Thrifty Tip Contest (January 1 - February 29, 2020) | ThriftyFun

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Thrifty Tip Contest
(January 1 - February 29, 2020)

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

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Duration	Entries
January 1 - February 29, 2020	39

Tip: Peeling Fresh Garlic is a Cinch

February 24, 2020

Peeling fresh garlic really slows you down when you're cooking dinner. Try this tip the next time you use fresh garlic! It works.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 6

Tip: DIY Counter Cleaner

haydemon
Gold Answer Medal for All Time! 617 Answers

February 20, 2020

At one point I started making my own kitchen/all purpose cleaner becuase I wanted to save money and use simpler ingredients.

Comment Pin it! Was this helpful? 4

A shelf unit built on the back of a bathroom door.

Hidden Medicine CabinetI built this on the back of my laundry room door. It's shallow so I can look at OTC medicine, prescription medicine or my blood pressure checker. It even keeps my bandaids. Easy and it didn't take me long to build.

4 Comments Comment

Plastic Frosting Bag to Re-grout Floor TilesMy husband was dreading re-grouting some slate floor tiles where the old grout had broken into pieces. The area was in front of the wood stove so efficiency was needed. I came up with the idea to use a quality thick plastic frosting bag. He was hesitant to try it though afterwards agreed it was fast to apply and less mess to wipe off.

A sweet potato to use as a hand warmer.

Potato Hand WarmersPierce either a white or sweet potato a few times and microwave until cooked. You can wrap in aluminum foil and give it to your kids (or even adults) to put in their pockets or their gloved hands to serve as handwarmers when outside in the winter for a while.

A cat meowing for attention.

Use Ear Plugs to Block NoiseI'm cat sitting for our daughter. Ava is a house cat and, if she's not eating or sleeping, she follows me everywhere I go. She does not like to be held or cuddled but she loves to be rubbed.

3 Comments Comment

Duct tape repairing a vacuum hose.

Using Duct Tape for RepairsI was vacuuming today and I noticed there was no suction. I discovered a ripped hose. The Shark vacuum I own comes with a 5-year warranty. However, you can only have one claim, which I used a couple of years ago.

Window Cleaning Tip For an RV - squeegee and a towel

Window Cleaning Tip For an RVIf you travel in a motorhome, camper, or travel trailers (or maybe even at your regular home as well), this might help. At night, condensation builds up on our windows. My easy clean fix is to use a squeegee to run the water down the window onto a reusable towel. Takes a few seconds to do each window.

Cooking for OneI live alone, after having raised a family and losing my husband, so I am used to cooking for more than one. Also, a couple years ago I decided to give up processed foods, such as frozen dinners and convenience foods, as I am not a big fan of additives and preservatives. Plus, those foods are expensive for what you get. Most frozen meals are tiny and leave you looking for more.

1 Comment Comment

A meatball formed from one of the sections of divided ground beef.

Prep Ground Beef for Quick MealsI mixed some of my favorite spices into a 2 lb. package of ground beef and formed it into one big meat patty that I then cut into equal sized 1/4 lb. meatballs. Then I froze them separated and bagged them up once they are totally frozen and won't stick to each other. You can freeze them on the Styrofoam tray they were sold in if you want.

Chopped vegetables in small glass bowls.

Prep Vegetables and Store in FridgeI hear that much our the fresh produce that people buy goes bad before they ever eat it! What a waste of resources and money!

Schedule Home Maintenance Using Electronic CalendarWe all have things in our homes that require maintenance. Keep on top of things by scheduling periodic tasks on your phone (or laptop/tablet) electronic calendar. Most have a repeat feature, so setup is easy.

A tall slender round tip with a picture of a ginger cat on the front.

Start Your Financial Year Off RightI am 65 and on SSD. That means money is always tight. Hence the name Poor But Proud. Most of you know me on here and if you think of my tips, they are all based on saving money.

2 Comments Comment

Prevent Mold and Mildew on Shower Curtain Liners - liner clipped to the side wall of the shower

Prevent Mold and Mildew on Shower Curtain LinersIf you have a shower curtain or liner that comes in contact with the side of your shower stall or tub while it dries, you have probably noticed that where it makes contact is where you see mold and mildew. That's because it's not drying fast enough to keep those nasty critters at bay.

Two marked laundry hampers.

Sort Laundry As You GoSo as to run full loads only in my washing machine, which is most efficient, I keep 2 popup hampers in my bathroom closet. One has a little hanging tag marked "Lights", and the other "Darks". As I take off my clothes, they are put into the appropriate hamper. When one is full, I do a load of laundry.

2 Comments Comment

Drink More WaterHydration is tremendously important for overall health. Soda has absolutely ZERO nutritional content; it's like pouring a punch of sugar and syrup into your cup. Instead, fill it with life-replenishing water. It may taste plain at first if you're coming off of a heavy soda-drinking streak, but you'll soon find yourself addicted to it.

A shopping bag upended on a basket to dry.

Drying Out Wet Shopping BagsHere in Oregon, single use plastic bags have gone the way of the beta. I am glad. I had a particularly soggy shopping today today, and I came upon a trick that you might want to modify. I happened to have a wicker basket that I got and it was perfect for up-ending the wet bag and letting it drain.

Clothing hung inside out in a closet, as a reminder that it needs to be mended.

Hang Up Mending Projects in Your ClosetI don't know about you, but a "mending basket" never worked for me. For one, I rarely had any mending. Two, it just looks like a pile of stuff to wash, fold or donate. So I was recently purging, and came up with an idea. I now have three dresses that need hemming. To remind me to get to them, I have them hanging inside out.

1 Comment Comment

Recycled waxed paper from cereal boxes.

