The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any house.

Everybody congregates in the kitchen. It sustains life.

Perhaps. you are getting ready to sell your home, just in time for spring. This is one of the best times to do that. Maybe, you are just looking to add a little activity to your life. You need a winter project and the kitchen is a perfect project. Maybe you just love your kitchen and want to add some more spice. A kitchen upgrade can add the most amount of value to your house followed by your bathroom.

Here’s a few low cost ideas to change the look, function and feel of your kitchen space.

1. change the faucets (for under $200 you can find a nice one)
2. while you are at it change the sink (between $250 to $600 for a functional, versatile unit)
3. redo the walls with a fresh coat of paint (even eco paint will cost you less than $50)
4. redo the backdrop with tiles or paint (depending on the size of the area and quality of tile about $50 to $250)
5. refinish your counter top (you can even replace with 10 feet of granite for $100 to $400)
6. repaint, refinish or stain the cupboards and drawers (less than $20 up to $200)
7. change the cupboards and drawer fixtures for a more modern look (as little as $1 each)
8. add a ceiling fan ($75 to $250)
9. under cabinet LED lights ($50 to $250 plus electrician)
10. replace the switch plates with permanent decorative ones (hand decorated ceramic could cost $30 or more but simple fancier plates can be found for less than $10)
11. reseal the windows giving it a fresh look (less than $5 in caulking & trim paint)
12. reseal the sink area and counter surface (less than $5 in caulking)
13. new curtains can be made or bought (if you are handy curtains could be less than $20 in material or as much as $100)
14. replace all old area floor rugs ($10 to $100)
15. replace a vinyl floor with tiles, wood or wood laminate (ranges from $200 to $2000)
16. change your baseboard, trim and all moldings (less than $50)
17. add a Lazy Susan or slide out drawers (less than $1000 can do it all, a Lazy Susan is $150 to $25)
18. create a hanging pan rack (probably need to do this custom)
19. buy a rolling island to give extra utility and tuck away when you don’t need it (as little as $200 to $1000)
20. buy or make a great butcher block go for quality here ($50 to $200)

The green in me always wants to find the most eco-friendly option. I am resourceful and often find quality used products that are in almost new condition. This saves a pretty penny. I priced the above on general costs from a major retailer to give you a general idea.

The time and skill is your biggest obstacle to make changes. Students and struggling people everywhere are always looking for quick jobs. Make sure your plumbing and electrical things are done properly though and don’t remove any walls without making sure it is safe.

While a full overhaul on your kitchen could cost you $50,000, anywhere from $100 to $2000 could brighten up the best room in the house.

Another year has come and gone. This was my first year working on living on a dime and I haven’t focused my efforts here but I’m pleased with the growth. I’ve got a good foundation to build relationships and help people in the new year.

In the meantime, I wish all of you a very happy holiday season.  Enjoy your festivities, play safe and be well. You can see my regular seasonal message over at simply stephen and introduce yourself to a greener, more frugal way of life.

This will be my last post until early January…until then. Peace.

Most household products are harmful to your health.

They also create an excessive amount of waste.

Marketers have you duped. Did you know regular everyday natural products can get the job done just as well, if not better, without all those toxins going into your family’s body? Don’t believe me, read Slow Death by Rubber Duck or visit The Story of Stuff and you’ll start to understand.

Wouldn’t you like to remove those risks and harmful toxins and protect your family?

The good news.

It’s really easy and very inexpensive to clean the natural way. It also gets the job done well. Save money with a few well chosen non-toxic and natural alternatives. You can purchase alternative natural supplies or you can save hundreds of dollars every year and make your own products.

no frills model

It saves a bundle. I’ve used it for years.

My total cleaning supplies are about $20 per year and that’s only because I buy a small eco-friendly bottle of liquid laundry cleaner about once a year for $6-8 dollars (it lasts for almost 50 loads and I do less than that) and a bottle of tea tree oil every couple for $10-15. No vacuum, no paper towel, no air freshener, low consumables, no toxins.

3 basic products (vinegar, baking soda, and essential oil). You can add a few other products to get more jobs done including make your own laundry detergent with soap flakes, olive oil and lemon. There are also some specific products that help with cleaning things that aren’t on the regular list such as polishing your silverware but we’ll visit that another time.

11 basic tools (if possible a stainless steel bucket, broom, dustpan, mop, rags, spray nozzle attached to reusable glass bottles, few glass jars, bottle scrubber, steel scrubber, natural scrubbers). If you buy a quality broom and wash the floor with rags you can eliminate the need for most supplies. For scrubbers you can scrunch together the mesh packaging that fruit such as oranges often comes in.

vinegar, baking soda and tea tree oil

Vinegar cleans everything. It’s a natural disinfectant too.

Add a couple drops of essential oil (I use Tea Tree which is also anti-fungal and a natural disinfectant too – about $10 will get you a tiny bottle that will last several years) to a spray bottle with one cup vinegar and one cup water and you’ve got the makings of an all purpose cleaner. You can dust, clean door handles, wipe furniture, car interiors, counter tops and all surfaces. There are a few surfaces not to use it on such as marble.

