Coffee grounds and Baking Soda

Typically, at least of the moms I know, coffee is a moms best friend! Every morning there is a mad rush of mini vans, not heading to school, heading to starbucks first, then to school dropping off the kids. Sure starbucks isn't just popular among mothers, but the workaholics, the over worked, ... and pretty much everyone else ;) but all those coffee grounds... what is being done with it? Those old coffee grounds have a suprisingly wide veriaty of usefulness. (And so does baking soda, but I will get to that in a second) if you go to starbucks for your coffee, they have a program called coffee grounds for gardens (or something to that nature) but if you brew your energy at home here are a few uses for those.

1) Dry it out on a cookie sheet and it can be used in place of banking soda to deoderize your bathrooom/fridge/closet etc. So you know those baking soda boxes you buy to deoderize various things, well dried coffee grounds work the same and just as well.

2) Use it in your garden. Just as the starbucks program suggests, its great for your soil. I use it in my house plants, justset it right on top. (You can also mix it in if you want) this stuff is really high in vitamins and nutrients essential for healthy plants.

3) If you have some scratches on your wood furniture, use the old coffee grounds by putting it in a few tablespoons of hot water, then use a QTip, dip it into the coffee ground/water and rub in into the scratch then wipe off. If its not dark enough, do it again. (Apparently you can also use old strong brewed coffee to stain your wood instead of buying wood stain)

Now onto Baking Soda!
I've got to say, baking soda is a good friend of mine! I use it very frequently for just about everything. What A nice mineral that God put in the earth for us! Here are two things I use it for the most
Febreze: in a spray bottle put a table spoon of liquid fabric softener and a tablespoon of baking soda, add hot water, until full, shake it up... there you go. Spray on fabrics and couches. Not so much for the air or bathroom. But works great on anything cloth.

cleaner: a couple TBS of baking soda half a cup of vinagar, a tablespoon or few of water, shake (yes it will fizz, add the vinager slowly) and your cleaner will work great on almost anything!

Now you have it. Just another solution to saving some cash!

6 Totally Unnecessary Money Gobblers!

When you first discover that your about to be a mom (or dad) your mind gets kindaa overwhelmed with the amount of "stuff" you will need and you may not even know what that "stuff" is but you know you need it. As a mother of four I've discovered the difference between what's needed what's wanted and what's just plain silly! For any new mom I've compiled a list of the completely unnecessary items that baby and mom magazines love to tell you you "need". (Here's a hint, they are payed to say that!)

WHAT NOT TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON

1) Diaper Genie!
Even if you got it second hand and the bags came with it, even if its the "new and improved!" One, when it comes time to change out the bag, the smell of sitting diapers (that have been in a warm bacteria breeding environment or several hours maybe even days is going to over power the smell of baby powder and anyother nice scent... your house will smell reallllly bad!
2) Baby Powder
Yes I DID just say that, and here's why: if your baby has a diaper rash the rash is more likely to spread, and the powder can actually suffocate your child when sprinkling it on. It doesn't work, its not worth your money.
3)Wipes Warmer
Just think how mad your little one will be when you are out one day without the warmer and he/she gets these cold wipes on their butt... seriously this is just pathetic.
4)Tearless Baby Wash
Its a nice thought, until you realize what its doing to your babys sensitive eyes. It numbs them! Its not that it isn't harmful, its that your baby can't feel the damage being done. Youu can use regular shampoo with caution or if your baby has sensitive skin soften the water with 2Tbs of baking soda and just use that water. Its safer,won't hurt their eyes and it will get them clean. However for newborns don't use the soda directly on their skin since its a natural exfoliant, make sure its just water that's softened with baking soda. Works great on my kids hair as shampoo as well!
5) baby safe nail clippers
The absolute best way to handle those sharp talons after they are about a month old, is to bite them off yourself. Its safer and you will be able to feel yourself if you might cut too close.
6)baby datergent
If you baby has sensitive skin, skip the fabric softener, that's what leaves the residue on the clothes. Not the detergent. This I know from experience. My kids all had sensitive skin,the fabric softener is the key.

I hope that helps out a bit!