WFMW - Utilizing Nightstand Drawers

After our move to the apartment, we really had to downsize our things. We went from a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 car garage house to a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment. One of the areas we suffered greatly in was storage, especially in our bedroom. My solution was to utilize our oversize nightstand drawers as clothing drawers. Both my husband and I now use them for socks and undergarments. The picture above is from the furniture website of my actual nightstand. Many of today's designs are large enough to do this with, We also now have under the bed boxes for seasonal items, as we now share one closet.

For other great tips, check out We Are That Family!

WFMW - Kid's Detangling Spray

Okay, so you'll probably think I'm a big cheeseball, but I love using kid's detangling spray. I have naturally curly hair that can be absolutely horrible to brush. I don't want to admit how many times I have gotten a hairbrush or wide tooth comb stuck in my hair. After trying many salon products and winching at the prices, I picked up a bottle and gave it a try. For just a few dollars, I get the same results. Best of all, it's available at most drug stores, no more special (i.e expensive) salon trips!

For other great tips check out We Are That Family.

WFMW - Gluten Free Restaurant Menus

With both of my children having celiac disease, and my Dr recommending that I follow a gluten free diet for other reasons, we are very conscious of what restaurants we can and cannot eat at. We are seeing more and more restaurants offering a separate gluten free menus or providing a list of their current foods that are gluten free. The other night, thanks to Uno's Chicago Grill, my boys were able to enjoy pizza at a restaurant for the first time in ages. I have also found that PF Changs and Outback Steakhouse offer a gluten free menu also. Restaurants that post a "safe" foods list include Chili's, Denny's, Chik-fil-A, and Wendy's. I am sure there is more, as I have only discovered the ones we have visited or frequent. I also want to declare that I am not receiving any compensation from the above listed establishments, I just want to share the information with anyone who may find themselves in the same position my family is.

For more great tips, visit We Are That Family !

WFMW - Big Lots!

I used to be an avid Big Lots shopper. I will admit for the last 3 yrs while living in Georgia, I slacked off. The stores were either too far away or were so gross they made my skin crawl. Well, living back in Chicago, I have re-established my Big Lots love. There is one nearby, that I am in love with the deals. For example, Propel Water for 70 cents (bear with me folks, I'm trying to kick the Diet Coke habit, okay who am I kidding, let's say lessen the quantity consumed) I also stocked up on Johnson's Head to Toe Wash for 99 cents, which is a total godsend when your kids have sensitive skin. So that's what's working for me these days - Big Lots!



For other great tips, check out We are That Family

WFMW - frugal tips

WFMW this week is all about frugal tips, my favorite. Well, I have had a crazy day today so this is going to be a quickie. My frugal tip is to purchase a plastic holder with dividers to store all your coupons in. My holder cost around $2 and was labeled as a check holder. Many others support this gigantic binder contraption, but with 2 small kids, who has a free hand to carry that into a store. My holder is small enough that it will fit in either a purse or diaper bag. I labeled the tabs to my liking with categories that fit my family.

For other great tips, visit Kristin at We Are That Family!

WFMW - Target Popcorn

I will admit, I'm a Target addict. But with a 2 1/2 yr old and a 5 yr old I have to come up with a plan to keep them happy while I joyfully browse the clearance racks. My solution, the $1 bag of popcorn from the snack bar, split between 2 bags. Best of all, it's gluten free! I sometimes upgrade to the combo which for $1.50, which gives Momma a much needed Diet Coke.

For other great tips, visit We Are That Family!

WFMW - toy sorting bins

As the mother of 2 boys who own a mass amount of various cars, trains, and trucks. I was constantly looking for a storage solution that would allow accessibility for the boys and easy clean up when they were done. We found this at IkEA. (You do need to purchase the bins separately) It perfectly suits our needs.

For other great tips, visit We are that Family.

WFMW - coupon use website

I love to use coupons at the grocery store, but I often do not have the time to coordinate coupons with sale items for the best deals. Enter one of my new favorite websites.

Couponmom.com

You select the state you live in and the store you wish to match up the deals, and you get a list of sale items and the coupon that you can use for it. Best of all, its free! Right up my frugal alley. The downside is there is a limited number of stores for some states, but I hope they will be expanding soon.

For other great tips, check out We Are That Family.

P.S. I am not affiliated with Couponmom.com in any way!

WFMW - Greatest Tips Edition

One of my favorite WFMW Wednesday tips actually came from Shannon . Thrift store jeans. I love them! The price is right, and someone else already did the hard work and broke them in. If you have the time to look, you can find some true treasures. I have found several name brand jeans for $4.89 a pair. One such brand I was not sure of the name but I bought them anyway, brought them home and looked them up and they sold used on Ebay for $50. I totally won't be selling them though, they are my dream jeans! (You know the kind, the PERFECT fit). This has been a true frugal lifesaver to me as I have lost weight and do not have a lot of money spend on new clothes.

