Thrifty Tip Contest (September 11 - 17, 2010) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(September 11 - 17, 2010)

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

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Duration	Entries
September 11 - 17, 2010	60

Tip: Identifying Eating Peppers from Cooking Peppers

September 16, 2010

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. 3 bumps = eat (3 letters in the word).

Comment Was this helpful? 11

Tip: Table Linen Storage

dorothy wedenoja
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 170 Posts

September 15, 2010

When storing tablecloths and cloth napkins, to keep them from wrinkling or creasing, roll them around a cardboard tube. Next, fasten the ends on tube with rubber bands. Store in a drawer. No creases when you need to use them!

Comment Was this helpful? 4

Tip: Use Sock on Water Bottle

September 13, 2010

Do you have one of those water bottles that you see pretty much everywhere now days? I'm talking about the ones made of metal or plastic that you can refill over and over again. I own several of them, and I really like them.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 15

Arrange Flowers in Plastic Bottle to Put Inside ContainerI like to arrange flowers in unusual containers, i.e. wooden boxes or ice coolers. To keep water from leaking or damaging the container, I use plastic bottles. I use a bread knife to cut off the top at the height needed.

Cobwebs as First Aid DisinfectantCobwebs contain many disinfectants, including penicillin. If you're in the wilderness and someone (or yourself) has been cut badly, wrap clean cobwebs around the wound and cover with a clean cloth.

Homemade Parvo TreatmentWe have a pair of 7 month old Bull Dogs. Both had 1 set of shots. We received them as strays, so true age and health issues are truly unknown. Our male began showing signs and symptoms on Sept. 8th. On Sept. 11 we were told he had Parvo.

15 Comments Comment

Laundry Detergent to Kill MossShow the moss who's boss! I have been doing this for years and I guarantee it works. If you have moss on the walks around your home, you know it's dangerous for falls when wet and unsightly. Go to the local dollar store and get powdered laundry detergent.

Make Vanilla SugarAfter you've taken the seeds out of your vanilla pod, place your pod in sugar. The vanilla flavor adds a nice touch to coffee, tea, and your baking.

1 Comment Comment

Peeling Eggs

Peeling Egg ShellsPeeling boiled eggs is my least favorite chore in the kitchen. I don't like to get the egg shells under my nails. A friend taught me a neat trick several years ago.

7 Comments Comment

Removing Super Glue From SkinUse nail polish remover to unhinge super glue from your fingers.

2 Comments Comment

Reuse Junk Mail EnvelopesTo save money on buying envelopes, take any pre-addressed envelopes that come in the mail that aren't going to be used and put white labels over the address. Make sure not to use envelopes that are obviously not suited to your purpose.

13 Comments Comment

Reusing a Mattress Pad?I use mattress pads that are no longer usable for beds to make baby changing pads, bibs, stroller blankets, etc. There are many other uses, I am sure, but I sew for our less fortunate and young girls that have had babies.

1 Answer Answer

Reusing Paper Towel TubesI use the empty tubes from inside toilet paper rolls to keep my money in so it won't fall out every time I open my wallet. Also, you can put your important paperwork inside the larger ones that come in paper towels.

7 Comments Comment

Save Crumbs For CookingInstead of throwing away leftover cookie crumbs or leftover pretzel crumbs, use them for a pie crust. Just substitute either of them for the graham cracker crumbs called for in the recipe you use.

1 Comment Comment

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Stop Delivery of Unwanted CatalogsYou can stop unwanted catalogs from arriving in you mailbox. Check the boxes of those catalogs. They will be removed from your mail list.

2 Comments Comment

Use Pliers for Opening BottlesI am a senior citizen with arthritis. I find it hard to open pop bottles and milk jugs, so I decided to use my adjustable pliers and it works great. Just clamp them on the lid and twist. I store pliers in my silverware drawer so they are handy.

9 Comments Comment

Use Soda Tab Tops to Hang ItemsAn inexpensive way to hang items up that are not in a frame like sea shells, ceramics, or really anything for that matter, is to use a soda or beer tab top. Just attach it either by super glue or E-6000 for heavier items. I have done this for years.

4 Comments Comment

Chalk to Keep Tools from RustingA piece of chalk or charcoal in your toolbox will attract moisture and keep your tools from rusting.

Dryer Sheet in Waste Basket to Keep it FreshIn my area, we have to throw food and regular trash in the same trash bag. I use a store brand dryer sheet (they are much less expensive), in the bottom of the kitchen trash basket.

2 Comments Comment

Mayonnaise for Hair ConditionerMayonnaise makes a very good hair conditioner at an affordable price. For shiny, silky hair, rinse with vinegar. Don't worry, the smell disappears! To strip conditioner build-up off hair, use Dawn dish soap. This works very well.

