Pantry Potpourri: Lemon Oil

 Pantry Potpourri:

Loving Lemon Oil

If you’re looking for a multi-use cleaning tool for your home, look no further than your pantry for a bottle of good old-fashioned lemon oil.  Beyond its’ luster enriching powers for furniture and other woods, lemon oil is an amazing cleaner and polisher with a variety of household uses.  As one of my pantry staples, lemon oil is an effective cleaner that won’t leave behind any waxy build while restoring that “new” and “clean” feeling to your home.  Here’s  few of my favorite lemon oil tips:

Polish Wood: Obviously lemon oils’ main use is to re-nourish and protect wood on furniture or cupboards.  It does and excellent job of providing a sheen to these otherwise lack luster surfaces in your home. In fact, most cabinets should be oiled at least once a year.  Lemon oil penetrates deep into wood grain surfaces to add moisture back into dried wood. Many lemon oils also now include a “sunscreen” to prevent the sun from fading your furniture. I use an old sock (marked with a black sharpie on the toe with a C for cleaner sock) or cut up old t-shirts to apply lemon oil to designated areas.  Old t-shirts work great for rags and I also save the neck hole and adjoining t-shirt fronts to make bibs for the kids – best bibs ever.  I love to re-purpose and re-use!

Clean Wood: I was thrilled when I received an old and well used piano recently.  I played for years growing up, but had not had a piano in my married life (something about my husband not wanting to move it more than once or was that ever?) So when this piano was offered to us I jumped at the chance.  As you might expect it was well loved, colored on, drawn on and pretty dingy and scuffed up.  However, a few wipes with a lemon oil rag and cleaner and now it looks almost new!  On heavily soiled surfaces lemon oil penetrates deep into the wood to loosen dirt and grime build up.  I simply applied a thin coat of lemon oil on a non abrasive cloth combined with a light spritz of all purpose cleaner/window cleaner and in one wipe my piano looked 10 times brighter in just minutes. If you have heavily soiled or painted surfaces try lemon oil and an all purpose cleaner together. The combination cuts many cleaning jobs in half - just make sure to spot test any questionable areas first to check for staining and do not use on high gloss woods.

Clean Showers: You may have never used lemon oil in the shower, but as the wife of a former tile installer I’ve learned how useful lemon oil can be in the bathroom.  If you’re looking to cut down on hardwater build up and water spots, use a VERY light coat of lemon oil applied after cleaning on shower stalls and fiberglass doors.  You don’t want anyone slipping on this stuff so make sure to wipe the walls and doors with oil and then wipe them again, this time with a clean cloth to remove the bulk of the oil residue. Never use lemon oil on shower or tub floors.  You just need a thin layer to allow the water to bead up and roll off.  Plus your shower will shine like never before!

Clean Sinks:  Do you have a stainless steel sink that has seen better days? Want it to look like new?  It can!  First clean your sink well, I suggest a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove stubborn rust and food stains.  Then, wipe down your sink with a light coat of lemon oil and check out your reflection.  Old sinks will look like new with this simple technique.  Plus the added bonus of a reduction in hardwater deposits and water spots as water rolls off the sink walls and down the drain go the stains! Most stainless steel household appliance surfaces will also glisten to new after a light coat of oil and without streaking.  And don’t forget to wipe sealed granite and marble countertops – they need a little shine too. Remember, lemon oil won’t leave any solvent or waxy buildup so it’s perfect for these areas.

Scuff Marks: Removing scuff marks from wood, tile and vinyl floors is a snap with lemon oil in your arsenal. Apply a small amount of oil to a non-abrasive cloth or sponge and gently rub to remove unsightly scuffs.  For difficult stains on non-wood floors, combine oil and all purpose cleaner for an easy and  effective clean – works like magic.  After the mark has been removed, just mop as usual to remove any excess oil.

Lemon oil is definitely a pantry must have!  It’s a great tool for easy cleaning and polishing all over your home, just remember a little goes a long way.  So, the next time you’re looking to add some shine to your home dulldrums, add a little lemon oil and be polish perfect.

Savvy How To: Printable Coupons

Savvy How To:

The Powerful Savings of Printable Coupons

Online printable coupons are an effective addition to Sunday newspaper coupon inserts.  Your grocery and retail savings will dramatically increase with just one click of a mouse.

