Thrifty Tip Contest (June 26 - July 2, 2010)

Duration	Entries
June 26 - July 2, 2010	81

Baking Soda for Fireworks FiresPlease be careful as usual this Fourth of July and always take along a box of baking soda in case any small fire starts. Baking soda will put it out quickly. I keep one in the car also.

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Buy Soda (Pop) By the CaseI had been upset for a long time that name brand pop (or at least Coke in my area), was only sold in 12 packs. I used to buy by the case (24 pack), but all of the sudden they disappeared and I was paying about the same for half as much pop!

2 Comments Comment

Check Hospital Websites for JobsSearch hospital websites for jobs. I've been looking for work for months. Everyday I search the internet for new postings. Then I started thinking of places that employ a lot of people and thought of the hospital.

5 Comments Comment

Cover Birds To Keep Them QuietIf you have parakeets (budgies) who annoy you or your family with their screeching all day and all night, throw a light cover over their cage. You can buy or make one or you can simply use an old cotton tablecloth.

4 Comments Comment

Create Stick Sculptures to Attract BirdsThis tip is "for the birds" in your garden. I don't throw away large sticks that fall during storms, instead I keep them and use them to make stick sculptures for the birds.

9 Comments Comment

Load Gift Card to Limit SpendingTo control your budget for grocery spending, load a store gift card with whatever amount you have for groceries for the month. Keep some spare cash from the budget to shop for items from other stores that might be on sale.

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Mop Floor with Dishwasher DetergentHere is a really good hint. If you have a floor that you mop, or needs to be mopped and just gets a quick "lick and a promise" (as my mom would have said), I can give you a hint that will put it back in shape with a minimum of work.

5 Comments Comment

Oil Free Fried ChickenIf you don't have any cooking oil and want to fry chicken, find a cast iron skillet and fry the chicken in its own juices. It will be just as finger lickin' good as KFC, only healthier.

3 Comments Comment

Petlynx for Lost PetsThere is a free service that will greatly increase the chances of reuniting lost pets with their families. You can post your lost pet (or pets you may find) on the "Lost and Found" section on PetLynx. (This is a free service.)

1 Comment Comment

Product Review: Quantumatic Automatic Dishwasher DispenserThis is an automatic dishwasher detergent dispenser which you latch to the top rack of your dishwasher. The dispenser holds twelve loads worth of soap. A little indicator on the top lets you know how many loads are left.

1 Comment Comment

Shoes Should Be In PairsShoes come in pairs, you wear them in pairs, and you put them away in pairs - so why do they end up SINGLE? I have so many nice things, I am trying increasingly to shop in my own closet.

1 Comment Comment

Spray Inside of Tin Foil When BakingBefore you cover your baking items with foil, spray the side of the foil that touches the food with non-stick cooking spray. No more sticking to the foil and no more ruining your pretty dish

7 Comments Comment

Use Open Office For Free Office SoftwareIf you can't afford Microsoft Office and need to use something comparable, there is a program called OpenOffice.org that is compatible with Microsoft Office and is free to download to use. I have been using it for a few months now and it works fine.

5 Comments Comment

Absorb Extra Heat With a Tea KettleAfter you drain whatever it is you've been boiling, fill the now empty pot with cold water. Place it back on the burner that was used.

6 Comments Comment

Cereal Bags for Kitchen ChoresSince I eat cereal for breakfast, I have the wax paper bags left over when the box is empty. This wax paper is just as good as the paper you buy in the roll. I pull the seams of the empty bag apart, smooth the paper, and fold it. When I need wax paper I cut to size.

19 Comments Comment

Display Scarves Using Bangle BraceletsTo organize or display scarves, loop them through colorful, plastic bangle bracelets that are not being worn and then hang them on a hook or coat tree.

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Download Kroger Coupons to CardI just discovered something new on the Kroger website. You can download coupons to your Kroger card. No more printing and trying to keep up with coupons. You'll get credit when your card is scanned at the register.

2 Comments Comment

Feed Family for a WeekWhen funds are low, I will buy a turkey or a couple of whole chickens. All I need are some veggies. I cook the chicken the first night and then take all of the meat I can off the bones and put in the fridge.

2 Comments Comment

Get Rid of Extra Stuff in HomeOne thing I noticed in a movie based in Iceland that I just saw, is that there was a noticeable lack of extra STUFF in their homes and other places. We as Americans have so much extra stuff, but I am trying to use that vision of a stripped-down environment to inspire me.

5 Comments Comment

Making Stepping StonesNo need to buy a 'stepping stone form' to create your garden stones; just dig a hole 4 inches deep in the desired shape wherever you want the stone and fill with quick mix concrete. Be careful not to breathe in any concrete dust!

