Ruth Soukup's Blog, page 117
March 10, 2014
DIY Dry Shampoo
I’ve never been a wash-my-hair-everyday kind of girl. Quite frankly, between the shampoo and the conditioner and the blow-drying and flat-ironing, it is just way too much effort. But it’s not just laziness–over-washing and too much blow-drying or straightening is also really hard on your hair.
Thus, unless I am doing a lot of sweating (which isn’t often), most of the time I usually only wash my hair about twice a week. In between washings, I keep any greasy roots at bay with this super easy homemade dry shampoo.
I actually used to use baby powder, but over the years I have found that this combination seems to work the best, especially for my dark hair. It also smells fantastic! You can also buy an aerosol version, but honestly, this works just as well and is SO much cheaper!
Here is what you need:
1/4 cup corn starch
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2-4 drops of essential oil (I like cinnamon or peppermint)
A small glass or plastic container with lid
Step 1: Place 1/4 cup of corn starch into your container. (Mine was a small glass mason jar from Wal-mart.)
Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons of the cocoa powder and mix well. The cocoa powder is used to darken the corn starch, so if your hair is very light you may want to add less cocoa powder, or if your hair is very dark, add more.
Step 3: Next add 2 drops of your favorite essential oil. I personally like the way cinnamon smells with the cocoa powder, but peppermint is nice too.
Step 4: Place lid on container and shake until all ingredients are combined.
Step 5: Apply to scalp using a dry brush, then brush through hair.
* * *
Have you ever tried using dry shampoo? How often do you wash your hair?
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The post DIY Dry Shampoo appeared first on Living Well Spending Less™.
March 9, 2014
Weekend Wandering
Happy Sunday! Did you remember to spring forward and set your clocks an hour ahead last night? I’m sure you are all super anxious to know who won the B-I-G One Year of Thrifty Thursday Giveaway! Here are the three lucky winners:
Grand Prize: Jessica of LivingChicontheCheap.com won Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera plus a Pinterest Consulting Session. ($815 value)
Second Prize: Kelly of KansasCityMamas.com won a one-on-one blog consulting session. ($195 value)
3rd Prize: Gina of MoneyWiseMoms.com won a Snap Shop iPhone photography class from Ashley Ann Photography, as well as a 20 minute Q&A blog consulting session. ($115 value)
Congratulations to all three winners! Thank you all for participating and for linking up week after week. Finally, here are the posts I loved this week:
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First of all, I absolutely love Irish Soda bread so these Irish Soda Rolls from Kleinworth & Co. look like the perfect addition to any St.Patrick’s Day menu!
I love tofu but the rest of my family is not quite so enthusiastic. Even so, these Tofu Nuggets from Slap Dash Mom look delicious enough for everyone to eat!
But that’s enough talk about real food–lets move on to the sweet stuff! I never met a lemon dessert I didn’t love, and these Easy Lemon Bars from Belle of the Kitchen look absolutely incredible!
While I might love lemon, my girls can’t get enough sprinkles! This Cake Batter Bark from Endlessly Inspired looks delicious and SO cute!
Next, how cute are these St. Patrick’s Day Chocolate Marshmallow Leprechaun Hats from Frugal Coupon Living? They look super easy too!
And speaking of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m loving this green-inspired Easy Wood Shim Pallet Art from My Crafty Spot.
With spring right around the corner, my husband and I are trying our hand at gardening once again! Taylor Made Ranch has some great tips on Building Raised Beds in Your Garden.
And speaking of gardening, Saving Dollars and Sense has an awesome post and free printable chart on What to Plant When that is perfect for the challenged gardener like me.
I love using homemade products whenever I can and My Frugal Adventures has a One Ingredient Homemade Makeup Remover that you will not want to miss!
You may have noticed that I have a thing for chalkboards, so it should be no surprise that I am in LOVE with this Chalkboard Computer Desktop Wallpaper Organizer from Moritz Fine Designs. I’ve been using her templates to organize my desktop for a while, and I can’t wait to switch over to this design!
Finally, it’s never to early to teach your children the value of a dollar. The Centsible Life has 8 Ways to Teach Your Kids the Value of Money.
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What did you love this week?
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March 8, 2014
Join Me in Miami for a Home Depot Garden Party!
