We want your thrifty tips, so please send them in! You can receive a one month extension to your HomeEconomiser Newsletter subscription by submitting a Back Fence idea that is selected for this column.
Note: The credit will be issued the month that the tip is published.
By submitting your ideas, you agree to allow the publication of that idea and your name or initials and city in print and on-line. All submissions become the property of Economiser Publications, LLC.
the back fence
Neighbors sharing their great time and money saving ideas
OVER 364 MONEY SAVING IDEAS!This page is a compilation of reader tips that have been published in our newsletter since April 2003. It is updated each month that we publish.
I’M GOING CLOTH (6.08)
Cloth diapering has come a long way, and will save parents a whole lot of money. Here is a web site that I’ve found to be very helpful: http://clothdiapers.thefunnyemu.com/why. But basically you need to know this: If you buy the cheapest cloth diapers and covers, you’ll spend about $270 and have supplies for ALL of your children. Of course cloth diapers do wear out after a few thousand washes, so if you have 10 kids, you might need to buy more. Laundry on cloth diapers is very inexpensive as well. In three and one-half years of using disposable diapers on my son, I estimate that we spent at least $2500 for diapers and wipes. For my next child, we’re going with cloth. Sarah Egan— USA
WASH CLOTHS — BOTTOMS UP! (11.06)
Instead of making my own disposable baby-wipes, I just wash my babies bottoms with a wash cloth. A wet wash cloth seems to do even better than a diaper wipe, and can be tossed in the next load of laundry or into the cloth-diaper pail. The cost of wash cloths can be minimized by purchasing an old beach-towel at a thrift store, cutting it up and zig-zagging the edges. Amy Davis-Lincoln, NE
FRIENDS FOR A SONG (7.05)
Before signing up for an expensive Mommy/Child play group, or Gymboree class, call around to different public libraries & investigate their story-times for kids. I was amazed that my toddler & I could attend a weekly class that included songs, actions and playtime FOR FREE . . . and I wasn't even a resident in this particular community, but I chose it based on the day & time of the class. It added to our song repertoire and we met new friends for no cost. Ann Thomas - Bridgeville, PA
MOM'S MEMBERSHIP MAKES MEMORIES (2.05) One of the best deals I've found is membership in my local mothers' club. Dues are $30 per year. For this fee a world of opportunities are available for me and my family: Monthly meetings with informative speakers; inexpensive group outings, free baby sitting through the club's babysitting co-op, membership in a movie-moms group - we get reduced price tickets and go together- opportunities for community service and leadership.
Last summer we took advantage of a two-night camp-out at a regional park with 15 other families from the club. We paid 15 dollars per family which included two meals, arts and crafts and other activities.
Through the mothers' club, I joined a play group when my oldest son was 7 months old. Some of my closet friends are the moms in this play group - we've watched each other's kids for six years!
This club is priceless! Jennifer Gurney - Pleasanton, CA
BABY IT'S FREE You can find 30 free titles of children’s software like Reader Rabbit, Blues Clues and Leap Ahead Phonics on the website www.smart-estore.com/inside. All you pay is $3.95 S/H for each one. I ordered my daughter 3 different titles and they are great!! They got to our home very quickly. The only downside is that they don't come with cases, so they wouldn't be great for gift giving.
Payless Shoe Stores gives newborns their first pair of shoes. Just go into the store and fill out a form. You get them right then and there.
Economiser Note: As of January 2003, the Payless Shoes program was discontinued. This was confirmed by their Public Relations Department.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus gives each newborn child a free ticket redeemable anytime in their life. Check out their website. Kealey Bullinger—Coppell, TX
WIPE UP AND SAVE I make homemade baby wipes. I started doing this with our oldest son because of allergies, but continued with our younger one because of the cost savings and convenience.
Recipe:
- One half paper towel roll,
cut cross wise
- 1 1/2-2 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons soap
(I use Grannies soft soap)
- One large plastic container with lid
Pour water into container and stir in soap, then put paper towel roll into container and put on lid. I let it soak overnight, then by morning, I have wipes ready to go. --Just take out the inner tube from the paper towel roll and pull the wipes from the center.
Note: the amount of water depends on how thick the paper towel roll is, I find the Bounty Big roll works the best. Julia Levene – Scottsdale, AZ
InsWeb.com is a great resource for quoting Auto Insurance and Homeowners insurance. We discovered them after reading a Consumer Reports article about Auto Insurance quotes. We were hesitant at first to submit personal data through this website, but our experience has proved to us that it is very secure and we have received no spam. Our information was submitted to numerous companies (More than 28 are listed on the web site) and we started receiving quotes within 24 hours.
We spent about 15 minutes punching in our information and ended up saving $400 every six months on our auto insurance.
CARS
SAVE GAS — LEAVE AND BE (11.08)
Here’s my best way to save gas — Leave early and Be organized. I gather the things I need for the next day and put them by my purse. I also leave early for any appointment or trip and thus I am less likely to speed which saves me gas and a possible $200 speeding ticket. This money saving tip costs you nothing but a little bit of time. Donna Korzun — Dowagiac, MI
MAKE SLUDGE BUDGE (9.07)
I have a 99 Toyota Sienna whose engine is prone to oil sludge. There is a class action lawsuit on these engines that span from 1997-2002 and includes the Lexus brand as well - more info can be found here: http://www.oilgelsettlement.com/. I took the car to the dealer and they refused to repair/replace the engine. I am currently fighting the dealer's decision but, in the meantime, I need to maintain my engine as I plan on driving it until it dies. So, I have used a product called Auto-Rx which essentially loosens the sludge which then moves through the engine and into the oil filter. I have no affiliation with this product but just want others to know they can save their engine, avoid costly repairs and keep their car running well, longer. I have been using this product since 2003 when I first learned of the sludge issue. I have my engine oil analyzed through a lab periodically and as soon as sludge starts to develop, I do an Auto-Rx treatment. My understanding is Auto-Rx dissolves the sludge so it can be trapped by the oil filter. More info here: http://www.auto-rx.com/. Neever - Monrovia, MD
SAVINGS BY DEGREE (3.07)
I was reading the tips on your web site and saw the one about car insurance and social clubs. When we switched to Mercury Insurance we discovered that if you hold a degree in any science or engineering, you received a special discount. I have heard about discounts for teachers or rotary club, etc., but not based on a certain college degree. Had I not been bored and read every single page that came with our welcome packet, I would never have known to ask for that discount. Who knew my husband's Chemistry degree would save us an additional $500 a year! Rachel L. Courter-Orange, CA
GAS FOR LESS (1.06) I just read your gas savings page on-line and wanted to tell you how we save on gas. I drive a diesel, but my wife's car is gas. We both purchase our fuel at a gas bar that is owned by a grocery chain. We get 3.5 cents off a liter of our fuel which is given to us in the form of a coupon that we use to purchase groceries. Presently our gas is selling at the equivalent of $4.16 a gallon ($1.04.9 a liter), so any amount of discount we can get is welcome. Bob Tarrant in Nova Scotia, Canada
Economiser Note: For those in the U.S., Safeway stores offer a six-cent per gallon discount after you purchase $50 of groceries.
LIGHTS ON / LIGHTS OFF (9.05) When Winter sets in, leaving the headlights on becomes such a problem in an old car that won't turn them off automatically. I routinely drive off with my car lights on, in the dim morning light, arrive later when the sky is brighter, get out unthinkingly and.....later on, get in to discover that my car has a dead battery....again....and all I can hear is that dreadful 'weeeee' sound. Of course I carry jumper cables but it's still embarrassing, time consuming, and a serious nuisance. After envying those who have newer-model cars with an audible "lights on" signal, I finally thought to create one of my own. And it works very well, and it's easy and free! It's just a bright yellow, one-inch-square sign, on the lights handle of the car, that says, "lights are ON". The key is to position it so that it's eye catching when your lights wand is rotated to ON, but only visible across the top (in parallel with your line of sight) when the wand is rotated to OFF. Elizabeth Hardisty -Mercer Island, WA
THREE GAS SAVERS (6.05)
1) Try checking mileage with and without cruise control. I have found that driving on a long trip in moderately hilly country without cruise control is better for fuel mileage. Allow the car to slow a little going up hills rather than insisting on maintaining a set speed as a cruise control will do.
2) Buy a new car with a standard transmission to save about $900. As a bonus, the acceleration and fuel mileage will be better. Shifting gears in the city is not difficult.
3) Slow earlier for anticipated stops. Red lights can often be anticipated on a known route. This not only saves fuel but brake linings too. Walt D. - Fullerton, CA
PICKUPS AREN'T FOR KIDS! (4.05)
Between work, errands and family activities I drive about 20,000 per year.
Normally, I keep my vehicles a long time. My first truck was brand new when I purchased at the age of 16 (yes, I paid for it all myself). I kept it 10 years and in 1999 purchased a new extended cab pickup. However, I didn't factor in the children aspect - I'm married now and we just had a baby. When we travel or run errands, we have to pack up our young son with a car seat and stroller and my 6' 5'' husband into the truck. The truck is now so inconvenient that we simply don't drive over 20 miles anywhere as a family. If we go out, we have to move the stroller from the back of the truck to the cab - we don't want it to get stolen while we're in a restaurant or store, etc. It's really difficult to get our son out of his car seat even with the extended cab. It is a pain! My suggestion to others is this - think ahead more than 2 years, especially if you are the type to buy and keep a vehicle for a while. You may end up buying something a bit larger than what you need now, but you have to ask yourself - "What will my situation be in a few years and will this work for me then?" Kristy Mucha - Brownstone, TX
SOCIALITES AUTO INSURANCE DISCOUNTS Car Insurance Discounts are not only given to good drivers but people who are social. Some insurance companies give discounts if you are a member of certain organization, social club or have a certain credit card. Don’t be afraid to ask, if they don’t ask you. Alana Smith – Bellvue, WA
LESS CAR - MORE FUNDS (AND FUN) I appreciated your Nov./Dec. issue and consider the car purchase article especially useful. Once when I commented to a fellow beauty shop customer that we never had bought a car “on time.” She sniffed, “Well, that’s fine, if you have that much money.” I answered, “We just never bought that much car.” Jean Fountain - Iowa City, IA
CAR PAYMENTS NO MORE! After reading your "Cars are Expensive" article – Nov./Dec. 03 – we decided to get rid of our mini-van and the payments that came with it each month. We sold the van and used the cash we received to purchase a gently used Honda Accord. For the first time in our married life we have no car payment! It feels great! Laura Rognstad – Phoenix, AZ
NEW LIFE FOR WIPER BLADES Here's a tip for drivers in the rain. When I worked at Blue Star Auto Stores in high school, I could buy replacement wiper blades for a dime all the way up to 25 cents. No problem then, although my rate of pay was 25 cents an hour, but today you can mortgage the ranch for a set of wiper blades. I once had a little gadget in which you'd insert a small piece of sandpaper and swipe it across the rubber surface of the blade and VOILA!!!, it was good as new again. BUT, I lost the darn thing ... now I improvise with a piece of sandpaper between thumb and finger ... works just about as well. Swipe one side then the other. It really does renew the surface and extends the life of the blade two or three times. Heck, in the old days, we could have saved up to 75 cents. (That meant taking in at least three first run movies!) Dad - AJ Economides – Hinsdale, IL
USE USED CARS AGAIN & AGAIN There are two principles that we've always lived by regarding cars. First, never by a new car - there are always great deals on used cars around, you just have to look. Second, make them last forever by taking care of them and drive them until they fall apart. Teri Chadwick – Phoenix, AZ
A REAL SHOE IN (7.09)
I took my daughter to Big 5 Sporting Goods (Big5SportingGoods.com) to look at tennis shoes. The shoes on the table were marked $20 each. Then the manager told me that their special sale that week was buy the first pair for $20 and get the second pair for $10. We searched through a large number of shoe boxes. Many of them were marked with a retail price of $50 or more depending on the brands. We found a pair of Vision Street Wear and LA Gear shoes. We purchased two pairs for $31.45 (tax included). They have great sales all year long. They just moved into our neighborhood earlier this year. Lorraine Peterson — Colorado Springs, CO
SIMPLIFY PURSES (1.09)
Buy one top-quality, all-purpose purse and use it until it wears out. You’ll save the hassle of keeping track of multiple purses, transferring contents, and it will minimize the possibility of loosing things. This concept works great for briefcases too. Jennifer Dahl — Bayard, IA
PEP-UP CLOTHES WITH VINEGAR (11.08)
Often times, dark clothing, especially items made of cotton, appear to be faded and dull. Instead of fading, it can be a build-up of laundry soap in the fabric. Try adding vinegar to the rinse cycle. Just a quarter cup of vinegar can make a huge difference. Your clothes come out looking brighter and younger.
Also check the laundry soap label for the correct amount to use in your laundry. The lid (measuring cup) is larger than the amount of detergent you actually need. Michael Shuler — USA
TEEN’S JEANS LESS GREEN (1.08)
My teenage daughter loves shopping at Plato’s Closet. It is a teen resale shop that only carries name brand clothes like Hollister, Abercrombie and Aéropostle. They are located in many states. They are a bit more expensive than a regular resale shop or garage sales, but are full of clothes all teens would love to wear. My daughter has bought $80 jeans for $12. Let someone else pay full price! Another great thing is that they buy name brand clothes on the spot, which means cash in your pocket. Denise Caldwell — USA
Editors’ note:We checked out Plato’s Closet’s web site. It looks good. Over 200 franchise locations across the US.
Fewer Crinkles and Sags (11.06) If you have clothes with crinkly fabric, don't just hang them up like other clothes. Fold them over a wooden hanger - this prevents the fabric from "un-crinkling" and keeps them looking good longer. This same rule applies to sweaters, woolens and knits - folding them in half over a wooden hanger keeps them from getting stretched out of shape or sagging. Dottie-Scottsdale, AZ
Deals "Near The Mall" (9.06) Growing up, my mother would buy my brother and me clothes and accessories. When we asked her what store they came from or where she bought them, she would say, "Near the mall." As we got older, we realized this was her code for a garage sale or a thrift store. But by then, we didn't care what store things came from, we played along with her secret. She was smart to hide it from us when we were younger. I think we would have been too embarrassed to wear the things if we had known.
Fast-forward 15 years. Last year at Christmas, my mom gave my brother two Brooks Brothers shirts from the outlet store. He asked if these were from "Near the mall". My mom didn't get the joke, but I laughed for more than one reason. It turns out several presents I was giving that year were from "Near the mall". I guess it goes to show that we are our parents' children. Jennifer Stancil-Kennesaw, GA
Clothing Fever (9.06)
Last year I changed careers and needed to change my fairly casual wardrobe to business attire. I now wear suits or blazers with dress slacks or skirts and dress heels everyday. I scoured Goodwill and Value Village (Savers) for clothes and now have a complete wardrobe. When I show up at work with a new, high-quality designer outfit, my co-workers gush with compliments. Often I say, "Thanks!" I bought it a Goodwill!" After hearing my response a few times they have finally stopped being shocked and are now curious. One of my co-workers has started talking about getting her clothes at Value Village. She recently shopped there on one of their 50 percent-off days and found several lovely blazers and suits. Every time she wears one of these new outfits, she proudly tells me how much she paid for it. The idea is catching on! I know some people think I'm weird because I'm proud of how much money I don't spend. But it is really worth it when someone else catches the fever!
Good quality dress shoes are expensive. I have problem feet and need extremely comfortable shoes for work but I must also follow a strict dress code. Finding good shoes at a thrift store is almost impossible for me, but I've discovered Nordstrom's Rack (clearance center). I've found great comfortable designer shoes at extraordinary prices. Now my clothes and shoes last much longer than lower quality items purchased at local discount stores. Aimee Lenger-Renton, WA
CUTE PJ's / CHEAP PJ's (7.05) I get lots of children's clothes right after major holidays. Last year after Halloween I found 100% cotton pants and tops for 50 cents each! These work great for pajamas for the kids. I ended up spending 3 dollars instead of 30 dollars and got three sets of PJ's - and I must say, they look really cute. Claudia Bouchard - Jewett City, CT
CLOTHING DEALS FOR ALL AGES (7.05)
When my kids were little (before they entered grade school) I sewed their clothes because patterns for little kids are really easy to make. When they got older and even now (one is 12 and one is 14) I started shopping at second hand stores. It still amazes me because I find a lot of trendy clothes that my daughter really likes. She is always surprised at what I can find at the Salvation Army Thrift store. As far as shoes go, I get them mostly at the Goodwill store. I find shoes not only for my kids buy for my husband and myself. We've found $80 tennis shoes for only $7 - hardly worn and in excellent condition. Payless shoes has good deals on new shoes too. Cathy Ferguson- Concord, CA
CLOTHING CHOICES ARE BLACK AND WHITE (6.05) I turn dark or brightly colored clothing inside out before laundering in cold water to preserve a "like new" appearance longer. I have also found that black or white clothing can look the best the longest. The whites can be bleached and every so often I re-dye all my faded black clothing to freshen it up. The bonus is that I have been able to limit my shoe wardrobe to just one color - black! Monica Cook - Mesa, AZ
CASH IN ON GARAGE SALE FINDS (6.05) I like to garage sale -- I often buy clothes for my children, Christmas gifts, etc. this way. Last year, I found a way to make garage-saling even more profitable. I can buy children's and infant clothes and toys (only in excellent condition) often for about a quarter. Then I resell them at a local semi-annual children's' consignment sale. At this sale, clothes sell for 1/3 to 1/2 of retail price -- so I can easily get $5 or more for a pair of children's jeans purchased for a quarter. I get to keep 65% of the sale price, and the remainder is donated to charity. I'm making money and contributing to charity! Amy Davis - Omaha, NE
SLIPPERY CLOTHES (6.05) If I have clothes that like to slip off of my plastic or wooden hangers, I just take one of those thick rubber bands from a bunch of brocolli or asparagus and wrap one of them around each end of the hanger. It's an easy fix to a frustrating problem. Mom, Carol Meola - Scottsdale, AZ
CLOTHES COST LESS (6.05) I save money on clothes by sewing my own. I can buy material at Wal-Mart for one-dollar per yard or pick it up at yard sales for even less. Then I find a pattern I like that is "universal" and easy to sew. I am not a normal size, so I would have to pay much more in the stores for clothing and don't usually find things in my size at thrift stores either. So this idea really does save me a lot of money. I use the left-over fabric scraps to make Barbie clothes, which I give to my nieces for their birthdays and tote bags that I use or give as gifts to others. Patti - Newport, WA
OBSCENE CLOTHING? (4.05)
At age 44, I finally got serious about shedding my excess weight. I went from a women's size 28 to a size 14. At first this was exhilarating. I would rush to the mall to shop for my new size and consequently run up a charge bill. As the weight continued to come off, the thrill of growing a larger charge bill went away. Since I had to get clothes that fit, I finally learned to shed my excess pride too. I learned about thrift stores and I haven't looked back. I am still amazed at the brand new designer clothing I find at thrift stores.
My latest find was a blazer that I picked up for $6. I took that blazer to the "one price" drycleaner and had it cleaned for $3.39. When I picked it up from the cleaners, I realized I had purchased a $150 blazer for less than $10. I find that the thought of going out and buying new clothes from the mall is now obscene to me. Cathy Broadus - Seattle, WA
BRUSH UP ON LINT (3.05) I had a pair of black pants that were full of lint. My sticky lint brush was worn out and just wouldn't pick up a thing. So I pulled out a round hairbrush, and wrapped it with clear packing tape. It worked better than the regular lint brush ever did.
I'll never buy one of those lint things again. Lyn Haberstock - Phoenix, AZ
SHOES SHOES SHOES I am a recent newbie to your newsletter. I have been blessed with triplets. They are 3 1/2 years old and always in need of some type of clothing. Recently I just went through the “Mommy, my shoes are too small” syndrome. Since I like to have extra shoes for the kids so the same ones are not worn every day (yes, they tend to have very sweaty and somewhat stinky feet!) I buy one new pair — almost always on sale — and the rest I find in 2nd hand stores or see if the cousins are ready to hand some down. The other day I found four pairs of shoes for less than $19. Most of the 2nd hand shoes are in pretty good shape since kids at this age tend to outgrow the shoes before wearing them out. If I find a pair that are a bit dirty but in good repair, I hit them with a dose of Lysol and then throw them in the wash machine. Jeanne Ziebell – Mesa, AZ
STRETCHING THE LIFE OF YOUR STRETCHY CLOTHES I stretch my clothes budget by buying the highest quality clothes possible at the cheapest prices--end-of-season sales, designer resale shops, and department store clearance centers.
To make clothes last longer, I separate whites from colored and dark laundry, and heavier items (such as towels and blue jeans) from lighter weight items, such as permanent press and delicates. Wash on the lowest temperature with the least amount of detergent, and dry on the lowest setting. Bras and things with spandex, like jogging bras and leggings, hang to dry to preserve their elasticity. Remove permanent press clothing and delicates before the dryer stops and hang them on hangers or fold them immediately so you don't have to iron them. Pauly Heller - Phoenix, AZ
SAVINGS ARE BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND We hang our laundry out. We live in a rainy climate, so we do have a gas dryer for when we can't get our clothes dry at all. Gas is less expensive to run here than electricity. Also we hang out the kids’ jeans and t-shirts under the porch so that they won't shrink and they can wear them longer. Debbie Ludwig - Papua New Guinea
SHOE BOX CRAFTS (1.09)
The boxes shoes come in are excellent for holding small craft projects, handicrafts, or any small project that has lots of pieces. The boxes are sturdy and can easily hold needles, fabrics, embroidery hoops or anything else associated with what you are creating. Jennifer Dahl — Bayard, IA
RED CROSS STRIPES (11.08)
I do a lot of volunteer knitting for the Red Cross. Whenever we receive small balls of yarn that cannot be made into a blanket or sweater, I use them to make colorful stripes in a blanket. I pick one color for the overall theme and then have many different color stripes, it always looks great. Angela Guastella — Chester, VA
COVERLET COVER-UP (5.08)
I inherited a coverlet from my mom a few years ago — it was for a double bed and fit on the top of a Queen sized bed with just a few inches extra. Since it was lightweight and a double wedding ring pattern, I really wanted to use it, but it just didn’t look right. I came up with the idea of adding to the coverlet. I went to the mill outlet store near me and bought enough 12-inch wide eyelet material to go around the edges. I gathered it and added to the sides and bottom and it turned out beautifully. I always think of my Mom when I use it. Marie Davis — Pendleton, SC
Calendar Cover-Up (11.06)
A couple of years ago I bought myself a calendar on the markdown table in January. It was a very nice large, colorful calendar with pockets for each month. I used the pockets to store reminders of upcoming events, schedules and cards I had chosen for someone's special day. It was so useful! When the year was over, my calendar was still in good shape. I wanted to get a new one, but couldn't bring myself to pay $14.95! I thought about taking a "free" calendar from a local business and covering up the old monthly pages, but it didn't fit. I did find that a sheet of regular copy paper, turned "landscape," covered the old month's grid. So, going to my computer's home publishing program, I printed out pages for this year. I just glued the new pages over the old ones and had a new calendar-and kept the pockets that I found so useful! It was cheap and didn't take very long at all. My old pocket calendar is still in good shape after 2 years it may be getting another round of pages! Michelle Gourley-Jefferson City, TN
Flowery Memorials (8.06) I save cans, bottles and jars to use as containers for silk flowers. I cover them with foil or colored paper and add flowers. If I need to weigh them down I use rocks or gravel in the bottom. This is especially helpful when I place my flower arrangements on grave sites. The added weight keeps them from being blown away by wind gusts. Marie Davis-Pendleton, SC
Photos with Magnetism (3.06) Instead of throwing away the small rectangular magnets that come attached to pizza boxes or in the mail advertising a new business, I cut them into small pieces and use scotch tape to attach them to the back corners of my favorite photos. This avoids taping the photo to a surface and potentially tearing the photo when you need to remove it or ruining both your photo and your wall with thumb tacks. It also saves some money not having to buy frames, allows the photos to be moved around more freely, and allows you to display your best pictures whenever, instead of tucking them away in an album. My desk at work came with an ugly metal hutch and adding my family photos to it this way, has made my office space much more appealing. This idea can also be applied to the family fridge or any other metal surface. FT - Tucson, AZ
SCRAPS FOR WRAPS (5.05)
I love to crochet as a hobby. It can be done anywhere, I even take it with me when we go camping. When I have saved enough scrap yarn, I make up "Granny Squares" and connect them together to make Afghans, baby blankets, pot holders and a variety of other things, even sweaters. I use most of these for Christmas or birthday gifts. Using scraps makes them almost free. Marie Davis - Pendleton, SC
GET THE POINT . . . AGAIN (1.05) I thought I was the only one who pinched pennies the way you all do. I'm always looking for new ways to save.
I love to sew and also do alterations for myself and for a living. One way I save money and time sewing is, when a needle gets a blunt end rather than throwing it away, I repair it. I just rub the tip lightly on an emery board or file until it is pointy again. You can do it three or four times before replacing the needle. Marie Davis - Pendleton, SC
ROOM DÉCOR IN A BAG You know how you can get really good deals on those "bed in a bag sets sometimes? They usually contain the comforter, 2 shams, flat and fitted sheet, dust ruffle and 2 pillow cases. I bought one recently and the sheets in these sets are not usually a real high thread count plus I don't care if my sheets match the comforter and shams anyway because you are not going to see them when the bed is made up. My nightstand is one of those round tables, you know the inexpensive kind that you cover with a round table cloth? Well I took the sheets that came with my comforter set and cut out a round table cloth and made valances for my 2 bedroom windows and they matched my new comforter set completely! Becky Roberts - Chattanooga, TN
GLUE STICKS Don't throw away the old foam paint brushes. Remove the foam. Underneath is a flexible plastic strip firmly attached to the handle. I find its great for spreading glue on craft projects. Tony Meola – Mauldin, SC
LOGICAL MEMORIES When you bring home film from the developer, label it immediately with the date, place and subject matter. Later, when you assemble photo albums or scrapbooks, it will be easier to locate the prints you want. Fran Ferguson – Scottsdale, AZ
Get 1/2 off dining out and other fun activities with Entertainment Books.
