Making Curtains Longer
If the fabric isnt too heavy, I think you could sew an additional piece of fabric in a contrasting color or print onto the bottom of your existing drapes. The key to getting a finished look may be to cover the seam with some sort of braid or trim. Assuming...
Keeping Coffee Mate from Getting Hard?
You might consider buying the individual serving size liquid creamers in bulk at a warehouse store like Sams Club. Maybe more expensive, but no refrigeration needed, no waste, and a lot more tasty than powdered creamer.
Stopping Junk Mail?
I used catalogchoice.com for a while, but eventually when an unwanted catalog arrived, I went straight to the companys web site and sent them a customer service email requesting they stop the print catalog. I always included my name and address exactly as shown...
Making Tuna Salad?
In addition to the basics already covered above, I always add a bit of cocktail sauce (bottled tomato based sauce designed to put on seafood like shrimp and fish). The horseradish gives the tuna salad a nice little kick.
Alternative Uses for Shrimp Cocktail Sauce?
Its a delicious add-in to tuna salad, or as a sauce for any kind of fish.
Paint Color Ideas to Brighten Kitchen?
I would love pale green for most of the walls, with a deep gold as an accent color.
Fingers Sore After Having Acrylic Nails Applied?
You should not have bleeding! Please keep in mind that in a situation where blood gets out, bacteria can get in. Since youve posted this question on a thrifty web site, Im going to comment that in addition to taking potential risks with your health (I know...
Is it Okay to Have a Freezer in the Garage?
Weve had an older freezer (exact age unknown) thats been going strong in the garage of our house for 16 years. Temperatures range from above 90F in the summer to around 10F in the winter.
Keeping a Toilet Seat from Banging When Closed?
Hardware and home improvement stores sell little round felt pads with an adhesive backing. Theyre designed to put on chair legs to make the chair slide easily and not scratch wood floors. I think theyd do the trick and be a lot cheaper than buying a special...
Woven Place Mats as Wall Art
What a great idea! Im a long-time frugalista and there arent too many tips I havent seen before. But this is a new one. Even if you buy the mats new you could make a wall decoration for a fraction of what you might spend otherwise. And they also could easily...
Debit Card Number Stolen While Shopping on a Secure Site?
Although it might be interesting to find out exactly what happened, youd be better off getting a credit card and using it for online transactions. If theres a fraudulent charge, you do have to dispute it in writing, but you have something like two months to...
Paint Color Advice for a Beige and Brown Bathroom?
I love the sage green and white in the photo from JessWorley. If a darker, richer color appeals to you, try burgundy with gold-tone accents.
Water Damaged Carpet?
Typically water damaged carpet (and the pad beneath it) has to be replaced. Its not possible to dry it out before mold and mildew starts to grow. Probably the kind of severe medical problems mentioned above are somewhat rare, but its not a healthful situation...
When is the First Mortgage Payment Due After Closing?
I remember it as being the first of the first full month after the closing, in other words, it could be nearly two months if the closing was early in the month. But otherwise, follow the good advice already offered here to call the lender or potential lender...
Determining the Value of Old Children's Book?
I suggest you do a search on alibris.com and see what other copies are selling for.
Improving the Flavor of Canned Bean and Ham Soup?
Im not a big fan of spicy foods, but I love to add a few splashes of green Tobasco sauce to various kinds of beans. The green is much milder than the red variety.
Use Left Over Fries in Stew
I sometimes end up with leftover french fries when I eat out and a huge pile of them is served with a sandwich. I freeze them until I can use them. I often get out a handful, chop them up, warm them in a skillet, then pour a scrambled egg over the top and cook...
Weight Watchers Brownie Snack From the 70s?
I dont know if this is what youre looking for, but Ive eaten them and theyre amazingly good. http://www.grouprecipes.com/79343/weight-watchers-low-fat-brownies.html
Use a Post-It to Clean a Keyboard
Two words: cat hair. :) I couldnt believe the big globs this simple trick removed from my keyboard. Thanks!
Sharing Living Expenses With Boyfriend?
Id have some concerns about the fact that hes not voluntarily doing more. I probably wouldnt ask him to pay a portion of the mortgage, since the house is yours. But I would ask him for an amount equal to a third of all the other expenses, including things like...
