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Thrifty Tip Contest
(January 8 - 14, 2011)

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

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Duration	Entries
January 8 - 14, 2011	66

Tip: Use Radish Greens Instead Of Discarding

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

January 14, 2011

Do you know that radish greens are awesome tasting because they have a nice peppery flavor? Why throw them away?

Comment Was this helpful? 12

Tip: Sun Tea Jar for Separating Stock

January 12, 2011

When making a batch of turkey stock the other day, I needed a large glass container to put it in to allow it to cool. The only one I could find was my old sun-tea jar - a very happy accident!

Comment Was this helpful? 18

Tip: Using Toothpaste for Polishing Silver

dorothy wedenoja
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 170 Posts

January 12, 2011

Use toothpaste (not the gel) to clean and polish silver. Put some on a clean rag and cover the area you want to polish with toothpaste. When dry, buff with soft, clean rag.

Comment Was this helpful? 10

Borrow Magazines From The LibraryIn these times of trying to cut back on clutter or just be "green", I do not subscribe to any magazines any longer. I look at them for free at the library!

2 Comments Comment

Cheap Teeth WhiteningClean your teeth by chewing on a raw potato. It works fast and better than those expensive whiting strips!

3 Comments Comment

Cut Post-It Notes in HalfWhen using "Post-it Notes" cut them in half before using them. You'll have twice as many to use.

2 Comments Comment

Getting Picky Dog to EatI brought home a 4 year old rescue Chihuahua that I had a terrible time getting to eat. After trying bags and bags of dry food and hundreds of cans of wet food, I finally came up with a solution that got him to start eating.

8 Comments Comment

Heat Diffusers to Prevent Burning When CookingHeat diffusers are wonderful for preventing burning in thick substances such as puddings, gravies, etc. I even use mine on my wood heater to hold glass or metal candles I want to melt down to clean.

Keeping Recipe Cards CleanTo keep a recipe book or card clean while you're cooking, place it under an upside-down pie plate. The curved bottom also magnifies the print.

1 Comment Comment

Refresh Stale Chips and CrackersRescue stale or soggy chips and crackers by preheating the oven to 300 degrees F, spreading the chips or crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake for about 5 minutes.

1 Comment Comment

Use Towels as Bathroom CurtainI have a large window in my master bath above a garden tub that can allow someone to look in when the leaves are off the trees. A simple remedy I came up with was to put a tension rod in the window, and hem the top of 2 bath towels to hang on the rod.

1 Comment Comment

Bakery Emulsions Instead of ExtractsTry Bakery Emulsions instead of extracts. They come in vanilla, vanilla butter, rum - there are several out there. I bought some recently at Ross, and was amazed at the flavor and how it doesn't bake out!

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning WindowsEver wonder how window washers get those skyscrapers so clean and shiny? My son used to be a window washer, here is how they do it! Take a bucket of warm water, add JOY dish soap, and a drop of ammonia if the weather is cold.

5 Comments Comment

English Ivy Body MassageIn a blender or food processor, blend together the ivy leaves and distilled water on high speed for 1 minute. Strain this green ivy water in to a clean jar and discard the bits of leaves.

1 Comment Comment

Identifying Navy and Black PantsMy household has trouble telling the difference between black and navy trousers in the closet. I purchased black plastic hangers and blue plastic hangers and hang the right color on the corresponding hanger.

4 Comments Comment

Keep Rice from StickingTo keep rice from sticking, spray the sides and bottom of the pot with nonstick vegetable spray before you add the water or rice.

Make Cream Cheese SmoothWhen mixing cream cheese, add a tablespoon or two of milk to make it smoother.

1 Comment Comment

Oil for Ear MitesTo eliminate ear mites, all it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

4 Comments Comment

Reusing Paper TowelsWe use paper towels in our house. I really don't like using a germy towel, so I buy recycled towels and if people only use the paper towel to dry their washed, clean hands off, we put them in a pretty little basket.

9 Comments Comment

Tackle Cleaning Jobs as You See ThemWhen I see a smudge or dirty spot, I clean the area right away. If I see something that needs dusting, I dust it. Once a week, I dust the entire house. The bathroom gets used the most, so on a daily basis I wipe this or that and it is clean and kept clean.

1 Comment Comment

Tea Tree Oil For Breakouts or AcneAll of a sudden, I developed a huge zit on the side of my nose. I tried dabbing some tea tree oil on the spot twice a day. In 3 days, it was completely gone!

3 Comments Comment

Tenderizing Pork RoastTo tenderize a pork loin or pork butt, put 1 gallon cold water , 1 can of regular Pepsi, Coke, or any dark soda, and 1/2 cup table salt in a large enough container to hold the meat. Add garlic and your seasonings. Put the pork into the mixture and marinate overnight.

