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Don’t you just hate when you are cooking only to have the water to boil over the pot and make a mess? This one little trick will keep your water from boiling over, and you will wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself!

To prevent your water from boiling over, just place a wood spoon across the top of the pot!

As the water bubbles up, they will pop and stay under the spoon! Genius!

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How to Easily Clean your Washing Machine!

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15 Uses For Leftover Food Scraps

As easy as it can be to throw away items like orange peels and veggie scraps, they actually have a few uses before they get tossed.  Check out this list below of 15 food scraps that can be re used and re purposed before being discarded. It’s not only a great way to re use items it can save you some money on the way!

1.  Citrus Exfoliation Scrub: Orange peels and lemon peels can be used to make a invigorating scrub!  Just mix a few peels with items like sea salt or coffee grounds, then apply to skin and scrub! This will help remove dead skin and can make your skin extremely soft!
2. Cucumber Bath: Toss some cucumber peels in the tub next time you decide to take a bath! They can help to soothe dry skin.
3. Banana Peel Shine:  Did you know you can shine your shoes with a banana peel? Rub the peel on the outside of the shoe to get a great shine and buff with a clean cloth
4. Avocado Pots:  If your short a mini planter, you can use the shell of an avocado. This DIY planters are not only biodegradable but they will help little seedlings get started.
5. Eggshell Slug Repellent:  Use crushed eggshells in your garden beds to make slugs stay away!
6. Lemon Freshener: Boiling lemon peels can make your house smell fresh and clean. Feel free to add vanilla extract, spices or even lime peels to get a stronger scent.
7. Flavored Vodka: With different types of fruit peels, you can create your own flavored vodka. Simply add the peel of your choice and let it sit for 5-7 days.
8. Orange Stove Cleaner:  After you have juiced a orange or lemon, sprinkle some salt on the half and use it to clean the stove. It makes a great cleaner and scrubber to get those stubborn splatters off.
9. Jams: Rinds from different citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemon and orange make great ingredients for jam.
10. Veggie Stock: Leftover veggie scraps can make a great base stock for soups and stews. The best part is you can freeze it for use later.
11. Croutons: Leftover bread? Might as well make your own croutons and save some money by not buying store bought 
12. Cantaloupe Face Wash: Next time you cut up a cantaloupe save the rinds.  You can use them to wash your face and it will leave you feeling restored and refreshed.
13. Melon Juice: Watermelon rinds make for a great juice. Blended with ginger this can make a very healthy drink and give you a boost of energy.
14. Serving Bowls: You can create a serving bowl for your next party out of anything from a pumpkin shell to a emptied out watermelon.
15. Onion dye:  Next Easter boil your eggs with some onions to end up with beautiful orange and yellow dyed eggs.

5 Homemade Headache Remedies 

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DIY Play Slime For Kids!

With the last few days of summer hanging around, there is still time to do a fun DIY project with the kids. We all remember what it was like to play with play dough and play slime way back when, so why not let our kids in on the fun as well? This homemade play slime is super fun and easy to make and the best part is you can include the kids in the creation and the play process.

Check out the great recipe below and start the fun by making your own  DIY play slime:

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I can’t stand a dirty kitchen. The crunch of tiny crumbs underneath my feet, dried cheese on the counter, and leftovers stuck in the dish drain. It’s enough to make me crazy, and I’d rather avoid the mess than tackle it before another meal is made, and another catastrophe created.

With 3 meals a day, plus snacks, keeping the “heart of the home” clean is certainly exhausting, if not almost impossible!

But with a little forethought, elbow grease, and discipline, we can turn the unavoidable into a welcome site, and an all-consuming mess into just another part of the daily routine.

Before you start

1. Begin with a clean slate.

First step, is to clear all the dishes out of the sink, wipe down the counters, put cereal boxes and other snacks away, etc before you even start to put any ingredients together for a meal.

I know I can’t so much as think when I’m surrounded by mess and clutter, so take a few moments to put the kitchen to rights and move forward. You’ll feel so much better!

