Use Less Ingredients When BakingWhen making cookies and squares, I never find that I need as many chocolate chips or nuts as the recipe calls for. I have reduced the fat content of the sweets and have some ingredients left over for the next batch.
Storing Bulk Food ItemsShopping at the warehouse stores gives you gallon size containers which are cumbersome. The small size sport squirt top water/drink bottles are great for holding a manageable supply of oil, soy sauce or vinegar.
Build a Family Time CapsuleAn inexpensive and fun family project for this year is building a Family Time Capsule. This capsule can include any items you like. The purpose is to let your future family members know about you, your times and their family history.
Are You Prepared for a Power Outage?During the winter months, storms can bring power outages. Think about what you would need if the power went out. This not only can help you feel more comfortable but can save you money
Vacuuming TipsHate to keep unplugging the vacuum cleaner as you go around the house? Add an extension cord. Also, spray some perfume on a tissue, tear it up and then vacuum it up it.
Throwing a Fish PartyHere a is a great plan for a fish party! This was in response to a readers request. Visit our tip archive for more answers to the fish party request.
Keep a Sugar Cone from DrippingTired of your sugar cone dripping from the point at the bottom? Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. It prevents the drips and is a tasty treat at the bottom of your cone.
Renuzit Air Freshener Teddy Bears?I am looking for the instructions on using the Renuzit air-fresheners and making teddy bears with them. I saw one and it was very cute and I want to make some for Christmas gifts.
Junk Mail Totals 1999Here's the 1999 Junk Mail Totals for our office . . .
Alternative Places to Shop for GroceriesHere are some ideas on alternative places to shop for your
groceries, rather than the sometimes high-priced grocery store
chains. Check your area to see if there are any year-round farmers'
markets, and food terminals or "cash and carry" stores that
usually sell to restaurants that are open to the public.
Single Income Living?This page is for discussing living on a single income. Advice and experiences from people living on one income.
Baking Soda Paste for StainsThis works great! Make a paste of soda and a little water and apply to stains on clothing. Let sit for a while and launder as usual. Not good for all stains, but apply while the stain is fresh and it disappears like magic!
Using All the RoastI buy roast on sale and then cook it New England style, for one meal. The next day I make soup, chili or enchiladas for the next day or freezer. It gives us lunches and dinners for nearly a week that way. (not all in one week however.)
Feeding Birds from a Hanging PlanterI remove the dead plants in the fall from my hanging plastic basket. I leave the soil in tact, and add seed over them. The birds love eating off my hanging basket while I watch. Sometimes 'mother' or 'father' stand guard while "family" eats away.
Washing Clothing With StainsMachine-wash your whites in cold water, using a detergent and washing soda mixture. Hot water sets the stains, instead of removing them.
Save Water with Every FlushFill a one liter bottle with water and place in your toilet tank. You will save a liter of water every time you flush.
Use Less Fabric SoftenerWhen using fabric softener in the wash, I use a fraction of the amount suggested on the packaging and add water to make up the difference. The wash comes out just as soft and nicely scented.
Saving Money in the Meat SectionWhen shopping in the meat section, I only look at the loss-leader meat featured that week, and then only that which has been marked down due to discoloration.
A Use for Leftover ApplesMake applesauce from those apples that your child takes one bite out of and won't finish. I just cut out the bite, cut up the apple and put them in a pan with a little water.
Treat Your Credit Card Like Real MoneyWhenever you make a purchase using the card, deduct that amount from your checkbook register just as if you had used a check. When the credit card bill arrives, pay in full. Treat your credit card like real money!
School Functions for Thrifty EntertainmentFor cheap entertainment for the family try looking for activities at your local high school or community college. Schools put on quality plays and music performances at very reasonable prices.
Stretching Burrito and Enchilada MeatStretch your burrito or enchilada filling by mixing your ground beef with 50% pinto beans.
