Flowers That Will Grow Under Pine TreesI need advice about what type of plants/flowers, preferably perennials, could be planted under pine trees. I've been told that the dropping pine needles kill most plants because they give off kerosene. The area in question is very shady. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Rubbing Alcohol for a 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.
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?
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.
Cooking Oil for Sticky and Greasy AreasRemove sticky grease from appliances or walls easily. How? With the same oil that was used to cook and make the area sticky. No detergent, or heavy scrubbing. Hope you find this out too.
Coffee Grounds to Remove Odors in the MicrowaveI cooked some corn dogs that were old and frost bitten. Boy, did I burn 'em. Anyway, I had a hard time getting the smell out of the microwave. Tried everyone's tricks and tips. They reduced the odor, but it was still present, especially when I'd microwave something else.
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.
Under Cabinet Spice RackI adapted instructions for a vinyl molding spice rack to fit my space. I used the space just between the counter top and the cabinets.
Borax To Rid Your House Of PestsThis tip seems too simple to work but I can testify it truly does work. I have even had professionals ask me to stop sharing it with folks, it is that effective.
Buy Now Pay Later at Fingerhut.comFingerhut.com allows visitors to buy now and pay later. They offer great credit options, and say yes when many other credit providers say no. They have great products too from TVs to clothes to furniture.
Don't Be Shy Using Coins and CouponsI used to be really nervous when I am in line with coupons or if I take slightly longer at the register to pay. I just didn't want to be "that" person everyone would be angry at. I would opt to use my credit card just so I don't have to fidget with cash and coins.
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.
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.
Start Your Gardening EarlyMarch 10 - A snowfall is predicted to occur in a few days. So, I wanted to get a few pictures. Some of my plants could be hurt dramatically by heavy snow. As having the pics for my records, I thought I'd share them with you.
Smart TV to Cut Cable CostsI realized I do not need the cable box as long as I have wifi to stream from the app to my smart TVs. I turned in both of my cable boxes, saving $15.00 a month in the rental fees. Also, there are no more ugly cable wires cluttering up the back of the TV.
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.
Use Ladies Shirts as Girls DressesThis is a photo of my 2 granddaughters wearing their new "dresses". They both wear size 4 clothes. Their dresses are actually ladies shirts, size small, that I got brand new off the clearance rack in WalMart for $1 each!
How to Protect Yourself Against the Coronavirus (COVID-19)This week, the CDC has told Americans that we need to be prepared for an outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The virus has been spreading across the globe with outbreaks in China, Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran. As of today, the US has only seen 56 cases of the disease. Currently, 8,400 people in California are being monitored for the coronavirus.
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?
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 .
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.
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.
Don't Eat Grapes in the StoreIn past years, grocery stores prepackaged grapes and sealed the packages. Inevitably, someone would open one package and the customers would sample the grapes before purchasing.
How To Control Ants In Your KitchenWhen I was growing up during the warm summer months my grandma's kitchen would be filled with ants. Each morning we would wake up to ants around the sink, on the counters, and crawling up the cupboards.
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.
Community Quilt BlockI went to a meeting of the local quilter's guild special interest group, Community Quilts. They makes quilts to donate to DSHS foster care (given to foster care children when they graduate from high school), a local veteran's home.
Discounted Paint at LowesWhenever I visit my local Lowes home improvement store, I check out the discounted paint rack. These are 1 gallon and 5 gallon pails of tinted paint that someone did not purchase.
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.
Homemade DranoClean out clogged pipes with three kitchen ingredients.
From Frozen Tender RoastTo make a tender roast put it into your oven frozen, yes frozen.
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!
Camphor for Sinus Pain And HeadachesFor sinus pain and headaches, I use camphor. It comes in small blocks and can be purchased from drug stores. Scrape a bit off into a basin, pour in boiling water, put a towel over your head, and steam.
Always Have Hope - Rescued PlantI rescued this plant from someone who was going to "trash it" after its first blooming. The plant was almost dead when I got it last year. I'm always trying to save things that other people have given up on or abandoned. After a summer of good care, this is the reward I got this fall.
Rain-X For The ShowerOne of the best things to use in the shower to help keep away the soap scum build up and mold, is Rain X. Yes, you would normally use it on your windshield, but if you use it in your shower, it has the same effect.
DIY Counter CleanerAt one point I started making my own kitchen/all purpose cleaner becuase I wanted to save money and use simpler ingredients.
Vinegar Soap Mixture For GnatsThis tip came from desperation. We had an infestation of gnats while we were off for the weekend. The house was thick with them. After the chemical sprays that didn't work forced us out of the house, I turned to Google.
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.
