Thrifty Tip Contest (January 29 - February 4, 2011) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(January 29 - February 4, 2011)

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

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Duration	Entries
January 29 - February 4, 2011	73

Chandelier Makeover

February 3, 2011

We just moved into our house that we have been renting out for several years and I noticed a few things are outdated. I hated the 70's era chandelier over the dining room table because of the smoked glass.

Comment Pin it! Like this photo? 33

Article: Adult Pads as Alternative to "Puppy Pads"

February 2, 2011

Most everyone I know owns a pet. They can be expensive but I try to cut corners and save where I can. There is nothing like the unconditional love of an animal. I rescued my dog on what was, to be her last day.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 26

Tip: Attach Magnet to Bathroom Cabinet to Hold Tweezers

Ann Winberg
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 306 Posts

January 31, 2011

If you are like me I am always looking for a pair of tweezers, that was until I found this hint. Attach a magnet to the inside of your medicine cabinet, stick your tweezers to the magnet and you will always know where they are if you put them away.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 28

Bring Your Own Silverware to WorkRecently, at my work, I have been on a committee that is looking at strategic planning for the next year, 5 years, and 10 years into the future. One of the issues we have been looking at is sustainability.

1 Comment Comment

Change Shampoo MonthlyAfter much displeasure with my hair, and after trying all the suggestions I received from friends and family, I decided that maybe my hair needed a change of shampoo. I found that by changing my shampoo every month or so, my hair was much more manageable.

4 Comments Comment

Craft Foliage for Aquarium

Craft Foliage for AquariumI needed more plastic plants for my aquarium, but they are $3.00 to $6.00 a piece. Too expensive! So, I bought some "dollar store" foliage for $1.00 and washed them before I put them in the tank.

2 Comments Comment

Cut Chicken Breasts in HalfInstead of pounding boneless, skinless chicken breasts for breaded chicken or sandwiches, I simply slice them in half horizontally to reduce their thickness. This is much easier and less messy than pounding them out in plastic wrap.

Fizzing Bath SaltsThis recipe comes from Janice Cox's book Natural Beauty for All Seasons.

Keep a Recipe Record BookThis is my idea for keeping track of good recipes; ones I find and modify, family recipes, and ones I make up myself. I buy those little hard-bound record books, Simplex Records, to write my recipes in.

1 Comment Comment

Keeping Track of Receipts for TaxesI use a monthly calendar to organize my financial life. I don't use a fancy one, just one that I receive as a promotional free item. I staple all check stubs and I write the amount of my receipts on the day that I had the expense.

Masking Tape on Shoes for TractionGrowing up in Minnesota, if the ground was slippery and the tread was a bit worn on our shoes and boots, we would place several strips of regular masking tape on the soles.

2 Comments Comment

Removing Alcoholic Beverage StainsTo remove alcoholic beverage stains, apply a detergent solution (1/4 tsp. clear, non-bleach dishwashing liquid to 1 cup clear water) and allow it to sit 8-10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and blot until dry.

Search Tips On GoogleIt seems that many people do not know how to use Google effectively. So, if you're interested, here are some tips which I use with my students.

4 Comments Comment

Use Eyeshadow As Lip ColorThis is a beauty tip I figured out when I was a teenager and wanted interesting lip colors like blue and silver, but it works just as well on pinks, reds, browns, and purples too.

3 Comments Comment

Use Packaging Tape as RibbonUse decorative packaging tape as faux ribbon.

Apple Butter Wash, core and quarter apples. It is not necessary to peel them. Place the apples in a large kettle or Dutch oven along with the juice or cider.

Baby Oil to Add ShineAfter cleaning my stainless steel sink, I realized it wasn't looking as shiny as it did years ago, when it was new. I remembered a old tip from a friend years before, so I got a nice clean soft rag and put some baby oil on the sink and rubbed the baby oil all around it.

1 Comment Comment

Coupon StackingDid you know that store coupons can be used along with manufacturer coupons on the same item at the same time? For example, Target had a store coupon for Colgate toothpaste for $1.00 off. I also had a manufacturer coupon for $1.00 off.

1 Comment Comment

File Women Relatives by First NameHaving 4 daughters, I learned this trick with my address book. File them by their first names, not their last, because unfortunately, these can change with marriage and divorce and remarriage.

1 Comment Comment

Heat Dish While Heating FoodIf you have quite a few separate dishes of food to heat up in the microwave, when you first take out your first dish, put your dinner plate on top of the hot container.

1 Comment Comment

Joke: Fancy PaintingMrs. Flanders decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond earrings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, and a ruby pendant."

3 Comments Comment

Label Reusable Containers With Dry Erase MarkersUse dry erase board markers for labeling plastic food storage containers. They will easily wash off with soapy water.

Minty Fresh Herb BathMix ingredients together then place in a mesh bag such as cheesecloth. Place under hot running bath water. Sit back and enjoy.

1 Comment Comment

Recycled Seedling ContainersFor many planting zones, it is close to time to start your seedlings indoors. Be creative-you don't need the expensive jiffy pots. I like to use the cardboard egg cartons, and cut down used Styrofoam cups.

Treating Damaged, Brittle HairTo remedy any dryness in the hair from straightening, perming, coloring, bleaching, etc. try mixing your favorite hair conditioner with a teaspoon of olive oil or jojoba oil. Apply this to your hair while dry, cover with a shower cap and sleep on it.

1 Comment Comment

Tunasagna RollsCook lasagna noodles as directed on package. Combine broccoli, cottage cheese and egg and distribute evenly along length of each pieces of cooked lasagna. Roll each one jelly roll fashion. Combine remaining ingredients into a tuna mushroom soup sauce.

Vitamin C To Keep Fruit FreshFruit fresh made easy! Fruit-Fresh is so expensive and there is so little in the can. The main ingredient is vitamin C or ascorbic acid. I got to thinking and bought some chewable vitamin C tablets, crushed them in water, and mixed into my fruit salad.

3 Comments Comment

Cooking Freezer Burned MeatFreezer burn does not make food unsafe, merely dry in spots. It appears as grayish-brown leathery spots and is caused by air reaching the surface of the food. Simply cut these portions away either before or after cooking.

6 Comments Comment

Decorate Cake with Thrift Store Toys

Decorate Cake with Thrift Store ToysYou can customize a cake and make it special for the recipient by spending more ingenuity than money. When my grandson was 4, he was so-o-o into the movie "Cars". So for his birthday, I made him this cake. Many thrift stores sell bagged little toys for 50 cents

Eggshells for Birds and PlantsDon't throw away your egg shells, bake them to sanitize, grind them up, and use to dust crickets or other insects before feeding the insects to your reptiles. You can also put some in your bird's food when they are laying eggs to give them extra calcium.

1 Comment Comment

Food Safety When Using MarinadesHere's some safety information for anyone using marinades that raw beef, poultry, or fish have been marinated in, and is planning to use that marinade for basting the meat while it's cooking ...

1 Comment Comment

Get One Last Load From Laundry SoapUse pliers to pull the spout out from liquid laundry soap when the bottle is empty. You can get one more load out of what would normally get thrown away.

3 Comments Comment

Keep Silverware From TarnishingTo keep silver jewelry from tarnishing, place jewelry in an airtight container or jewelry box. Toss in those little packets of desiccant that come with new shoes or leather items.

Link: Give Kids A SmileEach year on the first Friday in February, thousands of the nation's dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country.

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Link: List of Installed Hardware/SoftwareWant a list of every software and hardware installed on your computer? This program will give you a file with a list, that you can save and/or print out for free.

Oil Dry for Ice TractionTo provide traction on ice in your driveway or for your car, use "Oil Dry." It is usually used to dry up spilled motor oil, but has other uses. It will not break down or mush up like Kitty Litter. It will absorb water, oil, or other liquids. Sprinkle it on ice and it will provide traction.

