Road To A Cheaper Living

I'm so sick!!!!!!!

2008-09-30T03:44:00.000-07:00

I woke up yesterday morning just feeling blah. I took the kids to school, come home and sit in one spot all day til time to pick them up. I knew I had a fever when I was sitting in the car, in 90 degree weather shivering.

I hardly ever get sick and when I do it's because I've been taking care of kids who are sick. I've not been around anyone that is sick.

I'm going to have to put off the 10 wks to a cleaner home challenge for a couple of days. Sorry if anyone has been waiting on me to post. Hopefully this is just a 24 hour thing.

10 Weeks To A Cleaner Home Challenge

2008-09-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

As I was cleaning today I became so frustrated with the clutter. I can't believe I let myself become such a pack rat. Drawers need to cleaned out, corners need scrubbing, clothes need to be sorted through, windows need to be washed, and the list goes on and on and on. Being a work at home mom, you would think I would have more time to get these things done. Nope!

My house is appearance clean. What I mean by that is if I had company today I would be alright. Oh, as long as no one drops anything between the couch cushions and has to go digging for it or God forbid under the couch. lol

Today I decided something has to be done! I know, you read the title and thought "Wow, ten weeks is a long time!". If you think about it, for a stay at home/work at home mom, no it's not.

Here is my daily schedule:

During the weekdays

Wake at 4am
Take a shower and get dressed by 4:30
Morning chores
Wake kids 6am for school
Leave at 7am to take kids to school
7:30-9am more chores
9am-2pm work
Leave at 2pm to pick kids up
3-6pm Supper, homework, baths
6-7pm Clean up
7-8:30 Family time then bedtime

Saturday I sleep late(I deserve it! lol). I spend half the day catching up on chores I didn't get accomplished. The rest of the day and half of Sunday is family time.

See! No time for the deep cleaning/cleaning out of things.

Here's my plan. Every week for the next 10 weeks I will be picking a room(s). At the beginning of the week I will make a to do list and set a goal to finish that room(s) by the end of the week. In ten weeks my home will be in better shape!

Want a challenge? I will be starting my 10 week adventure Monday. Anyone that would like to participate with me will be entered for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card and a custom blogger template. I will be posting more Monday. See you then!

New Look!

2008-09-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

I just completed the new look for Road To A Cheaper Living! This is my very first attempt at designing one myself. I used the Minima template by Douglas Bowman and just went from there. I would love opinions about the new look and welcome any suggestions.

Collecting Freebies

2008-09-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

I try to devote 30 minutes to an hour every day searching and signing up for freebies. I have a drawer in the kitchen that they go in as soon as they arrive. It's overflowing! Why don't I use them? They come in very handy when the hard times come a rolling in. Out of shampoo? No problem! Grab one of those 20 samples you collected over the last three months. No money to buy makeup? Oh yeah! I have three different brand samples in my drawer. Get the idea? =)

Look at the Freebies I found today

2008-09-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

Tampax Pearl

Crest Whitening Expressions

Gain with Baking Soda

Pledge Multipurpose Wipes

Appreciating the Country Life

2008-09-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

I can't get over the wildlife that lives in my little neighborhood. Just today I saw two foxes, a family of groundhogs, a doe and her baby. I love the country life.

Homemade Fabric Refreshner

2008-09-21T03:58:00.000-07:00

I love Febreze and go through a huge bottle of it about every two weeks. With three kids, several cats, one dog, and a husband that works in a factory it is necessary. If I'm going to replace this wonderful invention it has to be something that works. I have definitely found that alternative!

Homemade Fabric Refresher

Clean empty spray bottle
Water
1 tbsp of Downy Fabric Softener or Softener of your choice (I used Downy Mountain Spring and a little more than a tbsp)

Fill spray bottle with water, add softener, and spray away! Works and smells great!

Homemade Fabric Softener

2008-09-20T16:37:00.000-07:00

As I run out of commercial products I'm finding homemade alternatives. I got the idea from a great work at home online community, Work Place Like Home. Here is my first attempt.

Homemade Conditioner Fabric Softener

6 cups Water
2 cups of hair conditioner (I used Suave Soothing Lilac and Lavender)
3 cups of distilled white vinegar
Gallon container with lid

Add all ingredients to container, stir, and add the same amount of softener to the wash you usually would.

My clothes were very soft with no static. I saved around $3.

Why I'm Starting This Blog

2008-09-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like the scare of almost facing foreclosure to wake you up and make you look over the way your life is lived.

My family doesn't waist our money on unnecessary things. Our money goes to necessities like electricity, water, food, clothing, gas etc... So why can't we make it?

I am determined to find out. My goal is to cut our bills and living expenses down, pay off our debt, and just live cheaper.

I thought it would be a good thing to blog about since we are not the only family facing hard times. Maybe down the road my recorded trials and errors will help someone else find their way.