Buckle Your Purse in Your Seat Belt *
How to Make Draft Stoppers *
Getting Ready for Winter
Check Refurbished Printer Cartridge Expiration Date
Spreading the Cost of Christmas
Use Red Clay Saucer for Baking Stone
Binder for Great ThriftyFun Ideas
Wireless Handy Switch Recall
Use Binder Clips to Secure Garbage Bags
Mark One Side of Electric Plug
Sign and Date Your Crafts
Prepare for the Next Meal
Emergency Cards to Help Locate People and Pets
Hunters: Remember the Food Pantries
Keep Your ID Separate For Safety
Keep Spoons and Forks Handy for Cooking
Make Your Own Pillowtop Mattress and Duvet Cover
Use Sweet N' Low for Ants
Link: Order Extra Free Consumer Action Handbooks
Food Packaging Boxes as Gift Wrapping
Herbal Sachets for Fresh Smelling Sheets
Watch PayPal For Fraudulent Charges
Children's Play Dough
Keep an Inventory List of Your Freezer Contents
Remedy for Stinky Shoes
Organizing Your Jewelry Box
Dollar Store Calendar Books
Allow Your Dishwasher to Air Dry
Reusing Dryer Sheets
Remove Lines from Home VCR Tapes With Commercial Tapes
Buy Double Pairs of the Same Socks
Keep Clothes Looking New With Lint Shaver
Anything Tomato Sauce
Ice Cube to Remove Blood Stains
Use Baking Soda for Wet Electronics
Use Warm Oven to Dry Pots and Pans
Best Anti Aging Cream
Use Timer Light Switches for Easily Forgotten Lights
Mix and Match Frozen Soups
Add Mackerel to Salmon Patties
Removing Wood Varnish from Carpet
Planting Spider Plant Babies
Buy Pre-Drilled Glass Blocks
Buy Halloween Candy After Halloween
Halloween: Headless Horseman Costume
Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner to Clean Glass Shower Stall
Make Gift Tags Out of Junk Mail
Label Homemade Treats for Halloween
Fall Decorated Pumpkins With Mod Podge
Line Brownie Pan With Aluminum Foil

Buckle Your Purse in Your Seat Belt * (15 ratings.)

Memphis, TN has a lot of crime, as most places these days do. To guard against purse snatching, when I buckle my seat belt I also buckle at least one handle of my purse into it. This also comes in handy when I need something out of my purse while I'm driving. I know that my purse is always down to my right and so I can reach right in it without having to look over in the passenger seat or the floor board. Plus, if a car wreck were to happen, there is less chance that the valuable contents of my purse are going to be thrown everywhere and anywhere.

By Judy from Memphis, TN

How to Make Draft Stoppers * (9 ratings.)

Go to hardware store and buy 1/2 inch pipe insulator. It should be less than a dollar for 6 feet of foam insulator. Buy one for each door your going to do. Measure width of door and cut foam 1/2 inch less than that measurement.

Take a 30 gallon garbage bag. Place one cut piece of foam on long end side of bag and roll towards the middle. Tape down. Do the same with the other side, but before taping the second side make sure their is enough room to slip the stopper underneath the door so that each side of door will have insulator on it.

Tape edges so it will run smoothly over flooring. Tadah! Now you have paid $1 for something that would have cost $10 if you had bought on television!

By Emily from Erlanger, KY

Getting Ready for Winter (7 ratings.)

This is the time to prepare for winter if you live in one of our colder states. Waiting until the last minute to prepare for the cold or an outage most often results in spending extra money or putting money out for repairs.

If you drive, this is the time to check your tires to ensure you have good tread and proper air pressure. You will also want to check your wiper blades and change if necessary. Many auto part stores will change them for you free if you buy your wipers from them. Add a gallon of wiper fluid to your truck emergency kit, as you will be using more during the winter. If your battery is getting sluggish, replace it now before the cold weather sets in.

Clean off your battery terminals if needed with a solution of baking soda, water and a stiff brush (an old toothbrush works great). Check the antifreeze in your radiator to make sure it is at the proper level. If you use chains, put them in the trunk now.

Allow plenty of time for your car to warm up and clear your windows. Do not pour hot water on a cold window to clear it of ice and snow. It can crack your window.

In your trunk, you should have a winter emergency kit. Your kit should contain the following:

jumper cables, flashlight and batteries, 1 to 2 blankets, extra hat, gloves and a pair of warm socks, 2 bread sacks or plastic shopping bags (or boots), box of granola breakfast bars, orange flare or safety triangle, candle and matches, first aid kit, ice scraper, sandbag or kitty litter, quarters (for a payphone).