2. Set kitchen limits and assign responsibilities.

From here on out, decide who is “allowed” to make meals and mess around in the kitchen. If you want to keep things the way you like it, you may have to consider instituting a “no-work-zone” for the husband, and kids who are old enough to start getting their own snacks.

This also means that you will be doing a lot more work, but the trade off may be worth it if you enjoy a clean kitchen!

If your husband does offer to do the dishes, or the kids are willing to make their own snacks, make sure they understand a few rules first.

• Is there a specific way you like the dishes washed and put away?
• Do you require all crumbs to wiped up on the counter before someone leaves with their snack?
• Should items be left in the sink, or placed in the dishwasher after meal time is over?

Set these expectations now, so the entire family knows what to expect.

During meal prep

3. Keep a garbage bowl handy.

You can go through quite a few dishes when making a meal, and instead of throwing everything into the sink, I like to keep a bowl right beside me to collect spatulas, measuring cups, and small bowls.

I might need to use a couple of those spatulas again, and if I throw them in the sink, they are immediately dirty in my book. But if they are resting in a bowl I had been using for the current meal, I’m more likely to grab it again and save myself some after-dinner dish duty.

There are some TV chefs who will throw everything in the bowl from egg shells to butter wrappers, but I prefer not to. The garbage is usually close by while I’m working, and I’d rather not dig out all the actual garbage later.

4. While dinner is cooking, start cleaning and putting items away.

If the meal doesn’t require a full set of eyes every minute, you can use this time to start putting your kitchen in order again.

Place ingredients back into the pantry, start loading the dishwasher, and even wash a few items to leave in the dish drainer while you eat. It’s definitely less overwhelming if you tackle this in bits and pieces, rather than saving everything until the meal is over.

After dinner rush hour

5. Define who does what.

Avoid the family’s mad dash away from the dinner table by setting those expectations we talked about in point #2. If you don’t mind cleaning up after everyone, that’s fine, but make sure everyone knows that.

If you prefer each family member take their dishes to the sink, rinse them off, and put them in the dishwasher, then let them know that too.

6. Decide what has to be done for the kitchen to be “acceptable”.

• Do all the dishes have to be washed and put away?
• The table and counters wiped down?
• A spotless stove?
• New dishcloths and towels put out?

Determine “good enough”, and then don’t fret about the rest. Mentally work your way through the after-dinner routine, and don’t be afraid to let a casserole dish soak in the sink until morning. The key is to not let it sit there until the smell becomes your unpleasant reminder.

Even if you’re not an avid foodie, and don’t particularly enjoy working in the kitchen, you can still set some sort of routine that works for you and your family.

Meal prep doesn’t have to be painful, and you might actually find yourself having fun without the worry of a disaster-zone kitchen!

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Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Ants

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Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Ants

Now that summer has arrived, so have the ants! They start showing up one by one, and before you know it you have a colony roaming around your house and no way to get rid of them. There is some traditional methods for getting rid of ants such as sprays and traps. But what if you want to get rid of them without the use of harsh chemicals? Well look no further! Check out the list below to find out how to get rid of pesky ants the natural way:

1. Baby Powder:  You can dust this directly on to the ants when you see them and at all entry points where you think they might be entering.
2. Cucumber Peelings: Leave cucumber peelings in the areas where ants appear, these peelings are toxic to ants and will ward them off.
3. Vinegar & Water Wipe: Wipe down any surfaces where ants appear. Counter tops, tables,  and even cupboards. They dislike the smell of vinegar, ultimately keeping them away.
4. Bay Leaves & Cloves: Another smell related trap for the ants. They’ll stay away from the smells they hate most!
5. Coffee Grounds: These can be spread around your house, but the best place for the grounds is the garden. It will keep your flowers and plants ant free!
6. Chalk:  Draw chalk lines from there point of entry. They will avoid it like the plague!
7. Lemon Juice: Dabbing lemon juice around doors and windows can keep ants away.
8. Baking Soda & Powdered Sugar:  If your looking to do more then keeping ants away use this little mixture to kill the small intruders! Mix 1 part baking soda with 1 part powdered sugar. The sugar will attract them and the baking soda will kill them.
9. Cinnamon: Using this in the powdered form or in an essential oil spray can do wonders for keeping ants away and is easy to clean up.
10. Cornmeal: This is best used out on your deck to get ants away from your patio or garden area. Just sprinkle cornmeal in high traffic areas.

