THE dress that we wear for half a day, and then store in the back of our closet (or in the basement or attic) for half a century.

I realize I’m less sentimental than many… but if you’ve ever questioned your decision to keep your wedding dress perfectly preserved in a gigantic box that takes up loads of space you’d love to have for something more… useful/practical/necessary, then keep reading!

I’ll share what I did with my dress (it might shock you!) and a handful of other ideas to repurpose your formal gowns.

Also, there are so many other fun and clever ideas in the comments, so make sure you scroll down to read those too!

What I Did With My Wedding Dress

I won’t keep you in suspense… I chopped it up about a year after our wedding.

Yes, you read that correctly… I cut all the fabric off the skirt and put it in a small vacuum-seal bag to save for later (I already had my project in mind).

I threw out all the scraps and sold the “poofy under-skirt layers” to my sister’s friend, who was getting married later that year.

How I Repurposed My Wedding Dress

I eventually used some of the fabric to make an adorable baptism outfit for our boys.

I am so thrilled with how the outfit turned out, and that I got to use it twice!

It was 100% worth cutting up my wedding dress for this adorable little outfit.

I have some fabric left in the vacuum-sealed bag, which takes up almost zero space in the bottom drawer of my dresser. I plan to offer this remaining fabric to each of my children whenever they get married — they could use it as a ribbon around their flower bouquet or boutonnière, as a garter, or a sash on their dress, etc.

Maybe no one will use it, but I have a bit of fabric left if anyone is interested.

1. Sell it.

These days, almost any wedding dress could be “in style” as there are so many unique wedding themes popping up.

Even if you think your dress is outdated, it might be just what another bride-to-be is searching for (that means you get to make her day by selling your dress!)

Take a few flattering pictures, set a reasonable price, and list it on Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, or bring it to a local consignment shop (we have ones that specialize in formal gowns).

You might be surprised how quickly it sells.

More cash, less clutter — that’s the way to go!

2. Give it away.

If I didn’t have plans to make the baptism outfit, I likely would have given my dress to a local thrift store.

Obviously, not everyone could simply give their wedding dress away, but I always see wedding dresses at thrift stores and secondhand stores, and I just think it would be such a blessing for someone on a limited budget to be able to wear a great dress while it’s still in style.

Plus, I got my dress for $90 off the clearance rack, so donating and letting someone else enjoy it would have been my preference.

If you’d like to support military brides-to-be, you can donate your dress to Brides Across America.

3. Donate it to raise money for a cause.

I know a handful of women (in person and online) who donated their dresses to raise money for cancer or another great cause.

There are different charitable organizations in every state, so if you’re interested, do a quick Google search for places to donate wedding dresses in your area.

The Bride’s Project is an organization in Michigan that uses donated wedding dresses to raise money for cancer.

4. Donate it to the Angel Gown Program.

Speaking of donating, the Angel Gown Program has been suggested to me over and over and over again by friends and readers.

Volunteers with the Angel Gown Program use wedding dress fabric to make itty-bitty burial outfits for stillborn babies.

This ministry (and others like it) is meaningful and important to SO many families — it would be a great use for your old wedding dress.

5. Make another wedding, rehearsal dinner, or prom dress.

I know of people who have used parts of their dress to make prom dresses — or even wedding dresses for their daughters.

I’ve also seen a trend of girls altering their mom’s wedding dresses and wearing them as a “rehearsal dinner dress”.

If you have a creative daughter, granddaughter, niece, or other young friend who needs a prom or wedding dress, consider offering yours as “material” for her to use to create something special and unique.

6. Use the fabric to make anything.

As I mentioned above, I used my wedding dress fabric to make a baptism outfit for Simon and James. However, baptism outfits aren’t the only thing you can make with wedding dress fabric.

Consider anything and everything from pillows, hankies, and garters (potentially for future children’s weddings) to photo album covers, Christmas ornaments, baby quilts, doll clothes, stuffed animals, Christmas tree skirts, or decorative pillows in your own home.

7. Do a “trash the dress” photo shoot.

The “trash the dress” photo shoots became popular a few years after my wedding (after I had already cut my dress into pieces). I have several friends who did these photo shoots and they all turned out really great.

I actually know of wedding photographers who offer a trash-the-dress photo shoot as part of the wedding package. That might be something to ask about if you, or someone you know, is getting married soon!

8. Let your kids use it to play dress-up.

If you’re not quite ready to get rid of your dress but want to do something useful with it — why not let your kids use it for dress-up?

After all, what little girl wouldn’t love to play around with her mom’s wedding dress?

9. Wear it for a Halloween or costume party.

Your wedding dress might just be the perfect (frugal) Halloween costume, mystery dinner attire, or other fun/funny event clothing.

And when you’re done with the party, you can donate the dress!

10. Use it as a photo prop for newborn photos.

If you simply can’t bear to see your dress trashed, cut up, or used for play or donated, keep it in your closet and use it as a nice white fluffy backdrop for future newborn photos (this looks especially cool if you have a poofy dress).

Personally, I’m so happy I haven’t needed to store my wedding dress all these years, and I love knowing I used part of it for the boys’ baptism outfit.

Do you have any creative ways to repurpose a wedding dress?

This easy “recipe” for bacon-wrapped sausages has been one of my go-to recipes for almost 2 decades now.

And I type “recipe” in quotations because once you make these, you won’t need the recipe again… they are that easy.

You’re welcome

We Love Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites!

An EASY recipe that combines two of our favorite breakfast meats into one bite-sized morsel, coated with a delicious brown sugar glaze, is sure to win the approval of kids (and husbands) everywhere!

Seriously, everyone loves these!

And don’t limit them to breakfast and brunch. Bacon-wrapped sausage bites work for appetizers, game-day snacks, holiday party foods, backyard BBQ sides, and more.

How to Make Mini Sausage Bites

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF and line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easy clean up).

2. Measure brown sugar into a bowl and set aside.

3. Cut bacon slices into 4 short pieces and open the package of smokie links.

4. Dip each tiny piece of bacon into brown sugar, pressing to coat both sides.

5. Wrap one bacon piece around each sausage link and secure with a toothpick.

5. Place sausages on the prepared baking pan. (You could also put them in a food storage container at this point if you’re making them in advance.)

6. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bacon is cooked and crispy.

7. Serve immediately, or place in a slow cooker (on warm) to keep them hot until you’re ready to serve.

8. Toss the foil (and the mess!)

How to Make Them In Advance

If you’re short on time, you can assemble the sausages (with bacon, brown sugar, and toothpicks) the day before and refrigerate them in a sealed food storage container.

When you’re ready to bake, simply arrange them on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake according to the directions above.

What are your favorite brunch recipes?

Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!

If you share my all-things-in-moderation approach to cleaning products, but love the idea of keeping a handful of simple DIY products on hand for the majority of your cleaning needs, the recipes below are a great place to start.

