Um...it's snowing here today. Well, it's not sticking to the roads and the green grass is still visible. But the flakes are still flying.

Yesterday, we ran to Home Depot and purchased a blanket for our hot water heater. Our basement, where it's located, isn't heated. We also bought some insulation for the basement. There was 6 foot section where the frames meets the foundation that didn't have ANY insulation. We didn't notice it until this summer and we lived here nearly 3 years!!

I also bought some caulk and sealed up a few areas on the outside of the house. I did this last year, but found a few more areas that need sealing. I will also use some clear caulk inside to seal where our windows meet the window frame. There are a few gaps.

We also picked up some more energy saving bulbs and a new outdoor light fixture. Our total cost at Home Depot was about $75. I think the light fixture and bulbs were the most expensive! Best thing is we completed most of those projects yesterday when it was warmer. Yipee!

P.S. I made to the gym on a Saturday. That is a miracle!

I did make it through yesterday with out spending. In fact, I found a way to put a few dollars back in my pocket!

I turned in our cans and bottles to get our deposit money back. Yep, I live in one of those states where you pay a deposit at the time of purchase. So, I turned in $3.60 worth of bottles and cans. Yipee! Money in my pocket.

I checked our bank accounts today. We earned a mere $0.13 in interest on one of our checking accounts. They did reimburse us for $3.00 worth of ATM fees, too. Nice to have that money back!

Update: Turns out the sparkle fairy did not make a return visit, even though she knows my Mom is coming to visit today! Hmm. Sparkle fairy needs to get her act together! (Oh, if you don't know about the sparkle fairy, see the previous post)

Yesterday, was a no spend day for me. I'm hoping for a couple more this week, too.

I spent a good portion of my day deep cleaning the kitchen. There is still more to be done, but it is starting to shine! Here's what I cleaned:

Sliding glass doors
Kitchen sink blinds
Two lazy susans
Outside of dishwasher
Outside of stove
Outside of refrigerator
Under the refrigerator
Kitchen sink
Swept kitchen floor

I still need to clean inside and outside of the kitchen cabinets and deep clean the kitchen floor. I'm dreading the outside of the cabinets the most. They are painted white. As you can imagine, they are NOT dirty hand friendly! The cabinets were painted when we bought the home. They were the one thing we didn't like about the house. Guess what, I still don't like them!

I might play sparkle fairy some more today. Or not. Either way, I'm not spending money!!

There's something about the kids going back to school on Monday that makes me want to go shopping! I know. Crazy.

So, instead of thinking of the things I want to shop for I need to refocus. I'm going to focus on free tasks that I can do around the house.

Honestly, I have a fair amount of cleaning and tidying up around the house I could do. Here's a few things that come to mind:

clean kitchen cupboards (inside & out)
clean refrigerator
dust all blinds in house
pull out bush on side of house
make tote bags out of fabric remnants
clean bathroom drawers
put pool away for winter
sweep out garage & organize
scrounge for items to sell or donate
weed out file cabinent
wash windows (inside & out)
clean clothes washer
good cleaning of dryer vent
caulk windows, if I have extra caulk

Okay, that's enough...I'm tired just thinking about it. I really plan to get myself back to the gym and work on free projects around the house. They need to be done at some point, might as well do them while it's nice. Since, I won't be in the stores, I should save some money!!

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I did get that rodent bedding returned today. Only spent $11 to get my youngest daughter's hair cut...she needed it!

Here's a cute one! My husband called this afternoon, but hung up before I could get to the phone. I waited for him to call back. So, I called him. He was calling to see if he could spend money on a snack! He knows I'm trying to save as many pennies as possible with the braces looming up ahead. He hung up because he decided he wasn't really hungry. Of course, if he is really hungry he should get some food, right? I don't want my man starving!!

I heart organizing. I love it, nearly as much as personal finance. Sometimes more!

I mentioned in my previous blog that I did tidy up the basement recently. Part of that process involved going through school/office supplies from last year, as well as extras we had on hand. Most of the used stuff is going to be donated or sold at the next garage sale. I wanted to show you what I did with the extras!

It's all behind door number three. Also known as the door on the left, leading to the basement. The door straight ahead goes to our garage, while the door on the right leads to a bathroom/laundry room.



