Tip Contest Results

Take Plant Cuttings Now For Holiday Gifts

Take plant cuttings now from plants such as spider plant, Christmas cactus, geraniums, etc. to use for quick inexpensive gifts later in the season. Even Dallas/Boston ferns can be divided into smaller plants. That way your cuttings will be established before it's time to give them away.

By Cheryl from Trinity, NC

Sharpen Your Vegetable Peeler

Vegetable peelers go dull rather fast. I spent many, many years just tossing them out and buying new ones. I wish I learned this trick when I first moved out on my own: Just take the back of a paring knife and run it back and forth against the blades. Flip the peeler over and do the same. I bought a paring knife at the 99 cent store just for this purpose. You can do this on any kitchen equipment that has a blade. Try it, you'll be peeling faster in no time!

By attosa from Los Angeles, CA

Using Telephone Receiver Cord to Tie Up Plants

I needed to tie up some of my vegetable plants and I'm out of garden twine and string. When I was looking for something suitable that will not break the stems I saw one of my very old receiver cords for the telephone. It is the one that goes from the phone to the telephone receiver; the curlicue one. And I thought maybe that wrapped around a pole and the plant stem it might work. Well it definitely does plus it will give as the plant grows.

The fun part will be finding them, since most everyone either uses a cell phone or cordless. I have seen them a the dollar store and depending on the length that you cut them into, I do suggest a minimum of at least 5 curls, will determine how many you get. They can be used year after year after year.

By Babbie from Lemon Grove, CA

Freezing Cookie Dough in Ice Cube Trays

Mix up your favorite cookie dough. Make extra and freeze in ice cube trays. When you want to bake several cookies or more pull out you ice cube tray and pop out as many cookies as you want to bake.

I always have cookie dough in the freezer ready to bake. When you mix up your own dough, you know what is in it, and it saves you money over the store bought cookie dough.

Source: A friend shared this info with me a long time ago.

By Bobbie from Rockwall, TX

Old Binder Rings for Kitchen Storage

I know we have a few old binders that were falling apart from use. I decided to pull the binder ring part out and use for hanging stuff in the kitchen. They already have holes in them so it was easy to hang. You could also spray paint them.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Use Place Mats for Shelves in Fridge

I hate cleaning the shelves in the fridge. I've found that cloth place mats are generally the size of the shelves in the side by side fridges.

I've learned by placing the cloth place mats on the shelves, it makes cleaning the fridge so much easier. Just pull the cloth place mats out, toss them in the wash, dry them, and put them back on the shelves. Saves tons of paper towels and time.

By Tammy W. from Bishop, GA

Saving Record of Paint Color

When my husband paints a room, he removes the light switch plate. Write the brand of paint and the color under the light switch plate. When he is done painting, I cover the writing with the light switch plate. If you ever need to get any more of the paint for that room, just remove the switch plate cover and you have all the information you will need. I can't rely on my memory anymore, so this really works for us.

By Dorothy from New Creek, WV

Pants Too Long?

Fold the pants up, cut the extra off and re-hem, keeping the original hem/seam. Picture shows a better example. If you are using a sewing machine no need to change out to a heavier needle either. Always use clear thread, like fishing line. It will last longer and you never need a color.

By msprissysmom from Texoma

Avoid Leaking Containers in Luggage

While going on vacation this year, instead of putting shampoo, conditioner, etc. in zip bags to prevent products from leaking in suitcase, just take the lid off and put a piece of Handi Wrap or Saran Wrap over the bottle opening. Leave the piece big enough to wrap part of the bottle and then put the lid back on. It keeps and liquid from leaking out. It really works. No more mess in my suitbags!

By Dorothy from New Creek, WV

Put a Rubber Band on Paint Can

Place a rubber band from the center of the bottom of the paint can around the top. Dip your paint brush in the paint can and wipe excess off on the rubber band. No more messy painting!