How To Clean Your Hood Fan

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How To Clean Your Hood Fan Quickly

Personally, I find my hood fan is the first thing to not only get dirty in my kitchen, but it also shows the most dirt out of anything else. Whether there is a build up of grease or stray dust collecting on top, it can be a hard appliance to clean and keep clean.  Luckily, there is a quick and easy way to clean your hood fan and it will leave you with sparkling results! Check out the quick solution below and find out how to quickly clean your hood fan:

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3 DIY No Slip Hangers 

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3 DIY No Slip Hangers 

It can be really frustrating to get all your clothing hung up in the closet, only to have those items slipping off the hangers the next minute and landing on the floor.  So how do you solve this problem? You could go out and buy special hangers that not only cost a lot more than normal hangers or you could make your own! There are 3 different ways to make DIY no slip hangers, check them out below and make yours today!

Pipe Cleaners: Pipe cleaners can be added to hangers to make them non slip. Just wrap the pipe cleaner from the corner of the hanger and keep wrapping until you have done the whole thing. This will stop clothing from slipping off and is a very inexpensive way to solve the problem!

Elastic Bands: Simply wrap an elastic band around the end of each side of the hanger to make the clothes stay put.

Glue Gun: Draw a small line of glue on the top of each hanger and let dry and cool.  Make sure to make the line thick enough to keep clothes from falling off. The best part about this method is it is easily hidden from the outside looking in!

Kitchen Organization Ideas

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I always feel like I need to have my kitchen organized the most out of anything in my house. Since I cook a lot of recipes in it, I want to make sure I know where everything is, it all fits and I can find things quickly.  If it’s not organized. cooking and baking takes twice as long and stresses me out.

With that being said, below are tons of really smart ideas on how to organize your kitchen! Enjoy..

Don’t forget to check out my post on 20 DIY Cleaning Recipes, Tips and Tricks! And, 6 Steps to a Clean and Productive Kitchen.

(Photo Credit, source & to see directions: My So Called Home)

Use a cabinet door to hang your measuring cups…there is nothing worse than searching for a measuring cup when in the middle of making a recipe.

(Photo Credit, source & to see directions: My House, My Home)

Use plastic bins (buy at the dollar store) to organize tupperware…smart idea!

(Photo credit, source & to see directions: Everyday Organizing)

Labels…it may seem tedious but when things are labeled, you know exactly where to put things every time AND that in return means you will be able to find things easily too. Plus, after putting things away in their “spot” for some time, you will get use to EXACTLY where everything is in your kitchen.

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Pinterest)

Love this idea because I hate when I can’t find lids or they all come flying out when you just want one! Use a drying rack and basket to make this lid organizer!

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Martha Stewart)

Use a lazy susan, turn table in the fridge! I love this idea because how many times have you thought you didn’t have ketchup or something but it was actually hiding in the back.

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Martha Stewart)

I needed a funnel the other day and kept trying to roll a piece of paper but it would constantly come undone. So, keep some envelopes in a drawer and if you need a funnel, cut a triangle out of it diagonally and then a large opening in the corner and that’s it!

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Martha Stewart)

Buy some mini tension rods and put them in a cupboard or pantry to utilize the space better…plus things are easier to pull out and put away.

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Simcoe Street)

I love these bins because since they are open in the front, you can easily see what’s inside of them. Once again, these can be found at a dollar store or even Walmart.

(Photo Credit source, & to see directions: My House, My Home)

If you have a lot of mugs, plastic cups or even baby bottles, etc then you may want to try out this idea. You can hang this on a door (like the pantry). This is just a shoe holder but can be used for many other things.

