Tag: thrifty

Happy Flip Flop Friday! How to Keep Your Flip Flops Looking Pretty

Hello Everyone! Happy Friday– and what a beautiful day it is here in sunny San Diego.  We haven’t celebrated Flip Flop Friday for a while so I figured it was time to get back on track with that–haha.  And what better way than to talk about how to keep your flip-flops clean.

Flip flops are my favorite “shoes” of summer. They are great for wearing to the pool,  the beach and just hanging out.  Now that the Fall season is upon us, have you noticed your favorite pair is getting a  little dingy? Here is how to bring them back to life and better than ever!

Instructions… here are a few options to get your flip-flops looking pretty again…

  • Start with plain soap and water and an old toothbrush. Remove most of the  grime with a little scrubbing.
  • Put them in the dishwasher. Do not wash them with dishes– use a gentle  cleaner when running your rubber sandals through the wash. Add vinegar and baking soda to the wash to do double  duty–cleaning your shoes and your dishwasher at the same time. (thrifty, right?)
  • Let your tub fill with water while you take a shower. Soak flip-flops  to loosen dirt, and scrub with a nail brush afterward.
  • Use the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as an easy way to remove grime from your flip-flops and  bathtub.
  • Try an oxygen cleaner and water to get stains off your sandals. You may need  to add the power of a scrub brush for maximum results.
  • Use steel wool pads with soap to get down and dirty with the grit in your  flip-flops. This method works best after soaking the sandals in a sink of water  for about an hour.

Read more:  How to Clean Flip Flops | eHow.com

Local & Worldwide Thrifting Resources

  Local and worldwide thrifting resources:

Freecycle is a grassroots world wide organization that helps people exchange used items at no cost. You can locate a group in your community and join, then participate by offering items or find items you can use. Freecyclers help each other by exchanging goods and they help the planet by keeping stuff out of landfills.  I am part of the local San Diego Freecycle Network and they definitely have a lot to offer.  Tonite I received emails “advertising” free TV’s, baby clothes and gift wrap.
Charity Shops managed by Goodwill, the Salvation Army and schools, churches or synagogues offer bargains on clothing, books, housewares and furniture plus your purchase helps fund humanitarian programs sponsored by the organization running the shop. Goodwill Industries also has an online auction service similar to E-bay called www.shopgoodwill.com.
Flea Markets are everywhere!  You can find them in small towns, in city parking lots, in large arenas and inside warehouse buildings.
Resale Shops offer used goods for sale like a regular store. Some shops take items on consignment from the owner; others buy and sell used merchandise of all sorts from consumers or other resellers.
Auctions offer all sorts of opportunities for buying and selling used goods. You can find local auction listings in any community newspaper or merchandising flyer. Most auction advertisements list the type of items to be offered at the sale.  Some flea markets also have an on site auction house or area for auction sales.

Online Auctions (E-bay plus many more) offer a huge range of items in a database. You can search through categories by keyword or simply browse until you find what you like, then you can bid on and pay for your winning bid selection using your computer. You can also sell what you don’t need. Be sure to check out the terms and conditions of each service prior to signing up or making a purchase. Shipping terms should be evaluated if you live far from the seller.
Tag Sales ( yard sales) are one of the most interesting places to find junk-tiques. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Cheapskate Guide: Tips for Frugal Living- Part 3

Just a few more tips I couldn’t help but pass along.  I promise… this is it!  Cheers everyone– have a good week ahead and remember all is takes is a few small steps to reach your goals.

  • Alcohol in moderation. It’s expensive. If you can cut your drinking to the occasional party, and once in awhile with friends, you’ll save tons.  (I know… a really boring way to save money!)

  • Drink water. We drink lots of calories through sodas, coffee, alcohol, juices, tea, etc. And that costs a lot too. Drink water, save money, save calories.
  • Batch your errands. Instead of running an errand or two every day, batch them into one errand day and plan your most efficient route to save gas and time. Also, do as much bill-paying online as possible.

  • Stay home. Becoming a homebody might not sound like a lot of fun, but it really can be. Staying home can save tons, in eating out expenses, shopping expenses, gas, and incidentals.

How to be thrifty & not spendy & look fabulous

I like mixing my thift store finds creatively with my usual wardrobe. Here are a few key tips to do that:

  • New shoes, old clothes: If you’re wearing a thrift store skirt that’s getting a bit threadbare, distract the eye with a pair of new shoes. Not right-out-of-the-box new, but new-ish.  Surprisingly, a great pair of shoes elevates the rest of the outfit to sparkly-new status.

  • Eye on trends:  No trend is ever truly new. The thrift store is a fantastic place to shop for of-the-moment pieces. And no one will be checking the tags to make sure you’re the first to wear it.
  • Color choices: A vintage-y green sheath will typically look more chic than a brand-new kelly green one. Muted and jewel tones exude classic chic, so err on the side of subdued colors when thrifting.

  • Groom thyself: If you’re going for a sleek, pulled-together look, pay extra attention to your hair, makeup, and overall grooming. If your body and face look fresh, you’ll be amazed at how your clothing falls in line.
  • Layer, layer, layer: Buying truly damaged items is never a good idea, but exceptions can sometimes be made. If you unearth a fabulous dress that fits perfectly, but doesn’t zip the last two inches, just throw a cardigan over it. If you can’t bear to pass up the cute blazer with a stained lapel, tack a big brooch over it. Layering is a fantastic way to add depth to an outfit, but it can also make every garment involved look more sophisticated.

Shop with reckless abandon when you know you can be thrifty instead of spendy!