Thrifty Tip Contest (July 17 - 23, 2010) | ThriftyFun

Menu Ask a Question Share a Post Account Search

social

Contests Winners Enter a Contest

Thrifty Tip Contest
(July 17 - 23, 2010)

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

Latest Prev Next

Duration	Entries
July 17 - 23, 2010	65

Tip: Make Crostini and Bruschetta in Skillet

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

July 20, 2010

Whenever I make crostini or bruschetta, I almost always end up burning the baguette slices no matter how careful I am when toasting them under the broiler, so I tried something different and will never have a burnt slice of toasted baguettes again.

Comment Was this helpful? 12

Tip: Reuse Salt Pour Spout With Canning Jars

Monica
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 297 Posts

July 20, 2010

When finished with an empty cardboard salt container, cut the whole round top piece off and measure to fit a canning jar ring. Trace and cut with the flat part with scissors to fit a pint canning jar.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 31

Clean Crock Pot With Denture TabletsTo clean a crock pot, fill it with water. Drop two or three denture tablets in and leave overnight to soak.

1 Comment Comment

Household Hints from the 1960sI love looking through old books full of hints that worked beautifully well in the past. Here are several I thought you would enjoy (and laugh with me about the "typewriter" hint!):

8 Comments Comment

Keep Wet Towel in Refrigerator to Cool OffI keep a sopping-wet micro fiber towel in a sealed Ziploc baggie in my refrigerator. I use the towel to wet myself down when heat gets to be too much. I then rinse the towel, wet it again to level of "soppiness", and cool in the refrigerator.

2 Comments Comment

Let Dough Rise In Warm SunI like to bake my own bread because I know exactly what is in it. During the summer, the dough doesn't rise as well, because my air conditioning makes it cool in my house. Yesterday, the obvious hit me! DUH - put the dough out in the sun!

5 Comments Comment

School Supply Shopping Tips

School Supply Shopping TipsWhatever happened to my FREE public education? Honestly, between "renting" the required text book; the locker, sports fees and equipment; yearbooks.

5 Comments Comment

Bird Toys and Treats

Shop in Small Animal Section for Bird Toys and TreatsIf you have parrots, which I do, I find that the toys and treats are very expensive! What I started doing, at the suggestion of my breeder, is to look in the hamster/gerbil/rodent section at Petco/Petsmart.

1 Comment Comment

Use Aluminum Foil as Pot ScrubberWhen camping, use aluminum foil as a pot scrubber. Simply wad it up into a ball.

1 Comment Comment

Use Central Air Fan to Save EnergyWhen it gets very hot in the summer and my central air conditioning doesn't seem to be able to get everything equally cool, instead of running extra fans in rooms where there are no ceiling fans, I use the fan setting on the central air.

5 Comments Comment

Use Toothpaste as Exfoliater for Face and SkinI use a small amount of baking soda toothpaste named after the maker of baking soda to wash my face with.

Washing SuedeI have a brown suede skirt that I LOVE but when I took it to have it dry-cleaned, they wanted $50! I don't love it enough to spend a couple hundred dollars a year to clean it. I thanked the woman behind the counter but said, "No Thanks."

1 Comment Comment

Contact Company if Not Satisfied With ProductI have a tip when you are not satisfied with a product that you have purchased from a store or even online. This tip may seem inconvenient but it saves money. I purchased a Kaboom bathroom spray and after using it for one month the nozzle no longer worked.

3 Comments Comment

Gift Mixes Using SplendaI am going to give a special gift to a friend with diabetes. I am going to mix all the dry ingredients for cookies, made with Splenda instead of sugar or some other sweetener. Then I will attach the instruction card onto the jar.

7 Comments Comment

Share a Newspaper SubscriptionWe share the newspaper. I have a friend who subscribes and I have her save her newspapers for me to read. I see her at church twice a week and she gives me a stack each time. I still get the news and coupons and we are both being green!

2 Comments Comment

Travel with Medications in Original ContainersI recently saw a tip from someone advising you to put your medications in those convenient daily containers when going on trips to avoid carrying the medicine bottles. I would strongly advise that you not do this!

17 Comments Comment

Use Film Canisters for SpicesWhen camping, place spices in empty film canisters. Once you get the campsite set up, poke holes in the lids for shaker tops if desired. Film canisters are also good for storing fish hooks, etc.

3 Comments Comment

Use Trailer Shower as SolariumThis is an idea for getting use out of your shower in a trailer. We have a trailer that we live in 6 months of the year. I am sure there are lots of others like us doing the same thing. I love house plants and came up with an idea to allow them in my trailer home.

A Coaster For Your Shaving Cream CanI save the lids from the tops of Pringles chips cans and the tops from the Walmart generic Crystal Light mix. They are perfect for setting cans of shaving cream on in the shower.

1 Comment Comment

Chocolate Chess PieThis is an easy delicious pie that will remind you of brownies. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using Mixer at medium speed, blend all ingredients. Place pie shells on a cookie sheet and prick the sides and bottom with a fork.