Each recipe is quick to make, easy to customize, and uses ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice that often have multiple uses around the house.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire cleaning routine or commit to making every product from scratch. Even swapping out one or two cleaners can be a simple way to save money and reduce unnecessary waste.

Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best!

1. DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

This one-ingredient all-purpose cleaner couldn’t be simpler… and it’s extremely frugal too.

It’s the vinegar-based cleaner I use for almost everything — tables, high chairs, toys, bathrooms, wood floors, tile floors, and almost any other hard surface. I have one bottle mixed up under our kitchen sink, and another in our Bathroom Cleaning Bucket.

The basic recipe:

• Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and water in any spray bottle.
• Use to clean and wipe down most hard surfaces.

NOTE: The vinegar smell goes away in less than 5 minutes.

Related Reading: More than 100 Uses for Vinegar

2. DIY Window & Glass Cleaner

More often than not, I use the MysticMaid window cleaning cloth to clean our windows, mirrors, or any type of glass. Just get it wet, thoroughly wring it out, and wipe down the mirrors — no cleaning solution of any type necessary.

I’ve been using the same cloth since I got married — so it was a good investment!

However, if you’re looking for a window-cleaning spray, I recommend the recipe below.

The basic recipe:

• Mix 1 c. water, 2 T. vinegar, 2 T. rubbing alcohol, and 1.5 t. cornstarch in a small spray bottle.
• Shake well.
• Spray on windows, mirrors, or any other glass surface.
• Wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel

Related Reading: The Easiest, All-Natural Window and Glass Cleaner

3. DIY Shower Cleaner

I was skeptical about this shower cleaner, but it really does work. I even asked one of my friends who is a professional cleaner, and she says she uses this recipe on all her client’s showers!

The basic recipe:

• Pour 1 c. white vinegar and 1 c. Blue Dawn dish soap into a spray bottle.
• Gently shake.
• Use in all your showers!

Related Reading: The Easiest Homemade Shower Cleaner

4. DIY Chrome Cleaner

Seriously, this “cleaner” works miracles on my chrome shower fixtures — and it takes me all of 3 minutes to complete.

The basic recipe:

• Rub the cut side of a lemon on your chrome fixtures.
• Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Related Reading: How to Clean Chrome with Lemons

5. DIY Granite Counter Cleaner

When we had granite counters installed in our new kitchen, we were told we shouldn’t use a vinegar-based DIY cleaner as the vinegar could eat away at the granite. So I set out to find another homemade cleaner that would be suitable for my new counters.

It didn’t take long to find one that worked really well, and I’ve been faithfully using this recipe ever since.

The basic recipe:

• Mix 1/4 c. rubbing alcohol and 3-4 drops of dish soap in a 16 oz. spray bottle.
• Fill the bottle the rest of the way with water (about 1 and 3/4 c.).
• Use to clean any granite surface. 

Related Reading: Read more details about this cleaning method here.

6. DIY Stainless Steel Cleaner

Along with our granite counters, we also installed stainless steel appliances in our kitchen. I was originally hesitant to get stainless steel because I hate all the fingerprints. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how low-maintenance our appliances are.

That said, I still wipe them down on a daily basis with one of 4 simple DIY cleaners.

My favorite method is using a damp microfiber cloth. However, vinegar, dish soap, and a little oil are all great options as well.

Related Reading: Read more about my favorite stainless steel cleaners.

7. DIY Drain Cleaner

I’ve been successfully cleaning my sink, shower, and tub drains with this DIY mixture for years — even before I had my own house. It’s so fast and effective, and really frugal compared to the expensive (and super smelly) drain cleaners you can buy in the stores.

The basic recipe:

• Dump 1/2 c. of baking soda and 1/2 c. salt into the drain.
• Pour 1 c. of vinegar down the drain (it will bubble and foam up).
• Slowly pour an entire kettle of boiling water down the drain (it will bubble and foam again).
• Use a plunger or a drain snake for heavy clogs (when necessary).

Related Reading: How to Clear a Clogged Drain

8. DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner

If you’re looking for a great way to clean your garbage disposal, sharpen the blades, and put some of your citrus rinds to good use, I’ve got JUST the recipe for you!

The basic recipe:

• chop citrus peels (or whole citrus fruits) into small chunks
• place chunks into ice cube trays or mini muffin tins
• pour vinegar over peels until compartments are full
• place trays in the freezer until completely frozen
• store tabs in trays or in a zip-top bag in the freezer until you’re ready to use

Related Reading: How to Make Garbage Disposal Cleaning Tabs

9. DIY Fabric Softener

We installed a full-house humidifier on our furnace a few years ago, but even still, our house tends to get dry in the winter months, which means more static cling on our clothing.

Wool dryer balls are my go-to for reducing static cling, but there are so many other useful methods too — like safety pins, aluminum foil, vinegar, and simply using less detergent or drying on a lower temperature.

Related Reading: 10 Easy Static Cling Fixes

11. DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes, it’s probably time! Luckily, the DIY recipe I use is super quick and easy, and it just uses 2 ingredients.

The basic recipe

• In a large bowl or small sink, mix hot water and vinegar (baby shampoo also works well).
• Swirl your brushes in the mixture until they come clean (you may need to refresh the water several times).
• Gently squeeze out excess water.
• Reshape brushes and let them dry on a clean towel.

Related Reading: DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner.

Pretty simple, huh?

I know there are many more DIY cleaning products, but I’m not interested in recipes that require expensive ingredients or time-consuming processes — I’d rather buy from the store!

The recipes I’m sharing here are the most basic, tried-and-true, SUPER simple recipes I’ve used to successfully clean my home for nearly 2 decades… so I know they work and I know they are doable for busy lives.

More DIY cleaning resources:

These are my favorite microfiber cleaning cloths. They are so inexpensive (only $10.89 for 5 cloths), and I order a bunch at once to save on shipping.

If you’d rather not spend money on rags, try making DIY t-shirt rags. They’re super soft, they’re free, and they don’t leave any lint behind! I often use these for really grubby jobs, and then toss the rags when I’m finished.

Here’s the link to ALL my cleaning posts from the beginning of my blog!

After you simplify your cleaning cabinet, read this post on 8 tips to simplify my weekly cleaning routine. Who knows, you might actually even enjoy cleaning once you have a simple routine… or maybe not!

What are your favorite DIY cleaning products?

If you’re a newer reader, our yard didn’t always look like this — it’s been YEARS in the making.

For example, here’s a progression of this area over the last 15 years.

What you don’t see are the countless hours of work that went into creating the park-like landscape.

It was mostly a labor of love, and we absolutely enjoy the fruits of our labor, but it didn’t just “happen”!

If you’d like a similar focal point in your landscape, look for a “Redbud multi-stem”, not a bush or a tree. The multi-stems are so fun because they grow large (15-20 ft high and wide) but are very easy to prune into whatever shape you desire.

