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Shared Feb 27, 2012 comment

How To Be Content With Less

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 27, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

The following is a guest post from Tessa of The Recreational Word Slinger

Before I got married, I used to buy anything and everything I wanted when I went shopping. I was working part-time, going to school, and indulging my every want. You can imagine the shock that I experienced when I was married and had to stop buying things for myself!

I struggled with “little” purchases when I would visit Target or Kohl’s every now and then. I told myself that this $10 top or book would not affect our budget much, so I would stick it in my cart and go on my merry way. As you know, that type of thinking is dangerous. Those small, insignificant purchases tend to add up over time to one significant deficit in the budget.

After the concept of spending cash only was introduced in our marriage, I realized that I was much more satisfied with having less than I originally thought was possible.

Here are 3 ideas that can help you be content with less:

1. Expect less.

Stop expecting to buy something every time you run an errand. I was so guilty of this before we switched to using cash. I would think that I deserved a little treat for having to get out and grocery shop or run errands. Direct your thinking towards expecting less.

2. Ignore the urge for more, more, more.

This is easier said than done in today’s society. We are constantly bombarded with different advertisements telling us that we need more. We have to retrain how we listen to or pay attention to such ads. When you become immune to advertising, you might find that your desire for more decreases.

3. Look at what you do have.

This idea is by far the one that has helped me get over my obsession with stuff. One way to do this is by verbally thanking our Creator for what He has given us. When I am more mindful of the blessings that I have been given, then I find that I am less mindful of my humanistic desire for more.

What tips do you have for learning to be content with less?

Tessa Hardiman is a wife, daughter, cat lover, bibliophile, novice runner, substitute teacher, and the Recreational Word Slinger. She blogs daily at The Recreational Word Slinger.

photo credit

Shared Feb 25, 2012 comment

15 Ways to Repurpose Items You Already Have for Organizing

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 25, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Heidi of OperationOrganization-MN.com

Do you want to have a more organized home or workspace but feel limited in your pursuits due to lack of funds to purchase supplies? Below, you will find a list of some of my favorite organizing solutions using common household items as well as some innovative ideas using re-purposed containers you are probably bringing into your home on a regular basis.

Having trouble keeping all those little things together? Muffin pans, egg cartons, or ice cube trays are a perfect solution to utilize in a drawer to help corral even the tiniest necessities.

Joyful Homemaking demonstrates using a muffin tin to organize office supplies.

The Krazy Coupon Lady shows you how to use an egg carton to organize office supplies.

Kiss and Tell Scrapbooking suggests using a muffin tin to organize scrapbook supplies.

I posted about using an ice cube tray to organize earrings.

Family Fun suggests pairing these simple plastic cups (that stay in place with the help of adhesive magnets) with a muffin tin for a creative craft caddy.

Create a craft caddy out of tin cans like this one by Martha Stewart.

It’s easy to decorate cans with paint or scrapbook paper to match any office or studio décor like these featured at Stylelist Home.

Jars are ideal for holding all sorts crafting supplies as shown in this photo by Andrew McCaul on Good Housekeeping.

The Home in Paradise shows how to pretty up a pantry by using sauce jars of the same size and shape to hold dry goods.

Create a streamlined spice collection using baby food jars like Frugal Decor Mom.

Begin thinking ‘outside the box’ for possible uses of other containers, once purchased products are used up.

A cardboard soda holder is a perfect caddy for sunscreens, lotions, sprays or larger medication bottles.

Visit Heart of Wisdom for ideas on how to use coffee canisters to hold toys with pesky small pieces.

How about using a diaper wipe case to hold card games like Jazzie and Tahlia?

I’ve been using one to hold our supply of crayons for years!

Finally, if you feel a little crafty like Autumn at Space for Living, create a handy desktop organizer out of cardboard food boxes!

How do you use items you already own to organize your home?

Heidi is a Professional Organizer & Family Manager Coach. She is passionate about helping others bring more order and peace to their home, office and life. Learn more by visiting her website, OperationOrganization-MN.com.

Shared Feb 24, 2012 comment

How to Develop a Routine That Works–and Stick With It! (Part 2)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

If you missed it, be sure to read part 1 of this series here.

