Ball Chain Keychain to Keep Zipper UpDo you have a pair of pants where the zipper seems to always fall down? Here is a quick solution that works really well. Use one of those small ball chain keychains to tether the zipper to your pants button. Simply string the chain through the hole in the zipper tab and attach the ends.
Pay a Little to Save a LotI have several things that I paid a little more for, but have saved me a lot.
For example, I went on eBay and bought a washable, reusable filter for my Dyson vacuum cleaner for $21.
Baby Oil for Foggy HeadlightsIf your headlights are already damaged as in you've used sandpaper and/or restorer and NOTHING is bringing them back from the fog, you can use baby oil on a paper towel and buff until clear after you wash them well.
Hide Extra Key in PurseIf you happen to accidently lock your keys in your car, just hide an extra key in your purse and use that one. Works every time!
Black Pepper For Radiator LeaksIf your radiator or heater core in your car/truck has a leak, pour some black pepper in there. It immediately stops it and lasts for a while too. Guaranteed!
Another Use for Hand Weights (Dumbbells)I realized that hand weights (or dumbbells) can be used to store or help dry boots, shoes, or slippers. Check it out! Now I don't need to feel guilty that I rarely exercise with them any longer! :D
Adapting Undies When Wearing a Leg CastWhen I wore a full leg cast once, I couldn't get my undies over the cast. I didn't care to wear men's boxers or resort to adult diapers, so I exercised my noodle and adapted my own undies.
Stop Bra Straps from SlippingTry nipple pasties on your shoulders to stop a loose bra strap from slipping They are flesh coloured with a thin gel to give comfort and grip. They are cheap, reusable and self-adhesive.
Shop a Day Later Each WeekIf you are paid weekly, shop every 8 days instead of every 7. Every seventh week, you will have twice as much available to spend.
Tips for Staying Alert and Awake While DrivingDriving your car for long periods of time, especially at night, can be tiring and even the most careful and attentive driver can become sleepy and less alert.
Stock Up on Filters When You Buy a VacuumWhen you buy an appliance or make a purchase where parts maybe needed later, buy extra parts with the purchase or as soon as possible.
Protecting Charger WireTired of when your Apple charger breaks when it bends? Well, here is a solution to keep your charger from breaking. If you take the spring from the pen and put it on the wire of the charger, it won't bend or break.
Ping Pong Ball for Pulling Into the GarageTake a ping ping ball and pierce a hole in it on each side. Thread a string through it and tie in your garage against the car windshield to the exact place where you need to pull in the garage for a perfect fit.
Check Fred Meyer for Discounted ShoesMy son is very hard on his shoes and we have had to replace them already. I was able to get a very nice pair of Nike Zoom at Fred Meyer for 40% off the lowest clearance price, or about $40.
Patching JeansI have a 20 something neighbor who frequently needs his jeans patched. DH and I trade favors with him and his parents so I patch his jeans when they need it.
Product Review: BabiesRUs Toilet Cover LockI recently bought a Toys R Us brand toilet seat lock. I had to return it immediately. Spend the two extra dollars and buy the more expensive lock. This one is useless and not worth a penny.
Should You Join a Rewards Program?Many companies are now collecting reward points on their websites. You many have wondered if it's worth the time and effort to join these programs.
Remove Pine Sap from CarWe were "rained on" by a newly trimmed pine tree. Not much seemed to work and the sticky gunk got everywhere!
To Buy Or Not To BuyWhen I am deciding to buy clothing, I ask myself how many times I would be wearing the item. My rule is a dollar a day. So if the top I am going to buy is $10.00, will I at least wear it 10 times? If I don't think I will, then it is not a bargain.
Know Your Store's Policy on MistakesFirst check your store's policy, some stores like Pick & Save give you double your money back. They might ask you if you left the store, so walk out the door and come back in.
Ajax for Water SpotsMy brother parks his car on the street and every night the sprinklers go on. When he wakes up in the morning, he has water spots on the right side of his car. He tried washing his car but the spots would not come off.
Contact Manufacturer For Lost Appliance ManualsI have been seeing a lot of questions about replacing lost manuals. The easiest way is to try a search for the manufacturer's website. Some times they will charge for a replacement. Sometimes they will send you one for free.
Check Balance Before Throwing Away Gift CardsRecently while cleaning out some old files, I found a misplaced gift card that had an expiration date of 2009 - four years ago! Reading the small print, I discovered a number to call to find out the balance on expired cards.
