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Thrifty Tip Contest
(January 9 - 15, 2010)

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

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Duration	Entries
January 9 - 15, 2010	55

Tip: Stop Drinking Soda

Shirley Rew-Beil

January 15, 2010

I'm 67, a wife, mom, grandma of 21 great kids and will soon be a great grandma. One of the best things I've done for myself is to stop drinking soda pops. I know the soft drink companies won't appreciate me, but after a year of no pop, I've lost weight, my arthritis is better, my waistline is smaller, and my belly is smaller. I seldom experience bloating and I'm saving on the grocery bill.

Comment Was this helpful? 12

Tip: Thrifty Food Tips For 1-2 People

January 15, 2010

I, like a lot of people, have lots of food leftovers, usually they go to waste. I have noted a few ideas I will share that I have found useful!

Comment Was this helpful? 15

Baking FishBake fish on a layer of celery, onion, and parsley to give it more flavor.

Reuse Soda Bottles for Food StorageI reuse soda bottles that have been cleaned and dried to store rice, oatmeal, cornmeal, and such.

7 Comments Comment

Reusing Every Bit Of Jar CandlesI hate to waste and I love to burn scented jar candles. The candles say to only burn the wick down to a certain point, then dispose of the candle. Since these candles are not cheap, I don't want to throw away that much wax.

17 Comments Comment

Send E-Cards Instead of Greeting CardsInstead of paper cards, send e-cards. Go to www.hallmark.com where you'll find several appropriate free cards. You can schedule them way ahead of time, too, and they'll be delivered on the appropriate date, worry free. E-cards are free, easy and "green".

6 Comments Comment

Use Black Light for Reading Dark DocumentsReading dark documents? Having trouble transcribing them because they or their copy is either "muddy", the ink has bled through, or the writing is faint? Use a blacklight.

1 Comment Comment

Use the Sun to Whiten LinensIf you want to use bleach on your laundry, use very little bleach and then hang it outside in the winter sun. The Victorians used this method; in large houses laying out white linen on special "bleaching lawns" on bright winter days.

6 Comments Comment

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Link: Christian FreebiesThis is a Christian freebie site that is great: www.christianfreebies.com

2 Comments Comment

Link: Free Parakeet Training VideosI watched a "Power Pause" free video, or at least part of the video from this man who sells parrot training videos.

Product Review: NutriSystemThis is a good jump start for a dieter. I enjoyed the foods, which were easy to prepare and tasted reasonably good. There were a few exceptions.

8 Comments Comment

Remedies For Cold SoresI came to work one morning with the tingle of a beginning cold sore and was not happy about it. He told me not to bother buying expensive medications for it, just to get an ice cube and hold it to the sore spot for a few seconds, till it got too cold.

5 Comments Comment

Removing Dried Berry Stains from ClothingI wanted to get stains out of my kids clothes and of course my family, I tried everything. So to get the water in Nebraska to soften more, I used Cascade with bleach, then to protect all colors in our clothes I used Clorox II.

Reuse Containers as Salt SpreaderAnother use for Folger's handled coffee container is filling it with sidewalk safety salt or calcium chloride pellets during winter. The handle makes it safe and easy to dispense the product as needed.

Run Cold Water When Straining Liquid from Hot VegetablesFor safety, run cold water in the sink when draining hot water from vegetables or pasta. This will prevent the steam from scalding your hands.

Save Change Throughout The YearWhenever cash is paid for something and change is given back, save it. Change adds up fast into big bucks. I also save the one dollar bills and group into tens.

4 Comments Comment

Substitute Broth in Place of MilkI've recently found out I'm lactose intolerant. One of my greatest discoveries is all the ways I can use chicken, beef, or vegetable broth in place of milk...

3 Comments Comment

Use Recipe Box for Addresses and BirthdaysUse a recipe box for all of those snail mail addresses you still use. The cards are large enough to put birthdays of all the family members and other special dates or notes on.