Adding coupons to your weekly shopping trip can literally shave hundreds of dollars a month off your grocery bill. By cutting out coupons for products you use on a weekly basis and organizing them into an effective storage method, you arm yourself with savings. The best way to get multiple copies of manufacturer coupons is found in your Sunday newspaper each week.  Most newspapers allow readers to subscribe to more than one copy of the paper – often up to five Sunday-only copies.  And, multiple copy subscriptions are typically offered at special rates to save us couponers even more money!

If you're already maximizing your weekly manufacturer newspaper coupons and still want to save more, printable coupons are the way to go.  Printable coupons are free, besides the cost of printer ink and paper, and a great way to add to your savings portfolio.

www.coupons.com

Printable Coupon Sites: Websites like Coupons.com, Smartsource.com and Redplum.com offer a variety of printable coupons free for the taking. These coupons range in products and dollar values, and rotate every month. What’s here today may be gone next month or even sooner.

SavvyShopperDeals.com:  Good deal Web sites, like www.savvyshopperdeals.com, are a great way to find online coupons aggregated in one central location. At SavvyShopperDeals we show you how to best utilize online printable coupons and pair them up with great sales in our Shopping Wizard.  Find the best deals weekly at the stores you shop most! And don’t forget to check out the huge selection of local restaurant and retailer coupons. Before you think of heading out on a date — check with us for some sweetheart deals!

Grocers & Retailers: Most grocers and retailers have jumped aboard the printable coupon train and offer these coupons on their own Web sites. There you can find targeted store- and brand-specific coupons. Many offer coupons like save $5 when you spend $25.

Manufacturers: Is there a product for which you’d love to get a coupon? Just check out their homepage! Many product manufacturers list high-value printable coupons right on the front page of their Web site. It’s as simple as searching the Internet for the product and checking out their site – like the $10.50 in product line printable coupons found at www.armandhammer.com.

Printable Coupon Tips:

Download Coupon Installer: The first time you try to print a coupon online you will be required to download and install a “coupon printer.” This will allow you to print coupons from all printable coupon sites and only needs to be done once.  This printer allows you to print properly as well as prevent fraudulent coupon prints.  Just so you're aware it does this by installing spyware that monitors your cookies.  Nothing to worry about - just a fraud prevention tactic.

Coupon Limits: Most printable coupon Web sites allow a two-print maximum per coupon.  If 25 different coupons are available you may print 50 coupons, but only 2 of each like coupon.

Coupon Printing: Print your coupons in black-and-white and on recycled paper.  Changing your printer settings from color can really save on the cost of ink. Don’t forget to re-use all that computer paper with only a line or two of type.  It’s perfect for printable coupons!

Print Schedules: Don’t print coupons all willy nilly.  Print them when you’re ready to use them so they don’t expire. Once you’ve printed your limit, you’ll have to wait a few weeks to print the same coupons again. So, save the printing for great sales unless a high-dollar value coupon comes your way.  There are limits as to how many coupons are available to be printed in each market area, so these $2-$5 coupons might require an immediate print.

Don’t Photocopy: Though these printable coupons may appear easy to copy, DON’T. It’s illegal! You can actually be prosecuted for fraud if you photocopy coupons and even worse, in my opinion, you won’t be allowed to print coupons any more! There is an imposed limit of two as previously mentioned.  Stick to it — it’s more than enough to save you some big bucks!

Online printable coupons are an effective addition to Sunday newspaper coupon inserts.  Try your hand at printing a few of these offers this week.  Your grocery and retail savings will increase with just one click of a mouse. For more ideas on how to save money using coupons, visit www.SavvyShopperDeals.com and be sure to check out the Shopping Wizard each week for coupon match ups and amazing deals!

Pantry Potpourri: Dryer Sheets

Pantry Potpourri:

Dryer Sheets - It Just Makes Scents!

