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Thrifty Tip Contest
(October 9 - 15, 2010)

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

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Duration	Entries
October 9 - 15, 2010	61

Tip: Food Tips for a Disabled Person

Linda from Bloomington, IL

October 13, 2010

My suggestion will help any disabled person or senior citizen living alone. I use a motorized wheel chair. I have a home aide 3 times a week, 2 hours each time. One day is designated usually to cooking. We make up partial meals for the week.

Comment Was this helpful? 13

Tip: Home Safety Tips

October 13, 2010

With the sad economy and people losing their homes, jobs, cars, etc., we need to rethink our own home safety. Here are some tips for home safety that I have researched and compiled and feel this will be helpful to most.

Comment Was this helpful? 20

Tip: Keeping Ice off the Car

Brianna Southworth

October 12, 2010

Winter in Alaska where we live can be so harsh! No matter where you live, though, scraping ice off of your car in the early morning is just no one's idea of fun. This is the BEST WAY to keep your windshield frost free.

Comment Was this helpful? 33

Cover Barcodes When Reusing EnvelopesWhile I know that a lot of us use those return envelopes we get in our junk mail and simply place a white label over the printed address, I have been advised by my friend at the post office here to ALSO make sure that any and all barcodes be completely covered by a white label.

2 Comments Comment

Crispy Reheated PizzaWe love pizza and usually buy the large one for just the two of us. Of coarse, we always have enough left for another meal or snack. To reheat and keep the crust crispy just heat in a non stick skillet and med-low till warm. The crust will remain crispy.

1 Comment Comment

Grouping Silverware in the DishwasherI have recently realized how to make fast work of putting away my silverware from the dishwasher basket when the dishes are done. That seems to be the most laborious part of the chore.

6 Comments Comment

Link: ASPCA Pet Medication AlertThought I should share this ASPCA ALERT regarding purchasing pet medications online! When you open the link be sure you're at item #2 for "Pet Health Alert: FDA Issues Warning on Buying Pet Drugs Online"

2 Comments Comment

Protect Sun Visor with Shower CapWhen you stay at some motels they will give you a complimentary shower cap. After your stay, put that cap over the sun visor in your car so you don't get it dirty or finger stained over time.

1 Comment Comment

Rinse and Reuse Coffee FiltersI use the natural brown unbleached coffee filters for my electric coffee pot and the non-electric one cup cone coffee maker over and over again. These can be carefully rinsed and air-dried to reuse and still work like new.

8 Comments Comment

Seal Plastic Bag to Make Air TightCut up a disposable water bottle and keep the neck and top, as in photo. Insert the plastic bag through the neck and screw on the top to seal.

7 Comments Comment

Sippy Cups for Sick ChildrenWhen a child gets sick and needs to sip liquids slowly, there is nothing better for this than a sippy cup. They can't wolf down the drink so it is better and gentler for their tummies. Also some of them are non-spill too.

2 Comments Comment

Smash Nuts for BakingAn easy way I discovered to crush the nuts is to place them on a large sheet of wax paper, fold the wax paper over the top of the nuts and use a rolling pin to crush the nuts, pushing down and rolling.

2 Comments Comment

Tint Hard Boiled EggsTo keep track of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge, add a few drops of food coloring to the boiling water. My family knows that the tinted eggs are ready for eating.

3 Comments Comment

Use Hot Water Bottle in Baby BathThe next time you give baby a tub bath, partially fill a hot water bottle with lukewarm water and place it in the bottom of the tub for him to sit on. Baby will enjoy the event in greater safety and comfort.

1 Comment Comment

Use Layaway For Large PurchasesHow about we go back to the good old-fashioned idea of LAYAWAY! It worked well when I was a kid, and I see more and more stores are offering it. I know there have always been people who have used this very clever way of getting what they want.

9 Comments Comment

Avoid Lumps in Foods Made with Condensed SoupBy mixing up creamy condensed soups with a fork before adding other ingredients, you will not have any lumps in it. The same thing goes for mayonnaise that's going to be used in making salad dressings

1 Comment Comment

Joke: StripteaseA good friend just sent me this. It's too cute not to pass on.

5 Comments Comment

Keep Bait on Fish HookIn Alaska, we fish an awful lot during Salmon Season! Try this tip to keep your bait on the hook: cut tiny pouches from an old pair of pantyhose, place bait inside, and place securely on fishing hook. Works like a charm.

1 Comment Comment

Leash Training a PuppyTo keep you pup from pulling while on a lead, carry small treats in your hand. Let him get a sniff of them - every once in a while pop one in his mouth. Should be small enough that no real chewing is involved. Then "good boy" him.

Make Worn Towels SmallerOur hand towels always seem to wear out at either end. Why make the entire towel into a rag? Cut a 12 inch square out of the good center part, do a fine zigzag stitch around edges.

