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DIY Homemade Window Cleaner – The Best Streak Free Window Cleaner!
DIY Homemade Window Cleaner – The Best Streak Free Window Cleaner EVER!
One would think that living with six people would mean that there are plenty of people to clean up the house.
Well, that one would be wrong.
Living with six people…four of which are teens/tweens REALLY means that there is six times the mess, fingerprints, and junk….with one mom yelling and bribing people to help.
That’s just real talk.
But have no fear fellow mom-mers….I put them to work. Sorry, not sorry has become a mantra around this household.
One job that nobody seems to mind though, is washing the windows. Weird. I don’t know why. But they actually will argue about whoever gets to do it. Maybe they love my awesome DIY Homemade Window Cleaner just like I do.
When we started our cleaning business we made the switch to DIY homemade cleaners. One, they were way more cost effective. After all, saving money on cleaning supplies means bigger profits. Also, the homemade cleaners work just as well if not better than the store bought cleaners! Plus, it is so nice if you run out of something to just make another bottle. They take just a minute to make with ingredients that are common in the house or used in many other homemade cleaners.
Ingredients to make DIY Homemade Window Cleaner
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup alcohol
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- Essential Oils/oil blend of your choice
- Funnel
- Spray bottle (I REALLY love these glass bottles!)
Instructions to make DIY Homemade Window Cleaner
In a jar or bowl, mix together vinegar and alcohol.
Stir in cornstarch and mix well.
Choose your oils! I have done just lemon, a lemon basil, lemon lavender and a pine cedar wood mix. Other yummy mixes include orange or grapefruit.
Using a funnel, pour into your clean spray bottle.
If desired, print out a free label and cut it to size. Using a sticker maker, turn it into a sticker and put on your bottle.
*Note: These sticker makers are awesome! We use ours all of the time for things around the house, art projects and school projects! Totally worth having it!
That’s it! Just give it a quick shake before using. Seriously, this is the best glass cleaner I’ve ever used!
Need more DIY cleaners? Check these out:
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This post contains affiliate links.
Hands Down, The Best All Purpose Cleaner
Let’s play a game. Have you ever played 3 truths and a lie? It’s super easy. I say four statements and you pick out the one that isn’t truthful. Ready? Except this time…it’s cleaning edition.
- We own a cleaning company.
- I hate to clean.
- We have 5 kids and 2 dogs….who all make keeping things clean super difficult.
- I have to do the dishes right after dinner or it drives me crazy.
Do you know? The last one was the lie, but it does drive Dustin crazy so he normally gives in and does them. 🙂
Having a cleaning company means we have gone through a on of different cleaners looking for the right ones. But nothing has ever compared to this homemade cleaner. It really is hands down, the best all purpose cleaner ever! And it’s so inexpensive to make.
Supplies:
- 1 tsp Borax
- ½ tsp Washing Soda
- 1 tsp Liquid Castile Soap
- Warm Water
- Essential Oils – 12-15 drops
- Spray bottle
- All Purpose Cleaner Labels
- Sticker Maker
Instructions to make the best all purpose cleaner EVER:
In a clean bottle, pour the borax, washing soda and castile soap.
Fill with warm distilled water.
Add whatever essential oils you wish to the bottle of your cleaner. I sometimes use just lemon or just orange. But other times, I like to do a mix of grapefruit, orange and lemon or lemon and basil.
Put the lid on tightly and shake.
Print out our All Purpose Cleaner Labels and pick which one you want. Run the label through a sticker maker and attach it to your bottle.
(PS. Sticker makers are inexpensive and so handy to have! I use mine all the time for various things around the house or with the kids for school projects.)
A few important things:
- I REALLY love these glass bottles. I’m not a fan of plastic and we have been trying to eliminate as much as we can in our house. Plus, I feel fancy. And since I hate to clean, I take my victories when and where I can. 🙂 PS If you are worried about them breaking, I’ve been using them for over a year now and we haven’t broke any. (And remember, we have a small army!)
- Get the washing soda at the store if you can. It’s cheaper. I found mine in with the stain removers on the very bottom shelf.
- Don’t like lemon? Use grapefruit! Not a fan? Use orange! Not a fan of any of them? You can make a fragrance free version!
- Distilled water works best. But I’m not going to lie, there have been a few times I used regular old tap water.
- It will keep for a few months, but we go through it much faster than that!
Don’t forget to pin it – Hands Down The Best DIY Cleaner!
This post may contain affiliate links.
23 ways to use dryer sheets
- Use it to dust your television screen. The anti-static chemicals in a dryer sheet will help to repel dust and lint.
- Use old dryer sheets to easily wipe up talcum powder, flour, and other messes of this type.
- Used sheets usually have enough fragrance in them to freshen up other areas in your home. Stuff them in tennis shoes, place them in closets, in laundry hampers and in pieces of luggage — anywhere your house needs a little “refreshment.” For extra stinky places (example: your 13 year old’s shoes…I recommend a nice new sheet!)
- Run a sheet over a piece of thread when you’re doing sewing tasks. The thread won’t tangle up as easy.
- Have pet hair on your clothing? Simply wipe it off with a dryer sheet! Also works great on cloth furniture too!
- Keep dust and other contaminants off your glass computer screen by carefully wiping it with an old sheet.
- Did you purchase some old, musty books at a garage sale or thrift shop? Make them smell good again! Simply place the books in a sealed plastic bag with a dryer sheet. Allow the bag to sit undisturbed for a day or two, then remove the contents. The musty smell will be gone!
- Got a problem with mice? Find where they are entering your house and stuff the hole shut with a sheet. Mice won’t chew through the smelly material.
- Place a dryer sheet in the bag of your vacuum. Sweep your house, and, once you’re done, the air will smell as fresh as your clothes do.
- Dryer sheets are said to repel mosquitoes as well as other annoying, flying insects. Don’t rub it on you. Instead, stick a sheet in your belt loop.
- You can use dryer sheets to clean and polish the chrome on your vehicles.
- Is there a build-up of soap scum on your glass shower door? Simply use an old dryer sheet to eliminate the mess.
- Place a few dryer sheets under the seats of your vehicle instead to keep your car smelling fresh. Bonus: No pine tree on a string hanging from your mirror.
- Use sheets to clean and polish the glass lens of your eye glasses. They’re not recommended for plastic lens, though!
- Is your hair dry and full of static electricity? Gently wipe a dryer sheet over your head to get rid of it.
- Dryer sheets make great dusting cloths for your wooden furniture.
- Keep your window blinds clean longer by wiping them periodically with dryer sheets. The anti-static properties of the product will actually help to repel dust and dirt.
- Are your scissors not cutting as smooth as they should? Wipe the blades clean with a used dryer sheet to remedy this problem.
- Dryer sheets make great little cloths for quick shine ups in the bathroom and kitchen too. Just use one on each of your chrome faucets and they will look good as new.
- Soak your used paintbrushes in warm water with a dryer sheet, and latex paint should come off in under a minute.
- Clean off your iron to remove any sticky residue.
- Use them to help make fire starters. This is a great way to reuse the dryer lint too!
- Putting clothes, photos or other items in storage? Add a dryer sheet to your box/tote to help avoid the dreaded musty smell.
Don’t forget to pick up your dryer sheets as well as your favorite P&G products from Walmart to Avoid The Oops! Have you had an oops moment before? Share it with us!
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35 Kitchen Gadgets You Shouldn’t Be Without
What’s in your kitchen? I hope it’s one of these 35 kitchen gadgets! They save space, make clean up easier, help in your cooking and sometimes, they are just really cute alternatives to things you have to buy anyways.
These kitchen must haves won’t break the bank either! Most are under $20 (with a lot under $10!) Your kitchen will be the best stocked and ready to go thanks to these helpful items!
There are tons of awesome kitchen gadgets that won’t break the bank. I have several of these and plan on ordering the ones I don’t have already. I use them all the time and they come in super handy. Here are some of my favorites, that you probably don’t have, but totally should!
This Folding Grater ($9.99) is perfect for people like me! I love gadgets (obviously), but I don’t like clutter. This folds down flat so it makes storing it no problem and it doesn’t take up much room.
I own a few sets of these and I absolutely love them. Whether you use them occasionally to help with leftovers or if you are getting into freezer cooking, these hands free bag holders come in crazy handy. They are a bargain too, only $9.99 for a set of two.
Another item that I have bought and can tell you personally about it’s amazingness, this Pineapple Corer (only $6.79) makes coring a pineapple only take seconds. Bonus: We’ve had a few luau parties and this not only helped with our fruit dishes, but the hollowed out pineapples made for perfect vases for flowers. You could also fill them back up with cut fruit.
