Uses for Used Tea BagsThis is a page about uses for used tea bags. After brewing a nice cup of tea, you may be looking for ways to use those bags. There are actually quite a few uses.
Crafts Using Bed SheetsThis page is about crafts using bed sheets. There are ways to reuse these linens once they are not used for bedding.
Caring for a Rescued Baby MoleDepending on the age of the baby there are some common steps you can follow to care for the baby mole. You want to keep it warm and fed. This is a page about caring for a rescued baby mole.
Uses for Old PantyhoseEven with a run or snag your panty hose can continue to be useful in many ways. This is a page about uses for old pantyhose.
Uses for 50 Gallon Plastic Barrels?Besides storage, you can cut a barrel in half in either direction to use for a planter, tub or a variety of things. This is a page about uses for 50 gallon plastic barrels.
Uses for Contact Lens CasesThis is a page about uses for contact lens cases. If you have contact lenses, you probably have several extra cases around. Don't just throw them out, find a creative way to reuse them.
Can I Reuse Cat Litter Containers for Food Storage?When the large hard plastic container of Tidy Cat litter is empty, is it safe to place food or water for humans in it?
Turn Boxes Inside Out for ShippingThe holidays are upon us, and you will no doubt want to send things to loved ones through the mail. Some of the best boxes to ship in are illegal to use: bleach, alcohol, paint, etc. So, here is how to use them if you need them.
Reusing Spice BottlesThis page is about reusing spice bottles. The small jars that spices are sold in can be repurposed for a variety of things.
Name Ideas for a Senior Citizen Group?Groups and clubs are a great way to get folks together for outings. This page provides suggestions for naming a senior citizen's group.
Birds Prefer Dry Cat Food to Seed?I am an animal lover, all animals. I put bowls of dry cat food on our porches for strays. Although I feed the birds at several different feeders, the birds are always eating the cat food. This results in droppings on our porches and railings.
Activities for a Person Who is Legally Blind and Living with Dementia?Mental and physical stimulation is important for everyone when growing older, but especially for those individuals who may be legally blind or living with Altzheimers or dementia. Finding stimulating new activities can slow mental and physical deterioration and can be a healthy outlet for emotions as well.
Finding Free Yarn for Charity ProjectsIn order to make scarves, hats, mittens, blankets, and other items for a variety of charities, donations of supplies are a necessity. This is a page about finding free yarn for charity projects.
Reusing Plastic Snack CupsThis is a page about reusing plastic snack cups. Finding another use for containers that can just end up in the recycle or even refuse bin, can save you money and help our environment.
Correspondence Etiquette?I have an etiquette question. When signing a personal card or letter, whose name comes first, the woman's or the man's?
Recycling Old TrophiesYou can recycle those old, unwanted, dusty trophies cluttering up your closet. This is a page about recycling old trophies.
Uses for Formula CansThis page is about uses for formula cans. Reusing these baby food containers can be helpful for a variety of crafts and things.
Uses for Empty Tape Rolls and DispensersThis is a page about uses for empty tape rolls and dispensers. Paper and plastic tape rolls and dispensers can be recycled or reused for crafts and storage, to name a few options.
Make Your Own Cleaning Rags from Old ClothingOld clothing can often be repurposed. One easy way is to cut the cloth into small rags. This is a page about make your own cleaning rags from old clothing.
Crafts Using Oatmeal Containers?This page is about crafts using oatmeal containers. Cardboard oatmeal cylinders can be useful for a variety of crafts and projects.
Help With Tonsurephobia (Fear of Hair Cuts)?This is a page about help with tonsurephobia (fear of hair cuts). The fear of getting a hair cut can be overcome by following a process that works for you.
Creating an Office Fund?What is the best way to collect money in a large office (200 employees) for things like the deaths, illnesses, etc.? Sometimes we give them the money collected with a card or buy a floral arrangement.
Reusing a Salt Spout on a Mason JarThis is a page about reusing a salt container spout. The small metal spout on the top of your salt box can be reused with other containers for convenient pouring.
