Thrifty Tip Contest (January 23 - 29, 2010) | ThriftyFun

Menu Ask a Question Share a Post Account Search

social

Contests Winners Enter a Contest

Thrifty Tip Contest
(January 23 - 29, 2010)

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

Latest Prev Next Enter With a Tip Enter With a Project Enter With a Recipe Enter With a Photo Enter With a Pet Enter With a Essay

Duration	Entries
January 23 - 29, 2010	68

Cat Toy from Ponytail HoldersHere's a way to make a free toy for your cats. When you or your kids or family's kids have ponytail holders that have stretched out, loop several together to make a toy for your cats, the longer the better.

2 Comments Comment

Check Outlets with Hair Dryer On New Home Walk ThroughWhen doing a walk-through on a "soon to be yours" home or apt, bring along a hairdryer. It's an instantaneous way to check if the electrical plugs are working. The instant "whirr" will let you know to go on to the next outlet!

1 Comment Comment

Keep Copy of Your Dog LicenseDog licenses can come loose and get lost, if your dog is as active as ours, as evidenced by the few I have come across at our favorite dog park. Make copies of your dog's license and the paperwork that came with it.

Product Review: 39 Dollar GlassesIf you need new prescription glasses and have a current eye exam, check out www.39dollarglasses.com. I've been using them for several years to purchase great glasses for less than the co-pay on my vision insurance.

7 Comments Comment

Re-purposing Furniture and MachineryWe rarely ever throw something out that might serve another purpose than originally intended. broken furniture gets taken apart, the usable stuff kept, the metal recycled and the wood (if not infused with fire retardant or otherwise toxic) piled for future use.

Saving Money On Ground BeefTo save money on ground hamburger, turkey, etc. I buy it in bulk right before the 'best sold by date'. This way I get $2 to $3 off and often get hamburger for $1/lb! Then I separate it into pound amounts and freeze them for use when I need it.

Share Your Coupons with Restaurant GuestsWhen you go to a store or a restaurant and have multiple coupons, consider sharing with other guests. My husband and I recently visited a restaurant and a woman offered us a coupon for $3 off our bill.

5 Comments Comment

Start Baking Christmas Cookies After ThanksgivingJust after Thanksgiving I start making my Christmas cookies. Each weekend I'll make a triple batch of one type of cookie. I'll scoop the cookies onto wax paper lined cookie sheets and cover with foil.

5 Comments Comment

Stock Up On Sale Christmas CandyNone of us need that Christmas candy that's on sale dirt cheap after Christmas, but be creative and think about the possible uses for it.

5 Comments Comment

Using Newspaper to Reduce Paper Towel UseSave on paper towels by using newspaper to clean, and clean up some things. I save newspapers, and I cut them in half or smaller. You can just separate small sales flyers like you get from CVS, Walgreens, etc.

Vegetable Oil to Clean Paint BrushesVegetable oil cleans paint brushes and keeps them soft and pliable.

Close Zippers Before Washing JeansWhen you wash jeans, be sure to close the zipper before putting them in the machine. An open zipper acts like a little saw blade to catch on your other clothes and make those little holes.

4 Comments Comment

Cooking Loose Popcorn in the MicrowaveMy loose popcorn microwave method: 1/4 cup corn in 2+ quart Pyrex measuring bowl. I preheat bowl with 2 = 3 kernels corn, covered with saucer.

7 Comments Comment

Hair Dryer to Help Remove Stubborn Light BulbHaving to change a "stubborn" light bulb from your freezer or refrigerator, not wanting it to break in your hand? Take a hairdryer to it! Aim the air at the base of the bulb's area where it screws in and it will unleash the grasp on the bulb and you are ready to install the new bulb.

9 Comments Comment

closeup of a red hermit crab

Hermit Crab CareI recently purchased some hermit crabs from Petsmart. I did it for my daughter who wants to be a vet, I am trying to teach her all about animal care. We really have enjoyed them, they are such complex little creatures.

