Killing Head Lice Cheaply & Safely

(Contributed by: Suzan, Majenica, Rachel)
Everyone is back to school so it's just a matter of time before lice join in at circle time. This article is on how to get rid of the critters without resorting to expensive treatments.......that the lice are becoming resistant to anyway.

A less expensive treatment than the store bought kits, but effective treatment it to apply Cetaphil skin cleanser into dry hair, comb through, blow dry, and shampoo in the morning. Then repeat weekly for 3 weeks. Evidently 96% of the lice were dead. Cetaphil is pretty mild too, even for individuals who are allergic to many chemicals. RiteAid makes a generic version. It costs a little over $3.

Lice combing (tedious, and it takes a lot of time, but it works) is an ancient and time-tested method.

One of our contributors who lives in Australia has worked in public health and has seen how bad infestations can be in a subtropical climate. She recommends a metal comb. The "condition and comb" method is also referred to as the "wet method". She assures us that this method works because the conditioner blocks their breathing pores and immobilizes them until they get it out and can breathe again. You condition and comb on dry hair. This uses a lot of conditioner. You comb them out and drop them in vinegar. Comb with the metal comb, dip in a glass of vinegar, comb, dip, comb, dip, it can take over an hour but it works. It is suggested that you wipe the comb with a tissue and then deposit them in a bag. Sea it, and throw away after you are finished. It is slow and doesn't kill the eggs, so it MUST be repeated. There was some research that suggested the eggs are laid just below the skin and that is one reason why they appear after you could swear you‘ve removed every last one.

The advantages are that you use the cheapest of white conditioners, the conditioner helps with combing, long hair gets a good "treatment", the critters don't become resistant to more chemicals and it isn't toxic. The comb will soon look horrid but the vinegar does kill them and rinses the old, lice-filled conditioner off the comb.

There is a company called ACU-Life that makes a metal lice comb for about 6 dollars. This organization has info about head lice and sells a lice comb for $10.
http://headlice.org/

Some people use tea tree oil. Cover scalp only in tea tree oil, let sit 10-20 min. covered if possible. Disposable hotel shower caps work great. Then shampoo and rinse well. Evidently it takes only 1 treatment and it works. Add 10-15 drops in your regular shampoo as a preventative as well. Many claim this is very effective.

Another contributor said that if tea tree oil is too harsh for your child's scalp - that she uses lavender oil - just add a dozen or so drops to the shampoo bottle (for boys as they don't want to smell like a girl), and dab around the hairline for girls, or add to their detangler.

As far as some schools "requiring" that kids not return to school until they have been treated with an "approved" OTC chemical treatment? This contributor says that the OTC chemical treatments for treating lice all say not to use on broken skin, that it may cause serious injury and even death - so pretty much anyone can claim eczema as the reason not to chemically treat.

The fact is, you have to remember, even children from scrupulously clean homes can get them. In fact, lice can glue their eggs much more effectively to extremely clean hair. Greasy, nasty hair is not a louse mommy's best friend. So keep in mind that lice happens, and it's no reflection on a person’s parenting skills or your cleanliness.

Reducing Utility Costs

(By Various Contributors)

Water Heater Blankets
A water heater blanket is made of insulation contained within plastic so that it can be attached to the water heater. Blankets are rated based upon their 'R' value, just like other insulation.

The blankets require scissors or a box-cutter and some tape (often included) to install

Some tanks recommend that you don't use a blanket, if you still have the manual or contact the company. If the tank is in a VERY warm area of the house, such as near a furnace, then there is probably no need for one. However, if it's in a cold room, just put your hand on the outside of the heater. If it's warm, a blanket will save you some money.

How to Insulate Your Windows with Bubble Wrap
You need: spray bottle, x-acto knife and bubble wrap. Mist the water onto the window sill. Push the bubble side of the wrap against the sill. The water will hold the bubble wrap to the window all winter without tape or glue. Use the x-acto knife to cut away any excess. The bubble wrap will not stain your windows.

A single pane window has an R value of less than one. (.8) By placing bubble wrap in the window, its R value will be around two. Keep it Solar has a detailed article on how much money bubble wrap will save you.


From Keep it Solar:
For a 7000 deg-day climate (northern US), and single glazed windows, the bubble wrap increases the R value from about R1 to about R2. This cuts the heat loss from the window in half.
Heat losses with and without bubble wrap for 1 sq-ft of window are:
**Heat loss w/o wrap = (7000 deg-day)(1 ft^2) (24 hr/day) / (1 ft^2-F/BTU) = 168K BTU per season
**Heat loss with wrap = (7000 deg-day)(1 ft^2) (24 hr/day) / (2 ft^2-F/BTU) = 88K BTU per season

You can buy your own bubble wrap. It's inexpensive, but you'll save money if you salvage it. Furniture stores will have extra bubble wrap. Any large department stores will probably have it too. Call around. Bubble wrap insulation can last up to seven years.

