tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72563763495087980272008-11-18T18:57:05.296-07:00Extremely frugal tips, quotes, comments and advice from an extremely frugal person, Pat Veretto.Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-89096162887377658232008-11-18T18:51:00.002-07:002008-11-18T18:57:05.346-07:00

Surely everyone knows to use clothespins to keep chip bags and so on, closed. They're much cheaper than the clips sold for that purpose. Did you think, though, to use clothespins for other things? Like holding papers together, keeping quilt or other sewing pieces sorted, or holding music books open.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-60993577695808276032008-11-18T13:10:00.002-07:002008-11-18T13:12:08.139-07:00

Got gunk? I mean like sticky, icky ash trays, or greasy pans? Scrub them with coffee grounds, dry or wet. They won't scratch like abrasive cleaners do and they deodorize at the same time.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-90453532792919261082008-11-17T08:58:00.001-07:002008-11-17T09:01:03.702-07:00

This might not be officially "frugal," but it addresses a problem frugalites sometimes have: finding ways to bypass the questions and strange looks. Use a little vinegar or ammonia in water to wash windows - that's commonly known - but if you want to fool your neighbors (spouse, mother-in-law, etc), put a drop of blue food coloring in it. They'll think you're using a commercial window cleaner.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-87692495224898163232008-11-15T15:23:00.004-07:002008-11-15T15:25:34.271-07:00

If you eat potato or other chips, save the bags and turn them inside out. Some look like mylar or smooth foil and others are solid colors. You can use them as bags or cut them for wrapping paper. They make pretty packages!

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-19475199655882328222008-11-11T12:43:00.000-07:002008-11-11T12:44:07.075-07:00

If you need sour cream for a recipe, you can substitute cottage cheese, pureed, or mashed thoroughly. Plain yogurt will do the trick, too, but it may be thinner.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-61474031581268939022008-11-10T13:02:00.000-07:002008-11-10T13:04:04.972-07:00

Hanging clothes on the line outside? Make a clothespin holder from a child's pullover shirt. Just sew the bottom closed and put it on a wire hanger. You can bend the hanger to keep it from slipping off. Hang it on the clothesline and slip it along as needed.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-34145055087331633302008-11-09T15:43:00.002-07:002008-11-09T15:47:01.254-07:00

A barrel or bucket painted black or other dark color, filled with water and set in the sun (even in the winter) will absorb enough solar rays to heat hot enough to wash dishes, do laundry, or even bathe. It may take a few hours, so keep an eye on it and move it if necessary to keep it in the sunshine. Alternatively, stretch a long hose across a sunny lawn (even on a warm winter day as long as you

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-37212675749817344812008-10-26T17:54:00.004-06:002008-10-26T17:58:32.657-06:00

Save junk mail envelopes and cut the glue covered edge from the flap to use for stick-on gift tags. Write names with colored marker or crayons to make them more festive.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-19574817381445495302008-10-23T07:58:00.004-06:002008-10-23T08:07:22.838-06:00

The old dollar bill trick - putting a dollar in the door of the refrigerator and closing it, then seeing if it pulls out - works on exterior doors on your home, too. (You can substitute a piece of plain paper.) Hold a paper on the door frame and close the door. If it falls to the floor or comes out easily when you tug gently on it, put in new weather stripping. If it resists coming out, the door

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-67602128871794064022008-10-20T15:18:00.003-06:002008-10-20T15:22:55.626-06:00

Since dryers smash and pummel fibers enough to keep them soft, you really don't need fabric softener to soften them. (Try it if you don't believe me.) What you do need, if you just have to use a dryer, is something to cut static cling so you won't lose your socks inside your trouser legs. Crumple a piece of aluminum foil - used and washed is good - and place in the dryer with your laundry. That's

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-83105825216294828492008-10-20T15:16:00.001-06:002008-10-20T15:17:57.018-06:00

In this post, I had to add this: I have been hearing bad things about this program. I haven't tried to cash out yet, so I don't know first hand, but reports say that they are not paying, or that they're paying after long periods of time. Spend time with it at your own risk, and I apologize for leading you into something that apparently isn't working.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-62536036572029721472008-10-17T06:33:00.003-06:002008-10-17T06:41:14.744-06:00

Save narrow elastic from worn out underwear and other clothing, the cut it to lengths and sew or tie the ends to hold hair in a pony tail. It won't trap and pull hair.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-1243535080588033022008-10-17T06:28:00.003-06:002008-10-17T06:33:34.486-06:00

