Cake Mix Banana Bread
What I dislike about this recipe is the use of cake mix. That is unhealthy. Who knows what garbage goes into that? Why not use just flour etc. after all she already has three eggs and oil to add. Otherwise the use of bananas is good and I like the addition...
Getting Rid of Flea Eggs?
They are nits and you need to kill those eggs with a special shampoo and then comb them out with a special comb, go to drug store for help
Save Eating Out for Special Occasions
I agree completely with the advice about eating at home. I also can manage my budget now due to that change. I would like to add that cutting out convenience food is even more cost saving. It takes awhile to re-stock your kitchen so you can actually cook a...
No More Paper Products
Ciscos mom has not correctly calculated the carbon footprint. No need to use the dryer; trees are not swiftly replaced whereas cotton is more available. Recycled Tshirts make great paper towel substitutes. I buy cotton napkins at yard sales, and now have hundreds...
Baking Soda as a Natural Deodorant
Great idea. I added it to natural Scottish lavender talcum powder and I smell nice too. I really love this tip.
Baking Soda as a Natural Deodorant
Great idea. I added it to natural Scottish lavender talcum powder and I smell nice too. I really love this tip.
Social Security Survivor's Benefit Check?
The answer call your social security office is a vert cute response, but her child will be a grandfather before she gets to speak to a human being.
Cleaning a Coach Bag?
Washing machine on delicate - line dry. Been doing this for years with all my coach bags, all still perfect, one is thirty years old.
The Northern Cardinal
Thanks for this very interesting article. I am trying to find out more about a bigger red bird that goes south to latin america but stays a short while in Canada and on the east coast. This big read bird means a lot to me as I saw him on the anniversary of...
Stretching My Meager Dollars
I do not understand why Brenda thinks the posting mum is American. Thrifty exists everywhere. It is an attitude that makes sense. Even if you have money why waste it. You can give it to charity. I love darning socks, and when I was young and very poor I considered...
Store Spaghetti in Pringles Can
Your idea is great, except for wiping out the can with a paper towel. Use a washable cloth, i.e. old T shirts or underpants cut into nice squared.
Cooking Omelets in a Bag?
Why use plastic? I have some small salad bowls. I put a tiny drop of oil in the bottom, crack an egg on the side, slide it into the bowl. Put bowl in microwave, cook. Ready for table, no extra dishes and best of all no plastic. Frugal and healthy
What's the Cheapest Paper Product?
You cannot live without toilet paper, but the rest is a waste of money and trees. Stop buying tissues, use handkerchiefs. Stop buying paper towels, make tea towels and throw all of them in the washing machine once a week. Stop buying all the rest and find substitutes...
Organizing My Room?
Well, if you only have until tomorrow I think you need to take an emergency approach to the project. In medicine doctors call it triage - it means dividing everything into three sections. Emergency Intermediate, this keeps being divided into Can wait 1. Make...
Helping Someone Else Be Motivated
The thought that went into creating this solution for your mum is the epitome of love. I am happy to be reading it on Thanksgiving Day. I am far from home and will not be celebrating as you will in America, but it is stories like this that warm my heart and...
Removing Wax from Lead Crystal Candle Holder?
Fill your sink with warm water. Insert the candle sticks for a short while. A lot of the wax will fall away. Keep doing this until most of the wax is gone. Re warm the water as it cools. Eventually (not more than half an hour) put the candles sticks into hot...
Laundry Soap Overload
I agree with everything written here, and my own solution to the problem is to use less as suggested and then about once every two weeks I do all my washing without detergent. Every single time, over roughly 50 years of housekeeping, I have found suds. For...
Washing a Dry Clean Only Robe?
Yes, I wash all dry clean only clothes. Remember, wool, linen, silk etc were all invented before dry cleaners. And synthetics were invented specifically to go into washing machines. I do everything on cold/delicate. The tricky part is the ironing/pressing, but...
