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Thrifty Tip Contest
(October 2 - 8, 2010)

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Duration	Entries
October 2 - 8, 2010	66

Tip: Leftover Cafe

October 6, 2010

Need a fun way to get your family to eat leftovers? We have a "Leftover Cafe" night once a week. We decorate the table with fake flowers and candles, and play some music in the background.

Comment Was this helpful? 25

Tip: Tax Forms No Longer Being Mailed

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

October 5, 2010

If you're like me and wait for IRS forms and instructions to arrive via US Postal mail to fill out and send in, here's a heads up! Don't wait and expect them to arrive in your snail mail box from now on, because it's not going to happen.

Comment Was this helpful? 12

Tip: Use and Care of Microfiber Cloths

it's.only.me
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 170 Posts

October 4, 2010

Microfiber cloths work very well for all types of cleaning. However, they should not be washed with regular laundry. It is better to wash them separately. Do not use fabric softener. Some of the cloths state not to use bleach.

Comment Was this helpful? 14

Bacon Grease in Can for DogNow that our puppy is older and much bigger, I've been forced to come up with a new way to keep her entertained and out of my hair when I am cooking dinner.

4 Comments Comment

Black Containers for Hot WaterIn Alaska, you pretty much have to fend for yourself. I've been doing this for years, and I thought I should pass along this tip for free hot water, especially when the pipes are frozen (as they are here, a LOT).

2 Comments Comment

Check Glass Recycling for Canning JarsYears ago I could buy mayonnaise and salad dressing in quart glass jars. No more, that's a things of the past. I just started making my own homemade mayonnaise with my Vita-Mix and wanted to keep it in a glass jar in my refrigerator.

1 Comment Comment

Chore Jar for Kids to Earn Extra MoneyI have two children who love toys, just like any other child. We have given them an allowance since the age of 4, for which they have to earn by performing chores. With this money, they are allowed to purchase a new or used item once a month.

3 Comments Comment

Cleaning a Glass Top StoveInstead of buying the expensive cleaner to clean my glass top stove, I keep a shaker jar of baking soda beside the stove and shake it on any spilled food. Use a damp cloth and a little scrubbing, then wipe clean with a towel and it comes up sparkling clean.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning Out the Medicine ChestI got this tip from Hospice. Sometimes we all have expired medications, prescription change medications or left over medications from pass away loved ones. This nurse told me to dispose of them by adding them to coffee grounds or soiled diapers.

7 Comments Comment

Grapefruit For A ColdAn old home remedy to help sweat out a cold. Wash the skin of one or two grapefruit thoroughly and cut into chunks. Cover with an inch or so of water in a one quart saucepan and simmer for about an hour.

5 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Almond MilkTo make almond milk, you need only about a cup of raw almonds. Make sure not to buy or use roasted almonds. You soak these overnight in pure water, drain, and put in a blender along with 3 cups of pure filtered or spring water and blend about 2 1/2 minutes.

3 Comments Comment

Refurbishing CandlesIf you have warped candles, dunk them in a pan of warm water to make them pliable enough to bend back straight.

1 Comment Comment

Reinforce Shower Curtain Ring HolesThis tip will help you to prolong the life of your shower curtains. Reinforce the holes where your shower curtain hooks go through with a stainless-steel washer.

2 Comments Comment

Save Crumbs From Slicing BreadEach and every time I make homemade bread, I cut the entire loaf into slices, then I save the crumbs I've caught from underneath the cooling rack onto a piece of waxed paper for later recipes.

Use Frozen Peeled GarlicI love cooking with garlic, but do not like peeling it. So my answer is to buy it in the bag already peeled. I keep the bag in my freezer and when I need garlic, I remove a clove from the bag.

4 Comments Comment

Diaper Ointment RecipeDon't buy diaper rash treatments when you can make this for much less money! This works so well, you'll never go back!

