A Lesson Learned from the Fire Inspector

To me, one of the intimidating parts of the adoption process has been the home inspections. It is just a little weird to have strangers come into your house and poke around, ya know? We've had several inspections by different entities. One of these was done by our local Fire Inspector.

I have to tell you that I am super vigilant with fire safety. Twice we have had our next-door neighbor's house burn (both were gutted). I've actually become a little OCD about it. One Sunday, after getting to church, I drove the 10 miles back home because I did not remember unplugging the curling iron....the one with the automatic shutoff. And yes...I had unplugged it.

I was not terribly worried about the fire inspection.

We passed with flying colors. Our only problem was that the reflective numbers on our mailbox were 1/2 inch too small....I know, seriously?

Mr. Inspector was a gem, really. He reminded me of my dad. He gave me lots of great advice. I actually enjoyed his visit. There was one nugget of information that he shared that really surprised me.

Do you know what the #1 reason for 911 calls on behalf of children is? Get this...it is for ingesting dishwasher detergent. (At least in our area.) He said that it is some of the most caustic stuff in the house. When it comes into contact with moisture ~saliva~, it activates and causes severe chemical burns. He cautioned me to be extrememly vigilant with keeping it locked away.

I just wanted to share that with y'all. Those of us who stockpile have to be careful not only with the container we are using presently, but also with the containers that are stashed away for later. We've gotta keep those babies safe!

Simplifying Life ~ Event Binder

I organize myself with binders. My repertoire consists of binders for Christmas, coupons, gifts and events. I also have one that I use to organize a week of meals that I prepare for a mission team of 30 each year. Over time I will show you all of my binders.

My event binder has two purposes, personal and business. My husband's job gives me the opportunity to plan two large events each year. I also use it to track personal parties, dinner with friends, and holiday meals.

The binder is divided into 5 sections:
~Business Events
~Dinner Parties
~Event Recipes
~Dinner Menus
~Potluck Recipes

Business Events-Each event or dinner has a page with the name of the event, the date, and a list of decisions made for that event. If it is an event using invitations, I attach a copy of the invitation to the back of the page. I make notes about where items are purchased (invitations, centerpieces, etc.), colors used, background music, guest speakers, and favors. I also note the cost of these items, to keep my budget comparable from year to year. I personally prepare the food for one of these events. So, I keep a copy of the menu and recipes. Then, the day after the event, I note how much was eaten or leftover. One year I fixed 15 pounds of potatoes and had a lot of leftovers, so I made a note to reduce it to 10 pounds the next year. I also make notes of the number of people who attended and comments at the event, "This cake is amazing", or "I'm not a real fan of curry."

Dinner Parties-This is my personal event planner. Again, each event has it's own page listing the event, date, people in attendance and menu. I also list any food sensitivities, likes or dislikes that I learn from my guests. I know that one friend is very sensitive to chocolate late at night. I made a note of this so that I'm sure to fix a non-chocolate dessert when his family comes over.

Event Recipes-These are my go-to recipes that are easy to prepare in bulk. They are also tried and true, always well received. One example is my Southern Style Green Beans. (Although, I don't really need the recipe for this one.)

Dinner Menus-I have several specialty menus that I like to use when we have guests for dinner. Pulling together a dinner party is much quicker when I can check my list to see what I've served a family in the past, and then choose a new menu from this section. This includes my Broiled Parmesan Tomatoes and Buttermilk Biscuits.

Potluck Recipes-These are recipes that are easy to transport! They also serve as an idea bank when I want to take a meal to a friend who is ill, etc. This includes my Black Bean Chicken Chili.

This binder serves to supplement a memory that fails me often. It also provides a framework for planning events that happen annually. All I have to do is fill in the blanks, saving time and energy. After all, why reinvent the wheel?

A Few of My Favorite Things ~ Coffee Can Hardware Stockpile

I have learned much from my grandparents over the years. I was blessed to have both sets of my grandparents for my entire childhood and early marriage, only losing my dad's parents about 10 years ago. Some of the things that my grandparents taught me were intentional. Ma Ma Grace taught me all about plants, trees and birds. We went for walks every day that we were together, I learned much about the world around me as we followed that familiar path around her house.

