Five Frugal Things~ August 11 Edition

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ladybug~one of the wonderful gifts of the garden!

I hope you all had a wonderful week! We enjoyed more rain again this week so that translated into more savings on our water bill! Whoohoo!

In this past week's pursuit of savings I:

•  froze all of my leftover coffee and used the cubes to make refreshing iced coffee!  The frozen coffee cubes don't dilute the drink as they melt. In this heat, being able to enjoy a refreshing iced coffee without paying the high prices for one in a coffee shop is enough to make me do a happy jig! Now, I would love to find an exquisite frappuccino type recipe so if anyone knows of one, please share your recipe!

•  In my desire to pretty up our shady front garden beds while keeping the expense low, I spent some time brainstorming ways to accomplish that. It occurred to me that I could use potted plants that were getting too big for their present homes. I transplanted some snake plants (also known as mother in law tongue or, more precisely, sansevieria trifasciata), coleus plants and some peace lily. All for a grand total of $0! There is plenty more room in those beds, so I need to do even more thinking on how I might be able to utilize plants I already have on hand, rather than running right out to the garden center to buy plants. (Although I do have plans to check out the half price fruit trees...😈😇) Bonus:  I got a good workout!
Along with this, I pulled out my little seed starting trays and began planting seeds for a variety of veggies and flowers such as: red currant and roma tomatoes, zinnias, marigolds, snapdragons, cleome and larkspur. In the in-ground beds, I sowed a few carrot, Patty pan, parsley, Swiss chard and chamomile seeds. In my strawberry pot, I planted a few tarragon and oregano seeds to keep the thyme and lone green onion (one of several grown from a store bought green onion) company. I reseeded some brussels sprouts seeds in the spots where the last ones didn't come up (half of them did though!) And last but not least, some cilantro seeds off in a pot of their very own.

•  made a concerted effort to turn off lights, televisions and other electronics when leaving a room or not in use. Also, since we have an electric plan that gives us free electricity from midnight on Fridays to midnight on Saturdays, I have saved all our laundry and baking to be done during that time period.

•  made a fresh batch of our favorite laundry detergent. It leaves our clothes clean and smelling fresh.

•  cooked all of our meals, no eating out! This is another area I want to sit down and make a plan for cutting costs~food! As things are right now with our food n̶o̶n̶ budget, there is plenty of room for improvement. And seeing as we have several household repairs looming, it is imperative to shift the flow of money from going out, to staying put while it accumulates, to be spent towards those repairs.

roast chicken (that's one of the two I mentioned in last Friday's Frugal Five)

These are just a few things that stand out in my mind for this week, although the pursuit of frugality has been lifelong during my adult years.

I'd love to hear what you've been up to in your frugal world this week!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Tax Free Weekend~ Does Your State Participate?

If you don't know the answer to that question, hurry on over to the taxadmin.organization website to find out!

In our big ol' state of Texas, our back to school dates for 2017 is August 11-13. We can purchase school supplies and back to school clothes priced under $100.

For my fellow Texans here is an extensive list of qualifying items you may purchase to save on those sales taxes. Combine this with the wonderful back to school sales going on this time of year to maximize your total savings!

What? You say this doesn't apply to you because you don't have any children in your life heading back to school? Au contraire ma petite cherie! There is much savings to be had on non back to school items as well. Need new work, work uniforms or workout clothes? Exempt. New underthings? Exempt. Winter coat or jacket? Exempt! The list goes on so, really, get yourself on over here to see what goods that you may have on your Master To Buy list that you can save on. If you don't have a Master To Buy list already, make one, check it twice and get out the door this weekend to fill in the gaps of all your much needed items...tax free!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Five Frugal Things~ August 4 Edition

four o'clocks

I really want to get back to blogging regularly as it is such an important component of my journaling and record keeping of our lives.  And since frugality is, and always has been, a great part of my life, what better way than to jump back in with my Frugal Five?

In this past week's pursuit of savings I:

•  enjoyed not having to water the lawn and garden several days in a row, thanks to the rain showers and thunderstorms we've been blessed with.

•  bought a couple of bags of my favorite decaf coffee so I can brew my second cup of coffee in the morning (the first cup is caffeinated) rather than using the more expensive and convenient option of k-cups.  I am going to try and locate the Gevalia Dark Italian Roast that I love in a more economical version as well. But for now, I will still be brewing the Tassimo pod. (I'm sure coffee lovers will understand if no one else does, teehee!)

