What Frugal Thing Did You Do Today?

If being frugal is in your blood, then we're guessing you hardly ever go a day without doing something to save a penny or two. So tell us what frugal thing you did today. It can be big or small -- it doesn't matter. We just want to hear from you! So please share your frugal deed of the day in the Comments section below. And thanks for being a Tip Hero!

---
sponsored: Find Free Restaurant Coupons.

---

Tip Hero serves up new money-saving tips daily.
Get free updates via Email , RSS or Twitter.

Comments:

.................................

just got my new contacts prescription and instead of purchashing them direct from my eye doctor at $65/box I compared prices online and saved $13. (at lens.com, better prices than at 1800contacts)

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 1:32 PM

.................................

I made extra banana pancakes and froze them for quick breakfast next week.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 1:35 PM

.................................

mmm, banana pancakes? would like that recipe.... i made my own coffee at home today. saves $2/day!

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 1:50 PM

.................................

I used leftover steak as a basis for lunch. Chopped finely with gravy added, it went fine with some homemade mashed potatoes. The potato peels went into my compost pile.

Also, I did an errand on foot...in the rain...and left my vehicle parked in the driveway. That's what umbrellas are for!

Soon I'll handwash the lunch dishes using my homemade dish detergent.

This afternoon I'll probably spend some time crocheting using plarn (plastic yarn made from grocery sacks) while listening to an audio book loaned from the library of congress.

Posted by ldenny58 on October 22, 2009 1:51 PM

.................................

I made 4 gallons of laundry soap.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 2:09 PM

.................................

what is your recipe for homemade dish soap? I have not found one that doesn't leave white film on the dishes. Thanks.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 2:49 PM

.................................

I made homemade yogurt.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 2:59 PM

.................................

I did laundry this morning using 2 tsp homemade laundry powder (Fels' Naptha Soap, Washing soda and borax) in a 5-gallon bucket I got from salvage (free) and using a "Breathing Mobile Washer" ($17.00 delivered) which is a modernization of the old "Rapid Washer," like a plunger with baffles. Rinsed in cold water with vinegar, ran through the spin dryer to remove all possible water (2 mins' of electricity) and now all is drying happily indoors (rainy Seattle) on collapsible racks. If I did this amount of laundry down in the laundry room, it would have cost $6.00.

Posted by Elizabeth in Seattle on October 22, 2009 3:02 PM

.................................

Made lunch from bread out of the "free box", on sale double coupon jelly, and peanut better from the bump and dent grocery near us.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 3:02 PM

.................................

I made homemade pumpkin pie from pumpkins we raised in the back yard. I had some pumpkin puree left over and also made some pumpkin butter. Something I had never tried before.

Posted by Annnette on October 22, 2009 3:03 PM

.................................

Got up, it's 64 degrees (heater set to kick in at 63 degrees) but I'm warm, blankets, pj's and warm, fuzzy cats (one with a plastic cone around her head but don¡¦t ask �º) help. Don't turn on the lights, it's bright enough to see. Take 5 minute shower (ok, ok 8 minutes) with a 1.5 gallon showerhead (super saver), Dry with towel cleaned in home made laundry detergent and air dried (dryer not used for almost a year). Get dressed with jeans (2nd wearing, good to go) and shirt/sweater (AT loft brand) bought at Thift Store (Cost for jean, shirt, sweater, shoes: $17) Fed cats with SD dry cat food and a couple needing soft food bought with coupons (brand coupon and store ones, total: almost 50% off). Put cans in recycle box (one each for paper, plastic, metal, glass). Had a cup of coffee and read a small bit in a book about Organic natural cosmetics (bought at a Thrift store: 99 cents). I think I¡¦ll try to make the herbal rinse tonight. When I¡¦m done with it, if I don¡¦t keep it, I¡¦ll take it to a used book store for store credit. If they don¡¦t accept it, I¡¦ll donate it (get a receipt) at the Local Friends of the Library. Put together home made lunch for work using recycled plastic baggies that I wash (haven¡¦t bought baggies in about 8mths) and the rest of coffee. I'm out the door off to work.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 3:42 PM

.................................

