Lean toward buying products that offer alternate and multiple purposes. A few examples include vinegar, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, baking soda and Fels-Naptha. This mindset can help you consider other household items that have alternative uses, so you can save money and be less wasteful.
The first three reader tips share ideas for another multi-use product:

Glad Press’n Seal nonfood use:

My dad is recovering from knee replacement surgery and can’t get his knee wet in the bath. My mom says she has been wrapping it with the Glad Press’n Seal and it works like a charm. I thought it was a pretty neat idea and can see how it would be easier to do than using plastic and rubber bands, which is probably what I would have tried. — Jacqueline, West Virginia

I used it to draw my jack-o’-lantern face, stuck it to my pumpkin and cut through it. You can also use it to draw designs and stick to fabric for quilting and sewing. — S.B., Pennsylvania

I use it to make homemade Lunchables for my kids. I save an old Lunchables container (OK, I’ll admit, it’s the cheapie ALDI one, but still), fill it, then use the Press’n Seal on it. Just cut to size and trim as needed. The kids think it’s great to be able to ask for Lunchables any time they want without a lecture on cost! — B.L., Wisconsin

Pizza cutter:

I use mine to cut pancakes, bananas and grilled sandwiches for my kids. — Julie, Florida

Soap slivers:

I always end up with tiny slivers of bar soap and I don’t want to just toss them out. I had a bunch of tulle circles leftover from my wedding, so I used two, dropped the sliver of soap in the middle and used a small rubber band to secure the top. I use it as a mini-scrubby and add soap slivers as they appear. — Beth, Missouri

Cut fudge:

Score fudge into squares while it’s still warm. Let the fudge cool to room temperature. When it’s firm, cut it with a dough scraper. — Pauline, Texas

Used envelopes:

Many people use them for grocery lists. Use them again by cutting off the corners to create bookmarks. Just slide the corner you snipped onto your page. — Kaitlyn G., Indiana

Leftover lemon zest:

I keep a wide-mouthed plastic bottle in which I put the lemon zests I sometimes have left over from a recipe. I chop them up roughly and add straight white vinegar. After a week or two, it smells delicious. I use it for cleaning windows or as a softener for laundry. I find the smell is stronger and nicer than using essential oils, not to mention it much cheaper. — Faune, Belgium

photo by citymama

During the cold months, your utility bills can be considerably higher. You can combat this by scheduling an energy audit through your utility company. They’ll give you tips such as insulating your water heater, attic and pipes, installing a programmable thermostat or switching to lower-wattage bulbs. Or you can do an assessment yourself. Visit energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic_170 for a checklist.

If you don’t use a winter weather window kit, add window quilts or blankets, thin Styrofoam insulation, Plexiglas inserts, insulated curtains, bubble wrap or space blankets to keep heat inside. Check weather-stripping or use a draft stopper, too.
The first reader tip has another suggestion to block cold air leaks:

Insulate outlets:

There are foam pads that can be placed behind the outlet and switch plates to help reduce heat escape. These areas on outer walls are not as well-insulated and can suck heat out of a room. — Carol, Maryland

Pasta storage:

I fill gallon-sized, restaurant supply-style glass jars with various types of pasta. Makes it easy to see how much pasta I have. — Diane, forums

Pet bed:

I use foam or egg-crate foam stacked in layers until it’s soft enough. If needed, I use rip-stop nylon to make a case to hold everything together, as sometimes I need to use more than one piece of foam to make the pad big enough. Then I slip that whole works into a contractor trash bag. Those are large and very thick, so they stand up to claws. Then the pad gets a cover, usually Cordura because that repels pet hair and is water resistant. It’s also very sturdy and dries quickly, so if a pet makes a mess on it, it’s easy to clean up by rinsing and hanging to dry. The contractor bag keeps any messes from soaking into the pad, so that never needs to be washed. — S.D., Minnesota

Check local Habitat for Humanity ReStore:

I paid just $10 for an end table that fits nicely in the corner for the sofa and love seat. Habitat For Humanity ReStore supports a great cause and helps me save money! — Debbi, New Jersey

Homemade gift ideas:

I made an earring holder by putting a mesh screen inside a nice frame. You can also make a tray out of a large picture frame by adding handles on opposite ends. It makes a good gift for people who like to entertain. — Shoiji, New Jersey

Snowman cocoa craft:

Use two half-pint canning jars with lids. Fill the bottom jar with cocoa mix and the top jar with mini marshmallows. Decorate the top jar with a felt scarf, eyes, nose, etc. Glue the jars together to make a snowman. — Lisa, New York

Parmesan cheese container:

I reuse them for shredded cheese. My kids can shake the container to put cheese on their tacos, baked potatoes, chili, salad, etc. without making a mess. Makes a great container for cinnamon-sugar mix, too, or you can fill one with baking soda for cleaning. — Ginny, Ohio

photo by clairity

You can replace some store-bought cleaning products with safer alternatives that are easy to make and economical. The basic ingredients are items that are either readily available in your home or easy to find at your local grocery store. Homemade cleaners are versatile, so they require less storage space than conventional products manufactured for specific cleaning tasks. The results are impressive and will equal and often outperform commercial cleaners. Visit my community forums at frugalvillage.com/forums/make-yourself/ for an entire section dedicated to homemade solutions.
The first reader tip shares a natural scrub cleanser:

Natural scrub cleanser:

I use baking soda and Dr. Bronner’s castile soap to make a cleaner for countertops, sinks and toilets. I mix the two ingredients in an empty liquid dish soap bottle until I like the consistency. — R.M., Georgia

Reuse cereal bags:

I put my lettuce (romaine or leaf) in a cereal bag. It keeps the lettuce crisp and fresh longer than the plastic bags at the grocery store. — Margo S., email

Neighborhood apple trees:

I found two apple trees within five minutes of my home. The owners let me pick as many apples as I wanted, so I got two big bags full and used them to make apple bread, strudel, apple butter and apple salsa. I put some apple butter into small jars and gave them out as favors at my baby shower, and I’m going to give some as Christmas gifts. Keep your eyes out for unused fruit in your neighborhood. — G.D., Illinois

Freecycle for gifts:

Look for furniture to repair, or give it a facelift with paint and decoupage. One year I got a wobbly curio from Freecycle. I fixed its legs by sawing the angles on a board to create a new brace. My mom loved the curio. Total cost: free. — Kristie, Colorado

Chocolate-dipped candy cane sticks:

I love candy canes because they remind me of all the Christmas holidays growing up at home. Chocolate-dipped candy cane sticks were always my favorite because no matter how young (or old) I was, I could help with them. And they were done in minutes, which meant I got to eat one right away! Here’s what you need:

Large candy cane sticks (unwrapped)
8 ounces baker’s chocolate
crushed nuts or Christmas colored sprinkles (optional)
wax paper
Christmas cellophane

Melt baker’s chocolate in a large saucepan over low/medium heat until no lumps are visible. Dip each candy cane stick halfway into the chocolate and lay the sticks on a layer of wax paper. Sprinkle candy cane sticks with nuts or Christmas sprinkles before chocolate hardens. Let cool.
To give: Wrap candy cane sticks individually or as a bunch in decorative cellophane and tie off with a ribbon. Or find a tall glass jar with a lid and fill it with the candy cane sticks. Add a huge bow or ribbon to the lid and you’ll have a sweet gift. — Polly, Pennsylvania

photo by ecokarenlee

There’s no need to buy ice packs. You can make them yourself. To make a gel ice pack, you’ll need two zip-enclosure freezer bags and some Dawn dishwashing liquid. Partially fill one bag, seal it and encase it in a second freezer bag. Place it in the freezer. Wrap it with a cloth before applying it to the skin. It’s more pliable than a hard ice pack and can conform to whatever shape you need. It’s reusable, too.
To make a mini ice pack, fill empty prescription bottles (with the labels removed) two-thirds full of water and freeze. These make perfect ice packs for children’s “owies.”
The first reader tip has another idea:

Ice pack:

Here’s a tip for heel pain. Freeze a water bottle, place it inside a tube sock, put it on the floor and roll your foot back and forth on it. Feels great, and it’s reusable! — Ali Lee, Indiana