1 Comment Comment

Printer Ink Alerts Too EarlyThis may apply to you if you have a computer with a printer. Specifically a printer that warns you or "shows" you it is low or even out of ink. You should test how long you can use you printer before you are actually out of ink. Don't trust the program telling you about it.

5 Comments Comment

Sparkling Bath SaltsMaking bath salts is not only easy, but it's super fun and something your whole family will enjoy doing together. To make the recipe, just mix all ingredients in a large glass bowl, then store in an attractive covered container.

Tablecloths for Covering Patio CushionsWhen covering patio cushions or patio pillows, look for tablecloths on clearance. The material is really durable and has some stain and water repellent in it. You can also re-spray it with a good stain repellent.

2 Comments Comment

Teriyaki SauceMake your own teriyaki sauce by mixing together 5 oz. soy sauce, 2 oz. sesame oil, 3 cloves of crushed garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, and 1 tablespoon molasses. Put into a bowl and serve on your favorite food.

2 Comments Comment

Use CLR for Toilet StainsOur toilets are still fairly new, so there is no need for them to have brown stains. I had a ring around my bowl and streaks coming down where the water runs into the bowl.

9 Comments Comment

What Is Couponing?I think I have totally mastered couponing. Follow my strategies and you will be buying more for less!

2 Comments Comment

Bubble Wrap to Protect Stacked Pots

Bubble Wrap to Protect Stacked PotsPut bubble wrap between your pots and pans to protect them from scratching each other.

3 Comments Comment

Corn Bread Dog FoodWith money in short supply due to our economic times, the ones most likely to go without is our dogs. My tip is to buy a bag of cheap cornmeal and follow the directions for cornbread.

6 Comments Comment

Photo of a dachshund.

Craigslist for Lost PetsWe found a cute little Dachshund in the backyard yesterday morning. It had a sweater on, so we knew it belonged to someone in the neighborhood. I made some signs to put up, but also checked Craigslist.org and posted a notice.

9 Comments Comment

Dawn Detergent To Unclog DrainIf your kitchen sink is clogged with grease, the best thing I've ever found is Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. I plug the drain and put a huge squirt, maybe 1/2 cup, in the sink. Then I fill the sink with boiling water. Once it's full I pull the plug.

5 Comments Comment

Freeze Onion Before ChoppingBefore slicing or chopping an onion, put it in the freezer for about 45 minutes. It won't burn your eyes since the liquid will be partially frozen!

1 Comment Comment

Keeping Blender Buttons CleanTo keep food particles from getting trapped in and around the buttons on my blender, I cover them with a plastic sandwich bag and secure it with transparent tape. When the bag gets worn out, I just throw it away and replace it with another.

1 Comment Comment

Link: Online Instrument TunerMy hubby just found a ukulele at a thrifty shop for me! I am now learning how to play it and tuning is a big issue. Imagine my surprise when I found an online tuner.

Love Potion Bubble BathThis bubble bath will put you in a romantic mood. All of the ingredients are considered known aphrodisiacs - so look out!

3 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Saline SolutionI checked with an experienced pharmacist on the correct ratio/proportions necessary to make a nasal saline 0.9% isotonic solution. Use 250 ml (1 cup) of distilled water. To this, add 1/3 or 2.25 grams of non-iodized canning or pickling salt.

2 Comments Comment

Making Your Own Baby FoodMy husband and I had our first child while he was (and is) still in school. We chose to make our own baby food. This was no small task, given that I work full time and he goes to school full time. But it was worth it!

Organizing Craft IdeasI am forever coming across ideas for different crafts I want to make. Many I will email to myself, but invariably I will delete it after a while for one reason or another. Or if I print it out, I'll lose it among all the other paperwork on my desk.

2 Comments Comment

Prevent The Banana Slices From Turning BrownTo prevent the sliced bananas from turning brown, just toss them with lemon juice. Or, dip into 1 quart of cold water mixed with 3 Tbsp. lemon juice. Pat the slices dry with paper towels before using.