To keep your clothes smelling fresh and static free it’s likely you use some form of fabric softener with each load of clothes in your dryer. I love to store my surplus stock of dryer sheets in my laundry cupboards so those stinky socks and wet washrags don’t get the better of me.  I even make my sheets last longer by cutting them in half before using, as there is more than enough softener on half a sheet.  I hate to throw away a dryer sheet that still has some “life” left in it!  So, I’ve started saving my used and new sheets and repurposing them.  Did you know dryer sheets can be used outside of the laundry room for a variety of amazing alternate scentsible ideas?  Here’s a few of my favorites:

Garbage Can Odor Prevention: I tuck a laundry sheet under the garbage bag liner in each bathroom to keep the bathroom smelling clean for weeks!

Dresser Drawer Deodorant: I love to tuck half of a dryer sheet in a knee high stocking at the back of my sock drawer.  Love that dryer fresh scent each morning!

Shoe Patrol: Stick half of a dryer sheet in each smelly shoe to eliminate odor overnight.

Car Cleanup: Stick a dryer sheet under the driver’s side car seat to refresh your ride!  It also helps cover up the spoiled milk smell from my baby’s sippy cup accidents until I can wash the car seat!

Shower Door Scrubbers: If you have soap scum buildup on your glass shower door simply wet a dryer sheet and scrub the spots away.

Static Clean Quick Fix: Out of static control spray?  Just lightly rub a dryer sheet on the inside of dresses or skirts in a pinch for a static-free day.

Bug Repellent: Keep those mosquitoes from biting by rubbing a dryer sheet on your arms and neck. (Check for skin irritations first.)

Toilet Paper Freshness: Roll up a dryer sheet in your toilet paper tube. Every time you spin the roll you’ll get some added freshness in your bathroom. 

Listless Linen Closet Control: Tuck a new dryer sheet between an old washcloth in the linen closet to spruce up your sheets.


Suitcase Scents: When traveling tuck a used dryer sheet in a sock between items in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

Camping Check: Tuck a dryer sheet inside rolled up tents and backpacks to eliminate those embedded fire odors. Tuck a used dryer sheet inside sleeping bags for a good nights sleep on your next campout.  Dryer sheets are also a great bug repellant so the creepy crawlies won’t be snuggling you either! 

Using dryer sheets beyond the laundry room just makes “scents.”  Find a smelly spot in your home or office that needs some refreshing and add some dryer sheet love today! 

Cooking With Coupons: Potato Recipes

Cooking With Coupons:

Spud Savings

Potato, Po‒ TAW‒to ‒ anyway you say it, they're a pantry favorite! According to www.healthypotato.com “each year, there are more than 1 million acres of potatoes planted – that's like filling the whole state of Rhode Island with potato plants. It's the leading vegetable crop in the U.S. with a total production of 41.3 billion pounds.” This tuberous veggie is clearly prolific and conjointly inexpensive. It's easy to stretch a meal and your budget by adding potatoes to a dish. As one of the few “vegetables” I'll eat, my family eats potatoes regularly.  Here are a few of my favorite potato recipes:

Perfect Potatoes: (I have never eaten a creamier potato than when I learned this trick!)

In a large pot, cover uniform, medium-sized potatoes with cold water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat until fork tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

Drain the potatoes in a heat-proof colander and then return them, in the colander, immediately to the empty pan. Cover potatoes and colander with a dry kitchen towel. Let cool for 20 minutes and serve as a side dish with butter and sour cream or peel and dice for creamy potato salad.

Potato Smashers ‒ (Adapted from Kraft Food & Family)

8 small potatoes

1/2 cup water

4 slices crumbled bacon    

4 tablespoons Italian salad dressing

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Follow “Perfect Potatoes” recipe above or place potatoes and water in 2-quart microwaveable dish. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Let stand 5 minutes.

Drain potatoes. Press each potato with bottom of small bowl or saucer to flatten to 1/2-inch thickness.

Heat dressing in skillet on medium heat. Add potatoes; cook 4 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Turn potatoes over and sprinkle with cheese and bacon. Cover skillet with lid. Cook an additional 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Seasoned Baked Potatoes ‒ Thanks Mom E!

2 tablespoons Schilling Salt 'n Spice Seasoning

2 tablespoons Schilling Salad Supreme Seasoning

1 tablespoon season salt

1 tablespoon sugar

Vegetable oil

Mix dry spices in a sealable plastic bag. Lightly rub potatoes with oil and add potatoes to the bag one at a time ‒ shake bag to season. Bake at 350 on metal baking sheet for 1 hour or until tender.