Florida friends, be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, March 20th! I will be hosting a garden party at the Deerwood Home Depot in Miami, Florida and I would absolutely LOVE to see you there!
This fun & active intro to gardening will include making a DIY herb garden pot, as well as delicious garden-to-table fare prepared by celebrity chef Amy Pennington. Gardening expert Jim Cuneen will also be on hand to answer all your gardening questions!
It will be an absolute blast, and the very best part? It’s completely FREE!
Here’s what you need to know:
What: #SpringMadeSimple Garden Party
Where: Deerwood Home Depot, 11905 SW 152nd St. Miami, FL 33186
When: Thursday, March 20th 2014
Time: 6-9pm
More Info: Miami Garden Event Facebook Page
If you are planning to attend, be sure to share all your Garden Party moments and photos with the hashtag #SpringMadeSimple on Twitter and Instagram for a chance to win garden prizes and Home Depot Gift Cards. Plus, Sign up for the Home Depot Garden Club here and receive a coupon for $5 off your next Home Depot purchase of $50 or more. Score!
I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this “Garden Party” event. As a part of the project, I am receiving compensation for the purpose of promoting the event and The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association {WOMMA} Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
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March 7, 2014
25 Awesome Staycation Ideas
Ah vacation. How many of us don’t sometimes wish we could escape the hustle, bustle, & day-to-day responsibilities of our normal lives for a week of fun and relaxation somewhere far, far away?
The truth is that for many of us a traditional vacation is not always in the cards. Between restaurants, hotels, and transportation, travel costs can add up fast especially when those costs are multiplied for a family. And even when the cost isn’t a factor, sometimes health concerns or work obligations prevent us from leaving town anytime the urge strikes.
But that doesn’t mean when Spring Break or summer vacation time rolls around and the kids are home from school that you can’t still have a great time! This year, why not plan a vacation in your own backyard? A true Staycation is more than just a week at home, it is an intentional time of fun and relaxation for your whole family. It does take a little effort to do it right, but can ultimately be just as satisfying as going somewhere far away.
Set some ground rules
The point of a Staycation is to make it feel as much like a real family getaway as possible, without leaving the comfort of your own home. Thus, to make sure the whole family is on the same page, it is good to start with some ground rules that everyone can agree on. Start with deciding exactly when your vacation at home starts and ends, and then set a few guidelines for what your family may and may not do during this time. These could include all or some of the following:
No smart phone
No email
No computer or video games
No television
No working from home
No worrying
No fighting
Family time only—no independent activities or outside plans
No cooking
No cleaning
No laundry
PLAN for fun!
Just like a real vacation, the more you plan for fun, the more successful your Staycation is likely to be. Start by setting a reasonable, realistic budget for your week of fun at home. Set some money aside for activities, eating out, and perhaps even paying for a splurge or two such as paying for a house cleaner or treating yourself to a massage or pedicure at a local spa.
Next, take the time to figure out just what you will do on your Staycation. If your kids are old enough to have an opinion, hold a family meeting to discuss your ideas and to get a feel for what everyone wants to do. (The list below is a great start!) If you like spontinaeity, consider putting everyone’s ideas into a jar, then picking one activity each day. Or, if your family prefers more structure, use your ideas to develop an itinerary for the week.
Be sure to also spend some time prepping your home and kitchen to make things as easy—and neat—as possible for your relaxing week at home. Gather menus to all the local restaurants that offer takeout and delivery or, if eating out every day is not an option, plan a freezer cooking session ahead of time to prepare a week’s worth of easy stress-free meals. You might also want to consider using disposable dishes and serve ware to cut down on dishes. Make sure to caught up on laundry before your week begins, and, if possible, do a family power-cleaning session the day before your Staycation starts.
Get Creative
Chances are there are dozens of fun things to do in your own hometown that you either never have time for, or don’t even think about because they are so close by. Here are 25 fun and creative ideas to get you started:
Try Geocaching-According to the official Geocaching website, “Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.” Get more information here , or find local Geocaching groups here .
Take a Virtual Museum Tour-Several amazing museums throughout the country and the world offer “virtual” tours. You can choose from the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, the Boston Children’s Museum, the Miami Children’s Museum, or even visit the Louvre in Paris or even the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in Rome. Pretty cool!