6 Comments Comment

Click together wire rack for craft supplies.

Organizing Craft Supplies In A Small...I got this wonderful wire rack for $.25 for each panel, and $.10 for each connector. Once together, I thought of a way to hang zip lock bags for craft supplies so I can see what is in them. I got a medium binder clip and hung it through the cross wires and it works perfectly!

6 Comments Comment

Softening Potted Plant SoilIf the soil in your potted plants is hard and water has a hard time penetrating, poke holes in the soil with a pointed stick. then fill your water pail and add 1-2 drops liquid dish washing detergent. This will soften the soil and allow water to penetrate more easily.

2 Comments Comment

Sorting Children's SocksWith three kids in elementary school at the same time, keeping up with socks was not working, I got three packs (6 pair each) of white socks on sale that fit everyone.

1 Comment Comment

Stocking Up on School SuppliesStock up now on school supplies. The supplies won't be this cheap until a full year later. You can use school supplies as really good stocking stuffers or you can give them out in gift bags at birthday parties!

1 Comment Comment

Use Scrubs as PajamasMedical scrubs make very comfortable cheap pajamas. They are available in a variety of colors and styles.

3 Comments Comment

Use Vanilla Pudding to Stabilize Whipped CreamTo stabilize whipped cream, add a small amount of instant vanilla pudding instead of sugar while whipping the cream.

5 Comments Comment

Chill Counter Before Rolling Out Cookie DoughTo cool down the counter top when rolling out pastry and cookies or when making candy, chill it with ice packs. You can make your own by filling gallon-size freezer bags halfway with water. Force out as much air as possible, seal, and place them in the freezer on a cookie sheet.

1 Comment Comment

Freezing Liquids In Freezer BagsIf you find that the soups and sauces you put in plastic freezer bags fall through the wire rack of your freezer, try this freezing technique for liquids. Cool your leftover soups, sauces, etc. in the refrigerator then pour them into a resealable plastic freezer bag.

2 Comments Comment

Homemade Sidewalk ChalkPour into an egg carton container, and let harden for 24 hours. Pop the molds out and enjoy. The shape of the sidewalk chalk is easy for smaller hands to use.

1 Comment Comment

Latex Gloves to Remove Pet HairI have found the best thing for removing dog hair from furniture is rubber gloves. The texture in them helps pick up the hair easily so you can vacuum it off. The dollar store has 2 pair for $1.00.

Make Your Own Embossing InkFor embossing ink, use any color of Rit Dye, 1/4 tsp. alcohol, and 5 Tbsp. glycerin. Carefully blend dye and alcohol till it is the consistency of thin cream; starting with 1/2 tsp. of powdered dye.

1 Comment Comment

Minimizing Germs in a Public RestroomTo avoid germs in a public washroom, pick the stall closest to the door. Studies show that it is used the least, so it should be the cleanest. Before washing your hands, release the paper towel from the dispenser that you will need.

1 Comment Comment

Put Liquid Hand Soap in Toilet Brush HolderI hate those toilet cleaning brushes and their containers, but they are so needed. I had a moment of inspiration - I put liquid hand soap in the brush holder.

3 Comments Comment

Save Cotton from Bottle PackagingI am now saving the cotton that is packaged in vitamin and other bottles. These small pieces found at the top of the bottle can be used as cotton balls for removing nail polish or other similar applications.

2 Comments Comment

Telling Good Books From BadI am a librarian, so I know about many sources for books. It is always best to see the books before you purchase them, but that isn't always possible. I have found that amazon.com is the best review source.

1 Comment Comment

Use Baby Food When CookingI had leftover baby food jars of pureed vegetables. I didn't know anyone to give it to, so I decided to do the thrifty thing and find a way to use it. I made a homemade beef vegetable pot pie and put 2 or 3 jars in the potpie.

3 Comments Comment

Use Car Window Cleaner for House WindowsI use gallon jugs of car window washer cleaner for cleaning my house windows. I just reuse an empty spray bottle or buy a cheap one and refill as needed. It works great on cleaning them.

Use Men's T-Shirts as Children's PajamasWhen my four kids were little, they loved to sleep in Dad's t-shirt. I went to a yard sale and found 10 T-shirts with some business logo on them for 10 cents each.

2 Comments Comment

Use Petroleum Jelly on Spray Pump to Keep from JammingDab a tiny drop of petroleum jelly over the pinhole opening of a hairspray pump. It prevents residue from gumming up and rendering it useless. This also works for spray starch.

