No, you're not crazy. Today is really Wednesday. Yes, I'm a day late posting this. For whatever reason our computer (or blogger, not sure which) refused to sign my husband out of his blogging account yesterday so I could get into mine. Anyway, here's your tip for the week.
This week I'm not showcasing a product as much as an idea. With the kids now out of school for the summer and vacations on the rise, I thought this might be a good time to encourage everyone to set a routine early and stick to it. (I'm preaching to myself now, too. Ideas and theories I can handle. Putting them into practice consistently is another matter entirely. haha)
So, my tip for the week is #1) set up a plan, #2) get the kids and spouse involved, and #3) institute the "pick-up before play" rule...or "PBP". Now, this is a useless tip to all you super-moms out there who are highly organized and orderly. However, for those of you who have trouble with this like I do, we can benefit from the accountability that comes from simply admitting our struggles and developing the discipline of a stable routine. It will truly make for a happier home.
From what I understand, the first 21 days are critical to establishing new habits and behaviors. Apparently, if you can stick to a new routine for 21 consecutive days, you are more likely to continue that pattern. (I can only surmise that I haven't reached the golden 21-day mark in this respect yet. ;) ) So, my challenge for you today is to mark your calendar for the 21st day after implementing your plan. Then, find an accountability partner (preferably someone who will call you out when you need it) and share specifically what you plan to accomplish and how you'll measure success. Then, after 21 days, reward yourself for a job well-done!
Your plan will depend upon many factors affecting your specific family so it probably won't look exactly like ours or anyone else's. Only you can determine what works best for you. For us, my part of our plan is to start and finish at least one load of laundry and empty the dishwasher every MORNING (which also means the dishwasher will be loaded and dishes cleaned the night before). For the kids, they will pick up their rooms and other toys before we go out anywhere (and before computer or television time) and everything will be put away before bedtime. This is just part of the plan but if we can do this for 21 consecutive days, I'll consider it a success!
So, what will you do for the next 21 days? Leave a comment below and let's help each other reach our goals and enjoy a more relaxing and tidier home even during the hectic summer months!
Profile Description
- Stephanie
- I'm a mother of 3 who started blogging as a way to share our many adventures and to expand beyond the everyday "mommy world". While there IS so much more to us mommies than the title, there is very little that doesn't in some way or another lead us back to or influence our children...if anything. So, I hope you enjoy following our family's randomness, because as all moms know- you can never anticipate what tomorrow will bring! Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day! :)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
When Did Grocery Shopping Become Such a Headache?
I've been procrastinating for days but at some point before the end of the day I will have to go to the grocery store. We are completely out of milk, bread, and peanut butter (among other things, but these are true necessities at our house. Our kids go through peanut butter like it's going out of style.). So, unless I can find a recipe for popcorn and ketchup, I will grace the door of a local grocer...before midnight and preferably before dinnertime.
What I'd like to know is since when has grocery shopping become burdensome to me? I used to love going and finding bargains, taking pride in how much I saved. Actually, I still do most of the time. For some reason, I just haven't been as excited about it these last few days. I can think of several different reasons:
What I'd like to know is since when has grocery shopping become burdensome to me? I used to love going and finding bargains, taking pride in how much I saved. Actually, I still do most of the time. For some reason, I just haven't been as excited about it these last few days. I can think of several different reasons:
- I don't like taking the kids with me. Even with just 2 during the day, they tend to slow me down.
- With gas so incredibly high, I've been paying much more attention to where I go and how often. This means that ideally I would plan to visit all the stores during one trip to town but this is near impossible for reason #1. So, I'm weighing the cost of what's in my tank with what I'm planning to purchase and if it's worth the savings/speed with the kids. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.
- We're leaving for Disney World in 12 days so every penny counts at this point. I'm much more conscientious now as to whether or not we really need what I'm planning to buy or if it's just something that happens to be "a really good deal". Sometimes the deals are worth it, sometimes they're not. Right now, for us, they are more often "not" just because there are other things that we will "need" more immediately for our trip. Truth be told, these "deals" will come back around again and as mentioned before, I don't really need them right now.
I imagine many of you are like us and doing everything you can to "squeeze a nickel until the buffalo farts" (You can thank my husband for that expression. ;) ). So, I think these reasons are worth noting. Sometimes I don't think we pay enough attention to them. Those of us couponers will often feel guilty for not getting the best deal on something or missing a sale. Maybe we don't have a coupon for something and that's reason enough to feel badly. Really it's not. Sometimes convenience is more important. Sometimes we need a break from coupons...and that's ok. So what if you missed out on getting dishwashing liquid for free when you've got 3 bottles left at home? So what if you paid $3.79 for a gallon of milk when another place in town has it for $3.29? You'd probably spend that much in gas (not to mention the extra time) traveling 20 miles just to save 50 cents.
