Smoke Detector Batteries
Want to live better on the money you already make?
Visit www.stretcher.com/index.cfm?TipsSyn to find hundreds of articles to help you stretch your day and your dollar.
Copyright 2014 • Dollar Stretcher, Inc.
Smoke Detector Batteries
Hopefully everyone changed their smoke detector batteries when they moved their clocks back. I also hope those batteries weren’t thrown out. They still have life and can be used in TV remotes or kids’ toys. Ellie
Before You Clean
Before I start my “holiday cleaning” this year, I’ll clean all my cleaning tools. I will wash all the mops, brushes, and dusters. I will also clean my vacuum cleaner filters. After all, what is the point in cleaning the house with dirty, germ ridden implements? Plus, the clean tools are more efficient.
Grannie Annie in Suffern, NY
Why I Support CSAs
I’m not a gardener, but I love fruits and veggies. That’s why I was pleased when community supported agriculture began in our city. I’m able to get locally grown produce at reasonable prices. Not only is it fresh, but I also can find out what pesticides, etc. were used in growing. Plus, I get to support local farms. It’s a great deal all the way around. Colette
Whew. Stinky
Do you have shirts and blouses that smell in the underarm area even after you wash them? Then try a quick soak in vinegar. The odor is caused by bacteria. The vinegar kills the bacteria causing the odors. After the item is soaked, it should go into the regular wash. Occasionally, there will be a stain left. For the most stubborn stains, soak the area in straight ammonia for an hour or two. Nicki
Free Heat
Our electric bill has been rising. Last winter, we bought one of those dryer vent boxes for our electric dryer. The heat from the dryer is vented into the house. Lint is filtered, so all we get is the hot air. We found our vent box for a few dollars at the local hardware store. As a bonus, the warm air tends to be a little damp, which helps dry winter indoor air. Trisha
Static Cling Solution
During the winter, I used to have a problem with my pants sticking to my nylons. Not only was it uncomfortable, but it also looked terrible. I used to use expensive static cling sprays, but then I found a much cheaper solution. Now, I just rub a dryer sheet on my nylons, and my pants no longer stick to them. I use the same dryer sheet over and over. This winter, I’m going to keep one in my purse and also in my desk at work. Tonya
Reusing Foil Pans
Each Thanksgiving, I buy one of those foil roasting pans for my turkey. And I used to throw them away after that one use. Then it occurred to me that they could be washed and reused. Now I save them and put them under casserole dishes to catch drips. I’ve also placed them upside down over casseroles instead of covering the dish with aluminum foil. Sure, it’s not a big savings, but every bit helps. Marcy
Unusual Repurposing
Toilet brushes are great. Squish one down until it is real thin and it becomes a great large container scrubber because of the long handle. I also use as a foot scrubber. It’s hard to bend over and it gets in around the toenails. A toilet scrubber is also good for cleaning window sill cracks. I have about five and all are marked for different jobs. I get them at the dollar store in different colors. Rena in FL
Lunch Time
Time is money, and this tip saves time. If you use the office microwave to heat your frozen lunch entree, try this. When you get to work in the morning, don’t put your entree in the freezer. Leave it out on your desk or office kitchen counter to thaw. It will heat more evenly, take much less time, and may even make you more popular. Your coworkers won’t have to wait long to heat up their own lunches. If you’re worried about spoilage, put your entree in the refrigerator (not the freezer) until lunchtime. That will also help a little. WC
Frozen Veggie Dispenser
I’m usually just cooking for one or two people, so I’ve learned to make my freezer my friend. For instance, when I buy carrots or other veggies, I do any prep work (removing stems, cutting into pieces, etc.), spread them on a cookie sheet, and then freeze them overnight. The next day, I place them in freezer bags. When I want a few carrots or blueberries for a dish, I have a ready supply.
This also allows me to buy many of my veggies when they’re on sale. I especially like to stock up on berries. They’re great for waffles, pancakes, muffins, or loaves. Sherilee
Avoid the Breakfast Drive-Thru
I got tired of picking up breakfast at the fast food drive-thru because it’s expensive and unhealthy, so I started looking for ideas. I came up with the idea of making my own fast food breakfasts.
Starting with an English muffin, I add egg patties, a sausage patty, two slices of cheese, and a little mayonnaise. Before putting them in the fridge, I microwave them for about one minute on high power. I can make myself a dozen for just a few dollars.