Rose Prunings To Keep Animals Out Of Garden Beds

Use Rose Prunings To Keep Animals Out Of Garden BedsI've tried various methods to keep pests (cats and birds) away from sown beds and young seedling beds without any success, until I tried this method. Spread rose twigs (after pruning) over the bed. Make sure pets can't creep through twigs.

Aspirin For Bug BitesA dissolved aspirin in a little spray bottle is an excellent antidote for bug bites.

Bring Baggies for Taking Home LeftoversAs I live alone and am on a restricted budget, I have to be frugal. Now when eating out I carry three different sized baggies to bring leftovers home in. I bring the bread, individual butters, honey, jellies, etc and any veggies or meat.

3 Comments Comment

Deodorize Toilet With VinegarDeodorize your toilet bowl by allowing 3 cups white distilled vinegar to sit in it about 30 minutes before flushing.

4 Comments Comment

Dice Game: Frackel or GreedOur seniors group plays a dice game called Frackel or Greed. It goes like this. You start with 6 dice. Someone keeps score of all the players. To start, you roll all the dice. The points go as follows.

4 Comments Comment

Dishwasher Detergent and Bleach to Brighten WhitesEveryone's white clothes eventually get dingy and gray. Here is a way to get them bright and white again and looking like they did when new. I found this tip many years ago from Heloise. It is to be used only on whites.

6 Comments Comment

Dry Metal Cookie Cutters in OvenInstead of towel drying metal cookie cutters, put the washed cookie cutters on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven for a few minutes. You can even do this right after the oven has been turned off. Your cookie cutters will soon be dry.

1 Comment Comment

Free Tuesday Movies And Other Promotions From CablevisionFor the people who live out here in the east and happen to have Cablevision as their cable supplier, PLEASE take advantage of their free movie Tuesday offers!

1 Comment Comment

Lock Tabs on Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap BoxesCheck the ends of your aluminum foil boxes for a handy little circle or triangle. If you punch it in it will hold the roll in the box and prevent it from popping out when you rip off a piece. I never noticed it before and had to check it out. Sure enough it's there!

1 Comment Comment

Make Your Clothing Multi-taskMake your clothing multi-task. Wear a sweater over a dress and turn it into a skirt. Wrap a shawl around your waist and it is a sarong.

Make Your Own Address BookI don't like the address books that are generic, so I decided to make my own. I went to the dollar store and bought a journal, with blank pages. I counted the pages, and divided it up by the 26 letters of the alphabet, giving a few more pages to some letters.

4 Comments Comment

Pliers to Remove Burr from Pet's FurTo remove burrs from your pet, crush the burr with a pair of pliers and work oil into the tangle. The burrs should then brush out easily.

1 Comment Comment

Old Barn and Fence Boards Crafts

Reusing Old Barn and Fence BoardsThere are a lot of different projects that one can make out of old weathered barn boards. Now I may be a little behind times here, I don't know if decorating with old barn boards is still in style and frankly I don't care.

4 Comments Comment

Tip for a Moist Cake Every TimeAdding 1 tablespoon of honey to any cake batter keeps your cake moist. The honey draws moisture to the cake and it stays moist from first slice to last. You do not need to change any ingredients and it can be added to a box cake mix or a homemade cake.

1 Comment Comment

Blistex for Sore NoseI have found that the Blistex you use for your lips works just as well for sore noses caused by allergies, etc. No more sore noses!

7 Comments Comment

Cooking Spray to Remove Grease and Paint from HandsYou can use PAM cooking spray to remove grease and paint from your hands while working on the lawn mower or painting in your house. Just buy an extra can for the garage or workshop.

Link: Internet Coupon ScamI just read this clip about fake internet coupons and thought I'd pass it along. It's just hard to know what sites that can be trusted these days.

4 Comments Comment

Puppy laying on towel.

Puppy Chew ToyPuppies are the best! That is, until you're trying to do your house work and your puppy is constantly underfoot. I have a tip that I use once in a while to gain me some peace.

2 Comments Comment

Save Worm Dirt for GardenFor those of you that love flowers and have a friend or acquaintance that loves fishing, ask them to save the "dirt" that their bait comes in. This can be added to your potting soil to boost its enrichment.

1 Comment Comment

Use Knee High to Polish Shoes Use an old knee-hi stocking to bring a quick polish to gloss-finished shoes. Just hold on to each end of the knee-hi and buff away!

Use Painter's Tape to Protect CarpetI helped a friend redecorate her son's bedroom, which included painting the walls and trims, repairing the skirting boards, and repainting. I decided the best way to protect the carpet edges around the skirting was to use wide masking tape and tape it onto the carpet.

1 Comment Comment

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