I rarely use small electric kitchen appliances either. I live in an old house and there is only one outlet in the kitchen. Like you said, it only takes a second to use a manual can opener, and I can whip something by hand quicker than I can get out and set up the electric mixer.
TIP February Frugal Tips
- Thread starter Deena in GA
- Start date
I rarely use small electric kitchen appliances either. I live in an old house and there is only one outlet in the kitchen. Like you said, it only takes a second to use a manual can opener, and I can whip something by hand quicker than I can get out and set up the electric mixer.
DIMDAL
Contributing Member
Thank you, everyone, for the helpful hints!!!
I use my wood clothes dryer rack to dry herbs.
I stretch white flour sack towels across the dowels and use clothes pins to hold them in place. I spread my plantain, chickweed, raspberry leaves etc.. across the toweling and when I walk by I gently pat the bottom of the towels to fluff what I'm drying. Long, stemmed herbs can be bundled and hung from the dowels or edges of the rack.
I use my wood clothes dryer rack to dry herbs.
I stretch white flour sack towels across the dowels and use clothes pins to hold them in place. I spread my plantain, chickweed, raspberry leaves etc.. across the toweling and when I walk by I gently pat the bottom of the towels to fluff what I'm drying. Long, stemmed herbs can be bundled and hung from the dowels or edges of the rack.
meandk0610
Veteran Member
We were picking up just a few of the packages of seeds that Walmart has out today for things I want to try this year. Our 11 yo was with us and said he wants his own little garden this year, so he picked out some of the $.20 seed packs. It's the first time I've ever seen the seed aisle packed. And the $.20 seed packets were extremely picked over, so if you want any seeds from Walmart, better get them now.
This isn't so much a new tip, as encouragement to try something you've probably seen before. We hung a blanket at the entrance to our hallway since we only have one child left sleeping down that way now. Now when it's cold, he sleeps on the couch or on the fouton in the older son's room. The temperature difference between the rooms on either side of the blanket (and it doesn't even reach all the way to the floor) is absolutely astounding!
Have a bunch of old t-shirts? A friend of mine made the cutest quilt just cutting our the fronts of the t-shirts and sewing them together in a crazy pattern, then backing.
Have odds and ends of yarn? I have crocheted several cute blankets for my children just using all the leftovers from different projects. Some were done in a simply double crochet, using two strands - one of white and one of any different color. With those, I didn't even worry about where the color ended, just switched colors wherever one ran out. It gives it a "crayon" effect. The other is a simple V-stitch and I did varying numbers of rows with different colors.
Have a bunch of old t-shirts? A friend of mine made the cutest quilt just cutting our the fronts of the t-shirts and sewing them together in a crazy pattern, then backing.
Have odds and ends of yarn? I have crocheted several cute blankets for my children just using all the leftovers from different projects. Some were done in a simply double crochet, using two strands - one of white and one of any different color. With those, I didn't even worry about where the color ended, just switched colors wherever one ran out. It gives it a "crayon" effect. The other is a simple V-stitch and I did varying numbers of rows with different colors.
Forgot to add that old t-shirts can also be cut into strips and used to crochet rugs or other things.
And someone had mentioned using grocery bags to make rugs. I do the same thing - cut them into strips and link them together - to crochet tote bags.
And someone had mentioned using grocery bags to make rugs. I do the same thing - cut them into strips and link them together - to crochet tote bags.
You guys rock
I LOVE THIS THREAD!! I cook with cast iron and turn the oven off 1 1/2 hours before item should be ready. Works great as it finishes cooking the meat etc.
Where do you get Fels Naptha?? The bar my grandma gave me is LONG gone and no hardware stores anywhere here have it?? HELP!
Thanks for all the great info.....keep it coming!
I LOVE THIS THREAD!! I cook with cast iron and turn the oven off 1 1/2 hours before item should be ready. Works great as it finishes cooking the meat etc.
Where do you get Fels Naptha?? The bar my grandma gave me is LONG gone and no hardware stores anywhere here have it?? HELP!