Uses for Soap DispensersThis is a page about uses for soap dispensers. Don't throw away your empty soap dispensers, even ceramic or glass ones with broken pumps can be reused in a number of useful or decorative ways.
Ideas for Using Stand from a Bird Bath?The neighbor's cat knocked the bowl off of my bird bath and broke it in two. Any ideas for the stand that is left?
Uses for Old Bangle BraceletsI've used old bangle bracelets (plastic and the types that clip) for many uses. It seems these bracelets wind up being given away by many who don't seem to wear them anymore.
How to Make a Candle With Cooking Oil?How to make a candle with cooking oil?
Finding a Support Group?Looking for a support group for parents who have lost an adult child.
Keeping Beach Hat On?How to keep beach hat on? Can't use Bobby pins and there's no tie.
Attaching Replacement Cushion to Metal Outdoor Swing?How to attach swing set replacement cushion with strings to metal swing.
Shredded Colored Paper Uses?What can I do with shredded colored paper?
Repurpose Water From WasherLiving in a dry climate, I have found ways to recycle my water. It takes a lot of work, I'm not saying it's easy. Do you ever consider how much water your washer uses per load? Wash then rinse. With water rates increasing; I've found a way to use the water from my washer.
Outfit With 5th Grade Promotion Shirts?Our 5th-grade promotion shirts are ugly. They are on a highlighter yellow background and say on the front "This year was bright" in big red letters. On the back, it says all of the 5th graders' names. I have not a single idea of what to wear with it. I also want to do my makeup but I have no idea what to do. Our promotion is on June 8th, 2023. If you have any ideas, please let me know. I am open to anything.
Watch For Faulty Surge Protector When ChargingMy phone died a slow death. The battery melted the casing, and the battery was too old to be replaced. When I replaced it, the whole phone, darn it, and charged up the new phone, I realized it was blazing hot! Even the wall adapter was hot. At first, I thought it was the wall adapter, tossed it, was too cheap. No, it was the bad surge protector. It was free to me, which probably meant it wasn't supposed to be used in the first place, oops. Well, I was penny wise and dollar foolish. Check your adapters. If they're hot, check what's causing that. I had to buy a NEW phone, gosh! Yes, I also bought a new case for it. Sue me for free, lol.
Good Use of Speaker PhoneMany times I make an important phone call and I'm put on hold. This can be very annoying and take up a lot of time. I'm probably the last person to realize this, however, I have started putting these calls on the speaker.
Make Calendar Hanging EasierI take my calendar down a lot to write on and also to look back. The hole in the calendar for hanging is so small. This past year, using a hole punch, I punched a larger hole in it. With the larger hole, it makes taking it down and hanging it back up much easier. I have done the same with my 2023 calendar.
Check Your Neighborhood Facebook Group to Get Help During ChristmasFacebook has a bunch of groups that give away free things. If you do a search in the Facebook search bar look for; freecycle near me, or buy nothing near me. Depending on where you live there may even be a buy/swap group for parents to give/sell kids' clothes, toys, etc. In these types of groups, I have often found many generous people that are willing to help their neighbors in need or also give advice on where to get help locally.
Shipping Donations?Does anyone know of any charities/Goodwill services that offers paid shipping labels to ship used goods for donations? Like clothes, shoes, socks, books, toys etc. Also looking to donate new underwear that has never been worn but did not come with tags?
Political Signs Make Great Knee PadsPolitical signs make great knee pads!! Let's get them off the roadsides and keep them out of the landfills. Thirty days after election day, they become litter.
Pay Attention to the Price TagsNormally do you purchase your home air filter as needed or in bulk? At Home Depot, if you stop and look at the second set of numbers - it only makes sense to buy in bulk!
Ice Water To GoEverywhere I look, I see people sipping water from a plastic bottle. I don't think they're that thirsty or hot. I think they're just trying to stay hydrated. I suppose that's a good thing.
