Taxes!

Taxes

It's almost Tax season.  Do you ever question should we do it ourselves  or should we hire someone?

I myself (Shelley) hire it done every year for the last 20 years.  I am with the same person.  We love him!  I hate being stressed out about even gathering the tax information.  Look for someone who has experience and will help you out if you are audited.  Make sure they are a CPA .  It costs between $100-$300.  If they are not a CPA you might as well buy a tax software and enter the data in yourself.



I love using stuff like this.
http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2014/02/how-to-organize-your-taxes.html

I have a special treat for you.  I have a guest blogger in.  Please welcome Jordan Gilmore.


Turbo Tax Review

Yes. The dreaded season will be upon us in few short months-Taxes Season. And Turbo Tax is one of the more popular ways to prepare and e-file Federal and State taxes.  Let me start by stating that I am an amateur user of the product, and am not an Accountant.  With that said I have used the product for several years.  Using the same account each year provides some advantages.  It remembers what income and deductions you had the previous year, and can streamline the experience using that information.

While I won’t say that completing the filing in my experience is fast, the amount of time it takes does depend on how many dependents and deductions and life events you have.  One of the reasons that I have returned to the product several times is not because the amount of time it takes to complete the filing but because of the thoroughness that is built into it.  If you choose to explore every possible type of income and deduction they are available for you to do so.   There are also definitions provided for nearly every choice you are asked to make as you walk through your tax form. 

While I’ve almost always chosen the itemized deductions, the choice to use the standard deduction is available within the program too, and it will help you determine which benefits you more.  Another plus is that the amount you owe or will be refunded changes with each section completed, so you can see which items give you a larger deduction as you work, or you can tell if skipping the trouble of itemizing will bring you the same sized refund.  Nothing is set in stone until you submit your return to the IRS. 

Can mistakes still be made? Yes.  But, I find it’s more relaxing to review and correct them at home on the couch while reading what portions of the form mean before hitting send than to wonder why certain numbers were entered by someone whose office is only open for six months. 

And if speed is what you’re after, once you have filed you can have a notification within hours (depending on how busy the IRS and your state office is) letting you know that your filings have been accepted. 

Taxes can be stressful, but I find that the way that TurboTax walks you through the process tend to each the tension.

-Jordan  Gilmore

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

Coupons!

How to Obtain Coupons 

1st it's pronounced Coupon not Qupon or Kupon.  English is our 1st language use it properly.  

Lets start with the easiest.  

1.  Clipping Newspaper Coupons.  Only clip what you need!!

Find the Skinny on that here 

http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/category/sunday-coupon-inserts/  

Print the list or check every week to see if it's worth buying the Newspaper.

Please check the newspaper before you buy it, to make sure people have not stolen the coupon inserts.

No,  I am not kidding!  

Coupon abuse and fraud is rampant in the USA.

Here is some helpful info:

http://couponinformationcenter.com/consumers.html

 Make sure you follow the rules on the Coupon please.  Do not be mad when the cashier (who is already underpaid) refuses it, due to coupon and store policy.  Courtesy & Kindness go a long way.

If you think you have been wronged.  Take it up with Customer Service and the Manager on duty.

We all make mistakes!!

2.  Catalinas are Coupons the store prints out at the register.  Make sure you read those instructions carefully.


When you are signing up for these free sites.  Make a junk email account 1st.  
That way your cluttered email box, does not get anymore overwhelming.

3.  Printing coupons online and where to find more coupons.  I love sites like:

www.coupons.com
www.redplum.com
www.smartsource.com
coupons.target.com
www.stockpilingmoms.com
thekrazycouponlady.com
mambosprouts.com

4.  Store cards, are the most difficult to use for myself.  Sometimes sites are down and do not work.  You spend an hour picking and loading the digital coupons on the card and bam not there (sigh).
So I will be honest I do not care for them that much.
Maybe you will have better luck than I.

