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Thrifty Tip Contest
(July 24 - 30, 2010)

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Duration	Entries
July 24 - 30, 2010	65

Tip: Re-read The Books You Have

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

July 26, 2010

How many of us see a movie a second, third, or even more times and always find something we missed? Well, it's no different when reading a book. Our brains cannot absorb all the information the first, second, or even third time around.

Comment Was this helpful? 21

Back to School Sales for Stocking StuffersBuy school supplies and give them as stocking stuffers. My kids never get tired of getting pencils, crayons, markers, and these are always on sale around back to school season. You can find some items extra, extra cheap like spiral notebooks!

Check Fundraiser Product Quality Before PurchasingThrough the years, my children's schools have sponsored fund raisers which offer all the school supplies in a big bag for a set amount. I stopped participating because the supplies were usually of poor quality.

Get Extra Prescription LabelsMy kids all have medication throughout the year. The pharmacist gives me a second label along with all the medications. When a small pill bottle becomes empty, I save it for those times that my kids go on sleep overs or camps.

1 Comment Comment

Dog on ottoman.

Keeping Your Dogs Happy in the Summer HeatHot weather can really stress your pet's health. I have three inside dogs and have found that even with air conditioning a pet can be uncomfortable.

2 Comments Comment

Link: Product Safety WebsiteThis would be a great source of info to have on hand, especially for families with small children. It is is a database that is very thorough about household products; their safety and how to properly use them.

Mix Juice and TeaThis tip is frugal, but I started doing this because it was a healthy option. I brew fresh iced tea all summer long. I also buy Juicy Juice 100 percent juice in the raspberry and apple flavor. I mix a half glass of iced tea and half glass of the juice.

1 Comment Comment

Pull Primary Crayons for School from Large SetMy son is entering Kindergarten and on his school supply list was 4 boxes of 8 primary crayons. K-Mart was running a special on a box of 24 Crayola crayons for .25 cents. A box of 8 was .89 cents. I bought 3 boxes of crayons and had one perfect set at home.

3 Comments Comment

Put Tape Over Address on PackagesWhen sending a package in the mail, after I write the address with a felt-tip marker, I cover it with tape or melted white candle wax. It is then protected from the rain or snow.

1 Comment Comment

Remove Rust Stains With LemonTo take rust out of white fabric, pour lemon juice over the spots and saturate. Place on a tray (non-metal) and set in the bright sun for 2 hours. Launder as usual. Repeat if necessary.

Use Liquid Soap to Remove TicksApply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball and cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball. Let it stay on the repulsive insect for one minute, after which the tick will come out on it's own.

5 Comments Comment

Use Oven Rack as Cooling RackUse the extra oven rack for a cooling rack for cakes, cookies, etc. For smaller items like cookies, cover the rack with foil to keep them from falling through.

3 Comments Comment

Use Straws for Flower ArrangementsShort-stemmed flowers or curvy stems are hard to put in a floral arrangement. What I do is cut the stem under cold water and at an angle with sharp scissors. Next, put the stem into a plastic drinking straw and put into your own custom arrangement.

3 Comments Comment

A Pastry Blender For Chopping EggsUse a pastry blender to easily chop boiled eggs for egg salad.

3 Comments Comment

Dishpan SandboxNow that is is getting so hot and also rainy here, I am going to buy a dishpan at the dollar store and some play sand at Walmart and give it as a present to the little ones who come over to play.

3 Comments Comment

Doggie Ice CreamThis is a much cheaper alternative to Frosty Paws for dogs!

1 Comment Comment

Growing New Veggies From Discarded RootsDouble or triple your return on scallions or green onions. Save about two inches of the stalks near the root and stick them into a cup filled up to about an inch with water.

3 Comments Comment

Using a thick rubber band to keep shower rack from sliding down the shower head.

Keep Shower Rack From Sliding Down Shower HeadI bought a new shower shelf rack to replace my old one. It is the kind that fits over the shower head on the pipe that comes out of the wall. This rack kept sliding down toward the shower head.

2 Comments Comment

Keeping Birds from Eating StrawberriesTo protect your strawberry beds from birds, gather several small pebbles, paint them red with craft paint and sprinkle them in and around your strawberry plants. After awhile, the birds will get tired of pecking the rocks and leave the strawberries alone.

Left-Right Game StoryOn the web, I could only find left-right stories for Christmas or baby showers, so I wrote this left-right story for a family reunion, but with a few changes, you could use it for any occasion.

2 Comments Comment

Place to Donate Campbell's Soup Labels and MoreMy mother has kept the labels off of Campbell soup cans for months. She would send them somewhere to help out needy children on an Indian reservation. This last time she collected all her labels together, she discovered she lost the address to send them to.

15 Comments Comment

Rebuild Frozen PizzasTake a frozen pizza and let your imagination run wild as you "rebuild" your pizza to your liking. We just took a three cheese pizza, used thin sliced ham and chunk pineapple left from a salad, added Feta cheese for a distinct flavor and baked it for the first pizza, my personal fave.