This can all be contained nice and neat in a small suitcase, backpack or rubber type toolbox.

If you live in a very cold climate or a rural area you may want to add more blankets and include hats, gloves and socks for all family members. The dry socks come in nice if you have had to try and push a vehicle out of the snow. The plastic bags can be worn over your feet to help keep them dry. Socks can also double to help keep your hands warm as well. Many dollar stores sell gloves and hats for $1 each, so stock up.

You may also want to be sure to keep a couple doses of any necessary medications in your purse or glove box. Also keep either last years phone book, or a page of family, friends and tow service phone numbers in your glove box as well.

Normally as the demand for items increase, so does the price. So now is the time to buy plastic film for the windows, ice melt, sand, and propane. (Actually, the best time to buy these items was in the spring as retailers were clearing their shelves for summer stock).

If you have any north facing windows, you will want to start adding your storm windows and removing the screens. Don't wait until the temperature drops, as you will be letting cold air into the house while you make the switch. This is also a time to switch out your lighter curtains for insulated ones on windows that face the wind. If your switch plates insulation pads have not been insulated, this is the time to do that as well.

Stock up on items you will need in the event of a power failure. Most homes already have blankets, but you may need to add to your collection of candles (dollar stores are a great source for candles also), matches, soups, tea bags and hot cocoa mix, manual can opener, battery operated radio and flashlight as well as extra batteries. Better yet, get one of the newer wind up radios and light.

A person can also invest in a solar powered charger for their cell phone if they were so inclined. Keep an extra 2 weeks worth of medications for diabetics and heart patients. We also keep several oil lamps and kerosene lamps as well. If your water source is a well with an electric pump, keep several gallons of water on hand.

If you have an infant in the house, you may also need to consider keeping extra diapers and formula on hand as well.

If you are a camper, you may want to consider keeping your propane camping stove in the garage or basement to keep up your meals. Be sure to use it in a safe manner and in a well ventilated area.

Make sure your snow shovel is ready to go and get a can of cheap cooking spray. If you spray your shovel as you use it, wet snows doesn't stick to it as much.

Go to the used bookstore and get several books to read for entertainment while the power is out. Board games are also nice for families during an outage.

If you have a wood stove or fireplace, then you are most likely aware that the price of firewood goes up during winter. If you haven't already got this winter's wood, get it now. A set containing a couple of cast iron pieces and hot dog sticks is needed for cooking over a fire.

Insulate or shut off any outdoor water faucets. Bring in hoses and plastic patio furniture that can be broken by the cold.

Be sure your gutters are cleaned out from the fall leaves, so that melting snow and ice has a place to drain. You don't want to be on a ladder in the ice to clean out a clog.

You may want to connect up with a snow buddy. That is someone you call or contact daily when the weather is bad, to ensure each other is fine. This is a smart idea for those who live on their own, or clean their own snow or are elderly or disabled.

Change your furnace filters now, and try to keep an extra one on hand as well. Test run your furnace by turning it on and running it for a few minutes. Better to find out now it is in need of repair than waking up cold some morning and finding it won't work!

If you have a generator, make sure it is in working order and has fuel and oil.

Prepare now, and you will find you are a step ahead. Next year, prepare all year long, a little at a time, starting with buying new winter PJ's and blankets in the spring. Stay safe and warm this winter!

mom-from-missouri

Getting Ready for Winter

Check Refurbished Printer Cartridge Expiration Date (6 ratings.)

I just learned this one yesterday. Wish I had learned it long ago, as it would have saved me a lot of aggravation. I am assuming this is true for a lot of printers, so I am passing it on.

Being home schoolers, we use a lot of ink and paper. To save, I have Walgreen's refill my ink cartridges (for an HP 2210) when they run their specials of refills for $5, or I buy the used/refurbished ones at Office Depot or Walmart. Usually they work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes I will have one that I have used several times, and it will suddenly just stop for no reason.

This happened again this week. My nearest Walgreen or Office Depot is 30 minutes away, so its a real pain to go buy one and bring it home only to find it won't work. And, the two I got wouldn't work. I called HP to see if there was a work around as I didn't want to drive all the way back again. I mean we are talking 100 miles for 2 trips.

I was told to look at my cartridge for a date. There is evidently a microchip in the ink cartridge that tells the printer when that date has arrived. When that date gets here, it is considered to be an expired cartridge and will no longer work. The two ink cartridges I bought were indeed expired (sold to me by Office Depot in October and one had expired in April of 2007). That also explains why ones I have refilled over and over suddenly stop, the date came up.

