Thrifty Tip Contest (October 16 - 22, 2010) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(October 16 - 22, 2010)

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

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Duration	Entries
October 16 - 22, 2010	73

Restoring Old Photos

October 20, 2010

I haven't seen any photo restoration on here yet, and since it is one of my favorite pastimes, I decided to post a before and after photo of my work.

Comment Pin it! Like this photo? 29

Christmas Card: The Strom's of Norway

October 19, 2010

Since I am an art director and graphic designer, I thought it was about time to do something for my family instead of everyone else! I used a photo of an evergreen tree branch, Norway flag, Norway shield, Christmas ornament top, and of course two different pictures of my kids, Dawson and Chloe.

Comment Like this photo? 27

Tip: Natural Sore Throat Remedies

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

October 18, 2010

Cold and flu season is upon us so here are some good old fashioned home remedy standbys for sore throats.

Comment Was this helpful? 23

Add Spaghetti Sauce to SoupWhen making homemade soup, I added a jar of spaghetti sauce to the vegetables and tomato juice in the crock pot. It was wonderful.

Apply Lip Balm Before Lip GlossDo you want your lip gloss to stay on all day? The secret is to put on lip balm before putting on the gloss!

1 Comment Comment

Clip Thief in the BudWhen you are grocery shopping, turning your back can result in a quick grab of your purse if left unattended in the grocery cart. An easy way to greatly hinder, or even eliminate, this is to use a camping clip (carabiner) to snap your purse handles onto the cart.

11 Comments Comment

Deodorize Dish Scrubber with Hand SanitizerTired of buying new dish scrubbers because someone forgot to rinse them after using and now they smell worse than your garbage? Take heart, there's a simple and inexpensive solution!

2 Comments Comment

Great Book Deals at Thrift StoresI have recently become a "reader". I wanted to start my own library so I could be able to read books at my own leisure and to be able to lend my books to others to read. I started purchasing books at the book store paying the asking prices for my books.

9 Comments Comment

Halloween Costumes from the Dollar StoreNo need to spend a lot of money on Halloween costumes. The Dollar Store has a lot of children's toys and things that you can make a costume with. For girls, fairy wings and a wand, play jewelry, and gloves can make a cute fairy.

Keep Dog from Pulling on LeashTeach loose leash walking by using treats. Have your dog on your left side, leash slightly loose, and have a pocket full of treats on the other side. Speak your dog's name or make lip pursed sounds or whatever it takes to get his attention.

2 Comments Comment

Laundry Baskets for the Family

Laundry Baskets for the FamilyMy kids are old enough take care of their own laundry. To make my job easier, I went out and bought dollar store laundry baskets and some colored electrical tape. Each of our kids has their own colors (green, blue, red, pink/yellow).

3 Comments Comment

Reuse Plastic Jars for Freezing FoodNever buy plastic containers again! I wash and reuse all the larger plastic jars (with plastic screw-on lids) that mayonnaise, peanut butter, and such come in. I use them for freezing soups, sauces, gravies, and any leftovers. They work great!

6 Comments Comment

Store Papers in Shoe CubbyTurn a shoe cubby into a cutting station for scrapbooking or for a place for filing your genealogy, family history information, and family photos in.

Sweetened Butter SpreadThis is a delicious spread: with an electric mixer, blend 1/2 lb. butter or margarine, 3 Tbsp. cinnamon and 1/2 lb. powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

1 Comment Comment

Treating Dog's Fear of StairsPut a baby gate at the third step from the bottom of the stairs. Hide upstairs and call the dog to you. He will be able to go up the three stairs because he does not feel he will fall.

2 Comments Comment

Turn Old Turtleneck into HeadbandAt garage sales, I always keep an eye out for turtlenecks. I don't like the way I look in them; rather, what I do is bring them home and snip off the "turtleneck" part, which I then wear as a stretchy headband!

Yogurt Lids as Trash Bag TiesI reuse the tops of plastic containers, such as yogurt and sour cream and such, to hold trash bags closed. I came up with this idea after looking at the little plastic things that hold bread bags closed and deciding I wanted one of those for the garbage bags.

