Keep or toss? You make this decision many times each week with a wide variety of items. Clearly, you can’t and shouldn’t save everything simply because it can be reused sometime later. A handful of bread bag twist-ties neatly contained with an intended purpose? Good. Dozens of plastic milk jugs shoved in the garage and saved without any specific purpose? A fine hoarding mess.

It can be helpful to both your wallet and the environment to reduce waste. For example, during the holiday season, you probably bake and cook more with eggs. How often have you simply thrown away the eggshells? While some people add the shells to their compost, others will discard them without a second thought. Save some and put them to good use around your home.
Here are a few eggs-cellent ways to use them:

Clarify stock:

You save leftover meat, poultry and vegetables to make soup; why not save eggshells for your stock, too? Visit www.soupsong.com/bstock.html for instructions.

In the garden:

Crushed eggshells are great to add to compost, but they also deter snails and slugs when scattered onto the soil. One reader, Carol from Pennsylvania, shares: “My neighbor used to soak the eggshells in a jar of water for three weeks and then use it to water her plants. She had all kinds of beautiful, huge plants everywhere in her house.” You can plant seeds in eggshells, too. You’ll have to carefully crack the eggs near the top to reuse the shells. Use a spoon to fill the eggshell with soil, then add seeds. Keep the shells upright in an egg carton, and when you’re ready to plant your seedlings, you can plant them eggshell and all. Use eggshells to grow small houseplants, such as tiny succulents or mini African violets, too.

Eggshell chalk:

The only ingredients you need are ground eggshells (you can crush them with a rock or spoon, or by using a mortar and pestle), flour, hot water and a paper towel. Add tempera paint or food coloring if you want colored chalk. For instructions, visit www.k12.wa.us/reading/pubdocs/Functional3rdEggshellChalk3-2010.pdf.

Eggshell candles:

You can make candles with hollowed-out eggshells. Place a birthday candle upright inside the eggshell, then fill with wax beads or sand until the candle doesn’t lean. Place the eggshell candle in an egg cup to keep it upright. Visit lightlyenchanted.blogspot.com/2011/03/egg-shell-candles.html for complete instructions.

For animals:

Eggshells are a wonderful calcium supplement for animals. Dry eggshells in the oven at 250 F for 30 minutes. Crush the shells and add to pet food. Another reader, Donna from California, shares: “One cheap way of adding calcium to backyard chickens’ diet is to save their eggshells and then boil them, crush them and add them back into the birds’ diet.” You can add it to their feed or offer it separately.

photo by fancycwabs

Drawers are a common catch-all area. Even though they’re hidden from view when shut, they can be extremely frustrating when you need to access anything inside them. Stores sell all types of solutions, but you can get creative and reuse what you already have on hand rather than spend money.
Here are a few suggestions:

Egg cartons and ice cube trays:

Use them to organize small items such as golf balls, jewelry, craft supplies, baby socks, seeds, rubber bands, loose change, garden seeds, etc. These fit nicely in drawers and the items won’t slide around and become a jumbled mess anymore.

Boxes:

Food boxes like those for butter, tea and pasta can be cut down and covered with contact paper to organize a drawer. One reader, Libby from Canada, shares: “I store shopping bags in empty tissue boxes in a drawer or cabinet. One box can hold a lot of bags, and it’s easy to pull one out through the opening as needed.”

Shoe boxes:

These sturdy boxes can fit in a deep drawer. They are easy to label and they come in a variety of sizes. Reuse them to hold items such as mail, first-aid materials, manicure supplies, CDs, spare adapters, art and craft supplies, greeting cards, scarves, coupons, small toys, school and office supplies, photos or socks and pantyhose. The list goes on and on.

Tubs:

Plastic containers like the ones ice cream, baby wipes, sour cream, yogurt and cottage cheese are sold in can fit nicely in drawers to help you organize.

Baby-food jars:

Use in furniture, cabinet or refrigerator drawers. Taller jars can hold cotton swabs, cotton balls, tweezers, floss, small barrettes, bobby pins and jewelry that can be tucked away or stored away in a deep vanity drawer. They’re the perfect size for storing missing parts, toothpicks, paper clips, saved seeds, safety pins and food items such as homemade compound butter blends, small amounts of homemade mixes, and herbs and spices. Prechop onions or bell peppers, or make cinnamon-sugar mix and spice blends to store in a large baby-food jar:

Taco Mix
2 teaspoons dried onion, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried red peppers, crushed
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dried garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin, ground

Mix all ingredients and store in a tight-lidded jar. Makes about 2 tablespoons of mix, or the equivalent of a store-bought packet.
Taco Filling: Brown 1 lb lean ground beef in a medium skillet over medium-high heat; drain the excess grease. Add 1/2 cup water and the seasoning mix. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes filling for 8 to 10 tacos.