Searching For My Half-Sister?I believe down deep in my heart that I have an older sister born sometime around 1950 in Caldwell or Wilkes County, North Carolina, who is most likely bi-racial. My father, Buel "Bill" Pearson, served twenty years in the U.S. Army and was wounded in the Korean War. I was born in 1952 in San Antonio, Texas. The following year, Daddy married my mother. They had three more children, a daughter and two sons. When I was in my 30's, we learned we had a half-brother who was born in Louisiana in 1953. Johnny traveled to North Carolina to meet us and has become an integral part of our family. Daddy died in 1997, never having acknowledged my sister's existence to me or to our siblings.
Reuse Cooking Water In GardenBy steaming your veggies (and for those that still boil or microwave them), there are still a lot of minerals left in the water that we dispose of down the drain. I re-purpose this mineral rich water for my bedding plants!
Avoiding Fraudulent Phone Calls?I have had hackers in my phone for around 4 or 5 years. I am constantly battling them. They just keep coming back. I have changed my phone, my number and companies about 3 times now. My question is this: How can a hacker or person have my number registered to them, name and address and registered to me at same time?
Looking For Free Junk Website?Sometime in the past few months I came in contact with a website with state and county breakdowns of 'free junk from my house to you'.
Upcycle Above Ground Pool Post into RailingDo you have an old above ground pool you're taking down? Or see someone tossing theirs out? Keep the posts! Here's an idea you could do with them for inexpensive - made this railing for garden.
Living With An Alcoholic?Alcoholism affects families all across the world. Treatment is slow and requires commitment and effort from the affected individual to stop drinking. This page has advice to help the friends and family who are living with an alcohol and resources for the eventual recovery.
Homemade Shower SeatBecause I have several disabilities, I have a hard time feeling safe in a shower. The shower seats are hard to find in thrift shops, as people tend to hang onto them. Buying one new isn't possible, either.
ThriftyFun TipsI want to share what I do on a normal day, which I have learned or adapted from this site. Here are the things I have learned, which have saved me a lot of money and have helped me to lead a more frugal life, which brings a lot of happiness to me for some reason.
How to Dispose of Mailing LabelsThis is a tip for those that don't put their name and address in the trash. We get lots of free mailing labels in the mail. When I have an excess, I pull them off, a bunch at the time, and roll them up sticky side out. The name and address are hidden, and they are ready to go in the trash. I think it would be almost impossible to get them untangled.
What Is The Best Family Tree Builder App?I want to start a family tree and it all seems just too much and overwhelming. I'm sure there are plenty of good apps I haven't come across yet. Any helpful tips? Thank you!
Keep Pinback Buttons SecureUse a rubber or silicone earring back! When you pin the button onto your item, place one on the pinback, just ahead of where it closes. This way, the buttons can't slip off and stay secure!
Giving Flowers the Cheaper WayI went on a spree a while back giving flowers until I saw the bill all added up. Then a friend's sibling died, and my heart broke. Then I thought, hey, what do they deliver? At Walmart, they do have live roses as well as seeds. I don't know if seeds would say what I meant, but a live shrub cost $15.17, including tax and shipping. Please do not ask me what those other jokers charged, even with "free shipping" for a year. Delivery people don't even come to the house anymore.
Alternatives for Lidless Pans?I seem to be very unlucky with my saucepan lids. I now have several lidless pans! I just thought I'd ask you clever people on here if you have any idea what I could use as a replacement? Thanks! xx
What is This Poem? (The Secret Heart)Several years ago after my son passed away I found a poem in his school papers. I lost the poem and have searched the internet and can't find it and hope someone in our community can help me find it again. I feel pretty sure that my son didn't write it.
Life of a Sighted Care GiverI enjoyed sharing Ms Cordell's article's concerning the blind with my blind man. The other side of the coin is the care giver. I have been one for 17 years. Oh my what a re-teaching on my perspective of sight.
Recycling Plastic Lids And Small Spray BottlesI'm always looking for ways to recycle and have found that some plastic lids like a coffee can lid or a raisin lid will fit over some bowls. I also save small spray bottles, which work well to put hair spray, cleaner, or other liquids in when traveling.