2. Get the Framework in Place

Once you know what your big rocks are, it’s time to develop a basic framework for your day. This is not a detailed play-by-play of exactly how your day should look like, this is just how to big rocks fit together.

A) Map Out Your Wake Up Time, Bed Time, and Meal Times.

The first step to getting a good routine in place is to determine your wake-up time, bed time, and meal times. These are not set-in-stone times, but if you have a general guideline to follow, it helps bring order and structure to your days.

Try (as much as is possible) to stay within at least an hour or so of the time you have planned for your wake-up, bed time, and meal times. If your house is anything like ours, stuff comes up and sometimes your plan goes out the window. When that happens, be flexible, roll with the punches, and then get back up on the wagon as soon as you’re able!

If you have no order or structure at all in your life right now, just getting up and going to bed at the same hour every day and eating your meals at the same hours throughout the day will give you a tremendous new sense of order and flow in your days. Plus, it will probably guarantee that you get more sleep and skip fewer meals–something that will definitely affect your overall health in a good way!

I suggest picking realistic times–especially for getting started. If you’re not a morning person, don’t plan to get up at 5 a.m. every morning unless you want to set yourself up for failure.

B) Create Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Routines.

I first learned of the concept of morning, afternoon, and evening routines from FlyLady. And I’m amazed at what a difference this simple change in one’s life can make.

If you’re unfamiliar with morning, afternoon, and evening routines, it’s basically just coming up with 3-5 simple things that you do in the same order when you first get up, after lunch, and right before bed. Simple is key here.

Sample Morning Routine

1) Wake up, make coffee, read Bible/pray.

2) Exercise

3) Shower, get dressed, straighten bathroom and bedroom.

4) Start a load of laundry.

5) Check email.

Sample Afternoon Routine

1) Clean up kitchen.

2) Switch laundry to the dryer.

3) Fold one load of laundry.

Sample Evening Routine

1) Clean up kitchen.

2) Do a quick 10-minute house pick up.

3) Lay out clothes for next day.

4) PJs on and face washed.

If you’re brand-new to the concept of routines, start with a morning routine only and make it a priority for three weeks before adding anything else to your routine. Once you feel comfortable with a morning routine, then add in an afternoon routine and then an evening routine.

Take it slowly and don’t rush developing these habits. Even if it seems like you’re not making much progress, it’s better to inch forward in the right direction than to try to add all these new things in at once and burn out.

Practical Application

Take 30 minutes this weekend to write down your proposed wake-up time, bed time, and meal times. Also, write down a simple morning routine, afternoon routine, and evening routine.

Put this paper in a very conspicuous location and review it often. You can even set up reminder alarms on your phone, if you find that sort of thing helps you!

I’d love to have you share your proposed morning, afternoon, and evening routines in the comments, if you’re willing.

Begin following your wake up time, bed time, and meal times starting immediately. Add in the morning routine, as well, if you feel up for it.

Now you have a very basic structure for your day in place. On Monday, we’ll talk about filling in the rest of the day, making sure that you get your big rocks in first.

photo credit

Want some practical help with setting up your day for success? It all starts the night before! Be sure to grab a copy of my brand-new online course, Make Over Your Evenings.

This 14-day online course includes videos, a workbook, and step-by-step projects and is designed to help you maximize your evenings in order to experience more success in your life, more order in your home, and more joy in your soul.

It’s time to stop sleep-walking through life and wake up to the amazing excitement and fulfillment that comes when you follow my simple plan to Make Over Your Evenings.

Find out more about it here.

Shared Feb 24, 2012 comment

Clear Out the Clutter: The Junk Drawer

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I used to pride myself on the fact that we didn’t have a junk drawer.

Then, I had my third child. And pretty much everything I prided myself on went out the window. 🙂

I know some of you have told me that having your third child was a breeze. For me, the actual labor and delivery was a walk in the park (1.5 hours of labor, no complications, and feeling back to my normal self within 24 hours!). But after the “babymoon” phase wore off, three children has been a whole lotta work.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my three precious children like crazy, but I no longer have this put-together, pristine life. And it’s been a good thing for me.