Source: Pinterest

By LoveLiveHome from Redmond, WA

Earring or Brooch Magnets

For the prettiest magnets use vintage earrings or brooches. I cut off the pin back on the brooches and the clip-on part of the earrings. Attach a small magnet with E-6000. I first noticed this idea at a craft show. They were selling for $5.00 and up to $10.00 each.

By Janette from Parkersburg, WV

Book Shelf for Shoes

I had an old book shelf I wasn't using so I decided to use it for the kids shoes instead. It's much easier to find them now.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Vinegar for Ants

It's that time of year and those annoying little friends are here. Out of a desire to be rid of them and not to spray poisonous bug spray around my sink and counter, I grabbed the bottle of white vinegar that I keep handy for cleaning just about any and all surfaces and gave them a "mist". Not sure if it was the acid or that they drowned in the stuff, but I just wiped their still (mostly) little forms away. This might be an offensive thing to some folks, but I think that they would prefer going to their ant promised land smelling of pickles than the noxious fumes which we can't even tolerate.

By Kelly from Burke, VA

Recycled Kitten Playhouse

I made this playhouse for my new kitten from our leftover cardboard dinner carrier from Bojangles dinner meal box. I simply cut out a few holes for her to poke her legs through to play, and cut out an entrance. It has a nice carry handle, and could also be used to transport a small animal to the vet, etc., just make sure you cut out a few air holes. My new kitty Bindi loves playing in it, batting her legs through to grab at whatever wiggles by!

By Cheryl from Trinity, NC

Squeeze Air Out Of Soda Bottles

This is something I have done forever but always gets a question when someone sees the squeezed bottle in my refrigerator. We don't drink soda quickly in our house so I squeeze out the air from my soda bottles then seal them to reduce air inside and keep them from going flat!

It might be done by everyone, I don't know, but I thought it was a simple but good idea!

By AHA! from NE Pa

Mark Clothing That Shouldn't Be Dried

Use dry erase marker on the washer for clothes that are inside that shouldn't be dried! Genius, especially if there are many people in your household! Mine is right next to my Wash In Cold Water magnet! I dislike my bras in the dryer!

By msprissysmom from Texoma

Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. multi-colored Rotini, cooked
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, seeded and cut into small pieces
• 1 large sweet pepper (any color), seeded and cut into small pieces
• 1/2 small bag of baby carrots, cut into small pieces
• 1 large bottle Italian dressing (I prefer Kraft);
• 1/3 bottle Salad Supreme (in spice section of grocery store).

Directions:

Mix first 5 ingredients together in large bowl. Pour 1/4 of the salad dressing onto salad. Mix the Salad Supreme into the balance of the salad dressing, shaking until well combined.

Pour the mixture over the salad and stir well. Best if refrigerated for several hours or overnight until flavors meld together. Enjoy!

By Joyce from Gulfport, FL

Popcorn Tins For Yarn Storage

I use mine to keep yarn in. There is one by my chair and some in my craft room. It stays clean and pets can't bother it.

By Zoek from Grand Junction, CO

Warning: No String Toys for Birds

I had put on here a long time ago how my parakeet Perry loved to unravel string in his cage for entertainment. He really did love to do this. Just the other night, he became entangled in one of the strings that he often played with even though his claws were really not overly long.

I finally got him untangled, but he had hit his head on the cage by the time I got him undone from the string. He ended up passing away that night. He would not have died if he had not had that string toy in his cage.

I want everyone to know, don't buy the string toys if they can unravel, or even if they cannot unravel, because they like them so much they won't leave them alone and they could, like my baby, get entangled in the string toy.

Blessings, and RIP Perry. We love you. You brightened our lives so much! Run free and fly free at the Rainbow Bridge!

By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN

Cool Water for Minor Burns

The best thing to do when you have a minor burn is to soak it for a long time in cool water, because the skin under the burn continues to burn until you cool it down enough to stop the burning. All of this other messing around with salves and honey and butter, etc. leaves your burn open to infection and can make things worse. A medical professional of my acquaintance said, "We just have to take all of that off before we can treat the burn."