I haven’t personally used these, but I did just order them on Amazon. These Silicone Bowls are called Pinch Bowls and you can gently pinch them to make pouring simple and ditch the mess. (Choose from quart size or half cup size!)
Confession. I love garlic, but I normally just buy the jars of already minced garlic. But this little garlic chopper is not only under $10, but it’s simple to use and allows you to use fresh garlic (yum) easily.
Ok, well, I kind of just thought this was hilarious. These pasta measurers make sure you get the right amount of pasta every time. Portions for kids, women, men and for those times that you are so hungry you could eat a … Horse, T-Rex, or Unicorn!
This Clip on Spout is only $9.95 and can attach to pots, pans or bowls. Whether you need to drain or pour it comes in handy, doesn’t take up much room and you will quickly start to wonder what you did without it!
Have you heard of Anti Soggy Bowls? They are divided bowls that keep your cereal from getting soggy. Genius right? But they are pretty handy. Chips on one side and dip on the other, fries on the left and ketchup on the right or soup and your crackers. They are also perfect for people that don’t like their food touching. My son wet through a phase that he didn’t like that, so these were perfect. Mac and cheese completely separate from the green beans. #MomWin $8.95
Here is another item that has really made things easier at our house! Dip trays! They snap on your plates. Perfect for dips and also sauces. Great for BBQ’s and you know, Wednesday night dinners. Get four of them for only $6.99! 
We have been trying to be healthier at our house. One of those changes is eating more fish. I use this Citrus Sprayer (only $6.20!) all the time. But not just for fish, I spray it on veggies, a few sprays in my tea, and I would totally be lying if I didn’t admit that I first thought about doing a flashback of spraying lemon juice in my hair this summer. (Please, tell me someone else used to use Sun In back in the day!)
This is another one of those things that is just a cute upgrade to something you already have. This Pasta-saurus ($9.95) is a super fun way to serve up your pasta dinner.
Yes, yes, yes. Everyone needs two of these. Just clip it to the side of your pot and your spoon rests without making a drippy mess all over your stove. I’m all for anything to simplify clean up! Get the Pot Clip for only $8.95.
This is honestly one of my favorites! This flat whisk allows you to do your thing, turn the handle and it folds flat. Why is that amazing? Because it makes getting it ALL out of the bowl super easy. Not only that, but cleaning is simple. I always hated cleaning the whisks – food gets inside the middle and it’s hard to get, but not anymore. And finally for storage – it takes up less space! Oh, and yes, it’s under $10!
No, they aren’t staplers. These are bag re-sealers! For $15.99 you get a set of 2 (so only $8 each!) and they quickly will pay for themselves. Reseal bags of cereal, chips, or snacks in no time.
These Grill Clips are a must have for grill masters! You get a set of 4 for $10 to help you make the perfect grilled veggies.
Ready for some more awesome items that you shouldn’t be without? Here are some that are under $20!
This little gadget ($11.95) comes in super handy during baking. Easily separate the egg yolks and egg whites for recipes. Or if you are wanting to eat a healthier breakfast, scramble up the egg whites.
I love a good cup of tea. Recently I started switching to dried tea leaves from tea bags. It is fresh and makes me able to customize my blends. While looking for a tea infuser, I came across this adorable Whale Tea Infuser for just $11.19. Not only is it super practical and easy to use (the water spout never gets hot!) but it’s adorable.
Have you seen those viral videos on Facebook where they make incredible pancakes in the shapes of famous characters, people, etc? This is how! With a Pancake Pen – $10.95 – you can create a fun breakfast. I haven’t graduated to pancake art, but my son thinks it’s pretty awesome for pancakes that spell out his name.
This Double Dish is genius. Perfect for snacking, the empty bowl on the bottom is ideal for discarding shells, seeds or pits of your favorite snack. For $15.15, it’s just what you need for binge watching on the couch with your snacks.
Speaking of genius products, this Rinse and Strain Bowl – $14.69 – is one of those things that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Quick and easy….music to my ears!
Ok, so I haven’t tried this yet, but I ordered it today. However, I’m totally late in the spiralizing game – this thing has been getting major buzz and awesome reviews. The Vegetable Spiralizer is only $15.84 and comes with everything you need to get started creating a healthier version of pasta or some super awesome veggie side dishes. A bonus recipe book is included.
