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Do It On A Dime

Space Saving Ideas: Closet and Bathroom Makeover

by Filed Under: Organization

My Dad moved into his condo fairly recently. It’s a very small, two bedroom (under 1,300 sq. ft), and since he’s moved I’ve been helping him transform his space on a budget. Today I tackled the bathroom and master closet. Both extremely small spaces. IMG_5147In the master bathroom we made some super easy updates like getting a new shower curtain, changing out the Showerhead for a more updated and better flowing fixture and replaced the shower pan with something chrome to go with the overall aesthetic. We also decorated the place with some clearance Target art and Goodwill find. I also found some Command Picture-Hanging Strips. They work so well if you don’t want to damage our walls or have heavy art that could get bumped in and out of a room. This stuff legit holds it in place. It was my first time using them and I was quite impressed. The biggest change was installing a Rotator Rod that allows you to bow your shower curtain inwards and outwards so you have more room in the shower and more room in the bathroom. It’s a win-win. And lucky you, they are GIVING one away to one of you (see below to enter!) We also tackled the master closet using Dollar Tree bins and a shoe rack. From Goodwill. Yup. Cheap and effective and literally doubles that “dead” closet space. I can’t get over how obsessed with it I am. I also love the Over-The-Door Shoe Organizer. They are perfect for closets. Screen Shot 2015-03-05 at 6.00.08 PM

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Giveaway ends March 14th 2015 at 12:00 am EST. US and Canada only. Winners must be 18 or older or have parental permission. Winner will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter within a week of the giveaway ending and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. Please note that Doitonadime is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I will use your information only for the purpose of contacting the winners and sending your name and address to the company to ship your prize.

Apartment Organization | Small Space Organizing

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Organization

This past weekend Charlie and I traveled to Washington D.C. to visit some good friends from college.  We ate a metric ton and relished in the freedoms of traveling without a toddler.  Don’t get me wrong, we missed the little guy, but we truly got to experience the sights leisurely.  I’m a total geek for history….I’m that annoying girl that’s always asking the tour guides questions and soaking it all in.  #nerdalert #everymuseum

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While we were there, we went to the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl (a DC local hot-spot) and I met the first guy in the door when the place opened in the 50s.  He had the first chili dog Ben’s ever sold!  And I was weird enough to ask for a picture…ha!  Alloftheawkward.  He was super sincere and sweet.  And to be honest, I think the picture made his day more than it did mine. 🙂  These days, he stays away from the chili and orders a salad with a hot dog on it, but he’s still a loyal customer.

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Fun fact…did you know George Washington was over 6 feet tall?  For some reason I always thought he was short!

While we were there, I helped my girlfriend tackle some spaces in her apartment.  Because I’m all about the organizing…even on vacation.  Yup, it’s relaxing to me!  It actually didn’t even take us very long.  Just over an hour to transform a couple of key areas.  Total recharge, and they loved it!

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Danger of “budget organization”

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

This just a little heart-to-heart video about living on a budget. Y’all…living on a budget, living within your means, getting out of debt (learn about debt consolidation loans), saving for the future…it’s all becoming COOL again. I’ll just come out and say it…. it’s becoming trendy. I feel like people finally woke up to reality. Hello budget options and cheap or FREE organizing solutions. <3 But with a wealth of information about there and tons of Dollar Tree equivalents of items that were once just sold at pricey organizing stores, a new danger has arisen: sometimes these cheap, free, and cutesy options pose a danger to real organization. The organization that sticks and works. Wake-up call: it’s not about a cute bin!!! In this video I explain why, and here are the two ways I make sure that what I’m bringing into my home and the products I’m choosing to use (no matter how budget friendly they are), are going to work TOWARD me becoming more organized. A better home and a better me. Cheers!

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How to organize your attic + AtticMaxx Giveaway

by Filed Under: Organization

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*This is an awesome giveaway, so make sure to read to the very end of the post to enter!! *

I was so excited to share this video with all of you. I am a self-proclaimed organizing freak, yet my attic was always really disorganized. (Inside the bins was amazing, though, if I do say so myself). But when you think about it, standard attic storage is destined to fail. By stacking bins, inevitably you have to get to the bottom one, causing the others to topple over. So you end up stacking and re-stacking to try to get it right again. Or just shifting things around so it is a sea of disorganized bins that you struggle to step over. And entering the crawl space is always a nightmare. It would be even more of a nightmare if you find what you think could be mold developing in a moist area within the crawl space. It’s better to safe than sorry, call in a licensed mold inspector to do some mold testing in Austin Texas or somewhere more local to you.

When AtticMaxx wanted to share their system with you, I jumped on it. They sent me a system and they are giving one away to you (but other than that, I am not being paid to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own).

The system, with a quick install using the already existing trusses in our attic, transformed our space into this (please excuse our dirty plywood…this is an attic after all!). There are so many benefits from organizing your attic. Not only do you know where everything is when you need it, your house also benefits! If your belongings are all over the place then you won’t be able to see any issues that your attic may have. Damp and roof damage can go unnoticed because the affected areas are covered by clutter so you won’t know that you need the WDR Roofing Company or a plumber to fix the damage.

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Yup, we can basically have a dance party in our attic. Strike that. We actually HAD a dance party in our attic!

