Cleaning 101: The dreaded toilet

Ivy says: On one hand, I hate cleaning toilets because it’s gross (especially with 2 boys and a grown up man in the house). On the other hand, they always clean up so nicely and I’m pleased when I’m finished. So, no, I wouldn’t say cleaning toilets is the worst household chore. It is something …

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Cleaning 101: Conquer the kitchen

Heather says: The kitchen is often the heart of the home.  Meals that nourish the body are prepared in here and should be created in a clean setting.  Our lives are so busy, it is hard enough to cook in a clean kitchen, the idea of trying to put together a meal in a dirty …

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Setting up shop

Dear Home Ec 101: What would be the top 20 or so things that every kitchen must have? ~Going Gadgetless in Gainesville Heather says: I am not a huge fan of gadgets, but I will gladly list of what I feel any home cook needs to be able to easily prepare meals for a family. …

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Heather’s Household Truths #4

Heather says: No matter what time you call, banks, utilities, and credit companies will be experiencing a “higher than usual volume.” Plan accordingly.

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My least fave adult activity: bill paying

Dear Home-Ec 101, Help! I need a system for bills. I need to get them paid on time and not lose them once they enter my home! Signed, In the dark Ivy says: Paying bills is a pain in the behind, but it’s even worse if you don’t have a good system. For years, there …

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Quick frugal tip #3

Heather says: Adding a pinch of cinnamon to coffee grounds before brewing will cut the bitterness often associated with cheaper brands.

Tuna Fish Salad & Variations

Heather says: Tired of plain tuna salad sandwiches for lunch? Try substituting cream cheese for half or all of the mayonnaise. Add crunch with diced celery or pickles. Add more protein for pennies with a diced hard boiled egg. Bored with dill? Try a pinch of basil. Really want to liven it up? Tuna melts …

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Hurricane 101

Heather says: June 1st marks the beginning of hurricane season. For those of us on the East and Gulf Coasts, we know this means anxious meteorologists glorifying every thunderstorm that appears in the oceans. Although the public tends to become jaded with media saturation, there is no reason to get caught with your pants down. …

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Ask the audience #1

Ivy says: We like to hear from you guys! You’re a smart, savvy bunch (hey, you are smart enough to be one of our readers, right?) so we’ll toss out discussion questions from time to time. Hey, we don’t have all the answers…just most of them. So here’s the question du jour, it’s a two …

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