugar and cinnamon on a plate.  Flash freeze for 2 hours then cut in half and put in individual Ziplock backs in a tupperware in the freezer.  Let thaw a few minutes before eating and enjoy!

MONEY-SAVING BONUS TIP: Look for cash back on fresh food, yogurt, tortillas and more from mobile coupon apps like Ibotta (the app is completely FREE).

****INSTANT SAUSAGE AND EGG****

  • 1 egg
  • Jimmy Dean’s Fully Cooked Turkey Sausage
  • Cheese as desired

Whisk egg and cheese in a small mug.  Add sausage to the mug and microwave for :45 seconds to 1 minute 10 seconds.  Turn mug over and serve on a plate with your favorite fruit!

****READY-GO INSTANT OATMEAL****

  • Instant oatmeal
  • Powdered coffee creamer
  • Brown sugar

Add a serving of oatmeal to a snack-size ziplock baggie.  Add 1 tsp. of Brown Sugar and 1 tsp. Coffee creamer to each baggie for sweetness and smoothness.

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Carson’s New Fish! (Toddler Learning)

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Teaching

I’m all about finding ways to keep your kids busy, learning, and have responsibility.  Getting a pet is not for everyone, but with Carson’s interest in habitats and him transitioning to his big boy room, I wanted to give him the opportunity to learn about fish care!

Here’s how we got him a fish on a small budget.

SUPPLIES AND COST:

  • Male Betta: Petsmart (under $7)
    • Male Bettas must be kept alone as they are aggressive to other males and will breed with females.  They are beautiful fish that come in a variety of colors.  Put a mirror next to the tank to watch them strut their stuff!
  • Tank: Craigslist ($10)
    • Craigslist is probably the cheapest place to find a tank!  You can find some amazing options (many already come with gravel, plants, and a filter for about $10-$20.  Be sure that you have at least 2.5 gallons for your Betta.  They do not like small environments contrary to popular belief.
  • Betta Food: ($2.39)
    • The CHEAPEST place to find fish food is Amazon.  The pet store will easily upcharge you 3x that!

  • Betta Blood Worms, optional treat: ($3.02)
    • These make a great weekly or bi-weekly trait.  It’s important to vary your fish’s diet.
  • Water Cleanser: ($6.34)
    • It’s important to prepare the water for your fish (especially if you are using tap) for fish health and optimal coloring.
  • Petsmart Plants: ($0.99 ea.)
    • Forgo the expensive ones and get the .99 cent cheapies.  Just make sure they are fabric as plastic plants can scratch your fish’s scales and fins.
  • Dollar Tree Gravel: ($1 per bag)
    • This is a great an inexpensive place to round out your tank!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

DIY Home Scent Hacks (for cheap!)

by Filed Under: Cleaning, DIY Projects, Money Saving

Here are some RIDICULOUSLY SIMPLE home scent hacks that are natural and actually work!  I love having a fragrant home but I don’t want to have to spend a lot of time or money doing it.  I hope you enjoy these tips!

HACK 1:  Stovetop Simmer

  • 2-3 cups of water
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • Simmer on your stove (adding water as necessary) or keep on low in your Crock Pot all day long.  It will fill your home with an amazing, fragrant scent you are sure to love (for any season!)

HACK 2:  Mason Jar Fridge Deodorizer

Add baking soda to a mason jar in your fridge.   Cover with scrapbook paper that you poke holes in or cheese cloth (you can find it at the Dollar Tree!)  Leave in your fridge for 6 months to absorb nasty odors!

HACK 3:  Essential Oils in the Bathroom


Add a fairly generous amount (7 drops) of essential oil to the inside of your toilet paper roll.  It will freshen the bathroom every time you visit!

If you are looking for inexpensive oil that is perfect for all your home cleaning and fragrance needs, I recommend this one.

HACK 4:  Dresser Drawer Scents

Add a bar of soap to your dresser drawers.  Alternatively, spray a popsicle stick with essential oil or samples of perfume (the wood will really absorb the scent) and you will love the way your drawers smell every time you open it up!

Looking for my drawer organizers?  You can find them here!
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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.  Links contain affiliates.*

DIY Hidden Storage | Free Book Upcycle

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Organization

Using resources I already had and books I was about to donate, I created this thrifty, free, and elegant organizer.  Some other options are using old Encyclopedias or outdated textbooks or manuals, or even unused photos albums (come on you know you’ve got ’em!)  Hope you enjoy and give it a try!

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are genuinely my own.*

Surprise Gender Reveal | It’s a ______!

by Filed Under: Advice & Vlogs

Here’s our surprise gender reveal for our family… using silly string!  Charlie and I went to the ultrasound appointment on Wednesday and had our parents over on Saturday to share the big news.  We wanted something simple and low-key.  So thankful for all His goodness.  This little baby is meant for us! 🙂

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*This is not a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.*

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