Thrifty Tip Contest (February 20 - 26, 2012) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(February 20 - 26, 2012)

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

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Duration	Entries
February 20 - 26, 2012	56

Tip: Count Your Blessings

February 23, 2012

Try counting your blessings. Just start with the first thing you see or that pops in your mind, you can continue from there.

Comment Was this helpful? 9

Tip: Creating "Canvas Art" Without a Canvas

Hello
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 107 Posts

February 23, 2012

If you want to create incredible, long-lasting, vibrant, and ready-to-hang masterpiece but all you have around you are old throwaway materials such as Sheetrock, plywood, or some other sturdy but unremarkable surfaces...

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 1

Tip: Use Rubber Band To Keep Cut Apples Fresh

coville123
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 433 Posts

February 23, 2012

After cutting an apple, put it back together with an elastic ban. This will keep it from going brown in lunches.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 7

Tip: Using Drink Carrier for Cutlery and Condiments

coville123
Silver Post Medal for All Time! 433 Posts

February 23, 2012

Use an empty drink carrier when picnicking or in your back yard. Put forks, spoons, napkins, ketchup and mustard in each slot. It's easy to carry and keeps stuff organized.

Comment Was this helpful? 6

Tip: Vinegar For Scars And Age Spots

February 23, 2012

I had a really bad dark, ugly scar after a C-section. Over the counter remedies didn't work. Then an old past beauty queen told me about vinegar.

Comment Was this helpful? 28

Cleaning a Keyboard With AlcoholWhen I worked in a pharmacy, we had several computers that were shared by all the staff within the pharmacy. At each shift change, one of us would go around with a paper towel that had alcohol on it and wipe down the keys.

Cover Glasses With Plastic LidsI also use small lids to fit over top of drinks in glasses, cups or cans to keep bugs out (especially flies). It helps keep your drink hot or cold longer.

Freeze Ground Beef as PattiesWhen I prepare ground beef for freezing, I make patties using a hamburger press. I place wax paper on each side of each patty to keep them from sticking together then I stack them in a gallon zip lock bag for freezing and place it on a flat surface in the freezer until the patties are frozen.

Brown Sugar ScrubI decided to try a brown sugar scrub, what a treat! I didn't think I would like it and I am glad I tried it.

3 Comments Comment

Screenshot of a website.

Building Your Own Website For FreePeople often wonder about websites and think they require a lot of work and expense. Work, yes, expense, no, lol. I like to sew and wanted to put up a free website that would give clothing solutions to breast cancer survivors who'd had bilateral mastectomy.

Cell Phone EtiquetteIf you are with one person, or group of people, it's rude to stay on your phone (talking, texting or checking FB) for extended periods of time. Enjoy the people you are with and have conversations with your other friends when you're alone.

2 Comments Comment

Check Clearance Racks for ShoesNothing beats a yard sale or consignment shops, but always look for the clearance rack at any store. I've found some great shoes at Bob's stores, Sears, JC Penney, Lord and Taylor, Payless, etc.

1 Comment Comment

Many Uses For Hand SanitizerI have found so many uses for plain old hand sanitizer. The cheaper, the better. The uses are as follows:

1 Comment Comment

Saving Money on College TextbooksWhen going back to college after years, I discovered the college bookstore is a big rip-off. If you go online, like Amazon, amongst others, you can get brand new editions, sometimes called international versions, (same exact book, just looks different on the outside) for a fraction of the price.

Doberman Pincher wearing shirt in car

Shirt to Contain Dog FurI have two short haired dogs; one is a Doberman and one is a Min Pin/Pug mix. They are easy to groom, but all dogs shed. I found that putting my dogs in children's sweatshirts in the house really keeps the hair situation manageable.

4 Comments Comment

Turn Plastic Grocery Bags Into PlarnThe most effective was to reuse plastic grocery bags that I do is make them into plarn, then into useful items like cell holders, lunch bags, purses, even a bingo bag for my one co-worker!

