Dollar Stretcher Tips
Dollar Stretcher Tips courtesy
of TheDollarStretcher.com.
Email your time or money saving tip to Tips@stretcher.com.
Outsmarting the Marketers
We are taught that buying in bulk saves money, but the retail
industry has figured this out and actually charges more for
some bulk packaging. The number one rule of being a smart consumer
is use the unit price indexing when shopping! The unit price
tells you how much each ounce, pound, etc. is for each product.
Even though the bottle may say "20% More," it may
cost more per ounce. Unit price labels are located on the shelf
sticker below each product, with the unit price at the left.
Make sure that you are comparing the same units located under
the unit price (ounce to ounce, not ounce to pound). We can
outsmart their marketing tactics by shopping wisely!
Cindy
Cheaper Greetings
I like making my own greeting cards but do not like buying the
expensive papers that are sometimes used. Now I just go into
my card making program and enlarge a "background"
graphic (I like the marbleized granite) to cover the sheet of
paper. I print it out and cut it to the size that I need for
the card I am working on. It looks like the expensive paper
bought in craft stores!
Pam
Nightly Hair Care
I have a suggestion to keep little girls' hair tangle free.
I have always had long hair and it was such a mess when I was
young. To keep it tangle free at night my mom would put it into
a big loose braid after brushing it. In the morning I took out
the braid and it was not only tangle free, but also wavy!
T. D.
Mobile Snack Supply
Measure under your car seats and find a plastic container that
will fit. My seats are 3.5" from the floor, which will
fit a pretty good-sized container. I keep it filled with Slim
Jims, Teddy Grahams, tubes of applesauce, little juice cans,
etc. Whatever will not be affected by sitting in the heat.
Now when my kids get hungry, they just pull
out the snack box. Saves me time stopping for a snack, whiney
kids, and money!!
Deb C.
Water for Gardens
For my garden I've made a rain barrel to catch rainwater from
my roof through the downspout. It catches just about all I need
for my gardening needs. I attached a faucet to which I can connect
my hose or under which I can fill a bucket. I believe you can
find plans for the barrel on the Web. You could make one for
every downspout if your watering needs are heavy.
You could also plant a rain garden into which you direct your
downspout water. See the Web for more information on these gardens.
Use mulch around all your plants and trees to keep the moisture
in the soil.
M.
Phew!
Bowls of vinegar can be used for any unpleasant odors in the
home. You can heat it in a bowl in your microwave. I always
use it when I cook fish. I also put it on a cloth to wipe out
my microwave and/or oven. It's great for removing odors from
carpeting and upholstery also.
Sharon in Virginia
New Shoes
Yesterday, I was about to leave home wearing my brand new casual
shoes, and although they were comfortable, I felt the strap
across my instep would probably rub a blister on my foot by
the end of the day. It was a new place for a strap to fall on
my instep. Also, it's hot summertime in the South and I did
not want to wear hose. I started to grab some Band-Aids, but
they would show through the strap and look silly. Okay, better
silly than blistered. But at the last minute, I decided to experiment
by rubbing my instep with petroleum jelly. Amazingly, there
was immediate comfort and this lasted all day. At the end of
the day, I had no blisters at all. I cannot believe I've lived
this long and not figured that out before.
Jane
Paint Roller Streaks
I had a problem with roller streaks. A paint manufacturer representative
told me that a lot of people run into that problem. If you have
quality paint, the problem can usually be narrowed down to the
quality of the roller or the direction you roll the paint on.
The last roll should be a down stroke. That way the paint being
applied is coming off the roller from the same direction on
every stroke. You'll end up with fewer streaks or roller marks.
TCE
Fly Away!
Want to get rid of fruit flies? Pour a little red wine vinegar
and a few drops of dish soap in a small bowl near the area where
the pests are gathering.
Charles C.
That Favorite Cap
I have an idea about washing ball caps. I find it easy to get
that "new" hat look by stretching the ball cap over
a 1, 2, or 3 quart "saucepan" after washing (depending
on head size). Spray with spray starch and set in the sun to
dry. The hat will keep its shape longer!
Paul
Cleaning Jugs and Vases
To clean empty jugs for reuse, use plain white vinegar and about
a tablespoon of uncooked rice. If you vigorously shake the container
on all sides, the vinegar will clean and disinfect and the rice
will scrub. Rinse thoroughly and it will be sparkling clean.
Catherine
Laundry Care
Here's a couple of laundry tips I've learned to help things
last longer. If possible, avoid hot water, chlorine bleach,
and high dryer temperatures. As well as the expense, all are
wearing on laundry. If something needs to be sanitized, drying
in a hot dryer will be easier on it than hot water or chlorine
bleach.
Always wash and dry denim clothing and other garments that have
buttons, snaps, pockets and other rough outside parts inside
out with all fasteners fastened. Since I started doing this
a few years ago, I haven't had a single pair of jeans develop
holes or split at the seams, and I get less wear on shirts.
Dan
Bath Puffs
Here's a tip that saves money on both soap and those exfoliating
bath puffs that you can buy. I take the plastic mesh bags that
onions come in, fill them with leftover soap slivers, and then
tie with a twist tie. It makes a great exfoliating bath puff,
and it keeps me from throwing away those small pieces of soap.
Bonnie in SC
Do you have a good idea for saving time and money? Send it by
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