Thanks for all the great info.....keep it coming!
In our area both Publix and Piggly Wiggly grocery stores carry Fels Naptha. I lucked out several years ago when our Publix decided to quit carrying it, so they put it in the markdown buggy for $.25 a bar. I bought every single bar they had and still have years worth of it. 
I've seen people say you can buy it online too, but don't know where.
Speaking of the cast iron, when I'm cooking on my cast iron griddle, I do the same thing and turn it off before the item is finished, and it finishes with no heat underneath.
I've seen people say you can buy it online too, but don't know where.Speaking of the cast iron, when I'm cooking on my cast iron griddle, I do the same thing and turn it off before the item is finished, and it finishes with no heat underneath.
joyfulheart
Veteran Member
I've seen fels-naptha (sp?) at Krogers, Walmart and sometimes at Dollar General.
Read somewhere people buy it on ebay. LOL Seems you can buy ANYTHING on ebay. haha
Read somewhere people buy it on ebay. LOL Seems you can buy ANYTHING on ebay. haha
bookworm1711
Inactive
We started having "hot water on demand" by keeping our oil hot water heater turned off except when we really needed the hot water. This has saved us many gallons of oil, yet we still have the hot water when we need it. As soon as we finish using the hot water, we go down to the basement and turn the hot water heater off by setting back the temperature adjustment.
Good idea about turning off your water heater, Bookworm! You made me realize that we could have saved our propane if we'd turned it off before going on vacation last fall. Sure it didn't use as much as it would have when we were here, but still had to use some to keep the water warm. DUH! I won't make that mistake again.
In the continuing effort to use our propane less, yesterday I made two batches of cookies. Instead of using the oven, though, I made no-bake cookies. We all appreciate having homemade cookies and it used much less gas.
Someone had mentioned keeping hot water on their wood heater and then using it. That was another DUH! moment for me because, although we keep water on it to add moisture to the air, I never thought about using the water.
Oh, I can't remember if I've mentioned this here before, but for those of you who homeschool, there is a great FREE resource for unit studies, actually two resources. My favorite is www.homeschoolshare.com and also www.easyfunschool.com
In the continuing effort to use our propane less, yesterday I made two batches of cookies. Instead of using the oven, though, I made no-bake cookies. We all appreciate having homemade cookies and it used much less gas.
Someone had mentioned keeping hot water on their wood heater and then using it. That was another DUH! moment for me because, although we keep water on it to add moisture to the air, I never thought about using the water.
Oh, I can't remember if I've mentioned this here before, but for those of you who homeschool, there is a great FREE resource for unit studies, actually two resources. My favorite is www.homeschoolshare.com and also www.easyfunschool.com
reply
A friend told us that when he and his wife have a holiday coming up, Valentines Day, Anniversary etc, they go to a drug store to pick out cards for each other. When they find what they like they exchange cards in the store and put them back. haha They save at least $8.00 or more.
A friend told us that when he and his wife have a holiday coming up, Valentines Day, Anniversary etc, they go to a drug store to pick out cards for each other. When they find what they like they exchange cards in the store and put them back. haha They save at least $8.00 or more.
Loon
Inactive
I just don't think I'd appreciate that. If you can't afford to at least buy a nice card then make one at home or send an e-card from the computer. Personally, I'd enjoy a good back rub or foot rub or have him cook dinner for a change.
Years ago my husband used to buy me a big heart of candy and give it to me then he'd proceed to sit down and eat it all.
Going out to eat is the best treat for me if the money is there to do it. It doesn't even have to be a fancy restaurant.
On the Valentine's line...my hubby has done this several time in different ways, but the first time was on Valentine's Day. It doesn't cost a lot and I LOVED it! He bought a box of my favorite candy bars (Hershey's Special Dark) and before I got up he made a BIG heart outlined with candy bars on the den floor. Another time he wrote I Love You with them.
Another time he wrote I Love You with them.Chair Warmer
Membership Revoked
Update on experiment; Using kerosene heater to supplement and save electricity on heat pump when temps fall below 40.
