Ugh, Easter. The one time of year when my fridge is literally bursting with eggs. Last year I bought THREE dozen and my husband looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "What are we supposed to do with all these?" he asked. Fair question.
But here's teh thing - I've become weirdly obsessed with not throwing away eggshells. My grandmother would roll in her grave if she knew I was tossing perfectly good calcium bombs in the trash. Back in 2019, I started experimenting with different ways to use them, and honestly? Game-changer.
The Day My Plants Stopped Being Slug Buffets
Nothing makes me more irrationally angry than finding my herb garden decimated by slimy little monsters. After spending $85 on fancy organic slug repellent that did absolutely nothing, I was ready to give up.
Then my neighbor (who has that annoying perfect garden) mentioned crushing eggshells around plants. I thought she was messing with me.
She wasn't.
I started saving shells, crushing them into jagged little pieces, and sprinkling them around my basil and tomatoes. The slugs HATED it. Something about the sharp edges makes them turn around and find someone else's garden to destroy. Plus, as the shells break down, they add calcium to the soil. My tomatoes have never looked better, and I haven't bought plant food in over a year.
Dyeing Eggs: Not Just for Kids and Pinterest Moms
Listen. I'm not crafty. At all. My sister once asked me to help with her kid's school project and her response: "already updating my resume." But dyeing eggs with kitchen scraps is actually... fun? And stupidly easy.
I boiled some eggs with turmeric powder and got the most gorgeous yellow shells. My husband thought I'd bought them specialty-dyed until I showed him the process. The purple cabbage I was about to throw out? Turned white eggs into this ethereal blue color. Red onion skins make this rusty reddish shade that looks fancy as hell on a breakfast plate.
Perfect for impressing brunch guests who think you're more put-together than you actually are.
Wait... You Can CLEAN With These Things?
My cast iron pan is my baby. I've had it since 2012, and I treat it better than most of my relationships. But sometimes food gets STUCK. You know what I mean - that stubborn bit that refuses to budge.
Crushing eggshells into soapy water creates this abrasive scrub that gets everything off without damaging the seasoning. I feel stupid now for all the money I spent on special cast iron cleaners when the solution was sitting in my compost bin.
I've also mixed ground shells with coconut oil for a body scrub. My skin felt amazing, though my husband was thoroughly confused about why there was "breakfast in the shower." Poor man.
The Chalk Experiment (Or How I Ruined My Kitchen Counter)
This one's for the truly committed... or those with children to entertain during endless rainy weekends.
After watching some random YouTube video at 2am (as one does), I decided to make chalk from eggshells. The process isn't complicated - grind shells into powder, mix with flour and water, shape, and let dry.
What the video DIDN'T mention was the unholy mess this creates. I had eggshell dust in places I didn't know existed in my kitchen. And the chalk? It worked... kinda. My niece used it on her chalkboard and declared it "almost as good as real chalk," which from a 7-year-old is basically a five-star review.
Worth the cleanup? Maybe not. But I felt like some kind of kitchen alchemist turning garbage into art supplies, so there's that.
Today's "Why Didn't I Buy This Sooner?" Deal
Totally unrelated, but I spotted this gorgeous three-seater sofa at wilko.com marked down from £499.99 to £349.99. After my dog decided our current couch was the perfect place to hide a half-eaten rawhide bone (found it 3 weeks later... don't ask), I've been sofa-shopping like a maniac.
£150 savings is nothing to sneeze at.
Cheap Pick-Me-Up That Won't Break the Bank
I'm not saying retail therapy works, but... this fuchsia nail polish from H&M (£3.40) somehow made my Monday 37% better. Sometimes it's the little things, right?
Swimsuit Season Is Coming (Help Us All)
If you're like me and dread the annual "try on last year's swimwear" ritual, here's a tip: Next has a green tummy-shaping swimsuit for £29 that looks amazing, but I found an almost identical sculpting one-piece at Primark for just £14.
That's £15 you can spend on a cocktail while actually wearing said swimsuit. Priorities.
Bag Alert!
Accessorize has this cross-body bag down from £28 to £14. I bought one yesterday adn my daughter has already tried to "borrow" it permanently. Not happening, child.
Wine Not?
Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons are all doing 25% off when you buy six bottles of wine. Just saying. My weekend plans are now sorted.
Fancy Winning Some Cash?
HOAR Raffle is giving away £100 to 250 readers every month. I entered last month and won exactly nothing, but my colleague swears her cousin's friend won once. So... there's hope? Every Sun Savers code equals one ticket. More codes = more chances to win.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks associated with investing in the stock market?
Investing in the stock market involves several risks, including market volatility, economic downturns, and company-specific factors that can lead to losses. Investors may also face liquidity risk, where they cannot sell an investment quickly without incurring a loss. Diversification and thorough research can help mitigate these risks.
What is the importance of financial literacy?
Financial literacy is essential for making informed decisions about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. It empowers individuals to understand financial concepts, evaluate risks, and navigate complex financial products, leading to better financial stability and long-term wealth building.
How can I improve my credit score?
To improve your credit score, make timely payments on all debts, reduce credit card balances, avoid opening unnecessary credit accounts, and regularly check your credit report for errors, disputing any inaccuracies. Maintaining a mix of credit types and keeping old accounts open can also be beneficial.
What are the different types of money?
The main types of money include commodity money, which is based on physical goods like gold or silver; fiat money, which is government-issued currency not backed by a physical commodity; and digital currency, which exists electronically and is often decentralized, such as cryptocurrencies.
How can I start saving for retirement?
To start saving for retirement, begin by establishing clear retirement goals and determining how much you need to save. Contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as a 401(k), and consider opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Regular contributions and taking advantage of compounding interest can significantly boost your retirement savings over time.
What are the benefits of having an emergency fund?
An emergency fund provides financial security by offering a safety net for unexpected expenses, such as medical emergencies or job loss. It helps prevent debt accumulation, reduces stress, and allows for better financial planning, ensuring that individuals can navigate unforeseen circumstances without significant hardship.
What is the difference between saving and investing?
Saving typically involves setting aside money in a secure account for short-term needs or emergencies, while investing involves using money to purchase assets like stocks or real estate with the expectation of generating a return over the long term. Investing carries higher risks but offers the potential for greater rewards.
Statistics
- In 2020, the average retirement savings for Americans aged 60 to 69 was approximately $195,000, according to Fidelity.
- A report by Bankrate indicated that only 29% of Americans have a written financial plan.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends about $1,500 per year on coffee.
- According to a survey by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), about 66% of Americans could not correctly answer four basic financial literacy questions.
- According to the World Bank, around 1.7 billion adults worldwide remain unbanked, lacking access to basic financial services.
- According to a Gallup poll, 56% of Americans report that their financial situation is better than it was a year ago.
- A study by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that 60% of Americans do not have a budget.
- As of 2021, the average American household had approximately $8,400 in credit card debt, according to Experian.
External Links
How To
How To Set Financial Goals That Stick
Setting financial goals that stick begins with defining what you want to achieve, whether it’s saving for a home, paying off debt, or building retirement savings. Use the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound—to structure your goals effectively. Write down your goals and break them into smaller, actionable steps to make them less overwhelming. Establish a timeline for each goal and regularly review your progress to stay motivated. Adjust your goals as necessary to reflect changes in your financial situation or priorities, ensuring they remain relevant and attainable over time.
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