Breaking Even, Inc.

Ten Uses For Your Local Newspaper

As usual, I brought home two newspapers from work. I get a copy of The Ellsworth American and MDIslander as part of my job. In addition, on Thursdays I get a copy of my hometown paper, the Saint John Valley Times.

So three newspapers every week adds up. I've got more newsprint then I know what to do with. I've come up with some uses for newspapers. And because being practical and saving money involves reuse, I thought I'd put them on the blog:

1. In the fall, putting wet newspapers on the ground around your plants will inhibit weed growth. (This works! I've done it!)

2. Washing your windows with newspaper makes them streak free.

3. Keep a pile to start fires, especially in bonfire season.

4. Spread out newspapers on your table for a non-messy seafood picnic. (Dump the mussels of clams on the table and have everyone dig in!)

5. Shred it with your compost.

6. Make your own recycled paper. (instead of pantyhose, you can use an old screen to make things a little easier)

7. Use it to line cages, dog crates, your produce bin in your refrigerator. (Not only does it create a surface it also has some odor absorbing qualities.)

8. Giftwrapping! If you are charming enough (and buy cool enough gifts), you can get away with this.

9. Crumble in your shoes to dry them overnight. (Great for running shoes.)

10. Read it. Read it for the articles, or for coupons and sales, or just for a local calendar of free or cheap goings-on.

And here's a much more exhastive list, some of which are a little far-fetched. Point is, there are plenty of ways to reuse newspapers, and lots of other things in life. Happy Thursday!

Too Cute Tuesday: The Graphic Pillow

If you're a lover of decorating magazines, you've no doubt seen the cute pillows in graphic and mixed prints casually-on-purpose tossed on furniture in magazines like Dwell or Domino. You may think " Well, I may not be able to afford the $5,000 sofa but I can probably swing that adorable pillow." A quick look at the shopping section and that little pillow is a not so cute price of $200. Boy, have I got a trick for you.

Unless you're a quilter, you probably haven't heard of fat quarters. They are pieces of fabric that are a quarter of a yard (they are rectangle shape but very close to being squares really). They are usually packaged together by color or pattern or designer. They are meant for quilters who don't want to buy a whole mess of fabric but need different fabrics that go together.

Buying fat quarters is like buying perfectly precut fabric for pillows (though you can take off an inch or two to make pillows square). My favorite fabric designer is Amy Butler because she's got great colors and graphics. A quick search online and I find 13 fat quarters for $32. This means I can make six pillows (two pieces of fabric per pillow for way less then one designer pillow.

After fabric, all you need is stuffing. You can buy online or at a fabric store but on the first page of my Google search I saw a great deal on Craigs List. You may also want to take stock of your pillows and see if some of them can be taken out of commission and their stuffing recycled. Even if you have to buy new, stuffing for one pillow shouldn't cost you more than $5.

Materials:
2 fat quarters of fabric that "go together"
Stuffing for one pillow (when in doubt, get more then you think you'll need)
Pins
Sewing machine or needle and thread
1 margarita (optional)

(0. If you want to be a real over-achiever, you can tattoo a design on the fabric you're going to use. The embroidery thing on top of a pattern is hot!)

1. Pin the pillow on three sides, right sides facing each other.

2. Sew the pillow on three sides. You should be looking at the wrong side of the fabric during this process so that when you reverse it, you'll hide the seams. Sew half of the fourth side.

2.5. Invert the pillow. You'll see the right side and the hems are hidden. Yay! Drink some margarita.

3. Stuff the pillow. Fluff the stuffing to declump it and ensure even distribution.

4. Sew a little more of the fourth pillow side and double check the stuffing. Is it even? Do you like it?

5. Finish sewing. Admire your handiness. Lie on your new pillow while finishing margarita.

I'm going to warn you; your first pillow won't come out well. The second one though will be much better so save your best fabric for something besides your first project. And when people ask you where you got your pillow (because they will), say proudly that you made it. Go you!

A Porch Of One's Own: Part I

Outdoor Eatery Or Your Backyard Cozy-fied?

When I moved into Sean's house a year ago, I was very excited in particular about having a deck. It was the one thing my Vinalhaven residence lacked and I saw myself in cute sundresses mingling with friends at my theoretical deck parties.

Only the thing with a deck is it needs something. Something to sit on, eat on, or even look at. Otherwise it's a big expanse of wood. Kind of dull.

While Sean tinkered with his outside project (more on that later this week), it become my goal to make the deck more habitable.

I divided the deck into three distinct areas: the dining/lounging part, the sitting around the firebowl part, and the food/grilling part. In this post, I tackle the dining/lounging area. (Other areas will follow.)