We've used aprox. $14 in kerosene and saved aprox $5 in electricity.
Not recommended as efficient in saving $ on heat.
Next experiment up; turning off hot water heater every day when not in use, and/or creating or buying a hot water blanket.
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Valentine's Day Tips
For children, print off Valentine's and have them color, glue, and create to make their own Valentine's to hand out for school.
I asked my husband if he wanted to he could just write me a poem! So he starts to rattle off "roses are red, violets are blue" and I said "oh come on, that didn't mean to plagiarize, haha!" It doesn't really matter, we'll just exchange a hug and kiss and that means much more anyhow.
I think I'm going to bake some carrot cake/cream cheese icing cupcakes in heart shapes but since I don't have a heart cake pan mold, my idea is to use the paper cups and create molds with tin foil around them in the pan. He does like carrot cake or else I'd use a different type of cake, or even brownies.
Mrs. Chair Warmer
We've used aprox. $14 in kerosene and saved aprox $5 in electricity.
Not recommended as efficient in saving $ on heat.
Next experiment up; turning off hot water heater every day when not in use, and/or creating or buying a hot water blanket.
----------------------------------------------------------
Valentine's Day Tips
For children, print off Valentine's and have them color, glue, and create to make their own Valentine's to hand out for school.
I asked my husband if he wanted to he could just write me a poem! So he starts to rattle off "roses are red, violets are blue" and I said "oh come on, that didn't mean to plagiarize, haha!" It doesn't really matter, we'll just exchange a hug and kiss and that means much more anyhow.
I think I'm going to bake some carrot cake/cream cheese icing cupcakes in heart shapes but since I don't have a heart cake pan mold, my idea is to use the paper cups and create molds with tin foil around them in the pan. He does like carrot cake or else I'd use a different type of cake, or even brownies.
Mrs. Chair Warmer
gunnersmom
Veteran Member
Chair warmer, I'm sure you have a carrot cake recipe you love, but just in case, go to foodtv.com and look for Ina Garten's recipe. It is absolutely wonderful and perhaps the heaviest cake I've ever made in my life.
In doing a little web surfing this morning I came across this site. www.betterbudgeting.com One of the links they gave was to a list of 51 money saving uses for ordinary kitchen items. This is the direct link to that list: http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/frugal/51kitchenitems.htm
The list made me remember a couple of things we do or have done using those same items. The kids love to pour juice into popsicle forms or even just ice trays to make "popsicles". It's much cheaper than buying popsicles and they love being able to make them themselves. They've even done just kool-aid.
Also, during our years of drought when we were using only our well, water levels were so extremely low that we were only able to do one load of clothes or dishes (in the dishwasher) a day and two of us could have baths. It was BAD! We saved water every way we could think of, including saving the water in the last bath of the night to flush the toilet with the next day. I took an empty water or milk jug, cut out part of one side at the top and used that to scoop water with from the tub to the toilet. It worked great.
The list made me remember a couple of things we do or have done using those same items. The kids love to pour juice into popsicle forms or even just ice trays to make "popsicles". It's much cheaper than buying popsicles and they love being able to make them themselves. They've even done just kool-aid.
Also, during our years of drought when we were using only our well, water levels were so extremely low that we were only able to do one load of clothes or dishes (in the dishwasher) a day and two of us could have baths. It was BAD! We saved water every way we could think of, including saving the water in the last bath of the night to flush the toilet with the next day. I took an empty water or milk jug, cut out part of one side at the top and used that to scoop water with from the tub to the toilet. It worked great.
IRoberge
Veteran Member
I've been off for a few days and decided to relax and enjoy myself by rereading my old Tighwad Gazette books from the '90's. I admit shamefully to you all that I have strayed, oh how I have strayed. 
There are so many frugal things I used to do that I don't anymore since I went back to work full time.
Today I made up a batch master mix (bisquik substitute) and have homemade baked beans in the oven. Both are much less expensive than their store bought equivalents.
Bring on the tips and I'll add some as I reintroduce frugality into our lives.
