Leftovers

I have one simple tip that has saved the budget often. Use your slow cooker on the busiest days! For example, this afternoon, my children have music lessons and a library program. I'll start the slow cooker in the morning; when we come home from our last activity, dinner will just need a few touches to finish. I even go so far as to menu-plan slow cooker meals for activity days.
DG

My grandmother saved many fine things, such as quilts that she had made, fine lace that she'd been given, etc. At the end of her life, she was in the hospital when their house burned to the ground. I remember looking at the twisted rubble that had been her treasures, and wondered what would have happened if she dared to enjoy them. She passed away without having seen the ashes of her home. She was told about the fire but didn't believe it.

Today, I'm frugal, but now when I clean out my closets, I remember Grammie's things and I take the time to enjoy these treasures while I can.
Tami G. in Canada

One of the most memorable Christmases we all remember was the year we had a "virtual" holiday. We went to the mall the day before Christmas. Each of us had a notebook and pen. We scattered once we got there (with smaller kids, divide them up between parents and older siblings). And then we began looking for the gift we would like to buy each person in the family. Money was no object. When we found the perfect gift for someone, we jotted down the store and location. We all met at a prearranged location and time, and then began the fun. As a family, we began going around the mall, and showing what we "bought." I'll never forget the son who "bought" me a massage chair. The real cost was over $5000, but that didn't matter. What mattered is that he knew my bad back would love it. So he proudly showed me the chair that he had selected for me. When all family members had their turn, then we went to the mall food court and had an inexpensive meal together. We rarely ever ate fast food, so that was a treat, too. On Christmas Day, we gave each other one gift each (real gifts this time!), but our rule was that each gift had to cost under $1. It was the best Christmas ever, and the family still talks about how fun and unique it was.
Diana P.

When purchasing shoes or boots, remember to save the boxes. These come in handy during the school year when children have at least one project that requires creating a visual presentation to go along with a book report or other school project. Keeping two or three boxes per school-aged child should be enough to get through the school year.
Donna D. in Columbus, Ohio

I send for a lot of free samples off of the Internet and a lot of them arrive in padded mailer envelopes. When possible, I reuse the envelopes. The address labels usually peel off very easily!
Pam E.

When my stainless steel cookware gets that burned brown stuff on the sides and bottom of the pans, I put them in my oven (removing any plastic handles first) and "clean" them when I clean my oven. All the crud just bakes off. Wipe with a damp cloth and they come out like new. My guests think I keep them clean all the time!
T.

My wife is a stay-at-home mother of our two boys. She stretches the clothes softener to the maximum. Into a large plastic tub with a good tight seal, she places one capful of softener and fills the rest of the tub with approximately two cups of tap water. Then she dips a cheap sponge into the solution and throws it in the dryer with the wet clothes. By doing it this way, it takes her about 18 months to use a standard bottle of softener. We usually by the cheap stuff too.
Travis H. in El Dorado, KS

After Christmas 5 or 6 years ago, I purchased black washable lined velvet pants for less than $10. Finding an inexpensive top to go with each year is an easy task. Classy, shiny or even glitter have gotten me through the 3 or 4 parties and concerts my husband and I attend each year. I also decided that if this type of wardrobe does not fit the party, I likely do not need to be there!
Karen in Denver

Whenever painting concrete or cement such as slab or steps, concrete or cement blocks or walls and footings, after first washing and rinsing the surface, always wipe the surface again with straight (undiluted) white vinegar. Let the vinegar dry on the surface and do not rinse off. Then paint the area immediately after the vinegar is dry.

Your paint will last nearly twice as long, even with heavy foot traffic, and any decorative painting will be less prone to blistering or peeling from sunlight.
Cathrine

I looked at every tile at the Big Box Stores, and couldn't find one that I liked that was in my price range. I went to a local flooring store that mostly does commercial projects, but he has a small selection of overstock tile and I found a high quality tile that I liked for a great price since I only needed a small amount for a bathroom. They just happened to have some left over from a big job that they did at an upscale apartment complex. I'm so pleased that I didn't settle for the cheap stuff at BBS!
Mary

I have a friend who is a teacher and mentioned that it will soon be Christmas and many of her students bring her "the teacher gifts". For example, #1 Teacher ornaments, things with apples and teacher on them, you get the idea. Many of these gifts are very expensive and after being a teacher for many years she has boxes of these types of gifts.

She wished parents would contact her and ask if the class needed something. She purchases many classroom supplies out of her own pocket, she even buys Kleenex for her students. She would be thrilled of some parents would call and volunteer a morning or afternoon, even to grade math or spelling papers (she has 35 students).
Signed a Good Friend of a Great Teacher

I work at a local community center in an "upscale" community, although I'm far from upscale. This evening, one of my co- workers called me and said they had tons of leftovers from an event. I got about 10 gallons of apple juice and cider, cookies, donuts and six pumpkins. I only got six because my car was so full and I was so tired. I could've gotten 20 more pumpkins!

Call your local "planned community" centers. Most of the residents at these kinds of places don't care about waste and don't think they need to save money. Those types of community centers have weekly activities for seniors and other groups that always end up with something extra.

As it happens, I'll be donating most of my "extras" to our local food bank. They'll presumably throw out the rest tomorrow, but I'm planning to call a few friends that are also frugal residents with foster kids to pick up what I couldn't. These community centers really would love to give their excess to people that need them! There's just nobody around (because everyone is pretending to be so wealthy). You just have to research what's around, and then ask to pick up the excess supplies.
R. S.