How to Peel a Potato ‒ Dawn Wells/ Gilligan's “Maryanne”

How To Peel a Potato YouTube Link

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Score an uncooked potato all the way around the center in a full circle with a sharp knife. Add potato to boiling water and let boil for 15 minutes. Remove from water and drop into ice water for about 10 seconds. Gently pull potato skin from either side of the scored mark. Amazingly the skin will easily pull away!

No matter how you slice 'em, dice 'em, chip 'em or chop 'em, potatoes are always a great addition to the dinner table, and at a price that anyone can afford.

Walmart Price Match Policy

:: Walmart Price Match Policy ::

Store managers make the final decision in taking care of customers!

• Walmart does honor "Preferred Shopping Card" advertised prices.  Must be like items, be advertised and require a competitor's shopping card, for the discount to apply.

• Walmart does not honor advertisements that require a purchase in order to receive the advertised price or free product.

• Walmart does not honor "Buy One / Get One Free" advertisements.

• Walmart does not honor double or triple coupons or percent off advertisements.

• Walmart does not honor other retailers' "Misprinted" advertised prices.

• Walmart does not not honor Internet Pricing.

• Walmart does not honor competitor advertisements from outside of the store's or Club's local trade territory. (Each store determines which stores are "outside" of their territory.)

Walmart Price Match Policy Link

Walmart Coupon Policy

:: Wal-Mart Coupon Policy ::

Wal-Mart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):

• Manufacturer coupons (Cents Off)
• Free merchandise (or Buy-One-Get-One-Free) coupons
• Store coupons
• Pharmacy (Advertising and Promotional) coupons
• Internet coupons
• Soft drink container caps

The following are guidelines and limits:

* Wal-Mart only accepts coupons for merchandise we sell and only when presented at the time of purchase.

* Coupons should have an expiration date and be presented within the valid dates. Wal-Mart will not accept expired coupons.

* Internet coupons should be legible and say "Manufacturer Coupon." There should be a valid remit address for the manufacturer and a scanable bar code.

* Only one coupon per item is permitted.

* Use of 40 or more coupons per transaction will require approval by Customer Service Manager. (I love it when the have to call a CSM to my checkstand!  It means I've saved a ton of money!!!!)

Walmart Coupon Policy Link

Target Deals

:: Target Best Deal List ::

• Where can I find Target Printable Coupons?

• What is the Target Coupon Policy?

**Target Clearance Shopping Tips**

Markdown Schedule:

• Monday -- Infants department, Kids clothing and Electronics (maybe food also)

• Tuesday -- Women's clothing, Domestics

• Wednesday -- Men's clothing, Garden, Toys, Health and Beauty

• Thursday -- Lingerie, Shoes, Housewares, Sporting Goods, Luggage 

• Friday -- Cosmetics, Hardware, Auto, Home Improvement and Jewelry

Holidays:

All holidays except Christmas follow the 3-3-2 rule:

The first 3 days after the holiday are 50% off.

The next 3 days are 75% off.

The next 2 days are 90%.

After that it goes to salvage.

4th of July
July 5 = 50% off
July 8 = 75% off
July 10 = 90% off

Halloween
Nov 1st = 50% off
Nov 4th = 75% off
Nov 7th = 90% off

          Christmas
           Changes every year and can change by location

Always Check Endcaps for clearance!!!

Savvy How To: Drug Store Savings

Savvy How to: 

Drug Store Savings

         You may have never thought of a drug store as a great avenue to save money on groceries and household items, but the savings can be staggering!  Weekly ads for stores like, Rite Aid and Walgreens are teeming with rock bottom pricing on more than just prescriptions and personal hygiene items.  If you underutilize these savings venues, it would be fiscally wise to look again! So how do you maximize your savings and still stay in budget?  Learning the savings basics is simple.

