Thrifty Tip Contest (February 20 - 26, 2010) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(February 20 - 26, 2010)

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

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Duration	Entries
February 20 - 26, 2010	66

Tip: Celery For Heartburn

February 24, 2010

After a meal, my friend took out a long stalk of celery from her purse, and began eating it. She told me that she had been living on Tums since she was young, but had just recently tried celery.

Comment Was this helpful? 26

Tip: Convert Belt Into A Dog Collar

Rachel's Mom
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 277 Posts

February 24, 2010

A good way to recycle old belts is to turn them into dog collars. Measure your dog's neck, then add 3-4 inches to the measurement. Cut the belt to the appropriate length, rounding the end. Make new holes using an awl and a hammer.

Comment Was this helpful? 7

Taste Of Home Kids Coloring Cookbook

(Guest)
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 846 Posts

February 23, 2010

I just came across this link at Taste of Home and it would be such a wonderful project for children and parents to work on together! Not only would there be a cookbook colored by the child to cherish but it's a wonderful way to teach children to cook.

Link: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Kids-Coloring-Cookbook

Comment Was this helpful? 13

Buy Locally Grown Food for Green LivingBeing green is not just about recycling and reusing things, turning off the water or lowering your heat. Yes they all help, but there is an area that people don't think about with being green. Eat local grown or raised food meat and veggies.

1 Comment Comment

Donate Excess Sale Items to CharitiesSometimes when grocery shopping I will purchase a product, usually a "two for the price of one", that is new to me looking to bring something different to the table. This could be a new flavor of a sauce or rice mix, many times a sale item to promote a new product.

Enhancing Store-bought RelishTo make store-bought relish more flavorful, mix in some raw sweet small-diced onions and/or finely chopped red bell peppers and/or small diced carrots. Dump the relish in a bigger jar to allow more room before adding the extras. Shake the jar to mix.

1 Comment Comment

Fabric Softener to Remove Wallpaper GlueTo get the rest of the glue off the walls after removing wall paper try saturating wall with cheap liquid fabric softener; the cheaper the better.

1 Comment Comment

Finish Shampoo with Cold Water RinseAfter shampooing and rinsing your hair in warm water, make your final rinse as cold as you can stand. It causes all the "scales" of the hair shaft to close back up (warm water opens them) and your hair will be as silky as can be.

2 Comments Comment

Make Extra when Baking SnacksWhen you make snacks in your oven, like fish sticks, burritos, french fries, pies, pizza, or whatever, bake enough at one time for a couple meals. After you eat your snack or meal, just put the rest in the fridge, and then microwave it.

Old Microwave for Bread BoxOur nice micorwave oven finally gave out and we found out it would be cheaper to buy another than to repair it. My husband realized that the non working microwave would make a great bread box.

2 Comments Comment

Repurposing Large Reusable TotesI received some pretty big reusable bags, but found when filled with groceries, they were too heavy to lift and carry to put in my car. They're very sturdy though, so I didn't want to get rid of them.

Store Sliced Cheese In Bread BagI purchase the sliced American cheese (120) slices from Sam's club. I like their American cheese the best. When I get home I put all the slices of cheese in an empty bread bag and it is just as fresh months later as the day I put in the bread bag.

5 Comments Comment

Use Bubble Bath As An All Purpose CleanerThis is the time to go green. Clean green it's easier and cheaper than you think. My favorite cleaning product is Avon bubble bath. It is good for cleaning just about anything, windows and mirrors without streaks (1/2 a capful per 2 cup spray bottle).

Use Vacuum To Clean Vacuum FilterI own a vacuum cleaner that has a dust bin instead of using a bag. I usually clean by banging it on a cement wall outside. However, we have so much snow this winter here in ND, there is no good place to do this outside.

3 Comments Comment

Add Vitamin E Oil to Moisturizing LotionInexpensive lotions and creams do not moisturize skin well, but after being unemployed for over a year, the better ones were out of my budget. I found that adding a little bit of Vitamin E Oil to a new bottle of inexpensive lotion really ups its moisturizing power.

Address Book for Internet InformationAn inexpensive address book is a great place to pencil in passwords for various on-line accounts. "A" is for Amazon and American Express, etc. Using pencil will prolong the life of your book, which should be kept in a safe place!

3 Comments Comment

Carry Address Labels With YouWhen going to places where they are going to have mailing lists and/or drawings (i.e. business expos,) that require you to enter your name and address on the entry blank, take along your address labels, and peel and stick them onto the entry blank.

1 Comment Comment

Corkboard Inside Kitchen CabinetsIf you don't like cluttering up your fridge with photos, recipes, and shopping lists, install a piece of cork board on the inside of a cabinet door.

1 Comment Comment

Freeze Bulk Ground Beef In Flat Serving SizesWhen we buy burger in large packages, we part it out, usually in 1 pound packs. We put each section into a gallon size freezer bag, then flatten it out in the skillet like a large burger, zip the bag and freeze. This makes thawing, cooking, and browning so much easier.