•  needed windshield wiper fluid and found that the Dollar Tree had big gallon jugs for...you guessed it, $1!!! Cheaper than Walmart, where I have been purchasing it. I'm not sure why I never thought to look for it at the Dollar Tree before but, live & learn.

•  made DIY stain spray for our laundry.

•  bought two whole hens that were marked down 30% and will roast them for several meals plus homemade chicken broth! At checkout, during the same shopping trip, the cashier couldn't get my beef liver (yuck, I know. I use it in my homemade dog food.) to ring up so the manager said, "give it to her"! Savings of a whopping .78. I told him he could leave it out of my order if they couldn't manually key it in but he insisted it was fine. I don't feel too guilty because try as I may to keep an eye on the register as my groceries are being rung up, there have been many times, after reviewing receipts, that I was overcharged for items. Normally, I will take the time to have the mistake corrected but there are times that I'm just too tired, or in a time crunch or what have you, to deal with it. And I have more than once corrected a cashier when, for whatever odd reason, I see that I am being under charged for an item.

the reality snapshot:  we had an unexpected emergency vet visit this past week. I suppose it all averages out. *sigh*

Thanks for stopping by! I always love to hear/read how others save money so share if you will!

Trying My Hand at Sourdough

my baby sourdough after feeding and sitting out overnight

This month, I decided to give sourdough bread making another try.  I attempted making a sourdough starter many years ago but the starter worked it's way to the back of the fridge and promptly out of my thoughts. (It must be fed on a regular basis in order for it to live on and thrive.) RIP sourdough starter.

Recently however, in going along with trying to find more ways to save money, I dug out my old sourdough bread recipe. I regularly make bread, but knew I could forego the expense of buying yeast if I had a trusty starter on my hands. I like to use a starter that I make strictly with flour and water, allowing it to capture wild yeasts from the atmosphere, turning into a fermented batter with the amazing ability to raise bread dough without using a store bought yeast.


I found a starter recipe years ago but have since tweaked it to my liking. (Although this is the recipe I follow, there are many to be found online.)

• In a large plastic or glass container, place 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour with 1/4 cup of spring or filtered water (I use distilled) and combine until smooth. Cover with a coffee filter, cheesecloth or cotton napkin (something that will allow air flow but keep out pests) and secure with a rubber band around the neck of the jar. Let sit undisturbed for the next two days.

• On day three, mix in another 1/2 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of water. Let sit another couple of days.

• On day five, repeat steps from day three. Repeat these same steps on days six and seven.

• On days eight and nine let starter sit. Don'the mix or add anything to it. By day nine you will be able to use your starter.

a closer view of it's bubbly, yeasty goodness

Your starter should smell sour, yeasty, or a bit like beer. To store, place the starter in the fridge in a covered (lidded) plastic or glass container. Try to use the starter at least once a week. At the very least, feed your starter using the same amounts as above in step one. Each time you use some of your starter, remember to feed it again to replace what you used. The more you use it and the older it gets, the better it will work and taste!

Things to keep in mind:

1)  If your starter produces a brownish liquid on top, fear not! Just mix it in and move on with your life.

2)  If your starter develops mold do not use it under any circumstances. Pitch it and start over.

3)  I've read that some have great success getting their starter going by using some rye flour. I don't care to spend the money to try out this theory since I don't know that I would use the rye flour otherwise. And the wheat flour has worked well for me thus far.  But...food for thought.

4)  After I use some starter, I sometimes feed it with white flour and water, sometimes wheat, depending on what's out and handy.

There are many wonderful ways to use sourdough starter beyond breadmaking. I have already made a loaf of bread and pancakes with the starter, although I want to keep experimenting with techniques and recipes. It takes a little more planning and forethought to using sourdough starter in my baking but considering the savings (from not buying yeast regularly) and the health benefits, I feel it's worth it!

I will post the bread and pancakes recipes I used soon!

If you try making sourdough starter or have any handy tips for me on the subject, I would love to hear from you!

Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil Uses

SO MANY USES FOR AVON SKIN SO SOFT BATH OIL!
(I am posting this here, as well as on my Avon Lady TJ blog, because there are so many uses around the house and garden, I thought you might be interested too!)

With warmer weather upon us, there will be umpteen reasons to break out the bottle of Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath oil ! So, I thought I would post this list as a reminder for us all.  It's not new but it's useful!

*SSS bath oil is approved by the FDA/CDA only as a bath oil.  Avon does not endorse its use for anything other than a bath oil. This is just a list compiled from people like you & me that have tried it for things other than bath oil. You can find lists similar to this all over the web!