1 Comment Comment

Clean Windows with Pinesol and RagsSave on window cleaners and paper towels. Mix Pinesol (or any nonabrasive cleaner) in a bucket of water and use a rag to wash your window and another rag to wipe it clean. Works great!

3 Comments Comment

Cucumber Slices for Insect BitesI read on earthclinic.com about rubbing a slice of cucumber on any insect bites. I love cucumbers! I also looked in the ThriftyFun database and there are a few uses of them to get wasps away from picnics. That is something I would very much like to do.

2 Comments Comment

Tweety Bird stepping stone

Decorative Cake Pan Stepping StonesI wanted to make unique garden ornaments so I started locating cake pans with specific designs, like Tweety or Sylvester, and making concrete decorations from them.

22 Comments Comment

Diatomaceous Earth For Eliminating FleasI have 2 Huskies. I sprinkle diatomaceous earth on their food every day and the result is no fleas and no scratching. Each gets about 1 tablespoon depending on dog's weight.

6 Comments Comment

finger ring toss over clothes pin

Finger Basketball and Finger Ring TossThis is a way to play basketball for the kids or bored adults. I always have duct tape, I use it for everything. Take the rings you cut off the toilet paper cardboard roll and put them in a paper clip.

Freeze Fresh Herbs Into CubesI always have so much basil in my garden and it can turn black so fast. Here's what I do to have that garden-fresh basil flavor all year. I put fresh, cleaned basil leaves in the blender with just enough water ...

Freeze Glow In The Dark ItemsMy husband has discovered the secret to re-using Glow-Sticks. These are the glow-in-the-dark sticks that kids love to use for camping, Halloween, etc. Our step-daughter likes to bring one to bed with her at night as a personal night-light when she is visiting us.

Jazz Up Inexpensive ItemsQuite often inexpensive items can be jazzed up to look much nicer! I picked up a fan for $1, but the print was a bit garish. I used my permanent markers to "color in" the flowered pattern and now it's gorgeous and doesn't look like it was a cheapo.

1 Comment Comment

Living Without Modern AmenitiesBuilding our cabin on some land in the country took several years to complete. Once we had a roof and some walls, we would visit and spend nights. We found ways to cope.

3 Comments Comment

Make a Sports Bra out of Men's BriefsThis is not a joke, really! I did it and it turned out great. I showed my daughter who is nine years old and she started screaming and saying "Ewwwww!", "Gross!" and "Get Away from Me!"

4 Comments Comment

Make Quilt from Old Sweat PantsA friend gave me some sweats she couldn't wear anymore, but they didn't fit me or anyone in my family. I decided to try to make a quilt. I used light green, black, and red sweats and made a lap quilt. It's really warm and great for using during trips.

Make Your Own Cat PuzzleTake a throwaway plastic container and cut holes in the top just a tad bigger than what the cat can get it's paws through. Put wadded up balls of paper and a few cat treats the cat can dig out in it.

2 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Percussion InstrumentsYou can make percussion instruments out of almost anything (a la the show "Stomp").

2 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Slide and Negative ViewerTurn your expandable extra leaf table into a slide and negative viewer. Use a 3/8 inch; Plexiglas sheet you cut to the size of the table leaf. Underneath the table, place a converted table lamp.

1 Comment Comment

Travel pack with documents.

Money Travel TipsNotify your bank when you will be traveling (where and dates) if you intend to use a credit card to avoid a fraud alert being placed on your card and having your legitimate charges denied.

2 Comments Comment

Real Southern Iced TeaBoil a pan of water enough to fill a gallon pitcher. In the meantime, put enough sugar in the bottom of the pitcher to suit your taste. Use the same amount you would use if you were just pouring the sugar into the tea.

1 Comment Comment

Rubber Band PrintsDon't throw old rubber bands away. Make rubber band prints. Draw a simple picture on a piece of heavy cardboard. Then "draw" over the picture with a glue stick.

1 Comment Comment

Use Facebook To Reconnect With FamilyI would just like to encourage people to go to Facebook and sign up. I have found over 150 relatives that I have wondered about for years. I have wondered how they are, where they live, how they and their children are, etc.

6 Comments Comment

Use Onion Bags as Bird FeederI save my mesh bags from onions and other vegetables all summer. Then in winter I use them to put out suet or meat scraps for the birds. They work very well.

5 Comments Comment

Use Pickle Juice as LaxativeDrink a full glass of pickle juice leftover from when you run out of pickles or if you have more juice than the pickles for a good laxative.

1 Comment Comment

Vinegar For Insect BitesMy husband told me a way to make the bites easier to bear - I didn't believe him at first! He said to put white vinegar on the bites. I didn't have white, so I used apple cider vinegar.

5 Comments Comment

Class Reunion Survival Bag Favor

Class Reunion Survival Bag FavorI took a paper lunch sack and made a sticker for the front of the bag that said: "I survived the EHS Class of '65 - 45th Reunion." I put the same sticker with information on a bottle of water, a package of Lifesavers, and a candy bar covered with a new cover regarding our reunion, and an ink pen.

Clean Horse Harness in DishwasherTo clean a synthetic horse harness quickly and easily, use your dishwasher. Do not add detergent and remove before the heat cycle. This works very well.

