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We had a freezer full of food get accidentally unplugged and it was a week till we found it. First thing we did was to plug it back in until it was all frozen again! Then we removed everything and washed the inside with lots of bleach and hot, hot water. After that, we sprinkled in a huge box of baking soda and let it sit for a day or so. Then we poured in vinegar and scrubbed it all again. We may have had to repeat a couple of times with the baking soda/vinegar combo, but eventually it was completely odour-free. Baking soda really is the best for absorbing odours from the air.
Rachel of Ontario, Canada
editor's note: You'll find more suggestions, including how to find the secret tray that could be the source of the odors, here or join the discussion in The Dollar Stretcher Community.
Anytime I buy something online, I first go to my favorite search engine and type in the product that I want followed by the word "coupon." I was amazed when I went to order a new laptop computer. I typed in the product and came up with a $100 off coupon for about 30 seconds worth of work! There are also free shipping codes and other printable coupons out there as well. They have them for groceries, services, and retail shops. With a couple minutes on your computer, you can save on almost anything!
Jessica L. in Gorham, NH
I have 2 methods that I have used for years to buy clothes inexpensively. The first is to go to the clothing manufacturers in your area. It is amazing how often they sell wholesale to the public. If you live in an area with clothing marts, shop the sample sales. Samples are not only made in a size 8. Also, you'll find jewelry, shoes and other accessories.
Another great idea I use often is to go to a family clothing store in an ethnic neighborhood. It is more than amazing to see what you can get in those stores. You can get so many new items at below $10 each. The bargains are there.
Hilary in North Hollywood, CA
When I bought my house thirty years ago, I sat down and sketched out how I would like my house to look. Since I wasn't making a lot of money, I didn't do my landscaping all at once. I purchased one special tree each year. In retrospect, I think it was better that way; I planted a number of trees just because I liked them and thought they were pretty and they did not survive. I learned to appreciate the common trees that would grow for me!
When my salary was good, I spent a lot of money on catalog items. If I had to do it over again, I would not jump in and pay big prices for everything like I did. (Maybe for the entrance only?) What I have observed is that people discard a lot of flower starts like irises when they thin their flowerbeds. If a person could be more patient and a little more sociable with their neighbors, I think it would be possible to have very lovely flowerbeds without breaking the bank.
Kathy
My favorite quote was from Helen Keller. Although she was deaf, blind and mute, her inspiration fits during our time today. She said, "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."
contributed by T. Adams of Colorado
Do you have a favorite quote that encourages you, especially in tough times? Would you like to share it with us? If so, just send Gary@stretcher.com.
My sons, ages 3 years and 11 months, always have "new" toys to
play with. After Christmas and birthdays, I pack away the old
toys to make room for the new. I weed out the ones that are
broken or they have outgrown, saving them for the next child,
selling them at a yard sale or donating them. When they lose
interest in something they are currently playing with, I pack
it away and bring out one of the stored toys. Since they
haven't played with the "new" toy for a while, it is brand new
to them!
Trinity D. in PA
I wanted to add an idea for children's gifts based on something we received first-hand. My son's classmate gave him a large plastic shoebox filled with a variety of brand-name art supplies (crayons, modeling clay, pencils, glitter-glue, etc.). It was overflowing and wonderful. I realized that the mom must have stocked up during the back-to-school sales that happen yearly. The retail value of the gift was very high, but during the sales, most of the supplies can be purchased relatively easily.
If you have any gifts to give for kids ages 3-7, I'd recommend
this. As a mom of the recipient, it was a great way for us to
try different supplies and do something creative.
Janki
I loved the idea for using the basement walls to make a pantry. We utilized that same space by cutting peg board to fit the whole area. We purchased the peg board accessories and now we hang our pots and pans, grilling utensils, broom and dustpan. Because there are five kids who help to put away the dishes, we simply used a sharpie to outline the hanging pots and pans so everything gets put back where it belongs. We painted the peg board white, which makes it look nice and clean.
