Thrifty Tip Contest (March 1 - 31, 2014) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(March 1 - 31, 2014)

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

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Duration	Entries
March 1 - 31, 2014	51

Tip: Baking Soda as a Natural Deodorant

Donna
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 555 Posts

March 17, 2014

I keep a small jar of baking soda along with a blush brush to lightly brush under my arms after a shower. Keeps me fresh smelling AND dry. You could also use this on the feet after your shower, before dressing.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 10

Tip: Make Your Own Kitchen Play Appliances

March 16, 2014

Easy and fun kitchen appliances made using cardboard! Look at picture. Get a good sturdy box. Sharpies. Plastic plates for burners.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 6

Tip: Recycled Pet Feeding System

Sandi/Poor But Proud
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts

March 8, 2014

I got tired of stepping on cat food and water. This idea came to me when the bag I had this old bread keeper in fell apart.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 22

Tip: Hairspray Hint for Arthritis Sufferers

March 3, 2014

An elderly friend of mine has arthritis in her hands so bad that she can no longer put hair spray on. Her fingers are so weak and twisted that she can't push the nozzle down. In the paint section at Walmart, I ran across a pistol grip that is used for spray paint.

Comment Was this helpful? 7

Tip: Rag Flower Pot

March 3, 2014

My daughter loves anything old or antique and loves rag rugs, so I decided to use the rag rug technique and make her rag flower pots.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 13

Cleaning Mouse Urine out of OvenThis past winter was very cold because of the polar vortex. To our dismay, we had a visitor that explored our stove. A mouse, eek! When we tried to use the oven, it stank to high heaven. To make a long story short, this is how you clean it. Trust us, we tried everything.

22 Comments Comment

Long Feathers for Clogged Kitchen DrainI live in the country, and have a septic system, and a "gray water" system, into which our kitchen sink drains. We have to be very careful about not clogging it with food or other particles. One day, I decided to try a bit of Rid-X in the sink as I was used to putting it into the septic system...

Natural Way to Keep Chickens Out of YardPlant marigolds and spray vingear around the area you don't want your chickens to play, or destroy, LOL.

Prevent Underarm Odor With Antibacterial SoapUnderarm sweat only smells because of the bacteria that grows there. If you use an antibacterial soap (I use one called Safeguard), you won't need to apply deodorant as well.

2 Comments Comment

Toothpick as Temporary Eyeglass ScrewDid you lose the screw from your eyeglasses? Here is a temporary solution to give you time to get to the optical store. Use a toothpick to hold the arm of your glasses on, so you can still wear them. Just poke the pick in the hole and break of ends of pick showing.

4 Comments Comment

Use Evaporation to Keep Food CoolIf you need to keep milk or cheese cool when camping or picnicking, wrap them in wet cloths and place in a bucket. As the water evaporates, it keeps the food cool. Remember to dampen cloths again when they dry out.

1 Comment Comment

Use Silica Packets in BathroomI like to keep silica packets in the bathroom. There is more moisture there than anywhere in your house, You know how sometimes the drawers in your vanity or under the sink storage area gets kind of musty smelling? Keep a few of the little packets in there to control dampness and odor.

2 Comments Comment

Using Lists for OrganizingI'm a big list user. I have an excel spreadsheet on my computer with tabs. I have a list for my movies, cookbooks, kitchen items, books, and more. I get this habit from my mom!

Bring Night Light when TravelingWhen you are traveling and stay in motels, take a cheap night light along to plug in at night. Then you can find your way to the bathroom without stubbing your toe.

Color To Attract Bees in the GardenProviding bee habitats in your yard or garden can increase the quality and output of your vegetable garden and or fruit trees. They are especially fond of blue and yellow flowers. Likewise they are fond of blue and yellow clothing, yard art, and flags.

Dryer Sheets To Deter MosquitoesTake a box of dryer sheets along with you camping. Tear the sheet neatly in half and hang within 10 feet of your sitting area. If you use four or five half sheets surrounding your area, you will be mosquito free!