In my dreams, I have a double oven. But meanwhile, I have an Oven Rack (only $17.49) that helps me to make the most out of space that I do have! Seriously a game changer for parties and holiday cooking!
I’m not entirely sure how it happened, but somehow I ended up with a full knife block on the counter and a drawer full of loose knives. This Knife Organizer was a cheap (just $13.53) way to organize my drawer. Not to mention it’s a lot safer than fishing around a drawer with them just loose!
These Chip/Cracker Holders are crazy handy to have in your pantry. Keep your food fresh longer. They will quickly pay for themselves!
I don’t use my flour and sugar that often, so I like to keep them in a Flour Keeper . For $16.78, I know it stays fresh and ready to use. The measuring level on the lid makes things easy getting the perfect cup full.
I got this cutting board before we moved into our current house. I was seriously slacking counter space, so the fact that this fit over the sink made it a great space saver. But now, we have plenty of counter space, but the built in strainer is so handy that I don’t think I can ever get rid of it! Over the sink cutting board – $19.99
Can you believe how many awesome things we have found so far? We are almost done with our list, but here are a few under $50 that you totally need.
This would be a great gift – for yourself or someone else! It’s great for small kitchens or for people who just love organized kitchens! Get the Compact Food Prep Set for $34.27.
Why dirty a second dish if you don’t need to? This lid eliminates the need to dirty a second one. It makes it super simple to drain and strain. I have this pot and use it all the time. The Pasta Pot was totally worth the $29.99!
This little Marinade Infuser and meat tenderizer is amazing. You won’t believe the difference that this $34.98 gadget makes as opposed to just marinating in a plastic bag. But don’t just take my word for it, this has great reviews!
Are you a hostess? Then you need this Party Tray with Ice for your next soiree! For only $27.95, you have a great serving dish with built in ice chamber to keep your dishes ready for guests to much on.
This is brilliant. The Click N Cook is one handle that simply ‘clicks’ off and attaches to one of 5 different attachments. Buying the set makes each kitchen necessity cost less than $10 each!
This Cutlery cleaning attaches to your sink and makes cleaning your silverware a breeze. Just dip your spoon, fork, etc inside and everything easily scrubs off. If you hand wash your dishes or use a dishwasher, this makes sure you get super clean dishes the simple way!
I NEED this!! I have a serious ice cream love and this lets you make your own soft serve from fruit! How awesome is that? Fruit Soft Serve Maker – $41.27
Only 2 kitchen gadgets left! These two are both under $125 and worth every penny!
I bought this Food Saver ($79.99) a while ago and I LOVE it. It is worth every penny and so much more. Actually, it saves us money! I can make meals ahead of time, use it to package up our Zaycon orders (I save SO much money from ordering our meats from them!) and re-seal our open food. One tip is to use them for packing for trips! I have made ‘pouches’ for bringing dog food with us (SO much easier for car rides to have ‘single serve’ packs made up) and even vacuum sealed my necklaces to keep the chains from tangling.
I haven’t tried this…yet. Have you seen it before? It’s an Air Fryer – $109.95 – and makes your favorite fried foods a bit healthier. You can fry meat and veggies in here and it uses air to circulate and ‘fry’ instead of the traditional oil. I will be getting one ASAP! If you have one I would love to hear what you think of it!
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This post contains affiliate links.
Avocados – Everything You Need To Know
Avocados are one of those things that used to intimidate me. How do you tell when avocados are ripe? How do you cut avocados? Heck, is an avocado a fruit or a vegetable? Avocados were just not something I was familiar with. Except for the fact that guacamole is delicious.
So for all of you who stand in the produce aisle confused this is for you! Avocados and everything you need to know!
First of all. Is an avocado a fruit or a vegetable?
Avocados are fruits! (Random fact: They are also called an alligator pear.)
How can you tell when an avocado is ripe?
Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand. Gently squeeze. If it is ripe it will be firm but also yield to gentle pressure.
Make sure you avoid fruit with dark blemishes on the skin or over soft fruit.
How do you ripen avocados?
Avocados don’t take long to ripen. Simply place the avocado in a plain brown bag and store at room temperature. It will be ripe in a few days (2-5).
I don’t have 2-5 days!
Put an apple or banana in the bag with the avocado to speed up the process!
Do NOT use the microwave to speed up the process!