3 Comments Comment

Keep Cauliflower WhiteAdd a little milk to the water when cooking cauliflower and it will remain white.

Keeping Moths from Fruit on TreesTo keep moths, etc, from attacking fruit on trees in the spring, place a plastic gallon bottle with one cup sugar, one banana skin, and fill it half full with water. Hang it from a limb of the tree.

2 Comments Comment

Lighter Fluid for Cleaning Guitar StringsMy husband, a guitar player for years, finds that putting some lighter fluid on a cloth and wiping down his guitar strings removes any dust and oil buildup from your hands. This will enhance the life of the strings also.

4 Comments Comment

Move Hanging Plants Inside for WinterThe recent freezing weather here in Florida, really messed up my garden but I found that some of my vegetables and herbs could be moved into hanging planters which I then brought inside. Right now, I have green onions and mint growing tall and green.

Removing Odors From BooksMy wife and I buy a lot of used books. The problem is, often the books have been in storage, or in a smoker's home (no offense to any smokers), or in other conditions that have left behind odors.

4 Comments Comment

Repelling Stains On Shower Doors?Start with CLR. To clean glass thoroughly, you can also use a tooth brush to get in between the doors with CLR on it. After shower doors are clean and dry, apply Turtle Wax like you would on a car's finish.

2 Answers Answer

Use Multi-Level Plate Hangers for StorageTo match my kitchen, I have a glass cutting board on a plate hanger right at my counter. Near my table is another with place mats, and two hot plates for the table in a multi-level plate hanger.

3 Comments Comment

Use Puppy Pads Around Cat Litter BoxI have a couple of Persians who have issues with using the litter box, so I supplement their potty areas with puppy pee pee pads. When they soil the pad, (which is great, much better than the rug).

1 Comment Comment

Use Single Earrings for Zipper PullUse up your single earrings by attaching them with a strong wire or something to your zip ends of all your purses and zipped bags. They are attractive unusual and very convenient if you have problems with your joints like me.

1 Comment Comment

Watch Fine Print on WarrantiesI like to save money by buying stuff on sale. I usually buy presents for my family, in advance when I find them not when I need them. But as I found out recently, means that the warranties may have expired.

2 Comments Comment

Add Bath Soap Slivers To New BarWhen your bar of bath soap is getting thin, instead of discarding it or watching the last pieces swirl down the drain, get a new bar and "glue" the old to the new. It's very easy. Just wet the new soap and then use just a little pressure to make the old soap stick.

3 Comments Comment

Bring Your Own CoffeeSave money on the purchase of a coffee at the mall by bringing your coffee from home in a travel mug. You can still sit in the food court with the other shoppers to enjoy your coffee without the expense.

Clean Your Coffeemaker TankWhen cleaning out your coffee maker, look inside your water tank. It will fill up with scum, so wipe it out often, or you will be drinking it.

2 Comments Comment

Dry Pine Needles for Bottom of Cat BoxI'm currently living abroad where cat litter is twice the US price. My house is located in a small pine tree grove. As dried pine needles on the ground are available I decided to try them as a substitute for commercial cat litter.

Favorite Tips from ThriftyFunI enjoy this site and have shared it with others. My question is: What have been some of your favorite tips?

6 Comments Comment

Furniture Polish for Removing LabelsThose horrible price tag stickers on glass, acrylic, plastic, and wood are a pain. To remove them try to take off as much as you can then take furniture polish and spray on that spot well. Let sit about 5 minutes the wipe with a soft paper towel.

1 Comment Comment

Reusing a Clothes Dryer DrumClothes dryer drums make fine recycle barrels, planters, and small burn barrels. I wouldn't be surprised if they could be used for a number of things I haven't thought of.

5 Comments Comment

Sanding Sponge for Foot CallousesI use a styrofoam sanding block to buff off the dried dead skin from the bottom of my feet. It's best to use them after bathing or showering while your feet are softer. It's best to slightly wet the sanding block as well.

