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Thrifty Tip Contest
(February 5 - 11, 2011)

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Duration	Entries
February 5 - 11, 2011	73

Tip: Make Your Cat's Scratching Post

February 10, 2011

When I got a new kitten, I went to the pet supply store to get a scratching post, but was astounded by the price! So, I made one myself. I got a large cardboard bolster/tube from an upholstery store and bought some sisal rope for $6.00.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 13

Tip: Spray The Snow Shovel With Pam

February 8, 2011

Ever have snow stick to your shovel? Make heaving the snow from your shovel a little easier by spraying Pam cooking spray on it. The snow won't stick anymore.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 13

Tip: Sticky Tack for the RV

Mary
Bronze Craft Medal for All Time! 52 Crafts

February 7, 2011

If you own an RV or travel a lot, you know it's a constant battle to keep things secure so they don't fall or tip over in the process. If you are not using it yet, try sticky tack, also known as poster putty.

Comment Was this helpful? 13

Can Jelly and Juice Year RoundI love to can and make jelly and jam. So when the fruit is readily available, I make a batch or two of jelly and can the juice in quart and pint jars. Around Christmas time, I make another batch or two and again in mid-spring.

Celebrate Baby's Six Month BirthdayOur family celebrates a baby's 6-month birthday, one of my traditions that I started. We just have a small party with inexpensive gifts (hand held toy, t-shirt, or any small gift). I used to bake a cupcake just for the little one and they get to tear it to pieces.

2 Comments Comment

Clean Coffee Pots with Baking SodaThe other day, I was in my local big box discount store, walking by the coffee making machines. On the shelf I saw a box of coffee machine cleaner. The active ingredient was sodium carbonate - baking soda.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning Dirty White SocksHave trouble getting your white socks white and don't want to bleach them? Update that box of baking soda in the refrigerator and use the old one to soak your socks in.

1 Comment Comment

Link: Free Screen Capture SoftwareHaving trouble capturing your screen with a 'scrolling' mode? I've been fighting PicPick for months now. All works wonderful except when I want to capture something with the scrolling mode, nothing seemed to work.

2 Comments Comment

Organizing Electrical Cords on Small AppliancesTired of your electrical cords getting tangled, like your curling iron hairdryer or other bathroom apparatus with a cord? Save the cardboard holders from the toilet paper tube and insert cord into empty cardboard tube place on shelf or wherever. No more tangles of cords!

Paper Clip as Chip Bag ClipFor a simple chip bag clip, use a paper clip. Also works great to keep the cereal bag inside the box from unrolling and going stale.

2 Comments Comment

Scented Milk BathMix all the ingredients but the oils together into a glass bowl. Drop the oils in and work it together with a large wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Pour into a container.

Start Hope Chests for Your ChildrenTo begin teaching the value of thriftiness to your kids, start a hope chest for them. Instead of tossing things out to the garage sale, you can imprint in their minds and hearts, that they have a future, and home development, cooking, and saving, are in their control now.

7 Comments Comment

Vitamins stored upside down.

Store Vitamins Upside DownI buy my vitamins and put them in a divider for ease of consumption. However, when I go to the medicine cabinet, I sometimes forget if I have all of them in there, some, etc.

10 Comments Comment

Tips for Hand Washing DishesAdd 1/2 tsp. baking soda to dishwater to help cut grease. Then, add 1 tsp. vinegar to the hot rinse water for sparkling glasses and to remove any soap residue.

Use Leftover Wrapping Paper for ArtIf you're like me, you have way too much wrapping paper left over from Christmas. I turn it over, white side up, and staple it to the wall in my kids' room for their artistic whims to go wild! They love decorating their new "wallpaper".

Use Lipstick for Matching BlushIn a pinch, you can use lipstick as blush. Just rub a little on your finger tip and apply where you would apply blush.

Check Store Coupon PolicyMy local Rite Aid would not letting me use a buy one, get one free coupon on an item that was on sale for buy one, get one free. Rite Aid's web site listed their coupon policy and they do indeed allow customers to use BOGO coupons with BOGO sale items.

1 Comment Comment

Cut Scrubbing Pads In HalfWhenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad in half.

