Thrifty Tip Contest (February 19 - 25, 2011) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(February 19 - 25, 2011)

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

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Duration	Entries
February 19 - 25, 2011	56

Tip: Staying Hydrated

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

February 25, 2011

I was feeling tired, lacking energy, and was having problems with muscle cramps. When talking to my doctor, I realized I do not drink enough water. Even when I thought I was drinking enough water, I was not.

Comment Was this helpful? 14

Use Hard Candies As Packing Material

Harlean
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 148 Posts

February 22, 2011

This tip is prompted by a package I received today from my daughter. What a clever means of packing she has come up with. This won't work for all your packages, but if it is going to somebody special, this will make it extra special.

Comment Like this photo? 13

Tip: Use Pin Heads To Paint Dots

Mary
Bronze Craft Medal for All Time! 52 Crafts

February 22, 2011

In many painting and craft projects, one finds themselves needing to make dots. I have used this idea for years and it hasn't failed me once! It's easy and inexpensive. No high tech tool needed.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 17

Carry Loose Checks in WalletI don't carry a bulky checkbook any more, but sometimes I need a check for those businesses who don't accept credit cards (hairdresser, etc.). I carry a couple of loose checks in my wallet, and I attach a tiny post it note to each of them.

1 Comment Comment

Grammar Tip: "Advice" vs "Advise"Do you get the spellings and meanings of "advice" and "advise" confused? Here's an easy memory trick. "Advise" is SPOKEN advice. If you're SPEAKING, you're ADVISING someone. Otherwise, use ADVICE with a C. It's that simple!

9 Comments Comment

Keeping Razors SharpAfter showering, soak head of your razor in some baby oil to keep the blade rust free.

1 Comment Comment

Link: 5 Ingredient FixI don't make recipes any more that have a lot of ingredients. I was quite surprised to find a program on the Food Network called 5 Ingredient Fix. It is only on on Saturday at 9:30 am Central time. I have gone to that site and find myself spending a lot of time there.

5 Comments Comment

Painting TipsWith spring right around the corner, here are some handy painting hints.

1 Comment Comment

Remove Seal Before Shaking JugDo you purchase "shake before using" orange juice or milk in a cardboard carton with a screw-on cap? It's been my experience that if I shake the carton before removing the seal, drops will fly everywhere when it's pulled off.

1 Comment Comment

Reuse Lamp Base in Garden DecoratingKeep an eye open for big table lamps at thrift stores or yard sales. Remove the top part that holds the light bulb and tear out the wiring, so you have just the lamp-base.

1 Comment Comment

Shaping Curved Flower BedsWhen you want to have nicely curved flower beds, the best way to achieve this is to use a rubber water hose. You curve the hose in the shape you want the bed and then dig along the shaped bed.

1 Comment Comment

Add Tuna to Mac and CheeseMix a defrosted package of Macaroni and Cheese with 1 can of tuna fish (preferably oil packed), drained. Top with crumbled Ritz Crackers. Microwave 3 minutes. Can double recipe.

Banana Peel DisposalIf left too long, banana peels product fruit flies. After taking the peel off the banana, I put it in the plastic sleeve my newspaper comes in and tie it in a knot. Works fine until trash pickup.

4 Comments Comment

Control Static Electricity With Spray Fabric SoftenerTo help rid your home of static cling, mix 8 oz. of water with 3 tablespoons of liquid fabric softener in a spray bottle. Spray carpets with the mixture when needed.

Game Rules: 7 Hand RummyEvery time my family gets together for Thanksgiving or Christmas, we all look forward to AFTER the meal. It is at this time we play 7 Hand Rummy, a card game that has been a part of these holidays for us since before I was born.

6 Comments Comment

Get an Electrical Tester ScrewdriverIf you haven't gotten one of those electrical tester screwdrivers with a little neon bulb in it and a metal cap at the hand end, GET ONE! They are cheap enough that you can afford a spare. Friends and neighbors WILL be borrowing it!

1 Comment Comment

Hand Warmers for Back PainI was out fishing and was using a couple of those cheap hand warmers that you shake up and an hour later, they warm up your hands. When I got home, they were still warm. My back was aching and I put them inside my jeans and it was like having a heating pad there.

5 Comments Comment

Kitty Litter SubstitutesFor a cheap or free cat litter substitute, get wood shavings or sawdust from a woodworker or lumber company. It is absorbent, all-natural, and can be emptied in the compost or garden.