Alright. It’s ripe. How do I cut an avocado?
Cutting an avocado is pretty easy! Cut in half lengthwise around the seed. The turn it a quarter, and cut in half again. Remove the seed, but don’t throw it away! Then, starting at one end peel of the skin.
Why don’t I throw the seed away?
Because you can use it to regrow an avocado plant! Pretty awesome huh? Find out how here.
What do I do with my leftover avocado?
If you have any avocado leftover it is really easy to store. If it is uncut, store them in the refrigerator. If you have already cut it, sprinkle it with lemon, lime or white vinegar. Wrap it in plastic wrap or place it in an air tight container.
And just for any of you trivia people out there…
Did you know that California produces 90% of the nation’s avocados and 40% of all of those are grown in San Diego County.
43% of all US households buy avocados.
So there you go! Next time you are at the store craving some guacamole there is no need to be intimidated! Go ahead and pick up a few!
How To Replant Your Avocado Pit
Did you know that you can replant your avocado pit and out will grow a new plant? Pretty cool, huh? It’s really easy to do!
So the process is really easy. All you will need is a dish (like a custard dish or an old jar) and toothpicks. Oh and a little patience. It will take a few weeks to get started!
So after you have cut your avocado (learn the right way to cut it here) insert 4 toothpicks into the avocado pit. You will want to put the toothpicks into the center.
Fill your dish with water.
Then, balancing the toothpicks on the rim of your cup or jar, put the avocado so the bottom half is submerged into the water.
Place in a sunny spot. You will want to watch it. Every couple days you will need to add more water.
In a few weeks you will begin to see the pit begin to split open. Then, in a few more weeks your stem will shoot up. Then again, a few more weeks will yield leaves.
You will want to transplant into soil when your stem is about 7 to 8 inches tall. Prune the top few leaves. When you plant your avocado (you will need about a 10 inch pot), plant root side down and leave the top half of the pit exposed. Slowly add a little water. Keep your plant in a sunny spot!
Here are a few tips for growing a healthy avocado plant:
* You can plant your avocado plant outdoors, but they like warm sunny weather. If it gets below 45 make sure you can bring it indoors.
* Keep the soil moist, but be sure not to over water it. If the leaves begin to turn yellow that is a sign it is over watered.
* Now, before you go planting and expecting to harvest your own avocados in your backyard. You should know that this will probably NOT produce avocados unless you graft a fruit bearing tree onto your plant. And I am not an expert on that so you will have to do a little research. But this WILL give you a really nice plant and also be a fun project to do with the kids! 🙂
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Boxtera Review & Giveaway – Healthy Snacks Delivered to Your Door!
I’m so excited to spill the beans! A few weeks ago I got an invitation to be a Boxtera Blogger! Yay! Which means I get one of Boxtera’s awesome monthly subscription boxes sent my way to share with you and give one away! Each month Boxtera fills a box with healthy snacks and mails it right to your door. They use FULL size products which is awesome since lots of monthly boxes just do samples!
Their products are designed to entice your taste buds by sending you one each of a salty, sweet, savory, sour and bitter snacks. These are natural products with no trans fats, no artificial sweeteners, no artificial colors, and no artificial flavors!
You can choose from their standard box (which I received) which includes 5 full size products for $19.99 each month or the family sized box which includes 10 full size products for $29.99. (There is also a company size too!) Shipping is FREE! That means you are paying between $3 and $4 for each full size snack to be delivered to your door! (Want a discount code? Use APRILBOX for an additional 10% off!)
My Boxtera Review
I have to say, one thing I loved about my box was that it was filled not only with good for you foods, but foods I probably wouldn’t have purchased at the store myself. And they were all really good! (If you find a snack you love and need more you can order individual bags on Boxtera’s website!)
The first thing I pulled out of my box was a bag of BBQ Banana Chips. They had run out of the toasted watermelon seeds so this was my surprise. I will be honest. The first thought I had when I read it was – ew. Gross. But I decided to be open and try it and guess what? They were good! Like you eat them in one sitting if you aren’t careful good! They didn’t taste ‘banana-y’ but instead of a really good sweet BBQ flavor. The fact that the BBQ was coated on a banana chip gave it a great texture and super crunch.