Since Sean hates both wicker and plastic furniture, I'm severely limited on what will work here. I found wooden folding chairs at The Christmas Tree Shop for $5 each last month and bought four. Extra seating, tasteful, and foldable! The added bonus is I can always spray paint them to make them any color I want, though I do like the natual wood look. I used two chairs in my dining area. ($10)

I then made a makeshift table with some leftover lumber in our basement. It looks pretty silly underneath but a water-resistant but cute tablecloth does that trick of hiding my non-handiness. Use lots of brackets to make it as sturdy as possible; remember no one has to know! ($15 for the tablecloth)

To maximize the seating, I took advantage of the bench seating along the edge of the deck. Pillows can make things more comfortable and cozy and with some leftover batting and cloth, I made a bench seat cushion for the other side. (Forgot to take the photo from that angle to show it off. ($20 for batting and cloth on the bench, throw pillows taken temporarily from inside the house)

A planter with bonsai pine tree defines the corner of the deck, and subtly alerts people so they don't fall off the edge (planter $5, tree and rock from yard)

A citronella candle keeps things bug-free, at least relatively ($5). Tea lights on the table will give some light as night falls ($1).

So for just under $60, I can now have four people over (six if we scrunch) for an outside dinner.

Nicole's Tips To A Lounge-y Deck

1. Repurpose. Don't have lumber in your basement? How about a big bulletin board resting on plant stands? Or buy a wide two by four and rest it on a bench. Think of the table height you want (coffee table vs. dining table) and start looking around your house, basement, and garage for things you can use!

2. Invest in a wipeable table cloth. A cloth tablecloth will be in the wash every five minutes. Get one in a plastic-y finish that you can wipe for the occasional spill. Has the added benefit of covering up shoddy carpentry work. 

3. Test your table before people come over. Put plates, food etc. on it and make sure it isn't too wobbly. If it is, adjust as necessary. Remember, the tablecloth will hide your adjustments.

4. Fabric adds poshness. Don't be afraid to use cushions. They're fun and say that you care about your guests' butts. Just have an area close to your deck (but protected) where you can put things when you go in for the night. And make it so you don't have to squish them into storage; if puttint them away is a hassle, you'll never do it and after a season outside, you'll have to junk the cushions. (I have a shelf in our breezeway where the cushions and tablecloth fit perfectly.)

5. Think lighting. As night falls, how will your party transition? Like you would with a room, think of a variety of light sources: candles, Christmas lights, tiki torches, solar lamps... Tea lights and the citronella will be fine in this small space but other lighting will need to happen to make the whole deck useable.

6. Delineate possible hazards. If there is a place where your deck just ends, put a big planter plant. Light transitional areas like stairs (you can do this cheaply by putting a tea light on both sides of every stair). You don't want people to get hurt at your party; it's a real showstopper to have to drive someone to the emergency room!

As the other areas come together, I'll post photos. Hope you had an equally productive weekend!

Some Updates On Projects

Project: The Zen And Art On Coupon Clipping
Time Elapsed: Two Weeks

So far, I'm a little discouraged on this project. I find that I haven't been able to use a lot of the coupons I've clipped. Often, it seems the store brand still beats my name brand coupon. My last shopping trip I saved...$2.38 with coupons. My Grocery Game savings the same trip were around $10, and I don't really have to do anything for that except print off the list and pay $5 a month. (and hey, saving me $10 in an average week means that it pays for itself and then some for sure). I'll keep clipping coupons though and give this a solid month to trial to see if it's worth my time

The one exception to coupon discouragement is the $8 Hills Science Diet Dogfood I got from Spending Less 101. That website points you to coupons you can get online. I waited until the food was on sale ($5 off this week) and I saved $14 on my finicky dog's healthy food: $17 of food will now last at least two months for her.

Project: How To Get Rid Of Carpet Odors
Time Elapsed: Two months

Thanks to everyone who participated in this, including Debt Free Revolution and Bouncing Betty who suggested Odoban from Home Depot. As the daughter of a small hardware store owner, I hate HD but I went to get this product. $8 and only about 1/8 of the bottle later, smell is gone. Completely.

Project: Blogroll Update
Time Elapsed: Too Long!

I finally updated my blogroll with new (well, not so much new as new to me) blogs that I read all the time.

Personal finance-y blogs: Being Frugal, Cheap Healthy Good, Debt Free Revolution, Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, My Small Cents, Northern Cheapskate, Spending Less 101, and The Baglady.

Other great blogs: Intelligent Travel, Shorpy, Hoarded Ordinaries, and Satellite Sisters.

If I haven't added your blog or website yet and I clearly read it and comment on it all the time, let me know!

There I got all those updates done like I've been meaning to! Whew! Now anxiously awaiting five o'clock for the weekend to start... Happy Friday!

...And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt

A Cheap And Cool Souvenir That You'll Actually Still Like Two Weeks Later

Maybe it's that it's spring and Sean and I have been talking about taking a vacation but travel is on my mind. Looking around my house reminds me of cool trips I've been on in the past because of something I learned from my friend Sarah.