Paint Colour Advice for Bathroom Walls?
White, you have no options, any of your other colors would make the space smaller and a bathroom is usually a small place. And you need light for most activities in a bathroom. I suggest lots of mirrors too, to reflect your silver touches - do the frames in...
Whitening Dingy White Clothing?
Wash a few times with no detergent or bleach, or anything. Use warm water. Hang in sun. I do this automatically all the time and my whites are quite acceptable. Oops! I do put detergent in sometimes, but the dingy look, I believe, comes from a build up of too...
Quick Aluminum Foil Funnel
I really do not like any posting involving aluminum foil. It is expensive to buy and it is expensive to produce using the highest proportion of energy of any synthetic product. Please do not use it for such a frivolous activity, especially as you say an envelope...
Removing Candle Wax from a Couch?
I use a warm iron and absorbent paper. Brown wrapping paper is best, paper towels ok. Cover the wax with paper and keep ironing over the spot until it has all been absorbed into paper. Keep moving paper. You will see the paper become damp. Problem is when the...
It Costs Nothing To Smile
I smile too, but here in France it is greeted with shock. But a more recent tactic is to ask questions about the language, and take the time to listen to answers. This works brilliantly in shops, cafes parks etc. I do not try it on the street - just a smile...
Use a Job Jar for Chores
I voted for this because I admire a family who can pull this off. I bet everybody is happy too. There is a level of conscientiousness rarely found, but badly needed. Good luck - all of you
Lighten the Load
Just curious as to how big your underwear is that it would take up so much room. Why not wash it out each night? Often I do this in a puplic restroom, wrap in a facecloth put in a waterproof bag until a drying place turns up, best being the back window of a...
Growing Hens and Chicks
Thanks so much for this advice. I bought some of these plants in Croatia and transported them to France, with no idea about their name. I just like the look of them. Now they are starting a second year in my very tiny rock garden and they look wonderful. Two...
Grape Vine Leaves Turning Yellow?
Thanks for your reply and concerns. I forgot to mention I live in France, in a village. The authorities have been informed repeatedly. This is not USA. There is either no justice or too much. Sometimes I report, sometimes I cannot be bothered. Its nice to share...
Organize Bills By Type
I do this for myself. I have bills from three different countries to deal with. I divide each folder into three parts and then file. So much easier and as I do not always retain the names in foreign languages I can sneak my way through the paperwork and deduce...
Removing the Fabric Softener Dispenser on a GE Front Loader?
Pull, hard. Usually you need to wiggle it a bit when it is pulled out.
CDs to Decorate Outdoors
Where I live in the city we are pestered by thousands of pigeons. Somebody introduced this idea and now all the balconies are festooned with cds on string or windchimes.The pigeons are bemused and the sunshine and even moonlight give the whole neighborhood...
Painting Over Dark Paint?
Thanks so much. I will follow your advice starting today. We have a three day weekend. When I do not know how to directly translate a word, I have to fully understand the function so I can explain it to the vendor. I think I will be able to cope now. Have a...
Painting Dark Wood a Light Color?
Excuse my ignorance, but what it primer? I live in Europe and do not know exactly what that means but I sure do need to paint some dark painted wood. Thanks.
Can Homemade Soap Containing Fels-Naptha Cause a Rash?
I think it is your soap. I can not remember exactly why I know this, but I heard growing up to avoid naptha in all respects. It is a chemical perhaps related to lye. I will look it up and get back to you but it is an old-fashioned product and not all of them...
Removing an Oil Stain from Cotton Clothing?
When I have difficult stains I usually resort to putting dishwasher detergent in the washing machine. I have had a lot of good luck with this. But probably it is a last resort.
Paint Color Advice for Kitchen With White Units, Black Worktops, and Red Accessories?
White, white, white. You already have 3 colours and that is enough. You can easily change your accessories if you want a new look, but leave the walls alone.
Brightening Up a Dark Living Room?
