I LOVE coffee, but I might love my leftover coffee grounds just as much. Here are some uses that might even surprise you:
1) Turn Your Hydrangeas Blue: Hydrangeas can be blue or purple depending upon your soil Ph. Acidic soil begets blue hydrangeas. Coffee grounds, when brewed, are acidic. Use them as a top dressing on the soil around your hydrangeas, making sure to scratch the coffee grounds into the soil and you’ll enjoy blue bursts of color.
2) Coffee Grounds in Your Compost: Everyday, we use our coffee grounds as fertilizer. Most people put them in their compost along with their kitchen scraps. They’re a great source of nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
3) Coffee Grounds Provide Shine to Your Hair: I haven’t tried it, but word is out that if you work some wet grounds into your hair they’ll help create a beautiful shine. They’ll also give you some great brunette highlights. Be careful though because coffee grounds down the drain can cause clogs!
4) Deodorizer: If your freezer or fridge are smelly, put a bowl or 2 of dried coffee grounds in there and the grounds will absorb the odors. Add vanilla for a different scent. This also works in vehicles, closets, drawers, and musty basements. Anywhere that could use a light scent.... as long as you love the scent of coffee! Just tie some in a bit of old tshirt or tie up one of those socks that is missing it's match and toss them anywhere.
5) Furniture Scratch Remover: Cover up furniture scratches by rubbing them down with wet coffee grounds that match your furniture’s color.
6) Easter Egg Dye: Dye your eggs with coffee grounds for a pretty rust brown color.
Today is going to be a whirlwind of accomplishment! I am fully determined to whip this house back into shape after a busy weekend and be fabulously frugal as well!
Be Mindful of Gratitude
Babysit for an hour and a half in the morning
Call Dept of Education - Ali's home school form
Get soup in the crock pot
Send Ali off to mom's
List 9 things
Dehydrate apples
Clean main floor
Sophea and Clara Dentist
It's been a wonderful day with no real pressure to get much of anything done. I love Sunday's for that. Although it's looking like tomorrow is going to be a busy day trying to get my tornado of a house back under control. Here are the things that topped my gratitude list today.
Beautiful weather - kids played outside today shoe and jacket free in late October! How wonderful is that?
Groceries - That was the highlight of my day. I spent more than I was planning but the money was there to do it and I got a lot of great deals and meals for at least a week and a half plus a lot of new things for Sophea's lunch box and ingredients that will last quite a bit longer and save on future grocery lists. I'm especially excited about the oatmeal ingredients. I found quite a bit of dried fruit and grains. I'm also going to try a recipe with lentils this week and I've never had them but so many of my friends swear by them.
Unexpected money - Travis was able to go and do a couple tattoos last night and that added to the amount I was able to spend on groceries this week! Thanks hubby! You are going to be eating good this week :)
A wonderful offer for Ali's senior pictures - I was asking on facebook if anyone knew someone locally that does great pictures and I got an inbox message from someone we are familiar with who is looking to build their portfolio and is going to give us a great deal. Very exciting.
Hannah and Ali coming home - it is always so nice to have their energy back in the house after they have been away for a couple days. This picture is 2 years old!!!! I really need to get a picture of them together that is more recent!
Messy painted fingernails - littles had fun painting their nails with the polish they got as one of the prizes at the school carnival yesterday. They worked on their nails for nearly half an hour!
Didn't get the pictures I wanted to take today but wanted to share my frugal accomplishment anyway. It was a good day. The end is wearing long though and my kiddos are ready for supper and bed. And I'm ready for bath and a book, and maybe some walking dead with my husband :)
Saved gas by ad matching at WalMart for the Coborn's and County Fair sales.
Got Hunts spaghetti sauce 10/$8 and Bartlett pears .99/lb. 4 Colgate toothpastes at a .25 money maker deal and 2 10 pack's of Capri Sun juice for Sophea's lunch for $2. And the best deal was 5 lbs dehydrated blueberries at $2/lb (right now they are about $8/lb fresh)
Got groceries including stuff to make make your own oatmeal packets instead of buying the expensive oatmeal that we like.
I did overspend the grocery budget by about $50 for this week but I got 1.5 weeks worth of groceries and a lot of the things that I got will last for months and decrease the grocery bill in future weeks. So I feel like I was right on budget.