Pringles containers:

Use in drawers to hold cords, tongs, crochet hooks, paint brushes, plastic utensils or knitting needles. They’re wonderful for storing an open sleeve of crackers or holding pre-cut parchment paper, foil, wax paper or plastic storage baggies you plan to reuse. Another reader, S.D. from Minnesota, shares: “I rolled up my silicon baking mats and put the roll in a Pringles can for storage in a drawer. Ditto for the chopsticks.”

photo by feserc

Gift cards are practical gifts, but they have a reputation as last-minute gifts or an easy way out. While it’s true that a plain, unwrapped gift card can be a bit awkward to give and receive by itself, you can make your gift more unique and thoughtful by jazzing up the presentation to personalize it for the recipient. You can creatively wrap the gift card or, for a dollar or two more, complement it with other small gifts. Dollar stores and dollar sections at stores such as Michaels and Target offer plenty of small gift options you can pair with a gift card.
Here are a few creative ideas:

Ornaments:

Many stores sell ornaments or small Christmas stockings that hold gift cards in a pocket or a clear plastic window sleeve. These ornaments are nice to keep and use year after year, and the recipient might use them later to hold a candy cane or a photo. Write a nice note, perhaps recalling a fond memory of the recipient, and slip it inside with the gift card for them to save as a keepsake.

Theme:

Pairing the gift card with a low-cost item that fits into a theme can be a way to add a personal touch. For example, if you’re giving a movie-theater gift certificate, couple it with a box of Junior Mints, Mike and Ike or other popular movie candy.

Wallets or purses:

Make the main gift a wallet, purse or bag and tuck the gift card inside.

Treasure hunt:

Rather than wrapping the gift card, wrap clues that lead the recipient to the gift card.

Frame it:

Buy a frame for the gift card or make a CD-case frame. Visit francineclouden.typepad.com/callaloo_soup/2010/06/tuesday-todo-cd-case-frame.html and jolenespapertrail.blogspot.com/2010/01/cd-case-calendarphoto-frame.html for instructions.

Wrapped in clothing:

Tuck a gift card into low-cost gift items such as a hat, gloves/mittens, socks, shoes or slippers.

Packs of beverages:

Tape a gift card onto bottles of drinks that come in pack carriers. It will be hidden from plain sight until the bottles are lifted from the packaging.

Book, magazine or calendar:

Use a binder clip or paper clip to attach the gift card to a book, calendar or magazine, or simply tuck it in as a bookmark.

In a tin, jar or box:

The Dollar Store has tins and boxes of all sizes, or you can use an Altoids mint tin. Place some shredded tissue paper in the tin and place the gift card inside. Fill a mason jar with candy and tuck the gift card in an envelope inside.

Stocking stuffers:

When looking for low-cost gift items, consider stocking-stuffer ideas. Visit www.budgetchristmas.com/stocking-stuffer-ideas.html for a list of suggestions. Many of these small gifts would be great given with a gift card.

Towel origami:

There are innumerable sites that offer instructions for folding towels into animals and objects, like washcloth reindeer (www.christmasdecorationcrafts.com/Reindeer%20Crafts.html) and coffee mugs (http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2jan2009.htm). Gift cards can easily be tucked into these low-cost crafts.

photo by misocrazy

How many shopping days until Christmas? You have plenty of time to make some gifts for the children on your list. Odds are you have some of the supplies already. Visit www.frugalvillage.com/2009/08/21/easy-homemade-gifts-for-kids/ for some ideas.
Try these fun homemade gifts:

Puppet theater:

In a child’s room, you can suspend a curtain from a tension rod hung in a doorway or a closet to make a puppet theater. Make puppets by removing some filling from stuffed animals that have been forgotten. Simple puppets can be made from paper bags, socks, gloves or felt, too.