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Organizing Home Life)

If you don’t have a lot of mugs then you may want to use that same idea from above (shoe holder) to store kid’s snacks, seasoning packets, etc!

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Goodbye House, Hello Home)

Another smart fridge idea…Use tubs to organize you fridge. The great thing about these is that if a piece of fruit or something spills, you can easily pull it out and give it a wash! You really should be cleaning your fridge often so this makes it much easier and looks better.

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Domestically Speaking)

If you don’t have this in your kitchen, I highly recommend it! It’s a great place to store sponges as well as sink stoppers.

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Girl Loves Glam)

The kitchen is a great place to put this board organizer. You can keep your schedule on it, weekly meal planner, receipts, to do list, etc! As an added bonus, it looks super cute.

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Kevin & Amanda)

Talk about utilizing space well! You can get these Pan holders/organizers on Amazon! What a smart idea!

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Fabulously Organized Home)

Believe it or not, (I still choose not to…you should see my drawer  :-?) you CAN have an organized junk drawer…Just find some little baskets that fit in your drawer and that’s it!

(Photo credit, source & to see directions, Fab n’ Free)

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10 Simple Sunburn Remedies:

With summer in full swing, sunburns become a common risk that can affect everyone and really put a damper on your day. The good news is that a sunburn can be easily taken care of and most times you can use items from around your house to soothe the pain.  Check out 10 ways to survive your sunburn this summer below:

1. Soak It: A good way to soothe sunburn pain is to soak the affected area in cold water. Alternatively, you can use a cold compress but only do this for 15 minutes.
2. Tea Compress: Green tea isn’t just for drinking anymore, it can be used to soothe your burn. Soak a hand towel in cooled green tea and apply directly to the burn.
3. Veggie Rescue: Using sliced vegetables such as cucumber or potato and rubbing them against the sunburn can really help. They contain ingredients that will help cool the burn.
4. Aloe Treatment: The number one sunburn recovery product is definitely aloe vera. You can either use aloe leaves directly from the plant or buy aloe vera in store and apply directly to your burn.
5. Ibuprofen:  Taking two Ibuprofen when you discover a sunburn can help bring down swelling and help to dull pain.
6. Milk Cloth: Did you know milk is a great help when it comes to a sunburn? Soak a cloth in cold, cold milk and apply it to skin for 20 minutes.
7. Avoid Makeup: If you have burnt your face and neck, try to avoid makeup for a few days. Your skin will heal faster and feel much better without any added products.
8. Loose Clothing: When you are suffering from a burn, avoid tight clothing. Loose, natural fiber clothing can help to avoid irritation of the burn and will help it to heal at a faster rate.
9. Vinegar Bath: It may sound funny, but adding two cups of vinegar to your bath can seriously help soothe and heal your sunburn. It will cool the skin and act as a antiseptic
10. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is one of the oldest remedies in the book for sunburn care. Applying cold oatmeal or a oatmeal infused lotion to your skin can relieve pain and swelling.

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Dry skin and oily skin remedies

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Quick  Fixes For Dry & Oily Skin

Anytime of year can be really tough on your skin. In the summer we are fighting things like sunburns, oily skin and sweat. Then comes winter where we are trying to avoid the dreaded case of  dry skin and cracking. By giving your skin a little love on a regular basis, you can handle all weather conditions and have beautiful shining skin all year round! Check out the two below recipes to fight dry skin and oily skin using household products, the best part is they don’t take very long to do and the results are great!

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8 Reasons To Drink Lemon Water In The Morning

Water is the number one beverage that we should be drinking everyday, multiple times a day. But what about in the morning when you need a boost? Or something a little more exciting than plain water? Well as the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemon water?! Well maybe that’s not how it goes but lemon water in the morning is extremely good for you and comes loaded with benefits for your whole body. Check out the 8 reasons why you should be drinking lemon water in the morning:

1. Skin: Lemon water can do wonders for your skin. A glass or two every morning can keep your skin clear and glowing and will keep up your overall hydration.
   