Rehashing Frugal Living After a DeathI mainly lurk these days but I had to become super frugal since the death of my husband in May. I am trying to get my widow benefits (we were both on SSDI), so I am living on less than half of what we were bringing in. I paid $500 up front for the cremation, but because SS is taking so long on my widows' benefits, the funeral home wrote off the rest of the bill. I do have his ashes with me now.
Righty Tighty, Lefty LooseyWhen you get old like me, I hope it's not unusual to have a senior moment and feel really stupid sometimes.
Arguing With Parent?Me and my dad are not getting along right now at home. For the past three days, we have been arguing non stop. How do I resolve this issue so that we can get along for at least until my birthday, which is in a month.
Requesting Holiday Gift Wrapping Donations?I work for a non-profit, Youth Villages in North Carolina. For the past 12 years, we have supplied many children with Holiday gifts with our program, Holiday Heroes. With the help of donors, and program staff. We have fulfilled hundreds of children with holiday gifts. This year we are hoping to have a Holiday wrapping party with volunteers! Where should I look to have wrapping paper, boxes, tape, gift bags donated for the families?
Uses for Plastic Coffee ContainersI give used plastic coffee containers to new mothers and dads. They can use the coffee containers for holding clean diapers and another can for soiled diapers. This is very helpful when traveling, visiting, etc. The containers can also carry pacifiers, wipies, onsies, etc. Just put them in a small basket with labels on them. This saves a lot of space when visiting and or traveling.
Recycling Ideas for Linens and BeddingHow can we reuse discarded linen in the hotel industry?
Giving Household Items Within Your CommunityI am active in my local Buy Nothing group, where members gift furniture, clothing and other useful items to people in their local area. It is run on a Facebook page for my neighborhood, an area is a mile or so wide, bounded by the major streets. There are several different Buy Nothing neighborhoods in my city. This allows the members to be sure they are giving and receiving to their own neighbors, making pickups easy and bringing local communities together.
Become a Frugal CrafterFor those of us who have fallen on tough times more recently, this essay is intended to help you find a creative outlet for free and perhaps the chance to make some gifts that will be all the more treasured simply because you made them.
Check Warranty If TV Is Not WorkingWe were gifted this TV and so when the TV started experiencing some issues (ex: not turning on properly, the display would go be blank/black) we just unplugged and set it aside. While cleaning out the garage and planning to recycle this, I decided to check the manufactures date. (You can locate the manufactures date on the back of your tv by the serial number). The date was October 2020 and most TV manufactures last 1 year so I decided to reach out to the company, which was Philips.
Take Toilet Paper From Hotel RoomMy frugal tip is always take the toilet paper and kleenex with you from your room when you check out of your hotel when traveling. You paid for those. They are figured into your price you paid for the room. You never know when you may need it,for example the next rest area or a little ones runny nose.
Giving Away Gift Ribbons?I was recently at a baby shower and the mom-to-be received close to 60 gifts. Saw so many beautiful ribbons and bows in pristine condition discarded. What charity might be able to use NON-Christmas ribbon if someone knows.
Looking for My Biological Dad?I am looking for my biological father. I've tried Family Tree now, searched Facebook/social media and I'm waiting on 23 and Me results. Does anyone have any other ideas? After 39 years, I was told 3 weeks ago my dad was not biologically my dad and that I have an older half brother.
Suzzycue's Frugal LifestyleLiving a frugal lifestyle is not easy. It takes a lot of dedication to make it work. The best thing I did to promote my frugal lifestyle was learn to cook. If you learn to cook you can have delicious meals with leftovers for the next day for the same cost or lower than buying one hamburger.
Restoring a Cool Gel Pad?Two years ago, I purchased rectangular cooling gel pads to insert into my pillow cases to keep pillows cool for summer sleeping. When I wasn't using the gel pads, I stored them lying flat on a shelf. They were never damaged or punctured but this summer, when I tried using them, the gel flattened or may have evaporated, if that is possible.
Selling Costume Jewelry?I have been buying Paparazzi jewelry for over a year. I am not a consultant and need to sell some of it because I have entirely too much. Where can I resell it?
