This contest had 63 contenders. You can view the winning posts below.
Started: January 30, 2012
Ended: February 05, 2012
Voting Ended: February 12, 2012
Contest Entries: 63
Winners: Keeping Vacuum Cleaner Rollers Cleared, Avoid Funeral Home Purchases, Cremation Ashes For Family Members, Carry Stun Gun On Dog Walks and Funeral Savings And Other Tidbits.
First off, please be aware that I am in Missouri, and each state has different rules and guidelines. So, check with your local state to see what yours are. What I am sharing here pertains to Missouri, but may or may not be the same in your state.
If someone has a prepaid funeral plan, don't assume everything is covered, as generally its not. Here, there is NO state office to govern prepaid funeral plans. If one has a prepaid funeral plan with funeral home A, and funeral home A goes out of business, their plan may be lost. Other states require that the funeral homes register such plans with the state, and put monies for such plans into a trust, not so here. We had a family member that paid $6000 into a plan, only to discover it was no good. Check with your state government for your states policy. A person is better off to set up a desginated bank/savings account or mutal fund for funeral expenses. This would be FDIC protected, and earn some interest as well. Make sure several other trusted people are on the account, and earmark it for funeral expenses only.
Shop around on funeral expenses. Also check rates with funeral homes in nearby towns. We found out after the fact that we could have saved over $2,000 by using a funeral home in the city, and since we were less than 100 miles away, they would have come and transferred the body at no charge.
You do NOT have to have a visitation or a service. Ask to see the funeral homes itemized rates. Normally each time there is a viewing, or service, there is an additional charge. You do not have to use the funeral homes vehicles in a processional, you can drive your own (saving additional charges). You have the right to use a casket or urn from any source. You can even buy them on eBay, it does not have to be bought from the funeral home. You can even use your own pine box if you want to. If they tell you otherwise, they are in violation of the law.
You DO NOT have to go with the funeral home that the nursing home or hospital sent the deceased to. You have the right to request them to be moved to another funeral home.
Many states do not require embalming. Embalming is NOT required if one is going to be cremated.
Don't sign any paperwork alone, always have someone with you. Wait at least one day before you sign. Take time to think it over. Don't let them pressure you while you are in an emotional state into spending unnecessary money.
If the deceased belongs to a church, most ministers will do the funeral at no charge. Ministers who regularly do funerals are very experienced in fees and such. Most, if asked, will go to the funeral home with you when the service and billing is discussed.
Some states will allow someone to be buried outside of a cemetery, such as on a family farm or in an old family cemetery. This is cheaper, as you don't have to buy a plot. If you go this route, make sure this is a place that will not be sold or disturbed at a later time. If you buy a plot, ask what the fees are, including yearly maintance fees.
Most funeral homes demand payment up front. But, shop around, as some have payment plans. Ours had a form we could fill out, called "an assigment form". An assignment form is used when the desceased has a life insurance policy. The funeral home sends the assignment form to the life insurance company, who then pays the funeral bill out of the policy, then sends the benificeary the balance of the policy. Of course, that requires that the benificary be the one to fill out the assignment form.
Look for life insurance policies that may have been forgotten about, or unknown to survivors. Places to look include with various workers unions, banks (I found a $1000 policy that was at a bank that gave free ones to account holders for up to $1000), tied to retirement funds, tied to mutual accounts, and depending on the cause of death, possibly tied in with auto insurance. Also most employeers or even past employeers often provide them as well.
In Missouri, only estates over $40,000 go through the formal probate process. If the deceased has minor children, other rules come into play. We found that the person who pays for the funeral expenses gets first right at the estate before other bill collectors or people owed, up to the amount paid for the funeral. This requires that the funeral home provides a statement of services, marked paid in full and in the payee's name.