         While it’s true that many national drug store chains pricing is higher than local grocers, most also offer loyalty/rewards programs with huge savings incentives!  As an example, Rite Aid offers a Single Check Rebate program which reimburses consumers for product purchases. These online rebates are one of the simplest forms of rebate programs as they do not require cutting and mailing UCPs.  You simply buy the advertised product, and even use a coupon when possible to lower your initial purchase price, visit www.RiteAid.com to enter basic receipt information all month long and request your refund at the end of each month.  You’ll get up to the full sale price, regardless of coupon savings, refunded at the end of the month in the form of a rewards check.  I call this a Money Maker!

In addition, Rite Aid offers seasonal Gift Of Savings rewards programs, which give consumers gift card cash for everyday purchases on top of all other promotional offers!  Did I say Money Maker yet? Plus, Rite Aid now offers Up Rewards coupons, good for cash off your next Rite Aid buys, with select product purchases, as well as printable Video Value Coupons which can be stacked with manufacturer coupons for double the savings!. 

         Walgreens also offers a rewards program they call Register Rewards.  These can be a little more complicated but also very rewarding! Instead of filling out an online form for reimbursement, Walgreens issues instant checkout register coupons with your purchase, which are good for cash off your next shopping order.  There are a few key rules to remember though:

#1. You can only get one Register Reward per promotion in a single purchase. You can get multiple Register Rewards in one purchase when you buy products from different promotions.

#2. You cannot use the exact Register Reward to pay for a product participating in the same promotion in a following transaction.  Ie... If you buy Olay and get a Register Reward you cannot use that Reward to buy another Olay product.

#3. You can’t use more coupons than products purchased and a Register Reward is considered a coupon.

It might sound difficult, but once you get your feet wet and try it you’ll find out how easy it is to save with this rewards program.

         Beyond rewards programs there are also a plethora of grocery and household products competitively sale priced each week.  Coupons are a must and can even be combined with in-ad store coupons.  If a store offers a non-manufacture coupon in their weekly ad or coupon booklet, most drug stores will allow you to stack a Sunday newspaper issued manufacture coupon on top of the store coupon and you’ll see double the savings! Stacking coupons this way definitely helps stretch your budget!

         My suggestion for implementing your drug store savings is to start with the basics - one store at a time.  Master the savings for each drug store before adding another store to your shopping list!  Make sure you pick up an in-store Rite Aid Single Check Rebate Guide or Walgreens Coupon Book each month and familiarize yourself with their contents.  Then, visit www.SavvyShopperDeals.com and check out the amazing Shopping Wizard, an interactive, detailed shopping list of the best savings at these and many other retailers to maximize your bottom line!  Saving at the drug store has never been easier!

My Two Cents: Valuable Life Skills

My Two Cents:

Savvy Skills

In my opinion the “Never put all your eggs in one basket” statement applies to life skills as well!  There is more than one learnable trade/skill which can be utilized to save money!  I’m always on the lookout to gain knowledge or learn new skills in an effort to do just that!  The best part?  The majority of money saving skills are easily learned!  Here are my top 5 simple skills you should learn to save money:

Men’s Hair Cuts:  I learned many years ago from my cosmetologist sister-in-law and mother-in-law how to give a men’s haircut!  With my husband as the guinea pig, and the receiver of several not so great cuts, (“Put some gel on it an no one will notice sweetheart! It will grow back soon.”), I have learned to successfully cut men and boys hair with ease!  Find a friend or a neighbor who cuts hair and ask them for some basic tips and invest in a Wahl haircutting kit.  These kits include guide clips and instructional videos that make cutting hair even easier! Practice makes perfect on this one and hair really does grow back quickly! At a low average of $10 a cut, plus tips, I have saved well over $400 a year cutting my own family’s hair!

Sewing:  I’m not talking about making dresses and quilting works of art.  I’m talking about the basics of sewing; Mending, sewing on a button, hemming.   I’ll be the first one to admit I’m certainly not a pro seamstress. But, knowing how to sew a straight line sure has saved me from throwing out articles of clothing that could easily be saved.  My mother is a great sewing resource!  I took Home Ec in high school and sewed a token skirt, but the best tips and tricks come from my mom.  If your mom isn’t a seamstress, family and friends are the next best thing.  And, check out your community schools!  Quite often, low cost basic sewing courses are offered through city programs!

