Does like cherries?

Published: Thu, 06/09/11

ByGProductions 

Issue # 16a  June 8 2011                    by Valerie Pugsley

If you have trouble with the pictures and links in this email you can view it on line at  http://www.aweber.com/b/1Ofgo
 
I hope June is getting off to a good start for you. One of the things I love about June are cherries and apricots. Last week I got home grown apricots and they were like candy. With all the summer fruit coming in its a good time to clean the crisper drawer. While we're at it we might as well clean the whole refrigerator. Household this month is about the refrigerator, and how cleaning it can save you money. In Happy Hunting I'm reminding myself, while sharing with you, how your junk mail can save you money. So get a bowl of cherries and enjoy!
 

Homemaking

Cleaning the Fridge

In a previous issue I wrote about saving money before you go to the grocery store by checking your fridge. While your checking it you might want to clean a shelf or a drawer. If its done often it goes quicker, but alas since I'm writing about this guess what needs to be done in my home? A tip I'd like to add before you read the article below is to put paper towels in door shelves & in produce drawers for easier cleaning. When cleaning most of the spills come up with the paper towel and you can put down fresh ones. I also wanted to give you a chart of storage times, although I must admit I go beyond these times. My personal guideline is 5-7 days for leftovers, which you'll see from the chart is pretty long, but has served our family well. Depending on the perishable I'll go 2-5 days beyond an expiration date. Let me know what you think, leave your comment on this post at the website.
 
Organize Your Refrigerator to Save Time and Money

By Theresa Finnigin                                                                                                

The refrigerator can often become a black hole of things forgotten and things to become (i.e. where things begin to grow - yikes!). Having an organized fridge can prevent you from wasting money, space and time. Have you ever bought something at the grocery only to come home to discover that you already had it in the fridge? Arggg! A few simple rules and habits can ensure your fridge stays clean and organized.
  1. Throw away expired or rotten food before going to the grocery. This is a good way to see what is in your fridge and makes putting away the groceries quicker when you come home. The less time the milk sits out on your counter while you rearrange your fridge to make room for the new gallon, the better!
  2. While putting groceries away in the fridge, bring items already in the fridge to the front and put the new items in the back. This is an old inventory practice referred to as FIFO (First In, First Out). If it was in the fridge first, you should use it first - this minimizes the amount of waste due to expired food.
  3. Keep your milk on a low shelf, not in the door. This will help it to last longer. When you keep it on the door, each time the door is opened it is exposed to a blast of warm air. Also, since warm air rises, it is best to keep milk low to ensure its freshness.
  4. Group similar items together. Keep drinks together. Keep vegetables in the crisper. Keep cheeses and lunch meat together - a drawer is ideal.
  5. Think about size. If you put yogurt in the back, you'll never see it and likely never eat it. Put larger containers in the back - such as spaghetti, jelly, or salsa jars. Put smaller containers in the front - such as cream cheese, yogurt, margarine, etc. Condiment bottles work great in the door shelves - such as salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, etc.
  6. Consider creating a door shelf or part of a door shelf for each member of the family. This is the ideal height for small children to reach to access or store their 'sippy cup' when not in use. Also, a great place to put a child's afternoon snack - this allows you as a parent to monitor their diet and prevents them from rummaging through your perfectly organized refrigerator!
  7. If you're the type that tends to cook once and eat all week - make sure you have plastic containers that work well in your fridge design. Reserve a space in your fridge for leftovers! This will make preparing dinner the rest of the week quick and easy. No more hunting through the fridge to find the mystery plastic containers!
Hopefully making these changes to your fridge will make you happy when you open it. A good cleaning out never hurt either. A side tip - if you do decide to put on the rubber gloves and scrub it down - start at the top, as you wipe each shelf the crumbs and liquids will succumb to gravity.
If you're just getting started - get ready, aim, organize the refrigerator!

Theresa Finnigin is a professional organizer, speaker, writer and owner of Ready Aim Organize. Theresa is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and National Study Group of Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). The mission of Ready Aim Organize is to rid homes and offices of clutter and chaos to ensure time is not wasted and each day is more productive and peaceful than the one before! Although currently based out of Northern San Diego County, Ready Aim Organize serves clients all over the country through virtual organizing. Sign up now to receive the FREE Ready Aim Organize e-newsletter ( http://www.readyaimorganize.com ).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5641858


 
Junk Mail
 
Do you toss your junk mail? If so you could be losing money. Local stores send ads each week with their specials. I use to look at these and I still save them from week to week, but have gotten in the habit of just going to certain stores (ie brands) and buying the specials at those stores. Recently a friend took me shopping to a store I wouldn't normally go to. Then I looked at the ad for the store, it reminded me that I need to get back to looking at the ads and doing my comparison shopping. Ideally if you can go to two or more stores and buy their loss leader items (the things in their ads) then get anything else on your list from the store you know has the lowest overall prices you'll save money. If this is not possible for you or your stores are too far apart, look at the ads and pick the store that has the most things on sale that you can use. One more thing, when looking at the ads you'll have to look at the fine print, or should I say colored print? Sometimes stores will list products in there ads that are not actually on sale. If its on sale it will usually have how much you'll save or have the regular & and sale price listed. If its not a sale it may say everyday low price.

If you shop this way you will have a well stocked pantry and fridge. You can plan your menus from your stock and replenish it with whats on sale.
 

Places you can find me online.

ByGProductions.com

 
 
Half.com Store - byg_sales There is an underscore between byg and sales

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