Weather-strip doors and window casings
Black foam strip is the type we use. We hang heavy insulated curtains over the picture windows to save on AC in the summer. It will save you money in the winter too. They aren't going to win us any style awards, but they look acceptable and they were pretty cheap at Sears.

Other ideas for reducing heating bills
**Set your overhead fan blades to the other direction (if you can) to push that heated air that you've already paid for back down into the room.

**We use space heaters and heating fans (use caution with young children, and don't leave them unattended even if you don't have kids) if you are all in the same room and you can close off that room.

**After you bake or roast something and you've turned the oven off, leave the door cracked open (unless you have young children). Why waste the heat? Let it warm up the room. Cooking up a big pot of soup warms up both you - when you eat it, and the kitchen - when you cook it.

**Go outside; play with the kids or exercise. When you come back in, it'll seem warm in comparison. Or go to bed early to snuggle with your loved one.

**Don't be afraid to post a sign above the thermostat that states "We have rent to pay and food to buy-sweaters are in the hall closet, thank you."

**Limit the time of hot showers and be frank with older children about the cost of hot water. With younger children, there is always the option of bathing them together, especially if they are the same gender, VERY young, or if you don't mind unexpected questions about bodily differences between boys and girls.

Making Bird Bells

So many of us are able to enjoy our bird friends throughout the year, and as we all know these year long friends can be quite expensive to feed. Well, here is another option for you, Homemade Bird Bells. This is a great craft idea for kids to participate in and at the same time a wonderful way to use what you already have at home.


*Homemade Bird Bells


Terracotta flower pots (small)
1 cup birdseed
1 egg white

Mix thoroughly and pour into a foil lined flower pot, mini loaf pan, etc. If you don't have a hangar, insert one now before baking. Bake for 1 hour at 200. Let cool and remove from the pot.


Super easy and guaranteed to please your fine feathered friends during the cold winter months!

Thanks Kristen for sharing your recipe with us!

Cream of "Whatever Soup"

(Contributed by Laurie)

Tired of spending money on the cans of cream soups from the grocery store that are filled with way too many foreign ingredients? Well here is a great recipe to replace those cans with. Give it a try, you'll be delightfully surprised at how tasty and economical it is to make your own 'Cream of Whatever' Soup!

Melt 2 Tbspn of margarine in a saucepan.
Sauté 2 Tbspn of chopped celery (or whatever).
Blend in 2 Tbspn of flour.
Add 1/3 cup dry milk powder.
Add 2/3 cup vegetable broth.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook until smooth.

Ideas for Decluttering

(Contributed by:Ruthie, Leah, Rachel)


Do you really need a larger house? Or maybe just one that is better organized? Who lives in your house - you, or all of your stuff? And do you even use all those items anyway........but how do you know what to keep, and what to toss?

For many people who have spent years accumulating stuff - decluttering can be extremely overwhelming. Decluttering and home organization is a skill, and it's a learned skill. The good news is, once you learn it and put it into practice, you can find that you can reclaim square footage of your home that is currently being wasted and unused...held hostage, you might say - by stuff.

There can be a benefit to decluttering besides reclaiming space; you may find things that you can sell on eBay or Craiglist or at a garage sale; you may also be able to engage in charitable giving even though you don't have cash to give to those in need; additionally you may be able to barter/swap with friends. So there can be a real financial advantage to decluttering.

One of our writers, Ruthie, is in the midst of a major decluttering project. Here are her many helpful suggestions!

General Principles, Goal Setting, and Time Management:
1. Set a small goal. (Editors note: large goals can quickly become overwhelming)
2. Have a permanent save box that is small.
3. A place to keep things that are going out.
4. A black trash bag ready to fill up. It must be opaque so that the no one see what's inside and pull things back out.

I'm starting out by commencing my daily chores and getting them out of the way - the laundry gets started, then I quickly go thorough the house tidying up by picking things up and putting it away where it belongs.
On Monday and Tuesdays of each week, I'm handling weekly cleaning, such as dusting, vacuuming, bathrooms, sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor. Each week I try to add something I didn't do in that room last week.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week I do the daily morning chores since the house is still pretty clean, and then I work on one room.

Consumables declutter:
Right now my biggest thing is to clear stuff OUT. Buying Rubbermaid plastic boxes may contribute more to your clutter. Just get rid of it versus trying to tame it.
Using up the cleaning products that you have on hand instead of purchasing more of the 'new and better' also helps to keep the clutter at bay.

