Tip Contest Results

Selling Items on Craigslist

Many people are now selling on Craigslist and on Facebook swap sites. I can't get over how many of the photo ads show the item for sale covered in dust and in a filthy setting. If you are selling an item and it looks like this, people are going to naturally assume that you didn't take good care of it, and will not want to give you top dollar.

Clean the item before taking the picture and make sure it is in a clean setting. If I want to buy a TV, I want to buy a clean one, not one covered with dust and with a dirty litter box beside it and a diaper on top of it in the picture. If you are selling electronics, make sure the item is clean, with no dust between keys or in air vents. If the item is fabric (clothing, curtains, or bedding) make sure it is clean and well aired out, not smelling musty, or smelling like animals or smoke.

When you go to meet your buyer, don't have them come to your home unless you know them. Instead, meet them in a public place, such as Walmart or McDonalds in the parking lot. Women, take a man with you, even if it is the neighbor, for safety reasons. Specify to the seller you are selling for cash only, no checks, and that you will not have change, so they will have the correct amount.

By April from NW, MO

Using Cold Black Tea for Skin Irritation

When I have allergic rashes and all else fails for relief, I use cold black tea compresses! This is especially good for around the eyes where most other remedies are too harsh! Good for under eye circles in a pinch, too.

By Pam from Los Angeles, CA

Product Review: Amore Tomato Paste

A few months ago, I was perusing new recipes to try and came across one where one of the ingredients stated "1 tablespoon Amore brand tomato paste from a tube." Tomato paste is available in a tube? Who knew such a thing existed? Well, I certainly had never heard of nor seen it so I began checking out where to find such a convenient item.

I originally found my nearest stores that carry the item by going to the Amore product link, clicking on the 'Where to Buy' button in the upper right hand corner of the web page and typing in my zip code:

Voila, two grocery stores within one mile of my home! I went to both to check out their price differences. In one store it was located in the fresh produce aisle. In the other, it was in the condiment aisle.

Yes, it's a little pricier than regular canned tomato paste but when you only need a tablespoon or two here and there, it's worth it. I say that because whenever I've stored the extra canned sauce (whether in a small glass or plastic container) in the refrigerator, it just seems to spoil far too quickly and end up throwing it away. 'll tell you that I've found the tube paste stays fresh for up to two months after opening when kept in the refrigerator because of the way it's packed, and all of it gets used!

If you haven't already, you simply must give tomato paste in a tube a try. I highly recommend the sun dried tomato paste that Amore offers! And if you're interested, Amore also offers garlic paste, anchovy paste, pesto paste and even hot pepper paste.

• http://www.amorebrand.com/products/tomato-paste

By Deeli from Richland, WA

Easy Marbled Nail Art

Here's an easy and fun way to do really beautiful nail art at home. I get compliments on them every time!

Supplies:

• small glass or plastic bowl
• water, room temp.
• Scotch tape
• clear base/top coat polish
• nail polish, different colors
• toothpicks
• Q-tips
• nail polish remover

Directions:

1. Choose a couple colors of nail polish you'd like to marble.

2. Apply a base coat to your nails. Let dry.

3. Fill a plastic bowl with room temperature water.

4. Put scotch tape around your nails to make it easier to remove extra polish.

5. Choose a polish, take out the brush. Hold it over the bowl of water and allow one droplet to fall in (hold close to water's surface). The color will spread.

6. Do the same with another polish, and drop the polish in the center of the first polish. Keep alternating colors until desired levels are achieved.

7. Taking a toothpick and swirl around the surface to make marbled designs.

8. Quickly dip your nail, face down, into the design and pick up. Let dry a few seconds, then remove the scotch tape from around your nail.

9. Remove excess polish from around your nail with a q-tip dipped in nail polish remover.

10. When polish is dry, apply a clear top coat.

By attosa from Los Angeles, CA

Making Non-Slip Hangers

Instead of buying expensive hangers to keep your silky shirts looking nice and from falling off of the hanger, buy plastic hangers and make a zig zag line of hot glue across the hanger. Ta-da! No slip grip!