So, I will no longer refill them close to or past the expiration date, and I will open the box and check the expiration date of refurbished ones at the cash register before I drive all the way back home.

I thought this was worth passing on!

Source: HP customer service rep

By mom-from-missouri from NW Missouri

Binder for Great ThriftyFun Ideas (5 or less ratings.)

This may have been suggested before, but I have not seen it. After finding so many great ideas, some I wanted to do, or try, right away, and some I wanted for future reference, I came up with this plan.

First I emptied a three ring notebook (the kind that holds regular school paper). Then I started printing the various ideas, or solutions to problems, and gluing them on notebook paper, or just writing them down on the paper. I took dividers to make some sense from it all, with food ideas in one space, craft things in another, stain removal in one, pet issues, etc.

You may ask why I didn't just save it on my computer, well, have you ever saved anything, and had your computer crash? That's why! The things I find on thrifty fun are usually very helpful, and informative, so I want a solid copy that I can have in the area I need it.

This has already helped in a couple situations. You can certainly use different types of binders, notebooks, etc., But the full size is what i had, and find that it works very well. If a picture was involved, and it doesn't print well, I sketch something that I can follow just as well. Maybe this will be as helpful to you as it has been already for me.

by Loretta from Theodore, AL

Wireless Handy Switch Recall (5 or less ratings.)

I just came across this link via my weekly email newsletter from Consumer Reports about a recall of Handy Switch. For safety sake thought I should share this just in case anyone here at ThriftyFun has one of these and hasn't heard this news yet:

Idea Village Recalls Wireless Light Switches Due to Fire Hazard

By Deeli from Richland, WA

Wireless Handy Switch Recall

Spreading the Cost of Christmas (5 or less ratings.)

It's a bit late for this year but, if you want to spread the cost of Christmas, buy 1 or 2 extra items every time you do a 'grocery' shop and store them for parents' or in-laws' Christmas presents. You don't notice the extra cost at the time, and it's such a 'feel good' factor to have a well stocked cupboard.

Similarly, in the New Year sales, I purchase some items for birthday and Christmas presents, again spreading the cost.

Source: Something I did years ago and they were delighted with the boxes of groceries.

By skinnyjinny from Scotland

Use Red Clay Saucer for Baking Stone (5 or less ratings.)

When I had wanted a baking stone, and it was rather expensive, so, I thought about using red clay saucers, like red clay pots can bake bread in them, and I knew that pots and saucers can be fairly large. I was told to get red clay pots and saucers that are not painted or coated, just plain red clay.

I basically coated oil all over the saucer like I would with cast iron, and I baked them low for at least 4 hours. Whenever I saw that the saucer looked dry looking, I spread some more oil on it, until it stopped leaving dry spots. Make sure that you use a potholder when reapplying oil, the saucer is hot. I also spread the oil inside and outside, completely covered with the oil.

I really like and use it now for baking, and for many different things, they clean off easily, most of the time, with just a cloth or paper towel, or dampen anything stuck with a little water, and it quickly wipes out clean, and give it another wipe with fresh oil, and I store it in the still warm oven that is turned off.

The pizza crusts are amazingly perfect, like bought pizzas, rolls, round loaves of homemade bread, chips and cheese. I also have two smaller saucers, for personal pizzas, chips and cheese, crustless quiche pies, small pies or tarts, many things can be baked in them. For the smaller ones, they fit right on to a plate, and it keeps the food warmer longer while eating. Saucers come in many different sizes, so look for sizes that will fit anyone's needs.

Source: I believe I got the idea of Martha Stewarts clay pots for baking.

By kas2 from Rockford, MI

Use Binder Clips to Secure Garbage Bags (5 or less ratings.)

Bags in garbage cans slipping. I was getting frustrated with garbage bags slipping down on the inside of my tall kitchen garbage can every time I tried to put more garbage in. I sometimes would get the bags that grip the rim but they still slipped and were more costly.

One day, I took binder clips (the black or colored clips with silver bars that you get in office supply stores) and used two clips, one on each side on the garbage can rim, clipping the bag to the can. I flipped the bars down. They easily went on and I was able to close the lid. It has worked like a charm. I can now use any type of bag that is on sale.

By Shardebhow from Cherry Hill, NJ

Mark One Side of Electric Plug (5 or less ratings.)

Add a dash of 'white out' to a black electric plug or a 'black marker' to a white plug, and you will always know the correct side to stick it into the wall outlet.

Source: Myself, I kept forgetting which way it should plug into the wall.

By Tarlo from Trinity, FL

Prepare for the Next Meal (5 or less ratings.)