Cleaning Tile FloorsI have tile floors in my house. I noticed after cleaning them with the recommended cleaners they just didn't looked as nice as when they where brand new. I found that spraying an area with 409 first, then washing made the floor look and feel cleaner.

1 Comment Comment

Baby Shower Diaper Cake

Craft: Princess Baby Shower Diaper CakeTired of seeing the same old diaper theme baby shower cakes? I have been making them for a while now and have been wanting to get more creative with them. The perfect opportunity came when I found out I was going to be a grandma again.

8 Comments Comment

Cut Electricity Bill and Keep the ACWe live in South Florida, where AC is generally not an option, but a necessity. We're on the electric company's budget billing plan, but have slashed $100+ a month off compared to last year's bill - even with hotter temperatures this year.

6 Comments Comment

Home Remedies For ShinglesI recently had shingles on the back side of my leg. I first had a slight headache, felt bad, and my buttocks on that side of my body hurt like my sciatic nerve was acting up.

6 Comments Comment

Keeping Deer Out Of The GardenThe fence provides perhaps the best physical means of protection against deer damage. To keep deer out, the fence must be at least 8 feet tall. Deer can usually easily jump any fence less than 8 feet if they need to.

2 Comments Comment

Mix Sugar and Plain CerealBuying kids cereal has always been a fight, they want super sweet and I want to make sure they eat their breakfast. We compromise with half and half. Buy the cereal they want and mix with a similar unsweetened version.

Refrigerate Facial Moisturizer In The SummerHere is a cool summer tip. Put your face cream/moisturizer in the refrigerator! It is so cool when you apply to your face and neck.

3 Comments Comment

Request a Coupon or Refund for Recalled ProductsHere is the MCNEIL site where they help people who have health care products that have been recalled. This site helps me to make sure I don't have recalled products in my home. I am sharing it with you so you can get a coupon or refund for these products.

Save Water for Storm OutagesI realized that an excellent way to reuse 2 Liter pop bottles after we had a storm and had no electricity. We're on an electric well pump so I wasn't able to get a cup of coffee or even a little sponge bath to freshen up that morning.

5 Comments Comment

Shopping at Garage SalesI love garage sales, but I also like saving my money on junk. I always take my iced water along for days when the weather forecast calls for hot, humid weather. It is also good to keep a tape measure and bungee ties in the car for measuring items and hauling them away.

1 Comment Comment

Uses for Newspaper Plastic BagsIf you get a daily newspaper delivered to you in long, narrow plastic bags, you can recycle them in a number of ways. They are great for holding shoes when traveling, so that the clothing in your suitcase doesn't get dirty.

12 Comments Comment

Baking Soda to Clean SinkI have had a stainless steel sink for years and the only thing I've ever used to clean it was a wet sponge and baking soda. It shines beautifully.

Copy Herb and Spice Mixes at HomeI make almost all of my own spice, herb, and salad dressing mixes I read the ingredients on the label and reproduce it without all of the unpronounceable names added, I start out with a small batch to get a taste match as close as possible to the original product.

2 Comments Comment

Home Made "Spray and Wash"Add 1 part liquid color-safe bleach to 5 parts water in a spray bottle. Mix well. Spray on spots and let it set a couple of hours before washing. This removes most anything.

Jacks and Toy Tops to Discourage DiggingI was going through my stuff to be free-cycled and decided to give some things one more try. I found a green giant jack, a beautiful green colored one, the kind you buy in a pack at the dollar store, and two plastic spinning tops the kids don't like anymore.

Link: Seed Ambassadors ProjectI have just found this great site about seed saving and sharing. It is called The Seed Ambassadors Project and is based in the Pacific Northwest of the US. Here is the link to their free downloadable and printable seed saving and sharing guide.

Make a Video of Your ParrotI noticed that Perry, my budgie or parakeet, is very unsociable and likes to be left alone, so I have to find ways to interact with him that don't make him startle.

Thrifty Summer ActivitiesHere are some frugal things I to do in the summer. Attend Bluegrass/gospel music during the week and on Saturday night, free. Attend local happenings at the University.

Use Alcohol to Break In ShoesIf you have leather shoes that are a bit tight, you can "break them in" by spraying them inside and out on the tight spots with alcohol (I use cheap cologne). Wear them around and repeating applications of the alcohol until the tight spots have stretched.

Use Cloth Bags to Organize FreezerI saw this tip on Thrifty Fun last year and it has really been a big help for me in keeping the food in my chest type freezer separated and organized. I purchased several cloth bags from the grocery store and use them for stacking the vegetables and fruits.

Use Cooking Bags To Make Two Crock Pot Meals At OnceI have a large crock pot and a small household, so I use two cooking bags and am able to cook two meals at once.

2 Comments Comment

Wear Wet Baseball Cap in Hot WeatherIf you have to go out in this heat and you wear a cloth ball cap. Take some cold water and put it in the hat; wring the hat out so you don't drip on anything and put it on your head. It works. I've done this forever.

1 Comment Comment

Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2022-08-23 02:09:45 in 3 secs.
© 1997-2022 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/contest/000/271.html