I’ve learned to relax more, roll with the punches, and embrace this sometimes messy and chaotic life I’m living. We’ve got a lot of love, creativity, and laughter going on around here, and I’ll take that over perfection any day!

But, I’ll admit it, the overflowing junk drawer was getting to me. So I set out to tackle it today.

And guess what? After only ten minutes’ worth of work, it was transformed.

It’ll probably be this messy again in a few months (or even weeks or days!), but knowing that it can be overhauled in such a short time period makes it not seem like such a big deal.

It’s amazing what can be accomplished in just a short amount of time when you set the timer and attack the clutter with gusto!

Did you do any clutter clearing this week? If you posted about it, link directly to your blog post below. We’d especially love to see before and after pictures, if you’re brave.

Shared Feb 24, 2012 comment

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess (Great read!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I kept hearing great things about this book called 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. The title alone was enough to have me intrigued, but the rave reviews convinced me to buy a copy.

And I’m so glad I did. Jen Hatmaker is an engaging, funny, and convicting author. I’ve never read anything by her before, but, after reading this book, I want to read Interrupted and Barefoot Church, as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of them!

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess chronicles her seven month seven-things experiment. Each month, she chose a different area to focus on and then pared down the excess in that area.

For instance, the first month, her focus was food. So she limited herself to just eating seven different things during that 30-day period.

Yes, only seven foods.

The second month she only wore seven items of clothing for the 30-day period.

And so on.

Try to step back and just think for a minute what it would be like to only eat seven things or only wear seven clothing items for 30 days. For more of us, that seems almost impossible to even imagine. And yet, think how many millions of people around the world would consider it a luxury to have a choice of seven different foods each meal or seven different clothing items.

Jen didn’t set out on this experiment just to have great book subject matter; she did this seven month experiment because she wanted to challenge her own long-ingrained entitlement mentality. In this book, she writes candidly about her experiences–victories, failures, and hilarious stories along the way!–in order to challenge others to take a step back and really examine our own hearts when it comes to needs versus wants and what truly matters in life.

The book is thought-provoking, for sure, but it’s not guilt-invoking. And it’s well worth the read.

Other recent good reads: From Dust and Ashes, Symphony in the Dark, Between a Rock and a Grace Place, and Arms of Deliverance.

See all books I’ve read so far in 2012 here.

Have you read any good books recently?

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Shared Feb 24, 2012 comment

Do It Yourself: Onion Bag Dish Scrubber

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 24, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Mooberry-Farm.com shows you how to make a homemade dish scrubber from an onion bag.

Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Shared Feb 23, 2012 comment

How to Develop a Routine That Works–and Stick With It! (Part 1)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 23, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Do your days feel chaotic and disorganized? Do you feel like you’re always behind and always running around in circles?

You need a routine. It will calm your chaos and bring rhythm, order, and peace to your days.

What is a Routine?

A routine is a plan for the flow of your day. It can be very basic and bare bones or it can be more specific. However, it is not a regimented schedule with detailed time blocks for how you’re supposed to spend every minute of every day.

While a rigid schedule works well for some, we’ve found that a routine is much more doable for our family–especially since our children are younger and my husband and I both have our own businesses. No day is exactly the same, so the flexibility a routine provides is perfectly suited to allow for the interruptions that inevitably arise.

{In the middle of writing that last sentence, Kathrynne came running upstairs from the basement to let me know that Silas had just thrown up all over the couch. So I spent 20 minutes bathing him, cleaning up the couch, and taking care of the soiled clothes. Yep, this is a classic example of why a flexible routine works better for us than a rigid schedule!}

How To Set Up a Workable Routine

1. Start With the “Big Rocks”

You’ve probably seen or heard the illustration about putting the big rocks in first:

A popular story describes a time-management professor who demonstrates the importance of prioritizing by filling a five-gallon mason jar with fist-size rocks and asking the class if the jar is full. Since another big rock wouldn’t fit, the class answers, “yes.” However, the professor proceeds to pour a pitcher of gravel, then sand, and finally water into the jar before it is finally full.

The point of the story is not that you can cram much more than you ever dreamed into any given day. The point is this: “If you don’t put your big rocks in first, the fillers of life will take up your day and you won’t fit your big rocks in at all.”