This isn't a new hint or even one I thought up myself but it's helped me many times over the years and I think it could help others.

When you finish a meal and get the table cleared, set it for the next meal. It really helps to get a head start on especially the evening meal when the table is ready to go.

In the kitchen do whatever you can to prepare for the next meal, especially breakfast. I set out the oatmeal bowls, pan for cooking, and juice glasses. I measure the water and oats and cover them for the night. When I'm still fuzzy headed in the morning it really helps to have this all done.

It only takes a couple of minutes to do all this but it sure seems to cut down on the prep time for the next meal when you're tired.

Source: A book I read years and years ago.

By Glenn'smom from Elgin

Emergency Cards to Help Locate People and Pets (5 or less ratings.)

Most of us practice fire drills with our family members periodically to make sure everyone knows how to get out of a burning home, and where to meet. But what about your pets? They don't understand the idea that you are trying to teach. So here's what I have done.

I took some 5x7 inch cards and typed in very bold type:

People: Our names
Pets: Each one's species, breed and name, as well as where it would be may be hiding.

I laminated each of these cards and posted on on each door and one on each window that is large enough to come in through. Now when the emergency people come, they know who lives here, and what pets there are, and where to find them.

My dogs are small breeds so I also include where to find their travel cages. If they were larger breeds, I'd include where to find their collars and leashes, which I keep next to the front door on the hall tree.

By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC

Sign and Date Your Crafts (5 or less ratings.)

Always sign and date your labors of love. I have homemade ornaments from many years ago. Some aren't signed and it's sad not to remember who took the time to create their "labor of love".

By Keeper60 from NC

Hunters: Remember the Food Pantries (5 or less ratings.)

For all you hunters out there, remember the food pantries and the homeless when your freezer gets filled up and your friends don't need any more venison or wild game. Everybody can benefit from your sport.

By Elyag from Rochester, NY

Keep Your ID Separate For Safety (5 or less ratings.)

Since I previously lost my billfold and all of my i.d. at one time, I now always keep an extra credit card and my driver's license in a side, zip pocket of my purse.

Plus, my daughter who is now away at college keeps her credit card at her dorm and only her debit card in her purse. I'm not sure if she understands my concerns but it makes me feel safer to know that if her purse is misplaced or stolen that she will be able to survive until all the paper work is sorted out.

Maybe I'm reasonable or too protective but I do know that experience is a good, hard teacher.

By Judy from Memphis, TN

Use Sweet N' Low for Ants (5 or less ratings.)

This isn't a tip, it's a thank you for a contributor to Thriftyfun.com who suggested putting down Sweet n Low to get rid of ants.

Works like a charm! Better than ant traps. If it rains though, of course you have to put down more.

When I see ants, I open several packets (one would probably be fine, but I tend to be a little gung ho on things) and spread them out in the path they're making.

It's amazing to watch how they stop and start carrying some of it back to their nest. I've actually seen them carve a path in the white Sweet N Low. I see less of them the next day and by the second day the ants are gone.

Naturally, I use the cheapest version of Sweet N Low that I can find! Not the actual brand name!! Too expensive!

Thank you for the tip. It worked and was cheap and simple. We love that!

By metroplex

Food Packaging Boxes as Gift Wrapping (5 or less ratings.)

Why buy packaging boxes for money? Instead of throwing away packaging boxes (such as cereal boxes, cake boxes or any box that is clean on inside), I save them for use in gift wrapping any items that need boxes. I normally decoupage on top to make it special or wrap in newspaper and ribbon. But as an idea, why not let the children collage on top then use the box for great personalized packaging for $0.

By Caeridwen from Kent OH

Link: Order Extra Free Consumer Action Handbooks (5 or less ratings.)

When you order for the Consumer Action Handbook, they will send 10 handbooks at a time, for giving to your other family members, friends and neighbors, and most of them probably don't even have this very helpful handbook now. I got a box today from UPS, and I'll make sure that everyone who wants one will have one here.

Organizations can order more than 10 as well, so, these are the handbooks that can help keep us saving money and not being scammed, and how to fight back when we have to.

Even though the handbook is for 2009, they are handy for some years, at least the very basics are always the same, and if the order is closer to sometime next year, they'll send the 2010 ones.

How a lot of us feel about recycling paper, these handbooks are very useful, and they are worth hanging on to, even the 2009 ones. When we get the newer handbooks, send those on to others. They will still be very useful for others, especially the people who are not able to use the internet. I know plenty of people who still don't even use the internet, less able to own a computer, or even are able to easily go to the library. So, we can all look out for others like that.