We also utilized the back of the basement door by hanging an
inexpensive, vinyl, over-the-door shoe holder. We use each
"shoe" space for various items, such as labels and box tops
for school, tape, markers, pencils and pens, buttons,
scissors, index cards, and many other things. This has helped
keep our "junk" drawer free and clear for larger items and the
drawer stays neater and more organized now. If you keep an eye
out for the shoe holders on freecycle.org or at your local
thrift store, you'll find one for almost nothing. They also go
on sale at various chain stores throughout the year.
M.
If you only need a small amount of dirt, go to the local
cemetery and ask. They have extra dirt frequently. When they
dig the grave to put in the coffin and then fill in the hole,
there's dirt left over.
Karen K.
I have been invited to many birthday parties for little kids.
When my friends and I were childless, $20 per present seemed
like a good limit, but with so many kids parties occurring
now, I am stretched to spend $20 on a present for every party.
That's when I remembered that little kids love money, but have
no concept of the "worth of money." So now, I include $1 for
every year old they are and put it in a card I picked up at
the dollar store. A four-year-old is as excited to get $4 as
he is for a cheap $10 to $15 toy that will be discarded in a
week or two.
Genelle
I put my credit cards in a resealable bag of water and then
put them in the freezer. This way, I still have them, but to
use them, I need to let them thaw out, eliminating spending
without pre-planning it. Don't thaw them in the microwave. It
ruins the magnetic strip. Instead, just use hot tap water!
Dee T.
Downy fabric softener towels thrown around in a camper keeps
mice out. There is something in the fabric softener that they
don't like. I haven't had mice in my camp trailer in years
since I started using them. Just throw them around on the
floors, in the cabinets, and anywhere you see their droppings.
It works and it helps with that camper odor as well.
Bruce N.
Vertical and horizontal blinds are wonderful, but very hard to
clean! If you take the set down (they just clip out) and hang
them in a tub or outside, you can spray the vinyl with
Scrubbing Bubbles(r) bathroom cleaner or a cheaper
alternative. Let it set for five or six minutes and spray
clean with hot water. Not only are the blinds clean, but
disinfected as well!
T.
Fast food is quick and easy, but it's not cheap or nutritious.
A little organization can eliminate that trip to the drive-
through window. Planning meals weekly or monthly is your best
option, but if you're not quite that organized, begin in the
evening for the next night's dinner. Try putting together a
casserole, soup or chili to cook in the slow cooker while
you're at work the next day. There's no way you'll stop to
pick up pizza when there's a hot meal ready and waiting at
home.
Cindy V.
If the tab is broken off your zipper and you need the item to
last (down jacket, backpack, purse, etc.) to the next sale or
if it's for a seasonal item (tent, sleeping bag, etc.), use a
key ring. This works well for those who do not sew especially
since zippers are not always easy to put in.
Elizabeth
I have one of those electric cat litter boxes. I love that it
scoops automatically for the cat. It's less work for me. What
I don't like is spending $13 for the disposable ten boxes that
come with it. So I don't. I have had my litter box for three
years and am still on the first box of disposables. I recycle
my grocery bags by using them to line the plastic disposable
box. When full, I remove the plastic bag, tie it up for
tossing, and reline the box with a new grocery bag.
Deb P. in Boston, MA
You can purchase great smelling conditioners and lotions for
very little these days. I use hair curlers and other products
that dry out my hair. From time to time, I treat my hair to a
heavy conditioning. I lather my hair in conditioner and leave
it wrapped up in a towel for 30 minutes or longer. After
rinsing it out, my hair is super soft and all the damage is
gone. Also, from time to time, I lather my feet in thick
lotion, put on ankle socks, and sleep in them. The next
morning my feet are soft and moisturized.
TT
editor's note: Many of us have given up a lot because of the economy. So we're looking for "Little Luxuries" that we can share with everyone. If you have an inexpensive way to make yourself feel good, please send it by gary@stretcher.com. We'll share the best ones in future issues.
What would you do with an extra $100? One lucky Dollar Stretcher "tipster" will win a $100 check each month just for sending in their favorite time or money saving idea. It could be you. Just click here to submit your suggestion. If we use your tip in any of our publications, we'll send you the next three issues of our print newsletter as a "thank you" and you'll automatically be entered into our monthly $100 drawing!
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