Instead of going to probate, we filled out 2 forms. A week later in the mail, we received a "letter of refusal" from the judge, with basically stated all property from the small estate went to the children. For this form, you need to be able to itemize out basically what you are wanting; such as furniture, pictures, household items, clothing, and security deposits that could be returned, and if bank accounts or safety deposit boxes are involved, the bank name and account numbers. Again, this ONLY applies to small estates, under the dollar amount that your state sets. If the estate is worth more than that amount, then probate is involved, and it can take up to several years. But, for a small estate, with no real estate or large bank accounts involved, this is the way to go.
Missouri, as well as other states has rules in place to help orphaned minor children. One of these rules states that minor children can receive a vehicle from the estate unless the vehicle is TOD to another person on the title. My children, 13, 13 and 15, were able to get their fathers Ford Explorer for only the $11 fee to retitle it. This we found out from a friend who worked at license bureau. We had to fill one one form, provide a copy of their fathers death certificate, and their birth certificates showing he was their father. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that minor children have transportation to and from school, doctors appointments, to shop and such. Yes, they are too young to drive it, but it provides transportation for their care giver to properly get them where they need to go.
Of course this also means that they will need to start paying personal property taxes each year, but when we checked, for their vehicle it will only be around $80, then divided by 1/3 for each child. This is a good way for them to learn about expenses, taxes and budgeting.
Minor children or disabaled children may also be able to collect social security on their deceased parents account until age 18 or completion of highschool at age 19. Check with your local office, and if denied, check with another office. At our first inquiry, we were told my daughters did not qualify. We then went to a different office, where we found out they did qualify. The first social security person made a mistake, and I am glad we asked for a second opinion at another office. Call ahead of time to see what documentation you will need to take with you to your appointment to ensure a faster response. Also, ask if they payments can be backdated to the date of death, as they will do that.
Many florist shops can be bargined with or "talked down" some on their prices if you buy family flowers (the ones that have the ribbons that state mom, dad, uncle. My brother saved $140 this way.
Before you order your orginal certified death certificates from the funeral home, find out how many you need. The first set the funeral home will provide (there is a charge) but if you need more certified copies at a later date, you order those from the state, and then it can take up to 6 weeks or more, and the fee is higher. So, make sure you get them all the first time. You will need one for any bank accounts that have to be closed or changed, insurance companies, real estate dealings, and more. However, several companies that we dealt with sent the certified copies back after they were done with them -- so ask if that is an option. They just made a copy for their own records first.
While going through bank accounts, remember any that are in a child's name, but under the direction of a deceased parent, also need to be updated. My daughters each had their own savings account at the credit union, with both their father's name and my name on the accounts. Each of those accounts had to be updated as well.
If you open an education account, talk to the bank first. Some banks require the checks be made out a specific way. Much easier to publish in the obituary checks made out to the -- education fund, or trust, than to try and get the checks changed at a later date. If the deceased person is listed as a beneficiary for someone else's policies, on bank accounts, or as a TOD, that will need to be updated as well.
Don't forget to notify utilities, magazine and newspaper deliveries. Some items, such as cable or dish boxes may need to be returned to avoid additional charges. We asked the dish company if the service could be backdated to the date of death, as no one was there and they did, saving an additional $49.
If there is rented medical equipment involved, the companies providing it will need to be notified, as well as the health/medical insurance company. Many medical equipment companies will also backdate their billing to the death date, provided they are notified promptly.
Also be sure to notify employeers, alumni associations, clubs and organizations, post office (if they lived alone) and their church, friends, as well as neighbors and a landlord. Neighbors may also prove to be helpful in keeping an eye on the house during this time.
By April from NW, MO
I still walk my remaining dogs and carry a stun gun. You have to actually touch the dog to stun it. However, when you aim the gun and push the button, it emits an electric charge which scares dogs. It has subsequently saved me twice. I carry it every time I walk a dog and keep it handy in my hand while I walk. I feel much safer. This is the dog that was killed.
By Maya from Redlands, CA
I took the perfume containers and the boxes to the funeral director and he put some of the ashes in each container, sealed them and I gave them to the family members at my husband's memorial service. Total cost was about $15. Of course, most of his ashes were in a standard approved box because then I had the ashes buried at a cemetery.