Speak Aloud to Help You RememberI used to have trouble remembering if I took my pills or turned off a certain appliance in my home. Now I say it out-loud. I don't have to turn around and go back home to check on something, because I remember telling myself that I turned off the iron.

9 Comments Comment

Use Trash Can as Mop BucketWhen I was a bride, I received a plastic trash container filled with kitchen and household items, along with this tip - use the trash container for a mop/cleaning bucket!

1 Comment Comment

Add Onion to BBQ CoalsSave onion peels to toss onto hot coals when grilling. They will add extra flavor to your grilled foods.

1 Comment Comment

Buy Cheese Ends For Shredded CheeseI buy cheese ends cheap, shred them in a food processor, and use as toppings on all kinds of food. I also use the shredded cheese to make mac 'n cheese, etc.

Coleus Canina to Keep Pets Out of GardenIf you can get your hands on a plant called Coleus Canina (hybrid) it is supposed to keep cats and dogs from fouling your vegetable and flower beds. I gives off an aroma which they hate.

Crocs Shrink in the SunI recently ordered a pair of "Malinda" style Crocs to wear to my office job. I wear an 8.5, but because the style isn't available in half sizes, I ordered a 9. I decided to leave them outside for a couple days to let the smell dissipate before wearing them again.

2 Comments Comment

Fire Starters For ChristmasMake Christmas gifts by recycling egg cartons and dryer lint! Using a cardboard one-dozen egg carton, fill each hole generously with dryer lint. Using melted scented candles purchased at a yard sale, pour hot wax into each hole, filling 2/3-3/4 full.

Foot Massage for Children at BedtimeThis is a massage technique I have learned from a few different sources (books and charts). This massage helps the child relax by stimulates important nerves and relaxing muscles they have been stressing all day.

2 Comments Comment

Glass Stovetop Cleaner for Shower DoorsI found the best way to clean water spots from shower doors. I tried vinegar soaked on paper towels and left it on there for forty minutes. It didn't work and I now smell like vinegar. I tried Comet with a scrub pad, it didn't work.

Various colors of yarn.

Make Striped Shawl with Leftover YarnI decided to make a prayer shawl that used some of the Lion Brand yarn stash I have accumulated while making various other prayer shawls. As you can see from the stash photo, my palate leans toward the earthy colors.

1 Comment Comment

Packing Food for Road TripsRoad trip eating doesn't have to be expensive if you enjoy the great outdoors. We always pack a cooler with canned soft drinks and take along sandwiches and snacks when we start out from home.

6 Comments Comment

Print On The Back Side Of PaperInstead of throwing away copy paper that has been run through the printer or copier, I have started to save them. Place the used paper in a file folder or appropriate sized box to keep the corners flat and paper unwrinkled.

12 Comments Comment

Re-Use Small Bottles for LotionRe-use those 2 oz. energy drink bottles you've accumulated to put lotion samples in if you make your own lotions. They are perfect for purses because of their size. You could also refill them with shampoos and conditioners to take along camping or on trips.

Store Ribbon on Metal DowelUse a metal dowel mounted on the wall in brackets to store craft ribbon and lace. A metal dowel works better than a wooden dowel at keeping them straight. For loose ribbon and lace, store in clear candy jars on a shelf or table.

Three hearts on apron front.

Add Decorative Applique to ApronI just love the many how-to projects that I've found on the internet. I do a lot of charity projects for Vietnam Veterans of America so they can raise money for their college scholarship fund. I've been busily sewing tea towel aprons with matching hot mitts.

1 Comment Comment

Donate Blood When You CanI have given blood off and on what seems like my whole adult life. I recently went to give blood, and they said that they couldn't take it because I had a right bundle branch block.

8 Comments Comment

Extra Counter Space In The KitchenI have a very small computer desk that didn't have enough surface space. It has one drawer. I had a small metal cookie sheet that I wasn't using, so I covered it with a piece of an old plastic tablecloth.

Good for You GravyFor more nutrition, I use bean liquid remaining after cooking beans to replace water when making gravy. I use 2 Tbsp. butter, 2 Tbsp. flour, and 1 1/2 to 2 cups bean liquid.

1 Comment Comment

How To Keep Your Pets From DiggingI have 3 dogs and when I planted a shrub or a tree, the dogs would go to the new plantings and start digging it up. I started to leave the dogs indoors while I planted, so they could not see what I was doing.

1 Comment Comment

Bagging Smelly Garbage

Keeping Trash From SmellingI live in the country and don't have a disposal. I bag up my "stinky" stuff every day and take it to the dump once a month. In the meantime, I don't like to keep it in the house, so I put it in a double bagged can out on the porch.

3 Comments Comment

Projects from Old Craft SuppliesI am using up all my discount craft materials! I tied a bow on the top of a large size paperclip and this is the result- a paperclip and ribbon bookmark.

4 Comments Comment

Re-Use Take Out ContainersWhenever you get one of those clear acrylic, clam-shell type to-go food containers, especially the smaller ones, wash them out and save them.