It's an over the door shoe holder. It is a little bit like a junk drawer. It holds flashlights, notepads, sticky notes, sissors, a dictionary, a handheld radio, pens, pencils, glue bottles and sticks, markers (skinny, fat, permanent,dry erase), highlighers, erasers, looseleaf paper, bug spray, sun tan lotion,extra shoe laces, yarn, pipe cleaners, pencil sharpener, tape, calculator, protractor, non working handheld fan (needs batteries), and a tape measure.



I think I started this method, over a year ago. Many, but not all, of the items had been stored in our unfinished basement. Did you know kids don't like to go down there by themselves? Problem solved.

There is one more item in there I didn't list...can you see what it is?

I borrowed my daughter's camera to take these pictures, so I snapped a couple of the basement. After tidy up.





Inside the dresser on the left: Gift wrap, gift bags, tissue, ribbon, shirt boxes and bows! Inside the dresser on the right: spiral notebooks, file folders, blank CD's, flashlights, maps, looseleave paper, folders, 3 ring binders. I'm sure I could find more to fit in this one. It was built by my grandfather!



Feel free to ask questions!

I cleaned/straightened out my basement yesterday. It is unfinished and often becomes a place to toss things. The girls even play down there and don't always put away their things.

In order to get motivated, I brought the laptop down and listed to Dave Ramsey. I had not tuned into him in quite awhile. I accomplished quite a bit.

I put away two puzzles, a play tent and tunnel, two comforters, moved the cedar chest, folded and put away play clothes, recycled school papers, and reorganized the office/school supplies. I found several things to donate and several things to trash!

I wanted to take a picture of my basement progress, but it looks like my digital camera is dying. I can turn it on, but the screen shows up black. I can see previous pictures I've taken, but current ones I've tried to take show up black. So...I think it has lived it's life. Nearly five years!

Am I buying a new digital camera? Nope. My daughter has one that she will let me borrow, if I need to. The purchase definitely isn't a need. So, please believe me when I say my basement reorganization and tidy up look great!

Yesterday, was a no spend day for us. We went for a family bike ride. We visited a furniture store that has been recently remodeled. Luckily, we were able to get out of there with zero plans for buying anything a few free cookies!

Today, is set to be a no spend day as well. I have filled our backyard pool for the kids to splash around in later. I'm doing laundry. I'm going to attempt to do some organizing, too. The basement is getting out of hand!

I'm sure this is the quickest way to insanity. I have this habit of cleaning my house before I leave on vacation. I guess there just isn't enough to do! Did you read my sarcasm there?

I think I inherited this from my mom. Thanks Mom!

Today I need to do the following:

Clean bathrooms
Vacuum
Dust
Take out trash out to curb
Sweep kitchen floor
Do several loads of laundry
Bake banana bread

Okay, I don't need to bake banana bread, but the bananas are ready. I will make two loaves, one to leave for the neighbors watching our pets and the other for us to eat before our very early plane trip. Easy.

I also need to sew the waistband to my daughter's shorts, since they are a little too big.

Wish me luck!

Yesterday, I was able to finish birthday shopping for my daughter. I have all the gifts wrapped, too. We just need to sign the card!

I will leave you with a picture of the pile I'm making of things we need to take with us on vacation.

I had a productive day. Here is what I accomplished:

Hair cuts for the girls and I.
Confirmed pet sitter.
Typed a note for pet sitter.
Found key for pet sitter.
Picked up dance recital videos.
Bought gas for van.
DH scheduled oil change.

Wrote list of things we still need to buy before trip.
Wrote a list with dates for things that need to be done prior to our departure.
Printed hotel, car rental and airline confirmations.
Printed certificate for free admission to SeaWorld.

Found DD2's birth certificate (will used for Disney World on her birthday to obtain a gc for $63 in merchandise).
Printed directions to hotel, SeaWorld, and other destinations in Florida.
Completed laundry.

Did a trial packing...to determine number of suitcases and weight. Only 35 pounds!
I've also made breakfast, lunch and dinner for my family.

Whew! I'm tired, but feeling less stressed and much more together for this vacation. To make this a finance related post, I will say that it sure pays to be organized. Checking only one suitcase will save us $30!

After a marathon day of scrapbooking, my vacation from two years ago is complete!! Yipee.