1 Comment Comment

A Calendar for Each ChildI have 4 kids and each one has their own schedule that I need to keep track of. I print out a calender for each month for each kid. Each calender is color coded so it is easy to read the minute you/child looks at it.

Add Bleach to Bath for Heat RashWhen you get that awful rash due to heat, add about 1/4 cup of bleach to your bath water and it will amaze you how fast it works. Usually over night.

4 Comments Comment

Clean Whiteboard With WD-40For teachers, cleaning a whiteboard of all its remnants can be near impossible, but if you used WD-40, it will look new again!

3 Comments Comment

Ester C for Joint Pain in DogsUnfortunately our elderly black Lab/Shepherd mix has begun to have hip troubles. I received a prescription for Previcox from our vet which worked amazingly well, but it is very expensive and is quite toxic for continuous use.

4 Comments Comment

Lighting Matches In Breezy AreasSay you're lighting a smoke or something in a breezy area. If you light one match or two and it blows out, combine the spent matches with the new one.

2 Comments Comment

Low Fat Does Not Mean No Fat When DietingWhen I am eating low fat in order to lose a few pounds of weight, I always eat a serving of something really fatty for each five pounds I lose.

A marking on a wet/dry vacuum.

Mark Wet/Dry Vacuum SettingIf you have a wet/dry vacuum and you are tired of checking if it is set up for wet or dry, make your own sign.

Muddy Shoe StationI combined several ideas there with to create something that overlaps several categories here: home improvement, organization, and pets.

1 Comment Comment

Preventing Nail BitingDo you bite your fingernails? STOP! There's this nail polish called No Bite and it tastes very bitter and gross. Plus, it's clear!

Refresh Apples with Salt Water SoakIf your winter store of apples starts looking a little wrinkled, you can try washing and soaking them in brine made by adding one handful of salt to every three gallons of water. Change the solution each six hours until the fruit perks up.

Removing Yellow Stains from White AppliancesRemove yellow stains from white appliances with two tablespoons of baking soda and four tablespoons of bleach added to two cups of warm water. Allow the mixture to set on the spot for five or ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

3 Comments Comment

Unsealing An EnvelopeIf you seal up a envelope then realize you forgot to put something in it, place it in the freezer for about one hour. It will then unseal easily. Just put tape over the envelope or close up with a pretty sticker or one of your address label.

faux stained glass window

"Stained Glass" Recycled WindowsA new use for old windows. Paint the window frames and let dry. Be creative and paint the glass with stained glass paint. Once dry, glue the marbles to the glass then let the glue dry.

12 Comments Comment

Dishwasher Utensil Basket for Scrapbook StorageA couple of years ago, I came across an old dishwasher basket. Since then, I have probably added a half dozen to my scrapbook area for all types of supplies.

1 Comment Comment

Don't Refrigerate ChocolateDon't put chocolate in the refrigerator, unless it's already been cooked, because it ruins the taste and quality of the chocolate!

1 Comment Comment

Fixing Loose Screws in WoodIf a screw keeps turning in something that is wooden, simply remove the screw, put a toothpick in the hole, break it off at the top of the hole, insert the toothpick part and replace the screw.

5 Comments Comment

Grease Spots on CementTo clean old grease from concrete, saturate first with paint thinner or engine degreaser, then use the kitty litter or corn starch treatment. Sprinkle corn starch or kitty litter over the area and sweep up after the oil is absorbed.

2 Comments Comment

Hire Someone to Care for Pets While you WorkIf you don't have enough time for a pet, don't let that stop you. Hire someone you know and trust to come to your house and take care of some of the pet basics while you're at work.

1 Comment Comment

Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner for Rust StainsI had really bad vertical rust stains in my bathroom sink from the top opening. I searched for answers online and came across one on this website and was about to try it when when a friend suggested I use Lysol in the 'bottle neck' blue/white toilet bowl cleaner.

Oatmeal Bags for Itchy SkinWhen your kids have itchy insect bites, give them little bags made from pieces of pantyhose stuffed with handfuls of dry oatmeal. These soothing "scratchy bags" relieve the itch without the risk of broken skin or infection. They are great for adults too.

2 Comments Comment

Pencil and Lunch Boxes for Kids CraftsPencil boxes and lunch boxes can be turned into "craft boxes" for kids, holding paints, crayons, and other arts and crafts supplies. They are also handy when used to organize sewing notions.

