Frugal tools save money, time

photo by clairity
Do you have a favorite frugal tool? It’s the one item you own that you’ve grown to rely on. It helps you save time and money. These differ from kitchen gadgets because most often these tools don’t cost much, but they’ve become an invaluable part of your home. Do you have a favorite? Share it and maybe we can help others find a new favorite tool that makes life just a little bit easier.
Here are a few I have to share with you.

RUBBER SPATULA: These are great for scraping the last little bits out of jars, pans and bowls without the need to dilute or waste the product. Many have high heat resistance, so they can be used when frying foods in a skillet, too.

DRYING RACK: Some readers have made their own from old crib sides. They save money by drying their laundry on the racks. They use them inside during inclement weather.

5-GALLON BUCKET: Great for storage, cleaning, such as car washing and mopping, using as a step stool, planting vegetables, etc. You can store a 50-foot extension cord inside. Drill a hole toward the bottom and on the side with a 1-1/2-inch diameter hole saw. Feed the plug through the hole. It’s a caddy that you can carry, and putting the cord away is easy. Simply stuff the cord back through the hole.

WHITE BOARD: Used for writing grocery lists, to-do lists, communication between family members, menu plans, appointments, schedules, etc.

INTERNET ACCESS: The Internet has so many resources to help you be frugal. You can find help with recipes and meal planning, gardening tips, community support, etc.

BREAD TABS: The tabs are useful for scraping counters and pans. They’re handy for closing a bag of rice or frozen vegetable bag, to hold rubber bands or thread, clip together socks, as counters for kids or to attach to an end of a roll of tape for easy access.

VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA: Basic cleaning ingredients. They cover most any general cleaning you want to do.

CALCULATOR: Handy in the store or used at home. Stay on budget and keep track. Software programs are great, but a pen, paper and a calculator is a frugal way to track your spending.

COOKBOOKS: Get a cookbook with recipes you enjoy. You’ll have a handy reference, and it will help you to avoid cooking boredom and eating out.

FUNNEL: Helps you combine half bottles of this or that such as cleaners, shampoo and condiments.

SCISSORS/SHEARS: It’s good to have a pair for cutting open tubes to get the last bit of toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, etc. Great to clip those coupons and give haircuts, too. Shears are handy in the kitchen and can often do the job of a knife.

JUICE GLASS: Used to root plants, store small items and used to cut cookies and biscuits.

MASON JAR: It’s versatile and can be used to mix in (shake up gravy), drink from, and hold food and other household items. You can make gifts inside them to give or use as a vase. Some can attach to blenders, which is a huge savings from the single-serve mason-jar blender they sell in the stores for $70.

CLOTHESPIN: For the obvious task of hanging clothes, but it can also keep bags closed; clip socks and mittens into pairs; clip pillowcases to sheets and cloth napkins to place mats or tablecloths; make a handy bookmark or keep your place when reading a magazine; clip a trash bag to the trash bin; or as a quick bib with a paper or cloth napkin.

What is your favorite frugal tool?

Posted by Sara Noel on December 6 2008. Filed under Home & family.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook