4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Monthly Recap

Over the course of March I participated in Money Saving Mom's 4 Weeks to a more Organized Home Challenge.  Each day there was one or two cleaning tasks, as well as the goal of removing at least 7 items of clutter per day.  Being 8 months pregnant I decided to forgo my heavy Spring deep clean in favor of this challenge's simplicity.  I am pleased with the cleaning I was able to accomplish as well as all of the items that got decluttered, and are now out of my life forever - so freeing!  Here's a summary and links to how the month went...

• Day #1: Quick House Pick-up and Purse Clean-out - 7
• Day #2: Quick Kitchen Pick-up and Refrigerator Clean-out - 7
• Day #3: Quick Bedroom Pick-up and Freezer Clean-out - 7
• Day #4: Quick Bathroom Pick-up and Cleaning under the Bed - 7
• Day #5: Cleaning the Couch - 7+
• Day #6: Quick House Pick-up and Car Clean-out - 14
• Day #7: Baseboards and a Dresser Drawer - 8
• Day #8: Door Handles and Dresser Drawer #2 - 22
• Day #9: Quick Bathroom Pick-up and Light Switch Plates - 7
• Day #10: Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures and Burnt-out Bulbs - 7
• Day #11: Quick House Pick-up and the Silverware Drawer - 7+
• Day #12: Microwave and Stove Top - 10
• Day #13: Quick Bedroom Pick-up and the top of the fridge - 23
• Day #14: Mirrors and Utensil Drawers - 7
• Day #15: Computer Screens - 100+
• Day #16: Quick House Pick-up and Vacuuming the Air Vents - 50
• Day #17: Quick Bathroom Pick-up and Cleaning the Kitchen Cupboards - 9
• Day #18: Vacuuming and Cleaning the Closets - 7
• Day #19: Cleaning the Windows, curtains, and Sills -50+
• Day #20: Cleaning out the Medicine and First Aid Drawers - 38

Total Items Decluttered: Over 394 items -- Wow!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 20

Today's challenge included cleaning out the medicine and first aid cabinets/drawers.  That was easy enough, but definitely needed to be done.  I found a bunch of expired stuff, and now have a list of things that needed to be replaced.  Here's the after of the medicine drawer,

 and the first aide drawer.

I also managed to purge 38 items.

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 19

Today's challenge involved cleaning the windows, blinds, and curtains as well as the window sills and trim.  

I also worked in the nursery again, removing 50+ items for the garbage!

Linked to Money Saving Mom!

Weekly Spending Report: 03/30-04/05/2014

This week was pay week, so a brand new month, and a nice full grocery envelope!  My favorite week of the month :)  We also decided to up our budget to $300 for the month.  With the baby coming, and the fact that I want to breast feed, so I need to eat healthier, I decided that we need more fruits and veggies, which means we need more money to buy them.  I also started back to work this week, so we have some extra income coming in to cover the added budget amount.  I also figured I'd probably need to buy some more diapers until the little one grows into the cloth diapers we have.  So, with all that being said, here's how the spending went this week...

• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $3.60 oop, Earned $29.95 ECB's
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $8.05 oop

• Wednesday's Target Trip: $9.23 oop, Earned $10 Target Gift Card
• Wednesday's BJ's Trip (meat for the freezer stock up trip, used $4 in MC's): $30.46 oop

• Wednesday's Giant Trip: $49.24 oop
• Saturday's ALDI Trip (just milk, sour cream, and chips): $7.36 oop
• Saturday's JoAnn's Trip (just snaps, used a 40% off coupon): $2.22 oop
• Saturday's CVS Trip (just 2 newspapers, 4 boxes CVS Antacids, used a $3/1 CVS coupon and an ECB to pay): $2.30 oop, Earned $5.96 ECB's
• Earned $5 Amazon Gift Card from Swag Bucks

