Cook Up Poultry Giblets for PetsWhen cooking a full chicken, hen, or turkey, remove the insides and save. Later when you have time, boil and save in fridge as a treat for your pet. Not too many people eat the heart, liver, and kidneys anyway, but your pets will.
Price Accuracy Guarantee at Vons/SafewayI took a picture of the Vons/Safeway policy while at self check out. They have a Price Accuracy Guarantee, where if you are overcharged and the item is less than $5, it will be free. And, if it was more than $5, you will get a gift card and price adjustment.
Finding Old Weight Watchers ProgramsA number of posters are asking for information on the old Weight Watchers Exchange Program from the 80s. eBay has listings for the Weight Watchers Quick Start PLUS Program Cookbook. Same as mine from 1986, it lists all the information from the Exchange Program.
Keep No-See-Ums from BitingI was at my wit's end, allergic to the bites of no-see-ums. I was driven to tears. I am the only one in my house affected by these bugs. I finally found a remedy. I use a mixture of the original Listerine (gold type), witch hazel and tea tree oil.
Prevent Frost On Car Mirrors With Plastic BagsIf you do not have a garage for car during the stormy winter months, cover mirrors with a baggie. (The best are Hefty Ziplock Gallon Freezer bags). That way your mirror stays frost and snow free.
Make Dog Toys Taste BetterKeeps your dog busy happy and quiet chewing on his tennis ball. Even dogs who don't ever play with tennis balls will like that ball for a while. Great to teach your pet how to fetch!
Refurbishing Antique Dining ChairsI have redone my antique dining chairs from caned seats to padded fabric seats without altering the cane part by cutting plywood seats that are slightly larger than the open area of the seats.
What Size Pot Does My Weeping Willow Need?I have a weeping willow tree that is about 1 foot tall right now and I want to know how long I can leave it in a pot and what size pot it needs. It currently is in a 1 gallon nursery pot. i would appreciate advice.
Shop Thrift Stores in JanuaryShop in January for fantastic deals. People unload new, unwanted Christmas gifts, and older models of items they have upgraded. Also, people take advantage of the charitable contribution tax donation by donating by December 31.
Freeze Nuts to Keep FreshYou can freeze nuts. You can even eat them straight from the freezer. A local store has almonds and walnuts at $3.74 a pound. The nuts come in very large packages, so I wouldn't have been able to take advantage if I hadn't known about this tip.
Ice Proof Car WindowsThere is an easy and cheap way to make sure you don't end up with iced over windows every morning on your car. Vinegar! Just fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way with vinegar and the rest with room temp water.
Reuse Your Dehumidifier's WaterI've always hated to throw away the water I accumulate daily in my dehumidifier. I water outdoor plants with it. I'm sure my neighbors think I have a strange watering can, but I think this is the best way to recycle this free water.
Caution with Bird Seed, Bird Droppings and DogsFor anyone who may not know this, dogs can have seizures if they ingest house birds' seed or feces. We learned this the hard way. My sister was temporarily living with us, and she had a bird.
You May Be Eligible for Food StampsApply for food stamps in your state. I thought I wouldn't get them, but surprise, I was eligible. There is no disgrace in getting help when you need it. Be brave and just go apply.
Vicks Vapor Rub for Minor BurnsFor minor burns, such as steam burns in the kitchen, after running cold water on the burn, you can put Vicks Vapor Rub or a similar product on it and it will take the sting/soreness out of the burn!
Add Carnation Instant Breakfast to CoffeeI made the Carnation with 1/2 cup of milk, then filled my big ol' mug the rest of the way with my coffee. Well, it was just delicious!
Use Half A Benedryl to Avoid Side EffectsMy son and I both have pollen and various topical allergies. It seems that Benadryl is the only thing that works for either of us. Since he does a lot of driving in connection with his work, he bought the little pink Benadryl tablets and broke them in half.
Removing Adhesive Labels from Glass JarsI paint glass jars and find at times the labels are nearly impossible to remove without using chemicals. I found a much easier way and it's far less frustrating.
Orange Oil For Cleaning FurnitureI have a cleaning service and if I am dusting particularly dusty furniture, I like to spray orange oil on my rag, run hot water over it and wring it out.