2 Comments Comment

Floor Wax to Restore Damaged Varnished SurfaceIf you damage a varnished surface with ammonia, try applying a thin coat of liquid floor wax to restore the texture and shine. If the first coat is uneven because the wax is soaking in, reapply.

Guitar Picks from Repurposed ItemsI recently found an old wallet from somewhere I lived years ago. In it I re-discovered old library cards, bank cards, etc. Instead of throwing them out, I grabbed my snips and made myself some guitar picks! For softer strengths, use milk jugs or plastic lids.

5 Comments Comment

Homemade Dog BiscuitsOur dogs love peanut butter dog biscuits. To make some at home, mix 3/4 cup powdered milk, 1 egg, 1 cup peanut butter (smooth), 2 1/4-2 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, and 1 Tbsp. baking powder. You can customize the recipe by adding and subtracting ingredients your dog likes.

1 Comment Comment

pantry door

Keeping Toddler Out of PantryMy toddler was constantly getting into the pantry and helping himself to crackers or other snacks the minute I turned my back to focus on dinner. Between the ruined appetite, spilled boxes of cereal, and dents in the floor from dropped cans, I decided I HAD to keep him out.

2 Comments Comment

Other Uses for Plastic KnivesPlastic knives are the least used in sets purchased or given with to go meals. They make handy stir sticks for coffee, etc. They also are useful as garden markers. You can write on them with permanent marker or nail polish.

1 Comment Comment

Paper Plate AlternativeTo make a homemade paper plate, place a paper towel over a plate or saucer. Have a sandwich, cheese and crackers, or those cookies we all love. Remove your paper towel revealing your clean plate. Then dust off any crumbs from your paper towel and replace your clean plate.

4 Comments Comment

Rice Cereal BreakfastHere's a super-frugal breakfast, to be used as either a side dish or as a light main dish. The night before, cook rice in your rice cooker or cook some instant rice in the morning.

2 Comments Comment

Vanilla Extract as Odor RemoverI recently inherited a piece of furniture that had unfortunately been in a fire; nothing was wrong with the dresser other than the smell of smoke. My colleague told me to try this, and it worked wonders at eating the odor!

Warning: Glass Will Explode if Left on BurnerExploding glass! My daughter and I just finished cleaning up large shards of glass in the kitchen. She did not know that a glass pie plate was so close to the electric burner and it exploded.

1 Comment Comment

Washing Brushes and CombsTo clean my combs, brushes, hair picks, etc., in the morning I fill a large empty Cool Whip bowl (or you can use any bowl not used for cooking) with hot water and dishwashing detergent.

2 Comments Comment

Caring For Leather ShoesShine your patent leather shoes by rubbing them with a small amount of petroleum jelly. Leather shoes or purses can be shined quickly with a light application of furniture polish.

Dissolving Drink MixesUsually when I make a pitcher of any type of pre-sweetened powdered drink mix, the powder does not dissolve well and has to be stirred for a while. Now, I fill the container with about three quarters of the water, and stir it quickly to create a whirlpool.

1 Comment Comment

Get More Toothpaste by Turning It Upside DownIf you have toothpaste that can be tipped over, put it upside down and squeeze the bottle with the toothpaste in there. There would be a lot of toothpaste coming out if you can squeeze the bottle.

3 Comments Comment

Hanging A Fitted Sheet to DryHanging laundry on a clothesline is one of the best green activities you can do. I used to struggle with my fitted sheets, though, trying to hang them straight when they have elastic all the way around.

1 Comment Comment

Make a Bib from an Old Shower Curtain LinerGot an old shower curtain liner? Make baby bibs with it and save big! After sterilizing with diluted bleach, cut a rectangle slightly longer than would fit your baby depending on age, with a slight dip on the top edge for the neck.

1 Comment Comment

Organizing Kitchen Towel DrawerTo keep my kitchen towel drawer organized, I jelly roll each towel and put them in rows. No more towels out of place, and I can use front to back each time without getting them out of order. My drawer never gets unorganized because every towel is visible.

