Household Monthly Meal Budget Challenge

As far as I remember, this is the first time that my hubby gave a budget which should last for a month.  Every day, he left me a $50.00 then the next day he will top-up the money that should always sum up to original pocket money per day.  I do my grocery every day, cos I am not the type of mom who knows how to plan a meal for a month. When I was working, I can only go far to a week meal plan.  Please note that my every day grocery items includes foods, toiletries and consumables, so at times I spent the full pocket money my hubby gives me when I buy toiletries and other household stuffs. 

photo credit Parents.com

On to the test...

I only started spending the "suppose monthly budget" yesterday.  So this a home meal budget alone, excluding toiletries and the like :-P  I hope my hubby will cooperate with me, I will let him know about the challenge ;-)  My target challenge should range to $300 to $400.  But I would opt to $300.00, will try my very best...fighting!! hihi 

I will keep you posted!! Til then! Aja!! 

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Update 10Apr15:  I failed the challenge, meh!!  I was beyond the target.  It was so difficult for me, waah!! But I will not stop, I will strive to reach my goal.  This really helps cos I will not tempt to buy a lot, and to buy what's only needed.   Because most of the times, I am like others who splurge on grocery items especially the perishable goods.  

Sponge pad

I highly suggest you dispose your sponge pad every few weeks as they breed bacteria.  After a few weeks of use, the color of your sponge won't look the same,  then it's time to change it :-) 

A friendly reminder ;)

Bed Pillows

In relation to my previous post on when to change pillows,  I am happy to announce that we bought a new pillows on Mother's Day.  Weeee!! :-P.

Project accomplished!! :-)

Clean-up time: Refrigerator

Phew! :D  I just finished cleaning our fridge today! 

We should protect our food from any bacteria.  Therefore, we should not forget cleaning refrigerator at least once a month.  Others say, it would be better if once a week.  Well, its up to you.  But just to remind you that once or twice a year is a very bad housekeeping.  We don't want our family to get sick. 

This is how I clean my fridge, just basic cleaning:

1.  Turn off control knob inside the fridge.  I turn it off cos I just leave it open while cleaning and not to waste electricity;

2.  Remove all your consumables, containers, or everything inside;

3.  Check all the food that's outdated, moldy and spoiled.  Throw all away.  Even if its not my cleaning time, I weekly check the food cos often times my kids get food without my permission;

4.  Pull out all removable parts inside the fridge and wash with antibacterial dish soap.  Dry;

5.  Wipe everything inside fridge with multi-purpose antibacterial cleaner;

6.  Wipe outside fridge too especially the handles;

7.  Put back the clean removable parts inside the fridge;

8.  Turn on the control knob to recommend setting; and

9.  Clean all the food containers before returning inside refrigerator. 

When to change pillows?

When to change bed pillows had been in my head way back when I knew that there are stuffs that needs to be replace in time.  Its just that, I always missed to check about it.  Haiz!  At last,  now I know the answer to my overdue question.

According to: 

• www.today.msnbc.msn.com

Reduce allergies: Replace pillows every year
Hair and body oils will have soaked into a pillow's fabric and stuffing after a year of nightly use, making it a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria and allergy-triggering dust mites. Using protectors can double the life of your pillows.

Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25516515/#ixzz0mwrdMZWY

• www.ehow.com

Representatives for the Martex Company, a bedding manufacturer, suggest that allergens such as dust mites, bacteria, mold and mildew, along with human factors such as perspiration and drool, can cause pillows to become unhealthy in two to three years. Allergens can be somewhat eliminated by tossing pillows in a clothes dryer set on a high temperature and adding a tennis ball or two to effectively fluff them. Some Poly-Fil pillows may be washed, but unless they are fairly pricey ones, they don't withstand more than one or two washings. Martex scientists recommend replacing bed pillows every two years.

Changing pillows would be our next project.  I hope we can change it very very soon and would include it on my anniversary checklists ;-)  Btw, I would schedule it every 2 years :P

Dust Bunny

 I just learned that the annoying combi of stuffs like dust, dirt, hair, fur, insects, fabrics and the like that we see in corners of our house, hiding in corners of walls and furnitures, electronics, and anywhere are called dust bunnies (plural form, comes in group).  We noticed them, when we do general cleaning.  It builds up in places we don't regularly clean.

So it's so important to do general cleaning once a week or twice a month haha :-P.  Better when hubby has no work so he can help you carry things that you can't move or reach to get all those evil dusty bunnies hiding in your home ;-)