2. Weight Loss: Want a super easy way to promote weight loss? Lemon water is a great stepping stone when you are trying to lose some pounds. Having a glass will help you fight hunger cravings and eat less over all.
3. Immune System: Lemons on their own are a packed with great nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. These factors will help you fight oncoming colds and keep your immune system running strong.
4. Digestion: Lemon water is known for helping with your digestive tract and loosening toxins.  It also can help ease symptoms of burping, bloating and heartburn. 
5. Energy Boost: A great benefit of having lemon water in the morning is you will gain some energy! Once the lemon water is in your digestive tract it will boost your energy and has also been known to help enhance your mood throughout the day.
6. Healing: Lemons (Vitamin C) have anti-inflammatory properties that will help your body heal faster. It can help if you’re trying to fight stress or trying to heal a wound.
7. Cleansing: Lemons are also known for their cleansing attributes when it comes to your liver, kidneys and blood.  By cleansing these parts it will help with energy levels and will make you feel great!
8. Breath Freshener: Lemon water can be a great tool for freshening breath! Having one glass in the morning can reduce bad breath and if you do this every morning it can reduce body odor over time.

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DIY Glue

As we head back into the school season, we start getting prepped with pencils, binders, papers and much more! But what about white glue? Sure you could buy store bought glue and go on your way, but if your feeling more creative this DIY is perfect for you! It doesn’t take more than 5 minutes to whip up a batch of homemade glue and with the simply ingredients it costs almost nothing to make.  This would not only be great for back to school, it could also make a great gift when packed in a pretty container! Check out the DIY glue instructions below:

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I spent some time…actually a lot of time at Dollar Tree and scoped out the “Good” and “Bad” buys. I also asked for YOUR opinions on the Raining Hot Coupons Facebook page and so many of you gave me some great tips on items you love and items you don’t really care for from Dollar Tree. Thank you all for your tips. Below you will learn what to spend your money on at Dollar Tree (this may apply to other dollar stores as well since they all kinda carry the same stuff). Enjoy…Also, I would love to read any other tips you have in the comments!  🙂

I am going to break it down into categories and different sections of the store. 

Household Cleaning:

Things to Buy:

• ANY of the L.A.’s Totally Awesome products – I had a TON of readers says that they are like magic. The spot remover works awesome and the oxygen power cleaner works as good as the other expensive brands. I recently purchased the Orange cleaners from them and it really is wonderful and quite awesome.  😉
• Fabric softener – believe it or not, this stuff smells great, comes in a big bottle for a buck and is perfect for refreshing couches, rugs, and even pets!
• The Works cleaner – I have not tried this but a lot of readers swear by it. I can’t wait to try it!
• Palmolive Dish soap – there are often coupons available for these so you will get a great deal.
• Sun detergent or dishwashing soap – again, these often have coupons so keep an eye out and if a coupon pops up, you will score a nice deal.

Pass on these:

• Brooms – the handles often break on these
• Garbage bags – a TON of readers had negative things to say about the garbage bags, the rip and tear easily.

Health & Beauty:

Things to buy:

• Pregnancy Tests – these work really well and have always worked for me as well as all the readers who also recommended them! 
• 3 pack loofah sponges (these are perfect for kid’s baths)
• Hair bows, ties, bobby pins, headbands
• Shaving Cream – this stuff really does work and smells pretty good! I love it for just $1!
• Close-Up mouthwash – this is the only brand I would recommend (the others are not so great)
• Triple Antibiotic ointment
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Scotties tissue – these will often have coupons so you will get great deals
• Cotton pads
• Name Brand make-up – I have spotted Elf and Maybelline and once again Maybelline always has coupons!

