Do It On A Dime

Dollar Tree Clothes Review

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving

I’ve looked all over the web for a place that honestly and candidly reviewed the clothes and fashion accessories that Dollar Tree carries (or at least most of them), and I couldn’t find it!

So as a part of my Dollar Tree Review Series, I decided to review 10 types of clothes and give you my two cents.  Honestly, I was more impressed than I thought I would be.

Rules:  I had to wear and use them, and I had to wash them before weighing in.  That way you would get an accurate assessment!

Here are my findings…

1) Fashion Scarves: A+  These guys are thin but well made and come in tons of cute patterns.  Great for teens and gifts!

2) Sunglasses: A+  I’ve found these to be pretty on par with a $12 pair of sunglasses from Walmart or Target.  I always keep a spare in my car just in case.

3) Winter Hats:  A++ Oh my, you MUST pick up some of these!  The quality is amazing.  They are thick and lined.  They don’t have any cute designs or patterns that I have seen (just standard grey), but they are really worth it!

4) Gloves: ??  I’m still deciding on these.  Carson FINALLY wore them the other day and they seemed pretty good so far.

5)  Flip Flops: B+ Comfortable, good longevity, but the pattern ones will chip.  So stick with solid colors.

6) Footie Socks: C-  They seems great (they are a nylon), but they really got messed up in the wash.  They fit well, I just wish they lasted more than one wash 🙁

7) Women’s Athletic Socks: C+  They are pretty good and hold up well, but they are thin.

8)  Kids’ Socks (18-24 months): A  These are great, hold up well, and they will last as long as you need them to with as fast as those little feet grow!

9)  Men’s Athletic Socks:  B-  Comfortable, not quite as nice as Hanes, but seem to hold up well after a wash.

10)  Men’s Dress Socks: A-  These aren’t high-end socks, but for what you are paying they are pretty good!  Worth it if you only wear suits occasionally!

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Secret Thrifting Weapons!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving

Here are my favorite thrifting weapons of all time for home furnishings.  Most items I bring home need some love, and these are my favorite go-tos!

My top three are:

1) Dollar Tree Fix-All Adhesive (can literally super-glue almost anything together!)

2) Quick Erasers (I have used these for cleaning so many Goodwill finds…from furniture to kids toys!)

3) I also love Wood Scratch Fix Pens and Stain Markers (The key is to match the color right and assess the type of dent/mark.  For scratches, I love the scratch fixers, and for chucks of wood that have come out, I love the stain pens.  I’ve used a Sharpie before, but it looks best when you match the wood color exactly.)

What are your on a budget thrifting go-tos?  Would love to know!

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BULK BREAKFASTS: Home-Made Keurig Oatmeal Packets

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

Screen Shot 2015-01-31 at 5.19.06 PMAfter I shared this Mexican shells in bulk recipe, you asked for more.  Here’s an easy way to make your morning simpler (I’m all about that….our mornings are always so hectic over here!)

We love the Quaker oatmeal quick-heat packs you can buy, but they are expensive.  And honestly not all that healthy.  For the convenience without the price and additives, you are going to LOVE these DIY Oatmeal Packs that you can use with your Keurig!  Breakfast in 30 seconds and no hassle!

I originally got the idea on from A Few Short Cuts blog here.  Here’s a breakdown of the recipe (it makes about 12-15 servings):

10 cups of quick cook oats (6 cups whole, 4 cups powdered)

1 tsp salt

3 tsps cinnamon

1.5 cups brown sugar

1 cup coffee creamer or powdered milk

Mix ingredients together and put in snack baggie or disposable cups.  Put 6 oz of water in your Keurig or put it on the 6 oz setting.  Put oatmeal into the cup and run a water cycle.  Mix and let stand for 2-3 minutes.  Instant oatmeal!!!

See how I make and store them here (all on the cheap of course!)

