Gratitude Not AttitudeGratitude, not attitude. Last week Lowes was giving away gift cards in denominations from $5 to $1500. As to be expected, most cards were $5, which is what I got. I saw some posts from people saying they "only" got $5. I felt it was $5 that I did not have before.
No-Car DayThis summer, I decided to do an experiment. I decided to see what would happen if I didn't use my car one day a week. I have discovered that this is a really good idea for many reasons.
How to Wash a Cashmere SweaterFor years I dry-cleaned my wool and cashmere sweaters, paying $3.50 each time. I saw a TV segment that convinced me to try it at home. Not only is it cheaper, but there are no chemicals in your sweater, and it comes out so much softer. This will work for merino, cashmere, and all fine sweaters.
Use a Mesh Laundry Bag on the Top Rack of DishwasherUse a small bag to hold small items such as lids and baby bottle lids and nipples. The items will be clean, and they won't be thrown around the dishwasher. I especially like this hint because I can use an item I already have, and don't have to purchase those plastic holders that they sell for this purpose.
Magic Eraser to Clean Glass CookwareDon't scrub your glass cookware to clean off baked on food. The Magic Eraser (or knockoff) will remove it in seconds.
Fix for Sticky RubberWith time, some plastic and rubber can get a sticky, gummy feel. I had an umbrella like this. I made a paste of baking soda and water, rubbed it over the affected area with my hands, rinsed and dried. It worked so well and now I don't need to replace the umbrella.
Why Doing Things Yourself is More than FrugalMost people I know have someone else to clean their homes and wash their cars. They bring in food a lot and go out to eat often. They tell me that since I work full-time, I am wasting my precious free time. They also think I'm cheap.
Homemade Cherry PitterYou don't have to buy a cherry pitter. You can make your own if you have a soda or water bottle and a straw. Put the cherry on top of the bottle opening, and push the straw through.
Crunchy Chickpea SnacksThis snack is high in fiber and protein. You can flavor with any spices you want, so you can make it sweet or savory.
Make a Bottle of Fabric Softener Last for 8 YearsI got this tip from the Mary Hunt website. Get a spray bottle and fill 1/3 with fabric softener. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Spray a few times on both sides of an old washcloth, and throw it in the dryer. Turn the bottle gently before each use to mix up the contents well. I don't shake the bottle.
Paint Color Selection TipsI read on a Facebook group I belong to that it is not necessary to purchase sample-sized cans of paint, or to order the peel-and-stick 12 inch x 12 inch sheets. What the poster did was to get several cards with the paint chip colors she wanted and to tape the same color chips together.
French Onion MeatballsThis is a wildly popular recipe in a neighborhood food group I belong to. I used ground turkey, fresh parsley from my garden instead of the thyme, chopped onions I had frozen previously, and Swiss cheese instead of the pricey Gruyere.
Making a Strawberry Planter from a Laundry BasketEven if you purchase everything new, this is not an expensive project. I found the laundry basket at the curb, got the potting soil and burlap on sale, and traded plants with a neighbor.
Replacing Your Watch BatteryI always took my watches to the jeweler to have them replace the battery, at a cost of $8-$15. I saw watch batteries for the first time at Dollar Tree, and decided that I would try to replace them myself. Dollar Tree sold them 4 to a pack, which ends up being 25 cents to fix a watch.
Gedempte ChickenGedempte means "well-cooked." It is a flavorful, braised chicken that is economical and great for the winter. The chicken, potatoes and onions were all on sale. Use one potato and one piece of chicken for each serving
Cleaning Your Hair DryerDust can clog the motor, and shorten its life. I used a combination of a vacuum cleaner and an old toothbrush to clean mine.
