I like vinegar, baking soda or Simple Green for general cleaning. Occasionally, I have to use harsher cleaning products if something is not responding.
We have a product called Goo Gone and it's amazing in wiping up anything sticky from wax, grease, sap and much more on any surface. It saves a lot of time and the goo comes off super quickly!
I find cleaning as I go helps lighten the load. I take an extra 10 minutes in the morning or evening to do a quick clean up with the vacuum or Swiffer. Those Swiffer cloths work wonders on walls and windows too.
Honestly really poor advice. No one should buy things on amazon if they aren't going to do their homework and make sure the price is worthwhile. There are times when it's worthwhile for me to pay more than I would in a store if it saves me a trip to a store I wouldn't otherwise visit. However I would take issue with every category you've mentioned. If you find groceries on sale they can be absurdly cheap, there are often coupons as well, same for personal care and cleaning products. I've also gotten very reasonably priced [compared to buying elsewhere] clothing and fitness gear. More than once, many times over the past years, for every category listed.
Growing up my parents both worked so I learned the "trick" of doing a serious power clean on legal holidays! Both parents and kids are generally off work/school and if everyone kicks in, a power clean can be accomplished in a few hours without hindering the usual weekend and evening commitments. Additionally, the legal holidays are scattered fairly evenly throughout the year so the house never gets truly bad.
I check Amazon's coupons when I am in need of personal care items. Sometimes you can get a ridiculous deal by combining their coupons with Subscribe & Save... I've gotten mascara, moisturizer and body wash for less then $2!
I've never gotten a large refund because I learned early on that the W4 tax form and exemption charts favor the government.
Everyone should do their best to adjust exemptions on their W4 so that the proper amount of tax is deducted to minimize any potential refund. Indeed, I always like to own a small amount.
The government does a horrible job at their own accounting, spends way more than they should, and wastes billions and billions of dollars each and every year. It's inexcusable and allowing them the use of your own money throughout the year free of charge is unacceptable.
There should be a basic high school class that covers this so that we are taught how this works. But then, what incentive is there to do that?
My current fave cleaning hack is doing a little bit of housework every day. Never leave all of the housework for a single day, especially on a weekend. Who wants to spend a Saturday or Sunday doing housework? Stay on top of it so it doesn't become a time suck.
We hired a housekeeper that comes every other week, and it's been a great way to get the cleaning done and saving us a bunch of time and effort. I was concerned it would be too expensive at first, but the amount of time and stress that we save completely outweighs the cost of the housekeeper!
I don't really have one! I loathe cleaning but have to do it, of course. I just try to buy the most natural, least toxic cleaning products I can find since that saves the environment and my allergies!
We always (for 35 years) have tried hard to break even with the IRS--no refund, no additional payment. That's tough for us because a high percentage of our income fluctuates month to month. If we miss the target, we prefer to owe a bit more. In years past, when interest rates were high, it seemed foolish to lend the government money for free when it could get 5, 7, 10 percent saved elsewhere. However, now that savings interest rates, even for CDs and money market funds, are sub 1%, I figure it doesn't make much difference. So if a big tax refund check serves as savings account for a vacation or a new car or an amount to put in an IRA, go for it.
I am in the concession business, and some of these numbers I question. Yes, there is a high mark up on certain items (nachos being one of them), but, don't think that a concessioner is walking away with 85% mark up ion his pocket. Many people only see the cost of the actual product and forget to add pall of the other costs into the ACTUAL cost of producing and selling the item.
Example:
Cotton candy..Really cheap ingredients and packaging.
The machine cost around $600.00
The really pretty fancy trailer with the colorful marquee can START at $250,000. The really nice ones are much more.
The help that you pay (even when it is pouring rain outside and no one is at the fair or when it's not a busy time, but it will be in a while)
The rental for the space (this varies a lot, so I'm not even going to insert a number here) OR, if you can pay a percentage to the carnival, which can easily be 25%, 30% or more (off the gross amount sold).
The travel expenses to pull that nice trailer around..A heavy duty truck, camper, stick trailer, multiple trips, gas, etc.
Insurance in case you get sued
Not to mention that all of this expensive equipment may only get used a few months a year depending on where you live.
Then, you can be stuck at an event with rain 4 out of 7 days!
This is just cotton candy..A simple snack food. When you get into items that require grills, fryers, oil, propane, etc. You have a lot more costs associated with them.
So, yes, you could make the items at home cheaper...But, please take a minute to realize that these people are offering a service, they are not becoming rich and that everything in life costs money! They are not there to rip you off. When it is all said and done, they are not making ANYWHERE near 85%.
I always tell people who comment on "How Much" money we must make...Come and work with me for 1 week. You will be running for the hills. It is hard work and there is no guarantee. I have been in the business my entire life (literally) and I am turning 40. I have seen SO MANY people try to make it and last a season or 2. It all looks like we have a license to print money, but I promise you it is not!!
Take your pets for a good grooming. There's no point in cleaning the house house if your dog comes in and blows out his winter coat all over your floors and furniture.
Living rent free could definitely take a load off. You can save up on a lot of money and invest it in your dream project.
Rent free living is not that simple after all. You wouldn’t want to take favors, or stay at your folks after a certain age. Finding jobs that provide accommodations is by far the best way to go about it.
I like to clean my stainless steel faucets with Lemons-it makes them sparkle!
I like vinegar, baking soda or Simple Green for general cleaning. Occasionally, I have to use harsher cleaning products if something is not responding.
I use old tshirts as dust rags
We have a product called Goo Gone and it's amazing in wiping up anything sticky from wax, grease, sap and much more on any surface. It saves a lot of time and the goo comes off super quickly!
