Homemade Liquid Hand SoapMake your own liquid hand soap or foam hand soap from soap scraps that normally go to waste!
Buy Meat in Bulk and DivideWe all know that buying meat in bulk is cheaper. I used to bring it home, divide it up into servings and re-wrap each serving. It cost me time and money for re-wrapping materials like plastic wrap or bags. Not anymore!
Mini English Muffin LoavesDo you like those English muffin toasting bread loaves that they sell at the grocers, but don't like the price?
Make a Seed Sprouter for SaladsSprouting jars are about $20 in your local healthfood store. Instead, pick up either a sheet or a pre-cut plastic needlepoint canvas from your local dollar or craft store and cut them to fit the top your Mason jar and screw on with the canning ring.
Check if Your Avocado is RipeAfter many mistakes I finally learned how to tell if your avocado is ripe to eat after visiting an avocado farm in California!
Save a Life with CPRI just returned from one of the most eventful shopping trips ever! As I was grocery shopping the PA announcement said "If there is anyone who knows CPR could you come to the back room". As a past employee of The American Heart Association, I went running.
Easy Pistachio Pie MonsterUsing simple instant pistachio pudding in a pre-made pie and decorate with dried fruit for a fun and easy October dessert!
Curried Apple BisqueGreat recipe for the coming Fall season! Apples bring in a sweet taste to a warming soup.
Epsom Salts for Inexpensive FertilizerInstead of purchasing multiple, or artificial/chemical, fertilizers we use Epsom salt for everything! A lot cheaper and simpler than the individual fertilizers for vegetables, flowers, and roses in particular. It is used in a ratio of 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to one gallon of water.
Homemade Hummus with Flavored Tortilla...With the price of hummus in the store, I decided to make some from scratch. Delish! I added a few finishing touches to some store bought tortillas to make the perfect snack at home.
Keep Avocados from Turning BrownTo keep your avocados from turning brown, seal them together with a cut onion. I have a little plastic container, but you can also place them in a ziplock bag. The onion will keep the avocado green longer!
Affordable Family ChristmasAs newly retired parents to three young adult children, we have decided as a family to reframe our Christmas into something more meaningful than gifts to us. Rather than buying and receiving expensive items that our young adult children can't afford (with college loans and life expenses), we are starting new traditions with our family. Maybe you might want to use one or two yourself!
Reusing Netted Vegetable BagsI always save my net vegetable bags and use them for a variety of things, like a safe dish, bathroom or even body scrubber. Or a kitty toy. For some reason, kitty loves to play with them!
Easy Ice Cream Shell CoatingJust 2 ingredients from your kitchen and in 15 seconds you can make an ice cream shell coating. It's healthier and inexpensive!
Little Snowmen Ornaments from Yogurt BottlesEverytime I drank one of the Dannon Drinkable yogurts this year I thought the bottles were shaped like little snowmen.
Luffa Pot ScrubberRather then using antiquated steel wool pads that rust and stick your fingers, I cut a slice of a new luffa sponge to use for a pot scrubber! It works great and doesn't shred apart! Luffa is also anti bacterial. A simple solution!
Ready Bacon AnytimeI see pretty expensive pre-cooked bacon in the stores now and decided to make it myself since I don't always have the time to make bacon for a quick, hearty breakfast.
Coin Purse for Broken Keyless RemoteMy keychain/car remote broke. The small end that had a hole that allowed the metal ring to loop through it broke so I couldn't hook the key ring to the remote anymore.
Used Tea Bag to Sprout SeedsRemove the staple and string and snip a tiny hole in your used tea bags and place your seeds inside. Keep moist and in a few days your seed will sprout. From there, you can place in a small pot or directly into your garden. No need to remove the bag. It will protect the young root from any disturbance and pests and break down naturally.
Healthy Snacks for Losing WeightFirst, learn what foods/snacks are your downfall and BAN them entirely from your home! Have these food items on hand for when cravings hit! Remember that the less processed a food is, the better it is for your health.
Keep Groceries Organized to Save...To keep my groceries organized so I know what I have and don't have, I have been doing the following:
Homemade Wool Dryer BallsHomemade wool dryer balls help dry laundry much faster, replace dryer sheets to soften and scent and help fluff clothes.
Sprouted Seeds from your Kitchen CabinetI always sprout seeds, especially in the winter. I add them to sandwiches, salads, soups, or even eat as snacks! I normally just use a mason jar with a piece or cheese cloth or a little screen material under the jar ring/cap to allow me to rinse and drain daily until they sprout.
Easter Basket ImprovedI wanted to create a healthier version of the Easter basket and came up with cutting out fruit with cookie cutter shapes and adding them on a skewer into a basket. This is great for young children, kids who don't need more sugar, and even an older person.
Car Frostbite Prevention KitAfter a dear elderly friend got frostbite after she was stranded on a highway in her car due to an accident that stopped traffic for hours during a snowstorm, I learned some items that every car should have during the winter.
Carry Jewelry in Pill CaseWhen taking a trip or going away from home, I use a pill case to stash my rings, earrings and necklaces. They stay safe and separated!
CD Case Plant DisplayUse a spare CD case, add some soil and a seed, close it and leave it by a bright window. A pretty plant will sprout and grow! Great for a child's learning project or even a pretty, natural window ornament!
Picnic/Patriotic CheesecakeA simple cheesecake recipe with a cute, country theme for the 4th or other parties!
Crust Cover from Metal Pie PlateAfter wasting countless strips of aluminum foil just to cover my pie crusts when baking, I tried cutting up an old aluminum pie pan to place over my pie crusts while baking. It worked!