Instead of fabric softener and put white vineger in my washer to make the machine rinse better and it doesn't leave a vinegar odor.

Posted by Carol O. on October 22, 2009 3:47 PM

.................................

After making hardboiled eggs. I let the water cool and used it to water my house plants.

They love it when I make eggs!

Posted by Kathy Minnesota on October 22, 2009 4:25 PM

.................................

I divided several perennial flowers and replanted them in my yard.

Posted by sally on October 22, 2009 4:30 PM

.................................

When I buy carrots or celery for a recipe, I grate the rest of the carrots and chop the celery and freeze in sandwich size bags. That way no waste and always have some on hand for soups and stews and such

Posted by cau on October 22, 2009 5:18 PM

.................................

I crochet rag rugs using old tee shirts and such. Cut the material into a long spiral, make sure you keep the strip narrow or it is too bulky. Then crochet. You can dye the material since it is cotton if you want colors. Also makes good placemats for outside.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 5:50 PM

.................................

worked my monthly commitment at the Co-op so I can get the working member discount. Spices there are dirt cheap compared with the grocery store, as are bulk grains, rice, and beans.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 6:10 PM

.................................

when i cleaned house today i used my own rags with a all purpose cleaner so i didnt use paper towels or different cleaners.

had sandwiches made from bread i made .made chicken soup from chicken i cooked other day.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 6:52 PM

.................................

A local church throws out their garden geraniums in the fall. I got permission to pull the plants, and today I repotted 19 plants, cut them way down and will grow them inside to replant in my garden in the spring. I also have the tops that I cut off in vases on my window sill...by February they will have nice roots, I will pot up and by mid-May will have 38 new geraniums to put in the garden or sell at a yard sale. Proceeds from yard sale will be donated to the church.

Posted by sran_dr on October 22, 2009 7:48 PM

.................................

I cut the dryer sheets in half to make the box of 300 (bought at a warehouse club w/a coupon) suddenly 600.

I carpooled with a friend.

I researched ways to cut my heating bill this winter. Will do some of the tips.

I replaced a burnt out bulb with a fluorescent.

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 7:49 PM

.................................

I am a small size; I am able to buy clothes that haven't sold during the season. I purchased silk slacks, silk blouce for $1.00 each they are name brands-- then puchased a 3/4 white linen coat with hand painted flowers for $3.00 that exactly matches the blouce and slacks...it will be a great outfit for next spring--all for $5.00!! I never buy anything that is not on a huge sale and ALWAYS get compliments on my outfits. Go to the consignment shops at the end of the season and you will get great prices!!

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 7:53 PM

.................................

I did laundry with homemade laundry powder & hung the laundry to dry.

I made turkey salad for lunch for the next couple of days & froze more turkey for future salads. Later I will make turkey pot pie with more leftovers. This was made with a turkey I roasted earlier in the week & paid .59 per pound. I have been cooking a turkey about every 8 weeks for almost a year. Then I freeze meals of pot pie, crepes, soup,etc. I have healthy, cheap "fast food" in the freezer.

I also always print on gray scale & reuse paper on both sides. This has greatly cut down my office expenses. Of course I return the cartridges to Staples for credit!

Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 9:14 PM

.................................

I bought dinner with a Buy-One-Get-One-Free coupon from my Entertainment 2009 Coupon Book. I also swapped coupons from my 2010 book with a friend who has a 2010 book.

I purchased gasoline at Sam's Club and got a discount for being a member (they have the lowest gas prices in the area).

I crushed 25 aluminum cans to donate to an animal shelter fundraising recycling program.

I added water to my foam pump hand soap dispenser to make the liquid soap last longer.

I turned off any lights in rooms that were not being used.

I turned off the water while I brushed my teeth.