Try Paintballing or Laser Tag-Invite a few other families to join yours and battle it out for the title of Most Awesome Family. There are paintball or laser tag facilities almost everywhere—use Google to find one nearby.
Visit a Nearby National Park-National parks truly are one of our country’s greatest treasures, and most NPs have a variety of awesome family friendly activities to choose from. After finding a park in your area, first visit the Ranger Station to pick up a Junior Ranger kit, then complete the required number of activities to receive a badge. You can also purchase a Passport to National Parks at any NP gift shop, then collect passport stamps at every park you visit. Most park fees are nominal, but you can also check out this page to find free entrance days.
Enjoy Your Local Theater-Check the local newspaper or theater website to see what plays, musicals, concerts, or family-friendly comedy shows will be playing during your planned Staycation time, then book tickets and plan for an evening at the theater.
Visit a Nearby Amusement Park-While Disney World may not be in the cards this year, that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a blast at a nearby theme park. Check out this list to find an amusement park in your own state or town.
Visit a Local Children’s Museum-If you’ve got younger kids it can sometimes be hard to find activities that the whole family can enjoy, but a great Children’s Museum can definitely fit the bill! Most have a variety of fun and interactive activities that can keep you busy the whole day. Check out the Association of Children’s Museums website to find one in your area, and consider purchasing a Family pass—you can usually get your money back in just two visits.
Visit the Zoo or Aquarium-Who doesn’t love seeing animals? Check out the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to find an AZA accredited zoo or aquarium in your area, then be sure to also check what special programs your zoo has available. Some offer Junior zookeeper programs or opportunities to feed the animals, while some others even allow you to spend the night in the zoo! Be sure to pack a lunch to save on pricey zoo fare!
Check out the Local Library-Most libraries have family-friendly events and activities happening every weekend, and sometimes even daily during spring break and summer vacations. Check your local library website for details.
Major or Minor League Sporting Event-While major league events are a lot of fun, they can get pricey quickly, especially for a family. Luckily almost every city has a minor league team these days, which can give you (almost) the same experience for a fraction of the price! Be sure to check out which days include special events, such as free caps or fireworks for added fun!
Host a Family Board Game Tournament-Invest in a few new board games, then set up snacks and drinks for a marathon board game tournament! For game ideas, check out my family’s favorite board games here, or else just look at Amazon’s current bestsellers.
Go Bowling-If your kids are small, try bumper bowling; for older kids go at night during “glow bowling” times! Many bowling alleys around the country even participate in a free bowling program that allows kids to bowl free and parents to join them for just a few dollars more.
Camp in Your Own Backyard-Why not enjoy the great outdoors in your own backyard? Set up a tent and sleeping bags, build a fire (or use the grill) to cook s’mores, and take turns telling ghost stories. Then download the Night Sky app (make sure your device is GPS-enabled first!) to identify stars, planets, and even satellites in the sky.
Tour a Local Factory or Brewery-Is there a large manufacturing facility near your town or city? Most offer tours and even samples of their goods. Check the company website for details!
Visit a Nearby Tourist Spot-Is there an area nearby that always draws the crowds? Even if you normally avoid the tourist traps, every once in a while it is fun to become a tourist in your own town. Make all the cheesy stops and take pictures along the way!
Theme Restaurant or Dinner Theater-Make dining an event! Depending on where you live there may be theme restaurants, dinner theater, or even a murder-mystery dinner train or cruise
Go Paddleboarding or Canoeing-If there is a river, lake, or ocean nearby, chances are pretty good there is also a paddleboard or canoe rental facility nearby as well. Both are a fun way to enjoy the water and test your skills!
Create Your Own Art-Spend an afternoon getting creative at a nearby paint-your-own pottery facility. Not only is it fun, you’ll have your own gorgeous dishes to take home when you’re done.
Get Wet-Spend the day at a local pool or waterpark, or just head to the beach! If that sounds like too much effort, simply set up a slip & slide in the backyard and have a family water day at home.
Tackle a family project-Have the kids been begging for a tree house or wanting to redecorate their rooms? Consider spending your week together working on something to improve your home. You’ll not only bond while painting and building together, but at the end of the week have something concrete to show for your time!
Host Your Own Film Festival-Pick a theme, allow each family member to pick a movie, then get comfortable for a day of movies. Be sure to provide plenty of snacks, and take breaks to discuss and rate each film.