Caution When Using Bird Netting On GrapesBe very careful. A friend did that and killed 3 snakes the first night, good snakes! I just got my grapes started last year but would rather share with the birds. I think the cats will like that.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning Eye GlassesTo remove hairspray and greasy perspiration, I use rubbing alcohol. It cleans the lenses really well and it can be used on either plastic or glass lenses.

3 Comments Comment

Cleaning Jewelry With Cigarette AshesUsing a dry toothbrush and some cigarette ashes, brush your jewelery with the cigarette ashes, then take a soft cloth and polish clean. The ashes are so fine they work as an abrasive cleanser.

Craft Uses For Mesh Produce BagsUse mesh produce bags, especially the colored ones, in place of lace for craft projects. It can be easily cut with scissors and adds texture without the expense of using lace.

roses growing on a trellis wall

Create a Living Privacy WallIf your deck or balcony is not very private, you can create a living privacy wall with a trellis and a fast growing vine such as climbing spinach, squash, or gourds.

Ensuring That You Have Nice TowelsMy husband goes to visit other people's homes and finds their towels to be either rag like or thin. For years, at least once a month, he buys a medium sized towel when doing grocery shopping.

Family Baby NamesI can only share our experience with choosing a baby name. On my side of the family, my grandfather was a Wallace, my father had the middle name Wallace.

Family Names as Middle NamesMy husband is a teacher so he was VERY particular about just what baby names would do - traditional, easy to spell, difficult to mock, wasn't the name of a difficult student he'd had, etc.

Foaming Soap DispenserI have small children who usually use more soap than they need. I think that foaming soap dispensers help to reduce the soap consumption. I've found that the Bath and Body Works brand foaming handsoap dispensers work well for reuse.

2 Comments Comment

Freeze Ground BeefI am not a person who enjoys cooking, so I spend as little time in the kitchen as possible. When I buy a large quantity of ground beef, I always brown it and divide it into quart size zipper bags then put it into the freezer for impromptu pots of chili or spaghetti sauce.

1 Comment Comment

Get Student Loans Forgiven if DisabledMy daughter is on disability and had several thousand dollars in student loans from earning her degrees. Did you know that the loans will be forgiven when your doctor fills out the proper paper work?

2 Comments Comment

Growing ClematisYears ago I was told by my mother to give my clematis 1 cup of lime and 1 cup of garden fertilizer each year. She grew everything well, and now I have beautiful long growing clematis.

1 Comment Comment

small trees in pot

Growing Peaches from PitsIf you are trying to grow peaches from seed the first thing to know is that the new peach may not be the one you started with. The seed will be whatever they grafted to which sometimes is smaller but tasty.

2 Comments Comment

Have Wastebaskets Handy When SewingWhen I am doing machine sewing, I set up 2 small wastebaskets - one on each side of my chair. That way I can drop scraps, thread, etc. with either hand. Saves a lot of time and waste motion.

1 Comment Comment

Homemade WipesI have been making this for over a year now and they are just as good as the name brand wipes. I read that they would "spoil" if you made the wipes up ahead, but I have had a container in the truck for over 6 months and they have yet to spoil even in the summer time.

1 Comment Comment

N.E.T. Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and CuresN.E.T. (Not Enough Time) syndrome is the acronym I have given to those occasions when I feel like there simply isn't enough time in each day for me to do the things I either need to do or think I need to do.

1 Comment Comment

Organizing Legos in TinsUse the popcorn tins you get a variety of popcorn in. You can throw items that they created and don't want to tear apart in these. Another thing you can do is use tackle box or divided craft boxes and separate each color or type into each section.

Organizing Your PurseI use little zippered bags made for holding makeup in a purse. In one, I keep everything I need to have with me. I keep an extra set of keys in the inside zippered compartment of the purse itself.

1 Comment Comment

Peeling Bell PeppersIt is easy to peel bell peppers if you use this simple method:

1 Comment Comment

Quick and Healthy SoupFor a quick soup, pour V8 Seasoned Vegetable Juice (low sodium) into bowl. Place in microwave and heat on High for 2 1/2 minutes. Serve with wholegrain crackers or buns.