1 Comment Comment

Put Gravel Under Outdoor FaucetYou can keep an outdoor faucet or pump from turning the surrounding area to mud, if you dig out a hole beneath the water spout and replace the soil with rocks or gravel.

3 Comments Comment

Reuse Room DeodorizersI have decided to put a couple of those stick-up room deodorizers on the walls where our puppy lives, and my mother just told me a great way to reuse them instead of buying replacements when they dry out.

3 Comments Comment

Solar Powered Battery ChargerA few years ago I bought a half dozen of these 'patio' lights that charge up during the day and then shine for a few hours after sundown. A few weeks ago I noticed one had cracked.

3 Comments Comment

Text Yourself RemindersEver think of something when you are out, then forget it by the time you get home. I have solved that problem for me. When I think of something like what I need to do later, who I should call later, or something I need from the store, etc., I text myself a message.

3 Comments Comment

Baby Powder to Temporarily Cover "Accidents"Baby powder is excellent as a covering up medium for anything that you don't want to look at, or don't want the kids to look at. This goes for children's viruses and stomach flus to kitty littler boxes to any kind of accident.

Canning Fruits with White Grape JuiceWhen canning my fruits, I use white grape juice instead of water and sugar. If you use frozen, mix according to recipe. You can use the juice to drink in a glass, thicken it up with a little pearled tapioca and make your bars/pies with it.

2 Comments Comment

Check Fire Code Before Holiday DecoratingI just finished decorating for Halloween. The VA Fire Marshall showed up for a routine inspection. All the decorations on the walls such as spider webs and hanging ghosts and witches had to be taken down because they are not fire retardant.

2 Comments Comment

Do Not Clean Refrigerator Seals with BleachNever use bleach, diluted or undiluted, to clean refrigerator seals as it breaks down the rubber. I used to, but after 18 months I had to replace the seals.

1 Comment Comment

Easy Cleaning of a BBQ GrillI just got off the phone with my eldest who is still living in Tennessee. He said, "I've got something for ThriftyFun". When he and his wife grill, they clean the hot grill with a half lemon or lime. It's completely green and the acidity takes care of the bacteria.

Link: Microsoft's Free Virus ProgramMicrosoft now has a free virus program called Microsoft Security Essentials. I have been using for quite sometime - I love it and it is free!

5 Comments Comment

Make Paper Towels Serve Dual PurposeEvery time I wash my hands and use a paper towel to dry them off, I use the fact that it is wet and give a quick clean-up swipe to either the splashes of water on the sink and counter top or another small spot of dirt that could use the ol' once-over.

8 Comments Comment

Make Sweet Pickles from DillYou can make sweet pickles out of hamburger dill chips. Drain the juice and use for salad dressing, potato salad, pickled eggs, etc. You can even use the dill pickle juice to make "refrigerator pickles" from fresh cucumbers.

1 Comment Comment

Personalized Recipe/Tip BookEach time I try a recipe and it works, I type it out adding my own personal thoughts or tips on the dish, including what goes well with it, whether it be a certain wine or side dish.

6 Comments Comment

Remove Contacts Over Soft SurfaceRecently I had to have my contacts resurfaced, due to damage. The simple act of dropping one in the bathroom sink can really cause problems. To keep this from happening again, I now place a foam shelf liner cut larger than my sink size over the sink.

3 Comments Comment

Spooky Tree Door DecorationOne year for Halloween I made a "Spooky Tree" door decoration that was a huge hit with everyone who saw it, and it barely cost me anything! I wish I had a photo to show you, but hopefully you can picture it in your head.

Stacked Stars from Food Packaging

Stacked Stars from Food PackagingBy cutting my kitchen cardboard empties into 3 different star sizes, then stacking them I now have "chunky stars" to use in decorating. I fasten them with glue or tape, and paint them and add glitter or cover with pretty paper to disguise them from their original state.

1 Comment Comment

Use Tea to Clean Varnished WoodworkIf you steep old tea leaves in water for half an hour and strain the liquid, the tea is excellent for cleaning varnished woodwork. Put a little on a damp flannel and rub the wood lightly to get rid of finger marks and that dull, gummy look.