1 Comment Comment

Removing Seafood Odors from Your HandsAfter eating blue crabs, our hands always smell bad even after several washings. We use cider vinegar on the claw meat, so when we are finished eating, we pour what is left from the little bowl over our hands and rub it like we are washing up.

8 Comments Comment

Roach Control IdeasNo need for expensive, smelly, and toxic cockroach killers that leave a residue. Spray cockroaches with any ammonia-based cleaner (e.g. Spray 'n Wipe). Ammonia is deadly to living things. And you clean your bench/floor at the same time! The ammonia smell dissipates quickly.

4 Comments Comment

Save On Watering By Collecting Rain WaterPlace a bucket under the window a/c to catch the water or insert a long hose that reaches your plants. I also keep a big tub ready for downpours to catch the rain water, which I use for plants or to wash my car. My grandmother used to wash our hair with rain water.

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Storing and Using SpicesAlways store spices in a cool, dry, dark place. The rule of thumb for how long spices stay fresh is: 3 to 4 years for whole spices and seeds, 2 to 3 years for ground spices, 1 to 3 years for leafy herbs, and 1 to 2 years for seasoning blends.

5 Comments Comment

Summer Cars Can Be Dangerous To Your PetThere are many things to consider before deciding to take your beloved pets in the car with you, whether you are running errands around town or traveling.

5 Comments Comment

Tape Manual to Back of ApplianceWhen you receive a new appliance, write the 800 number on the manual as well as the model number and then take a picture of the front of the manual for your records. Then take the manual itself, slip it into a ziploc bag, and tape it to the back of the appliance.

9 Comments Comment

Use Bill Tray for PillsI have been staying with my mom following surgery which impacted her eyesight. I noticed she was emptying her medications from the container onto a napkin prior to taking them. Most pills are white, most napkins are white.

1 Comment Comment

Use Microwave Timer for AccuracyWhen I make jams or jellies using the Sure-Jell method, my recipe calls to bring it to rolling boil that cannot be stirred down for exactly one minute. Instead of trying to guess or use a kitchen timer, I just use my microwave timer.

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Use Old Kitchen Towels for CleaningFor general cleaning, I use worn out kitchen towels. They are great for dusting, getting into corners, and behind the faucets in kitchen and bathroom. They can be washed and reused several times.

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Use Your Bicycle For EverythingIf you're tired of high gas prices and taking your car to the shop every time it breaks down Or you are tired of high insurance prices. Or if you are concerned about the Gulf Oil Spill and global warming. My solution is get a bicycle.

13 Comments Comment

Bring Snacks When You TravelEvery summer we make a 1000 mile (one way) drive back home to visit family. I always end up doing last minute shopping and spending too much money to buy snacks for travel, until this year!

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Buy Loose Mushrooms Instead of Pre-PackagedI buy loose white mushrooms by the pound instead of the pre- packaged ones. They are bigger, plumper and fresher. They do cost a little more but I get a 1/2 lb. which is usually the cost of the packaged 10 oz. mushrooms.

2 Comments Comment

Don't Leave Clothes Outside OvernightI have found that leaving your clothes on the line over night causes them to smell funny. I think it's because of the dew. It might depend on what part of the country you live in whether or not they don't smell from the dew.

5 Comments Comment

Iron Over a PillowNo ironing board or room for one? Iron your clothes over small square or round pillows. Placing the fabric over the pillows to iron is perfect for corners and hard to reach spots that need stretching out.

1 Comment Comment

Keeping Drains ClearI dump my used coffee grounds in the sink drain and follow with water. It's almost like sand blasting the pipes. I have never had drains plugged up because of it. Everyone in my family who has his or her own kitchen does it with no ill effect.

4 Comments Comment

Make Bible Cover from Old PurseI had a crocheted cord purse that had a hole in it. I tried to repair it, but it just didn't look the same. I decided it was a pretty pattern, so I made two things from the purse and had some leftover cording which I wound up in a ball for other miscellaneous uses later.

1 Comment Comment

Make Own Ice Block for CampingFor ice when camping, grocery shopping, etc. Use as many jugs as necessary for your time frame. If you need ice for a long time, freeze 1 gallon water/juice/cleaned milk jugs filled with potable water.

1 Comment Comment

Present CenterpieceFor my high school reunion, I made a centerpiece using a few stacked "presents" wrapped in graduation-themed paper and ribbon in our school colors. My presents were empty, but you could put anything you want in them, especially if the party is for an individual.

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Toast Shredded CoconutIf your shredded coconut dries out too much for certain recipes you normally would use it for, simply toast it on a baking sheet in a moderately heated oven, turning occasionally so it will brown evenly.

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Use Boiling Water to Kill WeedsA great, thrifty, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly way to rid spaces of weeds is to simply pour boiling water on them. I use my electric tea kettle and bring some water to a boil. Then I go out and pour the boiling water on any weeds I want to get rid of.