1 Comment Comment

Do Not Mix Pine-Sol and BleachWarning: Do not mix these two, Pine-Sol and Clorox Bleach. They emit a colorless odorless fume that causes difficulty breathing and increased heart rate. It happened to me and the bottles clearly state do not mix.

4 Comments Comment

Fixing Stinky PipesThe plumber put one trap on two sinks. The piping after the sink and before the trap started to stink. My solution was to place a trap on each sink, close to the sink itself, and pipe the two traps together after the discharge of the traps.

Hooking Your Purse to the CartWith all the purses snatched each year from grocery carts, here is a hint. You know the straps used to hold in children, use them to hold your purse in, so they have to take the buggy too instead of just your purse.

5 Comments Comment

Insulate Outdoor Water Pipes EarlyWe had an unusually cold snap during the last few days in Houston. Many folks had pipes which burst. Others were outside in their cold weather gear wrapping pipes and covering outdoor faucets.

3 Comments Comment

Keep Soda Can from SprayingIf you drop a soft drink can on the floor, tap the top a few times before opening. It won't spew when opened.

1 Comment Comment

finished dog booties

Make Dog Booties to Protect Paws from SnowMy dog loves the snow but unfortunately can't stay out in it for very long. Within a few minutes, the snow and ice gets packed between the pads under his paws, causing him such discomfort that he just stops and can't walk any further.

5 Comments Comment

Plastic Knife to Label PlantsI have moved multiple times and added and split perennials to each flower garden. Sadly, after tending to a variety of gardens, I have had trouble keeping track of what's been planted and where.

3 Comments Comment

Small Shoe Organizer for Baby Essentials

Small Shoe Organizer for Baby EssentialsKeep a small hanging organizer near the changing area for those everyday baby essentials like diapers, wipes, pacifiers, socks, hats, brush, bows/clips, nail clippers, etc.

1 Comment Comment

Softening Brown SugarIf you ever have a package of rock hard brown sugar just take it out of the box and/or plastic and wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in a preheated 300 degree oven for 5 minutes.

2 Comments Comment

Stinky Pipes?I've done a search on Thrify Tips for stinky drain pipes, all I can find is to use vinegar and baking soda. I've been doing that for the last 6 months and it used to work but doesn't anymore. The smell has gotten much stronger and is driving me out of my home.

2 Answers Answer

Storing Fishing LuresFishing season is just around the corner. Pick up CD organizers that have separate compartments to store all your fishing rigs, sinkers, small lures, etc. They keep everything tangle free and easy to find.

Use Lemon for Cleaning MicrowaveFound a dried up old lemon in your crisper? Don't toss it! Cut it up, put it in a bowl of water, and heat in the microwave for a minute of so. Leave it in the microwave for several minutes to let the micro get good and steamy inside.

Wash Sink Liner in DishwasherIf you use the rubber sink liners like I do, once a week or so, I lay them on the top rack of the dishwasher along with the soap holder from our shower right over the dishes. They not only come out looking new, but they keep plastic containers from turning over.

Craft: Guitar PursesMy boyfriend is a guitar player in a band, and he has 4 guitars, in different shapes. I used the guitars for a pattern for my purses. I enjoy making purses and bags out of any color and pattern of material. My favorite material to use is the zebra print.

3 Comments Comment

Hand Sanitizer to Clean Book CoversI use the library extensively and love to read. I have noticed that the books looked dirty. I can imagine all the people handling them, no wonder they are dirty. So, I grabbed my hand sanitizer and squirted it on the library books, took a paper towel and rubbed it in.

4 Comments Comment

Hibbi Scrub for MangeI had a litter of puppies that got puppy mange. I tried everything to get rid of it and nothing worked. So I tried hibbi scrub which worked a treat. It cleared the mange up in 2 weeks. You just fill your bath up, pop a bit in, and bathe the puppies 2-3 times a week.

15 Comments Comment

One Birthday Cake for Two BirthdaysMy husband and grand daughter both have birthdays in January, so this year (hubby was away on work for his birthday) we celebrating them together. Well, a 6 year old and a grandpa do not have a lot in common on a cake design.

2 Comments Comment

Use Paper Bag as Alternative to CanvasSave money on paper and canvas by using a paper bag instead. I found creating art to be an expensive process, so I began using paper bags to save money in place of canvas. They are free and a great form of recycling.