Soak the burn until it no longer hurts when you take it out of the water. If you soak it for long enough you won't get a blister or a scar.

Source: For more information about treating minor burns, check out: http://firstaid.webmd.com/tc/burns-home-treatment

By Veronica from Lowell, MA

Kid Olympics

Skip summer camp and bring the Olympics to your children this Summer! Plan several sports and wacky fun for a free (or very frugal) week-long event of lasting memories. Adding your children's friends in the games would make for a bigger event but even one child can be an Olympian who competes against a stop watch for their personal best time or sets a pretend "new world record" time.

Traditional sports in your Kid Olympics could be swimming, track, and gymnastics. A mini-triathlon for your wee ones could be super fun when swimming is following a short bike ride and jog.

A swimming contest would entail having the children swim a few laps in a pool, more or less depending on their skill level. The Butterfly stroke might be a fun variation to include in your Kid Olympics! (Synchronized swimming is fun for the kids to try as well, if the kids are able.) Even consider inexpensive rope taped to the pool edges to make Olympic "lanes" for the contestants to swim in for an authentic feel- and great pictures!

Gymnastics, a personal favorite of mine, can include a "low beam" and floor exercise, and maybe a somersault contest. For toddlers, walking an indoor taped or outdoor chalk-line "beam" may be best. Indoors, a cartwheel competition while staying on a pretend balance beam made of masking tape or painters tape on carpet would make for a challenge. Include a one-minute musical acrobatic dance and judge to see who's best at staying "in the lines" of a designated taped boundary, best facial expression, most cartwheels and the like.

Discount stores have plastic gold medals for the Olympian's awards, or make gold, silver and bronze medals out of paper and ribbon for the children if there are three or more. (For two children, give gold and silver medals and so on.)

Tailor your Olympic competitions to suit your family or participants, using favorite Olympic sports of parents and kids. You may choose to make up a new contest, like blowing bubbles for the longest. Brainstorm with your children to create a Kid Olympics all your own!

By Erin813 from Seffner, FL

Homemade Blush

In a bowl mix two drops of food colouring with 3 Tbsp. of water for light pink, 3-4 drops for medium pink, 5-6 drops for red or dark pink. Yellow makes a peachy colour, blue will give you a purple hue. I used purple neon for the kids.

Next squirt baby powder in 1-2 tsp. at a time and mix until smooth. Continue adding powder until consistency of the mix is almost like soft clay and no longer all together, but breaks up easily into several pieces. Then pat it into an empty make-up container. This works really well and blends nicely.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Twig Furniture for Dolls

I would think you could make the really cute twig furniture for the dolls by using green twigs and tying them together with wire or rope then one each piece is dried into the shapes you need. Glue or nail the separate pieces to form the chairs, beds etc.

If you want a picket chair or bed you could use Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors. Cut the ends to look like pickets and glue together. You could then paint them or let the child do it.

An ottoman could be a margarine tub that is covered with a cushion sewn or glued on top.

An old jewelry box with a top that opens and drawers below could be a dresser. Just remove the ring inserts, etc. from the inside. Paint and design to fit your doll's decor. Good luck.

By Susan from Elkhart

Uses for Jam that Didn't Set

If your jelly absoluty refuses to set up, even after cooking it back down the second time, just call it by another name!

Last year I had one batch of apple jelly that just refused to jell, but it tasted great. So, we just canned it as it was, and labled in pancake syrup or ice cream topping.

By April from NW, MO

Half off at the Cheesecake Factory July 30th

Not only will the Cheesecake Factory's Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake be debuted on July 30th in celebration of Oreo's 100th birthday but it's also National Cheesecake Day. Participating Cheesecake Factory's will be offering half off the price for one slice per person on all available cheesecake flavors for the entire day if you dine-in! Check out if your local Cheesecake Factory is participating and Happy cheesecake eating! :-)

Source: The Cheesecake Factory website.

