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organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

Organizing Questions Answered!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Money Saving, Organization

I”m all about sharing with you guys what works.  And I tend to get a lot of the same questions over and over about organizing.  If you have taken the time to write me a note or email, THANK YOU!  The top questions you ask me are: how do I get started organizing, how do I beat procrastination, what do I do if I don’t live near a Dollar Store, why can’t I stay organized even when I try, and what label maker do you recommend? 

So, I answer all of those questions and give my best, practical advice in this video.  Not the “magazine tips” but the real deal.  Things that I know work.  Why?  ‘Cause I’ve tried ’em!

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DOLLAR IDEAS: Fridge Kitchen Command Center

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Organization

Lots of you have asked how we keep paperwork and important documents organized, and I have said in previous videos that a huge key to function is having a kitchen command center.  The side of your fridge is a great space for this, (especially if your kitchen is small!) So here is how I created a functional area on the side of our fridge, using products that are $1 or less a piece.  Some of these I had on hand, so I did this for under $5, but even paying full retail, it would still be a very budget project (You could replicate something very similar for around $15 total!)

Many of you ask about the magnets I use, and these are KEY to having this system work.  You need quality magnets that won’t slip on the fridge.  By far my favorites are these Magnetic Clips to hold my Dollar Spot pencil holder and these OXO brand Magnetic Mini Clips for holding the paperwork.

Full Product List:

1) Sheet Protector Folder (Dollar Tree) and Magnetic Mini Clips to hold it up (OXO brand)

2) List and Notepad (Dollar Spot at Target) and Magnetic Clips to hold it up

3) Pencil Container (Dollar Spot at Target)

4) Cork Boards (Dollar Tree)

5) Flag Chalkboard Labels (Dollar Spot at Target)

6) “Washi” Tape (Dollar Tree)

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Valentine’s Toddler Craft | “Stained Glass” Windows

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Holiday, Teaching

I love getting crafty during the week with Carson.  That hands-on time is so important for filling our day (and I really think it helps him rest better for naps and a night!).  One of my favorite go-tos for craft ideas is the Dollar Tree.

They sell self laminating sheets (5 for $1) and they make awesome stained glass windows with tissue paper!

Want to hang out more with us?  Check out my newest Day In the Life Video!

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Easy Valentine’s Day DIYs

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Holiday, Recipes

This is a collab video with Christina from the Subfertile Frugalista and her $5 Frugalista Friday Challenge….Valentine’s Day Style!

Here is the recipe for the BEST Rice Krispy Treats to make your perfect “Giant Hershey Kiss”!

1/4 cup butter (melted in a pan)

Stir in one 10.5 oz bag of Marshmallows (stir until completely melted and then for one minute more after for the best flavor!)

Stir in 5 cups of Rice Krispies

Put into buttered funnels for make Hershey Kiss treats or a tin lined with parchment paper!

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Recipe Organization and Meal Planning

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Organization, Recipes

Here’s how we organize our recipes, make meal planning easy so I can shop sales, and save money by not wasting food.

It really boils down to three keys for us: having an easy access space for our recipes in a quick access binder, freezing foods we won’t eat right away and having ready to go meals in the freezer, and doing a bi-monthly fridge cleanout.

DOWNLOAD MY FREEZER GUIDE HERE and stop food waste!  You can freeze just about anything from milk, to butter, to fruit!

Here’s what I use to create my recipe binder.  I was inspired by Alejandra.tv to create this system:


Two of my favorite websites for creating recipes on the fly are Super Cook and My Fridge Food.

How do you save on food and plan your meals?  Would love to hear what you are doing at your house!

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REFINISH FURNITURE WITHOUT SANDING

by Filed Under: Decor & Furniture, DIY Projects


So this post is all about a super score that I shared on Instagram.  I walked into Lowe’s..and they were going to THROW AWAY a brand new Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations Kit.  Yeah, you read that right.  Throw it away because there was paint spilled on it.  And I was all over it like Peppa Pig in her muddy puddles.  (Sorry, mom of a toddler over here, haha!)

Anyway, there was this FANTASTIC piece outside of my in-law’s storage garage that the previous owners had left.  And…there were mice living inside of it.  Grody to the max.  Ah  I knew it was worthy of a makeover, though…so here’s what I did.  Completely free and so easy to do.

Don’t have a sander?  It’s easy to makeover furniture.  I would totally do this again!  Couldn’t wait to show you guys!

Want to see the acrylic water DIY from this video?  Click here!

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Budget + Thoughtful Baby Shower Gift Idea

by Filed Under: DIY Projects

When I first saw this post from Eryn Lynum on her blog from Famine to Foodie, I cried.  Full on cried reading it.  It was beautiful.  Beautifully written, and so powerful.

I adapted her blog post, shortening and re-wording a bit, to create a baby shower gift for Carson’s sitter who is with him when I am at work.

You can download my adaptation here: The gift of $9.36

Watch this video to see why I loved it so much…

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$1 DIY GIFT IDEA | How to print on wood

by Filed Under: Decor & Furniture, DIY Projects

You guys asked, so here it is!  Another gift idea for Christmas (or anytime, really!).  We don’t always have a lot to spend, but this gift can be so personalized and elegant…no one has to know you made it for about 25 cents.

FREE PRINTABLE I USED HERE!

Directions to make your image backwards…

  1. Copy your image
  2. Paste into Microsoft Word
  3. Right Click Image
  4. Select “Format Picture”
  5. Click 3-D Rotation
  6. Change the “X” to 180!
  7. Click OK and your image should be backwards!

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TEACHER GIFT IDEAS!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Holiday, Teaching

Some gift ideas for your teacher this year.  I’ve been teaching for 8 years, and we don’t NEED anything to complete our season or year…your little ones are enough!  But here are some ideas that are $5 and under!

Get more information about these ideas at these fabulous blogs!

Post-it Idea from Ashley’s Craft Corner
Pen Idea for Scholastic
…also from Veri Keri
Starbucks gift card idea from Eighteen25
Hand Sanitizer on That’s what She Said
Redbox Movie Idea from Keeping My Cents
Survival Kit from Everyday Originals

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