Plastic Knives as Garden MarkersInstead of paying $5 for 20 garden markers, go to the Dollar store and get 30 plastic knives for $1 instead. Use a permanent marker for your plant name and place accordingly.

Think Outside the Box for Project HelpHave a large job, that is too big for you to tackle on your own, and you can't afford a pro to do it? Trade it for a donation.

1 Comment Comment

Zip Bags as Air Packets

Zip Bags as Air PacketsYou know how some retailers use little plastic bags of air to cushion and protect the product during shipping? You can take an empty zip bag and fill that with air to do the same thing. I've used it lots of times when packing fragile items for moving.

1 Comment Comment

Cool Strips for MigrainesI have very frequent migraines (several a week). One thing that lessens the pain is a cool strip on my forehead. I buy cool relief patches meant for back pain.

2 Comments Comment

Dry-Erase Markers on MirrorsBoth of my children are growing up and getting more involved with their own activities, as they should be. The challenge is keeping track of who needs to be where, when and with what. So, we write notes to each other on the bathroom mirror with dry-erase markers!

2 Comments Comment

Hatching Finch EggsThey should hatch at around 14 days. But only when you start counting the time after the last egg is laid and when mom finch starts sitting on them. The countdown of when they will hatch does not commence at laying but at the beginning of incubation.

Recycled Replacement Spatula Handles

Recycled Replacement Spatula HandlesI had 2 spatulas made to use in frying pans that can withstand up to 400 degrees F. Without fail, within a year of use, the plastic handle would break, and I'd have to buy a new spatula.

Save Your Easter LiliesMy friend has the most beautiful bright pink lilies in her garden. After her white Easter lilies died off, she saved them for the following spring. She planted them and they grew anew as gorgeous pink lilies.

Use Plastic Wrap Roll HoldersOn almost all plastic wrap boxes (and aluminum foil, parchment paper, etc), there are tabs on both end that can be pushed in to hold the roll in the box.

Ideas for Mowing Lawn Without a MowerSome people use a weed eater or hand clippers to mow the lawn. Some enterprising cities are going so far as to rent sheep or goats to do the "mowing" rather than hiring an employee.

Removing Stains from a CouchUse Totally Awesome orange degreaser and rub the stain for 5 minutes with an old toothbrush.

Save Money on Dryer Sheets and Laundry SoapA full size dryer sheet is not necessary. I cut mine in thirds and it works fine. !00 sheets become 300.

Bottle Feeding At NightTo bottle feed at room temperature early in the morning before baby is awake or at night before when baby is asleep, boil a gallon of water at bedtime. This way, the germs are boiled out and, by the time your child wakes up, it'll be at room temperature.

Check the Hoses on Your Washing MachineOur newer washing machine has been giving an error code and not getting the clothes clean at all. We searched the Internet and found that the code indicated low water level. We tried cleaning the detergent tray, and that seemed to help, but a week later, we were getting the same error code.

2 Comments Comment

Ideas for Using Wire HangersI had a couple of them in my house, and I was going to throw them out. I walked through the house and it hit me, how about using them for hanging up your wreaths, or electric cords in storage?

Skin So Soft for Cleaning Soap ScumI found using Avon's original Skin So Soft works wonderfully. Apply it on the tub, with extra on the scum spots. Allow to set about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, use a scrubby of some kind (even old bath scrubbies) rinse, and, wah lah, scum is gone!

1 Comment Comment

Use Wallpaper for Wrapping PresentsI like to pick-up remnants/rolls at yardsales/thrift stores. I use them as wrapping paper for presents.

Using Mink Oil On LeatherI have found that mink oil has a water proofing benefit. I have western style boots and gun belts and have been first using saddle soap for cleaning. Then I heat the leather and apply mink oil. Reheat leather until the mink oil has soaked.

Add Extra Sole and Heel to New ShoesMy grandmother used to wear ladies' flat lace up shoes, and always had an extra sole and heel put on each new pair before she started wearing them. She would then get them redone every time the extra sole and heel wore out, so the originals were never worn or damaged, and the shoes lasted much longer.