Posted by VR on October 22, 2009 9:44 PM

.................................

I picked up 30+ free concrete blocks and some bricks locally from an ad we ran in a free paper to use for making raised garden beds next spring; washed the floating row cover and mesh cloths I use to protect garden plants; wore air-dried clothes purchased at Goodwill/garage sales this summer: air-dried my hair; stored left-overs in used/washed zip lock bag, brought home coffee grounds from work to put in the compost bin, also saved veg scraps, egg shells and grounds at home for compost; recycled newspapers, cans , jars. Snacked on home-canned pickles from our garden, fed the cats on used paper plates, bought a book for .25 from the library, gave a book to a co-worker, rec'd a book from another co-worker. Packed lunch in re-usable containers, made coffee at home to take to work. recycled every scrap of paper I had to use at work. Researched critter-proof fencing for the garden, saved the string from the bag of dry cat food.

Posted by goshen, IN on October 22, 2009 10:59 PM

.................................

Today I:
-brewed my own coffee (saves about $3+gas)
-Made my husband's lunch (saves about $5)
-Combined my trips to errands and various thrift stores (and didn't buy anything I didn't need, in this case nothing at all)
-Watched a movie I already owned (between $1-5)
-Drank water from the tap
-Made my own dinner (between $14-60)
-cleaned my own house (saves $35)

Posted by anonymous on October 23, 2009 12:42 AM

.................................

Over the last few days. Had a nice dinner, buy one, get one free. Transplanted 2 house plants that I purchased cheap due to small size. I volunteer time to a nonprofit org. that needs chairs recovered. Purchased the covering in bulk and will cover them myself saving hundreds of dollars. Anyone can recover a chair. Punch in computer "how to recover a chair". Gives all info including tools,material and time on a free video.Power co. will send someone out for free advice and discounts such as half price on low energy light fixtures and bulbs.

Posted by Jim HILL on October 23, 2009 3:21 AM

.................................

Replacing memory in my laptop instead of having a tech do it. Take the electric vehicle to run errands instead of a car. Reading one book from eBay and one from a yard sale. Read early-morning papers and screen e-mail on my iPod--uses less energy than computer. Ate home-grown jalapenos last night with my dinner of leftovers. Second day on the secondhand pants; wearing shoes purchased on buy-two-get-one-free sale and eliminated one expense and two more trips to that store. These are worn with "irregular" socks from the flea market, 4 prs for $1. Plan to purchase groceries, all on sale, list on the iPod so no paper purchased or thrown away. Took meds purchased in 3-month quantities to eliminate two trips.

Posted by anonymous on October 23, 2009 10:11 AM

.................................

Cleaned the top part of toilet by putting my hands into a used tear off produce bag & a cut up old sock top instead of rubber gloves and purchased cleaning cloths.
I mixed sparkling water with grape juice instead of wine.
Ate the steak, baked potato, almond green beans cooked for a gift to me instead of some useless item gift item.
Used the small wash load with full amount of soap, put in the dirtier clothes(socks); let wash, stopped it, then added rest of clothes instead of using separate soaking soap.
Instead of tossing bath soap sliver to small to hold, placed in washcloth and folded over it.
Tap water in reusable water bottle that is kept in the freezer with one inch of ice and slice of lemon if available.

Posted by Dee on October 23, 2009 10:50 AM

.................................

I went to my daughter's High School Fall Choir
Concert and was entertained for free by the most beautiful music. They sang in Latin and Italian.. flawlessly (far as I could tell:))
Their choir is nationally renowned, professional and I felt like I was somewhere where I usually have to pay to hear a concert of this quality!

Posted by Trish on October 23, 2009 12:08 PM

.................................

I made my husband's lunch to take to work.
I came home from work and ate last night's dinner leftovers for lunch.
I bought a 24-can box of cat food saving @ $2.

Posted by anonymous on October 23, 2009 2:30 PM

.................................