Some things they taught me by example. Many of my penny-pinching ways were inherited through observation of careful frugality in both grandparent's households. Ma Ma Betty taught me to never throw anything useful away. Granted, I struggle with when something has lost its usefulness, sometimes (Hi, My name is Amy....and I am a packrat). But, this practice has often served me well.

For as long as I can remember, Ma Ma Betty had a coffee can full of nuts, bolts, washers and screws in her laundry room. As a child I spent hours digging around in that can, sorting and stacking the treasures inside. I still remember a few of the specific things that were always there...a roll of soldering wire, a rubber-tipped doorstop, those plastic clips that are used to hang un-framed mirrors on the wall...

When I started housekeeping, I went to the grocery store and bought a can of coffee...not for the coffee, but for the can. (I was 20, I didn't really like coffee back then...what was I thinking?) I don't remember what I did with the coffee, but I washed out the can and started throwing in the leftover hardware from various projects...extra nails from hanging curtain rods, extra screws from a ceiling fan kit, extra cup-hooks from my curtain tie-backs.

After over 15 years, the can has gotten pretty doggone full. I cannot tell you how many times I have fixed something, hung something, or finished a project by digging through that can. I sincerely believe it has saved me hundreds of dollars in last-minute trips to the store. I cannot remember the last time that I needed a piece of hardware and didn't find just the thing in my coffee can...it is one of my favorite things!

Candy Topiary or Sundae ~ A Tutorial

A friend once taught me this, and I thought you might enjoy seeing the process. It is SUPER easy, and a great, inexpensive craft/gift. Once you have the supplies, it might take 10 minutes, maybe...if you drag your feet about it :)

I have used these as:
~Centerpieces (See above, used at a variety show, guests loved snacking on them during the show.)
~Teacher Gifts
~Just Because Gifts
~Thank You for a great Doctor, Hairstylist, etc.

Now that I think of it, what a fun Hostess Gift, or for a friend's birthday at the office.


Here is what you will need:
Straight Pins, Styrofoam ball (this one is 4 inches), Sundae Glass, Mini Candy Bars (4" ball requires @50 minis, or 1 10oz bag.)


First, plop the ball on top of the dish (whew...are you worn out, yet?)


Next, push a pin through the top right corner of the candy wrapper. (Careful, I stabbed myself at least half a dozen times...)


Then stick it in the foam ball 1/4" above where it is resting on the glass.

Please don't measure...really, resist the temptation! It's not that complicated!


Repeat all the way around.


Follow that with a second row 1/2" higher, staggering the pin placement with the row below. That's just to cover up the gaps.


Continue circling the ball until it is completely covered. This is very forgiving, if you've got a gap, move the pin over a bit.

This little project isn't hard, but if you can do it without bleeding, you are more coordinated than me. It's a good thing I'm not a seamstress. "Here you go, Betty Sue, I've hemmed your wedding gown, sorry about the blood stains..."


You can fill the base with candy or paper shreds if you like, you can also stick a straw in it for fun. I would get a pretty, fancy, bendy one...not this cheapo thing that I just grabbed from the kitchen.

This one is done all in silver with 3 Musketeers Minis. Around Easter you can find the minis in metallic pastels, like the topiary style above. I used a plain glass vase for it. A candlestick would work as well. Use your imagination! One of these days, I'm gonna buy the biggest foam ball I can find and make a massive one, just for the fun of it...but not until I figure out what to do with it afterward...hmmm...

I bought the supplies for this project at stuff mart for about $6.50. Thrift stores are a great source for bases, and dollar stores often carry the foam balls. I think it could be pulled off for under $5 with coupons and a little planning.

OOooo, I just had another idea...how about clustering several of the topiary style at varying heights, with each one a different solid color...something like this.


I think I saw someone stocking Easter Candy at the store earlier...I've gotta get more candy!