DINNER OUT FOR LESS (5.09) I had 2000 frequent flyer miles on United Airlines that I had forgotten about. I was able to redeem them for $100 in credit at Restaurant.com.
With Resturant.com you purchase gift certificates for a discounted price and then when you go out, you only spend like $10 for $25 worth of food. Also, they have a “diners club.” For $10 per month you get a $25 coupon and an additional gift certificate each month. Memberships are 3, 6 or 12 months in length.
Also, CouponMom.com regularly sends out “discount” codes for Restuarant.com. I’ve received codes for as much as 80% off, and the gift certificates from Restaurant.com are good for a full year. Last Christmas that’s what everyone got and it only cost me something like $8 for the whole family.
This is the ONLY way we go out! Jeannie Gibson — USA
SAVE ON GYM MEMBERSHIPS (3.09)
Instead of expensive YMCA or private gym memberships check out the prices of joining the gym or pool at your local college or university. We found the pool and gym membership at a local college to be almost half of the Y. With the money we save we can easily afford the extra non-member fee we pay for our kids to play in the Y sports leagues, and we still come out money ahead. Michelle Stoneman — Lincoln, NE
TUNE IN AND WIN (1.08)
I listen to the radio and have won numerous prizes by just calling in. Most radio stations give prizes such as; tickets to concerts, amusement parks, movies, vacation packages or airline tickets. Many stations limit your ability to win to once every 30 days.
Three years ago I started trying to win prizes from my favorite station. Since then, I have been able to win tickets to Great Wolf Lodge Amusement Park, tickets to seven different concerts and tickets to the local dinner theater — a $125 value. I’ve also won numerous DVD’s, zoo tickets, and other things that make great birthday or anniversary gifts. Just for fun, I entered my daughter’s teacher in a contest for the best teacher in our area . . . she won second place and received a $100 gas card. If you’ve got the time to listen and dial the phone, you could win too! Katina Lebo — Urbana, OH
THANKSGIVING DE-STRESSER (11.07)
Here's something we did which de-stressed our Thanksgiving tremendously! I cooked the turkey the day before - exactly the same way I've roasted it in the past. After it was cooked, my husband took his time and carved the entire bird. I put the pieces in the fridge and the next day I put some water in the bottom of a roasting pan and covered it with foil and basically "steamed" the meat until it was warm enough to serve. It turned out GREAT! Everyone commented on how good the turkey was and it made my day so much easier knowing the turkey was already done and carved! All I had to do was get the side dishes ready! Joy Daly - Manchester, MO
RECYCLED CARDS AND MEMORIES (9.07)
What do you do with all the greeting cards you receive for birthdays, anniversaries, valentines, etc.? Most people display them for a while and then throw them in the trash. What a shame and what a waste of money. Well, we came up with a novel idea for recycling them. I created a system consisting of an inexpensive binder with a package of about 6 plastic pockets. I mark each pocket with a category: birthday, Father's Day, Mother's Day, anniversary. After a card sits out for a few weeks, we place the card in the appropriate pocket. We have one album for me and one for my husband. When those holidays or occasions come around again, we 'shop' in the album for our card. The most beautiful thing about it is that aside from adding our new sentiments in the card for the current occasion, we get to read the previous sentiments. It's so beautiful and meaningful. So instead of just discarding all those cherished words, we get to relive them over and over again.
Roseanne Impellizzeri - New York
NINE CENT TEA PARTY (7.07)
I used to go to the expensive coffee shop and order a mocha for about $3. Since economizing, I still go for "coffee" with my friend. But now I carry my own favorite tea bags (purchased in bulk for 9 cents each) in my purse. I ask for a cup of hot water and pop in my own tea bag - most restaurants are really nice about giving it to me for 10 cents or less. I also use this tactic when I am running errands or taking the kids here and there. It helps me avoid heading to the nearest place to buy coffee especially when I'm tired. Julia Longo - Camas, WA
PACK IT UP AND SAVE (5.07)
I'm terrible about eating at fast food restaurants. Now, when my husband and I travel, even for a day, I pack a small cooler with popcorn, crackers and fruit to snack on. I take a thermos of coffee and water. We have plenty of snack options and aren't tempted to stop at a convenience store or fast food place. We've saved a lot of money. Cheryl Robertson - USA
Thank You's -Very Easy (7.06)
Here's a time-saver for bridal or baby showers that I learned from a friend recently. When hosting a bridal or baby shower, purchase or make thank-you notes ahead of time. At the shower, have each guest address an envelope to themselves. This saves time for the bride-to-be or mother-to-be and helps her get her thank you cards mailed more promptly after the shower. Nancy Manos-Gilbert, AZ
Light it Up in Crystal! (3.06)
I use a lot of my mis-matched glassware and dishes for holding candles. The presentation is prettier than the votive holders and candle stands you buy and it's a whole lot cheaper. For a lonely wine glass, I'll fill it half full with yard pebbles and then use a tea light or a votive. Also, I've gotten several engraved glasses over the years at weddings and parties. I never know what to do with a glass that is engraved with something like, "Jane and John 2005." I always felt bad throwing them away. Now I just set them next to my tub with my favorite scented candle inside. Jennifer Stancil - Kennesaw, GA
BOOK RETURN CREDIT (7.05) I take books that I've read and don't want to keep to a used bookstore near my home. They give me a generous credit that can be applied to other books that I "buy" from them. Ethel Kilbridge - Carefree, AZ
TV FREE (6.05) I have been TV free for eight months now. You can't believe all the things I can accomplish since I turned off the tube. And then there is the quiet and stillness that I'm learning to love - I can actually hear myself think again. With each new season, it seemed to me that TV had just become too violent. I also notice that I'm more content with the things I have, now that I've filtered out all of those advertisers who constantly were barraging me to buy their stuff. It wasn't an easy choice, but I'm glad I did it and it's getting easier every day. Julie - Chicago, IL
SWIMMIN' IN A SCHOOL (4.05)
Contact your public schools to see if there are any family night/open swim nights at the school indoor pool. These nights are often sponsored by the local YMCA, and the cost is usually $1-2 for residents. We go with our toddler for $4 and have a nice family activity. This is a great change-of-pace in the wintertime! Ann Thomas - Bridgeville, PA
RENEWAL CONTROL (1.05) I keep a running list of all subscriptions to magazines and newsletters with the expiration date. This way, when I receive a renewal notice I know just how many months I should have left. Some publications start sending renewal notices up to a year in advance. Karyl Engbarth - Prescott, AZ
DINNER FOR LUNCH? When we get a craving for Chinese take-out food, we plan it for a day I can pick it up while already out on errands. I go during the restaurant’s lunch hours. It costs about 2/3 the price of a dinner meal, AND the lunch specials usually include extras such as soup or egg rolls that the dinner meal does not. Thanks, I’ve been enjoying the newsletter each month. Ann Thomas – Bridgeville, PA
CHECK IT OUT Public libraries in my area now have extensive DVD and VHS collections that I raid on a regular basis. Titles range from brand new video releases to classics. The library’s collection is particularly handy if you’re looking for an older film; they’re almost always available. They tend to carry a lot of films that major rental chains don’t because they’re not considered “commercial” enough. This library “rental” strategy has saved me a TON of money. I think I’ve spent $5.00 at Blockbuster over the past 12 months. Brian Hayes, Columbus, OH
BOWLING FOR LESS DOLLARS I am a professor at the local University. My children and I have bowled every Friday night for the past 6 years (here and previously at Kansas State University). We don’t travel to the local bowling alley, paying its high rates and bowling in a smoke filled environment. Instead we bowl here on campus where shoe rental is $1.00 and bowling is $1.00 a game (versus $2.50+ at the local alley), and smoking is not allowed. This last holiday season, the campus recreation organization allowed anyone to rent the entire facility for two hours for $50.00 (16 bowling lanes and 8 pool tables) with bowling and pool at no
additional cost (even bowling shoes were free). The kids invited all of their school friends. Over 40 children had a wonderful time (we had the children bring canned goods to be donated to the local food pantry as admission to the fun holiday event.)
I’m always amazed at how many people think that University bowling alleys are only for students — wrong! The reduced costs are made available by student recreation fees, but the facilities are there as a benefit to the local community. Greg Luttrell - Edwardsville, IL
LAUGHTER IN THE DINING ROOM We collect a whole lot of jokes or other funny stories from The New Yorker or Reader's Digest. We each take turns being the person to read them. They make us laugh, aid digestion and table conversation. It makes dinner a fun family time. A couple of favorite books I draw from are: Politically Correct Bedtime Stories and Poetry from Where The Sidewalk Ends. A.M. Kolstad - Houston, TX
GREAT FOOD OPERATIONS Here's a great way to get a tasty meal for just a few bucks. Try out your local hospital cafeteria. For breakfast: Two eggs, toast, hashbrowns and bacon for $2.50. The even give a 10% senior discount. Lunch is almost a better deal, hamburger, frys and a 20oz drink for $2.50. Dinners prices range anywhere from $4 to $6 – the prime rib was delicious. We've heard the same thing from friends who have done this in other parts of the country while traveling in their RV’s. Dad, Syl Meola – Scottsdale, AZ
REUSABLE PLASTIC IS . . . ENTERTAINING I like to "re-use" plastic ware for parties - primarily "kids birthdays" & other casual events. Although some may think it a bit odd - we wash and reuse plastic knives, forks and spoons. I like having these on hand - even for picnics etc. I don't want to store a large quantity, so re-using cuts down on what I need to keep on hand. Plus I'm not "respending" each time I need these items. Bonnie Heng – Phoenix, AZ
CUT THE CAKE AND THE COST We attended a wedding of our pastor's daughter. As you can imagine the church was packed, between blood relatives, church family and friends. Well, they got ready to cut the cake and it was the smallest two layer cake I had ever seen. They decided to save the top layer for their one-year anniversary, so Ron and I were thinking, ?However can this small second layer ever feed all of those people?? What we came to find out, was that in the church kitchen, they were cutting pieces of sheet cakes for the guests that were the same as the wedding cake. This must have saved the bride's parents, who paid for the wedding, a lot of money on the cake. Ron & Angel Ayala — Palm Desert, CA
HOT DOGS, BASEBALL, APPLE PIE AND FRUGALITY We love to go the see the Oakland A’s play, but don't like to pay the high ballpark prices. So, we freeze plastic bottles full of water and take them with us. We buy discounted tickets for $7.50 each, ride public transportation (BART) with a senior discount for $4 (instead of $16) and pack our own lunch. We are amazed at the junk food consumed there as we watch kids with their trays of nachos or the adults who are willing to shell out $7.50 for a beer. We have a great time and for less. John & Patricia McBain - Soquel, CA
BUSINESS CARDS FOR DINNER
I use old business cards for name cards when I am hosting large groups of people for dinner. Just flip them over and fold them in half, then write the name on the blank side. This makes things much more orderly when seating large groups of people. Sharon Moe – Phoenix, AZ
THE MOVIE BANK We live in a missionary compound in Papua New Guinea with several other families. Getting new movies to watch is a treat, but having them shipped here is very expensive, so we share videos / DVD’s amongst ourselves. Everyone has a movie library and before we ask for a movie as a gift from home, we check around to see if anyone else has that title. If they do, then we ask for a different movie that no one else has. Debbie Ludwig - Papua New Guinea
SCRAP THE SUBSCRIPTIONS Local libraries are good for more than free videos. When I had to curtail spending five to six years ago, I eliminated magazine subscriptions. I can read and even check out the magazines I subscribed to at our local library. From Cooking Light to Good Housekeeping to Money to . . . they have a great selection. I subscribe to one newspaper but read another at the library. Ann Nieser – Pittsburgh, PA
LEMONS AID PARTIES We live in the citrus belt of the Southwest. Lemons are easy to come by. Many friends have citrus trees and can't use all their fruit, I accept whatever is offered. I make lemonade and serve it at parties. The fresh stuff tastes better and is much less expensive than soda. Kathy W. - Scottsdale, AZ
LAND OF THE FRUITS AND NUTS (5.09)
My 82 year old grandmother recently shared this great idea . . . she wanted to know why local governments and municipalities haven’t planted fruit and nut trees in public areas. And why American’s aren’t encouraged to plant edible landscaping and the victory gardens that were so prevalent during W.W.II. No one would go hungry if we repeated this wise history lesson. Tina Tow — Scottsdale, AZ
2 GALLON WORM FARM (11.08)
Rather than buy a prebuilt worm farm, I took a couple discarded two gallon plant containers, lined them with scrap landscaping fabric, added some wet cardboard and topsoil, then my recently purchased earthworms. The containers fit nicely into a hole dug in the ground; I keep them covered with an old trash can lid to keep critters and sunlight away. I have steadily added kitchen scraps: coffee grounds, pulverized egg shells, vegetable peelings, etc. And the worms continue to thrive by converting the scraps into nutrient rich soil additives. Tracy Leonard — USA
GROUNDS FOR FRUGALITY (3.07)
I thought of you guys when I found out about this program. I've tried it and it's great! Nationwide, the folks at Starbucks are glad to give their used coffee grounds away. I call ahead - about four hours - and when I arrive they usually have a huge trash bag full of Espresso grounds ready for me. I take the grounds and work them into our vegetable beds, and around our roses and citrus trees-the worms love them too! For more details visit www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/2004news/04-star.htm Susy Racioppi-Scottsdale, AZ
I SHRED TO MULCH! (4.05)
I always mulch around my garden plants to reduce the need for weeding. Unfortunately, I don't have a ready source of free mulch, such as grass clippings. But I do shred my receipts and bank statements. My Dad gave me the idea to use the shredded paper! Now I shred everything that comes in the mail that's on regular plain paper as well as all financial paperwork. I'm delighted to recycle right into my own garden. Also, if you put newspaper down before you mulch, you'll not have to mulch as often. AnnMarie Johnson, Oshkosh WI
SHAKE, JIGGLE AND PLANT At garden time I always let the last of my spinach and lettuce go to seed. I also give the dead plants a good shake before the snow falls. In the spring, I have volunteer plants coming up even before the garden is tilled. Then I transplant the spinach and leave the lettuce and parsley in their beds to mature. I’ve heard that some people even do this with potatoes and carrots. Patti – Newport, WA
SOAK YOUR WATER BILL The cost of water can be quite expensive these days. Be sure to not waste water when watering a vegetable garden, trees, flowers, etc. by using a soaker hose or drip system that will water slowly and deeply and not waste the water. You will need to water less frequent as well, and begin to see savings on your water bill. Debbie Lewis – Apple Valley, CA (I live in the desert).
NO TURN COMPOST You can make your own compost without turning the pile. Collect garden debris and leaves in the fall and moisten the pile. The pile can be huge, as it will settle over the winter and loose up to two-thirds of its size. In the spring, rake the pile into a heap and then plant directly into it. You may need to place the plants or seeds into small pockets of the garden dirt. K. Copeland – Seattle, WA
RE - SEED MONEY Beth (my wife) and I saved money in planting flowers. While neighbors were visiting the garden centers to buy 4 to 8 inch high perennials, we just replanted what we grew from our seeds. Of course we had to start about three weeks before our neighbors were planting their new plants. However, the gardens around our house looked every bit as nice.
At first it was our own science experiment. We bought three packets of seeds, three different types of flowers. Used plant starter trays were available at the local garden center. All we had to do was add dirt, water, and create a warm enough environment for the seeds to germinate. Our closed in back porch served well as a warm room. The porch faces south and the sun shines in through the glass panes keeping the room warm during the day. For about three or four evenings we used a little space heater over night to keep the room at about 85 degrees.
The seeds grew. It was exciting seeing 300 small plants growing from just $2.25 worth of seeds. When the plants were about three to four inches tall we planted them in two hot beds in our back yard. While freezing was possible, sheet plastic worked well to protect the plants. When our neighbor was planting her store purchased plants, we transplanted again, all around the yard. We had so many plants that we gave some to neighbors and friends. We had blue flowers along the west side of the house, yellow flowers in one hot bed, purple flowers in another hot bed, and blue and red flowers in pots on our porch. Then in fall, we harvested seeds and did it again the next year. This is our third year of doing this. We enjoy beautifying our yard while we save in the process. Annual savings about $75. Beth & Curtis Gillespie - Spokane, WA
RE-CARDING (1.09)
I often reuse kids' birthday cards by cutting out the artwork from the front of the card (often a car, dragon, princess, etc). This artwork becomes a large, decorative name-tag for a child's birthday gift. Because I have four children this saves me money and time. I no longer shop for birthday cards every time of one of our children is invited to a birthday party. I simply use the cut out artwork as a homemade gift tag / card. C.E.—Lansdale, PA
PENNIES FOR GIFTS (1.09)
Here’s an inexpensive idea for all those office Birthdays! I grow beautiful hydrangea bushes in my backyard. They multiply over time and you can start new bushes from clippings. I pick up beautiful vases for around 50 cents each at yard sales and run them through the dishwasher. They come out looking like new. Then I make bouquets from the hydrangea, put a ribbon on the vase and then give a beautiful gift for the girls in the office for only pennies! Pam Estes — Alexandria, VA
PARTY WRAP-UP (8.08) When I’m invited to a birthday party, I usually volunteer to help clean up the “after unwrapping the gifts” mess. The hostess usually wants to keep the gift bags, but I gather the tissue paper and ribbons. The colorful paper and ribbons can be ironed and reused. The bows can be re-used also. Doing this will give you a great selection of wrapping tissue and bows with no cost for gift wrap supplies. Most people welcome the clean up help and don’t care about the tissue and ribbons and bows!
This also works at Christmas. Pam Estes — Alexandria, VA
CHRISTMAS ON CRAIGSLIST (6.08) I am a stay-at-home mother of four (my oldest is 8). I stay pretty busy and don’t often have time to go store to store to shop for anything! I am very frugal — always trying to find the best deals. I recently discovered CraigsList.org and have been thrilled with what I have found! Most of my Christmas purchases were made from items I found listed there. Here are two examples. I wanted to get my daughter some Duplo Legos. We have some, but the kids were always running out, so I wanted to add to the collection. In the stores, they run about $15 for 33 pieces! That is outrageous! I searched on CraigsList and ended up getting two HUGE garbage bags FULL of Duplos for just $25! The nice lady also threw in a pillowcase full of Lincoln Logs as well. What a steal!
My son wanted Heelys for Christmas— which cost anywhere from $40 to $80. I wasn’t willing to spend this much. I found them on CraigsList brand new for $15!
We have also purchased a barely used, large table and chairs for a fraction of the store price, an electric pasta machine, a robot, etc. So many people make frivolous purchases and end up not using (or barely using) the items they’ve bought. They end up selling them for much less!
Now, when I need something, I search CraigsList to see if anything similar is available. Because I wait and search, it eliminates impulsive purchases. We have also introduced our 8 year-old son to Craigslist! He loves looking on it to see how much money he can save by buying things used! It has been a great teaching tool as well! Terri Pratt — Peoria, AZ
WRAPPING WITH BAGS (1.08)
I save paper grocery bags and use them for wrapping packages to mail. I also use them for anything that needs to be wrapped in heavy paper and if you’re creative you can even add a colorful bow or raffia to make a present look great! Marie Davis — Pendleton, SC
SCRAP CHRISTMAS, BE CREATIVE! (11.07)
Marie Davis - Pendleton, SC
We have a large family and cannot afford to buy Christmas gifts. A few years ago I discovered a wholesaler who sells fleece and cotton fabric to retail stores. I noticed that they had a lot of scraps lying around. I mentioned that I would be happy to pickup their scraps instead of them throwing them out. Now, about twice a year they call and ask me to come and get the scraps. The scraps are large enough for neck scarves and fleece hoodies. I use the cotton scraps to make crazy quilt tops.
For two years I haven't spent a dime on Christmas gifts for family, friends and even their pets. Everyone knows to expect something handmade and a jar of jelly.
This year we found a company in our area that sells 50 lb. bags of Epsom Salts. Now I pass out quart canning jars of Epsom Salt bath crystals with a few drops of scented oil added to them. After a recent fall, my step-daughter was excited to find her new aches and pains were gone by morning from using my scented Epsom Salts. Suzanne Hendrix-Waynesville, NC
SMART DONATION (11.07)
I had a 1974 set of World Book Encyclopedias which I never used, preferring Google and Wikipedia.com for reference. Re-sale shops said if I donated them, they would shred them. One of my daughter-in-laws suggested that I donate them to an adult day care center. They not only welcomed the set and the year books but also gave me a tax credit for it. Jean A. Fountain - Iowa City, IA
INFREQUENT FLYER REWARDS (5.06)
I have found a way to buy magazine subscriptions, for myself or for a gift, using frequent flyer miles. The Web site is www.milepoint.com. The mileage programs that they accept are Delta, Northwest, Continental, US Airways, America West, Midwest, and Hawaiian. There are offers for as low as 400 miles. Magazines offered vary from time to time, but the last time I checked they had 40 different publications listed. I had a few thousand miles with US Airways that I wasn't going to use for travel. I redeemed them for subscriptions to Scientific American, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Parenting, and Budget Living. So, when flying, sign up for the frequent flyer program, even if you don't think you will ever accumulate a significant number of miles. Suzanne Tourville - Columbia, MO
GIVING STUFF INSTEAD OF MONEY (5.06)
Your suggestions to consider non-financial gifts is one that more charitable minded givers ought to consider. For example, I welcome gifts of used laptop computers and Christian books. I pass these along to ministries in the developing world as I travel. Friends can donate their frequent flyer miles to help toward my ministry travel needs. Professionals of all kinds donate their services as a means of "supporting" me. Here are some examples I've experienced or heard of: medical services; dental services; counseling services; tutoring for the children; grooming (hair cutting and styling for men and women; nails for women; etc.); tax preparation; financial counseling / planning; attorney services. Other businessmen have provided: materials at their cost or accommodations (i.e. hotel rooms or apartments). I'm so thankful for these creative ways that people can give and receive non-financial gifts. Walt Edman - Somewhere in Indonesia, Asia or Singapore
PUT ON YOUR GIVING BONNET (5.05)
My favorite place for charitable giving is Newborns in Need in Houston, Missouri. But I don't just give money. Every few months, I put my fabric scraps and sewing skills to use to make baby bonnets and quilted diaper bags. They are given to families in need. It helps them and gives me a warm feeling. Jennifer Dahl - Bayard, MO
GIVING THOUGHTFULLY (5.05)
My husband and I decided on three charities to support as a family-he chose one, I chose one, and we chose one together. It wasn't difficult; we both like all three charities! He supports an animal charity. I support an organization that I volunteer with. The third was a child/baby charity.
Any other charitable giving, has to come from our own personal funds - we each get a monthly "allowance." Recently, I gave additional money to "my" charity and on occasion others - for example, I love Girl Scout cookies and often send a small amount to my alma mater.
