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Thrifty Tip Contest
(August 14 - 20, 2010)

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Duration	Entries
August 14 - 20, 2010	66

Tip: Use Paper Clip to Mark Tape End

littergitter
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 418 Posts

August 20, 2010

To keep from losing the end of postage tape, place a paper clip on the sticky side of the tape just below where you are making the cut. Store the tape with the paper clip, and you are ready to go next time you need to use the tape.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 36

Tip: Saving Buttons

gem
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 163 Posts

August 19, 2010

One of the things I remember from my childhood is my Mamaw's button box. She must have had a billion buttons in it. She kept a large tin box about 10 inches high full of buttons.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 19

Tip: Joke: Girlfriends

August 18, 2010

A group of 15 year-old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View restaurant.

Comment Was this helpful? 16

Frame Giftbags for Wall ArtGift bags are sometimes great for framing. You can receive them with gifts inside, or can buy them at your local dollar store. Some are very pretty and can be matted and framed with an old frame you might have around the house.

4 Comments Comment

Glue Paper Plate to Paint CanYou'll keep the floor neater during the next painting job if you glue a paper plate to the bottom of your paint can, instead of trying to move newspapers under the container every time you set it down.

8 Comments Comment

How to Make Chop Mix for Birds (Parrots)This combination of rice and/or beans and vegetables such as kale, carrots, peppers, etc., cost approximately $10-$15 and will feed my African Grey for several months at one meal of fresh food per day.

Reuse Zipper PouchesWhen purchasing items that are packaged in zippered or snap plastic pouches, reuse the pouches for storing other items. The plastic zipper pouch that blankets come in can be used to store sweaters or quilts in the closet or under the bed.

2 Comments Comment

Rice Krispy Treat NestsEveryone loves Rice Krispy treats. Our theme this month was birds. So for our dessert hour, I made Rice Krispy treats and put them into a cupcake pan, forming them to look like birds nests.

Stash "Get One Free" Grocery Items for a Rainy DayWe are all stretching our dollars as far as they can go, and I think most of us try to do our grocery shopping weekly. If you can buy one thing that you need, and get it "buy one, get one free", put the free one in the back of the closet and pretend you did not get it.

1 Comment Comment

Substituting Boraxo Instead of BoraxHi, I have seen some tips about using borax for many different things from cleaning to pest control. I looked every where for borax to no avail, but I did find a 12 oz. can (looks similar to a can of comet, just a little smaller) of Boraxo Powdered Hand Soap.

3 Comments Comment

Use Last Week's Receipts to Make Grocery ListTo keep an eye on your budget and create an instant shopping list, keep your grocery receipt from your previous trip. Put a tick mark beside each item you need, and list any additional items on the back.

1 Comment Comment

Use Syringe to Remove Fat when Browning MeatI use browned ground meat a lot. I like to remove as much of the liquefied fat as possible after browning to make the dish healthier. To do this, I place the skillet on something so that it rests at a slight angle, and pull all of the ground meat to the upper side.

3 Comments Comment

"X" Old Messages and Keep Using PaperIf you are like me, you have a tablet and pen beside the phone. Once a message is written and dealt with, I then put a big "X" through it, telling me it's no longer valid.

1 Comment Comment

Cheap Carpet DeodorizerSprinkle baking soda on carpets to neutralize pet odors then vacuum.

ice-cream container in cat food bag

Cold Sack From Cat Food BagRecycle a small cat food sack into a cold sack. Cat food bags are plastic coated and have multiple layers. Turn them inside out, wash by hand and you have a cold sack that really works great.

Lubricate Nails Before Hammering into Hard WoodsTo drive nails into hard wood without bending them, try dipping the points into lard or other grease. You can accomplish the same end by moistening the points of the nails in a can of water.

4 Comments Comment

Practical Gift IdeasI was in Walmart the other day, mainly for me and my kids to walk around, as that is the main thing people do in our small town, and we were looking at the aisle that had locks on it. I was thinking a lock, with a key might be a good gift for an older child to practice on.

