Kill Fleas FastOur pets are like members of the family and we want to protect them. But, it is inevitable that our dog and cats will attract those pesky fleas. Flea collars, sprays, ointments, and pills aren't 100% effective all the time either, so what can we do?
Free Flat Tire Repair at Discount TireFlat tire repairs due to a nail can charge anywhere from $10 to $20. Discount Tires offers free flat tire repairs, no matter where you bought your tires from. There are over 900 Discount Tire locations in the United States. If you ever have a flat tire with a nail, try Discount Tires. If you do not have a Discount Tire around, you can call the bigger tire retailers and ask if they provide complimentary services.
Air Purifiers That Run on Sunshine and WaterAs much of the country prepares to move indoors for the winter, air quality becomes a concern. Air purifiers are expensive to run not only due to electrical needs but also due to the cost of filters.
Hiking Opal Creek (Oregon)Last weekend, my family and I had the opportunity to hike in the Opal Creek Scenic Area and Wilderness. It is located east of Salem, in the Willamette National Forest. Opal Creek runs through thousands of acres of protected old growth forest, crisscrossed with over 30 miles of hiking trails.
Add Bleach to Bath for Heat RashWhen you get that awful rash due to heat, add about 1/4 cup of bleach to your bath water and it will amaze you how fast it works. Usually over night.
Make Your Brew Station Yield More CoffeeI encountered a little problem when someone came to visit me who drank as much coffee as I do, and man alive, do I ever drink a lot of coffee! What was the problem? I couldn't make a pot of coffee last very long at all!
Instant Potatoes As Non-Toxic Rat BaitMost rat baits are toxic to other animals if they happen to chew or chomp on a dead rat. This is a deadly but non-toxic method to kill rats by using Instant Potato flakes or powder.
Learning FrugalityHi there I am Sharon, I live in NY and it's very expensive here. I have done a few things over the past few months to save money. We have a new store called Dollar General. Some of you have had it a while now. Today I learned about a download. I did it and scanned some coupons. You know what I mean, right. I went to the store and asked about the program.
Rubbing Alcohol for Hand SanitizerInstead of buying bottle after bottle of hand sanitizer which can go fast with a lot of kids, I save old spray bottles that give a mist like hair spray pump bottles. I refill them with rubbing alcohol.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Room OdorsThe host said that a bowl of apple cider vinegar was placed in each room and left there for several days. The odor went away, and they were able to rent out the apartment with no problem.
A&D Ointment As Night CreamA wonderful night moisturizing cream, possibly in your medicine cabinet! I stumbled across a wonderful, cheap nightcream. A & D Ointment.
Use Placemats in RefrigeratorMy mum taught me the advantages of lining the glass shelves in a refrigerator. Most refrigerators could benefit from this. You just place a large plastic or cloth place mat on each shelf.
Add Dawn Dish Soap To Your LaundryAdd a little Dawn dish washing liquid to your laundry soap or wash water, and the clothes will come out much cleaner. Also, only run your dryer for 1/2 the time you normally do. Usually the clothes are dry by then.
Free Stained Glass PatternsWebsites with free stained glass patterns.
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.
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.
Epsom Salts To Melt IceEpsom salts and sugar, mixed 1 to 1, will melt salt and ice. It does not hurt the plants or ground,nor will it hurt birds, dogs, or cats. It can be used to pre-treat sidewalks and driveways and roads.
Little Black Bugs Could Be ScabiesI had little bugs crawling on me, in my hair and in my clothes. I kept finding black specks that didn't move. I would notice glitter on my face in the sun light. I didn't realize this was scabies. I washed, sprayed and bombed; nothing seemed to work. Unfortunately, I gave scabies to my friend. She told me the only way to get rid of these bugs was to get ivermectin.
Rubbing Alcohol as Eyeglass CleanerI keep rubbing alcohol in a small 2 oz. spray bottle. I use it to clean my glasses. You could also use your own homemade glass cleaner, but I find it easier to just fill it with the rubbing alcohol.
Make Your Own 2% Milk At HomeI do not pay for the store to water down my milk, as in 2% and such. We found that we can do this at home. Buy whole milk and add cold water to it. Since this is a matter of taste, you will have to find what suits your family best.
Painting Old WindowsI got this old window at a salvage store. $5.00. I used clear Elmer's glue mixed with a small amount of acrylic paint to create faux stained glass paint. I outlined my pattern with black paint that comes with a tip. Then I added embellishments and presto, trash to treasure.
Laundry Bottle Craft IdeasCraft ideas using laundry detergent bottles. Cut the top half off a plastic clothes detergent or fabric softener bottle leaving as much of the handle as possible. The bottom half of the bottle will become the boat.
