Tori's Cleaning Schedule

Having two small kiddos (both boys none-the-less) makes keeping a clean house challenging. It isn't impossible, but it is almost like trying to rebuild a house while a tornado is still twisting all around you.

When I was a new stay at home mom I was so exhausted from all the cleaning I was doing. In addition to taking care of my newborn I was trying to keep a spotless house. I had no time for sleep, reading, etc. As a matter of fact I was lucky to get two hours of sleep a day for three months straight because my baby had his days and nights mixed up.
FINALLY I seen the light at the end of the tunnel and realized that I just had to quit pushing myself. And I quickly found the best thing that works for me and my family. And that is:
A cleaning schedule!
I break my chores down by day instead of trying to tackle everything every single day. And on the days we run errands, have a lot of appointments, etc., I make sure not to schedule any chores that are too hard to get done. Here's an example of my cleaning schedule:::

::Daily::

Kitchen
Clean kitchen table
Dishes
Clean counter-tops & stove
Sweep kitchen floor
Take out trash
Scrub down sink when I'm done with dishes for the day

Bathroom
Take out trash
Clean counter
Wipe out tub
Wipe down toilet seat & rim (with boys this is a must)
Clean mirror
Sweep floor
Scrub down sink

Bedrooms
Do a general pick up
Vacuum
Make beds
Straighten nightstands

Living Room
Make sure if there are toys they are put away
Vacuum
Make sure there is no clutter and if there is pick it up (there usually is btw)

::Weekly::

These are the ones that I break up during days. I may do the kitchen on a Monday and the Bathroom on a Tuesday. I may even do more than one of these a day depending on what the day is looking like, that way I'm not overwhelmed and things still get done.

Kitchen
Throw out any old food if there is any
Clean outside of appliances
Mop
Wipe down fridge inside and out
Wipe down faucets

Bathroom
Clean toilet bowl
Spray the shower with shower cleaning spray
Mop

Bedrooms
Gather laundry, wash, fold, put away (sometimes iron depending on the clothes)
Straighten up dressers and closets (because they are usually all rifled through and messy by this point)
Wash bed linens in every bedroom

Living room
Clean TV
Clean TV stand
Clean display cabinet (dust and wipe down)
Straighten closets in the place as well if needed

::Monthly::

The following are the chores I usually only do monthly. These are in addition to the daily and weekly chores.

Kitchen
Clean inside of stove, and make sure under the range is cleaned out
Scrub down inside of microwave
Dust blinds
Wipe down windowsills
Clean windows

Bathroom
Scrub down tiling and faucets
Straighten linen closet & wipe down shelves

Bedrooms
Dust blinds
Clean windowsills
Clean windows
Dust bookshelves

Living room
Dust blinds
Clean patio doors
Sweep outdoor space
Vacuum inside of couch
Pull couch out and vacuum underneath
Vacuum under TV stand


There you go, that's about the normal breakdown of my cleaning schedule. This of course doesn't include any errands, food prep, etc., that needs to be done. Sometimes I also add a few chores depending on what needs done. However, by breaking it up into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks I get done what I need to and don't beat myself up in the process. It works for our family, and gives me more time to spend with the family. Do you do your cleaning on a schedule?

Stay tuned for Priddymomma's post on Thursday and Leslie's on Saturday.
As always if you have any topic/post suggestions feel free to send us an email thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com

Name brand vs. store brand - Leslie

As you know, the topic for the week is store brand versus name brand products.  Honestly guys, my contribution is going to be fairly short and sweet this week.

For me, it's less about store brand versus name brand and more about how I can get the best quality product for the cheapest price.  I'm not necessarily for or against either side.  In fact, a lot of the time the name brand product is the exact same as store brand.  Go ahead.  Check the ingredients.  I can wait...

I think the key is to just keep an open mind about it.  Some people swear by every single name brand and think that every store brand is lower quality.  Sometimes that is absolutely true, but not always.  Sometimes you are just wasting money on a name when the store brand is just as good, or in some cases better.  On the other hand, there are people who won't touch name brands in the name of frugality.  (Perhaps your spaghetti would have tasted less like pasta with water sauce at dinner tonight.)  What is the point of buying a product if it doesn't work or tastes horrible just because it is cheaper?

There are, of course, some things I will only buy name brand.  For example: 

  

 
Over

Coffee is one of those things that people get very opinionated about.  I prefer to drink Folger's over just about any other coffee.  Store brand will do in a pinch, but there is a huge difference in taste, and really?  Just ech. 


More and more I find myself wanting to just make things myself, however.  Breads, pastas, sauces, butter, some cheeses, cereals, laundry detergent, toothpaste, etc.  All can be made yourself.  Perhaps that's too 'crunchy' for some, or just too much work, but I think it can be a great way to save some money and know for sure what your family is using and eating is safe.

