ONE-MINUTE CHORES

Only have a minute for cleaning? No problem. This first set
of tips will give you some ideas for chores that take less
than a minute.
1. Dust One Thing
It only takes a minute to choose one thing and dust it. You can either use a
feather duster, a dust spray and a rag, or a dust wipe. Here are some things
you can dust quickly:
• TV screens
• Shelves
• Blinds
• Ceiling fans
• Air Vents
2. Change Vacuum Bag
It doesn’t take much time at all to change your vacuum bag, and it can
make your vacuum run more efficiently. A good tip is to take your
vacuum outside to change it so the dust from the bag doesn’t go back into
the room.
3. Clean a Mirror
A clean mirror makes a room look cleaner. If you don’t have glass cleaner
and paper towels, try vinegar and old newspaper. This is a lot less
expensive and it works just as well.
4. Change Towels
Fresh towels make a room smell great, whether they’re in the kitchen or
the bathroom. It takes less than a minute, and it freshens up the whole
room.
5. Change Trash Bags
Even if you don’t have time to take the trash all the way out, just taking
full bags out of the cans and replacing them with clean bags can help tidy
up when you only have a minute.
6. Sort Today’s Mail
Mail can really pile up if left alone. If you take 30 seconds every day to
organize that day’s mail, you’ll have a lot less clutter. Don’t be afraid to
throw away junk mail.
7. Treat a Stain
Got an extra minute? Treat that nasty stain that you noticed last week.
Here are some tips:
• Flush stains with water.
• Blot the stain with a dry cloth.
• Apply a mild cleaner and let set.
• Blot again.
8. Take Care of Plants
A minute is more than enough time to care for your favorite houseplants.
If they need water, fill a pitcher so you can water them all faster. Take a
pair of scissors with you to snip off dead vines or leaves.
9. Wipe Down Forgotten Areas
Grab a wet washcloth and quickly wipe down areas that might be
forgotten when cleaning. Areas like:
• Doorknobs
• Remote controls
• Light switches
• Handles
• Telephones
10. Sweep Entryways
Most entryways are small and take less than a minute to sweep. Grab your
broom and dustpan and you’ll be finished before you begin. You can even
cheat and sweep dust onto the carpet, then use the carpet-sweeper to clean
it up.
11. Shake out a Floor Mat
Floor mats are sometimes forgotten during cleaning. If you have an extra
minute, grab a mat or two and shake them out outside. This will reduce the
amount of dust in your home as well as keep those mats fresh and clean.
12. Collect Garbage in a Room
If you don’t have time to clean a whole room but want to make it look a
little bit better, clear out the garbage. Grab a trash bag or a waste paper
basket and start stuffing. You’ll find that this improves the look of a room
dramatically.