Replace Broken Overall Clasp with HangerYou can replace those metal connector "clasps" on your kids' overalls with a hanger and your needle-nosed pliers. Simply use your pliers to bend the hanger into the same shape as the other clasp, and now you've saved lots of money otherwise spent on new overalls!
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!
Use Microwave to Help Remove RX LabelsAfter many times of trying to remove labels from empty pill bottles to remove my identity from them before discarding them, I hit on a new way tonight. I was standing at my kitchen sink, next to the microwave. I filled my empty pill bottle with water, sat it in the microwave, heated the water in the micro for a few seconds or minutes.
Using Cooking Bags In Your CrockpotCan I use "oven cooking bags" in my crockpot?
Egg White To Draw Out BoilsA way to treat and draw out boils is to crack an egg, take the egg white and put it on the boil. Put a bandage on it and leave overnight. When you wake up, you will see a big change. Do this as often as you like until the boil has gotten the core out.
If You Are Overcharged at WalMartIf You Are Overcharged at WalMart. For Wal-Mart shoppers, here is a tip if you were not aware of it. When you go shopping make sure you look at the price tag, compare the name, ounces, anything else that is pertinent to the item.
Peppermint Oil for Mice ControlThis is the time of year we get mice. We live back off the road and there are barns behind us so we get about 3 a year. My husband read in Mother Earth news, that you can make your mouse problem go away for good.
How To Repair Frizzy American Girl Doll HairThis is an easy and inexpensive way to repair American Girl Dolls' hair using household items.
Virtual Yard SalesJoin or create a virtual yard sale on Facebook! I recently discovered this idea. You post a picture of the item you want to sell along with a description and price.
New Countertops for Less Than $100Well we did it. We went in head first and painted our laminate countertops. We were extremely nervous to try this, but were already considering replacing them with new ones. We thought, why not try it before we get new ones?
Spray Cleaning on a BudgetSpray cleaning is fast and easy and can save you a lot of time and effort. However it is more expensive than using a bowl of soapy water and a cloth. If you are living on a budget it is worth splashing out on a large bottle of multi purpose concentrated cleaner.
Adding Bacon Flavor To RecipesI used to cook green beans with bacon. Recently though, my husband's doctor suggested we cut back on this kind of processed meat. But we LOVE the flavor of foods cooked with bacon.
Iron To Remove Nail Polish Remover StainRegarding nail polish remover spilled on real wood table. Yes! The hot iron with white washcloth worked WONDERS! I was stunned!
Gardening By Trial And ErrorI'm not stingy. If I had all the money I've given to people in need, I could take a nice trip abroad. Still, I find watching pennies while gardening to really pay off in the long run.
Bargaining for a Hotel RoomWe need to book a hotel room to go and visit my mother-in-law over the holidays because she lives in senior housing and cannot have overnight guests.
Homemade FlagpoleMy grandsons are visiting me for several weeks this summer. Here is a picture of the flag pole Derek made for us while he was here. He found the old pole behind our garage. He painted the pole white, and attached a solar light on top.
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.
Placemats Instead of DoiliesWoven placemats or tapestry pieces are great to use instead of doilies on the arms of stuffed chairs or sofas to keep them from being soiled.
Twin Mattress for Large DogsWe have two large dogs - 90 and 120 lbs. that sleep in our bedroom. After going though several dog beds (starting at $40 each times two), because of their size (they literally flattened the beds), I finally convinced my husband to buy a twin mattress.
Potato For Athlete's FootTry using a potato for killing athlete's foot, yes it works! I had my ex-husband use every cream and ointment, even scheduled a doctor's visit for this awful, itchy, bothersome, and sometimes smelly problem.
When Frugal is Not!After watching some TV shows tout frugality that aren't really in our best interest, I wanted to express what I think is not frugal.
Best COVID-19 Mask PatternsIt has been reported that as many as 25% of people with COVID-19 might be asymptomatic. This is why it is important to wear a mask. Wearing a masks helps stop the spread of the disease by containing respiratory droplets of people who might be sick. Wearing a mask also helps people remember to not touch their face.
Use Hand Sanitizer to Clean GlassesOne of the best products I've found to completely clean the lenses on eyeglasses is hand sanitizer. I've tried many glass cleaning products and have always dealt with residue from hair spray or other smears.
Aspirin For Cold Fingers and ToesMy toes felt frozen throughout the entire month of October and winter was just beginning. I searched for answers on the internet and came across one remedy that I felt was thrifty and worth trying.
Crochet Wire Hanger CoversI have a pattern for crocheting wire hanger covers. The pattern is simple. Use two wire hangers tied together by the hook.
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.
