How to Clean a Drain without Chemical Cleaners

 *Update: I recently tried this again after somewhere between our sink drain and dishwasher got clogged...and I was home alone to solve the problem. This worked! :) I followed the directions as stated then ran the disposal with the water running until it sounded clear. I followed with my homemade disposal deodorizers.*

Living in an apartment, you quickly learn how terrible the plumbing is. Along with leaks, rust, and lime build up, we get terrible clogged and dirty drains.

Fortunately, we have a disposal on one side of our kitchen sink (and it works!), but the opposite side gets pretty nasty. Along with the kitchen sink, our tub seems to need a lot of work too.

With all of the food and other foreign objects going down our sink, not only does it seem to have a hard time draining, it also gets extremely stinky! Instead of using costly and toxic drain cleaners, you can use a simple and easy home remedy!

What you will need:

vinegar

baking soda

plunger, plate, napkin, etc.

saucepan

boiling water

1. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda in dry drain.

2. Pour 1/2 cup vinegar down drain. A chemical reaction will occur, causing it to bubble (think elementary school volcano project).

3. Quickly cover with plunger, plate, napkin, or other object to block the foam from coming outside of the drain.
Be careful to not get it on your hands 

or in your eyes (of course).

Note: if you are using a double sided sink, be sure to cover the other drain also.

4. Let sit for 30 minutes or longer.

5. Bring water to boil in saucepan. Remove drain cover and quickly pour hot water down the drain. Again, be careful as it will be very hot.

That's it! 

Very simple, effective, and you use simple things that you probably already have on hand. Note that if you have a very difficult clog, you may need to try this method several time or result to more "drastic measures". This method works best if you have a stinky, sticky, or "gucky" drain.

* Please note: I am not a plumber, nor am I a "plumbing expert". I'm not responsible for any damage that could occur to you or your plumbing. Please use your own mental capacities to use this method safely.

Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals: Classic Pigs-in-a-Blanket

We've all been there. It's just "one of those days". This leads to that and in a blink of an eye it's 6 o' clock or if you are anything like me, it's 9 o' clock... and you're rushing to come up with something quick and easy to make for dinner. 

Here's a bonus, this one is cheap!


A good ole classic. The price range on this meal can set you anywhere from $3-$8 ish, depending on the price of each ingredient and the brand. That $3 can serve 8!

 Serves 1-8

  What you need:

Package of hotdogs (any brand) $.88-$5

Refrigerated crescent rolls (any brand) $1.99-$3

Cheese slices (optional, any brand) minimal amount

1. Prepare slices of cheese:

Cut into long strips.

2. Prepare hotdogs:

Cut a slit into each hotdog...hotdog style ;)

Add cheese slice into slit.

3. Roll out crescent rolls.

4. Roll 1-2 crescent rolls around each prepared hotdog.

5. Place on greased cookie sheet.

6. Cook at 350F for about 20 minutes, 

or until dough is golden brown and hotdog is cooked through. 

Be careful as cheese will be very hot.

ENJOY!

The price of the hotdogs makes a big difference in the total price of the meal. Here, I can find hotdogs for as little as $.88 for a pack of 8! They're decent quality too, but my dear husband's favorite hotdogs are Nathan's brand. They're a little on the spendy side and so I don't prefer to buy them for that reason, but they're super yummy. 

I haven't noticed much of a difference between off-brand or other brand crescent rolls. I like to use two crescent rolls for each hotdog to cover up the hotdog and use up a full package of rolls for 4 hotdogs and use the leftover hotdogs at a later time. 

You can skip on the cheese, but we love cheese! The more cheese you use, the more ooey gooey they become...which is awesome. I buy the bricks of cheese and cut it myself to save on money. Just use your favorites! You can't beat the price of this meal. While it may not be the healthiest meal, you've got a few food groups in there ;)

 

How to Save on Out of Season Fruit

I LOOOOOOVE fruit. I hate vegetables. I also love summer for it's amazing prices on fruit! I get excited when fruit starts to get marked down. Crazy? Maybe a little bit...am I the only one?

Right now, we're in the middle of March. Fruit prices are getting better slowly. The price for some apples and some oranges is down around $.99/pound, but other than that there isn't a great selection. It's still pretty cold here around this time of year.

Here's what you gotta do: look for "manager's specials" or fruit that is on it's "sell by" date. This stuff has been marked down to around 50% off! I often shop at Smith's (Kroger) to look for these types of deals.

