My family and friends call me a tightwad, cheap, frugal, and whatever else they can call me due to the fact that I can save and reuse things over and over.
I will refill my water bottles with tap water. I will use paper plates at least 2-3 times, providing there are no spills on them. I shop at thrift stores for clothing and sometimes I can find some really nice stuff. I will also close the vents and doors on rooms that I don't use when the A/C is on. Cooking larger amounts of food for left overs is a great way not to have to use the stove over and over. Microwaving to reheat left overs saves energy. Simple stuff but it works.
snoppydogdog from N.W. Arkansas
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We use paper plates for just the two of us at home now, I too cook in abundance for leftovers; I use my vacuum sealer to save the food.
My husband enjoys quesedillas or mexican dishes; I keep a large bowl of cooked, seasoned ground beef in the fridge along with salsa, cheese, sour cream and other condiments for tacos, quesedillas or a taco salad.
We also use the same drinking glass all day long plus a coffee/tea cup; I keep my glass in the fridge to keep it cold and when I want a glass of iced tea, I just fill with a few ice cubes and tea and enjoy.
Fill an ice cube tray with small slices of lemon or lemon mint or slices of your favorite fruit; freeze and then add to your iced tea. Leftover coffee can be frozen in ice cube trays for iced coffee drinks.
Cleaning tip: I keep a spray bottle of diluted clorox bleach on my kitchen sink and one in the bathroom. For quick clean-ups; spray area and allow to sit for a few minutes; wipe surface for a clean area.
Need extra ice: The containers that shaved deli meats come in (Healthy Choice) can be filled with water and frozen; dip the bottom in hot water and the ice will release; use an ice pick to chop the ice up and store in a freezer container in the freezer;also freeze water in litre soda bottles; use a knife to break the plastic off the frozen ice.
I make my own "Febreeze" by using a spray bottle filled with 1/2 water and 1/2 liquid fabric softener; lightly spray an area to test for colorfasting! Use sparingly on items to refresh - this is a good tip when you know company is on their way; refresh the rooms for a fresh smell in your home.
Oh My Gosh, we must be related. I didn't know that I had relatives around here (NW Arkansas). So nice to meet you.
Sounds oh so familiar! But A/C? Well, I guess not all of us have such things! I use fans; open windows & screened doors [summer] late afternoon & all nite, close, or just the shades, a.m. to let in air but keep out sun. Really really hot nites keep a spray bottle by the bed & spray self & sheets--the fan blowing over the wet sheet [only cover!] is really cool...I mean like, really COOL!
An' shopping: Thrift stores, yard sales--not just clothes but many other items at a fraction of new cost. Get great expensive [but for a buck or less!] electronic toys for the gr-grandkids, books, tapes, furniture, cookware, etc etc etc...I find it hard to walk thru a regular store--talk about sticker shock!
Have had some tough financial setbacks lately, an' I'm back making my own mayo & breads. Better tasting, better for ya, an' so simple! Even some scrumcious microwave breads w/minimum ingredients! [interesting what stuff one can find when they dig down in the freezer, huh?!!] And, WandaJo, do you make sun tea? tea bags in water in large jar in the sun!
I guess we could go on an' on an' on...but "tightwad, cheap, frugal"?? I think we're just smart! An' these days it's not a bad way to be!!!
Wow! So many people like me out there! Anything that comes in a tube like toothpaste etc. you can flatten and squeeze out ALMOST all of it.
Oh please don't re-use your paper plates! Even though no food spills on them, the saliva from your mouth, onto the fork, and back onto the paper plate is still there! Are you crazy, do you want to get sick? Your other ideas are all good but please take care of yourself!
I would really love to have your recipe for HomeMade Mayo, would you please send it to me? Wanda
WandaWooCBall2 AT aol.com
Nice tips but please don't re-use your water bottles! Water bottles are unfortunately made with toxins and reusing them once can cause the toxins to leach into your drinking water.
I would not use fabric softener to make home made air freshener. Fabric softener main product is wax. Just feel your clothes the next time you remove them from the dryer you can feel the wax left behind from the softener. So you will be spritzing wax into the air that will land on surfaces
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