Decorating on a Budget

As a single mom with 2 kids, the holidays were great, but were also a financial burden. It was hard enough to balance my budget for presents, let alone try to decorate the house.

I remember one year, I went to the store and found a great deal for a 6 foot artificial Christmas tree, only to get it home and realize that my 3 year old could almost reach the top. Made me wonder how small the person was to think that tree was 6 foot. Any ways, I had about $20 to my name for decorations and the tree cost me $10 of that. So what was I to do?

Here are a few ideas that I have implemented over the years that I would like to share with you:

1. I know it sounds old fashion, but stringing popcorn instead of using garland is not only more cost effective, but It is something the whole family can do while watching a Christmas movie. Your kids would get a kick out of it. Note: just make sure your 3 year old does not sit by the tree and use it as a snack buffet:)
   
2. Go outside with your kids and have everyone gather up pine cones. Fill your kitchen sink up with water and give the cones a quick rinse. Shake excess water off of them and place in a large bowl. While they are still damp, sprinkle them with a little cinnamon, nutmeg, or whatever fragrant spice you have lying around. Place them around the house in decorative dishes or baskets. If you want, just rest the cones on top of a bed of pine needles. This is quick, easy, fragrant, and best of all, free!
3. I usually end up with extra Christmas cards every year, rather the ones I bought and don't use, or the ones people have sent me. I am sure you have extras as well, so instead of the ever famous ˝stick them to the wall with scotch tape ˝ routine, put them in the picture frames you have around the house. This adds an elegant touch and your friends and family would love how you display their cards.

Like I stated before, these are just a few simple ideas for cost effective decorations and you can have quality time with the kids as well.

Do you have any ideas you would like to share? Please feel free to post your suggestions as I am always looking for new tips.

Quick and Easy Cleaning Tips

As stated in other articles, having 2 kids and a full-time job, I never seemed to have enough time to do everything else. These are a few tips I have picked up through the years.

1. Cleaning the microwave: I always hated this job. Trying to scrape off baked on food from the top was nearly impossible. Almost as impossible as covering the food before turning the microwave on in order to avoid food splatter (I am sure this is difficult because no one ever seems to do it). So to avoid a half hour of scrubbing, place a coffee cup full of water in the microwave and turn on high for 2-3 minutes, or until water boils. Do not open the door when the timer goes off. Let the cup sit in the microwave for about 10 minutes, allowing the steam to do its job. Open door, take cup out (be careful, cup is hot), wipe out microwave with a damp cloth. That's it! Simple and easy.
2. Window cleaning:I don't know about you, but it seems to me that cleaning products are getting more and more expensive. To clean windows, forget the window cleaner (average price $4 a bottle) and paper towels (average price $2 per roll). Instead, try using rubbing alcohol and coffee filters ($1 for a bottle of alcohol and $1 for an entire pack of coffee filters and you can clean windows for a month or two). Not to mention that the latter will be streak and lint free.
3. Laundry: There are so many products out now that have the word Oxy in them, and they charge about $5 more for their products. However, if you want to get blood stains, chocolate, grass, whatever, out of your clothes, pre-soak them in water with ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide (available at most grocery stores and pharmacies for only $1 per 16 oz bottle). If it is just one or 2 stains, you can just put a capful of peroxide directly on the stain itself and let sit for about 30 minutes before washing.
4. Drains: not exactly cleaning, but still, no one likes when their sink drains clog. Instead of buying those expensive drain products, boil a large pot of water and dump it down the drain once a week to keep your drains clog free.