Give Yourselves a Makeover-Do hair and makeup at home, or take a day to go to the local spa or beauty parlor. Complete the new look with a new outfit!
Find a Local Festival-Check your local newspaper or chamber of commerce website to find out what is happening in your town or towns nearby the week of your Staycation. Depending where you live there are often events happening almost every weekend!
Go Golfing-If dad is into real golf, consider spending an afternoon doing a family golf lesson; otherwise, stick to mini golf at a local novelty course!
Play Outside-Go fly a kite, take a walk, go for a bike ride, or take a hike–most state and national parks have at least a few walking, hiking, or biking trails to choose from. Do a little research to find one that fits your family’s athletic ability, then head out to enjoy the great outdoors. Don’t forget to pack snacks and water for your trek!
Get more than 500 MORE ideas from LWSL readers here.
Relax and Enjoy!
For most people—and moms especially—the hardest part of trying to “relax” at home is letting go of the all the everyday obligations and distractions that bombard us in our own homes. But the key to having the best Staycation ever ultimately has nothing to do with the activities you choose, but with your own attitude and commitment to making your week a time of fun and relaxation. Let the chores be for a week and instead give yourself permission to kick back and enjoy the moment. Laugh and talk with your kids and spouse and create memories that you will cherish for a lifetime. This is your time…..make the most of it!
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Have you ever planned a Staycation? What did you do?
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March 6, 2014
Thrifty Thursday {Week 50}
Welcome to Week 50 of the Thrifty Thursday link party here at Living Well Spending Less! I have SO enjoyed getting to “know” so many of you and your blogs over the past year and I always look forward to seeing what you have to share. I thought to celebrate a whole year of link-ups it would be fun to host a super awesome giveaway just for YOU, the bloggers who make it happen!
Here is what I am giving away:
Grand Prize: A Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera ($429 value) + a Pinterest Consulting Session ($385 value)
Great pictures are key to a great blog! This Nikon D3100 camera is the very same one I have used for the past 3 years and is an awesome starter DSLR. The winner of this grand prize will also receive a Pinterest Consulting Session with me, which includes a customized comprehensive Pinterest marketing plan for your site, as well as a 30 minute phone session to discuss your plan, along with a 15 minute follow up. {Total prize value: $814}
Second Prize: One-on-One Blog Consulting Session ($195 value)
One-on-one Blog Consulting includes a 30 minute initial session, as well as a 15 minute follow-up, to discuss your choice of topics. You choose 1-3 topics ahead of time, ranging from content to blog layout to social media (and everything in between). I will spend time looking over your blog before our session, and give you a personalized strategy to fit the needs and goals of your blog. {Total prize value: $195}
Third Prize: SnapShop iPhone Photography Course ($50 value) + 20 Minute Q&A Session ($65 value)
There is no better way to improve your everyday iPhone photography than through Ashley Ann Campbell’s SnapShop course! She will share her expert tips for composition, lighting, storytelling, and more. The winner of this prize will also receive a 20 minute Q&A consulting session, where you may pick my brain and ask any blogging related questions you’ve been wondering about. {Total prize value: $115}
Here is how to enter:
1. Link up your blog post or posts to this week’s linky.
2. Leave ONE comment in the main WordPress comment section below answering the following question:
What is your biggest blogging challenge?
3. Please also indicate in the same comment which post you added to the link party Even if you link up multiple posts, please only leave one comment.
The contest closes Saturday, March 8th at midnight. This giveaway is open to bloggers only, and you MUST link up a blog post AND leave a comment to be entered. Winners will be chosen at random from the comment section and announced on Sunday, March 9th in the weekly Weekend Wandering post.
Here are the most clicked links from last week:
1. Creative Home Keeper {Dressing for the (Everyday) Ordinary Days}
2. Cha Ching on a Shoestring {My 20 Minute Couponing Systems That Saves Me Thousands}
3. Kansas City Mamas {16 Ways to Declutter Your House in 5 Minutes or Less }
4. Involving Home {Our Journey to Financial Independence }
5. Carmel Moments {Everything I did Wrong in Our Marriage}
6. Making Time for Mommy {8 Ways My Family is Saving Money This Month}
7. An Inviting Home {How We Paid Cash to Remodel Our Bathroom and Go on a Dream Vacation!}
8. Simple Wives {Organizing Solutions for the Budget Savvy}
9. Of the Hearth {How to Afford Healthy Eating}
10. Mission to Save {Toilet Paper Stock Up Standard}
Never linked up to a party before? Here’s how:
Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that.
Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
Please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too.
Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week!
Finally, if this is your first time here I also invite you to check out my eBook, How to Blog for Profit (Without Selling Your Soul). It has more than 100 five-star reviews on Amazon, and it is a fantastic resource if you are interested in building your blog, getting more traffic, or learning how to monetize.
An InLinkz Link-up
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March 5, 2014
Easy Beer Bread
I never met a carbohydrate I didn’t love, and oh friends, let me just tell you that the day I discovered I could combine two of my very favorite carbs–beer and bread–in to one delicious (and super easy) recipe was a very happy day indeed.
I’m pretty sure the heavens opened up with a bright shining light from above.
Angels may have sung.
Or maybe that was just in my mind.
In any case, this oh-so-yummy bread recipe is very near perfection in my book–just a couple of ingredients and five minutes to whip together. It is the perfect side to any hearty soup or stew. The self-rising flour makes it just a little faster, but if you don’t keep self-rising flour on hand, just add a little salt and baking powder to the mix and you will be just fine.
Here is what you need:
3 1/2 cups self-rising flour
(if using regular flour add 1 tablespoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt)
3 tablespoons sugar
12 oz. can beer (any variety)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 stick butter
Step 1: Mix flour and sugar together in large bowl.
Step 2: Add beer and egg to flour mixture and mix well.
Step 3: Scrape batter into greased loaf pan; bake at 350 for 50 minutes.
Step 4: Remove bread from oven; melt butter. Brush melted butter onto bread and return to oven to bake 5-10 additional minutes.
Step 5: Cool on wire rack; serve with a hearty soup or (or stay tuned for next week’s one pot beef stew!)
Print This!
Recipe: Easy Beer Bread
Summary: Crusty & delicious, this simple bread comes together fast!
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups self-rising flour
(if using regular flour add 1 tablespoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt)
3 tablespoons sugar
12 oz. can beer (any variety)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 stick butter
Instructions
Mix flour and sugar together in large bowl.
Add beer and egg to flour mixture and mix well.
Scrape batter into greased loaf pan; bake at 350 for 50 minutes.
Remove bread from oven; melt butter. Brush melted butter onto bread and return to oven to bake 5-10 additional minutes.
Cool on wire rack; serve with a hearty soup or beef stew!
Preparation time: 5 minute(s)
Cooking time: 1 hour(s)
Number of servings (yield): 8
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Have you ever tried beer bread?
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March 4, 2014
Part 1: Getting Started
This is Part One of an 8-Part Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning Series. See the overview here.
* * *
Do you want to know the honest truth? I don’t really like to clean.
And unless you are like my sister, the only person I have ever met who seems to have been born with an unnatural love of vacuuming, chances are that you don’t really like to clean either. Honestly there are about a million other things I would rather do than clean my house, and not one of them involve a toilet brush or a mop.
But here’s the thing: I love living in a clean house.
While cleaning has not always come naturally to me, I have found that my love of living in a home that is neat and tidy far outweighs my distaste for scrubbing toilets and vacuuming the floors. In fact, I once wrote a whole post about all the reasons I keep my house clean, which included everything from the fact that it just looks better to the reality that I can find the things I need, it saves money, and that I simply get more done when my house is clean. That post has generated a lot of response over the past couple of years, including many requests for a step-by-step guide to keeping your house clean.
A few years ago I wrote my Beginner’s Guide to Coupons as helpful, baby-steps reference to learning how to save big on groceries by coupons. I then followed that with a Beginner’s Guide to Savings, which is a step-by-step guide to learning how to budget and save. This year, I thought it might be fun to add some new Beginner’s Guides to the mix, starting with this, the Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning.
If you already keep a neat and tidy house, most of what I include in this very basic how-to guide will probably be review for you. In that case, I would love to have you add your own tips and advice to the comment section at the end of each post! On the other hand, if cleaning is a struggle for you, then this guide might feel a little overwhelming at times. Try to take it slow and give yourself grace. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a lifetime of untidy habits won’t be broken overnight.