Source: Pinterest

By LoveLiveHome from Walnut Creek, CA

Use Fingertip Towels Instead of Paper Napkins

Purchase terry cloth finger tip towels in different colors to use as every day napkins. I did this when our kids still lived at home and am still using them. At first I sewed different appliques on each so that each time they were used we knew which one belonged to whom. They got reused until soiled and then washed. They were kept in a decorative basket on the table or nearby. When we had family as house guests, we decorated and labeled clothespins and clipped them onto each one's napkin. I've saved quite a bit over the years on napkins. Sometimes I was fortunate enough to find them on clearance and often found colors to match dishes or placemats.
They can be packed along with picnic supplies too.

Source: Years ago I learned of this idea from a friend of my mother.

By Shelly from Spring Hill, KS

Use Hair Conditioner as Body Lotion

Instead of using lotion after your shower, you can use those conditioner samples you receive in the mail. Just apply at the end of the shower like lotion. It will lubricate your skin nicely and easily!

By Pamela Ruth M. from L.A., CA

Product Review: E Z Moves Furniture Moving System

I injured my right shoulder in November 2010 while moving an antique iron bed with the mattress and box springs still on it. With that injury, I then had three cortisone shots, X-rays, an MRI, and weeks of physical therapy to help get use of my arm again. Luckily, there was no damage to the rotator cuff. The pain was awful and the costs ridiculous.

Then one day, I saw a commercial for E Z Moves Furniture Moving System on TV. OK, I am a self-proclaimed "Doubting Thomas" and do not usually buy "As Seen on TV" products. But, I saw it advertised in our local Kmart weekly ad and decided to buy one. Price $19.99.

I put the lifter together and proceeded to put four sliders under the corners of my chest freezer which is half full with food. It was so simple that I could not believe it. I was able to slide the freezer away from the wall, clean behind it, mop the floor, and slide it back into place RIGHT BY MYSELF!

Don't be foolish and injure yourself like I did. Try the E Z Moves for yourself! My husband and I have recently used it during a redecoration of our home's second story. We moved an antique Murphy bed, which weighs a ton, without any problem to either of us.

I have told all my friends about this product. Try it for yourself.

By Southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA

Use a Washcloth on Dust Mop

Use your old dusting mop for mopping with a dollar store washcloth. You can help the environment by not using the disposal floor wipes. I wet a wash cloth with water and press the four corners into the perforated spots on the foam rubber mop head, just rinse often. Reuse, reduce, and recycle all at the same time.

By Louella from Billings, MT

Used Door Knob Mini Vase

I recently had to replace my front door knobs. Instead of tossing them, I use them for a mini vase. I have butterfly weed in it.

Source: Saw it somewhere on the net awhile ago.

By Elaine S. from Near Cedar Rapids, IA

Uses for Baby Blankets

Many animal shelters and veterinarians will take your old blankets and towels to use for their animal bedding. Just make sure it is clean and you have given a gift that many animals will enjoy for a long time.

By Gem from VA

Easy Window Shades

Why struggle with putting up store bought shades and mechanics? Use your favorite fabric to make a great shade. I hot glued mine right to the valance. I roll them up when I need the light to come in. They look great from the outside too.

By Louella from Billings, MT

1-1-1 Dump Cake

Ingredients

• 1 can fruit pie filling
• 1 box cake mix
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to temperature stated on cake mix box. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Mix pie filling with water, then spread over bottom of pan. Spinkle dry cake mix evenly over pie filling. I use a spatula to smooth it out evenly.

Melt the butter and 1/3 cup water in the in the microwave. Pour over the dry cake mix. It isn't necessary that all the cake mix be dampened. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Two combinations thay my family likes are cherry pie filling with chocolate cake mix, and apple or peach with yellow cake mix.

Source: A friend's dump cake recipe.