DIY Bed Canopy from BedskirtI have always liked the look of a canopy over a bed but they are too expensive. I am unable to use the bed skirt that comes with a bedding set on my bed, so I used it as a bed canopy.

Ginger For Flu SymptomsIt took me standing there in shock at the prices of the OTC's to remind me that I had what I needed at home all the while. I did get something for the extreme sinus headache, but I only took one;' taking two was the recommended dosage.

3 Comments Comment

Planting Straws With Your Spring BulbsWhen planting your spring bulbs it's almost impossible to remember exactly where you planted them. Buy a box of straws and stick them in the soil above the bulbs, leave 2" showing above the soil. I planted pink straws with my tulips, yellow straws with my daffodils and so on.

Spray Glue for Black Widow SpidersI live in Southern California and get many black widow spiders around my home. Spray insecticide just doesn't work on these spiders, as they clean the spray off of them and are right back within the hour.

Drain strainer sittling next to drain in clean sink.

Brillo Type Pad for Cleaning Stainless SinksAfter several years of using harsh agents to clean my sinks and destroying my hands in the process I have started using Brillo type (store brand, of course) soap pads to clean my stainless steel sinks. They look lovely and shiny and my hands are getting better all the time.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Biting InsectsI read all the forums I could trying to find the solution to get rid of these insects. Some helped but did not get rid of them. All the sprays and insect killers did nothing but cost a lot of money trying.

9 Comments Comment

Powdered Milk for Tomato PlantsPowdered milk can also be a fertilizer for your tomato plants. When you're ready to put your tomato plants in the ground, put a handful of powdered milk in the bottom of each hole first.

Quilting Show BoutiquesIf you sew, go to your local quilting shows and visit their boutique shop. You will find many discounted items for sale such as sewing patterns, notions, yarn, fabrics, books, and magazines. They also have some nice handmade items other than quilts such as table runners, placemats, purses, etc.

Reuse Glass Polar Fruit JarsI started buying the Polar fruit jars at Wal Mart. They are the cutest little jars and the fruit is lovely to eat. When the jar is empty, you would not believe the things I use these jars for.

2 Comments Comment

Join a Sewing GroupJoin a local sewing group, such as a Quilting Guild or American Sewing Guild that meets in your area. They usually have a free table with all sorts of free things members don't want anymore or just want to clear out the clutter.

Suet Treat Recipe for the BirdsPut this mixture in a suet cage and watch your birds enjoy.

Use Heat to Exterminate Bed BugsI live in an apartment for senior citizens and we had a few bedbug incidences. They called in an exterminator and they use heat to get rid of them. I was really scared and went and got plastic covers for my box spring and mattress.

4 Comments Comment

Bandana Craft TipsI always wash them in cold salt water first to "set" the dye. Another thing I do is put a small safety pin in the area where it tells me where the thing is made. That way the main body of whatever I am making will be free of any words, but will have clear bandana print.

Check Valves Before Calling For Washer RepairMy Bendix washer recently made all the right noises, and lit up beautifully - but didn't fill with water. It suddenly occurred to me that there might be an airlock or sticking valve, so I picked up the inlet pipe, lifted it above the level of the inlet valve, and gave it a very gentle shake. Whatever the explanation was - my washing machine has been working perfectly ever since.

Child's Funtainer covered with duct tape

Extend the Life of Child's Water BottleMy daughter has several Thermos brand Funtainers. We purchased these when she was younger and they have fun, younger child prints on them. She did not want to be seen with a Disney Princess water bottle at the age of 9. So, we used her graphic duct tape to re-cover them.

1 Comment Comment

Hang Toothbrush in Metal Medicine CabinetWe have all heard keeping a toothbrush in the vicinity of a flushing toilet is not good, as it can catch what sprays into the air, ick! So, all it takes in an old fashioned metal medicine cabinet is to use two or three large paper clips.

2 Comments Comment

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