I have 1 App that works best for me Target's Cartwheel
cartwheel.target.com
It works great on a smart phone and you can print up a sheet at home if you do not have a smart phone.  I have saved almost $600 dollars this year with it in conjunction with the Debit Red Card.
I also stack that with Target Coupons I print at home and Manufacturer Coupons.  My biggest savings yet is $122.00 in 1 shopping trip..
If you go to Thekrazycouponlady.com web site.  You can read more in depth about Digital couponing.
  I am not a hoarder, a shelf clearer, or an extreme couponer.
I cannot stand it when people buy it cheap and then resell it at MSRP.  It is illegal, so don't do it.
  I am here today just giving you a quick tutorial on the basics.
I could spend hours talking coupons with you.  But who has that kind of time.  We write about our lives for creative outlet not money making right now.  Though we like money!  We ladies have very busy lives and are lucky enough to include you in it:)

Thanks for reading!

Be sure to stop by and check out Coupon Organization at
2daintycrafters.com

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

1st Chalk Paint Furniture Make-Over

My 1st Furniture make-over in ages.

So I was talking to my friend Brandy, about finishing up a kids room with her.  So she had wanted to do a really cool thing to an outdated dresser.

So have you ever seen the Junk Gypsies on GAC?

It is worth 30 minutes of your day.

What a great looking crew I have working with me!

1st they sanded with orbital sanders.  That really cuts down time. (I Supervised)

We wiped everything down with dry rags.  It was so humid, no water necessary.

Then with an old rag we applied Denatured Alcohol and wiped everything down.

We then started applying Junk Gypsy Chalk & Clay Paint.    Available here: http://gypsyville.com/

This color is called Flower Child. 

After 2-3 coats and a lot of dry time.   

You must then seal Chalk paint with Wax or Junk Gypsy Clear Coat.

The beauty of the clear coat is that you only do it once.  Wax you have to reapply every 2 years and it also takes longer to dry because of humidity.

I had some really wonderful instructions given to me at

Riverbridge Resale & Consignment Conroe, TX.

http://www.riverbridgeresale.com/ 

I couldn't believe how great this paint and sealer worked.  It was so much fun doing this with my friends!

I love how it turned out!

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

Financial Series 1

Savings

So many of us have trouble with keeping a savings stash or account. Start Simple $10.00 Every Pay Check.  Starting now!

In the past few years we have gone through all of our savings for 1 thing or the other.  That's what it's for: unexpected auto repairs, major appliance replacement, moving expenses.

Savings is not for:

A new purse or a new toy.

Is it a Need or a Want?

"I need TP."

"I want nail polish."

How can you justify that frivolous purchase?  YOU CAN'T!

Put it back.  Teach your kids the Need/Want Rule!  Start the budgeting conversation with them.

No one needs instant gratification, but we always want it!  Try not to live in the moment all the time. That is how so many people end up in such financial hardship. Remember that the credit card should be for emergencies only!! No, the night out isn't an emergency! :)

Saving while shopping

Sign up for Store Rewards Cards.  Remember to use them!

Make sure you are using a junk email you have already set up.

Use your Couponing skills.  Don't fall into the "I have a coupon for it so I need to buy it" trap.

Coupons stretch your food budget.  It is never meant to make money only save.

 Need or Want?

Here are some types of savings ideas you can do:

The Envelope System

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159244536801687379/


A Cash Stash

Created By me on the fly.
Get your circle punches, adhesive, paper, scissors, & your imagination out for this one.



If you need the Coin hole top for your Mason Jar, you can find it here.

http://www.amazon.com/Loew-Cornell-1026304-Transform-Inserts-Slotted/dp/B00KC0KV2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453680362&sr=8-1&keywords=transform+mason+jar+lids

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelley

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

1st Attempt at Making Foam Soap Refills.