While other people think about how to pack that sombrero for the plane flight back or try to find that perfect shot glass to compliment their friend's drinking problem, Sarah swears by buying a print from a local artist. They are usually inexpensive (less than $10), they are unique to the area, and make for great wall (or other) decor once you get home. Alternatively, it can be stashed away in a scrapbook, not taking too much physical space in your life.

Now there is nothing wrong with getting other souvenirs (if that's what you're into) but I think a print is the perfect compromise between something artsy and something fun. I took a few photos from around the house of prints I have from different places I've visited. Because I've never paid a lot of money for the prints (and because they aren't originals), I have no problem cutting them down slightly to fit in a standard size frame. (Remember, if you see a frame that's a good size, shape, and price, you should get it. Spray paint and/or Sharpie markers can easily change the colors of the frame.)

So if you are stuck on what to get from that flea market for yourself or your mom, a print is what I recommend. Just put down that collectible snowglobe and step away from the table of knick knacks. Your mom (and your wallet) will thank you.

Image: My framed prints from New Orleans and Moab, UT take up way less space (and cost less) then your average thimble collection. 

Curb Appeal: Beating Around The Bush

A Week-long Series On Gardening, Landscaping, and Money

As a result of some exterior stuff (bad week), I had some blog block today. I did what any self-respecting twenty-something would do: I called Mom.

You know, for someone who has never really grown much plantwise, talking to her made me realize I actually have had some successful attempts. In particular, with bushes.

I have always liked bushes. I have a vivid memory of discovering a flowering bush in a small forest behind my childhood home. I cut a flower and brought it to my mom. We've since attributed this bush to something my grandmother had planted before she died... Perhaps something she wanted us to just find later (I mean, why else put it in the middle of a forest, right?). Every year, multiple times a summer, I went back to the bush to check on it and brought my mom a flower from it after it bloomed. I marveled at how it would grow, with little sunlight in bad soil, without me having to do anything to it. I used to think it was a miracle.

Fast forward to adulthood where I decide to attempt to garden for the first time. I love hydrangeas but when I couldn't find one at the Vinalhaven store, I had to improvise. What is an easy bush to grow? (I asked around.) Try a butterfly bush, everyone said. And try I did. I dug a bed at my old Vinalhaven house and anchored the plot with a big ol' butterfly bush. I did nothing to it except weed and water and it grew. I bet it's still flowering in front of that little house now. And let me tell you, if something can grow on Vinalhaven, it'll probably grow a lot of other places, too.

So bushes are not only hearty but pretty and often perennial. You can cut flowers for a bouquet on a table or just sleep with your windows open and breathe in...

So try a butterfly bush, a hydrangea, or even a bleeding heart bush (they play nice with hostas, bonus!). They are fairly inexpensive ($5-$40), are guarenteed to grow year after year, easy to maintain, and pretty looking and smelling.

I'm pro-bush, but only in the plant way. Have you had any luck with bushes (as in with plants, not people)?

Curb Appeal: You Can Grow Your Own Way

A Weeklong Series About Landscaping, Gardening, and Money

Yesterday, I talked about some inexpensive and perennial ornamental plants to boost your home value. You can also, however, use some more functional plants to grow your own food, even if (like me) you've killed an aloe plant.

Growing food has been a way to engage students and rehabilitate prisoners, not that those two are related... what I'm saying is that growing food is clearly something good for the emotional and physical health of a person big or small. (For way more about the social/societal benefits of growing your own food, check out the book Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet, which is a great read.) Frugal Dad had a great post recently tying in lessons learned gardening with lessons to be learned in personal finance. There are clearly mental, social, and emotional benefits from the act of growing food.

And to look food growth purely as an investment, I'm betting that gardening is going to get really popular this year because of rising food prices. Growing your own food could be great way to save money and eat healthy (not to mention a way to use up some of those empty flowerbeds I have).

The resource you will most heavily invest in any food growth is your time. (Seeds aren't expensive and neither are bags of soil if you look around....some people may even be giving it away for free). Get Rich Slowly has carefully chronicled the time him and his wife spend gardening (as well as the money on supplies) and will be over the course of the next year.

So what is a tentative gardener like me who wants to save money at the grocery store and increase curb appeal to do? I need successful plants to boost my ego and to grow food at a small enough scale to be able to maintain the garden. I picked Sean's brain at breakfast this morning as he was a gardener in a former life. Here was, almost word for word, our conversation:

What's the easiest thing to grow? Tomatoes.

Why? Because all you have to do is plant them and water them. Not a lot of things attack them.

What else? Jerusalem artichokes.

Why? Because they are a root. They have the added benefit of coming back every year.

Oh, so potatoes would work too? Yup. I have to go to work now.