If any other group calls or comes to the door, I just say, "We've already chosen where to donate our money this year." I don't feel guilty because we made thoughtful choices about issues that are of importance to us. AnnMarie Johnson - Oshkosh, WI
GIVING TO HELP (5.05) I make most of my charitable contributions to my church. But on occasion when I hear of a need to fund moral issues that I believe in - sanctity of life, marriage amendment etc., I give what I can. I stay away from medical causes (unless I know someone with that particular disease) and political campaigns . Donna Brooks - Chambersburg, PA
MYSTERIOUS GREETINGS (4.05)
My husband and I enjoy exchanging cards for different holidays during the year, but we never address the envelope. Instead, we save and recycle them. That way we always have plenty of envelopes, especially the large size, for the occasional card- purchased or home made - that we need an envelope for. Louise Hahn - Frederic, MD
SHARE MY BEAR (3.05) Over the last several months I have been encouraging my children to think about sharing a few of their stuffed animals. We watched for baskets at the thrift shop and bought Easter grass at Wal-mart. We found several Christian books about Easter and made Easter baskets. We then took these to a local church which has a "store" (all items are given away, no charge) for families torn apart by domestic violence. Many of these women and children (primarily) flee their homes with nothing. The volunteer staff is very good about reminding my children that sharing in such a way is like sharing with Jesus! It's wonderful. At Christmas we also shared things that were still nice and clean. Becky & Mark Erickson - North Dakota
WATCH SPIDERMAN EAT (3.05) A great way to get new and inexpensive gifts is to watch for companies that are running various promotions. They usually require you to send in a few UPC's from a product, your receipt and a couple of dollars to cover the shipping and handling. I recently sent in three UPC's from Kraft Cheese singles and got a Spiderman lunchbox and watch set. It only cost me $1.95 shipping and handling! Most of the time the promotions are on products I'm buying anyway, so it really is a great deal. Carrie Odgaard - Lincoln, NE
THE JELLY TRADE (2.05) Jelly is an easy-to-make, rather expensive gift. I always put the word out that I will trade a jar of homemade jelly for extra jelly jars. This year people have given me over 30 jars. Then I pick wild fruit, and make jellies to give away as Christmas gifts. Last fall, my sister-in-law and I spent the day together. We first picked wild grapes along a roadside, then made jelly while our children played in her back yard. The kids had a great time, and we canned 39 jars of jelly in under seven hours (including the time to pick the grapes and feed the children lunch). With the jars given to us and free fruit, each jar costs under 50 cents, and makes a wonderful Christmas gift for church friends, relatives or acquaintances. This year alone, I have canned strawberry jam, wild grape jam, wild cherry jam, raspberry jam, salsa, and several "combination" jams. I'm looking forward to picking free apples this fall to make applesauce and apple butter. I not only have gifts for just about anyone, but I have an easy dish to take to a pot luck. Homemade jam and rolls is always popular! Amy Davis - Omaha, NE
YOUR FIRST (MARRIED) CHRISTMAS (1.05) If you know you will be attending a wedding in the next year, why not prepare a "First Married Christmas" box. Most newlyweds (especially younger couples) do not have many holiday decorations of their own. Shop right after Christmas for ornaments, table linens, candles, stockings, etc. You can really fill up a box of nice things for a low total cost. Ann Thomas - Bridgeville, PA
KID FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS TAGS Instead of buying tags for our gifts this year, I scanned a photo of each family member and printed out several 2x3 copies on regular paper for each person. I cut these out and used them as tags, writing on the plain side. Our younger children could easily help pass out gifts without having to read, and it was fun seeing all those smiling faces under the tree! But best of all, for the low price of 5 pieces of paper and some ink, we had custom tags for all of our gifts. Allison Worker — Castle Rock, CO
DECLUTTER AND DE TAX When you donate to the Salvation Army or Goodwill they will give you a blank receipt. Before you leave the donation site, fill in the items, their condition and have the Collection Agent sign the receipt. Then file the receipt away with your tax info. The IRS has a standard deduction amount for many things and the better the condition the greater the deduction. This is great right before holidays, birthdays and between Christmas and New Year because it helps you de-clutter and make room for new things. Alana Smith - Bellvue, WA
A BAZAAR IDEA FOR CHRISTMAS In our area churches have bazaars featuring handmade items. These are usually reasonably priced --afghans, pillows and baby clothes. You can do a lot of Christmas shopping there. And as long as weather permits, sometimes well into November, bargains can be found at neighborhood garage sales. I suspect that some items being sold are presents - never used! Ann Nieser — Pittsburgh, PA
A JUNGLE OF BOOKS — USED AND NEW Almost any books or CD’s that we choose to buy— as opposed to borrowing— we get used on Amazon.com. The item descriptions often state that the book is brand new or CD is still in the wrapper, so we use this for gift-giving too. I have purchased more than 25 items “used” this way over the past several years, and have saved on average per purchase $8- $10 per item AND done it from the convenience of home to avoid any other impulse buys. Ann Thomas – Bridgeville, PA
STOCKING UP ON SCHOLASTICS When my son comes home from school with a Scholastic Book order, there are always one or two $.95 books listed on the front. I stock up on these for birthday gifts, or even baby shower gifts. Sometimes they will even come with a matching pencil or other item that make a great gift. And for only 95 cents. No more running out at the last minute and paying more for a gift when my children are invited to a birthday party. And I love giving books as a gift anyway, instead of toys. Dana Prescott – Rochester, MN
CARDS ONLINE, SAVE CASH IN TIME! I have discovered sending E cards through email. With the cost of greeting cards reaching $3- $5, it is great to do it online. Many companies offer a selected number of free cards. Just do a search for “e cards” and a lot of results will appear. Cassie Homer - Canoga Park, CA
WRAP IT UP FOR LESS I buy Christmas wrapping paper when it’s 50% to 75% off, but I look for the solid color prints or the wrapping paper that doesn’t look like Christmas. I use the wrapping paper between birthdays, weddings or whatever comes up. This is a big savings. I stocked up two years ago and still have plenty for another year or two. Another way of using this paper, is when mailing through the post office and your package needs to be wrapped, just turn the paper inside out to wrap your package and then write directly on the paper for your mailing address. Allison Savoy – Lake Charles, LA
DISCONTINUED GIFTS Many times throughout the year I get invited to home parties of all kinds. I take advantage of the “Discontinued” merchandise that they have on sale. Sometimes the demonstrator has over-purchased or is over-stocked on products from the distribution department. I can get up to 50-80% off gift items that I store away for Christmas or that occasional gift that I was unprepared for. These gifts usually come in handy for a “hard-to-buy-for” person on my list. Elaine Cota – Mesa, AZ
WRAP IT UP FOR PENNIES I purchase wrapping paper and ribbons at gara ge sales for pennies. A large plastic container (wastebasket size) filled with ribbon w go for $1. I'm still using the ribbon. And the container holds magazines and newspapers in the bathroom. Ann Nieser - Pittsburgh, PA
AND THE ENVELOPE . . . PLEASE Kind of like socks without mates, I found several of my greeting cards did not have envelopes. So I went into an office supply store that sold greeting cards and asked if I could buy their extra envelopes. Well for about a nickle per envelope and about 45 minutes of time, I came out with envelopes that were prettier than the original ones. Angel A., Southern California
TIN STOCKPILE Decorative tins can be purchased at the flea market, garage sales, etc. I fill them with homemade cookies or other treats to be given as gifts. Most of the tins are so pretty they require no wrapping at all. Ann Nieser - Pittsburgh, PA
PICTURE THIS and COVER THAT Inexpensive photo frames purchased at garage sales can be jazzed up by:
1) Gluing buttons of all shapes, colors and s izes on the frame
2) Cover the frame in lively paper - comics or whatever.
3) Paint dark dull frames in bright colors.
If you have a photo of the recipient, insert it in the frame before presenting it as a gift.
Also, cigar boxes can be painted, covered in cloth remnant, lined in felt to make nice jewelry boxes for grown ups or "treasure boxes" for children. Ann Nieser - Pittsburgh, PA
GREAT GIFTS BY THE BAG FULL Great gifts for the older generation, college students and people just starting out on their own—Postage stamps, phone cards, Wal-Mart or grocery store gift certificates, boxes of birthday and greeting cards with stamps included. Other gifts that are always welcome include a grocery sack filled with soups, small cans of fruits and veggies, canned tuna, salmon, chicken, ham etc., packets of hot cocoa, coffee or tea, small packets of crackers and cookies, paper goods – the list is endless. Set a price limit and see how full you can make the bag! DLS - Missouri
GET THE PICTURE Whether for Christmas or any other occasion, out-of-town family members appreciate this:
Take your photographs and arrange them on a plain sheet of white paper--usually four 3 x 5's, or two 4 x 6's--they can be held in place with a loop of scotch tape on the back. Add neatly-written captions, and then the one "master" sheet will make copies at the going price (usually less than $1 now). This saves both time and money over making multiple copies of pictures; and despite the ease of sending photos online, now, these paper photo-sheets are appreciated a lot. (Send them in a large envelope, 9 x 12, so they're not creased. Of course used envelopes are fine.)
I have seen these taped up on 'fridges and on bulletin boards months after they were received, & used as a way of keeping family news & faces alive for all concerned, between visits. Since it involves a really valuable content, and takes time to prepare, it does make a valid gift. Artistic improvements can be made on the edges or with the lettering, too–or use stiffer paper, make photos into a collage, add a colored border, etc. – it's fun to be creative with the display. Elizabeth Hardisty – Mercer Is., WA
WRAP IT UP IN BROWN PAPER I had just completed a quilt for our friend's wedding shower. Looking around the house, we didn't have a box big enough to nicely wrap the quilt. I thought, "Why not wrap the quilt in one of those plastic storage bins? They're relatively inexpensive, AND who couldn't use a storage bin?" So she ended up getting a nice, sturdy storage bin with lid for $3.89. And rather than use rolls of expensive store bought wrapping paper, Linda used a yard or so of brown Kraft paper, and wrapped the box to resemble an old fashioned suit case. I added some "travel labels" (Paris, Rome, Venice...), fashioned a handle from pipe cleaners and attached a "luggage tag" (made from a file folder and brown duct tape) wishing the soon to be wed couple, "May the rest of your life be as wonderful as a sunny day in Paris". The package AND the quilt were a big hit, and there was hardly anything to throw away. Linda & Mike Lenich, South Holland, IL
TAKE A SWING AT THESE IDEAS Some Christmas gift ideas we have made in the past. A fun family gift is to make a pinata, and fill it with coins wrapped in foil, candies, and little trinkets.
Another gift is to find 2 or 3 cute cookie cutters and wrap them with a bottle of sprinkles and your favorite sugar cookie recipe. Chrissy D. – Phoenix, AZ
COUNTING THE DAYS Send advent calendars with the paper doors to open one a day (available from Current catalog) to relatives and close friends with small children in lieu of other gifts. This is a very thoughtful gift as kids get to help count down to the big day and the parents know you thought of them.
One year when I didn't think far enough ahead I found Christmas place mats at the
dollar store and sent them in early December. Their mom reported they were a big hit. Catherine Swope – Mesa, AZ
OH, THE PLACES WE DON'T GO! While not too frugal, my standard graduation gift to give for the High Schooler (and only to those who send me an announcement) is a copy of Dr. Seuss's, "Oh the Places You'll Go" along with a small check because every graduate needs cash. For the College Graduate I give a copy of one of the "Worst Case Scenario" books and a modest check. This is my standard gift for those two events. I do keep a "gift" box so that when my daughter needs a last minute gift item for an event she has been invited to, I don't have to rush out shopping. Wal-mart and Target after Christmas have neat "gifty" things that have worked over time. Angela Wilkins – Mesa, AZ
LOW STRESS HOLIDAY PLANNING I keep a gift list all year long and buy gifts throughout the year, so when Christmas comes around I don't have much holiday shopping to do. Also, I can buy things when they are on sale. I don't buy clothes though since those might need to be returned and by the time the holiday comes they may not be in stock anymore.
Another thing that our family does is we draw names by family (there are five of us siblings and now our kids). We buy a gift for the family instead of a gift for each person, which can be a major expense with such a large extended family. Lisa Landcaster – Mesa, AZ
COMICAL PRESENTS I save the Sunday comics to wrap kids birthday presents in them. They're bright and colorful, always available and the kids love them. Kathy W. - Scottsdale, AZ
We usually spend hours looking for the best air fare when we travel. But now we're finding deals faster and getting extra discounts too. The name "CheapoAir.com" may not be appealing, but the savings will. Give them a try. We saved $150 per ticket on round trip travel from Phoenix to Orlando.
GROCERIES
BETTER BUTTER CONTROL (7.09)
Most wrappers on sticks of butter or margarine are marked to cut the stick into 8 tablespoons. I get more “mileage” out of my butter or margarine by taking the new sticks and scoring (or marking) the top of each stick into 12 to 16 pieces with a knife. This helps me with portion control and makes my sticks last almost twice as long. This is really helpful as I’m on a very limited budget. Joan Taylor — Estsero, FL
NO SOUR GRAPES HERE (5.09)
After I buy grapes I stem, wash, dry, and then freeze them. Frozen grapes make a refreshing, healthy summer snack, and they last much longer this way. Another benefit: Our eight-month-old loves to chew on them in his baby safe feeder. They are great for relieving the pain of teething. Erin Koertge — West Salem, IL
IT PAYS TO S.H.A.R.E. (5.09)
We have been buying food from SHARE (Self Help and Resource Exchange) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the last 8 months. We have saved nearly $80.00 a week by simply not going to the grocery store two to three times each week. We normally spend between $175 and $200 at SHARE each month and we always have food left over at the end of the month. Our freezer is full and we can help out friends in need. My two best friends have started ordering as well and we see them having to shop less also. It has been such a wonderful experience. Visit www.sharewi.org for more information. Shelley Wessel — Butler, WI
Editors’ Note: SHARE serves almost 200 communities throughout Wisconsin, northern Illinois and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. There are similar programs in communities everywhere, just search for FoodShare (in your state) or other community based food co-ops.
I'M A COUPON MOM (3.08)
I started using coupons about a month ago and already have seen a change in how much I pay for certain items. One day while I was on my lunch break, I went online to look for more coupons and came across TheCouponMom.com. This web site is awesome! You not only get tons of coupons but the best part of this site is that they do the research for you. They tell you how to match up coupons with deals in the stores so you get the item for less. It's great for someone like me, who just started using coupons. I'm still learning how to match coupons with deals to pay less and this web site takes all of the mystery out of it. I recommend this site for anyone, just sign up for their newsletter and sit back and relax. Marilyn Hernandez - Mansfield, MA
COFFEE USING THE BEAN! (5.07)
When I look at coffee prices in the grocery store, there is a $1 difference between the whole bean and the ground coffee packages - the ground coffee being more expensive. Here's what I do: I buy the less expensive one (whole bean) and then use the coffee grinder there in the store to grind it up. Not only is it less expensive, but I also grind it at the finest setting, which means that I end up using less coffee than the pre-ground -which is more coarsely ground- to get the same strength coffee in my coffee maker. Theo Economides - Chicago, IL (Steve's Brother)
SMART BEANS (3.07)
As a single mom with three children, I have found that cooking with beans is a cost-effective and healthy way to stretch my monthly food budget. Here's one way I include beans into our meal rotation:
Cook a pot of beans in the crock pot and serve with rice, biscuits or corn bread. I usually serve a salad too.
Place the leftover beans in a food processor to make your own "refried beans" for bean burritos the following night.
The remaining beans can be placed in smaller plastic containers and frozen for future usage. Whitney Gilchriest-AZ
Here's the Beef! (1.07)
Early in our marriage we had six children, and I worked outside of our home. To feed our large family, we would buy a load of meat (usually a side of beef) from the butcher. Of course, we received some less than desirable cuts of meat, so we'd get creative. For example, we'd take several pounds of ground beef and make two or three large meat loaves to freeze raw. We'd also make large batches of meatballs (about 80 at one time) and freeze those too. Then we mounted a hamburger press on a board and let the kids take the rest of the ground beef to make loads of hamburgers - we separated them with waxed paper to keep them from sticking together. Buying in bulk and working together fed us well and saved us lots of money. Marci Smythe—Phoenix, AZ
Impulse Buys In the Basket (7.06)
Whenever I go to the grocery store, I put one of those hand baskets in the child seat area of my cart. As I shop I put anything I pick up that is not on my list in the basket. This way I can easily see my impulse items and evaluate them before I get to the check out lane. There are always some things that I don't really need so . . . they get put back. Margaret - Mt Vernon, WA
SHOPPING LESS, SAVING MORE (7.05)
I took your advice and have reduced my trips to the store. I was one of those people who would shop at the store two or three times each week - spending 75 to 100 dollars each time. I now shop one time each week spending a total of 100 dollars. This change has cut my weekly food bill at least 100 dollars- that's about 400 dollars each month!!!! Jennifer & Jeffrey McWilliams - Troy, MI
CO-OP MAKES GREAT EXPECTATIONS Here is an outstanding idea for saving money on groceries (besides having a garden): a food co-op or wholesale purchasing group. Friends can form a food co-op, give themselves a name, and obtain groceries at wholesale prices, if there is a natural foods warehouse in their community. It worked beautifully for about a dozen of us in the Seattle area: we called ourselves the "Better Bread" group - and yes, we did experiment with making bread, too.
We gathered a few friends and met monthly to get the grocery list going. It's a wonderful way to learn about new foods, "We need three more people to take a few pounds of couscous," or, "Red lentils are on sale if we get a full bushel," and, of course, to make lasting friends. The food truck delivered to one person's home, and we'd converge to have our meeting, discuss a topic or two of common interest, and divvy up the large parcels of interesting groceries. Warning: after a few months, a high proportion of our members were 'expecting' again. We decided it was due to the vitamin E! Elizabeth Hardisty — Mercer Island, WA
THE FAST FOOD PANTRY We live 20 miles from the nearest fast food restaurant, so I have devised my own fast food menu. I keep my pantry stocked for a few easy meal nights. When 4 PM hits, and I don’t feel like cooking, or have not pulled anything out to defrost, I look at my pantry. Debbie Bottom — Courtland, NE
LONG TERM VEGGIE STORAGE I’ve found that cutting up veggies, like carrots, celery or cauliflower and then putting them in storage bags along with a moist (not dripping) paper towel helps the veggies not to get dried out. Another benefit is that they last longer too. L.M. – Liverpool, NY
FAST FOOD PANTRY I always keep taco fixings on hand (and usually have cooked ground meat in the freezer to zap in the microwave), spaghetti pasta, and tortillas. Tortillas can be used as a quick individual pizza crust, roll ups (with whatever leftovers we happen to have), scrambled egg burritos (which also freeze well) or just melt cheese in a folded tortilla and dip in salsa. Debbie Bottom – Cortland, NE
TO FLEA MARKET WE GO Our area has a great flea market across the bay in Oakland. I’ve found a “damaged food” vendor and have bought some great items for a fraction of the regular grocery store price. Most items have received damage to their box or container, but the food inside was free from damage and still sealed. These vendors are also negotiable on their prices! A real bonus is that on Wednesday and Thursday, entrance to the flea market is only 25¢ and 50¢ respectively. Tina Chester – San Bruno, CA
FRESH CELERY GETS FOILED Here is a tip that really works! After bringing home celery from the store, take it out of the plastic and wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. Store it in your refrigerator veggie bin and it will last for weeks. Julie Hayman – Chandler, AZ
MONTHLY MEAT BOUGHT IN BULK During the last few months I’ve been trying to get a hold of our expenses and came across a really cool tip. Buying meat in bulk on a monthly basis. I’ve found a butcher near our home who sells a month’s worth of meat for $80. You can mix up the type and amount of meat. This has been wonderful because I feel “well stocked” and can plan or make a meal without running out for main ingredients. The money I save goes to stocking up on dry goods and frozen veggies. Of course, I purchase store brands and not the expensive stuff. I’ve found that even with coupons, most times the store brand is less expensive. Liz Witkowski – Portland, ME
CLIP COUPONS FOR FREE FLIGHTS? I wanted to share a money-making idea for children – as well as a money saving idea for the family budget! I have been price matching at Wal-Mart for several months and have realized a savings of about $35.00 per week. This helps tremendously, trying to feed ten of us – including five teen-age boy athletes!
I am not fond of the coupon hunt but my 14 year old is. So, he does all the clipping and sorting, and I split the savings with him each week - he has earned quite a bit of the green, that’s for sur e! It took a little “training” on my part to make sure the coupons he cut for me weren’t all junk food! He still slips in the occasional junk food ones once in a while. I even reward his hard work and buy that treat for everyone! In a very short time, he has saved enough money to fly to California and spend a weekend with his Grandma. He is thrilled and so are we! Elizabeth Ryan – Mesa, AZ
CAUTION AT COSTCO! Be careful at Costco. You are better off purchasing sale items with coupons for paper goods, bread and other stuff at the local grocery chain. There are only selected items that I purchase at Costco. Lesley Hues - Phoenix, AZ
FAST FOOD FOR FATIGUED FAMILIES With three kids and homeschooling, my life has been busy. I generally cook from scratch, but some days I’m just too tired. So as not to buy fast food or the likes, I have resorted to buying some ready-made foods on sale, to keep on hand. Items such as frozen pizza, canned tamales mixed with canned chili, macaroni and cheese or other canned soup make an easy meal. This saves money and the kids think it is a treat. Chrissy and Steve - Phoenix, AZ
STOCK-UP ON SALES AND SAVE I’m always watching the papers for sales. When I see a storable food item at a steeply discounted price I don’t just buy one or two, I stock up on as many as I have coupons for. Often times I pay pennies for dollar items. I always keep in mind how much storage space I have and the shelf life of the item. Dianne Guastella - Midlothian, VA
A BOUNTY OF . . . BOUNTY We reuse paper towels that have been used to absorb water off of freshly washed vegetables. We simply leave them out for a day and they're dry and ready to use. Rick and Jane Schell – Eagle, Idaho
TAKE ONE FOR THE ROAD Years ago when we just starting on our frugal trek, we discovered many ways that we were wasting money. One of them was soft-drinks. When we'd go out for a weekend drive and get thirsty, we stop at a fast food place to get a soft drink. On a daily basis, it didn't seem like a lot of money, but on a monthly basis, it really started to add up. We decided to start taking our favorite drinks with us. A little planning in advance can really add up! Mike and Linda Lenich – South Holland, IL
COOPERATIVE VEGGIES My sister-in-law belongs to a produce co-op. With a group of friends, they take turns going to a produce warehouse (that sells to restaurants and grocery stores) ... one person goes once every 2 weeks and spends approximately $20 per person, collected beforehand. They purchase produce by the case (so it is a good idea for the group to be 6 or 12 people because cases of produce are usually divisible by 6 or 12). They get the wholesale price and then divide it up and deliver it to the other members of the co-op. They get tons of healthy fresh fruits and vegetables for a fraction of what they cost at the grocery store. Eating healthy is a great long-term money saver, too. Rebecca Klingbeil – Chesterton, IN
GENERIC SAVINGS My husband and I buy mostly generic / store brands when we grocery shop. When we first started we only bought one or two to see if it was as good or close to the same quality as name brands. Most generic brands are just as good as the name brand and about half the price. We also buy what we can in bulk. But you have to be careful and take the time to see if it's actually less expensive. Charleen MacDougall - Loris, SC
PRUDENT PUMPKIN EATER I got a free pumpkin this year and it is in the freezer - except for what I have eaten. It is delicious with nothing added as I try to avoid too many sugared products. After washing thoroughly and removing the seeds and strings, I cut the pumpkin into three-inch pieces. I fit the whole pumpkin into my tall stock pot, added a little water and cooked until it was tender. Then I processed in my food processor, skins and all. It took a little longer than usual because of the skins but I ended with great pumpkin ready for the freezer. It had a much better flavor than pumpkin I had cooked previously. I wondered if it could have been that this time, I left the skin on. It made it much simpler as well. I think I had retained more nutritional value as with many vegetables more vitamins are just under the skin. (Strictly my idea, valid or not?) There was certainly no waste except the stem portions. Next year, I plan to get 3 or 4. Marcia Rehm - Peoria, AZ
ABC - ALPHA BETICAL COUPONS I have a different way to keep my coupons. Of course, everyone thinks it is way different, but it works for me. I file the coupons alphabetically--then when I shop I just look for the product by name (i.e. Palmolive Dish Liquid) I look under P and find it. Barbara Ribar – Wilmerding, PA
ENLIST YOUR EXPIRED COUPONS Military Commissaries have an extra 6 months to turn in their coupons for redemption. So, if you have expired coupons, give them to someone who shops at a commissary - they'll be saving money longer. Doreen Hallman – Phoenix, AZ
Economiser's Note: Military Coupon Update We've done further research regarding using expired coupons on military bases. The six-month extension of expired coupons applies only on overseas military bases. But your expired coupons can still help by either mailing them to someone stationed overseas - via an APO address - using US domestic postage or by calling your local military base family service department and asking if they have a coupon exchange program in place.
SAVINGS ARE IN THE BAG! Bring your own bags to the grocery store and most stores will give you a 3-cent to 5-cent credit for each one. Doreen Hallman - Phoenix, AZ
SUAVE MOVES (3.09)
Since most shampoos and body wash products all are made of the same types of things — I buy lots of cheap “Suave” shampoo and we use it for body wash, hand soap, shampoo and everything else. It saves us a lot of money! Angie — Minnesota
THE DAWN OF SOFT SOAP (8.08) One expense around the house that seemed unnecessary was the cost of hand soap. In D.C., it's gone up to $3.50 for a bottle of Method foam pump hand soap, and while we both appreciated the benefit of clean hands, we were wary to make this purchase a second time. Our solution? Diluting Dawn's new Direct Foam for dishes into the used bottle. We found that three or four pumps of Dawn, combined with water, provided enough soap to keep our hands clean and it costs us pennies to refill rather than dollars. The good news is that Dawn is regularly on sale, and coupons, of course, are always a hit. Susan & Stephan Baumert — Falls Church, VA
GET GNATS GNOW (8.08) This is something I’ve been doing for years to keep from getting bitten by gnats. Rub a thin film of baby oil on all exposed skin before heading outside if gnats are active. The oil forms a barrier against gnat bites.Susan & Stephan Baumert — Falls Church, VA Billie Williams — Lewisville, TX
GOOD HAIR DAYS! (1.08)
The Super Mall in Auburn, Washington has a hair salon that gives haircuts for $9.95 on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Their normal price is much higher. It’s a good idea to ask your salon if they have discount days also. Dianne Meier —Tacoma, WA
Pearly White Polish (1.07)
I've found that toothpaste makes an excellent polish for silver jewelry. Pepsodent works well, and I can usually find it at the 99-cent stores, Big Lots and the like. Simply "shmear" it on, rub it in with your fingers, rinse, dry with a soft hand towel and voila! Shiny, like new jewelry! Pauly Heller-Phoenix, AZ
Lotion Lift (7.06)
I've come up with an easy way to save money on lotions. When an expensive lotion bottle is about three-quarters empty I add baby lotion to the bottle, shake it up and I have extended the expensive "smell" for just a few pennies Joyce Petrichek-Finleyville, PA
MEN'S TOUCH-UP FOR WOMEN (5.06)
A friend at work revealed a secret to me the other day. She told me that she colored her eyebrows by using a men's mustache and beard hair touch-up coloring kit. It's cheaper than going to a professional and it looked really natural to me. Dianne Meier - Tacoma, WA
SEW WHAT? (3.05) I am rough on my necklace chains and had an Altoids tin full of chains that had come detached at or near the clasp in the back. Either a link had broken or the finding connecting the chain to the clasp had bent open. I have found that many of the larger linked chains can be repaired by taking a needle and thread and "sewing" the still undamaged links together on either end of the break. This also works on undamaged necklaces that you simply want to lengthen a bit. Just sew on a length of thread. Unless you have short hair, no one will be the wiser. Audra Roes -Chattanooga, TN
CUSTOM LIPSTICK COLORS (2.05) Take colors of lipstick that you don't care for and mix them in a lip gloss container. Melt in the microwave for 10 - 15 seconds. You then have a color no one can imitate and everyone adores. Mix blues with browns, flat colors with gloss - just about anything works. This is a great way to use up the remnant parts of lipstick stuck in the bottom of the tube. It also helps to clean out your cosmetics drawer of unwanted colors. Dorothy- Scottsdale, AZ
HOT CURLING IRON MIT I use my curling iron 2-3 times a week and hate to leave it in the sink, unplugged but still hot. So I took my old ironing board cover and made mits for the differing sizes. The smaller one is: 11 1/2" x 4 and the larger is 12" x 6 1/2". Add a short pocket in the front for the plug and they store great.