Painting Galvanized MetalRub galvanized metal first with a rag dipped in vinegar. You'll find that paint will adhere much more tightly to the surface.

Place Incense In RadiatorIf you use the old-time cast iron radiators, you can use the long sticks of incense to fragrance your room. I put one or two of the sticks in the bottom ribs of the radiator. When the heat comes on, your room will be filled with the aroma of the incense.

Turn Spring Form Pan Bottom Upside DownWhen baking cheesecake in a spring form pan, turn the pan bottom upside down, so that the lip faces downward. This makes it easier to remove the entire cake or even just a slice because the cake server can be slid under the cake without interference from the lip.

2 Comments Comment

Use Soap Pieces For Deer ControlTo keep deer from eating on trees or bushes in the winter, hang a half bar of Zest soap in a net bag tied on a branch. Tthe deer will stay away.

Using Ammonia to Clean Stains from CarpetI used to be a housekeeper for an apartment complex years ago, and when we had to get rid of any type of hard to get out food or pet stains we would make a 2/3 milk 1/3 ammonia mixture. Use right away and dispose of the rest.

2 Comments Comment

Bath Tub Toy HolderTurkey season is approaching! This year, save that net that comes encasing your holiday bird, wash and sterilize it; then run an old piece of twine or rope through it a few inches down from the open top to make a bath toy net to dry your kid's things in.

Sea shell with jewelry.

Displaying Crafts at MarketI have been creating original jewelry designs for many many years and selling at local farmer's and craft markets. A great tip for all you crafters out there that sell at local small markets. Display your creations with originality!

Hide Important Numbers in Cell Phone ContactsWith so many numbers to remember, here's a great way to keep it simple. If you have a number that is difficult to remember: a pin number, lock combination or ID number, hide it on your phone! Make an entry in your cell phone's contact list for a made-up name.

9 Comments Comment

ID Metal ToolsMark your iron tools for easy identification by covering a spot on each one with beeswax or hard tallow. Then scratch your name or initials through the coating with a nail or ice pick, pour nitric acid into the groove and let it stand for a short time.

Make Coffee with Enough Flavor for TwoWhen having your morning coffee, I will flavor the first cup with vanilla, cinnamon, creamer and 2 packs Splenda. When it gets down to about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the cup, I refill it with fresh coffee and cream.

Make Hammock from Plastic Soda RingsAt our favorite camping spot, we've constructed a makeshift hammock out of plastic six-pack soda rings! It takes a little while to collect enough of these, but once you do, you can simply tie them together with thin fishing line.

4 Comments Comment

Make Knife Holder from Old SpoolsRe-use empty thread spools. Fasten a row of them jammed shoulder to shoulder inside a kitchen cabinet door and you've got yourself an instant knife holder.

4 Comments Comment

Microwave Cloves Before PeelingIf you have multiple cloves of garlic to peel, zap them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. Let them cool for a minute or two, since they get pretty hot. The skins will easily slip off.

1 Comment Comment

Personalize Your Bed FrameI have a gray bed. It's nice, but it doesn't go with all my purple and green stuff, and I can't change that. I decided to "pretty it up" some with little things that make it nicer and match more. I put up jewelry, heart shaped sachets, and more.

9 Comments Comment

Planting GarlicWhen planting garlic, I use the Farmer's Almanac guide. Plant garlic between a full moon and a new moon. For this year it will be after October 23.

1 Comment Comment

Plastic Melted on a Smooth Cooktop RangeA plastic bag was melted onto my glass stove top. I had been told to scrape it off with a razor, heat it back up, and even to try ice. I remembered that I had bought a bottle of Goo Gone, so I tried this let it sit on the plastic for about 10 to 15 minutes.

10 Comments Comment

Puzzle TableI needed a puzzle table that had wheels on it. I found one for $2.50 but it was longer than it was wide.

2 Comments Comment

Vinegar and Water to Remove Odors From ClothingUse a solution of 50/50 water and white distilled vinegar to spray a mist on synthetic fibers that smell "odd" even after they have been laundered. Repeat if necessary. It may take two or three mists to get the desired effect. Allow the garment to dry after each spray mist

1 Comment Comment

Drink Mix Finger PaintIn a large bowl, mix together the flour, powdered drink mix, and salt. Put it aside. Measure the water in a medium size pot and bring it to a boil. Add the oil to the boiling water.

Emergency Wrap for Small GiftsI recently had to wrap a DVD for a kid's birthday party, and had no wrapping paper, ribbon, or a bow; so I used a piece of colorful printer paper and some scrap hemp string. It worked out beautifully!

