photo by peagreengirl
Draft stoppers are a great way to keep the heat in and the cold air out. The first tip is prettier than using a rolled-up towel against the door. You can reuse materials you already have and don’t have to keep kicking it back in place. It’s easily removed, and you can wash it anytime, too.

DRAFT STOPPER: I make mine by stuffing a pillowcase with unmatched socks. I stuff one side of the pillowcase and roll the pillowcase into a tube. Then I put rubber bands around it in a few places to keep it from unrolling. You could use ribbon or strips of fabric if you wanted it to look more stylish. Then I use self-sticking Velcro and place half on the door and half on the draft stopper to hold it in place. If the door is metal, you could glue magnets to the draft stopper. You could use the legs of old jeans, too. — Anonymous

DRAIN GREASE: I buy dollar-store-brand coffee filters, 200 count for a dollar, and use them to drain grease on the bottom of chicken, bacon and such. They work great, and they also don’t leave the little bits of paper stuck to things. — Patty A., Utah
MARKDOWNS: Befriend your butcher and produce manager. At our locally owned grocery store, where prices are typically more expensive, I spoke to our butcher one day and asked whether he ever had markdowns on meat. I was told that Saturday at noon, any meat that is going to expire (but is still perfectly fine if used or frozen right away) is marked down. He showed me what stickers to look for (orange manager’s markdown stickers). It has been invaluable to me! I now shop there at noon every Saturday and often find meat marked down to less than $1 per pound. I regularly get ground beef and pork chops at 99 cents per pound. Same goes for produce. I never realized that our produce section had a markdown area. These are fruits and veggies that are still fine but are bruised or beginning to overripen. — Sarah, Illinois

DIAPER GENIE: My daughter is finally potty trained. I reuse my Diaper Genie for household garbage. It works great for cat litter, fridge cleanups, food scraps, etc. — Jill H., Indiana

SHOWER AND SHAVE: I’ve read people use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream and gels to shave with in the shower. I do one better. After I lather my hair with shampoo or conditioner, I take the excess and use it on my legs for shaving. You’re rinsing it down the drain. Might as well get one more use. — Deanna H., e-mail

BUDGET GARDEN: Each year, my neighbor and I buy different perennial varieties and split and share. It’s the perfect way to add different plants to our garden. Also, the home-improvement stores often sell their bags of mulch and soil that have busted open at a discount. Ask them. Mine does, and it was a huge savings last year. — Anonymous

NO-SLIP HANDLES: I got a broom organizer as a gift. As my son was hanging up my broom and mops, he asked why I had the fingers from rubber gloves and fat rubber bands on the handles. I laughed. I cut the fingers off my rubber gloves and slid them on the handles and wrapped rubber bands so when I leaned my broom and mop against the wall, they didn’t slip. — Anonymous

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