1 Comment Comment

Bath Potpourri BagsFor each bag, combine equal parts dried chamomile, mint, and lavender. If you don't have access to muslin tea bags, cut squares of muslin and tie with jute or kite rope. Toss 1 or 2 bags into warm bath.

Car Mats for Transporting GlassWhen I bought 3 coffee tables at a thrift store, I had 3 huge panes of glass that I had to safely transport home. The table bases fit in my car, but I didn't have anything to protect the glass.

2 Comments Comment

Check Clearance Aisle For DealsWhenever I shop, whether it be the grocery store, the drugstore or any store, I always pass through the clearance aisle and take a quick look. I have saved many dollars by making this detour through the store.

1 Comment Comment

Clean Toilet with BleachHere in Finland, bleach is a lot cheaper than other bathroom/toilet cleaners, especially those with the spray tops. My tip is to use an old cleaning fluid bottle, the type with the spray top that allows you to spray the fluid, for bleach.

4 Comments Comment

Cooking Beans from ScratchMy husband is diabetic and eats a lot of beans. We buy about 12 different types of beans (we can get some local types here also), and he takes my big water bath canner and cooks up a whole pot of beans.

5 Comments Comment

Dora the Explorer Themed Birthday PartyFor my daughter's second birthday, we are having a Dora the Explorer birthday! We are serving enchiladas and chips, etc with a Dora cake and ice cream. We bought simple red and orange steamers and balloons to decorate with.

Keep Spare Oxygen for EmergenciesWinter is here and has reared it's ugly head upon most of the United States. During these times, we often forget that people who are on oxygen may need to make sure they are kept in supplies. Most people have concentrators which run off electricity.

6 Comments Comment

Keeping a Scout's Stuff Organized'Tis the season for Webelos to bridge into Boy Scout troops. It's an exciting time for all, especially the new Scout! One way to keep all of the "Scout stuff" together is to get a plastic bin.

2 Comments Comment

Keeping Utensils In Dishwasher BasketIf you have trouble with your silverware falling on through your utensil basket in the dishwasher, save those old scrubber pads and line the bottoms of the compartments with them.

2 Comments Comment

Make A Heart Cake Without A Heart Shaped PanNo need to buy a special heart-shaped pan when you want to make a heart-shaped cake. Use one 8 or 9 inch round pan plus one 8 or 9 inch square pan. When the baked cake is cooled, cut the round cake in half.

1 Comment Comment

Old Pens or Toothpicks for Painting DetailMy tip is for painting with detail. Even the finest of brushes are hard to paint lines or fine detail with. Therefore, I have been painting my fine detail with the end of old ink pens or toothpicks.

1 Comment Comment

Organizing Console for Van

Organizing Console for VanI was tired of not having a good place to store toys/books in the van, so I took an empty cat litter box, covered the words with contact paper, and attached a divided bucket to the lid with duct tape.

1 Comment Comment

Removing Lime DepositsTo remove lime deposit, heat white vinegar to boiling point, then pour over fixtures. This will release or remove lime deposits.

1 Comment Comment

Start a Sprouted PotatoInstead of throwing away any potatoes that have stared sprouting, try putting 2-4 toothpicks in the side and put the half which is starting to sprout into a small bowl or glass of water.

Store Screws in Plastic Vegetable TrayI like fresh vegetables, but live alone so I buy the vegetable tray from the super market that has celery, tomatoes, broccoli, etc. and it has a little cup of dip in the middle. When empty, I use it to store nuts, screws, and other small hardware items.

Tips For Cutting Your Party BudgetWhen partying planning, you can cut your budget in half if you visit yard sales and thrift stores and post ads on Freecycle and Craigslist for wanted items, instead of buying all new things.

Track Grocery Stores Sales Cycles

Track Grocery Stores Sales CyclesThis idea takes time and planning to set up, but will save lots of money on the grocery bill. All the stores seem to cycle their sale items. Track some of the items that you use, and you may see them on sale often. You might even want to keep notes.

3 Comments Comment

Unsweetened Baking Chocolate SubstituteIf you run out of unsweetened baking chocolate, try this substitute: combine 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder with 1 Tbsp. vegetable shortening for every ounce of chocolate.

