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.

Child's apron or bib

If your child enjoys painting or other messy, fun things, use a plastic grocery bag as a disposable bib or apron. Cut across the bottom, pop the bag over the child's head with arms through holes--handles up as straps. If straps are too long and bag goes too far down the front of clothing, pull handles up and tie into a knot to make it fit better. Tie a string or piece of yarn around the waist to help hold the bib in place.

Ironing clothes

It's cheaper to iron clothes than to dry them in a dryer. If you can time it, hang them until they're almost dry, but not quite, then take them down and iron right away. If you can't iron at that moment, roll them and put them in a plastic bag until you can get to them. (How long you can leave them there depends on your climate - don't let them mildew.)