School Fundraising in a Rural Community?
Our local band is raising funds in order to perform in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. They have had a rummage sale, and a bake sale, and they sell food at the sports events. I dont know if these ideas would work for your small community. Perhaps you could...
Yellow Tomato Jam Recipe?
From a 1943 cookbook: RIPE TOMATO JAM 4 pounds medium ripe tomatoes 4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon whole cloves 1/2 tablespoon broken stick cinnamon 2 cups vinegar 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice Scald, peel, and quarter tomatoes. Place in preserving kettle. Add sugar...
Save Energy While Keeping Your Cool
Some people open the windows during part of the day, then close up the house and start the AC. We were told by our AC tech that this actually uses MORE energy to remove the humidity thereby costing more in electricity bills. It is better to keep the house at...
Encouraging Children to Not Wear Shoes?
People may have thrown down cigarette butts that are still burning, they may urinate on the floor tiles of a public restroom (or there may be other bodily fluids in public areas), also, drug users may have dropped needles in public areas. At home, I know what...
Uses for Non-working Freezers?
My father-in-law filled his nonworking freezer to the top with some good dirt. Then he added nightcrawlers. He now has his own little worm farm handy for fishing bait anytime he needs it.
Uses for Empty Babywipe Containers?
I used to work for a local preschool as a helper in their kitchen. The school used the wet wipes in the round container. After the containers were empty, they and the lids were washed and dried. The cook would then fill the container with any leftover spaghetti...
Storage Solution for a Mobile Home
I would rather raise my beds and store the items under the beds in tote bins with lids. I am afraid that small animals/rodents might get into the totes under the house. Also, where I live there is lots of humidity and I would be afraid that those conditions...
Wild Bird Seed Storage
I store my dry dog food and/or cat food in Rubbermaid trash cans with locking lids.
Keeping Dishrags Clean
I dont have a dishwasher and I dont want to wash 2 or 3 dishcloths at a time in the washing machine. Is there any way to keep the wet rags from molding while waiting for a full load of dishcloths to wash?
Thrift Store Shopping Tips?
When shopping at a thrift store, it is wise to take a sewing tape measure, because inevitably, many of the size tags will be cut out of the clothing. Also, be very careful to look for spots, tears, bad zippers or other flaws. Some flaws might be fixable if...
Plastic Bag Dispenser
Wash a milk jug thoroughly. Let dry completely. Cut a circular hole in one side (not where the handle is). Then tuck in bags, they will be ready to dispense and convenient to stow under counters.
Washing Couch Pillows?
Some couch cushions have covers that have hidden zippers. You can remove these covers, zip them, and wash them on cold water, gentle cycle. The hard part for me was getting the covers back on the forms correctly. It might take someone to help you. But when...
Reusing Old Silverware
We live in the country and my kids use old spoons to dig in the sandbox. Also, I saw a mobile made out of silverware.
Saving on Toilet Paper?
Use double coupons. Also, there is a good quality, good value brand called BASIC. I believe its made by the same company that makes Bounty paper towels.
Recycling Plastic Lids?
Large plastic lids can substitute for a frisbee. I have used clean plastic lids from yogurt under the legs of a bed to keep it from damaging the carpeting.
Energy Conservation Ideas?
We bought 5 year flourescent bulbs and replaced all our old style bulbs. Though the bulbs cost more initially, we have seen a reduction in the cost of our overall electric bill.