3 Comments Comment

Sharing Headphones Can Spread LiceIf you let your kids use those headphones at media centers or music stores, it is the same as sharing a comb with all the people who have used it before. Lice can climb into their hair this way.

2 Comments Comment

Store Jewelry in Zip-Lock BagsTo keep all your silver jewelry looking like new and keep it from tarnishing, keep it locked in a zip lock bag in your jewelry box. The air will not get to it and you will not have to worry about tarnish and cleaning!

Use Honey as a Rooting Hormone for CuttingsUse honey as a rooting hormone. Prepare cuttings and dip ends of the cuttings in honey.

3 Comments Comment

Use Peanut Butter Containers for Travel Pet WaterWe go to the lake with my dogs all the time, and I like to bring water for them even though they do get in the water. I take a clean peanut butter jar and fill it with ice water. The lid acts as a bowl for them to drink out of.

1 Comment Comment

Warning: Sugar Damaged Glass Top StoveThis is a warning for anyone that has a glass ceramic cook stove. If you cook anything with a lot of sugar in it and it boils over onto your stove, get it off IMMEDIATELY or the food will eat into the glass top. This happened to me last Christmas when I boiled over fudge.

1 Comment Comment

America Publishing Envelope StuffingI sent $40.00 for envelope stuffing material and got back nothing but a "Secret Home Employment Guide". The offer was supposed to be money back guaranteed. Ha ha! HUGE SCAM! Don't answer newspaper ads from America Publishing, New Haven, CT.

9 Comments Comment

Homemade Bird Toys

Homemade Bird ToysMy husband and I have two parrots and I am constantly looking for ideas to make my own bird toys for them. I have come up with several ideas for those of you who have parrots and want to make your own toys. Parrot toys are expensive and end up getting destroyed anyway.

2 Comments Comment

Make a Prayer BoxSend a prayer. Get a box whatever size you like, such as a large size shoe box. Take masking tape and tape the lid shut as this box must never be opened, cut a slit in the top like a piggy bank has, then decorate your box.

5 Comments Comment

Envelopes Made From Magazines

Make Envelopes From MagazinesOur library has magazines in their bookstore for a quarter each. After I read them, I make envelopes from the most colorful pages and tear out all the cologne ads that have the scent under the flap.

15 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Guitar Pick EarringsMy daughter wanted some neat earrings she had seen at the mall, but they were pricey. She decided she would make her own.

1 Comment Comment

Make Your Own Panty LinersI stopped buying panty liners long ago. Since being laid off my job, I have been looking for extra ways to make money go farther. Instead of throwing old socks away, I have always kept them to use for other purposes like cleaning rags; I now keep them for yet another use.

17 Comments Comment

Organizing Craft PatternsI went to an office supply store and bought some cheap file folders. I sew them along the sides then cut the pattern envelope to the size of the file folder and tape or glue it on the outside.

3 Comments Comment

Rent a Cabin for Summer VacationThis summer, with the price of gas so high, we are taking several mini-vacations in areas close to home. We live about 45 minutes from Blackwater Falls so we will be staying in a cabin in the state park.

Respecting People with DisabilitiesI am disabled. I have several things wrong in my lower back. None of them are related to weight or a bad life style. I use a rolling walker or two canes to get around.

Shout to Clean Microfiber FabricsOne day my baby threw up on it after drinking grape juice and I thought the couch was ruined. My husband grabbed Shout laundry stain remover and it worked great!

4 Comments Comment

Use Cereal Inserts for Cookie Sheet LinersI save the wax paper bags from cereal boxes. When the cereal is gone, I cut the bottom off and split the seam open making a sheet of wax paper. I then cut it to the size I need for lining cookie sheets or cake pans.

3 Comments Comment

Use Lavender Oil to Repel MosquitoesI sprayed my exposed skin with lavender bed linen spray. That was last night and I tried it again this morning and I have not a one, none whatsoever, mosquito bites.

2 Comments Comment

Use Reusable Grocery Bag as a Gift BagThis past Christmas, I decided to use re-usuable shopping bags to give my gifts in. I purchased several at a department store for 50 cents each, put some Christmas decorations on, and had crepe paper hanging over the sides.

1 Comment Comment

Use Washing Machine as CoolerWhen you have a party or get together, put your washing machine to work. Fill it a quarter full with cold water. Add a bag of ice and lots of cold drinks. Do this early in the day. The drinks stay cold for hours.

1 Comment Comment

Uses for Fan PartsI hate to throw stuff away. I always try to find a secondary use for it. Today, throwing out an electric table fan that was no longer functional, it dawned on me that the face cover was a very versatile item. Glue a flanged base to the "nose" and you have a footed bowl.

10 Comments Comment

Using Coffee Grounds to Remove OdorsHere's a great way to use coffee grounds once you have made coffee. Dump your used coffee grounds into a container and keep, open, in the refrigerator. The used grounds make your fridge smell like coffee and absorbs all the unwanted odors at the same time.

1 Comment Comment

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