These products do not make for healthy nails. If you don't want the expense of the twice monthly fill-ins, go to a beauty school and have a manicure once or twice a month. Depending on your area, you can probably go 5 or 6 times for the same $75. Good Luck! ... View related article.
A friend told me a few years ago about Vitamin C and Zinc. You take a daily dose of each in the morning and again in the evening. Some people develop an upset stomach from taking Vitamin C so eat when you take the vitamins if you think this may be a problem for you. I have not had any real trouble with my alergies since I started this and I live in AZ. I also don't take vitamins as part of my daily routine, maybe that's why this sudden and large infusion works so well for me. ... View related article.
Alicia the sheet idea is something we use at our house as well. To save some money, shop for your sheets when they are on sale or a particular color/style/pattern (if not objectionable to you) is being clearenced out of the store. Usually measuring 1 & 1/2 times the width of your window gives a pleasant fullness to the coverings. If you want them to be fuller try 2 times the width. Another thing you might try are the inexpensive spring rods that sit inside the window frame. Slide the rod through the already available "pocket" that is the top hem of the sheet (the part at the head of the bed) and hang. Sometimes on better sheets this pocket is seamed shut, but a seam ripper or small pair of scissors could be used to carefully clip those threads. Also higher thread count or darker sheets would probably not need a lining. Good Luck!! ... View related article.
My mother is a fantastic seamstress. We go to the local Goodwill on Thursday Dollar Day and find as many ladies larger sized denim skirts and jumpers that are in good shape and purchase them. My mother then uses the adult garments to cut down for kids shorts, peddle pushers, jumpers, dresses and skirts. She then takes all these "new" creations to the local social services office and donates them, and they pass them along to those in need. Keeps my mom "out of the bars" and her creative juices flowing. ... View related article.
You may have to spend a little time on this one. If you cook using a weekly or monthly menu you can very easily see what you realistically eat. If you do not do this (I do not) you may have to try it for a month or so to get an idea of what you actually eat and how much. Keep track of the number of times you eat out or have delivery also, so you can figure that dollar amount into your budget.
Now a couple of things that may seem obvious but I will include them anyway. If you clip coupons and watch the sales and shop the perimeter of the store (the produce, dairy and meat sections) and stay out of the areas that have all the over processed packaged foods you will see a big difference in your grocery bill. There are certainly some good products like canned fruits and vegetables the can be had from the "interior" of the store shelves, but you have to be willing to monitor yourself. I have always had to live on a budget so I know this works.
Depending on the cost of living in your area and how good the sales and coupons are, I would think you could both eat on ten dollars a day or less. ... View related article.
Sometimes the reason folks have trouble with their pie crusts having the texture of cardboard is that they handle it like bread dough. KNEADING is a bad thing for pie crust. Mix ingredients with a fork until they just come together then handle ever so carefully to roll out for the pie tin. Folks like my crusts well enough they have been buying my pies for holidays for the last several years. Here is a recipe that I have used for 25+ years very successfully.
Ingredients make a double 9" pie crust 2 cups flour 3/4 cup butter flavor Crisco 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup tap water
Measure flour into sifter and add salt, sift the two together into a bowl with the 3/4 c of shortening. Cut together with a pastry blender or two knives until crumbly. Add 1/4 cup water and mix with a fork until just blended. DO NOT OVER HANDLE. Roll half the dough to desired thickness, should not be more than 1/4 inch (thinner is better). Place into pie tin. Fill with your favorite fruit filling top with other rolled out crust and bake.
Here is a tip, if you do not have wax paper to roll out your dough, use a cereal box liner. Just cut the sealed edges off the top and bottom and open down the long seam. This works great and you save a little money too.
Another tip, don't like that your dough and wax paper seemed to slide when you try to roll out your crust? Sprinkle some water on the counter then place your wax paper (cereal box liner) on the water. It makes the paper stick to the counter just enough so it won't slide. ... View related article.