Paper declutter:
Unless you have a home-based business with an office space used solely for that business there is no reason to keep monthly bills. Excel spreadsheets can be generated to keep track of utility usage (electricity, gas and water) and dollar amounts spent for each month.

I am keeping:
*all tax returns
*All bank statements
*All year-end retirement statements
*All year-end investment statements
*I keep all major purchase receipts and user's manuals for appliances, tools, electronics, etc. Only keep paperwork, user's manuals, etc. for what you still own!
*After year-end, I throw away all EOBs for medical services. (Explanation of Benefits.)

Everything Needs A Home:
I've had good luck with decluttering for the long term by using two tactics:
1) Have a plan to move a lot of what comes into the house/room....OUT of the house/room. This tactic can apply to the mail that you receive down to the food your children bring home in their lunch bags. The 2-bin recycling station, our easy-to-get-to garbage bin, along with the compost bucket for vegetable, fruit, and bread scraps? Keeps our kitchen amazingly clutter free.
2) Designate a place for everything. This includes the backpacks for school, the boots, the dishes, the everything.

A Final Note:
Another of our writers, Leah, states that staying off the computer is vital during decluttering. Well said, Leah!

Not A Christmas Crafter?

(Contributed by Nicole, Majenica, and Rachel)

If for whatever reason a homemade crafty Christmas isn't for you or perhaps you lack the time, your family would rebel, or you're like me and can't craft your way out of a paper bag. That's OK. There's still a lot of ways to have a sensible Christmas.


While the plate of baked goods is popular, some people might feel they are drowning in sugar. If you want to give a food gift consider a loaf of bread, a homemade drink mix, or even a small fruit basket made from a dollar store basket and fruit that's on sale.
You can also take a look at your gift list and see if anyone can be cut without hurt feelings.

Last Christmas our closest friends decided that gifts were for children only. We all still got together, had a nice potluck dinner, and had a great time celebrating but the adults went without gifts.

Think practical. While gift cards may seem impersonal, they can be a big help to people. College students love this kind of practical gift. It allows them to get what they need, without having to spend out of pocket. Expectant parents, those without jobs, or people in a tight living situation also love these types of gifts.
Another idea is to do either family or childrens photos at a relatively cheap photo shop, such as Wal-Mart. You can get a package for under $10, then buy $1 frames at a dollar store. These make long lasting gifts.

One contributor stated, "I makes "non-gift" arrangements. I agree that I won't buy them a gift and they don't have to buy me one. Sometimes I'll ask for something that I know is dirt cheap or that they also want to get rid of. Outgrown kids clothes and toys, paperback novels that they are done with or just unconventional stuff. My MIL gave me a flat of canned lima beans last Christmas. I had a can at her house and loved them, and couldn't find them in my state. Voila - when she drove down, she brought me a dozen cans."

Another thing to consider is gently used items. Clothes, books, toys, and sometimes other items are often much less expensive, but still in great condition at thrift or consignment stores, garage sales, or on Craigslist. I've seen new toys and kitchen appliances still in the box, clothes with tags still on them, and books that look as if they've never been opened.

Just remember that Christmas is about much more than the gifts you give or get, so let yourself re think your gift buying habits if it's what you want or need.

Halving the Milk Bill

Contributed by: Cari, Nachelna, Rachel

Going broke keeping milk in the house? Dry milk is cheap at some stores (like Aldis).
I used to keep it around just to use in cooking and baking, but for awhile I used it to make drinking milk for my oldest until I eventually switched her to organic, local dairy milk.

I mixed it up according to the directions on the box, but instead I:
1) run the liter container half full of HOT tap water first
2) add the 1 and a third cups of dry milk
3) shake well
4) add the heavy cream (couple tablespoons) which breaks down the foam.
5) add more water to the de-foamed milk until it reaches the liter mark.

It was great for my morning coffee (until I switched to homemade soymilk) and I cooked with it too back then. The taste of it in cooked dishes is not something that any normal human being could discern from "real" milk. I put strawberry syrup in it for my child when I was making it for her, or some banana licuado (latino milkshake) powder in it. A cheap thrill.

It's cheaper than buying "real" milk at the store, but also it just freed up more fridge space for us. Plus it was convenient - we don't run out as long as we have heavy cream in the fridge and dry milk in the pantry.

I bought the dry milk at Aldis. 10 bucks for a 20 qt package (5 gallons) a year ago - it's probably slightly higher now. If you live in dairy country you could probably cut an even better deal with a local producer if you bought a large enough volume, but if you live in dairy country it might be worth cutting a deal with the farmer for "raw" milk (of course you would pasteurize it yourself if you so desired). In some states the sale of raw milk is illegal unless you are using it to make soap or feeding it to your pets or your compost pile - but enforcement is extremely lax to say the least.

