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Thrifty Tip Contest
(August 15 - 21, 2009)

This contest is over. See the winners and other entries below.

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Duration	Entries
August 15 - 21, 2009	67

Tip: Furoshiki: Japanese Wrapping Cloth

(Guest)
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 846 Posts

August 18, 2009

I have never heard of Furoshiki before and this is the absolute coolest! Not only is it a green way to wrap gifts (the cloth itself being an extra gift), but it can also be used as a purse/carrying case!

Comment Was this helpful? 13

Tip: Gift Card Budgeting

August 17, 2009

This one works great! Hubby pointed out that he saw big fluctuations from month to month on our grocery spending. I've decided that $400 should be enough for a month of groceries.

Comment Was this helpful? 11

Buy and Use Refills for Cleaning ProductsInstead of buying the pricey spray room fresheners, I buy the refills for the automatic sprayers. They last nearly forever and are more economical. The same goes for the automatic shower cleaner.

Cover Toy Decals With Packing TapeAfter cleaning kids toys or dragging them in after they were caught out in the rain, I have found that the cute little decals on most of the really well built toys (even the ones intended for outside use) quickly become cracked, discolored, and peeling off.

Dating My Food in StorageI have started to date my foods that I put into storage; into the fridge, into the freezer, and into the pantry, my leftovers, everything!

3 Comments Comment

Finding Secondhand TextbooksIf you're looking for second-hand textbooks, check out second-hand book stores and library book sales (I've found brand new textbooks for as little as fifty cents at these sales). You can ask former students and teachers if they're getting rid of their old books.

5 Comments Comment

Freeze Bell PeppersWhen sweet peppers are on sale, I buy different colored ones, chop them up and freeze them on a cookie sheet. When frozen, I put them in a freezer container.

1 Comment Comment

Give Frames as Frugal GiftsSuper-affordable holiday gift that will work for every person on your gift list (with the exception of kids). Look through the craft periodicals (sales papers) from the newspaper, or check the craft website periodically.

2 Comments Comment

container with a head of lettuce

Lock 'n Lock Storage ContainersAfter returning from vacation, I pulled out the lettuce which had been in our refrigerator for three weeks thinking I would have to toss it out. I had stored it in one of my Lock 'n Lock containers and when I opened it, to my surprise the lettuce was crisp and fresh.

7 Comments Comment

Professional Pet PhotosI think one of the most worthwhile expenses is getting a professional photo done of a pet. I had a professional photo done of my doxie when she was 5 years old, it has been invaluable since her passing.

2 Comments Comment

Quick Sides for Hot WeatherI just wanted to share a couple of my favorite quick side dishes for a hot day.

4 Comments Comment

Rinse Hair Coloring OutsideThe problem: How do I rinse my hair out good after applying hair color and not splashing it onto my floor, wall and surrounding area? My solution is to rinse my hair under the garden hose.

6 Comments Comment

Substitute Cheezits for Ritz Crackers in CasseroleI was going to make squash casserole for my Sunday dinner and discovered I was out of Ritz crackers needed, but I did have a box of Cheezits. They not only added the consistency I need but an added cheesy taste.

1 Comment Comment

Use a Magnifying Mirror for Eyebrow MaintenanceI cut out the cost of eyebrow waxing by investing in a magnified mirror that I keep in my handbag. I picked it up from Target for less than $10! I used to go and get my eyebrows waxed.

1 Comment Comment

Very Young Kids Can Write BooksI was totally surprised when my granddaughter, who is 6, showed me a stack of six books she'd written. She came up with the idea herself to write and illustrate her own series of books. She uses only computer paper, colored pens and a paperclip to hold each book together.

5 Comments Comment

"Bohemian" Savings PlanBefore I retired, I used to use what was called a "Bohemian" savings plan. Why Bohemian, I don't know. It involved, if you get paid on a Friday, for instance, you would put your check in the bank or enter the deposit in your checkbook on Saturday the first week.

Cheap Jewelry CleanerI was shopping for jewelry cleaner one day and a lady saw me and said "don't waste your money on that cleaner". She told me to use ammonia straight out of the bottle.

6 Comments Comment

Dealing With Contacts While CampingRecently I had gone camping with my family. I did not want to bring my glasses with me, as I wanted to continue wearing my contacts. Well when camping, there is not always a shower or running water on hand to get clean.

1 Comment Comment

Deodorant for Itching from Mosquito BitesI had a lot of mosquito bites and the itching was driving me crazy. A friend told me to rub deodorant on them and I figured it was worth a try. To my surprise, the itching went away instantly.

5 Comments Comment

Do Not Use Plastic Shopping BagsThere have been several tips on reusing these bags. If you go to YouTube and check out this video and many of the others you will be sick at what we are doing to Mother Earth.

8 Comments Comment

Freeze Bread Bowl to Keep Dip ColdWhen making a dip that goes in a bread bowl, make the bread bowl ahead of time and put it in the freezer. After it is frozen, fill the bread bowl with dip and serve. This keeps the dip cool for quite a while!

