Laundry Soap

I have been wanting to make my own laundry soap for awhile now but I had a stockpile of Rockin Green (which I love, but is pricey!) that I had purchased through a co-op buy for quite a good deal. I realized today that the stockpile had come to an end. Time to either buy more soap or make some. No more procrastinating!
I was very particular about finding a powder recipe as I can't stand liquid soap, and I settled on this one from TipNut. Very simple, very easy and very cost effective.

1 Cup Washing Soda
1 Cup Borax
2 Bars of Ivory Soap, grated

Of course I used my Vitamix :) It grated the soap up quite well, then I mixed all the ingredients in a large bowl and in small batches put it back into the Vitamix to blend it up thoroughly. The whole process took me less then 15 minutes. I'd say that's less time then reading all the labels in the grocery store trying to find a soap that doesn't have a ton of chemicals in it!
It says to use 2 Tbsp. per load. I will probably use 1 because I have my Norwex Magnet Ball that allows me to use about half the amount of any soap!

Now, the cost breakdown, be prepared for a lot of numbers. I like to be thorough!

(If I had planned ahead I'm sure I could have gotten some of these things on sale, but the fact that I found everything I needed in a small town grocery store is good enough for me today!)

Including GST
Washing Soda, 3kg: $7.32, 1 Cup = 240g = $0.586/cup
Borax, 2kg: $7.34, 1 Cup = 170g = $0.624/cup
Ivory Soap, 3 bars: $2.30, 1 Bar = $0.767/bar x 2 bars = $1.533


Total Soap Made = 3 Cups, 558g = $2.743

Regular Use, 2 Tbsp = 22g = $0.108/load

Magnet Ball Use, 1 Tbsp = 11g = $0.054/load (I feel this price could drastically be cut down if I planned ahead and bought everything on sale)

I haven't tried this on a load of wash yet since all my laundry is caught up (hence realizing I was running out of soap today!). But never fear, testing will commence soon! Laundry is unfortunately accumulating as we speak :)

I will post a usage review soon, and if it works then my next task is to find a dishwasher soap recipe that works as well!

Ritter Sport Chocolate

I ate so many of these when I went to Europe after high school! They bring back so many good memories :)

Link for a coupon for Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon. Im posting this from my phone so you might have to copy and paste the link...Ill fix it tomorrow on the computer :) Great stocking stuffers!

http://smartcanucks.ca/canadian-coupons-buy-one-get-one-free-ritter-sport-chocolate-printable-coupon/

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Scanning Code of Practice

Did you know that at many stores if the price scanned is higher then the posted price on the shelf you get it free up to $10? One $10 freebie per unique UPC (key word here is unique...you can claim more then one scanning code of practice on your order. If you are buying juice for example and the grape and the apple have different upc codes and come in at the wrong price, you can get one of each free! (up to $10 each)). I have had things scan wrongly before and I always forget to claim it. Of course most stores wont offer you a freebie, you do have to ask. Stores that participate will have a sign posted somewhere near the till. Not all stores participate, and it is a voluntary program, but there is an 800 number to call should the store not honour it. If the cashier wont do it, ask for a manager :)
If you want to read all the fine print details, go HERE.

Look for this sign at the checkout!

I got a free pack of diapers today using this. They were on sale for $9.88 and scanned through at $10.99. I mentioned the price difference, they called for a price check and were going to correct the price. I pointed out I should get it for free and the other packs at the sale price. Sure enough, I walked out with $10 worth of free diapers. Love it!

Make sure to pay attention to the prices scanning through. I know there have been many times when I have looked at my bill after I got home and realized they over charged me for something. I'm not sure how it works for going back to the store and pointing out an error, I think you have to point it out at the time of purchase. 

I know Save on Foods, Superstore, Extra Foods and Shoppers Drug Mart participate. There are lots more, but those are just the ones I know for sure. I think Walmart did, but not sure if they do anymore. It's always worth a shot!

Product Review

I LOVE Envirosax Bags! They roll up super small so they fit in your purse/diaper bag, but they expand really big! They can hold up to 44lbs...technically I could fit my 2.5 year old in one!!
I have the Sesame Street ones, and I always love the look the cashier give me when I whip out Elmo to put my groceries in :) I'm not ashamed to still be a kid at heart!

