Thrifty Tip Contest (November 27 - December 3, 2010) | ThriftyFun

Menu Ask a Question Share a Post Account Search

social

Contests Winners Enter a Contest

Thrifty Tip Contest
(November 27 - December 3, 2010)

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

Latest Prev Next

Duration	Entries
November 27 - December 3, 2010	62

Tip: Laundry Detergent Caps For Bathroom Organizing

Sandi/Poor But Proud
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts

November 30, 2010

The house I live in does laundry a lot. And, they didn't recycle till I showed them the error of their ways.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 20

Tip: Left-Right Christmas Gift Exchange

November 29, 2010

The soon-to-be here Christmas holiday often has people wondering how to do a gift exchange. Here's a fun way that's good for parties, group gatherings, teens and adults: Have everyone bring a gift ($10 or less) and sit in a big circle holding their gift.

Comment Was this helpful? 23

Tip: Adopt A Pet Using Craigslist

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

November 28, 2010

There are so many people who can no longer keep their cherished pets, for one reason or another, but want to know they truly did find them a good home, rather than taking them to a shelter and always wondering if they even made it to a new home at all!

Comment Was this helpful? 14

Add Pieces of Soap to Exfoliating GloveWhen your bar soap gets too small, place it in a dollar store exfoliating glove. The glove can be hung in your shower, and can be used without worrying about "soaping" it up first. I have been doing it for years; I am cheap.

Call 211 for Referrals To Local AssistanceIf you are looking for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more (including holiday help), call 211.

2 Comments Comment

Making an Adult BibIf an adult needs a bib, here is the easy way to handle the problem. Get a chain with alligator clips on both ends, like the ones a dentist uses. Use this chain to fasten the dinner napkin around the person's neck. You could use cloth dinner napkins or paper. Works great.

2 Comments Comment

Newspaper Bags as Gift WrappingKeep the plastic sleeves that protect your newspapers from inclement weather. They come in handy as upcycled gift bags for small items. Cut a bit of the open end off so the bag is not too long, slip in a layer of colorful tissue, and finish with a pretty bow. Voila!

2 Comments Comment

Peeling Pearl OnionsHate to peel little pearl onions? Try this: Boil a pot of water. While waiting for it to boil, cut a bit off the top and bottom (root end) of each onion. Drop onions in the boiling water and blanch for just 2 minutes.

Reuse Old Suitcases for StorageThe chances are very good that you or a family member have an old suitcases in the attic, basement, or closet. The old hard-shell case has become the dinosaur of trave. Newer ones may be a little shabby, thus not usable for flight trips.

4 Comments Comment

Run Iron Over Waxed PaperBefore you begin to iron, run the iron over a sheet of waxed paper. It will help the iron glide more easily. Also, always keep the plate of the iron clean.

6 Comments Comment

Use Vodka As Shower CleanserUse cheap vodka to clean fiberglass shower stall. Spray on, and wipe clean. It cleans soap scum and shampoo residue. Take precautions to keep the vodka away from the material that seals the drain.

2 Comments Comment

Using Cooking Oil SprayWhen using non-stick aerosol spray on cookware, spray the pan in your dishwasher. This prevents over-spray on counters and floors, so there's less kitchen clean-up.

2 Comments Comment

Write Directions in Large PrintI have a hard time reading the small print on the directions I get off the internet map sites while I am driving. So I am now making a point of copying the relevant directions on the reverse of the map printout in block letters using a large heavy marker.

4 Comments Comment

Common Sense Holiday Gift GivingIn the current time of having to be thrifty with your money and make it stretch way beyond what you think you should, something handmade or a box of favorite candies will suffice as a warm message to someone to just show them you care.

4 Comments Comment

French Fry Cutter for Dicing VegetablesI found the handiest little gizmo at the drugstore one day while waiting on a prescription. It's a French fry cutter. Not only do I use this to cut homemade French fries, but also when I'm freezing diced bell pepper, onion, etc.

Garage Organization TipsReclaim the space in your garage by using the ceiling. You can store bikes and other items overhead with the help of a lift mechanism. Use your wall for storage. Install shelves and cabinets to put items out of sight. Have zones of function.

2 Comments Comment

Hot Water Bottle to Reduce Heating BillsBrrrrrhh! It's so cold at night now in Southern California - low 40s. During the winter months for the past seven years, we use the plastic water bottles.

12 Comments Comment

Slice Roll Cookies with Cheese SlicerWhen baking tons of cookies at Christmastime, I discovered that the easiest way to slice "slice-and-bake" cookies was to use a wire cheese slicer. The wire cuts right through the cold refrigerated cookie dough without distorting the round shape of the log

1 Comment Comment

Tartaric Acid to Clean Brass, Silver, and CopperTo clean brass, silver, and copper, mix 1 teaspoon tartaric acid with 5 pints of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Stir till tartaric acid dissolves. Use plastic gloves to protect your hands.