We’ve chosen more of a “tree” shape (we prune all the lower branches), which creates a canopy over the plants below it (lots of shade-loving plants).

It takes a few years for the shape to evolve, but it’s totally worth the effort!

First, let’s redefine hobbies.

A hobby doesn’t necessarily need to be something big like starting a book club, training for a marathon, or learning to play an instrument (unless you truly want that).

A hobby can be as basic as taking a daily walk around the block, reading a few pages of a book before bed, starting a new coloring book, or calling a friend while you fold laundry.

These small, meaningful activities still count — and they still refill your tank.

So how do you make time for hobbies?

Let’s look at a few ways you can make time for life-giving hobbies in your life — no matter how full your days are!

1. Lower the Bar (a lot)

One of the biggest barriers to hobbies is the idea that they need to be something new, impressive, or productive.

They don’t.

• Reading two pages is still reading.
• Walking for 10 minutes is still movement.
• Making one small flower arrangement is still beautiful.
• Chatting with a friend while doing dishes still counts as connection.
• Reading one Proverb each day is still enlightening.

When you stop striving for big and bold (which will take significantly more time and energy), you’ll likely find you have opportunities throughout your day to enjoy smaller, less-intimidating hobbies.

2. Stack Hobbies with What You Already Do

Hobbies don’t necessarily require extra time (something that is likely at a premium for you). Instead, look for ways to layer hobbies into your existing routines.

Here are a bunch of ways I do this in my everyday life — some of these ideas might work for you too.

• Listen to an audiobook while driving or cleaning.
• Call a friend while walking or folding laundry.
• Stretch, walk, do yoga, or read a book while your kids play outside.
• Read or listen to a podcast while waiting in the pickup line.
• Knit while watching a sporting event.

This approach works because it doesn’t require you to rearrange your life — it simply adds a little joy to what’s already there.

3. Keep Your Hobbies Visible and Accessible

Out of sight often means out of mind, especially when life is busy. And while I personally prefer to keep most of my flat surfaces clean and decluttered, I do keep regularly-used items somewhere I can easily access them.

This is especially important when you’re trying to change your behavior (like adding in a few hobbies to your life).

• If you want to read more, keep a book on your nightstand or in your bag.
• If you want to sketch, leave your notebook and pencils in a specific spot on your desk or the counter.
• If you want to walk, keep your shoes by the door.
• If you’re learning a new instrument, let it out (I left my cello out for almost a year!)

These days, it’s rare that I go anywhere without earbuds, a book, and/or my current knitting project… making these hobbies always accessible, and not any extra effort.

4. Let Go of All-or-Nothing Thinking

You don’t need a full hour to enjoy a hobby. And you don’t need to do it perfectly. Hobbies aren’t about perfection; they’re about enjoyment, even if it is only a few moments of enjoyment.

• You don’t need to finish a full chapter.
• You don’t need to watch the full movie in one sitting.
• You don’t need to paint a masterpiece.
• You don’t need to walk three miles.
• You don’t need to shop all day.
• You don’t need to have a deep, hour-long conversation.

A little bit still counts, so use those 5 minutes before bed, the 15 minutes before everyone wakes up, or 10 minutes after dinner when everyone is happy, full, and doing their own thing.

I admit that squeezing hobbies into short pockets of time isn’t always as enjoyable as having a full afternoon to immerse in your hobby of choice, but it is better than nothing at all!

5. Involve Your Family

Some hobbies can actually include your family, instead of competing with it.

• Go for family walks or bike rides.
• Have a family reading time or movie night together.
• Plan a crafting afternoon with simple crafts that younger kids can do by themselves.
• Bake or cook for fun, not just necessity.
• Leave an in-progress puzzle on the table for anyone to work on throughout the week.
• Go to the tennis courts with a friend and their children — let the kids mess around while you 2 play more competitively.

It won’t always be peaceful, but it can still be enjoyable!

6. Remember Why Hobbies Matter

Hobbies aren’t selfish — they’re sustaining.

• They give your mind a break.
• They help you feel like yourself again.
• They sprinkle small pockets of joy into ordinary days.

And when you’re a little more rested, a little more fulfilled, and a little more connected, you show up better for everything else, too.

100+ Simple Hobbies for Busy Adults

For those of you who don’t even know where to start or what type of hobby to pursue, I’ve got you covered with a giant list of more than 100 simple hobbies for busy adults!

Quiet + Restful Hobbies

• Reading (books, magazines, devotionals, daily Bible verse)
• Audiobooks or podcasts
• Journaling (gratitude, brain dumps, prayer journal)
• Coloring (adult coloring books or even kids’ pages!)
• Sitting outside with coffee/tea
• Listening to music intentionally (not just background noise)
• Watching a comfort show (guilt-free)
• Puzzle books (crosswords, Sudoku, word searches)
• Stargazing

Creative, No Pressure Required, Hobbies

• Sketching or doodling
• Watercolor painting (very beginner-friendly)
• Hand lettering or calligraphy
• Writing (short reflections, blog posts, stories)
• Photography (even just with your phone)
• Scrapbooking or memory-keeping
• Decorating or rearranging a room
• Simple DIY crafts
• Knitting or crocheting (start small!)
• Sewing (I enjoy altering clothing I find at thrift stores)
• Seasonal decorating

Movement-Based Hobbies

• Walking (outside or on a treadmill)
• Stretching or basic yoga
• At-home workouts (short + simple)
• Dancing in your home
• Bike rides
• Playing outside with your kids or grandkids
• Gardening or yard work
• Hiking local trails
• Jump rope (it’s harder than you think!)

Productive, But Still Enjoyable Hobbies

(Because sometimes “doing something useful” feels relaxing!)

• Baking (bread, muffins, cookies)
• Trying a new recipe, just because
• Organizing a small space (drawer, closet, pantry)
• Decluttering (one area at a time)
• Meal planning
• Budgeting or tracking expenses
• Couponing or finding deals
• Planning future trips (even if just dreaming!)
• Home projects (painting, small updates)

Connection-Based Hobbies

• Calling or texting a friend regularly
• Voice messaging instead of texting (Voxer, Marco Polo, etc.)
• Writing letters or cards
• Hosting simple coffee dates
• Walking with a friend
• Game nights (family or friends)
• Book discussions (casual, not formal!)
• Volunteering
• LEGOs with your kids (unless the pieces would drive you crazy!)

Learning (In Small Doses) Hobbies

• Listening to educational podcasts
• Watching short tutorials (YouTube, etc.)
• Learning a new recipe each week
• Practicing a new language (apps or flashcards)
• Reading nonfiction books
• Learning about nutrition, gardening, whole grains, or homemaking
• Memorization (quotes, scripture, poetry)
• Word puzzles (on paper or Apps)

Outdoor + Fresh Air

• Sitting on the porch
• Gardening (flowers, herbs, veggies)
• Birdwatching
• Nature walks
• Visiting local parks
• Sitting at the beach (maybe without the kids and all their gear)
• Picnics (even super simple ones)
• Watching sunsets/sunrises
• Collecting rocks, leaves, or flowers with kids

“While You’re Already Doing Something” Hobbies

(Habit stacking for the win!)