1 Comment Comment

Use Bubble Wrap To Increase Tub's Water LevelI love long hot baths, but even though I have an older and roomier bathtub the valve around the faucet still drains off the water and lowers the water level. I have found that I can stop up that drain by stopping it with squares of bubble wrap.

1 Comment Comment

Use Dog Poop Bags for DiapersNow that I am through with diapers, I will share one tip. I couldn't always run stinky diapers to the trash outside, so I bought doggy poop bags (the kind you take with you on a walk to clean up after your dog).

1 Comment Comment

Use Glass Pudding Cups to Make MuffinsI've been buying blueberries on sale each week and baking two dozen wholewheat blueberry muffins. My husband and I have a bowl of cereal each morning and then enjoy a blueberry muffin along with our coffee.

1 Comment Comment

Use Google For Missing ManualsIf you go to google and type in the company name, then model, and the word "manual", it will usually give you links to the company, the manual, etc. Most are general manuals for the same company and will work no matter what the model number is.

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Use Vinyl Tablecloth as Curtain to Keep Out HeatI took a cheap vinyl flannel-backed tablecloth, cut small holes and thread it through the curtain rod on our back door and small back window. It worked!

6 Comments Comment

Applying Lotion To Your BackI found the perfect way to put lotion on my back all by myself. Use a wooden spoon with a really long handle. Put about four squirts of lotion on the backside of the spoon and smear it around a bit.

3 Comments Comment

Camping HamburgersPlace a tablespoon of catchup on a piece of foil large enough to make into a bundle. Place a hamburger patty on top of catchup, then a slice of onion, some diced carrots and diced potato, salt and pepper.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning Hurricane Style Candle HoldersI get so sick of having to pick out the wax in the bottom of hurricane type candle holders. I've found that if you pour some sand into the bottom of the candle holders before you light them, the wax simply drips onto the sand. When the candle is done just dump the sand out.

1 Comment Comment

Crock Pot Food SafetyUsing your good old reliable crock pot can save you plenty of time and cash, but if your model is aging, give it a test. Bacteria can grow when food is kept under 140 degrees F for four hours or more.

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Getting the Most Out of Coloring BooksMy kids must have a hundred coloring books laying around that they never pay attention to. I bought a special coloring book, one I liked, and told them it is mine. In the evening before bed, we will color one page in it together.

6 Comments Comment

Homemade Wrinkle ReleaserI was buying a bottle of wrinkle releaser every week so I decided to experiment with cost costing methods. At first I simply added water to make the bottle last longer. Then I decided that was still too expensive.

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Lower Flow To Conserve WaterI never realized how important is was to conserve water until we had the drought a few years ago . I turned the water flow down on each faucet except the dishwasher and washing machine

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Make Pillow Covers From Holiday SweatshirtsUse outgrown holiday sweatshirts for pillow covers. Measure the pillow (or pillow form) plus one inch all around. Cut out matching front and back pieces of sweatshirt or fronts from two sweatshirts if you want reversible pillows.

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Make Your Own Cleaning Rags from Old ClothingWhenever your old socks get holes in them or you outgrow t-shirts or pants, don't throw them away. Keep them in a basket and use them for rags or washcloths. I use them all the time in the garage to clean my hands or wash the rims of our car.

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Put Ice in Dogs Water in SummerDuring the summer, I fill a stainless steel dog dish with water and freeze it in the freezer. Once frozen solid, I turn it over and the ice slides out into my dog's water dish, keeping their water cold for a few hours.

3 Comments Comment

Refurbishing a DresserEveryone has an old dresser or end table in their garage, right? Well, times are hard and I'm strapped for money, so what I did is hand sanded an old dresser my mom/dad gave me one year for Christmas. It was out of style and I definitely did not want to get rid of it.

1 Comment Comment

Reusing Hi-LitersI recycle hi-liters. It's best to do this before they completely run out of the original fluid. Add food coloring and anti-freeze in a 5:1 ratio to the worn out hi-liter. The quantity required depends on just how dried out the chamber is and the volume of the pen.

2 Comments Comment

Use Eraser to Clean ComputerI have a white Mac and it always gets black dirt on it. The safest way I found to clean it so it looks like new is to use a pencil eraser. Be sure to use a white eraser, not a hard one designed for ink.

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Use Old Gazebo in GardenWe had our old gazebo and wondered what to do with it since we were getting a new one. We didn't want to add to the landfill. So here is what we did with it.

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Wipe Clean Cookbook HolderNeed a wipe clean and attractive cookbook holder? You can also make these for gifts! Take very heavy gauge clear vinyl. Cut it to fit your largest cookbook open flat on your counter, and add 2 inches on the left and right side.

4 Comments Comment

Cleaning With Dishwasher DetergentWe are nurses and had to wear white. Bleaching your whites leaves them dingy and yellow after awhile. My friend recommended Cascade dishwashing detergent - the plain ole white powder stuff.