Save the wide elastic from old underwear. It's great for anchoring the tops of trash bags over a large kitchen garbage can.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-35038697887173826582008-10-14T09:49:00.003-06:002008-10-14T09:52:34.268-06:00

Catch a bucket of hot soapy water from the washer when it spins the first time and use it to mop your floor. It works well for cleaning woodwork, too. You can probably find other uses for it if you look around. Saves on water and cleaner.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-64169668300494952942008-10-11T05:09:00.001-06:002008-10-11T05:09:55.426-06:00

Take your shoes off in the house to save wear on them. Wear cheap footsies or learn to crochet or knit slippers for house wear from scrap yarn.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-11951464348159770512008-10-08T15:00:00.002-06:002008-10-08T15:03:56.300-06:00

This time of year is great for frugal food! Use in your diet now and as long as you can get them: Cabbage, carrots, potatoes and pumpkins. All of them (even with the rise in the price of potatoes) give great nutrition and versatility to your menus. (Look for recipes online if you don't believe the versatility part!)

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-27068889891352216492008-09-28T11:42:00.003-06:002008-09-28T11:46:16.738-06:00

Bags of pretzels, potato chips and other salty snacks usually have salt in the bottom of the bag... you're getting it. Don't throw it out. Save it in a special container and use it on popcorn, in coating mixes for meat or anywhere a slightly flavored salt would taste good. I call it "free" because it's something most people throw out without thinking about it.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-24738194800394466592008-09-27T15:27:00.002-06:002008-09-27T15:30:52.601-06:00

If you buy chicken breasts in those heavy duty plastic bags, save them. Wash them out and dry, then package things to be frozen in bread sacks or other lightweight free bags, then put them inside the heavy bag that held chicken. Your food will be safe from any possible contamination (washing the bag well with soap and water should remove contamination anyway), and you'll have the benefit of a

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-55191700880236145422008-09-26T11:19:00.003-06:002008-09-26T11:26:32.084-06:00

If you save the liquid from pickles, whether home canned or bought, you can reuse it at least twice. Pickle cucumbers or other vegetables in it by heating it to just boiling, then pouring it over prepared vegetables in a jar or bowl with a lid. Put it in the refrigerator immediately and in about two weeks, you'll have pickled vegetables ready to enjoy.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-74686854406612443592008-09-22T11:39:00.003-06:002008-09-22T11:43:20.656-06:00

If you have a garden, you're probably sick of summer squash by now. Eat the blossoms instead. Pick them either at their peak or a little spent. Simply saute them in a little butter, or get fancy and stuff them with cheese and bake. They're very good and they're free. (If you've been supplied with zucchini by a neighboring gardener, ask for the blossoms!)

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-41948956220688269872008-09-09T11:56:00.002-06:002008-09-09T12:07:05.302-06:00

Spread a batch of used coffee grounds to dry on a cookie sheet, then put them in a panty hose leg. Tie the top and put in the closet to absorb odors.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-25908312363832182972008-09-08T11:14:00.005-06:002008-09-08T11:19:39.699-06:00

When you wash your hands, chances are that the water doesn't have a chance to get really warm before you're through. Since you're essentially washing in cold water anyway, don't even turn on the hot water. Traditional water heaters come on every time the temperature drops, and if the water in the pipes is cool, hot water replaces that awhile before it reaches the faucet, lowering the temperature

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-9813122779352471882008-09-02T13:01:00.003-06:002008-09-02T13:05:48.260-06:00

Why would you buy something when you can make it cheaper with very little trouble? Here's a self rising crust that's great for cobblers. For meat pies, just omit the sugar! 1 cup flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 TB oil Enough milk to make a thick but pourable batter. Mix it all up and dump it in a baking dish, put the fruit in on top (two cans worth) and bake about an hour at

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-70276753824040650532008-08-29T10:16:00.000-06:002008-08-29T10:17:21.527-06:00

If you bought shampoo and didn't like it, don't throw it out. Use it to clean the bathtub or mop the floor, wash painted woodwork or launder delicate items.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256376349508798027.post-88497372735413791092008-08-27T17:30:00.004-06:002008-08-27T17:38:19.265-06:00

Gathering and using wild food can make a difference in your food bill. (Not everyone agrees - see the comments here: Beat the High Cost of Food: Eat From the Wild), but just for instance, a can of spinach isn't cheap... and wild spinach (lambsquarter) is free for the taking in many areas. More on the subject: Wild in the City.

Pathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11122457524036298067noreply@blogger.com0