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Spring Cleaning Made Easy

By Connie Jennings, Marketing Director

Finally, spring is in the air! The grass is greener, birds are singing and it’s time for spring cleaning! Sometimes the toughest part of spring cleaning is getting started. So, here are a few tips to help get you started:

• Make a list of all the chores you plan to tackle.
• Make an inventory of your cleaning products, decide what you need to complete each chore and only make one trip to the store.
• When you begin, attack your hardest chores first.
• Always clean top to bottom.
• Take all your cleaning tools from room to room; avoiding unnecessary trips back and forth.
• Use old socks as mitts for cleaning difficult wood work and blinds.
• Don’t try to do everything in one day.

*Remember your coupons – there are lots of them out there for cleaning solutions, supplies and paper products that will save you money this time of year!

While cleaning, eliminate clutter by donating toys and clothing to a shelter in your area. It gives you a great feeling to give to those less fortunate. These donations are tax deductible and most shelters will provide you the form you will need. Also, cleaning is much more tolerable if you enjoy your experience. Try these tips to make your cleaning days more enjoyable:

• Unplug the phone and turn off the TV.
• Turn on your favorite music.
• Open the windows.
• Have a few light, energy-packed snacks so that you can nibble through the process.

*Remember to use coupons for the snacks!

Staying abreast of your cleaning projects can save you time and money.

Happy Spring and Happy Cleaning!

Spring Clean With Savings In Mind

Ideas for savings as you go about purging and restoring Springtime order!

It's that time of year! Garage sales are appearing all over neighborhoods since most households are purging items that are no longer considered useful and trying to eek out the last bit of monetary value. Also, in this annual process, things that are still considered useful (in other words, they make the cut and get to stay another year) may get freshened up to extend their useful life. So, all of a sudden, household supplies like paper towels, cleaning solutions and storage containers are in great demand. Before you go running out to spend more money on these items, get creative to keep savings in mind:

• Paper Towels-save a tree-use rags (purged men's t-shirts work great!) and sponges
• Cleaning Solutions-hose things off before going in with the chemicals, often this is all it takes to restore something to its former glory. Also, round up coupons when buying cleaning solutions, since you do not have to pay full price! P&G has coupons out in grocery stores right now, ask the customer service desk to help you find them.
• Storage Containers-reuse boxes for items going into long term storage. Round up every conceivable plastic storage tub or container in your house and reuse/re-label (a label maker is a great thing!) until you find out what you really need and then go get it (use a coupon if you can).

Have fun, the end result is always worth the effort!

Spring Cleaning Savings!

A few tips for making this season task pay off!

Spring cleaning is nothing more than optional seasonal household reorganization and maintenance. You don't HAVE to do it. However with a family you quickly realize that if you don't, it's trouble. The cost of bypassing this task is that your home quickly becomes an overstuffed storage unit with layers of mung. I have to admit; I do not naturally enjoy this task, however, I do enjoy the results! Below are a few tips that will help you focus on the results:

All Hands!

I encourage you to get the whole family involved to reduce stress and teach valuable life lessons. In my opinion, far too many kids these days have everything done for them and never learn their responsibilities taking care of the things. For example, in our family, with supervision, they go through all their clothes this time of year and sort out the seasonal clothes to keep, donate or turn into rags. I then line up a charity pick-up and claim a tax deduction for the donation. Also, my kids love to wash and vacuum the mini-van. Besides, I like having them deal with the assorted items and trash they leave behind in their seats.

Shop the Right Store at the Right Times!

This is essential when you are buying new clothes and summer shoes or refreshing home items like rugs, dishes, sheets and towels. Stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls alert customers to store sales and special deals. When you know before you go, this puts you in control of your spending and prevents overspending on things you do not need. Also, you don't end up spending too much money on something that your kid's will quickly outgrow or destroy!

Keep it Simple.

The whole house and all your clothing and decor do not have to be overhauled all at once. Pick a few critical areas that need attention - meaning if you did not attend to them it would make life harder. For me, this area is clothing. If I do not purge clothes that are out of season, too small or worn out, dressers quickly become unmanageable and we have melt downs over what to wear!

By reducing stress, targeting your spending and choosing to simplify, spring cleaning is something you can actually look forward to!

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