By Jean from Buffalo, NY

Saving Money on Utilities

In my area, the trash company and the wireless internet company are locally owed. In reading the fine print on the bills, I discovered some interesting savings. Both, give one month free if you pay for 6 months in advance at a time. So, I can get 2 free months of each service a year. Also, both will give me 1 month free for each new customer I bring to them, after that customer signs a one year contract. It pays to read the fine print. My friend has a similar set up with her water softener and swimming pool service companies.

By April from NW, MO

Free and Natural Potpourri

When I deadhead my herbs, I put the clippings in a nice bowl on a table, the bathroom counter, or anywhere. Then every time I walk past, I just toss them a few times with my fingertips. This releases the fragrance into the room even more and helps it to dry evenly.

Usually I have only one herb per bowl, but when they are dry, you can combine them for an even more interesting fragrance and use it in a variety of ways. There's no right or wrong. Experiment.

The photo is of lemon thyme, one of my favorites. (It makes your hands smell great.)

By ~gloria from Upstate NY

Organizing Tips on the Internet

When reading the card file methods for keeping track of tips found on the Internet, I had to offer two other resources. Both of these allow you to store the tips ON your computer for easy access, and neither takes up any space on your hard drive.

The first is a free Internet program called Evernote (available at www.Evernote.com). It allows you to keep as much material as you want; tips, recipes, wish lists, reading lists, etc., and easily access it whenever you want. You can organize these items any way that works for YOU, and be able to go right back to them when you need them. I couldn't live without it.

The second is another free Internet program called Pocket (getpocket.com). It allows you to "Pocket" whatever is on your screen. If I see a list of tips (or whatever), but don't have time to review it then, I "Pocket" that webpage (with a click on my toolbar). Voila, that page is right there in my "Pocket" for me to return to when it's convenient. At that point, I might copy just the items that interest me to Evernote, for more organized, long-term storage.

At age 68, I cannot remember how we lived without the Internet, and after using Evernote and Pocket, I hate to think how much time I wasted keeping information I wanted on paper, or in computer files that were tedious to organize and took up hard drive space.

Try them!

By Jayni from Richmond, TX

Pricing Homemade Quilts

I take the total amount of materials and mutiply it by the number of hours to complete the quilt and arrive at my price that way. Has worked for me for some time and I feel comfortable with the formula.

By Priscilla

Finding Appliance Manuals Online

From time to time, people ask for manuals for an appliance they have. This site gives you many manuals free. If you are a member of Facebook, you can even scan your own to refer to it.

www.manualsonline.com

Source: Kim Komando newsletter

By Elaine S. from Near Cedar Rapids, IA

Canned Cat Food for Urinary Tract Health

Prescription wet canned cat food for a urinary diet is not very interesting to my cat. Our cat Patches' veterinarian granted that the second best alternative is to have a high-quality canned food, that is "no dry". We mask the blandness of the prescription product with a 1/2 tsp mixed in of quality wet canned for flavor; Friskies also makes a Special Diet. Unequivocally, the prescription is medically the safest, but if your cat is losing weight due to not eating it, try the above.

Source: Our household ingenuity and Patches the Cat.

By Mary from Kensington, MD

Galvanized Pail Flower Gardens

I keep my eyes open for any old galvanized buckets, tubs, and pails that I can use in my garden. This one was once a "calf-a-teria" complete with rubber udder where the hole is at the bottom. It now hangs on my garden fence with the bracket once used for hanging on the calf pens.

By ~gloria from upstate NY

Pippy Longstocking Wig

I had to laugh when I saw this category. Years ago I dressed like Pippy Longstockings for Halloween. I took a mop head and colored it red with food coloring and used a bent coat hanger to braid the hair around so it would stick out straight. I got so many compliments from it and it was so cheap and easy to make. Just bend a wire hanger straight, braid the food colored mop head into two braids on each side. I think I used a barrette to hold it in place.

By Gem from Gordonsville, VA

Making Your Own Potpourri

During the summer months we get a lot of flowers at our work. I wait until they are dying and then I strip away the petals and spread them in a box lid and allow them to dry. I turn them ever so often and when they are completely dry I put them into a gallon sized baggie.

