Little Known Secrets

**mamamia** · 03-15-2009, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jellybeanz

wow , never thought of that.. thanks. They usually rust on me with soap still left in them, and it becomes a mess. This should really stretch my sos pads out.

I'm so sorry! I accidentally leaned on the "nominate this post button"

Can a moderator please undo it for me?

Theresa

**trinaren** · 05-07-2009, 01:38 PM

I always make sure that turning on my car is the last thing I do before I leave. I always put on my seatbelt, adjust my mirrors, check traffic, etc. beforehand because the car doesn't really need to be on and using gas for that. It's only a few seconds, but that really adds up over the years.

**Judi Dial** · 05-07-2009, 05:24 PM

Along the same line...sort of...add sugar when you just have hot coffee/tea in the cup, stir it well, THEN add your milk or cream. You won't need to add as much sugar. (And, at least for me it avoids the crust at the bottom of the cup too.)

Judi

**Palooka** · 05-08-2009, 01:44 AM

Use witch hazel for a face toner. It's the same ingredient they use in Pro-active skin care. It's like a buck for a bottle.

**crunchycon** · 05-08-2009, 05:57 AM

To the reader that goes to the bookstore and sits and reads rather than buys - you're technically not doing anything illegal or stealing. They put those comfy chairs and tables there to lure potential buyers. I hope that you're buying your tea there once in a while to "do your bit," though.

**Trishagirl** · 05-08-2009, 09:40 AM

Great tips everyone I need to get some ammonia for my oven and clean it!

**Rebookie** · 05-08-2009, 09:40 AM

I love this post!

**Shelli_wnj** · 05-08-2009, 01:33 PM

I have all of my electronic equipment on strip plugs. The tv, cable box, vcr, dvd is on one, the computer, printer, monitor etc is on another. Each room that has a tv and cable box has one. When it's not in use, it's flipped off. All of these things draw a charge when not in use, so I just flip them all off. The cable box takes about a minute to "load" back up, but it's well worth the savings. I read recently that dependent on the type of computer/cable box you have, they use up to 80 percent of their "on" charge when switched "off"!

**Thevail** · 05-08-2009, 03:51 PM

Last year I picked up an old Bissel "push broom" type rug cleaner.. you know, stick for a handle and little head with brushes that twirl when you push or pull it. I'm sure your grandma had one, mine did.

Now I vaccuum with the power vaccuum twice a week, and the other five days I "push broom". No one's noticed any difference yet and I'm saving electricity 5 days a week.

**Thevail** · 05-08-2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Judi Dial

We use oildry for cat litter. A 50# bag costs $10 at the auto parts store. The auto parts store is also where I buy my scotchbrite, much cheaper than at the supermarket. It comes in little strips and sponge size sheets, but I don't care. It's the same product, just costs less!

DH reuses his (good) glasses frames when he gets a new prescription.

Use rubbing alcohol to clean the chrome in your bathroom.

If you buy sipping port (not cream) then buy "vintage character" port. There's only so many years that the vintners can declare "vintage," so some years, port that would otherwise be called vintage is called "vintage character" and it's much cheaper!

I have a small writeup on how to sell used books to a used bookseller for more money. It's funny, but true. If there's interest, I'll post it. (I've been a used bookseller since 1979.)

Judi

A) Thanks! I drink port!
B) There IS interest. We have quite a few used book stores in our area, and I am a regular visitor to them all.

**oiteness** · 05-09-2009, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by Early Bird

THRIFT STORES! Living in suburbia, I learned that a lot of people have no idea what treasures are to be found on the 2ndhand market!

Also, if you're in the Saint Louis MO area [not sure if there are others out there] the Value Village thrift stores periodically seems like 1 a month or so have a 50 percent off sale that is pretty good.

there is a minimum purchase like 25 or 30 dollars though but still.

They also sell new mattresses that are greatly reduced in price and my sister got an awesome microfiber living room set brand new there loveseat, sofa, and chair for around 500 and it's great quality.

**oiteness** · 05-09-2009, 02:13 AM

Oh, learned this one from my grandma and my lovely late mother,

if you have wicker or rattan porch/deck furniture take a paint brush and rub paint it with vegetable oil, and rub it in with a soft rag, it keeps the wicker from becoming brittle and breaking, when I was little I used to think my mom was crazy for doing this, now I'm doing the same!

and rinse your drinking glasses with hot water and about 4 tbsp vinegar to have spot free glasses. [this is handy if you don't' have a dish washer]

**Puffy** · 05-09-2009, 09:22 PM

From working in restaurants I learned that you can clean any burned on messes easily by making a paste of non sugar free red jello and water, runny is better, put it on the burned section and let it sit over night. Will come clean easily in the morning. Always made me wonder what red jello does to your stomach!

**Tai** · 05-10-2009, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Michele Annette

I have a tip...I have several clean rags in my kitchen. Each day I use as many as I need for spills, quick wipes, cleaning, etc. They have saved me so much money on paper towels and I just toss them in the wash with the next load of laundry. I do use paper towels for jobs that are just too

to deal with.

I do this, but I use microfiber clothes- only buy them in the automotive aisle though! I was in Target the other day and they had SINGLE MF cloths "on sale" for $3.99. Walk down to automotive and get the 10pk for $5!

Originally Posted by SHOPGIRL

Hmmm...I guess one frugal secrets is FLEECE. It's warm and its lightweight, and better yet, it's inexpensive. I wear fleece jackets at home, snuggle up with fleece blankets, fleece p.j's, and I have fleece hats, gloves, scarves, etc....

I have tons of fleece! I just picked up 10 of the "throw" size blankets on clearance for 50¢- that will keep us all warm next winter! In the meantime, I keep 2 in each car for impromptu picnics, cold nights, etc. I'll also be sewing two of them into mini-sleeping bags for in the car for my kiddos.

Let's see, I make my own yogurt- that costs me about $3 for a gallon, vs. $12+ for commercial low/nonfat, or $16+ for whole milk yogurt. I save at least $10 per week on that alone.

Rehydrate your own beans- 1lb makes the equivilant of 3-4 cans. Make it as you need it, or bag and freeze a whole batch for crazy days.

Make your own "instant rice"- when you're making rice anyways, double or triple what you actually need, then freeze the extra. You just need to heat it through when you need it! Awesome for brown rice!

50% of the kids' wardrobes are gender neutral, so they can be passed down regardless of gender of the next kid. I have 2 boys and a girl (7b, 2g, 10m b), so clothes my 7yo DS wore are being used by my 2yo DD. This works best for jeans and pants!

I make all of the kids' hats, slippers, and mittens with thrift store yarn- sometimes recovered from sweaters bought at the thrift store.

Get exercise videos, cookbooks, and baskets for gifts at the thrift store.

Don't buy swiffer refills- ever! I use microfiber cloths now, but only because I just ran out of those giant maxi pads they send you home from the hospital with after you give birth. Best mop ever!

**wanna_homestead** · 05-18-2009, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by Tai

Don't buy swiffer refills- ever! I use microfiber cloths now, but only because I just ran out of those giant maxi pads they send you home from the hospital with after you give birth. Best mop ever!

at the mental image!!

ETA: Do you have a use for those wonderful [HUGE] mesh panties they give you after having a baby, too? ROFL!