GOOD HABBITS TO START
As you start developing simple housecleaning habits, you’ll
notice that your work will get easier and easier. This next set of
tips will give you some great ideas of good habits to start.
13. Delegate
Housework can be a huge job. Learn to delegate. Make chore charts for
everyone in your house. Even small children can help pick up toys and
other things. As you learn that you don’t have to do it all, housework will
become much easier.
14. Fill the Sink
A good habit to start is filling your sink with hot soapy water every time
you start to cook. This way you can “clean as you go.” As you get done
with each pot or dish, wash it quickly. This makes clean-up a snap.
15. Spray the Oven
Time for take-out? If there’s a day when you’re not using your oven, give
it a quick spray of oven cleaner and forget about it. The next day, before
you turn on your oven, give it a quick wipe down. You’ll find that the
baked on stuff comes off much easier.
16. Have a Charity Box
It’s a good idea to keep a box or bag in your front closet that you put
things you don’t need anymore. This really helps get rid of clutter in your
home. When the box is full, simply drop it off at your local good will
store.
17. Rinse Your Plate
This may be a small tip, but it can help in big ways. If you simply make it
a habit to rinse your plate after dinner (and have all family members do the
same), it will make washing them a lot easier. No one likes trying to wash
dried food off of dishes.
18. Tackle the Small Jobs
Housework can be overwhelming. Learn to break it down and tackle the
smaller jobs first. As you do, each job will become easier. Also, if you
clean the small messes before they get big, it’ll be a lot easier to clean up.
19. Keep Cleaner in the Shower
A great shortcut for cleaning your tub and shower is to keep a bottle of
shower cleaner handy. After you take a bath or shower, spray it down.
You can take it a step further and keep a squeegee in it as well.
20. Fast Pick Up Before Bed
If you make it a habit to do a quick pick up before going to bed, it’ll really
help. You’ll find that it’s easier to wake up and feel good about the day if
even one room is clean.
21. Line Your Fridge
If you make it a habit to line your fridge shelves with paper towels, it’ll
make it a lot easier to clean. This will work especially well in the crispers,
as the paper towels will soak up any extra wetness.
22. Take a Trash Bag With You
As you leave the house, make it a habit to take the trash out. This is a
simple tip, but why make extra trips if you don’t need to? This is also a
great job to delegate to a teenager. They’re always coming and going
anyway.
KITCHEN
Your kitchen gets used every day. Without
maintaining small messes, you can have a big
cleaning job every day. This next set of tips will help
you keep your kitchen clean and manageable.
23. Microwave
Here’s a good shortcut to cleaning your microwave: Fill up a cup of water
and put it in there on high for a few minutes. The steam from the cup will
loosen any stuck-on food, and then you can just wipe it away.
24. Baking Soda
Baking soda has many practical uses, especially in the kitchen. Here are a
few ideas:
• Put an open box in your fridge and freezer to eliminate odors
and bad tastes.
• Sprinkle some in the bottom of your trashcans.
• Sprinkle some down your drain and garbage disposal to
eliminate odors.
25. Fridge
Cleaning your fridge can be a big job, but here are a few tips to make it a
bit easier:
• Toss out any bad food.
• Start with wiping down the top shelves and work down.
• Baking soda and water make a great cleaner and wont leave
your fridge smelling like harsh cleanser.
• After you wipe out the crispers, line them with paper towels for
easier cleaning next time.
26. Washing Dishes
Washing dishes can really be overwhelming. Here are some tips to make
this grueling task a bit easier:
• Invest in a scrubber that you can put soap in the handle. This
way you can “wash as you go,” eliminating huge piles of dirty
dishes.
• Soak all dishes that have dried on food. This lets you use less
elbow grease.
• Wash in groups—silverware, glasses, bowls, plates, pots and
pans.
27. Wipe Down
After the dishes are done and put away, don’t forget the wipe-down. This
makes your kitchen have that extra clean look. When you’re wiping down,
don’t forget:
• Counter tops
• Stove
• Sink
• Faucets
• Cupboard doors
• Table
• Chairs
28. Sweep and Mop
The very last thing you need to clean in your kitchen is the floor. There are
lots of brooms and mops on the market these days. Make sure to use a
broom and mop that best fit the needs of your floor.
BATHROOM
Cleaning the bathroom is something that nobody likes
to do. Unfortunately, it needs to be done, not only to
make it look better, but to eliminate germs that can
cause illness. Below you’ll find a few tips to make
cleaning your bathroom more effective and easy.
29. Toilet
Cleaning the toilet is a grueling job, but fortunately, it can be done fast.
Here are a few steps to follow to get it done quickly:
• 1st—Pour some cleaner in the bowl to soak.
• 2nd—Wipe down the seat and outside of the bowl with an
antibacterial wipe or spray cleaner.
• 3rd—Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush.