Suitcases:

Kids can use a suitcase as a dress-up box or to hold activity books. One reader, Debbi from New Jersey, shares: “Pick up an old hard-sided suitcase at a yard sale or thrift store. Decoupage pictures on the side to give it a theme. I did this for my daughter to hold her American Girl dolls and accesories. You can also create a personalized suitcase to hold Legos or for craft or scrapbook supplies, especially if you find an older suitcase that has the little interior pockets.”

Old sheets:

Use a sheet to create an indoor hopscotch course or a checkerboard game. Milk caps or pompoms make fun game pieces.

Yarn surprise ball:

A creative way to wrap and give a small gift or money is to wind yarn around it. These work well for Secret Santa gifts for co-workers or to have on hand for any last-minute gifts. You can embellish the outside with a jingle bell, silk flower or gift tag that tells the recipient to unwind the ball. Hang them from your Christmas tree, tuck them into stockings, give them as party favors or use them as place-card holders. You can use crepe paper streamers instead of yarn, too.

Reindeer fudge:

Another reader, Denise from Illinois, shares tips for a fun holiday treat: “Make fudge as usual and pour it into a circular pie pan. Cut the fudge into pie-shaped wedges (like a pizza) and wrap each wedge with plastic wrap. Leave extra wrap at the top and tie each corner with curling ribbon to form antlers. Glue two googly eyes on the wedge and add a red pompom at the bottom for the nose.” You can also make the antlers using chenille stems.

Root-beer reindeer:

Buy root beer or any bottled beverage such as cola, apple juice, Frappucino, etc. Twist pipe cleaner antlers just below the bottle cap, add a red pompom nose, wiggle eyes and a thin piece of fleece as a scarf. These make quick, cute gifts and can be given in the root-beer carton or individually. You can place the bottles on their sides and make the bottlenecks and bottle caps the noses of the reindeer, too. Add a pompom nose to the bottle cap. Glue on wiggle eyes and wrap chenille stems to form antlers.

Pillows:

Turn a T-shirt inside out and sew the bottom and sleeve openings closed. Turn the shirt right-side out, stuff it and sew the top opening closed. Or cut the body of the shirt and use it to create a square-shaped pillow.

You can make a pillow snowman using a white pillowcase stuffed with polyfill. Sew the opening to close or use double-sided sticky Velcro so it can be washed easily. Tie a scarf around the pillowcase one-third of the way down to form the body. Add a winter hat and use glue to attach wiggle, button, pompom or fabric-paint eyes and a felt nose.

Preparing a large holiday meal can be stressful. It’s not easy to plan, prepare and coordinate cooking times for the entire menu. If you’re smart, you’ll lighten the load by planning a potluck with family and friends. But if you’re the sole cook slaving frantically over the stove, cleaning and trying to get everything perfect, here are a few tips to help:

DELEGATE:

If you don’t want to have all of your guests bring a dish to share, do allow at least one person to bring a dessert or drinks. Let’s be honest: Desserts and alcoholic beverages are higher-cost items, so besides saving some time, you’ll save a bit of money, too. Ask someone to make and serve after-dinner coffee or tea, or enlist children to clear the table. It’s often a single item or task that pushes your limits. One reader, H.M. from Michigan, shares: “Tell everyone to bring their own drinks of choice and have plastic cups on hand and ice for them. I see nothing wrong with eating on sturdy disposable plates (especially if you don’t have a dishwasher) or enlisting help with clean-up.”

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION:

Allow yourself some shortcuts, such as ready-made foods that require little preparation or small time-savers that can add up to make life much easier. Buy brown-and-serve dinner rolls rather than baking them from scratch. Roast two smaller turkeys side-by-side rather than a large turkey that might end up dry or not cooked properly (use a thermometer for accuracy, too). Another option is to serve the meal buffet-style. Drinks can be chilled and easily accessible in coolers with bagged ice, or you can serve hot beverages in a slow cooker. Another reader, Kitty from California, shares: “Set up a bar for everyone to serve themselves pop, juice, beer, wine, etc. You can do a coffee and/or dessert station, too. Use tables or counters or whatever you have to set the food up. Make a basket of silverware wrapped up in napkins and put your plates out like a hotel conference or meeting.”