1 Comment Comment

Fun and Frugal Popcorn SeasoningsI don't eat popcorn often but when I do it's fun to experiment with different seasonings.

4 Comments Comment

Homemade Body SplashSomeone just requested a recipe for homemade body mist so I posted my recipe for her and thought, "Deeli, enter it in to the tip contest too!"

Place Houseplants Under Window A/CAn easy way to make sure your potted plants receive enough water in the summer is to place them under a window air conditioning unit for a few hours. The slow, continual dripping of the water from the A/C will give just enough moisture for them to absorb.

Prepare for School the Night BeforeThe best back to school tips are to have your child pick out his or her clothes the night before and either lay them out on a desk or hang them on the front of the closet doors so that they are ready first thing in the morning.

3 Comments Comment

Reusing Wine BoxesI am in the process of trying to locate some old wine storage boxes. You know, the kind that are made like lots of X's and you lay the bottles down in them?

1 Comment Comment

Use Soaker Hoses In Conjunction With PVCI have an idea for watering gardens outdoors but with health problems haven't been able to actually do it yet. If anyone does it, I'd sure appreciate a feedback to let me know how it works!

3 Comments Comment

Attach Coupons to Products as a ReminderI do not use many coupons. However, the ones I do keep, I kept forgetting when I went to the store. I found a way to help me. I simply tape the coupon on the item in the cupboard.

Consumer Awareness When Choosing DoctorBe a good consumer when looking for a doctor. We did not realize that, since the surgeon we selected for my husband's surgery is affiliated with a hospital, each visit was charged to us as an emergency room visit because the hospital does the billing.

7 Comments Comment

Create a Personalized Recipe Card TemplateOne of the things I always loved about collecting recipes was the pretty recipe sharing cards you wrote your recipe on. They gave your shared recipe that "personal touch"!

Crochet Squares In Waiting RoomsWhenever I know I'm going someplace (like the doctor's appt I have today!) I always take a small carry-all with me that has a small amount of yarn and a crochet hook. If I need a pattern, I copy it on my scanner and print it out to take with me.

1 Comment Comment

Economy Garden Border Stones From ConcreteWe have had several neighbors that have demolished concrete patios and courts in their yards. I found if you ask them to jack-hammer the concrete chunks into manageable sizes, they will happily accommodate your request.

2 Comments Comment

Homemade Clorox CleanupShe ran out of Clorox Cleanup so she put 1/4 cup of Clorox in a spray bottle with 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent, she then filled the bottle with water.

9 Comments Comment

Homemade Kitten FormulaHere is a kitten formula that is better than any you can buy! I found a new recipe for kitten formula for newborn and very young kittens that don't have a mother. It is from Best Friends magazine the May/June 2009 edition.

10 Comments Comment

House Cleaning ScheduleI have developed the following housecleaning schedule after years of trying to do it all every day and winding up with not much getting done any day! I've been using this schedule now for a couple of years and it works great.

8 Comments Comment

Make Chocolate Bowls For Serving DessertIf you love chocolate and any sweet treats, this will make your friends say "Wow, how unique"! You can make your own chocolate "bowl" for your treat so easily.

3 Comments Comment

Make Your Own FunnelNeed a funnel in a pinch? Cut off the bottom of a 2 liter or 1/2 liter bottle. You can make it as tall or short as you want.

Make Your Own Glue Brush ApplicatorInstead of buying expensive paper mache glue (or any with a brush applicator), create your own! Just take an empty vitamin bottle and glue in (or your own attachment method) a paint brush of your size choice.

1 Comment Comment

Measure Fruit Before FreezingIt's the season for fresh fruit. This is just a quick tip for freezing fruit. When I put the fruit in baggies for the freezer I put 2 cups of fruit in each bag.

Store Pantry Supplies In Plastic ContainersFirst of all, I empty all cardboard containers into plastic containers. Then I label them: pastas, rice, chips, crackers, spices, sugar, flour, etc. I do not use a canister set.

1 Comment Comment

Store Party Drinks in Your WasherIf you need to keep a large amount of canned beverages cold for a party, use your top load washing machine. Fill the top load washer with ice and your canned beverages. Keep the lid closed.

2 Comments Comment

Use Square Basin to Store Plastic LidsUse a large square basin to put plastic storage container lids into in your kitchen. You can then stack your containers inside each other. When you need a lid, you go right to your bin and find what you need.

1 Comment Comment

Add Veggies to Frozen PizzaJazz up inexpensive frozen pizza by adding a few left over salad veggies or some picked right from your garden. Place the pizza into the oven to begin cooking, while you chop up a few veggies.

Computer Mouse PaperweightSomeone asked in the TF Newsletter how to re-use a broken computer mouse rather than send to the landfill, and I thought I should submit my answer as a craft tip, too.

1 Comment Comment

Freeze Chopped OnionsWhat to do with all those bulk onions? I almost always buy my onions in the 3 lb. bags, but used to end up on the losing end when half of them went bad. I've found a solution to that!