If you create a second bottle with a little baking soda you have a stain remover for fabrics and carpets – simply shake, dampen a rag and apply to the surface.

In the bathroom you can keep a bottle in your shower and spray after each use. This removes mold, fungus and makes the shower simple to clean. When you want to scrub the toilet, sink and tub sprinkle a bit of baking soda and use your mesh scrunchies or a rag. Always keeping it clean makes this much more pleasant and simple.

Use the same formula as your all purpose for your dishes and pour a little in the sink when you are ready to wash. I also keep a jar with a bottle/dish scrubber in it and add a bit of soap flakes. That way, when I have a couple quick dishes, I don’t even need to fill the sink or get out the detergent. I also a steel scouring pad for most dishes that lasts for months. Your dishes will be squeaky clean and bacteria free. So will your sink – no grime.

Before you clean, put a bowl in your microwave and turn it on for about 2 minutes. This makes it easy to wipe down and now you don’t need hot water for your cleaning. For your household floor cleaning just add it to an equal part of water and a couple drops of Tea Tree Oil. Get out your rags, the bucket and scrub your floors (after sweeping them).

You can pour the leftover in the toilet with a bit of baking soda and let it sit for about half an hour to help disinfect. A quick easy scrub and it keeps the toilet from clogging.

If you take off your shoes, keep your surfaces clutter free and clean from the top to bottom can takes hours off your cleaning time every month. Wipe everything down after each use too. Keeping something clean and well maintained is a lot easier than letting it pile up.

Other useful ingredients include lemon and olive oil. Lemon with bit of water and olive oil polishes wood and keeps other surfaces maintained. It’s also aromatic. You can use the rinds to take the smell out of any room or even your garbage can. Once it is done you can simply compost it.

Air freshener tip – lemons aren’t the only thing that will keep your house smelling fresh. Buy a variety of plants and filter all the toxins out of your home while providing fresh oxygen. I feel another post coming on about this.

getting started – the next steps

Hopefully, I’ve sold you on the merits of natural cleaning. I’ll post an article that goes into the specifics of cleaning items that aren’t every day use and expand on your options using laundry soap. A simple four step program will sum up everything from above.

Step 1 – Eliminate Toxins

Here’s a clue – if the product has a warning that says danger, poison, toxin or caution, you probably don’t want it in your house or on your body or near your family. You can find out from your municipality or Earth 911 about proper disposal.

Step 2 – Eliminate Disposables

Eliminate reusable products like paper towels which cost money and use trees. Get rid of sponges and scrubbers which not only harm the environment buy using unnecessary resources but are also known carcinogens. If you can’t get rid of your Swiffer, graduate to the reusable replacements.

Step 3 – Buy Natural Consumables

You probably have most of these things already but you can replace the toxins with biodegradable and natural products mentioned about – vinegar, natural soap, baking soda, lemon, olive oil and water (which you probably have in your home).

Step 4 – Get Eco Friendly Tools

For the full Monty you need a stainless steel bucket, broom, dustpan, mop, rags, spray nozzle attached to reusable glass bottles, few glass jars, bottle scrubber, steel scrubber and natural scrubbers

If you want some more specific examples please take time to comment and I will make sure I add a few more articles and postings with resources and suggestions.

Downsizing is a difficult thing.

It takes time to build up courage and decide what items can go. But I’m getting ahead of you.

I’ve talked about downsizing and voluntary simplicity in great detail but not on this site. Today I wanted to share some quick articles to offer alternatives to getting out of the poorhouse. These options may seem drastic initially but the lifestyle is not one you will regret.

Have a look around simply stephen where there is a wealth of articles on downshifting and lightening your burden. Here’s a few to get you started.

• what is downshifting
• simple steps to downshift your life
• downsizing your personal life
• what is voluntary simplicity
• first steps to a life of voluntary simplicity

For most people the hardest items are sentimental. Books and music seem to be high on the list. Photos and documents can become electronic. They represent a little piece of us. You may need to take this one slowly but I assure you that I am almost book free and my music is now exclusively computer driven…such a relief.

Ease yourself into a small collection of eBooks and eliminate books you will never read again. As for reference books…guess what, we have the web now.

You can make some extra cash and sell your used books and do the same thing with your records and CDs. Sorry guys, unless you find a collector it is difficult to find buyers for 8 Tracks and Cassettes! For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about, just ignore this part.

If you reduce books, music, clothes, collectibles and sporting equipment you’ll probably reduce your stuff by over 25% and gain a lot of cash and freedom in space too.

There are so many ways to downsize.

Start now. Take it in little chunks. You would be amazed at the free space and extra cash you create.

Give your items and your lifestyle a rethink. Talk it out with friends. Hire an organizer. If you aren’t using it now, chances are someone can use it. It won’t happen overnight (for most) but it’s addictive. With each step you take, you will want to take another.

It’s invigorating. It’s freedom. Release your chains.

Do you have a large collection of books?

Does it include textbooks you may never use again?

Many people hold onto used books and don’t realize the value they have. A used textbook is usually only good for a short period of time before it goes out of print. Selling them after you have completed your course is a smart move.