Umm...can you tell I was a little motivated to get this done. I do have another vacation coming up, in case you haven't heard.

Financially, my checking account has about had it, too. We now have $65 to last until Monday. We should be okay. Cars are fueled up. We have pop for DH. We have food for all meals!

Now, I do hope I have enough toilet paper...I'm not kidding!

I hope we can avoid spending the next three or four days and use some of the money to see a matinee movie. It's been about 3 weeks since DH's has had a day off. I think he'd like an outing. As would the rest of us!!

Should we see Night at the Museum 2 or UP?

I just realized that I've done some recent clearing out. It must be the spring weather that just brings it out in me!!

As I was waiting for the youngest daughter's bus to arrive on Thursday, I opened the coat closet and pulled out scarves and hats that didn't get worn this last season as well as mittens with holes in them. I also found a pair of waterproof pants that haven't been worn in years. I put everything else back in...but neater than I found it.

On Friday, I read in the newspaper that a counseling office was collecting old prescripions, medicines and so forth. These items were to be incinerated so that people would avoid sending them down the drain or toilet. This saves the fish and other wildlife. As soon, as I read about it I was in my cabinet, pulling things out. I dropped those off yesterday. They made it so easy...I didn't have to get out of my car!!

As I got dressed the other morning, I saw my swimsuit...which is unfortunately too small and has a weird stain. I pulled it along with a pair of workout pants. As I sat to tie my shoes, I also pulled open a drawer in my nightstand and found three more things to get rid of.

It was all unplanned and took only a few moments of my time to make a little pile. Each of those piles, except the meds, ended up in the garage sale pile forming in the basement.

Today, as it tries to snow, I will be pulling some of those items from the garage sale pile and listing them on ebay. I will start the sales next week sometime.

I encourage all of you to open a drawer, bag, or closet and find something or a couple somethings you no longer need. Set aside an area to collect those items. Maybe it's the trunk of your car, if you don't have space in your home. Then start driving to a local thrift store each week to drop off. If you want to save the driving, call to make a pick up appointment with a charity. The date will motivate you to have at least a bag or two ready on the scheduled date.

Good luck! And I'd love to hear how it goes, too.

Remember, I helped my daughter's clean out their rooms this week? They are both keeping them looking very nice. The youngest is actually making her bed everyday. I'm not holding my breath that this will continue for her...since spring break ends today. I can hope, though, right?

Unfortunately, I've been a little lazy since then and I have some of the remnants of the cleaning sitting in my family room...right next to the desk where I write this blog.

Here's a picture:



I think today, I need to tackle this. Some items are being kept and need to get to their new & approriate home. Other items need to be put in my ebay pile or garage sale pile. It really shouldn't take that long. I've just been a little lazy.

Wish me luck!

Update: I did it. I moved those pesky spring cleaning remnants to their appropriate areas. Of course, now the basement is going to be in need of some help, soon!

It's done! And that was hard. I have a headache. I had to take an hour nap in the middle. It felt like we were in slow motion today.

My youngest daughter just likes to keep her junk...or stuff. Unfortunately, I found some BAD stuff. A baggie of pretzels in a mini back pack for her Build a Bear, an opened bag of gummy bears, with three still in the bag. I also found mini candy cane's from Christmas. The worst one, however, was a baggie with a water/cornstarch mixture. It was originally colored green, but since it has been laying on the floor of her dark closet since who knows when, it hardened but developed orange spots and black spots...which I'm sure were mold! Ugh.

Here are the before pictures...see if you can spot the baggie of mold. Just kidding!





Here is our progress half way. It has to get worse before it gets better!! Really.


And finally the finished results:







Yes, the comforter was still in the dryer when I took this photo. But we can imagine how it would look, right?

Oh, and here are the bins I put in the hallway of things that have to leave her room.

There are plenty of clothes she has outgrown and a few things that are being moved to the basement. I test things I think they don't use to see if they ever make it back up to the light of day! If not, they go on the garage sale. I'm sneaky!!

Turns out we didn't work on my younger daughter's bedroom yesterday. She wasn't motivated and I really was just plain tired.

We will start in again today. I really hope I can convince her to get rid of as much stuff as my older daughter. I'll let you know how that works out.