• Audiobooks while cleaning
• Podcasts while driving
• Calling a friend while folding laundry
• Stretching while watching TV
• Practicing gratitude while doing dishes
• Listening to music while cooking
• Doing yard work while playing with kids and pets outside

Micro-Hobbies (5 – 15 Minutes)

• Reading a few pages
• Tidying one small space
• Stepping outside for fresh air
• Writing a quick journal entry
• Watering plants
• Doing a short workout video
• Practicing a creative skill for a few minutes
• Sending a thoughtful text or note

Seasonal / Rotating Hobbies

(Keeps things fresh without overwhelm or boredom)

• Summer: gardening, walking, grilling
• Fall: baking, decorating, cozy reading
• Winter: puzzles, crafts, baking, journaling
• Spring: decluttering, organizing, planting

Just-for-Fun (No Productivity Allowed) Hobbies

• Scrolling Pinterest for ideas
• Window shopping (online or in-store)
• Rearranging furniture
• Trying a new coffee or tea
• Watching old movies
• Playing simple games on your phone
• Singing along to music

The “best” baked potato isn’t about fancy ingredients or complicated techniques — it’s about taking a basic staple and preparing it well. And when you do, you’ll have a side dish that’s just as comforting as it is practical.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, trying to stretch your grocery budget a little further, or simply desiring to keep your growing kids fuller longer, mastering the baked potato is a kitchen skill worth having in your back pocket!

The Best Potatoes for Baking

Not all potatoes are created equal when it comes to baking… if you want that classic fluffy interior, russet potatoes are your best bet. Their high starch content and thick skin make them ideal for that light, airy texture.

Yukon Gold potatoes are another great option if you prefer a slightly creamier, buttery consistency.

When selecting potatoes, look for ones that are firm, free of green spots, and relatively uniform in size so they cook evenly.

Ingredients for Baked Potatoes

• Potatoes (see note above for the best varieties)
• Oil or melted butter
• Salt

Favorite Toppings for Baked Potatoes

• Butter
• Salt (garlic salt is also nice)
• Sour Cream
• Chives (fresh or dried)
• Cheese (your favorite variety)
• Cooked Broccoli
• Cooked Bacon Crumbles
• Chili
• Taco Meat
• Any other favorite herbs or seasonings

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, there are various ways to actually bake your potatoes… I’ll detail a few below, but keep in mind, the end results will still be delicious, no matter what baking method you choose!

How to Bake Potatoes in the Oven

If you have the time, the oven-baking method produces the best overall texture — both in the crispy skin and the soft, fluffy insides.

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Scrub potatoes clean and dry thoroughly.
3. Pierce each potato a few times with a fork.
4. Rub lightly with oil or melted butter and sprinkle with salt.
5. Place potatoes directly on the oven rack for crispy skin (wrap them in foil first for softer skin.)
6. Bake for 45–60 minutes, until a fork slides in easily.
7. Once fully baked, cut a slit down the middle and squeeze the sides of the potato.
8. Top with desired toppings and enjoy!

Faster Baked Potato Methods

Sometimes you need dinner on the table now. Thankfully, baked potatoes are flexible.

Microwave Method (Quickest Option)

• Wash and pierce the potato with a fork.
• Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Microwave a single potato on high for 5- 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Cut a slit down the middle of the potato and squeeze the sides.
• Top with desired toppings and enjoy!

NOTES: For crispy skin, finish in the oven for 10 – 15 minutes. For soft skin, wrap the potato in a damp paper towel before microwaving.

Air Fryer Method (Crispy + Efficient)

• Wash and pierce potatoes with a fork.
• Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Bake potatoes at 400°F for 35 – 45 minutes.
• Cut a slit down the middle of the potato and squeeze the sides.
• Top with desired toppings and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Method (Hands-Off Cooking)

(I use this method ALL the time — it’s perfect for busy weekdays!)

• Wash and pierce potatoes with a fork.
• Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Wrap potatoes in foil and place them in the slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours.
• Cut a slit down the middle of the potato and squeeze the sides.
• Top with desired toppings and enjoy!

On an Open Fire (Fun For Camping)

• Wash and pierce potatoes with a fork.
• Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Wrap potatoes in a double layer of aluminum foil.
• Bury potatoes in the hot fire coals and cook for 40-60 minutes.
• Cut a slit down the middle of the potato and squeeze the sides.
• Top with desired toppings and enjoy!

On the Grill (Another Fun Summer Option)

• Wash and pierce the potato with a fork.
• Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Cook potatoes (in any method above) until about 75% cooked through.
• Cut potatoes in half and rub cut sides with more oil and salt.
• Place the cut sides down on the grill, cover, and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
• Serve with grill marks facing up and with all your favorite toppings.

Ways to Use Leftover Baked Potatoes

I always make extra baked potatoes because I know we will eat them.

Here are a few simple recipes if you find yourself with extra baked potatoes.

• Slice them and make super crispy fried potatoes.
• Cube them for ham and potato soup or mash them for cheesy mashed potato soup.
• Reheat them as a side dish for another meal.
• Scoop the filling out and make twice-baked potatoes.
• Make homemade potato salad.
• Chop into small bits and add to an omelet.
• Make loaded baked potato casserole.
• Remove the skins, add milk, and make chunkier mashed potatoes.

Easy Baked Potatoes

Print

Baked potatoes are the ultimate simple, frugal side dish – crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfect with almost any meal. They’re a filling, family-friendly favorite you’ll come back to time and time again.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold are best)
• Oil or melted butter
• Salt

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:

Toggle ingredient group

• Butter
• Salt (garlic salt is also nice)
• Sour Cream
• Chives (fresh or dried)
• Cheese (your favorite variety)
• Cooked Broccoli
• Cooked Bacon Crumbles
• Chili
• Taco Meat
• Any other favorite herbs or seasonings

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Scrub potatoes clean and dry thoroughly.
3. Pierce each potato a few times with a fork.
4. Rub lightly with oil or melted butter and sprinkle with salt.
5. Place potatoes directly on the oven rack for crispy skin (wrap them in foil first for softer skin.)
6. Bake for 45–60 minutes, until a fork slides in easily.
7. Once fully baked, cut a slit down the middle and squeeze the sides of the potato.
8. Top with desired toppings and enjoy!

Notes

You can cook your potatoes in a microwave, air fryer, slow cooker, campfire, or even on a grill -- see post for additional instructions.