2 Comments Comment

Identifying Reused Margarine Containers By LidsIf you reuse margarine containers, for example, to store food in the refrigerator, and have accumulated several of the same size yet different brands, use the top from the Brand A margarine with the container from Brand B to simplify identification.

1 Comment Comment

Keep Food Cold Outside During Power OutageThis past weekend, my power went out and I was not expecting that to happen. We had quite a few inches of snow on the ground. I took my food out of the fridge and placed everything into a large plastic storage crate.

2 Comments Comment

Leaving Bed Unmade May Control Dust MitesCalling all allergy sufferers! Researchers in the U.K. have found that leaving your bed unmade during the day reduces the number of dust mites, because the mites need the moisture from the bedding to survive.

2 Comments Comment

Paint Tray Inside Plastic BagI have been painting the last couple of weeks and all the rooms are different colors. To save a lot of work on clean-up I put the painting tray in a plastic grocery bag. When you are done painting a room just pull the bag off the tray inside out and throw in the garbage.

1 Comment Comment

Pet Food AdditionsSave that juice from canned meats (such as tuna) and pour it over your pet's dry food, they will love you forever. I save it in the refrigerator and only add a tablespoon at a time. Once in a great while, I "accidentally" drop some of the meat in the juice.

3 Comments Comment

Phillips Screw Driver in a PinchIn a bind needing a phillips head screw driver but cant seem to find one? An old fashion potato peeler is an excellent substitute. It works as well as a screwdriver. The angle of the tip of the potato peeler makes it perfect.

Raw Egg White FacialThis is the simplest and best facial mask. Apply raw egg white evenly on your clean face. As the egg white dries, your skin will tighten and feel very weird. Keep your face as still as possible and let the egg white sit for 15 - 20 minutes.

Rubber Bands for Gripping Jar LidsSingle people, elderly, and disabled need not fear jars and bottles again. Also great for gripping doorknobs. Wrap one or more rubber bands around the cap. Wrap one or more rubber bands around the bulk of the product.

2 Comments Comment

Starting Plants from SeedWinter is breaking, Spring is around the corner, and once again, I'm looking at all of the garden catalogs, but one thing is different this year. My husband lost his job, and we can't buy anything we want. Thank goodness I love starting plants from seed.

5 Comments Comment

Two Sets of Measuring UtensilsTwo sets of measuring cups and spoons are a must for any kitchen. Use one to measure the wet ingredients, one for the dry. This saves the wash and dry time exercise when cooking or baking.

1 Comment Comment

Compost Disposable Coffee CupsDo you throw your Tim Hortons' cups in the recycle or garbage? I found out that they can be composted. So I rinse them out and place one at a time, inside my small compost container, and use them for soggy things like tea bags and coffee filters, oatmeal too.

Conditioner and Sugar for ExfoliantWant a good exfoliate that you more than likely have at home? Take your conditioner and add sugar to it. If you like a lot of exfoliator, add more sugar. If you like just a little exfoliant, add less sugar. Use this when you get done washing in the shower.

1 Comment Comment

Cover Leftovers with a Paper PlateWhen you have leftovers, but you don't have anything to cover the container with, use a paper plate. They fit most plates and frying pans, and don't make a big mess.

2 Comments Comment

Getting Your Vehicle Ready For WinterKeep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights. This lasts 6 weeks. Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol.

Kitchen Shears for Kitchen ChoresUse kitchen shears to cut sandwiches, toast or pizza, its a lot easier than trying to cut them with a knife.

1 Comment Comment

Make Your Own Sachet With Essential OilsInstead of buying potpourri to use in sachets for drawers, use fragranced sewn or knitted ornaments, etc. Just put a few drops of essential oil of your choice onto some cotton or wool, and place or sew it inside the item.

Plastic Storage Box for TravelingWe are fortunate to be able to travel for an overnight stay at least once per month due to my husband's membership in a golf club.

Quick Dry Clothes With an IronIf you have clothes that are still damp from the dryer or clothesline, a quick way to dry them is to iron them at a low temperature, or use your blow dryer to dry them. Just use the low setting.

Reusing Cereal PackagingAfter a box of cereal is done I save the inner wax bag to reuse as wax paper. I cut it to lay it out flat, to use it to protect the kitchen table when the kids are doing craft projects or using playdoh.

Rubber Bands to Organize Kitchen DrawerJust a simple rubber band and no more tangled tongs in the drawers. Wrap it around the top to keep them straight in the drawer.

2 Comments Comment

Use Cardboard for Easy Craft Clean-UpI save the empty cardboard boxes from bottled water and I place them on my table when I paint or use my glue gun. They are an easy clean up, you just throw them away. No fuss at all.

1 Comment Comment

Use Cellphone Camera for Photo of InformationIf you have no pencil with which to write down information, take a photo with your camera phone.

Using Greeting Cards for ScrapbookingI cut and save the fronts of all of my received greeting cards. These are great for scrapbooking. I use my scissors to cut flowers, words, scenes, tiny birds, holiday scenes, etc. It saves so much money.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning Yourself After PaintingI have been a painter for 12 years, and painting ceilings can be a pain in the neck. When you're all done for the day and you get yourself cleaned up in the shower, try this to get the paint off your body.