So as a new person to gardening, I'm going to do these easy plants and a little herb garden, which is what I had moderate success with last year (I love rosemary and basil!). And boy, will I have some good beds! Any other recommendations from real gardeners out to someone like me who is clueless and slightly lazy about living things that can't whine for food?

If you need some more scientific factors to keep in mind, check out this short article "Planning Your Garden" from WSCH6.

Curb Appeal: Good In Beds

A Weeklong Series About Landscaping, Gardening, and Money

Ah, flowerbeds. I get why people have them. They allow you to plant pops of color or small vegetable plots without commiting to a huge garden. They have the added benefit of making it so you don't have to mow as much of the lawn. They are the great pair of earrings to your house's outfit, the spring of your house's step. They create clean lines and borders. But why do we have ten huge beds on our property, anyway? That's a lot of pressure.

The good news is there are a lot of hostas in a few of the beds. At first I thought they were boring but now I have come to love them. Here's why:

1) They're perennial.
2) They're green and bushy so they take up a lot of room.
3) They do alright in some shade.
4) They flower in the late summer/early fall when not much else does.

So if you have a lot of beds, embrace the ease of the slightly boring hostas or hosta-like plants.

Because they don't have much color other times of the year, I planted some violets in between a few of the hostas. I picked perennials (I'm too lazy to replant) and Sean told me violets would reproduce like crazy. And sure enough they are coming back this year! So the hearty little violets will go inbetween the hostas, adding color the time of the year that the hostas are boring. Other little minxes of the plant world: cosmos. They are borderline invasive. We planted one seed pack in two barrels last year and they are already coming back for more. 

I planted a herb garden last year (ok, garden may be a generous word, maybe a plot?). The only thing that came back: chives. And the plant is already huge. So if you are looking for a spiky green plant you can cook with, I suggest a chive or two.

If you feel like breaking out and trying something new I haven't mentioned, keep a look out for plant sales and swaps this time of year. Sometimes colleges or nonprofits have sales in spring. (And they are usually cheaper than the greenhouse and the money goes to a cause.) On the swap side, ask friends, family, and coworkers. They may have extra plants that they just can't use. (One of my coworkers brought in some yesterday.) You may even see some on the side of the road. 

So hostas, violets, cosmos, and chives I recommend as far as varieties of plants to fill your beds. If I haven't killed them and they can grow on our acidic soil underneath partial shade, they're keepers as far as I'm concerned. Make sure to get perennial: they are the plants for us lazy people. But remember, just because you're lazy, doesn't mean you aren't good in beds.

Images of a hosta and a cosmo from www.wikipedia.com (sorry folks, left my camera at work) 

Has Your Curb Got Appeal?

A Weeklong Series About Landscaping, Gardening, And Money

I don't know if it's the HGTV marathon this past weekend (mom has cable and that's our favorite channel to watch together) or some links I've been collecting these last few weeks but I've been thinking a lot about landscaping/gardening lately. I feel like a lot of people want a nice home but don't have gardening experience or money to do the necessary projects and maintain them. Thinking about beautifying the yard is daunting to me but is clearly necessary to add value to the house and avoid judgement from the neighbors. I will devote this whole week to outdoor beauty and value. Today's topic: groundcover.

The house I currently live in has little curb appeal mostly due to the lack of lawn. It is spotty with lots of leaves. Sean mowed it a total of three times last year because that's all the mowing it needed. Our lawn makes it look like we don't care, which we do. We just don't know where to start.

What you plant seems to be determined by your climate zone (see the map at this link to figure out yours if you live in the US), your soil type, and what is immediately underground. (In our case, we live in zone 5, have acidic soil, and have a lot of slate just under the surface.) You also may want to note if your yard gets a lot of shade, if the soil retains moisture well, if there are certain insects about (we've got a lot of ants) and you may want to calcuate the square footage you want covered so you can effectively budget your project. (In our case, about 10,000 square feet). This is all good information to take with you to the garden center, because the more information you have, the more likely you will be able to make good choices for your yard situation. 

Here are some ground cover options:

1) Reseeding the lawn with grass. According to my friend Jane, look for grass that works in the shade if you've got shaded areas and look for perennial grass (so it'll come back next year—I thought all grass was perennial but it isn't!). Prices seem to vary on variety so be prepared to shop around a bit.
2) Moss. I've noticed we have a lot of moss naturally growing on our lawn. The New York Times had an article about moss as ground cover just a couple weeks ago. It seems good for acidic and shaded soils (our issue) and it has the added benefit of not having to be mowed. This seems to be a little more expensive then grass seed but may be cost effective over time.
3) Astroturf. At $0.45 a square foot, for about $1,000 dollars, we could have an astroturf lawn. Ew.
4) Dig up the lawn for a huge garden. My friend Sue dug up her whole lawn and made a garden. A ton of work, but gorgeous.

