Tip Contest Results

Use a Soda Can Ring to Double Your Wardrobe Space

Slide a ring pull (from a soda can) over a coat hanger and immediately you now have double the wardrobe space!

Source: I saw a picture online.

By Monique from Somerset, UK., Weston-super-Mare

Tips for Using Shower Caps

Shower caps are inexpensive and very useful when packing luggage for putting your shoes inside. I also use a shower cap to cover my bicycle seat when it's raining and clear shower caps are handy to cover plates of food when dining al fresco!

By Monique from Somerset, UK., Weston-super-Mare

Vinegar And Honey for Arthritis Pain

This is an old wives tale, but it works! Mix in a glass 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of honey. (The amounts can vary according to taste). Mix well and drink. Follow with a glass of water.

I have recommended this remedy to many friends and they are amazed. It's all natural. Continue at least twice a day until the pain is relieved or gone. Sometimes this can take a week or even up to six weeks.

Source: An old book what about what vinegar can do. I don't remember the name.

By Irene from Williston, FL

Heal Minor Burns Instantly With Soy Sauce

This tip might, if not save your life, at least make it a lot more agreeable! It happens to all of us at some point - we spill a bit of hot water on ourselves, we touch the stove too soon, or we interact with high temperature tools or irons.

I know that at least once every couple of months I find a way to burn my fingers, and it was always a problem. Cold water and ice never seemed to do it, expensive creams never quite did the trick, and even the mildest burn would sting for an entire day.

Then one day I read in my local paper's People's Pharmacy column, about a bloke who cured their burn with a bit of soy sauce. Just douse it in soy sauce and watch it heal! Never one to scoff at anything before trying it, I soon found an opportunity to do so and it worked! It was pretty miraculous. Right away the sting stopped, and no scar was left behind.

I had occasion to remember this today when I was using a wood burning pen tool, and missed. It was a small though pretty severe third degree burn, the sort where you can smell your own cooking flesh (sorry! but true) and a hole the shape of the tool end was left. So I tried the soy sauce. Nothing else but that. I got a little dish of it and let my abused member soak in it for a bit. It still stung, for a good 15 minutes - but then it miraculously stopped hurting! The hole literally sewed itself up, the finger stopped hurting, and all that's left so far is a small white line where the burn was. I can even type with absolutely no problems!

I have used soy sauce with large water spill burns, fairly severe stove burns, pretty much any sort of burn I have encountered. I have been blessed to never have been in a really bad accident. In severe cases, I, of course, would seek medical help (and advise everyone to do the same) but for these small to moderate circumstances, soy sauce is the thing.

Source:www.peoplespharmacy.com

By ahorrasi from Marshall, NC

Aspirin for Swimmer's Green Hair

There are many ways to treat your hair before swimming to prevent your hair from turning green, but if you forgot to do that before you jumped in the pool, try this! Crush two aspirin (even the cheapest of the cheap aspirin) and mix it into your the normal amount of shampoo you'd use while washing your hair. Lather the mixture into your wet hair and rinse out as usual. Condition and rinse well. It works immediately. Aspirin contains salicylic acid which battles the alkalinity of chlorine to neutralize the green color!

By attosa from Los Angeles, CA

How to Reduce Paint Odors

There are a few items you can use that greatly help to mask or neutralize the smell of fresh paint. You also need to have good ventilation during, and for at least a couple of days after painting for health safety sake. Please keep in mind that these items only either mask or neutralize odor and that the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the paint will still be released into the air as the paint dries. For that reason if anyone has respiratory problems it would be best if they stay elsewhere for one night at the very least.

Here are the suggestions of what works for either odor masking or neutralizing:

Bioworld Odor Neutralizer Commercial Concentrate (Bon-Cc-41):
Is an odor neutralizer that can be ordered online. It's a tiny bit expensive, but it's concentrated:
http://store.bioworldusa.com/BioWorld-Odor-Neutralizer-Commercial-Concentrate/

Essential Peppermint Oil:
Peppermint oil is clear so it can be used even in white or cream tone paint colors to mask paint odor. Mix in 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per gallon of paint.