Surviving a ScamI just read the article about viruses in your computer. I would like to address it formally. Yes, there are viruses but in the last 10 to 15 years, there are also little green men also known as scammers who troll the internet looking for a victim. I have been receiving what I thought were a lot of calls from unknown callers out of USA, up to 4 per day. I have since found out people are getting more than 10 calls per day from this type of person. This type person is a scammer.
Turning Off Circuit Breakers While AwayI am leaving my condo for 9 months, what breakers do I shut down?
Advice for Lonely Widow?I am a widow for 3 years to the man who had been my best friend since I was 17. 43 years go by, 4 great kids, and now 5 grandchildren, 3 who he never met.
Alternatives to Sympathy FlowersFlowers are the traditional gift for a funeral or to give in sympathy for the death of a loved one. Many people prefer to give a more practical and helpful gift whereas others opt for something more sentimental and long lasting.
Help with Grieving?I was a caregiver to my mother who passed back in May. She was in a nursing home and I used to visit twice a day. I am having trouble still trying to deal with the fact I could not see her without glass between us for 3 months before she passed because of the virus and also just the general missing her. I could really take from hearing from some people on how to go about feeling better.
Donating Gift WrappingI would like to donate new all occasion gift bags, tissue, and ribbon to an organization. I live in Massachusetts.
Using Motion Sensor LightsMotion sensor light are great for a feeling of security in your driveway and backyard. They work well to save power by turning off when no one is around.
Take Time To Enjoy Your WorldIt has been said that only boring people ever get bored. I think there's a lot of truth in that saying. People who are easily bored lack a healthy curiosity about the world around them. Some people go all their lives without awareness of things that make other people's lives more enjoyable.
Relaxing PhotosSome photos elicit feelings of peace and contentment. Relaxing images of nature can allow the viewer to escape their everyday stresses.
Recycled Vinegar Bottle as VaseMore and more foods seem to come in plastic containers or wrapping, but I noticed that our recently empty vinegar bottle was a lovely shape and made out of glass.
Telling Someone to Stop Texting?If someone continues to send text messages after you have asked them to stop, blocking their number is a quick and easy remedy to this unpleasant situation.
Using Sturdy Head Bands Instead of Rubber BandsI can't afford good rubber bands. And if I had a nickel for every time the ones I had broke just when I needed them . . .
Keep Glasses from Slipping Off Neck ChainMy new glasses frames are thinner so they kept slipping out of the glasses necklace when I hung them on from my neck. I tried painting the sides of the frames with a little streak of rubber cement along the length. It's clear, so it's unseen and it won't distort nor damage the new frames but it gives the thin smooth frames some "grip" to restrict the chain necklace from slipping off and dropping my new glasses!
Is My Daughter in a Gay or a Straight Relationship?My 20 year old daughter recently informed me that she no longer wants to be referred to as a she or her. Now I'm to refer to her as they or them, non binary. I'm 100 percent OK with this. She is currently in a relationship with a transgender female to male, pre-OP. So does that mean they are a gay couple or a straight couple? I asked both of them and was told no to both options.
Being Denied Visits with Grandchildren?It's always unfortunate when adult children and parents don't get along, especially when there are grandchildren involved. Many states have grandparent's rights to allow visitation in these situations.
Thrifty Living Could Mean EverythingThrifty living does not mean you have to avoid the good and healthy things that cost a lot. Sometimes, it also means self discipline. For me, policies are indeed useful for disciplining myself.
Reuse Paper Coffee CupsI like going out to coffeeshops as much as the next person, and I am not always able to bring my great reusable coffee tumbler, but I don't worry, because I often reuse the paper cup, too.
Juice Containers to Fill Empty Freezer SpaceWe drink cranberry juice. To fill in the empty spaces and build up the bottom of our chest freezer, I freeze water in the 64 ounce cranberry juice containers. They lay flat and fit perfectly between the dividers. This helps to keep the freezer full.
Using an Amazon Fire StickThe Amazon Fire Stick is a great way to stream content to your television. It consists of a USB connection and a remote control that can accept Alexa voice commands.