Pass on these:

• Q-tips (this isn’t the brand but pass on them) they bend and are not strong and the cotton on the end is very fuzzy
• Off Brand Lotions
• Perfume and Cologne

Birthday Items:

Things to buy:

• Wrapping paper – I am shocked at how much wrapping paper has gone up in price so the $1 store paper is a great deal and you can get a few different designs!
• Gift Bags
• Cards
• Candles
• Streamers (these come with 2 so they are only $0.50 each!)
• Cups
• Birthday decor (party hats, balloons, invitations, favor bags, etc)
• Mylar balloons
• Tissue paper

Pass on these:

• Plastic utensils (they break easily although I do recommend the table liners which is in the same section)

Food and Candy:

Things to buy:

• Movie candy – stop by on the way to the movies and pick up the boxes of candy for just $1! You may be able to find these at Walmart for $0.97 but if you’re closer to a Dollar Store then you may want to stop there instead!
• Candy for Pinatas and Party favor bags – they have several bags of candy that have individually wrapped pieces so this is perfect for Birthday parties! For example, ring pops, suckers, avengers candy pieces and more.
• Popsicles – These have $1/1 coupons which makes them FREE!!
• Soda Pop – I love these, they are off brand but they are huge and perfect for Birthday parties. In my opinion they taste like Shasta.
• Popsicle Molds – a pack of 6 for just $1 – that’s awesome!
• Hormel Pepperoni – Once again, there are often coupon for $0.50 to $1 off which makes them only $0.50 or FREE!
• Drink mixes – these are fabulous, just add 1 to a water bottle and it flavors your drink…they even have sugar free.
• Seasonings – can’t go wrong for $1!

Pass on these:

• Check expiration dates on all the food items…sometimes they tend to have things that go past that date.  😐

Kitchen and Bath:

Things to buy:

• Tupperware
• Tubs and Bins for organizing
• Glass Vases
• Foil baking tins (perfect for Thanksgiving and way cheaper than other stores)
• 3 pack kid’s toothbrushes – there are often coupons that make the kid’s toothbrushes free and sometimes the come with travel cases and covers
• Bathroom Decor – for just $1, that’s a steal!
• Shower curtain – I have heard of people painting these and coloring them for the kiddos bathroom!
• Shower curtain hanging rings (not sure what they are called exactly but they hold up the curtain and are normally very pricey)
• Kid’s bubble bath – this stuff works great and lasts a long time!
• Hefty plastic bags – normally coupons for them which makes them a great deal
• Napkins – they come with a ton and work great
• Tupperware – can’t go wrong with these packs
• Mason Jars – you can do recipes in these, cookies jars, gifts, crafts and more!
• Plates, Cups, Mugs, bowls – this is great if you need to just get a few or want some variation in colors
• Kitchen Towels and Mits – look how cute these are in the picture above..I love the green and purple and for just $1!

Pass on these:

• Pie Tins (these are not good for baking because they tend to rust) ALTHOUGH, they are good for kids crafts and play.
• Candles – they don’t smell that good and even if they do in the store, the scent doesn’t last once lit in my opinion
• Coffee Mugs – I have heard from several readers that these leak and the lids don’t stay on
• Toilet Paper – this is usually very thing and doesn’t work all that well.  😳

Art and Supplies:

Things to buy:

• Large Activity Coloring books – these are very big and the kids will have a blast with them (some even have stickers)
• Teacher corner – there are great tools here for not only teachers but homeschoolers, preschoolers or just if you want to teach some fun stuff to your kids. They also have sticker books which would be great for chores!  😉
• Sewing kits with bags – $1…enough said!
• Pom poms, felt, foam board, craft supplies
• Safety pins – I hear these run out often so if you see them, snatch them up!
• Vinyl Decals for decorating and for kid’s rooms – these are SUPER cute and can totally change the look of room or bathroom for just $1…I say yes!
• Poster board

Pass on these:

•  Glue sticks – they tend to be dried out or dry out fast after opened
• Frames – these usually break when you are trying to even just put the photo in… see what I mean?
• Garage sale signs – I say no because you can easily look across the aisle and find the BRIGHT colored poster board priced at $0.69 then cut them in half and you’ve got 2 signs so just about $0.35 each instead of $1.
• Crayons – they don’t work… weird huh? No really, the color is super dull.
• Playdough – this stuff is usually dried out….if you find one that’s not, you’re lucky!
• School supplies – you can usually always get better deals from places like Staples, Office Max etc as long as you buy at the right time…starting in about July and August they offer $0.01 deals, freebies and more. Just watch Raining Hot Coupons and I post them all Summer long.