Lemon Extract:
Lemon extract can also be used even in white or cream tone paint colors to mask paint odor. Mix only 1 to 2 drops per gallon of paint.

Pure Vanilla Extract:
Use only clear vanilla extract for white or cream tone paint colors to mask paint odor. You can use light colored vanilla extract for all other paint colors. Mix in 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per gallon of paint.

Onions:
Cut a large peeled onion into quarters, place each in a separate saucer (one cut side facing down), add some water and place the saucers in different locations in the room.

Vinegar:
Place small bowls or small glasses filled part way with vinegar around the room.

Happy painting ;-)

**Bonus Note: The BioWorld Bon-Cc-41 can also be used to eliminate odors in carpets, hardwood floors, walls, and even laundry that are caused by smoke, skunk, pets, garbage, and urine.

By Deeli from Richland, WA

Chalk to Deter Ants

I read the coolest thing recently. I tried it and it works! If you have a problem with ants around pet food, water, doors or window sills, all you have to have is chalk. Yes, it that easy. You draw a circle around the pet food or water and the ants will NOT cross over the circle of chalk.

I told my friend and her daughter used sidewalk chalk around her windows and door. You can use it really anywhere you do not want ants to cross over. They can't tolerate what is in the chalk.

Amazing! Try it: nontoxic, no fumes and easily replaced when you clean or during a summer rain. It works and the price is right.

Source: Article on things you would never think of.

By Luana M. from San Diego, CA

Dryer Sheets for Cleaning Bugs Off a Car

When those pesky "love bugs" are all over your car and very hard to remove try using your dryer sheets, either new or used. They actually work. I tried it after a friend told me about it. Sure does save a lot of time and aching muscles.

Source: A friend

By Irene from Williston, FL

Use Lip Balm to Moisten Fingertips

I use this tip when in a public waiting area where magazines are available. Instead of worrying about germs from licking your finger when you turn the page (admit it, we have all done it), I carry a cheap lip balm. A little dab and no more stuck pages or someone else's germs!

By Carmen from Daytona Beach, FL

Storing Plastic Bags in Purse or Tote

I found that if I take a plastic bag and smooth it out and fold it up small, I can get several into a large prescription bottle which then goes in my purse or tote. You'll always have a plastic bag when you need one and you're away from home.

By Marti from Athens, GA

Get Rid of Clutter in 30 Days

If you're like me you can get overwhelmed with the clutter. I found this tip in a magazine it works really well. Clear out 30 bags of junk in 30 days. I just fill a handbag from all over the house as I'm cleaning each day, and the clutter is going down.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Invest in a Counterfeit Money Checker

I live in Canada and we have counterfeit money making the rounds, even though our bills are much harder to fake due to the colors and markings of the paper money. I have a small battery operated special money checker light that when you shine it on the bill it shows little squiggle marks in the bill that you can not see with the human eye. If they are not there when you pass the light over it, it is a fake. I found this checker at a dollar type store of all places but expect you could find a money checker at your local stationery store or Walmart perhaps.

The feel of the paper can also be a giveaway as well so always be aware of that when handling cash. I sell at local craft/farm market and it pays to be cautious.

In this economy, wear your money on you in a money belt. Don't keep your money in a tin where anyone can grab and run off with it. There was a lady who had her purse stolen at the market recently. She had her purse under her vendors' table but someone reached down from the front of the table and took it when there was a crowd of people around her table.

People are desperate and it is only getting worse. If someone wants to give me a fifty or hundred dollar bill for a small priced item, I first ask if they have anything smaller. Usually they do have smaller bills or change on them. I usually only take a bigger bill if they are spending over 20 dollars and I get out my checker and hold it up to the light as well. I work hard for what little I make at yard sales and such so want to protect my hard earned money! I hope these tips help.