Save Marker Caps as ReplacementsIf you have kids in your house, you are probably all too familiar with the dilemma of markers with no caps and marker caps with no markers. I used to put plastic wrap on the markers, tied with a rubber band, to keep them from drying out. But, that was no real solution. One day, I got a little baggie and put the caps in it. Now, any time I find a marker with no cap, I go looking in my baggie and find a marker cap to put on the end. That way the marker doesn't dry out and I save some money!
Hanging a Security Camera Without DamageThis is a tip I came up with when my kids gave me a security camera to put outside. I live in a townhome governed by HOA rules. One of the rules is "no piercing of any exterior siding". While the camera worked OK in a window, the glass prevented my getting any notifications that there was someone outside.
My Frugal Life: Street Theatre"Here I am, over here!" signaled the young man in a holey, paint spattered T-shirt and cutoffs. His arms waved a mile a minute, as he attempted to catch the attention of someone just pulling into Publix's parking lot.
Sage Advice for 2013So, here is my sage advice for 2013. Let everyone you love know it, even if it isn't returned. It means a lot. And for those who know it already, it means everything.
Work when you can and save like you won't have a job tomorrow. For some of us, that might be the case.
My Frugal Life: Buddha's ExampleThe Gautama Buddha, over 25 centuries ago, commended frugality. As an example, he taught the first monks and nuns to make their robes from "pure cloth" that is cloth that no one wanted.
My Frugal Life: Saving Money is FunI still live in the same house I did when my first child was born. That was 37 years ago. What does that have to do with anything? Well, at first it wasn't intentional; staying here I mean.
My Frugal Holiday: Our First Family Christmas StoryOnce upon a Christmas time in a little college town there lived college couple with a baby son. In between classes and jobs and studying late, they had bought gifts for parents, sisters, brothers and baby too, of course.
My Frugal Life: Price Hike"Hey, Bob, look!" I said as we neared a bus stop in my neighborhood. "Now why would anyone want to do that?" he grumbled, outraged at the eyesore we'd just driven past, a gang of abandoned shopping carts.
My Frugal Life: Compromise and CompensateAs children, we grow up not ever paying attention to advice or knowledge provided by our elders, usually on a frequent and routine basis. Going along with our childish and playful days, knowing it all, and living the racey lifestyle, along with making unattentional choices, with little regard to our bodies limitations of the aging process.
Shape-Shifters"I want to fly like the birds and be the greatest in all the world," wishes Wily Coyote. To indulge his desires, a playful flock of crows lend him their feathers, but when they realize how rude and boastful he is, they take them back.
The Last Day at Grandma's HouseOutliving both her daughters had meant that, despite being cherished, respected and loved by her expanding legacy of grandchildren and great grandchildren right up to the end of her days, Grandma wasn't really known by any soul left living.
Tribute to Mary JoThis is for my dear friend, Mary Jo Alley.'' We met'after evening services at church one Sunday when she heard some' of my friends giggling when I announced that I was pregnant at age 40.'
My Frugal Life: Grocery ShoppingI make it a habit of being open to food-shopping deals whenever I go anywhere. Today I stopped in at an independent dollar store, where I found a quart of lemon juice at 2/$1.00. That'll last a good long time.
My Frugal Life: Of Misers and MotherhoodMy father shared the title of his self published book "The Miser's Muniment." In the mid eighties, with freewheeling credit within the reach of practically everyone, hardly anyone was interested in reading about misers.
My Frugal Life: If In Doubt, Don't!I have been working since I was 15 years old and I am now 51. Knowing how to stretch a dollar is a lesson I learned early. My older sister was a seamstress and she taught me how to sew.
My Frugal Life: The Coffee TestI have found it helpful, thriftily-speaking, to take a look at all the necessary things in my life and make a list of those that I just can't scrimp on.
Reusing Plastic Grocery Bags for GarbagePlastic shopping bags can be reused for lining garbage cans. This will save you money and allow you to easily recycle those bags.
