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organizing | diy | frugal living

Do It On A Dime

DIY Lamination at Home!

by Filed Under: DIY Projects, Online Deals, Organization, Teaching

I LOVE lamination.  As a teacher I consider myself to be more or less an “expert” at it.  I have laminated so much in my day and had to be creative about it.  I’ve been teaching for 8 years, so that’s a lotta paper!

My favorite Laminating ideas are in the video below, and here is more information about the products I show.  There is no paid product placement in this video 🙂  I’m not trying to promote and one brand… just show you what’s available!  I am an Amazon affiliate.

Dollar Tree Tape!

Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets (it’s cheaper to get them online than in-store!)

Thermal Laminating Pouches. These are the ones I featured.

My laminator

Walmart Laminator (haven’t tried but good reviews!)

Another option to get the pouches is laminator.com (I’m not affiliated but the prices are good!)

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HOW TO ACTUALLY STAY ORGANIZED!

by Filed Under: Organization

I get many messages from you asking for help getting organized.  A common theme is “I can organize things, but it never stays that way.  I think I’m just destined to live with clutter.”

I wanted to address this question simple give you some tips that really help me.  From a  working mom in a REAL house.

Here is how to ACTUALLY STAY organized….

1) DON’T BE DISCOURAGED:  High-traffic zones are hard to keep organized…they are for me, too!

2) TAKE INVENTORY:  Keep in a space only what  you actually use.  Not back-ups.  Not extras.  Only the stuff you use.  Quit the ifs ands and buts.

3) YOU DON’T JUST NEED “ANOTHER BIN”:  Most spaces don’t need new things to make them function.  Save $$, yo!

4) USE THE 20% RULE: Leave 20% minimum of free, empty space in any organized space…you need room to grow!

5) HALFWAY-HOME:  Put “extras” you are purging in a box for a few months to see if you really need to keep it.  Never go in it?  Get rid of it!

6) FORGET PERFECT.  I’m serious.  Your house will NEVER look like a blog.  Like ever.  And if it does you will be sad because you will have no life.  Just aim for efficient 🙂

SEE IT IN ACTION!

Best Ikea Organizers: Under $10!

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

Organizing without Dollar Tree IS possible (I know lots of my international subscribers are jealous of budget finds in the US).  I wanted to make this video to show you some of my favorite IKEA organizers.  Nope, this is not a sponsored video.  I bought everything with my own dollas…very unfortunately. 😉


One common trend among all these items is the color white.  White = clean = crisp = a feeling of high-end (even if you didn’t spend a lot).  So here are my faves.

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MY NO-FAIL ORGANIZING PROCESS…using Dollar Tree products!

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

I get messages daily from so many of you.  Some of you send me pictures, some of you write me notes, and some of you are just asking advice about your new apartment, home, or space.

Some days I wish I could teleport to your house and help you organize your space (it seriously does bring me so much joy), but I don’t have the time to personally help everybody.  So I wanted to make this video about what I do when I approach a space (since it applies to virtually any area I am trying to organize).  My process…and how I do it on a budget.  It’s not rocket science, but they are simple tricks that really are no-fail.

Besides, who knows your home and needs better than you?  You are smart and you are creative!  Seeing others organize always motivates me to think about my own space.  And that’s the goal of this video. 🙂

Looking for under the shelf organizer featured in this video?  They are less than $10.  Any time I can find a quality organizing product for less than $10, I’m a happy camper.  (I wish Dollar Tree had a product like this…they need to get one!)

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Personal Planner Organization and GIVEAWAY!

by Filed Under: Organization

I am so excited to bring you this video and giveaway.  Lots of you ask how I organize my time, my family, and my planner without going totally crazy.  I admire perfectly decorated planners (with the washi) and think to myself, “Oh, time.  You and I both know that wasn’t meant for me.”

Screen Shot 2014-08-27 at 12.59.12 PMThen the awesome folks at Personal-Planner sent me a little e-mail and asked if I wanted to make a custom planner AND give one away to one of you.  Um…duh!!!  Soesyouknows, they aren’t paying me anything to talk about their product or company.  They sent me the planner for free, and everything else is my opinion.  I think it’s important to share that as a vlogger.

These planners are pretty AND perfectly functional.  Wait, I can have a cute planner for less than $40?  With a picture of MY FACE!?!?  Sign me up!

*****************CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!!!!**************

🙂 🙂 🙂

SOURCE LIST OF ALL ITEMS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

 

*****************CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!!!!**************

(Apparently WordPress won’t allow me to embed the giveaway widget!)

I explain how I used my fridge command center in this video:

P.S.  Want your planner now?  Lisa from personal planner sent me a coupon code for 15% off in case you are interested.  Just enter this code at checkout:   Screen Shot 2014-08-27 at 2.05.35 PMsignature

PURGING SENTIMENTAL CLUTTER

by Filed Under: Organization

The best questions to ask yourself when purging those items with lots of emotional attachment.  From a real person in real-life circumstances.  And you know what?…I made this video as much for me as I did for you. 🙂

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SAVE $$ w/Freezer Organization {Fridge and Chest Freezer}

by Filed Under: Money Saving, Organization

I posted this fridge organization video, and many of you asked to see how I organize my freezer.  You ask, and I try my best to make it happen!

** GET YOUR FREE FREEZABLE FOODS LIST HERE!**

These are my favorite fridge organization tips plus a super sweet free printable for you guys.  YOU CAN SAVE SO MUCH MONEY BY FREEZING FRESH FOODS!  Since we’ve purchased our chest freezer, I’ve gotten really into maximizing it’s use.  Over the past couple weeks I pulled together this Freezable Foods list about what are the best items to freeze.  Print it.  Share it.  Tack it on your fridge…er…freezer?  These are just my experiences with freezing items and how they’ve worked for us.  This list is by no means exhaustive, so I would love to see what works for you!

Freezable FoodsFreezable Foods 2

If you are looking to freeze veggies (it will change your life) check out this list from the wonderful people of Canada.  (I heard Canada.)  I’m not kidding.  It’s my favorite one online.  And I really do heart Canada and their love of Tim Hortons. <3

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Carson’s Room Tour!

by Filed Under: Dollar Tree, Online Deals, Organization

Before Carson was born I implemented an easy system in his closet that would make folding clothes and the hassle of constant clothing transition things of the past.  A favorite are these closet dividers…plus I love how they are LESS THAN $5!

Lots of you have asked to see an updated closet tour.  Did it actually work???  That was one thing I found when watching YouTube videos of moms.  You would see “great systems” implemented, but never find out if they stood the test of time (as many things don’t with kids).

So, here’s how his room looks today.  It’s not perfect (and far from perfectly decorated!) but it is such a functional and easy to maintain space in our house.  Here’s what I do to keep it easy peasy.

Also, here are the Closet Organizers that I love so much.  They are perfect for those first years of so much growing and transition!

Would love to hear your favorite tips!

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