Cake Decorating:  This one is fun as well as fundamental!  I learned how to decorate cakes about 15 years ago by attending 3 levels of Wilton Cake decorating classes at a local craft store!  I can now make wedding cakes, character cakes and decorate just about any dessert imaginable.  There’s nothing better than a smile on your child’s face at the sight of a much desired Dora the Explorer or Scooby Doo birthday cake. You can also use 50% off craft store coupons to reduce your out of pocket cost for decorating supplies! Spicing up a boxed cake mix is as easy as using the right frosting tips and pans and costs significantly less than a store bought cake.  I would also recommend using Wilton’s Bake Even Strips for perfectly baked cakes! Check your surrounding craft stores like Michael’s to find our decorating class scheduled and have a couple nights out learning this valuable skill.

Floral Design:  If you read last weeks column you know this one already!  I love to design floral arrangements and learning this skill has saved me money.  Arranging bouquets and centerpieces and even my own corsages for school dances saves me almost 75% of what a florist might charge.  A last minute celebration or sympathy arrangement is simple and cost effective as well – I can even use flowers grown in my garden!  You can even buy low cost vases at discount stores like D.I., Good Will or even yard sales. Again, check with your community school programs for low cost courses and learn to improve nature’s beauty!

Coupons:  Alright – so this one is a no brainer for me, I know.  But learning how to use coupons and shop smarter has been a life lesson I have now utilized to save literally thousands and thousands of dollars over the last 18 years.  Effective shoppers can easily cut their grocery bills in half and even save valuable time in the process!

Each of these life skills is truly easily learned but can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year when mastered.  Start learning something new today and see how much you can save! 

Savvy How To: Floral Design Savings

 Savvy How To:

A Bouquet of Savings

Happy Valentines Day! I truly love this amorous holiday; not because of expensive gifts and baubles, but for the flowers! (Now, lest you think my dear hubby only brings them on holidays or to mend fences - I must say he is as thoughtful as a woman could ask for and brings them often - and he's taken!) I love flowers, and have from my youth. I even helped support myself through college working as a florist. I have done weddings, funerals, dances and bouquets off and on for years. There is nothing like transforming what is already amazingly beautiful in nature to something even more spectacular.

However, one thing's for sure - they can be expensive and you want them to last as long as possible.
One way to cut costs is to buy pre-packaged "cellophane" bouquets from stores like Costco or other retailers and design your own arrangement. But whether they come already in a vase from the florist or as more of a do-it-yourself arrangement project, here are some of my favorite tips for preserving fresh flowers and even arranging them yourself!

Re-cut Flowers: If you have been given flowers that need to be vased, re-cut all stem ends under water before arranging. Cut approximately 1 inch from each stem. Cutting flower stems on a counter etc. can allow air to be sucked in and cause stem blockages (embolism), preventing vital water and food absorption. Immediately transfer flowers to a vase filled with water after cutting. (This should have already been done at the florist for pre-made arrangements.)

Cut Flower Stems: When cutting flower stems for arrangements make sure to cut the ends on an angle. Leaving stems with a "flat" cut can prevent full water absorption and the flowers can die prematurely from dehydration.

Use the Right Tools: A sharp knife - NOT SCISSORS, is the key to a successful cut! Scissors can crush stems and cause significant damage to stem structures, again inhibiting water absorption.
Remove Excess Foliage: Removing any leaves that will be below the water level is a key. If these leaves remain under water they will start the process of decomposition quickly. This promotes the growth of bacteria, which is the cause of those bad odors you may have experienced previously. But, even worse, the bacteria clogs stem ends and impedes water intake - thus leading to premature wilting. When removing excess leaves make sure to not scrape and damage the stem. Use your fingers when possible, instead of a knife.

Check Water Quality: Whether from a florist or arranged at home, water quality and temperature is vital! It is best to use clean, lukewarm water in floral arrangements. Warm water contains less oxygen and thus reduces the risk of air embolisms. Never use hot water! If you notice cloudy water and wilting flowers in your arrangement after three or four days, rinse and refill your vase again and even consider re-cutting the stems. You'll notice a quick improvement in flower quality!