By linn from Canada

Use Foam Packing Material as a Car Seat Backest

My husband has been having trouble with his lower back and trying out various pillows and so on to support his back in the car. Finally, he tried using a piece of foam packing material which has worked fine and cost nothing. If you want to get fancy, you could cover the foam or cover with a pillowcase.

By Pam from Los Angeles, CA

Place Ice in Front Of Fan For Cool Air

Looking for a way for keeping cool without an air conditioner? Put a large bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan. Turn on the fan. The ice will cool the air from the fan and quickly cool you off. Replace ice cubes as needed.

By Anne from Green Bay, WI

Skirt Hanger For Reading Recipes

Why on earth did I never think of this? Pop your recipe in a plastic sleeve to make it waterproof.

Source: A picture online.

By Monique from Somerset, UK., Weston-super-Mare

Considerations When Apartment Hunting

As we become senior citizens and decide we want to enjoy life and move to an apartment to eliminate yard work and home maintenance, don't forget to keep in mind one very important thing. How far will I have to carry my groceries and everything else before getting to my apartment? The apartment might be lovely, but the distance you have to haul things might not be so lovely, especially in the rain, ice and snow.

By Joanne from Fond du Lac, WI

Make Your Own Memory Foam Pillows

Make your own memory foam pillows and save money. Buy a bargain priced (single bed size) 3 inch memory foam mattress pad and two zippered pillow case covers.

Measure the pillow case covers and cut 4 pieces of the memory foam the same size using a yardstick and marking your cut lines with a Sharpie pen so you have the right size and cut a straight line (I used scissors to cut them). One at a time, tuck two of the pieces carefully into each pillow case so there are no lumpy spots, and zipper them in. Cover as normal with pillow cases. They are very comfortable and affordable.

Afterward, I took two small strips of leftover foam and inserted them lengthwise into an older pillow case and tucked the ends of the pillow case in. I use it as a lumbar support for my back in my car. It gives just the right amount of support and it isn't lumpy because it molds to your back.

You can make pet beds using this method also. Much cheaper than buying them from the pet store.

By Ann from Goulais River, Ontario

Refurbish File Folders

I had a bunch of older file folders that didn't look so good. I decided to use some left over contact paper to cover them and make them look new again. This worked really well. The contact paper I got from the dollar store so this was not an expensive project and it kept some old folders out of the trash.

Source:

By fancy61 from northern Dayton area, OH

Planning Ahead For Traveling With Children

Recently we (3 adults and 2 children under the age of 10) took a rather long road trip. It was a learning experience for us all! :-) I did manage to do a few things to make the trip easier.

1. Kids get hungry. They are always starving. At gas stations, snacks will break you. Before the trip, I purchased summer sausage and a block of cheese. I sliced them thinly using my slicer. I packaged 1/2 dozen slices of each into a small plastic pouch using my foodsaver then I tossed them in the cooler. As the ice melted to water, my food stayed dry. I have used baggies and plastic containers before, but this was the best way for me. Each child took a pouch at a time, and a few crackers. There was no waste, food stayed fresh, and the kids were happy.

   Before the trip I also purchased (for $1 each), a bottle with a push/pull top, like the top on a dishwashing detergent bottle. All drinks (diet soda, water, or juice) had to be in that bottle. No spills. We also took fresh fruit. You can always stop along the way and replenish supplies.

