Five Ways to Save Money - In the Bathroom

Nobody wants to light five dollar bills on fire, so here are some helpful hints to save some money:

1. Soap is soap: This one is directly 'stolen' from Flylady, the idea is that you don't need a different kind of soap for every single thing. Leftover shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, etc. can be used for cleaning the sinks, tubs and toilets. I keep bottles of hand soap and laundry detergent when they're "empty", add some water, shake it around and use that to 'swish my toilet (with a brush and some elbow grease).
2. Don't buy shaving cream: This one's for the ladies. Use shampoo or conditioner to shave your legs. I've been using conditioner to shave my legs for about a year now, and it works perfectly fine. The only difference I notice in the shower is that it's much easier to fit everything on those little shelves with one less bottle. You can use the same as you use on your hair, buy cheap stuff especially for this purpose, or use up a shampoo you didn't like.
3. Don't buy makeup remover: I paid $10.49 plus tax for a 125mL little bottle of L'Oreal makeup remover. Can we say expensive? NOW, I use Johnson's head-to-toe baby wash. A 444mL bottle runs somewhere around $7.00 plus, I water it down. I fill my L'Oreal bottle about 1/3 full, and top it off with water, shake and I'm ready to go. If it's safe for baby's eyes, why not mine? (Plus I have semi-sensitive skin, and no problems).
4. Use what you have: This always applies. We all have those stashes of "nice" creams and stuff for "special" occasions. Go ahead and use them. You are special all on your own, you don't need an occasion. 
5. Try cheap: Touch and go with this one. I've done the cheap-o Q-tips and was not impressed, so I only buy brand name for them. But I buy the cheaper "Daisy" razors, no name cotton balls and cotton pads. If it's something you use a lot, buy a small package of a cheaper version or brand and see if it'll work for you.

Thank you for joining me, and I hope I can help you! It really is fun to be a Homemaking Diva!!

Love,
Valerie :D

Please comment or send your questions to me at homemakingdiva@hotmail.com

Selfish, In a Good Way

I'm adding myself back into the equation!

No I don't think the world revolves around me, but it was my birthday on Thursday, so what better month to be nice to myself?

This is not having a spa day and letting the kitchen pile up. This is taking a little time for hobbies and taking care of myself. Too often, I put myself last, and while I shouldn't be first, I should be in the top three.

My ideas for the month are simple things like actually making an appointment with the eye doctor because I've been noticing things getting a little blurry; getting a haircut (trim) because it's been a while and the split ends are bugging me. And fun things, like actually taking time to scrapbook at home and working through the learning to sew book I have.

Even practical things like knocking out a bunch of home small things I've been procrastinating on (I know I'll feel so much better as each is done); figuring out some systems for my new position at work; and staying caught up on the dishes.

...

There! I just got up for 5 minutes (less, actually) and got the bananas that were past their prime (WELL past) peeled and into the freezer. It's nice not to have to look at them ;)

These are the kind of small things that I don't bother doing and then every time I walk into that room I get bombarded with all the little things that need to be done. This month, I'm doing them!


So anyway, thank you for joining me, and I hope I can help you! It really is fun to be a Homemaking Diva!!

Please comment or send your questions to me at homemakingdiva@hotmail.com

Have great day!

Valerie :D