Source: GSA Office of Citizens Services and Communication, Federal Citizen Information Center, Washington DC.

http://www.consumeraction.gov/caw_orderhandbook.shtml

By kas2 from Grand Rapids, MI

Herbal Sachets for Fresh Smelling Sheets (5 or less ratings.)

Hi everyone! If you are like me, and I think you are, you like fresh smelling sheets and pillow cases and lingerie. I don't like to buy all of the expensive softeners and perfumes to make my linens smell good because they don't smell natural. It's almost always chemical.

Instead, I take all of the herbs from my garden (lavender, oregano, basil, thyme and other aromatics) that grow year round and then give them a little crush with a rolling pin. Then I stuff them into a large or medium zip bags. I poke holes in the bags and layer them in-between my folded sheets, towels, pillow cases and underwear.

The scent is fresh, invigorating and takes me back to summer. These bags can be good up to 6 months. You can even hang them in your closet. It smells so good!

By sue123 from Oroville, CA

Watch PayPal For Fraudulent Charges (5 or less ratings.)

This is a warning to anyone who uses PayPal in conjunction with your bank account. Watch your bank statements closely! PayPal has been making fraudulent charges for ONLINE DATING and other things and charging it to their customers.

I recently had 2 such charges on my checking account from them and I didn't even know I had a PayPal account! Now I'm having a hard time getting hold of PayPal to get this account closed. They want user name and password. But since I didn't even know I had the account, of course I don't know these.

So watch your bank statements closely. Luckily my bank was very helpful about getting these charges removed and reimbursed along with other charges which stemmed from these.

By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC

Make Your Own Pillowtop Mattress and Duvet Cover (5 or less ratings.)

Several years ago, I decided I wanted one of those featherbeds and a feather comforter. Instead of spending all that money, I took two old comforters, washed them up and put one under the fitted sheet on my bed - instant featherbed.

The other one, I made a cover for out of two old top sheets, I could have used new ones. I turned the sheets inside out, sewed around three sides and let the one long side open so I could slip the comforter in. I whipstitched it shut, it took some time to do, and put it on my bed.

Voila! ;) A happy grammy and grandpa and no expense! Cozy warm too!

By Grammyv from Ohio

Keep Spoons and Forks Handy for Cooking (5 or less ratings.)

Keep some spoons and forks in a small crock or large coffee mug on your kitchen counter. Whenever you need a spoon or fork while cooking, they are easy to get instead of opening and closing the kitchen drawer. Use any extra mismatched spoons and forks, this way you won't run out of the them when you need them for eating.

By mkymlp from NE PA

Children's Play Dough (5 or less ratings.)

This is lots of fun for kids to make and play with! My kids used to love it!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. alum
2 cups boiling water

Directions:

Combine ingredients. Knead well. Add desired food coloring. Store in tight container. Lots of fun for active hands!

By Robin from Washington, IA

Organizing Your Jewelry Box (5 or less ratings.)

I save all those tiny little baggies that buttons come in on new clothes and keep my earring paired up and my jewelry separated in my jewelry box. They keep chains and hooks from getting tangled up, and help keep the box neat and well organized. No more trying to find the match for a particular earring buried in a mound of jewelry.

I also put sets of jewelry bagged together (but separately) the bracelet, earrings, and necklace of a set are all bagged separately and then put in a slightly larger baggie, like the snack sized ones. So I just have to grab one baggie with all the matching jewelry in it. None of it is tangled because they are all bagged separately.

By jazzy from Ellicott City, MD

Remedy for Stinky Shoes (5 or less ratings.)

To get the odor out of stinky shoes and sneakers, wad up newspaper and stick in the shoes. Leave several hours or overnight. Odor gone and it is a green idea!

By Dwedenoja from New Creek, WV

Allow Your Dishwasher to Air Dry (5 or less ratings.)

Hello dishwasher FIENDS! To save energy costs, I fire off that sucker just an hour before bed time, then when it's done washing, I crack it open and let it air dry. If you are picky, picky, this will not eliminate all of the water spots, but your dishes will be clean!

I am not a fan of "spotless" but I am satisfied with saving money without that heat cycle.I changed all of my light bulbs and watched where the heat goes, my energy bill is always below $35.00. Good luck.

Source: This is my tip along with tips from my energy company.

By Sue from Oroville, CA

Reusing Dryer Sheets (5 or less ratings.)

This is another tip using fabric softener sheets. To get a better value from them, reuse them. A sheet can be used four times. Each time you use one, cut a bit off a corner. Toss the sheet after the fourth use.

Source: Think I read this in another tip source years ago.