2. Kids get bored. Several years ago, my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I asked for a portable DVD player and 2 sets of headphones. He thought it was an odd request, but that is what he purchased me. I took it on the road trip with numerous movies placed in a CD case. It really helped entertain the children when the drive was getting long and "boring".
3. Kids want souvenirs, Most are cheap toys with a "Made in China" stamp. I let each child take a medium sized empty plastic peanut butter jar. They filled it with pretty pebbles from the beach, a handful of sand, etc. I also picked up brochures to put in their scrapbooks, and of course I took loads of pictures! I found T shirts on clearance racks in shops, instead of paying $15 a shirt, I paid $3.
4. Make travel a game. I had printed out several scavenger hunt games and search a word travel games before we left, and gave each child a clipboard and pencil. Kept them busy for hours!
5. Find free things to do. I took the time to check out free/frugal things to do in the cities along our route. I was pleased to see how many things were free. We went to interesting museums, frontier towns, and other tourist attractions. All it took was a little of my time to find them.
6. In this economy, I thought getting a motel room each night would be easy. I was wrong. The motels along the highway filled up fast. I learned the hard way to use my phone to locate them in the town we were going to stop at for the night, and to call ahead. I also found that by traveling a mile off the highway, we found smaller "mom and pop" motels that were clean and cost over 50% less.
7. No matter where you are, you will always have dirty laundry. Before we left I put a premeasured amount of powdered laundry detergent, and a scoop of dry bleach into a snack size baggie. I placed the filled packages into a plastic square ice cream tub, along with a pack of dryer sheets. It made it easier, and certainly cheaper, to do laundry along the way, be it at the hotel or a laundromat.
8. With motels usually offering a continental breakfast, and our buying bread and lunch meat for our lunch, we only had one meal to eat out on, that was supper. Many prefer to eat lunch out on the road (they must of never had car sick kids). At one nice restaurant, they wanted $6 per dessert. Way too expensive. Instead, we got back in the car, picked up ice cream cones at a fast food joint, and tooled around on a site seeing tour around the town while munching on them.

All in all, it was a fun, and educational trip; one I hope the children will always remember. I know I will!

By Bevery from MO

Reusing Empty Gift Wrap Tubes

I save my empty tubes to save my grandson's art. Rolling the art in a tube form lets me keep them "fold free". I can save quite a few in each tube and I date them by the year they were made. He started when he was about two and he just turned 5 in April.

By Christi-TX from Abilene, TX

Reasons to Buy and Enjoy Real Butter

Here are six reasons to use real butter:

1. It contains fat soluble vitamins. Butter is a source of vitamins A, D, K, and E. It's an especially rich source of Vitamin A in the form that is easiest for our bodies to use.
2. It helps with the absorption of vitamins and minerals from vegetables. When butter is used in cooking with vegetables, it helps our bodies process and use the water soluble vitamins and minerals found in the vegetables.
3. It can be a source of omega-3 fatty acids. This is a great tip for those of you, like me who don't eat as much fish as you'd like. When cows are fed on grass, their butter contains more omega-3s. When cows are fed grains, however the omega-3 levels are greatly reduced. So it's important to buy good quality butter from grass-fed or "pastured" cows.
4. Butter helps protect against gastrointestinal infections. This protective function comes from a type of fat in butter called "glycophingolipids". It's been attributed to the reason that children who drink whole milk have lower rates of diarrhea than skim milk drinkers.
5. It can help protect against cancer. CLA, another type of fat that is only found in butter from grass-fed cows is attributed to having anti-cancer properties as well as preventing weight gain.
6. Butter contains important trace minerals. Butter is also a source of minerals that are required only in tiny quantities by our bodies. These include manganese, zinc, chromium, and iodine. This makes me happy; I love real butter.

Source: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

By Bobbie G from Rockwall

You Found a Baby Bird on the Ground - Now What?

During the summer, one can often find baby birds sitting or hopping along on the ground. Often, people assume that these babies have "fallen out of the nest" and are in need of human help. People will catch these birds and usually try to give them worms or bread (the wrong food for most young birds) and unfortunately most of these captured babies will die of shock, aspiration from being force fed or given water, or malnutrition from improper feeding. This is a sad situation, heartbreaking for children involved, and should not have ever happened in most cases.