Avoid pantry moths:

You can store bulk items such as flour and rice in the bin-style pet food storage containers sold at your local pet supply store. The bins are large enough to hold the 25-pound or larger size bags, so you don’t have to dump the flour or rice into the bin. A rubber gasket around the lid ensures a tight seal. I haven’t had any moths in my pantry since I started using these bins. — Sheri, email

Freeze yeast bread dough:

The trick with yeast breads is to freeze the dough after the first rise, but before the second. This allows the yeast to develop the flavor fully. Make your dough, let it rise, punch it down, section it into rolls or loaves and freeze. To use, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. It will rise as it thaws. You should be able to bake in the morning. Or put it in the fridge in the morning to use for dinner. Rolls will thaw faster because they are smaller. — Saule, Illinois

Store spaghetti:

I use Pringles or Lays Stax cans for pasta storage. — Bent, Alabama

Raw-feeding dogs:

We’re raw-feeding our dog on a budget. When our dog, Stryder, developed skin allergies, we switched him to a raw diet immediately. I get chicken backs from our local butcher for 59 cents per pound, and I also supplement Stryder’s diet with chicken livers, canned sweet potatoes, eggs and other meat that I get on sale. I was spending about $80 monthly on commercial dog food; now, the most I spend each month is $30. I know this is not for everyone, and not all dogs can eat what ours can, but we have had success with raw feeding. — S.P., Ohio
Ian Billinghurst’s “Give Your Dog a Bone” is a good place to start. It’s a little dated now, but it’s still considered by many to be the “go-to” book about raw feeding. — Donna, California

This week, I’ve compiled reader tips that will help you hide gifts, have frugal holiday fun, make a couple of gifts for kids and pets and chase away winter chills with seasonal hot drinks you can mix yourself.

Hide Christmas gifts:

When the kids were little, I hid everything in the artificial tree box. Everyone assumed it was empty! — PDFC, Pennsylvania

Pet pillow:

I love Pillow Pets and they make adorable and comfy pet beds. War Hammer, our Yorkie, has taken over my daughter’s Pillow Pet, a lion. — Neeley, Alabama

If you can’t afford a Christmas tree:

Watch the local trash days. People often buy new, fancier trees and get rid of their old fake ones. Buy a mini tree at the dollar store and decorate with homemade items. Craft stores often publish coupons for small trees. Set up a barter with a tree seller (a few hours work in exchange for a tree). You can also inquire about a tree on Freecycle. Let your friends know your issue. They may know of a tree going unused, or they may find a way to help you have one in the spirit of the holiday season. — Debbie, New Jersey

Free and fun for Christmas:

We do our own kind of Advent to count down the days until Christmas. We watch a DVD of a Christmas special, one each night as we count down. Each member of the family has their own favorite. We make it an occasion: I put out cookies or special cakes, along with homemade egg nog or hot chocolate. It’s a lot of fun! — Polly, Pennsylvania
Note from Sara: With Netflix, our DVR and the various channels that run Christmas movie marathons, we watch many Christmas shows without buying, renting or borrowing them. If you’re looking for a Christmas movie list to help you prepare, visit budgetchristmas.com/christmas-movie-list.html. It’s not all-inclusive (lacks more recent holiday movies), but it will get you started.

Homemade gift for kids:

Make a snow-paint kit. Fill squeeze bottles or spray bottles with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to each one. Shake until well mixed. You can add more food coloring to darken your colors, if desired. Screw the lids back onto the bottles and send the kids outside for some snow-painting fun. — Polly, Pennsylvania

Homemade plant pet:

You can fill a knee-high stocking with potting soil and sprinkle grass seed (winter rye works well) and tie off the end to make a homemade plant pet. Use hot glue to attach wiggly eyes, a pom-pom nose, and a felt or pipe cleaner mouth. These homemade pets are super cute and look like chubby little worms when they grow! Make it a cute gift by putting it together with a little watering can, an “adoption certificate” with cute clip art, and even some scissors for “haircuts.” — Melody, Arkansas

Holiday drinks:

Very good holiday drink (though it is not warm):

Chocolate Martini
1 squirt or two of chocolate syrup
1 shot Kahlua Mocha
1 shot vanilla vodka
3 shots milk
Little bit of whipped cream

Here is the recipe for an Irish Winter (a warm one!). It’s one of my favorites:
1 part Kahlua Coffee Cream
1 part Jameson Irish Whiskey
Freshly brewed coffee
Whipped cream for garnish
Combine ingredients in a mug and stir. Top with whipped cream. — Amanda, Pennsylvania

photo by pitbull mama

Money is a great gift because you know the recipient will put it to use. But much like lottery tickets, concert tickets and gift cards, sometimes simply giving it in a plain envelope seems unimaginative.
The first two reader tips share a couple of creative ways to give cash gifts:

A way to give money as a gift:

One Christmas I hid money for my three daughters in small pull-top cans of beans and weenies. I opened the cans from the bottom using a side-opening can opener. I cleaned out the contents, added money and some sugar for weight, then glued the bottom back on. I put the cans in the girls’ stockings. It was really funny to see them looking puzzled: “Mom’s really lost it! Beans and weenies in our stockings this year?” I told them times were tough. When one daughter opened her can expecting a snack, surprise! It was a hoot! — Darlene, email

One year I rolled $5 bills into a prescription bottle with directions reading “Take one as needed.” Another year, I had brand new $1 bills gummed on one edge like a stationary pad so they could be torn off as needed! I have also given a new wallet and filled the credit card slots with gift cards. — F.F., Washington

Save on baby gear:

My three little ones are all close in age. For my third, rather than an expensive travel system, we purchased the larger Graco infant seat and a cart that the car seat snapped into for a total cost of $60. By the time the baby outgrows the infant seat and cart, we can graduate to a $15 umbrella stroller. Graco also makes a portable swing that the infant seat clips into, which frees you from having both an infant seat and a swing taking up space in your home. One car seat, one cart and one swing all work together, saving us lots of money. — Christina, North Carolina

Drain cleaner:

Baking soda and vinegar as a drain cleaner really works! I used that combo this morning to clear a tough clog from my bathroom sink. I already had the stuff onhand. Sure beats a $6-10 bottle of drain cleaner! — Clarissa, Texas

I always pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain after doing the soda-and-vinegar treatment. Much better than using the chemical-laden, store-bought stuff. — Mrs. K., Canada

Adding salt to the mix helps, too. The salt acts as a scrubbing agent as the foam mixture carries it up and down the pipes. — M.S.F., Utah

Soak and sort utensils:

I have a big jar near my sink that I keep filled with water and dish soap. That’s where all of our dirty silverware goes as it gets dirty. A common practice in cafeterias, soaking the utensils this way makes them much easier to clean and saves you from cutting yourself on an unseen knife in the sink dishwater. I also sort the silverware by size and type as I put it in the dishwasher rack so it’s already sorted when I pull it out. Saves lots of time! — Judi, New Hampshire

photo by cogdogblog

It can be cheaper to buy food at stores other than the grocery store. You can shop ethnic markets, bread stores, dollar stores, pharmacies such as Walgreens, warehouse clubs or discount grocery stores such as Aldi. For state-by-state listings of salvage grocery stores, visit www.frugalvillage.com/forums/discount-stores/97055-salvage-grocery-list-state.html.
The first reader offers another way to find lower-cost food items:

Amazon for groceries:

I have ordered peanut butter, sugar, syrup, cereal, mac-and-cheese and more on Amazon.com for cheaper than I can get them at the grocery store. The prices fluctuate, but Amazon has deals each week just like the grocery stores. You have to buy in bulk, but the per-item price will frequently be cheaper than local. You can get the best deals by choosing the “Subscribe and Save” option, which lowers your price by 15 percent and gives you free shipping. A great alternative to shopping at the grocery store, and it’s delivered right to your door. — Jennifer, Ohio

“Waste not, want not” in action:

I like to make my own veggie broth and can it. Any time I am chopping up veggies, I keep all the little end pieces and scraps that normally would be thrown away. I add them to a gallon food-storage bag in the freezer and when the bag gets full, it’s time to make broth. I mix in a few herbs and such, a leek for added flavor and a whole onion (skin on) for that pretty golden color. I put it all in a huge stockpot and let it simmer most of the day. Once it’s done, I strain it through a flour-sack towel and can the broth.
But I still don’t throw out all those spent vegetables. I put them through my food processor in batches and then freeze the resulting veggie puree in small food storage bags. I add a bag to soups, stews and casseroles to thicken them up. Works like a charm, made from something that most people would think of as trash. Food is never trash. — M.T., forums

Older apples:

There is no such thing as a bad apple. Just grate them and freeze them to make apple bread or apple muffins in the winter. I freeze the exact amount the apple bread calls for: 1 cup. Then I just pull it out in the winter and make some bread. It gets fairly soft, but it doesn’t matter because it’s in the bread! — Leslie, Illinois

Cooking for two:

I often cook in large quantities, even though it’s just hubby and me. We eat it that night, a serving goes in the fridge to reheat a couple of days later and the rest goes in the freezer. My goal (and it works most of the time) is to alternate cooking one night and eating leftovers the next, so there is always a variety of leftovers to put together and reheat and I am not spending every night cooking.
One helpful tip so leftovers don’t go to waste: Put them in clear containers on the same designated shelf in the fridge, with the oldest in the front and the newest in the back. — Mary, Texas

photo by michitux

Coffee filters can be used for more than simply brewing coffee. If you’ve recently switched to a reusable filter or cut out your daily java, those spare paper filters can be used for many of the same purposes as paper towels. Visit www.frugalvillage.com/2007/09/19/alternative-uses-for-an-every-day-item-coffee-filters/ for a list of alternative uses.
The first reader tip shares another idea:

USES FOR COFFEE FILTERS:

I use coffee filters for drying tomato and potato seeds after I’ve fermented them for seed saving. I’ve used paper towels, but they stick; coffee filters are perfect. And after the seeds are dry I can fold up the filter, staple it to create a little packet, label it, and presto: saved heirloom seeds! — Bethany, email

USING RAINWATER:

Our family cuts down on water consumption and saves on our water and electricity bills by using rainwater. We have a green two-gallon bin we use in the house to store compostables before putting them in the backyard composter. It gets grimy fast. We put it under the drain from the eaves and scrub it with a toilet brush, then toss the water on our lawn as an organic fertilizer. I never let a good rainstorm go to waste. — Dave P., Canada

GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL TIP:

I’ve always used my grill a lot but I disliked cleaning it, fearful that the nonstick coating might come off. Now I use aluminum foil, folding it in half and putting the meat (or whatever I want to cook) inside. After I finish cooking I just throw away the foil. I buy the nonstick foil for fish but one could also use cooking spray. The foil eliminates any mess to clean up and it saves time when I have company because I wrap the food in foil ahead of time, ready to place on the grill. — Pam, email

COLOR AT HOME:

I’ve been coloring my own hair since a grocery clerk told me he gave me the ‘senior citizen discount’ because my hair had gone completely gray (I was 40 at the time). A hairdresser friend gave me some tips:
– Pick a color only a few shades off from your natural color. If you’re gray, go a few shades lighter and choose a color with ‘ash’ in the title, such as ‘ash blond.’ It hides missed spots better if you’re doing it yourself and won’t be so obvious once it starts to fade. Avoid red, which fades quickly.
– Buy a permanent color the first time, but use a ’28-wash’ formula between colorings to keep your color fresh without turning your hair into wicked-witch broom-straws. The semi-permanent dyes deposit color with less of a stripping effect on your hair.
– Read the directions carefully and follow them diligently. Use a timer.
– Buy a quality conditioner for color-treated hair. Work in a small amount and let it sit while you lather the rest of your body, then rinse the conditioner out last.
– Wear an old button-down shirt when you color. It’s nearly impossible to pull a T-shirt over your head without ruining it. If you don’t have a ‘color cape,’ cut a neck and arm holes into a large garbage bag to protect your clothes.