I cut the pieces for the smaller one by laying the material flat and measuring 8 1/4" across, this is 1/4" seam allowance and 4" wide finished size. I then make another cut that is 12" long, again leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. I fold it in half and make the cut edge rounded for aesthetic reasons. I then cut another piece half again the length, but same width for the plug pocket. I sew a piece of binding tape along the top edge of both pieces. Then I lay the pocket piece on top of the larger piece of material and fold in half. I sew the cut edge with seam binding and it is ready to go! I also store these in my cupboard in their cases and have used quilted placemats (lining it with ironing board material) from yard sales and thrift stores to make them as gifts. I have also taken a small piece of the matching material and added a hanging loop for those that hang their irons. Michelle Carr - US Military Overseas
SOAP SLIVERS LIVE ON! After you use a bar of soap for a while, it gets too small & slippery to work very well. Right? Here’s how you can get more suds out of your bar of soap. After you’ve saved up a handful of leftover “slivers”, take a pair of old panty hose and get out your sewing machine. Using the panty hose, cut out & make a small bag to enclose a handful of soap slivers. Make it snug around the soap slivers. Sew it up, keeping the slivers inside. I use the resulting ‘soap pouch’ at the bathroom sink. I’ve been doing this now for about 6 months and it works great. Sometimes I think it lathers & cleans hands better than a plain bar of soap — I suggest light-colored panty hose and thread for a nicer appearance. Keith Schrader – Wichita, KS
BABY FACE FOR $2 Beauty! For ten years I used an expensive skin cleanser because my skin was so sensitive to soap. Because of an eye infection, I had to use baby shampoo on my hair. I later discovered that the shampoo also takes off eye make-up very well and left my skin really soft. So I started using it as my facial cleanser and my skin hasn’t been better. It costs only $2 a bottle instead of $18! Pamela Temple – Yuma, AZ
HAIR RAISING SAVINGS Most salons charge outrageous prices for a haircut. Learn to cut your family's hair yourself! There are videos and books in the library showing you how. Or maybe you have a friend who is a professional stylist and would teach you the tricks of the trade. Invest in a good pair of scissors and a cape (find them at a beauty supply store). I cut my husband's hair and he cuts mine. We do it out on the patio so the house doesn't get dirty. You can learn to do this! And you'll save a ton of money each year. Heather Peacock - Jackson Hole, Wyoming
MOUSSE LESS - HOLD MORE I'm a professional hair dresser. If you use hair gel, you can double your savings by running water over your hand to thin out or liquefy the gel before applying it to your hair. You'll use half the amount of gel and get the same look Debbie Ireland – Phoenix, AZ
We believe in preventative health care. Simple things like regularly washing hands, eating lots of fruits and veggies, and taking vitamins. We've purchased our vitamins and herbal suppliments from Puritan's Pride for years and years. Great customer service, excellent return policy and fast shipping make them a pleasure to do business with. But the best thing is the buy one, get multiples free deals they offer. Watch their catalogs and web site for new deals.
Discount Dental Plans
HEALTH CARE
GENERIC DOSAGE SAVES (7.09)
I take several prescription drugs, and one of them just became generic. When I had my prescription refilled I asked my pharmacist why it was filled with the brand name drug instead of the generic. He told me that the dosage of the drug I take did not become generic. I take 145 mg and the generic dosage that was closest was 134 mg. I asked my doctor if I could change over and he didn’t think that an 11 mg decrease would hurt me in anyway. Moral of the story: find out if your name brand drug is available as a generic in a different strength. This change in dosage saves me $30 each month / $360 per year! Jenny Lawson — USA
VIGILANCE ON MEDICAL BILLS (3.09)
Always double and triple check your bills and the Insurance EOBs (Explanation of Benefits) statements when you receive medical care. My family is very healthy and we do not use our medical coverage very often; even so, I have found mistakes and been able to reduce my out-of-pocket expense several times just by being vigilant. It’s not that the doctors or insurance companies are evil and want to scam you out of your money, it’s just a very complex business and humans do make mistakes. Check your bill to make sure that all the services and medications listed were actually received. And if you are denied coverage for something that you think should be covered, call and talk to the insurance company. Don’t accept the first answer you get either. Be nice and polite — I have found that the phrase “Can you please explain to me why this isn’t covered,” works well. After all this, if you still owe more than you can afford, don’t be afraid to negotiate with the provider for a payment plan and possibly a reduction of fees. They are glad to get something rather than nothing. Mary Oglesby — USA
Economiser's Note: For more ways to make sure your medical bills are correct read our book's medical chapter or order our June 2003 back issue with the article: Surviving the Medical Maze
EMERGENCY ROOM CONTACT (3.09)
If you must go to the emergency room, get the name of the nurse who treats you in case you have questions after leaving. It will be more convenient to speak with her directly on the phone rather than trying to get a hold of the doctor (even at 3 AM). Jennifer Dahl — Bayard, IA
SMILING AT THE DENTIST (3.08)
I was blessed with my fathers easy going personality, wittiness and his less than perfect teeth. On a recent trip to the dentist I was advised that I would need two crowns, not to mention a small cavity that needed to be filled. I asked for the price of one crown and they said it would cost me $1364 ($2728 for two of them). Yikes, so much for our Disneyland trip. My husband has a great job but no dental insurance. A few weeks earlier, I had seen a dental plan online with my dentist's name on it. The receptionist confirmed that they did accept this plan, which is a discount plan not insurance. She informed me that if I signed up for the plan (Aetna Dental Access) that same $1364 crown would cost me only $691. The same service for almost half the price! I went home and signed up for the discount plan at www.DentalPlans.comAffordable Dental Care (they had several plans to choose from). It cost less than $90 for one year. I can now get two crowns for the price of one, and the filling which would have cost me $159 is now only $76. It certainly pays to investigate and be an advocate for yourself. These plans are available in most states. Even if you have dental insurance, you can benefit from these discount programs. Keep Smiling, I know I am. Cheryl O. - Andover, MA
PRESCRIPTION PERKS (3.08)
Right now there is a big competition among local pharmacies to get your business. They drop coupons where you can receive $25 to $30 gift certificates for each new or transferred prescription. These coupons are distributed periodically and don't expire for several months. So I stock up on them when the flyers do come out. So far I've received; $100 in CVS pharmacy gift cards that I am using to purchase my Christmas gifts, $30 at Basha's Grocery Store (where I purchased the supplies for my Thanksgiving dinner) and $60 in Shell Gasoline gift cards from Safeway, that I am saving for my Christmas travel. If you don't see the coupons, ask the manager if they have any copies. Mary Nippert - Chandler, AZ
LOOKING GOOD & SEEING BETTER (3.08)
When it is time to get new prescription glasses, I buy the frames on eBay for a few dollars and have my optometrist put in the new lenses. It usually saves the two of us $200 to 300 each year. The size of the frame is inside one of the arms and I just order about the same size and shape each year. I got fake Cartier frames last time and no one noticed. This time I bought glasses with magnetic sunglasses included. These usually cost $300 for one frame. I got five frames for $15. Two turned out to be kids sizes, which I gave to the family who lives upstairs, one was a really weird style, but the last two worked fine. At these prices you can always try them on at home and re-list them on eBay if you don't use them. Jan Parker - USA
SEIZURE DRUG SAVINGS (11.07)
I'm on a maintenance drug for a seizure disorder. The drug that works best has no generic available and was costing me $117 a month at Walmart - an annual cost of $1404. I was tired of paying that much, so I spent three hours doing some homework which eventually led me to my insurance company's pharmacy - Blue Cross / Blue Shield for Federal Employees (BCBSFEP).
Now, my medication costs me $35 for a three-month supply - a total savings of $1204 each year! I "earned" $400 an hour for the three hours spent researching my options. I'd say that's a good investment! Michele in Florida
Editors' Note: Many drug companies have Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). See Chapter eight in our book America's Cheapest Family Get's You Right On The Money or read our Sept/Oct 2005 issue of the HomeEconomiser Newsletter. We also have a list of PAPs available on our Scriber Download Section (this feature is available to current HomeEconomiser Newsletter subscribers only)
TAKE A BITE OUT OF THIS (9.07) The dentist recently recommended that I replace the bite guard that I wear at night. I have had it for ten years, and it is not working any more. The insurance company said that it is a once in a lifetime expense. The dentist even tried to appeal that the mouth guard was truly not functioning because I bit through it. However, the insurance would not offer any assistance. The cost of replacing the bite guard was $800.
I decided to try something before spending that money. I got a sports mouth guard for $0.96 (new). I followed the instructions for fitting it to my mouth. I made some adjustments to make it smaller for night use and it works perfectly. I saved up to $799 and it can be easily replaced when it wears out. Cara Ehinger - Ann Arbor, MI
TEST DRUGS FIRST (3.07)
Cara Ehinger - Ann Arbor, MI Pharmacies always fill a prescription the way the physician ordered it . . . such as a 3 week, one month or 3 month supply. But, if you are trying a new prescription, ask the pharmacy to give you just a one or two days supply. That way if you have a bad reaction with the medication (as my brother did after 3 days on a Statin drug for high cholesterol) you have not spent the money on an entire prescription only to have to dispose of it. Here's another money saver: my brother brought his cholesterol down by drastically changing his diet. He improved his health and completely avoided the high cost of drugs. Pam M.- Florissant, MO
UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS? (7.05)
We live in a two story townhouse. As we've aged, knee pain has become an issue to deal with. I've found that walking, carefully, down the stairs, backwards, reduces stress on my knees. Just be careful - I always hold the handrail. Also, another "stair strategy" I use is to leave an empty basket at both the top and bottom of the stairs. As I work upstairs I toss in things that need to go downstairs into the basket and carry them down all at one time. I do the same when I'm working downstairs. This alleviates endless trips upstairs and downstairs. Don & Jill Richards - Roswell, GA
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE FLU (4.05)
I have a great book entitled Eat Right to Live Long by Dr. Cass Igram. One of the recipes I've made from this book is called "Cure-a-Cold Chicken Soup" which I just made for a friend who had the flu. She raved over it. It is a very helpful book. We enjoy getting your newsletter and reading all your "stuff". Aunt Harriet - Mauldin, SC
PRESCRIPTION REDUCTION (1.05) Yes, prescriptions are extremely expensive! With more people having to pay more out of pocket, more drug manufactures are doing patient assistant programs for medicines that are taken on a regular bases. If you don't have insurance or qualify for Medicaid this is especially helpful. Ask your doctors office if they know, and will do, the paperwork needed for your medicine. You can even find it, on line, for the doctors office and then they will fill it out for you. I get three medications this way. One is $1000 each month and I only pay $20. Sherlyn Buffington - Farmington NM
MANAGE YOUR CO-PAY If you have prescription coverage with a co-pay as part of your health insurance, ask your doctor to write your prescription for a three month supply. Sometimes you can just ask the pharmacist for a three month supply also. If you make the purchase this way, you’ll only pay one co-pay rather than three at the pharmacy. Fran Ferguson – Scottsdale, AZ
Rx FOR WHAT AILS YOU AS SAM'S OR COSTCO Prescription drugs can cost an arm and a leg, or more, these days. There are several places on the internet to buy them, but I don't feel comfortable about that. I've found that Costco or Sam’s Club are my next best bargain. They carry the medication I need at almost half the price. I was paying $12.87 per month at my local drug store and now I pay $ 7.32 at Sam’s club. Every little bit helps. I also learned that Costco’s online price guide is not the same as their price in store. Both warehouse stores don't require you to be a member to utilize their pharmacy or optical department. Judy L. – Scottsdale, AZ
SAY AHHHH . . . FOR LESS With our recent move, we no longer have dental insurance covered by an employer. We checked out a local college that offers a dental hygienist program. We got all our routine cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments done by second year students, under the close supervision of their instructors, for a fraction of the price of seeing a dentist (2 adults and 2 children for $78.00). They were able to schedule all of us during the same time slot which helped offset the extra time it takes to have this work done by a student. If we had gone to a dental office, they would have done only one or maybe two of us at a time. If you have more time than money, it's a great way to save on dental care. Oh, and I have never had such a thorough dental check-up! Becky Klingbeil—Chesterton, IN
TWISTED VISIONS If you or any member of your family wear glasses, make it a family rule – never, never, even for a moment, put your glasses down where anyone would sit, stand or lie down. This is especially important when you are in unfamiliar surroundings. Just think what a nuisance it would be to try to replace lenses or frames while away from home. Jean Fountain – Iowa City, IA
IT PAYS TO TELL YOUR AGE Once you reach the best years of your life - 55 or older, make sure that you ask for a "senior discount" everywhere you go. I just saved $50 off of a bill at the doctor's office, just because I asked. It wasn't an advertised or posted policy. I asked, and they discounted! It doesn't get much better than this! Angela Guastella - Chester, VA
FREE HEALTH CARE '"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"... To keep those nasty medical bills at bay, get into shape. You don't need to join an expensive health club either. Grab a partner (or go solo) and get outside for a walk. You can purchase an inexpensive pair of hand weights (don't use weights on your ankles... too much stress on the knees!). For added cardiovascular and calorie-burning benefit. Try and work up to about an hour... great fat-burning! Start moderately, drink water before you go (unless you don't mind carrying a water bottle), and don't forget that sunscreen! In the summer, beat the heat by going early... it's gorgeous out in the early morning. Or go after the sun goes down. There are malls that open their doors early for walkers. Mix up your walk by doing some easy/moderate hikes or by finding pleasant neighborhood surroundings. Teri Chadwick - Scottsdale, AZ
FREE CREDIT REPORTS You can obtain a free copy of your credit report once a year. There are three ways to do it:
--Go to www.FreeCreditReport.com Note - you will receive your credit report for free, but they may charge a fee for your credit score.
--Call the toll-free number
1.877.322.8228
--Mail a standardized form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Download the form at www.ftc.gov/credit
HOUSING
FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH BLANKETS (7.09)
During our last move, we used all of our towels, blankets, sheets, etc. to pack our fragile items in boxes. It saved a lot of money in bubble wrap and packing paper and kept our fragile items from breaking just as well if not better! It also kept us from having a lot of trash to dispose of after unpacking the items. Kelli Tracey — Olney, IL
5 WAYS I’VE SAVED (5.09)
Here are just five of hundreds of ways that I’ve saved money while living in Southern California:
Rent a room in your house (I’ve done this since 2001 to earn $400 each month). I look for tenants who are over the age of 40 and work full time. I clearly communicate the following rules: no alcohol, no smoking, no pets and no visitors.
Rent your garage or yard for storage.
Buy TV’s, stereos, answer machines, telephones, etc. as separate components.
Use rechargeable NiMH batteries and a battery checker.
Take your lunch to work to save $l000 or more each and every year — I’ve done this since 1992. Al Garner — CA
ZIP LOWERS INSURANCE RATES (6.08)
I live in Glendale, Arizona — where the Super Bowl was played — but have a Peoria zip code. This has always seemed a little strange to me. A while back our neighborhood received a notice from the city that we would be allowed to vote on a proposal to change our zip code to a Glendale address. Initially, I thought it was a good idea, but after talking to one of my neighbors I changed my mind. She told me that she had researched it and said that it would raise her six month auto insurance premium $100 to $200 per year. An increase in insurance premiums had never occurred to me so I called my insurance agent. He confirmed that my premiums would increase with a Glendale zip code. Thankfully the change did not go through. So if you’re looking for property to buy or rent, and you’re torn between two homes in different zip codes, be sure to compare your auto and homeowners insurance costs. L. Jewel Smith — Peoria, AZ
KEY SECURITY IDEA (5.08)
I live alone and am concerned about intruders. Here’s what I do. I put my car keys beside my bed at night. If I hear a noise outside my home or someone trying to break in, all I have to do is press the panic button for my car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until I turn it off or the car battery dies. Most burglars won’t hang around if there is a lot of noise. I learned this from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Before you do this, test it and see if your panic button works from your bedroom to your car. Also remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. Judy L.— Scottsdale, AZ
Furniture and Rock Bottom Prices (1.07)
I have purchased almost all of my furniture in Hickory N.C. (High Point, N.C. is another good place) from furniture stores selling either samples used in photo shoots or factory damaged, high-end pieces. I have saved thousands of dollars furnishing my den, bedroom, and dining room. The damaged pieces included problems like: a leg of armoire not stained, an interior shelf missing, and some minor scratches and dents. I touched up the pieces and they all look great. Jennifer Stancil-Kennesaw, GA
DON'T CROSS THAT LINE! (9.05)
I recently had a property dispute with a new neighbor who claimed her survey (which was 10 years old and from the previous owner) said that I was encroaching on her property by two-and-one-half feet! I had never had a property survey - it just wasn't needed when I purchased my house 45 years ago. But to be sure of what was right, I paid for a surveyor to do the job. It turned out that the property line was correct and I was protected. It seems that old-fashioned gentleman's agreements of the past are long gone. Ann Nieser - Pittsburgh, PA
RENT FOR ROOM - FREE & CLEAR Rent out a Room to Help Pay the Mortgage on Your New Home. I own a house in the San Francisco Bay Area where houses have always been very expensive. I made sure I bought a house with one more bedroom that I needed and rented out the master bedroom suite for the first several years I lived there. That allowed me to make the mortgage payment. Later, my salary increased and I was able to refinance the house so that it was not necessary to rent out the room any longer. This would not work for all families. Some would object to the invasion of privacy, but you don't have much privacy when you have children. Others would worry about bringing a stranger into your home. Screening is very important. Also, I charged each applicant a fee to have their credit checked. I had very strict rules stated in writing and signed by each occupant to make sure they understood my expectations. This turned out to be a totally positive experience for my family and I will own the house free and clear in just a few years. Barbara Stratton - Fremont, CA
RELOCATED EQUITY We are in the process of moving from Massachusetts to Rhode Island — why — because Massachusetts housing prices were too expensive. We were able to find a wonderful home in RI for less than the cost of a two-bedroom condo in Mass., and this house has four bedrooms. So far this is the best money saving experience we have had and we look forward to continuing the trend with the tips we learn from your newsletter. Mike and Johanna Corcoran — Soon to be from Rhode Island
We tried them and their customer service is TERRIBLE. Most calls are routed out of the US. You'll be on hold forever and in over 10 different phone calls, not once did the person we talked to do what they said they would to remedy our situation.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
When our kids were younger, we'd buy lots of their party decorations party favors from Oriental Trading Company. Whenever the catalog would arrive, each of the kids would spend hours circling the "cool" things that they wanted. We experienced good delivery and good customer service.
KIDS
GROOVY PARTY IDEAS (5.09)
My daughter recently had her 12th birthday party. We cleared out all the furniture, purchased an inexpensive disco ball and strobe lights and had a “Groovy” dance party. We found that if you plug an iPod into a speaker amp it sounds just like a club sound system. I had Sydney download her favorite current songs from iTunes and for under $20 plus the cost of food and lights we had a unique experience without a huge expense.
The girls loved having my middle son DJ their favorite songs, and we had a singing and dance contest.
Every girl received a little gift bag. We filled the bag with peanuts (shelled) and movie theatre style candy (Gummy Worms, Skittles Hershey bars, gum drops) purchased at The Dollar Store. I took skewers that you would use for kebobs and made a candy bouquet out of them. The girls loved the bouquet and I am now going to make them for the endless upcoming parties my daughter will be going to. The best part is that everything is edible!
A few weeks later I made a cookie bouquet using Oreo cookies and candy bars. My 19-year loved receiving that for his birthday. Cheri Kamentz — Eagle River, WI
BUY, CONSIGN, SELL, SWAP (1.09)
We have a newborn and BOY (pun intended) does he go through clothes FAST! We always go to Goodwill's half-off days and pick out the best, cutest stuff for him to wear. Then after he out grows the clothes, I consign what I can (for store credit) and sell the rest on Craigslist. Whatever I have left I take to a clothing swap and trade my stuff for new stuff! The clothing swap isn't always a guarantee but it’s fun and I usually end up with at least two or three things I love. Jeannie Gibson — USA
DON’T BUY TEXT BOOKS (1.09)
Hi! I'm a poor college student who really can't afford to spend a lot of money on textbooks. I found this really neat website called Chegg.comwhich allows you to "rent" your textbooks for the semester for about 1/3 the price of buying it. This is a great option for liberal studies textbooks you “know” you'll never pick up again after the class is over! Leah Shanker — USA
CHEAP KIDS' FUN (11.07)
We love to take advantage of story time at the library, bookstores and even some children's stores. They're always free and they do a wonderful job with the kids. Chik-fil-a has a story and craft time that includes a free kids meal with adult food purchase. Another place for less expensive but still great quality classes is a local community center. Ours has everything from ABC's to tumbling to a mommy-and-me science club. Erin McGever - Phoenix, AZ
KIDS - PACK UP AND SAVE (7.07)
Whenever I go to the mall with my kids - especially if we go in the morning- I pack water bottles, snacks, and a sack lunch of PBJ, frozen Go-gurts, and fruit in a lunch box. This way, when we get hungry we are not tempted to eat at someplace in the food court, which can add up quickly. It also saves me the hassle of trying to maneuver through a busy area with kids, stroller, and food on a tray all the while looking for a table and a high chair! We are all set to eat whenever and wherever! Erin McGever - Phoenix, AZ
Hard Work U (5.07)
I was recently made aware of a college in Missouri called College of the Ozarks, located right outside of Branson. The college's nickname is Hard Work U because the students pay NO tuition to attend -instead, they all have to work on campus. I attended a conference there and saw the student staff everywhere on campus (very few "adults" working except for professors).
C of O has been recognized as a Top Comprehensive College by U.S. News & World Report yearly since 1989. It is an excellent place to receive a quality education debt-free. Their website is www.cofo.edu. S. Tourville, Ph.D. - Columbia, MO
SENIOR PORTRAIT SAVINGS (5.07)
High school senior portraits are so expensive that it pays to shop around. The studio your school selects will take your student's photo for the yearbook free of charge, even if you don't order the rest of your photos from them. We shopped around and found significant savings.
We had our son's pictures taken at J.C. Penney. They did a terrific job . . . and by using an online coupon we received (3) 8x10's, (3) 5x7's, (4) 3 1/2x5's, (18) wallets, and 9 billfolds. One 8x10, one 5x7, three wallets and 3 billfolds are imprinted with his name and 2007. We paid no sitting fee, had 2 outfits, and could have all pictures emailed to us for an additional $5 (we didn't choose the email option). Our total cost was $41.05.
The closest package the school's studio offered for two poses, had (2) 8X10's, (4) 5X7's, (4) 3 1/2X5's, 32 wallets for $229. They also charge a sitting fee of $15, but they often waive that with special promotions. The online proofs cost $10 and they charge $19.95 per script (name and or year on picture).
The only drawback was the lack of some props. J.C.Penney's did not have the big graduation numbers that are popular for senior pictures. That is why I had the year inscribed on some of the pictures. Debbie Kamiaz - Phoenix, AZ
RECYCLED, RECYCLABLE TOYS (5.07)
I dip into my recycle bin for "park toys" for my kids. Clean butter containers, laundry detergent measuring cups, and any other plastic containers make the best sand toys and scoopers! They are free, come in a variety of great shapes and sizes, and I don't care if we lose them or share them with all of the other kids at the park! Once they are broken or unsafe, I throw them back into the recycle bin for collection by the city. Erin McGever - Phoenix, AZ
Salvaged School Supplies (7.06)
When our children were school age, I would collect all of their leftover school supplies as soon as they arrived home on the last day of school. This allowed me to salvage whatever could be used for the following school year and start planning what would need to be replaced. Buying new supplies was spread out through the summer, which avoided a crunch just before school resumed and allowed me to watch for the best deals on items we needed. Cindy Gruner-Morrisville, VT
CAR RIDE SANITY (5.06)
If you are taking a long car trip with children, it pays to plan ahead. Before leaving the house, ask the kids to draw pictures on scraps of paper or index cards of things that they think they'll see while driving - barns, cows, horses, airplanes, semi trucks, McDonalds, farm tractors, etc. Take the pictures with you and have a contest to see who can find all of the items on their cards first. Francine Nichols — Franklin Furnace, OH
Saving Water with Kids (3.06)
Water is a commodity we too often let flow through our hands. Taking it for granted lets it take a greater chunk of our wallets. Here are three easy water saving tips:
1) Have your children help with the laundry, both loading and unloading the washer and dryer. It helps them see how many dirty clothes they go through. Older kids might take better care of their clothes if they know they'll need to be doing more laundry chores, like pre-spotting.
2) Put a clock where your children can see it when they take a shower. If they know how long they are in, they are less likely to dawdle and use less water in the process. (Editor's Note: We like to use an egg timer.)
3) If your teenager desperately wants to wash their car, send them to the car wash. If they have to feed quarters to keep the water flowing, they will quickly learn how to do the job faster and less often. Tamara Wilhite - West Monroe, LA
MAGAZINE TRAIN . . . ING (1.06) My 3 year-old son loves trains, and once we bought him a model train magazine for $5. Later, I found out our library sells back issues of magazines for 10 cents each. I bought a year's worth of the same magazine for $1.20! He didn't care that the magazines were two years old and neither did I! Kim Homsher - California
ARRRG ME HARTIES! (1.06)
For my son's 7th birthday I had a pirate party. I found the cake idea in Family Fun magazine as well as some game ideas. The kids enjoyed a game called "Walk the Plank."