But I promise you can do it!
So this week let’s just start with the basics—the why and the when of cleaning. Next week we can worry about the what, and then, for the rest of the series we will focus on the how and the where. Sound good? Alrighty then, let’s get started!
First, the why. What is the point of neat and tidy house? Why do we even bother, when it is all just going to get messed up anyway? Why do we bother making our bed when we are just going to sleep in it again 12 hours later? Is it really worth stressing over?
Honestly, that answer truly depends on you.
My reasons for keeping a clean and tidy house will not be the same as yours, nor should they be, just because I am calmer, happier, and more productive when my house is clean doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be. That said, if you truly want to be successful in your quest for a clean house, you must first figure out why it even matters to you.
Because let’s face the facts. If a messy house really, truly didn’t bother you at all, you probably wouldn’t have taken the time to click an article called “The Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning.” Right?
Or, maybe a messy house doesn’t necessarily bother you but it does bother your spouse, in which case, making peace in your marriage and finding a way to compromise is what matters most to you. Maybe you are just sick of never being able to find things, or you are tired of being too embarrassed of the mess to invite people over.
Whatever your reason for wanting a clean house, name it. Take the time to write it down on a piece of paper that you tape to the refrigerator or bathroom mirror, or get a big chalkboard for your living room and write it on there. Remembering YOUR “why” every single day will help motivate you to create new habits.
{Get printable worksheet here}
Once have convinced yourself why this matters to you, it is also time to start working on creating a cleaning schedule that works for you. I promise it is much easier than it sounds! In fact you can do in just three easy steps using these free printable templates.
Part One Assignment
And that’s all there is to do this week! Remember, this is the Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning, which means we will be taking this process one baby step at a time.
Just to review, here is your first assignment:
Read Why I Make My Bed: 10 Reasons I Keep My House Clean , then spend some time thinking about the reasons having a clean house matters to YOU. Write down your most important reason for wanting a clean house (you can use this printable worksheet), then post it somewhere in your house where you will see it every day.
Create your own cleaning schedule using the instructions found here. If you have no idea what kind of cleaning schedule will work for you, just guess for now. You can always change it later.
* * *
Why does a clean house matter to you? What is your biggest cleaning challenge?
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The post Part 1: Getting Started appeared first on Living Well Spending Less™.
The Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning: Part 1
This is Part One of an 8-Part Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning Series. See the overview here.
* * *
Do you want to know the honest truth? I don’t really like to clean.
And unless you are like my sister, the only person I have ever met who seems to have been born with an unnatural love of vacuuming, chances are that you don’t really like to clean either. Honestly there are about a million other things I would rather do than clean my house, and not one of them involve a toilet brush or a mop.
But here’s the thing: I love living in a clean house.
While cleaning has not always come naturally to me, I have found that my love of living in a home that is neat and tidy far outweighs my distaste for scrubbing toilets and vacuuming the floors. In fact, I once wrote a whole post about all the reasons I keep my house clean, which included everything from the fact that it just looks better to the reality that I can find the things I need, it saves money, and that I simply get more done when my house is clean. That post has generated a lot of response over the past couple of years, including many requests for a step-by-step guide to keeping your house clean.
A few years ago I wrote my Beginner’s Guide to Coupons as helpful, baby-steps reference to learning how to save big on groceries by coupons. I then followed that with a Beginner’s Guide to Savings, which is a step-by-step guide to learning how to budget and save. This year, I thought it might be fun to add some new Beginner’s Guides to the mix, starting with this, the Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning.
If you already keep a neat and tidy house, most of what I include in this very basic how-to guide will probably be review for you. In that case, I would love to have you add your own tips and advice to the comment section at the end of each post! On the other hand, if cleaning is a struggle for you, then this guide might feel a little overwhelming at times. Try to take it slow and give yourself grace. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a lifetime of untidy habits won’t be broken overnight.
But I promise you can do it!
So this week let’s just start with the basics—the why and the when of cleaning. Next week we can worry about the what, and then, for the rest of the series we will focus on the how and the where. Sound good? Alrighty then, let’s get started!