Removing Eye Makeup
Using petroleum based products like vaseline and baby oil caused irritation of my tear ducts which led to dry eye, lots of purchases of eye drops and finally a couple visits to the doctor. It wasnt thrifty at all. Im not suggesting this will happen to everyone...
Diagonal Furniture Arrangement?
The advice I was going to give you after 40 years of marriage was to try it your wifes way for a month or so. If you really dont like it after that time, try your way for a month, and if all else fails just flip a coin to decide how it stays for good. I love...
Selling Inventory from a Business?
Before trying to sell them on Ebay, Id do some internet searching for people who are in the same business your late wife was. It seems to me theyd be the prime market for the inventory.
Senior Discount Day at the Goodwill
The Goodwill stores where I live have a web site where they publish a monthly calendar listing all the sales. Most days some category of merchandise is on sale, sometimes with pieces as cheap as one dollar. For people over 50, every Sunday is half-price day...
Homemade Business Cards?
Ive had good luck with Vistaprint, but you should be aware that they re-sell your information, leading to spam email and other ads. Also buried in their fine print is the fact that theyre an overseas-based company, which resulted in an extra currency conversion...
Frugal Eye Make-Up Remover
Id like to offer a warning about using baby oil to remove eyeliner. Even though I followed up with a wash with a gentle soap, I ended up with chronic dry eve and blurred vision in one eye. I suspect the baby oil irritated the tear duct and somehow interfered...
Tips For Eating Out Less
A couple other things Ive found helpful: I keep a list of quick, easy meals I enjoy which can usually be made with things I keep on hand. This helps to prevent that situation where you think I just dont know what to cook, so itd be easier to go out. Also, even...
Cosmetics at Yard Sales and Thrift Shops
This is a great idea if, as the poster says, the products are new and unused. If theyve been used, its a terrible idea since eye makeup and lipsticks can harbor bacteria.
Financial Liability for an Auto Accident?
I dont want to get into offering legal advice, and laws about this kind of situation vary from state to state anyway. I only want to comment that body work is extremely expensive, and a modest looking amount of damage can add up to $1,000 in a heartbeat. That...
Packing Meals for a Trip?
If youre driving, it may be easiest to just find a grocery when you reach your destination. Also, Id definitely phone the hotel beforehand and find out if a microwave is available.
Color Ideas for Brown and White Bedroom?
I love the combination of brown with a light aqua that you see quite a bit lately.
Getting Organized for the New Year
Lots of great ideas! I use some of these myself. I did read a tip about the space taken up by things we keep for sentimental reasons, which is to ask yourself if having a photo of the item would serve just as well. Alternatively, if youre saving things to serve...
Best Vacuum for Picking Up Pet Hair?
I never thought Id ask for a vacuum for Christmas, but I did. The Dyson DC25 with the ball design also does an incredible job on cat hair. I was astounded when I went over areas of carpet I had recently vacuumed with my old sweeper. The canister on the Dyson...
Tips to Stop Drinking?
If hes a heavy drinker and stops suddenly, hes going to go through some very unpleasant withdrawal. Alcoholism is a medical problem, so the first step should be for him to see a doctor. If the doctor he sees doesnt give him helpful information, he should keep...
Financing a Treadmill Purchase?
I was so eager to get rid of my treadmill that I listed it to give away on Freecycle. So if you happen to be in a city of any size, I suggest you check there. I wonder if youve already looked into the idea of simply walking for exercise. Although I realize...
Shabby Chic Christmas Centerpiece
Thats very pretty! A lot of my holiday decorating involves this same technique of adding decorations to my existing home accessories. Its quick, easy and relatively inexpensive. One thing I find especially handy are the large individual Christmas flowers like...
Newspaper for Gift Wrap
Although comics are fun for kids and family gifts, for a more elegant alternative Ive used brown grocery bags cut up as giftwrap for years (or you can just buy rolls of brown paper, which is thrifty but not free!). When I see fancy ribbon on sale after Christmas...
Gift Ideas for a 100 Year Old Woman?
Not sure if Im remembering correcty, but I think the White House sends birthday greetings to folks who reach 100. Visit their web site to check. There are lots of good ideas here. Im guessing shes in some kind of care facility and if so Id go with a warm bed...
Losing Weight Without Exercise?
