On becoming more frugal

What we don't buy defines us, at least at times. Here's a challenge:

Every month for the rest of the year, decide upon one new thing that you now buy that you can make yourself or substitute for something cheaper.

Ideas: Napkins, paper towels, canned soup, popsicles, pudding, note pads, potholders, dishcloths, rag rugs, iced tea...

What saves the most?

What's your best frugal tip?? I think mine is "do nothing." When I don't go anywhere, don't get involved in a project, don't do much of anything except read what's already in the house, or knit or sew with what I already have... I don't spend any money at all. And that's pretty frugal!

Stay cool tip # 1

Run cool water over your inside wrists or at any pulse point when you get overheated. This drops your temperature and makes you feel cooler fast. Do NOT use really cold or iced water. Too quick of a drop in temperature can make you sick.

Microwave cleaning

I've read "tips" where people microwave lemons or a cup of vinegar to clean the microwave... but why? When you can just wipe it clean every time you use it for something messy, why would you go to the extra expense and trouble of doing it the hard way? It's like a stove. Keep it clean instead of waiting until it's really dirty then you have to resort to buying cleaners for it and/or spending a lot of time scrubbing it.

Disposable coasters for free

Got business cards? I mean the kind that someone gave you that you have no intention of needing or some of your own that aren't useful any more. Put the long edge of one barely on top of the long edge of another one and staple both sides. They're then just the right size for coasters for either glasses or mugs. When they get too wet or worn, toss them and make more. For free.

Soup and salad from throwaways

When you have broccoli and/or cauliflower, don't throw away any of the stems. Peel the larger ones and shred for a salad addition or slice into soup; smaller ones can be used as they are. Slice and freeze them in water until you have enough for a broccoli/cauliflower/cheese/ham soup.

Free green onion sprouts

Put the bottom quarter or so of an onion in a container filled with dirt and keep it watered. It will develop roots and give you green sprouts for salads or sandwiches. Tip: don't cut it all the way down, and you can continue to harvest it for several weeks.

Free bulletin board

Take a piece of cardboard the size of the bulletin board that you want and cover it with cloth. To be extremely frugal, use a piece of an old sheet or other cast off fabric. You can have it as fancy or as plain as you like. Wrap the cloth at the corners and fasten with staples or thumbtacks and there you have it. You can staple or thumbtack a string to hang it or make a small hole in the top center for a nail.

Stocking up, extremely frugal style

When you come across a great sale (they don't happen often, but when you find them, you'll know), ask yourself three things.

1. How much can I afford?

2. How much do I have room to store?

3. How much can I eat/use before the expiration date?

The answers to these questions can determine how much to buy. Don't overdo it, but don't underdo it, either. A penny saved is truly a penny earned.

Passive cooling

Got a window that lets the hot sun in during the summer? Plant annual vines to shade it. It's still early enough in most parts to plant morning glories, black-eyed Susan vines, cup and saucer vines or a double duty vine like (edible) scarlet runner bean. You'll need to offer some support - a light wood or metal system of some kind, but that needn't be expensive if you make your own or creatively use old grills, stakes, etc. Plant the vine so that it will shade the window during the hottest part of the day and take into consideration the angle of the sunshine later in the year.

Using old socks

Got old cotton socks? Cut the toes off and cut them along one side, then sew a zigzag stitch around them to use for cleaning rags. I've even used them as dishcloths. The tops make good sweat bands for cold drinks. Put the rest of the sock over your hand to dust with, or sew a piece of lace or ruffle onto the top and use as a personalized wash cloth in the shower. OR... sew velcro to fasten the top, then use up those soap slivers by putting them inside the sock.

Twist'em ties

A peeled twist'em tie wire is handy to have around! Strip it to the wire and use it as an emergency repair to replace a screw in your glasses, hang pictures, repair jewelry... or use it without stripping to hold things together. Let your imagination run with it.

Sunburn remedy

It's getting about that time of year again - time for sunburns. No matter how careful we are, it still happens. When it does, reach for the apple cider vinegar and splash it on. Not only will it help relieve the burn, it will keep your skin from blistering and peeling and that means a better tan.

Vegetable oil saver

Yet another use for those empty liquid dish detergent bottles: Rinse on thoroughly and put vegetable oil in it. It allows a little better control of how much you use, so it saves on oil and calories, too. And you can buy those humongous, frugal containers and won't have to drag them out every time you need oil.