Also, here are a few helpful tips:

• Wash them well. They can be surprisingly dirty.
• Don’t skip the oil and salt. This is the secret to flavorful, crispy skin.
• Check for doneness properly. A fork should slide in easily, and the potato should give slightly when squeezed (use a towel so you don’t burn your hands!)
• Fluff immediately. Slice open and fluff the inside to release steam and keep it light.

Recommended Products

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  My Favorite Potato Scrubber
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  7-Quart Slow Cooker
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More Potato Recipes

Told you we love potatoes!

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Oven-Roasted Potatoes with herbs and butter
• Oven-Roasted Potatoes with oil and salt
• Baked Herbed Potato Wedges
• Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes
• Really Good Fried Potatoes
• Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

What are your favorite ways to eat potatoes?

Vinegar is great for:

Cleaning — it cuts grease, naturally deodorizes, disinfects, removes mineral deposits, and it’s streak-free.

Cooking — it brightens flavors, tenderizes meats, prevents bacterial growth, and enhances freshness.

And SO much more! There are literally hundreds of ways you can use vinegar around your home. I’m sharing a handful of favorites today!

But What About the Smell?

The comment I always, ALWAYS get whenever I mention vinegar is the smell. No one likes that strong, vinegar smell — I get it!

However, the smell dissipates in just a few minutes, so if you can handle it while you’re cleaning or cooking, it won’t last much longer!

You can add a few drops of essential oils to the vinegar when cleaning (not cooking!), and while you’ll still smell the vinegar, you will also smell the essential oils.

They also sell cleaning vinegars with lemon, lavender, or orange scents. I don’t buy it, but it could be an option if the smell really bothers you.

My Favorite Uses for Vinegar:

• Remove gunky buildup from my hair once a month.
• Descale my Keurig a few times per year.
• Wash fruits and veggies (they last so much longer when rinsed with a little vinegar water).
• Marinate meat (it’s so tender when you add vinegar to the marinade).
• Deodorize lots of smelly sports gear!

I’ll elaborate more on each of these below.

Basic Vinegar Ratios:

Unless otherwise noted, the basic ratio I use when mixing up vinegar for cleaning in and around my home is:

• 1 part white distilled vinegar (the kind you cook and bake with)
• 1 part water

For example, if you use 1 cup of vinegar, you’d use 1 cup of water. If you use 5 Tablespoons of vinegar, you’d mix that with 5 Tablespoons of water.

Simple!

There are a bunch of stronger “cleaning vinegars” on the market these days — geared towards home/garden uses. These ARE more powerful for stuck-on stains, hard water issues, or killing tough weeds, but I’ve always had good luck with the basic white vinegar in my pantry cabinet.

I recommend using glass spray bottles to store vinegar cleaner in — I keep one in the kitchen and one in each bathroom.

Caution! Don’t Use Vinegar on This!

Before we get too far into the myriad of ways vinegar can simplify and improve your home life, I want to mention a couple of ways you should NOT use vinegar.

• Don’t mix vinegar with bleach – it creates a toxic gas.
• Don’t use vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble – it can etch.
• Don’t use straight vinegar for skin or internal use – always dilute it 50/50 with water.
• Don’t use “cleaning vinegar” for any skin or internal uses — it is usually 20-30% more potent than cooking vinegar, and also isn’t intended for consumption.

And one more caution… while vinegar does have antimicrobial properties (it can serve as a great natural disinfectant), vinegar can’t compare with hospital-grade disinfectants for cleaning Norovirus, bloodborne pathogens, or raw meat prep areas.

Other than that, you should be able to successfully use vinegar on almost everything else!

How to Clean Your Kitchen with Vinegar

1. Naturally disinfect most surfaces (mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water, spray, let sit for 5 minutes, and wipe).

2. Scrub stuck-on stains (make a paste with vinegar and baking soda and scrub with a sponge).

3. Clean your dishwasher (pour 1 cup into the bottom of the dishwasher and run it with no dishes inside).

4. In place of “Jet Dry” (fill the Jet Dry cup on your dishwasher with vinegar instead).

5. Descale your coffee maker, electric tea kettle, and Keurig (pour 2 c. white vinegar and 1 c. water into the appliance and run a full brew cycle. Remove and run 2 cycles with fresh water).

6. Disinfect cutting boards by soaking in vinegar for 5 minutes, then washing as normal (possibly not cutting boards that have been saturated in raw meat juice).

7. Clean and disinfect wooden spoons and other utensils (soak in vinegar and water for 5 minutes, then wash as normal).

8. Rinse your hands with vinegar to remove strong onion and garlic odors.

9. Keep sponges and kitchen rags fresh by soaking them in a shallow dish of vinegar overnight. Rinse them before using again.

10. Clean “unwashable appliances” (spray white vinegar/water mix on electric griddles, George Foreman grills, etc., and wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel.)

11. Unclog Drains (here’s my recipe to quickly unclog sink and shower drains.

12. Natural Degreaser (use straight vinegar on greasy stovetops or range hoods, let sit for 5 minutes, then wipe with a soft cloth).

13. Clean stuck-on gunk in your microwave (pour 1/4 c. vinegar and 1 c water in a glass bowl; microwave on high for 5 minutes; wipe clean).

14. Disinfect icecube trays and remove build-up (soak icecube trays in vinegar overnight and then rinse with cold water).

15. Freshen your garbage disposal (here’s my recipe for garbage disposal cleaning tabs.)

16. Naturally clean your fruits and veggies by soaking them in 1 part vinegar and 1 part water

17. Clean a non-self-cleaning oven by spraying the inside with vinegar and then sprinkling with baking soda. Let sit for 5-10 minutes and then scrub with a sponge

18. Clean your stove top

19. Remove hard water spots from stainless steel by wiping with a cloth dipped in vinegar

20. Clean the insides of water bottles and coffee thermoses by “swishing” with vinegar — this will naturally kill any bacteria lingering at the bottom where you might not be able to reach.

How to Clean Your Bathroom with Vinegar

21. Clean counters and all surfaces with 1 part vinegar and 1 part water.

22. Scrub Toilets (pour white vinegar directly in the toilet, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a toilet brush).

23. Wipe Mirrors (try my recipe for glass cleaner).

24. Clean Showers and Bathtubs (here’s my recipe for shower cleaner).

25. Remove the small from stinky towels (here’s the step-by-step process).

26. Get rid of mold and mildew (mix 3 T. white vinegar, 1 t. Borax, and 2 c. hot water. Shake, spray, and let it soak for a few minutes, then rub the area with a soft brush or cloth).

27. Remove hard water stains from your shower nozzle by pouring 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a plastic bag. Use a rubber band to attach the bag to the nozzle and let soak for 10-15 minutes.

28. Remove limescale buildup on your shower door or in your tub by heating a small container of vinegar to the boiling point. Pour vinegar over the problem areas and it should loosen the lime.