I'm going to shop around for the first two options. In the meantime, does anyone have any tips for a pretty lawn that doesn't cost a lot of money? Stay tuned tomorrow for more about making the curb of yours more appealing!

First photo: This lawn looks better than ours! From http://www.rmnpforums.com/blogs/

Second photo: Sue's lawn is amazing and with a lot of work, yours could be, too. I'm impressed; I can't even keep a spider plant alive. From http://www.onestep-sue.blogspot.com/

How To Get Rid Of Carpet Odors

I Love My Dog But Hate Her Mess

Before I tell my tale of dog odor, let's all take a quick look to the right and remember her cuteness... Alright, here we go.

When Sadie and I first moved in with Sean, things were good. His cat Duncan only took the occasional swipe at Sadie while Mr. Boogs (the other cat) couldn't have cared less. We settled into a routine and everything was just fine...

Until Sadie began urinating (on purpose!) on Sean's area rug. She would walk up to it, assume stance, and go. Shooing her off didn't work. Punishment didn't work. She did it on Sean's rug only, not my rug and not anywhere else.

At first, I thought it was because she's thirteen and a half and maybe was having some bladder control issues. I quickly realized, however, that it was a dominance thing. I moved her dog bed right near where she peed (so she would think twice about it) and made it easier for her to go outside. I also bought her a new bed to put near the door so she has a place to sleep in both corners of the living room. (Dog Whisperer, watch out!) Peeing stopped.

The smell, unfortunately, did not.

Enter the Rug Doctor which your typical renting places like Rentacenter don't even deal with... but your grocery store does. When I called about getting "The Doctah" (as Sean and I referred to him all weekend), the customer service lady informed me he was indeed available and that I needed two forms of identification to rent him. Ok.

We brought home The Doctor (after I signed my name three times and showed my two forms of identification- I had no idea there was so much to renting a rug cleaner). The $40 spent seemed excessive for a 4' by 6' area rug but as far as I was concerned, the big guns needed to be brought in. We passed the rug doctor over that little rug five times and it took us about half an hour. We figured we were golden.

After we brought The Doctor back and spent the day away, we walked into the house... and it reeked, way worse than before. We had to carry the rug out of the house and air the place out before attempting to eat dinner, that's how bad it was.

Sean then proceeded to hose the rug down and let it dry. Twice. Even after drying in the sun for a week, the smell remained.

Then I went to my petstore of choice and wandered around. The Nature's Miracle display caught my eye. The woman who worked there promised it worked or I could bring it back. I paid $10 for the spray bottle.

I emptied the whole thing onto the rug. The smell is much better then it was but still present. I'll get another bottle this weekend. Until then, the rug has been moved to the basement where it can't ruin our dinner.

In total, I will have invested $60 in the cleaning of this rug, which Sean paid $150 for. If a little more Miracle doesn't work, I may have to spring for a new rug.

If anyone has any good cleaning tips, do share, especially if they are cheap. This article from Stretcher.com has lots of solutions but I'd really like to isolate the one that will work best, having already invested lots of time and energy into this... Help!

Project Night In And Other Adventures

Spend Time With Friends Shouldn't Have To Be Expensive

I think we've all felt a little social pressure to spend money. Whether it's "Hey, let's grab some drinks after work!" or an weekend ski trip around when your bills are due, there are times when you want to be with your friends but can't necessarily afford what they are doing. The options are clear: go home and sulk, create something free to do together, or compromise.

Free Event: The Get Stuff Done "Party"
In college, friends and I used to have homework parties, which are along the same line. Everyone would bring their work over to a room and just hang out. Sometimes you'd throw a movie in or have snacks but overall, it was just a way to get things done, have a few conversations, and not spend a dime.

Last night, a friend came over and we had a project night. First, we made a pizza (I always keep pizza dough in the fridge) and put all kinds of nutrious and yummy things on it like beans, veggies and garlic (total cost less than $5). After we took out our respective projects. She made a cork board; I lugged out the sewing machine. Music was played and selzer water was drunk. (Alcohol and sewing don't mix if you want a straight stitch!) Overall, I fixed eight pieces of clothing and Jessica started and finished her corkboard. We could have gone out for drinks and had really fun conversation to but when it's a friend, location is not critical for having fun. Plus it's fun to have a finished product at the end of a social event.

Going With The Flow, But Comprimising
If you aren't into crafts or homework get-togethers, there are other options to spend time and not money with friends. Another friend and I went out to lunch a few weeks ago but since I couldn't afford a whole lunch, I just got a soda. What I really wanted to do was see her, not break my dining out budget so I didn't. And Ashley's a good enough friend that she didn't say anything about my lone diet soda order.