So, now I don't feel as bad about my lack of "shopping" lately. I use quotes there because many times I find some really fantastic deals and get many things free! But this week I've needed a break. Next week, we'll be vacationing. Maybe the following week I'll be back to my old self! What about you? Is couponing a blessing right now, or a burden?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tidy-Up Tip Tuesday 5/17
Today's tip: Bleach! I just love bleach! (As long as it hasn't spotted my favorite shirt, that is. ;)) I love the smell of it, too. It's cheap. It's powerful. It's versatile. We use bleach in nearly every room of our house.
Laundry room: Most of you already know that adding a cup of bleach to a wash load of whites leaves them brighter and can get out even the toughest stains. But did you know that you can also use a q-tip dipped in equal parts bleach and water to save a white garment that is not all white? It works just like the expensive bleach pens but at a fraction of the cost.
Kitchen: I'm always amazed at how much better our floor looks after I clean it with simple bleach water as opposed to the expensive mop cleaners. It doesn't require as much elbow grease either, which is always a plus.
Bathrooms: Again, the floors, but also the toilets. When I'm cleaning the bathrooms, before doing anything else, I'll add a little bleach to the toilet and immediately flush. Then I pour a little more in the next time and let it sit until the rest of the bathroom is cleaned. By the time I get to the toilet, bleach has done most of the dirty work for me. :)
Clogs: Did you know that you can also pour straight bleach down the drain to clear clogs? Now, it's not as quick a fix as Drano might be and not as powerful but if it's mostly hair or tissue paper that's causing the problem, pouring bleach down the drain and letting it sit for about an hour, then following it with hot water will probably be enough to do the trick!
How do you use bleach at home?
Laundry room: Most of you already know that adding a cup of bleach to a wash load of whites leaves them brighter and can get out even the toughest stains. But did you know that you can also use a q-tip dipped in equal parts bleach and water to save a white garment that is not all white? It works just like the expensive bleach pens but at a fraction of the cost.
Kitchen: I'm always amazed at how much better our floor looks after I clean it with simple bleach water as opposed to the expensive mop cleaners. It doesn't require as much elbow grease either, which is always a plus.
Bathrooms: Again, the floors, but also the toilets. When I'm cleaning the bathrooms, before doing anything else, I'll add a little bleach to the toilet and immediately flush. Then I pour a little more in the next time and let it sit until the rest of the bathroom is cleaned. By the time I get to the toilet, bleach has done most of the dirty work for me. :)
Clogs: Did you know that you can also pour straight bleach down the drain to clear clogs? Now, it's not as quick a fix as Drano might be and not as powerful but if it's mostly hair or tissue paper that's causing the problem, pouring bleach down the drain and letting it sit for about an hour, then following it with hot water will probably be enough to do the trick!
How do you use bleach at home?
Ebates Celebrates 12 Years! *Promotion ends today!*
If you plan to shop online in the near future, today's the day to do it!! Ebates is offering 12% cashback TODAY on purchases made from a wide selection of stores such as DSW, Gap, Old Navy, Sephora, Teleflora, Jcpenney, Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer, philosophy, Petco, shutterfly, snapfish, The Body Shop, Birthday Express, and many many more! For many of these stores, this is more than DOUBLE and in some cases TRIPLE the usual cashback award. Be sure to check coupon codes for the stores you are visiting and you could score additional discounts and/or free shipping! If you are new to ebates, click the button below and you'll receive a $5 bonus just for signing up after your first qualifying purchase! It's so easy and I just love getting my Big Fat Check in the mail!
To see a full list of all stores participating in the birthday celebration promotion, click on the "monopoly man" in the upper right hand corner of the home page. Happy Shopping!
Here's what I found: I received a DSW giftcard for Christmas last year and have been waiting for their store to be the "Ebates Daily Double" but this birthday promotion was even better with TRIPLE the amount of cash back! Plus, as a DSW member (it's free to register) I got free shipping on my order of $35 or more. I ordered a nice pair of crocs and 3 pairs of men's socks. After my $25 gift card discount and free shipping, I paid $15.55. Once my $4.54 cashback comes in from ebates, I'll have paid $11.01 for all of it! I'm really looking forward to slipping my feet into those crocs! I think these may be the first pair I've ever owned. What deal did you find today? :)
To see a full list of all stores participating in the birthday celebration promotion, click on the "monopoly man" in the upper right hand corner of the home page. Happy Shopping!