29. Wash your shower curtain by throwing it in the washing machine with a few old towels. Use 1/2 c. laundry detergent and 1/2 c. baking soda for the wash cycle, and then 1 c. vinegar for the rinse cycle.

30. Clean the grimy soap buildup from your soap dish by soaking it in 1 part vinegar and 1 part warm water

How to Clean Your Home with Vinegar

31. Wood floors (mix 1 c. vinegar with 1 gal. warm water; clean floors with this mixture and then dry with a clean cloth).

32. Use it in a steam mop to clean most surfaces.

33. Clean leather sofas/chairs (spray white vinegar over the surface and “buff” with a soft, clean cloth).

34. Wash Walls (wipe down pretty much any wall surface with a cloth dampened with white vinegar).

35. Disinfect kids’ toys and books (1 part vinegar and 1 part water spray — or dump some vinegar in bath water and let the toys soak for a bit).

36. Freshen your mattresses (Blot mattresses with a clean cloth dipped in vinegar. If the spot is still damp, sprinkle a little baking soda over the area and vacuum it up).

37. Clean the filters in your dehumidifier/humidifier by soaking them in vinegar for 1 hour.

38. Clean mini blinds by soaking them in a bathtub filled with warm water and a few cups of vinegar.

39. Spot clean carpets by spraying vinegar on the spot and blotting it with a damp cloth. (Note: this could cause a bit of bleaching on darker carpets and is better for lighter carpets).

40. Wipe down refrigerator shelves and drawers with vinegar as a food-safe alternative to traditional cleaners and disinfectants.

41. Wipe down electronics with a rag dipped in vinegar (computer keys, mouse, phone keypad/screen, etc).

42. Clean your washing machine (dump 2 c. of distilled vinegar and run it on the quick cycle with no clothing inside to remove residue and buildup).

43. Remove water rings from wood furniture (here’s my step-by-step process).

How to Use Vinegar With Your Laundry

Simply add about 1/2 c. of distilled vinegar to your rinse cycle or to the fabric softener dispenser to help with the following:

44. Remove built-up soap residue

45. Reduce static cling (learn more about how to reduce static cling here).

46. Naturally soften your clothes, towels, blankets, etc.

47. Stop colors from running

48. Whiten whites (remember, don’t mix vinegar with bleach!)

49. Reduce irritation for those with sensitive skin

50. Prolong the life of your tights and nylons (crazy!)

51. Remove lingering odors (cigarette smell, smoke, gas, urine)

52. Eliminate that “musty” smell from damp towels and work-out clothes

You can also soak/scrub items in white vinegar to help with the following:

53. Remove yellow stains from sweat

54. Remove blood stains (let soak for 10 minutes)

55. Remove ink stains (mix 2 parts vinegar and 3 parts cornstarch, rub on stain, let dry, wash).

When ironing, use vinegar to help with the following:

56. Removing wrinkles (mist clothing with 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water).

57. Clean the inside of your iron (fill the water reservoir with white vinegar).

58. Clean the metal plate of your iron (mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part salt, scrub the plate with this paste).

59. Eliminate scorch marks (rub the scorched area with a cloth dipped in white vinegar and then blot with a clean towel).

Ways to Use Vinegar Around Your Home and Garden

76. Clean your windshield wipers with vinegar to keep them functioning properly.

77. Loosen rusted-on screws or rusty patio furniture by soaking the areas in vinegar.

78. Keep flying bugs away from your outdoor parties by putting cider vinegar in a shallow dish away from your food. By the end of the night, your dish will be full of “floating bugs”!

79. Make a fly trap for your kitchen by filling a mason jar half full of cider vinegar. Then punch holes in the lid and put the lid back on. The flies will crawl through, but won’t be able to get out again.

80. DIY mosquito spray (pour vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz on your skin. The vinegar smell will go away after a few minutes, but you should be bug-free all night!)

81. Clean the grill by scrubbing the grates with vinegar and scrubbing with a grill brush.

82. Kill weeds (spray straight vinegar on all weeds — but not on grass as it will kill it too!)

83. Clean patio furniture with 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle.

84. Clean lawn mower blades (spray vinegar on the blades and scrub off).

85. Keep cats out of your sandbox by pouring vinegar around the outside of the box

86. Neutralize dog urine and eliminate brown/yellow patches in your grass (put a few drops of vinegar in your dog’s water bowl).

87. Keep flies away from your pool by pouring vinegar around the outside edges of the pool

88. Prolong the life of garden veggies (spray melons and pumpkins with vinegar to prevent mold from growing on the skin).

89. Clean bird droppings by spraying the area with vinegar and then wiping with a cloth/sponge.

90. Protect veggie garden (soak several rags in vinegar and place them around your garden. Repeat the process every 7-10 days.)

91. Remove the “skunk smell” from dogs or anything else (wash with 1 part vinegar and 1 part water and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.)

92. Wipe down walls with vinegar before you paint to ensure that all the dirt and grease is removed and the paint will adhere properly.

Tips to Use Vinegar in the Kitchen

Along with cleaning the kitchen, vinegar is a great pantry staple for cooking/baking too!

93. Make your favorite vinaigrette or salad dressing.

94. Tenderize tough cuts of meat (add a couple of Tablespoons to your favorite meat marinade).

95. “Pickle” almost anything (here’s my recipe for easy refrigerator dill pickles).

96. Freshen smelly shoes or sports gear by spraying the insides with vinegar, placing them in a paper bag, and then putting the bag in the freezer overnight.

97. Stop a poached egg from spreading (add 2 Tbs vinegar to the water)

98. Prevent hard-boiled yolks from turning brown (add 2 Tbs. vinegar to the water when boiling). Here’s my recipe for how to hard-boil eggs in the oven.

99. Naturally sanitize baby bottles/nipples (wash with vinegar and warm water, then store in the freezer).

100. Remove sticky residue from labels, stickers, and gum (rub the area with a rag dipped in vinegar).

101. As a substitute for eggs in vegan recipes (for every one egg called for, mix 1 Tbs. vinegar with 1 tsp baking soda).

102. Polish silver (soak silver pieces in a mixture of 1/2 c. white vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda for 2-3 hours, rinse with cool water, and dry immediately.)

Who knew you could do so many things with vinegar!!

Did I miss anything? What do you use vinegar for?

Ingredients for Loaded Kale Salad

FOR THE SALAD:

• 6 c. chopped kale leaves (cut off thick ribs and wash thoroughly)
• 1/2 c. cooked quinoa
• 2 small/medium sweet potatoes (peeled, cubed, and roasted)
• 1 apple; diced (you can leave the peels on)
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 c. Craisins or dried cherries
• 1/2 c. golden or black raisins
• 1/2 c. feta cheese; crumbled
• 1/4 c. sunflower seeds
• 1/4 c. walnuts or pecans, chopped

FOR THE DRESSING:

• 1/4 c. olive oil (not pictured)
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 T. Dijon mustard
• 2 T. honey
• salt and pepper to taste

Ingredient Substitutions

Kale — it’s sort of the foundation for this recipe, but feel free to substitute spinach, spring mix, or even Romain lettuce if that’s all you have in the house.