By knitter926 from Bloomington, IL

Remove Lines from Home VCR Tapes With Commercial Tapes (5 or less ratings.)

I had a situation in which a new digital DVD/VCR recorder was acting up when I watched my recorded soap opera tapes. The picture would be full of lines on the top and bottom of the screen, would become static-y every few seconds, etc. Enough to give a person a headache.

I accidentally discovered a temporary solution. When I play a commercially recorded VCR movie, the tracking takes a couple of minutes to settle back down to normal, and then I let this tape run for 5 to 10 mins. After that, my home recorded tapes work just fine for a few weeks.

Source: Me - accidentally!

By cookwie from Richardson, TX

Keep an Inventory List of Your Freezer Contents (5 or less ratings.)

To keep an inventory of food in your freezer, keep a list.

Make a list of the food in your freezer and type into a word processing program on your computer. Remember to use a print that is easy to read; Times News Roman is an easy to read print. Don't forget to save the file in case you need to print another one out. Or you can hand write the list.

You may want to make a list of the foods in categories or in alphabetical order. Print this out and attach it to a corkboard. You can hang the corkboard near or on your freezer. Or place it on a hard surface and lean it on the wall.

For every package of frozen foods, stick one straight pin for each package next to the printed item. Remove or add as needed. Use craft straight pins, the ones with the different color heads.

Initially this may take a bit of time to create, but it will be easier to keep track of the food in your freezer.

I also do this to keep track of my packages of aluminum foil, various sized plastic bags, wax paper, plastic wrap, etc. I stock up on these items when they are on sale.

By mkymlp from NE PA

Buy Double Pairs of the Same Socks (5 or less ratings.)

Disappearing socks resulting in mismatched socks can be remedied by not buying socks in single pairs. Buying in double pairs means I have an extra, matching sock after one disappears.

By Claire from Lafayette, CO

Keep Clothes Looking New With Lint Shaver (5 or less ratings.)

A friend gave me a lint shaver. It is battery operated and takes all those little pills of fuzz off of clothing. I keep it in the laundry room and use it all the time. It has even kept my husband's work t-shirts looking newer longer, as well as my favorite sweater that I accidentally washed with towels.

Source: My very good and thoughtful friend, Connie.

By eiw from Lancaster, PA

Anything Tomato Sauce (5 or less ratings.)

Make "anything spaghetti sauce" with a blender. Throw in whatever leftovers you may have from other meals, with some tomato paste and seasonings. You get a very cheap marinara sauce, by pureeing the ingredients in a blender they can be added together to make a sauce.

I usually use about a ratio of 1/2 bottled marinara sauce and add the other ingredients, adding water as necessary to get the right consistency. Add whatever seasonings you like.

It works with virtually everything, thus using up leftovers while saving money on jarred sauce. I've used everything from chicken soup to mashed potatoes, to homemade gravy, and veggies. You name it.

By Twilightgift from Forks, WA

Ice Cube to Remove Blood Stains (5 or less ratings.)

If you get blood on anything fabric, the easiest way to remove it is to put an ice cube on the stain as soon as possible. Don't worry about washing it in hot water, as long as it is loosened by icy water right away, it will come out. It won't fool the CSI's though.

By Bailey from SW Michigan

Use Baking Soda for Wet Electronics (5 or less ratings.)

If you have ever dropped your cell phone in water, you know how frustrating that can be! Try this tip next time. Put the phone in a ziplock baggie with baking soda. I have never had to try it, but it sounds logical. The soda will suck the water out.

Source: friend

By Jackie from Orlando, Florida

Use Warm Oven to Dry Pots and Pans (5 or less ratings.)

When you have used your oven for cooking or baking and have pots and pans that have to be hand washed, place them upside down on the rack in the warm oven to dry. Do not forget to remove them before you preheat the oven. To remind myself that something is temporarily in the oven, I stick a decorative magnet on the top of the stove.

By mkymlp from NE PA

Best Anti Aging Cream (5 or less ratings.)

Best Anti Aging cream in the world, and completely natural.

4 parts olive oil
2.5 parts shea butter (refined works best)
1 part grapeseed oil
Half part avocado oil
1/4 part jojoba oil
1 part rosewater or orange blossom water

This recipe is brilliant as a moisturizer and if used after bathing, leaves the body very soft and moisturized. Basically it has all the benefits of oil but in the form of a cream so is very easily to apply. You only need to use a very small amount because it is very concentrated. It's cheap to make because all the ingredients can be bought from most retail outlets except for shea butter and jojoba oil (which is optional). Shea butter can be purchased quite cheaply now on the internet and provides the basic ingredient that will turn the oils into a cream.