We put a wide plank of wood over our Little Tykes swimming pool and floated plastic alligators in the water. The kids all enjoyed walking the plank. They also enjoyed the foil wrapped cardboard swords that I gave them as a prize for walking the plank. Then we had a treasure hunt with clues. This resulted in the kids finding a cache of gold candy coins that we divided evenly between all the pirates. They took their "booty" home with them in their little wooden treasure chests.
I also did an internet search and found the Boardman Web site (www.boardmanweb.com). He has suggestions for more games using the pirate theme. I got free pirate hats from Long John Silver's restaurants. I also learned to shop for the theme idea a few months ahead to get the best deals. I did find some gold coins at the 99-cent store, but the quality wasn't very good. Later I discovered that See's Candies had delicious gold coins.
Susan Taylor - Torrance, CA
IT IS ROCKET SCIENCE (5.05)
I participated in a project along with a friend who is an aerospace engineer. We helped a group of Explorer Scouts build and launch a rocket. My friend spent many sessions, helping these kids build the rocket and included great lessons in rocket technology, physics, mathematics, etc. They were also taught how to determine the altitude of the rocket flight. Then, we went to Vandenburg Air Force Base. The Explorers stayed in military barracks, toured the military base and launched the rocket. This project would involve locating an aerospace engineer with a specialty in rocketry to work with the young people and a location for the launch. There are also rocket clubs that may have qualified members willing to work with young people. On this same trip, we also enjoyed a tour of a nuclear power plant-more science lessons for the Explorers. Barbara Stratton - Fremont, CA
KIDS PICS FOR FREE! Thanks for the valuable information and savings incentives. I have an idea to share to get free professional pictures. Go to www.picturepeople.com and click on “what’s new”. There’s always a seasonal promotion and a coupon. If your child is 0-12 months click on “smilestones” and you’ll receive coupons for your baby. If your child is little older click on “birthday club” and sign up for a free 8 x 10. These promotions are true to the coupon. Just be sure to check the expiration dates. Of course the company would like for you to purchase more pictures but with the coupons you are under no obligation and you can use a different coupon each month. The Picture People are located in many shopping malls across the USA. You can also call 1.800.341.HOUR (4687) for promotion details. Pamela K — Pocono Mountains, PA
SPREAD THE WORD & PASS IT ON I have been blessed by a great number of women at my church. We have formed somewhat of an informal clothes trading ring. I get clothes for my kids that they can grow into and when my kids grow out of things, they are in turn passed along to other moms. (We also do the same with toys!). I don’t know about you, but all the women involved love to see the favorite outfit that Junior outgrew, much too fast, being enjoyed by another child. I think that in this the children can learn that there is no shame in wearing hand-me-downs (or as I like to call them, “new-to-me’s”). It is also the way that the Lord provides for us as a one-income family (my husband is a public school teacher) and we in turn can help bless others.
It’s also helpful to keep Papas & Nanas informed of the current sizes that the kids are wearing — especially if they are the kind of grandparents that occasionally buy your kids clothes. I also enlist the help of my mother — she is a hard core 2nd hand shopper — if I am currently shopping for something specific, but not able to find it in my favorite haunts. Jeannie Ziebell (mom of triplets) — Mesa, AZ
SCHOOL SUPPLIES LAST AND LAST If you have more than one child, buy items in gender-neutral colors. Label backpacks and lunch boxes with your last name only. This way you can pass the items from child to child without having the wrong name on them! Adrienne Loper – Arlington, TX
PREVIEW, REVIEW AND BUY I just read all the suggestions on your website. It looks like some people have really found ways to save money using the library. I do, too - I use it to preview things I’m interested in buying. For instance, my toddler and I like listening to music while she eats or we’re driving around. I take CDs out of the library first and give them a “trial run.” If she and I like them, I return the CD and buy it from the store. We’ve also done this with picture books and reference books that my husband and I may use. Debbie Navratil – Campbell, CA
FILTERED SNACKS I use coffee filters instead of paper plates for snack times at my house. I buy 500 basket filters for a little over $2 and paper plates are $1.89 for 100 quantity. The basket shape holds pretzels, popcorn, crackers, chips, nuts and fruit nicely. I portion out the snacks and put away the boxes so we don’t eat too much. Elizabeth Jaros – Lincoln, NE
SUMMER SCHOOL — LIFE SKILLS 101 When my siblings and I were teenagers, one summer my mother announced, “I am not cooking, mending or washing this entire summer!” She continued, “It’s up to each of you to learn each skill and do it!” That summer I was equipped with life skills that I still use to this day . . . and I’m well over 29 now — real age withheld to protect my fragile male ego. Rick Schell – Boise, ID
THE COSTUME BOX For many years, we’ve gathered costumes from various sources and stored them in a costume box. The kids love to dig in and play dress-up. Because they have grown and now wear larger sizes, we’ve had to graduate to a larger box. It’s really fun to have goofy hats, glasses and wigs for them to play with. Bonnie Heng, Scottsdale, AZ
BIRTHDAYS MADE SPECIAL When my sons were little, we would make a special birthday cake for their party. They would choose the theme and we would design the cake together. The base for the cake was one or two 9” X 12” chocolate sheet cakes which we made together the night before the cake was to be cut out and assembled. Then, we froze the cake to make it easier to cut into shapes the following day without crumbling too badly when we applied frosting later. The Birthday child would choose the colors, frosting, etc. and we would add candy and toys as additional decorations. We used cardboard covered in aluminum foil as the base for the cake. We made a cake in the shape of a guitar one year by tracing an actual guitar. We made a cake in the shape of a train with each car cut out separately and small cupcakes for wheels. We made a cake in the shape of a van and at least one race car. We also made a volcano cake one year and found some candy rocks to put on it. Often, we would take the entire day to make the cake to the delight of both kids.
Also, they were allowed to invite only as many kids to their Birthday party as they were years old — if they were turning 6 years-old, they could invite 6 kids. That did not include their brother who was always invited. This kept the number of ited to a reasonable level. They never questioned the rule. When they became teenagers, they never wanted large parties. Barbara S. – Freemont, CA
PLAY IT AGAIN AND AGAIN - SAM My kids have been taught to write in their piano books in pencil. When they are finished with the book, I erase all the writing and use them over again for the next one in line. Debbie Ludwig - Papua New Guinea
BRUSH YOUR TEETH - GET THE POINT! I put into play the give/save/spend system – April ‘03. I was wondering though as to how long you have your children save their money. I told mine it's a yearly thing to save for those big items they want, but I'm curious what y’all use it for.
I also put into play the point system. We have been using chore charts for years, but your simple point system looks neater. And I actually have stuff in there that the typical child wouldn't actually need, as one of my children has autism - so we have TEETH POINTS ... brushing teeth without a fight. RVA - North Kansas City, MO
Economiser Note: Regarding what our kids do with their "Save Money". It is to be saved for either a car or college.
John, our eldest, used his savings to buy his first car. College has been covered with scholarship funds. The only thing we required was that he keep at least $1000 in the bank as a fund for unexpected car repairs. Our 18 year-old daughter, Becky, has a dream of owning a miniature horse and is planning to use some of her savings to purchase the horse and supplies.
CRAFTY KIDS AT HOME . . . DEPOT My husband takes our two boys (5years and 10years) to Home Depot's Monthly Kid's Club. This is a workshop for children to make a craft item - example: recipe holder, bookshelf, wind chime, birdhouse, jewelry box, bubble gum machine, etc. These crafts make excellent gifts for parents, grandparents, Uncles, and cousins. And the best part is that it’s completely FREE!!! Natalie Plott – Gastonia, NC
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS To help the kids not get bored in the summer we planned a weekly movie day with friends and picked a movie we could all enjoy from the local video store, had popcorn, and other munchies (you could also pick one up at the library for free). This was something they looked forward to each week. But, as the ages of our kids got older we had trouble finding a movie to make everyone happy so we changed it to a swim date at the community pool or at a relatives house. Doreen Hallman - Phoenix, AZ
STOCK UP ON CHEAP STOCK (7.09)
No more store bought cans of chicken stock. I use stock in all sorts of recipes but have found the price going up steadily over the past few years. So I switched to making vegetable stock at home. At first I just used a carrot, a couple stalks of celery and an onion, then I realized how much I was throwing into the compost pile that was usable from my daily cooking. I started saving my carrot peelings, outer layers of onions, tops and bottoms of celery and other various vegetable “cut-offs” in a re-sealable container. Once I accumulate enough to make a batch of stock (several handfuls worth), I roast the vegetables in the oven for about 30 minutes, add some bulk dried herbs and a few quarts of water and bring to a boil. After the stock boils and looks about the color of weak tea, I add some salt to taste. “Rinsings” from canned tomatoes add some wonderful flavor to stock as well. I use the stock in homemade soups or any other recipes that call for cooking liquid. Freeze the finished stock in re-sealable containers, allowing a little head room for expansion. Jill Whitney — Salem, OR
GARBAGE SOUP (3.09)
I just finished reading your article about “Tapioca soup” — garbage soup. My Mom used to make this soup for me when I was a kid. With 6 mouths to feed, this soup was always on the menu. Thanks for the great story that not only made me laugh, but brought me back to my childhood. It makes me question what exactly was in that soup Mom made! Desperate times call for desperate measures! Janel Noe — USA
CUT IT IN HALF (1.09)
I was reminded of this while reading a recent newsletter and tip about paper towels. We use paper towels sparingly. The sheet size on most brands we’ve found are just too large for most of our uses. Here’s our simple solution: when we open a roll of paper towels my son gets out the electric bread knife and cuts the roll in half. The roll lasts twice as long and we waste less paper. We do the same with fabric softener sheets, just cut them in half with the bread knife. Jody Sanders — Fort Myers, FL
TENDER WRAPPING (1.09)
I go grocery shopping only once each week. If I buy meat, I bring it home and take it out of the store packaging. I live alone and most packages have more than one steak in it. I wrap each steak individually in plastic wrap or foil. But before I wrap it up and freeze it, I sprinkle meat tenderizer on both sides of it. I take it out of the freezer the day before I use it. When I cook it over my little grill it comes out so tender you can almost cut it with a fork. Jack McGaw — Sun City West, AZ
SAVE ON COOKING (1.09)
I save on my energy bill when cooking. When an item cooking in the oven has about 15 or 20 minutes left to go, I turn off the oven and leave the item in there to finish cooking. The oven is hot enough to complete the job.
If I’m cooking pasta, I bring the water to a boil, add the pasta, put on a lid, bring the water back to a boil and turn off the stove. I stir it occasionally and it usually takes about 15 minutes to cook. Dianne Meir — Tacoma, WA
HOT ROCK BUNS? (11.08)
Collect a few flat rocks, wash them thoroughly and heat them up in the oven (350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes) while you're cooking biscuits. Place the rocks in the bottom of a basket, lay a cloth napkin on top of them and put your biscuits on top of the fabric. Cover the biscuits with another napkin and they'll stay nice and warm. Carol Meola (mom) — Scottsdale, AZ
DOUBLE DUTY VINEGAR (8.08)
I use vinegar to clean my coffee maker — but I get double duty out of it. After I run the vinegar through the coffee maker, while it is still warm, I go to each bathroom sink and pour in ? cup of baking soda and then a little warm vinegar — then I let it sit. Afterwards, I run some fresh water through the coffee maker to rinse out the vinegar, and then pour the warmed water down the drains to rinse out the baking soda and vinegar.
Carol Meola (mom) -- Scottsdale, AZ
Tracy Bernero — Highlands Ranch, CO
AUTOMATIC CRUD BUSTER (8.08) If you are planning on washing dishes right after your meal, fill the sink with hot water and put some of the pots and pans in to soak while you eat. By the time you’re ready to wash them, most of the “crud” will be loosened, making your job faster and easier. It’s also helpful to put more dishes in the suds to soak while you’re emptying dishes from the rinse water. Jennifer Dahl — Bayard, IA
OLD BRUSH, NEW SMILE (6.08)
I couldn’t clean my house without an old toothbrush. No matter what I’m cleaning or what kind of product I’m using, I can get into the tiniest places and get them cleaner with an old toothbrush. It sure does shorten cleaning time and saves my fingernails too! Give it a try, you’ll smile! Marie Davis — Pendleton, SC
A BOUNTY OF PAPER TOWELS (5.08) I have tried to use really inexpensive paper towels but always come back to Bounty’s “Select-a-Size.” My smart daughter-in-law does something I have now copied. Next to her sink she has a decorative ceramic container that she puts lightly used paper towels in — i.e. those used in zippered bags with veggies and fruit. They are crumpled up and dry quickly. Later, when there is a pot or dish that needs to have grease or sticky residue wiped out, or a mess on the counter, sink or floor to clean up, these are the paper towels she uses. My husband and I do this now, and I notice that our rolls of paper towels last much longer. Sally Jones — Boerne, TX
NOW I’M COOKIN! (5.08) Being a software/computer driven person, I stay away from pen and paper solutions. I found a shareware program that allows you to create a database of recipes that are searchable. You can plan a set of meals for a specific time period, and it will generate a list of everything you should buy. You can even input coupons and store pricing, and it will generate the cost of your shopping list. The program is called “Now You’re Cookin,” you can find it at http://www.ffts.com/nyc32dl.htm (it’s for PC users only). They have a library of recipes that you can download or you can input your own. David Stillson — Fort Myers, FL
PRE-COOKED IS PRE-PARED
I save time by frying up a pound of bacon and then freezing it. Later when I want to make a BLT or need bacon bits, the bacon is ready to use. I do the same with sausage links. My mentally handicapped son enjoys link sausage with scrambled eggs for Sunday breakfasts — he’s with me on weekends from his Group home. It’s much more convenient to quickly reheat the sausage in the microwave than to cook-it-up and then clean-it-up. Mary Ellen Hodgman — Seattle, WA
COOL AS A . . . BANANA (7.07)
I have heard many people say they freeze bananas for future use in banana bread, etc., but I was never sure how to prepare the bananas for freezing. One woman told me she just puts the whole banana (peel and all) in the freezer and then thaws it later when ready to use. I am one who doesn't want to wait for the thaw. Therefore, we just peel the bananas, wrap each in plastic wrap, and then put them in a freezer bag for easy storage. Frozen bananas that have been prepared this way are easy to mash for banana bread, make the perfect frozen ingredient for a smoothie in the blender, or are in great as frozen popsicles in the summer. To serve this cold treat without a stick, just peel back the plastic and wrap a folded paper towel around the "handle" part. Cut in half, these banana popsicles were some of our children's favorite teething coolers. Ruth Irvine - Scottsdale, AZ
BROILED BULK BEEF IS BETTER (7.07)
Here's how I save on lean ground beef. I watch for bulk lean or extra lean ground beef at a good price and buy a lot of it. Then I break it up and bake all of it on a broiler pan in the oven so that the fat drips below. Bake at 350 for about 1/2 hour. After cooling a bit, I separate it into quart sized freezer bags - approximating one bag for each pound of precooked meat. Then I freeze them and when I need a pound of ground beef for a recipe I just defrost a bag in the microwave or submerge it in water to defrost. This saves a great deal of time and mess when I am in a hurry to put a meal on the table. And I have lean ground beef for the price of regular ground because I bought it in bulk! Linda Holland - Bothell, WA
GREAT COOKING IDEAS (5.07)
I just came across this Web site today and thought you'd be interested. There are lots of money and time saving ideas for cooking meals, plus tons of recipes and other helpful kitchen information. Ellen was raised in a military family and traveled the world. She started cooking at age eight and loves to teach others her secrets. www.EllensKitchen.com Angel Ayala - Palm Springs, CA
ADVANCED COOKING SAVES "FACE" (3.07)
About once each month we have a party for the students we teach at the English Corner here in China. Most are thrilled to be invited to an "American" home to eat American food. For one party we were expecting about 15 people to attend. You can imagine my surprise when FORTY showed up. I had dinner already prepared and knew there wouldn't be enough food. As the guests kept arriving and eating, I began to panic. In the Chinese culture it is considered incredibly rude to run out of food. Also since several of our friends had invited more people than they had originally communicated, they would have felt unbelievably embarrassed for putting me in an awkward position. I quickly ran into the kitchen and opened the freezer. Fortunately when I had done my once-a-month cooking, I had pre-cooked and frozen the same meal I was serving that night. I microwaved the packages of frozen meats and transferred the contents to the crock pots already on the table-nobody was the wiser. As is appropriate for the custom, I had plenty left over and no one lost face!! Thanks for the impact you have had on our lives. You are influencing Asia now!!! Kristi Johnson - Cheng Du, China
HANDY VEGGIE CLEANER (3.07)
I have tried a variety of vegetable brushes for cleaning produce, but never felt like I was getting it cleaned thoroughly or fast enough. So I purchased a pair of nylon exfoliating gloves from the beauty section at a drugstore. I slip the gloves on and wash all the produce by rubbing my hands over it. I wash it in a pan of water or under the faucet. The gloves are very effective especially for large items like potatoes, celery, and cucumbers. When I'm done, I drape them on my dish rack to dry. Layla Haug - Wilmington, DE
Worry Free Containers (1.07)
Save your empty margarine tubs and other plastic containers so when you send left-overs home with friends and family you don't have to worry about getting "Aunt Tillie's" antique casserole back. Beverly Clarke-Pembroke Pines, FL
Diluted Savings (11.06)
I find that a squirt of full-strength liquid dish washing detergent is usually too much for my needs. So I fill an old bottle of dish soap half-way with detergent and then the other half with water. Now I have two bottles full of detergent for the price of one (it's even less expensive because I usually use cents-off coupons). Elaine Ribar-Pittsburgh, PA
Zipped Up Omelet (11.06)
This works great-it's an easy way to prepare several omelets without waiting for the frying pan to be available. First, start a large pot of water up to boil. Then have each person write their name on a quart sized plastic freezer zippered bag. Crack two eggs into the bag and shake to mix them up.
Set out bowls with various toppings in them: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc. Each person puts their favorite toppings into their bag.
Remove all air from the bag and zip it up securely. Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly thirteen minutes. You can usually cook six to eight omelets in a large pot. If you need to do more, use a second pot or do two rounds of cooking.
Open the bags and the omelet will easily roll out. The first time you do this everyone will be amazed. Serve with fresh fruit, coffee cake and conversation. Pat Cadagan-Spokane, WA
One Pot Cooking (11.06)
Your newsletter is exactly what I needed right now. I am working slowly into the once a month cooking. It's kind of hard living in a foreign country when you only have one pot, two burners and limited containers. But it is going well and I am loving it. Two days ago I made sauce that will be used for multiple meals: spaghetti sauce, pizza or chili. I also cooked some ground beef that can be added to the sauce or used for tacos or stuffed peppers or whatever. Today I cooked beans for chili or burritos. I am also experimenting with my pizza dough. I usually make it and use it right away, but this time I put some in the fridge and some in the freezer to see what that will do. We are so glad to have been influenced by you during the early years of our marriage. Kristi Johnson-ChengDu, China
Green Tomato Pie (9.06)
Last night we had our first freeze. That means it's time for one of my produce favorites. Green Tomatoes! I use them like apples to make green tomato pie or green tomato crisp. Just follow your favorite apple pie/crisp recipe, adding 1 tsp. baking soda to the spices that you put on the apples before baking. If you didn't know it was tomatoes rather than apples, you would never guess! Amy Davis-Lincoln, NE
Phone Books Clean Up (9.06)
Instead of throwing out the out-of-date phone books, keep them and tear out several pages at a time. Store them in a big plastic cup under your sink. Use these sheets instead of paper towels when you peel vegetables, etc. You won't buy paper towels nearly as often. S. Cooper-Palm Springs, CA
Cans Can Make Money (7.06)
I recycle aluminum soft drink cans. I mentioned this to my boss and now about every other month he and his son bring me a large trash bag full of aluminum cans. There are 28 cans in a pound and in our area I can turn them in for about $.70 per pound. So if you recycle aluminum cans for extra cash, tell your friends to save their cans for you too. Verna Enlow - Huntingburg, IN
Cooking Under Pressure (7.06)
My Grandmother, my Mom, my Sister and I are big fans of pressure cookers. We all own more than one. Except for rice, pasta, pastry and soups, we cook almost everything in a pressure cooker. The cooking time is significantly reduced, thereby cutting your time spent in the kitchen and your energy usage. Most veggie dishes take 10-15 minutes, meats take around 20-45 minutes depending on the cut. The initial investment may be a bit expensive, but the cookers last a very long time, so it sure is worth it. Canan Onat - Istanbul, Turkey
GREASE AND SCUM BUSTERS (5.06)
For built up grease on surfaces such as vent hoods, stove parts, etc. I make a paste with baking soda and just enough water to dampen it. Then I rub it on the greasy surface. You'll need to rinse it off, but it is not-abrasive and cleans quick and easy.
For hard water build-up on my clear glass shower doors, I get an SOS pad impregnated with soap, and dip in vinegar and lemon juice mixture. The steel wool does not scratch the glass and the acids dissolve the hard water, the soap cleans the scum that starts sticking to the glass. We squeegee the shower every time we're done, but it eventually gets a dull build-up on it. I don't have to do this very often. But it really keeps the shower looking nice. Lyn Haberstock - Phoenix, AZ
SQUEAKY CLEAN When I was younger, I worked for a deli, where it was extremely important for us to have not only scrupulously clean counters and equipment, but also shiny counters and sinks! We put straight isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol into a spray bottle. Spray it on the counters, plastic surfaces, stainless steel sinks, anything that's glass, including windows and mirrors. It works like a charm, doesn't streak, the excess will evaporate, and you will have surfaces which have been disinfected, too! Hospitals have also been using rubbing alcohol to disinfect for years. The only type of surface that you need to be careful with are painted surfaces (always test first!) There are some types of paint that will be lifted by the alcohol. Any time you use it on a new surface, it doesn't hurt to test in an inconspicuous spot first. I never use alcohol on wood surfaces because it could dry it out (Murphy's Oil Soap works great on wood!). Darlene Bolesny - New Orleans, LA
Great Broth - No Bones About It (3.06)
Whenever we eat bone-in chicken, I freeze the left-over bones until I have a soup-kettle full. I fill the kettle with the bones, a carrot, an onion, celery tops, a turnip, a couple of bay leaves, peppercorns, salt, 1/2 cup of white wine (which will help pull calcium from the bones), and water. I simmer this brew for 4-5 hours, then strain it through cheesecloth and freeze in various-sized plastic containers. This broth is very potent, and I can dilute it by at least half for any recipes calling for chicken broth.
I love to try new recipes, and there is hardly the unsuccessful dinner dish I cannot transform into delicious soup with the help of my homemade chicken broth, assorted vegetables, and maybe a can of minestrone. Inger Grape - Kelseyville, CA
GET STEWED (1.06) Here's another way to stretch a meal. One night I'll make beef stew and the next night I'll put the remainder of the stew into a pie crust to make a beef pot pie. Sometimes if I make a large enough pot of beef stew I can make four pot pies out of it and then freeze them. Most people cut the beef for stew beef into large chunks. If you dice them up smaller there is an appearance of more because there are more little pieces of beef in each bite. Jennifer Emery - Black Canyon City, AZ
CHEERS FOR ONCE-A-MONTH COOKING (11.05) I just did our first once a month cooking with our family. It was fun and also met my goal of sending all my kids out into the world with the ability to cook. I had also thought it wasn't for me because I love to cook. But what I am finding this week is that having the meals in the freezer is so freeing that I am more cheerful at dinner and often have time to make a dessert. Crystal Zecher - Kempton, PA
THINK SMALL, SAVE BIG (11.05)
I want to tell you that thinking of saving small amounts of money has an unexplainable result in saving large amounts. I have saved $2000.00 in two months because I have limited my food buying to twice a month and have resisted spending small amounts here and there or spending what is not on my budget. I've always had a budget before but now I am not spending into my next credit card bill but keep everything current. Cora Hill - Seattle, WA
HAMMING IT UP (11.05) Every Christmas I get a 20 lb ham, cook it and separate it. It makes about 11 one pound bags of cooked ham, which I freeze.
Here's what I do with all of this meat:
One of the meals I make is Ham and Beans. Early on a Sunday Morning I will put on two pounds of beans in my crock-pot and add one bag of my cooked ham, let it cook all day and for dinner we will have beans with tortillas and butter. I then take what is left and divide it in half keeping all the juice with one of the halves.
The next night I add one pound of hamburger and a can of stewed tomatoes to the half of beans with the juice and we have "cowboy chili" with crackers.
The third night I make red chili, with Bueno's frozen red chili and one bag of my ham, I take the last portion of beans and make bean and cheese burritos, cover in the red chili and bake, that's three meals out of one pot of beans and three pounds of ham. Jennifer Emery - Black Canyon City, AZ
FREEZER PLEAZER! (9.05)
I just reorganized my freezer using plastic bins. It's great and really easy to find what I need. I marked them "Beef," "Chicken" and "Pork." This has really helped me to know what I already have in the freezer so I can shop more carefully. Leslie Wilson - Jacksonville, FL
THAT'S ITALIAN (7.05)
A wedge of real parmesan cheese is expensive. The "rind" is not coated with wax as many may think but it is salt hardened. Do like the real Italians do and place the rind in the soup pot towards the end of cooking. You'll like the flavor and there is no waste. Kathy Copeland - Seattle, WA
NO BULL . . . ION (5.05)
I freeze all of my chicken, beef and vegetable broth in ice cube trays. Once they are frozen, I store them in freezer bags or plastic containers. When I'm ready to use them, I just pull them out one or two cubes at a time depending on the recipe. Joanne Patterson - Belmont, NC
PRE-SOAKED BULK BEANS (5.05) I read in a bean and legume cookbook, that you can soak large amounts of beans at a time and freeze what you don't use, in portion sizes for later use. It saves me loads of time and takes care of a big, time consuming task all at once. It really makes it easier and faster to use dry beans in recipes because I have eliminated the soaking step bydoing it earlier. Debbie Bottom - Greybull, WY
CLOSE PINS (5.05) We use clothes pins instead of those expensive chip clips for clipping bags shut. Also we use clothes pins instead of the expensive music clips sold in the music stores to hold our music on the music stand or to hold the book open on the piano. Debbie Ludwig - Papua New Guinea
PUT PLASTIC IN THE CAN (2.05)
I've found a couple of great uses for all of those plastic grocery bags that I've accumulated.