First, the why. What is the point of neat and tidy house? Why do we even bother, when it is all just going to get messed up anyway? Why do we bother making our bed when we are just going to sleep in it again 12 hours later? Is it really worth stressing over?
Honestly, that answer truly depends on you.
My reasons for keeping a clean and tidy house will not be the same as yours, nor should they be, just because I am calmer, happier, and more productive when my house is clean doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be. That said, if you truly want to be successful in your quest for a clean house, you must first figure out why it even matters to you.
Because let’s face the facts. If a messy house really, truly didn’t bother you at all, you probably wouldn’t have taken the time to click an article called “The Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning.” Right?
Or, maybe a messy house doesn’t necessarily bother you but it does bother your spouse, in which case, making peace in your marriage and finding a way to compromise is what matters most to you. Maybe you are just sick of never being able to find things, or you are tired of being too embarrassed of the mess to invite people over.
Whatever your reason for wanting a clean house, name it. Take the time to write it down on a piece of paper that you tape to the refrigerator or bathroom mirror, or get a big chalkboard for your living room and write it on there. Remembering YOUR “why” every single day will help motivate you to create new habits.
{Get printable worksheet here}
Once have convinced yourself why this matters to you, it is also time to start working on creating a cleaning schedule that works for you. I promise it is much easier than it sounds! In fact you can do in just three easy steps using these free printable templates.
Part One Assignment
And that’s all there is to do this week! Remember, this is the Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning, which means we will be taking this process one baby step at a time.
Just to review, here is your first assignment:
Read Why I Make My Bed: 10 Reasons I Keep My House Clean , then spend some time thinking about the reasons having a clean house matters to YOU. Write down your most important reason for wanting a clean house (you can use this printable worksheet), then post it somewhere in your house where you will see it every day.
Create your own cleaning schedule using the instructions found here. If you have no idea what kind of cleaning schedule will work for you, just guess for now. You can always change it later.
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Why does a clean house matter to you? What is your biggest cleaning challenge?
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March 3, 2014
DIY Linoleum Stamps
This is a guest post from Gabby of Essentially Eclectic
I would say (though I’m certainly biased) that I was a pretty decent student in high school. I did my homework, I got pretty good grades, I turned my assignments in on time. I’m sure you can imagine, then, that I was surprised one afternoon during my senior year when my art teacher called me in and explained I was going to fail a simple stamp-making project if I didn’t finish it the next day. We were supposed to turn in a booklet containing different images made from stamps we carved out of linoleum. We had two weeks to finish the booklet, and I hadn’t even started it.
You see, I loved making those stamps. There is something fun and strangely therapeutic about carving chunks out of linoleum, you know? Maybe that’s just me. Anyway, I enjoyed the process so much that I spent the entire two weeks carving out stamp upon stamp without giving any thought to the booklet I was supposed to make with them! Fortunately, I had enough stamps made by that point that finishing the booklet project didn’t take long.
I enjoyed making those stamps so much, I thought I would share today how you can make your own stamps too!
Here is what you need:
Unmounted linoleum for printmaking
Linoleum cutter with assorted blades
Paper
Pencil
Graphite transfer paper (optional)
Archival Ink Pad
Tracing paper (optional)
A couple tips on purchasing supplies:
You can purchase linoleum blocks for printmaking as well as a linoleum cutter and blades at your local art supply store or online. I found I got the best deal for my linoleum cutter on Amazon, where a starter kit with five different blades was around $10 with free shipping (compared to $17.99 at my local craft store!).
When choosing your linoleum block, I recommend a medium thickness linoleum, something between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch thick. Blocks thicker than this are usually more expensive while blocks too thin potentially make getting a crisp stamped image more difficult. Your linoleum should be firm but soft enough to get a smooth carve. You can purchase linoleum blocks online or at an art supply store; your local hardware store may even carry the kind you need for a better price, so be sure to check there too!
Step 1: Transfer your design of choice on to your linoleum block backwards. To accomplish this, I simply taped my design to a window upside-down such that when I looked through the window the image appeared backwards. From there, I traced my backwards design onto another piece of paper.
To transfer my now-backwards design onto my linoleum block, I placed graphite transfer paper between my block and my design and outlined my design one more time (shown above). Doing so leaves a faint graphite outline of your backwards design on your linoleum block that you can go over with a pencil to make clearer.
