Dont Throw Away Coupons

What do you do with your expired coupons? 
Did you know that military bases overseas can use coupons up to 6 months expired? 

There are some great programs to help include the following: 
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/ 

 https://www.facebook.com/ExpiredCouponsforOverseasMilitary

Also contact friends you have overseas about mailing your expired coupons to them. This is a great way to support the military families!

Blessings!
Jill

Week 3 - Cleaning Schedule

“I love cleaning and look forward to it every day”. – said very few moms

I do not like cleaning but I love a clean house. I would love a cleaning person but I do not have enough money. See where I am going with this?

Week 3 of our 52 weeks is organizing your cleaning schedule. I have been on a cleaning schedule for about a year now and truly love it. This helps me from getting overwhelmed and cleaning the whole house in one. Chores are assigned to certain days. Therefore, instead of spending 5-7 hours of your Saturday to clean, you spend an hour each day to do something. Below is my cleaning schedule.

Daily: Make our bed, pick up toys, and straighten up counters, dishes

Monday: Laundry, clean 3^rd floor (bathrooms, dust, vacuum)

Tuesday: Finish laundry, clean middle floor (bathroom, dust, sweep, clean kitchen)

Wednesday: clean 1^st floor (pick up playroom, vacuum)

Thursday: clean floors on middle floor, wash towels and sheets

Friday: any unfinished chores

I challenge you to make a cleaning schedule for the month of April. Let me know how you do. It will take time to get into a groove but trust you will notice how much easier it is to clean.

Or keep waiting for that cleaning lady…………

Blessings,

Jill

Week 2 - Schedules

So how was week 1? Were you able to get some time to yourself or get a full night sleep? 

For week 2 we will be working on our schedules. By having a schedule, you are taking charge of your life. Remember that you are in control. 

Week 2 Goals:

• ·         Have one planner for everything. Work projects, school activities, events. By having a central location for everything it will be easier to see what your day, week, and month looks like.

• ·         Make sure you are on the same page with your family. Schedule chores, date nights, and even meals.

• ·         Have ONE to-do list. Combine the calendars, sticky notes and random pieces of paper and create one list.

• ·         Schedule all future appointments. Dentist visits, kids doctors, and even your pets veterinarian appointment.

Once a Month ~ schedule dates nights, time one-on-one with your kids and some girlfriend time

Every 3-6 Months ~ Make sure your to-do list up-to-date 

Once a year ~ when buying a new planner make sure you transfer birthdays and anniversaries.

Blessings,

Jill

Week 1 - Organizing Your Mind

Stockpile or Hoarder?

What do you think of when I say stockpile? Rolls of toilet paper lasting until your grandkids have kids. Enough hot dogs to feed everyone in a baseball stadium…..not the high school stadium but major leagues. On the other hand, cat food to last you a year BUT you do not have a cat! 

Because of all these new reality shows, people who use coupons have been giving this label of not stockpiling but hoarders. The shows find the most over-the-top people and feature them like the norm. This is far from it. 

Here are a few suggestions when it comes to stockpiling. This will keep you on the non-hoarder end of couponing!

1. Usefulness – make sure you stockpile items that you will use. Just because you can get cat food at .02 a can, if you do not have a cat then do not buy. However, maybe pass the deal onto a friend who can use it.
2. Dates – be aware of expiration dates. There is no reason to buy 20 jars of mayo when it is going to expire before you get through it all.
3. Organize – be aware of what you have. Organize your pantry so you know that you have 4 bottles of BBQ sauce and 7 cans of corn. Nothing like thinking, you do not have something, go out and spend money to only find it hiding behind a box of cereal.
4. Motivate – the whole reason to stockpile is to have food in your house so you want to eat at home. Be proud of what you have and enjoy those home cooked meals!

Below are just a few pictures of my stockpile. Nothing fancy but it feeds and keeps the family clean.

Blessings,

Jill

5 Tips to a Cleaner Home

Not everyone has time nor wants to clean every day. There are better things to do like catch up on reality shows, have a glass of wine, or Facebook. 

Below are 5 simple things you can do each day to make the house look nice.

1. Make your bed – I have said it numerous times. My floor could completely be covered but with my bed made, I feel good. 
2.   All dirty clothes in the hamper – We teach this basic chore to our kids at an early age. No clothes on the floor
3.  Straighten up pillows – I ‘fluff’ the couch cushions, fold all blankets, and coffee table is cleaned of clutter
4. Dishes – It takes just a few minutes to unload and load the dishwasher. We run ours every night while we are asleep. Then I wake up to clean dishes!
5.  Each night I take 5 minutes to gather all toys and non-living room items. I will either put them where they belong or in a pile for the kids to take care of the next morning.

Blessings,

Jill

Throw-Away Thursday - Clothes in Closet

It is another Throw-Away Thursday but today is a little different. This project is going to take at least 6 months to finish it. 

Anyone still with me?

*crickets*

Wait, you can do this because it will take you 5 minutes to ‘set-up’ this up. Why will it take you 6 months? Because we are going to work on your clothes. All you need to do is head to your closet and turn all your hangers backwards. (See picture below)

When you wear a shirt or pair of jeans, hang it back up with the hanger the opposite way. Now fast forward to June. Go look at your hangers. Anything that is still hanging backwards means you have not worn it for at least 5 months. GET RID OF IT! 

Blessings,

Jill