Grocery Stockpiling~Lessons Learned

I have always been a couponer, to some degree. Thanks to some great blogs like Southern Savers, I am learning to be an Xtreme Couponer. I just finished tallying my January shopping totals, spending $440 on $1235 worth of grocery and personal care items over the 5-week month. That is an average of less than $90 a week, and a savings of 64%. Now, I do not intend to spend that much per week in the future. My January purchases have been replenishing my reserves. (We travel for an extended period during the holidays, so I intentionally cleaned out my pantry and freezer beforehand, only buying perishables for the entire month of December.)

But, I have gone beyond replenishing what I had. I have a true stockpile for the first time ever. I have all of the personal care, laundry detergent, dish detergent, and other cleaners that I need for the next 6-12 months. I also have a 2-3 month supply of most of our staple food items, including meat.

Here are some things that I have learned in the past month:

1. Xtreme Couponing = Stockpiling. It is the only way to truly get the best value out of your money.

2. Stockpiling creates a ready environment for giving. If I am aware of a need, I can meet it. I simply go shopping in my stockpile.

3. Many of the things that I bring home for free or nearly free are purchased at full price by other people in the same store, on the same day. (This was a true revelation.)

4. I don't have to worry about emergencies. If I get sick or there is a snowstorm (like now), we have all that we need in the house to get us through it.

5. It is ridiculous to pay $2.69 for a jar of peanut butter weekly when I can buy six now at $.99, and do the same thing again, six weeks from now. (Think about it, Full price- $2.69 x 6 = $16.14. Xtreme Couponing price- $.99 x 6 = $5.94. That's a savings of $10.20, Now, think about saving that much for every staple grocery item.)

6. The money that I save gives me freedom for little splurges, to save up for something special, or to bless someone else. In other words, I've become a better steward of what God has given me.

7. Shopping three stores with a plan is quicker and cheaper than shopping one with no plan. Yesterday, I hit 4 stores in 1 hour, 15 minutes. I spent $40 on $160 worth of merchandise.

8. People look at me funny when I walk through a store with a big ol' coupon binder. Some come back and ask me how it works ;)

9. Some cashiers will actually celebrate with me when I save 80% on an order, some will not.

10. If I am already getting a huge discount on an order, I usually don't get picky over a small coupon dispute, although I may ask for the item to be removed from my order. I would rather keep a great rapport with my stores than become known as that "Pushy Coupon Lady".

11. The amount of stuff that I can bring home FOR FREE is truly astounding.

12. Just for kicks, I kept up with the number of coupons that I used. 241 Coupons! (I know, I'm a nerd for keeping up with it.) And I used to think that store brands were a better buy, HA!

I'm certainly not a pro, yet. My coupon filing system still needs tweaking. But, overall I am very pleased with where all of this is heading. Everyone does it a little differently, and that is okay. The key is to find your own system and go with it.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

Did You Know? Making Sticker Sheets User-Friendly for Little Fingers

My Little Stinker loves stickers. I use them often as rewards or as a means of entertainment when we are away from home. But, he does not have a lot of patience. Sometimes stickers can be very difficult to get off of the sheet. He gets easily frustrated with them. This little tip has saved us from numerous meltdowns. Before giving your kiddo a sheet of stickers, peel off the surrounding "trash" sticky paper (As illustrated below). **Cue Inner Monologue, "There must be some trade-name for sticker sheet refuse...wonder what it is? Why do I wonder about such things? Do other people ask such odd questions? WHATever..." ** All that will be left on the sheet is the stickers, and they will be so much easier for little fingers to remove.

This monster's name is "Arrow", according to the Little Stinker. You have to LOVE these "Build a Monster" stickers from American Greetings. They have "Build a Robot" as well. I picked them up at stuff-mart.

Did You Know? Extending the Life of Disposable Razors

Part of frugal living is getting the most from the things that we purchase. Did you know that it is possible to increase the usefulness of the blades from your razor by at least half? I learned this trick a long time ago, and it really works. The best thing about it is that it is so simple to do. When you are done using your razor, dry off the blades. That's it! Try it, you'll be surprised at the results. I sure was!