Tuesday Tip - "CLUTTER"

“Tuesday Tip”

Oh I said it! That dirty little word..."clutter"! 

So I have started asking myself some questions when it comes to our home. But first let me tell you a little bit about our home. We live in a 900 square foot home with a basement. (I know little right? We say "cozy"..LOL) We have 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, eat in kitchen and living room. I bet your wondering who lives here? Husband, me, 2 daughters and 2 labs (outside dogs). While I don't pretend to tell you I have it all together when it comes to keeping up the house I do try and one thing that totally helps me is when I let go of the clutter. Because if we are being totally honest I am domestically challenged. I will find other things to do besides cleaning. But alas I am a busy at home momma so the cleaning is something that's part of the job. But what I do find is that "less is less" and "more is more". The less I have the less cleaning and vice versa the more I have the more I have to clean. So here are a few helpful hints to let get rid of the clutter and in doing that make your home and you a little happier!

1. I don't like to dust so if I don't keep those little knick knacks everywhere I don't have to spend much time dusting...freeing up my time to do other things.

2. I like my itty bitty house and I don't want to be stressed because it packed full so become UNsentimental about things in your home so that you can easily get rid of them. Even if it was a gift if you can't or don't use it then donate it to someone who can get some use from it. Believe me no one will remember...I can't even remember what I bought lil chicks last year for Christmas! 

3. Keep a box labeled "donate" by your door and as you find things that you aren't using then toss them in and when it fills up take it to a donation drop off. And just think that's one whole box of STUFF not cluttering up your home. 

4. Ask yourself what makes you HAPPY? If having that rooster salt and pepper shaker makes you happy then keep it. But if you have 5 different kinds of salt and pepper sets pick out one that you really like and let the rest go.

5. As yourself does your home reflect you and your family? About 4 years ago I was so fed up with having yard sale finds, hand me downs etc...that I literally took everything off the walls and said if I can't have what I want I would rather not have anything! I know a bit dramatic and yes my walls sat empty for a long time but it did encourage me to find our style and surprisingly enough I found it by garage sales and re-doing things I found. 

Our home is a constant work in progress and it will get there someday but by just cleaning out the clutter we have more space, our family is happier, we spend less time looking for things, I spend less time cleaning, and we've really began to understand that having less means having more as a family.

Once again, I just want to say I am in no way an expert just wanted to share with you about my decluttering adventure. 

I wish I had a picture of my kitchen before I will try to find one. But here is how it looks today. Notice I haven't done dishes today! LOL I guess I'm just trying to say how much getting rid of the clutter has helped me especially in a very small house.

Leave a comment or email me if you wanna share a helpful hint!

chicksdigcoupons@gmail.com

TUESDAY TIP ~ "COFFEE FILTERS!"

“TUESDAY TIP!”

Coffee Filters are super cheap! You can buy 300 for $1. I love to put save my paper towels and time doing dishes by putting lil chicks snacks on a coffee filter. 

Here are a few more ideas to put those coffee filters to good use:

Cover small dishes in the microwave with a coffee filter so it doesn't make a mess in your microwave! 

Use em to clean windows and mirrors!

Use as a filter for your frying oil.

And this is our "Tuesday Tip!"

Got a "Tuesday Tip" you wanna share?

Email me @ chicksdigcoupons@gmail.com

TUESDAY TIP ~ "LIFE IS BETTER UNDER A SHADE TREE!"

The "Tuesday Tip" is an easy one!

Take an old quilt or blanket, lay it under a shade tree in your back yard, make a couple of cold glasses of koolaid and just unplug!

Have your kids lay on that ratty old blanket with you, sipping koolaid and talking about your day...

or maybe not talking at all just enjoying being together...

You don't have kids then that's ok too...grab your guy, bff, grandma etc and have an hour or so just laughing and talking.

The only requirement is you have to be "unplugged"....

try it and see how totally relaxed you are....

the air smells cleaner, the birds chirp sweeter

and that is the "Tuesday Tip"!

Let me know if you try it....

shawn

10 WAYS TO SAVE YOUR GAS MONEY!

With gas being $4 a gallon ...enough said! Here are my helpful tips to save you at the pump!

1. AIR IT UP!
Make sure your tires are inflated correctly. Tire pressure is important to gas mileage.

2. GOT JUNK IN YOUR TRUNK?
Having extra pounds of junk in your trunk can burn up the gas, so clean out that car.


3. GOT A LEAD FOOT?
Stick to driving the speed limit! Driving over the speed limit does take a toll on your gas mileage. 


4. GOT SPARK?
Replace your spark plugs regularly because this can cause you to waste gas too!


5. HOT MOMMA?
If your just driving across town leave the air conditioning off! Believe me your not going to melt.


6.  GET IN & GET GONE!
Before you start your car make sure you have what you need (purse, sunglasses, drink etc) so you don't leave it running idle while you run inside the house 3 times because you forgot something.


7. SHADE TREE WHERE ART THOU?
If your able to park in the shade so the inside your car does not heat up as fast and take longer to cool down when you get back in.