Reuse Carryout Containers For CraftsAbout once a week we have delivery meals. Most of the time we end up with 1-2 small clear containers with lids. I use these for pouring small amounts of paint, glue, water, and even smaller amounts of loose beads.

Reusing Plastic Lids

Reusing Plastic LidsThey are perfect for painting projects from young to old! If you don't like the outcome, you can clean it off and start over! You can cut the lip from around it as well, to create crazy shapes with the lid, or to make hearts, etc. for any occasion.

Saving Money on Groceries Without Running All Over TownDo not overlook the value of using stores that match their competitor's ads. This is seldom advertised so you have to ask. Because I live in a rural area it is not always practical nor do I have the time to do extreme couponing.

Shipping FigsPack figs in egg cartons to protect and ship them. Use "peanuts" to stabilize the egg carton in the shipping box.

Take Photos Of Special ItemsIf you have things that are special to you because they were made by someone important to you, like knitted items or kids school projects, snap a photo of it and file it in a special album.

1 Comment Comment

Buy Brand Name Shoes OnlineAs I have back problems, there is only one shoe that I can wear comfortably. It is the Easy Spirit Traveltime clog. It doesn't matter where I buy them, they fit comfortably. They are usually about $70.

2 Comments Comment

Clean Lampshades with Lint RollerI use a lint roller to clean my lampshades. The roller is also great for cleaning carpeted stairs in between regular vaccuming.

Recyclebank Curbside Recycling ProgramI recently signed up for the curbside recycling program here. It's through Waste Management Systems. They pick up garbage nationwide. The recycle program is called Recyclebank. There are rewards for recycling.

Removing Stains in SuedeI have a lovely dark brown leather wallet with suede sides. Somehow it got light make up stains on it! I have taken spots out with white powder before, the powder absorbs grease.

Seven Creative Uses For Chip ClipsUse a chip clip as a page holder in a cookbook when you're preparing something from the book.

1 Comment Comment

Use "Stone" Spray Paint To Refurbish Furniture

Use "Stone" Spray Paint To Refurbish FurnitureTake all mismatched furniture and create a entertainment center. You can purchase spray cans of Stone at Wal-Mart, Home Depot or any place they sell spray paint. It gives a ceramic looking finish.

Use Your Dog Crate as a ShelfA large dog, a large dog crate, and a small house can be a challenging combination. That was the dilemma I faced a few years ago. The solution I came up with turned out to be quite beneficial.

2 Comments Comment

Walmart Paint-a-Mug Kit after it has been decorated.

Walmart Paint-a-Mug KitMy daughter received a kit from Walmart where you paint a mug. Here is a picture of what she painted. It is so cute. I see that it is a great craft kit.

Pencil bag holding picture of puzzle (cut out from box) and pieces

Zip Pencil Bags for Storing PuzzlesI like to keep certain jigsaw puzzles in a way where they will stay together. I use a pencil storage bag that you would put in a notebook binder.

2 Comments Comment

Research Prices and Reviews While ShoppingI like to use my phone when I am at thrift stores or yard sales. I sometimes find products that sound like a great bargain, but having my smartphone allows me to look up the actual price of the item as well as reviews.

cat being brushed

Tips For Grooming CatsStart grooming as soon as you get your cat. Start slowly to see how kitty responds. If he or she is skittish, do it frequently in short time periods until kitty responds better.

Buy and Store Larger Sized Food PackagesSmaller sized cans of vegetables are intended to attract buyers who cook for just one or two people. The convenience may seem nice but buying small size cans means you're actually paying more for the item than if you purchased a larger can.

1 Comment Comment

Go Barefoot Whenever PossibleI agree that you should buy decent, well-fitting shoes instead of cheap ones but sometimes this is really not possible. Forty years back after buying the children properly fitting shoes, there was usually only enough money left for jumble sale shoes for me.

11 Comments Comment

Make Your Own Creams and LotionsI was tired of spending so much money on small jars of face cream and not knowing what all those long names or harmful ingredients they have on the label.

2 Comments Comment

Saving on Snacks for KidsFruit in season makes a great snack. If you cut oranges into "smiles" and place three in a (used, clean) snack bag it is a great treat for a 4 year old.

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