Here's what I found: I received a DSW giftcard for Christmas last year and have been waiting for their store to be the "Ebates Daily Double" but this birthday promotion was even better with TRIPLE the amount of cash back! Plus, as a DSW member (it's free to register) I got free shipping on my order of $35 or more. I ordered a nice pair of crocs and 3 pairs of men's socks. After my $25 gift card discount and free shipping, I paid $15.55. Once my $4.54 cashback comes in from ebates, I'll have paid $11.01 for all of it! I'm really looking forward to slipping my feet into those crocs! I think these may be the first pair I've ever owned. What deal did you find today? :)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Free Samples
I just love free stuff, don't you? That's why one of my favorite websites is All You where they have truly free samples nearly every day! This is not like freeflys or other websites that require you to complete silver, gold, or platinum offers before getting your freebie. With All You, most of the time you just enter some basic information like your name and address so they know where to send your "swag"!
Today's free sample is Alpo dog food. Maybe you're like us and you don't have a dog. I bet you know someone who does, though. Why not order one for yourself, then share the information with your dog loving friends so they can have 2? Everyone loves free stuff and maybe next time it will be diapers (or something else you need that they don't) and they can help you out. Even if you don't know someone with a dog, donate the sample to your local animal shelter. Every little bit helps.
Either way, I advise adding All You to your favorites list and checking back every day for their sample. Some of the previous days' samples are still available so if you follow the link and scroll down, you'll see additional samples to choose from like Tampax, Ester-C, and other name brands!
**Tip: Although most companies will not sell or distribute your email information without your consent, I advise setting up a "junk mail" email address. It's been a lifesaver for my personal mailbox and I can still go peek at my "junk" to see what hidden treasures I may find there (coupons, promotions, free samples, and the like). Enjoy your freebies!
Today's free sample is Alpo dog food. Maybe you're like us and you don't have a dog. I bet you know someone who does, though. Why not order one for yourself, then share the information with your dog loving friends so they can have 2? Everyone loves free stuff and maybe next time it will be diapers (or something else you need that they don't) and they can help you out. Even if you don't know someone with a dog, donate the sample to your local animal shelter. Every little bit helps.
Either way, I advise adding All You to your favorites list and checking back every day for their sample. Some of the previous days' samples are still available so if you follow the link and scroll down, you'll see additional samples to choose from like Tampax, Ester-C, and other name brands!
**Tip: Although most companies will not sell or distribute your email information without your consent, I advise setting up a "junk mail" email address. It's been a lifesaver for my personal mailbox and I can still go peek at my "junk" to see what hidden treasures I may find there (coupons, promotions, free samples, and the like). Enjoy your freebies!
Sock Insanity!
Who knew there were so many different types and brands of moisture-wicking socks? I wasn't even really familiar with the term until I began planning our Disney vacation and read a suggestion about wearing them to keep your feet happy and blister-free after long hours of walking around the parks (and getting your feet potentially soaked on wet rides). Sounds great to me! But now I'm swimming in a sea of possibilities...on a limited budget. I'm on a mission to find at least 10 pairs of moisture-wicking socks in at least 3 different sizes for less than $30. Quite a challenge.
I also happened upon something called Blistershield and wondered if any one who might read this had heard of it or used it. I also wondered if we were to use it, would it still be necessary to use the "special socks" as well. Another question then came to mind; Is there a "homemade" prevention that would work just as well and not cost as much? One more thing: how does this stuff feel on your foot? We have a son with Asperger's who is very particular about how things feel on his skin, particularly his feet. Blistershield, great as it may be, would be of little to no benefit to us if 1) Jackson won't wear it or 2) we make him and he's screaming and pitching fits about it...kind of defeats the purpose of making our trip a more pleasant experience for everyone. haha
I would love suggestions and advice! Military friends, I reckon you probably have loads of experience in this regard and can offer ingenious insight! Please help! I would really hate for a small blister or foot pain to reek havoc on our joyous and exciting days in the parks. Thanks in advance. :)
I also happened upon something called Blistershield and wondered if any one who might read this had heard of it or used it. I also wondered if we were to use it, would it still be necessary to use the "special socks" as well. Another question then came to mind; Is there a "homemade" prevention that would work just as well and not cost as much? One more thing: how does this stuff feel on your foot? We have a son with Asperger's who is very particular about how things feel on his skin, particularly his feet. Blistershield, great as it may be, would be of little to no benefit to us if 1) Jackson won't wear it or 2) we make him and he's screaming and pitching fits about it...kind of defeats the purpose of making our trip a more pleasant experience for everyone. haha
I would love suggestions and advice! Military friends, I reckon you probably have loads of experience in this regard and can offer ingenious insight! Please help! I would really hate for a small blister or foot pain to reek havoc on our joyous and exciting days in the parks. Thanks in advance. :)
Free Molten Monday!!!
Poor Monday never gets a break. For most of us it's the beginning of the work week and can be the most disagreeable day for that very reason. Well, here is a reason to LOVE this Monday! Chili's is giving you a free molten cake (or other dessert) with coupon with the purchase of an adult entree. Don't wait! Print your coupon now and dive in! This offer is for today only. Ah, Monday. Finally a reason to celebrate you! ;)
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