Thursday, April 30, 2015

KIS - Organization - Cleaning Supplies


Another area where one can over accumulate stuff is cleaning supplies.  I've done it on many an occasion.  Over the years I've manage to streamline the items I need to keep my home neat and tidy without overdoing it.

This is what I keep:

Sink cleanser
Furniture polish
Fabulosa all-purpose cleaner
White distilled vinegar
Bleach
Spot Shot carpet stain remover
Sprayway window cleaner
Mean Green cleaner & degreaser
Magic Erasers


That is pretty much it.  I use the Fabulosa diluted in a spray bottle for everyday cleaning.  I pour a little into a bucket of warm water for big cleaning jobs.  It also makes a nice carpet cleaner and deodorizer.  I buy it at the dollar store and Walmart has it too in larger bottles.  I find a small bottle lasts a very long time.


Vinegar makes a great rinse aid when shampooing carpets.  I also dilute it in a bucket of water to wash windows.  I prefer Sprayway window cleaner for mirrors and inside my car windshield because it cleans extremely well and leaves no streaking.  I also use in on my windows.

Sink cleanser for sinks, tubs and toilets.  Bleach for stain removal.  Spot Shot is one of the best stain removers and I use it on carpet, upholstery and clothing with hard to remove stains.  Mean Green is a fantastic degreaser and I use it mostly for keeping my stove and the surrounding area clean and grease free.


I use an assortment of rags instead of expensive paper towels.  I personally think rags do a much better job than paper towels anyway.  Magic Erasers are great for removing dirt from surfaces, especially the handles on my refrigerator.

Because I don't have a lot of supplies I keep them all organized neatly under my kitchen sink in an old tote I've had forever.  My bucket serves double duty as my kitchen trash can.


For convenience I keep an extra can of sink cleanser and a scrub sponge under the bathroom sink in the main bathroom.

I don't use a broom inside preferring the vacuum cleaner instead.  It resides in the hall closet in a space reserved specifically.  I keep my rags together in a red enamel bowl on display in my laundry room.  Decorative and functional.

What is your favorite household cleaner?


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

The Chicks Are Two Months Old!


It amazes me that it has already been two months now since our girls hatched out.  Despite our rocky start these little ladies are doing fantastic.  They are getting huge and eating more, as is to be expected.  A lot more.

Bedtime

In the last two weeks they are spending their days outside in the coop.  We bring them in at night and put them in the brooder as the temperatures are still fairly chilly.  Once the weather warms up a touch more they'll be in the coop for good.  They also experienced their first rainy day and seemed no worse for wear from it.


Last week I bought a 50# bag of hen scratch.  I call it chicken candy and they love it.  A nice assortment of seeds mixed with cracked corn to add variety to their diet.  Along with fruit and vegetable scraps we pick dandelion greens to feed them too.  They devour those leaves like crazy.

Check out Matilda perched in the plum tree
Their feathers have changed so much and they are really beginning to look a lot like their future adult selves.  Crowns are starting to take shape on top of their heads too and the little waddles under their chins are just beginning to show.

My girl Edith.  She is such a sweetheart.
The girlies still enjoy their cuddling and lap time just as much as ever.  Edith is such a snuggler.  I can't imagine missing out on all this fun.  I'm so glad we made the decision to raise chickens again.


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Grocery Budget Update - April


I went way over budget this month and I don't feel even the slightest bit bad about it either.  Mainly because I have managed to really stock our home well with good nutritious foods and because the sale of our little washing machine gave me the extra funds with which to do it.

I began the month with a 31¢ deficit.  Now I have a deficit to carryover of $52.26.  That’s okay because I should be able to whittle that away in the next few months without too much trouble.

My big stock up item this month.

Our nonfood items came in a $25.82 for toiletries purchased at the dollar store, shampoo and conditioner, tissues, cat litter, cat food and a case of toilet paper I bought on sale and with coupons for only $7.18.  As you can see I went slight over this month here as well but I had plenty of carryover from previous months to easily cover this.


Here is the list of all the food items I bought last month:

Groceries

 $$$





Bacon (4)

           7.96
Store Coupon
Canned veggies (8)

           2.00
Store Coupon
Tortilla chips (2)

           1.60
Sale
Tomatoes

           0.86
Sale
Radishes

           0.50
Sale
Green onions (2)

           1.09
Sale
Frozen peas (2)

           1.86
Sale
Frozen peas & carrots (2)

           1.92
Sale
Sausage links (2)

           3.76
Sale/Coupon
Poptarts 12ct. (2)

           4.96
Sale
Olives (4)

           3.92
Sale
Ramen (25)

           4.60
Sale
Pasta - 7oz. (3)

           0.96

Tea bags - 100ct.

           1.50
Sale
Frozen french fries

           0.95
Sale
Frozen tater tots

           1.35
Sale
Frozen ravioli

           2.47
Sale
Frozen tortellini

           2.47
Sale
Popcorn - 2#

           1.40
Bulk Bin
Pepper

           2.05
Bulk Bin
Peppercorns

           3.19
Bulk Bin
Garlic Powder

           0.90
Bulk Bin
Rice crispies

           1.93

Steak

           3.86
Coupon
Ice cream cones

           1.20
Sale
Baking powder

           1.48

Gelatin (5)

           2.30

Gelatin

           0.66

Applesauce

           1.58

Applesauce

           1.67

Honey - 24oz.

           5.68

Tomato sauce (4)

           2.32

Canned tomatoes (8)

           4.64

Pinto beans - 2#

           1.67

Kidney beans - 1# (2)

           2.18

Chow Mein noodles

           1.66

Hoisin sauce

           3.22

Store Promotion Coupon

          (1.00)
Store Coupon
Orange juice (2)

           1.98
Store Coupon
Sour cream (2)

           1.98
Store Coupon
Chips (2)

           2.56
Sale/Coupon
Ice cream (2)

           4.00
Store Coupon
Lettuce

           0.43
Coupon
Coleslaw mix

           0.53
Coupon
Carrots - 1#

           0.59
Sale/Coupon
Onions

           0.49
Sale
Broccoli

           0.70
Sale
Mushrooms

           1.50
Sale/Coupon
Apple juice

           0.99
Sale/Coupon
Cranberry juice

           2.57

Salsa

           1.50
Sale/Coupon
Flour - 5# (2)

           2.54
Sale/Coupon
Pasta - (4)

           3.16
Sale
Vegetable oil

           1.97
Coupon
WW Hamburger buns

           1.69

WW Hotdog buns

           1.69

Cayenne pepper sauce

           1.00
Dollar Store
Milk - 1 gal.

           2.09

Bananas

           0.58
Markdown
Strawberries - 4#

           5.00
Sale
Apples

           2.19
Sale
Oranges

           2.44
Sale
Avocados (2)

           1.34
Sale
Cereal bars (6)

           4.68

Tuna - 48 ct.

         18.72
Sale
Ramen - 48 ct.

           5.76
Sale
Eggs - 1 doz.

 FREE
Store Coupon
Broccoli

           1.51
Sale
Lettuce (2)

           1.98

Raspberries

           2.99

Blueberries

           2.59

Mushrooms

           1.29
Sale
Bell pepper

           0.89

Cauliflower

           2.21
Sale
Cucumber

           0.69

Tomatoes

           0.63
Sale
Yogurt

           0.49
Markdown




Total

 $     177.26


$177.26÷ 30 days ÷3 people = $1.97 per person per day!


I bought a lot of stuff!  How did you save money on groceries this month?  Were you able to find some good sales and stock up on anything?



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