5 Comments Comment

Let Meat Rest Before ServingWhen roasting a whole chicken in the oven, set it out on top of oven to cool for 15 minutes before serving. This will let the juices flow to the middle of your chicken, which will make it taste better.

2 Comments Comment

Mother Earth News for SeedsThe snow and ice are still thick on the ground in my area, but it's time to plan my spring garden. I know that a lot of people are doing the same thing. Planning the garden is almost as much fun as harvesting it!

1 Comment Comment

Origin Of Buffalo WingsHere is a bit of trivia for all of us who love Buffalo flavored anything (amazing to see how much this flavor has grown around the globe), but never knew how this delicious flavor originally got its name.

4 Comments Comment

Refilling Bottles With WaterThis is for people who buy spring/drinking water. I like to keep water bottles on hand for convenience, but do not like spending the money to buy the individual bottles all the time.

8 Comments Comment

Storing Pasta and GrainsStore your dry pasta and rice in glass jars with a tight fitting lids. Keep in a cool dry place. Brown rice and whole grain products should be kept in the refrigerator. Also your eggs should be kept cool in the refrigerator.

2 Comments Comment

Use Cookie Cutters as Decorating StencilsPlace cookie cutters on top of frosted cakes or cupcakes then pour candy sprinkles or colored sugar inside the shapes. Remove the cookie cutters and you have a nice decoration.

Bird Toys Using Cuttlebones and Mineral Blocks I got my African gray parrot (Scout) cuttlebones and mineral blocks. She likes to snap cuttlebones into pieces and then ignore them, and she won't even touch the mineral blocks.

1 Comment Comment

Buy and Freeze Overripe BananasDo you sometime buy too many bananas? When the outside peel turns dark, don't throw them away. Take off the peel, put in zip lock bags, and freeze until you get ready to bake something.

4 Comments Comment

Cleaning Home A/C Vents?How can you clean your AC vents? When I turn my air or heat on there is a puff of dust. I thought if I could clean them it would help.

Glove to Help Grip Slippery FabricFor gloves that help you grip slippery fabric for sewing, get "one size fits all" knit gloves and embellish the palm and fingers of each glove with puff paint.

Rescuing A Burned Pot of FoodWhen making a pot of food and you get distracted, it might start to burn on the bottom. To save the pot of food, quickly transfer it to another pot without stirring.

1 Comment Comment

Reading Glasses with Medications

Store Reading Glasses With MedicationsFor those whose visual acuity is not what it once was , especially in low light levels or in urgent situations, ensure that you can read labels and directions clearly by keeping an inexpensive pair of reading glasses right in or with the medicine box or cabinet.

6 Comments Comment

Toss Salad In a BagTo toss a salad quickly, with little mess and clean-up, use a gallon ziploc bag. Place vegetables in the bag and toss with salad dressing. Toss or wash the bag for later use.

Ikea clothing hamper.

Use Hamper for Crocheting SuppliesI am an avid crocheter and I like to have my patterns, hooks, and different color yarns that I'm working with handy. I found the perfect caddy. I bought these clothes hampers at Ikea for around $4.00.

Add Peanut Butter When Melting ChocolateUse creamy peanut butter instead of shortening when melting any flavor of chocolate in a recipe. You cannot taste the peanut butter, but it does enhance the flavor of the chocolate.

1 Comment Comment

Braided Rug From Old TowelsWe all know we can recycle bath towels that are worn in spots to become potholders or washcloths. But, another nifty way to recycle them is to make them into braided rugs.

3 Comments Comment

Cleaning Oven RacksTo clean the racks in your oven, pour 1 cup ammonia into a trash bag, add the racks and seal for 24 hours. Use a nylon scrubbie to remove loose debris. Works great!

2 Comments Comment

Feeding Birds in Snow

Feeding Birds in SnowThis is a seasonal tip that I used last week, and hope that it will be a while before I use it again. But when there is heavy snow falling for hours, the feed that I put out for the birds (and the squirrels) disappears under the snow.

3 Comments Comment

Reusing Plastic Laundry Detergent BottlesTo organize cleaning tools, gardening tools, and small household tools, use an old plastic laundry detergent bottle. With a utility knife, cut off the top even with the bottom of the handle, leaving handle intact. This allows full open access for storage.