Method:

In a bain marie (or a small bowl over hot water), place the shea butter with the olive oil and heat until it is completely melted. Take off the heat and add the other oils. Stir really well with a whisk. Slowly add the rosewater or orange blossom water whilst it is still very warm.

Now, as it cools, it will start to harden. In order to speed up the cooling, place the bowl in a fridge or somewhere really cool and keep whisking every few minutes until it is whipped up into a beautiful cream. If the mixture is allowed to cool naturally, this can take up to 3 hours to cool and whip up but if placed in a really cold area, it really speeds the process up. Very important to do a lot of whipping.

The cream/body butter lasts easily for over a year if kept in normal cool conditions in a clean jar, it will melt if placed somewhere hot but still works if you use it on your skin. All the ingredients have a natural preservative action so it does not need any preservatives but keep an eye on it if you make a batch to make sure there is no contamination. It doesn't contain any harsh chemicals that will aggravate skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

You can use other oils and almond oil works really well as the main ingredient. It is a really brilliant recipe and especially good in cold weather and for anti aging. If you reduce the amount of shea butter you can make a body milk but you might need to experiment a little. Great for presents as you can buy jars very easily online and make up your own labels and paste it on the jar. Retail of similar products are very expensive.

Source: I have made this recipe myself after years of research.

By Bushra H. from England, UK

Use Timer Light Switches for Easily Forgotten Lights (5 or less ratings.)

Purchase timer light switches and install in the bathrooms, kids rooms or any room were lights may be forgotten on. The timers automatically shut the lights off after 15 to 60 minutes or whatever the time is on the one you purchase. No more lights on in the upstairs bathroom that you don't notice until after the kids are gone.

By Kimsukie from Happytown USA

Mix and Match Frozen Soups (5 or less ratings.)

I have a tip that I have been doing for many years now. Every late fall through winter I enjoy making huge pots of soup and freezing it into individual containers.

Then when I want one, instead of having the same soup over and over again, I do some mixing and matching. One time, I might add some cooked chopped potatoes, one time some cooked noodles or rice. Or sometimes I'll thicken it and turn it into stew. Also I don't put the meat in it when I first make it either. This way I can mix and match that, too. I might put in some ground beef, or stew beef, or chicken or turkey. Also sometimes I might add some extra different vegetables too, like maybe some broccoli, or whatever.

Sometimes I'll even thicken it up and serve it OVER rice or noodles. This way I can make one pot, but have many different meals.

By Cricketnc from Parkton, NC

Dollar Store Calendar Books (5 or less ratings.)

I can't remember my busy schedule without a calendar book. I like the ones with only one year per book. These can be expensive, but I found them at the Dollar Store and they are perfect for my purse. As soon as I get the new one, I go through the old one and transfer all my birthdays/anniversaries. Should I miss a date transfer, I can check the old book since I save them from year to year by putting them with my tax records.

Source: My desperate attempt to be organized!

By Irene W. from Lancaster, PA

Add Mackerel to Salmon Patties (5 or less ratings.)

When making salmon patties, sometimes one can of salmon will not make enough for my needs. Instead of buying another can of salmon, I mix in a can of jack mackerel (right next to tuna and salmon at the grocery). Jack mackerel is about $1 or $2 cheaper and works just at well. Also, I crush up the bones in both and it gives healthy calcium to the dish.

By Judy from Memphis, TN

Removing Wood Varnish from Carpet (5 or less ratings.)

I tried everything had nothing to lose but to replace carpet so I tried WD-40. I sprayed it on, let it sit for a few minutes, and pressed it out. It took a while and a few cans, but it was cheaper than replacing a whole carpet.

Source: I had tried everything else from peroxide, ammonia, hairspray, acetone.

By Darlene from WV

Planting Spider Plant Babies (5 or less ratings.)

When you want to propagate those baby spiders, you may wonder what to use if you use the method of cutting it off and growing the roots in water. I am doing this all the time with my big spider plant; I give them to my kids, and place them by the bed for my asthmatic husband.

Here's how I do it: I know many of us drink a lot of 20 oz bottles of soda or water, right? Take one of those, and some ordinary scissors, and cut the bottom off at the bottom of the label. To start I pinch the side of the bottle. Or you can use a knife to start it but be careful! Anyway use that bottom to put two or three babies in and fill it with water.

Then I put it on my window sill (North, if it matters I'm not sure) and check to make sure it doesn't run out of water. In a matter of a couple weeks there will be roots. Then you can put it in rich moist soil, and give it a little extra attention until the roots take hold.