Using Old Sinks As PlantersOne way to recycle old sinks from your bathroom or kitchen is to use them in your garden to plant succulents in. These sinks make a great border around your garden and add to the look of the garden. Succulent plants don't need much water. It is easy to use the sink and they have a drainage system. Just dig a hole in the ground and place the sink and the drainage pipe in the hold.
How to Clean Dirty CoinsMy best friend always looks down at the ground when we go for walks because he is really quite lucky finding huge amounts of change in sidewalk crevices and dirt patches. He finds several dollars per week! Unfortunately, these coins are often very corroded and almost unrecognizable.
Using Glass Lids To Cover Food in the MicrowaveAwhile back I dropped my one and only glass pot and shattered it. I stuck the lid in a cabinet and forgot all about it. A few weeks ago while doing a little fall cleaning, I came across it again and used it to cover something I was making in the microwave.
Extending a Short Broom HandleI can't afford a nice big broom, nor would I want one. They hurt my thumbs and are too coarse. So, I love the Dollar Tree ones, but man are they short! I am only 5 feet 1 inch tall and I find myself stooping just to use it.
Milk Jug LightsRinse out your jugs and let dry. If it is windy in your area, you may want to put sand or rocks in the bottom of the jugs to keep them in place. Place one light into the mouth of each jug.
Beech Mountain Ski CamI'm enjoying watching people ski down the mountain at Beech Mountain NC. It was so warm this week, just about all the snow melted but it's cold again and it has also snowed plus they are making snow for the slopes.
Push Wax Down Sides of CandleEliminate the waste of any soy candle that may be stuck to the walls of a jar, burning all of it, not just 80%. Some candles do not do this and burn all the way down, but it has to do with the size of the wick.
Hard Candy Decorative LightsWhen I originally made these about 20 years ago, I used clear plastic food containers which I can no longer can find. It also works over small clear plastic bowls stapling 2 together.
Use Press and Seal for Keeping Jigsaw Puzzles TogetherI was talking to a lady about table puzzles. She said she likes to shellac them on the back, once she's got a puzzle put together. She said she used to have trouble turning over a completed puzzle, but she has finally conquered that problem.
Mineral Spirits For Laminate FloorsI've searched for years for the right solution for the footprints and smudges that show up immediately after cleaning the floor. So, finally here it is!
How to Paint StyrofoamStyrofoam is a basic element to many craft projects. It can be used with different shapes, styles, and mediums. However, because of its bland appearance, Styrofoam also often needs to be painted.
Fruit Tree Bird Net FrameHubby and I made this frame out of 2 inch plastic irrigation piping attached to metal 'star' pickets. This size pipe fits snuggly on to the ends of the pickets, sliding easily over.
Crocheted Kewpie and Baby Cradle PurseThe original pattern I found on the Thrifty Fun website. I printed it in hopes of making it someday. They are just so adorable and turned out so cute.
Homemade Static GuardAt our local store, a can of Static Guard costs $4. I make my own for pennies. It is so simple to make. All you need is a clean empty spray bottle, warm water, and 2 to 3 unused dryer sheets.
Crayons To Camoflauge Bleached CarpetOh my God! I found the solution for bleached stains on carpets! Simple as this: crayons and a hair dryer. Just find the color matching your carpet and color it moving lightly over the stain, then use the dryer to "melt" the crayon (once you found the right match).
Cleaning Popcorn Ceilings the Easy WayMy popcorn ceilings may be old, but I still want them to be clean. They tend to collect dust and spiderwebs over time, and I've finally found a way to get them clean without much effort! Just use a new, thick-knapped paint roller, on an extension pole if possible.
Tips for Keeping Area Rugs from MovingKeeping your rug in place is important to prevent falls. Here are a few options for keeping area rugs in place:
Extended Use for PensFor ink pens that won't write; place the pens upside down in a cup of hot water until the water cools off. Wipe dry and use.
Freeze Canned BiscuitsI found out just today that you can freeze the biscuits-in-a-can! Find a sale, stock up, and throw them in the freezer. You can either let the can thaw out, pop it open and then bake the biscuits or (frozen cans will NOT pop) pry the frozen biscuits out of the can and bake them.
Privacy Window Using Contact PaperI decided that I didn't want to use curtains on our bathroom window so I was trying to find an alternative. I looked at the window films that they sell and didn't like how expensive they were.
