Dollar Stretcher Tips
Dollar Stretcher Tips courtesy
of TheDollarStretcher.com.
Email your time or money saving tip to Tips@stretcher.com.
Storing Fresh Herbs
I know of a way to store fresh herbs without having to dry them.
Take the fresh herb (type doesn't matter) and place it in the
small cups of an ice cube tray. Fill the cups with good water
(should be filtered for maximum freshness) and place in the
freezer.
After the herb/ice cubes have frozen, take
them out of the tray and place in plastic baggies. The herbs
will not lose their potency or color because the ice around
the herb is protecting the plant from freezer burn.
Debra
Yardsaling With a Purpose
Before each yardsaling season begins, I decide on what items
we would like to have, or will need for the following year.
I also pick one "wish" item. Then I spend the summer
checking yardsales for those items.
The benefit in listing the things needed is
that I don't feel like I have to spend money at yardsales. I
can walk away from a whole Saturday morning empty handed and
look forward to the next weekend. And I don't bother shopping
at retail stores, because experience has taught me that sooner
or later I will find what is needed. Or find something that
can be substituted.
This year, my "wish" item was a crystal
chandelier. This past weekend I found an absolutely beautiful
crystal/brass five-arm chandelier in fabulous condition for
$10. Even the bulbs were included. My husband re-wired it and
used a new brass chain on it for another $10. The total cost
was $20!
I called the local lighting place and asked
for the price on a similar item. The answer? The starting price
was $599. Already I have had a great summer yardsaling!
WB
Saving Laundry Time
Instead of using baby detergent with my kids, I used the free
and clear brands. All work well and are fairly inexpensive.
Then I could wash all of our clothes together rather than in
separate loads. Great saving for someone who has to use a laundromat
or coin operated machines in their apartment building.
Mom of 2
They 'Had a Ball'
The best and cheapest children's party we've had was when my
daughter turned 5. I bought 30 large colorful rubber balls for
99 cents each, one for each child, plus a few extras just in
case.
We put them all (balls and children) in the
backyard, and let them play away. At the end of the party, each
child got to take home a ball as their party favor. Entertainment
and party favor wrapped up in one, and everybody had a ball!
Holly G.
Eatin' Good on Vacation
My husband and I went to Hawaii about five years ago. Once there
we went to the local supermarket and bought breakfast foods,
sandwich supplies, bottled water and pop.
We also chose things to do that included a
meal. Our snorkeling trip, for example, included a meal and
drinks. In this manner, we were able to go to five star restaurants
four out of the five nights we were there.
We told our tour group our strategy and they
all laughed at us on the way in. On the way home, they all took
notes. We enjoyed ourselves so much more than they did because
we were not stressed by spending.
TH
Easy Skin Care
I have very sensitive, acne-prone skin. Exfoliating is important
to keep skin healthy, but my dermatologist said that washcloths
and exfoliating cleansers, like apricot scrubs, can be too harsh
(not to mention expensive).
Her recommendations were as follows. A few
times a week, when washing your face, just sprinkle a little
baking soda into your hand and mix with your normal facial cleanser
or soap. The baking soda will gently scrub off the dead skin.
I keep some baking soda next to my sink in a little glass sugar
dispenser. Can't get much easier or cheaper than that!
Chris P.
Baking Time Saver
Measure out three separate "sets" of the dry ingredients
in your recipe, such as sugar, flour and baking soda. Use one
"set" for the item you are currently baking and store
the other two "sets" in resealable bags.
Next time, you'll only need to add in the wet ingredients. This
saves so much time and effort in both preparation and clean
up. By doing this, I whipped up banana bread from scratch in
just six minutes!
JR
Houston, TX
'Safety Soap'
If you have a dollar store in your area, some of them carry
mesh bags. Loosen the drawstring loop at the top and insert
pieces of leftover soap scraps.
I gave one to a frugal friend who was in her
nineties so she would have somewhere to put her collection of
soap pieces. Instead, she inserted her whole soap bar and slipped
the loop around her wrist. Now she could hold onto the shower
railing for balance and soap herself down with the other hand.
No worries about dropping the slippery soap and having to retrieve
it with the risk of falling!
I use one when travelling and keep inserting
soap as I go. There is no need for a soap carrier. I carry this
in a plastic bag, so it doesn't dampen my clothes. Kay
No More Moles
I have finally found a way to stop filling in the mole holes
before cutting the grass. It is not only very effective, but
it is also cheap!
Take old used kitty litter and fill the holes.
They won't be back in your yard. You'll have to tell the neighbors
this trick when they move to their yards!
Martha
Seattle, WA
"Olden Days"
Here's an "Olden Days" tip from my mother that I use.
During WWII, there were rations of meat. So my grandmother would
use one pound of ground beef to make her chili and put it over
macaroni noodles to stretch for a family of 6. My mom, sister
and I still make it that way today! Her recipe is quite good
too!
Jean A.
Quickie Stain Treatment
To save yourself some time and lengthen the life of your clothes,
keep a bottle of stain remover or a stain stick where you keep
your laundry basket. As soon as you undress, pretreat any stains
and then toss your clothes in the laundry hamper. You will be
much more successful at removing stains and spots when you wash
clothes later in the week if you spray them immediately after
undressing.
Angela H.
Bucket Brigade
Many years ago, I met an old timer who worked for the city sewage
department and he told me a story about clogged drains in the
city's buildings. It was his job to unclog the drains. He had
a sure-fire method and all he needed was a big bucket!
When he went into the bathroom, the first thing
he did was to run the hot water full blast and fill his bucket
with hot water. Then he'd pour it down the toilet. He did this
three times and viola! The hot water cleared the toilet slick
as a whistle. I tried this and it works.
I live in an apartment building. Even though
the other tenants are always calling for the plumber we have
never had to. We just pour three buckets of hot water down the
spout. Clears it every time. Try it. See for yourself. The cost
is a lot cheaper than a plumber's house call.
John D.
Mini-Greenhouse
The clear plastic boxes that strawberries come packed in make
excellent mini-greenhouses for those gardeners who like to start
their own seeds. The box is generally already punched with ventilation
holes and, when inverted, fits perfectly on top of the plastic
six-pack trays that bedding plants come in. It's a good way
to start seeds on a sunny windowsill.
Ron O.
Removing Wall Paper
When you want to take down wall border trim, don't buy the stripper
from the paint store. It's a lot cheaper if you use one part
vinegar to three parts water. This does a great job.
B.
Inexpensive Children's Gifts
What do you give that special little person for a birthday,
Christmas, or another special occasion? Books! Kids love to
read, and reading skills are so important to kids. I buy gently-used
children's story books at yard sales and used bookstores. They
are often $1 or less.
Susie in Vancouver Canada
Do you have a good idea for saving time and money? Send it to
Dollar Stretcher Tips, PO Box 141460, Bradenton FL 34280-4160
and we'll send you a copy of our print newsletter.
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