1) Use them to line small waste baskets. It makes them very easy to empty.
2) Use them to collect "garbage" when cooking or baking. Place egg shells, wrappers, discarded fat, etc, in the bag while cooking, tie closed and toss in the trash. Jennifer Dahl - Bayard, IA
Economisers' Note: Many kitchen scraps such as egg shells and veggie trimmings can be added to a compost pile.
RECYCLED HANDLES (1.05)
Twice I have visited an appliance recycling center and obtained excellent material to replace refrigerator door handles. With only a screwdriver, a hack saw and a drill I now have handles much better than the originals. Of course accurate measurements and a tape measure are essential.
Our county puts old appliances in a central location where the public is welcome to remove any unit or part free of charge. There is a wealth of material available with very little work--chrome bars and knobs, stainless steel bolts and screws, even wire racks which I think are much preferable to the glass shelves manufacturers seem to think the public wants. Jean Fountain - Iowa City, IA
BLEND YOUR CRUMMY CRUSTS I save the crusts and end pieces of my loaves of bread in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator. When it’s full, I make my own bread crumbs in the food processor. I add whatever spices I want, such as Italian seasoning. Then I use these bread crumbs to coat chicken and my family loves it. They are much more flavorful than the canned bread crumbs and way less expensive. Sue Lankford – Scottsdale, AZ
MEAT BALLS ARE IN THE BAG My goal is to double and freeze one meal on my menu per week. I can take 5 lbs. of ground meat, make one meatloaf for dinner, prepare a second meatloaf to freeze, and use the rest of the meat for meatballs. I freeze the meatballs on a tray overnight (covered with wax paper) and then pop them in a bread bag in the morning. They freeze well, but I don’t like to put raw meat into my zipper bags. That’s why I use an old bread bag to put the meatballs in first, according to family portions and company portions. Then I put them into the zippered bag to store in the freezer. The meatballs are versatile, because you can cook them with a BBQ sauce, Sweet and Sour sauce, or use them with spaghetti. Debbie Bottom – Cortland, N
PLUGGED IN Since I’m a senior and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be, I’ve been having trouble inserting these newer polarized plugs into outlets. They can only go in one way because of the larger prong on one side. I have marked the top of the plug with a line of nail polish. If I can see the polish, I know the plug is going to go in. (Mom) Carol Meola - Scottsdale, AZ
IT MAKES SCENTS For those that are sensitive to potpourri here is a recipe that I was given. It works great for removing odors — particularly fish— or for making your house smell like you have been baking!
• 1 – 3 Cinnamon sticks
• Water in a small pan
Begin by boiling the water and cinnamon sticks on top of the stove. Then simmer for as long as you like. I leave mine on the stove and reuse for days by just adding more water as needed. Tina Chester – San Bruno, CA HOT STUFF FOR BBQ I use old Hot Sparks to light my bar-b-que. After the butane runs out the spark will light a gas bar-b-que as long as you turn on the gas. It works great. I've been doing this for at least 5 years. The Hot Spark has a magneto inside that will never wear out. Dad – Syl Meola, Scottsdale, AZ
HOME GROWN Yogurt is cool and refreshing and healthy! And even better you can make it yourself for a fraction what it costs in the store. You will need:
Yogurt starter (I have used everything from Plain Mountain High or Dannon Commercial Yogurt from the regular grocery store to Natren's Live Cultures from the health food store).
Milk – We think whole milk makes the best and most creamy yogurt, but I have made it from 1% and 2% also.
A wide-mouthed thermos or plastic insulated cooler jug.
A heavy saucepan a little bigger than the thermos or cooler jug.
Pour milk into the cooler jug to within 1" from the top – This is to measure how much will fit into your jug. Then pour the milk into the saucepan.
Put 2 - 4 tablespoons of yogurt – or the appropriate starter – in the cooler jug to come to room temperature while you prepare the rest.
Heat the milk in the saucepan on a medium level until the milk is very near to boiling, but not yet rolling – about 180 degrees. Watch closely, you do not want it to boil.
When this level is reached, turn off the burner and allow the milk to cool until you can hold your finger in it – about 120 degrees. The more gradually it cools, the creamier it will be.
Pour about one cupful of the warm milk into the cooler jug with the starter and stir gently. Gradually add the rest of the milk stirring as you go.
Put the lid on the cooler jug and set it in a warm place like on top of the stove if you are baking bread or cooking other things or near a warm window. Leave it undisturbed for 12 - 24 hours.
If it is thick and formed when you check it, then refrigerate. If it has not yet thickened to your liking, leave it a while longer to continue to set-up.
Just make sure your family doesn't finish the bowlful off before you take out 2 - 4 tablespoons of your homemade yogurt for your next batch starter!
We have a big family, so I usually make a gallon at a time in two 2-quart cooler jugs. Ruth Ann Irvine – Scottsdale, AZ
CUTTING MATS FOR FREE Salvage clean plastic / waxed paper bags from cereal boxes when they are empty. Great for using as a disposable cutting mat for chopping veggies etc. and easy to discard. Beverly Maynard - Mesa, AZ
CAN THE TRASH BAGS Save time by storing a roll of plastic kitchen trash bags in your garbage can under the trash bag that is currently being used. When the bag is full, take it out and tie it up. Then just reach down into the plastic can and take out your next bag. No wandering around the house looking for trash bags. Keep an air freshner down there with your roll of bags and even your trash will smell better. Peter Meola - New River, AZ
1 CHICKEN – 3 MEALS Get 3 meals out of 1 chicken.
- Boil or Roast a large chicken – include onions, celery and other spices.
- De-bone and de-skin the chicken.
- Divide the meat into two piles.
- Meal #1 – Chicken Salad Sandwiches.
- Meal #2 – Use the second pile for Chicken Stir Fry or Chicken Stew.
- Meal #3 – Put the bones, with a little meat still on them, in a pot of water. Add onion, celery, carrot and other veggies you have handy. Throw in rice or pasta and you have Chicken soup or broth.
You may find different ways to stretch the usefulness of a chicken, but the key is to think and plan and waste not. Don’t be chicken! RuthAnn Irvine – Scottsdale, AZ
BAG SOME SAVINGS Wash out your plastic zip lock bags and use them over and over again instead of throwing them away after using them only once. They last a really long time. Sandy Linden – Phoenix, AZ
NO-STICK SPAGHETTI? Add a tablespoon of cooking oil or margarine to the water you cook spaghetti or noodles in. The water won't be so eager to boil over and the noodles won't stick together. Mom - Carol Meola – Scottsdale, AZ
INKY DEALS (7.09)
I just got a great deal on injet cartridges! I went to PrintCountry.com. They had a sale . . . buy 2 get 1 free. Plus if you ordered more than 4 you got an additional discount. I ordered compatible cartridges for my printer. Shipping and handling was only $4.95. I ordered 8 cartridges, got 4 more for free, for a total of 12 cartridges. The cost per cartridge ended up being $2.71. I love a deal! Lyn Haberstock — Phoenix, AZ
DRAFT YOUR PRINTER (1.09)
One simple thing that helped my husband and me to save on printer cartridges through graduate school was to adjust the default printer setting to Draft. Most of what we print is for ourselves and Draft quality is just fine. If we are printing out something for someone else we simply put it on Normal or Best. Michelle Stoneman — Lincoln, NE
HOT IDEA FOR A COOL LAPTOP (11.07)
We regularly used our laptop computer on the dining room table. But I was concerned that there wasn't enough airspace between the tablecloth and the fans on the bottom of the computer to keep it from overheating. Most of the stands I found for my 17-inch computer cost more than 25 dollars. One day I noticed an unused, 12 by 15 inch cooling rack in the kitchen closet. The laptop fit perfectly on its new "stand." It looks like it was made for it. It rises a 1/4" off the table, provides more than enough circulation and I can even feed the wires under the computer. These cooling racks come in a large variety of sizes and heights, so it's easy to find one perfect for your laptop's dimensions. You can pick one up at a discount store for around five dollars. Jim - CA
MESSY INK SAVINGS (5.07)
I have been refilling my ink cartridges for several years with a refill kit I picked up at a discount store. It's a messy job and every time I do it, I mutter, "When this stuff is gone, I'm not doing this again." Plus, the color ink is not compatible with our printer, so my kids complain about the colors not being right when they make cards or try to print pictures. I was ready to bite the bullet and buy it at the store again. But based on your article about office supplies, I went shopping on the internet. I found a company called PrintCountry.com and purchased refill cartridges for our Canon printer for $4.65 each or if I ordered 4 or more they were discounted another $1.10. If I ordered $45 worth of products, I got free shipping, so . . . I ordered one of each color to make sure it is compatible and the rest black to total enough for free shipping. I bought 12 cartridges arriving for $45.60! Wow! Lyn Haberstock - Phoenix, AZ
JUST ASK!(1.07)
Your November / December 2006 newsletter was very helpful, as usual. However, there was one search engine that you failed to mention: Ask.com. I've used it many times and it has a lot of features not found in the other search sites. Uncle Tony Meola - Mauldin, SC
TWO DOOR FILE? We needed to set up a work / school area in one of our older girl's rooms. We didn't have a desk, but we did have an old door and an idea. We set out to find a couple of two-drawer filing cabinets at garage sales or in the newspaper. It took a couple weeks, but we soon found a couple filing cabinets at a good price. We set them up with enough space between them so a chair could slide in, put the door on top and we were in business. RuthAnn Irvine - Scottsdale, AZ
THE END FOR PAPER CLIPS (1.05) This is a tip for finding the end on a roll of masking tape or packaging tape. As you cut off the last piece, put a paper clip under the edge so it won't stick back down on the roll. The next time you need to use the tape, just lift up the paper clip and the edge or end of the tape will be easily found. No more wasting time hunting for the beginning of the roll. Julie Hayman - Phoenix, AZ
AOL IS AOK! I just switched my internet service to a highspeed cable provider and called AOL to drop their service. The AOL phone rep offered to reduce my monthly fee from $24.95 to $9. I turned him down. Then the he offered to reduce it to $5 per month, I considered it, but again declined. Sounds funny doesn't it, I thought I was bartering at a flea market. Well, they made one final offer - $2.95 per month. I took the deal and now have high speed internet with all the AOL areas I love and it’s AOK. Kelly Crum – Phoenix, AZ
CHEAPER TECHNOLOGY BUYS My husband and I never buy new technology. We wait a few years for the glitches to be worked out, the size to decrease, and the price to go down. Then we buy on sale. Never pay full price for anything! Steven & Chrissy - Phoenix, AZ
WHITE BOARD MAGIC If someone uses permanent marker on a white board don't try to remove it with solvent. Just write over it with a dry erase marker and then erase both. I learned this trick while working in the hospitality industry. Previously, we would try to scrub off the permanent marker which resulted in a dulled and scratched white board - it would look tacky and eventually was discarded. This method leaves the white board in perfect condition and is much easier. Bart Good - Phoenix, AZ
The Frugal American Housewife
Is also available inexpensively at Amazon.com
PAPER SAVINGS
FREE TIPS FROM THE PAST (1.08) Gutenberg.org has hundreds of thousands of eBooks available for free. One of my favorites is called, The American Frugal Housewife. The American Frugal Housewife, written in 1832 by Lydia Marie Child. It’s history and frugality mixed into one. Some people like it more than the Tightwad Gazette books. It covers topics ranging from what to use scraps of cloth for, to how to cook every kind of meat imaginable. The amazing thing is that much of what she writes about can be applied today. Angel Ayala — Palm Springs, CA
FREE POST CARDS
I have five great-grandchildren whom I stay in touch with by sending post cards. I never purchase the post cards, instead I make them out of photos, the fronts of cut off greeting cards, cut out cereal box graphics or any kind of interesting boxes. Last week I sent out a postcard to the five year-old made out of an ice cream cone box - she loved it! And for postage . . . I save my cans, take them to a recycling company and then use that money for stamps. Billie Williams- Lewisville, TX
RAGS TO INCREASE RICHES Here is a way we save money around the house. We consider paper towels a luxury, so to save money and clean up spills, I use lots of rags and just rewash them. Emily W. – Pocatello, ID
MOVING STATIONERY When a place you work for changes addresses latch on to all the old envelopes and stationery (if they are going to toss it out). Randolph Richardson-Southbury, CT
PADS OF SCRAPS I save junk mail and used copier paper and make scrap pads out of them. I cut them down to 5.5" x 8.5" and use a large spring paper clip, clipped to a piece of cardboard to make a pad. I keep one by each phone. It's cheap and easy. Dad - Syl Meola - Scottsdale, AZ
Economisers' Note: We also save 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper from the mail that are blank on the back and store them on clip boards. They are used, as needed, for printing computer emails or for making lists around the house.
ENVELOPES MARK THE SPOT To mark pages in books, don't fold down the corners - it hurts the book. Cut a large corner off of a used envelope and slip it over the corner of the page you want to mark. Mom - Carol Meola - Scottsdale, AZ
LONG DISTANCE PAPER SAVER We use computer paper twice and put it in the printer upside down and print on the unused side. Debbie Ludwig - Papua New Guinea
SCRATCH PADS FROM JUNK ADS. I use the backs of all the blank advertising mailings for my scratch paper and grocery lists. You can even put together a pad by dipping ends in white glue or using a glue gun. Also an old refrigerator advertising magnet can be combined with some cardboard to make a pad to hang on the refrigerator. Lyn Haberstock - Phoenix, AZ
Cat Tree for a Little Scratch (1.07)
There is a lot of new home construction in our area. My husband and I rummaged through the construction trash bins in our area one day and gathered all the good discarded plywood, drywall, lumber, and carpet pieces we could find to build our own cat tree for our two cats. The retail price for medium sized cat trees is around $100 to $200. In our case, we were able to make our tree as big as we wanted for free. The only thing we paid for was rope to wrap around some of the legs of the tree, and a few nails. All of the other materials else came from the trash bins. If you don't want to purchase rope, simply turn the carpet pieces inside out and staple it to the legs. We found that our cats love to scratch the back side of the carpet more than the carpet itself. Take a few precautions when digging for deals, like being extra careful of nails sticking out from boards and only taking things from bins or trash piles and not new construction material that may be stacked nearby. We also avoid rummaging during working hours or on the weekends. It's a very inexpensive way to provide a play area for your pet. F.T.-Tucson, AZ
Pet Rx Price Match (9.06)
To save money on our pets' health care costs, we search web sites for the medication they are prescribed. Banfield, the national pet hospital chain (and possibly other vets) offers a price match with a printout (including price of the medication with the shipping charge). For one particular medication we needed, the vet was charging close to $1.00 a pill. We found the same medication listed on www.drsfostersmith.com (they have the best prices we've seen) for $.50 per pill and the vet matched the price, with no questions asked! Kelli Tracey-O'Fallon, IL
HAPPY THRIFTY GERBILS (5.06)
Gerbils are desert animals and love sand. I bought some Critter Bath sand from the pet store. It cost about $6.00 for 15 oz. I calculated that I was paying $12.00 per month for bath sand - way too expensive.
Then I read an article that said children's play sand is just as good for gerbils. So, I went to Home Depot and bought a 50 lb. bag of Play Sand for $2.95!!! That's enough sand for a whole year! I put 2 cups of sand in a shallow bowl and left it in their aquarium. They loved it! They dig in it, roll in it, use it as a bath and litter box.
I also save by collecting toilet paper roll tubes at work. Gerbils love to chew on cardboard and run in little tubes. I put a small collection box for cardboard tubes, with a picture of my gerbils, at the office. The janitor has been very helpful leaving up to 20 tubes a week at my desk. Everyone thinks the gerbils are cute and some co-workers have even brought rolls from home.
For people thinking about getting gerbils - be aware that they are chewers and gnawers. When buying them a place to live, skip over the wire cages and fancy colorful plastic homes. They will get destroyed! Always put gerbils in glass aquariums or terrariums. They last much longer and are a better investment. Liz Swafford - Tunnel Hill, GA
FOSTERING PETS (4.05)
Here's a great idea if you love having a pet but can't afford one - shots, vet appointments, food, etc. Become a pet foster parent. I mentioned the idea to my mom, and she fostered 2 dogs and got reimbursed for the vet visits. This is a great and affordable option for responsible pet owners. My mom and I live in Delaware so we fostered through Faithful Friends (www.faithfulfriends.us) but I'm sure no matter what state someone lives in, there are places that allow a person to be a pet foster parent. The only downside; you will miss the animal once it's placed in a home. My mom confessed to crying once the dogs were gone, but we are happy that they now have a permanent place to call home. Layla H., Wilmington, DE
PET MEDS ON THE NET I have three dogs and live in Florida. They must be on heart worm meds and flea protection here. It is a necessity. But the meds are so expensive that I have a hard time purchasing them from my vet. I started ordering over the internet and the savings were tremendous. When my vet realized that he was losing business from so many people ordering the same medicine he was selling he began to match prices. Now I just print out a price list from my internet site (I use Petshed.com) and take it to the vet and they match the prices. That way he keeps my business and I keep my savings. Nancy Burns - Gainesville, FL
LOTS OF PETS? SHOTS OF SAVINGS. You can save a lot of money if you learn to give your pet shots. A friend of mine was taught to do this properly by vet’s assistant. Now, she saves nearly 130 dollars every month, just by doing it herself. Mary Goldsmith — Appleton, WI
Economisers' Note: Wow, she must have several pets!
NO MORE DOGGIE BREATH Our dog is staying healthy with some very easy additions to her dog food. It does take a minute or two, and the greens (well-chopped parsley, kale, alfalfa sprouts, lettuces) keep doggie’s breath fresh, too! If digestion is a problem, plunk the chopped green stuff into half a cup of water & microwave it for a minute or two, to cook it just lightly. Then stir in some high quality protein-leftovers, or a spoonful of cottage cheese or an egg — again, cooked — and mix it all into their food. If you get one of the brands that includes the fatty acids for healthy coat, Fido’s fur will look really outstanding. Your pet gets a varied menu, a tastier dinner, and a substantially improved nutritional mix-and you have the relief of knowing you’re feeding your dog very well indeed. Elizabeth Hardisty – Mercer Island, WA
PET BOTTLES Our English bulldog, Jake, loves to play with toys that make lots of noise. We’ve found that smaller empty plastic soda bottles make excellent toys. They give him quite a work out, because they slide across the floor and are difficult to grab. And, when your pet is finished playing with them they can still be recycled. Judi Benson – Wolcott, CT
PET BOXERS Pet toys are expensive so we use cardboard boxes! Our lab loves cardboard, the thicker the better because it “crunches.” Of course it looks like a box exploded in our house. We also use old mis-matched socks tied into knots for them to play with. Pamela T. – Yuma, AZ
GRATEFULLY DEBT FREE (3.07)
We have all of your newsletters and refer to them regularly. We are so grateful for your help in bringing us to the place of becoming debt free so many years ago. We tell people that outside of our salvation, marriage and children, being debt-free is the best thing that ever happened to us. As a result, we are always encouraging those we live with here and back in the states to do the same!
Art & Lisa - San Lucas, Guatemala
Fears Flee From Frugality (1.07)
My hubby was downsized out of his job of twelve years. This could really sink a family financially, but we have no fear since we're debt-free except for the mortgage and have saved up an emergency fund of six to nine months of living expenses. We could be fine for anywhere from nine to twelve months (and that includes our sons tuition payments). He has two years of college remaining. Remind those out there just starting on the journey that frugality pays off. Bonnie Curtis-Lakeville, MA
SOCIALIZING HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT (6.05)
If you're retired and don't see your former co-workers enough, here's an idea. My former office-mates love to read all of my magazines after I'm finished with them. We get together to have lunch every two or three months, and when I leave the office, their recyclable cans and bottles go with me - they don't have recycling pick-up at the office. The end result is that they get my magazines, I get to socialize with my friends and I also help keep the environment cleaner. Kathy Copeland - Seattle, WA
FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION People of any age can receive free help preparing their taxes through the AARP Tax Aide Service. I have been a volunteer for a number of years and find it very rewarding.
Here are some details. It is a free service supported by over 30,000 volunteers across the country. It is available to people of all ages with middle and low income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. We prepare tax returns and answer tax questions. To find one of the 10,000 locations near your home, call 1-888-227-7669. AARP Tax-Aide sites are located in places convenient for taxpayers to get to, such as senior centers, libraries and malls. We can also visit taxpayers in their homes, if they are physically unable to visit a site.
This program is available from February 1-April 15 each year. For more information visit the website - www.aarp.org/taxaide Dad – A.J. Economides – Hinsdale, IL
TIRING RETIREMENT We live in a retirement community and the amount of activities are overwhelming – emotionally and financially. The pressure to participate is constant. Resist it. We've come to realize that we don't have to take part in all the activities. Ask yourself, "Am I living beyond my means financially," and "Am I allowing time for family and community service." Sally - Gilbert, AZ
COMPONENT COMPATIBILITY (5.09)
If you purchase electronics and want to purchase an additional accessory later on, take the owner’s manual(s) with you to the store so the salesperson will know exactly what you’re working with. This is especially helpful if you go to a dif Jennifer Dahl — Bayard, IA
FREE FREE FREE (3.09)
I have been very, very frugal for over 9 years. Even though I have been disabled for several years, I want to help provide for our household — it makes me feel useful. So I started searching the internet for free things. The more I searched, the more I found. I decided to help others to get free stuff too, so I started a YahooGroup for freebie links. I have not had to buy the following things for almost 10 years: Shampoo /conditioner, deodorant and razors (I have a huge supply of all of these); feminine products; handheld battery operated fans; lotions (body, foot, and facial); diabetic meters (several different brands); laundry detergent; pledge wipes; journals with pens; t-shirts, magazines; books; greeting cards (holiday, birthday, anniversary, etc); Christmas ornaments; candles; American Indian blanket; wooden basket; panty-hose; underwear; pens; erasers; snacks; Wal-mart gift card; CVS gift card; L.E.D. flashlight; perfume; makeup; body spray: calendars; crafts supplies; yarn (lots of skeins); Audio CDs; Movies (DVDs and VHS); photo albums; candy; vitamins; food; toilet paper and a lot more.
If I took a picture of everything that I’ve gotten for free it would cover my entire living room floor and go into the hallway! Darcy Miller — Walkerton, IN
RESALE DEALS AND STEALS (8.08) I know many people shop at thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army but sometimes you can find one that is run by volunteers and the prices are much cheaper. The local Lion's Club in our area runs a thrift store called the "Lions Den Resale Shop". The building is donated and the store is run by senior citizens who volunteer their time. Jeans cost only $1; shorts and tops are 50 cents; winter coats and jackets run from $1 to $3; Dresses are $1; purses are usually 25 to50 cents; Shoes are $1 for adults while kids’ shoes 50 cents and kids’ clothing goes for 25 cents to 50 cents. As you can see, everything is dirt cheap! I buy things at the Lions Den cheaper than at garage sales. All of the money from the store goes into the community to support local charities, so it’s a win-win situation. Most people can't believe I get my clothes for so inexpensively. Another great way to get deals is when a church has a rummage sale — usually on the last day they’ll have really great discounts like, $2 for a bag of clothing or fill a bag with anything for a fixed price. Darlene Appling — Temperance, MI
I’M NOT EMBARRASSED (6.08)
We were out shopping for back to school clothes when I decided to pop into a local thrift store. My son was not pleased, but went along with his crazy mom! Well, lo and behold there was a pair of jeans just my son’s size! I convinced him to try them on and they fit perfectly. Best of all, they were only 3 dollars! When we went to pay for them I discovered they wouldn’t accept checks. So I dug around in my purse for 3 dollars in change. The last dollar was in pennies ╤He-He — the cashier didn’t mind and neither did I, but my son could of died from embarrassment! Helen McMillen — USA
SAVING MY CONSCIENCE (5.08)
Sometimes the desire to save money and the desire to do the right thing collide. We’ve started shopping for groceries monthly. Should I shop at Walmart (20 miles away) or at the store in the small town near home (9 miles away)? Of course, groceries are more expensive at the small store, but the owner has said the store can’t survive if people just stop by to pick up the occasional item. Is saving money more important than supporting the local economy? I think I’ve answered my own question. I’m going to shop at the local store on the day they give a 10% discount to seniors. That way I can save money AND not feel guilty doing so. Janice Schaeffer—Ozawkie, Kansas (pop.500)
Economisers’ Note: Good for you Janice. Money shouldn’t always be our bottom line.
CLEARANCE DEALS ONLINE (3.08)
My kids are 7-and 9-years-old and are growing like weeds and I have recently lost a lot of weight. I am the cheapest woman alive when it comes to clothes and I've found great ways to get unbelievable deals. I do most of my shopping online. I go to the more popular web sites like Penny's, Kohl's or Old Navy (search for bargains). I only shop at places where I can return items I don't like to a nearby store and not have to ship them back. I go straight to the clearance section of the web site, I view each category in order of price from lowest to highest and only look at items between $1 to $8. I mostly shop for then next season or next year. Then when I'm ready to check out, I go to a web site like www.CouponMountain.com, www.CurrentCodes.com or www.DealLocker.Com and get codes for free shipping and an extra 10-40% off the entire order. Recently I bought 19 items, from shirts for my husband and son, to capris for me, and I paid an average of $5 per item, brand new! Michele Good - Texas
BOOK SWAP ON THE WEB (3.08)
Since my daughters home school their 5 kids, sometimes it can get pretty expensive to find the books they need. We found the web site www.PaperBackSwap.com and have been getting most of the books we need for free. It doesn't cost anything to sign up and you can list books you no longer want, and request books you need from others. It's saved us lots of money since the whole family enjoys reading! Also, you can get book credits for referring people - so if you decide to try it out PLEASE say that "cowboyfan" referred you so I can get more credits to use for more kids' books! They also have a similar site called www.SwapAcd.com for music.