If you want to get things done that truly matter, you must focus on the big rocks. Ask yourself: What are the most important things I want to be prioritizing in my life right now?”

If you feel like you still don’t have clarity, consider what will matter to you in 25 years from now. This helps you strip away the non-essentials and focus on what you really want to be devoting the bulk of your time to.

Develop your daily routine with the big rocks in mind. You’ll likely be able to find time for some pebbles and sand, too, but begin with what matters most.

Practical Application

Take 10 minutes to consider what your “big rocks” are (ask your spouse for input, if you’re married). Write them down on a piece of paper. If you’re willing to, I’d love to have you share them in the comments section on this post.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about using these big rocks to help craft a framework for your daily routine.

photo credit

Want some practical help with setting up your day for success? It all starts the night before! Be sure to grab a copy of my brand-new online course, Make Over Your Evenings.

It’s time to stop sleep-walking through life and wake up to the amazing excitement and fulfillment that comes when you follow my simple plan to Make Over Your Evenings.

Find out more about it here.

Shared Feb 23, 2012 comment

We Paid Cash: A Bathroom Renovation

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 23, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

We paid cash!
A testimony by Julie from The Family CEO

Everyone has their challenge when it comes to saving money. For some, it’s shoes. For others, its travel. For me, it’s my house.

I enjoy homemaking and decorating so much and there’s always something on my to-do list. But finances dictate that many of our home improvement projects are going to have to wait for now because we’re tackling two big goals at once: paying down debt and paying cash for college.

Still, some things around the house demand our attention and the master bath was one of them. The flooring was 20-year-old carpet and the brass light fixtures and hunter green accents were screaming to be replaced.

The first thing you should know is that we are not DIYers. We don’t have the time, interest, or expertise. So we hired a handyman to do the work. He was capable, affordable, and on-board with both our budget and our vision.

Here’s how we remodeled our bathroom with $1800 cash:

First, we identified the three things that most needed changing:

The worn carpet in the bathroom and linoleum in the toilet area.
The dated strip of hunter green tile in the tub surround. (The rest was builder’s grade white tile. Not great, but neutral and in good shape.)
Brass light fixtures, cabinet pulls, and door knobs.

And here’s what we did about them:

1. Floor Tile: I chose an inexpensive stock tile from Home Depot. This time I chose a neutral tile in a beige/gray/white pattern, so it wouldn’t look dated in a few years. In the meantime, I can change the look of the room with inexpensive rugs, towels, and accessories.

I also had the floor tile laid on the diagonal for a more interesting look. This cost a little bit more, but I love the resulting more custom look.

2. Tub Surround Tile: Rather than replace all of the tile in the tub surround, I kept the white tile that was there and replaced just the hunter green strip of 2×2 tiles with a strip that matched the floor tile. This saved both materials and labor cost.

3. Fixtures: I replaced the brass light fixtures, cabinet pulls, and door knobs with brushed nickel.

Extras: I had all of the walls and woodwork covered in a fresh coat of paint. Creamy white for the woodwork and beige for the walls. Again, neutrals that I won’t tire of.

Honestly – when it was all done – it felt like a brand new bathroom. And even better because it was paid for with cash!

In 2006, Julie hired herself to save her family money, make extra money, and pay down debt, all while creating a life she loves. She blogs about her experiences at The Family CEO.

Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.

Shared Feb 23, 2012 comment

Homemaking Routines and Schedules for the Working Mom

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 23, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Lucky of Making My Own Luck

I used to see templates for homemaking routines or daily to-do lists, and think they didn’t apply to me as a working mom. But eventually, I realized if I didn’t want to spend the weekend cleaning and running errands, I would have to implement some routines and schedules.

My goal became clear: to figure out a system so all weekly chores and errands would be done by Saturday at 2 p.m., when my husband comes home from work. We began to notice a difference right away. Sticking to our plan gave us so much more time as a family!

Here’s what we did:

Meal Plans and Freezer Cooking

The first thing I implemented was a meal plan. I plan my meals a month at a time based on what I have in the freezer, what’s in season, and what I think will be on sale. While I’m making my menu, I jot down anything that will need to be made ahead for our weekday meals. I also add staples like bread and granola to the list. I tackle these projects as I have time, and cross them off as I go.