When I go shopping, I usually let the other people do the trying on or I try on the most ridiculous thing in the store. Dinner out may mean I get a salad or soup instead of a $15 entree. There are small modifications you can make without seeming like a stick in the mud.

You Can Also Just Be Honest
Whatever the case, being honest about being on a budget shouldn't hurt your friendships. Telling a friend you're on a clothing budget or suggesting cooking dinner together to save money isn't a big deal. If anything, your admission could inspire friends to rein in their spending.

I think if people were more honest with each other, people would probably be in much less debt than they are. It can take guts to admit you can't keep up with the Joneses but remember, you're telling this to a friend. And you should have the kind of friend who will love hanging out with you at a five star restaurant or in your kitchen.

Photo: Jessica projects with the best of them.

A $101 Closet Organize

Organizing Will Save You Time And Money, Though It May Be Fun To Spend Just A Little

I moved about six months ago from a one bedroom house with four closets (where I lived alone) to a three bedroom house with four closets (where I live with another person). Same amount of closets divided in two. Oh, and I couldn’t fit my dresser into one of the rooms so that is sitting in storage for now.

I have one main closet where I keep mostly everything (you know, except bulk sweaters in the summer or shorts and bikinis in the winter). It was clear I had to organize a bit.

I love organizing. Before I began blogging, I even thought of doing it as a side career. I’ve read a lot about it, not to mention I’ve made a lot of hand-me-downs work for me. My first instinct was to purge unnecessary items.

And purge I did. I got rid of those clothes from ten years ago that will never fit again. I got rid of things that I tried to fix that couldn’t be fixed. I got rid of everything I wasn’t excited about wearing. $1,500 worth of clothes later, I had a more manageable amount to work with.

Then I went to the Mecca of organizers: The Container Store. I don’t usually throw money at problems but I did make a few purchases to make things work for me:

A six compartment hanging sweater bag corralled the sweater collection and made it accessible. $20

Clear lookers nested boxes helped organized things like tights, belts, and other smaller items. $30

Add-on skirt hangers (2) accommodated a growing collection. $10

A swing arm slack hanger was reserved for work pants that fit so I could find them easily (and I’m still getting down to my pre-island size). $6

A shoe rack kept my shoes from being a jumble at the bottom of my closet. $18

I also repurposed a few things I had bought previously:

Seagrass baskets (3) were bought at a bargain price at the Christmas Tree Shop. $15

A wreath hook became a robe and hat hanger in the off season. $2

My closet is now organized by color, though blazers and dresses (separate) reside to the right while the sweaters are on the left. Purses and hats reside in their own sea grass totes. The upper part of the closet is used for storage of items rarely used: sleeping bags, huge backpacks, etc.

Things like tank tops (for layering), sweatshirts, and leggings are folded and in their separate cubbies. The dividers are nice in that they keep the piles from falling on top of each other. If you don’t have these, you can make them or check out what places like the Container Store have to offer.

The ancient closet doors have been taken off (because one kept falling off) and will probably replaced with a curtain when I tackle my pile of sewing projects..

As you can see, my closet looks inviting (and most people comment, quite colorful). I can always find what I need and, on a crazy morning, that’s worth more than I can say.

So no California Closets for me. They are quite pretty but I find I’ve been able to do a lot on my own. And the great thing is, you can too!

Saving Even More Money Tip: If you don’t have $100 to designate to a project, try collecting unused containers around your house: glasses, show boxes, baskets, wooden crates and then see how you can use them in your organizing project. You can also try building something with scrap wood, like tall skinny shelving or top shelf dividers if you are feeling industrious and good with a saw. If you buy wood, you can have your local hardware store cut it often for a small fee and have it delivered for free!

A Bathroom Transformed

Handyman: Handier And Cheaper Than A Plumber

I am the last person who will give someone grief about not being able to be handy around the house, probably because I just learned how to use a drill last year. When Sean didn't want to attempt the bathroom sink but then kept asking me if he should, I reassured him that I would not think he was any less manly for not wanting to flood our bathroom himself. I also pointed our that someone who did this for a living may have things like tools and spare parts that we didn't have.

The "odd jobber" came to our house and put in the sink in about two hours. He was pleasant, showed up on time, and he all the right tools (which helps when doing this sort of work). There were a few runs to the hardware store, Sean being the gofer/eager learner and me being the constant offerer of food and drink. In the end, he did a pretty good job.

We thanked him profusely and he charged us $50. We were surprised in a "surprisingly happy" way not often associated with home repairs. We tipped generously, overjoyed at the fact our project had come in over $200 under budget. Hugh ("the odd jobbah" as we'd say Downeast Maine) handed us his business card.

"...Handyman... No job too small..."

I have seen this before, of course, in classified ads especially. What makes handymen different than contractors, or even plumbers anyway?