1 Comment Comment

Rubber Band to Extend WaistbandTo extend the waist a little bit on a pair of pants, take a rubber band and attach it to a button hole. Bring the rubber band through the hole and bring it back through its own "loop" to secure it. The button you your pants will now go through the loop on the rubber band.

Store Steel Wool Pads in FreezerYou know those not-so-wonderful steel wool pads that after a few days become rusted and yucky. Well after each use, add a little liquid soap (if you want to but not required), place it in a small freezer bag, and freeze it.

2 Comments Comment

Use Spaghetti in Mouse TrapMy tip is for those people that still use mouse traps, the kind that snap shut. When I had mouse problems, I used peanut butter instead of cheese. Then I took a one inch piece of spaghetti and stuck it in center of the peanut butter.

2 Comments Comment

Cat Cave Using Mini-blind SlatsI have one of those cat beds that is just the bottom with short sides around. I've been trying to come up with a way of making a cover for it because my cat likes the "cave" feel.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning the Stove HoodAre you looking for a way to easily clean your range hood without the drippy mess? All you have to do is reach for the hand cleaner used to clean hands after working on vehicles. Simply wipe all over range hood, then wipe off with wet cloth.

4 Comments Comment

Gift Bags for SeniorsMy sister-cousins and I make gifts bags for the Senior nursing home every Christmas and the seniors love these. We use items from freebies and small items we collect on sale, off-season, or after a holiday.

5 Comments Comment

A dishwasher running with wine glasses in the top.

Homemade Dishwasher DetergentThis is like Cascade and Sun Light. This homemade natural formula will safely cut through grease and sanitize your dishes as well.

1 Comment Comment

Lifeline Discount for Low-Income Telephone CustomersI spoke with my provider, AT&T, on another subject today, and learned something very useful in process. Because I am low-income enough to qualify for food stamps, I qualify for AT&T's Lifeline discount.

8 Comments Comment

Organizing with BindersI love organizing. I've also worked in the office product industry for 29 years so I have had access to some pretty amazing organizational products. But the bottom line is that the key for organizing all my multiple projects is 3-ring binders.

4 Comments Comment

Peeling AlmondsSoak almonds in warm water for a minute if you need to peel them quickly.

1 Comment Comment

Removing Ink From Leather?To remove ink from leather, spray with hairspray then wipe away. Test first on an inconspicuous place

2 Answers Answer

Removing Paint from WindowsTo remove paint from windows, try using undiluted, hot, white distilled vinegar. Give the solution time to soften the paint before removing with a razor edge tool.

Reusable Bowl CoversNot only will this tip save you money, it will save you time. If you are anything like me, you are always hunting for lids for your plastic containers. Plus with the warnings that many plastics shouldn't be microwaved, why take the chance.

4 Comments Comment

Gift tags made out of gift cards.

Reuse Christmas Cards as Gift TagsSave your used gift cards. Cut the fronts of the cards to make lovely gift tags using fancy edged scissors if desired. Punch a hole in the top of the tag, then thread a colored string through.

2 Comments Comment

Roasted Edemame BeansRoast shelled edamame beans, lightly coated with extra virgin olive oil, on a baking sheet in the oven. Allow to cool and add to your salad for extra flavor, crunchiness, and lots of protein.

1 Comment Comment

Shredded Newspaper for Dog BeddingI shred newspapers and use them for our outdoor dog as bedding. Shredded newspaper also makes a great fire-starter.

Straws for Flower ArrangingWith spring right around the corner, we will be cutting flowers and bringing them in for arranging. One thing that always presents a problem is the short stems on some of them.

1 Comment Comment

Thaw Meat in Electric SkilletAn electric fry pan can be used to thaw stew meat. Place the frozen meat in the fry pan and cover with the lid. Turn the pan to the warm setting. When the meat is thawed, drain the liquid out and add a bit of oil.

2 Comments Comment

Vinegar for Soft HandsTo keep hands soft, spray with a mist of vinegar after washing dishes in soapy water.

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