Note: If you prefer not to use graphite paper, you can also try drawing your design directly onto the linoleum.
Step 2: Bust out your linoleum cutter and start carving! The linoleum cutter kit I purchased came with a variety of blades, some with more of a U shape and some with more of a V shape. I used the more U shaped blades for removing large chunks of linoleum and the more V shaped blades for cutting more precise edges and outlines.
I started out by removing the excess portions of linoleum around my design with my U shaped blade, as shown above. This is my favorite part of the project, because you can just carve away without worrying about it being perfect.
Please note: The blades on the cutting tool are sharp! This is not a project for young children or anyone struggling with fine motor skills. Always cut the linoleum away from your fingers to avoid a poke!
Step 3: I then used my larger V shaped blade to cut around the edge of my design, and my smaller V shaped blade to carve my way into the crevices of the clover.
Step 4: You’re now ready to stamp away with your custom-carved design! While not necessary, you may want to trim the edges of your stamp (the white portions shown above) down around your design or even affix your linoleum block to a block of wood or thick plastic to make stamping easier. I also found that my stamp got a better ink when I dabbed my ink pad onto the stamp instead of the other way around.
It’s as simple as that! I used my stamp to create a simple St. Patrick’s Day inspired stamped stationary set, but the sky is really the limit when it comes to what you can create. This would be great for creating custom invitations for a birthday party or wedding, or even for creating personalized handmade stationary sets to give as gifts.
Gabby Whitaker of Essentially Eclectic is a DIY/Craft/Lifestyle Blogger from Phoenix, Arizona. After moving to Boston, Massachusetts in the Summer of 2012, she started blogging as a way to share her crafting creations, cooking escapades, and adventures in Boston with friends and family across the country. Some of Gabby’s favorite things include Chai lattes, Downton Abbey, cozy bookstores, Netflix marathons, and of course, blogging!
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What will you make with your custom stamps?
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March 2, 2014
Weekend Wandering
Happy Sunday! While a part of me is still wondering where February ran off to, I can’t help but be excited that March is here! There is just something about the promise of spring that brings a renewed sense of energy–not to mention the fact that it is my birthday month! 
I have some really fun stuff planned for this week, starting with a little site makeover tomorrow, the start of the new Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning on Tuesday, and then an awesome giveaway on Thursday!
But first I have to share my favorites from this past Thrifty Thursday! There were once again more than 400 fantastic recipes, DIY projects, and money saving tips linked up this week, and it always so fun to see what you all have to share. Here are the posts I loved this week:
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First off, this Potato, Kale, Garlic and Cheese Pizza by Carmel Moments looks so good… YUM!
I must be craving some serious greens because this Bacon, Butternut Squash, Kale Salad by The Greenbacks Gal looks really tasty as well. I’d probably skip the bacon but I love the combo!
And speaking of green, there were some great St. Patrick’s Day inspired desserts linked up this week, starting with this decadent Mint Oreo Icebox Cake from Life, Love & Sugar!
My kids would go crazy for this Copycat Shamrock Milkshake from Cincy Shopper….
….but this Chocolate Mint Trifle from Frugal Fanatic looks super delicious too!
If mint isn’t your thing how about these Lime Sherbet Floats from Home Cooking Memories? So cute!
Of course celebrating St. Patrick’s Day also requires wearing something green. If you don’t have anything that fits the bill, these cute and easy Glitter Shamrock Button Covers by Crafty Journal might be just the answer!
Moving on to non-St. Patrick’s Day ideas, I loved this DIY Paint Chip Herringbone Canvas from Endlessly Inspired. What an easy and inexpensive way to add a splash of color to any room!
This next project would be a great afternoon activity to do with the kids. Buttons and Paint has easy tips on how to make a Homemade Bird Seed Feeder.
I loved reading about these Nine Household Items That are Awesome Beauty Products from Redefined Mom. She has a few great ideas that I hadn’t heard before!
Sometimes spring cleaning can seem a little overwhelming, but Kansas City Mamas has 16 Ways to Declutter Your House in 5 Minutes or Less.
Finally, saving on groceries looks different for everyone, and my personal motto is “any savings are better than none!” In that spirit, I really loved these 5 Ways to Save at Whole Foods from Kosher on a Budget.
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What did you love this week?
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