Here are the keys to the system, how to install, and why it works so well:

There are two versions of AtticMaxx. The first is the system installed in my attic, it comes with an 8 unit system and retails for $169.95. It might seem like a lot at first glance, but when you think about how other heavy-duty storage shelves run nearly $100 and have a less efficient use of space (especially in an attic) it’s really not that bad.

set-of-8-product-pic-for-website copy(1) diy no background img 5Also, if that’s still out of your budget (y’all it’s doitonaDIME over here!) there is a DIY option for those on a budget that retails for $49.95. You buy the plywood yourself and use the patented straps and screws they send to create the same system. The best of both worlds.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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*AtticMaxx provided a system for review to give away to one of my subscribers, but this is not a paid sponsorship. All opinions are genuinely my own.*

Open to US and Canadian Residents only. One winner will receive a set of 8 Attic Truss Storage Shelves from AtticMaxx. Giveaway ends March 5th 2015 at 12:00 am EST. Winner must be 18 or older or have parental permission. Winner will be selected randomly by Rafflecopter within a week of the giveaway ending and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. Please note that Doitonadime is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I will use your information only for the purpose of contacting the winners and sending your name and address to the company to ship your prize.

Pantry Organization: Dollar Tree Style!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Organization

IMG_6418This is probably one of my favorite collabs to date because I got to hang out with the amazing AtHomeWithNikki!  For those of you that are subscribed to her, of course you know why I love her so much.  She’s such a genuine, talented lady with a love for all things home and style (good grief can this girl decorate!) and a heart anchored in the Lord.  We’ve known each other on YouTube for years, and this was our first time getting to meet in person.  She was in the Charlotte area helping her brother and sister in law in their brand new home, and we made a day of shopping, lunch, and a pantry makeover.  Totally nerding out on organizing supplies.  <3IMG_6379There are times when you meet someone and you feel like you’ve known them forever.  Nikki is one of those people.  Our work on the pantry didn’t feel like work, it was just friends hanging out.  Smiling, laughing, collaborating, and just celebrating life.  I got to hold her beautiful baby niece (baby fix!) and spoke on the phone with her completely adorable mom.  Such a blast.

Here is how the amazing pantry transformation turned out… it was a makeover that was under $100.  All Dollar Tree products and a couple of Wal-Mart glass jars.  No kidding!  But this space is more than pretty bins.  It is a system that is going to keep it functioning for their family for years to come.

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I’m loving these large mason jars.  I think they really make the space!  They are one of the only items that you can’t find at the Dollar Tree.  They do sell smaller mason jars, but these 1/2 gallon ones are the best!

Here is the video tour, with some tips and tricks of how we got this pantry functioning.  Come hang out with us!

Don’t forget to catch Nikki’s video here!

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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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Kitchen Organizing Ideas {Favorite Organized Space Collab}

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Online Deals, Organization

Here are some of my favorite ways we use to keep our kitchen cupboards and counter-tops working for us on our peninsula counter-top.  We use this area for so much (it probably has some of the greatest foot traffic in our entire house…including lots of crumbs!), so here’s how we maintain it and keep it organized.

These are real ideas that work for real families.  It’s not gorgeous or magazine worthy just crazy-functional on a budget.  Always my goal 🙂

Some products featured in this video (click the image to learn more)…everything works with a budget!

1.  Gallon Glass Canister: I found mine at the Goodwill, but it’s the same model as this guy (great reviews).  It looks beautiful on a countertop and is perfect for on the go breakfasts.  This guy has morphed so many time in our kitchen depending on our needs.

2.  Keurig Carousel: We love that this stores 32 K-Cups.  It helps me choose a different coffee every day.  We only buy them on super sale, so it’s always a surprise what we will keep on it!

3. Under Shelf Basket: These truly maximize your space in any cabinet.  Great for anything, and under $10!

3.  Dollar Tree Sugar Dispenser:  This guy was from the Dollar Tree.  Love it.  Keeps the ants a bay, too!

4.  Dollar Tree Dishwash Bins:  These things are amazing for organizing in shelves.  And for just a buck, you can’t beat the price.  We have used them for years and they have held up well.

5.  Dollar Tree Canisters: These things are awesome.  BPA free and come in three sizes!

6. Dollar Tree Chalk Labels:  They’ve updated them since I bought mine and I love the new look!

7. Dollar Tree Food Storage Container:  Yes they sell these at Dollar Tree!  They are beyond amazing!  They fit a perfect portion size.  We have our cupboards filled to the brim with these guys.

8. Tackle Box:  I found mine at the Goodwill for just .99 cents.  They retail for about $7 (the one linked has adjustable dividers).  I find it’s easiest to store them with my cookbooks!

So that’s why I’m loving my kitchen.  How do you keep your kitchen organized?

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Dollar Tree Organizing…Under the Sink!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Organization

I’m LOVING the new Dollar Tree Spring Organizers.  They come in pastel blue, light green, red, and pink this year.  This is one of my favorite seasons to organize because the colors of the bins are so classically beautiful (Mommas of girls you have to check out their pink options…ahh!).  Get out there and stock up, people!  Here’s how I transformed my under the sink area in our powder room from zero to hero with just $5!  Enjoy 🙂

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Password Organization and Tips

by Filed Under: Organization


Many of you have been asking me to do videos on digital organizing.  So, I want to start sharing computer and digital organizing tips when I feel I have a system that really works (no matter how simple it is!).

To organize my passwords, I use a The Personal Internet Address & Password Log Book it’s just $6, and it helps tremendously (especially remembering all of your online accounts for when you go to change your passwords).

I also share my fail-proof system for remembering all your passwords and having unique passwords for each site you visit (not matter what its requirements) for heightened security.

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