Use Abreva Cold Sore Treatment For PimplesI applied a little dab on and gently rubbed it into my cold sore, I decided to also experiment and apply a dab of it to a pimple that I noticed on my face and thought, "well, it couldn't hurt".
Where to Buy Octagon SoapOctagon was a popular brand of bar laundry soap. However, it no longer being manufactured. Fels-Naptha is still available and much cheaper so that could be an alternative.
Animal Feed at Day Old Bread StoreHere is such a money saver you need people to share with! If you go to a day old bread store and ask if they have any "Animal Feed" racks of bread for sale.
Shredded Wheat as a Dog TreatMy dogs love bite-size shredded wheat as a treat. There's no sugar, no salt, and it adds fiber to their diet. It also helps clean their teeth because they have to crunch it.
Grow Your Own GingerNow that everyone's battling colds and flus, I'm reminded that growing your own ginger is super easy and, of course, great for your budget. When you're at the store, choose a ginger root that looks like it has eyes growing from it (much like potato eyes), or take it home and wait for the eyes to grow themselves.
Eating a Cupcake With Less MessA while back I brought cupcakes to my friend. She did the strangest thing before eating one. She broke the bottom off of the cupcake and plopped it on top of the frosting, like a lid.
Trap Dust At Air VentsOne day I noticed that you can follow the dust in my bedroom back to the air vent. I took two fresh dryer sheets, stapled them together, and covered the air vent with them using four refrigerator magnets.
Top Shelf Storage Tips for Short PeopleThis will help the vertically challenged person, such as I, to utilize those top shelves while being able to reach things. I arrange my cereal and cracker boxes like books on a shelf and I can reach the front edge and get them down.
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.
Orajel for Ingrown Toenail PainI have found that Orajel works for ingrown toenail pain. Just squeeze a line of Orajel along the cuticle and let soak for 2 or 3 minutes and the pain is gone. Its worked for me and doesn't get painful again for days.
Plants That Like Coffee GroundsI read that you can give coffee and the grounds to plants. Does anyone have a list of plants that I can use coffee?
Address Labels Can Get Stuck In ShredderBeware of shredding those free address labels you get in the mail. I had a shredder that previously handled (quite nicely) the address labels - and then it didn't. I'll have to replace the unit.
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.
Buffing Scratches out of Polycarbonate Eyeglass LensesI've read most of the suggestions, but here is what worked for me. I got my polycarbonate lenses with the AR coating at Walmart. As most of the tips suggest, the most likely cause of your scratches are due to scratches in the AR coating.
Removing Scuff Marks with WD-40This is a quick and easy way to remove both scuff marks and tape residue from linoleum or vinyl floors.
Exterminating Bugs From A MicrowaveHave you ever gotten a roach or any other type of bug inside the workings of your microwave and didn't know what to do? Well I found out an easy way to kill anything crawling around in there.
Temporarily Cover Car Windows with Shrink...I have driven briefly on highway at 55 mph and on local city streets at 35 mph all over about 2 weeks. The film stayed on perfectly, kept the heat in the car and the cold out .
Protect Your Important Documents in Your FreezerProtect your important documents (insurance info, car titles, warranties, etc.) by placing them is a zip lock bag in your freezer. Should a fire occur, they will not be burned.
Check Used Goods for RecallsI saw someone put out this baby gate and asked if I could have it. I had trouble adjusting it to fit my door. The manual online didn't seem to help, so I called the Fisher Price customer service. It turned out that there was a recall on some of the gates because of a high lead count on one of the stickers.
Removing Smoke Smell From ClothesLaunder items using hot water, regular amount of detergent, and 1 cup each of white vinegar and baking soda. Repeat if any smoke smell remains. DO NOT dry until smoke smell is gone.
Homemade Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner for Dog UrineHere is a recipe to use on dog urine stains on carpet or upholstery.
Separate and Turn Bread Slices To Keep FreshI live alone in central Mexico. As our "rainy season" has started again, I was fretting about my bread. The best I can buy is Orowheat sliced. I can only buy it once a month in the nearby big town.
Add Baking Powder to Cake MixWhen using boxed cake mixes, add a half to a level teaspoon of baking powder. Being taught this by my grandmother has been a blessing. We don't always check the date on the box and as the box sits on the shelves, it loses it's strength.
Use Fleece Throws for Warm CurtainsFor really frugal and warm curtains, I purchased two of those fleece throws that are on sale for under $5 and used the inexpensive gold clips. The two throws fit a 76 inch picture window nicely, and they come in dark colors also nice for wintertime. Mine came with a nice cloth bow tied around it which I used for tiebacks.
Cornbread for BirdsOne of the winter favorites for birds (which include chickadees, blue jays, juncos, starlings, cardinals and sparrows, as well as others) is corn bread.
