Thrifty Tip Contest (January 1 - 7, 2011) | ThriftyFun

Menu Ask a Question Share a Post Account Search

social

Contests Winners Enter a Contest

Thrifty Tip Contest
(January 1 - 7, 2011)

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

Latest Prev Next

Duration	Entries
January 1 - 7, 2011	63

Tip: Polishing Tarnished Jewelry

Monique
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 124 Posts

January 7, 2011

To bring the shine back to tarnished silver jewlery, pour hot water into a mug, add three tablespoons of salt (to make an electrolyte), put in some aluminum tin foil and the tarnished silver jewelery.

Comment Was this helpful? 32

Tip: New Year's Resolution: Be A Better Person

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

January 6, 2011

My New Years resolution is to practice daily (365), even on a bad day, to work harder to do the best humanly possible to think and act kindly and thoughtfully in every single little aspect of life towards all others in every single situation.

Comment Was this helpful? 31

Tip: Removing Viruses from a Computer (System Tool 2011)

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

January 4, 2011

I don't know about you, but for me other than my telephone, my computer is my lifeline! I am disabled and have no money to spare, so imagine my horror when last night a virus snuck into my computer and I knew I couldn't afford to pay anyone to remove it!

Comment Was this helpful? 35

Freeze Butter Wrappers For Greasing PansIf you use stick butter, don't bother wiping out the bit of butter left on the paper. Just fold it in 4 and stash it in your freezer.

Freeze Extra Tomato Paste In Ice Cube TrayAfter opening a fresh can of tomato paste, put whatever you don't use in a small freezer bag, press out the excess air, flatten it until about 1/8 inch thick, and seal. Once the paste is frozen, you can break off a piece whenever you need it.

A glass jar full of buttons.

Keep a Button JarRemember Grandma's Jar of Buttons? You can easily start your own. New garments often have an extra button! The button is often in a tiny plastic bag attached somewhere to the garment.

3 Comments Comment

Make Scale Graph of Room When MovingTo arrange furniture in a room, make a graph paper plan of the room dimensions. First, measure the room's walls in feet to get the accurate floor plan. Next, scale down each foot of wall space to 2 boxes on the paper and draw the outer dimensions of the room.

2 Comments Comment

Nebulizer To Inflate BalloonsWhen you have to inflate a bunch of balloons for a party, use a nebulizer with the tubing attached. Just remove the mask and viola, you have your own balloon inflater. Quick, easy and saves a whole lot of breath.

1 Comment Comment

Reducing Sugar in a Baking RecipeNearly all cookie and brownie recipes can have their sugar reduced by 1 Tbsp. per cup of sugar without affecting the outcome.

Stain Remover for Soap ScumAre your tubs and showers filled with soap scum? Remove it quickly and easily with a laundry stain treatment such as Spray N' Wash. Simply spray on and wipe scum off. Works like a charm!

3 Comments Comment

Store Cocoa at Room TemperatureCocoa keeps very well when stored at room temperature in the original container. It retains its freshness and quality almost indefinitely if sealed securely, Do not refrigerate.

Add Coffee Grounds When PlantingWhen planting vegetables, such as radishes, carrots, onions etc., try sprinkling some coffee grounds in the soil first and then plant your seeds. This should keep the pests away and is also a good fertilizer.

Avoid Getting Distracted by Interesting WebsitesI have found what I think is a simple solution to being distracted by "click on". You know, you're looking at a really good site when you see something interesting - you click on the link and before you know where you are, you have wandered off into the great unknown.

3 Comments Comment

Make Funnel From Envelope CornerA corner cut from an envelope and pierced at the point makes a good funnel for filling salt and pepper shakers.

3 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Instant OatmealInstant oatmeal is pretty quick and easy to make yourself to have at the ready. No need for all those little baggies! This recipe is especially nice for those of us who have kids or otherwise demanding lifestyle ...

Nail Polish to Identify Charger Adapter

Nail Polish to Identify Charger AdapterA friend recently gave my son a hand held game, but we needed to buy a charger for it. The charger recommended at local store is one that has five different adapter options.

3 Comments Comment

Paper Plate as Dust PanIf you can't find the dustpan in a hurry, grab a cheap paper plate and cut it in half. Use it to scoop up food spills, broken glass, etc. It will do the job initially, then sweep or wipe the area clean ASAP.

Preventing Ice Dams On Your RoofIf you have trouble with ice dams in the winter, try putting "ice melt" salt into nylon stockings and laying them in the valleys of your roof. It keeps the salt from running off and melts the snow and ice slowly! It really works.

Reuse Dryer Sheets In Different WaysThe new Purex 3 in 1 laundry sheets work great, after you finish with them in the dryer, they can be used to dust with, put in bottom of trash can or dresser drawer for odor control, or cut out and use to felt the bottom of what-nots sitting around.