While handymen don't usually have licenses or certifications, they often charge under $50 an hour but their "job sizes" may have a financial limits. (In some places, for example, if the job costs over $500 you need a licensed contractor.) Hugh had learned plumbing "by trial and error" but clearly knew what he was doing.

So if you have some home improvement to be made, look no further than your local handyman or woman. They may be able to give you the results you want for far less than you'd pay a contractor/plumber/professionally certified person. And they'll take on those small projects that regular contractors won't even bother with. Just ask around your neighborhood for recommendations. I know we'll be calling our odd jobber again!

Meanwhile, the before and after photos...

 

      

Even Sadie likes the bathroom better...

Fresh Flowers That Don’t Die In Two Days

Lasting Luxury, Minimal Hassle

I love the luxury of fresh flowers. In a vase on the kitchen table, they make everything seem to smell good and look just a little prettier. Problem is I don’t want to spend a lot of money on flowers. I just made the bouquet that Sean bought me last almost two weeks.

First of all, the type of flower will determine its lifespan. The Extravaganza Florist recommends the following long-lasting flowers: carnations, daisies, birds of paradise, antriums, ginger's, protea, liatras, orchids, and most of the exotic flowers. A video about caring for flowers (Videojug has quite a collection of how-to videos) recommends rhododendron as a less exotic long laster. The arrangement of lilies Sean got me lasted almost the whole two weeks.

The other aspect of keeping cut flowers around is how they are cared for. Every web site I saw recommended 1) re-cutting the bottoms of the flowers at an angle, 2) changing the water every one or two days and 3) cutting off the leaves on the flowers where they would be submerged in the water. I actually did these things (and took flowers out of the arrangement as they died). While the arrangement was smaller at the end, what was left was pretty for two weeks. There is a debate at The Frugal Life about things you add to the water but based on my experience, giving the plants clean water is all they really need. According to Flowerbud those little packets you get with your flowers are just mild antibacterial powder that when mixed with your water ensures it is clean.

So whether you buy a bundle of flowers or force some crocuses to sprout indoors, take advantage of the fact spring is coming. It’s been a long winter; give yourself a small affordable luxury.

Photo from: http://www.naturaltapestries.com/nancyportfolio/flowers/pages/Crocus%20in%20Snow.htm

How To Make Crappy Furniture Cool

When it comes to expensive things, I am doomed to hand-me-downs. I've never been the type to turn down, in particular, free furniture. The way I figure it, if I can't afford to replace it, I should seize the moment when someone offers it to me. My parents, garage sales, discount stores, and the dump are a few of my favorite sources.

This is not to say that things remain in the same condition as when I got them. I usually have to do something to them to make them my own. I’ll take you through a few examples of furniture in my house.

Recovered Ottoman

I found a great ottoman at the Vinalhaven dump. That’s right, the dump. Most dumps or transfer stations have a place where you can leave things that could still work. We all called the Vinalhaven area “The Swap Shop”.

I have a think for ottomans because I think they are really handy. They store and move easily. They make a great luggage stand in a guest room or extra seating at parties. Oh, and you can use them for their original purpose. I took the one I found on Vinalhaven, added a foam topper on it (the springs were sticking out), and then covered it with fabric (I like Amy Butler fabrics). For about $10 worth of supplies, I have a cool looking ottoman that just happens to go perfectly in my living room.

Supplies: Foam topper, staple gun, 1.5 yards for fabric

Difficulty: 3-4 out of 10, you’ll need a friend or patient mother to help you hold the fabric down while you staple.

Painted Bookcase

I see these small pieces of furniture all the time in Goodwill (and now you can shop Goodwill online too, who knew?). My particular piece was retrieved from my parent’s basement. Usually this type of furniture seems a little small to be able to do anything useful (in this case, it doesn’t hold a lot of books) but there are plenty of small places in your house you could maximize with a small piece like this. Also, it usually is made of fake and/or terrible wood making staining out of the question. You have to paint.

In my case, I painted my little bookshelf a shade of khaki (kind of boring) but then added paint swatches to the top. You can get them at a hardware store and they are usually numbered so you can get them in the right order. I went with a multicolor approach but you could also pick shades of red, for example. (I remember seeing this idea in some decorating magazine like Readymade or Domino.) I get so many compliments on that table.

It turns out that the shelf is a perfect size to put in the entry into the kitchen. It holds our keys, Sean’s cell phone, and a dog leash as well as my cookbooks. For $20, I have enough paint and Modge Podge to do at least two of these type of projects.

Supplies: 1 quart paint, paint brush, paint swatches (free), and Modge Podge.

Difficulty: 2, just take your time with the painting (you want it smooth). Also you may need to do three or four thin coats to make it look even.

I have a few other things I could cover but I’ll leave that for another time. In the meantime, some rules to live by:

Nicole’s Tips For Furniture Finding and Fancifying

1)      Try the dump.