Watch for Sales and CouponsWatch the store sales and take the time to cut your coupons. I usually save between $30-40 each trip to the grocery store. It is worth the time.
Keep Bugs out of FlourUse a bay leaf in your flour canister to keep bugs out all year. I make a lot of bread and use a lot of flour. This works. The more flour the more bay leaves.
Dematting a Cat?Does anyone have any good ideas for dematting a cat? Is my only option getting her shaved? Thanks in advance for the help!
Ladybug Problem?Would anyone know how to get rid of ladybugs? At first I thought they were so pretty, but they have infested my walls and ceilings. I live in the country, but the windows were closed all winter.
Converting a Garage Into a Guest Room?Does anybody have any thrifty ideas for changing a garage temporarily into a guest bedroom?
Thrifty Romantic Vacation Ideas?I am looking for a place to go on vacation with my husband that is romantic yet not expensive. Any ideas?
Stray Cat Problem?How can I keep stray cats out of my garden?
Thrifty Vacation to Orlando?My family is planning a vacation to Orlando late July, or early August. Can anyone help us do Disney and such cheap? Is there such a thing?
Shopping for Life Insurance?My husband and I are shopping for life insurance (we currently have none). Does anyone know of good sites to compare rates quickly and easily? The thought of shopping around from agent to agent is overwhelming!
Getting Kinks Out of a Necklace?I would like to know how to get the kink out of a necklace.
Tarnished Silver Rope?I have had a beautiful silver rope necklace for about ten years that has gotten terribly tarnished. I can't remove the tarnish with a chamois cloth because of the intricate rope detail.
Time-of-Day Bridal Shower?Has anyone ever done a time-of-day bridal shower? Apparently, each guest chooses a specific time of day out of a 24 hour day and brings a gift specific for that time period.
Removing Beetle Stains?Does anyone know how to remove beetle stains without removing acrylic paint?
Can You Clean Your Drain with Coffee Grounds?Is this an old wives tale or true? Do coffee grounds down your sink really help clean it out of fat and grime?
Cleaning CDs?Does anybody have any safe ways to clean CDs?
Homemade Lawn Spray?I am looking for a lawn spray you can make with liquid detergent, water, beer, and ? I don't know the other ingredient, the amounts of each to use, or how to use, but heard it works very well. Does anyone know? -Julia
Smoke Detector Broiler Problem?It seems that every time I use my broiler, the smoke detector goes off. I read somewhere that if you put water in the bottom of the broiler pan it would cut down the smoke.
Saving Money On FoodI know how hard it is to get the food budget under control. I
have made changes over time, some have worked well, some are
so-so.
Finding an Honest Mechanic?Being a woman with an older automobile, I feel like I'm taken advantage of when it comes to car repairs. Does any one have any strategies for finding an honest mechanic?
Removing Soot from Curtains?Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get the soot out of my custom curtains?
Junk Car Disposal?Our rural landscapes have too many junk cars (including my yard). Anyone know of any creative free or low cost disposal/recycling for them?
Cheap Bloody Mary MixQuick, easy, inexpensive Bloody Mary Mix.
Cheap Homemade Raisin SauceMake sauce ahead of time and store in 'fridge. Sauce will keep for about 3 months.
Collecting Items For Gift BasketsIf you participate in free and reduced price offers on the internet, save some of the items you receive for future gifts. Many free samples can be added to "theme" gift baskets that you make yourself.
A Gift for a Hospital PatientFlowers are always welcomed, but sometimes you may have a person in the hospital with no relatives close by. A telephone calling card will be appreciated, since hospitals and rehabilitation centers will charge long distance calls to your hospital bill
Aphid Control on RosesHere is what we use for aphid control on roses.
Healing Wounds?My daughter has an ulcer on her ankle from getting injections for spider veins. The doctor told her he could remove the ulcer, and she would have only a couple of stitches. She ended up with 17, and he took out too much skin from the ankle. The last one is 1 year old this month.