I faced this problem when I was getting ready for my hip replacement and wanted to get some weight off to make the surgery and recovery easier. The bottom line is you have to take in fewer calories than you burn. And you have to be prepared to lose slowly. For...
Recommendations for Mattresses?
Sixteen years ago my husband and I bought a king size Select Comfort--the inflatable system where you can customize the level of firmness to exactly what is comfortable. The king size has two separate twin size mattresses, so the two sides of the bed can be...
Slow Cooker Beef with Balsamic Vinegar?
Not for the crockpot, but could probably be easily adapted: http://www.grouprecipes.com/56799/balsamic-roast-beef.html
Recipe to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner?
You totally cant go wrong with brownies. Quick and easy to make, convenient-to-eat finger food type dessert. In case pumpkin pie is served, a good alternative for people who dont like it. Theyre cheapest to make from scratch, but if you want to use a mix, I...
Watch PayPal For Fraudulent Charges
Ive seen quite a bit of bad press about Paypals security, especially when it comes to peoples checking account information. A Paypal account is very useful, but I restrict mine to a credit card. You can easily dispute fraudulent charges, and the most money...
Leftover Rice
When hubby and I eat at a Chinese restaurant, we usually have leftover rice. I bring it home and freeze it. I thaw it in the microwave with a little added water and its as good as new. The monetary savings may be minor, but I love the convenience.
Serve Leftover Spaghetti in Taco Shells
I was looking for a lower calorie, lower carb alternative to buns for sloppy joes and put the meat into taco shells, too. I like them topped with some shredded cabbage.
The $20 Money Diet
I have a set monthly budget for non-essential items, lunches out with friends, etc. There have been months when I was slightly under the limit, which left a few dollars over for the next month, or slightly over, which I make up the next month. I record these...
Product Review: Individual Carrot Cake
Heres a very thrifty way to make a single-serving chocolate dessert. Ive saved four containers from the pricy Warm Delights Minis, because I think they work perfectly in the microwave. So I mix up four batches of the dry ingredients at a time. Then when Im...
Avoid The Advertisements
I figured out a long time ago to stay out of stores just looking to avoid buying things I didnt need. I didnt catch on so fast when it came to online shopping, though. A couple years ago I added up what I spent a few bucks at a time on Ebay and I was shocked...
Low-Fat Vanilla Ice Cream?
I realize you asked about vanilla ice cream, but I cant resist passing along a tip I read just last week. Disclaimer: I havent tried this yet myself. Apparently you can make a delicious and very healthy frozen treat by freezing a banana, then processing it...
Buying Liquid Fence?
I use the Liquid Fence deer repellent (very effective, by the way) and although I can buy it locally at a plant and garden store I find its cheapest to buy it in concentrated form online and then mix at home with water. You can visit the companys web site to...
Add Ham Hock When Cooking Beans and Peas
I agree that for flavoring dried beans and peas nothing beats the flavor of ham hocks. I cook the hocks separately the day before, until the meat is falling off the bone. I discard the bone and fat while still warm, then refrigerate the broth and skim off most...
Dog is Lethargic After Using Frontline?
I dont know if this will help, because I only have experience with cats. Ours tend to sleep more the day we use the product (not sure if its the Frontline brand, but it is a treatment we get from the vet). Weve used it for several years with no other ill effects...
Is Using Salt and Borax for Fleas Toxic to Cats?
Hercybabys advice is the same I would give you, based on a lot of personal experience. Please, though, make sure you get a flea product formulated specifically for cats--dont use the same one you use on your dog. With any luck, the fleas will continue to bite...
Sharing Garden Flowers
Its a wonderful idea which could be adapted to using photos from something like Google images if you dont have access to your own pictures.
Homemade Brownie Recipe?
To clarify the answer above, most recipes designed for an 8 by 8 inch pan will work in a 9 by 13 if you double the recipe. Baking time might be a little longer, though, because itll take the heat longer to reach all the way into the middle of the larger pan...
AeroGarden Reviews?
I was interested in one of these so I did a lot of reading online. I was concerned that so many users mentioned the noise of the water pump, which they compared to the sound of a noisy aquarium filter. Something to keep in mind if sound is an issue for you...
Keep Recipes in a Three Ring Binder
This is a great tip! Ive been married 39 years, and one of the few wedding presents still in use in my home (along with the stainless steel mixing bowls) is a vinyl binder made specifically for collecting and organizing recipes. Over the years Ive only put...