Asked around on facebook for Senior picture options and had an offer from someone trying to build his portfolio. His pictures are wonderful and he is excited that Ali wants something more creative than standard, so he is giving us an amazing deal! I always say it pays off to do some looking around before making a decision and this is definitely one of those cases.
A disorganized fridge can be a meal planner's worst nightmare. Family going to the fridge to grab a snack never know what is off limits because of a recipe and leftovers get lost and forgotten. Not to mention the missing ingredients when you go to cook a meal! Today marked the end of fridge disorganization for our family once and for all. It is going to be so nice to be able to quit answering the "What can I eat, mom" and know that when I cook all of my ingredients will be available!
The bottom crisper drawer is now off limits. In it I am storing meal ingredients and the things that I have set aside for lunches and for Sophea's lunch box.
Top crisper drawer will be a snack drawer where I keep the fresh fruits and veggies that are available for snacking.
Bottom shelf of the fridge will be food that's available for eating. This includes leftovers and whatever we have that can be made into a quick snack or meal on the go.
Next shelf up will be off limits and for components that I need in making meals.
The largest shelf right above that will be for drinks.
And then the top shelf will be for condiments and ingredients that can be used by all!
Sunday Sunday, day of rest and a short goal list! We are in search of a church right now and planning on visiting a new church but I would like to wait until the teenagers are back before we head there. It's important to me to go for the first time together. I'm really hoping that it will be a good fit for all of us. So we are going to be staying home this morning. I'm hoping my only trip out will be to the store with the little ones!
Do family Bible study time
Go coupon shopping at 3 stores
Organized Fridge
Paint nails with girls
Extra reading time with kiddos and for myself
Time with hubby
Just got done loading all of my June through September pictures to facebook and that was quite the project! I really need to get it done more often. I love that family and friends that aren't nearby can still be a part of the things we've been up to. It was fun looking back and seeing all of the fun we had this summer. Here are some of my favorites
Ending today with gratitude is not a difficult task. We just had such a really wonderful day! The hardest thing is choosing 7 only things to be grateful for.
School Carnival. This was definitely the highlight of our afternoon. Headed over to Sophea's school right before lunch and had hot dogs and sodas, got to meet many of Sophea's friends, played games, picked prizes, and even took home a bunch of cupcakes!
Trunk or Treat. Right after the carnival we got to head over to daddy's work and see him dressed up and handing out candy with his co-workers who gave them maybe just a "little extra" at every spot even though we hadn't had time to go home and change into costume before heading over there.
Candy. Yup, LOTS of candy. The girls are pretty pleased. We don't have candy often so it really is a huge treat for them.
Halloween Parties. This year Sophea was invited by a classmate and it is her first Halloween party. She was SO excited. Clara was excited as well and had to dress up to go drop her off.
Hot Showers. The gals were being so good this morning that I actually got to take a hot shower before we left. I usually only take them after the girls go to bed and I'd almost forgotten what how great it is to start the day with a shower.
Bandages. When you are on your feet and realize that the heels of your new shoes aren't as great as you thought the would be? Bandages are awesome.... and husbands to bring them to you when you are at a school carnival are even more awesome. I guess sometimes things are being sold at GoodWill for a reason, lol. Just a note. TOSS those uncomfortable shoes! Don't donate them :/ These are going in the garbage.
Blogs. What a nice way to chill after a busy day with the kids.... I'm just hanging out and looking at blogs and pinning fun stuff. Right now I have a tab open to Frugality Gal. She's a definite to follow!
I want to be frugal but I don't want the kiddos to miss out on anything. That's actually another good reason TO be frugal. I feel like if we are thrifty with the things we can be, it leaves money to do the things we want with our kiddos. I would say that today was an amazingly fun day for everyone with very little spent!
Cupcake Bargain. Went to WalMart to get a cake since I did not make and decorate one like I planned. We wound up getting a dozen huge wonderful cupcakes with purple, orange, and yellow spray frosting and little bat Hello Kitty rings on top for half off the original price. The only thing I can figure is that one of the rings was slightly tipped forward in the frosting. So awesome!
Activities. Spent about $20 at the school carnival... and for that we got lunch for the 3 of us, 3 hours of game playing with friends everywhere, 2 containers of cupcakes to bring home, and half full bag of tootsie rolls and assorted candy, and a bag of toy prizes chosen with their "bucks" from the games. WOW, worth every penny for sure. There were several other free Halloween activities around town today but after that and then trunk or treat there was just time for getting something else to eat before Sophea's party.