Miscellaneous:

Things to buy:

• 3 pack socks that makes each pair about $0.33 each!
• Disposal bags for when walking pets – you get a ton for super cheap
• Big bottle of Bubbles – lots of Summer fun with these!
• Flip Flops – now I can’t say these are going to last but I’ve found that most $1 flip flops anywhere you get them don’t last long. They are great for public pools, the beach, etc so you don’t have to worry about someone taking them.
• Puzzles – great for the kids or even party favors or Birthday party game gifts
• Pack of Littles Toys – I LOVE to use the packs of insects, glowing stars, dinosaurs, erasers, etc for Pinatas! They work out perfect because you get quite a few for just $1.

Pass on these:

• Toy Cars – these tend to be very cheap and break (the plastic is flimsy)
• Outdoor lights – this may seem like a great deal but they don’t last long at all
• Lighters – don’t really work long
• Goggles – the water seeps through  😐
• Batteries – don’t last
• Anything electronic – according to many readers opinions and my own, anything electronic never last long.

Hope that helps….do you have anything to add to the list?! I would love to hear….

How To Quickly Make Your Own Air Freshener 

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How To Quickly Make Your Own Air Freshener 

Do you ever find yourself buying countless air freshening products, only to find out they aren’t effective or you forget about them in the back of your cupboard? I know I have experienced this problem and with pets in the house keeping the air fresh is a must! But what do you do if products on the market don’t work for your house or you just find them overly expensive? Well, the next best thing would be to make your own, luckily there is a recipe for that! The best part about this DIY air freshener is that it actually works and only takes a few household ingredients to createit! Check out the instructions below to quickly make your own air freshener:

Ingredients:

• Small bowl or Jar
• 1/4 cup of Baking Soda
• 9 Drops of essential oils (Any scent you like)
• Tinfoil

Instructions:

1. Combine baking soda and oils in the container of your choice.
2. Mix well, until combined.
3. Cover container with tinfoil tightly and then poke a few holes in the top.
4. Your air freshener is ready to be used! Place anywhere in your house to combat odors.

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What an easy way to organize the loose ends in your kitchen! You can just get the magazine holders from Target, Walmart, The Dollar store, etc for just $0.50 – $1.00 and use them to organize baggies, foil, plastic wrap, etc. Then you can stick them in your pantry and that way you’ll have an extra drawer in your kitchen for more utensils and things that need to go in drawers.  😉 You can buy a 5-pack of super cute colorful ones on Amazon if you don’t want to leave your house…

DIY Febreze

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DIY Febreze

Febreze has always been a great tool for freshen up the house in a flash! But did you know you could make your own with products you have laying around the house? To start you will need spray bottle of your choice to put the mixture in. Simply add the combinations below into the spray bottle and shake it up! Make sure to do a quick spot test if you are using these combos on furniture. Check out the combos below and your house will be smelling fresh in no time:

Combination #1

1 Cup fabric softener of your choice
1 Cup white vinegar
2 Cups water

Combination #2

2 Cups warm water
1/4 Cup fabric softener of your choice
1 TBS baking soda

Combination #3

2 Cups water
1 Cup fabric softener of your choice

How To Keep Bananas Fresh

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How To Keep Bananas Fresh

Bananas are known to start getting ripe quickly after you buy them and sometimes only end up lasting a few days. I know for me when they start to ripen at a fast pace I generally throw them in the freezer to keep them for baking. However, I love to have fresh bananas around the house, so it was a matter of finding out how to keep them fresh for a longer period of time. Below I have listed a few methods that work to keep your bananas fresh for longer than a few days! Check it out:

1. Wrap the stems with saran wrap while they are sitting on your counter.  This prevents the gases that bananas give off from ripening your bunch of bananas. Now this won’t stop the process completely but it will seriously help lengthen the life of your bananas. Another way to do this is to separate your bananas and wrap each stem separately. 
2. You can also do the same process above but use tinfoil instead. This will essentially do the same thing and keep your bananas fresh for a few days.
3. Storing your bunch of bananas in a warm place is also another great way to slow the ripening process. If you were to store them somewhere like the fridge you would have black bananas before you could blink an eye. I find keeping them at room temperature on my counter top does the trick and keeps them nice.
4. Hang them on banana hanger.  Hanging them will prevent bruising from forming on the bottom and will preserve them nicely till your ready to eat them.

