I don't usually make New Year Resolutions, but this year I am making one. I am resolving to get our finances in even better shape then they are now and to continue to find new ways to save money. We have gotten rid of a lot of our debt, but I hope to find ways to get rid of the car payments faster. One way to do this is to pay off a debt, say a credit card. Then, take the money you were paying to that card and put it toward the next debt. Now you are paying double towards a debt and it will go away faster. Every time a debt is paid off, take the money you were putting toward that debt and add it to the payoff on another debt. The only debt I want to have eventually is our house payment. It's a long road, but I know we can do it. Who wants to join me in this resolution? If you have any questions on how to pay off those debts, feel free to ask. I'm no expert, but I have a great book I can refer to for help.
May God bless you and your loved ones in 2007!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Spa in a Jar
I wanted to share a jar recipe I recently made. I got this from Mary Hunt in her Cheapskate Monthly newsletter. This was shared as an alternative to Origins Salt Scrub. I've never used that, but I love this Spa in a Jar.
Mix about 1 cup Epsom Salt (or Dead Sea Salt), 1/2 cup baby oil (or sweet almond oil). The mixture should be the consistency of slushy snow. If it seems to dry add more oil, too wet add more salt. Pour into a jar. Use a small amount after washing your body. Rub in a circular motion and then rinse with water.
Ok, some specifics. When buying a jar consider a few things. If you are using a scoop to get the salt mixture out the jar mouth can be smaller, but otherwise you want a wider mouth jar. Apothecary jars are great, but not always easy to find. I used "Emma Jars" that I found at Wal-Mart. They have a lid that fits in the top of the jar snuggly. Where will your jar be in your shower? If it will be on a small shelf you might want to consider a plastic jar. This can make the shower floor slippery, so you might spray a little cleaner on the shower floor after getting out. Then no one will slip getting in after you. Want a little fragrance? You can add essential oil, or do as I did. I bought lavender baby oil. It was the same price as the regular baby oil. I also saw lavender Epsom salt.
Cost? Well, the plain Epsom salt was about $2.12 at Wal-Mart and the lavender baby oil was about $2.50. The jar was also about $2.50. The bottle of baby oil will make about 3-4 jars, depending on the size of the jar and how much oil you use. The Epsom salt will make many many jars. These make wonderful gifts for friends and family, and a nice gift for yourself too. :) Enjoy!
Mix about 1 cup Epsom Salt (or Dead Sea Salt), 1/2 cup baby oil (or sweet almond oil). The mixture should be the consistency of slushy snow. If it seems to dry add more oil, too wet add more salt. Pour into a jar. Use a small amount after washing your body. Rub in a circular motion and then rinse with water.
Ok, some specifics. When buying a jar consider a few things. If you are using a scoop to get the salt mixture out the jar mouth can be smaller, but otherwise you want a wider mouth jar. Apothecary jars are great, but not always easy to find. I used "Emma Jars" that I found at Wal-Mart. They have a lid that fits in the top of the jar snuggly. Where will your jar be in your shower? If it will be on a small shelf you might want to consider a plastic jar. This can make the shower floor slippery, so you might spray a little cleaner on the shower floor after getting out. Then no one will slip getting in after you. Want a little fragrance? You can add essential oil, or do as I did. I bought lavender baby oil. It was the same price as the regular baby oil. I also saw lavender Epsom salt.
Cost? Well, the plain Epsom salt was about $2.12 at Wal-Mart and the lavender baby oil was about $2.50. The jar was also about $2.50. The bottle of baby oil will make about 3-4 jars, depending on the size of the jar and how much oil you use. The Epsom salt will make many many jars. These make wonderful gifts for friends and family, and a nice gift for yourself too. :) Enjoy!
Viruses, Bacteria, and Germs . . . OH MY!!
This post is a bit different, but I thought it would be a good idea to talk a bit about germs. It is the time of year a lot of us get sick. It might be the flu, a stomach virus, or a cold, but they are all a bummer. I want to share a few ideas on how to get rid of germs and stop the illnesses from spreading.
Toothbrushes carry lots of germs. You brushed your teeth before bedtime and then in the middle of the night you start vomiting. Well, you probably already had those germs in your mouth when you brushed. Now they're on your toothbrush. Yuck! Yes, you can throw your toothbrush away and get a new one. But it is much easier to put it in the dishwasher or soak it in a cup of peroxide. It is a good idea to do this a few times while battling a cold.
Where do lots of germs hang out? Door handles, faucets, toilet flusher, and toys. It is so easy to take a can of Lysol and spray these areas periodically while an illness is in the house. When my kids are sick, I spray the faucets and toilets a couple times a day. I also spray the stair railings. Another place to spray is the pillows and sheets. As you all probably know, when you are sick you don't want to have to wash the sheets everyday. Obviously you will want to wash them once you are feeling better, but spraying a bit of Lysol will do a lot in between washings. You'll want to clean the bathroom once you're feeling better, but Lysol kills the germs as well as most cleaners, so always keep some handy.
Make sure you encourage hand washing, even if it is just plain soap and water. Carry a small bottle of antibacterial gel in your purse and/or car. Got little ones? Carry wipes in the car. They're great for everyone, but much easier to use then trying to wash baby's hands.
No, we probably won't escape some illness or another, but we can try to fight them. These few things can really make a difference. When my son got the stomach virus, no one else got sick. I sprayed things and kept him cleaned up. Yes, I tried to keep the other kids away from him, but that's easier said then done.
Have a wonderful winter and stay healthy!
Toothbrushes carry lots of germs. You brushed your teeth before bedtime and then in the middle of the night you start vomiting. Well, you probably already had those germs in your mouth when you brushed. Now they're on your toothbrush. Yuck! Yes, you can throw your toothbrush away and get a new one. But it is much easier to put it in the dishwasher or soak it in a cup of peroxide. It is a good idea to do this a few times while battling a cold.
Where do lots of germs hang out? Door handles, faucets, toilet flusher, and toys. It is so easy to take a can of Lysol and spray these areas periodically while an illness is in the house. When my kids are sick, I spray the faucets and toilets a couple times a day. I also spray the stair railings. Another place to spray is the pillows and sheets. As you all probably know, when you are sick you don't want to have to wash the sheets everyday. Obviously you will want to wash them once you are feeling better, but spraying a bit of Lysol will do a lot in between washings. You'll want to clean the bathroom once you're feeling better, but Lysol kills the germs as well as most cleaners, so always keep some handy.
Make sure you encourage hand washing, even if it is just plain soap and water. Carry a small bottle of antibacterial gel in your purse and/or car. Got little ones? Carry wipes in the car. They're great for everyone, but much easier to use then trying to wash baby's hands.
No, we probably won't escape some illness or another, but we can try to fight them. These few things can really make a difference. When my son got the stomach virus, no one else got sick. I sprayed things and kept him cleaned up. Yes, I tried to keep the other kids away from him, but that's easier said then done.
Have a wonderful winter and stay healthy!
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