Polishing Stainless Steel AppliancesFor 3 years I have been struggling to keep my stainless steel appliances clean. They always have drip marks and finger prints on them. Finally, I found the perfect solution and it is something almost everyone has in their home.
Avoid Aspartame for Bladder Control IssuesDo you drink sugar-free drinks or otherwise use aspartame? Do you have an issue with frequent urges to urinate, or incontinence? Did you know that aspartame many times is the cause of these issues?
Water Down Expensive PerfumeNice perfume can be very expensive, so most of us don't tend to buy it, but I found if you go to freebie websites like hunt4freebies and freestufftimes.com you can get free samples of expensive perfumes in the trail size bottles.
Tips For Eyeglass WearersEyeglass Wearer Tips. I have worked as an optician for many years. I am asked daily about the best way to clean glasses. I am most concerned about keeping the lenses scratch free, so I suggest all lenses are to be first rinsed with water, then wiped with a soft cloth.
Remove Both Ends of Cans to Get Every BitThis is a tip about getting all the tomato paste out of the can. Cut off both ends. Holding on to the can and push out the amount that you need. No more scraping!
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.
Toning Down the Kerosene Smell From a HeaterI know it might be a little late in the season for this, but my sister taught me a little trick. If you use a kerosene heater to cut down on heating bills, like we do, and you can't stand the kerosene smell, put a pan of water on top of heater, and the smell will be gone!
Website for New York ASPCA Mobile Spay...In several neighborhoods in New York City, there is a mobile veterinary clinic. Use this link to find out if your area is part of their schedule.
Use Vinegar Instead of Dryer SheetsActually this has to do with laundry, I have been told this before, but I tried this last weekend. I was not happy with my dryer sheets; I would rather not use them. Our sons use them so we have lots of them.
Apple Cider Vinegar For Chicken WaterApple cider vinegar is loaded with vitamins and minerals. So it's perfect for adding to your chicken's water in moderation. Plus, because of the acidity in it, it helps in preventing algae from growing in your water.
Advertise Yard Sales on CraigslistWhile it's kinda late for this year, keep this in mind for your next yard sale - you can advertise your sale for free on Craigslist ! There's a whole category, "Garage Sale"; under 'For Sale', and that's what it's for ! Describe what we'll find - toys, clothes, tools, etc. - and your address, and the times of your sale.
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.
Use Boards to Slide Boxes Down StairsI had a wonderful idea that might help you all when you have to move from down a flight of stairs. I made a ramp out of two 2X6's and slid the boxes down the steps!
Organizing Under the SinkHere is a great way to keep all your cleaners organized under the sink. Buy a short shower curtain rod and install it under your sink, make sure it is in there tight. Then, place all of your cleaners that use a spray nozzle on to rod.
Magic Eraser to Clean IronIf you have built up gunk on your iron and absolute foolproof method to clean it is a Magic Eraser. I have tried lots of things through the years but this works amazingly well.
Make Frozen Lasagna Taste HomemadeThis is a tip I thought I would share since I did this over the week-end and my dinner guests loved the lasagna dinner. They all thought it was homemade! Little did they know, I purchased the Stoffers large frozen lasagna when it was on sale at my favorite store.
Make Ground Turkey Taste Like BeefWe all know ground turkey or chicken is healthier then beef. But what if you miss that beef flavor? I have come up with a way to make turkey or chicken burgers, loaf, or pretty much any recipe taste like you DID use beef! It's easy!
Using Ivermectin to Treat Ear MitesEar mites are disgusting and painful. Cats and kittens get them all the time. Dogs do sometimes also. The vets often prescribe Acarexx. It is an ear mite treatment for cats and kittens. It contains 0.01% ivermectin.
Watch the Scanner when ShoppingAlways watch the cash register as your purchases are rung up for scanner errors. Then, if an error occurs, know what the stores policy is, many stores will give you the item free or a credit of several dollars off your total.
Heirloom ShadowboxesHere's a way to get your family mementos out of old shoe boxes in the attic or jewelry boxes in your dresser drawers and into display boxes where they can be enjoyed every day.
Heat Pinecones In Microwave For Craft ProjectsPine cones can be put into the microwave and heated on low temperature. Cones that have not opened will open up. They will be an undamaged specimen for craft projects. While doing this you will experience another benefit, free room freshener.
Getting Organized in the MorningWe all have times we feel unorganized. When this happens, the first thing you do in the morning is get your coffee, tea or diet cola ready, and make a list of at least 6 things you COULD get done that day.
Beverages for the Christmas CactusI started giving the cactus a cup of coffee once a week and it has just exploded! It blooms twice a year and has grown by leaps and bounds. Try coffee!