Cleaning Schedule

During the week, I used to tell myself that I already worked hard all day, so I should just sit down and watch TV. But then we would never have any clean socks, and our house was in a state of chaos. So, I started implementing a simple daily housekeeping routine and we’re all better off for it.

Morning and Evening Routines

My son would get up at 3 a.m. if we let him, and he’s often the last to get ready in the morning. Our new rule is: my son can wake up whenever he wants, but he can’t come out of his room until 6:30 a.m. We have clear expectations about when he’ll finish his breakfast, and when he’ll get dressed. My daughter is a late sleeper so we don’t get her up until 7 a.m..

I get up at 4:30 or 5 a.n. so I’ll have time to write. Getting a head start on the day means when the kids get up it can be all about them.

My husband is not a morning person, so I do the mornings and he mostly handles the evening routine. This includes washing the sippy cups for day care, and giving the kids baths or showers.

Exercise Routines

Those first few months were such a blur after going back to work. I knew I had to get some exercise in to wake me up just a little. I found a like-minded friend at work who didn’t mind skipping lunches out for walks around the neighborhood. When I started working from home once a week I added in swimming.

I didn’t implement all of these routines at once, but over a period of time. It may sound like a lot of work when it’s all written down, but in reality these routines gives our family precious time to do the things we enjoy.

What are your best tips for staying organized and sane as a working mom?

Lucky is the mother of two young kids and a carb-intolerant kitty. Read about her adventures of balancing kids, work and life with making her own bread at Making My Own Luck.

Want some practical help with setting up your day for success? It all starts the night before! Be sure to grab a copy of my brand-new online course, Make Over Your Evenings.

It’s time to stop sleep-walking through life and wake up to the amazing excitement and fulfillment that comes when you follow my simple plan to Make Over Your Evenings.

Find out more about it here.

Conquer your to-do list with these 3 simple tips! These are amazingly practical ideas for how to be more productive. A must read!

Shared Feb 22, 2012 comment

My Top 3 Tips for Getting Stuff Done

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 22, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Feeling like you’re always behind, stuck going around and around in circles, and never really getting anywhere or finishing anything? Here are three of my top tips for getting stuff done:

1. Keep Your To-Do List Short

You need a plan for your day, otherwise, you’ll most likely just end up running in circles. However, if you try to bite off more than you can chew in a day’s time, you’ll end up overwhelmed from the get-go.

Set yourself up for success by creating a short to do list for each day. I suggest no more than 5-7 items on your list.

It’s better to only plan to do four things and to actually accomplish three of them, then to make a list of 47 to-do items, and a only get a few bits and pieces of some of them done.

2. Make Your Daily Goals Measurable

When you make your to-do list, be realistic. Don’t write down “Clear out clutter in the whole house” or “Clean house” or “Find a new job.”

Break things down into bite-sized, manageable pieces and be specific. For instance, instead of writing down “Clear out the clutter in the whole house.” Set a goal to spend 30 minutes clearing out the clutter in one room. Instead of attempting to clean the whole house, make a goal to vacuum two rooms, do a load of laundry, and clean the toilets.

Not only are specific, measurable goals much more concrete, they are also much more manageable. The thought of cleaning the whole house is overwhelming, but knowing you just have to vacuum two rooms, finish a load of laundry, and clean two toilets is much more achievable. Plus, when you set measurable goals, you know when they are accomplished.

3. Use Your Minutes Wisely

If you want to have more productivity and efficiency in your life, you need to become the master of your minutes. If you find yourself with a short two-minute window of time, don’t just twiddle your thumbs. Do something. I’m always surprised at how much can be accomplished in a few minutes’ of time.

Things You Can Accomplish When You Have 2-3 Minutes’ of Free Time:

::Write a short thank you note or email.

::Clean the sink or toilet in the bathroom.

::Switch a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer.

::Pull out dinner from the freezer.

::Make a healthful snack to munch on instead of grazing on high-calorie, low-nutrition snacks.

::Take your vitamins and drink a glass of water.

::Do 25 sit-ups.

::Do a quick clean up of a room.

::Read a short story to a child.

::Text your husband to tell him you love him and appreciate him.