3 Comments Comment

Reserve Pickle Juice to Make New PicklesWhen you are done with the pickles in a jar (the cold variety), save the liquid. You can buy pickling cucumbers at the market, cut them up the way you like, and put back into the mix. In 3 or 4 days, you will have some good tasting new pickles.

2 Comments Comment

Sugar as an ExfoliantRecycle an empty plastic spice bottle that you've used up and fill with sugar. The ones with holes are especially handy to clean out then fill with sugar. Then it's safe to use in the shower, as sugar works as an excellent and natural exfoliant for your skin.

2 Comments Comment

Use Leftover Meat on PizzaIf you have leftover burgers, sausage, etc. from grilling, slice or crumble them and use on a homemade pizza. If you don't want to make the pizza right away, slice or crumble the meats and freeze in a zip-lock bag.

Use Lingerie Bag to Wash LettuceI have a salad spinner, but I want to be sure the greens were as clean as possible, So I purchased a lingerie bag with a drawstring. I put the greens inside, fasten it up, and slush them through several rounds of clean water, take it outside, spin it around, and shake it.

dog on mat

Use Non-Slip Mat When Trimming Pet's NailsA little tip for those of you who trim their own pet's nails. I found that it is very easy to stop your pet from slipping around on the table or bench by using a piece of non-slip rubber mat that can be bought from many stores.

2 Comments Comment

Use Two Shower Curtains for Opulent LookUsing two shower curtains, instead of one, makes your bathroom look pretty opulent. I use two (of the same pattern/colors/design), and they gather up nicely and look better than just one flat one. I try to find inexpensive ones, of course, and fabric curtains work best.

Use Water Balloon Attachment as Pressure WasherFor an easy way to pressure clean small areas, use the hose attachment that comes with water balloons. It focuses the water into a small area and creates a lot of pressure.

Wipe Down Shower After UsingThere are all sorts of products (purchased and homemade) for cleaning showers, but I don't use anything on my ceramic tile shower walls except for an old towel. When I finish my shower, I wipe down the walls with a small, old towel. It takes less than a minute.

3 Comments Comment

4 bookmarks

Bookmarks From Recycled CardsI grew up with my mother recycling things out of necessity. Now, many years later, it is not only out of necessity to save money, but also to help the environment. I collect up old greeting cards and make lovely bookmarks to give out to friends at Christmas time.

5 Comments Comment

Check Hardware Store for Craft SuppliesI was making over 200 tiny angels for a ladies' retreat and needed something affordable for halos. The hardware store provided a wonderful solution. I used washer rings! They were just the right size. A hardware store is a great source for craft supplies.

2 Comments Comment

A plate of sauteed kale

Garden Skillet KaleA great way to prepare "the world's healthiest vegetable". Cook the kale in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the leaves start to wilt.

1 Comment Comment

Glass pop bottle turned into a vase.

Glass Soda Bottle VaseTo create a beautiful vase using a pop bottle, you'll need 2 kinds of peel-n-stick shelf paper. Cut leaves and branches from the peel and stick paper and adhere to the bottle. I then made paper branches to put in the bottle.

4 Comments Comment

Health Concerns With Flea Medications Be careful when using flea medications on your pet. My standard poodle suffered fits after I used a medicine where you put a drop on the back of the neck. It was very frightening to see and I thought she was a goner, but since we stopped using it she is OK.

2 Comments Comment

How to Tell When Oil is Ready for FryingI came up with a fun way to remember the rules of checking for proper temperature of oil for frying battered foods, without a thermometer in a skillet or pot based on "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

5 Comments Comment

Make Steps From Cinder Blocks

Make Steps from Cinder BlocksI was visiting a friend who had just moved into a new home, and I saw these steps they made with cinder blocks. I thought this was great. They look so nice and orderly!

15 Comments Comment

Remove Stains with Boiling Water and BleachDenim dye bled on my coral dress, white cotton scrub top, and pink shorts with embroidered frogs. To get it out, I used 6 quarts almost boiling water and 1/8 cup Clorox. I dipped each piece in this solution and it removed every bit of the denim dye.