Here's one I picked up last night!

When I saw this baby I got so excited. I've had a real craving for fruit for a few days. This is one of those large tubs and probably holds at least 3-5 pounds of fruit (I should have weighed it, so sorry). It was originally marked for $9.99! This one is a mix of kiwi, cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and red seedless grapes. They also had a couple with just cantaloupe. OH BOY! It was yummy! Around here, just grapes alone are going for $2.99 a pound! And of course, melons are nowhere to be seen. I'm guessing this one to be around $1.66-$1/pound, assuming it's 3-5 pounds.

It was so delicious and it didn't taste out of season at all.

ENJOY!

Tips:

• Sell by date is not the same as expiration date.
• Plan on using one of these containers of fruit within a few days before the fruit goes overripe.
• Don't buy it even if it's a great deal if it doesn't look ripe as it likely won't continue to ripe in your fridge and will just be a waste of money.
• This stuff probably isn't the most organic (I'd assume), so if you're looking for local organic than this probably isn't for you. 

 

Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

I first posted this particular post a while ago on my previous blog "Ashley's Eats". It was incredibly popular! Thank you viewers! You make my day!

One of my dad's favorite cookies are snickerdoodles. Recently they moved into a new home and I decided to make some. I hadn't made a single snickerdoodle in my life...but these turned out AMAZING!

Throw away those stale store bought cookies. These are where it's at.

They are soft, plump, and perfectly sweet. Mmmmmm...

Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

yield: about 16 medium sized cookies

These require refrigeration time

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon milk

1/4 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon (for topping)

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar well until smooth. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well for about 2 minutes.

2. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.

Mix just until dough comes together.

3. Add in milk. If dough is crumbly add 1 tablespoons of milk at a time. Refrigerate in covered bowl for 30 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine topping ingredients.

5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

 6. Remove dough from fridge and roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.

Roll in topping mixture and place on baking sheets.

Lightly press dough to flatten slightly.

7. Place tray in freezer for 1 minute.

Bake in 375 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

Do not overcook.

ENJOY!

Tips:

• It's important to not overcook these, or you'll end up with little rocks :)
• Maybe double this recipe if making them for a group, as it doesn't make very many unless you make small cookies.
• The refrigeration time is important as it keeps the cookies from flattening.

Credit: How Sweet It Is

How to Save on Dryer Sheets

I have to use dryer sheets. There's just that little "oomph" that they add to my clothes. I can even do without scented kind, but I can't stand the static from not using a dryer sheet, plus it seems like they make my clothes softer (or maybe it's all in my head...).

I have heard about wadding up some tinfoil and throwing it in the dryer, but that made the static so much worse! So I dealt with just buying dryer sheets for a long time.

They really aren't that expensive at all, especially when you combine sale prices with coupons, but why not stretch your dollar a bit more?

I came across this idea somewhere and I can no longer find it. If this looks like something you posted on your blog, please let me know in a comment so I can properly cite you.

Your biggest savings: 

1. Buy dryer sheets that you like, that are on sale, and you have a coupon for. This box of 105 was less than $3 at Walmart and I didn't have a coupon for them, I just needed to try a new kind.

2. Open your box and grab a pair of sharp scissors. Cut each dryer sheet into thirds. You can cut at least 5 dryer sheets at a time with good scissors. (Don't worry if the cuts aren't very even or straight, just do your best so they fit back in the box)

3. Stack up your cut sheets back in the box, or place them in a Ziploc or other container that you choose. I figure why throw away a perfectly good box.

4. In each load, throw in one dryer sheet strip in the dryer with your washed laundry. For extra large loads or bedding, I like to use two.

CONGRATS! You just went from 120 dryer sheets to 360 in less than 5 minutes!

Talk about pinchin' pennies!

 I have been using these Bounce Free & Sensitive ones for a while now and I'm pretty happy with them. I've switched to all unscented and dye-free laundry products because I have very sensitive skin. Plus, these are cheap. Bonus!

If you are skeptical that using a third of a dryer sheet works for you, 

try cutting one or two dryer sheets for a test run.

Tip: Don't use dryer sheets with your towels! Not only does it make your towels less absorbent, it's a waste of dryer sheets.

*I am in no way affiliated with any products, stores, etc. mentioned in this post. Nor am I sponsored or reimbursed for my reviews or posts. Everything in this post is my personal opinion and experience.

What do you do to save money on laundry?