2)      Cover with fabric or a coat of paint.

3)      Don’t be afraid to try something bold; you did get if for free. You can always repaint or recover if it doesn’t come out well.

4)      Search decorating magazines and the internet for inspiration.

Here's to you finding a project to get excited about that's good to your budget.

A Pedestal Sink: Further Proof That The Classifieds Aren't Dead

I think there are two types of people in the world: those who look at the classifieds and those who don't. I've always thought it was kind of fun. I think the same people who look at classifieds may also buy the latest copy of Uncle Henrys or shop eBay regularly but that's a whole other story.

Sean and I both saw the same classified ad in this week's The Ellsworth American for a pedestal sink: "like new", $35. It was in a town about 45 minutes away that we've never been to and yesterday was one of those sunny, cool winter Saturdays perfect for a drive.

There's always these moments when you are embarking on these adventures where you wonder, will it be what I expect? How can I say no nicely if it isn't? Am I giving up my Saturday afternoon for nothing?

Turns out Brooklin is a beautiful town with gorgeous ocean views and lots of boat builders. E.B. White used to live there apparently. My digital camera has had issues lately otherwise I would have loved to upload some pictures for you. It would have been worth a drive to see the town whether we got our sink or not.

But in our case, it turns out you can get something good in the classifieds. The older couple was nice and the American Standard pedestal sink was in perfect condition. They gave us all the little parts to go with it which I wouldn't have thought to ask for and some tips of how to put it in.

I guess those of us who have had this kind of experience continue to look at the classifieds just in case something like this comes around.

Of course there have been disappointments. There was the snowblower that turned out to be an electric shovel that Sean bought out of guilt this winter. But as my friend Stacy says, the easiest was to get out of buying something you have gone over to someone's house to see is to say "Sorry, this isn't what I was expecting. Thanks anyway." A polite and vague exit I may have to use someday.

Now the question is do we attempt to put this in? I mean it isn't like electricity that can kill you. The worse we can do is flood. Anyway I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, what have your experiences been with the classifieds? Any favorite stories, web sites, or small, slightly obscure publications?

Picture from: http://common.csnstores.com/common/products/ASD/ASD5837_s.jpg

Getting Ready for Winter

A couple of years ago, my friend Ally and I volunteered (via our jobs) for the Keep ME Warm campaign. The idea was that the program provided window insulation kits, outlet insulation kits, caulking, foam tubes to put around pipes, and wool blankets to needy families to help cut down on winter heating costs. Volunteers like myself showed up at the families homes and did the winterizing for them with these materials.

Because Ally and I are wimpy and aren't so good at telling things like where cracks in foundation are and which pipes are the hot water pipes (no sense using the foam insulators to insulate the cold pipes, right?), we were in charge of outlets and windows which are done from inside the house. I felt sorry for the first couple of houses we did together (not because the windows looked bad but because we were fighting a bit about being the alpha insulator) but by the end of our day, we had it down to a science. We went home with some new found knowledge and a free wool blanket.

Since heat has always been included in my rent, I've never worried about heating costs. That's not to say I don't put on a sweater and slippers when things get cooler rather than turning up the heat but I've never used my skills in winterizing my own house.

I suggested to my boyfriend yesterday over our diner breakfast that we buy window insulation supplies and outlet insulators, since he is paying the heating bill and hasn't yet indicated to me that he is loaded enough to have money to throw away. I argued that the inital investment would decrease our overall heating costs substaintially. He agreed...after I agreed to buy the supplies.

After plastifying our draftiest window, he got my point. He installed all the outlet and switch insulators himself. "Wow, there was quite a draft coming from that one!" he'd say. I pointed out the wind slightly moving our window plastic, unable to come into the house. I had convinced him to cover his pipes last year with foam tubing so that was already done. It felt like a pretty productive afternoon after we were done our work yesterday. Apparently, you can save upwards of 50% of evergy costs from doing some very simple things like these.

If you're worried that the window plastic will diminish the look of your house, please don't. It's very clear and you can't even tell it's there until you get fairly close to it. And the outlet insulators disappear under the covers. For about $50 (including the pipe covers bought last year), our house is winterized. And the best part is that even renters can do the changes we did because you can always take things down once winter is over with no damage. Now if only I can convince Sean that we should get a programmable thermostat...

So you can go to any hardware store and they have a whole aisle dedicated to this stuff. The toughest part is sticking the double stick tape to your windows (step one in the insulation process), as it is some pretty flimsy stuff. I suggest working with shorter pieces of tape and being patient. Doing one window will teach you a lot. Everything else is much less labor intensive, I promise. And the directions on the box are actually pretty good, which is great considering I couldn't find a good enough web site online to show technique.

Stay warm and find $50 to do this if you are paying a heating bill. It'll more than pay you back.