1 Comment Comment

Hair Conditioner for Shaving Your LegsTo save a few bucks, use hair conditioner not shaving cream. Shaving cream creates a layer between the razor and your skin while protecting from nicks and cuts. Conditioners work just as well and they moisturize while you shave.

5 Comments Comment

Lingerie Bags for Keeping Track of SocksThe answer to lost socks! Finally, I am no longer hunting for, sorting through, and matching up socks for my family of five! I just bought inexpensive, mesh lingerie bags that can be found at places like Target or Walmart.

7 Comments Comment

Removing Musty Odor From ClothesI had a brand new bedspread, that picked up a musty smell from an RV we had used. I tried everything, to get the odor out. Of course I could not use bleach on this fabric.

1 Comment Comment

Restoring a Shrunken Wool SweaterTo reshape a shrunken wool sweater, try soaking the garment in two tablespoons of hair cream rinse mixed with a gallon of cool water, then roll in a towel to remove excess water and clothespin to a pants stretcher or board.

1 Comment Comment

Rinse Bacon with Cold Water Before CookingKeep bacon strips from shrinking in your frying pan by rinsing first in ice-cold water. Try it; you'll be surprised by this simple trick!

5 Comments Comment

Soak Dog Food in WaterIf your pet eats dry food, you should consider soaking it in equal amounts of water to soften the kibble.

4 Comments Comment

Spray Bottle

Spray Bottle With Diluted Dish SoapTo save on dish soap, fill a spray bottle one-quarter full of soap and top it off with water, give the mixture a good shake to mix well, and close the bottle. Spraying this on dishes cuts grease and saves a little money.

3 Comments Comment

Store Vanilla Beans in AlcoholBecause dried out vanilla beans are nearly impossible to split and scrape, I store whole beans in a jar filled with vodka, bourbon, or brandy. They stay soft, making it easy to scrape out every last bit of vanilla.

1 Comment Comment

Warning: Don't Reuse Coffee Grounds Day After DayCaution: This is a "what not to do" with food tip! The host told me how me makes the coffee in the morning and I just had my last cup. Say today is day one, he pours in the water from the tap, adds the amount of coffee for the water, then brews it.

13 Comments Comment

Add The Juice From Canned Fruit To Your Juice PitcherI always have a pitcher of orange juice made, so whenever I open any can of fruit I always add the juices left at the bottom to the orange juice so as to not waste a drop!

2 Comments Comment

Coffee Filter Doily

Coffee Filter DoilyWhen you are ready to give your jams, jellies, and bath salts away, here is an easy doily for the top you can make when you don't have a scrap of material.

2 Comments Comment

Dye Thrift Store ShirtThe thrift store was having a half price sale last week and I found a very nice knit top (either 100 percent cotton, or cotton/poly) for $2.50. It had black trim that I liked, and a pattern with black plus several shades of red and pink that I thought were too bright.

1 Comment Comment

Getting the First Few Tissues OutWhen using the cube-type boxes of tissues, often the first few tissues out of the box pull out shredded and useless. To remedy this, when you first open the box, bang it a few times on the counter to pack the tissue bundle to the bottom of the box.

1 Comment Comment

Help for Dog AggressionOur dog was very unfriendly towards other dogs and would growl as she passed them and one day actually chased one and nipped it on the rear end. I was shocked and horrified, but knew that this could not continue.

Orajel for Ingrown Toenail PainI have found that Orajel works for ingrown toenail pain. Just squeeze a line of Orajel along the cuticle and let soak for 2 or 3 minutes and the pain is gone. Its worked for me and doesn't get painful again for days.

6 Comments Comment

Plant Begonia in Rotten Tree StumpIf there's an old rotting stump in your yard, you might like to scoop out some of the decayed wood at the top, add a little rich soil and put in some begonia plants.

1 Comment Comment

Removing Oil Based Paint On SkinRemove oil based paint from skin with baby oil instead of turpentine.

Replace Broken Overall Clasp with HangerYou can replace those metal connector "clasps" on your kids' overalls with a hanger and your needle-nosed pliers. Simply use your pliers to bend the hanger into the same shape as the other clasp, and now you've saved lots of money otherwise spent on new overalls!

1 Comment Comment

Season Frozen French FriesTo spice up frozen french fries, open the bag and add salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder into the bag. Give the bag a quick shake and bake. The fries are coated evenly and taste better than the plain ones.

1 Comment Comment

Use Cereal Bags with Vacuum SealerPlastic bags in cereal packages are very sturdy. I use them with my vacuum heat sealer for frozen items and keeping other dry items together. They are very handy in my quilting and sewing area.

Use Pump Bottles in the BathSave money on shampoo by buying the bulk, pump-style bottles. Make it a rule in your house that for short hair, one pump is used; two for long hair, etc.

1 Comment Comment

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