8. FILL 'ER UP!
If your able to fill up your car so you don't make extra trips to the pump!


9. THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'!
If you live in an area that you can walk then girl get out there and work it! If you live a block or two from the grocery store then don't drive to get that loaf of bread or gallon of milk just walk. If you live close to your lil chicks school then just walk instead of driving. 


10. HITCH A RIDE!
If you have a friend or neighbor close to your that is driving to Walmart or whoever you might need to go then just tag along. And if you have a coworker that lives near you trade off driving days and carpool.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP:

PUT OFF TODAY WHAT YOU CAN DO TOMORROW!

If you know you have an appointment the next day then put off your errands for the next day. Consolidate those trips so your not on the go everyday burning up that liquid gold gas! Make every trip worth it!

I hope these tips help to make spending your time at the pump a little less scary as you watch the price go up!

If you have a great gas saving tip you wanna share leave a comment!

shawn

TUESDAY TIP - "EASY BREAKFAST"

One thing that helps our morning routine is to have breakfast made up ahead of time. 

This week lil chick has been eating Corn Chex for breakfast so to make her life and my life a little easier I made up her bowls ahead of time with a pinch of sugar. 

So now I just pop the lid off pour in the milk and hand her a spoon! EASY BREEZY! Beats every morning getting out the cereal and sugar. I just do up 5 bowls on Monday morning for the week. This is a really great time saver!

And this is Tuesday's Tip!

What do you do to make your morning routine a little easier?

shawn

TUESDAY TIP ~ "ORGANIZE LIL CHICKS"

If your like a busy mom & wanna cut out some of the morning chaos then try these little tricks...

this is what I do with our lil chick to make the morning madness a little calmer.

I love reminders! 

So these little reminders help lil chick stay on task!

(this is in our bathroom above the sink)

(this is above her dresser)

Make a morning routine and stick to it!

Set the timer on the microwave. 

5 minutes for getting dressed

15 minutes for eating

5 minutes washing hands, face, & teeth

etc.

I also decide what breakfast is for the week. 

If it's cereal and fruit then I make up rubbermaid bowls with cereal & sugar for the week. Then all I have to do is pour the milk.

Pick out clothes for the week.

Put into a basket so you're not rushing every morning trying to figure out what he/she is going to wear.

There are so many tips and tricks and if you have one please share it with us!

TUESDAY TIP ~ "BACON"

I had the hardest time pulling the bacon apart in nice strips since the strips would stick together and rip but all you have to do is roll it and you get perfect pull away bacon strips!

Do you have a "Tuesday Tip" you wanna share?

Email me chicksdigcoupons@gmail.com

"TUESDAY TIP" ~ BOX TOPS!

Notice the "C" for chicks ....LOL

Okay so I hate cutting out all those box tops I save for lil chicks school.

My solution is to hang a baggy with a magnet on the side of the fridge and rip 'em off and put them in. This is handy for me otherwise I would forget to rip them off or forget where I put the baggy!

When the bag gets full I take them out and cut them all out at once, put them back in the baggy and send them to school with her!

I do it every month or so!

And this is "Tuesdays Tip!"

Do you have any clever tips you wanna share?

email me @ chicksdigcoupons(at)gmail(dot)com

TUESDAY TIP ~ "RECYCLE YOUR FROZEN DINNER TRAYS!"

If you eat frozen dinners like Smart Ones and Healthy Choice then save those containers! They make perfect disposable plates for the little ones! They bowl up on the sides and are small enough for their little hands to grasp. Also you can use them a few times and pitch them (in the recycling of course!).

Or if your having movie night and everyone wants chips and dip these are perfect! 

One side for your dip & one side for your chips!

Sometimes we have to think outside the box when it comes to saving money and reusing items.

While I love coupons and deals I also look for ways in the home to repurpose, reinvent and recycle before I go out and buy new. And this was one of those times when I was thinking I should get some cute little chip & dip bowls I saw at the store. But I held out and figured out this little gem, money saving and cute for chip & dip bowls!

This is fabulous and frugal and "Tuesday's Tip"!

(got a "Tuesday Tip"? email me chicksdigcoupons(at)gmail(dot)com)

TUESDAY TIP ~ "MAGAZINE OVERLOAD!"

I am a total magazine junkie from the cheesy gossip to decorating magazines!

With that being said sometimes you can have WAY to many lying around. 

Ask yourself: Do I need the WHOLE magazine once I've read it? 

(Probably not since odds are you may only really have liked a couple recipes, a how to, or maybe a little decor inspiration on page 145.)

My solution to magazine overload is simple!

As your reading your magazines "dog ear" the pages you really liked and want to keep.

Then rip them out and put them in a folder to look at later.

And as you pull them out later you will probably find you don't really need all the tear outs too!

So this is Tuesdays Tip (one day late!)


If you have a fabulous Tuesday Tip email me @
chicksdigcoupons(at)gmail(dot)com
or leave a comment! Thanks!

