Spring Cleaning Inside
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Thursday, 26 April 07 - 02:55 PM (GMT -05:00) By Viriatha Cordova in Living for Less |
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This is time consuming, but ultimately cheap. Move everything, use window cleaner liberally, some rags, a vaccuum or a broom. Done. I don't use expensive cleaners. I've found that window cleaners, Windex clones of various brands, clean everything. Grease, dirt, gum if you add a knife to scrape it, my bathtub, my floors. Easy to carry and easy to store when I'm done.
I do have to admit though. I don't wait for spring to do this kind of cleaning. If I did, I'd be over-whelmed in junk, living with a couple of packrats. I pick a room every week and clean everything in it a little at a time, something different every day. An example is my bedroom:
Monday: Broom to ceiling corners to get dust webs.- Tuesday: Pick up things from surfaces. The glass on my dresser I keep forgetting to take to the kitchen, the pens that have sat all week on my desk get put back in the pencil holder.
- Wednesday: Dust lampshades, top of my monitor, shelves - going down in succession. Use this idea from Wisebread to kill germs. Not so useful in the bedroom but it will be when I hit the bathroom next week.
- Thursday: Change the linen on the bed. Blankets in the washer.
- Friday: Pick something that collects clutter, sort. The bookshelf (what books am I not reading?), the CD rack (what CD's can I give away/sell/toss out?). Just one thing. The next time I hit the bedroom, I can pick something else to "de-clutter".
- Saturday: Sweep dust bunnies out and vaccuum.
- Sunday: Sit on my butt and look at it :)
Home Project Tidbits
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Wednesday, 25 April 07 - 02:00 PM (GMT -05:00) By Viriatha Cordova in Living for Less |
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Once you have an idea of what projects need doing, and the outside is clean enough that you actually want to do them, take a look at 10 Things You Must Know. Dumb Little Man found the series over at the DIY Network. He says the series is different because it breaks down projects and tells you what to be careful of and what to watch out for as opposed to just telling you their way of doing things. The Consumerist gives us some tips for avoiding home improvement scams, too.
While you're doing these projects, you'll probably come up with some trash, don't just toss it. Read Lifehacker's article on recycling centers first. Being frugal means alot more than just saving ourselves cash (although we do love that part of it).
And if you get yourself in a bind, read what Frugal Babe wrote. I usually read directions but this is a pretty creative solution.
71st Festival of Frugality
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Tuesday, 24 April 07 - 12:48 PM (GMT -05:00) By Viriatha Cordova in Living for Less |
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The 71st Festival of Frugality is being hosted over at the Art of Making Money. Some of my favorites:
- 20 tips to keep from spending money by Beth Dargis @ My Simpler Life.
- Fifteen Free Things To Do During A Money-Free Weekend by Trent @ The Simple Dollar.
- Do You Really Know How Much It Costs To Own Your Car? by Silicon Valley Blogger @ The Digerati Life.
- Last Minute Spring Cleaning? Don't Forget the Cupboards by John @ Queercents.
- Bargain Hunting at Outlet Stores @ Ask Mr Credit Card’s Blog.
- 101 ways to save a dollar by Colleen Caldwell @ Simple Kind Of Life.
Cleaning House from the Outside
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Tuesday, 24 April 07 - 12:27 PM (GMT -05:00) By Viriatha Cordova in Living for Less |
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So you've gone outside and looked around. You found a few problems that need fixing, maybe even hired a home inspector to help you decide what to take care of now and what can wait. I rent a mobile home, so I just make a list for the landlord and spend the next year pushing him to fix it all.
Now where do you start? Consider cleaning. This site is a bit corny but the principles are sound. This is what the Fly Lady has to say about sink shining:
"Shine Your Kitchen Sink
This is your first household chore. Many of you can't understand why I want you to empty your sink of your dirty dishes and clean and shine it, when there is so much more to do. It is so simple. I want you to have a sense of accomplishment. You have struggled for years with a cluttered home and you are so beaten down. I just want to put a smile on your face. When you get up the next morning, your sink will greet you and a smile will come across your lovely face. I can't be there to give you a big hug, but I know how good it feels to see yourself in your kitchen sink. So each morning this is my gift to you. Even though I can't be there to pat you on the back, I want you to know that I am very proud of you.
Go shine your sink! - FlyLady"
The same thing holds true for the outside of your house as it does the inside. It's so much easier to want to get things done when you can look around proudly at what you have and care about it. This is a little harder for renter's but even we can do this.
First, take your hose and just rinse down your entire house. Even with the rains of spring, it's a real surprise what a difference this can make. If you have a power washer for your car (I guess these are kind of common), use it on the house! If you don't have that, put the nozzle on a tight spray. If you don't even have that, use your thumb to break it up like we did as kids. If you don't have a hose, borrow one!
Next, look at your windows. You don't have to buy those expensive window washing products to get them clean! Take a look at what Mary Ann says about cheap window cleaning. One of her ideas for cleaning screens is a wire brush but I don't know why since she also mentioned uses for old toothbrushes and one of them was window screens! Shine the doorknobs a bit. Pick up the garbage outside, toys the kids left out, too.
Once the house is clean, take an interesting looking weed and pull the grass around it to make it look planted. You have now have a free, original plant. Mow the grass and take a rake to the yard.
Now look around. Your house is now sparkling and not only was it frugal but it's become something you want to take more pride in. Now go get a cheap, disposable camera and take a picture!
Getting Started at Home
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Monday, 23 April 07 - 01:12 PM (GMT -05:00) By Viriatha Cordova in Living for Less |
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When it comes to your home, one of the best possible ways to save money is to just keep up with maintenance. Alot of my friends complain they don't have time or energy or money or... well, you get the idea. I've done it myself. But if you can keep up with it, it costs you less, in all those categories, than having to fix it once it breaks. It's a cliche, but only because it's so, so true.
While you're thinking about what you're going to do this weekend, take a look at this article posted over at the Consumerist about getting your home ready for summer. If you rent, take some paper with you and make a list for your landlord when you find a problem. That's what you pay for after all, and he isn't in the home every day like you are so help him out.
If your a home owner and it's really bad, you might want to consider a home inspector to help you save money instead of a contractor. The inspector doesn't have a vested interest in spending your money for you and you get good, expert advice. It might be a good idea to do this every 5 to 10 years even if you don't find anything major to take care of on your own.
Once you have that extra free time, take a look at this list for some ideas that won't cost you much but are still alot of fun! One of my favorites is to look at home design books and dream up odd things to do in my dream house.
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