Place to Donate Campbell's Soup Labels and MoreMy mother has kept the labels off of Campbell soup cans for months. She would send them somewhere to help out needy children on an Indian reservation. This last time she collected all her labels together, she discovered she lost the address to send them to.
Use Your Crockpot as an OvenI found I am able to use my crock pot as an oven. I have been trying everything in: acorn squash, yellow squash, zucchini, potatoes, yams, etc. - without any water. Often I leave some things like acorn squash, yams, and potatoes in the crock overnight - on the low setting.
Extra Sheet on Guest BedAfter washing the dusty spread on the bed in the spare bedroom, I thought about using one of the extra sheets, I have accumulated, to cover the bed to keep it from getting dusty.
Make Your Own AwningsInstead of an old fashioned, pulley-operated awning, install a single piece of canvas attached to a wood pole at the top and at the bottom. Secure the top above your window with hooks.
How To Repair Frizzy American Girl Doll HairThis is an easy and inexpensive way to repair American Girl Dolls' hair using household items.
Use Tall Laundry Hampers as Trash CansTall laundry hampers are about half the price of kitchen size trash cans. You can get them for as little as $5 at Deals!, Family Dollar, and Dollar General and they hold a kitchen size trash bag nicely.
Oven Cleaner for Soap ScumWe have used Easy Off Fume Free over cleaner (for cold ovens, no heat required) to clean years of soap scum and hard water build up off showers and tubs, both fiberglass and tile.
Frozen Fruit in Water Instead of Ice CubesWe like to make our own fruit waters. We simply put frozen strawberries and frozen blueberries into our water instead of ice cubes.
Get Rid of Mice with ExlaxWe owned and operated a seasonal fishing camp/resort out in the bush. Our cabins, lodge and washroom facilities were basic & simple. It was a summer business. In the fall we closed down, and in came the mice, although we lived year round on site with 5 cats!
Stretching My Meager DollarsI am a single mother of two kids. The income I have comes from what little I make from my full time job, my job working in my church's nursery on Sundays, and Child Support for my oldest. I am constantly learning new ways to stretch my meager dollars.
Removing the Cloudy Film from Old WindowsTo clean old windows that have a cloudy film, use Easy Off oven cleaner or any other that has LYE in it. Wet the window pane with wet cloth and spray oven cleaner over area. Leave set a minute or so and wipe off. If the
Smoke Detectors and Family PetsI recently had an experience with my dogs that I will never, ever forget and need to share what I learned with other dog owners for their dogs and other inside pets they may have.
Make Your Own LogsIf you have a wood burning stove and receive the daily newspaper you can make your own newspaper logs. Lay newspapers flat and roll it into 3 inch diameter logs then wrap metal wire around the finished log.
Uses for Large Plastic Coffee JugsI buy the large coffee jugs, the 33 oz. size. They are made so well, they have a handle on the side, with a good tight seal lid. I just can't see throwing them away. I give them to neighbors that I know, one being an older gentleman that uses them for his screws, nails and other little tools.
Glue to Make an Oversize Ring FitI've always been encountering this, especially if someone gives you a ring as a gift. When the ring is too big that won't fit on your finger that would be a problem and sometimes I go to a goldsmith to have it cut it to make fit on my finger. And this will cost you a money, right?
Save Unused Ramen Seasoning PacketsI read your list of recipes for using ramen noodles, and I was quite disturbed to see that more than one reader had suggested that we "throw out" the seasoning packet when preparing her recipe.
Reuse Unpostmarked StampsPostage stamps that have not been marked with the date due to machinery error can be reused. Pay attention to the mail you get and start cutting off the stamps you can reuse.
Soak Off Jar LabelsIn my quest to reclaim a Mason jar (specifically Classico pasta sauce jars) I needed to soak off the labels. I submerged the jars in hot water and let them sit until the paper was easy to pull off. The best part with the Classico jars is that the glue they use is also water soluble!
Pompom LoomI have just made a loom to make pompom blankets or cushions. I made the frame approx 30" x 26" then put 1 1/2" nails all the way around the edge about 1 1/2" apart.