3 Comments Comment

When Making Cookies, Cook Half and Freeze HalfWhen a particular baking item, such as chocolate chips, is on sale, I buy it and make a large batch of cookies. We enjoy half right away, and I freeze the other half for when friends drop by or we just feel like a home baked treat!

1 Comment Comment

Winter Feeding for HummingbirdsAs the hummingbirds go south, there are a few that do stay. We love to feed them and we become their main source of food. We stop feeding them, and they perish.

2 Comments Comment

Cat Litter for Bed BugsIf you have a bed bug problem, put down cat litter where the bugs are. Cat litter will kill bed bugs.

1 Comment Comment

CD Scare CrowsOld CDs or DVDs glinting in the sun make the best bird scarers.

3 Comments Comment

Keeping Ice Cream FreshIce cream will keep better after it has been opened if a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap is pressed against the surface of the ice cream left in the box/pail and then resealed.

1 Comment Comment

Listerine For Many UsesI found out the other day, when I was trying to get blood out of a white fabric, that if I sprayed it with the Listerine, the mint kind, the stain came right out, like it dissolved the stain.

4 Comments Comment

Natural Medication for EczemaFor eczema on the body, try putting a couple of cups of rolled oats in the sock of a panty hose and put it in your bath. This pretty much cured my niece's eczema and we had tried every cream and ointment on the market.

2 Comments Comment

Problems Threading a Needle?If you're having trouble threading needles, buy some with slots at the top. Just insert thread from the top. The thread won't come out unless you tug on it.

4 Comments Comment

Restore and Reuse Dryer SheetsDon't throw away your tumble dryer sheets after one use, just soak them in a little fabric conditioner, leave them to dry and you will be able to use them again and again!

2 Comments Comment

Saving on Cat Litter DeodorizerIf you love the famous brand of cat litter deodorizer, but it is priced too high, try this:Buy a box of the famous yellow carton brand, mix it with 2 boxes of generic baking soda, and a 1 1/2 cup of Epsom salts, and put in a closed pitcher or container.

1 Comment Comment

Store Prepared Sauce in Thermos FlaskMake sauce in advance and put into thermos flask whilst still hot. This is particularly useful, as the sauce can be made well in advance before your guests arrive!

1 Comment Comment

Tissue Boxes for Plastic BagsEmpty Kleenex boxes are great for storing plastic grocery bags. I put a box of them in the bathroom cabinet for use in the bathroom trash basket and under the kitchen sink for the kitchen trash can.

5 Comments Comment

Watch Labels for MSGI recently discovered an insidious additive that almost all manufacturers are putting into foods, and I hope you all begin to watch for it. It is MSG (monosodium glutamate), and of course, we expect it to be in Asian foods.

3 Comments Comment

Bladder Stones and Your PetIf your dog or cat has blood in its urine or pain during urination or frequent urination, go to the vet immediately. If your pet gets bladder stones, it may require surgery. Some pets get this from their diet, others are susceptible by breed.

Cinnamon Sugar ShakerMy grandchildren love to put cinnamon sugar on their toast. So they can easily make it themselves and there is less mess, I keep a salt shaker filled with the mixture by the toaster.

2 Comments Comment

Dog Frozen DinnersI freeze frozen dinners made out of oatmeal and hamburger patties cooked with olive oil, for the dogs. So I can supplement their food about twice or three times a week, depending on what meat sales are on.

1 Comment Comment

Gold Rainbow Tea IdeasOur church sponsored its Rainbow Tea and we chose Gold to symbolize the pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow. We created a centerpiece using a medium size gold brass pot. We purchased gold ribbons about 3/4 inch in width.

Keeping Ear Wax SoftHaving poor hearing, I have my ears checked often. I'm always fighting problems with ear wax. My new doctor finally told me if you are going to use Q-tips, do it often and dip them in peroxide before using.

2 Comments Comment

Keepsake Teddy Bear from Loved One's ClothingI recently heard about this idea from my niece and loved it! When you lose a loved one of your family, most clothing is usually donated. Ask for that piece of clothing, this can be made into a teddy bear as a keepsake!