By Kathy from Sylvania, OH
When my Mom passed away in 2001, I bought the flowers that topped her casket from a floral shop that delivered to the funeral home. I was shown pictures and the staff were very helpful in helping me choose the arrangement. I bought her casket at a manufacturer that delivered to the funeral home. By law they have to accept it and can't charge for accepting it. Expensive caskets don't preserve the body any longer than the less expensive ones.
There were several makers of headstones in my area; I chose her headstone there and they installed it. Some people don't use their rides to the grave site, they go in their own automobiles. Plan the funeral as early after death as possible to avoid embalming. It's not required by law and doesn't preserve the body all that long.
Popular funeral homes in some cities have a smaller funeral home that's owned by them but caters to a different class of people. They even go by a different name. You'll have to do your research. The funeral home I used for my Mother was one of those and it was very nice but not over the board extravagant. The staff there were not as "pushy" to get me to buy.
My Mother's death was expected so I had enough time to do my research thereby saving me a lot of money. The grief due to the lose of a loved one can be overwhelming but add in all the difficult financial decisions to be made makes it all the more difficult. I don't want my kids to spend a big hunk of their life savings OR mine on my funeral; it's not necessary and doesn't mean that they love me any less. I have instructed them as to what kind of a funeral I want, which is modest but nice.
By Betty from Lubbock, TX
Carefully cut away at the hair and strings/threads from the roller with the seam ripper and gently pull out with your fingers. You will be surprised with the amount you remove. Keeping the rollers clear on a regular basis will prolong their life.
You can find a seam ripper, usually for under $2.00, at most stores in the sewing/craft department. Wipe it off after use and keep it handy when checking the vacuum cleaner.
It is important to clean/check your vacuum cleaner as a maintenance routine. Wiping the exterior, top and bottom of the vacuum and checking the rollers and belt for wear and tear will extend its' life. Also, it is a good idea to keep a vacuum cleaner belt handy in case the old one is worn or slipping and needs to be replaced.
By mkymlp from NE PA / USA
The grounds are kept in beautiful condition and the head stones are also free. All you need are the separation papers from the military. If the surviving spouse remarries, they are not eligible. I have talked to many people who did not know they could have used the veteran's cemeteries. Visit one and see for yourself how lovely and peaceful these places are.
By Lilac from Springfield, MA
If you know a farmer, most will be more than willing to let you go gather some from their pastures at no charge. It's free, organic, and better on the environment than using the ones with chemicals or found in plastic bags.
Source: I learned this the hard way, after applying it too close to the growing season years ago.
By April from Plattsburg, MO
Put your dirty drip pans in individual zip lock bags (1 drip pan in each bag) Put 3 tablespoons regular household ammonia and seal bag leave overnight. In the morning, simply wipe the dirty drip pans clean.
This also works with electric burners. It's so easy and it's worked every time for me.
Source: Neighbor
By Dana from Katy, TX
An inexpensive plastic storage box can easily be converted into a cat bed.
Inexpensive baskets can easily be found at yard sales. Place a soft cushion inside and most cats will find this a comfortable place to nap.
I had a cat that didn't like any cat bed I bought or made for her, so she chose her own. I had purchased a really large pottery flower pot intending to use it as a planter. Before I got around to adding soil and plants, this cat jumped in, curled up and decided this was the ideal bed for her. Needless to say, I never used this beautiful pot for plants. If I put a pillow inside the container, she would walk around the pot and "fuss about it". As soon as I would take the pillow out she would jump in and curl up for a nap.
Cats just naturally seem to enjoy a round clothes basket. Put a pillow in the bottom of the basket and you have an inexpensive cat bed. The open weave of a plastic clothes basket gives you a place to hang some toys for your cat to enjoy.
By VeronicaHB
I was shampooing my carpets a few weeks ago. I thought maybe the scrubbers on my carpet machine would clean the kitchen floor. It cleaned well enough but I thought it could be better so I grabbed the old standby, baking soda. I sprinkled the soda on the floor and then cleaned it with my Bissell. OMG, finally clean floors! YAY!