Back to School Shopping TipsWe asked our readers how they save money on their school clothes and supply shopping. Here are the answers.
Getting Rid of Household Pests?I need help with a bug problem. We only seem to have them in the kitchen and bathroom. I have one of the sonic boxes that work with the house wiring We haven't had any field mice since getting them, but they don't seem to work on the bugs.
Photo OrnamentsI buy clear plastic balls available at craft shops. Then I look for photographs that have meaning to the person to whom you will be giving the gift.
Jewelry Boxes?I'm already starting a bit of my Christmas shopping for this year, and for the younger girls I was wanting to give them a small jewelry box and some jewelry.
Plumping Up Thin Hair?Does anyone know of something that really works and is really good to plump up thinning hair in women?
Removing Bird Poop Stains?A bird built a nest behind our new light fixtures on the porch. Now there is bird excrement on the fixture as well as the concrete porch floor. How do I remove the stains?
Marilyn
Removing Bats from a Roof?Do any readers have suggestions on removing bats from a roof? They are going in the soffits and fascia. I've talked to both a pest control agent (who scared me) and a bat expert (who told me I should be thrilled!).
Kitty on the Counters?Any idea how to keep my kitten off of the kitchen counter? She runs when you see her. When I catch her I do spank her. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Mold on Mulch?Does anyone have any suggestions on getting rid of mold/fungus on mulch in the flower beds?
Water Moccasins Deterrents?I just found a baby Water Moccasin in my shop. Is there a deterrent I could put in there that would keep them out?
Cream Soup Base?Does anyone have a recipe for cream soup base? I used to have one that I made up, similar to white sauce with a few more ingredients
Mildew off Tiles?Does anyone have any ideas what to do about completely getting rid of the mildew on the bathroom tiles? -Anna Marie in Lesigny France
Getting Rid of Bookworms?I ordered an out-of-print book that I would like to keep, but as I was reading it I found several (cute) little bookworms. I don't want the rest of my books infected.
How to Make a Jewelry Box?Are there any other readers that have made jewelry boxes themselves that I could get some suggestions from, or maybe a website that could help me?
Work in a Soup Kitchen on ChristmasWorking in a Soup Kitchen for the homeless on Christmas would show our kids what giving really is. I am planning on doing this with my family this Christmas.
Small Wrapped PresentA nice little gift that I received cost close to nothing but means a lot to me. It is a little wrapped present 2 x 2 x 1 inch.
Chocolate Stains/Black Heat Stains?Does anyone have any ideas about getting rid of chocolate stains on rugs and black heat stains on cloth-like wall paper? -Anna Marie in Lesigny France
Need Tips on Using Liquid Fabric Softener?I have been using dryer sheets to soften my clothes in the dryer for a while now. Recently, I found a deal on liquid fabric softener that I couldn't pass up (free!), and am wondering if anyone has tips on using liquid softener in a machine without an automatic dispenser.
Inexpensive Centerpieces?I have just been called upon to make centerpieces for a up and coming church banquet. I need to make fifteen centerpieces and they have to all be under five dollars each! We are going with a fall motif.
Moth Infestation?It seems that overnight our kitchen has been infested with bugs! Most of them are potato bugs and little tiny tan colored moths. They fly around everywhere and leave their egg sacks and larvae in all our crevices! How can we get rid of them?
Tomato Sauce Recipes?This is a page about making spaghetti sauce using fresh tomatoes from your garden. Included are recipes and tips for making tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes.
Underarm Stains on Tank Tops?How do I get underarm stains off of my white tank tops?
Pink Stains on Sink?We have well water and it seems to have a high iron content. All around my sinks there are pink stains. Does anyone know what will remove them? So far Lime-Away hasn't worked.
Fall Centerpiece Ideas?I have just been called upon to make centerpieces for a up and coming church banquet. I need to make fifteen centerpieces and they have to all be under five dollars each! We are going with a fall motif.