::Read 2 pages of the book you’re currently reading.

::Make a quick phone call.

I’m sure you all could come up with a thousand other ideas for how to wisely use the little cracks up time that pop up throughout the day. Don’t let those little time slots slip by unproductively–it’s amazing how much they can add up in your favor!

Want some practical help with setting up your day for success? Be sure to grab a copy of my brand-new online course, Make Over Your Mornings.

This 14-day online course includes videos, a workbook, and step-by-step projects and is designed to help you revolutionize your productivity, streamline your routines, invest your time in things that truly matter, and find more joy and peace in the process.

If you’ve ever wished that you could figure out how to get more done, have more organization in your life, and find time to spend on things you love, the Make Over Your Mornings Course is for you. Find out more about it here.

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Shared Feb 22, 2012 comment

Reader Tip: Make Your Own Cookbook

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 22, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Sara emailed in the following tip:

I have subscriptions to Food Network magazine and a few other freebie magazines that have lots of recipes in them. However, I was getting to the point where I was swimming in magazines, post cards, and other cut-out recipes with no form of organization!

I had been given a blank cookbook with empty pages and dividers for a wedding present over three years years ago, so I decided to use it to make my own cookbook with all of my favorite recipes. I bought a few cheap packs of plastic page protectors and decided to compile my favorite recipes and get rid of the rest to free up the clutter in our apartment.

Since then, I have filled it with great recipes that I know are winners in our home. It is a cheap cookbook that can be catered to your family’s tastes! -Sara

Shared Feb 22, 2012 comment

Ask The Readers: Recommended bread machine cookbooks?

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 22, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s question is from Giovanna:

After reading your blog, I was recently inspired to start cooking bread using a bread machine. I have used many of the bread machine recipes you post, but I would also like to find bread machine cookbook. Does anyone have a “tried and true” bread machine cookbook you would recommend? -Giovanna

Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Shared Feb 22, 2012 comment

Ask the Organizer: Tips for Keeping Your Kitchen Clutter-Free

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 22, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Earlier this month, I started a new series called “Ask the Organizer”. I posed the question, “What Is Your Biggest Clutter Hot Spot” and the overwhelming response was the kitchen! Many of you expressed your desire to have a more organized kitchen, dining room, table, or counter.

So today, I’m excited to hear what Andrea of Simple Organized Living has to say about the best ways to organize different areas of the kitchen!

The kitchen is the center of the home and even if you aren’t a great chef, I’m assuming you still spend a fair amount of time in your kitchen/dining room every day.

In my opinion, if I’m spending a lot of time in one particular space, I want it to be clean, organized, uncluttered, peaceful, calm, and inviting.

Do those adjectives describe your kitchen?

If not, here are a few simple ways you can transform your kitchen from a cluttered mess to organized bliss!

Counter Tops / Table:

I think all flat kitchen surfaces must be covered with glue because it seems like everything that gets placed on them sticks around for a long time!

Take note of what is currently on your kitchen counter tops and your kitchen table — if it’s like most kitchens, the flat surfaces are probably cluttered with junk mail, expired coupons, newspapers, homework assignments, to-do lists, bills, small appliances, photos, craft supplies, office supplies, recyclables, a variety of food items, and so much more.

And while I don’t think it’s completely realistic to have nothing sitting out on your kitchen counters, I know that I personally enjoy being in my kitchen when it is clean and clutter-free… so I try to keep it that way!

I manage to keep our kitchen and dining room relatively clutter-free by implementing a few simple tips:

Keep trash and recycling bins close by. We store our recycling in the laundry room — which is right off the kitchen, so we can quickly and easily deposit cans, paper, etc. right away. This means it doesn’t hang around on the counters for days and weeks until we finally bring it to the basement or garage.

Use a junk drawer. Yes, I’m telling you that it’s a good idea to have a junk drawer — mainly because every house needs at least one drawer where you can stash stuff you don’t have a home for {like extra batteries, twist ties, paper, pens, glue, coins, etc.} Just make sure you don’t let it get out of control!