**Disclaimer- I don't guarantee any of these tips as they have been borrowed from others.

PERSONAL USES

1.      It's a bath oil and after shower moisturizer. Obvs!

2.      It can be used to remove makeup.

3.      Great tanning oil (no sunscreen).

4.      Hot oil treatment to soften cuticles.

5.      Great massage oil for tired muscles.

6.      Cleans off tape marks left from bandages on skin.

7.      Cleans ink off the skin.

8.      Insect repellent.

9.      Helps relieve itching caused by dry skin.

10.  Applying SSS over bug bites alleviates itching.

11.  Cleans oil and grease off of skin.

12.  Painting something? Use SSS to remove paint from the hands.

13.  It soothes light sunburn.

14.  Rub hands with it before washing, it helps get them cleaner.

15.  Rub on dry, cracked skin.... helps heal skin in 2-3 days. (Funky feet anyone? Sandal season is upon us!)

16.  Add to liquid soap and use it for shaving legs and under arms. Helps razor glide and leaves skin feeling smooth.

17.  Pour a little into your foot bath to help moisturize your feet while you relax them.

18.  It removes chewing gum from hair, skin, and most nonporous surfaces.

19.  Cleans permanent ink off stamps.

20.  SSS Original Bath Oil works GREAT on Head Lice!!!!! Saturate head and let it set for 15 minutes. Then rinse under an outdoor faucet, but the lice were gone!!!!!!! Of course, shampoo hair a couple of times to get the oil out, but the lice are gone and stay gone!

21.  It kills ants instantly.

22.  Spray on skin to relieve dry itching skin. Helps skin retain its elasticity.

23.  Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner like always and after it dries.... Use about the size of a dime of SSS and rub it in your hair. It goes straight in and leaves hair as shiny as the ads on TV, not greasy at all, just soft and shiny.

24.  It can help eliminate psoriasis.

25.  It lessens the sting of removing bandages from children's sensitive skin.

26.   It removes gum from hair better than peanut butter. (Where have we heard this before?)

HOUSEHOLD USES

27.  Sponge it around doors, windows, and on screens to keep crawling bugs out.

28.  It's a good wood cleaner and conditioner for natural wood.

29.  It removes glue and gum left from price tags and labels from glass, metals, and most plastics.

30.  It removes soap scum from shower doors and curtains, and bathroom and kitchen figures.

31.  It removes lime and hard water deposits from fixtures, tile, shower doors and windows. (I'm gonna have to give this, & #30, a try as we have HARD water.)

32.  It's an oil lubricant for fitting pipe joints that won't slip together.

33.  It cleans ink off most vinyl and painted surfaces.

34.  It cleans heavy oil and grease from nonporous surfaces.

35.  It takes fur off of clothing.

36.  Rub on brass ornaments or figurines to help keep them from turning dark.

37.  Removes crayon from appliances and most painted surfaces.

38.  Wash cupboards with it mixed in your cleaning water to keep ants off and out of the cupboards.

39.  Excellent at removing lipstick stains from furniture, clothing, etc.

40.  Use it to discourage hornets from building their nests. After using a hornet killing spray, remove the nest and keep the area sprayed with SSS. They will not rebuild there.

41.  Use it to clean leather; it will also keep it soft and supple.

42.  Use it on your air conditioning screen (filter)--your incoming air will smell fresher and the filter is easier to clean.

43.  Rub all over windowsills to keep ants out.

44.  It cleans paintbrushes easily and leaves them soft as new.

45.  It removes gum from carpets.

46.  It removes scuff marks from patent leather shoes.

47.  Use it on running rails for sliding glass doors and windows.

48.  It removes "ring around the collar".

49.  It removes liquid nail (paneling glue).

50.  Two glass bowls or glasses stuck together? Drizzle a little SSS down the sides and they'll come apart easily.

51.  It removes candle wax from furniture, carpets and clothing.

52.  Hummingbird Feeders: To deter bees try rubbing SSS on the feeder surface by the feeder ports.

53.  It works for maggots in the garbage can too! You squirt SSS in can and lid, then later flushed with soapy water, and you shouldn't have any bugs in cans rest of summer!!!

54.  It is a great furniture polish!

55.  Put it in one of the bottles that you attach to your backyard hose and then spray down the back yard! Will cut down on ants, mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies.

56.  People spray it on their rose bushes to keep the deer from eating them, and at the cemeteries on the flowers they put out there for the same reason.