We have our window's open and giving the a/c a few days off. I am also boiling water so I can kill the weeds with it.

Zig

Posted by anonymous on October 23, 2009 4:40 PM

.................................

I hit the jackpot at the reduced rack: slightly dented cans of green beans (.35), mushroom soup(.50) and French's onions ($1), and I had coupons for the soup and fried onions. Result? Green bean casserole for pennies!
Marilyn A.

Posted by anonymous on October 23, 2009 10:24 PM

.................................

I made 6 quarts of homemade pasta sauce using fresh herbs from my garden. I divided it into 4 containers and froze three of them. Homemade vegetarian lasagna and pasta are family favorites, and this amount will last us for a couple of months without having to use energy to make more sauce except to reheat it. I used white vinegar as a laundry aid; damp microfiber cloth sans cleanser to wipe down kitchen counters. Hand-washed my pots and pans with diluted dish soap. Turned off the Energy Star-compliant dishwasher when it got to the drying stage and let the dishes air dry.

Posted by Chaz on October 24, 2009 3:30 AM

.................................

Bought an all wood bed used from a nonprofit second hand store that had originally been on sale there for $700. Then they lowered it to $300, then they talked to me and lowered it to $150. It included a side table and was completely all wood, very high end.

Why buy a new one that is probably made in China when you can find good used beds that will last 25 years or more. I'm not going to be selling the bed ever. Now if I can only get a good cheap mattress too!

Posted by Catherine on October 24, 2009 9:04 AM

.................................

One of the best things that I can do to save money is to re read Voluntary Simplicity once again to think on the wisdom of the Quaker style of living in grace and with judgment.

Posted by anonymous on October 24, 2009 12:18 PM

.................................

I bought 10 Kelloggs products today at HyVee Grocery Store. Total price before coupons $28.33, less $9.75 in coupons and less a first class stamp for a $20 HyVee gift card mail-in rebate. Net result - I am paid $1 to eat the 10 products (5 boxes of cereal, 1 box of snack bars, and 4 packages of Keebler cookies). Yeah!

Posted by deb on October 24, 2009 3:19 PM

.................................

I went to the farmer's market and bought $10 worth of vegetables (that's a lot of veggies!). Instead of eating out with friends tonight, I cooked a huge batch of vegetable soup to share.

I'm guessing there's at least 10 servings of soup, $1 a serving. Pair that with a sandwich and that is a yummy lunch or dinner!

Posted by Kimberly A. Griffiths on October 24, 2009 7:42 PM

.................................

I make my own soap and have been for 5 years. It's much milder than store-bought soaps and do not have preservatives in them. Less expensive to make than buy. I also re-use zip-lock storage bags if not too greasy by hand washing them and allowing them to dry. I am making all of my Holiday gifts by knitting, sewing quilts, making soaps, floor cloths and body scrubs. All information about any of these projects are available on websites by doing a Google search.
Georgia B in CSH

Posted by Georgia B on October 25, 2009 1:33 PM

.................................

I bought and baked 2 chickens that were about to expire (so I got them 50% off) and froze the meat. I used vinegar as a softener to wash my clothes. AND my husband left to travel for work today and called me to let me know that he took a voluntary bump off his flight and just got a free ticket!

Posted by Amanda on October 25, 2009 4:23 PM

.................................

Today I put my garden to bed for the winter, and while doing that I gleaned a few edible leaves here and there to go in our lunch salad--basil, dandelion, kale, rainbow chard. All are delicious, and very healthy and spice up a salad of more bland greens.

I also grow my own sprouts which are incredibly easy and delicious--and reuse the sprout rinse water on my plants still growing in the garden.

Posted by Ginny on October 26, 2009 3:44 PM

.................................