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Did you know that you can use those Over the door hanging shoe racks to store all kinds oF things (other than shoes)!? I bet you may not have thought about that, but these work GREAT! You can store everything from your stock pile of ketchup to jewelry and make-up!

I am currently using a few around the house and this one is for my kitchen items. It’s currently holding honey, vitamins, apple butter and more.

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How To Easily & Quickly Clean Leather Furniture 

Leather furniture is common when it comes to picking out couches and chairs, but sometimes it can be hard to keep clean. Well, that will no longer be a problem with DIY leather cleaning recipe! It’s not only safe to use around pets and kids, it is a completely natural and a homemade product. It can be used on pretty much any leather surface including jackets and car seats and it will give it you a nice, shiny results. Check out the simple instructions below to  easily and quickly clean your leather furniture.

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How To Clean Stainless Steel With Flour

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How To Clean Stainless Steel With Flour

Stainless steel can be a tough thing to get clean and keep clean. It is one material that tends to show smudges and residue the most, so what is the best way to get it clean? Well, using a store bought cleaner is an option, but what if you want to take a more natural approach? Well, that is easy to do as you can clean stainless steel with one very common household item. Check out the instructions below to learn how to clean stainless steel with flour:

Materials Needed:

• Flour
• Rag

Instructions:

1. Apply flour to a dry cloth, shaking off excess.
2. Working in a circle motion, buff the stainless steel with the flour and dry cloth. It should remove smudges and leave you with a sparkling surface.

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How To Clean Your Showerhead Overnight 

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How To Clean Your Showerhead Overnight 

Cleaning your shower is one thing, but have you ever considered cleaning your showerhead? Like most things grime and dirt can build up over time and become embedded into your showerhead. Luckily, there is a great way to clean and disinfect it without throwing a lot of elbow grease into it. This method of cleaning can be working while you are sleeping, allowing you to wake up to a freshly cleaned showerhead. Check out the process below and I bet you’ll be amazed at how clean it comes out!

DIY Cures For Bad Breath

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DIY Cures For Bad Breath

Maybe it’s something you ate at lunch? Or maybe you have suffered from bad breath for awhile. Either way there are quite a few simple natural remedies and food items that can help conquer bad breath quickly. Check out this list of DIY cures for bad breath below:

1. Parsley: Chewing on that parsley garnish that came with your meal can actually help clear your breath of smells lingering from your meal.
2. Cinnamon Sticks: These sticks aren’t just for your apple cider anymore! Take a bite of a cinnamon stick to kill the bacteria in your mouth.
3. Dill: Eating a little dill can mask the odor of bad breath quickly.
4. Water: Swish water in your mouth for about 20-30 seconds to clean your mouth and remove leftover food particles.
5. Cheese: It’s been proven that cheese can fight plaque and fight mouth odor. A few pieces of cheese is a great snack that will keep you full and your breath fresh.
6. Carrots: Grab a carrot next time your feeling self conscious about your breath, it will help get rid of the smell. Other options include celery and other fresh vegetables.
7. Cloves: Chew a few pieces of this spice to naturally enhance your breath.
8. Apples: An apple a day keeps the bad breath away? This is a great option for a mid day snack and breath freshener.
9. Lemon Herbal Tea: The lemon in the tea can mask bad breath and leave you with a sweet aftertaste.
10. Yogurt: Studies show that eating yogurt when you are experiencing bad breath can help fight bacteria and get rid of the odor.

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