When one finds a young bird on or near the ground, the great overwhelming majority of the time these are young birds which have just "fledged" and they are now being cared for by their parents as they are learning to fly. Most people picture a baby bird growing and stretching its wings in its nest until one day it just flies away as a grown up bird. But in reality, a baby bird does not spend many days at all in its nest, only the very earliest days of its life in which it is truly helpless. As soon as most baby birds are mobile enough to hop and cling to limbs, they will leave the nest, which has often become infested with parasites and which is now much too small for the rapidly growing birds. This commonly happens after just 11 to 18 days! The parents know where their babies are and are still tending them, bringing them food and keeping in contact by calling to them. Sometimes one parent will tend to one or two babies while the other tends another small group somewhere else. This is a completely normal and vital part of bird life and we should not interfere or try to "help" the parents. The parents will continue to teach their babies to fly and how to gather food for weeks or even a month or more.

It is a myth that if a baby bird is touched, that its parents will "abandon it." Songbirds have no appreciable sense of smell. But there is still no good reason to handle baby birds either in a nest or those which can be found on the ground, unless they are in imminent and unavoidable danger. Birds can easily die just from stress or shock.

So if you find a baby bird in your yard, what should you do? If the bird has any feathers at all, it is probably a fledgling and just doing what it has been designed to do... it has left the nest at the proper time. Try to keep your dogs, cats, and curious children away. If the baby is in a high traffic area, such as a sidewalk or street and is in danger of being trampled or captured by animals or children, toss a light cloth over it to catch it and gently place it in a more secluded spot nearby, preferably in a bush or shrub to offer cover. Then move away. The closer you are to the bird, the more likely it is that the parents will hesitate to come near, but be assured that they are probably watching quietly from a distance. Or, in some species the parents may squawk and scold or perhaps even attack you. The closer you remain to the fledgling, the more likely it is that the parents will hesitate to return to it. After all, they don't want to attract your attention to their baby. Parents are incredibly observant and will likely see you even if you attempt to hide nearby. Leave the area and let the parents do their job.

Even though these babies may not yet be able to fly, they can usually hop and climb well. Your continued presence nearby may cause the baby to panic and flee into an unsafe area which may leave it exposed to predators.

As adorable as baby birds are with their large eyes and fluffy feathers, we must resist the urge to handle them or keep them as pets. We are not suited to care for them as their parents are. Also, many people are not aware that in the United States and many other nations it is illegal to have a baby songbird in your possession, or even to keep any part of a bird, its eggs, or its nest. These laws are in place partially to protect birds from well-meaning but uninformed individuals who just want to "help" but who may end up doing harm.

The photos I have shared here are of some fledglings that we found recently at a campground. The white baby is a newly fledged Warbling Vireo. It was on the ground, but then hopped up to perch on a campfire grill. At first appearance, it seemed alone and abandoned, a tempting target for someone to "help" it by capturing it. But in reality it was being fed insects every few minutes by a parent. The adult bird kept in contact with the baby with soft calls, and the baby often watched the parent as it hunted for insects in the leaves just above it, thus learning how to hunt for its future food items. What some people would consider "abandoned" was being closely watched and properly cared for.

The yellow bird is a baby Orchard Oriole which we saw nearby and which was also being tended by its parents. The Oriole baby alternated between sitting on the ground and climbing on weed stems. Its parents saw us nearby and scolded us, so we moved away. (I used a long lens to take these photos.)

These baby birds are undergoing a learning process necessary for their survival, and it is not our place to interfere with that, no matter how appealing and adorably cute they may be. A well-meaning and good-hearted but uninformed person who might have captured these babies would have almost certainly caused their deaths.

Newly-hatched birds are something else altogether, but are much less often found. I may address that some other time in a different posting.

Source: Years of experience observing and learning about birds.

By Shawna from TN, USA

Freezing Cheese Dip

I decided to try freezing Rotel tomato Velveta cheese dip. It freezes well.

By Joanie from Spring Branch, TX

Husking Sweet Corn

Take three ears of sweet corn still in the husks and lay them in the microwave. Cook them on high for 7 minutes. When they're done, get a hot pad and take the ears of corn out, laying them on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the cob off husks and all, about an inch from the bottom of the ear.