• 4th—Wipe down everything again with a dry cloth to make it
shine.
30. Mirrors
Mirrors can be very tricky to clean because if you don’t have the right
tools, they can look worse than before you started. Make sure you use
glass cleaner (usually blue) or vinegar, and use paper towels or newspaper
to wipe them (not cloth as it will leave residue).
31. Bathtub
Bathtubs can be awkward to clean, because there are many hard-to-reach
places. Here are a few things that may help:
• Use a cleanser that will foam or bubble. This allows you to
“soak” your tub or shower, even if it’s a vertical wall.
• Shop around for a tub scrubber that fits your needs. Whether
it’s a long-handled one or an extra firm one, pick a scrubber
that will be easiest for you to use.
• As mentioned earlier, spraying the tub or shower down after
each use can make deep cleaning easier.
32. Wipe Down the Sink
Wiping down the sink and counter is easier if you first fill the sink with
hot soapy water. Keep dipping your washcloth or sponge into it until
everything is clean. Don’t forget to dry everything so it’ll really sparkle.
LIVING ROOM
The living room is usually the first thing that
visitors see when they come to your home. It’s
also the room that can get the messiest. This
next set of tips will help you keep your living
room clean and inviting.
33. Pick Up
First do a quick pick up. Here are some important points:
• Put everything in its place (remotes controls, magazines, etc.).
• Throw trash in the trash can.
• Put things that don’t belong into laundry baskets, so they’re
easier to put away later.
34. Dust
As mentioned earlier, dusting doesn’t take very long, but it can really help
make your living room look great. Here’s a list of things not to forget:
• Blinds
• Air Vents
• TV screens
• Shelves
• Ceiling fans
35. Vacuum
Vacuuming really finishes a clean room. Use your vacuum’s attachments
to make sure you get the hard to reach places. Don’t forget:
• Couch cushions
• Room edges
• Under the couch
• Curtains
• Window sills
BEDROOM
You spend almost half of your life in your bedroom, so
keeping it clean is important. Here are some tips to
keep your bedroom looking great:
36. Make the Bed
Making the bed will make any room cleaner. It doesn’t take very long, and
it really pulls the room together. It helps to have a thick, lightweight
comforter that can easily be thrown on without a lot of smoothing or
tucking. Pillows really make a bed look good as well.
37. Put Away Clothes
Put away all clothes. Whether they need to be folded and put in a dresser,
hung up, or put in the dirty clothes hamper, managing clothes is very
important.
38. Clean off Dresser
You dresser top can get cluttered very quickly. Make it a habit to clear it
off every time you clean your room, and it will get easier each time. It’s
also a good idea to wipe down your dresser with a damp cloth.
GENERAL SHORTCUTS
You’re almost there! This last set of tips will give you
additional shortcuts for cleaning the house. Some of them
are hardly conventional, but sometimes you just have to get
creative—especially when you’re in a hurry.
39. Fast Window Cleaning
Got a big window that needs to be cleaned super quick? Try only pulling
the blinds up halfway, and only cleaning the bottom half of the window.
As stated earlier, vinegar and newspaper work well in a pinch.
40. Carpet Sweeping
It helps to have a carpet sweeper or a cordless hand vacuum handy. This
way you don’t need to drag the big vacuum out every time your floor
needs a quick clean-up.
41. Pet Hair
Pet hair can be hard to control, especially on furniture. Here are a couple
of ideas for fast clean up:
• Ball up an old pair of pantyhose and rub them all over your
furniture—they’re really great at picking up pet hair.
• Buy a cheap lint roller (the kind with sticky tape) and roll it
over the furniture.
42. Do the Towel Shuffle
Who would have thought a house-cleaning tip would mean doing a dance?
If your floor needs a good mopping but you don’t have time, simply wet
two towels, put one under each foot, and “shuffle” them across the room.
You’ll find this quite effective as well as fun.
43. Cleaner Alternatives
Out of cleaners? Here are some things that you can use to clean instead of
store bought cleaners:
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Lemon juice
44. Laundry Baskets
Laundry baskets aren’t just for laundry anymore. You can get them at
almost any dollar store, and they can really speed up housework. Here are
some ideas:
• When cleaning a room, put all the things that don’t belong in that
room in a basket. Then put the baskets in the rooms that they go in.
• Use a basket to carry dishes from the dining area to the sink.
• Use baskets to separate magazines.
• Give each household member a basket. When cleaning, line up the
basket in the room you’re cleaning and put belongings in
corresponding baskets. Have each family member put away the
things in their basket.
45. Decorative Baskets
Decorative baskets are a great way to hide clutter. Take a trip to your local
dollar store and invest in some fancy baskets of all sizes. Use them to
organize. Here are some things you can use them for:
• Mail
• Magazines
• Couch pillows
• Remotes