We can warm them up at home or take them to work or school. My family loves them. I started making six each week. Now I’m up to 12. Sandra
Visit www.stretcher.com/index.cfm?TipsSyn to find hundreds of articles to help you stretch your day and your dollar.
Copyright 2014 • Dollar Stretcher, Inc.
Smoke Detector Batteries
Hopefully everyone changed their smoke detector batteries when they moved their clocks back. I also hope those batteries weren’t thrown out. They still have life and can be used in TV remotes or kids’ toys. Ellie
Before You Clean
Before I start my “holiday cleaning” this year, I’ll clean all my cleaning tools. I will wash all the mops, brushes, and dusters. I will also clean my vacuum cleaner filters. After all, what is the point in cleaning the house with dirty, germ ridden implements? Plus, the clean tools are more efficient.
Grannie Annie in Suffern, NY
Why I Support CSAs
I’m not a gardener, but I love fruits and veggies. That’s why I was pleased when community supported agriculture began in our city. I’m able to get locally grown produce at reasonable prices. Not only is it fresh, but I also can find out what pesticides, etc. were used in growing. Plus, I get to support local farms. It’s a great deal all the way around. Colette
Whew. Stinky
Do you have shirts and blouses that smell in the underarm area even after you wash them? Then try a quick soak in vinegar. The odor is caused by bacteria. The vinegar kills the bacteria causing the odors. After the item is soaked, it should go into the regular wash. Occasionally, there will be a stain left. For the most stubborn stains, soak the area in straight ammonia for an hour or two. Nicki
Free Heat
Our electric bill has been rising. Last winter, we bought one of those dryer vent boxes for our electric dryer. The heat from the dryer is vented into the house. Lint is filtered, so all we get is the hot air. We found our vent box for a few dollars at the local hardware store. As a bonus, the warm air tends to be a little damp, which helps dry winter indoor air. Trisha
Static Cling Solution
During the winter, I used to have a problem with my pants sticking to my nylons. Not only was it uncomfortable, but it also looked terrible. I used to use expensive static cling sprays, but then I found a much cheaper solution. Now, I just rub a dryer sheet on my nylons, and my pants no longer stick to them. I use the same dryer sheet over and over. This winter, I’m going to keep one in my purse and also in my desk at work. Tonya
Reusing Foil Pans
Each Thanksgiving, I buy one of those foil roasting pans for my turkey. And I used to throw them away after that one use. Then it occurred to me that they could be washed and reused. Now I save them and put them under casserole dishes to catch drips. I’ve also placed them upside down over casseroles instead of covering the dish with aluminum foil. Sure, it’s not a big savings, but every bit helps. Marcy
Unusual Repurposing
Toilet brushes are great. Squish one down until it is real thin and it becomes a great large container scrubber because of the long handle. I also use as a foot scrubber. It’s hard to bend over and it gets in around the toenails. A toilet scrubber is also good for cleaning window sill cracks. I have about five and all are marked for different jobs. I get them at the dollar store in different colors. Rena in FL
Lunch Time
Time is money, and this tip saves time. If you use the office microwave to heat your frozen lunch entree, try this. When you get to work in the morning, don’t put your entree in the freezer. Leave it out on your desk or office kitchen counter to thaw. It will heat more evenly, take much less time, and may even make you more popular. Your coworkers won’t have to wait long to heat up their own lunches. If you’re worried about spoilage, put your entree in the refrigerator (not the freezer) until lunchtime. That will also help a little. WC
Frozen Veggie Dispenser
I’m usually just cooking for one or two people, so I’ve learned to make my freezer my friend. For instance, when I buy carrots or other veggies, I do any prep work (removing stems, cutting into pieces, etc.), spread them on a cookie sheet, and then freeze them overnight. The next day, I place them in freezer bags. When I want a few carrots or blueberries for a dish, I have a ready supply.
This also allows me to buy many of my veggies when they’re on sale. I especially like to stock up on berries. They’re great for waffles, pancakes, muffins, or loaves. Sherilee
Avoid the Breakfast Drive-Thru
I got tired of picking up breakfast at the fast food drive-thru because it’s expensive and unhealthy, so I started looking for ideas. I came up with the idea of making my own fast food breakfasts.
Starting with an English muffin, I add egg patties, a sausage patty, two slices of cheese, and a little mayonnaise. Before putting them in the fridge, I microwave them for about one minute on high power. I can make myself a dozen for just a few dollars.
We can warm them up at home or take them to work or school. My family loves them. I started making six each week. Now I’m up to 12. Sandra