3 Comments Comment

Put Lotion on Hands Before Using Super GlueApply lotion to your skin before using super glue. It will peel off easily if you get any on you.

6 Comments Comment

Repairing Scratches On WoodTo cover scratches on wood furniture, rub a matching color crayon into the scratch and smooth with the fingers. Heat and oil from your finger will blend in the crayon. Alternatively, cover with petroleum jelly overnight. Rub in well, remove excess and buff.

1 Comment Comment

Scrape Burned Cookie Bottoms OffDon't throw out burned cookies! Scrape off the blackened bottoms with your cheese grater, since it is much faster than using a table knife.

1 Comment Comment

hand with sock arm warmer

Sock Tops for Arm WarmersCut both socks off where you want them above the heel. It's much easier to cut one then cut the second one by laying the first one on top of the second one so they are both the exact same length.

Storing Rotary CutterA handy holder for a rotary cutter is an old glasses case that is closed on one end and open on the other. Insert cutter into case, roller edge first, and it keeps your cutter out of the way of small hands.

1 Comment Comment

Take Photos of GradesI am going to take a picture of every good grade that my little 9 year old makes this year. I will wait til the end of the week and then photograph them. At the end of the year, I will put them in an album with pictures of her throughout the school year.

2 Comments Comment

Use Business Name from StatementWhen we get the first statement from any business, he clips off the return address portion of the envelope or statement. He then cuts out the name of the business and slips it into the little plastic sleeve on the green hanging file folders.

2 Comments Comment

Denture Tablets for Toilet CleaningTo clean stains from the toilet bowl, drop 1 or 2 denture cleaners in and allow to sit overnight.

2 Comments Comment

Duct Tape to Treat CallousesI tend to use duct tape to splint my fingers when they need a bandage that lasts through dish washing. I eventually discovered that if you put a piece over a clean toe where there is a callous, by the end of the day the skin is softer.

2 Comments Comment

Frugal Uses for Leftover VeggiesWhen I have just a small amount of vegetables or gravy left over, I put them in a container and freeze them. When I make soups or stews, I add this container (or containers). I do the same thing with some leftover juices like V8 or tomato juice, makes for a hardier stew.

Homemade Elevated Dog FeederI have always had large dogs, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees, etc. Many years ago, my husband made each pet a table that was best suited to the height of the animal.

2 Comments Comment

Link: Glam Up Your Shoes:Instead of spending more money on a perfect pair of dressy shoes, use a leafing pen to cover basic black heels in a shimmering layer of paint.

Link: Unclaimed.org For Funds In Your NameNothing better than found money! Just click on your state, and a search box will appear. Type your last name (no comma) followed by a space and the first 3 or 4 letters of your first name.

Make Frugal Soft Drink with Lime and SweetenerMy husband has been good enough to drink store bought 2 liter sodas instead of the more popular brand names. I have finally done him one better. I have been making my "soft" drink with a lime squeeze and adding the 'healthiest' artificial sweetener to water.

1 Comment Comment

Make Stickers Out of Free Address LabelsIt's getting to be that time of year again, when you get loads of those free address labels from charities, etc. Make them work double duty for you by cutting the cute little graphic off and using those "stickers" as envelope seals, or give to your kids for chores well done!

2 Comments Comment

Product Review: Top Job CleanerI use Top Job cleaner in my steam cleaner to clean my carpets. It is the best that I have used. It smells fresh and is such a great cleaner for all my floors. Thank you so much.

Removing Pills From Sweaters?Remove fuzz balls from sweaters with a shaver. Go over the surface slowly and carefully with a disposable razor.

4 Answers Answer

Reuse Mylar Balloons as Gift WrappingBoth of my kids recently had birthdays, complete with Mylar balloons. My friend was helping me clean up, and gave me this tip. Cut old Mylar balloons into squares and use to wrap small gifts for other birthday parties. Great idea, isn't it?