Feed your Flowers: There are many home remedies for promoting flower life. Adding anything from mouthwash to lemon-lime soda can be used to extend the life of cut flowers. However, commercial preservative packets are readily found in almost all pre-wrapped flowers and also from florists and should be used when possible, as they are the most reliable in delivering an effective combination of ingredients.

Keep Away from Fruits & Veggies: Ethylene is a gas naturally produced by ripening fruits, vegetables and even flowers! However, too much ethylene is bad for flowers. To reduce ethylene absorption, keep fruits (especially apples) and ripe vegetables away from your floral arrangement.

Arrange Your Own: Arranging your own flowers isn't that hard! In fact it's as easy as making a triangle. The most basic shape of floral design is geometric and symmetrical. This will generally be a one-sided design and is the simplest to create. Just envision an imaginary triangular outline and fill in the space. First, fill your vase with any greenery you desire. Next, stage your main (and most expensive) flowers in three's when possible, one in each side of the triangle at staggered heights. It is not necessary to repeat all the remaining flowers in this "mirror" image. This would make your arrangement appear too unnatural. Last, add any "filler" flowers like Baby's Breath or Wax Flower. Try to re-create how flowers would grow in nature, grouped together with the smallest buds at the top and the fullest flowers near the base. 

Floral design can be very rewarding and ultimately save you money! Try these simple tips to extend floral life and create more beauty in your home!

Pantry Potpourri: Vinegar

Pantry Potpourri: 

The Sweet Savings of Vinegar

Vinegar, once the nectar of the gods, is a truly versatile product shoppers should add to their good buy list!  As an all-natural food, vinegar can act as a preservative, balance ph or add a little extra zing to your dish.   I always keep a supply of vinegar handy in my pantry for:

Surface Hard Water/Soap Scum Buildup: If your drains or other surfaces are blotted with water marks and soap scum, wet a paper towel or soak a sponge in white vinegar and apply to desired areas.  Let sit for 30 min - 2 hours.  Wipe and rinse those stains goodbye.  (Do not use on marble as it is too porous).

Showers/Faucet Buildup:  If your shower head or faucet is clogged with minerals try this simple fix: Remove head from the fixture, add to shallow container of vinegar (enough to cover the holes) and let soak for a couple hours or overnight if needed.  Wipe off any excess minerals and let the water run!

Dishwasher Fog: Easily remove soap buildup from your dishwasher by filling a glass cup of white distilled vinegar inside your empty machine and letting it run through a full cycle. Fill your dishwasher with cloudy glasses and plates, add another cup of vinegar and run through the cycle again to take off any unsightly dishware film. (Avoid using with bright colored plasticware - trust me on this one!  It can strip colors.)

Cloudy Vases:  Some narrow neck vases are difficult to run through dishwashers.  To remove any cloudy haze from these containers, fill with equal parts vinegar and water and let sit for a few hours.  Rinse and check out the sparkle!

Fruit Flies:  This past summer I had an "infestation" of fruit flies at my house after a day of peach jam making.  I thought I would lose my mind until I made this simple trap with vinegar!

Homemade Fruit Fly Trap:

1 bowl/bottle

Plastic Wrap

Bait (White or Apple Cider Vinegar or fruit juice)

Place a small amount of bait in the bottom of your container.  Seal tightly with plastic wrap.  Poke a VERY small hole in the center of the plastic - only big enough for a fruit fly to go in - (They can't figure out how to get out after they go in).  You can also roll a small piece of paper into a tight cone shape.  Secure with tape leaving a pinhead size hole in the bottom.  Again, the fruit flies cannot find their way out of the container. Sit back and watch them DIE!!! (I was a little angry about the whole thing as you can tell.)

Oven Grease: "To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge." - www.vinegartips.com

Buttermilk: In a pinch, add one tablespoon of white distilled vinegar to one cup of milk to make your own buttermilk! Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes to thicken.

AWESOME BBQ Beans/Dip: (Thanks "Mom E")

1 lb. Hamburger - Browned                             4 T. Liquid Smoke

2 T. White Vinegar                                           1/2 C - 1 C. Brown Sugar

4  15 oz Cans Pork & Beans                             8 Slices Crumbled Bacon    

1/2 c. Ketchup                                                  1/2 C. Sauteed Onions (optional)

(4) 15 oz Cans Drained Beans (Kidney, black or white)

Combine ingredients in slow cooker.  Cook on high for 2 hours or to desired temperature.  Serve as a side dish or with tortilla chips.

