Save Money Buy Baking Soda - 100's of Uses!

For many years I had not thought much about using Baking Soda for other than the typical uses I was accustomed to such as a leavening agent in baking products, making into a paste for bee stings and sticking a box in the refrigerator to keep odors out. My mom also used to tell me she used it growing up to clean her teeth with instead of toothpaste.


A few years ago I started looking into more economical, healthier alternatives for cleaning and have incorporated more Baking Soda uses around my home. Their is actually a book I recently read that includes over 500 uses of Baking Soda called Baking Soda, Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of,  by Vicki Lansky, Book Peddlers, 2004


I decided earlier today to purchase a large bag of 13.5 lbs for $5.99 at Costco since I have found so many more uses for it. I would also suggest getting a large bottle of White Vinegar while your there as the cost is much lower and you can use these together to make a really easy household cleaner or if you saw my post from the summer, you can make an easy Fruit and Vegetable Wash using baking soda, water, vinegar and juice from a lemon. Speaking of summer, did you know you can also cool and soothe a sunburn by soaking  a lukewarm bath with a generous amount of Baking Soda? (a half to about a whole box of Baking Soda)


A few new uses I have found are:

• Shower Cleaner - 1st , clean shower stall doors by spraying with clear vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, then scour with a sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse and wipe or squeegee dry.
• Burn remedy - You can quickly treat a non-life threatening burn by applying cold cloths dipped in ice water with baking soda added until the burn has no heat. The burn is less likely to blister with this treatment. 
• Pet Deodorizing - Sprinkle a little in your cat box litter (if it doesn't already have odor control) 
• An easy Drain cleaner - add Baking Soda (about a cup) down the drain and then add 1 cup hot vinegar (you can heat it in the microwave first). Wait of few minutes before flushing with very hot water (about a quart). Repeat if necessary. This is great for regular deodorizing/upkeep of drains and disposers and avoids harsh chemicals.
• Auto Interior Cleaning - Great for freshening up your car seats and carpet. Just sprinkle on vinyl seats and wash with wet sponge or vacuum up if fabric. Sprinkle on carpet to freshen and then vacuum. 

Let me know how you use Baking Soda around your home. I will post a Part 2 for Baking Soda uses in the near future as their are so many great ways to use this amazing product!

COUPON CORNER - Pom Wonderful and Safeway Sale!

Great deal I found this last weekend that is still available at Safeway but act soon, last day of this sale is Feb. 7th. It requires last months Pom Wonderful manufacturer coupons for $1.00 off in your Sunday paper and the current Safeway advertisement posts Pom Wonderful 8oz. for .99 cents! I had 4 manufacturer coupons so I got 4 free. This is why I had to come back a few days later because the first time when the advertisement started they were completely sold out. I guess I am not the only one who figured this little gem of a deal out. 
On a quick side note: You can go to Pom Wonderful Website and sign up for emails and also get a $1.00 off coupon for their Fresh Arils (pomegranate inside seeds).
I also stocked up on Cambells Chunky Soups while I was at Safeway. They were on sale for $1.25 each (clip the coupon in the ad) and if you had the January and February Manufacturer coupons in the Sunday paper, you got them for $1.00 each because of the $1.00 off of 4 cans purchased. Again, this sale ends tomorrow night!


Any chance you can double up on the coupons/ads you can really notice a savings in your pocketbook!!

Save $10 on your Order at Vitacost (Online Health & Wellness Products)

Have you heard about Vitacost.com?
They have over 30,000 health and wellness products (including items like Burt Bees above, and vitamins, supplements, herbs, personal care products, organic foods and more; the best thing is they are cheaper than the health food store!

I recently purchased some vitamins that usually cost $18 at Super Supplements but got for $13 here and then $10 off too, so it only cost me $3 plus small shipping fee. Great deal! 

Please use the link below and you can save $10 off your order like I did (using Refer A Friend Rewards is a great way to spend less!) Also remember to click on the Free Samples link on the top of their page and you can add 2 freebies from their list! Thanks and let me know what you save on!

VITACOST Link for $10 Savings

I'm Back with some Super Deals for You!! Star Wars and More!

I found some great deals this week and wanted to share with you. I will try to make posting more of a regular ocurrance on here rather than just Facebook as I know some of you don't use Facebook. I have been using coupons more and more and the grocery stores and have noticed a big savings doing so. I will post some tips I use in the coming days as well.




Yesterday I (or shall I say my son, who is 10 years old) scored an amazing deal from Toys R Us. If you go to Hasbro website and sign up you can print off a coupon for Star Wars Mini Figures that is a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ! and if you combine with this weeks TOYS R US Ad, they have BUY TWO GET ONE FREE for Star Wars Mini Figures. I called the local store in my area to confirm if I could use both these coupons and they said YES, It sounded like I would be able to BUY ONE and then I would GET TWO FREE!!! I then was able to print two of these coupons so we purchased 2 and got 4 FREE! They cost $8.99 each so for approx. $18 (+tax) we got $54 (+tax) worth of toys. The clerks at the store were very helpful and made sure the coupons scanned and in fact the deal worked before my son chose all 6.  Great stocking up or future gifts purchase! See Links Below.