1 Comment Comment

Use Towel to Introduce New Pet's SmellIntroducing a new pet such as a dog or cat to a family with other animals can be stressful for pets and family. The main reason that pets don't like each other at first, is the strange smell of the new pet.

1 Comment Comment

lapghan with foot pockets

Wheelchair Lapghan with Foot Pocket4 rows cafe, 2 rows Aran, 2 rows shaded browns, 2 Rows Aran. Finish with 4 rows cafe.

5 Comments Comment

Canning Jar Covers from Fabric ScrapsSave scraps from sewing projects and make some fabric canning jar covers. These jars of honey will be added to 5 gift baskets.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning a Can OpenerTo clean and disinfect the wheel of a can opener, just use white vinegar and an old tooth brush. Dip the toothbrush in the vinegar and scrub clean. Swish in hot soapy water and rinse.

3 Comments Comment

Watercolor of black and white cat.

Craft: Watercolor (BooBoo on My Lap)This is a quick rendering of my cat, BooBoo, as he sits on my lap. I was lucky enough to have my watercolors and paper out. I use this picture as my profile picture on Facebook and like the comments I have received.

3 Comments Comment

Draining Canned TomatoesInstead of draining tomatoes and other canned foods in a strainer, which I then have to wash, I punch a hole in the top of the can with a church-key can opener. It's easy and efficient.

1 Comment Comment

Frugal Laundry DetergentI go to Winn-Dixie and buy a box of 20-Mule-Team Borax washing powder and a box or Arm and Hammer washing powder. Next I go to Save A Lot and buy a bar of Zote bathing soap. Use 8 cups of each powder and grate-up the bar of soap, like cheese.

Garden Organizer Bucket Idea

Garden Organizer Bucket IdeaFour gallon square buckets fit inside five gallon round buckets. By putting the square one inside the round one, you have a center place for your potting soil and small spaces for the gardening implements and garden stakes.

8 Comments Comment

Get Medication Information from Your PharmacistI have been taking synthroid for several years. I also take a medication for blood pressure. For the sake of convenience I have been taking them first thing in the morning both at the same time.

4 Comments Comment

Magnets on Inside of Medicine CabinetTo make it easier to find frequently used items, glue small magnets to the walls of the medicine cabinet to hold nail files, cuticle scissors, clippers and other small metal objects.

3 Comments Comment

Make Gift Tags from WallpaperWe bought a house that needed to be decorated, so we bought a ton of wallpaper. When we were finished we had 20 rolls left. My daughter and I decided to make gift cards out of the leftovers for every holiday and birthdays.

9 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Mineral Make-upHaving sensitive skin means I must wear mineral makeup; but at those prices, who can afford it? I've started saving loads of money by ordering the minerals and iron oxides myself from soap-making companies. This brings the cost down by 75%-90%!

4 Comments Comment

Feet in plastic compartment box.

Organizing Sewing Machine FeetI needed to have easy access to my sewing machine attachment presser feet. Since I've just acquired some of them, I realized I wouldn't use them if I didn't have them sorted out. So, I purchased a small plastic box with compartments at the thrift store.

Oven Rack to Block Dog's Escape RouteWe have two small dogs. The smaller dog (terrier/poodle mix) can easily get out of the yard through a gap between the fence and the gate, so we had to do something for her safety. We took a small toaster oven rack and wired it to the gate.

Removing Musty Smell From BooksI have tried many different methods for trying to remove the smell from musty books, and this is the best I've found.

6 Comments Comment

Reuse Food PackagingI save the wrappers the crackers come in, because they're a wax paper. I use them to wrap sandwiches for lunch and to wrap meat when I buy a large package of meat like chopped meat.

2 Comments Comment

Stopping the Itch from Chigger BitesIf you get a chigger bite, take a oatmeal bath. It really works. Thanks!

6 Comments Comment

Use Tissue Box To Store Plastic BagsI find that I can keep my miscellaneous small plastic bags that keep on coming in more or less in check by putting them into empty Kleenex boxes and putting them on a shelf. Much neater! And the boxes will really hold quite a few bags scrunched together.

1 Comment Comment

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