By Deeli from Richland, WA

Use Egg Water for Watering Plants

The next time you boil a dozen eggs, save the water and pour it on your garden and plants. The water becomes enriched with calcium when the eggs are cooked. Plus, why pour water down the sink when you can reuse it for something, right? (Just make sure you let it get to room tempature.)

Source: Pinterest

By Terri R. from Seneca, SC

Cheap Doggie Poop Bags

At the Dollar Tree store I buy the diaper disposal bags. They are $1.00 for 75 pink bags in the infant section. Their pet dept. has the same bags in gray at $1.00 for 50 bags. Insert your hand into the bag, scoop up the mess, turn the bag inside out, tie a knot in top of bag, and you are all done! These bags function for 70 pound and 15 pound dogs. What a deal!

By Holly from Dallas, TX

Recycled Condiment Carrier

Re-use your 6 pack drink carrier to keep your condiments in. Handy for picnics and barbecues or to use when camping and 'caravanning'. Keep your sauces and salt and spices together with napkins and cutlery. All neat and tidy and mobile.

Source: I was searching for a picnic tips and found a photo online.

By Monique from Somerset, UK., Weston-super-Mare

Keep Emergency Account Numbers in Your Cell Phone

Have you ever noticed that when the power goes out, it always seems "extra dark", even if it occurs during the day? Almost makes it impossible to look up the number for the power company in the phone book.

My solution is to save the power company phone number in my cell phone, then under the name I have abbreviated the power companies name, followed by my account number.

No more straining my eyes in the dark, or having to take the phone book or a bill outside to read it with the car lights, it's all in my phone.

By April from NW, MO

Saving Pictures to Your Computer

If you are only going to use a picture one time, just save it as "new". When you save the next picture, you will save that as "new" and it will replace the other picture. Saves a lot of time cleaning out your pictures that you just wanted to use one time.

By msprissysmom from Texoma

End Of Season Plant Bargains

Garden centers, home improvement centers, grocery stores, department stores and any other location that sales plants or flowers always have a tremendous markdown on plants at the end of the summer. This is an ideal time to spend very little on plants that can add beauty to your outdoor space or the interior of your home throughout fall and winter and beyond.

With sufficient lighting, various types of ivy and ferns will thrive indoors. You can grow a beautiful herb garden at a well-lit kitchen window or on a kitchen island or counter. Some ornamental grass can survive a mild winter outdoors. Late blooming summer plants can remain attractive well into late autumn or early winter in some areas. Summer annuals can be potted and placed in decorative containers to liven up your indoor decor for quite some time.

A little TLC and creativity is all you need to make these deeply discounted plants a beautiful part of your indoor or outdoor design.

By VeronicaHB from Asheboro NC

Boiled Dinner

I boil the ham bone with wedged cabbage, rutabaga, potatoes, whole onions, and squash. It makes wonderful meal.

Source: My mom

By Lavonne from MN

Stretch Your Mascara a Little Farther

When you notice your mascara is starting to run out you can stretch it a little farther. Simply add a few drops of saline solution for eyes to the tube, you will be amazed by how well it works.

By Stacey

Inexpensive Flavored Water

When the grocery budget is incredibly tight, flavored water is a luxury item that is quickly cut from my grocery list. I have found an inexpensive alternative with True Lemon flavoring packets. Locally, I can purchase 32 count boxes of True Lemon for less than $4.00. I can order lime, grapefruit and orange flavors online for less than $5.00 a 32 count box. Online specials sometimes allow me to buy a 32 count box for even less than that.

I can have flavored watered for .15 a bottle or less. I think, that's as frugally priced as flavored water gets. It's also less expensive and healthier than soft drinks. As a bonus, there are many other ways to use these flavor packets. You'll get a whole list of ideas with an online order and shipping rates are unbelievably reasonable.