I've also found to maintain the cleanliness of the linoleum floors, I use a drop of Dawn dish soap and a half a cup of baking soda in hot mop water and it's clean and beautiful.
By Dana from Katy, TX
By Eileen from Yorktown, VA
Editor's Note: Slow release or capsule type pills should be taken whole to work correctly. Consult with your doctor before grinding up your prescription medications.
By gloria from western NY
By Sherry from Valdosta, GA
By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario
By Gloria from western NY
By Tammy from Herrin, IL
Source: Just came to me, like a bolt out of the blue.
By Gloria from Western NY
Source: I was almost out of Febreeze one day and added some water to stretch it and couldn't tell so I started diluting it every time.
By Shannon from Lakewood, Ohio
When the time came for her to move into her own place, I placed a "Wanted" post on my local Freecycle.org group and also on Craigslist.org, explaining what she and her daughter needed and why.
Within 1 week, we had everything she needed to furnish a 2 bedroom apartment: 2 beds, a kitchen table with 4 chairs, a sofa, pots, pans, silverware, dishes, cleaning supplies, light bulbs and lamps, bedding, towels, bookcases, coffee table, desks, and a TV and DVD player. Nothing matched but everything was clean and in very usable condition. She gradually replaced things as she could afford to and in turn passed the items she received on the same way.
By Kerre from NorCal
Bird seed is less expensive when purchased in bulk amounts. Buy bulk birdseed when it is on sale. Check local farm and garden stores, general merchandise stores, dollar stores, and even grocery stores for sale priced bird seed. Buying in bulk requires storing the bird seed in tightly sealed containers to keep it safe from unwanted nibblers and to protect it from dampness.
Birds will drop seed on the ground under the feeders. Skipping a day or two between feeder refills gives them a chance to eat the seed that has fallen to the ground.
Feeders are designed for specific types of seed. Filling them with the appropriate seed will avoid excessive waste.
Feeders with a tray as part of their design reduce the amount of seeds that fall to the ground.
Squirrels can consume a lot of bird seed and do considerable damage to plastic feeders. It is best to spend a little more to get feeders that are designed to be squirrel proof. However, you might be surprised to see how creative a squirrel can be when trying to outsmart squirrel proof feeder designs.
In addition to feeding wild bird seed and black oil sunflower seeds, hang some suet feeders. Buy these on sale also or make you own suet cakes from one of the many recipes available online and in birding magazines.
Depending on the type of birds you have coming to your feeders, you might want to expand their feeding options to include something other than bird seed. Bread, popcorn, raisins, fruits, and various other leftovers from the kitchen appeal to many varieties of birds.
Planting bushes with seeds and berries that birds like and growing sunflowers each summer also helps reduce the quantity of seeds we need to buy.
By VeronicaHB
By Kim from Crawford, CO
Source: Mom and Dad did this when we went camping.
By Grammy24 from Beavercreek, OH
The yarn is great for pin cushions and is easier to manipulate than regular stuffing. With a long stout pin or needle you can pull it around to fill out points such as beaks and fingers. You can pick up odds and ends of yarn at thrift stores for very small cost. How about that worn out crocheted or knitted blanket? I have heard polyester stuffing will dull needles and pins after awhile in pin cushions, whereas yarn won't.
By Ann from Loup City, NE
If you leave early, like taking kids to school you have a couple of hours to spare before appointment. Select all the errands you need to do in that area and get them done. This way you don't have to go back to that area, except to pick up kids and if you have errands you didn't get done. Do them with the kids or if they have school activities do those while waiting.
You don't retrace your steps and you save time and gas by plotting out your errand route. It also keeps stress down!
By CJ from Minot, ND
By Patricia from Traverse City MI
By pamphyila from Los Angeles, CA
By Coville123 from Brockville, Ontario
By Mary K. from Kensington, MD
You will have to re-waterproof the tent, so go to your local outdoor equipment place to get either wash-in or spray-on waterproof.