There are so many frugal things I used to do that I don't anymore since I went back to work full time.
Today I made up a batch master mix (bisquik substitute) and have homemade baked beans in the oven. Both are much less expensive than their store bought equivalents.
Bring on the tips and I'll add some as I reintroduce frugality into our lives.
IR, it's VERY easy to get away from frugality when you're working full-time. There's only so many hours in the day and many frugal things are more time-consuming. Congratulations, though, on making a start toward frugality again! How about posting your recipe for the master mix?
IRoberge
Veteran Member
Thanks Deena. I know its hard to find hours in the day when working but so many things really only take a moment or two. Those are usually the moments I'm online reading my boards or nose deep into PAW fiction! LOL Anyway here's the recipe.
Master Mix
For 13 cups
9 cups sifted all-purpose flour or
10 cups sifted soft wheat or cake flour
1/3 cup double-acting baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups shortening which does not require refrigeration
For 29 cups
5 pounds flour
3/4 cup double-acting baking powder
3 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
2 pounds shortening which does not require refrigeration
Stir baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and sugar into flour. Sift together three times into a large mixing bowl or onto a large square of plain paper. Cut into shortening until Mix is consistency of cornmeal. Store in covered containers at room temperature. To measure the Master Mix, pile it lightly into cup and level off with a spatula.
After I made up the big batch I made Apple Pecan Muffins
3 cups master mix
about 1 1/2 cups (home) canned apple pie filling
1 cup milk
1 egg slightly beaten
1/4 c. sugar
a pinch of cinnamon
1/2 pinch nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans
mix together and fill 3/4 full 12 muffin tins. Bake at 425 for 25 min.
Master Mix
For 13 cups
9 cups sifted all-purpose flour or
10 cups sifted soft wheat or cake flour
1/3 cup double-acting baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups shortening which does not require refrigeration
For 29 cups
5 pounds flour
3/4 cup double-acting baking powder
3 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
2 pounds shortening which does not require refrigeration
Stir baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and sugar into flour. Sift together three times into a large mixing bowl or onto a large square of plain paper. Cut into shortening until Mix is consistency of cornmeal. Store in covered containers at room temperature. To measure the Master Mix, pile it lightly into cup and level off with a spatula.
After I made up the big batch I made Apple Pecan Muffins
3 cups master mix
about 1 1/2 cups (home) canned apple pie filling
1 cup milk
1 egg slightly beaten
1/4 c. sugar
a pinch of cinnamon
1/2 pinch nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped pecans
mix together and fill 3/4 full 12 muffin tins. Bake at 425 for 25 min.
Thanks, IR! The muffins sound yummy! I have some apples in the freezer that I could heat up and use instead of the pie filling.
Today, for a snack for the kids, I made one of their favorites - plus it's quick, easy and fairly cheap. Made up a small batch of chocolate frosting and opened a box of graham crackers (bought at bogo). Put frosting between two graham crackers and then keep in the refrigerator until eaten. Yum!
On a different note, I saw somewhere a tip to use old dryer sheets to dust with. Have any of you tried that? I'm going to, although it will take a while to save some up. I don't use dryer sheets that much since I hang clothes out most of the time. When I do use them, I tear them in half and only use a half at a time.
Today, for a snack for the kids, I made one of their favorites - plus it's quick, easy and fairly cheap. Made up a small batch of chocolate frosting and opened a box of graham crackers (bought at bogo). Put frosting between two graham crackers and then keep in the refrigerator until eaten. Yum!
On a different note, I saw somewhere a tip to use old dryer sheets to dust with. Have any of you tried that? I'm going to, although it will take a while to save some up. I don't use dryer sheets that much since I hang clothes out most of the time. When I do use them, I tear them in half and only use a half at a time.
For today's tips, I have two very different ones.
First, when we have towels that get worn or torn in a spot/s to where they're really not usuable anymore, I cut the good parts of them into squares and hem them for washclothes, or use for dusting. Old diapers work good for dusting too - or for wrapping Christmas ornaments or other breakables in.