1 Comment Comment

Use Drawer Liner For Soap In ShowerTo keep the shower soap bar from slipping off its designated place in the shower, I cut a bar-sized triangle of rubber waffle drawer liner. It allows the soap to drain, but keeps it in place. When it wears out I cut a new one.

Use Old iPhone as iPod TouchReuse a previous generation iPhone that no longer has cell phone service as an iPod touch. Do not throw it away! It is still able to connect to WiFi, download apps, play music, take pictures, and do just about everything that an iPod touch can do.

1 Comment Comment

Cold Season Bubble BathThis bubble bath will help you breathe easier, with eucalyptus oil to ease the cold congestion. This is perfect for the cold season.

Cooking or Baking With Tart FruitsWhen cooking tart fruits such as rhubarb, apricots, grapes, or red raspberries, add a generous amount of cinnamon. For grapes, add vanilla too, for a different flavor.

Craft: Landscape Painting of New ZealandThis a painting that I did of Mt. Cook, South Island, New Zealand. It is a beautiful tourist destination.

2 Comments Comment

Food for Tomato PlantsKeep chopped banana skins your refrigerator or freezer until there is enough to fill a blender 2/3 of the way. Add a cup of water and blend to a slurry. Place slurry into a normal sized bucket (9 litre) and fill half-way with water.

2 Comments Comment

Frugal All Purpose CleanerFor a good all purpose cleaner, you need water and Ivory liquid dish soap. Fill a 32 ounce spray bottle nearly full with water. Add a squirt or two of Ivory Liquid Dish soap. Put the sprayer back on and gently shake the bottle until the soap has been evenly distributed.

Keeping Records of Paid BillsI start my checkbook register at the middle of the register. I have found that I can usually write a month's worth of checks on one page of the register using the front (and back if necessary).

2 Comments Comment

Recycle Fabric into StripsEver run across an "ugly" piece of fabric? Cannot imagine any use for it? Cut into 1/2 to 1 inch strips and either crochet or knit it into a rug! Great for those entry points to you house to keep the "crud" out or for pets to use as a bed!

Store Toiletries in Small ToteEach of our 3 children has a small plastic tote stored in our hall linen closet to take into the bathroom. They keep all of their toiletries in these totes.

1 Comment Comment

Storing SugarPour sugar into a clean used plastic orange juice jug. It makes it easier to pour into a measuring cup and by shaking the jug it removes the lumps.

Use Address Labels to Label LeftoversBecause I get so many return address labels, I use them to stick on refrigerated and frozen items. I write the name of the food with a magic marker on the label, covering up the address.

2 Comments Comment

Use Metal Faucet To Remove Onion OdorWhen you cut an onion and you can't get the smell off, put some dish detergent on your hands and rub your faucet up and down on it for about 1 or 2 minutes then rinse. The smell should be gone.

4 Comments Comment

Use Scented Votives in Drawers and BoxesI often buy the little fragrant votive candles while on sale and keep plenty on hand. They just smell so good. I put one in the corner of drawers or boxes that hold clothes or storage items, in the "junk drawer" and file cabinet, etc.

2 Comments Comment

Uses for Parmesan Cheese ContainersDon't throw away your plastic Parmesan cheese containers. They are perfect for storing baking soda, flour, and powdered sugar. The two sides of the container make it convenient for using a spoon or just shaking it onto a surface.

Avoid Grocery Store SplurgesI tend to do my shopping in bulk, except for milk and fresh fruits. I feel I save more money this way. I make my list, attach the weekly ad and coupons to it and go. Recently I went shopping with a friend who shopped similar to how I shop, only she made 2 major mistakes.

3 Comments Comment

Clean Wood Surfaces with SaltTo clean and freshen wooden chopping blocks, counter, or rolling pins, sprinkle table salt on these surfaces when they are wet and scrub dry.

Freeze Nuts for BakingI use a lot of different nuts and seeds in salads, cooking, and baking (walnuts, pecans, almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, soy nuts, sunflower seeds, etc.) and keep them all in the freezer to preserve the oils and lengthen "shelf" life.

1 Comment Comment

Homemade Bath Oil BeadsMakes 10 beads. Combine the dried milk, flour, and borax in a bowl. Using a fork, stir until well mixed. Add the rose water, mineral oil, rose fragrance oil, and food coloring (if desired).

3 Comments Comment

countertop compost bucket

Line Compost Bucket with NewspaperI have started a compost pile. Since it is far from the house, I have an ice cream bucket that I use for my daily scraps. To keep it from getting so messy when I empty it, I line it with newspapers or paper ads from the mail.

4 Comments Comment

Make Biscuits Soft or CrustyIf you want your biscuits to be crusty, then you have to spread them several inches apart on the baking sheet. If you let them touch then, they'll be soft.

A kitchen with cabinets painted different colors.

Paint Top and Bottom Cabinets Different ColorsIf you happen to be re-doing your kitchen cabinets, try using 2 different colors for the upper and lower cabinets. Try using a light color for the top cabinets and a darker color for the bottom.