I find cleaning as I go helps lighten the load. I take an extra 10 minutes in the morning or evening to do a quick clean up with the vacuum or Swiffer. Those Swiffer cloths work wonders on walls and windows too.
Honestly really poor advice. No one should buy things on amazon if they aren't going to do their homework and make sure the price is worthwhile. There are times when it's worthwhile for me to pay more than I would in a store if it saves me a trip to a store I wouldn't otherwise visit. However I would take issue with every category you've mentioned. If you find groceries on sale they can be absurdly cheap, there are often coupons as well, same for personal care and cleaning products. I've also gotten very reasonably priced [compared to buying elsewhere] clothing and fitness gear. More than once, many times over the past years, for every category listed.
My favorite cleaning hack is having my 11 year old son do the vacuuming!
For handwash clothes or new clothes with chemical odors... Soak in white vinegar and water solution prior to washing.
Growing up my parents both worked so I learned the "trick" of doing a serious power clean on legal holidays! Both parents and kids are generally off work/school and if everyone kicks in, a power clean can be accomplished in a few hours without hindering the usual weekend and evening commitments. Additionally, the legal holidays are scattered fairly evenly throughout the year so the house never gets truly bad.
I check Amazon's coupons when I am in need of personal care items. Sometimes you can get a ridiculous deal by combining their coupons with Subscribe & Save... I've gotten mascara, moisturizer and body wash for less then $2!
I've never gotten a large refund because I learned early on that the W4 tax form and exemption charts favor the government.
Everyone should do their best to adjust exemptions on their W4 so that the proper amount of tax is deducted to minimize any potential refund. Indeed, I always like to own a small amount.
The government does a horrible job at their own accounting, spends way more than they should, and wastes billions and billions of dollars each and every year. It's inexcusable and allowing them the use of your own money throughout the year free of charge is unacceptable.
There should be a basic high school class that covers this so that we are taught how this works. But then, what incentive is there to do that?
My current fave cleaning hack is doing a little bit of housework every day. Never leave all of the housework for a single day, especially on a weekend. Who wants to spend a Saturday or Sunday doing housework? Stay on top of it so it doesn't become a time suck.
We hired a housekeeper that comes every other week, and it's been a great way to get the cleaning done and saving us a bunch of time and effort. I was concerned it would be too expensive at first, but the amount of time and stress that we save completely outweighs the cost of the housekeeper!
Here’s a new one... DEALFLY
They are by far the best site for local deals, coupon codes and discount shopping!
I use baking soda for cleaning
My favorite is a spray bottle with water, white vinegar, and a little Dawn dish soap. It's the best cleaner ever!
I don't really have one! I loathe cleaning but have to do it, of course. I just try to buy the most natural, least toxic cleaning products I can find since that saves the environment and my allergies!
Just invested in some Norwex cloths... they disinfect using only water.
We always (for 35 years) have tried hard to break even with the IRS--no refund, no additional payment. That's tough for us because a high percentage of our income fluctuates month to month. If we miss the target, we prefer to owe a bit more. In years past, when interest rates were high, it seemed foolish to lend the government money for free when it could get 5, 7, 10 percent saved elsewhere. However, now that savings interest rates, even for CDs and money market funds, are sub 1%, I figure it doesn't make much difference. So if a big tax refund check serves as savings account for a vacation or a new car or an amount to put in an IRA, go for it.
I splurge on containers to store clothes. Also certain cleaners that work well and microfiber cloths.
I am in the concession business, and some of these numbers I question. Yes, there is a high mark up on certain items (nachos being one of them), but, don't think that a concessioner is walking away with 85% mark up ion his pocket. Many people only see the cost of the actual product and forget to add pall of the other costs into the ACTUAL cost of producing and selling the item.
Example:
Cotton candy..Really cheap ingredients and packaging.
The machine cost around $600.00
The really pretty fancy trailer with the colorful marquee can START at $250,000. The really nice ones are much more.
The help that you pay (even when it is pouring rain outside and no one is at the fair or when it's not a busy time, but it will be in a while)
The rental for the space (this varies a lot, so I'm not even going to insert a number here) OR, if you can pay a percentage to the carnival, which can easily be 25%, 30% or more (off the gross amount sold).
The travel expenses to pull that nice trailer around..A heavy duty truck, camper, stick trailer, multiple trips, gas, etc.
Insurance in case you get sued
Not to mention that all of this expensive equipment may only get used a few months a year depending on where you live.
Then, you can be stuck at an event with rain 4 out of 7 days!
This is just cotton candy..A simple snack food. When you get into items that require grills, fryers, oil, propane, etc. You have a lot more costs associated with them.
So, yes, you could make the items at home cheaper...But, please take a minute to realize that these people are offering a service, they are not becoming rich and that everything in life costs money! They are not there to rip you off. When it is all said and done, they are not making ANYWHERE near 85%.
I always tell people who comment on "How Much" money we must make...Come and work with me for 1 week. You will be running for the hills. It is hard work and there is no guarantee. I have been in the business my entire life (literally) and I am turning 40. I have seen SO MANY people try to make it and last a season or 2. It all looks like we have a license to print money, but I promise you it is not!!
Take your pets for a good grooming. There's no point in cleaning the house house if your dog comes in and blows out his winter coat all over your floors and furniture.
Living rent free could definitely take a load off. You can save up on a lot of money and invest it in your dream project.
Rent free living is not that simple after all. You wouldn’t want to take favors, or stay at your folks after a certain age. Finding jobs that provide accommodations is by far the best way to go about it.
I use lots of coupons.
Do you know the company that he sold it for? I have 8 big palm tress that I want to sell, they're like 25 feet tall, all of them.