Reusable Starbucks CupsDo you want an inexpensive travel mug that helps reduce waste? The new reusable Starbucks cups are only $1! They are dishwasher and microwave-safe. You also get a $.10 discount for using it when you come into the store for a coffee.
Coca Cola For Car MaintenanceIf your car battery terminals are corroded, get that can of Coke and gently pour over the corroded terminals to get rid of the corrosion.
Look for Working Self Serve Car WashesWhen in doubt about whether a do it yourself car wash is working, look for the wet ones. Because it has been used recently, it is more than likely a working one.
Keep Sun Hat in CarI am often driving into the late afternoon sun, and since I am short, the sun visor is not much help. Now I keep a hat with a floppy brim in the car so I can just pull the brim down on my face where I need it.
Whiten your Shoelaces with PaintMy white shoelaces were dirty but not worn out yet. I hand washed them with soap and water and then painted them with white acrylic paint. When they dried, I had new laces.
Product Review: Water ArmourI found this product online. It is called Water Armour and makes the water just run off your shower doors and tiles too. Soap scum doesn't stick either so clean up is fast and easy and it seems to last forever!
New Data Plans When Upgrading PhonesI recently noticed an ad for a free Verizon smart phone and was about to upgrade two of my family's older technology smart phones when my son pointed out to me that in doing so, I was giving up my unlimited data plan.
Product Review: ScoopFree Automatic...The ScoopFree automatic litter box system is a combination of an automated rake device which fits over a pre-packaged cardboard litter box filled with liquid absorbing crystals. Unfortunately, we found it didn't work very well.
FoodSaver Fails to Seal BagAfter investigating this problem on two different models, the problem was found to be that the vacuum pump was no longer able to produce a hard enough vacuum to trigger the sensor which initiates the heating strip which seals the bag.
Shredding All Those Old FilesIf everyone procrastinates in cleaning out old files of utility bills, bank statements, etc., like I do, it becomes a huge job.
Buy Cell Phone Accessories OnlineI went to the Boost store to change phones. While I was there, I decided to buy a phone case without asking the price. When I got home I realized I had paid $24.99! This same case/cover is on Amazon for $2.77. I am checking Amazon or Ebay from now on!
New Product Through Dollar TreeI found this and other sizes, colors and shapes at my local Dollar Tree in Salem, OR.
Water Down Many ProductsI have been poor so many times and it's taught me how to spend less on more and to use every last bit of everything. When I have used "all" of the shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, even dish soap, I put water in the bottle and shake it up and finish it that way.
Call for Discounts on TV or InternetWhen you contract is up with DirectTV, even if you don't plan on switching providers, give them a call and see if they have any opportunities to lower your bill.
Finding the Best Free Books for Your KindleThe best place to find free Kindle electronic books if you use kindle.co.uk is on the amazon.co.uk website in the Kindle shop. This is because of the fantastic way the way bestsellers are listed on the site.
Dixon Wood Cased Pre-Sharpened PencilsI became aggravated with all the pencils not sharpening that we bought at the store. I ordered these, and they have been wonderful. I don't have time to spend sharpening pencils that break. These are pre sharpened and they write wonderfully. They feel sturdy and they are bright and I love them.
Extend Milk By Adding WaterMy family drinks 1% milk. My husband accidentally bought whole milk. My children complained that it was "thick" and they didn't like it at all. I diluted it with water and they were able to drink it.
Band-Aid for Slipping Bra StrapsUse a Band-Aid to hold your slipping bra strap in place. Simply place the
Monthly Coupons at GoodwillI frequently shop at Goodwill for clothing, household items, etc. I found that for only $5 I can get a mailing of monthly coupons for $5 off if you spend $10.
Orgreenic Ceramic Green Non-Stick Fry PanI really love this ceramic frying pan. It has an aluminum core and it works without any butter or anything. I am so happy with it, I had to share it on this site.
Use Notepad on Cellphone for ListsI keep my grocery list on the "notepad" of my cell phone, so that when I go to the store, all I have to do is check on my phone to see what I need. No more forgotten grocery list at home.
Indian with Head Dress FigurineWe have had this in the family for over 80 years. It is an Indian laying on his side. On the back it has a copyright of 1910, by Boston Plastic Art Co. Boston, Mass. Is it worth anything? I think it is like plaster of Paris.
Make Soap Bars Last LongerBefore using a bar of soap, open wrapper and let your bar of soap dry out for a week or so. This really makes it last much longer.
Call Manufacturer For Small Kitchen Appliance PartsI needed a replacement lid for my Rival slow cooker. I called the 800 number on the bottom of the pot and gave them the model number. As a one time courtesy they said they will mail me one at no charge and postage paid.