Of course, the best thing is to not have this in the first place. Always set up your tent when you get home to check for damp, tears, pine pitch spots, dirt, etc. Repair or clean, and THEN roll it up and put it away for the next trip.
Source: 40+ years of Girl Scouts, plus 9 years of Boy Scouts.
By Eileen from Elk Grove, CA
Also, my experience has been to do with more of a "last out, last in" practice. This means getting a few things from the old home in place at the new home first. Have a secure place for kitty to "hole up" in. As you drive to your new home, have kitty with you, so she knows she's part of the plan. Then when you get to the new house, tuck the carrier between some boxes so that she feels safe. Have food, water and "facilities" in place and ready. Then open the carrier. If kitty normally sleeps with you, try and have the bed made and ready for a good snuggle.
Some cats will be ready to walk out and explore, some will take a few days to feel safe. Let them decide. Just keep talking to them, but let them take the first step. The secret is to let them think that this was all their decision!
By Maile from Onalaska, WA
By Ce from California
By Linda from Brooklyn, NY
The night before the books are due, take the clipboard with you so you can gather the books, Place books in canvas tote. Place books in car before you go to bed and put sign on clip board saying that the books are due. A sign that says "BOOKS DUE" can be laminated to be used over again.
These steps can also be used to remember things like bills due or anything that needs to be mailed, picked up, or papers from school that need to be signed and returned. You can do this for the children's schoolbags as well. However, keep a clipboard and crate in the children's room. When you go through their bags, you can make a list of all homework, projects, and items needed for project on this list and date in red when these items are due. No more excuses for lost homework or other important papers.
Use can use this method for all projects for home, sewing crafts, etc. Make a list for all needed items, who needs them, and date when there is a deadline. Also how many, colors needed. Now you have your list ready to go.
Here's another use: Make list of groceries, and other shopping lists or errands lists and now you have the clipboard to take with you for the things you need to get done. The night before, collect all items that go from your house to other places and cross items off the list. Now when you go in morning, take tote and clipboard. Now you have everything handy when doing errands. When you get home with purchased items, set up piles for each person to take in color coded baskets for each person, and they are responsible for putting away their items in their rooms.
I started doing this when mom would bring dinner to me or when she needed to use my crock pot and other items. Works well for me. Hope this helps someone.
By cj from Minot, ND
By missysmom from Nokomis, AL
So when I watch the kids for the day, I go prepared. Who wants to look at children's daytime television, ALL day? That wouldn't be good for kids, so why encourage couch potato-ism? After a couple episodes of Blue trying to find his clue (always successfully may I add--kinda kills the suspense factor for me) or Boots the Monkey thwarting the apple-heisting efforts of Swiper the fox; I'm thinking, isn't it nap time yet?
What's a grandma to do? Put them to bed, of course. Just kidding. No, even better. Pull out the "Let's Make Something Together" box. Any old shoe box will do, but I've graduated to the larger box that my husband's boots came in. Has a nice top that's attached. It won't be long, I'll be needing a new one. It gets a lot of use and never fails to keep us crafting along happily for hours.
Making things with your grandkids is a great way to not only keep them occupied, but it's also a wonderful way to open up conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. I've had some of the sweetest talks while stringing macaroni on a piece of yarn (a secret gift for mom, shhh), or found out that "there's a kid at school that's kinda mean" and was able to work through that a bit while drawing a picture of monsters and super heroes.
Now you're probably wondering what goes into a "Let's Make Something Together" box. Go ahead, admit it, you're dying to know. Well, a lot of it is stuff you have around the house already. Make sure to tell your grands this. Frugal has no age limits.
The rest is nothing much. Just think back to the things you liked. Crayons, paints, toilet paper tubes (might as well admit it, you used two of them for binoculars, or one for a trumpet, didn't you? but did you put a couple together to make an airplane, hmmm?)
I like to show the kids that with a little imagination--the best plaything God ever gave us--we can create all kinds of entertaining and fanciful things. Useful things. Beautiful things.
