KITCHEN CUPBOARD ORGANIZATION | Cheap and Free

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Organization

Organizing the kitchen can seem like a daunting and expensive task.  Here’s how, using less than $10, I organized our baking cabinet above the stove.

My biggest secrets when organizing are to…

  1. Re-purpose old containers.  I love the pretzel pillows from my grocery store, and when they go on sale, I buy a few, and I know I can re-use the container after we eat them.  TIP: To remove labels, use rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or vinegar.  Let soak using a paper towel.
  2. Stick with one color scheme.  When working with a tiny budget, things have a tendency to get a little Hodge-podgy.  In this project I suck with black and white, so it really created a dramatic effect for little money
  3. Shop the Dollar Tree!  The chalkboard labels, chalk pen, and containers we from the Dollar Store
  4. Use double-duty organizers.  My “risers” in the cabinets are also helpful storage.
  5. Shop Garage Sales (now’s the season!).  Storage containers can always be found at these.  I see them at so many sales!

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

DIY Baby Wipes | How to make your own baby wipes

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Money Saving, Recipes

Baby wipes are expensive. And loaded with tons of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Carson gets diaper rash very, very easily (it’s insane), and even though he is potty trained, he still wears diapers for naps and bed-time, and we still used wipes after going potty!

I wish I would have found a recipe I loved sooner. There are lots of options out there (many use baby shampoo and oil), but the proportions are all wrong and they leave a residue on your skin.

After some research and experimenting, we found wipes we LOVE and won’t be switching to store-bought any time soon. Besides, you won’t believe the money you save. Just one container of these wipes uses around $1 of ingredients, and considering you pay $4 at the store for the same amount, I’d say that’s a pretty killer savings.

P R O D U C T S U S E D:

Storage Containers (also BPA free)
Fiora Paper Towels
Burt’s Bees Shampoo (natural ingredients, tear free and safe for babies)
Burt’s Bees Body Oil (all natural and safe for babies)
Coconut Oil
Distilled Water

M E A S U R E M E N T S:
1/2 paper towel roll in a 64oz container
1 Tbs. coconut oil
1 squirt baby shampoo
1 squirt baby oil
2 cups distilled water

Combine coconut oil and liquid ingredients (make sure water is warm). Pour over 1/2 a paper towel roll (cut with a non-serrated knife). Remove center roll and pull out wipes from the center. Squish roll down using the lid. Keep sealed for up to 2 weeks.

Let me know if you give this easy recipe a try!

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

How to make Almond Butter!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Money Saving, Recipes

Can you believe this jar is $11 from Vitacost? Crazy!

For the price the grocery store charges for almond butter, you should be cracking open a can of liquid gold. Or at the very least prime rib. The cost is outrageous. Almond butter can run you $8-$9 PER SMALL JAR. I can’t think of another explanation other than it’s the health-food industry capitalizing on a “trendy” food with a lot of added health benefits. And considering how fast we go through it in our house, I was really excited to discover how easy it was to make your own.

Almond butter is loaded with vitamins and minerals and is great for your health. Peanutbutter is good for you, too (has lots of protein), but isn’t good to be consumed in mass quantities…especially if you have the 24-7-PB&J-requesting-kid. It’s so easy to switch it up with some almond butter with ZERO preservatives and keep your family eating healthful, varied foods on a budget!

You’ll need a food processor and a large bag of raw almonds. The cheapest place to purchases them is Costco where you can get a large bag for about $17. That makes the cost per jar right around $3…about 1/3 of the price in the store!

Process the almonds for 10-15 minutes (stirring occasionally with a spatula) until smooth and creamy like peanut-butter. Store in mason jars in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. We love to label ours with dissolveable labels.

I hope you give this easy recipe a try. Carson and I will show you how simple it really is!

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

Teacher Work Bag and Organization

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Money Saving, Teaching


It’s back to school season! Where has the time gone? Lots of you ask to see teacher organization videos, and while I don’t have a classroom (I am a “floating” teacher), I wanted to shared with you my two favorite teacher systems for staying organized!

In this video I share with you some of my favorite back to school tips, best Dollar Tree finds for teachers, what to do with absent work (and how to keep it organized) and my teacher work-bag. These are my school staples, and you’ll see why I love them so much.

Even if you aren’t a teacher, I hope you find these tips helpful!

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

Easy Zucchini Pizza!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Recipes

Finding creative ways to eat healthfully doesn’t have to be time-consuming or stressful.  Zucchini pizza is one of our family favorites, and it’s so simple to make!

We love gardening, and even if you don’t have a garden, zucchini and tomatoes are in season so this meal is doubly inexpensive.  You can find the original recipe and cooking instructions here.

And here’s an easy step-by-step tutorial:

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

From Diaper Box to Organizer!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Money Saving, Organization

I know we all have diaper boxes or Amazon boxes sitting in the recycle bin.  Why not take some jute twine and a little hot glue and make them over to create a classic organizer.  It’s so easy and is pennies on the dollar compared to expensive rope organizing boxes.  Hope you give this simple craft a try!

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

Budget Outdoor Makeover! | 4th of July Style

by Filed Under: Advice & Vlogs, Money Saving

IMG_3370I want to wish each and every one of you a HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Am I the only one obsessed with outdoor living pins on Pinterest?  I just want to dive through my screen!  This week we were inspired to increase the square footage of our home by making our outdoor living space beautiful.  Since, the amount of time we are spending on the back patio has easily doubled (the weather has been particularly gorgeous these past couple of days).


The first investment we made was in a power washer.  You can rent them for an afternoon, but I am so glad that we took the plunge to purchase one.  Especially as an upcyler, thrifter, and garbage picker, having it handy to clean off my finds is so nice, and it really does help your home stay so fresh and so clean, clean!  We’re getting kind of addicted to all it can do!

Check out the before and afters in the video and some thrifty finds that brought the space together!

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