THINK AHEAD:

Many of the foods you serve for Thanksgiving can be made the day before. Chop your vegetables, cut any fruit and bake desserts ahead of time. You can set the table the night before, get extra chairs out, line up any canned or boxed goods that you’ll be using, locate your carving knives and have serving and cookware at the ready to eliminate any last-minute frantic searches. Dawn from Missouri shares: “Deciding which pots and serving bowls to use for each dish is a good idea. I make a list, then put sticky notes in them when I start cooking, so I don’t forget. Make sure you have enough serving utensils as well. The first year I hosted my husband’s family I went down to the secondhand shop and got some nice, barely-used vintage casserole dishes and serving plates so I would have enough. I make a chart showing which foods I am making and how long they take to cook, and whether it is oven-baked or stovetop so I can coordinate all the recipes.”

If you don’t have a double-oven or are concerned about timing your meal, you can make some of the side dishes earlier. Place them in crockpots or on warming plates to keep them at serving temperature. If you’re short on oven space, consider options such as a roaster oven, grill or fryer for your turkey. Save your grocery list, too, so you won’t have to re-create one next year.

photo by nappent

Getting children to school can be stressful. Organization not only makes mornings run more smoothly (which is especially helpful on days when you’re running late), but it teaches young children valuable life skills. Put a few tools and systems in place, and soon your kids will be able to manage effortlessly on their own.

COMMUNICATION CENTER:

Set up an area in your home to organize family information. This keeps everyone on the same page.
This area should contain the following:
– Calendar. Hang a paper calendar so everyone can see what is going on and when. You can use online calendars, too. Set up reminders so you don’t forget any important dates.
– Folders. Each family member can have one. Important documents can go directly into the folders, preventing misplaced paperwork. It’s easy to go through a neat folder and know what to add to the calendar and what to keep, toss or discuss. Have kids use a school planner for homework and school projects, too. Check their homework and initial their planners.
– Dry erase board. Anyone can leave a quick note or reminder. You can include shopping lists, to-do lists, phone numbers, chores or missed phone calls.
– Hooks and bins. Use hooks for the most often-used backpacks, jackets, hoodies or coats. It’s much easier to place and pick up these items if they’re always in one spot. Have kids bring their lunchboxes to the kitchen and their activity bags to the laundry room, so their active wear can be washed and repacked in the bag.

One reader, Debbie E. from New Jersey, shares: “I have bins for each child. They put their backpacks in the bins when they finish their homework. I have a clipboard hooked onto the wall for each school-age child. Any class lists, sports schedules or papers that need to be signed get posted there. You can also do this with a three-ring binder.”
– Table. Use for items such as cellphones, iPods and laptops. You can place smaller organizers on the table, such as baskets or even a shoebox, for keys, lunch money and wallets.

ORGANIZERS:

Consider days-of-the-week clothes organizers or outfit hangers for young children. Use a shoe organizer (an old bookshelf will work), so your morning isn’t spent looking for a misplaced shoe. Use an over-the-door organizer for winter hats and mittens. Organizers and containers don’t have to be fancy. Reuse baby-wipes containers, glass jars or a plastic ice-cream tub. A simple clothespin can be clipped to a purse, placemat, lunchbag or backpack to serve as a reminder to do something. You can even write a note on the clothespin with permanent marker.

CREATE A STUDY AREA:

The location can be anywhere you choose, but include an area such as a closet shelf or Rubbermaid tote to keep school supplies handy. Investing in an electric pencil sharpener is money well spent.

RULES AND CHECKLIST:

This can include a weekly meal plan, chores, instrument practice or bedtime routines.

MEALS AND SNACKS:

Designate a pantry or cabinet shelf specifically for lunch foods. In time, even young children can pack their own lunches. Get into the habit of making lunches the night before and including extra healthy snacks your kids can eat when they get home or on their way to activities. Have a few grab-and-go breakfast foods handy in a container for mornings when you’re running late.

FAMILY MEETINGS:

Whether it’s a small discussion daily over dinner or a more formal meeting once a week (Sundays often work best), all family members must communicate to help things stay on track and keep everyone updated. Any scheduling conflicts or changes that are needed can be discussed before the upcoming week begins.

photo by flutterbymama

Autumn brings thoughts of rising utility bills. For some, heating costs aren’t merely an annoyance, but have become a bill that needs to be well planned for. Now is a good time to prepare for the upcoming colder temperatures.
The following are some strategies to prepare for cold weather:

Bulking up:

Pull out the flannel or polar fleece sheets, layers of clothing, extra blankets, wool socks or slippers. Electric blankets and mattress pads, hot water bottles, and homemade rice heating pads (made by filling a clean tube sock with uncooked rice and heating in the microwave) can be used to warm up, too.