57.  Kills spiders.

58.  It cuts grease and cleans dirt from range hoods.

59.  Add a cap full to wash water when doing laundry...acts as a fabric softener and keeps the bugs off clothes.

60.  Spray on orchids and other flowers for moisture and to keep bugs away.

61.  Cleans baseball caps. Just spray on and rub with toothbrush.

62.  Try this recipe:  mix one part SSS and 2 parts water and spray on tomato plants to keep those ugly old tomato worms off. Spray plants about every 2 or 3 days. Works great!!

63.  Put a little in your mopping water to help keep crawling bugs out. (Not too much or the floor gets slippery.)

64.  Use to clean windows.

65.  Removes crayon from most surfaces.

66.  Screens can be lightly sprayed with Avon SSS to repel no-see-'ums and tiny gnats that otherwise might slip though the screens.

67.  Another use for SSS is it will kill those pesky earwigs. Spray it on & they don't return to life.

68.  If you ever make candles, melt clear wax and put SSS in it and let it harden.  Works great for outside in the summer.

69.  As a deodorizer, spray into air and let settle, kills those nasty pet odors.

70.  If a child wets the bed, spray the bedding and sheets before washing and will give it a fresh clean smell.

71.  It keeps bromine and chlorine from corroding metal and keeps the top of a pool pump filter lubed for easy opening.

72.  Use SSS in an oil burner outside to repel bugs.  I use the ones with the little dish on top and a tea light below.  Just put a cap full or so of SSS into the dish and light the tea light.  Your patio will smell great; it works better than citronella candles, and no citronella smell!

ANIMAL USES

73.  It's a great insect repellent for your pet. (As recommended in "Outdoor Life" and "Field and Stream")

74.  Mix 5 parts water, 1 part SSS and mist on animals. Brushing it in makes their coats gleam and keeps insects off so the animals don't fidget in the show ring.

75.  Mix in your pet's bath water. It takes the fleas off of them...and in between sprays them with the 5 parts water, 1 part SSS mixture to help keep them off.

76.  Rub on your hands before and after working with your pets and farm animals. It will remove the strong smells.

77.  Black Fly Spray For Dogs: Use as a spray or a dip. 1 cup SSS, 1/2 cup liquid detergent and 3 gallons of water.

78.  For dog’s dry skin mix 1 tablespoon of SSS per gallon of water and use as an after bath rinse. Or spritz your pet's coat once per week.

79.  If your dog should get tar or asphalt on the pads of their feet rub on SSS and then wipe off.

80.  Flea Bath: Use a flea and tick shampoo. Rinse, rinse, rinse so no soap residue is left. Follow with final rinse of 2 gallons of water mixed with flea dip and 1 cap full of SSS. The SSS helps replace the oils lost in bathing and has the added benefit of repelling insects.

81.  Flea Repellent: Avon's SSS Bath Oil. 1-1/2 ounces per gallon of water; used as a sponge-on dip (or as a spritz) has been tested and proven to have significant, but not complete, flea-repellent activity for a 6-day period. It should help those dry coats, too.

82.  It works great on animals with dry skin.

83.  Use the following on horses and on dogs when necessary. 1-cup Avon SSS bath oil 1-cup white vinegar 1-cup (or more) water 5 cc of essential oil of citronella (from the health food store NOT the type you burn to keep insects away that is available in a drug store) Mix in a spray bottle. Straight SSS works well for mosquitoes too but really makes your dog greasy.

84.  (Barns) Use as an inexpensive fly control spray or a diluted mix of Avon SSS in water can be sprayed on barn walls and floor to discourage insects from hanging around or to eliminate them before putting in the new bedding. As time permits, and if you can keep your goats out of the barn for a few hours - let the barn stand and air out before re-filling with bedding.

85.  A natural way to help cats with flea problems and flea allergies is to rub Skin So Soft into the skin. Fleas don't like it either! Spread the word!

86.  Cats: SSS IS SAFE FOR FUR. Don't overuse the SSS. Use the lotion, and rub it into the skin, not more than every few days. Common sense is the rule. *Please check with your vet to be sure it's okay...

USES FOR HORSES

87.  SSS can be used as a hoof polish. This will put a nice shine to the hoof without drying it.

88.  SSS can be used as a muzzle, eye, and ear enhancer. SSS works great and still helps keep bugs away.

89.  Horses that have allergies and also get dry skin very easily can get baths in SSS. Bathe her like normal and then put a cap full of SSS in a 5-gallon bucket of warm water and sponge this all over her. Her coat dries silky soft and she quits itching.

AUTOMOBILE USES

90.  It removes tar spots from the car without damage to the paint.

91.  Use it to clean vinyl dashboards, seats, and tops. It not only cleans, but also keeps it soft and helps to prevent any cracking.