For other Greatest Hits of WFMW visit We Are That Family!

WFMW - Word Whammer

Like most homes in America with children, we had the letter magnets on the refrigerator. Well, Landon had done so well with his letters and sight words, that I stepped it up a bit. Last month at Goodwill, I found the Word Whammer. It has 4 different functions, each with increasing difficulty. He especially loves the music note button that sings the alphabet song. Best yet, this also keeps Landon busy when he follows me into our very small apartment kitchen. I would recommend this to any parent or grandparent with a little one who loves to learn. For other great tips check out Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW - Diaper Rash Cure

Last week Landon had the diaper rash of all diaper rashes. I mean, terrible. The poor boy was walking around like he just rode across the country on a horse. I found the miracle cure

I slathered this on him with each diaper change, and we definitely saw results the next day, and random old men quit asking me "Where's that boy's horse?" (Sadly, a true story). I have a "recipe" for a home remedy which I will try out the next time and share. I am a little curious, as it involves cooking dry cornstarch until it's brown. Has anyone else heard of this?

For other great tips, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

WFMW - Sippy Cups

Landon is forever biting the straws off of the normal sippy cups like the one on the left. To put an end to his hearty straw appetite, I found some covered kids cups where the straw is also the hard plastic handle. He is only able to add some teeth marks but not bite off a piece of it, thus eliminating the choking hazard.

For other great ideas, check out Rocks in My Dryer

WFMW - Bill Organizer

I found this earlier in the year as a solution for my problem of forever losing bills and finding them after they were due. Each month has a pocket that you can put the bills in as they come in. There is a place on the pocket to write the paid information down as well. In the front of the book is a zipper pocket to put pens, stamps, and whatever else you may need. Ever since I have put this to use, no late bills at our house!

For other great tips, check out Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW - prescription samples

My son uses an expensive asthma medication. Every time that we are at the Dr, which is, unfortunately often, I ask her for samples. She usually gives us a month's worth, which for us, is $50 worth. That's a huge budget helper in our house. Don't be afraid to ask, all they can say is no!

For other great tips, check out Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW - Toys Worth Buying

The new favorite in our house these days in the Fisher Price Kid Tough Camera. We bought it for Ethan for his birthday. The controls are easy to use (my autistic 5 yr old and 2 yr old both can use it) and the fact that it is drop proof and waterproof is awesome. I will warn anyone, the pictures are definitely not high quality, as the camera has a low mega pixel. This does not deter us as this is a kid's camera, not a high end Canon.

For other great suggestions, visit Rocks in My Dryer

WFMW - dishpans

I use dishpans all over my house as quick, inexpensive, and easily accessible storage. I keep them on the shelves in my pantry, in the linen closet, the playroom, and the garage. You can label each bin with the specific category you need or as in the instance of the playroom, a picture of the toy you want in the bin. It is also easy to change what you want in the bin by simply changing the label or picture. For example, the baby toys were retired in our house, so off came the picture of rattles and snap together beads and on went a picture of the new play set Landon got for his birthday.

For other great tips check out Rocks In My Dryer

WFMW - Silverware in the Dishwasher

For today's theme of kitchen organization, I just have a quick little tip that saves me time. When I am placing the silverware in the basket of the dishwasher, I put all of my kid silverware in its own compartment so when I am emptying when the load is done, I can grab the whole handful and put it directly in the "kid silverware" section of my drawer. This saves me time as I no longer have to separate my steak knives from the "Thomas the Train" forks.

For other great tips, check out Rocks in My Dryer !

WFMW - Window Guards

Living with an autistic four year old who does not understand danger and a two year old climber can really keep you on your toes. Especially when their bedroom and playroom are upstairs, overlooking a nice concrete driveway. The real wake up call was when the four year old pushed the screen out of the window all together and it was laying on the driveway. I needed something quick and inexpensive that was not going to require damaging the windowsills. My solution, pressure mounted baby gates. The simplest one can be bought for $10. I just place in the windowsill and latch down like you are placing it in a door frame. My little me are not able to pull them down and air/light still come through.

For other great ideas, be sure to check out Rocks in My Dryer

WFMW - Backwards Edition

OK, here's the deal. My shower harbors this ugly secret. How do you get rid of the disgusting rust stains above. I have tried many different cleaners with no avail, and past a grenade, I'm out of ideas. Please help!

My fellow bloggers are facing the other dilemmas at Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW - powdered drink mixes

I love the convenience of the pre-measured drink powdered that you add to a bottle of water, but I don't love the price. I discovered that if I but the regular canister of the "tubs" that make a 2 quart pitcher, I can take 1 tsp of the drink mix and add it to my water bottle for the same taste. I empty all of the tubs into a little jar, and I have the convenience of single serve drinks for a lower price.

For more great tips - see Rocks in My Dryer