Thrifty Tip Contest (June 25 - July 1, 2011) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(June 25 - July 1, 2011)

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

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Duration	Entries
June 25 - July 1, 2011	56

Tip: Attach Corks to Keys

June 29, 2011

Here is a tip for all the fishermen when they go boating. Tie a few corks to your key ring. If the keys end up in the water, having them float on the top of the water is so much easier than trying to find them at the bottom.

Comment Was this helpful? 10

Tip: A Simple Way To Conserve Water

June 28, 2011

I used a pitcher to catch the water while I waited on it to change to hot water to use. I was wasting almost a gallon every time I was waiting on the water to get hot. Now I keep a pitcher nearby, and I save the water to use during the day.

Comment Was this helpful? 25

Tip: Aluminum Foil as Alternative to Fabric Sheets

marilyn shipman

June 28, 2011

If you don't have fabric sheets or just don't want to buy them, try using aluminum foil instead! Crumple up a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and toss it into the dryer.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 27

Basic History from Historical MoviesI grew up watching old classic movies - the sort now on TCM. So many of them had historical or bigraphical themes, that I am sure that I filled in holes in my historical knowledge just by watching them - Painless!

6 Comments Comment

Bring Eye Wash CampingBring lots of eye wash when going camping! If you get something in your eyes, there really isn't anyway to rinse out the debris in the middle of nowhere.

1 Comment Comment

Disinfect Laundromat Washing MachinesTo avoid getting germs from another family when using the laundromat washers, just wipe down the machine with Listerine mouthwash. Then add 1/2 cup of Listerine to the wash cycle. The Listerine disinfects the machine.

4 Comments Comment

Fix-a-Flat for Flat Tires I knew how to change a tire but I am 73 years old and didn't have the strength. I went into the automotive section and saw this can of "FIX A FLAT". I bought a can, just in case I did have a flat again.

5 Comments Comment

Save Air Conditioning Water For PlantsWe noticed that there were puddles outside the windows with these air conditioners. We gathered some old five gallon buckets, and placed them under the drips.

Sharpen Scissors with Steel WoolI know I have about 3 dozen scissors running around here. To keep them sharp, I buy a box of 00 steel wool from my local hardware store and cut through it with the scissors.

4 Comments Comment

Kitchen sink with wooden cutting board cover

Sink Cover to Maximize Counter SpaceMy husband constructed two wooden cutting boards to fit my double sink to increase my counter space. The stove is to the left of the double sink; there is no space to the left of the stove for cooking preparation.

4 Comments Comment

Storing Green OnionsI love green onions in my omelets and saimin noodles. The trouble is that it goes rather quickly. We found quite by accident how to store green onions.

The Dangers of MSG and AspartameFor most of my 56 years, I have been having a myriad of symptoms, most of them neurological in nature. I have known for a while that the food additives we are (often) unknowingly consuming have had an effect on us. It wasn't until today that I knew how much.

6 Comments Comment

Treating Canine RashMy dog does not do well at the vet's, but she gets a wicked rash every summer. It is red and scaly and seems uncomfortable. I tried applying athlete's foot cream daily, then put an old T-shirt on her to keep her from ingesting the medicine.

6 Comments Comment

Use Coffee Filter to Hold SnacksCoffee filters are much cheaper than paper cups or bowls, and they're environmentally friendly. They can be used for small snacks like dry cereal, goldfish crackers, and pretzels.

A book called The Pill Book Guide to Medication For Your Dog And Cat.

Book Review: The Pill Book Guide To Medication For...Several years ago my personal physician showed me a book he had purchased about animal care. I left there, went to my local book store, and ordered two copies. The book was a paperback and back then under $10.00

2 Comments Comment

Check Children's Hair For Lice After Carnival RidesChildren's hair can easily transfer lice when they are sitting close together, on rides such as carnival rides, such as roller coasters. Going through the hair with a lice comb should take care of any potential problems.

Cleaning a Crock PotAfter using my crock pot, I had a "cooked on, dried up" mess. I filled the crock up with water, added a drop of dish washing detergent, then turned it on low. After I came home in a few hours, I turned it off and let it cool.

7 Comments Comment

Create Beachy HairSomewhere on TV, I saw a personality talk about how she gets the "beachy" look in her hair - She said that she just twisted her hair while it was drying to create those loose waves. I just succeeded in doing the same, using some finishing spray to give my hair some body!

Large Juice Can as Charcoal ChimneyYesterday, I wanted to barbecue for the first time this year. I realized that I had no lighter fluid and really needed to start the coals up quickly. I thought of those charcoal starter chimneys and remembered I had a can of juice in my pantry.