6 Comments Comment

Saving Water When ShoweringFor those who are annoyed with a shower that gives you no option for how much water comes out of it (only hot to cold), you can buy these toggle switches.

2 Comments Comment

Share Seeds and Plants With Your FriendsFind a friend you can exchange seeds or plants with and watch your garden grow without any outlay of cash. To know that that wild geranium came from your good friend can bring a content smile to your face all season long.

Storing Fish and Seafood in Milk CartonsMy dad frequently went fishing and shrimping at the beach, so our freezer was always full of scrumptious, fresh tasting seafood. His secret was to re-use waxed cardboard milk cartons, cleaned and with the top completely opened up.

3 Comments Comment

Thrifty Foot PamperingIt doesn't cost very much to pamper yourself. I soak my feet in Epsom salt which cost $1.00 at the Dollar Tree. Then I bought some dollar polish and painted my toes. Also I use petroleum jelly on my feet at night before I go to bed and put socks on.

Use Excess Shampoo for Hand WashUse leftover shampoo you no longer want to use for your hair, to wash your hand wash items. You can also use liquid hair conditioners as a laundry softener to remove any static cling once your clothes are dried.

1 Comment Comment

Wrapping Gifts in Holiday TableclothsAt dollar stores or shopping after the holiday clearance sales, I try to get a couple of the decorated lightweight disposable tablecloths and store them in my box of gift-wrapping supplies.

2 Comments Comment

Book Exchange PartyOne year, my daughter hosted a book exchange for some of her friends and neighbors. Kids brought their used books and took turns selecting new old books. We baked a cake shaped like a book and that was it. The kids played outside afterward.

1 Comment Comment

Cheese Grater TipBefore you begin grating cheese, brush a little vegetable oil on the grater. It will clean easier when you are finished.

1 Comment Comment

Chicken and Dumplings with Less FatTo make chicken and dumplings with less fat, I freeze or chill my chicken broth in the freezer. I then remove the fat which has come to the top.

3 Comments Comment

Clean Door Bottom on DishwasherWhen cleaning out your dishwasher, look at the bottom of your door where the bottom of the floor meets, it will build up with muck and dirt and scum. Wipe it out often. If not, it will mix with your dishes every day.

Cleaning a Sliding Door TrackTo clean and lubricate the track for sliding doors or windows. First vacuum well, and spray with WD40. Remove grime with brush or cloth. Vacuum again if necessary.

3 Comments Comment

Create Extra Freezer SpaceTo save space and make extra room in my freezer, I remove the supermarket packaging. I cut out the label, and place the product and label, into a clear "snap lock" type sealed bag.

6 Comments Comment

Gift Idea: Fill a Tote With Useful ItemsFor Christmas this year, I decided to do something different than the usual gift cards. I bought laundry baskets or clothes hampers or storage totes for each person I was going to buy for. In the case of the kids, I bought inexpensive toy boxes.

3 Comments Comment

Homemade Pet Clean Up SprayThere are products on the market to clean up after pet accidents. They can be expensive and don't always work. This recipe works very well, is very inexpensive and removes all traces of the accident.

4 Comments Comment

Plan Now for Next Year's Tax TimeStart out this month preparing for next year's tax time! Label 12 business-size envelopes (one for each month), and put all your receipts in the respective envelopes.

4 Comments Comment

Rethink Your Knitting MistakesI made what I thought was the "back" of a long vest and it turned out entirely too "wide", a big rectangle, in fact. So I re-purposed it, sewed around the top for a neck hole and made a poncho out of it!

1 Comment Comment

Use a Photo Album for RecipesPhoto books work great for recipes! Put all of your 3x5 inch recipe cards in photo sleeves inside an album meant for photos. You can buy tabs for notebooks and label with cooking categories such as breakfast, side dishes, main dishes, salads, soups and desserts.