By VeronicaHB from Asheboro Nc

Product Review: NutriBullet

My husband finally convinced me that we should order the NutriBullet that he had seen on the infomercials during the wee hours of the morning. He had spoken about it several times but I never saw the commercial and didn't care enough to waste my time researching it.

Well, let me tell you that I have seen the error of my ways and after having it just for one month I absolutely love it!

First off I'm disabled and exercise is very, very difficult. It also seems like I gain weight by just looking at food. Since we received our NutriBullet both my husband and I have lost over 10 pounds each and I haven't felt this healthy in a long time.

I also have very bad teeth from certain medicines that I had been taking when I first got sick and though I'm seeing a specialist, it has been very hard for me to eat properly.

I can honestly say that I am never hungry. What I really like about the NutriBullet is I can put all sort of vegetables, fruits, nuts, etc. in without having to peel anything. I do peel bananas and oranges though.

In the morning, I fill it half with fresh spinach, a banana, and my secret ingredient (Whey Protein Powder). Sometimes I add water, Crystal Light, or milk. Some liquid does need to be added and when I'm done sometimes I'll add a couple of ice cubes to thicken it up.

I always buy vanilla Whey Protein because it blends so well with everything I make and tastes like a shake. Now, NutriBullet doesn't mention anything about adding the Whey Protein, it was something I did on my own but what a difference.

I've tried apples, oranges, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, peaches, plums, carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potato. They all tasted great. I did try using Kale and celery but didn't care for the flavor so much. The spinach tastes great and once everything is blended you really don't taste it at all, though I do love spinach.

I have a shake for breakfast, any time I need a snack and instead of a glass of milk with each meal I'll have a shake. I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever been able to lose weight and not be hungry all the time.

I was paralyzed for a while and the Whey Protein helps me lose weight while building up my leg muscles. My muscles feel weak but I can definitely feel a difference in them and know I need to work on them. I haven't felt this good in many, many years. It was well worth the 6 payments of $19.99 and when I ordered it online from the company I didn't order all the extra stuff they tried to sell with it.

I can't say enough about how amazed I am with this product. If anything, I wish they made a smaller version of it to take when I travel. Depending on taste, I've added shredded coconut, flax seeds, and even a little brown sugar and loved the taste of each one.

I'm also diabetic and the only time my sugar went up was when I used only blueberries without combining other fruits. The NutriBullet is absolutely worth every penny we paid for it and it's very well built but if something ever did happen to it, I would definitely replace it. Not only would I replace it, I would pay the extra money to have it shipped to me as quickly as possible. Oh yeah, I forgot the best part, it only takes seconds to clean up.

By CaroleeRose from Madison, AL

Change Diet To Relieve Night Cramps

After much puzzlement, it occured to me that my night cramps happened most often when I have been eating foods like eggs, tomatoes and proteins (meat, dairy, etc.). I went online and looked for a list of acidic foods and found a website that gives a good idea of what foods are acidic and therefore should be eaten less often. It also lists which foods are more alkaline and therefore should be eaten more of.

I hope that others who suffer night cramps will benefit from a change to their diet, it is helping me. Fair warning, night cramps can be so strong they'll break your legs, so do be careful about what you eat. I'm fortunate to have very dense bones, so mine didn't break, but they would have on someone who's bones are porous. Hard lesson learned, for me.

Source: an online search which led me to this website (there are others): http://rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm

By Cornelia from OR

Making Wire Jewelry

Making silver jewelry is fun and you can use the jewelry afterwards, but silver is expensive, especially to practice on. So I'd advise using regular wire instead of silver. I've used regular wire for quite some time to practice on and I actually used it for some jewelry. It was quite good and rewarding. I also saved tons of money on the regular wire instead of silver wire!

By lego

Use Oil Spray to Keep Candle Holders Clean

The easiest way to avoid a problem with cleaning any of your candlesticks or candle holders of any type is simply spray a small bit of "Pam" onto the bottom of your candle holders whether they are sticks or votive holders, tea lights, etc.

When time to clean, use a butter knife and run it around the edge of the wax and it will all just pop out!