Get the most for your grocery money

Did you know that the color of the fastener on a bread sack can tell you how fresh the bread is? Or that by reading the PLU code you can find out how produce was grown? Read Grocery Codes and Tricks and find out more.

Make a kite

This is the perfect time of the year for kite flying! You don't have to buy a kite or even a kit to make one, though. I came across this eHow article that shows you how to make one from an ordinary piece of paper:

How to Make a Kite by Folding Paper

Talk about frugal fun!

Saving on vacuum cleaner bags

If you have pets that shed, you know how fast a vacuum bag can fill with their hair. Put a panty hose over the end of your vacuum cleaner and go over places where the pet hair is the worst. It will stick to the panty hose and you can pull it off and put it in the garbage, saving space in the bag for other things.

Baked potato skins

The next time you peel potatoes, wash them first and trim off any bad spots or eyes. Drop the peelings in a bowl of cold water until you're ready, then drain, toss them with oil, lightly salt them and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 until crisp and browned. They keep very well without refrigeration, but make such a good snack you probably won't have to worry about keeping them very long!

"Free" cooking oil

If you buy tuna or fish steaks in oil, drain it into a container and use it in stir fry or to fry potatoes or saute other foods. No sense in wasting it; it's good oil for cooking although it might have a slightly fishy taste, so be judicious where you use it.

Liquid laundry detergent

Out of liquid laundry detergent? Maybe not. You can pry the spout off with a butter knife or screwdriver to get the last bit of liquid from the bottle. There's usually enough for at least one more load of laundry - two if you're sparing. When that's used up, add a little water to the bottle and use it to clean floors, tubs, sinks, woodwork - whatever needs it.

Free funnels

It may be old news that you can cut off the top of a plastic bottle to make a funnel, but if you pay attention, you can have a wide array of free funnels. Soft drink bottles, milk jugs, plastic vinegar bottles and more, are different sizes, so you can have one for everything you need. If you can't find one that fits well, use the plastic backing from a package of bacon and roll it into a point of the right size.

Cheap substitute for clarifying shampoo

Instead of buying clarifying shampoo (used to remove buildup so you can continue using your favorite shampoo), use a table spoon of baking soda dissolved in a cup of water. Work it well into your hair and scalp, rinse, then use half water and half vinegar as a final rinse. This will remove shampoo residue and leave your hair very soft.

Neat kitchen organizer

If you get tomatoes or berries in plastic "baskets," use them to hold dish cloths, scrubbers, or anything you use often, under your kitchen sink. Staple or duct tape them to the inside of your kitchen cabinet at a handy height.

Braided rug from plastic bags

The title link explains it in more depth than I have room for here. They're going to take away our plastic bags? Use bread sacks. Look around, there are plenty of plastic bags besides just the grocery store kind. Maybe it's time to stock up...

Stretch shoes that are too tight

To stretch genuine leather shoes, mix equal parts water and rubbing alcohol and get the inside of the shoe wet where you wish it to stretch. A squirt bottle works great.

(Thanks to Joyous, from Dollar Stretcher forums)

Sunflower seeds to the rescue!

If you like to make pesto or dishes that call for pine nuts, try substituting much cheaper sunflower seeds for them. Sunflower seeds also work in many places where slivered almonds are used. Experiment!

Age spot fader

You don't need the expensive kind - just mix vinegar and onion juice and apply to age spots. It takes the same amount of time to fade them that the commercial version does. If your skin is dry, you can use lotion or cream after the application is dry.

Repairing denim

If you have just a small hole in your jeans or denim jacket or dress, turn it inside out and put a piece of duct tape over the hole. It can even hold through a few washings. If you cut the duct tape with rounded corners it will stay on longer.

Emergency rain gear

Need a rain hood and cape/coat? Take a large plastic trash bag and slit the seam on the long side about 8 inches, starting at the bottom corner. Slip it over your head and it will cover your hair and body - how much depends on how tall you are.

Use less detergent this way

Use less detergent and get your clothes cleaner, too? Yes. All you have to do is allow a 10 to 15 minute soak between the first minute or two of agitation and the rest of the cycle. Be sure the detergent is dissolved. Try using a little less detergent, and if clothes come clean then, use even a little less next time until you see a problem, then increase it just a little. Always measure!