8 Comments Comment

Spray Garbage Liner With Spray FragranceAn inexpensive way to keep a room smelling fresh is to spray the plastic garbage liner in your waste basket with a room or body spray. The scent will linger for a long time!

2 Comments Comment

Store Recycled Ziploc Bags In Empty Tissue BoxesIf you re-use zip-lock bags, use empty tissue boxes to store the bags. Fold them neatly so they pop out like tissue.

To Thicken Stews and SoupsTo thicken meat sauces such as Bolognese, try using porridge oats. It's delish! To thicken soups or sauces, try using instant potato flakes - no more lumps and very tasty.

1 Comment Comment

Use Electricity at Cheapest TimesMy local electric company just sent out a brochure with the savings I can make from using my electrical appliances in the evening. I save almost 50% by doing baking for the week, washing clothes, etc by planning to do those things after 9 pm.

2 Comments Comment

Vegetable Broth From Peels And ScrapsAnytime I chop veggies for a meal, soup or stew, I save all of the end pieces and skins - pretty much anything that is left over. I wash them, dry them, and freeze them in a ziploc baggie for making stock for soups and sauces.

Wax Paper For Stubborn Paper PunchesLubricate craft punches before using them by punching wax paper first.

1 Comment Comment

Binder for Organizing Craft ProjectsFor organizing craft projects, I use binders for project ideas with protective sleeves. I also keep a list of items needed to finish a project. So in one sleeve would be the pattern for a cross-stitch project and a list of items for finishing the project.

1 Comment Comment

Chocolate Scented PlaydoughThis is so fun and if the wee ones eat some, it is okay! Mix the dry ingredients. Add the oil and boiling water. Stir quickly, mixing well. When cool, mix with your hands. Store in an airtight container.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning Mini BlindsI put the slats a few at a time in my bath tub with dish liquid. I sloshed them around a bit, then I wrapped a wet micro fiber cloth around one end and pulled each slat through.

3 Comments Comment

Epsom Salts To Melt IceEpsom salts and sugar, mixed 1 to 1, will melt salt and ice. It does not hurt the plants or ground,nor will it hurt birds, dogs, or cats. It can be used to pre-treat sidewalks and driveways and roads.

2 Comments Comment

Getting Help to Pay Vet BillsAnyone who needs help paying for their veterinary bills should contact aspca.org. There is a list of places to contact on that site. Hope this helps the animals.

5 Comments Comment

Keep Chalkboard in GarageWe keep a blackboard with chalk hanging in our garage. Many people think it is strange, until they read the notes written on it. It contains all the garage, barn, and farm outdoor messages that would otherwise take up room on our kitchen chalkboard.

1 Comment Comment

Keeping Dipping Chocolate WarmI was making candy for the Red Hats Valentine party today and I needed to keep the chocolate hot. Once I heated the chocolate in the microwave, I put the cup with melted chocolate on a candle warmer to keep it soft and warm.

2 Comments Comment

Make Fat Balls for Feeding BirdsWhen you have finished roasting your chicken (or other meat, fish, etc.), let the fat cool a little, cover with porridge oats, and sprinkle onto your bird table. The birds love it and it's your very own 'fat balls' for our feathered friends.

1 Comment Comment

Old Engish Scratch Cover to Stain FurnitureInstead of using stain, I use Old English Scratch Cover for dark wood. It seals the wood and looks like it has been refinished. I did this on a set of dowel rods that I am using for curtain rods.

4 Comments Comment

Plant Flowers to Support TroopsWhen planning your annuals for your garden, leave a section for all yellow flowers as a tribute to our troops. You could even plant a red, white, and blue section surrounded by yellow or put a small flag in the garden.

Resize Old Belts for ChildrenRecycle your old leather belts by cutting them down to fit children. Just cut down to size and punch new holes into the belt.

1 Comment Comment

Update Router for Better Internet PerformanceWhen you signed up for DSL, I'm sure that the ISP furnished you with their router, which I'm confident is not the best quality, even mediocre. I recently had one of my computer-geek friends over at the house and he saw my modem and went into shock.

3 Comments Comment

Feed Pumpkin To Your DogsIf your dog becomes constipated, give it some pureed pumpkin. It is mild and will clear the problem up after a couple of feedings.

7 Comments Comment

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