I show them the materials are all around us by storing the yarn around a piece of an old cereal box instead of some expensive bit of plastic from the craft store. Or that trash can become treasure in the right hands. And why shouldn't it be their hands?
Here's a list of items I like:
By Gloria from western NY
By Mary K. from Kensington, MD
Just use 1/2 cup of sugar, a teaspoon of water and a drop of food colouring. Mix together well. Put into molds of your choice. Let dry and dump out onto a tray.
Source: Simply Frugal
By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario
By Kirsten from Logan, UT
The first book I read was "Use What you Have Decorating" by Lauri Ward. It was so good that I felt compelled to read her other books on the same topic. Many of us can only decorate with what we already have. Ms Ward tells how to put all the items that don't go together in an orderly fashion that is pleasing to the eye! In my opinion, the most important feature of her book was learning how to make a focal point in every room. A focal point is always an architectual feature! So it would not be your bed in the bedroom or your table in the dining room, as I had thought in the past.
I am suggesting you will want to accept all items handed down to you even if they are not in your current taste or style. Trust me. You will not be sorry. Interior designers suggest that you NOT immediately rush out to the furniture store and buy an entire matching suite of furniture for any room of the house. In fact, it is suggested that if you have such sets, you break them up so as to not look so matchy matchy. A room should look as if its contents were acquired over time. Note: pieces that do not match can be made to look like they go together with a little paint. You will want to decorate in pairs. So when you finally invest in lamps or chairs, buy two that are alike.
Save your money to spend on items you REALLY need. Buy the best quality you can afford because you will have that item for the rest of your life. I believe the two most important items of furniture would be the bed and the sofa.
The other resource that I recently acquired is a book by Better Homes and Gardens, "First Home Style." It will help you inventory your belongings and make a list of "what you need" and "what you'll eventually want." These lists will be important to keep with you when you shop. You will want to know the function and size of the item before you go shopping.
Note: There is no feeling worse than to invest in a sofa or bed that won't fit in your room. They look smaller in the store!
It is the opinion of most designers that it takes about one year of living in a space to know it and to know what you want to do with it. I know that's hard to understand because we live in a world where everyone wants everything right now! Keep that in mind, it might prevent you from wasting money on items you not only can't afford but don't really need or in the end really want.
Color is your friend because paint is inexpensive. The trend for the upcoming years is away from neutrals and toward brighter colors. As I write this the year is 2012, so this trend should be in style for a few years. But if you want to be safe and save money, you'll want to lean toward neutrals in items you don't want to replace often. I'm getting so I don't want to paint the walls often any more, so I'm going to stick with a color I'm calling Carmel. I'll save MY bright colors for accessories.
Be creative and have fun!
By Carol from Wyoming, PA
Bring a scrubby sponge and do your dishes in this order: cups, plates, utensils, pots and pans. NEVER put knives into the wash bucket and leave them. Whoever is washing should pick up each knife and wash it individually, then rinse and sanitize, so no one gets sliced accidentally!
If you have a dish drainer, you can use that for air drying, or have someone towel dry and put away as you wash.
When you are all finished, dispose of your wash water correctly. Pour it down a drain, if there is one provided. Or strain the water through a strainer to get any food particles, then scatter the water at least 200 feet from any water source. Put any food particles you caught in the strainer, into the container you scraped your dishes into at the beginning, and dispose of that container appropriately.
Source: 40+ years of Girl Scouts, plus general Leave No Trace guidelines.
By Eileen from Elk Grove, CA
Slide the ribbing on your hand with the sewn end facing your fingers.You can pull it down as far as you like on your fingers or as high up off your fingers. My hands get so cold and stiff but this helps my hands stay warm. If you want to get crafty with it, you can sew the other end where it was cut off from the sock and make a hem there. It saves from having to go and buy those expensive gloves that have no fingers or thumbs in them for arthritis.