Implement a system for papers. Papers are a huge source of kitchen clutter, and if you don’t have a system for dealing with them, they will pile up quickly — I promise! Toss junk mail, fliers, ads, and subscriptions you don’t want to read before you get into your home; that way the can’t get buried at the bottom of a pile. Have designated “in” and “out” piles for bills, homework, to-do’s, RSVP’s, and other time-sensitive information.

Create zones. If you regularly do crafts, office work, puzzles, play games, or sew in your kitchen/dinning room, then create zones for those different activities. Have a plastic tub for your craft/sewing supplies and store it in a bottom cabinet; designate one shelf for games and puzzles; use a rolling cart to store extra office supplies. By creating a home for all of these items, you’ll eliminate the mad rush to clear off the counters and table when company arrives!

Practice daily maintenance. Keeping your kitchen organized and clutter-free will require a bit of maintenance every day in order to really stay on top of it. I like using a medium size basket as a “dumping ground” for anything that doesn’t belong in the kitchen. Then, at the end of the day, I’ll take the basket and empty the contents to their proper homes around our house.

Cabinets / Drawers:

Probably the #1 complaint I get from people is that their kitchen doesn’t have enough storage space. And while I too have voiced this complaint on occasion, the only solutions are to either create more storage space or get rid of some of your stuff!

My husband and I are gearing up for an exciting kitchen renovation this summer, and we will definitely be creating lots more cabinet and drawer space; but for the time being, I’ve been forced to simply do without and get very creative with the space I do have.

If your cabinet space is limited, here are a few tips that might help:

You can save a ton of space by using dishes, glasses, pots, bowls, and storage containers that stack nicely inside each other. If you have items that don’t stack well, consider getting rid of them or storing them in the basement/garage for the time being.

Also, make sure you toss any containers that don’t have lids, any lids that don’t have containers, and anything that is cracked, rusty, melted, or broken — you shouldn’t waste valuable storage space on these items!

Get creative and find organizing containers you might already have around the house. I love using plastic shoe boxes for holding small kitchen items, lazy-susans for storing canned goods, and shelf dividers/extenders to maximize the storage space I do have.

Remember to think about how you use the items in your kitchen — and then store them accordingly. For example, if you only use certain serving pieces during the holiday season, store them in your basement or garage. However, if you use a specific appliance or tool every single day, you should either leave it out on the counter or store it in a very convenient place.

Refrigerator / Pantry:

You might be surprised at some of the items lurking in the back corners of your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry!

If you haven’t taken the time to go through and organize these areas of your kitchen, there’s a pretty good chance you’re not only wasting time searching for ingredients you need, but also wasting money throwing away food that’s expired or buying more of something you already have in the house.

To better organize these areas, start by pulling out all your food. Yes, I know this sounds overwhelming, but it’s honestly the best way to get started because you can see everything you have.

Once you can see what you’re starting with, quickly toss anything that’s expired or past its prime. Then group like items together {canned fruits, canned veggies, meats, cheeses, dairy, pasta, cereals, chips, etc.}

When I’m putting my food away, I like to create ‘food zones’ — like a lunch packing zone {a basket with snacks, chips, fruit leathers, juice boxes, etc}, a pasta zone {all different pastas, canned sauces, canned tomatoes, Italian seasonings, etc}

I use lots of shoe boxes and small plastic organizers as a frugal way to keep my fridge, freezer, and pantry organized {yes, I have shoe boxes in my fridge and freezer!}

Once these areas are organized and all the food is put away, make sure you get in the habit of putting any new food behind the older food so you don’t end up with expired food hidden way in the back again.

I also challenge myself every couple of months to take a week off from grocery shopping and simply eat from our pantry and freezer. Not only do I save a bunch of money by not buying groceries that week, I’m also able to clean out our pantry, fridge, and freezer {and I just love getting creative with our menu plan that week!}

Like I mentioned earlier, the kitchen is the heart of your home; and I guarantee you’ll enjoy the time you spend in your kitchen so much more if you keep it clean, organized, and clutter-free!

How do you keep your kitchen clutter-free?

Andrea Dekker is a professional organizer, motivational speaker, and the founder of Simple Organized Living. Her goal is to motivate and encourage others to “create their best life” through simplicity and organization.