Making a Collage?My co-worker and long time friend is a fan of Mary Engelbriet's artwork and has received many M.E. cards in the past few years from friends. She mentioned recently that she's been saving them to make a collage. I thought I could do this for her as a birthday gift.
Septic Tank Tips?I bought a house in the boondocks, with private water and septic. What are the dos and don'ts? I love bleach as a disinfectant, is it okay to use?
Fall Crafts Made from NatureIt's the season here for pine cones, acorns, walnuts, wild flowers, thistles, cattails, etc., these are all things found in nature that we can collect (for free!), then dry or preserve, and save for use in our winter crafts.
Flavored Instant Coffees?My sister in law loves the French vanilla flavored instant coffees, but I have never run across a recipe that I can make and give as a gift. Any ideas?
Decorative Wreath Made From Puzzle PiecesMany years ago, my son made this craft at school. It looked really cute! It's a hanging holiday wreath decoration or an ornament. You can make it any size, but the one he made was about 4 inches wide.
Handmade Stained Glass CardsYears ago we made cards with Elmer's glue, black construction paper, and chalk. You take black construction paper and drizzle the glue in a design on the paper.
Baby Shower Sand PailThis week at a local discount drug store I found children's sand pail/shovel sets on sale for a quarter. I bought several for gift containers for anticipated showers in the near future.
Make Your House More Energy EfficientNow that the cold months are nearly upon many of us we wanted to share some ideas about how to make your house more energy efficient.
Cleaning Granite Countertop?How do I clean my granite kitchen countertop?
Burned Popcorn in Microwave?I burned popcorn in my microwave and the inside is now stained yellow. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get this out?
Save Money by Freezing VeggiesVeggies on sale? Buy a lot and freeze them. Your freezer can be your best friend when trying to save money on your food bills.
Tips for a Frugal BookwormLove to read? Have you noticed the price printed on books these days? Yikes! Here are some tips to get great books for less.
Email Discussion Lists. A Free Family ReunionThe internet can bring families together for FREE. Today we look at some good ways to connect with relatives for little or no money. Forward this to a friend (or family member), it's free!
Gift for an Elderly Woman?I need a gift for my husband's great aunt. She will be visiting this year for the holidays. She doesn't eat sweets and I don't really know much about her. What is a good gift for an elderly woman?
Removing Email Addresses from an Email?I have a problem that maybe sounds stupid, but I need to know the answer. When I receive e-mail it has a whole list of names of people who also have been sent this by the sender. I want to send it on, but hate to have all that extra baggage with it.
Stainless Steel Sink?I would like to restore my stainless steel sink to its original newish shine. Can anyone help?
Mounting a Curtain Rod on a Steel Door?We've just installed a beautiful new kitchen door. The old door was wood, but my new one is metal. Any suggestions for mounting a curtain rod? I'd rather not drill holes for screws if I can help it because then I'm limited to only one style of rod/curtain.
Gift Idea for a College Student?My grandchild is attending his first year of college this year. I'm at a loss what would be a good gift for a beginning college student.
Frugal Liquid Fabric SoftenerIn a recent Reader's Request (one of our other newsletters) we published a reader's request for frugal fabric softener ideas. Below is one of the responses we received.
Christmas Gifts for $10 or Less?I have a huge family. I start shopping for Christmas presents early. Does anyone have any good Christmas present ideas for 10 people for $10. or less. These are extended family members.
List of Timing for Sales?I used to have a list showing what months various things were on sale. You know, like White Sales, outerwear sales, even furniture and appliances. Do you happen to have such a helpful list? Thanks.
Courier Plane Tickets?I have heard that some people get plane tickets for free by being a personal courier and delivering something to another place or country. Does anyone know about this?
Grandmother on a Budget?I am on a budget and this past year my children have given me 4 grandchildren. Although I would love to buy them all expensive gifts, I just don't have resources. How do you grandmothers deal with the problem of lots of grandchildren and not a lot of money?