Repair Reading Glasses with Toy Train ScrewsI am hard on my reading glasses. I have 6 pairs that have one side or the other of the ear piece broken off. I keep the pieces, hoping one day to fix them somehow, but on each one a part of the top where the tiny screw holds them together had broken off.

1 Comment Comment

Toothpaste to Remove MarkerFor those of you who were wondering how to get Magic Marker off walls, leather, and anything other than wood furniture, use toothpaste (not gel).

1 Comment Comment

Use Crock Pot to Make ApplesauceIt is so nice to have apple season approaching. What to do with all those apples? An easy way to make a very sensible applesauce or apple butter is to use your crock pot.

1 Comment Comment

Use Popcorn as Packing MaterialAnother packing material: popcorn! You can buy 10 pound bags of popcorn for very little money. All you need to do is get out your air popper, and 10 pounds of popcorn will probably fill up a very large move. I really did this for one move when I went across country.

3 Comments Comment

Uses for Clear Plastic ContainersI recently purchased a four pack of tomatoes. I was headed for the recycling bin when I realized the value of this little container. I can put four balls of crochet thread or yarn inside, and they have been kind enough to even put four holes in the top for me!

3 Comments Comment

Add Vegetable Oil to Hard Boiled EggsWhen you boil eggs, put a tablespoon of vegetable oil in the water. This makes them easier to peel, because the shells are porous and a tiny bit of oil is absorbed

1 Comment Comment

Check Rental Car Features at LotWhen you rent a car, figure out how to work everything before you leave the lot. This includes the headlights, heater, air conditioner, windshield wipers, windows, and trunk. If you have questions, you can get answers from the rental agent.

1 Comment Comment

Homemade Flame RetardantFor a make-it yourself fire retardant mixture, mix 7 oz. Borax, 3 oz. boric acid, and 2 qts. warm water. Stir to dissolve completely. Either dip the fabric in the mixture or spray on to thoroughly saturate the material until it drips.

1 Comment Comment

Keeping Bees AwayI was reading some old "Country" magazines last month, and came across this tip. If bees are bugging your picnic, do this: Cut an upside down "V" in a gallon jug filled with juice, about 2/3 the way down from the top. Bees go in but they can't get out.

1 Comment Comment

Make A Draining And Drying Frame

Make A Draining And Drying FrameI needed a way to drain green beans and butter beans after picking and washing them. My husband made a frame and covered it with Hardware Cloth. After washing the beans, I pour them on the wire and spread them out to drain. I have found that the frame has other uses too.

6 Comments Comment

Package of pink foam hair curlers.

Make Foam Earbud Covers from Old CurlersMissing foam earbud covers? Remember the old foam hair curlers that clip into place? Remove the foam curler from the clip and use scissors or a craft knife to slice off the size foam pad you want.

Offer to Babysit as Birthday or Anniversary GiftOne of the very best gifts anyone could ever give is the gift of love. Love lies upon the beholder. Try giving a gift of time. Give someone you love an afternoon alone with their loved one.

2 Comments Comment

belt for purse handle

Replace Purse Handle with BeltI've had this brand new handbag for many years now, but it just sits in the closet because although I like the brown crocheted material of the handbag, I wasn't too crazy about its faux lizard trim on the handle.

4 Comments Comment

Reuse Elastic Waistband From Children's Underwear

Reuse Elastic Waistband From Children's UnderwearI save the elastic top of underwear when the kids grow out of them. They are huge rubber bands. The are fun to shoot at the wall, onto a target I put up there just for that purpose.

3 Comments Comment

Store Empty Canning Jars Upside DownI store my emptied canning jars in the garage. I found that if I store the jars upside down, it saves a lot of time cleaning them up to use. No more dust or dead bugs inside.

3 Comments Comment

Things You Should (And Can) Get For FreeMany banks offer free checking and most with no required minimum balance. All you have to do is ask.