Once you have the cob cut off, hold the ear up at the top where the silks come out. Give the ear a few shakes and out will pop an ear of corn all cooked and ready to eat without one silk on it. Sometimes you may have to help loosen the husks where you cut, but all the silks still come off as you pull on the top. It works best while the corn is hot. This is one of the best tips I have ever used.

Source: This was found in the Norfolk Daily News.

By Judy from Pierce, NE

Hang Jars of Cut Flowers in Your Garden for Color

This is an idea for an easy way to add color and interest to your garden. Hang jars of water around the garden in places where there's mainly just foliage. I use wire around the rim of the jar and then secure to tree branch, fence post, wherever.

Now add some of your own cut flowers to perk up the spot with color and interest. Change water often. And vary the flowers depending on what's blooming at the moment.

These Shasta daisies are hanging around with the birdhouse gourds on the garden fence.

By ~gloria from upstate NY

Remedies for Bug Stings

In case of an insect sting, apply ice for one half hour and then try one of these remedies for one half hour. Caution, apply "around" the stung area. Do not put directly on broken skin:

• a slice of raw onion
• a slice of raw potato
• grated or sliced horseradish root
• wet salt
• toothpaste

This should help relieve pain and keep down swelling.

Source: Bottomline Publishing: Household Magic

By Macie4 from Walnut Creek, CA

Getting the Last Tissues Out

Once I came upon a segment of "Everybody Loves Raymond". The father barged into Raymond's house and took a facial tissue. Raymond asks, "Why don't you use your own tissues?" Father says, "When they get low, when you reach in, your hand gets stuck!" Raymond says, "Turn it upside down!"

I tried this. My hands are too small. I need to use two hands to turn it over, or even hang on to it. I don't have a free hand to grab a tissue with. So the idea just stewed in the back of my mind for awhile. Then one day I thought, "What if I turned the box on it's side?" Yes, it worked! It took a lot longer before I got to the last few tissues that were a bit difficult to get out.

What I do with these last few is this. I set that box of tissues aside for a bit in the closet with the new boxes and begin a new box. When the new box has had about an inch worth of tissues used out of it, I go to the storage closet, pull out the almost empty one, remove the tissues (carefully), and gently fold them into the fuller box, tucking them in neatly. Now I have an empty tissue box to use for all those other niffy ideas people have mentioned on this site for uses of empty tissue boxes!

By JazzyMe from Los Angeles, CA

Bath Fizzies

I use a silicone ice cube mold to form my fizzies. I made some with a heart shape, rose fragrance oil and put them in a cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon for my grandson's pre-K teacher. He helped pack the cavities, he was so proud and Mrs. Cole was very happy!

Make the fizzie recipe, "firmly" pack into mold (I sprayed mine with coconut oil). Let them stay in mold overnight and then unmold on a bath towel (to reduce the risk of chipping). I let them dry for another day before they were packaged.

By Christi-TX from Abilene, TX

Use Bandannas Instead of Washcloths

It is very unpleasant to go and wash your face with a stinky washcloth. I now purchase colorful bandannas to use in lieu of the traditional one. Even in humidity, they dry within a a few hours. Bonus, they are more pliable.

I imagine that individual family members could have their individual theme. The bandannas can be purchased for $1.00 or less.

By Chris A. from Potomac Falls, VA

Steam Clean Your Microwave

Pour 1 cup of vinegar into a 2 cup measuring cup, then add 1 cup of hot water to that. Place the measuring cup into the microwave for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes remove the cup, use gloves and wipe out your microwave with a wet rag, then dry it. Stuck on stuff will come right off.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Tips for Painting Doors

When painting don't take off door handles just cover them with tin foil. It makes the job a whole lot easier.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Fixing Jelly That Set Too Hard

I know that this might not be a big help to some, but to those that do canning it might. I canned some grape jelly and could not get it to jell, so I put in 4 boxes of Sure Jel. That was a big mistake. I didn't realize that Sure Jel had a very sour taste til the damage was already done, but I processed the jelly anyway. Needless to say the end product was very solid and sour.