Cover the darkest wall with white curtains. Put up a rod across the living room, and make the curtain as dense as possible - 3 mtrs fabric to one metre distance. I did this in my very old house because the paneling was antigue. I found a large roll of white...
Using Olive Oil on Wood Floors?
I love this idea. I use the same ingredients as salad dressing. I had a sudden flash of you inviting friends and being able to serve their lettuce off your lovely wood floors. I have wood floors in my kitchen and often spill stuff on it. I am sure there has...
Painting Teak Wood Rocking Chairs?
Yes, wipe it down with White spirit, and then paint lightly, then paint again. Finish with clear lacquer. However, why paint teak. It is so beautiful when nourished. I suspect you have too much wax on it. After the White Spirit cleaning, take another look, perhaps...
My Frugal Life: On The Sidelines
You have such a beautiful smile that I am sure you are making a contribution even if you feel you are only sitting on the sidelines and watching and waiting. I would appreciate it if I could turn around from a tragedy and see your lovely face. I would feel...
How To Kill A Tree?
What do you mean by useless? What do you not like? Can you send a photo? Start a petition with your neighbors to ask the council to remove it. Why do you want to kill it?
Painting Over Varnish?
What is TSP? I live in Europe and might be able to get it if I know the full chemical name.
Substitutes for Aluminum Foil?
KansasCindy, if you start a post by writing, I dont mean to be a smart alec here at all, but - - - -, then you are already aware that your following words are smartalecky. Perhaps you could not resist the obvious, but that is not what this site is about - it...
Alternatives to Paper Towels
This is a great idea. I do it myself and nowadays I never buy paper towels. I buy bundles of facecloths when I see them on sale and keep stacks in each bathroom and in a draw in the kitchen. I also just throw them into the wash with other dirty whites.
Recipes for Scones?
Thank you everybody for these very helpful recipes. All have helped in slightly different ways. Does anybody by chance have these measurements already translated into metric?
Washing Dry Clean Only Clothes?
Forget dry cleaners. I have not been for years. Think about the finer fabrics, wool, linen, silk, cashmere. They were all invented before dry cleaning. I do all of the above on the delicate cycle. For silk, roll up the item and store in the freezer until ready...
Storing a Christmas Centerpiece?
Wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in a box. Try to find recycled plastic wrapping.
Where Can I Buy Microwavable Plates?
Forget plastic, use glass. I just bought some glass bowls at a yard sale. They are a lovely pale blue and I am using them all day long, straight to table too if you want. Avoid plastic, use glass.
Painting Appliances?
I like the advice and thank you all. About spraying, what happens to all the stuff surrounding the fridge. Mine is in the middle of the dining room, which is why I want to change the color. Do I need to worry about the paint mist? I could not take it outside...
Avoid Rust Rings from Shaving Cream Cans
I found some small rectangular plant holders in a pretty print that matched my decor. I placed three alongside my tub, lined with an absorbant shelf liner, and now all the bathroom junk goes into the planters and is hidden from view.
Dealing With Fine Hair
After more than fifty years of messing around with products I have persevered and grown my hair long enough to wear it up. There are many variations available and I change the look each day depending on the condition of my hair. So, cleaning and cutting is...
Retire the Sugar Bowl to Cut Sugar Usage
I will hide my sugar bowl, as I am lazy too. My solution is to keep the sugar bags given with coffee in cafes. I do not like sugar in my hot drinks, but for breakfast porridge or bitter fruit I use the paper sachet which control the quantity. Ive been using...
Garden: First Iris Blooms
I long for a mass of Iris, but so far have only one puny plant which did not bloom, or spread. Where can I buy plants and when should I plant them
Marking Cleaning Rags
Love the tips about rags. I have not bought paper towels for about 5 years. I use everything, and then I wash and use again. I take sleeves out of tee shirts etc, so as not to confuse. I keep dirty rags in a basket and then wash all of them at the same time...
