photo by dpskg

I like the first tip, which shares a creative reuse for a lazy Susan. They make great organizing solutions. Use an old lazy Susan for your household cleaners, children’s art supplies or when serving meals that have a lot of toppings such as tacos, salads, sundaes, condiments, appetizers or baked potatoes, too.

EASY ORGANIZING: I had one of those over-the-shower-nozzle-organizer things, but did not need it in the bathroom at my new place because that shower had built-in shelves. So instead, I hung it on the wall near my vanity with a hook, and I use it to hold stuff like hairspray, lotion, etc. It even has two little “hooks” at the bottom (presumably for a washcloth), but I use those to hang my scrunchies. It helps me to keep my bathroom counter clutter-free. I also had a plastic lazy Susan that I wasn’t using in the kitchen, so I used it at my desk instead. I have several tins used as penholders — one for pens, one for highlighters, one for pencils and one for markers. This way I can “spin” the lazy Susan for whatever I need at the moment. — Cheri T., North Carolina

RECYCLE: We used to donate our glass bottles to the local college, which had glass-blowing classes. — Judi, New Hampshire

SALMON FLAVOR: Salmon taste delicious in a skillet with low-sodium soy sauce and pancake syrup. — Kim S., e-mail

BRING YOUR OWN: Take your own containers to the grocery store for produce, butcher meat and deli items. I have done this for a long time at our food co-op here (it doesn’t provide containers, so you have to bring your own), and I finally wondered what they would think if I did it in the regular supermarket. So over the winter, I started taking my own containers to the regular supermarket, and no one has batted an eye. The deli girl made a comment one day, about what a great idea it was. — Sarah, Illinois

FRUGAL CLOSET: We live in a tiny ranch, and there just is not enough room for basic living things or storage things, let alone to stockpile stuff. I found a way to make our space work for us. In one room (a former dining room), I lined a wall with a bank of shelves and other storage stuff. It’s a mishmash of storage stuff — a bookcase, a storage shelf, a plastic wardrobe — but it does not matter because I purchased a curtain cable from IKEA. It connects wall to wall. I then took long sheets and made a floor-to-ceiling curtain (same color as the walls) and hung it on curtain cable. Everything blends nicely. I did the same in one of the bedrooms — an instant closet! — Polly, Pennsylvania

CHEAPER DELI MEAT: To save a lot of money on deli ham, I wait for the holidays to roll around when ham is a staple (Christmas and Easter). I have a whole boneless ham shaved, and I freeze it in one-pound packages. We always have ham for sandwiches, omelets and other stuff. Deli meat is really expensive nowadays, and this cuts the cost well over half. — Cheryl, Michigan

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