Princess Costumes. I lucked out this year! The little ones decided that they both wanted to be princesses. Last year right before Christmas I scored 2 dresses from Sears in their sizes covered from neck to knee in sequins. Every Single Inch! We haven't had a lot of occasions to wear them but this seemed to be perfect timing... so Christmas dresses paired with church shoes, crowns from the dress up box, and some of mommy's make-up make the prettiest princesses around, and also makes for 2 happy little girls.
Make my own coffee! YAY
No unplanned spending. Sometimes the busy days are triggers for me to run through a drive through for supper. Didn't do it, leftovers worked just great. AND I walked out of WalMart with ONLY the cake. Go me :)
My husband put in quite a bit of overtime today. That is HUGE for us! YAY. He is so amazing for going to work even on his days off to make a better life for us.
I had to share this article from The Davis Enterprize because it reminds me of my "too big" girls. It actually made me tear up just a bit, but I am emotional today. This is a picture of the last time my "angel" dressed up. She was 12 and people made her feel funny so she never dared go dressed up again.
What you need to know about 6-foot trick-or-treaters
I thought it was all about big boys, who should have known better, shaking me down for candy. They’d arrive in clumps, shout “trick or treat,” and shove undecorated brown paper bags in my direction. It didn’t feel right.
Then again, some things don’t make sense until you’ve lived them with your own child– and not a moment sooner.
The tale I tell today is from the year 2000, Halloween day. My 15-year-old son, a sophomore at Davis High School, comes home and says, “Mom, I have an idea.”
Then he pauses. “No, forget it.”
“Aw, come on, tell me.” My hands assume a begging position, like a squirrel hoping for a nut.
“Maybe I’ll invite some friends over this evening,” he says.
Like every mom of a young male, I’ve worried about his social skills, so this sounds good to me. I tell him “yes” but I also ask him to carve pumpkins with me before his friends show up. Never before have we carved pumpkins without his sister, who has just gone off to college. This is the third-to-last time I’ll get to do it with him.
I spread newspaper on the table and choose the smaller pumpkin for myself.
“Hey, I’ve got a thin-skinned one this year, easy for carving,” he announces, hefting the larger pumpkin lightly from hand to hand.
“Maybe you just got stronger,” I say.
After we finish the job and set up our two pumpkins by the window, he’s on the phone, then off the phone, then on again until he walks in and announces that he needs candy for his friends.
“How many friends?”
“I don’t know. Three. Or two. Or five.”
I make a quick run to the market. These boys are too big now to go house to house trick-or-treating, so I want to buy a hefty consolation prize. I choose big Milky Way bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (large size) and a bag of M&M’s.
————
At 7:15, guys start showing up. One is half in costume, the rest in school clothes. Like 15-year-olds everywhere, they come in a range of sizes. One boy is 6’2” and speaks in a deep bass. Another is only 5’4” but loud. The house reverberates with sound.
Even though my son knows I bought candy, I hear him say, “Wanna go out for a while and trick or treat?”
I immediately remember other Halloweens when I was acutely annoyed by large packs of teens, most without costumes, who showed up late at my door and growled in bass voices, “Trick or treat.” They hadn’t done their part — dressing up — but I still had to do mine.
I want to protest to my son, but things are moving too fast for me to get a word in. The boys are running in and out of my son’s room grabbing possible outfits (an old cape, a flowered shirt, a skeleton mask) and my husband is poking around in the garage looking for the sickle he made a couple of years ago when my son dressed up as “Death.”
One boy emerges in a too-small fishing hat and asks for a rod. In my daughter’s room, I find a witch’s hat, complete with glued-on grey hair. The big guy claims it.
In five minutes flat, everyone is partially in costume and heading down the sidewalk. I hear their deep voices as they laugh. I cross my fingers that the neighbors will understand.
————
That night I was reminded that parents are not the only ones who regret the passing years. A year earlier, for the first time, my son gave out candy instead of trick or treating. It was an OK experience, but not worth repeating. It’s much more fun to go trick-or-treating with a bunch of guys and if the neighbors are grumpy, it’s easier to laugh things off when you’re in a crowd.
So here’s what I can pass on, if you don’t have your own 15-year-old boy.
When a crowd of under-costumed teens shows up on your doorstep, welcome them. It’s a big group because they find strength in numbers. They’re not wearing costumes because they didn’t realize that they’d want to go–nor how badly.