4 Comments Comment

Use Dish Soap ResidueSometimes I just need enough soap from the liquid by the sink for cleaning a cup or plate. I find that when I put the gooped up soap on the spout under the faucet, it's the right amount and saves me lots of soap, as well as keeping it clean!

2 Comments Comment

Use Leftover Soap To Make Homemade Laundry SoapUsing dish soap for laundry soap is cheaper, but making your own from Ivory soap bars, washing soda (not baking soda), and borax, is extremely cheap and very easy to make.

1 Comment Comment

Warning: Cut Christmas Trees Are A Fire HazardSeveral years ago, I put up a cut pine tree for Christmas. Afterward, I took it out back to the burn pile and lit it with a match and one section of toilet paper. Within seconds, the fire was out of control, and so hot that I could not approach it.

2 Comments Comment

Ferret Food TipsBack in the old days, people fed their ferrets kitten or cat food, instead of ferret food. I was looking at the ingredients, and I saw the protein was less in the cat/kitten food and there was just as much of the other vitamins that were in the cheap ferret food.

2 Comments Comment

Give Gifts of TimeOffer a free Christmas gift this year, such as a night of free babysitting, a day of house cleaning, an afternoon tutoring a child or adult, or even just spending time with a shut-in person who is unable to get out.

4 Comments Comment

Make Dispenser From Old Pill BottlesUse empty pill bottles to dispense elastic and similar items. Coil the item to fit into the bottle. Then cut a simple slit/opening in the lid to pull the item out as you need it, as much as you need. Use this to hold and dispense yard string.

1 Comment Comment

Make Your Own Swiffer Pads?I think Swiffer cloths are too expensive. I live in an old house and have hardwood floors throughout in addition to two dogs. I am leery of some suggestions for cleaning fluid, washcloths, and the dogs on the wood floors. Any other ideas are greatly appreciated.

1 Answer Answer

Needles as Alternative to NailsWhere nail holes are not allowed, use sewing needles. They hold up to 30 lbs.

3 Comments Comment

Sepia photo note cards.

Photo Note CardsI'm not a scrapbook person, but some of my friends who are encouraged me to try to make these note cards. I used old vintage photos of family members to make them special. I scanned the photos and had copies made.

2 Comments Comment

Slicing OnionsWhen I'm slicing onions, or anything round, I first cut a slice off one side, then I put the flat side down on the cutting board. When I slice the rest of it, it doesn't roll all over the place.

1 Comment Comment

Store Manuals and ReceiptsI have stored receipts and manuals in a file cabinet drawer for many years. Binders are a good idea if you don't have a file drawer, but can find shelf space for them. A binder with pocket pages or page protectors can accommodate most manuals.

1 Comment Comment

Taking Out the Christmas TreeFor easy removal of your Christmas tree, with a sheet on the rug to catch the needles, clip off the branches at their base with a sharp garden tool and put them in a garbage bag.

Turn Sweatshirt into a JacketMake a jacket out of an old sweatshirt by cutting the front down the center from top to bottom. Trim the cut edge with ribbon or lace (you can hand sew it). This will look really special and it will get used more than you know - I know I do.

1 Comment Comment

Use Placemats in RefrigeratorMy mum taught me the advantages of lining the glass shelves in a refrigerator. Most refrigerators could benefit from this. You just place a large plastic or cloth place mat on each shelf.

6 Comments Comment

Use Styrofoam to Transport Hot ItemsIn trying to keep the landfill free of styrofoam, I clean and reuse mine for a lot of things. I use styrofoam under planters, as trays for under craft projects (like those using glitter), etc.

4 Comments Comment

Water Plants With Leftover TeaDon't throw out your leftover tea. Instead feed it to you indoor or outdoor plants for an extra boost. Use brewed unsweetened tea only.

1 Comment Comment

Covering Paint Between UsesWhen painting with toddlers, we put the paint in a plastic paint cup. I found there were no lids at the center where I'm working. I don't like washing the remaining paint out of the cups because it is so wasteful.

Food Warning for the HolidaysDo not feed your dog these raw meats. Ever! Repeatedly adding raw eggs to a dog's diet can cause a deficiency of the vitamin biotin, which can lead to dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), loss of hair, and poor growth.

3 Comments Comment

Homemade Cough SyrupThis tastes bad, but it works. Boil 1 cup unsulphered molasses for 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup cider vinegar. Simmer mixture 5 more minutes.Add 1/2 of a small onion, raw and diced to the pot. Stir and remove from heat.

4 Comments Comment

Make Box Building BlocksWhen some of us were young we played with "brick' blocks that were made of cardboard. They were large, sturdy, and stack-able and took a lot of abuse. The boxes from juice pouches that are popular now, such as Capri-Sun are just the same size and about as strong.

3 Comments Comment

Patching Plaster or WallboardTo patch small holes and fine cracks in plaster or wallboard, mix 2 Tbsp. salt, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch, and about 4 to 5 tsp. water to make a thick, pliable paste.