Connie Hollis - Sherman, TX
HIGH END STORE – LOW END PRICE (1.08)
We shop at Dillard’s Department store frequently. They have some awesome end of the season sales— such as clothes for 99 cents, domestics 75 to 90 percent off and expensive decorator items for 99 cents. We regularly find expensive items for next-to-nothing. These deals make Christmas shopping a lot cheaper. Many of the high-end stores have great sales like these. Get to know the salespeople and they will let you know when you can expect the really big discounts and sales. Olivia — USA
BLACK FRIDAY WEB SITES (11.07)
The Friday after Thanksgiving will be the busiest shopping day of the year. Deals abound, so it helps to have a strategy for your shopping. Start making your list now! Several web sites post sneak peeks of advertising circulars starting in October. Check them out here:
These sites get their information from secret sources, so each will have different information. Happy saving! Loraine Perkins - Mesa, AZ
ONE DOLLAR CALENDARS (11.07)
Calendar prices are outrageous! I know that I can get them for free from various businesses, but these aren't the kind of calendars I can give as gifts. The other day, I was at Michaels Craft Store and found a wide variety of very nice 2008 calendars for just one dollar each. This was their regular price -and they carry these every year. I even found a calendar that is set up so that when the month is done, you tear off the photo and it becomes a postcard - what a great reminder to send someone a note. Kaeli Evans - Rose Hill, KS
PERKS FROM WORK (9.07)
Consider working part- or full-time at a place that offers employee discounts on services or products that eat into your budget? I work 20 hours a week for an animal hospital. Not only do I earn some extra cash, but I receive discounts on all services, products, etc. for our three dogs. My mom is considering working part time at a home improvement store in order to cash in on product discounts and closeouts. This idea has saved us lots of money. Kelli Tracey - Mascoutah, IL
SALUTE THE DISCOUNT! (9.07) I was in the military for several years and one thing that military people should always ask is "Do you offer a military discount?" Many companies and stores offer these types of discounts, but you have to ask. Also we always took advantage of shopping at the military commissary and the exchange retail store. Laura L. - Houston, TX
JUST ASK FOR YARD SALE DEALS (7.07)
Yard sales can be a virtual treasure trove of good usable stuff. Over the years we've managed to save a bundle at them not only for our use, but for Christmas and birthday gifts as well. You'd be surprised at how many things you find still new in packages. I always bring a list of things I need with me, and I always look for items that look nice and would make good basic gifts for birthdays and other occasions. I've been able to spend an average of $30 per year on Christmas gifts for all of my three young children, and each year they have an amazing spread. Also, if there's something on your list that isn't displayed, go ahead and ask. My husband and I were hunting for guitars once and got a great deal on one that the sellers simply hadn't thought of putting out. Someone else at the sale overheard us and we got a second guitar from them at an even better price. I've gotten a lot of things that I've needed and saved a lot of time simply by bringing a list and asking. Verena Poole - Englewood, CO
Barter, It's Smarter! (1.07)
I am surprised I haven't seen a tip on your web site about bartering. I've found it to be a terrific way to save money. I make quilts (crib size to king size) and am always looking for ways to use my quilting as a bartering tool. Recently I placed an ad on a local free web site offering to barter a quilt for someone laying flooring in our RV. I received replies from several interested people. I have bartered quilts for massages and other things our family might need. It works great. You could even barter kids school uniforms-someone willing to trade size 6 uniform pants (4 pair) in great shape for several size 8 shirts, etc. Bartering is a terrific tool. Jean Kester-Tolleson, AZ
Books By The Bag (7.06)
Here's my low-cost way to buy books: Several times each year our local library holds weekend book sales. The second day of the sale is "Bag Day," when I can get a grocery bag full of books for anywhere from $2 to $3. After selecting the books I'm interested in, I usually have room left in the bag. I then choose enough other good-condition paperback books with higher cover prices to fill in the sack. Then I take these and any other paperbacks I no longer want to a paperback exchange store. At this store, I get credit based on the cover price, which I can then use to buy other books I want from that store. Jana Oyler-Santa Fe, NM
Shady Garage Sale Deals (7.06)
You never know what someone wants to dispose of. Just recently I took just a short time and went to about ten garage sales, driving less than eight miles (gasoline is expensive, you know). My main purchases were; 1) a brass floor lamp in perfect condition (the shade was in the original wrapper) for two dollars; 2) a window shade with a small fringe and a 10 year guarantee (in original wrapper) for one dollar; and 3) ten books (not cheap paper back novels) for a total of $7.50. I have a library of about 900 books so have a good estimate of prices for different types of books. The books I bought were probably in the range of $12.98 to $29.98 each. I considered my day a success. If you've never tried this type of entertainment, I would definitely recommend it-I always meet the nicest people. Praying for guidance before starting out is a definite plus. L. Jewell Smith-Peoria, AZ
SOLD! To the Thrifty Shopper (7.06)
I have several antique furniture pieces that I bought at a wholesale antique furniture auction on New Year's day a couple of years ago. Most of the people that were there buying furniture were retail shop owners with tax I.D's. Because these shop owners are in the business of making a profit, I was able to get the furniture pieces I wanted by bidding just a little bit more than they would. I still paid a lot less than the same pieces would have cost retail. Also, I like buying antiques because they hold their value. In some instances they can appreciate. If you do your research, paying a little more for antiques, over new trendy store bought furniture, can be a wise investment over time. Jennifer Stancil-Kennesaw, GA
RECEIPTS — CHECK 'EM AND SAVE (5.06)
I carefully check my receipts before I leave the store. In the last six trips, I've found errors on four occasions. This meant that I received the mis-charged item for free. Ann Nieser, Pittsburgh, PA
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS (1.06)
There are always ways to save money if you are creative and you keep your eyes open. Here are a few of my favorites:
1) Never grocery shop with children.
2) Always buy used cars.
3) Get a hobby that is fun AND pays money - I'm a Justice of the Peace.
4) Always negotiate the purchase price.
5) Use coupons when grocery shopping, especially if you can't stand the store brand.
6) Use your library card for museum passes (this works in our area). Kate Sheehan - Nashua, NH
CALENDAR COST CUTTING (11.05)
I receive several free calendars each year from various organizations I am affiliated with. If I ever need to buy a calendar, I'll go to the dollar store and buy one for $1 rather than paying full price at a regular retail store. Evelyn Halverson - Colorado Springs, CO
BOOKS AND MORE FOR LESS (11.05)
A great, inexpensive Christmas gift is a Christmas music CD. I always look for after Christmas markdown sales, but as that is not much help right now I will share my favorite Web site for Christmas music CD's - Christian Book Distributors, www.cbd.com or you can order a free catalog by calling 1.800.247.4784. They sell more than books and their prices are really great!
Even with shipping these CD's to myself, the cost is under $10 per gift. You can easily find Christmas music CD's for around $3 at this site. They are brand new CDs and range from classical music to modern. One great gift example is "We Need A Little Christmas" by Andy Williams on CD for $1.99. They even had some cassettes as low as 29 cents! Vickie Jahaske - Sahuarita, AZ
MILDEW KILLER (11.05)
I purchased an old cookbook I wanted for my cookbook collection - the book smelled of mildew but only cost $1. I placed several dryer sheets between pages (about 6) and then enclosed the book in a freezer bag with a few extra sheets on the outside of the book. I forgot about it for 6 weeks. When I opened up the freezer bag and took out the book I was pleasantly surprised - there was absolutely no mildew smell at all! Ann Nieser - Pittsburgh, PA
THE DECEMBER 26 LIST (11.05) To help save money, I shop year-round for Christmas gifts but there are certain stores that I do not miss the day after Christmas for their sales. On Christmas, I make a list of who I need to shop for the following year for all gifts . . . birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, special occasions, etc. When I get up early on the 26th, I go to Hallmark and Kohl's (department store) with my list in hand. I have been known to buy Yankee Candle Items at 50-75% off which come to between $5-8.00 and make lovely teacher or Sunday school teacher gifts the following Christmas. I also stock up on cards, wrapping paper, and my sister-in-law's holiday china pattern for the next year as well. These are all items that will keep in the basement. Connie Fitler - Marlton, NJ
DEAL A GO GO (9.05) I can't say enough good things about this website www.dealagogo.com. Members post great deals under corresponding stores (many categories to choose from). They will tell you when there is a great deal at a store, as well as whether or not there are coupons in circulation that will make the deal even sweeter. I use this list as my "Refunder's Bible" to buy things cheaply/free to add to my stockpile for future use. I also often donate items to the needy. This website is free to join. If you don't have a computer, you can check either your local library or your college library to see if they have Internet access. Debra Oehlbert — Aiken, SC
SALE TRACKER (9.05)
I keep a 12 month calendar in a 3 ring binder. Regularly I make notes of sales with dates and other finds I come across. After the first year of doing this, I started my second calendar. Now, each month I look back at the previous year in anticipation of what sales should be coming up each month. This gives me a good idea of when to shop for certain items or at certain stores. Jennifer Gramza - Norfolk, VA
TARGET SAVINGS WITH RAIN CHECKS (6.05)
Here are a couple of tips for smarter shopping at Target. Target offers rain checks for most items that go on sale, whether the item is sold out at the moment or not. They allow a substitution of a similar item with the same percentage off as the sale item. We use this to our advantage by obtaining a rain check on an item. Then, we pick out an item that is similar but less expensive and use the discount from the rain check. Keep in mind rain checks do expire. Also, if you purchase something full price (God forbid!) and see that it has now gone on sale, you can take your receipt back to the store and get the difference back if it's been less than 2 weeks since the initial purchase. Audra Roes - Chattanooga, TN
SPEAK UP FOR CASH (2.05) I like to pay with cash instead of using other methods. However, there have been several times when I've run into difficulties at a store or restaurant when paying the cashier. After I've handed them a twenty-dollar bill, they'll forget what I've given them and start making change for a ten! They swear that I only gave them a ten! This is really frustrating. Since it's was my word against theirs, the business always seemed to win. So, I came up with an alternative strategy when paying.
Now when I pay the bill with a twenty, I say OUT LOUD, "And here Sir (or Ma'am) is my Twenty-Dollar-Bill that I'm paying with." I say this loud enough for my wife and usually several others to hear. No more mishaps and everyone stays honest. In all fairness, there are many "quick change" artists that do pay with a ten and insist that it was a twenty, so I can understand the retailers' caution. Curtis Gillespie - Spokane, WA
PADS PREVENT CRISIS SHOPPING (2.05) This is so easy and will cost you almost nothing to do. Just put a notepad and pen in your bathroom toiletries closet and your kitchen pantry, or where ever your family goes to "shop" in your house when they're out of something. If anyone takes the last one of that item, ask them to simply jot it down on the notepad. Once a week I tear off the top sheet, stick it in my purse, and while I'm already out I keep my eye out for good deals on those items. Because of the advanced notice, I usually have plenty of time to find the best price in my travels. No more rushing out to the expensive corner shop for a bottle of shampoo or contact lens solution. This strategy also eliminates wasted time and about $30 worth of other over-priced impulse buys, quickly thrown in the cart, due to being in crisis shopping mode! Gail Loperena - Pleasanton, CA
ONLINE SAVINGS 1, 2, 3 1) Go to the larger department stores to have a demonstration of the product you are researching. Be sure, particularly with computer printers regarding speed and consumable costs.
2) Go home and do a search on the internet for the specific model you tested.
3) Verify the store. I only buy from reputable on-line stores that are located in my country - this way I can phone them first if I have any questions or doubts about their service.
4) Compare prices and you'll find vast differences -as a result you can save much, much more. And, they courier to your door - sometimes at no charge.
I've found savings in excess of 30 percent with a full guarantee. D. Eller – Australia
MORE GREEN AT WALGREENS I go to Walgreens and check out the rebate book and look for anything that says FREE, mostly toothbrushes, hair products, band-aids etc. I buy them, send in the rebate and have them send me a gift card with the rebate amount on it. When that gift card is stock piled with money from free items, I use it each month to purchase more “FREE” rebate items. The beauty of the whole deal is that you get a 10 percent bonus for putting your rebate money on a gift card. This additional amount covers the sales tax, envelope and the 37 cent stamp. It ultimately is free. Jackie – Mesa AZ
ORGANIZED ERRANDS Organize your errand runs so that you aren't going out everyday. And when you do go out make sure that you don't back track and waste gas – especially at today’s prices. Think about taking the most efficient route so you save gas and time. Sandy Linden - Phoenix, AZ
PATIENCE PAYS . . . DIVIDENDS The biggest money saver I've discovered is patience! Know what you want and then wait for it to be on sale. I can't tell you how many times I've saved 50% or more just because I watched and waited. Dianne Guastella – Midlothian, VA
A HUNTING WE WILL GO! Don't shop for recreation - like when you're bored (unfocused) - make it a hunting trip. If you shop without a goal, you will surely find something to spend money on. Marilyn Liu - Phoenix, AZ
BARGAIN BIRTHDAYS I have a card organizer that I use to sort birthday, anniversary cards etc. I make a list of all the occasions for the year and make one to two trips per year to the dollar store where they sell cards 2 for $1. This saves me time, it assures that I have cards ready and on hand, and saves a lot in the way of money spent on cards. Julia Levene – Scottsdale, AZ
BANK ON IT FOR FREE (3.09)
Nationally chartered banks have to give you free checking, that is part of their charter. You can call the bank or just look for a bank with the word “national” in it, and you have free checking. Great for new Girl/Boy Scout troops or eBay accounts where your initial balance may be small! Anita – Clifton Park, NY
Economisers’ Note: The Office of The Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) oversees the operations of National banks (including banks with National, N.A. or National Association in their names). These banks are F.D.I.C insured, but are regulated through the OCC. Visit http://www.occ.treas.gov/ for more information
FRUGALITY HELPS YOU SLEEP (3.09)
I want to let you know how much your book and newsletter have helped my family during this past year. I have had ongoing health issues (surgery, pneumonia, hearing loss and ongoing tendon issues in both feet). I have missed a total of five months of work. As of today, I am still on work disability, but I only have one month of family leave left. My job could be in jeopardy, but because we only owe on our house, I am able to sleep at night. Yes money is tight, but it is do-able. We took your advice in your newsletter to do some caulking, get out more blankets so we could keep our heat between 62 and 65 degrees. With all your other tips, I do believe we will be okay even if I do lose my job. Donna — Dowagiac, MI
FREE 411 CALLS (11.08)
Dialing 411 for directory assistance is like flushing $2 down the toilet every time you do it ? and it adds up. Instead, get any phone number you need for free by using 1-800-FREE-411 (1-800-373-3411) You’ll listen to two short ads, but it’s 100 percent free. You can also get MapQuest.com directions by text for any listing, also free. Jordan Shelton — New York, NY
Editor’s Note:We tried the service and it worked great. The ads were 20 to 30 seconds in length — with one being played right after we were connected and the second just before they gave us the phone number. But more importantly, the information was found quickly and the service worked flawlessly. You have your choice of searching for Government, Business or Residential phone numbers.
CHILL OUT FOR LESS (8.08) I am retired now and every year my utility bills seem to get worse and worse. This is a very simple but effective way that I save money:
I invested in four ceiling fans, (including a professional electricians’ installation) the entire package cost me $650. Next, I bought a 10,000 btu air conditioner window unit and installed it in the largest room of my house (great room). I set the unit at 70 degrees all summer long and it never turns off. I also keep the fans on constantly in the summer. The indoor temperature is always very pleasant and the fans circulate the cool air throughout the house (3000sq. ft.).
I have also purchased a programmable timer for the heat pump in winter and I turn the fans to air flow pointing up to re-circulate the heat in the rooms.
This may seem overly simple, but my electric bill went from an average of $235.00 in 2005 to $98.00 year round today. The original outlay for the fans and electrician was recouped in the first summer's bill three years ago. Also, the central air never runs in the summer and there are almost no maintenance issues. Consumer Reports is a great place to choose the best and cheapest unit and Sears almost gives window units away before winter. T. Tidwell — Louisville, KY
BANK SAVINGS (1.08)
Many banks offer free internet banking and free bill-pay. I pay everything online now. It saves fees for ordering checks and postage. You can also indicate what date you would like to have your bills paid, and the bank guarantees it. You can set it up ahead of time, go on vacation, or simply not have to worry about payments getting where they have to be on a specific date. You can also set up email reminders if you don’t want automatic payments made. It’s a great service. Renee Jourden — Hopewell, VA
Editors’ note: We’ve used free Bill-Pay for years to pay our regular bills and our charitable giving. Each month we save at least one hour of time and about $5 in postage.
SOLAR SHOWER SAVINGS! (5.07)
Living in Arizona, our summers can provide "free" hot water. Our water pipes are on the west side of our house and by late afternoon, when we take our showers, we just turn on the cold water faucet and it's plenty warm. We take solar "sailor" showers from May to October - get wet, turn off the water, soap up, then rinse off. Surprisingly, the free hot water lasts long enough for more than one shower. Julie Hayman- Chandler, AZ
Bundle-Up And Save (9.06) With the cost of oil rising, my husband and I have been looking for ways to keep the cost of heating our house down. The biggest savings we found was keeping our thermostat set at 62 degrees last winter. To stay comfortable we each wore a sweater around the house. We also kept blankets on the backs of our living room furniture for anyone to use if they felt chilly. (Incidentally, we have a 1950's ranch house with baseboard hot water heating, so 62 degrees feels the same as 66 degrees in a multi-level house heated by forced hot air). We were able to save over $1,000 compared to previous years! In our view, it was well worth bundling up this winter. Laurie Smith-Warren, NJ
IS IT DEDUCTIBLE? (1.06)
There are several ways to determine the IRS allowable value of donated items. The Salvation Army has a valuation guide online at http://www.satruck.com/ValueGuide.asp, I personally find it a bit vague, but somewhat useful. I currently use the ItsDeductible software that includes the valuations for thousands of household and clothing items at three different levels of condition. I've been using it for a few years and find the annual $20 cost more than worth in the amount of work I save (and the deduction I get on my taxes!). ItsDeductible can be found online (www.itsdeductible.com) or in retail stores. AnnMarie Johnson - Oshkosh, WI
Economiser Note: There is also a book version of It's Deductible available. Some libraries won't carry it, but we have found it available on eBay and at Barnes and Noble.
CURTAINS WARM ROOMS (1.06)
With winter cold and rising fuel costs, keeping nice and warm in at least one room of the house is very comforting. But if it's the kitchen or family room that you'd most like to have at or over 70 degrees, this can be a problem as often the doorways are open, with no way to close them. We've found that a curtained opening is really a lovely solution. Although it takes a little planning and work to get it in place, it is more than worth it. Just one length of fabric, lightly gathered, will keep the heat in almost as well as a solid door. You can either make your own curtains or buy them pre-made from Penney's or other home furnishing stores. Then install an inexpensive tension rod and you're all set to stay warm and save on your utilities. Elizabeth Hardisty - Mercer Island, WA
CHANGE IN THE WIND (11.05) Do you know that most ceiling fans have a little switch, next to the pull chains, that will reverse the direction that the fan spins? We read about this in literature all the time, but we actually use this feature in the winter when we have our fireplace insert box going. The fan helps move the warmer air down from the ceiling and warms up the entire living room instead of the area just next to the fireplace box insert. It really makes a difference and as a result we burn less wood and run the heat less. Claudia Bouchard - Jewett City, CT
SAVING MORE BY DRYING LESS (9.05) To save on electricity, don't over dry your clothes. In the past I would set my dryer for the longest time - 70 minutes. One day, I noticed that my clothes were dry in just 40 minutes. So, now, I just set the timer for 40 minutes and save 30 minutes of electricity on every load I dry! Tina Marie Morgan - Cumming, GA
Editors' Note:The average clothes drier uses 4,000 watts of electricity per hour. Assuming you are charged 10 cents per kilowatt hour - the cost to run a drier for one hour is 40 cents. By reducing drying time by 30 minutes you are saving about 20 cents with each load of laundry you dry. It may not seem like much, but at 5 loads per week - you'll save 52 dollars per year - that doesn't include what you'll save on cooling costs during the summer.
MY OWN CALLING PLAN (7.05)
We really like T-Mobile's customer service and their pre-paid calling plans. This is who the Economides family uses for cell phone service.
Recently when I got my phone bill I noticed that I had made a lot of long distance calls that I could have made for free on my cell phone, but I just hadn't thought about the call being a toll call at the time. Also many in the family use the house phone for long distance even though we all have a family plan of cell phones. So, I called my landline phone company and asked them to remove the long distance portion of my phone service. They were charging me 7 cents a minute for the "deal" I was on anyway, plus a bunch of taxes and package fees. I then went to Costco and got an MCI calling card which charges me only 2.85 cents per minute for those calls I still want to make from my landline. Gail Loperena - Pleasanton, CA
A COLD CELLAR (4.05)
To save on utilities during the winter I lower my thermostat two degrees at night. One day when I was working in my basement on a project, I noticed that I had 3 heat registers in the overhead ducts designed to heat the basement. Since my excursions to the basement are usually to do laundry, I shut off two of the heater vents. Now most of the heat goes into the upper part of the house. With a heavy sweater or sweatshirt I can work in the basement and be comfortable. Ann Nieser - Pittsburgh, PA
FREE CHECKS - JUST ASK Recently I discovered that our bank was offering free checks. I overheard the promotion being explained to a new customer. They didn't send out a letter to existing customers. I asked and received the same promotion. So, always ask if there are any bonuses that have been added as a thank-you feature. Christy Troehler - Ludlow, KY
CHECK IT OUT — BANK ON IT! One of the things I haven’t seen mentioned in the Back Fence column is ordering checks from one of the many companies that advertise in the Sunday paper. I order the largest amount which often includes a free box of checks. When I do run out, I order from another company, as the best prices are for new customers. This is much less expensive than getting checks from the bank. Mary Ellen Hodgman – Seattle, WA
FOIL COLD WEATHER Bitter cold weather last year had people scurrying about to make their homes airtight. This is especially critical with the cost of heating oil increasing.
Last November, I discovered a leak in my house. I was doing some work by my front door and noticed a large amount of cold air coming in through the mail slot! I never noticed it before. I made a temporary cover out of foil and painters tape. I hinged it so I could raise it out of the way when it was time for the mail to be delivered, and then lowered it down again afterwards. Ann Nieser – Pittsburgh, PA
LIGHTEN DOWN Our bathroom has two light bars that hold five light bulbs a piece. Even with 25 watt bulbs in each socket, that’s 250 watts of light each time we flip them on. We’ve decided to only screw in two bulbs tightly in each bar, and leave the other three bulbs in, but loose, so they don’t light. We save electricity, light bulbs and most importantly, save our eyes from the excessively bright light early in the morning. Beth and Curtis Gillespie – Spokane, WA
KEEP YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM SMILING For people who receive their water through private well and septic systems, it is often not recommended to use harsh chemicals and antibacterial cleansers as this kills the bacteria necessary for the septic systems to continue to operate properly. Save yourself a lot of money (and coupon clipping) by using plain old household vinegar to clean your coffee makers, humidifiers and toilets. Susan Jensen – Council Bluffs, IA
WASH AND WATER YOUR PLANTS I contacted our local plumber to ask if it was within code to route my washing machine rinse water to the back yard to water the grass. He contacted two city offices and confirmed that this practice was within code in our area.
We are sure to have a major savings in our water bill once I convince my husband to do the plumbing job. Denise Yribarren – Mesa, AZ
RE-CORD THE SAVINGS Cord wood for free! I love those words. This spring, a neighbor had a large tree die in his front yard. He called in a landscaping company to cut it down for him. When I saw all the wood in his yard my thoughts turned to the winter and our wood-burning stove. I went and asked if the owner wanted the wood. He said I could take what I wanted. The landscaping company was more than happy to deliver it to my front yard rather than pay the disposal fee at the local dump. It took some work on my part to get it all the size I wanted, but I saved hundreds of dollars. Always be on the look out for free stuff. Rick Schell – Boise, ID
We usually spend hours looking for the best air fare when we travel. But now we're finding deals faster and getting extra discounts too. The name "CheapoAir.com" may not be appealing, but the savings will. Give them a try. We saved $150 per ticket on round trip travel from Phoenix to Orlando.
VACATION
TAPE TIPS (11.08) Before my husband went home to the Lord, we traveled a lot on Amtrak in their sleeper compartments. We discovered that the curtains on the room and door windows never seemed to meet properly. Plus, the curtains were cut too skimpy, always leaving gaps at the middle or sides, even with the Velcro closures most have. We needed privacy for changing clothes, bathing and doing his injections (due to his medical conditions) and needed a solution.
Solution: We carried a large roll of masking tape in our suitcases, and each time we needed to close curtains for privacy, we could tape them together in the middle with several strips of tape, and then also to the metal sides of the window to secure the ends. As soon as privacy was no longer needed, we would remove the tape. It never damaged the curtains or the metal, and was easier and worked better than trying to use pins, which also didn╒t work on the ends. One inexpensive roll of masking tape would last us even if we were on a 30-day train trip. It was lightweight, easy to pack between items in the suitcase, got smaller as we traveled and Amtrak personnel we talked with thought it was a great idea. We╒ve even used masking tape to hold a rattling bathroom door shut at night in our compartment. It could be easily removed if the toilet was needed, and keeping a roll on the sink counter made for quick use. Now that I am traveling on my own, I don╒t need as large a roll of tape, but cost-wise it is a best buy. One large roll will last several trips.