1 Comment Comment

Concerns About Pet Rubber Nail CapsI would advise anyone who is considering the rubber nail caps for their cat or dog, talk to their vet first. I tried them and it is difficult to keep the glue off the nail beds.

3 Comments Comment

Frugal Patio Door CurtainI have been exploring ways to "Decorate on a Dime". I needed a patio door width curtain rod. I purchased a length of 1 1/2 inch bamboo from the garden center and some wooden brackets in natural wood color from a thrift store and I have a nice feng shui look.

3 Comments Comment

Lipstick on a BudgetIf you're running low on lipstick, or looking for another shade, but hating those big-bucks prices, try applying foundation and a little moisturizer, lip balm, or cocoa butter onto your lips before adding your lipstick.

2 Comments Comment

Make Lettuce Last LongerAre you sick of your pretty head of lettuce turning brown and rotting in just a couple of days? Me too. I made a little discovery last week. I went shopping and after putting away the groceries, there was no room left for the lettuce.

3 Comments Comment

Make Soup Ahead and FreezeA good time saver when you just don't feel like cooking. Make ahead of time, a good hearty pot of soup with chunky vegetables that will freeze well. Then when you have no time to prepare a meal or you just don't feel like it, just defrost the soup add a wholegrain bun.

Photos to Create Business IdentityLooking for stationary for your business? If you have photos of your merchandise, crafts, and artwork, you can use them as graphics for business forms, cards, and correspondence. You can also use them for websites and even stamps.

1 Comment Comment

Pre-measure Dry Ingredients for BakingMeasure out the dry ingredients to make your holiday pies or cookies, placing them in zip lock bags. Be sure to label with what and how many (two pumpkin pies, 4 dozen lemon cookies, etc) this product is for, and store in the fridge or a cool, dry cupboard.

Recycle Coffee Pods For The GardenI love my Keurig coffee maker and the mess-less perfect cups of coffee they make but I have a problem throwing away all those empty little cups.

Reusing Food CansI keep all my food cans for recycling. Some I keep and decorate with paint, stickers, ribbons, and etc. I use them for organizing small items.

1 Comment Comment

Shoe Organizer for More Than ShoesThe shoe organizers that you hang on a door are for more than shoes. I use on in my son's room for socks and underwear.

4 Comments Comment

Use Address Book for New Neighborhood DirectoryI had just moved into my new home, and while I was unpacking I found several unused address books. I don't know exactly why I had them but I decided to use one as my new neighborhood directory.

2 Comments Comment

Uses for Clip HangersI've found a use for those clip type hangers that come with new pants or skirts from the store. I use them for hanging my skirts in the closet.

4 Comments Comment

Alternative for Waterbed SheetsI have a water bed and sheets for it never go on sale. I found a pair of king size sheets at our local little thrift shop really cheap. When I got home, I put the fitted bottom on our bed to see how short it was and measured how much more sheet I needed to tuck in.

2 Comments Comment

Combine Two Pairs Of PantyhosePanty hose are expensive! This little trick has probably saved me hundreds of dollars over the years! Decide on your most preferred color of pantyhose and buy several pair. When getting a run or hole in one leg, cut that leg off and launder the "good leg" and panty.

1 Comment Comment

Dryer Lint for Bird NestsDon't throw away your dryer lint! In the winter birds love it to line their nest with.

10 Comments Comment

Hang Storage Bags Under EavesI have some closets under the eaves upstairs. They are full of hooks, so I have put lots of things in plastic grocery bags, and hung them by the handles on the hooks.

1 Comment Comment

Nap Mat Under Car SeatWhen my daughter was small and still in a car seat, I purchased one of those nap mats used in kindergarten to place under the car seat in my car. It helped protect the car from spills, dropped food, spit up or what ever.

1 Comment Comment

New and Transferred Prescriptions IncentivesTo get some bang for your expensive prescription bucks, you may want to transfer some prescriptions to your local Kmart. They are having a special offer right now in which you can receive up to four $25 gift cards between now and April 10, 2010.

1 Comment Comment

Photograph Your Card or Scrapbook LayoutWhen you make a card or scrapbook layout you like, take a photograph and you will be able to repeat it in future.

Removing Shoe Polish from CarpetTo get black shoe polish out of beige carpet, use Goof Off but saturate the cloth and dab on affected area. It works!

1 Comment Comment

Reuse Manila Folders for Card StockI reuse manila folders that I no longer need by trimming the sides and turning them into 8 1/2x11 inch sheets. They can then be printed into business cards (2 1/2x3 inches).

Toothbrush Holders For Battery ToothbrushesWe use battery powered toothbrushes but I could not find tooth brush holders to accommodate them. I bought cheap salt and pepper shakers that were about 4 inches tall. I tossed the cap, and glued ribbon around the threads at the top.

4 Comments Comment

Using The Whole ChickenAt least once per month, I boil a whole chicken. Then I pull all that wonderful meat off the bones. I use some of it right away, and combine it with the broth from boiling the chicken, and frozen mixed vegetables and rice or soup pasta, for soup.

4 Comments Comment

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