Recipe for Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls?
If youd want to try something similar thats delicious and probably less work to make than the rolls, do a search for a whoopie pie recipe. These are sandwich cookies with a cake-like texture and a creamy filling. Sorry I dont have a link handy to a good recipe...
Use Pewter to Defrost Meats
If you place raw meat directly on the metal, make sure the pewter is safe for coming into direct contact with food. I think some of the older pewter may not be.
Zucchini Rounds
Just made a batch and theyre delicious. Because Im calorie conscious, I used 3 cups zucchini (approxmiately 2 medium to large squashes). That worked fine. I also salted the grated zucchini first and let it sit for about a half hour, after which I pressed out...
Adding Chicory to Ground Coffee?
I should go look on the can to check for sure, but I think Chock Full O Nuts has some chickory. Costs more than, say, Maxwell House, but way cheaper than the boutique brands and very good coffee!
Gifts for Teachers?
As a teachers daughter, I can tell you that when my mom passed away, 20+ years after she retired, I cleared out a big dresser drawer full of costume jewelry, scarves, hankies, etc. that she kept and appreciated, but literally never had time to use because there...
Planning a Wedding and Reception for $1500?
This tip might be a help with food, if youre in a part of the country like I am where people expect a meal at the reception. Check on catering by a local fast food operation. I just attended a reception catered by Lees Famous Recipe (fried chicken), to which...
Homemade Cat Food
Please, please take the other posters advice and read up on cat nutrition before feeding this to your cat. They need essential vitamins and minerals which arent in this recipe.
Plant Light for Growing Herbs Indoors?
I think you might be wondering about the Aero Garden, for which theres an ad popping up on this page even as I type :) I read a number of consumer reviews of this product and was scared off by the fact that people said the pump which runs water all the time...
Paint Colors to Brighten a Bathroom?
My small guest bathroom (no window) is also a pale yellow. I have a little tabletop lamp tucked into the corner of the vanity and I keep a 15-watt bulb on in there all day. It doesnt cost much in electricity and provides a constant soft glow that you dont get...
Buying a New Car Vs. a Used Car?
A GM dealer in my area is advertising new Malibus for $14,000, which sounds like a pretty cheap deal to me. I dont know if the present economy is driving down used car prices to the point where you could save all that much buying used. Although Ive purchased...
Keep Food Scraps Away from Raccoons
We also have to keep bird feeders away from the raccoons. They dont bother the niger seed feeders with the tiny holes, and I have a suet feeder on a free-standing pole in the yard they dont seem to try to get to. Otherwise, I have to bring the feeders in at...
Peanut Butter Cravings?
Try mixing peanut butter with silken tofu. Its tasty, healthy, and will get you the flavor and save on calories. Its been long enough ago that I dont remember the proportions I used. I suggest you just experiment with seeing how little peanut butter you can...
Frame Greeting Cards as a Holiday Decoration
A beautiful card in a photo frame can make a nice Christmas gift, too. Stores like TJ Maxx sell fancy frames at reduced prices, or simply buy a plain mat and framing kit at a craft store.
Losing 20 lbs. in Two Months?
Thats not an impossible goal, but losing about 2 pounds a week leaves pretty much no room for error, either. As others have suggested, youll probably HAVE to step up your activity level, along with reducing the number of calories you take in. You can try limiting...
Neighbor Dumps Dirty Cat Litter in Alley?
In my humble opinion, choosing any of the things already suggested as a first step in dealing with this problem will likely ensure a bad future relationship with these neighbors. I would first go to them and simply tell them you wish they would find another...
Gift Ideas for Children's Choir Members?
www.musicmotion.com is a dependable company with both online ordering and a print catalog. No connection except as a satisfied customer :)
My Frugal Life: Stay Out of Stores
Among the many great ideas in this essay is the mention of a weekly trip to a thrift store. This may seem counter to the advice to stay away from stores to help avoid overspending. But in my experience, for people who depend heavily on thrift store shopping...
My Husband Doesn't Like Vegetables?
I struggle with disinterest in vegetables myself--especially when theyre prepared in a simple way. Over the years Ive concluded part of the problem is that I dont know enough appealing ways to prepare them, and that I dont have a mindset that they deserve as...
Recipe Ideas for Potato Crisps?
