Cheap Fix - White Vinegar

A few years ago, while volunteering with a local tour of homes through Junior League, I was a docent in a home where the owners worked to live a life of zero waste.  Their spotless home was cleaned naturally with just white vinegar and baking soda.  Several of the other docents and I marveled at how clean it was, especially with children in their home and no traditional cleaning products.

That should have been enough of an endorsement for me to explore this miracle substance, but, alas, it was not.  However, when I was having issues with my garbage disposal, everything I read directed me to white vinegar.  I decided to give it a try. 

First, put 1/2 cup of baking soda down the disposal, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar.  Immediately after you pour the vinegar, cover the drain with a cloth.  This keeps it from completely bubbling out.  After ten minutes, pour boiling water down to flush out the disposal.

I was amazed at how well it worked, and impressed by the simplicity of it.  After cleaning the garbage disposal and the sink drains, I knew this was a household item I planned to keep in stock. 

I've since then discovered that mixed with baking soda, it makes a great cleaner for glass shower doors.  Also, when my boyfriend's athletic polo shirts still smelled right out of the wash, I was deeply disturbed and googled ideas for how to prevent/fix this. Again, I found white vinegar was the most popular remedy.  You can either pre soak the items in the vinegar or you can add a cup of the vinegar to the laundry load with your regular detergent.  I've found this to be effective, particularly the pre soaking.

What are your favorite cheap cleaning tricks?  Have you used white vinegar?

Miscellaneous Monday

Work has been pretty all consuming these days.  I started to think about what I should blog about today, and I realized that I could just share the intel about the free stuff I got today :)

1. Victoria's Secret - Ladies, sign up for their mailing list.  With a free card in the mail (that expired today), I scored a pair of free underwear (no purchase necessary!)  and I have another one that starts tomorrow. Also, for anyone who shops at Victoria's Secret regularly, check out the discounts on Retail Me Not.  They almost always have good discount codes to use.

2. CVS - I swear the goal was not just to recycle old posts, but I ran to CVS to pick up a few things for a work event tomorrow, and the very helpful cashier told me at the coupon center I could get a free roll of paper towels with my CVS card.  Major win. 

Happy Monday.  I hope you all have a great week.

Free Slurpee at 7-11

Text DIETCOKE to 711-711 for a free small slurpee at 7-11 in honor of the new Cherry Diet Coke flavored slurpees.  You're welcome.  Happy Monday.

Last chance to set up a 2013 Roth IRA & a reason to do so

Have you filed your 2013 taxes?  If not, you can still make a Roth IRA contribution for 2013. My post on saving for retirement outlines some of the benefits of a Roth IRA. However, I missed out on a compelling reason, especially for those who may be hesitant to commit the money. You can withdraw your contributions for any reason with no penalty at any time.  How amazing is that?? You could incur penalties for withdrawing your earnings on that money, but you can withdraw up to the amount you contributed at any point in time, penalty free.  (For full withdrawal rules on earnings, check out this post by the Oblivious Investor.)

Because you can always take out the money you contributed, it makes sense to put as much savings as you can here. Obviously, if possible, it's ideal to leave the money there for retirement and truly maximize the benefit of starting early, but even if you need the money later down the road, you can withdraw some of your contributions and still leave the interest you have earned in the account.  Most importantly, I think this helps alleviate the fear of putting this money away that prevents people from putting money away for retirement.