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