3 Comments Comment

Use Wading Pool to Clean BlindsFor a no mess place to clean your mini-blinds or give a dog a bath, buy a 42 inch kids' wading pool. After washing blinds, hang them over outdoor chairs and rinse with a hose.

4 Comments Comment

Uses for Empty Tennis Ball CansCall or go to any tennis club and ask then to save the empty tennis ball containers for you. Wash them out and use for almost anything. I use them for leftover cereal. They are air tight and have a good seal so they keep out bugs.

2 Comments Comment

Combine Expensive And Cheap CoffeeWhen I want that great flavor coffee, but can't afford the high cost, I buy one jar of my favorite and one cheap jar on sale then mix them together.

5 Comments Comment

Container Gardening AdviceAlthough I could plant more in the ground, I am a container gardening freak and I love the control that it gives me. There's far less weeding, and I love that the plants are (generally) portable.

1 Comment Comment

Goop as Stain RemoverI have on several occasions used the hand cleaner Goop as a spot remover. I have used it on items that have gone through the washer and dryer with grease spots. Put Goop on the stain and rub it in. Leave it on from 5 minutes to a day or two before washing.

2 Comments Comment

Home Remedies for AcneMy 33 year old daughter has constant problems with acne. I heard that fashion models use Pepto-Bismol as a face mask. I made a mix of extra strength Pepto-Bismol and Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and Peroxide toothpaste.

2 Comments Comment

A mother and child playing with face paint.

Homemade Face PaintTo make face paint mix 1 tsp. cornstarch, 1/2 tsp. cold cream, 1/2 tsp. cold water and add food coloring. Mix the ingredients well and paint away! This will wash off with cold cream.

Make Flavored Drinks with Soda WaterUse carbonated spring water, which is available cheaply from chains like Asda (Walmart in US), to make up orangeade, lemonade, etc.

1 Comment Comment

Oven Cleaner For Cleaning Tile FloorsA little over a year ago, my husband and I bought our first house. The porcelain tile floor in the kitchen area had years of wax buildup with dirt and grime caked on top.

5 Comments Comment

Restoring Paint Hardened PaintbushesHardened paint brushes can often be made as good as new by simmering them in boiling vinegar for a few minutes, then washing them in soapy water.

1 Comment Comment

Ride Bike on Ozone Action DaysI know how to avoid Ozone Action days. When it gets to be about 89 degrees F out, get out the bicycle and ride. Of course you'll need the following things to do this:

3 Comments Comment

Store GPS in Camera Bag

Store GPS in Camera BagIf you want a cheap, yet stylish and effective, alternative to buying one of the more expensive cases for your GPS device, just make a trip to your local dollar store. I found a nicely padded camera case with Velcro opening that works just perfectly for my GPS.

1 Comment Comment

Use A Can As A Biscuit CutterUse a clean tuna can as a biscuit cutter. Just cut the bottom out and discard. Make sure any rough edges are flat with a pair of pliers. You can also use this as a large cookie cutter.

4 Comments Comment

Use Hairdryer Diffuser for Flower Arrangement

Use Hairdryer Diffuser for Flower ArrangementWhen you purchase a new hair drier, very often it comes with one of those plastic diffuser things that pop onto the end. Most of us just toss them away. But diffusers are round, have holes and little legs, so they make great stem holders for fresh flowers.

1 Comment Comment

Use Vinegar For Fruit FliesI have a great way to get rid of flies, Apple cider vinegar. Put about a cup in a glass jar, set it in the corner of the area where you have flies, and right before your very eyes the flies will be gone with the wind.

5 Comments Comment

Using Acidolphilus For Dogs' Ear Infections?I have a Labrador, Hershey Kisses, who is 10 years old and has always had problems with ear infections. Because of the flap ears, moisture would build up inside and cause him pain.

3 Answers Answer

Wash Shower Curtain with Clips AttachedI used to hate washing my shower curtain. Undoing all those clips at the top, what a bore! One day, I took the entire curtain, clips and all, and threw it in the washing machine on delicate. What a time saver!

2 Comments Comment

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