Cheap Ways To ...

Looking for a cheap, non-toxic way to clean your home? Here are some ways to create your own cleaning solutions with items you probably already have in your home and that are safe for the environment and yourself!

* Baking soda: Use baking soda in a parmesan cheese container (glass one with the stainless steel top with holes in it) and sprinkle on any surface. This is great for bathrooms and the kitchen. You can also use baking soda as a natural fabric softener in the dryer.

* Vinegar: Vinegar will clean just about any surface in your home: windows, countertops, floors, etc. You can even use it in the wash cycle with your laundry to keep fabrics from fading. For specific recipes and uses visit http://www.versatilevinegar.org/usesandtips.html.

* Borax: Borax is effective with laundry and also removes mold in the shower.

* Hydrogen peroxide: Use hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting and whitening instead of bleach.

* Vodka: Vodka dispersed from a spray bottle will freshen up fabrics and upholstery. It’s cheap and non-toxic. The alcohol evaporates.

Source: Jeanne McLaughlin, International Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology via Mercola.com

Posted by Cara Davis at 09:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomorrow, from 1-10 p.m., Dunkin' Donuts is offering lattes, espressos and cappuccinos for 99 cents. Get one straight or with mocha or caramel swirl and even iced.

This is in direct response to the news that Starbucks will be closed tonight for remedial espresso training ...

Posted by Cara Davis at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Pizza Hut announced it's adding a line of pasta and budget-friendly items targeting the busy mom. Click here to read a news article about it.

Posted by Cara Davis at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Sandra Lee's "Semi-Homemade" section of the Food Network's website: "Are you a semi-homemaker in the New York tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) who has smart, savvy ways to save time and/or money? If so, Sandra wants to hear from you! Using the form below [linked here], send us your recipes, ideas, quick tips, and helpful hints. If possible, please include photos and videos as well. If Sandra likes your suggestion, you could be a guest on her show."

Posted by Cara Davis at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a neat trend: artists painting items they want. They paint something they want, and charge the amount of the actual item for the art itself. Called Wants for Sale, its counterpart website is called Needs for Sale. Same concept, but the proceeds go to charity.

Posted by Cara Davis at 07:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm a big believer in yard sales, however I know too well that they often don't seem worth the trouble and time you put into them.

I saw this ad on craigslist and think it's a great idea — for both sides of the coin. A woman is offering her services as a "yard sale" diva. She can help someone without the patience or time to put together a yard sale.

Are you a yard sale diva? Offer your services through a free craigslist ad in your city!

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From About.com: Spa Week is coming up April 14-20, 2008. Enjoy $50 spa treatments in 21 markets in the U.S. and Canada, including New York City, Los Angeles and Toronto.

Posted by Cara Davis at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are my little creations for Valentine's Day. I used a boxed cake mix for the cupcakes that I got for half price (BOGO sale at Publix). I piped pre-made icing through an icing bag. I used meltable candy and candy molds to make chocolate peanut butter hearts on top.

These Rice Krispie Treats get kicked up a notch with a dash of lemon extract and a few drops of red food coloring. I used heart-shaped cookie cutters to get the fun shapes. Happy Valentine's Day!

Fore more cheap ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, visit this article I wrote for ninetyandnine.com.

Posted by Cara Davis at 08:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

5MinutesforMom is giving away an Oreck XL Ultra. Post a comment on their blog (linked above) to enter to win.

Posted by Cara Davis at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you live in Orlando, donate your change for a good cause and get a free lunch at Panera. Details here.

Posted by Cara Davis at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Between now and Feb. 9, order a "family pack" and use promotion code "VALENTINE" at Walgreens.com for a free set of 1 8x10, 2 5x7s and 4 4x6s. I ordered one for our family, then used my parents' account to order them one. Happy Valentine's Day indeed!

Posted by Cara Davis at 07:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Don't have time or money for a full cruise? Here are some deals on mini-cruises.

Looking to rent a timeshare instead of owning? Check out these Timeshare User Group's classified section.

Posted by Cara Davis at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." —Proverbs 21:13

Posted by Cara Davis at 05:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This article outlines how to paint your own mural using one of those handy-dandy mural kits and how much you'll save: 82% instead of hiring an artist to do it for you.

There are a lot of sites offering cheesy mural kits for kids' rooms. Here is one of the better ones I've seen:

http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/wall-mural-kits-for-nurseries.html

Posted by Cara Davis at 06:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)