How do you pasteurize milk?According to eHow....
Step 1 - Boil empty milk bottles submerged in water for 10 minutes to disinfect them. Alternatively, you can place the milk bottles in an oven preheated to 212 degrees F (100 degrees C) for 20 minutes to disinfect.
Step 2 - Pour raw milk into the top of a double boiler and fill the bottom section with water.
Step 3 - Place a metal-stem thermometer into the milk to monitor its temperature. Keep the thermometer from touching the sides or bottom of the double boiler so you get an accurate temperature reading of the milk, not the container.
Step 4 - Heat raw milk to 145 degrees F and keep it at that temperature for at least 30 minutes. Stir constantly to avoid burning and to maintain an even temperature. For a faster method, heat the milk to 165 degrees F for at least 15 seconds, stirring constantly.
Step 5 - Put the top section of the double boiler that holds the heated milk into a pan of cold or ice water to cool the milk. Continue to stir.
Step 6 - Cool the milk until it reaches 40 degrees F or below.

There you go. So if you can find someone who keeps cows (or goats) for a hobby, you can "cut a deal" and do the safety measures yourself.



Alternatively, you can order a slightly altered milk substitute (made from dairy ingredients, pretty much identical nutritionally to standard low fat milk - it's called Morning Moo.
One of our readers said that with the Morning Moo, they paid 116 dollars (including shipping) for 50 pounds that makes 70 gallons. That works out pretty cheap.
http://www.moosmilk.com/

Homemade Soy milkAlternatively you can make soy milk yourself at home. This is what I now do for myself. I drink a lot of it, my youngest prefers commercial Soy milk (no grit, and a more even vanilla texture) but if you can get over the slight textural issues (the grit settles to the bottom) and you can commit to soaking the soybeans, and adding the salt, sweetener, and vanilla yourself? The milk costs next to nothing. It's dirt cheap. I mean really, really cheap.

I paid 60 dollars for a soy milk maker used off eBay. Original sticker from a Deseret Industries thrift store was 7 bucks, so if you are are hardcore thrifter you could really make out like a bandit. It's definitely paid for itself by now, I've had it for a couple of months. You can use them to make other kinds of milk too.

Homemade Almond Milk
Soak the nuts for 8 hours instead of the briefer 5 hours for soybeans, and massage the nuts to slip the skins and discard the skins before loading the hopper. You'll only need about 2 ounces (60 grams) of nuts per 1 liter of water. I'm guessing other kinds of nuts would be similar.

Don't have a soy milk maker? Use this recipe instead.
Raw Vanilla Almond Milk
1 cup raw almonds soaked over night and rinsed
3 cups water
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Sweetener to taste-any sweetener will do, honey, stevia, sugar, succanat, maple syrup, soaked dates

To make raw almond milk blend the soaked almonds with the water until smooth. Then strain the mixture through a strainer. Save the almond pulp in a container and put in the refrigerator for later use.
Put the almond milk back into the blender carafe and blend in the vanilla and sweetener until smooth. This milk will last in the refrigerator just under a week. Shake well before using. Variation: Blend in a banana and use a pinch of nutmeg to make a festive drink.
The almond pulp can be used in cookies, crackers, or breads and a partial replacement for flour.

Trying to limit soy? How about Rice milk?

Homemade Rice MilkYou can make milk from cooked, white or brown rice. Brown rice has more nutrients and produces milk with a slightly 'nuttier' taste. Try both kinds and see which you like.
Wash the rice first and discard the washing water. This prevents it from gumming up your soy milk maker.
2/3 cup of cooked rice, rinsed again after cooking in cool water so that it's easy to load in the hopper.
If your rice is very fluffy, the maker may beep signaling too much is in the hopper. Take a little out and next time load in less rice.
You'll need to experiment with salt and sugar and flavoring to get it to where it's "right" for you.
Refrigerate immediately after the milk cools. Rice milk will separate when cooled and must be shaken well before you use it. It does not freeze well. It's best if used within a couple of days so don't make a weeks worth at one go. It *is* harder to clean out of the soy milk maker.

Don't have a soy milk maker? Try this recipe.Rice Milk4 cups hot/warm water (must be very warm or hot)
1 cup cooked rice (must be freshly made or at least reheated)
1 tsp vanilla
Sweetener and salt to taste
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Let the milk set for about 30 minutes, then without shaking pour the milk into a pitcher, leaving most of the sediment in the first container. This makes about 4 - 4 1/2 cups.