Category: home and product tips

Every now and then, people need to declutter. But even after spending hours and days cleaning and throwing things away, much is still left over.

It’s even harder to organize and hide everything when dealing with small spaces. So, how does someone tidy up and store necessary items when they don’t have much space to work with?

Luckily, there are lots of cute storage ideas that can help organize the clutter and add to a room’s decor.

It doesn’t matter if it’s an attic, a bedroom, or a child’s playroom. You can declutter any type of room and still store everything in discreet – and adorable – ways.

Here are 4 adorable ideas…

1. Side Tables & Dressers

For decades, people have used side tables and dressers to tuck away their excess clutter. But not only that!

Adding a dresser or side table can often be the missing element of a room that ties its decor scheme together. Not to mention, people can decorate the top of them in addition to storing things inside them.

Dressers and side tables are staples to every bedroom. But they also go great in children’s playrooms, living areas, and even indoor porches.

And people don’t even have to buy them brand new! Many are available at second-hand shops, yard sales, or somewhere in a friend’s garage.

2. Wall Shelves

What does someone do if their space is too small to incorporate a side table or dresser?

They go higher!

Wall-mounted shelves have become something of a trend in the DIY community. And there’s a reason why they’re climbing the ranks on the list of cute storage ideas.

They not only take advantage of the walls for storage purposes but style up any room. Plus, they go beyond standard blocks or flat pieces of wood!

Magnetic strips can store kitchen and bathroom items on the walls or sides of drawers. Peg boards and screwdriver racks are also helpful for storing tools in the garage.

3. Bins & Baskets

Every household has items that may be useful in the future, but serve no purpose in the present. And that’s where storage bins and containers come in.

They store and hide clutter away in closets and under beds – in the most organized way possible.

But when there’s no room left, collapsible storage bins allow storage out in the open. They’re made with fabric and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Baskets are also stylish additions to children’s bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas. They’re great for storing toys, magazines, blankets, and even cosmetic devices.

4. Glass Jars & Cork Boards

These days, it’s easy to find stylish jars online to implement cute storage ideas. And there’s no shortage of places to use them for compact storage out in the open.

Jars can take advantage of excess counter space by storing things like spices and teas. They also store cotton balls, swabs, and hair accessories in bathrooms and bedrooms.

But what does someone do about their extensive jewelry collection?

Cork boards have become popular for this exact need!

Cork boards are the trendiest way to organize and hang jewelry with tacks for the easiest access. No more digging through boxes and untangling necklaces!

Cork boards also organize important papers that can’t get thrown out. Junk drawers everywhere will breathe a sigh of relief.

Declutter & Organize with Cute Storage Ideas

You don’t have to put up with excess clutter and mess. Especially if it means styling up one’s living quarters in the process.

It doesn’t matter how big or how small someone’s home is. You can organize clutter and create more space in apartments and houses alike.

For more cute storage ideas, stay tuned with Thrifty Momma Ramblings!

Looking to decorate your home? You’d better have a budget.

Everyone has certain expectations when they set out to decorate their home. That is until they’re faced with a harsh reality – decorating is expensive.

We’ve all seen those shows on HGTV. Young couples build up a lavish dream home with nothing more than a small budget and a few professionals.

But real life isn’t TV. Kitchen remodels alone cost over $20,000 on average. So it’s important to be thrifty when looking for home goods.

Are you in need of some new curtains? Or a new faucet, or even a couch? Here are our tips on how to saving money. Read on to learn more.

Use Decorating Hacks

You can’t afford your favorite item. So what?

There’s no shame in going for something a little bit more cost effective. Try to buy alternative home goods that look good and don’t break the bank.

There are all sorts of decorating hacks that can accommodate your vision. You can buy a succulent instead of a potted plant, purchase a rug, or look into inexpensive rohl faucets to add a touch of class to your bathroom.

Try spending big money on the items that draw the most attention in a room. You can splurge on curtains, drapes, and throw pillows but hang back on trinkets and nonessentials.

You can still stick to your budget and get the look you want. You just have to be a savvy shopper.

Stick to a Cash Budget

We’ve all been there. You get upsold when buying your home goods.

It’s easy to set a budget for yourself. But it’s even harder to stick to it.

One way to ensure you stick to your budget is by taking out cash. That way you don’t have to worry about going over budget.

A common issue with home goods shoppers is they fall in love with an item way out of their price range. By sticking to cash, you’re forced to fixate only on items within your budget.

Save yourself the headache of overspending by leaving your credit card at home.

Consignment Store

Thrifty shoppers know where to shop. That means cutting out big name chain retailers.

Save your money by taking a trip to a consignment store. Consignment shops are a step up from thrift stores in that only sell gently used items. The owner will sell their goods back to the shop in return for a cut of the final sale.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t take a trip to a thrift store too. But finding quality items there can be like finding a diamond in the rough.

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, there’s no greater place than a consignment store.

You can further save money by looking at their clearance sections and shopping when you know a valuable sale is underway.

Thrifty Home Goods

Decorating your home doesn’t have to be expensive. You just have to get your hands dirty.

You’ll be well on the way to your dream home as long as you have a firm budget, shop at the right places, and use a few hacks.

Still looking for deals? Contact Thrifty Momma for more tips on finding the right deals for you.

