Subscribe on YouTube!

organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

Simple & Organized Airline Travel

by Filed Under: Organization

I used to be a chronic over-packer.  I’m not gonna sugar coat it.  I just was.

I’ve gotten to the place where traveling lights is so much more practical and easier.  We have quite a few flights planned this summer, and here is how I’m keeping my travel plans and stress low.

1)  Travel Simply.  Don’t over-pack!  If you are debating whether or not to bring something think about it like this: if you can buy it for $20 in 20 minutes or less at your destination, you can leave it behind.

2)  Use Zipblock Bags!  Store entire outfits in Ziplock bags (especially kids’ clothes).  Get to your destination, and each days’ outfits are planned and ready to go.  No thinking required.

3)  Make your own packing cubes using old comforter or sheet cases, and makeup bags.  They work just as well and keep your luggage extremely organized.

4)  Make your luggage stand out.  Use a ribbon or a tag so it’s easy to spot in the conveyer belt for checked bags.

5)  Take a photo of your parking spot at the airport.  You won’t forget where your car is.

6)  Bring simple snacks with disposable packaging.  This is a great way to get rid of leftovers in the fridge before your trip.  Bring empty water bottles to the airport and fill them once you are checked in.

7)  Save those Starbucks gift cards for the trip home.  You won’t be able to bring food mostly likely, and every airport has a Starbucks!

8)  With kids, prepared does not mean more.  Less is more.  Simple is better.

9) Travel with a garbage bag, jam all the dirty clothes in over the course of the tip, toss it in your luggage, and wash immediately when you get home.

10)  Unpack right away.  You will be refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of your routine.

signature

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

One Minute Garden Update | June 2015

by Filed Under: Gardening

Come on a garden tour with me!  Here’s what we’re growing along with tips on…

  • container gardening and how to fertilize
  • growing healthy tomatoes
  • growing and storing picked green beans
  • growing raspberries

…all in just one minute (and 40-some seconds).  Hope you enjoy!

signature

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

Dollar Tree Birthday Party! | Movie Cars

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Teaching

Carson’s Birthday 2nd birthday had a small budget.  $20 for decor, and $70 for all the food with a guest list of 20 people.  Shopping at the Dollar Tree (and Costco) we stayed within our budget and made a super special day for him.  He loves Movie Cars!  Here’s how I did it and a few photos from the party:

carson2ndbday-4carson2ndbday-3            carson2ndbday-6carson2ndbday-15 carson2ndbday-16

Happy Birthday, ‘lil man!

signature

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

Dollar Tree Organizing Makeover!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Organization

IMG_1586Having multi-use spaces in your home poses a challenge for effective organizing.  But, just because you have a small home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice spaces feeling open and organized.  A friend of mine has a pantry/laundry room combination in her kitchen.  Trying to combine two very different areas, she felt overwhelmed.  She was trying to hide food in the cupboards, in the laundry room, wherever she could squeeze in space!  But, she never felt like things were easy to access, and she wanted a system in place.

Here was the space before:

Screen Shot 2015-06-11 at 9.36.39 AM Really, she just needed a way to contain everything she was using and to think outside the box when organizing.  Sometimes we are so used to having things one particular way that we don’t take time to think if that zone is really the most effective use of space.

In a trip to the Dollar Tree and the Dollar Spot at Target, everything was completed for right around $30.  No kidding.  Here is the after:

IMG_1587

IMG_1584

Check out the video to see the secrets behind some of these systems!


 

signature

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

NATURAL LAUNDRY | No detergent method with Crystal Wash

by Filed Under: Cleaning, Money Saving

I love natural cleaning, but there are lots of store-bought products that the natural options can’t compete with.  Up until this point, one of those things has always been laundry detergent.  Not to mention, I haven’t felt like I’ve had the time to make my own.  (It’s more time-intensive than other natural products.)  I work.  I have a toddler.  My house needs vacuuming.

Crystal Wash sent me their laundry “detergent” balls to try.  I was super skeptical (they sat in the box for a while), but as soon as I tried them, I haven’t looked back.  I completely shocked at how well they cleaned my clothes and how fresh they smelled.  Not fresh like flowers, just fresh nothingness.  Like they were cleaned in a natural spring and left to dry in the sun.  No kidding.

Here’s the long and short of it.  They..

  • last for 1,000 washes (that’s three years if you do a load of laundry a day!)
  • raise the pH of your water to help lift stains (much like hydrogen peroxide)
  • are recharged in the sun (every 2-3 weeks)
  • are completely natural (no dyes or chemicals)
  • work as well as laundry detergent (based on two independent studies)
  • have a 60 day money-back guarantee

For very hard stains, you still need to pre-treat just as you would with detergent.  You can use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap in a paste.  Rub on, let sit, and wash as normal!

I have read some less than glowing review online, and for that reason I was super skeptical.  But once I tried the product, and saw how well it worked for me personally, I knew I had to share it with you.  We have been using them every day!

You can learn more here about how they work.  If you use this link you can also get an additional 20% off (that’s a $10 savings.)

Do you use laundry detergent?  Do you make your own?  Have you tried Crystal Wash?  Would love to know your comments below!

https://youtu.be/r0uImSPYjv4

signature

*Thank you to Crystal Wash for sending me their laundry balls for review and consideration and for partnering with me in this post.  All opinions are 100% my own.*

Easy Salad in a Jar | Organized Lunches!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Organization, Recipes

Making lunches can be a pain (I mean really…we have to do it EVERY DAY??), and making healthy choices is even more time consuming.  Washing, cutting, peeling, prepping.  That’s why I’m loving my salad in a jar.  They are so easy to prep at the beginning of the week, so you can eat healthfully all week long but not have to worry about the time commitment.

Here is how I prepare and serve them along with my favorite home-made Italian Dressing.

 Italian Dressing

  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • (Red pepper flakes for a little kick…my favorite part!)

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

Living Well Spending Less | Book Club Intro.

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

Hilary from my So-Called-Home and I want to invite YOU to join our book club.  In three weeks time, on June 27th, we will be posting a video discussing our reactions to the book Living Well Spending Less by Ruth Soukup.

Soukup is a Christian author in search of “The Good Life”, a theme that really resonated with me.  Have you ever felt your life (and budget) were spiraling out of control?  Do you struggle to find balance?  So did Ruth, and her honesty and wisdom in this book (from the first few chapters I have begun to read) genuinely shares her heart and how she overcame depression and unbalance in her life in practical, biblical ways.

“Ruth Soukup knows firsthand how stressful an unorganized life and budget can be. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and practical action plans, she will inspire you to make real and lasting changes to your personal goals, home, and finances.” (book description)

Her advice is simple and easy to digest, and I can’t wait for you to join in our discussion and take meaningful steps to impact your life.

Please join the discussion on June 27th!  You can listen to the audio book for free here.

signature

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

Garbage Picking + Toddler Play Ideas!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Teaching

In this video I share our recent meant for garbage find (it retails for over $100): a toddler roller coaster.  Also, some amazing foam blocks from the Dollar Spot at Target and how to make your own indoor campfire.

Enjoy!

signature

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

Love it? Subscribe!