I use these for potpourri sachets or to put in a room to refresh it. I normally add some fragrance to it that can be bought at Walmart for a few dollars. Since the fragrance is a concentrate it only takes a few drops. Simple, easy, and cheap.

By Gem from VA

Problem Taking Pills

If you have trouble swallowing pills, there is a very easy solution. Place the pill in your mouth, then drink your water (or other liquid) through a straw. There's something about the closed-mouth sucking motion that helps the pill go down. Make sure to continue drinking (with or without the straw) after the pill has gone down. Most medications should be followed with a full (6-8 oz.) glass of water.

By AuntieBim from Tehachapi, CA

Citric Acid Solution for Aphids

I spray infected plants with citric acid solution (1 teaspoon of citric acid dissolved in 0.5 L of water). I sometimes spray this solution on all plants as a protective method even if they're not affected, and repeat as needed, it works. But avoid spraying the plants in the morning, you can do it in the afternoon after the sunset to protect the leaves from getting burnt.

By Araz from Syria

Saving Curling Ribbon

When I get balloons for my birthday or get Get Well Soon balloons, they eventually go flat. However, the ribbon attached to them is still good. I cut it off, cut a cardboard bobbin from an empty cereal box, then wrap the ribbon around it. I cut a small slit in the cardboard to hold the end of the ribbon. These pieces of ribbon are long enough to dress up small to medium sized gifts.

By JazzyMe from Los Angeles, CA

Can Lid Drink Cover

Keep those bugs and moths out of your drinks. I have a great can opener that leaves no sharp edges so these lids make great drink covers. If you like to sit outside and have a drink; then you need one of these lids to keep the bugs out. Some of the new cans come with pull-off tops so take the bottoms off of the cans.

By Louella from Billings, MT

Keeping Cool in the Car

Keep cool in the car with homemade air conditioning. Use a wet towel, wrung out, around your shoulders and neck to stay cool.

Soak a medium towel in ice water, wring it out, and bring it with you in the hot car to keep cool. Also bring a bowl of ice water to refresh the towel. This towel can be draped over your left arm and shoulder to keep the sunburn away, drape over your head, or rolled and put behind your neck. Sometimes I drape it over my lap. This prevents sunburn and keeps me cool. There is no need to use the car's a/c, which will reduce your gas mileage. I drove through the California desert in a car that did not have a/c and it works!

Source:

By Mary from Kensington, MD

Boiling Water for Getting Rid of Ants

I try to get rid of ants at the source. If you find an ant hill, pour boiling water on it. It's nontoxic to other animals and gets them before they get into the house.

By Kathie622 from Nanticoke, PA

Prevent and Treating Swimmers Ear

Anyone who has ever had swimmers ear knows how painful it is. Put equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol into a small bottle with a dropper lid. Close, and shake gently. Put 8 to 10 drops in your ear, tilt your head sideways for a few minutes so the drops don't come out. Then allow to drain. Repeat with the other ear. If you already have swimmers ear use vinegar only.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Decorating Your Yard For Your Wedding

If you have a pond use Japanese floating candles they are pretty lit up with the glowing light through the shade. They were originally for funerals in Japanese culture to honor the dead, but they are beautiful, and you can honor your dearly beloved, or anyone who wasn't at the whole celebration due to passing before the celebration. A word of warning do not pay for swans; they are beautiful, but down right mean and territorial. The males will attack the guests. Try ribbons in the trees, and glowing lanterns too for dramatic affect, if you don't have a pond. If you have a walkway path, try clear bright glowing Christmas lights for the path, or green bushes, or trees. Have fun get daring. Enjoy your wedding day. I know I did mine.

Source:

By Tanya from MN

Make a Straw Hole in Water Bottle Lid

My 3 year old granddaughter loves that I make hole (the size of a straw) in the lid of her bottled water container. It makes drinking so much fun and easier. It also keeps Grandma happy too because there are no spills.

