Funny story, I told my husband, JJ, that I was writing a blog about how to have the perfect life. He said, "you have the perfect life?!?!" I said no, but I'm going to, and I'm going to blog about how to make it happen.
So, I make a list of the things that we regularly buy at the warehouse store. I take about 2 hours and go through sams club and make note of all the prices. I did this about 2 years ago, so I'm pretty sure my prices are out of date. I went to Sam's yesterday with 3 of my kids and my husband to buy things, so I didn't have time to write down everything, but I did get the 10 things on my Fav List.
I have entered the prices of my top 10 into my meal board app. I have marked them as favorites. I'm not sure that this is the way to go. I think just printing up a list, that includes the prices at Sam's works really well. But if you are only going to focus on your 10 main things at a time, then a small notebook, a printed list, or even a simple notebook app would be sufficient. Then when you look at sale prices and coupons, you have the "compare price" right at your fingertips.
Last time I made the list, it was actually a total list of all the items I regularly buy, and any item that was available at Sams, had the Sam's price listed next to the name. It was organized into 4 columns, and each item had a small box next to it, there was a 4th column that had blank lines so that I could write additional items that we needed.
I have tried to utilize this list in 2 different ways. One was to make several copies, and use a different sheet each week. The other was to laminate it, and use a permanent marker and then wipe it off after my shopping trip. Since I have really gotten into my mealboard app, I very rarely use printed shopping lists, but I keep a copy of this, laminated, and folded, with me so that I can make comparisons. Just because I am trying to stick 100% to my list, I can still stock up on items that I know we buy regularly and that won't go bad. Soap, Pasta, canned items, cereal, etc.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Make your own Laundry Detergent!
I have started making my own laundry detergent! Not only is it cheaper, it smells amazing, and works great! I am not a pre-treater, though one day I hope to be!
I need laundry detergent to get out the spots I didn't see! The dirt, the chocolate, the baby poop! Oh My!
I got this recipe from a friend, and it works great! I have seen different variations of this same recipe, and I'm sure that they are all very similar!
Item #1 Baking soda, 4lb. I buy this in 13 lb package at Sam's club for $6.00, so $2 a batch.
Item #2 Zote ($1 per bar, these are huge pink bars) grated with a cheese grater, I use pink
Item #3 Fels Naptha- Found in the Launder aisle. Under $2 per bar, grated with cheese grater
Item #4 Borax - 4lb box is under $3.38
Item # 5 Arm & Hammer washing powder -4lb box, under $3.24.
Item #6 (optional) Downey Unstoppables $10.00. This really makes the stuff smell amazing!!! I use pink, spring something.
With the Downey, the total price is $21.62. This makes a ton of laundry soap. And like I said, the Downey only makes it smell good, this is not fabric softener.
You only need 2-3 Tablespoons of the powder per load. I use a 1/4 cup, because it is easier, and I do LARGE Loads. My whole basement smells fresh! I will be making another batch this week, and I am going to count the number of 1/4c in the batch, so I can tell you for sure how many loads it makes. Keep in mind that this is actual loads! When Tide is telling you 120 loads, that is for the smallest, lowest line on the cup, and I don't' know about you, but I never used the small load amount.
I know this is a money saver, but I would do this even if it wasn't. It really works, and the smell is perfect! If you really want to save money, you leave out the Unstoppables. Your clothes will be clean, and unscented, and you will really save because the price would only be $11.62!!
At Sams the tide comes to $0.19 per load.
To make you simply mix the ingredients in a large Rubbermaid container (or the like) with a lid. I would recommend cutting the bar soaps into chucks before grating, because the grate will be smaller, I didn't do this the first time, and my pieces got really long!!
If you Try it I would love to know what you think!
I need laundry detergent to get out the spots I didn't see! The dirt, the chocolate, the baby poop! Oh My!
I got this recipe from a friend, and it works great! I have seen different variations of this same recipe, and I'm sure that they are all very similar!
Item #1 Baking soda, 4lb. I buy this in 13 lb package at Sam's club for $6.00, so $2 a batch.
Item #2 Zote ($1 per bar, these are huge pink bars) grated with a cheese grater, I use pink
Item #3 Fels Naptha- Found in the Launder aisle. Under $2 per bar, grated with cheese grater
Item #4 Borax - 4lb box is under $3.38
Item # 5 Arm & Hammer washing powder -4lb box, under $3.24.
Item #6 (optional) Downey Unstoppables $10.00. This really makes the stuff smell amazing!!! I use pink, spring something.
With the Downey, the total price is $21.62. This makes a ton of laundry soap. And like I said, the Downey only makes it smell good, this is not fabric softener.
You only need 2-3 Tablespoons of the powder per load. I use a 1/4 cup, because it is easier, and I do LARGE Loads. My whole basement smells fresh! I will be making another batch this week, and I am going to count the number of 1/4c in the batch, so I can tell you for sure how many loads it makes. Keep in mind that this is actual loads! When Tide is telling you 120 loads, that is for the smallest, lowest line on the cup, and I don't' know about you, but I never used the small load amount.
I know this is a money saver, but I would do this even if it wasn't. It really works, and the smell is perfect! If you really want to save money, you leave out the Unstoppables. Your clothes will be clean, and unscented, and you will really save because the price would only be $11.62!!
At Sams the tide comes to $0.19 per load.
To make you simply mix the ingredients in a large Rubbermaid container (or the like) with a lid. I would recommend cutting the bar soaps into chucks before grating, because the grate will be smaller, I didn't do this the first time, and my pieces got really long!!
If you Try it I would love to know what you think!
Fall Sports, and my slack!
Ech! Bleck! I can’t have it all! I am losing it!
Now that we are in the full swing of fall sports, it is more important than ever to get and stay organized!
I have 2 in football, 1 doing cheer, and 1 playing soccer. These are 4 different teams, because they are by grade in school.
This means that we are running running running, always!
Our weekly schedule is like this:
M: Football 6:15-8:15, Football 6:30-8:00. (my husband works Monday night, so this is all me, luckily the practices are really close to each other)
T: Cheer 6-8pm (another night my DH is working)
W: Football 6:15-8:15, Football 6:30-8:00, Soccer 6:30-7:30
R: Football 6:15-8:15, Football 6:30-8:00,
F: Cheer 6-8pm
Games are on Saturdays, and Sundays (my DH also works Sunday morning). Luckily I have a few people on the teams that I can rely on to help out with transportation.
But on the days there are two football games, we will be carting around a cooler, with Gatorade, water, snacks and sandwiches. I refuse to resort to McDonalds! My waist, and bank account will thank me. This weekend will be chicken salad sandwiches. I have two whole chickens at the house, which will be roasted and used for soup, and chicken salad sandwiches.
My children each have a sports bad, all their sports stuff has to go into that bag! Ball, pads, mouth guard, shin guards, shoes, uniforms, hair bows, socks, etc. Clean or dirty. When it needs washed, it will be all washed together, and returned directly to the bag!
In addition, school starts soon, and tumbling will be starting soon! Argh! I will make this happen!
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