Time to save some $$

I looked at my favorite site for guidance.  
Clean Mama  http://www.cleanmama.net/
You will find a whole sheet on cleaning with Castile Soap here:  Courtesy of Clean Mama
I used 2 water bottles and poured 1/4 of the first one out in a cup and set it aside.
I then pulled out my Dr. Bronners Liquid Castile Soap https://www.drbronner.com/  and measured out 6 Tablespoons  and poured that in the water bottle.
 I then put the cap on and gently shook back and forth the mixture.
Now put the mixture in a re purposed clean foaming soap pump.
Lastly, label on the back of the soap dispenser what it is or you will be kept guessing.
The reason for the extra bottle is not all that mixture fits the soap pump bottle.
So you have it all out, you might as well make those refills now.
Here is the Dilution chart.
http://www.lisabronner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Dilutions-Cheat-Sheet.pdf
*Please label the bottle as well, that way nothing is a mystery cleaner.

If you love cleaning you will love Becky's site!  Have plenty of ink and printer paper ready.  Freebies Rock!
She also has a rockin Etsy site which I often find things I like, and have bought.  My favorite is her budgeting pack; it has helped me get that really organized and under control.  Thanks Becky!!



Some folks are worried will the smell from the last soap stay around?      YES!
Find a 1 gallon bucket that has only been used for green cleaning (if none hit the Dollar Store).
 Fill it half way with hot water from the tap.
Then add 1 cup of white vinegar and a squirt of soap.
Swish with hand and load in bottles and pumps.
Set timer for 15 minutes and swish the solution in container around.
Dump out into the bucket and do a smell check.  Ahhh nothing!!
 If you still smell something, soak for longer.
Then rinse until clean *remember to pump some of that mixture through the pump.*
Follow up with pumping hot water at the end.
I hope this helped you take that 1st step to try a easy, inexpensive way to clean.

A follow up after 1 year of using this.  
I have added 1 oz more of Castile  for every 8 oz of distilled water.  I also have  added a small capsule of Vitamin  E in the pump as well.  It helped tremendously with winter weather, and dry hands.  


 Disclaimer
*These are all TIPS  I love to share what works for me with you.  I am in no way compensated from any of these companies.   I just love their stuff.
*Please remember to use caution when not following manufacturer instructions.  I cannot be held liable for what you do.

Thanks for stopping by!
Shelley

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

How to Organize Paper Scraps & Die Cuts from Craft Projects

A question I often see on blog posts is, "How do I organize scraps & patterned paper?"
This is a simple tutorial on how to do just that.

The Clean-Up!

Collect all your scraps and have a place to sort them.
One that has no children or pets knocking into what you just sorted :)  Orange cone the area off if you must!
 Now you need some time and that will depend on the amount of scraps you have to go through.  Mine took quite some time but was well worth it.
You will also need a container to store them,  I have several different types of cubes to experiment with.
Lastly purchase Heavy Duty Clear plastic sheet protectors with various dividers, and one 3 ring binder.
The reason for heavy duty is in the next photo.  I bought cheap Dollar Store ones and they didn't last a year.

Start by sorting plain paper first.  Make a pile for each color then put that color in a clear plastic sleeve.  Organize your colors however you like and place them in the bin for easy access.
Next Organize patterned paper by the predominant color.
Sort and put away in clear plastic sleeve.
You can also sort vellum in a separate sleeve as well as glitter paper.










Ta Daaa!  Nice Neat and Organized!

The Bonus!!

Not only did I organize Scraps and Patterned Papers, I also organized punched out Die Cuts!

So in this one is used the Baseball sleeve sorters and Money holders.  I sorted by shape with this, not by color.

I hope this help with organizing your craft clutter.  Happy crafting!

*Disclaimer  I was not compensated in any way.  These are just Tips!