5 Comments Comment

Rubber Band to Save SoapTo make liquid soap and hand sanitizer go further, I tightly wrap a rubber band around the neck of the pump so the pump doesn't go all the way down. This helps control the amount being used per pump.

1 Comment Comment

Rubber Band to Save SoapTo make liquid soap and hand sanitizer go further, I tightly wrap a rubber band around the neck of the pump so the pump doesn't go all the way down. This helps control the amount being used per pump.

4 Comments Comment

Soft Homemade BreadWhen making home made bread, my mom always noticed it would be a little dry once it came out of the oven. She decided to try a few things to help it out. She would put 1 1/2 cups of milk into the batter when mixing and, low and behold, it works!

1 Comment Comment

Store Extra Paper Towels in Glove BoxSince I am in and out of the car often and have a messy toddler, I have made it a habit to grab some paper towels out of the window wash station at the gas station and store them in my glove box while my gas is pumping. I have thanked myself later when I needed to use them!

6 Comments Comment

Use Microplane Grater Upside DownIf you use a microplane grater upside down, it contains the zest or cheese, making it easier to judge the amount . This cuts down on the mess too.

Using Lemon Juice For White Fluffy RiceWhile cooking rice, add two drops of lemon juice. The rice will remain fluffy and not stick together.

Chafing Cream as Makeup PrimerWomen, you all know how expensive the primers that you put on prior to makeup application to help makeup "stick" better are. The upscale primers can be bought for about $60. I've found that you can use Monistat chafing relief - yes, Monistat!

5 Comments Comment

Cleaning a Narrow Necked Glass DecanterIf a bottle brush can't fit into the opening of a narrow-necked vase, try this: Put several broken eggshells into the vase and then add a bit of water. Place your hand over the opening and shake the vase until you can see that the dust and film has come off.

3 Comments Comment

Coring Iceberg LettuceAfter trying many ways to keep it fresh, I have found that if you remove the core, completely wrap the head of lettuce in aluminum foil, and keep in the crisper section of the refrigerator, it will last for weeks.

4 Comments Comment

Crochet Hook to Devein ShrimpAfter shelling shrimp, use a medium size crochet hook to remove the vein. Not only does it slide easily into the space, but the hook end can be use to pull the vein out so you never have to touch it.

Diabetic Dog TreatsPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan with parchment paper. Place the liver into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.

Easy Light Bulb RemovalTo prevent outdoor light bulbs from sticking in the socket, rub a thin coat of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly on the threads before inserting the bulbs. They will unscrew very easily.

1 Comment Comment

Planting Garlic Along With PlantsPlace a clove of garlic in plant soil to eliminate bugs. The garlic keeps the nasty bugs away and will also grow along with your plants.

1 Comment Comment

Sculptures from Packing PeanutsRecyclable packing peanuts made from peanut starch make a great sculpting medium for an activity for kids. Wet the ends and press them together to build fantastic sculptures.

2 Comments Comment

Store Christmas Bulbs in Egg CartonsStill trying to come up with a foolproof way to store those fragile Christmas ornaments? Try using egg cartons. The larger-count cartons should work best, but it shouldn't matter whether you use paper or styrofoam.

Tips For Successful BakingBaking is an exact science, and it is important to be well prepared. Here's how:

4 Comments Comment

Bath Gift BagsFold a washcloth in half. Fold a length of ribbon or lace in half and place it inside the open edge, near the top of the washcloth. Pin sides together, making sure to capture the ribbon or lace.

Cleaning Shish-Kebab SkewersAfter removing cooked food, push skewers through a soap-filled steel wool pad before putting them into water. It will loosen the gunk and make washing them much easier.

Orange kitten photos scrapbooked on a page

Craft: Scrapbook Similar Photos Through The YearsTake close up pictures of your puppy, kitten, or child when they are babies. Take the same posed pictures when they turn 1 year or older. Then make a scrapbook page to compare how much they grew.

Easy Crochet Chain StitchThis is about crocheting a loose and easily decorated chain stitch: If you have trouble making your beginning chain loose and stretchy enough, switch to a hook at least one up to three sizes larger than the hook you need for your pattern.

2 Comments Comment

Finding Frozen Spot in PipesWhen we lived in a mobile home years ago, our water pipes were exposed under the trailer. The first year we were there we didn't know about heat tape so our pipes froze. Since they only freeze in one area, we had to find the frozen part.

2 Comments Comment

Keeping Track of Bill Due DatesPrepare any bills/correspondences ahead of time that will have to be mailed in the future. Do not stamp any of the envelopes. Instead, write in small letters the date that the letters have to be mailed in the area where the stamp is placed.