1. I packed my husband and my lunches
2. I cooked breakfast (day-old bread - toast and our chickens' eggs) plus yesterday's homemade apple butter
3. Made my daughter and my capaccinos at home (instant isn't bad)
4. threw apple and pear parings to the chickens
5. fed the cats scraps from supper
6. drove my hybrid Prius to work
7. recycled student papers at work
8. ate leftovers for lunch
9. save my pop can for 5 cent refund
10. provide reused (one side only) paper for students' daily work
11. kept the thermostat at a comfy 65 degrees, since we put in the geothermal heating unit this fall
12. will take a short shower with low-flow shower head
13. will wear hand-me-down jammies to bed
14. will sleep under a second-hand comforter

Posted by Karen on October 26, 2009 7:38 PM

.................................

1) I made homemade lemon juice (17oz. water, splash of lemon, and a few drops of stevia) it costs about 10 cents per bottle...I drink it instead of soda and save 3-4 dollars a day. I also feel healthier. I also drink water (free).

2) Made homemade pancakes with leftover oatmeal from yesterday (froze enough for tomorrow).

3)Supper is salsa (that I canned this summer), tomatoes, corn, and zucchini (froze this summer), black beans (dried beans I froze), and homegrown beef (processing still enough, but tastes better than anything in any store.)

4) I made apple jelly from the peels and cores of the apples my sister picked off her tree, the rest of the apples I turned into pie filling and ate fresh.

5) We went to a local thrift store that sells by the pound. I got a doll for my daughter that would have cost about $100.00. Looks brand new, just needs an outfit sewn for her (I can sew), my daughter is 1 and will love her for Christmas. I found a winter coat for my 2 year son that was brand new (tags still on it). Original price $85.00, I paid $1.00. I also got 2 new spring dresses for my daughter for $1.00 each. The one was maybe worn twice, and the other still had the tags on it ($25.00). I love a good treasure hunt.

6)On the way home we stopped and got free books, and music at the library. When we are done we can take them back and don't have to store them:).

7)Lunch was squash pie. The squash was from the garden...and it makes a great casserole.

8)We are burning wood in the woodstove, the house is 74 and it was 36 last night.

9)My daughter uses cloth diapers.

Posted by Michelle on October 27, 2009 12:57 PM

.................................

I grew my own herbs this summer, harvested them, put them in ice trays, covered with water, and then put the cubes in a bag so I can use them year round.

I packed my own lunch for work and carried it in a reusable bag.

I used a stainless steel water bottle instead of plastic.

I shopped an Aldi's sale and got some canned goods and meat half off what it would be at a regular grocery store

I cooked a whole chicken (3 lbs for 79 cents per lb) in the crockpot all day, let it cool, took the chicken off the bone, and got a ton of chicken. That method is so much cheaper than using regular chicken breasts. I also saved the bones and broth from the crockpot to make stock later. I always have chicken because I either buy a whole chicken, or I watch sales at HyVee. They sell 10 lb bags of chicken pieces like thighs for $4!

Used white vinegar to get stains off some pans and tupperware. I love vinegar!

Posted by Ashley W. on October 29, 2009 7:21 PM

.................................

When I buy bags of frozen fruit or chicken in those heavy resealable bags I do not throw out the bags. these heavy bags can be washed out dried and used again and again. the fruit bags were reused to freeze blueberries bought in bulk this summer along with strawberries, the larger bags were used to freeze vegetables and prepared apples for pies. I love these bags. I hope you will too,they can be used for almost anything.

Posted by Olivia McCourt on October 30, 2009 12:18 AM

.................................

Oh I love all these fantastic saving ideas...IF ONLY those who use a home-made recipe would share it in their notes!!! It would be such a help for many of us, or a site where it can be found.

Posted by mum on October 30, 2009 12:44 AM

.................................

Salsa Supper

This is a great meal and amounts may be varried. The hamburger can be replace with chicken or turkey....really use what you have.

1 Quart salsa (whatever spice amount you want)
3 diced tomatoes (or a a small can)
1 pint corn (frozen or canned)
1/2 pint zucchini (frozen or fresh)
1 quart black beans (though any will work)
1 lb. hamburger (or go vegitarian)

Brown the hamburger, and throw it all in the crock pot for the day. Feel free to change this to work for your family...I do it different on different days. It's always been good. You can eat it plain, on tortillas, over rice, with noodles...add cheese if you want...

