October 27, 2004

Keep Shoes Smelling FresherTo keep shoes smelling fresh(er), fill the foot portion of an old pair of nylons with baking soda and stuff into the shoes when not being worn. Makes a big difference! By Leann D

 

Department Store HangersUsually department stores give you the hanger that comes with shorts, especially children's. The ends have the plastic with the metal slider. The entire part can be snapped off easily and reused for snack bags and such. By ceil

 

Towel Bar at Changing TableNot only does it hold a change of clothes, so I don't have to lift him half changed off the pad and search through his dresser with a naked baby in my arms, but it also keep the clothes out of his reach and holds musical toys that delight him when he isn't in the mood for changing.

 

Hanging on the Towel RacksI remember as a kid hanging from the towel racks in our bathroom. We would eventually pull them out of the walls. In my kids bathroom, I just use simple hooks bought at the buck store. They can't hang from them, and it is a lot easier for my kids to actually hang their towels up too. It doesn't look half bad either!! By Tori Parker

 

Another Use for Body SprayHave you ever bought a body spray, but later found you didn't like the scent? Instead of throwing it out or selling it for a quarter at your next garage sale, save it. Body sprays contain some alcohol, and the alcohol in them can help dissolve ink stains on clothing or other surfaces.

 

Diaper Cream AlternativesWhen my daughter was first born, I spent a small fortune on diaper creams and name-brand baby powder (she's prone to diaper rash). She would still get a diaper rash every so often, even though I used the creams with every diaper change. When circumstances forced me to cut back on my expenses, I began using corn starch (from the baking dept.) and pure petroleum jelly (vaseline) from the dollar-store. She has not had a single diaper rash in 4 months! Not only is it much, much cheaper, I think having fewer chemicals against her sensitive skin is much healthier (and really - who is going to get close enough to a baby's butt to smell that baby powder scent?!) By Leann D

 

Pretty Garden Bench from Bed Frame and Coffee TableNeed a place to sit and relax in your garden? Here is a great way to recycle and reuse a headboard and a old coffee table. Find a great looking single or twin headboard and a old coffee table at a yard sale.

 

Making Thrifty TableclothsTablecloths to fit my large dining room table were quite pricey and I had a very tight budget. One day while folding laundry, the idea came to measure a twin flat sheet on my table. Off I went to the fabric store for appropriate lace, edged one, then another I'd purchased from a yard sale.

 

Wax Residue on Wood FloorsHow do I remove candle wax residue from wood/veneer floors? -Vada

 

Fun Wall Sculpture from Old Record AlbumsStill have a bunch of those old record albums and 45s hanging around? Well, here is a fun sculpture you can make for your wall. First get some two by twos and make your self a simple box with two cross members in the center.

 

Freecycling.orgHave things in your house to get rid of? Need items? Have you tried http://www.freecycling.org? It is a website all over the US where people are giving stuff away, just have to pick it up.

 

Everyday is Mother's DayWhen scrolling through ThriftyFun's section for various tips, I noticed that there was a item for Mother's Day. I realize that holiday is a long ways away but it hit a soft spot in my heart.

 

Straws for Drinkable YogurtsTo make the drinkable yogurts easier for my young children to drink, I poke a stir straw in through the removable top to prevent spilling! I also keep these stirring straws on hand in case we lose one of the straws from our juice boxes! By Kristin

 

Infant Cereal TipIf you have an infant and feed him infant cereal you know how difficult it can be to get all the cereal out of those silly boxes without spilling and wasting it. Just pour it into a freezer bag or Tupperware when you get home and you don't have to worry about waste! It's expensive enough!

 

Old Sofa With a Bad Spring?I have an old sofa that is worn out and should be replaced, but I cannot afford it at this time. Besides, my entire family loves this sofa, as it is very comfortable. However, one of the springs has sprung apparently. If you sit down on this one section you sink down too far. Is there a way to shore this up that is not too difficult or expensive? I am a single mom on a limited budget. Kathy Y.

 

Dishwasher Turns Plastic Pink?We don't eat a lot of spaghetti and we just bought a house with a dishwasher. Sometimes my dishwasher turns all my plastic pink! I cannot figure it out! Its a pale pink, not orange like tomato sauce stains. Some of the stuff I had will not go back to its original color so now my coffee pot filter holder and my ice trays are pink! Does anyone else have this problem? I keep wondering if it is the cascade dishwashing powder. I switch to electrosol and it does not seem to happen anymore. Has anyone tried that plastic booster stuff? Does it work? sarah_bellum from Saint Louis

 

Bug Eating My Rose of Sharon?There is a black bug with tiny red spots eating the devil out of my Rose of Sharon seed pods, still on the bush! Any idea what these things are and what to do about them? Thanks Rachel

 

How to Collect Seeds from Tornia or Wishbone Plant?Does anyone know how to collect the seeds from the Tornia or Wishbone plant? Thanks Rachel

 

Points Programs?I am on a very limit budget....SS. Dis. and would love to know the sites that give gifts, etc. for points. Currently, I do My Points. and Memolink. Any others out there that are good at giving gifts etc.?? Thanks, Carol