By Joyce from Gulfport, FL

Coupons and Savings

I save money using coupons, but I also put the amount of money that I save into a savings account (minus the cost of the Sunday paper). That amounts adds up very fast.

By Georgetta from Waterloo, IA

Keeping Plants Hydrated

Use marble-sized polymers to hydrate your plants. I buy the 8.5 oz. container of Decorative Accents absorbent polymers from the Dollar Tree to put in my outside flower beds. I use the handle (dowel) part of a wooden spoon to poke holes into the soil. You then drop the hydrated polymers into the holes and cover with dirt. These great little beads keep the roots happy until the next watering.

By Louella from Billings, MT

No More Watery Potato Salad

Instead of boiling your potatoes for potato salad bake them. It keeps the potatoes from getting waterlogged and weeping into the salad. I bake them the day before, let them come to room temp, then put them in the fridge over night. When they are cold they are very easy to cut up.
If you like, cut them into the size you want and stir them with oil based dressing (I like Italian) and bake them in a single layer; roast and brown them for more flavor.

Source: Years of sloppy potato salad the next day

By Scott E. from Chicago

Erasers for Lost Earring Backs

I am always losing the backs to my earrings so when I found this tip, I tried it. It's a great idea. Cut a little piece of an eraser and use as an earring back. It works great in a pinch.

By coville123 from Brockville, Ontario

Another Use for Baking Soda

When making ice tea I add a good pinch of baking soda to the water along with the tea bags. By adding the baking soda, the tea won't become cloudy and have a bitter taste. It enhances the flavor of the tea.

By Janette from Parkersburg, WV

Taking Care of Yourself

We talk about things, finding them, and saving money on them, but the body needs to be at those places to save money and care for others. So the big savings is in getting ready and not have to loose time or money in getting to the savings. Here are some good habits for getting your day underway:

1. Do everything in the bathroom first thing and try not to have to go back in there.
2. Put on clean clothing from top to bottom every morning.
3. Eat well because some days go astray and eating gets put off.
4. Look outside and see what kind of day it is or listen to news while eating, then put the correct outer clothing on.
5. A bag of some kind is needed by almost everyone nowadays, be it a purse, backpack, computer bag, or shopping bag. Make sure you have the things you will need in it for your best and worst day, all small of course.
6. Some people like to carry a set of clothing for the evening and shoes to match, it helps if you have a car.
7. You can also carry water, Band Aids, a cotton cloth, nuts to snack on, breath mints, wallet, medical alert card, makeup, hair things, and personal items.

By doing these things you will be ready for your day, clean and happy.

By Carolyn from Chilliwack, BC

Windex to Polish Jewelry

I work at a silver and native American jewelry store. We use Windex (I've never tried an off brand of glass cleaner), and an old soft toothbrush to get into hard to reach areas.

Using the hot water/salt method mentioned in today's article (or powered tide with no bleach which is what I recommend), so long as you also let the jewelry air dry. Oxygen and humidity is what causes the tarnish in the first place!

Aluminum foil method is very good for heavily oxidized pieces without delicate or loose stones. If the piece still needs some love use the toothbrush with the tide to "detail". If it just needs to be brightened or has pearl or other delicate stones, Windex is the ticket! If the piece is still not shiny enough for you, finish with a polishing cloth. Lastly, keep your sterling silver in zip lock bags when not being worn or used (air = tarnish).

Source: Mom and Pop jewelry store I work at!

By rawkchick from Dallas

Restoring Damaged Old Photos

I am the person that restored these photos. I scanned them into my computer and used Corel Paint to do the work. It's not easy. You have to have a good graphics program and you have to play around with the different tools and features available. I did a lot of cloning, smearing, and light correction. I taught myself through trial and error. As you can see, I uploaded a before and after pic of my husband and his 2 sisters, so you see the difference.