Posted by Michelle on October 30, 2009 12:06 PM

.................................

1. Made and ate breakfast at home.
2. Read a book borrowed from the local library.
3. Took my dog for a brisk walk instead of paying for a gym membership.
4. Later will watch a movie on youtube.
5. For lunch will have chicken soup made with chicken bones saved from another meal and sandwich made with homemade bread.
6. Later will check out the sales at my local supermarket and will clip grocery coupons, those will be matched to the sales and then I will make a dinner menu for the next couple of weeks. We will have 14 different meals on the menu without repetition, but all will be no more that $2/serving (most will be about $1).
7. After grocery shopping trip, will pre-cook or at least prep and freeze most of the meals for the next couple of weeks. This will save time and money on my power bill because I will use crockpot and will cook several dishes in the oven at once.

Posted by anonymous on October 31, 2009 10:09 AM

.................................

Here's my recipe for homemade liquid laundry detergent. Makes 3 gallons, use about 1/2 cup per load. I got a 4 gallon bucket with lid from the bakery at Walmart for free. (Actually I got 2 buckets; one holds the chickens' feed.)
3 quarts hot water;
1 bar Fels-Naptha soap, grated;
1-1/2 cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda);
1-1/2 cups 20 Mule Team Borax;
3 quarts hot water;
essential oil or fragrance oil if you like.

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 quarts hot water and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda and 20 Mule Team Borax. Stir until thickened and remove from heat. Add 3 quarts hot water to 4-gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and mix well. Add scent if using (I don't.) Fill bucket with additional hot water as needed (I didn't need any more) until you have 3 gallons. Mix very well. Set aside for 24 hours or until mixture thickens. Stir well and pour into an old laundry detergent bottle. Shake well each time and use about 1/2 cup of mixture per load (your detergent bottle cap might hold 1/2 cup - measure it).

Notes:
1. You can grate the Fels Naptha in a food processor, with a salad shooter or in a coffee grinder. Or use a hand-held grater.
2. When you first switch from store-bought detergent to homemade, wash whites and light colored laundry once with washing soda alone to get rid of the detergent residue and avoid yellowing of fabric. (I forgot to do this and didn't notice any yellowing...)
3. Homemade detergent will not make suds in your washer, so don't be alarmed.
4. You will also notice the need to reduce your laundry softener (I found I don't need any at all any more).
5. You can also use white vinegar in the last rinse (one cup is plenty) to remove all traces of detergent.
- Recipe & info compliments of Mary Hunt at The Everyday Cheapskate.

Posted by Lisa Owens on October 31, 2009 12:46 PM

.................................

I have a front loader washer; where would you add the vinegar when the last rinse is on; in the laundry soap section or right into where the softener usually goes? Also, because I haven't used my dryer in many months, I have noticed that my shirts have odor under the axilla/armpit areas. I am really embarrassed and even after washing twice cannot get the smell out. Any ideas?

Posted by Naples girl on November 01, 2009 6:05 AM

.................................

I took an old sheet and an old sweatshirt, plus a plain photo album from the Dollar store. I hot glued the sweatshirt material onto the album then covered it with the sheet material. Found some buttons and old necklaces/lace and made a home made photo album to give as a gift for Christmas. I down loaded some pictures from the Face book site and printed them out on regular paper (I really should have used the backs of already used paper) then put those pictures randomly in the album to be given for Christmas. Still had pages for the recipient to fill in and some pics that they had downloaded onto their sites.

Posted by a nurse in Naples on November 01, 2009 6:12 AM

.................................

Need some gift ideas for guys for Christmas...Later teenage/early twenties....

Posted by a nurse in Naples on November 01, 2009 6:14 AM

.................................