Reuse Glass Candle Holders As GlassesI found that once a candle, for example, Glade, has been used and there is the left over amount of wax in the glass, that they can be used as nice drinking glasses for orange juice or even that evening mixed drink with ice.
Evaporated Milk for CerealWith the cost of milk so high, you can save a little by using evaporated milk for cereal and cooking and saving jug milk for drinking. Also once the can is opened you can keep the rest fresh and ready by pouring into an ice tray and freezing into cubes.
Quick Dry for Washed LettuceThis morning, washing and cutting lettuce for one of the side dishes of tonight's dinner, it hit me in wondering, does anyone else use this method for drying their just washed lettuce?
Change Computer Date to Extend your "Free Trial" SubscriptionsIf your free trial is about up and you would still like to keep it with out making a permanent purchase option just yet all you need to do is go under your computer settings that manage the time and date and push the date back for however long you would like to extend your free trial.
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.
Coffee Filter as Emergency Dust MaskAs odd as it sounds, I keep a package of the round coffee filters in my quake kit.
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!
Finding Cell Phone When Home AloneWhen I retired and was home alone all day, I sometimes misplaced my cell phone. Since women's clothes often don't have pockets, it would sometimes be on a different floor if I was cleaning closets, etc. I would have to email my daughter at work and ask her to call me since we don't have a land line anymore.
Cleaning Swiffer DustersTo clean Swiffer dusters, which I really like, simply swish the dirty duster in a sinkful of sudsy, warm water, rinse, and roll in a paper towel to blot out excess moisture. Reattach to handle, fluff, and allow to air dry.
Use Boiling Water With Liquid Plumbr GelI found that Liquid Plumbr Gel works the best when rinsed with boiling water (bring water to a boil on stove). You may need to repeat, but it works awesome. Then as a maintenance use you baking soda and vinegar.
Free Flower Pots at Lowe's Garden CenterSome garden centers like Home Depot or Lowe's have a rack for free pots. If they don't, you can ask if they have any free pots you can have. What's awesome is once in a while you may stumble across a nice ceramic, clay pot too!
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.
Old Engish Scratch Cover to Stain FurnitureInstead of using stain, I use Old English Scratch Cover for dark wood. It seals the wood and looks like it has been refinished. I did this on a set of dowel rods that I am using for curtain rods.
Buttermilk for Septic SystemFor those of you on septic tanks; I had to have my tank pumped out last year. The guy who did the work, told me that instead of buying the expensive bacteria products, to pour a half gallon of buttermilk down the drain once a month and it would do the same thing!
Save Money By Joining a Coupon TrainI'm a single mom on a tight budget. I'm always looking for ways to save money and I think I've found a great one! It's called the coupon train. It's a group of people from all around who trade their unused, current coupons with other people.
Alternative to Paper TowelsI have decided not to buy paper towels anymore. I am using several alternatives. For draining fried foods (bacon, chicken, fries) I use a cloth diaper.
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.
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.
DIY Windshield Defroster and Water RepellentYou don't need to buy expensive window treatment solutions to repel rain, nor do you have to spend your whole morning trying to scrape ice off your car windows before you go to work. All you need is a spray bottle, rubbing alcohol, and water. Save time and money!
Easily Remove Coffee Stains From MugsNormally I use baking soda and rub the stains out, but it was all gone. The cups also had some lime deposits on them so I thought I'd use vinegar to remove those and found I only had apple cider vinegar.
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.
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.
Poem: "A Night Without the Internet"I didn't hear the doorbell. I must have been asleep.
I didn't get my package and it almost made me weep.
The box contained my modem. Connectivity was lost.
With life unplugged I didn't know if I could I bear the cost?
What to Expect When Renting a Moving TruckWe have all had to move at some point in our lives. Using a rental truck to move your belongings makes the hassle a little more bearable! Some examples include: U-Haul, Penske, Budget, Enterprise, and Ryder. I worked for one of these companies and have compiled some tips to help you know what to expect when you rent.
Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Pet Urine OdorMany years ago a vet tech suggested using hydrogen peroxide to remove pet odors from carpet, rather than buying the all too expensive store bought cleaners. I gave it a try and have been hooked ever since. If it's a stubborn/very strong odor, you may need to repeat the process, but when you're done, the odor will be completely gone and you will have saved a lot of $$.
Birch and a Beech Tree JokeIt is hard to find a joke today without a dirty word or two in it, but, here is one:
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.
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.
Furnace Filter TipsSave on heating/cooling costs by maintaining your air filter. A heating system repairman told me to use the cheapest, blue filter, and to change it at least monthly or when soiled.
Fancy Tea LightsIt's easy to bling up plain tea lights with fancy tape. There is such a lot of choice and so many designs, colours, and patterns available that you can make them up for any occasion. Add sticky gems too for a bit more sparkle.