Seal out the drafts:

Many put up window film, but there are alternatives. You can consider temporary removable weather sealants, such as Windjammer by Liquid Nails. It’s a removable sealant that can be applied around doors and windows. Or try window quilts, draft stoppers, space blankets from the sporting department, foam insulation, door insulation kits or bubble wrap. Make sure curtains and blinds are closed at night and allow sun in during the day. If you have a fireplace, consider inflatable draft stoppers.

Seek comfort:

If you get chilly inside, it’s a great motivator to get off the couch and use exercise equipment that’s been collecting dust. Frugal comfort foods such as hot soups and stews or hot beverages such as cocoa and tea can chase away a chill, too. Pay attention to any money leaks, so you can allot more money for the increased winter costs. Lower your thermostat a bit when you leave your home for an hour or more. (Think: work, errands, the library or when visiting friends and family.)

Get busy with a checklist:

Look into programmable thermostats if you don’t have one already and have your furnace serviced. They’ll check pressure, blower, motors, leaks, etc., and give you a diagnostic report. Ducts should be cleaned, and you can clean or change the filter. Insulate your hot water tank and consider lowering its temperature. Look into the budget plan with your utility company and inquire if they offer energy audits or any incentives on Energy Star appliances. Consider outdoor landscaping that can serve as a wind barrier, such as a blue spruce. Discover whether a wood-burning stove, insulated drapes, and space heaters are cost-effective for your family.

Take the time to clean your gutters so they’re free from leaves and debris. Clogged gutters can cause a lot of damage to your roof and exterior of your home when snow and ice thaw. While you’re up on the roof, check to see if any trees need trimming so they don’t fall on your electrical lines or damage your roof or windows during a storm. If you live in a heavy snow area, consider investing in a snow rake or broom for your roof.

Emergency supplies:

Assemble kits for your home and vehicles. For your car, include items such as extra blankets or clothing, a first-aid kit, basic tools, a flashlight, flares, jumper cables, water, ice scrapers, shovels, kitty litter and nonperishable food such as energy bars. For home, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (you can have a fire drill and discuss emergency safety plans, too). Your home kit should include spare batteries, candles, flashlights, food and water, a crank radio, a first-aid kit, basic tools, personal hygiene items, prescriptions, entertainment, important documents, clothing and bedding, whistles, a manual can opener, a utility knife, matches/lighter, baby wipes, garbage bags, change or traveler’s checks and a fire extinguisher.

Cold supplies:

Stock your medicine cabinet with cold and flu supplies such a cough drops, cold and cough medicine and vitamin C so you don’t have to run to the pharmacy if you get sick. Buy a vaporizer if you don’t have one. They work well when you’re sick and add moisture to the dry air in your house during the winter. Have a few books handy for winter reading, too.

photo by Michael Hodge

Winter gear can take up a lot of space. Your entryway and closet are often the first areas you, your family and guests see, so you want them to be tidy. Rather than frantically looking for a lost mitten, piling up boots, or cramming and shoving everything into your closet until the door no longer closes, organize now to minimize frustration later. Gather all the winter gear. Sort through anything that doesn’t fit, needs repair, or has lost its mate.
Then try the following ways to organize all the gear.

Sterilite rolling drawer cart:

These portable carts can be placed inside a closet or tucked into an inconspicuous corner. You can label each drawer for each person in the family or organize by the types of accessories (mittens, hats, scarves).

Dresser:

A spare dresser makes a great winter gear station. If you don’t have space in your entryway, it would work well in a mud room, upstairs laundry room or garage.

Tucked into coats:

Get into the habit of placing mittens and scarves in hats. Then tuck the hat into the sleeve of your winter coat. If the scarf is too bulky, simply hang it on the same hanger as your coat.

Last year’s backpack:

If you’ve replaced your children’s backpacks, reuse the old backpacks to store their winter gear. Hang the backpacks on hooks. If you don’t have old, full-size school backpacks, use tote bags, cloth grocery bags or mini nylon drawstring backpacks. Each family member can keep their bag hung on their bedroom doorknob or a hook on the back of their door, or inside their closet.