Separate my garbage from what I can put into my worm compost, what I can recycle and what can be thrown out... Took kitchen scraps to my outdoor compost. Made meals at home.

Posted by Cheryl (SwineInsanity) on November 03, 2009 12:36 PM

.................................

I had defrosted 1 serving BBQ pork(purchased
@less than 30cents serving)opened up can of baked beans from salvage grocery, and turned on the oven to splurg on some tater tots(bought on sale, useing dbl coupon)Dessert I had some leftover pumpkin bread(made w organic pumpkin from salvage store,and all spices bought last fall during a sale using dble coupons) I always cook 2 things when the oven is going to be on, and if uncertain how many people are going to be home, freeze things in 2 serving size portions. I keep unused rooms closed off, the temp at about 67 and wear layers to keep warm, instead of turning the furnace up. My motto is cold people should wear more clothing(or donate 1/2 of their allowance to the gas bill)

Posted by Jeepinls on November 04, 2009 12:01 AM

.................................

BANANA PANCAKES: use your pancake mix, like normal and put your mushy bananas in a bowl, and mush them even more til as creamy as you can get them and add them to your pancake batter, mix in real good, that's it, and boy are they yummy!!!
DEFINITELY HELPS ELIMINATE WASTING YOUR BANANAS! We always end up with ones that if they get a little brown no one wants them. If you can't use them right away put into a freezable container to store. (After you mush them out of the skin!!!)

Posted by anonymous on November 05, 2009 10:09 AM

.................................

I add two big teaspoons of baking soda to my wash to get the smells out, brighten the clothes and when the clothes go into the dryer, it works like dryer sheets. Clothes are soft and no cling. Just use plain old baking soda.

Posted by Jan on November 06, 2009 7:17 PM

.................................

For the last 4 weeks i have been VB6--which stands for Vegan Before 6. It is a great way to lose weight and to reset your taste buds. I just take it one meal at a time. I am eating lots of apples.

Posted by Rinchen on November 06, 2009 10:18 PM

.................................

Naples girl...try soaking the shirts in vinegar. It works at getting rid of residue on cloth...wash afterward. It keeps cloth diapers smelling good anyhow. Baking soda is another thing that might help...make a paste out of it. Good luck.

Posted by Michelle on November 08, 2009 1:55 PM

.................................

I ordered groceries from Peapod a home delivery service. First five deliveries are free with a $100.00 order. I scheduled delivery for off peak and was credited $1.00. I bought only what was on sale and priced at the lowest price I can find it anywhere else. I stock piled some of these items. I used no gas.

Posted by anonymous on November 10, 2009 12:30 PM

.................................

I made a casserole from leftover ham, roasted potatoes and a green bean casserole .I layered sliced roasted potatoes and cubed ham and added a can of cream of mushroom soup and a half of a can of milk. I carefully topped it with green bean casserole, keeping the topping in place. And will reheat in the oven for dinner. Note;For an inexpensive crunchy topping for my green bean casserole, I combine the leftover potato chip crumbs that I always freeze and then grind up in my processor, with equal parts seasoned bread crumbs and melted butter.Costs much less than the traditional canned fried onions. I marinated a .59 can of beets and sliced fresh red onion in vinegar and salt to go along with.
Tomorrow I'll make ham and split pea soup. I'll use a lot of the carrots I bought @ 5lbs. for .99 and the celery tops and leaves that I freeze for just such an occasion. Onions and potatoes round it out and make it very hardy.
I'll make grilled cheese with cheddar, that I bought in bulk and whole grain bread. ( much healthier than american cheese and white bread)
I froze enough ham to make a tomato, cheese and ham frittata for dinner next week. Add a salad. Use the leftover "pickled beets" on the salad.

Posted by anonymous on November 10, 2009 12:55 PM

.................................