Total OOP: $112.46
Total Earned: $50.91
Total Remaining for April: $187.54

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Wednesday's Giant Trip

Wednesday we also stopped into Giant to do a HUGE stock-up trip, figuring it might be the last time I get to shop before the baby comes.  I also went ahead and used my Purex rain check before my coupons expire at the end of this month in case I don't get out again.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 Freschetta Pizzas $6.49 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $1.50/2 MC = $2/$8.50
1 tub Lovin' Ice Cream $4.69 - $1.19 Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 = $2.50
2 bags Cascadian Farms Frozen Organic Blueberries $3.59 ea - $0.85/1 MC doubled to $1.70 x 2 = 2/$3.78 ($1.89 ea)
2 bags Cascadian Farms Frozen Organic Raspberries $3.59 ea - $0.75/1 MC doubled to $1.50 x 2 = 2/$4.18 ($2.09 ea)
2 tubs Smart Balance Oil Olive Spread $2.69 ea - $0.69 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1x 2 = 2/$2
3 boxes Green Giant Broccoli and Cheese $2 ea - $1 ea Sale - $1/3 load to card coupon = 3/$2
4 pkgs Oscar Mayer Weiners $3.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale x 2 - $1/2 MC x 2 = 4/$5.98 ($1.49 ea)
1 bag Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese $3.39 - $1.40 Sale - $0.75/1 MC doubled to $1.50 = $0.49
3 Honey Crisp Apples @ $3.99/lb = $5.03 (ouch, but so yummy!)
2 cans Muir Glen Organic Whole Tomatoes $2.59 ea - $0.59 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$2
2 canisters Lysol Wipes $2.79 ea - $0.79 ea Sale - $0.50/2 MC doubled to $1 - $2 MIR = 2/$1
2 Lysol Toilet Cleaners $2.49 ea - $0.50/2 MC doubled to $1 = 2/$3
6 bottles Purex Free and Clear Detergent $4.55 ea - $2.56 ea Raincheck - $1/1 MC x 6 = 6/$5.89 ($0.99 ea!!!)
+ $1.14 Tax
- $0.30 Reusable Bag Credit
Total OOP: $111.97 - $62.73 Savings/Coupons = $49.24 oop, Savings of 56%!!!!

Wednesday's Target Trip

Wednesday Joe and I stopped into Target to grab some freebies, as well as use a couple coupons that were set to expire soon, and that I wanted to use before the baby got here.  We also did the money-maker deal on the Mucinex.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 Up & Up Baby Powders $2.69 ea - $2/2 Target coupon = $1.69 ea or 2/$3.38

2-24 ct boxes Up & Up Ibuprofen $1.22 ea - $1/2 Target coupon = 2/$1.44

2 Dry Idea Deodorants $2.75 ea on Sale - $2/2 Target coupon - $2/1 x 2 MC = 2 FREE + $0.50 Money-maker!

2-10 ct boxes Mucinex Allergy Relief $10.99 ea - $2/1 Target coupon x 2 - $5/1 MC x 2 - $10 Target Gift Card Promo wyb 2 = 2 FREE + $2.02 Money-maker!

+ $0.42 Tax

- $3.49 Gift Card used to Pay

Total OOP: $9.23, Earned $10 Target Gift Card

Tuesday's CVS Trip

Tuesday Joe and I stopped into CVS to roll my ECB's onto some AWESOME deals!  I did two transactions, since after the first I realized I could do the Nexcare deal again even though the tag stated there was a limit of 1, it's actually 2.  I also earned a $5 Beauty Club ECB and my $2.50 Winter Spending Reward ECB when I got there!  Here's what we ended up with...

Transaction #1: 

2-20 oz bottles Pepsi $1.89 ea - $0.39 ea Sale - $1 ECB wyb 2 = 2/$2

1 pouch PB M&M's $1.19 - $0.20 Sale - $0.74/1 CVS Coupon = $0.25

3-24 pks Basics H2O (not pictured) $3.99 ea - $1.55 ea Sale = 3/$7.32

2 Oral-B Power Toothbrushes $7.99 - $2 ea Sale - $3/1 MC x 2 - $2 ECB x 2 = 2/$1.98

4-12 ct boxes CVS Chewy Antacids $1.49 ea - $3 off CVS Brand Pharmacy Coupon - $1.49 ECB x 4 = 4 FREE + $3 Money-maker!

1 Nexcare Tape $4.49 - $5 ECB = FREE + $0.51 Money-maker!

- $4/$20 CVS Coupon 

- $18 ECB's used to Pay

+ $0.62 Tax

Total OOP: $2.62, Earned $15.96 + $7.50 Beauty/Winter Spending ECB = $23.46 ECB's Earned

Transaction #2: 

1-12 ct box CVS Chewy Antacids $1.49 - $1.49 ECB = FREE!