Push Wax Down Sides of CandleEliminate the waste of any soy candle that may be stuck to the walls of a jar, burning all of it, not just 80%. Some candles do not do this and burn all the way down, but it has to do with the size of the wick.

Corsage.

"Sweet Sixteen" CorsagesCut 8 strips of 1/8 inch pink satin ribbon into varying lengths. Tie sugar cubes to each end, cutting off the ribbon ends that stick out. Tie the ribbons in the middle with a bow, first putting in a small safety pin so that the 16-year old can pin it to her garment.

Apply Early if Needing Help for the HolidaysI have seen several requests for help for the holidays. While volunteering, I learned that some agencies in this area require that you apply for help in early November or even late October.

2 Comments Comment

Change Pet's Water DailyDogs, cats, and birds need a lot of water everyday. One of the worst things you can do for your pets health is to keep topping up the water in its bowl.

3 Comments Comment

Rebekah at the well block.

Craft: Bible QuiltI am very proud to have this quilt made by my mother (who has passed away) when she was 12 years old. I am sure that the blocks were mail ordered and she worked very hard to complete the quilt.

12 Comments Comment

Craft: Plarn Gift BottlesRoll plarn into balls (I used 3) and place them into a clean and dry recycled 2 liter pop bottle (or other bottle). Add crochet hook(s).

1 Comment Comment

Decorative Flowers from Empty Product BoxesI found a use for most of the cardboard packaging that I end up with so much of. I cut the boxes apart and begin cutting the flowers. The parts are then stacked to create multiple layers of petals. An upholstery tack holds all of it together and to the wall.

4 Comments Comment

Eat Popsicles in the Pool For No MessWhat better way to keep the kids and grandpa happy in the summertime. And the clean up is super easy!

2 Comments Comment

Hemostat to Fix Jammed Vacuum Beater BarHemostats can be used for so many things around the house! If you have a nurse that can get them for you from the disposable packs they now use in cath lab, ICU, Radiology special procedures, and ER, for example.

Keep Soapy Water with Bleach in SinkI keep a small squeeze-type bottle full of bleach on the back of my sink. In the morning I put several inches of water in the sink, with a squirt of dish soap and a teaspoon of bleach. Throughout the day, any dirty dishes go in the water to soak or to be washed right away.

4 Comments Comment

Make Snack Bags from Plastic TableclothMake re-usable snack bags from a plastic tablecloth. Add Velcro to the top for closure.

1 Comment Comment

Product Review: Rescue RemedyRescue Remedy helps with holiday stress and other stresses for pets. I have read so many good reviews on this medication. I am now going to buy some for my pets and see if it helps them to calm down.

2 Comments Comment

Releasing Bread or Cake from PanIf a cake or quick bread sticks to the bottom of the pan, turn it over onto dish. Saturate a dishtowel with hot water, wring it out to just barely not dripping, and place on bottom of pan. Within a few minutes, the cake or quick bread will loosen and drop to dish.

5 Comments Comment

Salt to Remove Odors from Cutting BoardTo help cut odors off your wooden cutting board, simply pour a generous amount of salt directly on the board. Rub lightly with a damp cloth. Wash in warm, sudsy water.

Staple Together Non-Needed Sections of ManualsIn most home products, you will usually get a manual. Many may have one or several language sections. I only need to read one language. To make reading more manageable, I staple together the pages I will not need.

2 Comments Comment

Start Seeds in Egg CartonWhen you buy your eggs, some of the containers, like Eggland's Best, are clear plastic containers. Buy those and save them for starting seeds. They have a clear plastic cover that covers where the eggs sit.

2 Comments Comment

Tomato Cage As Outdoor Christmas TreeThese "trees" are great for apartment balconies as well. Take a tomato cage, turn it upside down, and bend the legs into the center. Wind one or two strands of Christmas lights around, securing with ordinary twist ties and voila! A Christmas Tree.

3 Comments Comment

Use Microwave To Refresh Masking TapeIf your masking tape comes off in little pieces, zap the roll of tape in the microwave 10-20 seconds and it will work as it should.

9 Comments Comment

Using Creamer as a Substitute for MilkUse original flavored coffee creamer instead of milk for baking and cooking. I use original creamer in place of milk when making pancakes, baking, or making mac and cheese. It's cheaper, more convenient, and tastes better.

3 Comments Comment

Wash Dishes With A LoofahInstead of using a regular kitchen sponge, try using a loofah or bath scrub to wash your dishes. They dry much faster than a kitchen sponge and provide more lather.

4 Comments Comment

Watch for Extra Charges when Shipping PackagesTo save money on shipping for the holidays, ship from the Post Office. Almost all other places that accept packages, though very convenient, also have a handling charge.

2 Comments Comment

Flip Bacon with ChopsticksWhen cooking bacon, use wooden chopsticks to flip the strips over. This makes it easy to flip one slice at a time for even cooking. Use the chopsticks to mash down any strips that are wavy, and your bacon will be picture perfect.

1 Comment Comment

Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2022-08-22 13:53:21 in 3 secs.
© 1997-2022 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/contest/000/365.html