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Paper Airplane
A centerpiece made from paper airplanes.

Craft: Airplane CenterpieceI used scrapbook paper in my school colors to make a paper-airplane centerpiece. I made about twelve airplanes and glued them to chopsticks. I spray painted a leftover flower vase with chalkboard paint.

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Fast Brewed Iced TeaI make cold ice tea in no time flat by brewing the tea with the least amount of water possible. I make a gallon of tea by bringing 8 tea bags to a boil in 3 cups of water with a lid on, then remove from heat and let it steep for 5 minutes.

3 Comments Comment

Keep Cats From Digging in GardenCats like soft soil and will make a bee line for where you've just been digging. Dig a hole, blow up a balloon, and bury it in the hole. When the cat comes to inspect the nice soft soil, thinks this is a nice place, and starts digging, bang!

1 Comment Comment

Keeping Puppies Out of TrashPuppies are naturally curious and scent-driven, which makes your kitchen trash can irresistible to them. Keep them out by pouring a scant cap full of ammonia into the can. I only had to do this a few times for my pup.

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Mess Free Finger PaintTo keep a preschooler amused and creative, you'll need a gallon press-lock bag and a couple different colors of finger paint. Put a tablespoon of each color in the bag - the more color, the more fun.

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Place Line Dried Clothes In The Dryer To Soften UpTo save on utilities and clothes softener, I line dry many clothes in the house then put them in the dryer on air fluff. It's amazing how soft they become.

12 Comments Comment

Remedies for Bee Stings?Immediately, when you get stung, wet your hand, dip it in snuff, and rub vigorously. Reapply several times. This is pretty messy, so use over a floor than can be cleaned or outdoors.

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Request Movies from the LibraryI quit renting movies. Instead I utilize my local library. We get to keep the movies for seven nights and it is free.

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Reuse Milk Jugs for Plastic Replacement PartsMy husband came up with a "bright" idea. We have electric garden lights in our backyard. The plastic shades shattered over time from the sun. The lights and posts are fine so he placed a plastic milk carton over the tops.

1 Comment Comment

Save Extra Jar and Bottle Lids as ReplacementsI got tired of misplacing or losing the lid or cap to a bottle or jar. I put a small bowl on the kitchen counter. In it I keep spare lids and caps from some of the things we use. I don't keep a lot but keep enough so that a misplaced or broken lid or cap can be replaced.

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Store Bead Boxes in Stackable Paper TraysMost of us beaders have a lot of plastic multi-slotted storage boxes and they get heavy. Pulling one from a stacked group can be difficult with the chance of an avalanche. I have been able to obtain good quality plastic paperwork stacking trays at yard sales.

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Touch Up Old Picture with MarkerI had found an old framed oil painting of a bowl of flowers by a window in the trash when a neighbor moved. The picture was sort of nice, so I hung it in the bathroom. I had the idea of "mashing up" the colors on the picture. What did I have to lose?

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Turn Sports Bra Into a Cute TopI am not comfortable just wearing a sports bra as a top so I put a big hair bow on it to make it look different and then tie up the straps behind my neck like a halter. I like to wear it this way and it is cooler than a shirt.

1 Comment Comment

Use A Drawer Instead Of A Recipe BoxSave counter space and quickly find a favorite recipe by turning a small, spare kitchen drawer (mine measures 10 inches across) into a recipe box filled only with your family's favorites.

2 Comments Comment

Use Bag of Water to Keep Items SubmergedI am always trying to find items in the cabinet that can be used more than once. I was faced with trying to find an item to help me keep my peppers that I was pickling submerged in the solution rather than rising to the top.

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Use Blanket Instead of WheelbarrowIf you normally use a wheelbarrow to move mulch, dirt, compost or weeds, try an old bed sheet instead. Lay the sheet open on the ground and rake or throw the mulch, dirt or weeds onto it then grab three corners and drag the whole bundle to its new location.

2 Comments Comment

Use Dish Soap on Outside Of Campfire PansWhen camping and cooking over the campfire, rub liquid dish soap on the outside of the pans. During cleanup, the soot from the fire will wipe right off and not ruin your pans.

2 Comments Comment

Check Unused Campsites for Fire WoodOnce we arrive and get our assigned campsite, my husband begins to unload and the kids and I go to nearby deserted (checked out) campsites and look for leftover firewood.

4 Comments Comment

Repainting Old FurnitureIf you are like me and tend to tire of your possessions easily, it pays to go to thrift shops and garage sales for shopping. I pay $5 for a beat up old coffee table or chair, sand it down and paint it.

3 Comments Comment

Thrifty Tip Contest (June 26 - July 2, 2010)

Tip: How to (or Not) Administer Medicine to an Ungrateful Bird

Thrifty Tip Contest
(June 26 - July 2, 2010)