Create a Hands-on Daily Classroom Schedule for StudentsChildren work best with structure and continuity. It is easier for the younger ones to know what to expect during the day. Our classroom schedule was straightforward and only changed during field trips and rainy days. I decided to create a daily schedule that was on the children's eye level and one in which they could interact.
Bleach Bottle PiggyUse a regular bleach bottle, rinse it out with water and baking soda (takes the bleach smell away). Let dry. Paint with acrylic pink paint and let dry. Paint your spots on with either black or brown acrylic paint and let dry for about and hour.
Softball Jersey QuiltI took all the softball jerseys from my granddaughter's years of playing softball and made her a huge quilt from them. She cherishes this quilt and it brings back lots of memories for her.
Use Warm Oven to Dry Pots and PansWhen you have used your oven for cooking or baking and have pots and pans that have to be hand washed, place them upside down on the rack in the warm oven to dry. Do not forget to remove them before you preheat the oven.
Use Baby Wipe with Skin So Soft For FleasHere is one to try for fleas. Take any kind of baby wipes (mark wipes container for pet use only) and add just 1/4 cup of Skin So Soft to the wipes container. This can be used daily for either cats or dogs.
Warning About Flea Medicine from the Dollar StorePLEASE BE AWARE. While dropping my dog off at the vet yesterday, a hysterical girl rushed in with a cat that was violently shaking, mouth hanging open, eyes actually bugged out. She was crying and screaming.
Stop the Drip of Laundry DetergentI store my large laundry detergent dispenser and my fabric softener dispenser in a cabinet over my washing machine. No matter how careful I am, the spout drips inside my cabinet and makes an awful mess. The blue fabric softener is even worse.
Alternative to New Year's ResolutionsI like the comment I heard today in exercise class. This young woman said she doesn't make new year's resolutions but instead picks a word to think more about and implement personally for the year. Her words this year were "commitment" and "support". That's an interesting concept!
Keeping Gel Pills From Getting Sticky In Hot WeatherI found a simple way to keep my pills from sticking together in my weekly pill holder. I have 3 or 4 gel caps and, in this hotter weather, they stick together or to the container.
Media Case Used To Store Art SuppliesUse an old DVD case as a child's colouring case. Just decorate it and make a little pocket inside with either paper or fabric to hold pencils or markers. You can also turn one into a make-up case to hold liners, lip gloss, and mascara.
Turn Boxes Inside Out for ShippingThe holidays are upon us, and you will no doubt want to send things to loved ones through the mail. Some of the best boxes to ship in are illegal to use: bleach, alcohol, paint, etc. So, here is how to use them if you need them.
Homemade SuetI just got done making suet for the wild birds. It is cheap enough to buy, but gets even cheaper if you make your own. The following is my recipe.
How to Survive Weeks in an Arm SlingAfter having surgery on my shoulder for a torn Rotator Cuff two weeks ago, I've learned a few useful things that might help you one day.
Paying with Coins at Self-Check OutMy purse was feeling a little heavier than usual today. Instead of swiping my card first, I decided to toss all my coins from my purse at self-check out. I was shocked I had about $3 in miscellaneous change! I don't know why I didn't do this any sooner.
Anise Extract for Acid RefluxMy son-in-law and I both had acid reflux. I went to the store and tried to find licorice oil with no luck. I finally went to the grocery store in the seasonings aisle. I found anise extract.
Prevent Wasps from Making a NestTo keep wasps from setting up a home near your front door or around your home - mix 2-3 tablespoons of Dawn dishsoap and about 2-3 cups of water. Put into a spray bottle, shake and that's it. Spray where they keep coming back to, to make a new nest. This will also kill them and drop them like a hat.
Windowsill Celery HeartsGrow celery hearts on your windowsill this winter. It's easy and they're pretty and delicious. Next time you buy a stalk of celery, cut the heel off about an inch from the bottom.
Use Sanitizing Bleach SprayThe one tip I can't live without on a daily basis is I keep a 48 ounce bottle of a mixture of 1/4 chlorine bleach and the rest water. I find myself using this bottle several times/day.
Cleaning Wax Off CountertopsAnyone who's ever said "just wait for it to dry and chip it off" has never actually tried to clean wax off a nice shiny countertop. I spilled candle wax and it wasn't the kind of wax that gets hard.