By Louella from Billings, MT

Refinishing a Bathtub

One can buy a product from Homax that is a tub refinishing kit. I am told it works very well but you have to have good ventilation. You prep it, paint it, and let it dry. The interior of my tub was in reasonably good condition so I just had to paint the outside to go with the colors I used elsewhere in the bath. I used a satin finish. This is not the best photo, but you can get an idea of what it would look like.

By Elaine S. from Near Cedar Rapids, IA

Giving Medication to Pets

I take hot dogs or sausage and cut them into bite sizes for my Wirehair Terrier. When she was a puppy, I gave her those as treats when she was learning new tricks. I take the bite sized pieces and insert the pills, then I give them to her with a couple that aren't medication. I've been doing this for 10 years without any problems. Cheese and peanut butter didn't work with her!

By Jesse from Kelseyville, CA

Arnica Gel for Sunburns

I really like the Arnica Gel that you get from your health food stores. I find it works really well right after coming in from outside! Awhile back I had burned my cheek with a curling iron and I put Arnica on it right away. I admit, it really hurt after putting it on, but I used it a couple more times that day, and the burn felt a lot better. Within a couple days it was completely gone with no scabbing or scarring. Also, if you want a cooling effect, you can use Noxema afterwards!

By Henrietta B. from Oconee, SC

Developing a Budget During Retirement

Until I recently retired I had never worked to a strict budget and although I was well paid I was often caught short of money. Now receiving a fixed income from my Superannuation fund I have my finances under control and actually have more disposable income despite my income now being around 50% of what it previously was.

I did this by paying out the balance of my house loan with a lump sum from my Super payout and I set up a couple of new bank accounts and linked direct debit payments for all my regular payments such as insurance, council rates, health insurance, phone, and SAVINGS! For payments that couldn't be set up this way I have a separate account and a set amount goes directly into the account to cover the payments.

My fortnightly Superannuation payment goes directly into one account and then gets directly debited into the other accounts. The money that is left in the main account is what I have budgeted for food and petrol for my car and a small amount of spending money. This system works well for me, every $ is accounted for, the majority of my regular accounts are automatically paid and there is money in the other account for the few I have to pay myself.

For the first time in my life I am totally debt free, my accounts are all up to date, and I don't have to worry about not having money to pay them. My savings are regularly increasing because I'm not robbing them to pay bills. I am fortunate that my Super fund is a defined benefit which means I receive the same amount plus CPI increases for the rest of my life so I'm not at the mercy of how my Super fund performs in the stock market.

Retirement was something I was financially dreading but with this system in place I have absolutely no money worries, every payment is covered, even unexpected things like emergency repairs. I have money there if I want to treat myself or others and I am still accumulating savings. I don't go without anything. I didn't think it was possible but it does work. I just started by writing down every single thing I spent money on and my regular accounts and went from there. Retirement is great and even better with no financial worries!

By Beadiebug from Qld, Australia

Bookmarking Online Tips

I find it easy to create files for areas I'm interested in under the "Bookmark" area. For example, Crocheting, Knitting, Cleaning, Stores, etc. Then when I come across a page or note I'd like to keep, I simply bookmark this page and save it under its proper file folder.

By lanagee from Bristow, VA

Toothpicks to Fill Nail Holes

If the nail hole is big enough, use a toothpick to fill it, break it off, sand lightly, and cover with the white toothpaste. Or you can use Elmer's white glue to cover the toothpick. Toothpaste may fall out but the glue will stay. Just make sure you wipe off the excess.

By Kathie622 from Nanticoke, PA

Keeping Bacon From Curling

When you buy bacon uncooked, run water over it, pat it dry a little bit, and it won't curl up on you.

By cookie17 from Roanoke, VA

Use Address Labels on Items You Lend Out

These can be used to attach to DVD's, books or other things that you own and want a reminder to return to you.

By jabirn from Gadsden, AL

Using a Toothbrush to Clean a Drain

When my tub drain got blocked, instead of using a caustic liquid drain opener, I stuck an old toothbrush down the opening. The bristles quickly and completely removed a disposable razor blade cover and a ton of hair! My drain has worked perfectly since then and I've made it a point to clean it out daily.

By Tina from Springfield, NH