Over-the-door shoe organizers:

Some are plastic and others are cloth. Both work well. The plastic pockets make it easier to see what’s inside, but the cloth organizer tends to be more durable for long-term use.

Clothesline:

String a line and clip winter accessories to it with clothespins to see and access gear quickly and easily. It makes a nice place to dry wet items, too. If you don’t have an ideal location to hang a mini clothesline, try a chain-style toy organizer with clips. It only takes up vertical space and can be hung from the ceiling in a corner. The clips come in various colors, so you can color code accessories, too.

Tiered organizers:

Tiered mesh hanging organizers, day-of-the-week canvas organizers or even tiered wire mesh produce organizers can hold winter accessories. Much like the chain-style toy organizer, these are hung vertically, so they can be placed inside a closet.

Bins and baskets:

Available in various shapes and sizes, they can be placed on a closet shelf, hung on the wall or sometimes placed on the floor. Plastic and wire work best to withstand heavy use.

Additional tips:

Whatever method you use to organize, the key is to make it a habit that everyone adopts. Don’t move your winter accessory station around, and try to keep it as close to the door as possible. To make things easier, consider the following:

–Buy identical, multiple spares of hats, mittens and scarves, so if you lose one from a set, you can still use the others.
–Have a lost and found bin. Family members can check there for any lone accessories. Plastic mesh totes/baskets with carry handles work well for this.
–Label children’s accessories. This makes it easy for everyone to identify, or, in some cases, return their gear.
–For a tidy, space-saving closet, try closet doubler rods, Command hooks (which can be removed easily), Huggable Hangers (non-slip), or Wonder Hangers (space-saving hangers).

photo by EraPhernalia vintage

Fall decorating is a luxury not everyone can afford. Fortunately, you can still add a bit of fall fair without busting your budget. Sure, you can bring the outdoors in and decorate using pine cones, acorns, gourds, branches, dried pods or flowers, Indian corn, etc. You can make simple color changes with throw blankets, place mats and table runners, too. But it’s the scent of autumn that is the most comforting.
How do you scent your home?
Here are a few suggestions:

CLEAN AND DECLUTTER:

Bad smells linger in refrigerators, trash cans, garbage disposals, carpets, bathrooms, microwaves, closets that hold shoes, etc. Tackle these smells by cleaning.
– Refrigerator: Check for spoilage and wash shelves, door seals and handles. Make sure leftovers are sealed airtight and jars and containers are wiped clean.
– Garbage disposal: Pour baking soda and vinegar into your garbage disposal. Cover the drain and let it sit. Flush it with boiling water. Afterward, grind ice cubes and citrus peels to give it a fresh scent.
– Microwave: In a microwave-safe bowl, add lemon juice or 1/4 cup vinegar to a cup water. Add a wooden spoon to the bowl to prevent superheating. Microwave on high until the interior gets steamy. Let sit for 15 minutes and wipe away any debris.
– Closets: Hang a cedar block. Use crumpled newspaper or baking soda inside shoes, or pour kitty litter into a spare sock and place it in the shoes. I would put the shoes outside to air out, too.

HOMEMADE AIR FRESHENER:

Pour vinegar into a spray bottle, add 20 drops of essential oil (optional), and spritz the air. Open a window and let fresh air in, too. If you prefer not to spray it, you can pour some into a small bowl and set it on a table. Don’t toss it out when you’re done: Use it to clean your microwave or make your own homemade Febreze.
Place 2 cups water and 1 cup fabric softener in a spray bottle and shake well to mix. Test a small area before using to make sure no discoloration occurs. Use as needed, shaking well before each use.

LINEN SPRAY:

You’ll need 20 ounces distilled water, 1-1/2 ounces 100-proof vodka and 1 teaspoon lavender essential oil. Find a large container with a lid. Mix the vodka and water, then add the essential oil. Shake thoroughly. Pour into a mister or spray bottle. You can substitute other scents, too. Use this on towels in the linen closet or on your pillows, sheets, comforters and clothing (it can help with smoke odors).

SOAP SCENT:

Open up a few cakes of bath soap and put them in your drawers to add scent. Dryer sheets or free perfume samples from magazines will work, as well. Both can help your bathroom smell nice, too.

SIMMERING POTPOURRI:

Slice oranges and boil them with cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg and water on the stovetop to add a scent of autumn. If you like the smell of baked goods or nature, try scented soy candles.