My favourite bag!

They come in so many different styles that you're sure to find a set that suits your tastes. The Sesame Street set is Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and Grover. But they have an Animal Planet series, a Heritage Pepsi series and so many other designs.
They also come in a SlingSax version (more like a purse), MiniSax for lunches etc. and an Organic Cotton Line. No matter which style you choose, it's definitely an environmentally friendly option :)

This is how small they roll up!

What have I used them for? Everything! Swimming (2 kids and one adult worth of stuff!), laundry (5 days of vacation laundry for 2 adults and 2 kids), extra things that don't fit into the diaper bag, overnight bag, groceries, library books, sand toys etc. etc. They come in handy in so many ways. Because they roll up so small I always have one and I don't have to pay for bags at the store, and they fit so much more then a plastic grocery bag anyways! They can also be tossed into the washing machine and they come out good as new (hang to dry!).

Another idea is to use them in place of wrapping paper! Here is a little YouTube video about how to do it. A really neat alternative to paper gift bags or paper.


The BEST part about the bags I have? I got them on BabyHalfOff, so I paid half price :) They come up often on other Deal a Day sites as well, but BabyHalfOff is the only one I've ever seen that's had the Sesame Street Series. If you keep your eye out, you can always get any them for a great deal!

Stay at Home Parents Support

If you live in Alberta and have children under the age of 6, this will be of great interest to you! A friend tuned me into this yesterday (Thanks Roxane!!), and I immediately came home and started looking it up.
Click HERE to go to the official Government of Alberta Website for more information. There are other subsidies out there too, check out the links on the right hand side of the Government Page!
If you qualify, each child under the age of 6 (and not yet in grade 1), qualifies for up to $100 per month for each month enrolled in a learning program. So a pre-school program, a developmental program etc. From what I understand, gymnastics, swimming lessons, dance, baby signing programs etc. qualify! There is a limit for household combined income, but I think it's a pretty high limit, and it changes depending on how many children you have. You have to have your child already registered for a program to apply, and I think you have to reapply for each program, but what's a few minutes of forms compared to getting some activities paid for that you might not otherwise be able to do?

Here is a list of what they say are eligible programs: (Kind of a broad list so I need to phone to confirm different programs)

1. Programs that promote parent and child literacy
2. Play-based early childhood programs (e.g., moms and tots programs)
3. Educational programs that help parents meet their child's learning and developmental needs (e.g., Positive Parenting, Nobody's Perfect); community-based recreational programs (e.g., Swim and Learn, Baby Steps)
4. Licensed pre-schools

The MAIN requirements is that one parent must be a stay at home parent. This means that one parent must be at home to care for at least one child under age 6 and cannot work or go to school for more then 20 hours per week. 

I had no idea this was out there so I figured I had better share it now that I do know! I have a hard time getting my kids into activities because most require a parent to be there. With 2 kids, that's hard. But starting at age 3 most programs are un-parented or just require a parent to watch but not participate. My son will be 3 in January so hopefully I can get him into something and take advantage of this subsidy! In the meantime I am on the hunt for a program that accommodates one parent with 2 children ages 13 months - 27 months. Any ideas?

Quick Tip - Diaper Genie Inserts

The Diaper Genie is a wonderful invention but of course its a never ending expense. And they really gouge you on the price of inserts! They range anywhere from $6-9 per ring and if you have more then one in diapers at a time it can really add up! I havent bought inserts in months now because I discovered a do-it-yourself economical way!
How To:
You will need at least 1 insert for this. Save the blue ring when you are finished the refill. Take a regular household black garbage bag and feed it through the ring and fold the top around the ring. You shouldnt be able to see the ring at all and the bag will be hanging inside. Place into diaper genie and use as you would normally.

The downside? When the bag is full you do have to replace the whole bag...no cut and tie feature.

The upside? A bag of 100 No Name garbage bags is less then $10 and you dont have to look at all the dirty diapers when emptying them like you do with the see-through blue bags.

I wish I had figured this out sooner but better late then never I suppose!

Hopefully this can save someone a bit of money off their household shopping list! :)

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