Don't worry about how long you keep them in water to grow the roots, the longer you keep it in water the longer the roots get. I haven't had one die in water.

Source: My first plant was a spider plant, my mom had them since as long as I can remember, and 30 years later she still has the same one!

By Pmorse from Georgetown, DE

Buy Pre-Drilled Glass Blocks (5 or less ratings.)

Forget the drilling go to Michaels with a 40% coupon and get the blocks for $4. And they come with holes already. You can even use them as a bank.

By Barb from Ohio

Buy Halloween Candy After Halloween (5 or less ratings.)

I asked my husband last night, what is the best time to buy Halloween candy, and he said the day after Halloween. I had to laugh because that is "All Saints Day."

By Carol L. from South Bend, IN

Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner to Clean Glass Shower Stall (5 or less ratings.)

We are moving and I am trying to get things clean for the next tenants. I was very discouraged trying to get the glass shower stall clean. My friend told me to use toilet bowl cleaner. I couldn't believe it. It worked wonderfully. I purchased the cleaner at the dollar store, poured it on, waited and rinsed. It was amazing!

A warning for ceramic walls and shower floors. If you leave the cleaner on too long, it will eat the enamel, so be careful.

By Michelle from Spencerville, Ontario

Halloween: Headless Horseman Costume (5 or less ratings.)

Supplies

Large shirt 2 or 3 sizes larger than child, even an adult shirt
child's shirt in same color
jeans
stuffing
small piece of red cloth
cardboard
pumpkin bucket for head.

Instructions

Dress child in jeans and child's shirt. Put on adult shirt but pull it up so top of child's head is at neck of shirt. Tuck in sleeves so they do not show. Cut shirt where child's arms are and put arms through. Cut small eye holes in shirt.

Now the harder part. lLay cardboard on child's shoulders inside adult shirt. Stuff until the shirt looks like it fits up to neck. Cover neck opening with cloth. The child will now look headless with extra big shoulders. Have them hold pumpkin in crook of arm as if carrying head.

This costume has always won first place any time I have used it. We usually have someone lead the child around for safety.

By Randa from San Marcos, TX

Make Gift Tags Out of Junk Mail (5 or less ratings.)

Make gift tags out of junk mail! What a good way to save $ and have an afternoon of fun with the kids. First save some colorful junk mail mailings and envelopes with plastic windows on the back. You will need quite a bit of envelopes (double the amount of gift tags you want to make), glue stick, scissors, paper punch/glitter, some pretty paper, sayings etc,markers or other paint you can really make this your own unique craft.

Take the backs off the envelopes and stack to one side, fronts to the other (you can use fronts to write names or messages on for step 4 below)
Take 2 backs and put back to back, making sure the windows line up with each other and glue paper together around windows on three sides -leave open at top.
Cut out glued windows leaving 1/4 inch border
Put small strip of paper with message, name, etc. inside the see through gift tag. I like using fortune cookie paper saved form frequent trips to the Chinese restaurant :)
Put confetti (made out of colorful junk mailing with paper punch) or glitter inside.
Seal top

Optional: I like putting a message inside (#4 above) and writing the name with permanent marker on the outside.

Here you have it: a gift tag made entirely out of junk mail!

By Caeridwen

Label Homemade Treats for Halloween (5 or less ratings.)

Some people are hesitant to make their own Halloween treats for trick-or-treaters. Most parents will not allow their kids to eat homemade treats since they are not quite sure who made them. Whenever I made my own Halloween treats, I would use my name and address labels and securely stick them to the wrapped treat so the parents would know who made them.

By mkymlp from NE PA

Fall Decorated Pumpkins With Mod Podge (5 or less ratings.)

My daughter and I have recently discovered Mod podge semi-gloss (thanks to Martha S.). We used it on all assorted size pumpkins, and used glitter or crepe paper. Tonight we're going to use fall leaves from our yard.

You apply mod podge all over the pumpkin, then apply whatever you're using then go over it again with the mod podge. Not too thick or it will look like school glue when it dries in cracks.

We used darker colors, like burnt orange, brown, even a darker pink. Any color you think for fall, adding bows to the stems, I double mine so they look fuller. They should last though Thanksgiving. It's a great decorating idea. We are also going pumpkin shopping now that they're on clearance. Use your imagination.

Source: Martha S.

By "A" from Wheeling, WV

Line Brownie Pan With Aluminum Foil (5 or less ratings.)

Whenever you bake brownies or other baked items, line the pan you are using with heavy duty aluminum foil. When completely cool, carefully lift out; then pull foil away from sides. This makes it easy to cut and to lift out the pieces.

By mkymlp from NE PA