47. Spray Dust Mop
No time for a full mopping? Try giving your floor a good spraying with
your favorite cleaner, then go over it with a mop. Depending on the
cleaner, you may need to then spray your floor again with just water, and
mop again to remove any residue.
48. Music
Every grueling task is easier when music is involved. Find yourself some
good music to clean to, and you’ll find that time goes by much faster. In
no time, the CD is over, and your house is clean.
49. Good Smells
A clean house may be the first thing people see as they come to visit, but
what are they smelling? An inviting smell in your home is just as
important as keeping it clean. Here are some things you can use:
• Spray air fresheners
• Candles
• Plug-in air fresheners
• Scented pine cones
• Scented oil lamps
• Potpourri
50. Make a Plan
Housework is a lot less overwhelming if you have a plan. If you divide
chores up into specific time blocks, or even days, they will be a lot easier
to tackle. Don’t forget to make fun chore charts for the kids.
51. Know When to Quit
With housework, there will always be something else to clean and
organize. It’s important to know when to quit. When wiping down a
cupboard door, resist the temptation to pull everything out of that
cupboard and reorganize; save that for another day.

Make That Fruit Last Longer – Dry It

We try to save money on our food bills but with a family, that is a trick in itself. Fresh fruits and veggies seem to cost more and spoil sooner. If you and your family love to eat fresh fruits, one way to be sure they won’t spoil is to dry them.

Dried fruits can serve as a healthy alternative to candy. Instead of reaching for chocolate or a piece of hard candy, the kids will reach for a dried pineapple or apple slices. The sweetness of the fruit is concentrated when it is dried and bursts forth with every bite.

Learning to dry fruit is a fairly easy process. You don’t need to buy any fancy equipment. Investing in a few sealing jars would be nice so that storing the fruit will be easier, but it isn’t a necessity.  Sealing jars can be found fairly inexpensive at many supermarkets.

To start, gather all of the fruits you want to dry. Most fruits make good choices. Some of the more common ones are: pineapples, apples, plums, grapes, apricots, and tomatoes (yes they are a fruit!). If you favor lemons, limes, or other citrus fruits, you will be drying the peels and not the fruit itself.

All fruit and equipment need to be clean and thoroughly dried before beginning. Drying racks are needed if you plan on air drying outside or using an oven. Some pieces may be done before others so rotating the trays in the oven gives you a chance to remove any fruit that is already dried and replace with another.

Slice the fruit into small pieces. Apples need to be cored and peeled before slicing. Tomatoes can be cut into slices or quarters and salted before drying. Grapes and plums are okay as is because the skin doesn’t affect their taste.

If you prefer to use the microwave to dry your fruit, place small batches in the microwave on the turntable tray. Fruit pieces should be evenly spaced to allow for air circulation while drying. Set the microwave to the defrost setting in order to dry the fruit. It will take about thirty to forty-five minutes. Check after thirty minutes and gradually add time as needed. It is not recommended that tomatoes be dried via the microwave because they should be dried at approximately 120 degrees for about twenty-four hours.

You can eat some of these tasty treats as soon as they are dried or you can save some for later. If storing for later, let the fruit cool before placing in sealing jars or plastic bags. Dried fruits will keep for up to two weeks in a cool dark place. However, these fruit treats are so scrumptious they may not even last for that long.