Use Body Splash as Air FreshenersAfter using the restroom, I had forgotten that I ran out of aerosol, scented air freshener. So I used what was nearby: cucumber watermelon body splash.

2 Comments Comment

Uses for Old Medicine DroppersI don't have any children, but a friend of mine gave me some old syringe-style baby medicine droppers. Why? For the pets! My husband and I use the measured droppers for water conditioners for the fish tanks.

Basic Bird CareI don't see many tips or articles about birds on this website, and thought that it might be helpful to give some general guidelines about basic bird care.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning Dingy Towels?I have some off-white hand towels that while they are still in great shape, have gotten dingy looking over time. I was ready to throw them out because even straight bleach (as well as other cleaners) didn't seem to make them look clean again.

1 Answer Answer

Cleaning Permanent Ink Off a Dry Erase Board?I work in the school setting. I 'accidentally' used a regular marker instead of a dry erase marker on a dry erase board. Needless to say, the ink would not come off or what I could remove left a horrible smudged stain.

8 Answers Answer

Colored Lip Pencil Instead Of LipstickSave money on lipstick by using the lip color pencil to outline your lips, then use it to fill in the lips with the pencil. The color stays.

Decorating for a Rainbow Themed PartyTo decorate a table cloth for a rainbow party. I bought a round table cloth and stitched crepe paper around the edge in colours of the rainbow. I used this on my round cake table.

Keeping Pots From Boiling OverBefore boiling potatoes, pasta, or rice, rub margarine around the top inside of the pan to keep it from boiling over.

2 Comments Comment

Make a Flannel Half Slip for WarmthMake a flannel 1/2 slip to keep you warm. Cut a piece of new flannel, baby blankets, or section of a flannel sheet. For the length: measure from waist to knee. Add 2 inches for hem, and 3 inches for top casing for elastic.

7 Comments Comment

Plant Root Ends and Seeds From ProduceWhen I cut the root end off of scallions, I plant them in a pot on my porch and within a week or two, the tops have grown enough to use them. I do the same with any root vegetable and soon I have a free, healthy alternative to buying greens for salad, etc.

1 Comment Comment

Rearrange Furniture for a New LookShifting things you already have to another location in the house, can make them feel like new again, as well as change the entire look of a room.

1 Comment Comment

Recycle Candy Canes for Valentine's DayHave candy canes left over from Christmas? Recycle them for Valentine's Day with this great craft that's easy and inexpensive to do with the kids. Criss-cross the candy canes so they form a heart shape.

4 Comments Comment

Rising Bread Dough Before BakingBefore putting in the dough, either set the pan in the sun, place it on range with oven on "warm" underneath, or run hot water over the pan until it is warm to the touch, then dry the pan.

2 Comments Comment

Store Old Rubber Gloves in Christmas Tree StandPack an old pair of dish washing rubber gloves in with your Christmas tree stand. Leaky ones are fine. Wear them while handling your Christmas tree. No sap on your hands!

1 Comment Comment

Use Ice Bucket Tray to Take Breakfast to Your RoomWhen staying in a hotel/motel room, use the tray under your ice bucket to go pick up breakfast in the hotel lobby. I like to eat in my room, especially pre-makeup and hair for the morning.

2 Comments Comment

Use Matches for Room DeodorizingIt removes (not covers up) all kinds of odors, from damp dog, to doggy 'accidents', to cooked Brussels sprouts without any perfume-y after scent.

4 Comments Comment

Use Recycled Bed Springs in the GardenI really recycle, and that includes taking old furniture apart so I can use the parts. I like getting the springs out of old box mattresses, couches and easy chairs, because I can use them for several years to protect seedlings in the garden, and/or make trellises.

1 Comment Comment

Uses for Old Latex GlovesHere are several tips I have found to use latex gloves when they get a hole in them. Cut the glove fingers off and use them for several things

2 Comments Comment

Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2022-08-28 19:42:24 in 6 secs.
© 1997-2022 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/contest/000/160.html