Can Opener For Plastic PackagingRun a can opener along the edges of the plastic package to open the clam shell or blister packaging easily.
Buy Merchandise from CatalogsI have credit at Brylane Homes, The Avenue, Roamans, Seventh Ave., Ginny's, Gettington, Massey's, and Bill Me Later. I pay around $200/month total and I have about $4000 worth of merchandise.
Printing Professional Quality Digital Wedding PhotosFor our thrifty wedding, my husband's very talented cousin, Sara, served as our photographer. She gave us the photos digitally so that we could email, print, and post them whenever we wanted.
Electronic Key ReplacementWho knew it would be so difficult to replace my car keys? Electronic keys are not as simple to replace as other car, home or other keys. If you don't already have a spare, you might want to get one before you need one.
Repairing Foggy Yellowed Vehicle HeadlightsMy car headlights were horribly yellowed after 12 years of ignoring them. I could barely even see when driving at night because that's how bad they were!
Keep a Blanket in your Car for EmergenciesI find that keeping a blanket in your car for emergencies is a wonderful idea. I used to keep a sleeping bag when I lived in areas that would have snow in the winter for warmth.
Research Saves Money When ShoppingA great way to save money is to research what you are buying first even if it is something simple like a coffee pot. You would be so surprised to see how many deals you can find online.
Keeping Your Boots Looking GoodUse your noodle, your swimming noodle that is. Insert it in your boots to keep them standing upright when not in use. This hint keeps them from falling over and getting crinkled.
Use a Can Opener to Open Clamshell PackagingI was having trouble opening a hard plastic package containing my new emergency window hammer. Then I thought of trying to use a manual can opener. I wore some light gardening gloves to retrieve the item.
Disposing Junk CarsFirst, let me say that metal is money. Don't throw it away just because it looks bad. That said here are a couple of options.
Garage Sales and Thrift StoresKeep you eye open at garage sales for HDMI cables or any other cables you are looking for. You can find cables that cost $10 for next to nothing. Newer cables, like HDMI, are also showing up at thrifty stores, so that's a good place to check.
Creating a Grocery ListI use a system that I learned while I was a restaurant manager and by the nature of my job "had" to control food cost.
Kuerig K-Cups Vs. Ground CoffeeMy husband got a Kuerig for his birthday. While the K-Cups are very convenient, we wondered how they compared to using ground coffee in the My K-Cup basket. A box of K-Cups contains 18 cups. Our bag of Tully's coffee weighed 12 ounces and we were able to get 25 cups of coffee.
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.
E-books for Inexpensive ReadingI've always been a bookworm, and love to have several on hand I have not read yet. Lately I have noticed all the e-readers, Nooks, Kindles, and such on the market and thought it would be handy to have one when I couldn't get to the library, such as 2 years ago when we were snowed in for a week.
Getting the Most Celery for Your MoneyCelery is sold in one price per stalks packages. If you weigh the packages that look best to you, and take the heaviest one, you are getting more for the same price. This is also true of packs of berries and carrots or anything which is sold by the package rather than the pound.
Check Country Source of DVDs Sold on eBayWhen buying a DVD from eBay, first check where it is coming from. I bought one that came from England without realizing it and could not play it on my TV. With some help, I figured out how I can play it on the computer. It was too much of a hassle for me to send it back.
Homemade Windshield Wiper CoversTake a pair of old socks and keep over your wipers. Then if it snows or rains the ice won't get stuck on them.
Resizing a Large HatHere is a great way to make a large hat smaller.
Make Buttons Stay on LongerCover your button threads on any piece of clothing with clear nail polish.This will make the buttons last longer. It helps the threads endure the heat.
Pants Ex-panderThis comes in handy for those times when you just ate and need a little more room in your pants. All you have to have is a small rubber band loop it through the opening and then it makes a loop for you to put on your button of your pants. So easy to do.
Money Back on Ebates PurchasesI have done many things over the past 3 years to save money, spend less, and in general monetize my (at times) woeful material situation. I have experimented with coupon clipping, pay-to-read emails, online surveys, etc.
Product Review: NutriBulletMy husband finally convinced me that we should order the NutriBullet that he had seen on the infomercials during the wee hours of the morning. He had spoken about it several times but I never saw the commercial and didn't care enough to waste my time researching it.
Tips for Using Shower CapsShower caps are inexpensive and very useful when packing luggage for putting your shoes inside. I also use a shower cap to cover my bicycle seat when it's raining and clear shower caps are handy to cover plates of food when dining al fresco!