Use Tin Foil To Make Your Own Sewing PatternsA friend of mine knows someone who sews "Knock offs" - Dresses that look just like those worn at the Oscars made by designers. The trick is aluminum foil. Yes! Plain old tin-foil.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Restless Leg SyndromeI was talking to a friend of mine who takes 1 Tbsp. of apple vinegar cider nightly for years and has not had to take any other medication since for it. Since I cannot stand the bitter taste, I bought some apple cider vinegar tablets.
Clean Your Area Rugs at The Car WashTake your area rugs to the car wash to get them super clean! I have done this numerous times with a helper and a truck, and know others who do the same. It's amazing to see the dirt run out off the rug!
Preventing Puppies From ChewingI have learned the hard way how to protect my house and its contents from the sharp puppy teeth. While our children can be reasoned with, puppies only understand that they need to chew. This may be difficult for some but it was what saved my household's shoes, clothes and walls.
Cleaning an Electric PercolatorCall me old fashioned, if you like, but after many tries I still go back to my electric percolator as I feel it not only makes great coffee but keeps it hot compared to many of the mister coffee type appliances.
Make Wiping Squares to Save on TPWith 9 in the family, I wasn't overly concerned that we went through a whole roll of toilet paper until I saw what my 4 year old left on the floor. To borrow the words of Glenn Beck "It made blood want to shoot out of my eyes.
Protecting Pine Seedlings From Deer...Young trees are a favorite snack of hungry deer, especially in the spring and fall while there's still snow on the ground. Most young pines can recover from minor amounts of repeat browsing as long as the terminal bud remains intact.
Disinfecting Old Hats And ShoesI read recently somewhere that among the things you should NOT buy used are shoes and hats. Hmmm - I have been doing that for years with no bad results, but in this day of proliferating bugs, I suppose we all should be very careful.
Stretching Tight BeaniesI've recently found that I can shape any beanie, even the ones that are oddly tight, like swimmers caps, by stretching them with the right objects. Take something that's a bit bigger than your head, like a melon, fit the beanie over it and let it sit there for at least 24 hours.
Wrapping Paper and Ribbon StorageI do a lot of crafts in a small space. My collection of wrapping paper seems to grow this time of the year. I make my small area more efficient and a space saver with cup hooks, wood dowels, and plastic or metal chains.
Make Your Own Bra ExtendersMy bras started getting too tight and were extremely uncomfortable. My bras are still in very good condition and all I needed was an extra inch in the band width, so I found my answer on this website.
Generic Zyrtec is Not as GoodI just wanted to throw my two cents in about the generic Zyrtec. My husband does real well on Zyrtec, the allergy medicine. Well we tried to save a little money and bought the Walmart brand equate, there are some differences in the ingredients but we didn't think a lot.
Be Careful Using Spray N Wash Dual PowerJust a heads-up I wanted to pass on to other readers. If you use Spray N Wash Dual Power stain remover for your clothes, don't apply it to the stain and then leave it sit for a long period of time. . .
Stretching Tight Boots and ShoesI have really big muscular calves and wide feet (thanks, Mum!), making it very hard for me to fit into shoes I fancy. I bought these suede boots and pumps online because they were dirt cheap and super cute. When they arrived, not surprisingly, I could not fit into them.
Homemade "No Show" SocksMake your own "no show" socks. Cut the panty part off the pantyhose. Stretch the open end of the cut off stocking over your foot. Cut off the excess stocking off, leaving a seam allowance of 1/4 inch.
Little Black Bugs in the KitchenI kept sweeping up little black bugs along one baseboard where I keep my cat's dish and water. I changed the location where I kept his place mat because they were in his water. I sprayed the area with ant spray and put down moth balls, which seemed to work. After a while they were back.
Don't Post Your House Number on Social MediaI highly recommend to never post your home address (# portion) in photos anywhere on social media. Even though you are not displaying your complete address with just the # portion of your address, it would easily be researched online.
Mark Christmas Presents With Numbers Instead Of NamesIf you have little impatient gift-peepers at your house who can't stay away from their gift under the tree, here's what I do.
Fig Milk for Wart and Skin Tag RemovalThe milk that is inside of the stems of fig branches is a natural and highly effective way to remove warts and skin tags without the dangers of chemical acids.
