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House and Home Tips
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Posted on March 12th, 10 by dailysavingsfromallyou
Organizing toys on the cheap
 I don’t know about you, but the organizational task I dread the most is wrangling my kids’ toys. Over the years they have accumulated a lot of playthings (mostly from grandparents, one particularly doting aunt and birthdays). Occasionally I weed out toys that are no longer age-appropriate, but still they seem to multiply. The result is a jumble of board games, one-piece-missing puzzles, half-done craft projects, headless dolls, a billion Lego pieces, and my personal nemesis—stuffed animals. Needless to say, my periodic meltdowns at the mess in our family room, where most of these toys reside, are now legendary in our household.
In researching ways to control toy chaos, I’ve found dozens of very expensive (and very cute) storage options. But I’m not interested in spending a lot of money on organizers. Instead I’m using a few frugally priced or FREE ways to whip our toys into shape:
* I love this bendy hamper, which holds about 25 of my daughter’s plush toys (scarily, only about half her collection). At $5, it’s a steal. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90182294
* Keeping game pieces and puzzles together is a challenge for my kids, even when there’s a sturdy box involved. So I wash and reuse the plastic insert bags that come in cereal and cracker boxes and use them to corral pieces within the box.
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Posted on January 7th, 10 by dailysavingsfromallyou
Organize pet items with labels
 Dogs and cats provide tons of love, but they also require lots of stuff—toys, food, leashes, prescriptions, collars, vet records…the list goes on. Keep track of everything with a labelmaker. This way, you won’t lose supplies and waste money buying new items.
* Do you make your own pet food? Use a labeler to identify the meal, note thawing and cooking instructions and post the date it was frozen.
* Put toys, doggie sweaters, leashes, collars and other accessories that you don’t use regularly in storage boxes. Use your labelmaker to mark the containers.
* Do you take food out of its original bag and store it in plastic containers? Note the expiration date on the box so you’ll use it up before it goes bad.
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Posted on December 17th, 09 by dailysavingsfromallyou
Wrap it up!
 Buying gifts is my favorite part of the season, but once that’s done I’m faced with my least favorite—wrapping them up! I always seem to wait until the last minute to get it all done and never have the right material. This year I will not slack! I’ve just ordered some great gift wrap, ribbons, and bags to put all my gifts in. Hopefully the fun patterns will help motivate me to get things done before Christmas morning. I’m sure all my recipients will be pleased with the wrapping jobs I do this year!
Gold Foil with Dolls gift wrap, $7; pier1.com
Martha Stewart bows, $3.59; kmart.com
Red Woodgrain gift wrap, $5.99; containerstore.com
Penquin gift bags, $2.50 and up; paper-source.com (pictured)
Posted by Dwyer Paulsen, Associate Style Editor
SEE ALSO:
Get last-minute Christmas deals
Make a designer gift box
Easy gift-wrapping ideas
Give a gift that gives back
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Posted on November 16th, 09 by dailysavingsfromallyou
Make your own pet potty area
 Puppies, smaller dogs and senior pooches don’t always want to go outside to use the bathroom in cold weather—but you don’t want your canine relieving itself inside on the floor or carpet! Instead of purchasing scented pee pads or an expensive elimination unit, make a portable, indoor potty area for your dog. Place newspaper on a large sheet pan (around 18″ X 26″ X 1″), which you can purchase inexpensively at a discount kitchen supply store. Put the potty area in a place your dog can easily reach that is away from his food and water, possibly in a bathroom or the
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Posted on October 22nd, 09 by dailysavingsfromallyou
Keep pet hair off your furniture
 Do you love when your cat or dog curls up with you on the couch, but hate the hair she leaves behind? Here’s a simple, low-cost solution: Watch for home sales at department stores, and buy a few inexpensive placemats that match your furniture and décor. Place the mats on your cat or dog’s favorite place to sit (my cat’s most-loved spot: the couch arms). Pet hair and dirt will end up on the placemat, not your couch. (Just throw the mat in the washer when it gets grimy.)
Source: Charlotte Reed, pet expert and author of The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette
Posted by Emily Hendricks Turnier, Associate Editor
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Posted on October 15th, 09 by dailysavingsfromallyou
Get fast (and friendly!) computer help!
 Confused by a computer glitch? Interested in setting up a Facebook profile to connect with your kids? Need to back up your files—but don’t know how? The next time you encounter one of these situations—or hundreds of other technology questions—consider calling the FloH Club.
All You just met with Florence Henderson (America’s favorite TV mom, Carol Brady!) to talk about her new telephone-based technical support service for people who want affordably-priced, patient step-by-step help with their computers—without burying themselves in manuals or waiting lines. Visit flohclub.com to sign up for a one-time ($49.99), monthly ($24.99) or annual service ($249.99) for yourself or as a gift. Plus, whether or not you become a member, we recommend signing up for their free e-newsletter, which will arrive in your inbox chock full of helpful technology how-tos and tips.
Posted by Melissa Fiorenza and Emily Turnier, Associate Editors
See also:
Deal with worst case computer scenario problems
Laptops for less than $850
Get school supplies and gadgets
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I don’t know about you, but the organizational task I dread the most is wrangling my kids’ toys. Over the years they have accumulated a lot of playthings (mostly from grandparents, one particularly doting aunt and birthdays). Occasionally I weed out toys that are no longer age-appropriate, but still they seem to multiply. The result is a jumble of board games, one-piece-missing puzzles, half-done craft projects, headless dolls, a billion Lego pieces, and my personal nemesis—stuffed animals. Needless to say, my periodic meltdowns at the mess in our family room, where most of these toys reside, are now legendary in our household.