Incidentally, Amtrak is proficient at using duct tape for many repairs while out on the rails. Many cars are older, and since the government doesn╒t give Amtrak funds needed to update these, duct tape has become a big aid. We╒ve ridden in rooms where the sliding door between two rooms will not stay closed. Solution . . . bring on the duct tape which holds the door very securely when used all around the door frame. We frequently laughed in the past, when we would mention a problem, and someone would come into our room to fix IT, holding the standard grey roll of duct tape. Katie Larsen — Fallbrook, CA
LESS FOR DISNEY LODGING (5.08) We’ve been taking a biannual trip to Disneyworld for a number of years. On our first trip, we discovered a great way to save big bucks on lodging. Rent a house! If you Google “Disney vacation homes in Florida,” you’ll find hundreds of matches. Your homework is to wade through all the options and pick a home that best suites your needs and budget. It’s worth the time because you’ll end up with a home away from home that is much less expensive than you think. Many of the homes are luxurious (3 to 7 bedrooms), often including multiple master suites, swimming pools and game room facilities all for a fraction of the price of the most basic Disney resort or hotel. They are located 20 minutes or less from the parks, so you can save hundreds more if you prepare some of your meals in your rental home kitchen. You’ll get even more bang for your buck by dividing up the cost between several families. But it doesn’t really matter how big your group is. After our Orlando rental advice, two friends traveled together and leased a condominium minutes from the park. A combined family of 14 rented two smaller homes side by side to accommodate their group. Because so many investors are competing for your rental dollars, there are newer homes that are just entering the market which offer even more features for your money. And just like the off-season prices at the park, you’ll get even a better deal on your rental. Renting a home for a Disney trip is Orlando’s best kept secret and we love sharing it with other budget-conscious families. Anna & John Oathout — Broken Arrow, OK
FREE VACATION TIME (9.07)
We love to go to timeshare presentations. Recently, we attended one that lasted for 90 minutes. Just for attending, we received a free digital camera and free three-night vacation to Victoria, B.C. We got to choose from 4 different locations and were responsible for paying the room taxes ($50 total). We used this trip for our wedding anniversary! In the past we have gone to timeshare presentations and have received as much as $100!
Just say "No!" to buying one from the developer. If you like the idea of timesharing, you can purchase them resale for a fraction of the cost.
J.R. - Lake Oswego, Oregon
DISNEYWORLD FOR FREE (7.07)
Last year my family and friends (total of 24 people) spend two days in the Magic Kingdom for FREE. We go as extras for the taping of the Disney Christmas Parade so we don't pay for parking or park admission. All we have to do is spend a little time as extras watching the Christmas parade and then we spend the rest of the day playing in the park for FREE. They usually tape the Disney Christmas Parade about three weeks prior to Christmas, so it's off peak and we can get an inexpensive hotel room with a kitchenette or free continental breakfast. Also, we take backpacks into the park with snacks, water and juice boxes to reduce the cost of food. The kids have a blast and the parents enjoy it too because we don't have to go broke to have a nice vacation.
My son does some acting, so we get an email from his Talent Manager, but we can also find out about it on a couple of acting web sites under casting call: www.greenroomorlando.com/CastingCalls.aspx. However, we have to act fast because the slots fill-up quickly. They usually tape the first Friday and Saturday in December and they usually have two sessions per day. We always sign up for the first session on both days so we get more time in the park. We follow the instruction on the email or the web posting. It takes them a week or two to respond with a confirmation and send a copy of the parking and admission passes. I just keep my eyes peeled the weeks around Thanksgiving for the notice to be posted on the acting sites or emailed to me. Jessica - Florida
A Day at the Races (11.06)
My husband and I take 2 vacations each year at the local NASCAR races here in Phoenix. We found several ways to save money. First of all we take our camper (an old Class C we got for $2500 due to the paint job on the outside, it is perfect and works on the inside). We camp in the cheap camping area: $40 for the week versus over $100 for a few days on asphalt. We make out meal plans months in advance and start watching the sales for paper towels, plates, cups, etc. so we can stock up. We pack coolers with drinks and snacks when we go to the races as opposed to paying $3 for a bottle of water. We buy tee-shirts and souvenirs in November (when drivers are changing sponsors so the merchandise is discounted). We buy our groceries and stock the camper ahead of time. For our nightly campfire, we use old construction wood instead of buying logs at the store. We enjoy ourselves every time and save at least $300 just by using these techniques. Jean-Tollison, AZ
Frequent Flyers Plan Ahead (11.06)
A quick tip for anyone wanting to use their frequent flyer miles for free travel-book your trip as far ahead as you can. The travel industry usually lets you book a maximum of 330 days in advance of your trip. Try to book as close to that maximum as you can, as airlines generally have many more frequent flyer miles available than they do actual seats for award travel. Laurie Smith-Warren, New Jersey
Maps for the Asking (3.06) In some states, at rest stops on major highways you can ask for free state maps. They may not have them on the counter, but when we've asked they have always given us one. Christy Troehler - Ludlow, KY
PICKING PAYS FOR VACATIONS (1.06) I'm a stay-at-home mom with two little boys. We live on a very tight budget. But saving money has become a fun game between my husband and me. One way that we "earn" extra money is "Garbage Picking" furniture. We sell what we find at our yearly garage sale and use the proceeds to pay for our vacations. My oldest son has also learned how we save money. He knows that we won't buy luxuries like "Chips Ahoy" cookies unless they are on sale and we have a really good coupon. Cindy Hicks - Grosse Pointe, MI
POST HOLIDAY VACATIONS (11.05)
Here's a great way to save when you are planning a vacation. Schedule your trip for the weekend AFTER a major holiday. The merchants and hotels are always glad to see you and many times prices are lower. Beverly & Howard Clarke - Hollywood, FL
SANDWICHES TO GO (9.05) I laughed when I read your idea of buying a crock pot from a thrift store on your vacation. That's a great idea! When we go on vacation we take one of those sandwich makers. I'm not sure they still have them in the US. They open up and have teflon coated compartments. You put bread on each side and then put a "filling" on the bread. The most obvious filling is cheese for grilled cheese. Then you close the top and once it is cooked, you have a grilled cheese sandwich. Fillings are limited only by your imagination. We've done eggs and cheese for breakfast, apple filling for dessert, tuna melt, ham and cheese or even canned beef stew for a kind of pot pie. The crock pot idea is much better since the whole meal is done when you walk in the door. With these sandwich makers, you have to cook one sandwich at a time, and our kids really like that. We take the sandwich maker in our luggage as it is not that bulky. Debbie Ludwig — Papua New Guinea
FOOD FOR THE LONG HAUL (6.05) When we take car trips, rather than pay for expensive fast foods, we pack up a small cooler with healthy lunch favorites, snacks - fruit, vegetables, cheese, for example -and drinks. Besides easing the stress on the pocketbook, we feel good about what we are putting in our bodies too! Kim Hazelrigg - Kingwood, TX
VERY SMART VACATION VICTUALS (5.05)
Limit eating out to 1 or 2 meals a day by staying in a hotel that offers a decent continental breakfast: cereal & milk, fruit, muffins, pastries, coffee & juice. Don't be afraid to ask for a detailed menu, hours it is served (i.e. 7 am to 9 am) and if it is replenished. Alternatively, stay in a place that has a kitchenette so you can cook some easy meals: Cereal, Toast and Eggs, Chicken Caesar Salad or a Taco Bar. Pack good snacks to nibble when you are out sightseeing, i.e. trail mix, jerky, nuts, dry cereal, canned fruit cups or fresh fruit from local market. Lastly, pack a water bottle like a Platypus or Camelback, without the carrying pouch. Without the pouch, the bottles easily tuck into a smaller space, the water is a little warmer but still wet. Alana Smith - Redmond, WA
SUITCASES SMELL FRESH When I empty my suitcase after returning from a trip, I put two or three fabric softener sheets into it. It always smells fresh the next time I need to use it. Ann Marie Pella – Penn Hills, PA
MAGIC KINGDOM ON A SHOESTRING My husband and I wanted to take our five children to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Coming from Michigan we knew it would be expensive. We went during “off season” and lodged in places where children stayed free. We also had a van that we packed with a cooler filled with drinks, milk and juices and peanut butter and jelly and sandwich fixings. We replenished as we traveled and always added fresh ice at night. We would stop at roadside parks and have lunch. Breakfast was cereal and bagels in our hotel rooms. We did eat out once a day for dinner.
Also as we entered each state we stopped at the tourist information area to pick up coupon books that gave us discounts on attractions, hotels or motels and also restaurants.
Through my husband’s credit union we got discount tickets to Walt Disney World. We also stayed two nights right on the beach at Daytona. The hotel prices were very reasonable – due to off-season rates.
With food, gas, and lodging, we spent less then $100 a day for seven people. The children also saved their money to spend on trinkets, this way they were not begging us to pay for stuff.
I know some people have told us it would have been cheaper to camp. But by going our way, we didn’t have to purchase camping equipment or pull a trailer that would have used more gas. And, we still would have had to pay for campground fees. I also really enjoyed having a clean room, with baths for the kids, and didn’t have to cook or pick up anything for a week. Fran from Michigan
PALLET-ABLE FURNITURE (6.08)
I was shopping for craft items at Michael’s one day. When I left the store, I saw a man in a pickup truck — with a boat behind it — parked next to a big dumpster. I assumed that he was dropping off some trash, but instead, he started pulling out some wooden pallets and throwing them into the back of his boat. Then it hit me, he was going to use the wood for projects or possibly for firewood. Since then, when I see large wood pieces in a dumpster and I can fit them into my car, I take them and make something useful out of them. Just this week I found two good pieces of wood, painted black, which I am repainting to use as shelves in my spare room. The possibilities are endless. I heard of a family who builds picnic tables out of pallets that they have found.
In the past few months, I’ve also found some brand new books and vases. I took the books and donated them to the library “Free” table. I repainted the iron vases to match my decor. I keep my eyes open now, because you never know what gems may be sticking out of a dumpster. Dianne Werthmuller — USA
Free Construction Materials (3.06)
I have gleaned many useful items at my local dump and used them in several small construction projects around my 12-acre place. Our dump has a used paint table where others leave their old paint and stain. If you look carefully, you can often find brand new, unopened cans of paint. I always pick up the enamel paint because it can be stored through our cold winters better than latex paint can. If you really want to be creative, you can use the discarded glass, broken tile or dinnerware as mosaic pieces in concrete work. I've also found copper pipe and lots of metal shelving. I'm currently building a green house out of salvaged glass that I hauled away for free from a local glass shop - I saved them the dump fee. Fencing can often be picked up for free from people who just want it removed. Patti - Newport, WA
QUICK PAINT TRAY CLEAN-UP When painting, put a supermarket plastic bag over the paint tray, then pour in the paint. When you're finished painting you can pour any unused paint back into the can then pull off the plastic bag so that it turns inside out. I've used this method for years and it really shortens cleanup time considerably. Tony Meola - Mauldin, SC
CARPENTRY 101 – TO THE POINT? Old Scotsman Arnie's nail trick. He was a great carpenter and cabinet maker who did a lot of work for our company. When I saw him hitting the point of the nails with the hammer and flattening them a bit, I was very curious. He was putting molding on cabinets and asked me if I saw any of the thin wood splitting. Nary a one . . . highly unusual. The trick was that the flattened point of the nail would tear through the wood fibers instead of spreading them and causing the wood to split. That one tip has saved me oodles and oodles of "split ends". Dad - AJ Economides – Hinsdale, IL
REAL MEN and WOMEN . . . SAVE! Any fool can waste, any fool can muddle, but it takes something of a man to save, and the more he saves, the more of a man does it make of him. Rudyard Kipling
BABY IT'S FREE
SAVINGS BY DEGREE (3.07)
LIGHTS ON / LIGHTS OFF (9.05)
THREE GAS SAVERS (6.05)
(AND FUN)
If you have clothes with crinkly fabric, don't just hang them up like other clothes. Fold them over a wooden hanger - this prevents the fabric from "un-crinkling" and keeps them looking good longer. This same rule applies to sweaters, woolens and knits - folding them in half over a wooden hanger keeps them from getting stretched out of shape or sagging.
CLOTHING CHOICES ARE BLACK AND WHITE (6.05)
hangers, I just take one of those thick rubber bands from a bunch of brocolli or asparagus and wrap one of them around each end of the hanger. It's an easy fix to a frustrating problem.
BSCENE CLOTHING? (4.05)
BRUSH UP ON LINT (3.05)
SHOES SHOES SHOES
SHOE BOX CRAFTS (1.09)
Instead of throwing away the small rectangular magnets that come attached to pizza boxes or in the mail advertising a new business, I cut them into small pieces and use scotch tape to attach them to the back corners of my favorite photos. This avoids taping the photo to a surface and potentially tearing the photo when you need to remove it or ruining both your photo and your wall with thumb tacks. It also saves some money not having to buy frames, allows the photos to be moved around more freely, and allows you to display your best pictures whenever, instead of tucking them away in an album. My desk at work came with an ugly metal hutch and adding my family photos to it this way, has made my office space much more appealing. This idea can also be applied to the family fridge or any other metal surface.
SAVE ON GYM MEMBERSHIPS (3.09)
TUNE IN AND WIN (1.08)
THANKSGIVING DE-STRESSER (11.07)
Light it Up in Crystal! (3.06)
CHECK IT OUT
I am a professor at the local University. My children and I have bowled every Friday night for the past 6 years (here and previously at Kansas State University). We don’t travel to the local bowling alley, paying its high rates and bowling in a smoke filled environment. Instead we bowl here on campus where shoe rental is $1.00 and bowling is $1.00 a game (versus $2.50+ at the local alley), and smoking is not allowed. This last holiday season, the campus recreation organization allowed anyone to rent the entire facility for two hours for $50.00 (16 bowling lanes and 8 pool tables) with bowling and pool at no
LAUGHTER IN THE DINING ROOM
and Poetry from 
Here's a great way to get a tasty meal for just a few bucks. Try out your local hospital cafeteria. For breakfast: Two eggs, toast, hashbrowns and bacon for $2.50. The even give a 10% senior discount. Lunch is almost a better deal, hamburger, frys and a 20oz drink for $2.50. Dinners prices range anywhere from $4 to $6 – the prime rib was delicious. We've heard the same thing from friends who have done this in other parts of the country while traveling in their RV’s.
events. Although some may think it a bit odd - we wash and reuse plastic knives, forks and spoons. I like having these on hand - even for picnics etc. I don't want to store a large quantity, so re-using cuts down on what I need to keep on hand. Plus I'm not "respending" each time I need these items.
they got ready to cut the cake and it was the smallest two layer cake I had ever seen. They decided to save the top layer for their one-year anniversary, so Ron and I were thinking, ?However can this small second layer ever feed all of those people?? What we came to find out, was that in the church kitchen, they were cutting pieces of sheet cakes for the guests that were the same as the wedding cake. This must have saved the bride's parents, who paid for the wedding, a lot of money on the cake.
We love to go the see the Oakland A’s play, but don't like to pay the high ballpark prices. So, we freeze plastic bottles full of water and take them with us. We buy discounted tickets for $7.50 each, ride public transportation (BART) with a senior discount for $4 (instead of $16) and pack our own lunch. We are amazed at the junk food consumed there as we watch kids with their trays of nachos or the adults who are willing to shell out $7.50 for a beer. We have a great time and for less.
BUSINESS CARDS FOR DINNER
LEMONS AID PARTIES
GROUNDS FOR FRUGALITY (3.07)
SHRED TO MULCH! (4.05)
Beth (my wife) and I saved money in planting flowers. While neighbors were visiting the garden centers to buy 4 to 8 inch high perennials, we just replanted what we grew from our seeds. Of course we had to start about three weeks before our neighbors were planting their new plants. However, the gardens around our house looked every bit as nice.
PARTY WRAP-UP (8.08)
CHRISTMAS ON 
SMART DONATION (11.07)
INFREQUENT FLYER REWARDS (5.06)
GIVING STUFF INSTEAD OF MONEY (5.06)
MYSTERIOUS GREETINGS (4.05)
HARE MY BEAR (3.05)
THE JELLY TRADE (2.05)
DECLUTTER AND DE TAX
WRAP IT UP FOR LESS
N STOCKPILE
Inexpensive photo frames purchased at garage sales can be jazzed up by:
usually four 3 x 5's, or two 4 x 6's--they can be held in place with a loop of scotch tape on the back. Add neatly-written captions, and then the one "master" sheet will make copies at the going price (usually less than $1 now). This saves both time and money over making multiple copies of pictures; and despite the ease of sending photos online, now, these paper photo-sheets are appreciated a lot. (Send them in a large envelope, 9 x 12, so they're not creased. Of course used envelopes are fine.)
TAKE A SWING AT THESE IDEAS
Some Christmas gift ideas we have made in the past. A fun family gift is to make a pinata, and fill it with coins wrapped in foil, candies, and little trinkets.
While not too frugal, my standard graduation gift to give for the High Schooler (and only to those who send me an announcement) is a copy of Dr. Seuss's, "
Lisa Landcaster – Mesa, AZ
NO SOUR GRAPES HERE (5.09)
IT PAYS TO S.H.A.R.E. (5.09)
ere's the Beef! (1.07)
SHOPPING LESS, SAVING MORE (7.05)
O-OP MAKES GREAT EXPECTATIONS
LONG TERM VEGGIE STORAGE
FRESH CELERY GETS FOILED
With three kids and homeschooling, my life has been busy. I generally cook from scratch, but some days I’m just too tired. So as not to buy fast food or the likes, I have resorted to buying some ready-made foods on sale, to keep on hand. Items such as frozen pizza, canned tamales mixed with canned chili, macaroni and cheese or other canned soup make an easy meal. This saves money and the kids think it is a treat.
coupons for. Often times I pay pennies for dollar items. I always keep in mind how much storage space I have and the shelf life of the item.
UAVE MOVES (3.09)
THE DAWN OF SOFT SOAP (8.08)
CUSTOM LIPSTICK COLORS (2.05)
HOT CURLING IRON MIT
GENERIC DOSAGE SAVES (7.09)
SMILING AT THE DENTIST (3.08)
The dentist recently recommended that I replace the bite guard that I wear at night. I have had it for ten years, and it is not working any more. The insurance company said that it is a once in a lifetime expense. The dentist even tried to appeal that the mouth guard was truly not functioning because I bit through it. However, the insurance would not offer any assistance. The cost of replacing the bite guard was $800.
PSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS? (7.05)
places on the internet to buy them, but I don't feel comfortable about that. I've found that Costco or Sam’s Club are my next best bargain. They carry the medication I need at almost half the price. I was paying $12.87 per month at my local drug store and now I pay $ 7.32 at Sam’s club. Every little bit helps. I also learned that Costco’s online price guide is not the same as their price in store. Both warehouse stores don't require you to be a member to utilize their pharmacy or optical department.
employer. We checked out a local college that offers a dental hygienist program. We got all our routine cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments done by second year students, under the close supervision of their instructors, for a fraction of the price of seeing a dentist (2 adults and 2 children for $78.00). They were able to schedule all of us during the same time slot which helped offset the extra time it takes to have this work done by a student. If we had gone to a dental office, they would have done only one or maybe two of us at a time. If you have more time than money, it's a great way to save on dental care. Oh, and I have never had such a thorough dental check-up!
VISIONS
KEY SECURITY IDEA (5.08)
DON'T CROSS THAT LINE! (9.05)
RENT FOR ROOM - FREE & CLEAR
Massachusetts housing prices were too expensive. We were able to find a wonderful home in RI for less than the cost of a two-bedroom condo in Mass., and this house has four bedrooms. So far this is the best money saving experience we have had and we look forward to continuing the trend with the tips we learn from your newsletter.
KIDS - PACK UP AND SAVE (7.07)
RECYCLED, RECYCLABLE TOYS (5.07)
aving Water with Kids (3.06)
MAGAZINE TRAIN . . . ING (1.06)
magazine as well as some game ideas. The kids enjoyed a game called "Walk the Plank."
IT IS ROCKET SCIENCE (5.05)
KIDS PICS FOR FREE!
FILTERED SNACKS
SUMMER SCHOOL — LIFE SKILLS 101
e was one or two 9” X 12” chocolate sheet cakes which we made together the night before the cake was to be cut out and assembled. Then, we froze the cake to make it easier to cut into shapes the following day without crumbling too badly when we applied frosting later. The Birthday child would choose the colors, frosting, etc. and we would add candy and toys as additional decorations. We used cardboard covered in aluminum foil as the base for the cake. We made a cake in the shape of a guitar one year by tracing an actual guitar. We made a cake in the shape of a train with each car cut out separately and small cupcakes for wheels. We made a cake in the shape of a van and at least one race car. We also made a volcano cake one year and found some candy rocks to put on it. Often, we would take the entire day to make the cake to the delight of both kids.
My kids have been taught to write in their piano books in pencil. When they are finished with the book, I erase all the writing and use them over again for the next one in line.
you have your children save their money. I told mine it's a yearly thing to save for those big items they want, but I'm curious what y’all use it for.
STOCK UP ON CHEAP STOCK (7.09)
UT IT IN HALF (1.09)
HOT ROCK BUNS? (11.08)
OLD BRUSH, NEW SMILE (6.08)
NOW I’M COOKIN! (5.08)
HANDY VEGGIE CLEANER (3.07)
put the remainder of the stew into a pie crust to make a beef pot pie. Sometimes if I make a large enough pot of beef stew I can make four pot pies out of it and then freeze them. Most people cut the beef for stew beef into large chunks. If you dice them up smaller there is an appearance of more because there are more little pieces of beef in each bite.
Since I’m a senior and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be, I’ve been having trouble inserting these newer polarized plugs into outlets. They can only go in one way because of the larger prong on one side. I have marked the top of the plug with a line of nail polish. If I can see the polish, I know the plug is going to go in.
IT MAKES SCENTS
CAN THE TRASH BAGS
HOT IDEA FOR A COOL LAPTOP (11.07)
THE END FOR PAPER CLIPS (1.05)
AOL IS AOK!
If someone uses permanent marker on a white board don't try to remove it with solvent. Just write over it with a dry erase marker and then erase both. I learned this trick while working in the hospitality industry. Previously, we would try to scrub off the permanent marker which resulted in a dulled and scratched white board - it would look tacky and eventually was discarded. This method leaves the white board in perfect condition and is much easier.
FREE TIPS FROM THE PAST (1.08)
RAGS TO INCREASE RICHES
I save junk mail and used copier paper and make scrap pads out of them. I cut them down to 5.5" x 8.5" and use a large spring paper clip, clipped to a piece of cardboard to make a pad. I keep one by each phone. It's cheap and easy.
Cat Tree for a Little Scratch (1.07)
Our dog is staying healthy with some very easy additions to her dog food. It does take a minute or two, and the greens (well-chopped parsley, kale, alfalfa sprouts, lettuces) keep doggie’s breath fresh, too! If digestion is a problem, plunk the chopped green stuff into half a cup of water & microwave it for a minute or two, to cook it just lightly. Then stir in some high quality protein-leftovers, or a spoonful of cottage cheese or an egg — again, cooked — and mix it all into their food. If you get one of the brands that includes the fatty acids for healthy coat, Fido’s fur will look really outstanding. Your pet gets a varied menu, a tastier dinner, and a substantially improved nutritional mix-and you have the relief of knowing you’re feeding your dog very well indeed.
RESALE DEALS AND STEALS (8.08)
I’M NOT EMBARRASSED (6.08)
BOOK SWAP ON THE WEB (3.08)
HIGH END STORE – LOW END PRICE (1.08)
PERKS FROM WORK (9.07)
I was in the military for several years and one thing that military people should always ask is "Do you offer a military discount?" Many companies and stores offer these types of discounts, but you have to ask. Also we always took advantage of shopping at the military commissary and the exchange retail store.
UST ASK FOR YARD SALE DEALS (7.07)
BOOKS AND MORE FOR LESS (11.05)
To help save money, I shop year-round for Christmas gifts but there are certain stores that I do not miss the day after Christmas for their sales. On Christmas, I make a list of who I need to shop for the following year for all gifts . . . birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, special occasions, etc. When I get up early on the 26th, I go to Hallmark and Kohl's (department store) with my list in hand. I have been known to buy Yankee Candle Items at 50-75% off which come to between $5-8.00 and make lovely teacher or Sunday school teacher gifts the following Christmas. I also stock up on cards, wrapping paper, and my sister-in-law's holiday china pattern for the next year as well. These are all items that will keep in the basement.
SALE TRACKER (9.05)
SPEAK UP FOR CASH (2.05)
MORE GREEN AT WALGREENS
BANK ON IT FOR FREE (3.09)
from one of the many companies that advertise in the Sunday paper. I order the largest amount which often includes a free box of checks. When I do run out, I order from another company, as the best prices are for new customers. This is much less expensive than getting checks from the bank.
LIGHTEN DOWN
ord wood for free! I love those words. This spring, a neighbor had a large tree die in his front yard. He called in a landscaping company to cut it down for him. When I saw all the wood in his yard my thoughts turned to the winter and our wood-burning stove. I went and asked if the owner wanted the wood. He said I could take what I wanted. The landscaping company was more than happy to deliver it to my front yard rather than pay the disposal fee at the local dump. It took some work on my part to get it all the size I wanted, but I saved hundreds of dollars. Always be on the look out for free stuff.
TAPE TIPS (11.08)
LESS FOR DISNEY LODGING (5.08)
DISNEYWORLD FOR FREE (7.07)
A Day at the Races (11.06)
Alana Smith - Redmond, WA
MAGIC KINGDOM ON A SHOESTRING
CARPENTRY 101 – TO THE POINT?