Source: Myself and YouTube

By Leigh from Litchfeild County, Ct

Keeping Kids Entertained on Summer Vacation

During summer vacation kids need to rest, as well as, keep busy. So many parents are concerned about making their kids have a productive summer that they forget that summer is also a time to sit back and relax. Here are some tips for a fun, educational, and relaxing summer vacation:

1. Check out your local library and/or bookstore for summer reading programs, free craft classes, etc. Our local library has something pretty much every day for kids.
2. Explore Town: Give kids some cameras and go around and explore your community. Make photo-essays. Take "up-close and far away" pictures of the town. With everyone driving everywhere, it's sometimes hard to notice the fun and interesting things that are in your community. Create a scavenger hunt, go on a bird watch, do rubbings of interesting architectural features, etc.
3. Do-It-Yourself: Provide your kids with do-it-yourself activities: A bunch of dollar-store puzzles, a bag of books from the thrift shop, dress-up clothes and a big box of arts and craft supplies (scissors, construction paper, markers, etc.) can help kids learn to amuse themselves.
4. Free Fridays: Lots of children's museums (and some science museums) offer free Friday admissions to their museums. Check this out online. Often I type in "Free activities kids" + my zip code or town's name to find out what is going on for free in my area.
5. Budding Scientists: Check out the old show ZOOM's website for some great science and art activities (activity guides, printables, and other cool science stuff.) at www.pbskids.org/zoom.
6. Let Them Be: It is very important to let children have some time to just relax and be themselves - to putter around and relax. Nowadays in our schools, kids have lost their recesses, their days are scheduled by teachers and daycare providers, and they spend way too much time in front of their video games and TVs. Make sure you give kids some free, electronics-free time, to use their imaginations, read, learn to play with friends without adult interference and referees, and figure out who they are.

By Veronica

Grilled Corn on the Cob

I have a large family and oftentimes find it easier (and more convenient) to cook everything outside on the grill. My tip is the easiest and most convenient I have ever done:

When picking out your fresh corn on the cob, choose pods that are still green and not drying out. The silks can be a little brown but only on the very ends. Pull back just enough husk to take a look at the top of the corn, you don't want any bug infestations. Whether at the local farmers market or your grocery store, try to pick pods that have an inch or 2 of the stalk left on them.

Soak fresh corn on the cob in a sink full of cold water for at least 30 minutes. Pull the husks down but not all of the way or you might lose your husks completely. Clean the corn silk from the ears of corn by first removing the long strands and then wring the corn between your hands to remove any excess corn silk. Don't worry, if you can't get it all off its not going to hurt you when you eat it. Do not pull the corn husks off because its going to act like foil. Return to water after de-silking to keep the husks pliable.

Next, pull up one side of the corn husks (such as in the back or the front), and pour melted margarine through the gap left in the corn husks. Add a shake or 2 of salt and pull the remaining corn husks up to cover the rest of the corn. Take a strip of corn husk to tie around the upper part of the corn where the silks used to hang out. Also tie a piece of the corn husk around the middle of the corn.

Cook on the upper rack of your grill or the coolest part of the lower rack. Turn twice about every five minutes. This will make it retain the sweetness and freshness of the corn and it will seem like the corn will pop in your mouth with every bite!

When my children were young I would remove the husks for them, but now since they are all grown they do this process themselves and for their children. To remove the corn husks simply undo the corn husk strips and wait for 5 minutes (if you can stand to wait that long) before removing the husks.

To remove the husks, use a sharp knife to cut thru the corn stalk up close to the cob. If any husks remain just stick your fork in it and pull off the remaining husks. If more butter or salt is needed then that can be added at the table, it isn't usually necessary though. If I cooked extra corn on the cob I leave the husks on to keep the corn warm.

By Juanita from Enid, OK

Money Back on Ebates Purchases

I have done many things over the past 3 years to save money, spend less, and in general monetize my (at times) woeful material situation. I have experimented with coupon clipping, pay-to-read emails, online surveys, and many a specimen of the weird and rarefied fauna of the online affiliate marketing universe.

