This is a realistic savings goal I could follow. Which I have hopes of doing something fun with but... More then likelly it will help cover our property taxes. Although I did decide today there are a few projects I will be buying supplies for. Yes I am notorious for that. That would explain the four headboards sitting in my garage which I have good intentions for. Also for the landscaping bricks that will become a patio in the spring along with the new bathroom mirror and towel bar and other fixtures that I got an amazing deal on which have been sitting in my garage for over a year.

The never ending mountain of laundry.

Being a family of six and having our income drastically change has made me decide its time to start making my own laundry soap again. The girls dance tuition every month is killing me. I did get offered a cleaning job twice a week which wills definatly help.So here are my thoughts for the rest of the week. I am going to post my laundry soap recipe and also the mix recipes I found on pinterest. Looks like I will be making everything from scratch in hopes to save some money. Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value 4 Cups - hot tap water 1 Fels-Naptha soap bar 1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda* ½ Cup Borax - Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted. -Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken. -Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel) -Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil. -Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons. -Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads) -Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads) *Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!! •Works well in traditional or HE machines. •Low sudsing. It is the ingredients in the soap, not the suds, that does the cleaning. •Clumping and geling of the detergent is normal. Stir before putting in dispenser, and shake before each use

2013

Well it's a new year. 2012 was a pretty off year for me. My goals changed my life changed and not always for the best. I have been selfish at times and a not so good friend at times. My house is a disaster, there never seems to be enough hours in a day. I have big plans this year with a goal to obtain most of them by February. I know its a lon shot. I also need to start saving for a trip to the Grand Canyon to see my inlaws. I had big plans for today but quality time with the hubby and kids seemed like a far better idea. Tomorrow catching up on laundry and organizing the basement is my number one priority. Sad part is before Christmas I had it cleaned then everything that did not belong on the main floor of my house ended up down there. Included are the mountains of laundry that need to be finished. I tried two blogs but quickly realized I just could not keep up. Well here's hoping this blog will hold me actually follow through with things and posting so I can really see I am not just going through the motions and actually enjoying life.