Hasbro Website  don't forget to sign up your child for the giveaway (instant win game) for prizes too or just click on the MOM savings for all their coupons from Hasbro.


Click on the SUPER DEALS AND MORE IN THIS WEEKS AD on their Homepage ToysRUs

FIESTA Dinnerware Sale and Review!

Fiesta from Homer Laughlin China is my favorite brand for everyday dishes at my home.

I just added another Jumbo 18oz. Mug in Sunflower to my collection yesterday and the best part is that is only cost me .50 cents! The Khol's store near me just sent out a $10.00 Coupon to use and they were currently running a sale on Fiesta so this $15.00 cup was marked down to $10.50 then the coupon made it only .50 cents! This is now my favorite Coffee (and tea) cup for those chilly days ahead :)  I think it reminds me of the summer time sunflowers from my garden and brightens up a rainy day here in the Pacific NW.

I love the Fiesta dinnerware colors so mixing and matching is easy and fun! I have been collecting pieces  for about 12 years now, mostly the shades of blue (turquoise, cobalt, periwinkle blue and juniper) but thought it might be nice to add some yellow.  A few other reasons I would highly suggest Fiesta dinnerware is that they are Lead - free, made in the USA and they are very durable. I know my family and I have dropped them on several occasions and have never broken any. Whats your favorite family dishes?

Homer Laughlin China Co. Website

Rehearsing for Him (His Sabbath and His Festivals to come)

Here's a great study re: the Sabbath and its importance by Jim Staley. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee or tea and your bible .......






"And He Rested"

Make Your Own FOAMING SOAP

I don't know about your kids, but handwashing reminding can sometimes get so frustrating but I have found that the "Foamy Soap" Dispensers are a"Big hit", and you don't have to continually buy these special kind of bottled liquid soaps, just re-use one with an easy recipe below and save money too!

FOAMING SOAP RECIPE

• Pour a few Tablespoons of Liquid Soap (Shampoo, Body wash or Dishwashing liquid can also be used) into a previously purchased/used Foaming Soap Dispenser Bottle
• Fill with warm water (not completely to the top but leave a little room - an inch or so to work properly) screw on the lid/pump and gently shake.
• Squirt a few times to get it started

**I also like to add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil to it for an added fragrance bonus!

Once you have tried this, you find your not having to buy as much liquid soap as nearly as often! I am not sure why I didn't figure this out sooner :)

NEIGHBORHOOD FRUIT Website

Wow, August is going by quickly and that means many fruits are falling off the vines from ripeness or just getting started such as apples. I recently came across this really helpful website that I hope may come in handy for you as well. 
Neighborhood Fruit helps people find and share fruit locally, both backyard bounty and abundance on public lands - 10,000 trees nationwide and counting!

Neighborhood Fruit was created to make use of the abundant fruit growing in our urban environments. Currently, the bulk of fruit grown in backyards and in our cities goes to waste, while the fruit we consume is grown in water-intensive orchards far from our homes.

Check out NEIGHBORHOOD FRUIT 'S Website to see if fruit is available in your area that you can use or for you to post for others if you have fruit available to share!

Happy picking!!

FLAVORS OF SUMMER

I think we finally hit some summer weather temps in the 80's today! Not complaining here at all considering the record breaking high heat going on in most of the US right now. I am enjoying some fresh raspberry lemonade with mint while trying to decide on what to make or do with the 7 pounds of freshly picked raspberries and strawberries I picked earlier. (See one of my favorite Berry treats below)

I am also trying to figure out ways to use/store the large amounts of mint that grows like weeds in my backyard! I have dried some for use in the fall/winter and I love it in my lemonade, summer fruit salads, and even use it with lavender to add to my bath for a relaxing soak.

What are some of your Favorite Summer Flavors?

Shana's Easy Frozen Berry Cream

• Frozen berries ( I like a mix of strawberries, raspberries & blueberries) approx 1 cup
• Sugar - approx. 2 tsp
• Half-n-half Milk, Whole or Lowfat milk, or non-dairy such as soy, almond or coconut milk - approx 1/2 cup

Put all in bowl and break up with spoon until desired consistency. (I like the way the milk freezes to the frozen berries and creates a delightful frozen treat.) Enjoy!!

FREE Lego Club Magazine and Events Info. for Kids

My son sure looks forward each month to receiving his Lego Club Magazine in the mail! It is a FREE 2 year Subscription he enjoys with great building ideas and upcoming Lego features. Yesterday he attended a Free Lego Speed Building Event at our local Lego Store. (See Pic. below) This kind of information is advertised as well in the magazine, although we just happened to be there recently at the right time as a treat for his week long hard working of goals he personally acheived.

Click Here to Sign Up for Your FREE Lego Club Magazine