Actually, I did do a little work in her room. My memory is coming back!! I pulled down her curtains and washed them. I also set up the sewing machine to repair three of the tabs that the curtain hangs from. And, I even put it back up in her room. One less thing to do today.

I'll get the pictures up as soon as we are done! Anyone else doing spring cleaning or organizing tasks today?

So far I have only completed my oldest daughter's room. She did great! I was mostly there for support and guidance. We took pictures of clothing she was still attached to, but has outgrown. She did a great job of letting go of some of her possessions. She still has a ton of stuff, but it is getting better. I'm sooo proud. I'm almost happier about that than the cleaning.

It turns out she needs an entire new wardrobe! Everything is way too small. So, ebay will be hopping with that stuff in a few days!

I ran out and bought a shelf for her books. She's wanted one for so long. I told her that she can only keep books that fit on the shelf. Price of shelf: $20. I was disappointed that when you buy assembled furniture now you don't even get real screws...plastic the whole way. Now, I have little plastic pieces to throw away that attached them all together. Ugh! I HATE plastic.

Okay...here are the before pictures:










Here are the after pictures:








Much better don't you think. Wow, we got a lot done, too! Here's one last picture: of our cat Riley. She wanted to help hang up clothes!



Now, I have another room to do!

Today will consist of some spring cleaning in my daughter's rooms. Things to do: wash the sheets and curtains, vacuum, dust, pull everything out of drawers and closets. They are on spring break...so they get to help!

We need to go through everything. I'm sure there is stuff to trash, donate and sell. Both rooms just plain need to be reorganized. My kids aren't too bad compared to others, but it's enough to get on my nerves at times!!

Who wants pictures?

My previous blog entry explained what this was about:

We sold our last house in 5 days!! Yes, really. That was in September of 2006.

It is a fact that we will move again. I want to be able to sell it fast when the time comes. The home we have now is great, but there are a few flaws. The one I've been focusing on now is the front living room window coverings. Here is what they look like now:

The correction: 2" Oak Faux Wood Blinds

I'm so excited. They arrived yesterday. I had to have them custom made because of how large the window is. There are 3 blinds on one head rail. DH and I will install them this evening. I will take a picture when we are done.

Here they are:

Oh, yes there is a cost involved with this update: $148.90, which includes the shipping. I patiently waited for a sale and set the cash aside this last pay period.

I think a few extra touches such as nice blinds and other hardware, give the feeling that the home is well taken care of.

(I realize the early 90's couch is an eyesore, too! I need to get it recovered desperately)

I just posted an ad on craigslist for a metal bed frame. I have someone who wants to pick it up tonight!!

I'm selling it for $20! It will be nice to get that out of the basement.

Crossing fingers that they actually show up, too.

UPDATE: She showed up! An extra $20 in my pocket always feels good.

I spent this glorious day cleaning windows! It was nice to have some fresh air flowing in. I did clean the glass...but that wasn't my goal.

Last spring, we had lots of rain. You may have heard about it...we live in Iowa. We noticed that when it would rain, the water would come inside the window...on the track where the window slides horizontally. That just didn't seem right to us.

In the spring of 2007, water came in somewhere and left our daughter's bedroom carpeting wet. We never really knew how that happened. So, with seeing the water, we went with caulk in 2008...on the inside track of the window. The good news, no wet carpet. The bad news, water still came in and filled up the window track. We kept towels in the track all spring and summer to soak up any moisture. This doesn't seem right, does it?

Today...I pulled the sliding window out. Pulled up the window track and the caulk. Cleaned out all the dirt and grime in the lower track and flushed it with water. The deal is: the water is suppose to get in the track and drain through two holes to the outside! I did caulk a couple seams below the track as a precaution, but I think our windows will work great this year.

Silly me...I thought I might need to buy NEW windows. A little cleaning should be well worth the effort. And it will rain on Monday...so I will know the results soon. Can't even imagine how much that probably saved me!!

Today I completed two more things on my list. I worked out at the gym and cleaned out the kitchen cupboards.

[x] Workout everyday at the gym (M-F)
[x] Clean out kitchen cupboards
[x] Clean microwave
[x] Clean kitchen blinds
[x] Clean bathrooms
[x] Whiten dishtowels and washcloths
[x] Write thank you notes
[x] Weed out magazines
[ ] Paint laundry room (?)