I purchased a nice wooden colonial chandelier on Craig's List for $15.00 (retail $150.00 up and up) I just finished wrapping each wrought iron arm and electric candle in old produce bags and will spray paint the base. I'm using a can of black spray paint that I bought for .25 at a yard sale. I'll highlight the carved ridges with gold paint (Walmart .99). And antique it with some leftover stain. No need to seal. Come to think of it I have leftover spray varnish. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Posted by anonymous on November 10, 2009 1:18 PM

.................................

Just froze leftover Bloody Mary mix which I made from a $1.00 container of tomato juice. I froze it in it's original plastic container, half full. Defrost some Sat. and enjoy Bloody Mary cocktails again another Sun. morning by the fire.

Bloody Mary Mix

You decide how much, as I never measure but eyeball. I always have these ingredients on hand. I f you don't use the horseradish fast enough, freeze it in ice cube trays. Pop one out as you need it.
Tomato juice
horseradish
bottled or fresh lemon juice
worcestershire sauce
few drops hot sauce
celery salt
black pepper

Add Yankee Spirits Vodka
$9.99 for 1.75 liter

about 6 Bloody Marys for about .50 a piece

Enjoy

Posted by anonymous on November 10, 2009 1:32 PM

.................................

I bought a gingerbread house kit last January at 75% off. I'll assemble it and plan to use spray shellac or polyurethane and display it every year.

Posted by anonymous on November 10, 2009 1:45 PM

.................................

I've decided to either use all the plastic bags from the grocery store as garbage bags or recycle them! All these bags just add clutter to a household.

End the clutter!

Posted by Kimberly A. Griffiths on November 14, 2009 10:04 AM

.................................

Great ideas from everyone. Today we used some bread heals that I hate to waste in our eggs. I just brown them until crisp in a bit of butter or olive oil. Then put in the eggs and scramble until done...mmmm. Comfort food.
I am good on groceries except milk. So I will just mix some dried milk into the 1/2 jug of milk. I will be able to wait until Monday to go shopping...and not buy groceries this week. I almost always buy something I don't need.
I hung up three loads of laundry.
After the babies go to bed tonight I will work on Christmas quilts. Last Jan. there were fleece blankets 90% off...I bought lots:). I'm taking them and making matching quilts for my little ones. The scraps and the scraps from a fleece robe that was longer than I wanted, so I cut a foot off the bottom and hemmed it up, will make cute hats and mittens for the kids. I also have a pattern for little baby slippers...my daughter may only be 1 1/2 but she LOVES shoes, and slippers.

I will put a little olive oil in my bath tonight because it is the best thing to fight winter skin. Better than any expensive lotion in the world.

Posted by Michelle on November 14, 2009 3:44 PM

.................................

We just bought a used washing machine and dryer from someone on Craigslist for $200.
It's in perfect condition. I've never bought a used appliance before, but my (6 yr old) Frontloaders both went out within a month of each other and repair on them will be higher than makes sense and with the holidays coming, I simply cannot afford the cost of repair or
replacement. The panel on the dryer alone will cost $600 to repair. (these are good items to keep the warranty currant on btw).It may feel like going backwards a little bit, but I can now save up and move forward.

Posted by Trish on November 15, 2009 1:05 PM

.................................

OK maybe this sounds really cheap but I have a confession...

When boiling water for my tea, I turn off my electric stove burner when it's about boiling. The burner stays so hot that it doesn't require me to keep it on for the water to boil.

I just finished cooking a tuna casserole (I admit it I love tune casserole!). The frugal part is I'm leaving the oven door so that the heat can warm up the downstairs. Yes, I have my heat on but it could be a bit warmer so why not take advantage of the heat from the oven while it cools down?

My family just laughs at me when I do these quirky things.

Posted by Kimberly A. Griffiths on December 05, 2009 12:50 PM

.................................

-----------------------------------------

Share Your Comments:

Comments may need to be approved before they are displayed.

Comments:

Username (leave blank if you want to be anonymous):

Email Address (your email address will not be displayed):

Website URL (not required; please do not include "http://"):