Dried fruit has a multitude of uses.  It can be eaten as is or as a flavorful addition to ice cream, salads, pizzas, and more. Drying your fruits will save you money because it makes the fruit last longer than normal, avoid spoilage and gives you a reason to eat more of it.

Save Money & Have Some Fun Drying Fresh Herbs

Herbs are a great way to flavor almost any food dish, but buying them at the store can be expensive.  A more cost effective option that adds money to your pocket and flavor to your meals is to grow and dry your own herbs.  It can also be tons of fun, especially if you have children who can help.

Fresh herbs have a benefit over the dried ones you buy in the store. If you have a sunny spot and some good soil, you can grow your own herbs at home. Choose the ones that you use most to season food and grow them in small planters.

When growing herbs, treat them like any other plant. Pruning and cutting back the leaves brings even more leaves. As you cut and use fresh basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, they will continue to grow. In fact, the herbs may grow faster than you can use them, so share some with friends and neighbors.

Another alternative to letting the extra go to waste is to dry your fresh herbs. Dried fresh herbs lose their moisture, but still retain the entire flavor of a fresh plant. You’ll now have herbs to last for months to come and you can pass them on to others once they are dried as well.

Begin with your equipment. You’ll need a place to dry them. You can use wooden or wire racks. That cooling rack you use in the kitchen for cookies and cakes would be perfect for drying herbs. Gather together a colander, some cheesecloth, paper towels, and some string.

All herbs to be dried should be washed and rinsed in cold water. A colander is perfect because the water can drain out the bottom. Use paper towels to pat each leaf and stalk until dry of any visible moisture.

Herbs can be dried in many ways. If you only want the leaves, remove the stalk and lay the leaves on a drying rack. Depending on the size of the leaves, you may need a wire rack for them as opposed to a cooling rack from the kitchen.

Herbs can also be dried in bunches. Tie them with string at the stalks and hang them upside down on a nail to air dry. This can be accomplished outside or indoors, but should be done in an area that is ventilated with no humidity. Humidity will help your herbs to retain their moisture and prevent drying. Use cheesecloth to cover herbs on a cooling rack if you plan on letting them dry outside.

Use the oven for faster drying. The temperature should remain low (around 120 degrees). Gently touch the leaves every half hour to test for dryness. The microwave oven is an alternative, but you will have to be careful not to shrivel them up.

Dried herbs will keep for a six months. After that, the flavor begins to wane. Herbs should be stored in Mason jars or plastic containers, just be sure to label them so you know which herb is which. In order to keep the herbs dry and avoid molding during storage, seal the containers air tight.

Herbs season food in many unique and yummy ways. Drying herbs allows you to savor the flavor while saving money and having fun all at once.

5 Frugal Breakfast Ideas

It is the first meal we eat when we get up in the morning. After a long night of sleep, we can’t do without it if we want to get our bodies going. No, I’m not talking about coffee. I’m referring to breakfast. Here are some ideas for breakfast that don’t require a drive-thru window.

1. Have a piece of casserole. It takes time to cook eggs and bacon for breakfast. No one wants to ruin their clothes with the mess it can create. On Sunday night, get breakfast done early. Put together a casserole using your favorite ingredients. Fewer eggs are needed in a casserole than when frying or scrambling them for breakfast each morning. Depending on the size of your family, the casserole may last two to three mornings.

2. Yogurt. Yogurt is a healthy and economical breakfast choice. When you are eating on the run, grab a container of yogurt and some dried or fresh fruit. Cutting up fruit on top of the yogurt adds carbohydrates to fuel you for the morning in addition to the calcium and protein in the yogurt itself.

