This and That

I am currently working on what I will be giving at the holidays. It won’t be much. I have been bringing steadier income, which is great. I am starting to get caught up on bills.

I wanted to share a couple of articles that I came across with you:

• Single Mom Savings: How to stretch your childcare dollars
• A Parent’s Unemployment Stress Trickles Down to the Children

Have a nice day!

Shannon

Air Popped Corn

I have an air popper that I have owned since my daughters were little. It makes the best popcorn, though I’m not sure how much longer it can possibly last.

It simply uses hot air to pop the corn, and I melt a little butter in a pan to add to it when done.

This popcorn is so much healthier than microwave popcorn that comes in the expandable bag. It tastes so good.

Your challenge…if you decide to take it…is to eat only air popped popcorn from now on. It is much cheaper than microwaved popcorn, and much healthier.

Shannon

How to Reuse Egg Cartons

Egg cartons can be reused for different things, such as:

• Jewelry holder.
• Bead sorter.
• Sequin sorter.
• Paint cups.
• Craft projects such as tulips.
• Glue cups.

What do you reuse egg cartons for? Let us know in the comments.

Shannon

How to Reuse Towels and Washcloths

You can reuse towels, wash cloths, dish cloths and dish towels when they are warn by:

• Cutting them into rags.
• Using them as mopheads and rewashing.

What other ideas can you come up with? Let us know in the comments.

Shannon

How to Reuse Toilet Paper & Paper Towel Tubes

These tubes can also come from items such as wrapping paper, food wrap, etc. They can be reused for many things. I will share some ideas with you, and then you can share some with all of us in the comments.

• Feed electronics cords through them to clean up areas behind desks and entertainment centers.
• Store holiday lights in them.
• Cut them to size and use them to create napkin rings for holidays and other occasions.
• Make ‘firecrackers’ out of them to give as gifts.

Shannon

How to Reuse Bread Bags

Bread bags can be reused for a few things. I certainly wouldn’t throw them out before reusing them as many times as possible. Here are some ideas:

• Put them on childrens’ feet, over their socks and before putting on their shoes/boots on rainy days or to play outside in the winter.
• Dispose of cat litter in them.
• Use in the freezer to gather small items.
• Send food items home with people.

Can you think of more uses? Please share!

Shannon

How to Reuse Glass Jars

Be they canning jars, or jars purchased that contain foods, they can be reused in numerous ways. This will help you to both save money and reduce trash that enters the landfills. Both good reasons to save the jars that you can reuse.

Now, I am not giving pack-rats a reason to keep more stuff here. These items will need to be used. Do not keep more than you can use.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Baby food/small  fruit jars:

• Nuts and bolts; washers.
• Screws and nails.
• Sequins
• Beads
• Jewelry
• Pins
• Needles

Quart size jars:

• Homemade sauces.
• Trail mixes.
• Soup mixes.
• Cereal
• Homemade granola.

Gallon size jars:

• Flour
• Yarns
• Sugar
• Toys

What ideas can you come up with? Please share.

Shannon

 

Dear Frugal Diary,

I was thinking about heating options again the other day. Some day, I would like to have a wood stove.

I decided against a pellet stove, because I want to be able to burn other items as well, such as paper and whatever else is possible and won’t put toxins out into the air.

Woodstoves will be able to handle it, the old ones anyway. I can refurbish one for use if necessary.

So…that is a goal that I have when I move out of the trailer.

We have begun winter prep early. Winter is coming on early here, so we started banking the trailer, reskirted some areas, and had a broken window replaced. Soon, we will be putting plastic on a few necessary windows soon.

This will all save us some money throughout the winter.

Shannon

Rebates

I do not do rebates. I remember beginning the rebate process many times an not finishing. Here is what I learned:

• I get bored with it easily.
• I am a packrat, so all of those UPC’s and whatnot just sort of hang around for months…or a year.
• They also take up much needed space.
• I never mail them in.

Rebating is not for me. However, rebating is a great way for others to save money. We would like to here about your rebating successes. Please share.

Shannon

Using Coupons

I sometimes use coupons, but not always. I cut out many more than I use. Why?

• It is usually cheaper to purchase a store/generic brand.
• Store/generic brands are generally just brand names with less decorative packaging.
• Ex: If your store sells Hood milk, then the store brand milk is likely Hood.

Here are some tips:

• Do not be brand loyal.
• By discounted items that need to be used right off. Use a coupon if you have one for extra savings.
• Stock up when butter is sold for .33 a package, etc.Use a coupon if you have one for extra savings.
• Buy in bulk when it will really save you money. Use a coupon if you have one for extra savings.

What tips do you have? Please share.

Shannon