Environmentalists make a big deal out of sustainability. As thrifty moms, though, we don’t always have the cash to live sustainably. For this reason, a reverse osmosis water filter sounds like something many of us don’t have the money to buy right now.

But is the cost really all that high? That is to say, do the benefits make up for the price?

As it turns out, they do. Find out why below.

1. It Uses Less Energy Than Other Systems

If you’re not currently filtering your water, there is a good reason to. Using a filter is like housekeeping for your water.

If you’re already using a filter, it’s likely not as energy efficient as reverse osmosis filters. Systems such as the well-known Filter Pure Everpure systems, for example, do a great job of saving energy while purifying your water.

And saving energy means saving money, which is something we all want.

2. Your Water Will Be Free of Contaminants

You and your family deserve to drink clean water. Without a filter, your household could be doing just the opposite.

From lead to other metals and particles, your unfiltered water is brimming with unpleasant chemicals. As some of you may know, high levels of lead can be particularly damaging, especially to children. Reverse osmosis filters help remove these nasties from your water and limit your family’s exposure to them.

3. You’ll Save Money

As stated above, reverse osmosis water filters save energy, and that means that they save your family some money. These filters can also save your family money in another meaningful way.

Take a look around your kitchen right now. Do you see any bottles of water sitting around? If so, purchasing a reverse osmosis filter could you save the trouble of buying those bottles of water.

As an added bonus, not buying bottled water would definitely help cut down on plastic waste, which means that your thriftiness would be a boon to the planet in this case.

4. Your Water (and Food) Will Taste Better

Those of you who are coffee fanatics or home chefs will be happy to hear that having a filter in your home will make just about everything you prepare with water from your faucet taste better. Whenever you cook pasta or make tea, the water you use contributes to the flavor of the finished product.

And if you’re using fresh, filtered water, you’ll notice a slight difference in the flavor.

5. They Play Well With Water Softners

Hard water is the enemy of most good hair days. The buildup that it can cause is a headache, so some invest in water softeners.

Of course, softened water doesn’t taste all that great to some people. Fortunately, you can pair a water softener with a water purifier and get the benefits of having both soft water and purified water.

This means that you get to keep your good hair days and have delicious water.

Osmosis Water Filters Are Good Investments

Osmosis water filters are pretty good investments, all things considered. They help save money, remove contaminants from your water, and remove any gross flavors from your water as well.

As usual, thrifty mommas, don’t be afraid to chime in below. What are your experiences with reverse osmosis water filters?

Just wanted to give you a quick head’s up, before your next trip to Bed Bath & Beyond…

One of our Thrifty Momma business owners, founder of Lava Lunch, told me about a charity drive her company is doing where they will donate seven meals to Feeding America in your honor, for each Lava Lunch sold at Bed Bath & Beyond.

It’s a way for you to give your kids healthy home cooked meals AND support hungry children, at the same time. Check out their post for more information, and then head over to BB&B!

A Bluetooth headset can give you freedom in more ways than you think.

When paired with a compatible cell phone, these devices allow you to make calls and listen to music while keeping your hands free to do other tasks. In states where it may be illegal for you to use your cell phone without a headset or speakerphone while driving, this alternative may be your only option to keep you out of trouble.

They’re a handy tool. But before you go out and buy the first one you see there are a number of things to consider, including quality and price. It’s important to have done some research to make sure you’re buying what you need.

These five things will help you get a better understanding of what to look for when shopping for a new Bluetooth headset.

What to Look For When Buying a Bluetooth Headset

1. Fit and Feel

First, you need to know how you’re going to be using the headset. If you’re planning on listening to music while you run or dance, for example, you’ll need a headset that works well with excessive movement.

Deciding which style of headphone you want is also important. Bluetooth headsets can be on-ear, over-ear, in-ear, open back, and most other styles employed by wired headphones.

2. Sound Quality

You want your headset to sound good. This might seem like common sense but sound quality matters if you’re on an important call or listening to music.

Certain headset models will come ready to rock thanks to improved HD stereo sound technology.

Be on the lookout for headsets with aptX support. It offers enhanced sound quality that’s good enough for most people under most conditions.

3. Battery Life

It’s important for your headset to have a long battery life, especially if you need a charge to last all day at the office plus the morning and evening commute.

Many manufacturers will list a product’s battery life, but the best way to get accurate information on how long a single charge will last for a specific model is to check out reviews. A real customer’s take on how long a battery lasts while performing everyday tasks will give you the best insight on battery life.

4. Special Features

Many new headsets have cool features like voice-activated commands, extended use ranges, noise cancelation, and multipoint paring.

Some headsets also come with a micro USB port that allows you to use your phone or tablet’s charger.

If you’re looking to improve your listening experience, definitely check out headsets that offer these kinds of features.

5. Price

Prices for Bluetooth headsets can get a little crazy, but not all super-expensive devices are worth the money.

Expect to pay more for all those added features. Do your research first to make sure you’re buying exactly what you need within the price range you have set.

If you’re on a budget, a look at websites that showcase the best Bluetooth headphones under 100 might be a good place to start.

Another way to find great deals is to keep checking websites with “hot deals” and “coupon pages.”

There you have it. Keep on the lookout for these five things and you’re sure to find the right headset for you.