By Cassie
A note about vacuums and leaf blowers, in general - wear hearing protection. If you have only headphones and cotton or a rag, even tying a scarf around your ears is better than nothing. I work with patients who have lost their hearing, and noise history always contributes to hearing loss and tinnitus. This goes for lawn mowers and generators, too!
By Mary K. from Kensington, MD
By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario
Source: My mother
By cameramom from Linwood, MI
While we use paper plates, etc. there are still pots and cooking utensils to wash. While cooking, we put on a large pot of water to heat up. By the time the meal is over, we have a nice boiling pot of water to wash dishes with. We have two small plastic dish tubs we use, one for washing and one to rinse in.
We like to have the water as hot as we can comfortably stand to wash the dishes in and may have to add a little cool water to the hot water to get it to that state. Then we add the utensils to soak for a bit and wash up as usual and then rinse in warm water in the other tub. I like to use water as hot as possible for greasy dishes/utensils. We drain the rinsed dishes on a towel and dry and put away in our tub just for cooking.
By HerkDia from Baltimore, MD
By Marie from North Texas
By Mary K. from Kensington, MD
Editor's Note: To check your zone, use this link:
By Carol from Wyoming, PA
Avoid any berries that have any wrinkles or are in the least bit soft. They are past their prime. Avoid berries that haven't fully developed their color because they will be less sweet and may even be bitter tasting.
If you aren't fortunate enough to be able to pick your own berries, carefully inspect the baskets of market berries, checking for the right color to indicate full ripeness, and making sure the berries aren't wrinkled, indicating that they are past their prime. Also check the basket to make sure there aren't any juice stains, because that could indicate that there are crushed berries inside the basket, hidden from view. Crushed berries often mold before you can purchase them. Fresh produce is too expensive to throw any of it away because it can't be eaten or enjoyed!
Source: Years of blueberry picking and eating!
By Jill from NW Florida
Source: My friend who has a house cleaning business.
By tazfan from Olympic Peninsula, WA
Plants that work great for this are: herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender), mini palms, mini schefflera, young Shasta daisies, sunflowers seedlings, young ornamental grasses or bamboo, as well as starter plants such as tomatoes.
Source: This is taken from my article, "Using Plants as Wedding Favors'. You can read the full article on my blog, Gardening with Cheryl
By Plant Girl from USA
The containers are perfect for making individual servings of snacks for kids. I use them for making jello cups, pudding cups, snack packs of trail mix or any other healthy snack the kids may enjoy. The kids love them! I keep a ready supply of healthy snacks available that they are able to enjoy.
The little packs are perfect for outings also. By using these containers, I am able to put together a supply snacks for far less than the cost of buying the prepackaged snack packs at the store. They also encourage healthy snacking in that I am in control of what they eat. I know how much (if any) sugar is in their snacks.
By Prairie Mom from Oklahoma
By Diane from New Port Richey, FL
By Kirsten from Logan, UT
By FrugalSunnie from Scotland
Because it was fiber optic and didn't have any open sockets, I placed it in the bathtub and sprayed it with a mixture of bleach and water two times letting it set 30 minutes each time. I gave it a good final rinse and then took it outside and dried it with my leaf blower. Total transformation.
By Lorraine from Manchester, MO
By Lisee from Bloomfield, NJ
By Taerie from OH
When in doubt, ask the question, write down the person's name and the answer, date and time, etc. If you are required to send information to the courts, make a copy before you mail it, and send everything certified mail, so you get a receipt. Most of all, be consistent, be thorough, and file things on time!
Source: My own experiences of 13 years fighting for child support.
By Eileen M. from Elk Grove, CA
By Set6231 from MN
Here are three ideas for your home that might help "declutter" the end table, work, and desk space.
Other ideas I didn't have a photo op' for are:
Can you all think of more things to use them for?
By Sandi from Salem, OR
Alternate method - use a piece of wood to support the inside of the can.
Use different size nails to puncture holes to form different size holes.
By Sue B Honey from Michigan
By Barbara G from Statesboro, GA