At the gym, I burned an even 500 calories on the elliptical and the stationary bike. I lifted weights and left plenty of sweat in the sauna.

The only thing left on the list is painting. I don't think it is going to get done this week. It turns out, I just don't feel motivated. Maybe tomorrow will be better, but I think for now the list is accomplished. Turns out I should have put a few more things on the list, huh?

I did pick up a few necessities at the grocery store. Spent $20.02. My grocery store is SuperTarget. I didn't go looking around for sales or deals. I just picked up what was on my list. I feel I'm doing pretty good so far in the not spending on after Christmas markdowns.

I joined Steve's Ebay challenge. I hope to average $100/mo from sales. I was close to this average last year if I remember right. Time to find some things to sell!!

So far having a list of things to get done around the house is keeping me out of the stores. I just know if I go in, I will find some great deals. Right now, I really do not want to spend any money.

[x] Workout everyday at the gym (M-F)
[ ] Clean out kitchen cupboards
[x] Clean microwave
[x] Clean kitchen blinds
[x] Clean bathrooms
[x] Whiten dishtowels and washcloths
[x] Write thank you notes
[x] Weed out magazines
[ ] Paint laundry room (?)

Today I was able to check off cleaning bathrooms and weeding out magazines, as well as whitening the washcloths. I'm also doing about 3 loads of laundry, so I will fold those and put away. Today is also trash day, so all the trash (kitty litter) and recycleables have been collected and put out to the curb.

I did get to the gym. I burned 495 calories on the elliptical and treadmill. I also lifted weights and sat in the sauna. My food intake has been good too.

Oh, I did spend $1.68 on stamps. I used change I found in the cupboard. Those were put on my thank you notes I wrote yesterday.

I checked off what I accomplished from the list. I also unloaded dishwasher, handwashed breakfast dishes, and sewed a patch on DD2's girl scout vest. Yes, I did put the sewing machine back!!

[x] Workout everyday at the gym (M-F)
[ ] Clean out kitchen cupboards
[x] Clean microwave
[x] Clean kitchen blinds
[ ] Clean bathrooms
[ ] Whiten dishtowels and washcloths
[x] Write thank you notes
[ ] Weed out magazines
[ ] Paint laundry room (?)

I burned 505 calories on the elliptical and another 100 on the rowing machine. I also lifted weights and sat in the sauna. Good workout day!

Now, I have to venture to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription. I don't expect to buy anything else. I will use gift card for part of precription payment if I can.

In order not to spend this week, I am going to give myself some projects to work on. These are normal things to get done...but I really need to stay off the computer and out of the stores.

1) Workout everyday at the gym (M-F)
2) Clean out kitchen cupboards
3) Clean microwave
4) Clean kitchen blinds
5) Clean bathrooms
6) Whiten dishtowels and washcloths
7) Write thank you notes
8) Weed out magazines
9) Paint laundry room (?)

Just some ideas! Today, I went through the file cabinet in my desk and found lots of paper to shred and recycle.

The kids are back in school, so I need to keep myself busy in a new way this week. Wish me luck!

Are you working on any projects in the new year?

Since all the gifts are bought it is now time to set up for wrapping. I brought all my items for wrapping up to my living room and set it up on a folding table. The basement is unfinished and a bit too cold. In fact, I even need new light bulbs down there!

Here's my wrapping station:

I was able to get all of the girls presents wrapped today in about an hour. I like how they are all coordinated in red and green.

Here's the pile before I put it under the tree:

I hope to finish all the other wrapping by tomorrow. The wrapping station needs to come down before my parents arrive on Saturday! Oh, and I have to clean too. Tomorrow will be busy!!

We've had the a/c turned off almost 7 full days. We did turn it on one night when it was rainy and humid.

I can't wait to see the electric bill next month to see how much difference we can see.

The weather is going to heat up a bit more over the next five days...so by tomorrow afternoon the a/c may be back on.

About to spend a few hours in my basement, organizing the shelves! It will be even cooler down there. Maybe I'll have to find another project for next week and spend my afternoons in the basement. Then maybe the a/c could stay off!!

Organizing and decluttering, that is. It just kind of goes with this time of year for me. With school starting, it is important to go through all the clothes and shoes from last year.