3. Breakfast shake. This is even quicker and can be ingested while driving without taking your eyes off the road or both hands off the wheel. Put together some frozen fruit favorites, ice cubes, frozen yogurt, and unsweetened juice in a blender. Pour into Styrofoam cups to keep it cold. Everyone can grab a cup on the way out the door. The nutritional effect is about the same as yogurt, but without the spoon.

4. Pigs in a blanket. This is the homemade version. Whip up a batch of pancakes and freeze them in short stacks of three. A package or two of frozen link sausage is needed to create this quick and economical meal idea. Thaw out a stack of pancakes. Heat up three sausages in the microwave. Wrap a pancake around each sausage. Voila! You’ve got an instant pig in a blanket. Eat it as you watch the last of your favorite morning show or as you walk to the bus stop. It can be eaten in the car without too much fuss or mess. For a sweeter taste and less mess, add a little maple syrup or honey to the batter when making the pancakes.

5. Breakfast sandwiches. In the evening, while you are getting things ready for the next day, grill up a few breakfast sandwiches. Choose whatever you like: turkey slices, ham slices, cheese, tomato, bacon, etc. When the sandwich cools, cut it into bite size pieces and put it in a container. In the morning, just grab a container; pop it into the microwave for fifteen or twenty seconds and breakfast is served.

These breakfast ideas are time saving and money-saving too. They make use of items you buy normally and also whatever you have around the house to create delicious fare for a morning rush.  No more excuses for skipping breakfast or swinging into the fast food restaurant every morning.

5 Kitchen Staples to Help Save Money

Ever wonder how our ancestors always seemed to have food on the table even in lean times? When we are visiting the grocery store every week to the tune of hundreds of dollars, we long to know their secret. In fact it isn’t a secret at all. It is actually good planning and preparation on their part.  Once we realize this and begin doing as they did, we too will see our dollar stretch further.

The items that we have on hand are what determine how far our food will go. Filling your cabinets or pantry with a few useful staples can be the difference between a trip to the grocery store each and every week versus once or twice a month. Stocking just a few choice items is all you need to create wonderful meals.

1. Flour. Flour is a starter item for many recipes. You can add it to some water and make gravy in the pan for many meat dishes. Flour is used to make bread (biscuits, rolls, loaves) and to coat chicken. It can also be used to coat a round or square cake pan to prevent the cake from sticking. Of course, one of the favorite uses for flour is in cookie recipes that make scrumptious desserts.

2. Rice. My husband loves rice so much that we once bought a fifty pound bag from a grocery store in his hometown. Fifty pounds! Rice is a side dish, but it doesn’t have to be plain. It can be jazzed up with veggies to accompany dinner. My mother uses leftover rice for a dessert called sweet rice. Just add evaporated milk and some sugar to a bowl of rice and warm it in the microwave. It is a tasty treat for after dinner. Another popular dessert is rice pudding. Rice can also be mixed with leftover meat and a cream soup to form a casserole. Rice has many uses and your sure to find a few that your family will love.

3. Pasta. There are many different pasta choices and all have great uses. Manicotti can be stuffed with tomato sauce and cheeses. Macaroni can be used to make a creamy salad and also is great combined with cheese or spaghetti sauce. Spiral pasta is used in many different pasta salads.  Spaghetti can be used in a casserole topped with cheese or in the traditional way with tomato sauce and meat.

4. Spices. There are other ways to season food besides salt and pepper. In fact, many spices taste better than salt. Even diehard salt-a-holics won’t miss the salt in foods if other seasonings are used. Cayenne pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano, and garlic powder are all useful tools in your flavor arsenal to give foods a fresh new taste.

5. Beans. There go those beans again. Beans can top your salad (edamame), make an awesome dip (black beans), and go well with grilled foods (baked beans). They provide a good source of protein with very little fat. Beans are good in soups, stews, and over rice for a simple yet filling meal.

Do you have these staples in your kitchen? You can probably think of several more that will enhance your pantry and save money. Start with these and grow your own list of basic kitchen staples that are versatile and economical.

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