Free Waxed PaperUse the waxed paper liners from cereal boxes instead of buying waxed paper. It is much stronger than the conventional waxed paper.

2 Comments Comment

A heart made from cardboard, glitter and glue.

Heart CraftThe paper was coated with oil, water, and food coloring mixed. I just dipped it in and let it dry. The heart is cardboard, hot glue, and iridescent glitter. The bean comic was done in MS Paint.

A tissue holder upside down to hold flowers.

Reusing a Tissue HolderRecently, I found this stunning hand done plastic canvas tissue holder. It was the perfect style and color to my bathroom. However, because of the yarn work inside, the box of tissue didn't fit inside. What is a thrifty fun girl to do? She turns it upside down and uses it for her faux spring flowers!

3 Comments Comment

A roll of stamps tied with string.

Securing a Roll of StampsSometimes when I pick up my roll of stamps, it falls apart and I have to wind it back up. I came up with a solution on how to keep it from happening again.

4 Comments Comment

A slip proof lap desk.

Slip-proof Your Lap DeskI bought a lap desk the other day. It was in sorry shape, so I got it for $1.00. I came home, re-snapped the bean bag in one place, and cleaned it. It worked great until my plate almost slipped off!

Stick to Solid Color PursesOne way to economize in the closet is to purchase solid color purses. I know there are several designers who produce vividly patterned quilted purses, and they look great in the store, but really, how often are you dressed in solid colors top to bottom? Those patterned purses will clash with any outfit that boasts a print top, skirt, jacket or dress.

1 Comment Comment

Uses for a Wet VacuumI received a wet vacuum for Christmas because I wanted one. I use it for cleaning everything especially the fridge and stove. It is great for cleaning up spills and eggs. It's very easy to wash out the vacuum when you pick up something really messy. It is great for cleaning the bottom of your purse. I have a small one so it is easy to carry.

Several cockleburs on a jacket sleeve.

Beware of CocklebursWhile picking up litter, during my weekly walk on the roadside, I got into some cocklebur bushes and didn't know it. Later, as I was turning around and heading back home, I felt something sticking in me and discovered the back of my jacket was knotted up and filled with cockleburs. I was a sight to be seen.

1 Comment Comment

Cleaning a stovetop hood.

Cleaning Under the Stovetop HoodI am going to be perfectly honest here! I clean like crazy, even have a cleaning lady twice a week. I can say honestly that I don't think to go under that hood over the stovetop and do a real cleaning. I thought, what happens when you have something boiling and steam drips? It falls into your pot! Yuck.'Yes, it does!

6 Comments Comment

Divide Bulk Purchases and SaveBuying food in bulk can help save money but not if you throw half of it away because it goes bad. I buy cheese and meats in larger quantities if the price is low enough. Dividing my purchase into more manageable servings and freezing helps me save time and money.

Removing Sticky LabelsYou'll never guess which of your kids favorite foods is a pro at removing sticky paper labels from glass, plastic, and other surfaces. You no longer need toxic chemicals. It takes only a few minutes, works like a wiz, and there are no worries if your little one sneaks a taste.

Cubes of butter in the butter section of a refrigerator.

Storing ButterWith the cost of butter these days, I have to find it when it's on sale. I recently had some butter go rancid. Yes, it happens. Especially when it's unsalted. Seems the salt is the curative that keeps it fresh longer, even if it's not as good for you.

4 Comments Comment

A gift bag filled with cleaning supplies as a welcome gift.

Welcome Gift to a New NeighborI live in a very nice complex. Saturday, a gentleman (bachelor) moved in across the hall from me. I ran into him in the hall and welcomed him, and answered some questions he had! I then came in and started baking! I made a banana bread and a batch of my chocolate chip cookies. While they were cooking, I got out a gift bag for his Welcome package.'

3 Comments Comment

Reducing the Bulk of Craft Ribbon - rolls of ribbon

Reducing the Bulk of Craft RibbonI had two drawers in my craft caddy just stuffed with the round spools of decorator ribbon. There were spools sitting on top, too.

3 Comments Comment

Don't Abbreviate the Year 2020When writing a check, signing an important document or anything requiring a date - remember not to abbreviate our current year 2020. Always take the extra second to put 2020.

7 Comments Comment

Hydrogen Peroxide for Removing StainsPeroxide is cheap, environmentally friendly and removes most organic stains. I find it funny that most people don't know that two of the active ingredients of Oxiclean are washing soda (like Arm & Hammer) and peroxide. Save some money, buy a box and bottle and make your own, over and over again.

6 Comments Comment

Buy New Year's Party Supplies for 2020 GraduationDo you have kids graduating in 2020? Or, are you graduating in 2020? You can stock up and save money on New Years Supplies that feature 2020 to use for the graduation party (if you plan on hosting)!

A door stop alarm.

Door Stop AlarmOwning an alarm system can be pricey. For $10, you can help secure your home/family with this wireless door stopper.

3 Comments Comment

A game board being used to assemble a puzzle.

Carrom Game Board for Puzzle MatThis old Carrom Game board, which has been stored in the attic for probably 40 years, sure did come in handy for putting this puzzle together. We needed a solid background so I took 6 pieces of computer printing paper and taped it to the board.

1 Comment Comment

Hire a Licensed Plumber, Electrician and ContractorAlways do a project on a holiday when you can be sure stores are not open so you can't get necessary parts; gut everything especially if it's a bathroom. And by luck, the outlets in the living room will quit working.

2 Comments Comment

Prevent Squirrels Digging in Flower GardenSquirrels love to hide their food. In the process of doing this, they tend to bury the food in soft dirt which is usually a newly planted garden.

1 Comment Comment

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