Goodwill= Good Fun

I love to find bargains. Many of you probably don't know that here in Nashville we have a Goodwill Outlet store. I have always gone to the regular Goodwill, but they opened the Outlet store close to our house, so I tried it out one day. I have been going on and off ever since. I wish I had the camera in the store because it is hard to describe. It is essentially a giant warehouse sized building with giant tubs of "stuff" separated into categories (shoes, housewares, books, toys, clothes, etc). You pick through the tubs for your lucky bargains and they charge you by the weight (99 cents a pound for clothing, and heavier items are ticketed separately). Today was a fun day because the DH went with me. We had a grand time digging for our bargains. DH found some books he liked, and I found quite a few things I needed; wrapping paper, gloves, a warm hat, a potato masher, and a giant stockpot for my OAMC . I also found a few things that I didn't absolutely need: a scarf with the Nordstrom tag still on it, brand new Etienne Aigner boots, and ICESKATES!

I was so excited that they were my size. They are vintage skates that looked like they had never been worn. They cost me $3.99. So, I looked up the local ice rink in town and went to the open skate. They didn't have skates for rent at the rink in DH's size 17 foot :), so he took pics for me:). I love it when I find something that is useful and provides a source of inexpensive entertainment. We had a ball, I even learned to skate backwards! Now to find a pair of size 17 hockey skates so DH can skate with me!:)

Sock Drawer Organizer

Sock and underwear drawers have been a pain in my neck for some time now. If I do manage to organize the drawer, it just gets jumbled within a day or two. Out shopping one day, I found a sock organizer you can buy, it was essentially a series of plastic inserts you can buy to organize your socks. So, I started in search of a "Two-Nickels" way to make a sock organizer. I looked no further than a cardboard box from our last move.

I cut the cardboard in strips to fit the drawer, and organized by color. A simple way to keep the drawer organized, and a good way to recycle!

HomeMade Laundry Detergent

I hate doing laundry. I hate buying overpriced detergent even more. I am the first to admit that the pretty packaging, colors, and lovely scents draw me in when I'm in the laundry aisle. But what am I really buying? Now on my "two-nickels" journey, I searched for a way to make my own. It was actually really fun! I had my doubts. Would it smell good? Would it clean well? Would it cost more to make than to buy? So, off I went, list in hand, for the following:

Two-Nickels Powdered Laundry Detergent Ingredients

1. Borax (box I bought was 4.99)
2. Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (2.99)
3. Baking Soda (1.29)
4. Laundry Soap (I used Fels-Naptha) (0.99)










Directions:

1. Cut up laundry bar soap into chunks and then "powder" in the food processor.
2. Stir in one cup borax, one cup washing soda, and 1/2 cup baking soda.
3. Use one tablespoon per load, two tablespoons if heavily soiled.

Total Cost:
$10.26

I made 3 Liters, which is 204 tablespoons. That equals out to around 5 cents per load. I can also use the left-over ingredients for other household uses. I put mine in an old tea-pitcher, so I can shake it out of the pitcher.

Ok, so it's obviously cheaper than the store bought kind, but how does it work?
My whites have actually been much whiter since I started using it. It doesn't really have a smell, per say, it just smells like clean laundry! I suppose you could add some scented powders to the mix if you prefer a smell. There are also liquid laundry detergent recipes you can find online if you prefer a liquid.

Happy Laundering!

Freeze Your Own Breakfast Bagels

 "They don't have two nickels to rub together". 

In the Cliche Dictionary, it is defined as:

                                        1. A statement that illustrates how broke someone is.
                                        2. Not having any money at all.

Fortunately, I do not fall into either category. The category I do fall into is someone who is tired of paying too much for things I can make on my own, whether it be food, or other household items. Someone who is tired of not knowing what goes into the food I eat. Someone who is tired of seeing waste from extra packaging from store-bought items. I am starting this blog to document my slow but sure transition into living a more simple, home-made life, while hopefully saving money, becoming more self-sufficient, and learning new things in the process.

First Project: Breakfast Bagels!

 

I admit it. I have a profound love of breakfast bagels from the double arches. I don't get them that often, but when I do, I know they are too big and overpriced. I know, they are "bad" for you, but who can turn down that cheese, crisp bacon, and egg? So, in hopes of being healthier and actually knowing what goes in to my breakfast, I decided to make my own. Thankfully, I found a way to make them myself, the "two-nickels" way.


Freezable Breakfast Bagel Recipe:
Ingredients:
Mini-Bagels
12 Eggs
Bacon
Cheese Singles


Directions:
Crack each egg into a coffee mug, microwave for 30 seconds, repeat with 11 other eggs. Cook bacon until crispy. Assemble bagel with egg on bottom, then half of a cheese single, then half a slice of cooked bacon. Wrap each bagel in plastic wrap and place into a freezer bag, label, and voila! Cheaper, healthier, and more fun than the double arches:) When your ready to eat, place in microwave for 1.5 minutes, time may vary according to your wattage. 

Enjoy!