4 Comments Comment

Reuse Broken Rake PartsWith spring right around the corner, believe it or not, it will soon be time to check out your garden and lawn tools. If you have a broken rake, don't throw out either part.

1 Comment Comment

Save Used Freezer Bags for Outer BagWhen freezing food in zip lock bags, always use a new bag first where it would be in contact with the food, then use a clean used bag for the outer bag.

1 Comment Comment

Saving Time When Applying MakeupI rush through my mornings and have found several ways to save time on makeup application. The first is: Do not wear any. It's actually freeing. But if you do want to wear it, I have my makeup in a little drawer under the sink that is removable.

2 Comments Comment

Storage Bags from Old Jean LegsWhenever your kids outgrow their denim jeans, save them for making bags from the legs. Cut off the legs at the crotch, turn inside out and hem the unfinished edge. Now you have a nice long tube-bag for tent poles, beach umbrella storage, etc.

1 Comment Comment

Store Freezer Items Outside in Cold WeatherIf you live in a cold climate, save even more freezer space at this time of year by simply putting things outside (in sealed containers, of course)!

4 Comments Comment

Substitute Mayo for Egg in BakingWhen you are short one egg for a cake mix calling for 2 eggs, use 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, you will never know the difference.

1 Comment Comment

A candle stub in an old tea light holder.

Use Candle Stumps in Tea-Light HoldersDon't throw away those old candle stumps that are too small for the candle holder. Instead, place them into a used empty tea-light or night-light case to use up the last little bit.

1 Comment Comment

Heating Your Home With Your Clothes Dryer?Use the dryer vent to raise the temperature in your house in cold months. Do only with an electric dryer! Close off and seal the vent that goes to the outside, so you don't lose heat through that 4 inch hole to the outside.

4 Answers Answer

Homemade Laundry DetergentI only now finally went to the website of the Duggar Family, the family from the "20 Kids and Counting" TV show, and found a treasure trove indeed! Below are 2 laundry tips that really impressed me and gave me a wake-up call with the "recipe cost."

18 Comments Comment

Make and Freeze Extra Pie DoughWhen you make a pie, make a double or triple batch of dough and freeze it in portions to thaw and roll for a quick dessert. Simplest is to roll it into a big flat circle, cut it into strips or shapes, and bake it like that.

Make Repairs with Scraps of FabricWhat is it with most guys? They'll wear an article of clothing until it rots or rips to shreds before they buy something new to replace it. My army son owns a pair of bathing trunks that he's had for years now.

1 Comment Comment

Natural Remedy for Ants?Sprinkle pantry shelves, window sills, and door sills with a mixture of red pepper and sage to rid them of ants.

1 Answer Answer

Paper Tube to Mark SeedlingsWhen you want to grow a small amount of seeds, and know exactly where you've planted them, use a toilet paper tube.

1 Comment Comment

Use Baby Powder as DeodorantI began using baby powder containing corn starch and zinc oxide instead of antiperspirant deodorant. For me, it works even better than the deodorant and I don't have to be concerned about the aluminum from the antiperspirant being absorbed through my skin anymore.

1 Comment Comment

Use Bundt Pan When Cutting Corn Off CobUse an angel food cake pan to cut corn off the cob. The end stands up nicely in the hole and the pan catches all the kernels.

1 Comment Comment

Use Vegetable Oil Instead of Olive OilInstead of buying primarily olive oil for the kitchen, buy a vegetable oil in bulk and use that for most of your cooking. The 'extra' bottle of olive oil will last longer and you won't have to spend as much.

6 Comments Comment

Using Coffee Grounds More Than OnceTo save money on coffee, I get three 12 oz. cups from one and one half scoops of grounds. I use a reusable conical shaped 4 coffee cup filter in a wide soup/coffee cup and slowly pour boiling water into the first cup with one scoop of grounds.

1 Comment Comment

Vaseline Hairball RemedyTo prevent troublesome hairballs, apply a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat's nose. The cat will lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass easily through the digestive system.

2 Comments Comment

Landscaping TipsA beautiful yard is a treat to the eyes. Remember the four seasons and plant so each season has its own special design. Plants should have their own space in your yard.

Homemade Pot Rack

Making a Pot RackMy husband made me a pot rack for Christmas out of galvanized pipe. I've posted it on my blog and there is a list of materials to make this yourself.

1 Comment Comment

Uses for Fabric From Old CurtainsAfter removing blue and white checked curtains and shades in my kitchen and laundry room and replacing them with blinds, I snipped the curtains in two to make valances and used the remainder of the fabric to make quilted place mats, oven mitts, and pot holders.

2 Comments Comment

Washing Delicate Crystal or ChinaWhen washing fine china and crystal, generally you should wash them by hand, do not put them in the dishwasher. Place a soft terry towel on the bottom of the sink.

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