Fingerprint Guest Book PictureThis easy project is a wonderful wedding reception memory. Instead of signing a guest book, guests are invited to make their thumbprint on a picture of a tree.
Christmas ChandelierI spiced up my dining room light by adding a homemade wreath to the bottom of it. It was simple and cheap and I think it looks nice and homey!
Homemade Seed SprouterI made a seed sprouter to sprout my own seeds for my salads, plus I always sprout my seeds before I plant them in my garden. This reduces the need to wait to see if my seeds will start growing, then weeding out others.
"Reasons I Love You" for Mother's DayI created this for my Mom for Mother's Day but I have also done for anniversaries and I even a friend or child's birthday! It is a personalized book dedicated to someone with REASONS you love them. For example, if it's Mom's 50th birthday, write down 50 reasons why you love her!
Log Bird FeederMy husband drills various sized holes into a white pine log for me and adds a simple hook so I can put my kitchen food scraps, fat cut from meat, and rolled in seeds or stale bread with peanut butter.
Coupon Clipping Takes OrganizationI have clipped coupons for over 36 years now and I have saved thousands of dollars in grocery costs! I fondly remember one shopping trip I took where the total was $300 before my coupons and $30 AFTER! It felt fantastic!
Crock Pot YogurtThis recipe makes inexpensive and easy yogurt in your crockpot at home. Basically; you heat the milk to 180 degrees, cool it to 110, add a bit of plain live culture yogurt to the mix and keep it warm for a few hours to grow, cool it, strain it and eat it!
Dry or Clumped Mascara TipHas your tube of mascara dried out prematurely or would you like to extend it? Add a few drops of Visine to the bottle! It's safe for eyes and adds moisture, but doesn't mess with the formula!
Turkey Baster for Watering HouseplantsI find that using an old turkey baster to water my houseplants keeps the leaves dry (which prevents mold and rot) and keeps me from overwatering smaller plants. I will even use a squirt from some of my fish tanks water occasionally for the fertilizing effect!
Start a Fire with WaterHere is a fun Campers or Survival project. Collect some kindling and leaves, dried tiny branches and fire starting materials. Take a round empty bottle like Pom Drinks, you can use it as a magnifying glass to pinpoint a ray of sunlight onto your collected leaves and other fire starting materials to start a flame.
Wreath Made from a BookThis lovely little wreath lesson was offered at my local library and used discarded books for the project. Lovely I think and lots of fun to make with a friend/loved one!
My Three GoblinsThree shots of my little goblins hamming it up with their pumpkins. I post my family photos around my house during Halloween, just for fun and memories!
Fuzzy (Domestic Long Hair)Here is my screen saver. Her mama showed up at our door, pregnant and hungry. The rest is history!
Healthy ChocolatesUsing only healthy ingredients, this easy (and keto friendly) recipe is a perfect and easy snack for the whole family! Just melt, mix, cool and ENJOY!
Pine Cone Friend DecorationsA fun project for kids or adults around the holidays that cost next to nothing! These can be decoration or you can hang them as an ornament on the tree.
Use Leftover Candle Wax for FirestartersI save our empty toilet and paper towel tubes, stuff them with waste paper and junk mail or even pine cones. Then I melt my small, leftover candle pieces in a old candle warmer just until it melts.
Lazarus (Orange Tabby Cat)I know this little guy doesn't look like the cute, well loved pets we usually see on this site. This little guy showed up at our door before Thanksgiving. We think he's another drop off from someone who didn't want their cat! He was starved and injured.
Create Your Own Unique PotsIt's not pottery! It's called Hypertufa. You mix together a few 'ingredients' to create any size or shape pot you'd like! I can imagine these as totally unique gifts or even items to sell. Lots of fun too!
Delicious and Incredible Tandy CakesMajor yum. I am not a cake person, but I had the most delicious little cake squares at a meeting last night that I had to share the recipe!
George Foreman Grill to Make Bear PawsI have little counter space so everything on it has to be a useful appliance! I regularly make grilled cheese or grilled vegetables on an open George Foreman grill or zucchini fritters on it. This weekend, I decided to try to make waffles!
Nappy Baby Shower InvitationsI am planning my daughter's baby shower - twins no less!! I wanted to make a special handmade invitation and saw this adorable design. It's a nappy - a modern day version of a diaper! There are many ways to personalize it and I'll show you a few as we go together, step by step!
Scooter (Ferret)Scooter is a 7+ year old ferret. I adopted him from someone who couldn't keep him any longer. Scooter snuggles, cuddles, runs around room carrying his "babies" to safety even though he is totally blind! Ferrets can be the sweetest little, friendly critters as pets.
Bird Seed Heart Wedding FavorsMy daughter's wedding has a natural theme and so we wanted a favor that would be consistent and something anyone could enjoy once they got it home!
Quickly Dry Herbs in Your CarMy car sits in an open sunny spot and frequently is quite warm when I go to use it. Since I had lots of basil to dry, I thought I'd try to dry it in the car and it worked perfectly!
Pretty Botanical CenterpiecesHere is a super pretty and inexpensive centerpiece for Mother's Day, bridal showers, or a natural wedding table.
Baking Soda as a Natural DeodorantI keep a small jar of baking soda along with a blush brush to lightly brush under my arms after a shower. Keeps me fresh smelling AND dry. You could also use this on the feet after your shower, before dressing.
Luffa Sponge for Soap StandI cut a slice from my new luffa sponge to use under my soaps to keep them dry and firm in my soap dishes.
E-Z Refrigerator BeetsThis simple recipe makes great use of all the beets from the garden and provides lots of great vitamins (like IRON!) too!