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FREE Desk Organization

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

Putty to stick the boxes down

Lots of you have asked about office spaces, desk organization, and how I do it on a budget. My Office Monster desk is super small. I mean SUPER SMALL. Here’s how I do it on a budget and make it functional. I’m always about functionality over beauty, but I think this space happens to be both :)…using recycled materials (and a few Dollar Spot/Thrifty finds!)

In my initial post in this series, many of you also mentioned wanting to see how I organize my mail and files to keep my office neat. That video is to come!

P.S. If you are looking to line your desk and you will be using wrapping paper, it is best adhered with painters tape rolled into a ball!

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How to get organized from GOODWILL

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

Thrifting to get organized?  You betcha.  I wanted to share with you some of my favorite organizing tips when shopping thrift stores (namely the Goodwill, but you could be pretty much anywhere that carries housewares.)

All thrift stores are not created equal (see more on that here), but there are a few general finds that make AMAZING home organizers and all Goodwills have them.  Even if your Goodwill caries basically junk.

(Easter Eggs of this video…organize your tupperware lids and store your towels!  You won’t regret it!)

Happy New Year!  I’ll be posting again on Friday!

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DOLLAR TREE ORGANIZERS… my faves <3

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Organization

I HAD to get this video up because if you need organizing products NOW is the time to get to Dollar Tree.  I was there today with Carson and holy bananas, it was beautiful in all its gloriousness.  Ahhhhhh (that is the sound of angels singing a sweet melody)….

IMG_5687Sad fact is in a few days time this area will look like a disaster and there will be nothing left.

Hit up the WHITE items this year, get your labels, and get cracking on those organizing products.  And don’t forget to send me pictures.  I love that.

Here’s what I did this week to help out my mom and her new place.

Also, have you entered in my Dollar Tree Giveaway, yet?  Make sure you do! <3

Also, take a look at our Linen Closet for even more ideas (this video is a bit older, but all the systems are the same!)

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

Cheap and FREE Christmas fun…for families!

by Filed Under: Advice & Vlogs, Dollar Tree, Holiday, Money Saving

Three quick tips that saves us money for the holidays…but still keep it fun 🙂  Hope you enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!!

You can make your own personalized video from Santa at www.portablenorthpole.com.  I’m not sponsored…it’s just FREE and cool so I wanted to share! 🙂  A huge thank you to Braylynn for sharing with me.  Thanks, girl!

Classroom Organization Ideas!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization, Teaching

I’ve been a teacher for 8 years.  Sometimes it’s hard to wrap my brain around that…or maybe I just want to feel younger than I am.  HA!  I am so, so blessed <3 I know the Lord placed this calling on my life, and I am so fortunate to work alongside some pretty incredible people and kiddos.  THANK YOU, TEACHERS for all you do! 🙂  Public school, private school, homeschool mommas.  We need strong people like you to lift up our communities.  You inspire the future.

Here are a few quick tips of ways I love to organize my classroom…some of these ideas you can even use in your house, too!

P.S. Only a squillion of you have asked to see my classroom at school.  I actually don’t have my own room, I teach off of a cart and float around the building (yay Spanish class!), but I did have my own room for 6+ years.  So I know these tips can hack it in a room full of energetic kiddos 😉

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$1 HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS | 2014

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Holiday, Money Saving

Annie’s Simple Life invited me to participate in this collab video to share some easy holiday gift ideas that don’t break the bank.  How nerdy is it that I get giddy when I see these types of videos pop up in my subscription feed?  They never get old!

***DOWNLOAD FREE GIFT TAG TEMPLATES HERE!***

One element that always guides my gift-crafting is: would I like to receive this gift?  Sometimes “cheap” has the assumption of “tacky.”  These are two gifts that we love and use at home, and they are extremely budget-conscious.  Enjoy!

***DOWNLOAD FREE GIFT TAG TEMPLATES HERE!***

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Holiday Aroma

 Holiday Aroma Recipe:

One Orange, One lemon, 3 Cinnamon sticks, 1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves, 1 teaspoon Nutmeg

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Baby Jesus DIY Nut Ornament!

P.S.  Don’t forget to check out my Halloween vlog if you missed it!

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