TUESDAY TIP ~ "COFFE FOR YOUR PLANTS?"

oops I forgot yesterday to post the "Tuesday Tip"!

A bit of coffee left in the pot? 

Well don't pour it down the sink. 

Dilute it with water and give your plants a good hearty drink of coffee!

Is coffee good for plants? 

You betcha!

Coffee contains nitrogen, calcium and magnesium! All good stuff for plants. 

(Just make sure the coffee is diluted so that it looks like weak tea.)

Got a Tuesday Tip?

Email me

chicksdigcoupons(at)gmail(dot)com

TUESDAY TIP ~ "PAPER TOWEL TUBE & THE BBQ TONGS!"

See how nifty they fit!

(and yes I have this thing about "personalizing" things...LOL)

Sometimes it's the little things that make your life easier...like dishwashers, self cleaning ovens, electric wash machines....OK I know the "Tuesday Tip" is no where near that life changing but it did save me a lot of time trying to wedge the utensil drawer open. 

You see my hubby has these BBQ tongs that he's had FOREVER and well they get caught in the utensil drawer and it drives me absolutely mad...well it did until I put the tongs into a paper towel tube. And woolah no more trying to wedge a knife into the drawer to move around the BBQ tongs because they are caught once again. So while it might not be the most amazing thing you ever heard it just may save you a bit of trouble...

And that folks is the "Tuesday Tip!"

TUESDAY TIP ~ "SOCKS FOR QUICK CLEANUP!"

Okay I know I can't be the only one that has the "mismatched sock basket."

You know those socks you just know your going to one day find the match to. I absolutely refuse to give up on these lonely socks without a mate. But until I find the match I think that they make fabulous little dusters! 

I put a sock on my hand, spray it with 2 sprays of vinegar water and woo lah I have a mean little dusting machine! This is great for celling fans, blinds, picture frames, trim around door frames, etc.

And then you just throw them in the wash. Lovingly place them back in the lonely sock basket to be matched or used again as a duster!

PS Am I the only one with a sock basket?

ummm...if yes please don't answer! : )

TUESDAY TIP ~ "QUICK TOOTHBRUSH SANITIZER!"

A QUICK TOOTHBRUSH SANITIZER IS TO PUT YOUR TOOTHBRUSHES IN THE DISHWASHER ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE SILVERWARE.

(I do this once per week or MORE often if lil chicks has decided to use sister's toothbrush!)

IT'S QUICK, IT'S EASY, IT'S TUESDAY'S TIP!

Got a fabulous TUESDAY TIP? 

Email it to chicksdigcoupons(at)gmail(dot)com and I will post it!

TUESDAY TIP ~ "EASY MICROWAVE CLEAN UP!"

OK...Confession time...

I HATE CLEANING OUT THE MICROWAVE!

Until my BFF told me about a SUPER QUICK & EASY way to clean it out.

Place a damp washcloth in the microwave.

Microwave for 30 seconds.

Then wipe the microwave out!

The steam from the washcloth loosens dried food.

Honestly, it takes me like 1-2 minutes to clean out the microwave now!

And look! 

ALL CLEAN!

(My momma will be proud!)

Got a great "Tuesday Tip"? Email it to me and I'll post it!

chicksdigcoupons(at)gmail(dot)com

TUESDAY TIP ~ "KIDS WASTING SHAMPOO?"

TUESDAY TIP!

PUT YOUR SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER OR BOTH IN A PUMP BOTTLE!

I am sure I am not the only momma out there that is FOREVER putting a new bottle of shampoo or conditioner in the shower just to hear "Mom I need more conditioner!" or walk in to lil chick emptying a bottle of conditioner into her bathwater...OK so I figured out a little secret...I put empty shampoo and conditioner into the pump-able Suave shampoo bottle. And what happened?...

1. Both lil chicks know 2 "pumps" is ALL you need to wash your hair!

2. Lil Chick cannot pour it out into the tub!

3. No more of someone not closing the lid and leaving it in the bottom of the tub to run down the drain!

4. I have went from 3-4 bottles a month to 1 bottle a month! ($$$ SAVED!)

Also, if you don't have a pump-able shampoo bottle...don't buy one just reuse a pump-able handsoap bottle!


Also all those free samples you get in the mail just wait till you get 10-15 and snip the ends and pour in!

THIS IS FABULOUS & FRUGAL!

Do you have the same problem @ home...do you think using a pump-able shampoo bottle would save you money?

"TUESDAY TIPS" ICE & ORANGES!

Ever in the kitchen and a "funky smell" is coming from the sink? 

It's probably the garbage disposal (unless you have 3 days worth of dishes in your sink.LOL).

A quick and cheap fix to that is put a few ice cubes and orange rinds into your garbage disposal and turn it on. 

3 THINGS WILL HAPPEN!

...a fabulous orangey smell!

 ...the ice cubes sharpen your blades! 

...and you had to eat an orange to get the rinds! So you just got your vitamin C for the day!

And this chicks is our "TUESDAY TIP!"

(Let me know if you have a "TUESDAY TIP" you would like me to post!)