92.  After washing your car, use it as a tire dressing to keep them looking like new.

93.  Put some on a small washcloth and leave in the car to help keep the air fresh and clean.

94.  Wipe down vinyl surfaces inside your car. Cleans nicely and removes smoke odors left by cigarette smokers.

95.  It gently cleans heavy grease and oil from skin and nonporous surfaces (great for Mechanic's Hands).

96.  It removes tree sap.

97.  Prior to traveling...rub SSS on headlights and grill. It makes insects and bugs easier to remove.

98.  Shines vehicle tires

CAMPING USES

99.   Spray it on the outside of the tent, especially near the door & windows and it keeps mosquitoes away!

BONUS USE

100.  Recently, I read in a Facebook group for Avon reps, that SSS will keep mice away.  Does anyone have any experience with this?

So there you have it!  Spray, dip and soak your troubles away with Skin So Soft Bath Original bath oil!

If you have any uses not listed here, I would love to hear about them!

Don't have any on hand? Go here to order yours today:  Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath oil

Thinking of starting your own Avon business? Go to www.start.avon.com and use reference code: tommielombardi 

Sunscreen Anti-Aging?!

I'd love for you to check out the latest post over on my other blog, Avon Lady TJ: Sunscreen Anti-Aging?! 

Three More Tips I Use to shake the "Blues"

During my previous posts here and here , I discussed a couple of simple ways I use to shake the "blues". Now, if I haven't already said it, if you are struggling with severe depression, these may not help and you should seek counsel to help get through it. Whether that be a physician, clergyman, counselor or any of the other qualified personnel out there that are trained in that area, there are people that can help you through this season of life. And I am not any of those. These tips are just some that have helped me while I was going through some sad times.

Here are a few more things that I implement to help chase away that dark cloud that was hanging over my head for the past three years. I didn't try to do all these things all at once. I was gentle with myself but I also had to push myself a little to get off my butt and change things. It was way too easy to just space out in front of the television if I didn't show myself a little tough love.

1. Nutrition. When I eat more healthy, fresh foods I just feel better. You may need to take this in baby steps. I did. Most days I just did not feel like preparing any food that took any amount of effort other than opening a bag or box. But try just having a grab and peel piece of fruit or premade salad. Bagged and washed baby carrots or any other prewashed, bagged fresh fruit or vegetable. When you make it as easy to eat the fresh, live food as it is to eat the bag or box of junky comfort food, there is no longer that excuse. And if all you can do to start off is eat ONE serving a day, that's something. Then you can build upon that. Make it a goal to add another serving of fruit or vegetable a day each week until you are eating several servings a day! I know when I eat better, I feel better.
2. Movement. What that looks like for me is whatever is low impact, quick and easy. I have a short legged mini dachshund that is thrilled with a walk around a couple of blocks. And I'm cool with that too. Most days it only takes 15 to 25 minutes, depending on how much sniffing and marking she feels like doing. She gets her fresh air and exercise and so do I. And, honestly, as much as I dreeeeeaaaad it most days, by the time we get back home, my spirits are lifted. But, if that's more than you are ready for right now go back to just going outside and sitting in the fresh air and sunshine. Maybe you can talk yourself into standing up and doing a few gentle stretches before you go back inside. Or two minutes of yoga. Or one minute of jogging in place. Something, anything to let your body know that you are still alive. Love yourself enough to take the time to do something. You're worth it.
3. Appearance. Take a look in the mirror. Are you still wearing your nightgown? A ratty, stained tshirt and saggy butt sweatpants? Have you brushed your hair today? For a while there, and even now some days, putting on makeup and something halfway decent to wear was reserved (and even then, begrudgingly) for days I had to leave the house to run errands or go to appointments. I finally got to the point that I challenged myself to, at a minimum, put on a little makeup (foundation or powder, a little lip gloss, a sweep of blush, and mascara) to get rid of the death-warmed-over look and change into something presentable yet comfortable it might even be sweatpants and a tshirt but it had to be nicer sweatpants and tshirts and they couldn't be the ones I slept in the night before). When I look better, I feel better.

I hope some of these simple (not necessarily easy when you are down in the dumps) tips that have helped me (and continue to help me...I'm still struggling, believe me) can help you. And if you have any great tips along these lines, I would love to hear them!

The main thing, is give yourself permission to feel all the emotions you have to feel but also, try not to get too comfortable there. There is still life to be lived and you deserve a beautiful, happy life. So, nudge yourself oh so gently off the couch, out of the bed and do something towards feeling better as soon as you are able.