Wrap Presents With Foil
Any use of tinfoil is bad for the environment. It is the most energy dense product on the market. Stop buying it. Use recycled fabric, get it at yard sales. Recycle over and over again.
Wrap Presents With Foil
Baked potatoes taste just as good when cooked naked. Clean the bottom of pans, why put foil on the bottom, use elbow grease. This devotion to foil makes my skin crawl. Such indulgence and ignorance of the true cost of going green
Replacing Canvas on a Patio Umbrella?
I had the same problem and what I did was take the damaged one apart, after first washing it in the machine. Then I bought a similar fabric, used the old pieces as a pattern. It was easy to cut out the pieces, and then seam by seam I sewed the new one. I used...
Getting Kids To Help With Chores?
When my two children were pre-teen they helped and it was a pleasue for all of us. Then the dreaded adolescence hit. One made money in college doing laundry for ignorant students. The other did nothing, until one day I went into her room with trash bags, collected...
Learn About Your Equipment From Repairmen
I live in France so this may not be applicable to all readers, but the best solution to repairs of any kind is to find a repair guy from any of the former communist nations. They are well educated, used to keeping systems going without the right tools or parts...
Cigarette Smoke Coming From My Neighbor's Yard?
I do not have a suggestion for the interior smoking insults, but for the guy who smokes on his porch every night I would drag a fan outside, place it on the property line facing him and force the smoke back at him. He might not mind but you would be cleaner...
Remote Control Tips?
There is a TV with a beep. You have to whistle to make it beep. My dog could actually bark at a level where the remote would beep and he would go to it. Great little poodle, my Paddy. But, for myself I wonder why we cannot have reading glasses that beep when...
Recycled Chair Planters
I love this idea. It is just what I needed at ths time. I have four metal chairs without seat bases. Now I know what to do with them. I can put them around my garden, hither and yon. Thanks so much. I even have loads of ivy on my land. I will just transplant...
Should The Dry Clean Deal With Ring Around the Collar?
For years my husband and son wore dress shirts, sometimes I had 3 a day, 21 per week. I washed them all at home, gave them to each guy in a plastic bag and he would get them laundered or pressed at the dry cleaners at his office building. Cost the same but...
Should The Dry Clean Deal With Ring Around the Collar?
Wash the whole shirt and then send to cleaners, not a big job with todays washing machines. Actually, french cuffs are not hard to iron. Take it slow and easy and after a few efforts you will have it done. I used to calculate 5 mins per shirt. Then teach your...
My Frugal Life: Dealing With Big Bills
There is something very endearing about this post. I think it is the enthusiasm and lack of self pity. So very American too, I can do it.
Frisbee for Reinforcing Paper Plates
How much does a frisbee cost, in dollars and in energy. Are we not trying to eliminate energy-intensive plastics.
Uses for Ice Cube Trays
Ice cube trays, such a good topic. Look at all those ideas. I am ready to rush out and buy more trays. Thanks to all.
Pennies for Cut Flowers
This is interesting, recently I received a lot of flowers for my birthday. One bunch was so big I was able to divide it into three and used 3 different vases. Two vases were glass and one was pewter. The pewter flowers arrangement, identical to the others has...
Keep Your Shower Curtain Clear!
My best shower idea ever is to buy a taffeta curtain and just wash on gentle whenever it looks cruddy. Taffeta repels water sufficiently for the longest shower. It is a natural product, either silk or cotton and requires no chemicals to clean it. Think of yourself...
Cheap Plant Propagators
Here in France we buy our croissant from the local bakery, carry it home in an old pillow case. Nobody would eat what comes in those plastic containers. What pollution they create in landfills, always full of plastic.
Inexpensive Dry Cleaning?
The chemicals used at dry cleaners are very toxic. You would not want to smell them or let them touch your skin yet we let the cleaners inundate our clothes with them. I have lived in Europe for 25 years and I have not yet once been to cleaners. Firstly they...