I have long hair and used to spend $180 every three months to get it touched up. Now I spend $7 every six weeks. Does it look as great as the salon color? No. But it looks good enough that people often compliment my hair. — Anna, email

photo by cwisnieski

Plastic cereal bags are great liners that can be reused. You can use them to store baked goods or a sandwich, apply breadcrumb coatings to meat, fish and poultry, roll up cookie dough logs, contain ingredients to be crushed with a rolling pin, or as a trash container in your car.
The first reader tip shares another use:

REUSE CEREAL BAGS:

I use cereal bags as a cutting board when I only have one or two things to chop. It also saves washing another cutting board when I’m in a hurry. — Veronica, email

USE FOR ODD SOCKS:

So what if all your odd socks don’t match! Okay, maybe you shouldn’t wear them at work, but for weekends and hanging out, why not? They can also be altered and turned into wrist warmers (insulation for wrists in winter). — Colin, email

REUSE OLD SHOWER CURTAIN:

We cleaned up our old clear vinyl shower curtain and tightly stapled it to a piece of plywood. Our son uses it as a huge dry erase board. — Mary, email

INEXPENSIVE OR HOMEMADE GIFT IDEAS FOR KIDS:

Melt leftover or broken crayons in shaped muffin tins to make fun, multi-colored, shaped crayons! Instead of buying overpriced Easy-Bake oven mixes, search Google for recipes and make a recipe book. You can prepare and package some of the dry mixes for the child to use right away. — S.G., Pennsylvania

INVEST IN KITCHEN HELPERS:

I used Christmas money to invest in timesavers for the kitchen. Heating a large oven for a meatloaf or other small item seemed a huge waste of electricity, so I purchased a Breville countertop convection oven/toaster (brevilleusa.com/cooking/ovens.html), which I use constantly. I also bought a FoodSaver (foodsaver.com), and now my frozen foods last longer. I seal rice, baking items, nuts, etc. in jars to keep them fresh and free from pests. I bought a yogurt maker with a timer and now make homemade yogurt on a weekly basis. To ease the process, I purchased a digital thermometer that lets me know when the milk is ready. I feel the new equipment will pay for itself. It’s certainly brought a lot of pleasure to my kitchen duties. — Jan, email

photo by sanbeiji

When teaching young children how to tie, you can buy two different colored laces. Either cut each lace in half and sew them to make a bi-colored lace or simply tie a knot and re-lace the shoe. It’s much easier for a child to learn how to tie when the laces are two colors and they can see which lace is being brought over or pulled through.

You can make a practice box using a shoebox and multi-colored ribbons or shoelaces. Poke sets of holes in the top and sides of the box for the ribbons or shoelaces to be pulled through. Again, you can tie two different colored ribbons or shoelaces for each set of holes you created in your box. If using ribbons, use wired organza, canvas, grosgrain (avoid satin) or other nonslippery varieties. You can decorate the shoebox, too. If the lid is removable, secure it to the box. A hinged lid works best.

Another challenge for preschoolers is knowing which shoe is left and which is right.
The first reader tip has some solutions:

TEACH LEFT SHOE FROM RIGHT:

You can make it easier for children to learn by writing half of the child’s name or drawing half a smiley face on the sole or the inside tongue of each shoe. When the shoes are put together, they make the full name or smiley face. Or draw a dot on the outside of the shoes with permanent marker and tell the child that the dot is where their big toe should be inside each shoe. — Brenda H., Ohio

CHECK STORE POLICIES:

I recently learned that if you find something expired at my local grocery store and bring it to the register along with a new one, you get the new one for free. — Tanya N., Texas

FREEZE OIL:

Freeze the oil you use in your turkey fryer rather than replacing it after each use. I freeze olive oil and canola oil when I know I won’t be able to use it all before it goes bad. You can also freeze Crisco with no change in quality. — S.D., Minnesota

DRAIN CLEANING:

We used a dangerous, chemical-laden drain opener until we discovered the Zip-It drain-cleaning tool from Cobra Products. Baking soda and vinegar can’t clean the wads of hair out of our bathtub drain, but Zip-It does. It’s easy to use, and only around $2! — Amanda W., email

photo by theilr