Second, one of my friends takes used baby or children's shoes or boots and turns them into lamps. They are absolutely adorable, and she said the lamp parts are pretty cheap. She's made some to keep and some to sell. I can even see (in my mind) a tall lamp made with a man's worn cowboy boot. Cool!
First, when we have towels that get worn or torn in a spot/s to where they're really not usuable anymore, I cut the good parts of them into squares and hem them for washclothes, or use for dusting. Old diapers work good for dusting too - or for wrapping Christmas ornaments or other breakables in.
Second, one of my friends takes used baby or children's shoes or boots and turns them into lamps. They are absolutely adorable, and she said the lamp parts are pretty cheap. She's made some to keep and some to sell. I can even see (in my mind) a tall lamp made with a man's worn cowboy boot. Cool!
I save the stale bread nobody wants to eat, all those heels, broken and ripped pieces, the toast somebody forgot in the toaster. I make my own croutons or toss them in a pie pan to dry and bag them. When I need bread crumbs for a recipe or au gratin, I use the rolling pin on the bag.
For soft or dry bread crumbs, a rotary cheese grater works great, too.
Today, I cut the bread up as for croutons, left them in the bottom of the cast iron skillet and made a breakfast cassarole for the guys working on the barn.
For soft or dry bread crumbs, a rotary cheese grater works great, too.
Today, I cut the bread up as for croutons, left them in the bottom of the cast iron skillet and made a breakfast cassarole for the guys working on the barn.
Chair Warmer
Membership Revoked
Free tax help and tax preperation services for people (of all ages) with low to moderate income, with special attention to those aged 60 and older.
February through April 15
http://www.aarp.org/money/taxaide/
To find a local AARP Tax-Aide site near you and set up an appointment;
https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp
Important observation; if no local site shows up for your zip code area then use the State and County search option, it seems to show more locations that way.
Mrs. Chair Warmer
February through April 15
http://www.aarp.org/money/taxaide/
To find a local AARP Tax-Aide site near you and set up an appointment;
https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp
Important observation; if no local site shows up for your zip code area then use the State and County search option, it seems to show more locations that way.
Mrs. Chair Warmer
Thanks! Keep the tips coming!
This one is courtesy of my s-i-l. They had a bunch of meat leak all over the carpet when her husband forgot to put something under the meat that he was going to bar-b-que. They discovered this the next day. To put it mildly, it STUNK. Anyway, they ran across a tip to pour vinegar on the carpet to get rid of the smell. It actually worked! Now, it stunk too, to begin with, but the vinegar smell went away fairly quickly.
Many libraries now have large selections of dvd's you can borrow for free.
I bought a new tablecloth in the after-Christmas sales for 75% off. It's a solid green and my kitchen is green, so works perfectly. Look for "holiday" stuff (on sale after the holiday) that can be used even when it's not the holidays.
This one is courtesy of my s-i-l. They had a bunch of meat leak all over the carpet when her husband forgot to put something under the meat that he was going to bar-b-que. They discovered this the next day. To put it mildly, it STUNK. Anyway, they ran across a tip to pour vinegar on the carpet to get rid of the smell. It actually worked! Now, it stunk too, to begin with, but the vinegar smell went away fairly quickly.
Many libraries now have large selections of dvd's you can borrow for free.
I bought a new tablecloth in the after-Christmas sales for 75% off. It's a solid green and my kitchen is green, so works perfectly. Look for "holiday" stuff (on sale after the holiday) that can be used even when it's not the holidays.
StringBean
Inactive
White vinegar also works on pet um..."spots". I mix it about 70/30 vinegar/water, and it works fine. Cheap too! It also seems to discourage the pet from going there again, and turning it into a 'favorite' spot.
My only frugal tip is...when you have to use energy to cook, do enough for more than one meal. Baking a cake? Make two. They'll both fit in the oven, and you can put one in the freezer for another time when you don't feel like baking. It also takes up space in the freezer, which can make it run more effectively. If the freezer goes out, no biggie....cakes are cheap compared to some other freezable items.
JJ