If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding laundry (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her request for keeping ahead of laundry chores.  Molly

Dear Midge,

Boy am I glad you asked about how to keep ahead of laundry chores!  I was just thinking about this the other day as I was watching my clothes flapping in the breeze on the clothesline.  Do you remember my October 2010 Digest? I talked about laundry and some common ways to tackle Mount Washmore.  You do call your monster pile of laundry Mount Washmore, don’t you?

Just as a refresher on technique, remember to do what works for you.  If you don’t have one day during the week or weekend that you can devote to tackling a weeks worth of clothes, try to do a load per day.  Maybe one day you could do a load of darks and then a load of lights the next. You can decide when to work in towels and bedding, etc.

If you are using the dryer, another great reminder is to set the ‘indicator alarm’ so when the load is finish drying you will know. If you can manage to get the clothes directly out of the dryer and hang them/put them away, you won’t have to worry about a single wrinkle.  Most dryers have a fluff option, if you need just a few more minutes before you can get to the clothes use the fluff option to keep the them moving so no wrinkles form.

Tis the season for clotheslines as a frugal option to drying clothes. Are you using yours?  Go and check out that October issue again, I hope you get inspired!

Love ya, Molly

Here we are again, it’s Monday morning!  Are you rejuvenated after the weekend or was it a whirlwind for you? I must confess, I’m hanging on to my beloved coffee cup just a little tighter this morning.  Molly

Does the beginning of the week find you thinking about meals, the shopping list or your checkbook?  Meal planning is beneficial in so many areas.  Not only does it help to know what is on the ‘menu’ for each day of the week but it helps to streamline the grocery/shopping list.  By making an ingredient list, you can check what items you may have on hand in your pantry or fridge.  This method will help you only purchase exactly what is needed for the week, making meal planning budget friendly.

I usually begin my planning by thinking about my family’s favorite meals.  I think about the meals we have had too many times and the ones we haven’t had for awhile (including seasonal favorites).  Then I write out the next 5-7  days and start categorizing them by the type of meat.  One day I try to use ground beef and maybe chicken the next.  If I plan on using meat from a fryer chicken on Tuesday (and I only need a portion), I choose a recipe for Friday that will use up that remaining chicken.  Once a week I try to squeeze in a meat-less dinner or even breakfast for dinner (like pancakes or french toast).  Going meatless for one or two nights really helps stretch the budget along as well.

Along with planning the main evening meal, I also think about sides such as vegetables and/or ‘fillers.’  Anyone raising boys or teens will probably know exactly what I’m talking about here!  I try to use my homemade wheat bread as often as possible as it helps fill keep those bellies satisfied until breakfast.

The Old Schoolhouse Store has many types of school planners available.  You can check this one out to begin with if you haven’t heard of them (or tried one out yet).  Inside you will find TONS of helpful information for not only your school year but for organizing your entire life as well!  Menu planning pages are just one of the many organizational pages available.  If you’re a list-lover like me, you will absolutely love these planners! Check out this page for more choices, there’s a planner for everyone in your family!

Do you menu-plan? If so, what’s your favorite method?

Fabulous Friday is a way to recap the week and give you some frugal tips for the weekend. Please share what you’re up to this weekend! Molly

Have you ever started watching one of those DIY shows and thought, “Hey, I can do that”? I rarely have time for the television these days but as I was flipping through the channels late one night, a certain project caught my eye: distressing furniture.  I’ve always loved the look of distressed furniture because it made me feel like I had a real gem, an antique if you will.  While I don’t have any real antiques, I like to make it look like I do. 

I started thinking that distressing a piece of furniture is really one of the most frugal ways to give a tired piece a face-lift!  If you don’t have anything you can work on, try looking at garage sales, estate sales or even your local charity type store (i.e. Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc).  Extra paint lying around? Search what you have sitting in your basement for your next project. No paint? Try asking a friend or relative (maybe you can trade them a batch of cookies for their unused can of paint).  You can also check stores for their ‘oops’ paint.  Sometimes an incorrect color is mixed up for someone and as a result they put it on the shelf to sell for a cheaper price.

Check out this tutorial on distressing a piece of furniture.  Does it give you the itch to start sanding and painting?

I have an old desk that needs some love.  I’m thinking I’ll paint it black and distress it. I’m wondering what to do with the drawer pulls though. Any thoughts? You guessed it, that’s what is on my agenda this weekend!

What’s in store for your weekend? Do you have any frugal projects you’re working on? If you’re traveling, how do you make frugal choices for your family while on the road? Enjoy your weekend, see you back here bright and early Monday morning!

Weekend projects work for me! To see more Works For Me Wednesday tips visit: We Are That Family.

I shudder to even say the words. Don’t get me wrong, I love garage sale hopping with the best of them and I usually come home with a treasure or two (or ten).  But the thought of having a garage sale is so intimidating it sends me over the edge.  I love the idea of garage sales, they are the definition of shopping frugally! Do you agree?  Every time I begin to entertain the notion that this may be the year for me, I get stuck after the beginning steps of cleaning out & gathering items.