Probably the best advice so far is to return them to Costco. If you dont want to, you might try googling for a recipe for tuna casserole which uses potato chips. I used to make one years ago, and the only down side was that it was very greasy. Sounds like those...
Recipe for Lemon Garlic Salt?
If you cant find it locally, I know a lot of people swear by the quality of Penzys spices and seasonings. www.penzeys.com
Glue for Making Paper Toys?
Thanks, Harlean! Yesterday I read on one of the links here to try letting a small amount of Elmers partially dry so that it thickens, too. But this sounds like exactly what I need.
I Eat Too Much - Tips for Eating Less?
Im 58 and Ive had problems with weight all my life. As a result, I have the basic knowledge of calories and nutrition that everyone needs before they even think about losing weight. Building on that, every person needs to find some motivational mantras that...
Use Vaseline to Remove Eye Make Up
I got the idea somewhere that its not a good idea to use Vaseline around your eyes--but I could be mistaken. At any rate, I use baby oil in the gel form to remove my eyeliner and eye shadow. Like Vaseline, its very inexpensive (the store or generic brand works...
Cooking Pork Chops in a Convection Oven?
I flour and brown them in a small amount of oil in a skillet, than put them into a shallow pan with a small amount of water, cover TIGHTLY with foil, and convect bake at 350 for between 30 minutes and an hour depending on the thickness of the chops. Believe...
Goldfish Tank Gets Very Dirty?
Because goldfish are so common, people think theyre easy to care for and nothing could be farther from the truth. For their size, they produce an incredible amount of waste and need a large amount of water to thrive. The experts suggest allowing 10 gallons...
Can You Get Sick from Thrift Store Items?
Everything I could say has been covered, but Id like to repeat the advice to not use makeup anyone else has used because it can become contaminated--especially mascara. I dont know if its possible to catch anything from used shoes, but I never put my bare feet...
Be a Good Sport When Buying for Yankee Swaps
On a related note, an organization I belong to has a mystery auction every year after Christmas as a fundraiser--members bid on beautifully wrapped, donated packages without knowing what they contain. Most people have enough class to donate relatively nice...
Replacement Tray for George Foreman Roaster Oven GV12?
Try www.repairclinic.com No connection with the company except as a VERY satisfied customer.
Places to Live After Retirement?
Having spent time in Eastern Kentucky, Id rather visit than live there. I think the remoteness and different culture would be especially hard to adjust to, coming from the east coast. I lived for a long time in Central Kentucky (Lexington) and suggest you investigate...
Question About Introductions?
As others have noted, perhaps the couple who requested you come to them had a physical disability of some sort, although it would have been polite to mention that if they did. But I think its unfortunate that youve given this situation more than a few seconds...
Ask About Your Library's Book Sale
At the library sales, dont forget to look for gently used CDs, too. The library where I live discards them for resale when theyre not checked out often enough. Its a great source of classical music especially. Not quite as thrifty as the library sales, but...
Tomato Paste In A Tube?
Since youve already gotten some replies, and since this is a thrifty site...if you want to buy it in a tube so you can use small amounts and store it longer, you can always freeze partial contents of a can in a small baggie. I think it might cost less this...
Getting Raccoons to Leave Neighborhood?
Ive had success baiting the Hav-A-Heart type traps with a can of cat food. You should be aware that if you take a racoon in the trap to some other location and release it, it will die. They cant adapt to a new environment. Its illegal in my city to trap and...
Making Coated Eyeglass Lenses Last Longer?
With proper care they should last a lot longer than a year. However, I can tell you from experience that the coating is very easily scratched. Its so delicate that you should never use something like a kleenex or paper towel on it. Cotton fabric is okay--in...
Saving Money on Bedding
Years ago I quit worrying about using sheets in matching sets. If you stick with neutral colors, it looks fine to mix and match things like blue, beige and black. This frees you up to buy individual sheets and pillowcases off the markdown tables at as much...
Tips for Bathing a Cat
I realize that sometimes its necessary to bathe a cat, but from a health standpoint (yours and the cats!) it should be avoided if possible. Please especially avoid using soap or detergent because of the drying effect it has on the cats skin. If possible, its...
Recipe For Hot Dog Relish?
Here in the U.S. you can buy dill pickle relish. Sometimes you have to look carefully for it on the grocery shelf, though.