3 Comments Comment

Salt and Pepper Shakers for Camping or a PicnicWhen making your eggs in the morning while camping, more often than not you don't have your salt and pepper with you. It is too cumbersome to carry their full-size containers and those flimsy paper packets are quite useless.

1 Comment Comment

Substitute Ham for Canadian BaconInstead of using sliced Canadian bacon in recipes, especially pizza, use lean, thinly sliced ham instead. It is much cheaper and you are more likely to have it on hand!

Toothpaste Loses Fluoride Over TimeStudies show that the longer toothpaste is stored, the more fluoride content is lost. Therefore, that big "bargain size" may not be such a bargain.

1 Comment Comment

Add Vinegar to Steam CleanerTo reduce soap bubbles in a steam cleaner, add about 1/4 cup white vinegar. Use the same amount in the rinse water to remove detergent residue and make carpets stay fresh longer.

1 Comment Comment

Buy Gas in the MorningFill up your tank early in the morning when the air is cool and the gas is dense. You'll get more gas and less air.

4 Comments Comment

Cut Lemon in Thirds Before SqueezingIf you like to use one of those lemon squeezers but find it difficult to get enough leverage on the handles, cut the lemon in thirds. You will have two "caps" and one round disk. Much easier on arthritic hands.

Garden tag ofr thyme.

Garden Tags from Aluminum Roof FlashingYou can make garden tags out of leftover aluminum roof flashing (the kind on a roll). I took a simple tag design that I drew, printed it out on heavy paper, and cut it out. I took that template and a Sharpie and traced that design onto the flashing metal multiple times.

2 Comments Comment

Getting Fruit Roll-Ups off the WrapperIn warm weather, Fruit Roll-ups stick stubbornly to their wrapper at LEAST 8 out of 10 times. But, if you pop them in the freezer for thirty seconds, they separate easily and are still pliable enough to be eaten and stretched!

2 Comments Comment

Pattern for cami.

How to Make Your Own Cami InsertThe finished width of the small cami is 8 1/2 inches, the finished width of the medium cami is 10 1/2 inches. Use a measuring tape to determine which size is best for you by measuring between your bra straps, just under your neck.

1 Comment Comment

Personalized List As Frugal GiftAn inexpensive birthday gift that is truly appreciated by the recipient is to write a list of things that you admire, like, or appreciate about someone that is the same number long as they are old.

2 Comments Comment

Product Review: Warner Slicker BrushTo keep mats out of the hair of long-haired cats, you should use a slicker brush. The best kind (if it's still available) is the Warner Slicker. It has aluminum wire bristles on a rubber base in an aluminum frame, and comes with a wooden handle.

1 Comment Comment

Rehydrate Play DoughMy kids love their play dough, but I wince at the thought of throwing away even small bits because they've dried out. But I found a way to re-hydrate play dough! Take a gallon ziploc bag, and put all of the dried out scraps inside of it along with a very wet paper towel.

Rub Alcohol on Wood Before StainingWhen staining raw wood, rub it down first with alcohol to bring out the grain.

Use Can Punch to Open Detergent BoxesKeep a can punch in the laundry room. This is a great tool for opening those boxes of laundry detergent without ripping your fingernails.

Use Old Comforter for "Feather Bed"Recently my son went from a twin-size bed to a queen-size bed. The mattress was hard and he wanted a feather bed to make it softer. Not being able to afford a queen-size feather bed at this time, I thought that perhaps the comforter from his twin bed would work.

4 Comments Comment

Use Sheets as Bulletin Board BackgroundInstead of using colored paper or corrugated cardboard by the roll, my sister used flat bed sheets on the bulletin boards of her classroom. The sheets won't tear the way paper will, and can be changed seasonally if desired.

1 Comment Comment

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