Shared Feb 21, 2012 comment

Do-It-Yourself Experiment: Making Homemade Rice Milk

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 21, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

After Adrienne posted about how to make homemade rice milk, I’ve been wanting to try it. I mean, who couldn’t find it fascinating that you could basically blend rice and water together and turn it into milk?

Personally, I was a bit skeptical that it would really work that well. It seemed too good to be true.

I cooked the rice and then put it in the Vita-Mix with water, a dash of salt, vanilla, and honey (see the recipe measurements and instructions here).

And then turned on the Vita-Mix and let it run for two minutes.

The result? Beautiful rice milk that tasted identical to rice milk we’ve bought at the health food store.

It was delicious in Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Waffles–and it took all of five minutes to make!

Note: I did try keeping some of the rice milk in the refrigerator and it didn’t taste all that great after a few days. So I’d recommend making it fresh or using it up within a day or two.

Have any of you tried making rice milk or other non-dairy milks? I’d love to hear about your experiences!

Shared Feb 21, 2012 comment

Love Like You Mean It Cruise Recap

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 21, 2012 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

My husband and I were so blessed to have the opportunity to go on the Love Like You Mean It Cruise with FamilyLife last week. We had gone the year before and loved it–it was hard to be away from our children, but it was so good for our marriage. And we both knew that we wanted to try to make it again this year, if it were at all possible.

I didn’t really think it probably would, but my husband surprised me with the tickets in the Fall. We were both so excited and, truthfully, we were so giddy about unplugging and getting away that we could hardly concentrate on the tasks at hand the week before! 🙂

The weather was gorgeous as we pulled out of Miami.

We Kansans stood with mouths open just breathing in the beauty and the stark contrast it was to the cold, icy flat lands we’d come from the day before!

On Tuesday, we docked at the Grand Bahama Island.

We enjoyed perusing the little open air market and we bought a conch shell from one of the vendors to bring home to the children.

Wednesday morning, we docked at Great Stirrup Cay Island. This was a private island owned by the cruise line and it was absolutely gorgeous.

We spent most of the day on the island soaking up the sun, getting in the freezing cold water for as long as we could stand it (one lady who was out in the water when I was said, “You just go numb after awhile.” That was pretty accurate!), having all sorts of great discussions with friends, and getting a sunburn (despite coating ourselves with sunscreen!).

We were at sea on Thursday, so I got to spend some quality time with Tracey Eyster (the wonderful woman behind MomLifeToday) and Dannah Gresh (the inspiring and transparent woman behind Pure Freedom). Getting to share openly and honestly with these wise women was such an encouragement to me. {Oh and in case you wish you could have been a fly on the wall, we actually ended up recording some videos for you all that will run on MomLifeToday in the not-too-distant future!}

All in all, it was a great trip. My husband and I had a lot of heart-to-heart talks, we got to spend a lot of time with couples who are older and wiser than us who gave us a lot of counsel and encouragement, and we came back refreshed and revived and ready to continue on with all that we’ve been called to at this season of our lives.

We’re so grateful to our wonderful family and friends who shared the responsibilities of watching our children while we were gone and for all of our employees and contractors who stood in our stead to keep our businesses running while we were gone. We appreciate you all so much!

2hr Cleaning Checklist

2hr Cleaning Checklist

FREE DOWNLOAD: 2-Hour Cleaning Checklist!

Here are 3 ideas that can help you be content with less:

What tips do you have for learning to be content with less?

How do you use items you already own to organize your home?

2. Get the Framework in Place

A) Map Out Your Wake Up Time, Bed Time, and Meal Times.

B) Create Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Routines.

Sample Morning Routine

Sample Afternoon Routine

Sample Evening Routine

Practical Application

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

What is a Routine?

How To Set Up a Workable Routine

Practical Application

Here’s how we remodeled our bathroom with $1800 cash:

Meal Plans and Freezer Cooking

Cleaning Schedule

Morning and Evening Routines

Exercise Routines

What are your best tips for staying organized and sane as a working mom?

1. Keep Your To-Do List Short

2. Make Your Daily Goals Measurable

3. Use Your Minutes Wisely

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Counter Tops / Table:

Cabinets / Drawers:

Refrigerator / Pantry:

How do you keep your kitchen clutter-free?

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