Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Mixed Up Tuesday

Today I am going to touch on a few subjects - just to mix it up a bit!  I thought that might be fun.

FIRST I was doing some research behind the scenes of the blog, and came across some statistics that I didn't know were available.
There was a place that told where our readers live!  HOW COOL!!!!!

A huge percentage of readers are in the UNITED STATES
2nd place with HALF as many as U.S. is RUSSIA!    WOW - all I can say is I was amazed.
3rd  - AUSTRALIA
4th - CANADA
5th - UNITED KINGDOM
6th place and on - (a few readers in ea. country) - UKRAINE, NEW ZEALAND, FRANCE, PHILLAPINES, and BRAZIL

Call me blown away, that my little ole blog and my simple ideas, could be that far reaching.  It is amazing.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR CONTINUING TO FOLLOW ALONG! 
None of this would be possible if it wasn't for each and every one of you!
YOU ARE ALL GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!

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Thought I would pass on a simple trick I use on my ice cube trays.  They all look exactly alike, but have to be stacked in a certain way or they fall into the one below.

 
I make stacking them "idiot" proof, by marking one end of each tray with a permanent marker.  Then I stack them alternating the mark.  No more setting a tray into another that I just filled with water.  Just a simple trick that keeps me happy!

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DATING ITEMS
Does anyone date things as you open them for use?  I date most everything.  Big on my list are coffee, toothpaste, shampoo, dish soap, cooking oil, Truvia, and laundry soap.

WHY you ask?  Well, the things I use daily and that have many uses per container, it helps me determine how much to keep in my stockpile.
I try really hard to keep one to two years of daily items on hand.  If things every get bad (as in SHTF), I know we will have supplies.

For example: 
I know that Truvia pack lasts me approximately 5 - 6 weeks.
One container of coffee lasts around a month or more (not big drinkers)
Toothpaste can last several months - we each prefer a different type and use just a pea size amount
Dish soap - Large bottle lasts several months for me. 
I buy the 24 - 28oz. size bottle and immediately divide it into 2 bottles.  I fill the remainder of each bottle with water.  Once the bottle is halved again, I add vinegar to refill.  I continue doing this 2 or 3 times on each bottle.  My dishes are always sparkling.  REMEMBER - it's NOT the suds that clean.
(I am currently about to the end of a bottle that I opened in Aug. 2016)
Shampoo  -  I always water it down.  I add shampoo to another bottle and fill bottle to about one third - then add water (sometimes I add a little vinegar too).
Toilet Paper - I don't have to date - but I do know approximately how many rolls a week we use.  I try to keep at least 2 years of that on hand!
Laundry soap - I get the huge containers and never use as much as it calls for.  One container will last me at least one year!

I know many people probably think I am a bit crazy - but I want to be prepared for anything.  I buy when I can get the best prices, and I am prepared for the future.
Next week things will cost more than they did last month, and more than they did last year........so why not get cheaply AND be prepared!  I see it as a total WIN-WIN!!!!!!!
Just consider dating your products as an on-going inventory sheet! 
Once you know how long a product lasts - there is no real reason why you should ever run out!  You WILL be prepared.

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Let us know your little tricks for never running out of stock.  Freezer Inventories?  Pantry inventories?  What do you all do?

AGAIN a HUGE THANK YOU to all my fantastic followers.  You are awesome!
Blessings to all.



9 comments:

  1. Cheryl, I always learn a tip or two from you. Today being the dish soap extender. I always buy a gallon jug and it lasts me a good while but I think I'll date it now just to see how long but I haven't ever diluted or added vinegar to it but I will be giving it a try to see if I like it.
    A tub of laundry soap lasts us a year, I wish I had enough room to keep enough TP for a year.

    Very cool that you have all those International readers!

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    Replies
    1. Laurie - I am glad people pick up on something they can use now and then.
      Adding water hasn't changed the dish soap at all (I mean you add it to water) and vinegar helps dishes sparkle.

      Can you put TP in the garage?

      I was absolutely blown away by the stats on international readers! WAY COOL!
      Have a great day!

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  2. Cheryl I'm an Aussie and just discovered your blog. You can add me to your stats. I have watered down my dish soap but have never added vinegar before. I also use the soap ends from the bathroom, in a soap shaker, to wash dishes. I make our soap so know what's in it. I make my own laundry powder and the three ingredients give me 6 months of worth. I dont know what Truvia is. We est well and have a lovely home on an extremely limited income. I try and put away one extra something into the stockpile each shopping day. This week I will our toothpaste is on sale. This will be the extra.

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  3. Cheryl I'm an Aussie and just discovered your blog. You can add me to your stats. I have watered down my dish soap but have never added vinegar before. I also use the soap ends from the bathroom, in a soap shaker, to wash dishes. I make our soap so know what's in it. I make my own laundry powder and the three ingredients give me 6 months of worth. I dont know what Truvia is. We est well and have a lovely home on an extremely limited income. I try and put away one extra something into the stockpile each shopping day. This week I will our toothpaste is on sale. This will be the extra.

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    Replies
    1. Jane, Truvia is a natural sweetener that is NOT sugar. It is used for those wanting sweetness without using all the un-natural artificial sweeteners.

      I still haven't made soap - but that is on my bucket list!

      I sounds like you really have a hang of the frugal lifestyle. So smart to put something in the stockpile each week. Each and every little bit helps.
      Cheers!

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  4. I've never heard of the vinegar to dish soap idea before...cool beans!!!

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  5. Hi, I am a follower from New Zealand. I love your blog, I too follow you advice. We had a series of terrible earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, and they are still occuring north of us.Now I'm better prepared for all emergencies, using your hints, planted a more productive garden, we are ready for what nature throws at us. We know we can survive without power and indeed water (at least for awhile), and not starve.

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    Replies
    1. Aunty Bee so glad you are here. It seems there have been so many disasters all over in recent years.
      I am glad that you are now better prepared to handle them.
      Gardens can mean the difference from thriving and starving!
      Have a wonderful day.

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