photo by inkynobaka

Say goodbye to ugly, messy gravy globs. If you don’t have a thermos, you can use a fondue pot or slow cooker to keep it hot.

KEEP GRAVY HOT: During the holidays, if you want to keep your gravy hot and prevent a skin from forming on top, use an insulated coffee thermos with a spout for pouring. — Tina, Canada

DRY SANDWICHES: If you’re using condiments, package them separately and add them to your sandwich at lunchtime so the bread doesn’t get soggy. — Lisa, e-mail

REUSE FOIL: I use aluminum foil to cover my big frying pans/wok when I need to cover and simmer something. I just keep one piece, wipe it off, and save it for next time. — Sarah, Massachusetts

REUSE PATTERNS: Clothes patterns come in more than one size on the same pattern. Some patterns are made on tissue paper, too. I use clear package tape and tape the cutting lines. Instead of cutting on the lines, I use a tracing wheel and tracing paper and trace on the line for the size I want to make. I can use the pattern again for a another size and use the pattern repeatedly. It doesn’t rip as easily when you take out the pins. It takes a little longer, but you save your pattern for another size. — Lori, Illinois

CREATE A MENU PLAN: Ever grocery shop and end up throwing out a bunch of produce because it’s gone bad by the end of the week? Plan your menu to use fresh produce the first couple days and frozen/canned at the end of the week. — mommy4ever, e-mail

CHEAP BAKING CHOCOLATE: If you want cheap chocolate chips for baking, see whether 12 ounces of candy bars are cheaper than a bag of chocolate chips. Or buy after-holiday-clearance chocolates. Put them in the freezer, and then pound them with a meat hammer or rolling pin until they are “chips.” — Brenda, New York

MATTRESS LINER: Use a thermal-lined curtain. You can buy them at the thrift store. The thermal lining will prevent your body heat from escaping into the mattress. Unlike an electric blanket, it doesn’t cost a cent to run. — Denise, Colorado

KEEP PEDALS IN PLACE: I was sick and tired of my sewing-machine pedals moving on me all the time. I finally figured out how to make them stay in place. I went to the dollar store and bought a roll of rubber-mesh shelf liner, cut a piece off, and put it under the foot pedals to my machines. — Dee, New York

REFASHION SWEATSHIRTS: When your child’s sweatshirts become too tight to wear, turn them into cardigans by cutting them straight down the front and binding the front edges with an attractive fabric or seam-binding trim. — Hannah, e-mail

MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK: For those who buy and use paper towels and don’t rip sheets in half, look for the smaller per-sheet size. There are usually more sheets per roll, and you won’t notice using a smaller sheet. — Tammy, Alabama

NO-STICK SHOVEL: We always sprayed our snow shovels with Pledge furniture wax to prevent the snow from sticking to the shovel. It works for a while, and then the snow just starts to build up on it again. We tried silicone spray (the type you spray on suede or leather for waterproofing). It works great! No more buildup on the shovel, and it lasts a long time! Make sure that you spray front and back with a good coating, and let it dry before you start shoveling. — Diana, New York

HOMEMADE “GATORADE”:

1 envelope unsweetened powdered drink mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
2 quarts water

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. — pip, forums

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