4 Comments Comment

Frugal and Safe Cell Phone ChargingWe have several cell phones in the house. We have a frugal and safe routine down. Two of the cell phones we charge in vehicles while we are on the road. That saves us electricity.

1 Comment Comment

Gray Water SystemHere in the desert southwest city of Tucson, Arizona our average rainfall is supposed to be about 12 inches with 7 of that falling in July, August, September, and October. But we have been in a drought, and so far we are way under in rain.

3 Comments Comment

Keeping Cool at NightRight now we are in the middle of a heat wave and the humidity is out of this world. Since I don't have air conditioning, the nights trying to sleep are pretty unbearable even with the fan on.

5 Comments Comment

Measuring From a Pepper GrinderWe like to use the sea salt and pepper grinders that are found in the grocery stores, but when I had to measure for a recipe it was awkward. One day I came up with a very workable solution.

1 Comment Comment

Pin Toddler Outfits TogetherIf you have children at your home whose clothes are strung and strewed all over, crying because they aren't old enough to find something to wear themselves, here's a trick I learned from raising six kids; his, mine, and ours!

3 Comments Comment

Use Photo Album to Organize ReceiptsI use a photo album to keep my receipts organized. I use the kind of album where I can add more sheets to it as needed. And each sheet has 3 slots in it.

2 Comments Comment

Use Pringles Cans for StorageBesides making the solar hot dog cooker that I've seen on several sites, I use Pringles containers for storing the plastic bags we get from stores. Then, I have a portable dispenser for plastic bags to store in car, hunting and fishing gear, and for gardening.

4 Comments Comment

Use Recycled Plastic Bag as a "Glove"This idea may sound kind of silly, but I always reuse ziplock plastic bags after turning them inside out and squirting a little dish washing liquid in them and scrubbing them good inside and out.

4 Comments Comment

Use Tomato Juice to Remove Mildew SmellsRemoving mildew smell from towels: Even, large, dark colored ones that can't be bleached. Soak the towels in 50% diluted tomato juice for two or three hours, run the wash cycle to be sure the towels are completely saturated, then rinse two or three times in cold water.

1 Comment Comment

Beware Of Alcohol Poisoning from Use of Hand SanitizersThis tip is regarding the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers. Be very, very careful if using this near children. If a child uses this on their hands and then licks their hands they can get very sick and, in some cases, alcohol poisoning

1 Comment Comment

Clean Hair Bows With Dish SoapMy daughter wears bows in her hair and they are always getting dirty. Instead of spending $5-$10 to replace the dirty bows, I used a small brush and Dawn dishwashing liquid and scrubbed the bows clean.

3 Comments Comment

Customer Complaint: WeddingDressOnlineStore.comPlease stay away from www.weddingdressonlinestore.com. I tried buying a dress. Trust me, the dresses and their prices are amazing and you will be tempted.

Keeping Diaper Smell Out Of Your HouseIf have a baby, you have dirty diapers that can smell quite bad. My daughter had two in diapers at once and you never smelled dirty diapers in her house or trash.

4 Comments Comment

Olive Oil for Sensitive, Dry SkinI have really dry skin, and have tried many types of lotions to help. Most lotions that I used ended up leaving my skin slippery, which might leave a residue on fabrics I'm working with or get in the way of my work.

3 Comments Comment

Organize Pantry With Like Items TogetherThis is a really simple hint, but it helps me with my tiny pantry, just a few shelves in my kitchen. I try to keep like types of items together.

Recycling Newspaper Throughout The HouseBesides reading the newspaper, I find many uses for it around the house. Whenever we put a new trash bag in our kitchen trash can, we put a layer of the paper at the bottom. This will absorb any liquids that sometimes leak.

2 Comments Comment

Red Hat Society Bra HatTo make a red hat out of a bra for your red hat chapter. Cut straps off red bra, and sides, just leave the cups. Fold left over material under, decorate with purple or lavender lace, and jewels.

1 Comment Comment

Store Dried Herbs With Silica PacketsI save the little silica packages that come in bottles of vitamins and place them inside my containers of dried herbs. It really maintains their freshness for a longer period of time!

1 Comment Comment

Use a Covered Bucket as a Camping ToiletToilet for camping or emergencies. If you have need of a toilet when there isn't one around or there is no running water, you can improvise one by using a covered plastic bucket and urinating into the bucket.

3 Comments Comment

Use Clip-on Earrings as AccessoriesJust because money is tight doesn't mean you can't be "hip"! I had been admiring the cute costume rings that are all the rage right now, but no way was I going to spend money to buy one.

3 Comments Comment

Use Salt Scrub to Clean a BathtubYou can use salt scrub that you use on your skin also to clean your shower or tub. I take a scrub brush and put a heaping tablespoon across the bottom. Then I spray water around the tub with the showerhead to make the tub damp.

1 Comment Comment

Using "Soft" PotatoesIf the potatoes are not rotten, but just "soft", simply peel and soak in a bowl of water overnight. Cut them for hash browns or french fries. Let them soak for another 10-15 minutes. Remove potatoes from water and cook. Use the water on your plants.

1 Comment Comment

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