Quinoa — my family loves quinoa, and since it’s a great source of protein, fiber, magnesium, and all 9 amino acids, we eat it regularly. I cook it in my rice cooker and keep a container in the fridge (or freezer) so I can simply toss some in a salad or casserole at any time.

If you don’t love Quinoa, you can omit it or substitute other cooked grains like barley, amaranth, or even rice.

Sweet Potatoes — this is another one of my family’s favorite starches, so I usually have roasted, cubed sweet potatoes in the fridge. If you don’t love sweet potatoes, or just don’t want to take the time to roast them, leave them out for now. However, you should try it sometime — they taste amazing in the recipe and really keep you full!

Read more about how to quickly and easily roast almost any vegetable.

Apples — I love adding apples to any salad, so this is an easy addition for me. Again, feel free to omit it. You could also do diced pears, chopped strawberries, or whatever fruit sounds good to you.

Green Onions — I like green onions as they are milder in flavor, but you could also use red onions, yellow onions, or white onions.

Dried Fruit — I love dried fruit in salads, so I use a bunch in this recipe. They add a lot of flavor, but aren’t necessary. Pick one, try a bunch, or omit entirely.

Feta Cheese — I believe Feta is an excellent choice for this salad as it adds some tang, but other varieties of cheese should work well too.

Nuts and Seeds — My kids sometimes don’t like the nuts, but I love the extra crunch, so we almost always do sunflower seeds, and then I sometimes just add nuts to my own portion. Feel free to try another type of nut or seed, or omit if you don’t have any in the house.

Dressing — a store-bought vinegrette would work well for this salad, but homemade is pretty easy. The dressing recipe is good for a variety of salads, so I often keep a jar of it on hand throughout the week. (Note: the dressing does not need to be refrigerated).

You can mix up the vinegars, try different oils and mustards, and use sugar instead of honey if that’s what you have.

How to Keep Your Salad Greens Fresh:

If you want’d like to keep your lettuce, spinach, kale, and other salad greens fresher longer, simply layer them in a container with sheets of paper towel or thin cotton lint-free towels.

You’ll be amazed how much longer your greens stay fresh.

I explain the entire process in this blog post!

How to Make a Loaded Kale Salad

FOR THE SALAD:

1. Wash, dry, and chop kale (removing thick stems), and place into a large bowl.

2. Cook quinoa according to package directions, let cool for a bit, and add to kale.

3. Peel, dice, and roast sweet potato (375º for 30 minutes). Cool and add to kale.

4. Add apple, onion, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, nuts, and any other mix-ins you’d like.

5. Add dressing and mix well (see below).

.FOR THE DRESSING: (I usually make a double or triple batch)

1. In a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, combine all dressing ingredients (I often use a rinsed-out Dijon mustard bottle.)

2. Shake the bottle to combine dressing ingredients.

3. Pour half the dressing over the kale mixtures, stirring to make sure everything is coated well.

4. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

5. Pour remaining dressing over salad (if desired) when ready to eat. 

6. Store any leftovers in an air-tight food storage container. 

This salad also tastes fantastic as leftovers (which I love), and it’s great for lunches on the go as you’ve got fruit, veggies, starches, grains, and more, all in one bowl!

I hope you love it as much as we do!

Do you have a kale recipe you actually enjoy?

Check out all my delicious salad recipes here. 

Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!

If you hope to host overnight guests in the near future, here are 10 helpful tips to prepare…

1. Sleep in the room/space for a night.

Do a trial run before your guests spend the night in your space — just to make sure everything is as it should be.

This is the best way to quickly spot things you forgot or something you should adjust.

Here are a few things to consider:

• Is there an obvious place to charge phones or computers?
• Is there a place to hang a wet towel? Wet bathing suits? Bathrobe?
• Is there a place to put their suitcases or other bags without constantly tripping over them?
• Is there adequate privacy? (Curtains on windows, room dividers, locks on the doors, etc.)
• Are there hangers in the closet? Or at least somewhere for them to put their clothing?
• Is there a mirror in the room?
• Do you have a bedside lamp?
• Is there a clock and/or an alarm clock?
• Is the room too hot or cold? Do you need a fan, a heater, or an extra blanket?
• Is it quite noisy (people walking on the floor above), in which case you might need a noisemaker?

2. Be tech-ready.

Technology is a big part of travel these days. Making sure your guests can easily use their tech items in your space will go a long way to helping them feel welcome.

• Have visible and easily-accessible outlets for them to charge their devices.
• Post your Wi-Fi password on their dresser or bathroom mirror (or just text it to them).
• Have extension cords or power strips available in their room.
• Tape a quick “how to” note on the TV remote, DVD player, etc.

3. Remove your personal items.

Before your guests arrive, take anything you might need to use out of the space.

For example, if you keep your vacuum or extra dining chairs in the guest closet, you should remove them before they “move in” to the space.

It’s also a good idea to remove anything of yours that could get in their way (even if you won’t need to use it during their stay).

For example, if you store holiday decorations in the closet or extra beach towels in the dresser, remove them to make space for their items. You might just need to put them in the garage, basement, shed, or even your own bedroom.

4. Declutter the space.

Along with removing your personal items from the room, it will be much more welcoming for your guests to have a neat, clean space to settle into.

• Move knick-knacks (picture frame displays, office supplies, etc.) off surfaces that your guests may want to use.
• If furniture is too bulky, shift it to another location, if possible.
• Create enough usable space in the closet, dresser, or other storage areas they may need to use.

5. Clean the space.

Once you remove your personal items and extra clutter, you’ll also want to make sure the space is clean.

• Dust, sweep, and vacuum.
• Clean whatever bathroom they will be using.
• Wash all the bedding.
• Wipe down baseboards, door frames, and light fixtures.
• Clean mirrors and windows.

It also might be a nice idea to leave a container of sanitizing wipes or a dustbuster in their space so they have the ability to clean up any messes they make without bothering you.

6. Provide extra toiletries.

While it’s not essential to provide toiletry items for your guests, it can make their stay much easier and compensate for items they may have forgotten but are too shy or embarrassed to ask you for.

Consider creating a little care basket with some or all of the following:

• shampoo, conditioner, and soap/body wash
• lotion and/or sunscreen
• toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• feminine hygiene items
• nail clippers
• ear plugs
• diapers and wipes (if they are coming with a baby)

This could be a great way to use up sample-size products and hotel freebies!

7. Have snacks available.

Guests often feel awkward asking for a snack when they are hungry, so it’s usually a nice idea to have some non-perishable snacks available in their room.