2 Comments Comment

A cookie tray holding crackers

Recycle Cookie ContainersI recently helped a friend clean her kitchen during a surgery recovery. While she was chatting with me, I gathered some cookie and cake containers for recycling. I snagged them for my own use.

1 Comment Comment

Simplify Your Beauty BagThink you can't survive without your must-have pricy eye cream or moisturizer? Your skin will survive for a few months, maybe even longer, on lower priced skin care products you can find at the drugstore.

3 Comments Comment

Stopping Brain Freeze After Icy TreatsTo relieve the effect of a brain freeze when eating or drinking something icy cold, just press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Stops it almost instantly.

Compost bin made from pallets with door shut (no roof)

Compost Bin from Recycled MaterialsCompost bins are very expensive and do not hold much, so picked up some free pallets and made one myself. I spent less then $10 on materials (3 hinges and a door handle), and I put the sides together with zip ties!

2 Comments Comment

Foam star with "Happy Father's Day" written on it

Craft: Foam Art MagnetsMy daughter made these little foam art magnets for her dad on Father's Day. You could use these for any season or occasion. She cut out shapes and put adhesive backed magnetic stripping on the back.

A close up of two wine glasses in a window filled with colored water

Decorative Colored Water in Wine GlassesThe AS IS store was open yesterday, so I went in to get some mugs. I found cool ones, then came upon an idea that I wanted in the house. So far, it's cost me .25!

3 Comments Comment

Emergency Container for Carsick KidsThis is a helpful tip when children become ill either when traveling or at home. Save empty large soft margarine tubs. Take a plastic Ziploc type storage bag and insert in the margarine tab folding down the top of the bag all around the tub.

4 Comments Comment

Line Baking Pans With Aluminum FoilI love to bake using marinades and various spices that are messy to clean up. In my old age, I have learned to line my baking pans with aluminum foil so I can just remove the food, dispose of the foil, and put the pan away.

9 Comments Comment

Reuse Metal Guitar Strings for Craft WireHubby plays the guitar, and I found some of his discarded metal strings in the trash. I thought - hmm! I could use the wire for my craft projects, especially the jewelry I am putting together, so I kept it for future use!

Store Bananas in RefrigeratorBananas will last much longer if you store them in the refrigerator. They also taste sweeter! Just pick the bananas in the store that are ripe to the point you want them, leave them in the plastic bag, and put them in the refrigerator.

1 Comment Comment

Use Chain Drugstores For Prescriptions When TravelingMy prescriptions here in Los Angeles are all from the neighborhood Rite-Aid drugstore. But since my husband and I often travel, I find it convenient to know that because the drugstores are all linked by computer, my prescriptions are on file.

1 Comment Comment

WD-40 For Lawn MowerIf your lawn mower refuses to start up, spray WD-40 in the carburetor/air cleaner and pull the draw cord.

2 Comments Comment

Ashes for GardenIf you have a fireplace or wood stove, take your ashes and put them around your plants. Your plants will grow better, and less or no weeds will grow there.

2 Comments Comment

shoe boxes with photos of shoes attached to them

Attach Photo To Shoe BoxWhat is the proper way to store shoes without paying for expensive storage organizers? Nobody has time to dust shoes on a shelf. I opted for keeping them in the original box, then take a picture of the shoes.

Baking Soda ToothpasteWhen we were very young, we were very poor and I never recall having toothpaste. We always made a paste out of baking soda and water and brushed our teeth with it.

1 Comment Comment

Pack Luggage 24 Hours In AdvanceI always pack my luggage over twenty-four hours in advance when I am taking a trip. I pack everything that I need in the bags. Then I take out the necessary cosmetics, medication, toothbrush, etc. from the bags that I need during the day and night.

1 Comment Comment

Please Don't Give Garlic To Your PetsPlease consider reading up about Heinz-Body anemia before you make the decision to give garlic in any form, or anything in the alliums family for that matter, to a pet. Personally, I wouldn't risk the health of my pet when there are other safe alternatives available.

6 Comments Comment

Request Take Out Drinks Without IceWhen you go to the take out, ask for no ice in your drinks. This way, your drinks won't get diluted, and they will taste just as good if you don't drink it all right away.

5 Comments Comment

Save Old Baby Food Jars and LidsBaby food jars have many uses. I saved the ones I used from my son and have used them for a variety of things. I made his food, so I would make little "to go" meals for him and put them in the freezer for when we traveled.