I want to share the tip of a program I actually really like, and which has allowed me to earn back money for purchases. It is Ebates, an encyclopedic portal to just about any and every online retailer you can possibly imagine. Need a fire extinguisher? Visit the Ebates site, find one you like and get $1 back for your trouble. Wish to cut down on the inevitable bathroom supply monthly cost? Purchase all shampooing and hygienic needs from drugstore.com, via the Ebates link, and receive not only a cash credit and free shipping from drugstore.com, but also the 2% cash back from Ebates itself.

I am not someone who traditionally shops online, but just by choosing to purchase a few bathroom supplies and a birthday gift through the Ebates portal, I have made back over $10. Absolutely no payment or membership fee required - quite the opposite - by signing up you receive a $10 Target gift card! If you are someone who already loves shopping online, you could easily make back 100s of dollars in a year. Though hardly a get-rich-quick proposition, it's always nice to make back some of what you put out there in the shopping universe.

By ahorrasi from Marshall, NC

Storing Fresh Chives

When I bring my groceries home, I immediately wash the chives, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a large storage bag, roll them up to remove as much air from the bag as possible and chuck them into the door of the fridge so I don't forget to use them. They last almost a month!

By Beth from Ohio

Ice Balloons To Keep Wine Cool

I pinched this tip from my lovely cousin Dawn. Freezing ice balloons for coolers at parties-very festive and much less drippy than ice! Genius!

By Monique from Somerset, UK., Weston-super-Mare

Life Saver and Flower Vase Vacation Bible School

My daughter brought home these adorable sea oriented crafts from VBS. One is a lifesaver made out of a swim noodle held together with red and white duct tape, with nylon string made out of red attached to the red parts of it. John 3:16 is written on it (not the verse, just the "John 3:16") and then the words "Jesus Saves". Even though they float, don't take them in the water. I love a sea decor, and this is so cool.

The other craft is a water bottle covered in masking tape and painted or somehow colored green, with a string at the top with ocean-like colors of beads, about six of them. I love both of these.

By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN

Small Rock Under Sink Drainer

A small rock with a smile on it's face from puffy paints, fell in my sink under the drainer. There it was, just smiling back at me one day.

Since the drainer would often go into the drain and keep water from draining out of the sink, I would often turn the drainer upside down, but it was a bit of trouble to keep turning it back and forth.

When the smiling rock fell under the drainer, it kept it from locking into the drain. I am going to keep it there. It has a new home.

It is about the size of a grape.

For small children I would not do this, if they can get to the rock and swallow it but for me it is working out. I don' t use the plastic drainers since they tend to get nasty faster than the metal ones.

By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN

Pickle Jar with Laundry Detergent to Hold Toilet Brush

I have a large pickle jar in which I keep my toilet brush, which I use to clean the toilet with. In the pickle jar is enough laundry detergent to cover the bristles of the brush.

It is an old toilet, and I have to pour water down the bowl often to complete the flushing process. I have found that putting the toilet brush in detergent has helped the bowl to be clean. I just lift up the seat and brush the toilet with it every so often. It is already in detergent, (laundry detergent) and it is always ready to be used. If I had small kids or unruly pets, I would use something non toxic like vinegar for keeping the toilet brush in.

It has worked out really nicely for me, and after trying everything possible, it is keeping the bowl really clean and some of the old hard water stains are starting to come off. The lime cleaners and hard water stain cleaners never worked and I was surprised to see this is working.

Also, I am sure it is the extra water that I am putting in the bowl when I flush it along with the detergent that is helping to keep it cleaner than it ever was before.

By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN

Free Scrap Paper from Mail

After cutting our name, address, and account numbers off the mail that I'm not going to keep, I take the sheets that are blank on the back and cut them up to use for scrap paper. Out of this stack, I made some strips to use for grocery list.

In our county, we have paper recycling so I save the other papers in a bag. When it gets full, I take the bag and empty the paper into a paper recycling bin.

By Betty from NC