• granola bars
• small bags of chips/popcorn/crackers
• dried fruit
• trail mix
• candy
• gum/mints
• water bottles

If guests are staying with you for several days, it’s also nice to offer a heads-up on your plan for meals.

• what times you normally eat
• what foods you plan to make
• when/where you plan to go out to eat

The more information you can provide without them needing to ask “when will we eat” or “what’s for dinner”, the more comfortable they will be in your home.

8. Explain your “house rules”.

I don’t think we should expect our guests to be robots in our home, but I do think it’s nice to alert them to how we normally do things.

• normal meal times
• normal wake and sleep times
• if you’re a shoes-off house
• if pets are or are not allowed on furniture
• if little kids or teens are regularly awake and loud at an abnormally early or late hour

Other house tidbits could be helpful for guests, too. Things like:

• Does your toilet handle require a little extra shake to get the water to stop running?
• Does the backdoor sometimes stick a little when it’s humid?
• Where are the extra towels if necessary?
• What is the code for the garage door?

These might seem like overkill, but they can make a big difference for your guests without much extra work on your part.

9. Add a personal touch.

A few flowers, a sweet card/drawing from your child, a fun photo of you and your guest, or a favorite treat you know they will love are simple, frugal, and very fun ways to welcome guests into your home.

10. Plan logistics and activities.

Before your guests arrive, take a few moments to think about their entire stay and the most important things you want to make sure to do together.

You may even discuss with them ahead of time so you’re both on the “same page”.

Once you have a mental plan, make work of creating actual plans, reservations, etc.

• Buy tickets for an event you want to attend together.
• Make reservations for your favorite restaurant.
• Scope out the weather forecast so you can plan outdoor activities on an appropriate day.
• Find a car or bikes for your guests, if necessary.
• Have extra carseats, cribs, highchairs, toys, or other baby/child gear, if necessary.
• Ask around for local gyms that might offer a free week’s trial, if this is something your guests would appreciate.

These are the things that aren’t totally necessary, but will make a huge difference in your guests’ stay — both for your guests AND for you.

Oh, and one more thing… try to relax a little and enjoy the time with your guests!

They came to see you, so don’t stress about making everything perfect (yes, I’m preaching to myself here too!)

Do you have other simple tips to prepare your home for overnight guests?

What is a No-Spending Challenge?

At its core, a no-spend challenge means pressing pause on all non-essential spending for a set period of time (as short or as long as you want). You still pay your bills and take care of your family’s needs, but the extras take a back seat. No impulse buys, no casual Target runs, no takeout just because it’s been a long day.

It’s simple in theory because you create your own rules and hold yourself accountable … but it can be surprisingly eye-opening!

A no-spending challenge should be fun! It’s not about deprivation or guilt, but rather about awareness, intention, and uncovering any negative spending habits.

For many, especially those trying to live more simply or stretch a single income, a no-spend month can reveal just how much money quietly slips through the cracks (note: it’s likely more than you think!)

Basic Rules of a No-Spend Month

Remember, YOU create the rules — these are just my guidelines.

The goal is not to create hardship, but to cut out unnecessary spending while still meeting you and your family’s needs.

Here are my general guidelines:

Allowed Expenses (Needs):

• Monthly bills (mortgage/rent, utilities, insurance, tuition, etc.)
• Gas/transportation
• Medical expenses, prescriptions, and health-related needs
• Basic household necessities (toilet paper, soap, etc.)
• Groceries (with intention — this is a great time for an eat-from-the-pantry challenge)
• Investments that you have already set up to withdraw from your bank accounts

Not Allowed (Wants):

• Dining out, coffee runs, fast food, and takeout
• Clothing (unless absolutely necessary)
• Home decor and impulse purchases
• Entertainment purchases (movies, apps, subscriptions you can pause)
• “Just browsing” shopping trips that turn into spending

Feel free to adjust these rules to fit your season of life. The key is to be honest and consistent.

The Pros of a No-Spend Challenge

1. You Quickly See Your Spending Habits

It’s amazing how often we spend out of habit rather than need. A no-spend month shines a light on those patterns, whether it’s convenience spending, boredom shopping, or emotional purchases.

2. You Can Save a Significant Amount of Money

Even cutting out small daily expenses can add up quickly. Many families are surprised by how much they save in just 30 days.

3. You Learn to Use What You Already Have

I’ve often created some of our family’s favorite meals after experimenting with various items in our freezer and pantry during no-spending challenges. This is a great time to pick up a craft you already have in the house, or read a new book that’s just been collecting dust on your shelf.

4. You Build Discipline and Contentment

Saying “no” to unnecessary spending strengthens your ability to pause and evaluate purchases long-term. Over time, this mindset shift can lead to lasting financial change.

I always encourage myself, my children, and others to wait 24 hours before making a purchase. It’s amazing how many times you don’t feel it’s worth it after thinking things through for a day.

5. It Encourages Simpler Living

You may find that you actually enjoy doing less, staying home more, and focusing on what truly matters—family time, hobbies, and slower rhythms.

The Cons (It’s Not All Easy)

1. It Can Feel Restrictive at First

If you’re used to the convenience of quick purchases or eating out on a whim, the adjustment to not doing these things can feel uncomfortable and discouraging.

2. It Can Create Tricky Social Situations

Invitations to dinner, outings with friends, or events that involve spending may require some creativity, or just saying no (with an explanation of your no-spending challenge).

In my own experience, the friends who invited me out thought it was a fun idea and were often willing to change plans to accommodate.

3. It Takes Planning and Effort

Meal planning, using what you have, and avoiding last-minute spending requires more intention and organization.

This might feel like a “con” but long-term, it might prove to be a “pro” as it will help you develop those habits, which will likely save you a considerable amount of time, money, and stress in the future.

4. You Might Slip Up

Honestly, there’s a high likelihood that you will slip up at least once… and that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress… and no one is grading your performance!

Also, a single mistake doesn’t mean the challenge is over. Just start back up where you left off.

Tips for a Successful No-Spending Month

• Plan several go-to meals ahead of time to avoid last-minute grocery runs or takeout.
• Unsubscribe from marketing emails and avoid stores if possible.
• Delete shopping Apps from your phone.
• Find free alternatives for entertainment — library books, family game nights, walks, or baking at home.
• Set a goal for the money you save – pay off debt, build an emergency fund, go on vacation, etc.
• Get your family on board so everyone understands the purpose.

Final Thoughts

A no-spend month isn’t about never spending money again; it’s about hitting reset. It’s about stepping back, evaluating your habits, and moving forward with more intention.

Whether you walk away with extra savings, a fresh perspective, or simply a better understanding of your spending triggers, it’s an exercise that can have lasting impact.

And who knows — you might even find that “less” feels a whole lot better than you expected.

Have you ever tried a no-spending challenge?

What was your favorite (or least favorite) part?