Saving Money on Toiletries for KidsSome kids don't know what a normal amount of shampoo, conditioner, or showergel is. They tend to use way too much.You can just buy a plastic pump bottle for each different product to refill over and over, and tell them that 1 or 2 pushes is enough! This helped me save loads and loads of money.
Reduce Soap Waste Using Cord Ties (Zip Ties)In this economy, I am reworking all the closets in my home and trying to organize and be more frugal. Using my cord ties to bind up long computer cords etc., I came across an idea that actually works in my bathroom.
Flushmate Pressure Flush System Recall Due To Exploding ToiletsAn exploding toilet is quite a comical thought at first with lots of imagined pictures in our mind, but what if you or someone you know actually happens to have this particular pressure flushing system?
Finding Appliance Manuals OnlineFrom time to time, people ask for manuals for an appliance they have. This site gives you many manuals free. If you are a member of Facebook, you can even scan your own to refer to it.
Selling Items on CraigslistMany people are now selling on Craigslist and on Facebook swap sites. I can't get over how many of the photo ads show the item for sale covered in dust and in a filthy setting.
Extending the Life of PantyhosePantyhose are getting expensive and I work in an office and need to wear them everyday. Whenever I get one leg that has a noticeable run or hole. I cut of the one leg. Then I use it either with a pair that the other leg has been cutoff.
Making Non-Slip HangersInstead of buying expensive hangers to keep your silky shirts looking nice and from falling off of the hanger, buy plastic hangers and make a zig zag line of hot glue across the hanger. Ta-da! No slip grip!
Download Store Coupons on Your Rewards CardI downloaded coupons to my Safeway grocery store rewards card for the very first time. Not only did I receive normal rewards card discounts of about $9.00 in savings but I also received an additional savings of about $10.00 from the downloaded coupons!
Wear Socks Inside OutI found if you have chipped toenails, scratchy corns or rough heels that socks tend to stick to them when pulling it on your foot. One day, I decided to turn my sock inside out and wear it.
Compare Prices With Your PhoneMy husband and I buy bigger packages of things like Tyson chicken tenders, but we make sure they are on sale. Pull out your calculator on your phone and do the math to see which size will be the better deal.
Reduce Your Chance Of Auto TheftHere are several ideas I've learned over the years. Many of these are everyday common sense things to keep in mind that we already know about but others are, "Why didn't I think of that?" to use as added protection ideas.
Larger Packages Aren't Always CheaperBe careful not to always grab for the biggest package assuming you are getting the best deal. Sometimes the smaller version may be on sale, making it cheaper. Believe it or not, sometimes they actually charge more for the "bulk" version of products.
Breaking in New ShoesI was getting blisters from my new shoes. A neighbor told me to rub clear deodorant where I was getting the blisters. This helped until I broke them in.
Tips For Saving On BooksI am a book and reading enthusiast. My goal in life is to have a large library of books at my disposal. I can't afford list price on most anything so I have found several ways to get great books. The first and most obvious is check them out at the library.
Remembering Gift Card BalancesGift cards are so very popular, but one of the problems I had was remembering the balance on the card. Keeping the receipts really was messy and they tended to get torn or lost.
GPS Instead of a SpeedometerWe have an old car, and it needed a new speedometer. We were told by our friend who works on cars to just get a GPS and use it. GPS's tell your speed along with directions.
Never Buy Used Mattresses or Upholstered FurnitureUsed mattresses and upholstered furniture are a plain and simple possible serious health hazard, not to mention creepy sounding, so it's best to avoid them.
Preventing Love Bugs From Damaging PaintI use The Love Bug Solution. It's a new product that is sprayed on the car. It forms a cellophane-like barrier that traps the bugs before they can damage the paint.
Make Your Own Dinner Rolls and SaveBake your own dinner rolls! No matter how cheaply they can be purchased it will still be many, many times the cost of baking your own. This is true not just for dinner rolls but almost any food item.
Stop Static Cling With Hand LotionRub a small amount of lotion onto your hands then rub your palms over your pantyhose or slip. This works, I do it all the time. There is nothing more aggravating than static cling. Lotion is usually something you have in your purse so if you forget before you leave the house you can do it at work.
Selling Old EncyclopediasFor over a year I have tried selling an encyclopedia set that is in pristine condition on Craigslist. I have even seen ads where people are giving away their encyclopedias for FREE. Due to the internet there is nothing that you can't find that isn't in the encyclopedia except the photos.
Magnet Screen From Dollar GeneralI bought the screen that snaps shut with magnets for around ten dollars at the Dollar General to see how it worked. It was not even two days before the dogs and cats had it down, torn.