SCENTED PINE CONES:

Gather pine cones. Place in a large plastic bag and add several drops of essential oil in orange, cinnamon, apple or eucalyptus scents. Seal the bag for a few days. Open and place pine cones in a decorative basket or bowl. You can also substitute cotton balls for pine cones.

CAR AIR FRESHENER:

These are cheap and can be used to scent your home, too.

COFFEE GROUNDS:

Set coffee grounds (either unused or used and dried) in a bowl or Dixie cup in an inconspicuous area to add scent and absorb bad smells. Putting them in a sachet works best, but you can use a section of nylon pantyhose, too. If you don’t want to use coffee groundsyou can use baking soda and a few drops of essential oil.

photo by ohmygoudainflorida

Plan ahead for the upcoming holidays. If buying gifts or supplies far in advance isn’t your thing, you can still think about ideas for free and low-cost ways to enjoy the season.
What frugal activities or traditions have you done during the holiday season? Here are a few ideas.

PUZZLES:

Pick up a jigsaw puzzle and put it together with friends and family. You don’t have to finish it in one night. Leave it out during the holidays. It’s a great way for everyone to sit together and talk.

CONCERTS AND PLAYS:

Look for upcoming free or low-cost concerts and plays. They’re often held in schools and churches. As you search for upcoming concerts, you’re bound to come across free community events, such as tree-lighting ceremonies, living nativities, festivals and parades.

VOLUNTEER:

Give back to your community. Find volunteer opportunities at www.volunteermatch.org or call local nursing homes or shelters to find out how you can help. Or visit www.anysoldier.com to send a care package or a letter to a soldier. You can donate to Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child or Toys for Tots, too.

NATURE CENTER:

Call and ask about winter hikes, walking tours or snowshoeing. You might be pleasantly surprised by the workshops and clubs that meet and activities that are offered during the winter months.

LIBRARY:

Many libraries offer book clubs, movie nights and crafts. Some libraries offer writers’ workshops, business seminars and computer classes, as well.

SWAP PARTY:

You can host a swap party to exchange toys, clothes, cookies, books, household items or almost anything. Or have everyone bring ingredients for gingerbread houses. While you’re gathering swap items, declutter and sell anything you no longer want to boost your Christmas fund.

STATE PARKS:

Many state parks have special seasonal offerings. Check local listings to find out upcoming events.

STOCKINGS:

Don’t think that it’s necessary to stuff stockings with toys or candy. One reader, Sarah from Illinois, shares: “As for stocking stuffers, when I was young, we had a few things put in our stocking, but mostly Santa stocked them with fresh fruit (oranges, apples and bananas). We then took our fresh fruit and made a fruit salad for Christmas breakfast. I realize that this also saved my parents money from having to stuff our entire stocking with presents. So we do the same for our kids!”

OUTDOOR FUN:

Ice skate, build a snowman, go sledding, feed winter birds or see holiday lights.

TELEVISION:

Set the DVR. Many family favorites are featured during ABC Family’s “25 Days of Christmas.” Another reader, Polly from Pennsylvania, shares: “We do our own kind of Advent. It’s more of a counting-down-the-days-until-Christmas kind of thing. We watch a tape of a Christmas special, one each night as we count down. Everyone has their favorite. We make a big deal out of it. I put out cookies or special cakes and serve homemade eggnog or hot chocolate, too. It’s lots of fun.” Have a family campout in the living room, too.

ELF ON A SHELF:

With a retail price of $25, this is a terrific holiday tradition to start in your home. The little elf lives in your home and watches and listens to what goes on, and he reports to Santa each night. When he returns, he lands in a new location in your home and friends and family have to find out where he landed. For more information, visit www.elfontheshelf.com. Clearly, the most frugal of readers can modify this tradition and spend less.

INTERNATIONAL TRADITIONS:

Read about traditions from around the world and see if you’d like to add any. Visit tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/christmas-traditions-around-the-world-ga.htm for a listing. One of our traditions is Christmas pinatas. Instead of it being a game to play while blindfolded, we hide small gifts and treats inside. This is a creative way to give new socks and underwear to kids. We use it to hold any gift cards, batteries, and small items such as hair clips or money they receive, so these don’t get lost in the shuffle, too.

photo by jurvetson