I need to file some papers that are piling up in my "to file" pile. I'm sure half of these don't even need to be kept.

I'm also trying to come up with a new way to keep school papers organized for myself and the kids. Last year, I used a large magnetic clip for each child on the fridge for current papers that needed to be acted on. Then on a cabinet that sat next to the fridge I used file folders on a stand up rack. I just didn't like having that much paper out...so I'm still thinking what will work without losing track of everything. Any good ideas?

I also think I need to install decorative hooks by the front door for backpacks. It could double as a place for guest coats when not used for backpacks...see I would probably toss backpacks in coat closet when company comes.

Our house is pretty paired down when it comes to clutter, but I'm just trying to make sure we are using our space most efficiently. Like with like and things available near where we use them...rather than all spread out. I'm also thinking cleaning supplies are needed upstairs for the two bathrooms there, rather than all in the laundry/bath that is on the first level.

I recently acquired a over the door shoe holder. I have put it on the door to our basement...right next to the family room and on the way to the garage. Right now, it has bug spray, sunscreen, and extra school supplies. I'm on the lookout for things that would go well here. I guess it is okay if it is not FULL!!

Here's to an organized school year!!

I changed some settings on my dishwasher. I no longer have it set to "sanitize." I think it puts the dishes through an extra rinse. It seems to get them just as clean and in a shorter period time...and with less water.

I've also had good success putting a dry towel in with the wet clothes in the dryer. It does seem to shorten the time it takes to dry them.

I've been turning off the A/C much more frequently. I had it off all of yesterday, last night and until about noon today. That has to save some energy.

One habit I wish to work on is our ceiling fans. I usually leave the bedroom ones on 24/7. I don't think we really need those running unless we are in there. Now to retrain to children!!

Today was a no spend day. I should try to have several of those in the next few days. We did swing by the library. I checked out books on organization, recycling and green cleaning.

I've always loved organizing and could probably make it a business. It is interesting how the more organized one is, the less money is spent on late fees, and double purchases.

I think the more I learn about green cleaning the more I will save financially,too. I think it comes down to baking soda and vinegar for many things. Has anyone else noticed habits changing because of environmental reasons?

And...just so you know I don't really believe in global warming...but I don't like to see good things be thrown in the trash to be preserved forever in a landfill. I find that to be such a waste.

I recently received an email from a online photo processor for a great discount. I paid a penny for up to 50 prints, plus shipping. This is a great deal considering I rarely print pictures anymore.

Normally, this company has prints for 9 cents each. So, I saved 8 cents per print or a total of $4.00. The shipping was $3.47.

The email, of course, gave me a limited time to take advantage of this offer. They send me them fairly frequently, too, since I'm registered on their site for free. This time the timing was just right for me. I needed some prints anyway for my daughter's scrap booking project.

It does pay to sign up and register at various sites to be included in special promotions. Just make sure you don't take them up on all of them!!

Update, did plenty of ETE today. That is Erase the Evidence for those of you just tuning in. My sister is coming for the weekend...so I had to tidy up and erase the evidence in numerous areas of the house. Looks very nice now!!

I was hoping that we would avoid spending any money this weekend. Not happening.

We headed out to our local farmers market this morning to enjoy the outdoors and the atmosphere. I did intend on buying sugar snap peas. They are so yummy right now! I bought two large containers for $6.

However, we also bought a large loaf of ciabatta bread for $5. I also bought the girls a juice drink to share for $4.75 along with a large cookie for $1.50. DH also bought a coffee...not sure on his total. I bet we spent over $20.00. Parking was free!

We then moved our van to another location a couple miles away to enjoy our local art fair that is going on this weekend. The art is pretty expensive to buy, but it is free to look at. One daughter got a free balloon. We stopped to listen to free music while the girls ate the cookie from the farmers market.

My husband is now mowing the lawn while the girls play with the neighbor girls. So, maybe now we can keep to no more spending this weekend.

We do have one errand to run. I need to return a patio screen door that did not fit. Hopefully, we can find the right size for the same amount that I spent on the original. I want a screen door so I can have my patio door open to let in all the nice breezes we are getting today!

Oh, on a decluttering note, I tossed out our old gazebo cover today. We replaced it with a new one this year as the old one was getting pretty torn up.

Now...to find something free to do!