6 Comments Comment

Orajel to Numb Brows for PluckingDab on Orajel before plucking your brows to take away the sting. My brows are so deep that they bleed when I pluck them. After reading this tip in a book, I had to try it! Believe me, it really helps!

2 Comments Comment

Product Review: Goo Gone RemoverI found a new product on the market that is so fantastic you will never need another thing. Gum in your hair or clothes or kids and markers on the wall. There is a product called Goo Gone Remover.

1 Comment Comment

Removing Air from Ziplock BagsWe will never buy the vacuum seal machine and expensive bags because we vacuum seal the easy and frugal way. Place contents in a ziploc bag and immerse in a sink full of water, keeping opened end of bag just above the water line.

18 Comments Comment

Removing Coffee Odor From Plastic Coffee ContainersUse new coffee filters to get rid of odors in enclosed containers. Like re-using plastic coffee cans or in stored Tupperware with lids on, equals no plastic odor!

3 Comments Comment

Use Battery Lights Instead of Candles For Power OutagesWhenever we have a power outage, instead of candles, I use battery powered lights. You can buy battery powered lanterns, flashlights of course, and battery powered push lights. I have a push light for every room in the house.

4 Comments Comment

Using a Shoe Caddy to Organize the BathroomI always found my bathroom counter becoming cluttered with many items from hairbrushes, to deodorant, to body spray, etc. To minimize the clutter, I purchased a clear pocket shoe organizer that hangs over the door.

2 Liter Bottle for Party IceDuring the holidays or when you are having a large crowd over for a gathering, you never seem to have enough ice.

Birthday Cupcake and Candle for Each ChildWhen my kids were small, I noticed that at every birthday party all the kids would crowd around the cake to "help" the birthday girl/boy blow out their candles.

3 Comments Comment

Cheaper Big Mac AlternativeFor a cheaper Big Mac alternative at McDonald's, order a McDouble from the dollar menu, plus a side of Big Mac Sauce. I was charged 35 cents today, and it was actually enough sauce for two sandwiches.

2 Comments Comment

Herbal Medication for ParvoI found online a herbal medication for parvo, It's called Parvaid.

Lestoil Bottles May LeakDo not keep Lestoil bottles around long. They will leak. My cupboard floor can attest to this. I thought it was something the kids did (drop bottle and create a crack or something), but no, a second bottle also leaked. Transfer to glass or do not buy this product.

1 Comment Comment

A bow made from a paper towel.

Paper Towel BowMany of you remember the crepe paper or tissue bows; this is the same principal but made from paper towel with a twist.

Polystyrene Containers for SeedlingsMy tip is saving all the polystyrene cups you get at take outs, and use them for potting up seedlings. The take-away trays can be used as mini propagators sitting nicely along a sunny window; no need for a big glass house.

2 Comments Comment

Reusing Dairy Containers For Tomato Based LeftoversI live alone, but often cook more then enough, when I make a meal, to give to others. I save all my margarine tubs, whipped topping tubs, etc. to be used specifically for that purpose.

1 Comment Comment

Safety Pin Label Before SewingI was doing some sewing today. I am making some crafts to sell. I had labels made to sew inside and I hand sew my labels.

1 Comment Comment

Spritz Face With Hair ShineWrinkles are only part of how you are received as aging. Facial skin that is dry and blotchy makes you emphasizes wrinkles and makes you appear older. A little trick I came up with is to very lightly spritz your face with a hair shining product.

4 Comments Comment

Store Special Occasion Dishes in Plastic BagsAfter I wash all my pots and dishes that I don't use very often, I put them into polythene bags and seal them with ties. Then when I need them, I don't have to re-wash them before use.

1 Comment Comment

Use Press and Seal for Sticky Bird PaperExpensive sticky side up bird paper can be cheaply imitated by using a sheet of Press and Seal paper that you buy at any grocery store.

3 Comments Comment

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