Give them big bars. Don’t tell them they’re too old. They already know that.
Let them pretend it just isn’t so.
L’Oreal has a sweet $1 off coupon available for a limited time. You can use it anywhere L’Oreal products are sold. Many dollar stores have their eyeliners or eyeshadows for just $1, so if any of your local dollar stores carry L’Oreal items, you can get one of them for free! To get the coupon, go here and print it out. It will be valid for 30 days from the date that you print it out.
If you don’t have a dollar store nearby, or your closest ones don’t have L’Oreal products, you can still use the coupon at places like Walmart, Target, Walgreens, etc. to get the dollar off regular price.
WalGreen's bargains are always my favorite. Here is this week's ad for tomorrow through Saturday as found on The Krazy Coupon Lady
Here are the deals this week at Walgreens. These prices are valid 10/26 – 11/1.
Page 16 of this week’s ad contains details about a Balance Rewards Points promotion. From 8/31 – 11/1, earn 50 Points for every $1.00 spent on health and wellness products. Earn 100 Points for every $1.00 spent on Walgreens brand health and wellness products. To start earning Points, scan the coupon in the Walgreens ad. You only need to scan the coupon one time; all qualifying purchases thereafter will generate the Points. Earn 50 Points for every $1.00 spent before manufacturer coupons. Remember that you cannot earn Points in the same transaction in which you redeem Points. Eligible purchases include allergy, antacids, cold, condoms, cough, diabetes, diagnostic, diet aids and supplements, eye and ear care, healthcare appliances, incontinence, laxatives, pain relief, pediatric medications, reading glasses, sleep aids, smoking cessation, vaporizers, vitamins and supplements.
Colgate Toothpaste, 3.5-6 oz $3.50Buy 1, Receive $3.00 Register Reward
Or $0.50/1 – Colgate Toothpaste, 3.4 oz or larger from SS 10/26
Or $0.50/1 – Colgate Kids Toothpaste, 4.6 oz or larger from SS 10/26
Pay: $2.75, Receive $3.00 Register Reward
Final Price: $0.25 Moneymaker
Colgate Total Advanced Mouthwash, 16.9 oz $3.00 each, when you buy 2 Colgate 360 Clean, Max White or Fresh or Slim Soft Toothbrush $3.00 each, when you buy 2 Buy 2, Receive $3.00 Register Reward
Irish Spring Bar Soap, 3 pk Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap Refill, 56 oz Softsoap Body Wash, 15 or 18 oz Buy One Get One Free
Buy 2 Softsoap Body Wash, 15 or 18 oz $4.19, regular price Buy One Get One Free
Final Price: $2.10 each, when you buy 2
Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner, 12.6 or 16.9 oz $4.00 each, when you buy 2 Pantene Hair Stylers or Treatments $4.00 each, when you buy 2 Spend $20.00, Receive 5,000 Balance Rewards Points
Use Free – Pantene Conditioner or Styler when you buy (1) Pantene Shampoo from PG 10/26
Or $2.00/1 – Pantene Styler or Treatment from SS 9/14
Or $2.00/1 – Pantene Styler or Treatment from PG 10/26
Or $2.00/1 – Pantene Styler or Treatment Product from PG 9/28
Or $5.00/3 – Pantene Products from PG 9/28
Or $3.00/2 – Pantene Products from SS 9/14
Or $2.00/2 – Pantene Products from PG 9/28
Buy 3 Pantene Shampoos, 12.6 or 16.9 oz $4.00 each, when you buy 2 Buy 2 Pantene Conditioners or Stylers $4.00 each, when you buy 2 Spend $20.00, Receive 5,000 Balance Rewards Points
Use two Free – Pantene Conditioner or Styler when you buy (1) Pantene Shampoo from PG 10/26
And use one$2.00/1 – Pantene Styler or Treatment from PG 10/26
Herbal Essences or Aussie Shampoo or Conditioner, 8-13.5 oz $3.33 each, when you buy 3 Herbal Essences or Aussie Hair Stylers $3.33 each, when you buy 3 Buy 3, Receive 1,000 Balance Rewards Points
Vicks QlearQuil, 10 or 24 ct or 0.5 oz $7.99 Vicks NyQuil or DayQuil, 24 ct or 12 oz $7.99 Vicks Children's NyQuil or DayQuil $7.99 Buy 2, Receive 2,000 Balance Rewards Points
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