There are many hidden costs involved in maintaining a personal library. Not only are books expensive but they take up valuable room in your house. When you move, they are heavy. Ever notice those dozen or more boxes with books that take up half of your packing space. Getting rid of them frees up the cost of gas from the extra weight, eliminates packing, reduces lifting and gets you some extra cash.

Look at some simple math. If you can get $5 each for 100 books that’s $500 in your pocket. I’m sure that would take care of a bill or two.

While some books get read more than once, the norm is for them to gather dust on a shelf. Personally, I have gone to eBooks down from a library of over 2000 (seriously and I read them all). I now have about 20 books, most of them yearbooks or reference. I’m trying to reduce them too. If you really want to read a book, go to the library.

It’s hard to part with them, but once you do, you will feel a freedom that only simple living can provide. Eventually you will get used to it. Okay, hopefully I’ve laid groundwork that motivates you to reduce your bookshelf.

Here’s some methods to get paid for them including the obvious.

used book stores – this one is a popular choice for many book lovers. Book stores don’t pay top dollar and if the book is overstocked or in poor condition they probably won’t buy it.

college bulletin board – the best time to sell your book is right after you have finished your course. When the next semester comes find your online or physical bulletin board and post your items for about 40-60% of the list price.

college book store – many campuses have a take back program or there are bookstores in the vicinity that specialize in textbooks. A great way to find the books you need for your next course and get rid of your old ones.

online classifieds – Kijiji and Craigslist come to mind as always. The largest all purpose trading place.

half.com – eBay realized just how big the market is and set up a marketplace to buy, rent or sell all used media

large book retailers – the big guns such known for selling books are Barnes and Noble, Powell’s and you can sell on Amazon. You can list your used books and ship them directly to the buyer. Here’s a few more book specialists that buy sell or rent books:

• books price
• cash 4 books
• sell my textbooks
• abe books
• textbook rental
• sell back your book

barter or swap – swap.com is an on line marketplace that enables you to list what you have and swap for the things you want across many categories

There are many other places you can swap or barter to get rid of unwanted items, free up some cash and find the items on your wish list. Good luck. Hopefully, you can make some extra cash just in time for Christmas.

With Halloween over and the winter months approaching, for some the cold weather has arrived. That means you want to keep warm. That costs money. Here’s a quick list to help reduce your heating costs this winter.

the obvious

1. shop around – electric is the most expensive but cheapest to install. If you can afford a new system using natural gas, geothermal or newer technology you should be able to pay for it in less than 5 years.
2. blinds & curtains – keep your blinds closed at night and open during the day to let the light and warmth in
3. use a fan – circulate air with a fan
4. tune up your furnace – or replace it if you can afford it, more efficient equipment is not only better on your budget it is safer too. Remember to change your filters too.
5. clear your vents – keep your vents free from obstruction

the not so obvious

6. tin foil – If you have radiators put some tin foil behind them
to radiate heat
7. let the rads do it’s job – stop drying your clothes on the radiator…try a thermal dryer instead
8. oven heat – let the warm air escape from your oven after you cook
9. boost your radiators – there are items like the radiator booster that act like the tin foil and amplify the heat
10. heat as you use it – only heat the area you are in, keep the rest at a much lower temperature

eliminate

11. block drafts – eliminate the cold and drafts, get attachments and blockers for your doors
12. seal windows – for only a few dollars you can seal all the windows in your house but try caulking them all first to eliminate the draft around the frame too
13. close down – shut down rooms you don’t use
14. shut the door – keep the doors closed to colder rooms and external areas
15. seal rooms completely – shut down rooms you aren’t using

insulate & seal

16. curtains – insulate your curtainsto keep the draft from the windows away
17. fireplace – insulate your fireplace or seal it if you are not using it
19. rugs – get some area rugs for wooden or tiled floors to not only keep the drafts out but keep your tootsie warm too.
20. heating vents – check for gaps that in your heating vents that are releasing air
21. pipes – follow your pipes and you will find holes that you can seal
22. electrical box – seal the area around and behind the electrical box
23. attic hatch – seal it up to stop the cold air from the attic getting into the living areas of the house
24. external walls – if you can insulate these and seal them on the outside this can save about 40% of your heating
25. insulate non heated areas – insulation in the attic will usually only cost $300-500 but this is where 20% of your heat will be lost. If you insulate the garage, especially if it is below a bedroom it will also eliminate massive heat loss and warm up that room.
26. replace windows and doors – while expensive the payoff is worth it for the value of you home but will take a few years to get a return on. If it is not in you budget then seal them (15% of heat is lost here)

be stoic

27. clothing – wear layers of clothing and invest in some slippers
28. bedding – get an extra blanket, hot water bottle or extra warm jammies
29. thermostat – turn the thermostat down or get a programmable one
30. exercise – getting your body temperature up will make you want to keep the temperature down

Bonus – If you have a partner snuggle – the best cure for so many things. If not, maybe it’s time to get one just for the winter months.

If you have any great ideas you use to reduce your heating costs, please feel to share them in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.