The only childhood memory I have of my mother being involved in the selling aspect of a garage sale is when I was around 7 years old.  She told my sister and I to look around our rooms for toys we didn’t need anymore.  Our incentive was that if our items sold at the sale, we would receive the profits.  I don’t remember exactly how many items I put out for sale, or how many actually sold with the exception of one baby doll.  I was confident I had outgrown her but when she sold, I was fairly certain I would rather have her back than the $2.

I would like to say I no longer have such strong attachments to material possessions as I try to keep our home as clutter free as possible (with children around sometimes that’s easier said than done!).  Each time I fill a bag that could be sold in a garage sale type setting, I get discouraged and happily donate it to a local charity.

For garage sale planning tips, check out my May 2011 Molly Green Digest Called: Molly Saves! In the Garage & Shed.  I suppose it’s probably time I get to it and practice what I preach!

Did you know that Molly Members have access to all back issues of the magazine?  Give it a try and you’ll be blessed by all the frugal advice at your fingertips.

What tips do you have to help conquer the fear of planning a garage sale? Are you a garage sale shopper?  What types of treasures do you look for while shopping?

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s situation regarding soccer practice (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her request for healthy, yet frugal, after practice soccer snacks.  Molly

Dear Midge,
One of the most important things to remember when playing hard out in the sun is to remain hydrated. Water is a very good option but there are also sports-type drinks on the market that are beneficial as well. Sports drinks not only offer replacement electrolytes your body needs after burning lots of calories but they can also help your muscles recover after strenuous activity.

After practice your body will need to refill and recharge.   A healthy snack might include some dried fruit and nuts (like a lot of the trail mixes available in the stores). It’s really easy to mix your own trail mix, and frugal too. All you need are your favorite ingredients such as cashews, peanuts, raisins, dried apricots, dried bananas, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Mix them all together in a big bowl and divide into sandwich baggies for individual portions.

As far as getting motivated after a long winter’s rest, you know my motto: “Winter Weak- Summer Strong!” So get out there and keep at it, dear cousin. Before you know it you’ll be dribbling circles around the kids!

Squeeze that adorable niece of mine! Love ya, Molly

Are you a coffee drinker?  I’ll let you in on a little secret, I am.  I’m not sure when I became such a lover of coffee.  I remember ‘learning’ to drink it in college. That sounds crazy, huh?  I’ve always loved the smell but the taste had to grow on me.  Today I am a full-fledged-dark-brew-coffee-drinker.  I’ve taste tested many brands and have finally settled on my absolute favorite.  But all of this is besides the point.  When I wake up in the morning, some of my very first thoughts involve that first Cup Of Joe.

How do we keep our beloved coffee tasting so perfectly yummy after brewing pot after pot, day after day?  Constant cleaning of our coffee makers.  You know, our faithful brewing machines.  You understand just how faithful one is when it quits working.  Ever have a coffee pot ‘die’ on you? Not fun.

Now, if you’re the sophisticated type and make your coffee in a french press all of this brewer cleaning talk might not apply.  *I actually have a french press in the cupboard and have never used it. Does anyone want to chime in and give me personal opinions on this method?*

On to the discussion of cleaning the standard coffee pot.  Now, there are little bottles of cleaner that you can find in the store.  You pour it in, mix with water, rinse, rinse, rinse and it cleans everything out.  In my effort to move towards chemical-free living, I decided to give good ole Vinegar a try.  Have you heard of this cleaning method?  I filled my pot with about 8 cups of vinegar and 4 cups of water (it really needed a good cleaning).  I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and tested the water to be sure all the vinegar flavor was gone.  When I was satisfied with the amount of rinses, I brewed a fresh pot of coffee.  Not only was the water flow much faster, I was convinced that pot of coffee tasted SO good.

Here’s to Monday mornings, coffee talk, faster brewing times & friends! What are your cleaning tips for your beloved brewer?  What is your favorite method of making coffee in the morning (noon or night)?

Fabulous Friday is a way to recap the week and give you some frugal tips for the weekend.  Please share what you’re up to this weekend!  Molly

What a fun and busy week we’ve had over here at Econobusters (and at home too)!  As we move into the weekend, I can’t help but think of all the possibilities that come with the weekend. It’s to bad weekends are so short because there’s lots I’d love to do.  My days are filled with daydreaming about summer gardens, landscape ideas, family campfires, grilling recipes and the assortment of repurposing projects swirling around in my mind.  Repurposing is at the heart of every frugal family, don’t you think?

We don’t have anywhere to be this weekend so we’re looking forward to some family fun!  Saturday is ‘game day’ in our home so the children are actively discussing which games to choose for tomorrow’s game tournament.  We have quite the competitive bunch!

We may choose a family movie for one night.  Do you have a Netflix membership? Or do you take advantage of Redbox movies?  If Redbox isn’t available in your area, do you take advantage of library rentals?  All of these are frugal choices compared to going out to see a movie at the theater or purchasing a New Release from the store.