So to fix it I took two half pints at a time and added 1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water and heated the whole thing on the stove in a pan, on low heat to boiling. When it was boiling for about 2 minutes (not any longer than 2 minutes), I took it and put it back into sterilized jars and sealed the lids back on and processed in the hot water bath. So what I have got now is a delicious "grape butter" the consistency of apple butter. I read that once something is cooked too hard it cannot be fixed. By taking a chance, I found out that it could be fixed and I didn't have to throw out my jellies.

By Cassie

Removing Labels from Plastic Containers

Use a hair dryer. Move it over label for a few minutes on warm, then turn dryer off. Start to peel from one corner. It should peel easily. If there is any residue left, use a cotton bud with a little eucalyptus oil. That will dissolve it. Wash in soapy water to clear any smell of the oil.

By Lyn from Bowen, Australia

Bring Down a Fever With Vinegar

Next time your child has a fever, put apple cider vinegar onto some socks and put them on your child. Wrap their feet in a towel and the fever will come down.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Bed Making Tip for Bed Wetters

If you have a child who soaks the bed in the night, just put a rubber sheet on to protect the mattress. Then add another sheet and then another rubber sheet, and finally another sheet on top of that. That way if the child wets the bed, all you have to do is tear the top sheets off and clean it in the morning. You are not making the bed at 2:00 AM.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Use a Straw for No Mess Yogurt

I know yogurt can be really messy. Just give kids a straw to drink the yogurt out of their container, no mess. So much easier.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Freezing Bottled Water

I keep my bottled water in the freezer. They don't burst when frozen full. When I take one out I start drinking it as it melts. That way I have a cold drink that lasts a long time. These are good when taken to outdoor events in hot weather.

By Nightsong from Hay Capitol of the World!

Ants and Hummingbird Feeders

I can't seem to get rid of the ants on a hummingbird feeder and with this drought it's really hard to keep a mote full of water. I am using a scrap of jewelry wire to hang the feeder from. So far it's working! It is too small for the ants to travel on.

By Connie from MO

Organizing Toiletries When Traveling

I have a soft sided "train case" for cosmetics and toiletries, the classic design with a zipper all around the top and a handle in the middle of the top of the case. When traveling, the contents would all shift, and upon arrival at my hotel I would spend time reorganizing and putting bottles upright, etc. until I came upon an inexpensive solution.

After an unsuccessful search of the Internet for some sort of insert to keep my bottles and mini spray cans upright, I ended up buying 6 soft sided "cozies" or soda/beer can holders made of thick neoprene. They are available in many craft stores, and I got mine for .50 each. They fit in my train case very well, and my cans and bottles are no longer rolling around. You might need more or less cozies, depending on the size of your case. They also protect against breakage, as they provide padding.

By Ginny from Murrells Inlet, SC

Use Muffin Pans for Making Taco Bowls

If you ever want to create taco bowls, turn your muffin pan upside down, spray with cooking oil and bake tortillas for 10 minutes at 375 degrees F.

By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN

How to Store a Plunger

I try to keep the plunger close but hidden. So I use a large plastic bag to keep it covered then store it in the bathroom cabinet. When used, I clean it by spraying it with a cleaner and then rinse. When dry, I cover with a plastic bag and store out of sight!

By lanagee from Bristow, VA

Store Herbs and Spices In Freezer

I use many herbs and spices in my cooking, and these can be quite expensive. For years, I have kept small containers easily at hand in my spice cupboard, away from heat and light. But I have also kept larger amounts in a shelf in my freezer, which will keep them fresh for years. A friend brought me herbs from France, which are six years old now, and still as fresh as the day I got them. Just refill the small containers from the large ones in the freezer. Be sure to get extras if something you use goes on sale, knowing that they will stay fresh as long as you keep them in the freezer.

By Frances from Boston, MA