Spend a hour cleaning out the “junk drawer”.  We all have one, that one drawer in the desk or kitchen that is a catch-all for all the stuff we gotta have, but hardly ever use.  Go ahead and throw out everything you haven’t used in 6 months.  Find homes for as many items as possible.  Try to get the drawer mostly empty, then fill the new space with those little items you actually do use every few days or every so often.  If you have less junk to go through, you won’t give up and go buy  replacement.  You’ll find it fast in a clean junk drawer.

Head out today to pick up leftover St. Patrick’s items that will be appropriate for Christmas.  You won’t find much, but party goods stores frequently put much of their green paper goods and decorations on sale.  It’s a great time to get those few green things you’ll need for Christmas

It’s getting warm enough in many areas to begin setting out your herb plants.  Wait until after the last frost, then transplant your herbs into larger pots or the outdoor garden.  Pinch the tops of all plants, and spread the trimmings out on sheets of paper towels in a dry place for a couple days.  Keep the herbs separate.  After they have dried completely, place in small airtight containers, and store in a cool, dark place.  I dry my herbs on the kitchen cupboards, put them in old jelly jars or spice containers (well marked with contents), and keep them in the pantry.

If you are going to make gifts of bath salts, shop for salts on sale.  With winter ending in many areas, you can buy rock salt fairly cheap at discount and home centers now.  Go to the section where they are closing out the deicers, tire chains, snow shovels and other winter items.  A five pound bag will make 20 or 30 packages.  I like to mix rock salt, Epsom salts, and kosher salt to make my gifts, but rock salt is fine alone, and just as effective.  If you want to make a mixture, watch for the other salts to go on sale, or purchase in bulk at a club store or bulk foods distributor.

Bath salts are one of the easiest gifts to make, and are ALWAYS appreciated.  Later in the year I’ll provide directions, recipes, and packaging ideas. 

Instead of taking your family to a theatre to watch the latest new release, have a family movie night at home.  Rent an old classic (age appropriate), pop corn, and pick up a few boxes of favorite candy.  Most of us usually watch TV with the lights on, but on movie night, turn the lights off during the movie.  Now, everyone watches together.  You’ll save about $6.00 per family member.  Let the kids put the saved money in the tin, and promise that as soon as the new movie they wanted to see at the theatre is out on CD you’ll rent it for another movie night.