The next snack I pulled out was the Honey Almond Crunch. This was the savory choice. It’s a great snack mix filled with almonds, dried cinnamon apple, dried pineapple, cranberries, sesame sticks, and honey roasted peanuts. This was my favorite! I will have to order a few extra bags! The mix of fruits and nuts were perfect! Even if you don’t get a box – order a bag of this! 🙂
At this point I was super happy with my box! And then I pulled out dried tangerine slices. This was my ‘sour’ snack. They start off nice and sweet and then at the end you get the sour! They are AWESOME.
The Wasabi Bean Medley is full of rice crackers, peanuts, sesame seeds, soybeans, almonds, lentils and black beans. It’s got some Wasabi flavor! I didn’t think the kids would be fans of it, but I was wrong! The bag was gone pretty quickly! I love that this snack packs in the protein!
The last item in my box were these banana ribbons. I was kind of excited – my son loves bananas. The banana ribbons tasted good, but they have a big banana-y smell. We ended up chopping them up and adding them to muffins and our oatmeal in the morning. For us, it’s perfect!
Overall I was really impressed with Boxtera! I’m super excited to get next month’s box and try out all the delicious snacks that will be arriving to my door! I love the fact that they are all healthy snacks and I love the fact that we can eat healthy on a budget! (Not to mention they are shipped to my door!)
Want to sign up to receive Boxtera delivered to your home? Click here.
Make sure to follow Boxtera on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram too!
One lucky winner will receive a Boxtera Box of their own! Good Luck!
How to Save on Your Electric Bill
Our electric bill is our highest utility bill. In the winter it rises with heating costs and in the summer the air conditioning has it hitting the ceiling too. Here are a few tips on how to save on your electric bill!
Check out all of our frugal posts and learn How to Save on Everything!
Change your light bulbs! This is a quick and easy way to cut your electric bill! CFL light bulbs are not only more energy efficient, but they last about 15 times longer than regular bulbs. You not only save on energy, but you don’t have to buy light bulbs as often! Our household saves over $100 per year just from this switch alone.
We purchase our light bulbs on Amazon (they are usually on sale!).
Install smarter lights. Install solar powered lights outside. You can purchase solar walkway lights, solar lights to put on your porch steps and motion sensored solar lights for porch lights. And lights are just the beginning! There are solar powered address signs, water fountains, and not to mention, just solar panels for your home! The sun is there – and it’s free! Take advantage! 🙂
(Photo Credit – I thought this was funny!) 🙂
Your Refrigerator is Running. Your refrigerator is a big part of your electric bill! Twice a year you should clean your refrigerator coils. This will improve the efficiency by 30-50%! You can pick up a coil cleaning brush for cheap! They really help you get into the small spaces! Keeping your coils clean mean your refrigerator runs longer and it eliminates about 70% off repair calls. Cleaning your refrigerator coils is really easy. Pull out the refrigerator and unplug it. Pull off the toe grill and using your coil brush and vacuum get all of the dust and dirt out. When you are done just put the grill back, plug in and push your refrigerator back. Keeping your coils free of dirt means that it has to work less. That means a lower electricity bill (and a longer lasting refrigerator!) Spending 10-15 minutes twice a year can make a big difference! If you have pets that shed a lot you may want to clean your coils every 4 months.
You should keep your freezer full and set 0-5 degrees. Your refrigerator should be set between 35-37 degrees.
Test the seals around your refrigerator once a year. The seals can easily wear out. To test if your seals need to be replaced, close a dollar bill in the door. If you can easily pull it out then it is time to replace the seals.
When you replace your refrigerator make sure it is an Energy Star models. If you are using a refrigerator that was made before 2001 it is using up to 40% more energy than an Energy Star model would! An insufficient refrigerator could cost $250-300 per year so if you are thinking about placing your old refrigerator into the garage or basement you may want to re-think it. You can find out how much a new refrigerator (or getting rid of an old one!) will save you here.
Energy Star appliances can save you up to 30% compared to non-Energy Star appliances. Now, being frugal I don’t replace my appliances just to make the switch, but when the time comes look for the Energy Star seal to help make your decision.
Check your air conditioner. Air conditioners that sit in direct sunlight use 10 percent more electricity. To help keep your air conditioner from having to work harder, plant tall shrubs or shade trees nearby. Make sure that you don’t enclose the area or impede the airflow, but rather just shade your unit. Each year , spend a little time and spring clean your air conditioning unit. Make sure that you clean your unit, change the filter and other regular maintenance checks.