Avocado Pits in Egg CratesIt is that time of year when I get the wonderful spring fever and want to start growing things. Here are a batch of avocado pits sitting in their own pods made from foam egg crates.
Homemade Spa or Hot Tub CoverWhen we got our hot tub it came with a nice insulated cover. What we did not count on was that my daughter's pit bull puppy would love to tear it up. Our hot tub is outside so we tried everything to keep it covered and ended up not using it for a couple of winter's because it became a real money drain.
Be Safe With Your MailMany people find it convenient to leave their outgoing mail in their mailbox. This is not a good idea if you have any identifying information on the papers inside, or if you are mailing checks. People have been known to take your mail, open it, and get into your checking account or other identifying information to steal your identity.
Rid-Ex Alternative for Your Septic TankInstead of using Rid-ex for a monthly solution for a septic tank - use baking soda and yeast and flush down the toilet.
Deworm Your KittensIf you decide to get a new kitten, either now or in the near future, please make sure you have the new baby dewormed.
Product Review: Johnsonville Flame Grilled ChickenThis product was on special at my store for $2.50. I bought the sea salt flavor and honey mustard. They also had teriyaki. There are three individually wrapped pieces of chicken breast. The sodium and sugar counts were reasonable, and the chicken was moist and flavorful.
Add Red Pepper To Your Bird Seed To Deter SquirrelsAs an avid birdwatcher, I do not enjoy watching the abundant squirrels devour all my bird feed. Not many birds came even though I refilled the birdhouse countless times. Thankfully I once heard that squirrels HATE red pepper.
Easy Tree Limb Clean UpI decided to do a little tree trimming in my yard and once I got finished I had a whole lot of limbs in several areas of my yard. It was going to take several trips to get them all moved to my dump pile. In the past I would have dragged a handful of limbs (all that I could get in one hand) to my dump site.
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.
Keeping Litter From Sticking to the Cat BoxAn application of non-toxic paste wax to a new litter box will keep clumping litter from sticking to the sides and it will be much easier to clean.
Inspect Rental Vehicles CarefullyWhen you rent any vehicle, make sure to inspect the car, van, or truck and note any damage, scratches, or dings. It would be useful to even take quick photos.
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.
Refilling Spice JarsSave a bundle the next time you buy spices. Instead of reaching for the Spice Islands or any other brands that put spices in a jar, shop at stores that sell spices in bulk.
Ideas for Covering WindowsSolve a privacy issue in windows using bubble wrap. You will still get the light but the visibility is greatly reduced! You can get it at an office supply store. It comes in several sizes.
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.
Styrofoam as Perlite SubstitutePerlite is exellent for amending soil used for container grown plants and for starting seedlings in a soil or soiless medium. It insures better drainage and aeration which results in a larger, healthier root system.
Tea Tree Oil For MoldI like to use tea tree oil to clean mold in the bathroom. In a 1 quart spray bottle, fill almost 3/4 full and add 30 to 40 drops of tee tree oil and about 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid dish detergent.
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.
How To Plant BulbsPlanting bulbs is relatively straightforward. Dig a hole, drop in a bulb, and cover it with dirt. Well, at least it's almost that easy. To get them off to a good start, follow these bulb-planting tips:
Pruning an Avocado PlantI have grown an avocado seed and it is 2 years old and approximately 9 feet tall. I have had it outside and need to bring it in for the winter, but it is too tall for the ceiling.
Easy Concrete Stepping StonesUse half flat plant containers to make fast and easy paving stones for your garden.
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.
Best Way To Sell Aluminum TabsThe proper way to store pull tabs is in zip locks, or boxes if your into larger amounts. I have sold over 40 million of them to support my 3 charities.
Clean Filter for Smelly Front Loading WasherMy LG Tromm always had a bad odor until I found that I can drain out the residual water and clean the filter that is located behind a little door on the lower front of my unit.
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.
Use a Spray Or Mister Bottle for Cooking OilsSave lots of money by simply putting your own oil into a mister bottle, and using it to spray on pans and waffle irons, instead of paying for the canned stuff! Far cheaper and healthier for you!
Pack Clutter Into Trash Bags and Organize LaterDo you feel overwhelmed that your home is a big mess? Just looking at it, you do not know where to begin? Try this:
Clean Fridge And Freezer Interior With PeroxideFor years I've used baking soda to clean inside my refrigerator and freezer. I've found something I think I like better. Peroxide.
Keep Bread Mold from DevelopingWhen the weather becomes hot and humid, we always had problems with our soft breads getting moldy. Since it is only my husband and I, bread lasts longer than when we had our kids at home.