3 Comments Comment

Peeling GarlicTo get a good start on peeling a whole head of garlic; separate it into individual cloves and put the cloves in a Mason jar (or any container with a tight-fitting lid). Then shake the Mason jar as hard as you can for about three minutes.

Potato Peels As SnacksUsually I cook my potatoes with their skin on, because the skin is high in vitamins and fiber. But with tiny tots in the family now who have difficulty chewing the skins, I have had to start peeling them.

2 Comments Comment

Reuse Cupcake Liner ContainerI save the plastic containers that cupcake liners come in. They are perfect for toting a single cupcake! The cupcake and icing are protected in a lunch bag from "smooshing."

1 Comment Comment

Soak Cabbage For ColeslawFor crunchy coleslaw, cut cabbage in half and soak in salted water for an hour. Drain well, then proceed with recipe.

2 Comments Comment

Softening BananasTo soften bananas for banana bread and muffins, pierce unpeeled bananas once or twice. Microwave, uncovered, at 100 percent power for 1 minute, turning over at half time. Cool, peel, and mash, in that order.

Use Arches in GardeningWhen they are on sale, I buy arches for the garden. They are made of metal tubes that you put together for an arch about 6 feet tall and wide enough to walk through. Well, I set them up in a row, all facing the same direction, each one about two feet from the next.

4 Comments Comment

Use Old Mouse Pad as CoasterUse an old mouse pad that is sitting around your house as a coaster.

1 Comment Comment

Buy Reduced Red and Green Items for Other HolidaysRed and green items are usually drastically reduced after Christmas and New Years - candles, paper goods, dishes, etc. Think ahead to two other upcoming days that you will use those colors, namely red for Valentine's Day, and green for St. Patrick's Day.

Cat Toy Using Jingle BellsThis is the time of year to stock up on jingle bells to make cat toys for the animal shelters. Attach a bell on each end of a pipe cleaner then wrap it around a pencil to make a spring.

1 Comment Comment

Dyed ribbon hanging to dry.

Dye Ribbon With Food ColorA bolt of white ribbon got rained on and I thought it was ruined, but being frugal, I ran water over it to clean it off. I then dropped red and green food color on both edges of the rolled up wet ribbon.

2 Comments Comment

Homemade Dog FoodJust think, no more worries about recalls on pet food!

4 Comments Comment

Keep Cats Out of PlanterI grow sugar snap peas in a half-barrel, right outside my back door. The neighborhood kitties think that this is an ideal cat-box location and used the barrel as such, driving me (and my indoor cats) crazy!

4 Comments Comment

Latex Gloves In The KitchenUse disposable rubber gloves for skinning and prepping raw chicken. If you need to answer the door or are interrupted for any reason; just peel them off and dispose of them.

3 Comments Comment

Melon Ball Scoop for Perfect CookiesTo get the perfect size cookies, use a melon ball" scooper". Works every time.

Mix Pie Ingredients In Ziptop BagWhen mixing apple pie ingredients (apple slices, cinnamon, cloves, and flour), put them into a baggie and shake. This makes sure that the ingredients are well mixed so that when you put them into a crust, there are not spices on the bottom or flour on the top.

2 Comments Comment

Tea as Meat TenderizerTenderize meat by adding equal parts strong brewed tea and double strength beef stock to a tough pot roast or stew. The tannin in tea is a natural meat tenderizer.

Uses for Old Christmas or Greeting CardsDon't throw away all the pretty Christmas cards you get away. There are so many things you can do with them. Everyone knows you can make postcards and name tags for gifts with them, but you can also cut out the design you might want to use when you scrapbook.

4 Comments Comment

Inexpensive Christmas Gift IdeasFor those of us who have children and need low-cost or free gift ideas.

2 Comments Comment

Lazy Susan for Board GamesUse your Lazy Susan for board games, so you can spin the game around for easier viewing for each player's turn.

1 Comment Comment

Set Washer to Drip DryWhen you're doing a load of washing, set the cycle to "drip dry". The clothes will come out wetter (even dripping a bit), but if it is really hot/windy they will dry in adequate time.

3 Comments Comment

Shop After Holidays for DealsI am a power shopper after any holiday day. What I look for are things that can be used other times of the year, for other reasons than what it is sold for.

1 Comment Comment

Storing Artificial Christmas TreesMy artificial Christmas tree has "colored" ends on the limbs, which you match up to the base of the tree as you are putting it together. When I take my tree down, I rubber band or otherwise secure all the limbs of one color together.

1 Comment Comment

Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2022-08-23 04:59:33 in 3 secs.
© 1997-2022 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/contest/000/389.html