1 Nexcare Tape $4.49 - $5 ECB = FREE + $0.51 Money-maker! 

- $5 ECB used to Pay

Total OOP: $0.98, Earned $6.49 ECB's 

Total OOP: $3.60, Earned $29.95 ECB's for next time!!!  Saved $46.35!!!

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 04/02/2014

Here are some of the AWESOME deals this week at ALDI...

• Weds. 04/02 ONLY: Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.69/lb
• Weds. 04/02 ONLY: Cattlemen's Ranch Fresh USDA Choice Fillet of Beef Garlic Peppercorn 16 oz $5.99 ea
• Pineapple $1.39 ea
• Strawberries $1.49/lb
• Cantaloupe $1.29 ea
• Bananas $0.44/lb
• Anjou Pears 24 oz $1.39 ea 
• Mangoes $0.79 ea
• SimplyNature All Natural Spiral Sliced Ham $2.99/lb 
• Happy Farms or Fit and Active Cream Cheese 8 oz $0.99 ea
• Bake House Creations Crescent Rolls 8 oz $0.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Spring Confetti Cake Mix 16.5 oz $0.99 ea
• Baker's Corner Spring Frosting 16 oz $1.29 ea
• Baker's Corner 6-in-1 Spring Sprinkle Jar $2.99 ea
• Crazy Candy Co. Assorted Jelly Beans 8 oz $0.69 ea
• Specially Selected Easter Truffle Eggs 5.29 oz $2.99 ea
• Boulder Spring Tableware Assortment $0.89 ea
• Gardenline Hose Nozzle Assortment $2.99 ea
• Gardenline 50' Garden Hose with Solid Brass Couplings $8.99 ea
• Gardenline Organic Garden Soil $2.99 ea
• Gardenline Landscaping Fabric 3' W x 50' L $3.49 ea
• Gardenline Tool Utility Rack $9.99 ea
• 6" Azalea or Hydrangea Assorted Colors $5.99 ea
• Sun and Shade Lovers Bulbs $6.99 ea
• Perennial Shrub Assorted Varieties $2.99 ea
• Berry Bush Assorted Varieties $5.99 ea 
• Flowering Shrub Assorted Varieties $7.99 ea

For more information about shopping at ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Blueberry Muffins

I LOVE muffins!  When I was little Ragamuffins were a weekend treat, and they were so sweet and delicious!  These are close, next time I'm going to try them with freeze-dried blueberries, I think that will make them more Ragamuffin-like.  They are not deadly sweet either, which I like.  You can substitute any mix-in you like for the blueberries if they aren't your thing.  I've used chocolate chips, and raspberries instead, and they were both delicious as well.  Here's how easy they are...

1 3/4 C Flour (I use unbleached)

1/4 C Sugar (I use Raw)

2 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 Egg, Beaten

3/4 C Milk

1/3 C Oil (I use safflower)

1 C Add-ins (Blueberries in this case, but you can use other fruits, nuts, or chocolate chips)

1.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  

2.) Mix flour, sugar, and baking powder in bowl.  In another bowl whisk together egg, milk, and oil.  Add liquid to flour mixture all at once, and gently stir until moistened, do not over mix.

3.) Gently fold in berries (or other mix-in).  Spoon into greased muffin pans so the cups are 2/3's full.

4.) Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until centers are not doughy.  Cool completely on cooling racks.  Although, they do taste amazing straight from the oven with butter, just be careful not to burn your fingers or tongue :)

Store in an airtight container.  Makes 12 Muffins.  Enjoy!

  I double the recipe for 24 muffins, which I keep on the counter, and they last about a week between the two of us.  I've never had any issues with mold, but I also don't think they last long enough for that to be an issue.

Linked to Homemade Mondays, the Homestead Barn Hop, the Inspiration Exchange, the Super Saturday Link Party, Thrifty Thursday, and Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-up!

4 Weeks to a More Organized Home: Day 18

Today's challenge included vacuuming the main living areas, which my husband kindly did for me, as well as vacuuming the inside of our two closets, which took almost no time at all.  Here's an after shot...

I also managed to find 7 items to purge today, mostly paper trash.

Linked to Money Saving Mom!