After Holiday Clean-Up

The After Holiday Clean-up can be just as daunting as putting up all those decorations. . .  and also just expensive, here are a few tricks I have learned to keeping my holiday items safe.

The Pre-Lit Tree this is an easy fix depending on how well you preserve the original box. . .

• Fold the limbs neatly back together, Use ribbon or twine to hold the tree in place and store in the original box

Option 2 for those of us not so careful in the excitement of Christmas. . . 

• Twine/Wrap the tree up 
• Visit you local Dry cleaners for about four dry cleaning bags (some cleaners charge you, but if you are a regular they may not)
• Place the tree in the bag (Taping off the small hole at the top closed). Use two bags for the top and two bags for the bottom.
• Tie with a ribbon or more twine and store upright in the garage or store room.

Christmas Wreath:

• Wrap in bubble wrap and tape shut, then place at the bottom of a 17 gallon storage container

Christmas Ornaments:

• Plastic: Place these around the middle and outside of the wreath in the same storage container.
• Glass: Wrap these with bubble wrap and gift tissue and place in shoe boxes (make sure they are not loose, it needs to be a tight fit).Put the lid on the box and tape the sides closed. Set the boxes on top of the plastic ornament and the wreath. 

Garland:

• Simply roll it up and place on top of the glass ornament (buffer).

Stockings: 

• Place those on top and close the box. Tape it and Mark it!

Now you are all set! I hope this save you money. I will posts pictures after the New Year of how mines looked.

Needs:

Twine and/or Ribbon

Packing Tape

17 Gallon Storage Tote

Shoe Boxes

Dry Cleaners Plastic Bags

Gift Tissue Paper

Bubble Wrap

Average cost at local dollar stores and Wal-Mart appx. $20 +tax (or less)

Christmas Organization

Hey Ya'll!!

    It's that time again. . .. You know what I'm talking about. . . .Christmas Time!!! So to help get you together for your holiday season I have found some great money savers for decorations, kids activities and more!!! So check out these great finds!

    OK!! So the most important thing is organization. Let's start with the "To-Do List" from www.quiltingnest.com. It's cute and fun with the pink and damask pattern it is sure to catch your eye. For those pesky chores I have the perfect chart from www.kdbuggieboutique.com they have several cute patterns and options like Green, Pink,and Blue. 

What about your Christmas shopping list? Well I have that covered too! From our buddies over at www.pinterest.com a Chevron Pattern, or check out one from www.dimplicity.com a cute Polka Dot, and finally from www.pixgood.com a Christmas Bow Themed shopping list!

I hope these little tricks help you out!! Don't forget to follow me on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/southernbusyworkinmomsdfw



XOXO
Kenni

Shopping news in DFW 11.19.2014

Hey Ya'll!!

    As you have probably heard Wal-Mart stated recently that they would be ad-matching with various online competitors such as Amazon.com. So i tried to test this out and here is what I found out. Wal-Mart Ad-Match Guarantee states that they will match any price as long as it is not a BOGO without a set price, a percentage off, or does not show price, or if the quality of the product is inferior to theirs (see the link for more rules). I shopped for my usual item razors, deodorant, make-up, toothpaste, and other items. I was then told by the Store Manager that they will not accept the Online Price Match Policy when the prices on Amazon.com are 90% below their retail value. The other Wal-Mart stores in the area also stated that was their policy as well as it was up to the individual store manager to decide whether or not to allow patrons to use the Online Ad Match policy. The manager did allow me to get some of my items from the Amazon.com site but that was still not the answer I was looking for as a busy, working, student mother and wife I try to stretch every dollar we make so for a company to resend a policy they still have on their website with no mention of it being at the store manager's discretion is astounding!

    So check out my receipt and see if you can spot the very few items I was allowed to claim from the so-called online price match policy.

What do you guys and gals think? Fair or unfair? Want to sound off at Wal-Mart's flip-floppy policy click here and let Wal-Mart know how you feel. Don't forget if you like what you hear and see like us and share on www.facebook.com/southernbusyworkingmoms!  

Kenni <3

Monthly Dinner Menus & Budget Templates

Hey ya'll!

    I don't know about you but as a mom of 5 I know how hard it is to stay organized! I have learned that a great schedule is the key to keeping my home running smoothly. I have come across some great websites that offer some of the cutest calendars, charts and budget templates. One of my favorites is Sissy Print (C)  (www.sissyprint.blogspot.com),Monthly Dinner Menu from Sissy Print, they have a wonderful dinner menu template in a Moroccan theme. This has saved my life! I plan my dinners around what's on sale at the local markets. I usually plan it a week at a time to get the best values. I hope this menu helps you as it has helped me save time and money!

    The next thing that caught my eye on Sissy Print (C) was the Monthly Budget, done it the same Moroccan theme, if you print this out for the year and purchase a cheap plastic 3 hole binder (most Dollar Stores carry these year round for $1 or less) you have a yearly budget binder for the cost of the binder, paper, and ink for the printer.

    These templates are just some of the things you can find on their website. Check them out and stay tuned for more tip, tricks, recipes, and cool shopping finds.

XOXO,

Kenni