We may also grill out for tomorrow’s lunch.  I have a nice round steak thawing in the refrigerator just waiting for a marinade.  A favorite I like to use is a combination of olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, raw garlic and steak seasoning.  I will cut the round steak in strips today and add them to the marinade to rest in the fridge overnight.  Tomorrow we will grill them up and enjoy them in fajitas for lunch.

What’s in store for your weekend?  Do you have any frugal projects you’re working on?  If you’re traveling, how do you make frugal choices for your family while on the road?  Enjoy your weekend, see you back here bright and early Monday morning!

Family weekends work for me! To see more Works For Me Wednesday tips visit: We Are That Family.

Guest Blog by: Midge

My friend and I had a little time to stop and chat while her three year old played at our indoor mall play area.  One of the reasons we love to go to the mall is because it is free and a safer area than most in town for the toddlers to play.  It was a mildly busy day as we sat side by side with our little babies on our lap.  Sarah, my now almost nine month old little girl, was actually asleep in the cutest position resting on my arm.  And while my arm was getting tired, I was apt to just let her sleep there a bit longer.

Those are the days that I revel in being a mom.  From the sweet smiles my daughter gives me to the “firsts” that she is bound to make, I find motherhood is full of glory and glorious moments. The free online dictionary gives this definition of “glory” in definition #7 as “a state of extreme happiness”.   My friend’s son was even happily gurgling on her lap as she bounced her knee up and down.  Happiness was the theme of the morning!

Then, it happened.  The children were running, jumping and generally, creating havoc that only little kids can make.  This is all normal for a Tuesday morning at the play area.  The mom next to me was having a quiet conversation with her husband when her son ran up to her and said, “Momma, my tummy hurts…”

You can guess what happened next, that play area cleared out faster than a herd of buffalo being chased by wolves.  Of course, I had more difficulty moving since my daughter had caused my arm to fall asleep.  But, in my own way, I was grateful in being slow that day because of the following beautiful scene that opened up in front of me.

The little boy was crying really hard and reached up to his mom to get her to hold him.  This gladiator momma, who must have had a stomach made of steel, fought against the urge to push him away and instead held him gently (and carefully) in her arms as she headed to the nearest bathroom.  I heard through the tears and the small snorts, four little words, “I need you, momma” as they walked by me.

I finally willed my arm to move as the janitor made his way to the play area.  With Sarah safely settled in her stroller, my friend and I began our long walk back to our vehicles.  My friend’s little guy was remarking about the situation and she was busy explaining, in toddler language, what happened.

But, in my mind, I drifted away from their conversation.  I began to think of all of the yucky things that we momma gladiators have to face in this life.   Yet even in those moments of grime, there is glory.

One of my favorite Bible verses talks about God quieting us with his love and rejoicing over us with his singing Zephaniah 3:17 … it always reminds me of being a mom and singing over our little ones when there is sadness or sickness.

What are some of your favorite “frugal” places to take your children to play?  Do you have indoor mall play areas where you live or perhaps an indoor quiet fun place at the library?

I have a tip today for making your own no tangles spray for long hair. When my daughter was little she had long straight hair. It would tangle easily and combing through could take a while and produce many tears. I bought commercial no tangles spray and then one day, I read about making my own.

I simply take an empty squirt bottle that you can pick up at any dollar store or box store. Another idea if you already have no tangle spray in your house is to re-use that bottle.  Then I take hair conditioner, fill the bottle about ¼ full and add warm water to fill the rest of the bottle. Shake it up, label the bottle and it is ready to use.  Any conditioner works for this and you certainly can adjust the ratios as needed. Just beware that if you have too much conditioner, hair can look greasy quickly. I have had no trouble with this “going bad” and we use it until it is gone and then make more.

What are some DIY hair products you like to make and use?

If you get my weekly newsletter, you most likely read Midge’s dilemma with over-packing for a weekend getaway (if you don’t get my newsletter be sure and subscribe via the sticky note in the upper right corner of the blog). Here are a few thoughts I had regarding her packing problems:

When traveling, the easiest thing to pack is samples of baby supplies such as diaper cream, lotion, baby soap, etc.  You probably received some while in the hospital and if you watch the mail, there always seems to be yet another sample of something in a magazine or with baby coupons.

Depending on your getaway destination, the following checklist offers some great tips on things NOT to forget. Of course if you pack everything on this list, you may end up in the same dilemma as Midge.  Be sure to pick and choose exactly what will be appropriate for your trip.  Is an umbrella really necessary in mid-January?

It’s also a good idea to have an emergency ‘stash’ of baby items in your car.  You could store these in a small bin, resealable bag or even a recycled ice cream container.  Your stash might include things like: a few diapers, travel size wipes, sunscreen, insect repellent, a onesie (or season appropriate change of clothes), snacks, pacifier and/or a small toy. Having this small stash of extras in your car will safeguard you in the event of a forgotten diaper bag or a baby mishap (we all know what the results of a diaper blowout can be!).

And always remember to bring your wallet because unless you’re planning a weekend backpacking in the mountains, there will most likely be a store close by in case you need something.  Pack with purpose and enjoy your trip!