1 Comment Comment

Use Clearance Wallpaper for Shelf and Drawer LinersLook for discontinued wall paper. You can use it for shelf liner.

2 Comments Comment

Use Newspaper Plastic Bags for Doggie BagsWhen walking your dog, take along the plastic sleeve from your newspaper. It is a perfect size for poo and fits into almost any pocket.

1 Comment Comment

Uses for Old OverallsI have found a great way to recycle the denim overalls my husband wears out, with no waste. Cut the top bib portion off around the waist area and triple stitch it shut using a heavy duty coat thread. Next, go up to where the bibs "clip" on.

Vinegar For Sore ThroatUse 1 tablespoon vinegar to 8 oz. glass of warm water for a sore throat. Gargle every hour and swallow after gargling, with 2 mouthfuls.

2 Comments Comment

Warm Butter On CoffeemakerWhen we want to soften butter for our breakfast or brunch, we put the butter dish on top of our 5 cup coffeemaker. While the coffee is brewing it softens the stick of butter just enough to make it spreadable.

2 Comments Comment

Warm Lotion in WinterLike a lot of people, I use a small electric heater in the bathroom during the winter. And for convenience, I keep my body lotion on the side of the tub. I have found that when I get out of the shower, the lotion is warmed, goes on so smoothly, and feels so good!

3 Comments Comment

Aphrodite Ocean BathMy daughters went to some sort of party (the pocketbook kind) and spent almost 50 dollars for this! I just stared at them.

Christmas Lights for Graduation PartiesPick up Christmas lights now while they are at clearance prices for a graduation party this spring. Buy the mini lights in clear and/or the school color. My son's graduating from high school with blue and white as school colors.

Cleaning Grease from WallpaperTo remove grease spots on wallpaper, hold several white paper towels over the spot and press with a lukewarm iron (hot may set the stain) until the grease is absorbed.

Make Circle TemplateBeing an avid crafter, I often make projects that require a circle cut from something. I would search through the house, finding an item that was the correct size circle, such as a can of soup.

7 Comments Comment

Milk with Coffee Creamer as Substitute for Hot CocoaIf you are one of the thousands like me that suffer from migraines, this might interest you. Chocolate is one thing that I have had to give up, bah humbug! With our cold winters, nothing was better than a hot mug of hot chocolate to warm me up.

Organizing Center from Boxes

Organizing Center from BoxesWe made a organizing center out of boxes that Christmas presents came in. We covered them with contact paper and taped them together. Now my son has somewhere for all of his school supplies.

4 Comments Comment

Organizing Stuffed AnimalsMy son has many small stuffed animals that always get lost or misplaced. To solve this problem, we made a little hotel for them out of tissue boxes taped together with duct tape and mounted on the wall. The best thing is, we can add more as we save boxes.

Remedies for Athlete's FootTo treat fungus on feet, soak feet in white vinegar for at least 20 minutes each time. Continue three days in a row and the fungus should be done.

2 Comments Comment

Rock Critters for GardenThis is a project kids love to do - make rock critters for the garden or for indoor plants. For indoor plants, select some rocks (or gravel) of round or oblong shapes. Then the kids paint them, and add eyes and features.

Scrap Printer Paper Instead of Note PaperReuse scrap computer paper by tearing into quarters for note paper. Use the unprinted side for notes, shopping lists etc. Once you no longer need the note paper, shred it and add to your composter to make compost for your garden.

1 Comment Comment

Subs for Graduation PartyThis will be my third graduation party. I will be doing subs this time. I have found 6 foot subs that are wonderful at 6 dollars. This is much cheaper than doing meat, cheese, bread separately and a lot less time consuming.

2 Comments Comment

Thaw Meat FasterIf time is limited and you need to defrost in a hurry, take the meat out of the package, place it in water, and sprinkle salt into the cold water.

2 Comments Comment

Dog BiscuitsDog biscuits are now around $4.00 a box in our local store. I found this recipe several years ago at an Amish store in Indiana, and bought some of their metal dog bone cookie cutters with it. I found I can make the same amount for around 57 cents.

1 Comment Comment

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