Watch for School SalesIf you live near a university or college with a music program, keep an eye out for their piano sales. Many programs will have an annual piano sale, and often school districts have them, too.
Recycle Elastic From UnderwearBefore you toss that saggy underwear, cut off the elastic and you have it to re-use. This is also true for bras and other lingerie which has elastic.
Superchill Foods Upon Return from Grocery StoreUse a timer and freezer to superchill foods to retard spoilage. Place milk, juices, non-frozen meats, and half and half in the freezer for 1/2 hour upon returning from the grocery store to get the temperature down to a fresh 35-degrees.
Refilling Lysol Electric Soap DispensersI enjoy using the electric eye Lysol hand soap dispensers, but did not want to pay for the expensive refills. So, I used a one half inch spade bit drill and put a lovely hole in the top of the dispenser. I fill it up with whichever generic hand soap I find on sale.
Memory Foam Bath Mats for Leather Car SeatsI found our leather seats so cold during the winter, and when I wore shorts or a dress in the summer, I stuck to the seat. Ouch! You can buy seat covers, but they are quite a pain to put on and take off.
Use CarTalk To Find a Good MechanicI think www.cartalk.com is by far the best solution to finding a good mechanic and figuring out what is wrong with the vehicle. I have been able to find good mechanics for my kids when they've been 3,000 miles from home.
Finding a Good Auto MechanicI found an excellent mechanic on the NPR radio auto mechanics, The Tappett Brothers site. They do not recommend anyone but provide a list for your area of the top mechanics according to the feedback they receive from satisfied customers.
Save Gas By Shopping LocalEight years ago we retired to a tiny town with a small local grocery store. The prices were high and the produce was poor quality, so we developed the habit of checking the weekly ads and doing most of our shopping at the supermarket 20 miles away.
Saving Money On GasolineWe own two Dodge Grand Caravans, and while they are not the most expensive vehicle to fill, they are far from the cheapest. Here are a few of the things we do to try to keep our gas costs down.
Check Clearance Racks for ShoesNothing beats a yard sale or consignment shops, but always look for the clearance rack at any store. I've found some great shoes at Bob's stores, Sears, JC Penney, Lord and Taylor, Payless, etc.
Ensuring That You Have Nice TowelsMy husband goes to visit other people's homes and finds their towels to be either rag like or thin. For years, at least once a month, he buys a medium sized towel when doing grocery shopping.
Saving Money on Groceries Without Running All Over TownDo not overlook the value of using stores that match their competitor's ads. This is seldom advertised so you have to ask. Because I live in a rural area it is not always practical nor do I have the time to do extreme couponing.
Buy Brand Name Shoes OnlineAs I have back problems, there is only one shoe that I can wear comfortably. It is the Easy Spirit Traveltime clog. It doesn't matter where I buy them, they fit comfortably. They are usually about $70.
Buy and Store Larger Sized Food PackagesSmaller sized cans of vegetables are intended to attract buyers who cook for just one or two people. The convenience may seem nice but buying small size cans means you're actually paying more for the item than if you purchased a larger can.
Go Barefoot Whenever PossibleI agree that you should buy decent, well-fitting shoes instead of cheap ones but sometimes this is really not possible. Forty years back after buying the children properly fitting shoes, there was usually only enough money left for jumble sale shoes for me.
Scratch and Dent DishwasherFor price savings, see if you can find a "Scratch and Dent" outlet. You may get a good savings on a cosmetically less than perfect, brand new item that works fine. If the "scratch" or "dent" shows, cover with a magnet or pretty stick-on.
Avoiding Impulse ShoppingWhen visiting a mall, there is one thing that makes me want to spend, spend, spend! That is the sight of another shopper with lots of lovely designer store bags in her arms.
Area Rug For Auto CarpetingOur original carpet was looking tacky, and the rubber mats would not stay put, so we bought a 4.5 by 7 foot area rug for $22. We cut it to fit over the original carpet.
Stock Up On Sale Peanut ButterPeanut butter usually goes on sale in August as part of the "back to school" sales. Usually stores have sales that when matched with coupons will lead to jars for a $1 or less.
List And Plan Errands To Save GasThe night before you do shopping, errands, appointments, make a list of all of them and times of appointments and addresses. Then add the addresses and look at a map of city and plan accordingly, for example "Dr.'s appointment 10 am".
Furniture Polish To Prevent Freezing Car DoorsTo keep car doors from freezing shut, just wipe the inside door weather stripping with furniture polish. I use Pledge. Works great.