A light colored tile used as a dry erase message board, with red writing.

Small Tile for Message BoardI use a small tile for a dry erase board. You do not have to use dry erase markers. You can use color markers that are not permanent, like the kind the kids draw with. They are great for people to leave messages on, and the kids enjoy it a lot.

1 Comment Comment

Yarn Storage TipsWhen using yarn from a skein, you mostly use it from the center of the skein. That is the "norm". When you are winding yarn into a ball, use any button and tie it to the end of the yarn that becomes the middle of the ball.

1 Comment Comment

Denim Hats

Children's Hats from Scrap DenimIf you have small pieces of scrap denim, you can construct a simple hat for children in no time at all! This pattern shape can also be modified to create a skull cap!

4 Comments Comment

Dish Drainer Rack for StorageTake the insides of an old dishwasher and use it for filing folders, letters, etc. Some can also be used to store pot lids. The racks are plastic coated for easy cleaning, and instead of a stack of papers that you have to go through, you now have a neat easy to spot folders.

Tub of butter upside down in saucepan

Getting the Last of the Butter From TubWhen I make instant mashed spuds, corn, or anything that I want to enjoy with margarine, I sometimes find the tub is almost done with too little even for a spatula. So, I simply set it upside down on the top of the pan and let it melt.

2 Comments Comment

Giving Pills to DogsWhen I give medicine to any of my dogs, I crush them in a bowl and spread them on the food. Then, I put a small dollop of any pure meat (beef, chicken, etc.) in the bowl with about a teaspoonful of warm water.

1 Comment Comment

Hand Washing Sweaters and DelicatesI grew up doing laundry the old-fashioned way for the most part, but today, I use the convenience of automatic washer and dryer for everything except nice sweaters and delicate clothing, which I still treat the way my mother taught us to do.

5 Comments Comment

Keep Pets Safe and Happy on July FourthKeep your pets inside on the night of July 4th. Anytime the fireworks are going off, keep them in and give them a Kong filled with peanut butter. It is like a puzzle with food in it, the pet has to figure it out.

Shelf for over the kitchen sink, to store decorative items.

Makeshift Kitchen ShelfSince I can't see outside while doing the dishes, I can at least enjoy my pretties. This board was 3 inches wide and $.30 per foot, at 6 feet it was only $1.80, and the cans were free, with the contact paper $.50 for a roll of 50 feet.

5 Comments Comment

Refill and spray bottles of Awesome cleaner

Product Review: Awesome CleanerI read someone product review on ThriftyFun and decided to try it. I am so impressed! I tried it on a spot on the carpet. Just sprayed it on and used a brush to just wipe away the stain.

20 Comments Comment

Product Review: Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Baking MixesI am allergic to gluten and have had to make big adjustments in my eating habits. Cutting out wheat flour has been one of the hardest tasks I have ever tackled. Wheat is in about everything.

2 Comments Comment

Removing Orange Glo from Laminate FlooringTo remove it, I used Simple Green at full strength on a small area. It worked great. Spray a small section, and let stand a few minutes. Take a damp cloth and wipe up the wax. Continue with this process until you have completed the waxed areas.

2 Comments Comment

Recycled meat tray with child's art

Reuse Meat Tray for Art ProjectsStyrofoam meat trays or plates make great bases for children's drawings or decoupage projects.

Sand Paper as Nail FileSometimes I forget to bring along a nail file or emery board. I have found that if I get a little bit of sandpaper and wrap it around something like a toothpick, it will provide enough of an edge for me to file down the ragged edge of one of my nails.

1 Comment Comment

Sharpen Scissors with Scrubbing PadTo sharpen scissors, simply cut through metal scrubbing pads and continue until your scissors are sharp. I have done this for years, and it works well for me.

3 Comments Comment

Getting a Toddler to Eat VeggiesBecause I am always anxious about getting veggies in my toddler, I devised a new way to get them in his mouth! I bought several popsicle trays at my local dollar store. I pureed fruit, yogurt, and veggies together and poured them in the trays.

3 Comments Comment

coconut with baby hat, bib, and pacifier

Coconut BabyI try to think "outside the box". I did just that for my daughter-in-law's baby shower. I live in Florida where coconuts are in abundance and decided to make some babies with them for the main table. Everyone enjoyed the coconut babies!

4 Comments Comment

Preventing Wood Ticks and FleasIf you put 3 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in a gallon of water each time you refill your pet's water, they will be free from wood ticks and fleas.

5 Comments Comment

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