Craft on! Shelley

Editor: Alyssa Johnson-Glassel  AKA 2 Dainty Crafters

Shopping List

Jo Anns / Hobby Lobby

1-Yard of White Muslin with a tight weave

*Wal-mart

(1) 128 Oz Glass Jar or smaller

(1) Plastic or Silicone Spoon

(1) Plastic or Silicone Strainer with smaller holes

(1) Large Plastic Bowl  (make sure the strainer fits snugly inside it)

(1) 2 Gallon Plastic Pitcher

(1) Plastic Ladle

(1) Large Rubberband 
Kefir Grains   If you want to learn more on where to purchase grains, look here:   http://www.culturesforhealth.com/starter-cultures/kefir-cultures.html

 How will you store your Kefir once it's made?  Make sure you have something like a soft plastic style container. Use best judgement.

*I do not recommend glass jars with lids.  Kefir tends to expand because of it's gasses.  It could go Boom!  *

Using Your Reusable Kefir Grains

This is such an easy process.  Take your time and enjoy making your hand crafted Kefir.

Sanitize everything first.  You can use Vinegar and a drop of  Soap.

Strain your New grains over the sink.  You can rinse the grains with Spring Water or Raw Milk.  Never ever use Chlorinated water or that crummy Pasteurized/Homogenized milk!  IT WILL KILL THE GRAINS.

Place new grains in your glass jar.  Fill jar 3/4 of the way full with your raw milk.  Wipe rim and sides of jar clean (you can get an invasion of fruit flies if you don't).

Cut a piece of muslin to fit the jar.  It must cover around the whole top of the jar, and the top portion of the sides.  Place your rubber band snuggly around it.  Make sure that the cloth is pulled taught so that no critters can get in.

Set in a warm, dark, dry place.  Do not disturb for 24-48 hours.  The longer it sits the more whey appears.  Never go past 3 days!  You can choke out and kill the Kefir Grains.

Time to make your 1st batch!

Get all of your items ready

(1) Gallon of Raw Milk

(1) 128 Oz Glass Jar that has your newly made Kefir

(1) Clean pre-cut piece of Muslin (every 2nd  processing time use a new one and wash the old one)

(1) Plastic or Silicone Spoon

(1) Plastic or Silicone Strainer with smaller holes

(1) Large Plastic Bowl  (make sure the trainer fits snugly inside it)

(1) 2 Gallon Plastic Pitcher

(1) Plastic ladle

(2) Towels (it's a messy process)

(1) Rubber Band

(1) Extra bowl to dump whey if necessary

Set strainer in bowl.

Remove Muslin and Rubber Band carefully.  Set as far away from processing as possible.  This final process splatters and is quite messy.

Ladle out white foamy chunky top.  put into strainer

Ladle out whey if necessary.  A little is ok, a lot is not good.

Then gently pour into the strainer the remainder of your jar. 

You can gently stir the kefir and shake it over your bowl.

You should see popcorn looking chunks in your strainer and beautiful white Kefir in your bowl.

Now that you have separated the two.  Set your strainer full of Kefir Grains on a towel.

Pour the bowl of Kefir into your plastic pitcher or blender.

Using a stick blender or a real blender, put on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Pour into your Kefir storage jar &  immediately refrigerate.  It should keep up to 60 days.   Let the gasses out occasionally and check on it.  Sometimes it keeps growing and expands.

 

   

Back to the grains.

Rinse your grains with spring water or raw milk.  City water which contains chlorine will kill the grains.

Sanitize the jar every time!!  This will help you maintain healthy Kefir grains. 

Remember Sanitize with vinegar and Soap only!  Bleach will kill the grains.

Now begin again. 

Refill that jar as instructed on the 1st page.

See I knew you could do it!! 

*RESULTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED.  KEFIR GRAINS ARE NOTORIOUSLY SENSITIVE AND IF THEY ARE LOST OR PERISH YOU WILL NEED REPLACE THEM.

Need a visual:     http://www.culturesforhealth.com/how-to-videos

Instructions by Shelley Rogers AKA 2 Dainty Crafters