Get rid of the ‘Energy Vampires’. Electronics use energy if they are plugged in and many still use electricity when they are turned off or not. When an electronic sucks electricity while being turned off it’s referred to as an Energy Vampire. DVR’s are estimated to cost American’s 2 million dollars each year, a figure that could easily be reduced by plugging into a power strip and turn them off! Plugging your electronics into a power strip and then turning off the power strip eliminates the power of these Energy Vampires.
There are different kinds of power strips to choose from to help meet your needs. Some can turn off by a remote control, some will automatically turn off and some turn everything off except whatever is plugged into the main plug.
Plugging into power strips could save you around $100 a year.
Replace your filters. Replacing your filters helps protect the life of your furnace and it helps it runs efficiently. You should replace your filter once a month during the heating season (or full year if your filter is used for the A/C as well).
Check to see if your local company offers Smart Metering Programs. Smart Metering Programs vary from company to company but the overall idea is the same. The utility company installs a ‘smart’ meter and if the grid nears its capacity the power company can shut off major appliances in your home for short period of times (for example, turning off a refrigerator for 15 minutes per hour). What do you get? You get compensated! Smart Metering makes sense, especially if you are away from your home during the day. Call your local utility company to see if they offer a smart metering program and what their benefits are. You could save up to 7% off your bill!
And don’t forget a few basic (but important) tips!
– Turn off the lights
– Close the doors behind you (this includes the freezer/refrigerator!)
– Turn off the AC and open the windows
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Decorating with Succulents
I love having plants growing in our house. If I could, I would be growing a rain forest in here. 🙂 I’ve shared with you our celery plants, lettuce, and green onions. We also have garlic growing as well as a few house plants, some African Violets, and always a bouquet of fresh flowers. Right now my current obsession is succulents!
Succulents are really easy to grow and so many of them have such awesome ‘stories’.
This group of succulents I have planted in a clear hurricane (a short one – I bought it for $3.99 at TJ Maxx). The green and red plant is called Pork and Beans (also known as Jelly Beans).
Don’t they look cool?
I have a lot of milk glass. This giant one just screamed out to be planted in! Now since these aren’t planters make sure to some rocks in before the soil to help with drainage. (Succulents don’t require a lot of water.)
Here is what are planted in that giant Milk Glass. The bottom right succulent one of my favorites. It feels like plastic. And when you look down onto it you will see that it is actually translucent to help with photosynthesis.
These pretty ones I have in a planter in our window sill. They are a gorgeous pink color. You probably have noticed the pebbles on top. They are there to help keep the soil moist longer as well as they look pretty!
Here is another milk glass succulent. I love this one! This plant is actually a main staple for the African Elephant’s diet! How neat is that!
Here are some tips for planting succulents:
1. Use soil made specifically for cactus and succulent plants. Succulents are really easy plants to take care of but they do need the right soil. You can find it at any garden store.
2. Light and direct light are 2 different things! As long as your plant gets sunlight it’s ok if they aren’t in direct sun all day!
3. Don’t over water or over fertilize. Like I said easy going plants! 🙂
4. Get creative with your planters. I had a milk glass collection and so I used it! Just add a few rocks in the bottom to help with drainage and you will be good to go!
Succulents make a great impact at a small price! The small ones cost me just $2.50 and the larger ones were $4.00 each at Walmart. I got bags of rocks at the Dollar Tree. Cheap, pretty and they last!
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How to Store Green Onions (And an update on our Romaine Lettuce!)
Since we are all re-growing our own green onions (right?) I thought I would show you how I store them. This is great if you are growing them like us or if you simply can’t use all the onions that you come in the bunch. It’s very simple. Just cut the onions and place them in an empty and cleaned out water bottle (or in our case Gatorade). Then just put in the freezer. When you need some green onions you just simply shake out the desired amount and put the bottle back in the freezer.
I wanted to show you some updated pictures on our romaine lettuce that we have been regrowing!
Want to compare them?
The left is from when we originally posted (on day 4) and the right is 2 days (2 DAYS!) later on day 6!
Day 4
Day 6!
This has been one of our favorites to grow! I like to garden but re-planting our scraps is my favorite. I like the fact it grows so quickly (instant gratification). The only problem? I’m a little spoiled and when we start planting our seeds I’m going to have to learn to be patient! 🙂
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