Don't be afraid to try something new.  Just because you use something, and always have (always will?), doesn't mean there isn't a product out there that you will like better or that will WORK better for you.

Store Brand vs. Name Brand~priddymomma

Heigh-ho, cheerio!  Heather here!  Thanks for joining us!  This week we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of store brands in relation to name brand products. 

Why store brand?

• Cheaper
• Packaged more intelligently
• Flavors/options not offered in name brand
• Better quality
• More product for same price

Sometimes the reverse is true!  Here are my favorites and least favorites.

Go for It!

 Up&Up brand diapers from Target

Use them if you:

• Want to save money
• Like fewer leaks

Skip them if:

• Your baby has extremely sensitive skin

I prefer these to name brand.

Go for It!

Pampers Sensitive Care Baby Wipes

Use them if:

• You hate when wipes tear coming out of the container
• Your baby has sensitive skin (eczema here!)
• You don’t like that “baby fresh” scent

These can be sort of pricey, but I adore them for eczema care.  I buy them religiously.

Go for It!

Aveeno Eczema Cream

Use if:

• Your kiddo has mild to severe eczema
• Your own skin is on the dry side
• You’ve tried other brands and hated them

There is pretty much nothing bad about this product except its price.  A little goes a long way, though.  It's well worth the money.

Go for It!

Archer Farms 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger/Hot dog buns from Target

Use if:

• You love flavor

Skip if you:

• Don’t care how your buns taste
• Are in the mood to save money

I adore these buns, but they are a bit on the pricey side.  They are full of flavor, though, so I think that’s a fair compromise.

Go for It!

Meijer brand coffee (assorted varieties)

Often times you save minimal money over the name brand.  Sometimes you don’t save any at all, but we much prefer Meijer brand coffee to anything else…except maybe Dunkin’.

Go for It!

Walgreens brand Bear Claw Ice Cream

This is the BEST ice cream on the entire planet!  Dark chocolate ice cream with Danali caramel and chocolate covered cashews!  All Walgreens ice cream is pretty good.  Walgreens used to be a soda fountain back in the day.  Note:  If I go to Walgreens to get my ‘cream and can’t find it because all you lovelies have bought it up, I’ll have to knock some heads!  XD

No Way Will I Compromise

• Peanut butter HAS to be Jiff.  Also in agreement with Tori, here.  No imitation allowed, with one exception.  We like GFS brand creamy peanut butter.  Kroger brand peanut butter is possibly my least favorite product on Earth.

• Toilet paper:  There are some places you can try to save money.  What you wipe with shouldn’t be one.  No one needs that kind of stress.

• Feminine Hygiene Products:  again…why take the risk?

• Really, most regular hygiene products.  No one wants to stink or have their hair fall out.

Doesn’t Matter

• I absolutely agree with Tori that jam/jelly tastes the same regardless of brand name.  My issue is this:  I am clumsy!  No way am I buying a glass jar!  I pay the extra money for a plastic jar every time. 

• Milk

• Eggs

Well, that’s about it for me!  I hope this post gives you some insight and some inspiration to make your own discoveries at your local supermarket. 

If you have special requests for topics, feel free to email us at thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com, or leave a comment and let us know.  

We'd love to hear from you!  What are some of your favorite brands? 

Introduction - Leslie

Hello and (for the third time ha!) welcome to The Case of the Missing Cheerios!  My name is Leslie.  I will be a weekly contributor to this blog along with Tori and Heather.  Our topics will include everything from books, to parenting, to personal issues and current events.  I hope you'll find our posts insightful and helpful with a good dose of humor thrown in here and there.

Myself with the Green Man at Ren Faire.

I have a 2 year old daughter.  We frequently refer to her as 'Miss Attitude'.  I'm engaged to an artist, who tells me often that I'm just as artistic as he is, only in a different way.  Ha ha ha!  Riiiight.  I currently work part time as a school bus aide with special needs children, and though I love working with the kids, I would love even more to be able to do the stay home mom thing full time with A again.  When I get a pocket of free time, you'll most likely find me with my nose in a book.  I love to read and I'm often working on 3 or 4 books at once.  Other things I enjoy are writing, photography, making jewelry, and scrapbooking.  Yes, I said enjoy.  I never claimed to be good at any of it.  :)

My loves.

I look forward to being a part of the growth of this blog, to meeting other likeminded (and not!) people, and to sharing my life and my views with you.  If you have any ideas for weekly topics, feel free to send them to us at thecaseofthemissingcheerios.gmail.com or leave them in a comment.  PLEASE remember to be respectful with your words while you're here, as we will do as well.  See you next week!