Vinegar truly is a pantry staple a household should never do with out!

Savvy How To: Social Media Savings

Savvy How To: 

Social Media Savings

 

As I sit here in my office typing, a coupon for a FREE package of Golden Double Stuffed Oreos (not chocolate! – thus my New Year’s Resolution of no chocolate for a year is safe!) is literally being mailed to my home!  FREE I say – FREE!!! How did I do it?  I simply became a fan of Oreos on Facebook!  A few clicks of the keyboard were all it took for my at-home cookie delivery. Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter etc… are an easy and unobtrusive way to share opinions and experiences all from the comfort of your own home. If you haven’t joined in, Social Media Networks are definitely a must in the next wave of retail savings and relatively simple to navigate. Granted, I am somewhat new to several social media networks and all the slang that accompanies them, but the savings I’ve seen can be tremendous!  Here’s a few of the ways I save money with Social Media:

 

Facebook:  It’s easy to be a fan of this friendly blog-style network.  You can add friends, post pictures and videos, chat with long lost classmates and save BIG on Facebook!  Once you set up your personal profile, making sure to update security settings as to who can view your information, you’re on your way to thousands of manufacture websites full of free products and coupons.  If there’s a product you love, chances are it’s got a Facebook page.  Use the search function to seek out the brand and click to become a fan.  All manufacturer Facebook printable coupon offers and product samples require you first become a fan before the appropriate links can be activated.  Check the top button bar for coupon or promotions tabs and enable live news feeds if desired.  You’ll be kept up to date on the latest and greatest for your favorite brands.  You can even share your coupon and free sample finds on your personal Facebook page with friends and family.  You can become a fan of savvyshopperdeals.com at http://www.facebook.com/savvyshopperdeals.

 

Twitter:  While at first I admit I found this network frivolous and silly – posting 140 character or less updates called “tweets” – I’ve since found it a useful tool in my savings repertoire! One of the things I love about Twitter is the ability to research hot topics by following other good deal bloggers. You can even set up a favorite tweets lists and follow your favorite deal finders all in one tab. Sharing your ideas with others in this streamlined medium allows you to instantly connect with other bloggers and websites that share your love of savings. Searching for keywords like “coupon” or “saving money” will lead you to a myriad of tweets overflowing with money saving tips and ideas.  Twitter couponing sites like @redplumeditor or @allyou regularly update their profiles with printable grocery savings and even money management articles bound to stretch your spending budget. One caution, “tweets” spread quickly, or as some say, viral – so once a great deal has been posted, your best bet is to jump on the bandwagon immediately to capture all the possible savings.  Connect with savvyshopperdeals.com at http://twitter.com/TheSavvyShopper.

 

Survey Websites:  Survey/research websites are popping up by the minute.  These sites allow you to communicate with other users in blog style posts to share your opinions on specific brand name products and campaigns.  The best part?  You get to try the products for FREE through coupons, samples and other exclusive offers.  A few of my favorites survey sites are www.VocalPoint.com and www.KraftFirstTaste.com.  New trial offers are posted regularly with free product coupons sent to your home, plus extra high value coupons meant to be shared with friends and family or even samples in the mail! The catch, and it’s only a small one, they ask you fill out a brief survey after trying the product and share your experience through trys and tells.  By helping spread the word about new products and brands you’ll be the first to taste test new products and all at no expense to you!  Signing up for these community trial programs is a savings worth trying!

 

SavvyShopperDeals.com:  With hundreds of savings offers, freebie finds and grocery savings forums, www.SavvyShopperDeals.com is the place to maximize your savings! We work hard scouring the sale ads and internet compiling savings data for thousands of brands and products all to save you time and money. Whether interacting with local shoppers to post hot savings deals or signing up for email savings alerts and Friday Freebies emails, you’ll find social media at it’s best at SavvyShopperDeals!  Search our forums for Grocery deals, product samples, amazing recipes, preparedness tips, entertainment savings and free meal offers and more.  For all the best deals and savings value, visit www.SavvyShopperDeals.com, your source for savings!