A Girl's Gotta Do, What A Girl's Gotta Do

My house has been over run lately. Bills, pictures, notes, and other miscellaneous items piling up on the microwave. Soaps, creams, shampoos, and hair stuff all over the bathroom. I could have hid under the piles of laundry... while standing up. It was getting to be a little much, while the kids and I were finding our summer balance.

(I love being done with school for the year! Another post about that coming soon.)

Scott lovingly, or maybe not-so-lovingly, kicked my butt into gear. So, off I was (reluctantly at first) to get organized for the summer.

Just a quick before and after- because no one really cares to see my messy microwave.

I bought bins and boxes in all shapes and sizes from the dollar store. Though the dollar store should really be called a "Two-Dollar Store" now.... Anyhow, I spent maybe $15 and got stuff to organize my kitchen and bathroom.

Along with a bag of rock-hard banana candies. Sarah explained to me that dollar stores don't put due dates on their snacks for a reason... I insisted that candy never goes bad.

They may not be the fanciest baskets, but our kids kill everything anyways.... so spending a ton of money would have been pretty pointless! And anything is better than the mess, right?

The ones for the bathroom are a bit cuter. Especially with a baby sitting in them...

FYI- I am totally caught up on all that laundry.

Feels good.

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Don't know if this counts as "thrifty", but Ella has worn sandals ever since she has needed shoes. Today, was a little too cool for her to have bare feet, so I went inside to find her a pair of running shoes. Surely, after having four girls I would have one pair that would fit her. Nope. I found one shoe. Not a pair.... a single, individual, shoe.

So.... she wore her brother's old shoes. Cute dress, tights, and all...

Sometimes a girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do!

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Check out "Beloved: The M Family Journal" for other Thrifty Thursday ideas!

You've Got to Try It

Bathroom/kitchen cleaner, floor cleaner, window cleaner, fabric softener, hair conditioner...

A year ago, I would have spent about $30/month on all these products. Probably more.

Now, I spend a measly $2! For ALL of them.

OK maybe $3, if I buy name brand... :)

I have one word ... VINEGAR

As you can see, I opted for the no name brand.

Seriously, it has become my miracle product. I was hesitant to use it on my windows and piano at first, but it leaves them completely streak-free.

I dilute the vinegar half and half with R.O. water, and put it in a dollar store spray bottle.

I use it on my floors, so that little crawling fingers don't get covered in all the chemicals from the floor cleaners, and then stuck into teething mouths.

I use it to clean my bathroom and kitchen, as it kills germs and bacteria. It also whitens and brightens toilets and sinks! The smell only lasts until it dries.

**Don't mix vinegar and bleach **

Thankfully, before I did this I read that it creates a dangerous gas.

I use it as fabric softener in my rinse cycle. It actually makes my towels just as soft and fluffy as the Downy brand. Sure, it doesn't have the perfume smell... but it doesn't smell like vinegar at all either. Who wants all those strong perfumes on precious little baby skin anyhow? I have heard that you can add essential oils to it, to create a nicer scent.

Now, I've saved the best for last. I honestly didn't believe it when my neighbour suggested using vinegar in your hair. I thought "I'm going to walk around smelling all pickley..." But it doesn't smell, at all! My hair has NEVER been as soft, smooth, and light as it is after I use a vinegar rinse. I know it sounds crazy... but you have to try it! Even my curls are tighter. I will never go back to my trusty salon brand $50/bottle conditioners. (Wow, I sound like a cheap infomercial...)

Warning: It does sting if you happen to pour it in your eye.... Real bad.

Even if you were only to replace ONE of these things- it would be worth your money.

Give it a whirl! ;)

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Here are "Sixty Uses for Vinegar"

and...

Don't forget to check out "Beloved: The M Family Journal" for other Thrifty Thursday ideas!

I Have a "Thing" for Old Books

Old books, old dishes, old furniture... I love the fact that something has a history, a past...

I could spend hours going through stores like Value Village, where people dump their old stuff. Or their parents, or grandparents old "stuff". I don't often have time to go there, but on Friday night while my boys were watching a hockey game, and the girls were busy reading, and Ella was fast asleep...
I snuck out for my "fix."

I was actually looking for something specific, but was drawn to the dishes. I refrained from buying the adorable apple-green teapot that would have matched my kitchen so nicely, because How many teapots do I actually need?....

Then, as always, I headed over to the books. I have bought countless "classics" for the girls at a fraction of the retail cost. This time I wasn't thrilled. There didn't seem to be anything worth buying, that we didn't already own. (And yes, I have bought more than one copy of a favourite book before... why? I can't explain.)

As I was about to leave, pretty disappointed that I hadn't found anything that stood out, I noticed an old book resting on the top shelf. Being in the kid's section, I figured it was probably some sort of treasury. I almost didn't pick it up becasue they have quite a few of those already. My not being able to resist a good treasury, is the only reason I gave in.

When I picked it up, I noticed that it even smelled old. As I looked inside, I was surprised to find that it wasn't a treasury at all. It was a compilation of quotes, poems, and short writings, on all sorts of topics. I read the inscription on the front page and it said,

"This book belongs to Ruth Schmultz, as of May 10, 1965"

Ok... so not that old. But used none the less.

I was sold.

After returning home with my new found treasure, Scott was skimming through the book, when he found some notes and markings inside. A couple of pages later there was actually an outline typed on a typerwriter, for some sort of Christian ladies' meeting. I found that pretty neat.

Did I mention that I love old photography, too? I adore the photographs in this book. They're inspiring, and thought-provoking.

It's amazing. The difference in the quotes from today, and only 44 short years ago. I'll have to share some of my favourites, once I'm finished reading the book.

"I could tell where the lamplighter was by the trail he left behind him."

-Harry Lauder

I'm looking forward to my next trip to Value Village.

Maybe next time I'll find what I went for.

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Check out The M Family Journal for other "Thrifty Thursday" ideas!

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