Readers' Tips
Learning Canning
I have been canning for many years. I feel the best thing to do is buy for under $10 the Ball Blue Book for canning. It gives you basic instructions and a wide variety of different types of recipes all in one book.
I would also start with a boiling water bath canner. Make jams, pickles, and relishes to get your feet wet for the first year. And those make great presents.
On soups and other recipes that contain low acid content, you
need to use the pressure canner for processing, which is a
bigger investment for starting and more involved. (Note they
can be frozen though.)
Debbie in MA
editor's note: You'll find more suggestions on learning how to can foods here or join the discussion in The Dollar Stretcher Community.
Let's Grill Tonight!
I shop at a local meat locker and get my beef at big discounts over grocery store prices. And the meat is much fresher, too. I'll often buy 10 to 12 pounds of ground round at a time (we like the leanest beef possible) and pat out quarter pound burgers. I grill them on the outdoor grill all at once, and then wrap them individually in freezer paper and put them in large freezer bags.
Whenever we want hamburgers, we simply take as many as we want
out of the freezer, pop them on "defrost" in the microwave
(still in the freezer paper), and then heat them in the
microwave for about 45 seconds each. They taste like they just
came off the grill! Not only does this save tons of time, but
it also saves doing dishes and heating up the stove every time
we want a quick dinner. And it's great to enjoy that grilled
burger taste in the middle of winter!
Stephanie T. in Spring Valley, IL
Comparison Calculations
With the rising cost of gas, it has become too expensive for me to comparison shop in person or casually window shop. Instead, I have taken to letting my fingers truly do the "walking."
When I need any item that will be of any real cost, I develop a list of potential sources for it, both on the web and through places such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc., as well as local stores.
I then call each one to request the pricing, and factor in the cost of driving there and/or shipping. Finally I shop for available discount coupons online. Doing so gives me the true cost of any item. Sometimes I decide it's simply too expensive. Sometimes I delay the purchase until later, when I will be nearby (confirming the price again). At other times, I have found that the local store, while a bit higher, is less when driving time and gas costs are factored in.
In any event, I feel confident that I am stretching my limited
budget as far as I can with this process.
Kamia
From Saving to Savings
Most frugal people recognize the benefits of doing things for themselves to save money. For example, they may do a simple home repair instead of hiring someone, prepare a brown-bag lunch rather than going out to a restaurant, or do beauty treatments at home.
While this definitely prevents you from spending money, it also presents an opportunity to maximize your savings. Each time you take one of these cost saving measures, transfer the money you would have spent from your checking account to your savings account.
For example, this weekend, I gave myself a lovely at-home manicure and pedicure. If I would have paid someone to do that, I likely would have spent nearly $40 to $45 for the service plus a tip with a total cost of at least $50. Instead, I decided to pay myself by doing an online transfer from my checking account to my savings account in one simple step. I'm going to try to do this each time I bring my own lunch to work, too. Even if you estimate conservatively (say $6 per meal), the savings will add up if you do it a few times each week. And it is no more trouble than paying the cashier at a restaurant.
If you don't bank online, you could simply write yourself a
check. Either way, you're rewarding yourself for your efforts
and putting the money in your savings rather than toward the
profits of some business!
Wendy in Ballwin, Missouri
Little Luxuries:
Fancy Fragrances
I love some of the more expensive perfumes, scented lotions,
and body powders, but I can't justify the price. My solution
is to regularly check out the thrift stores in our area.
Frequently, I find partially used or even brand new bottles of
what I love for a fraction of the cost. My collection of
sample size lotion bottles is kept in a large glass cookie jar
with a lid on my bathroom counter. It functions as a colourful
and luxurious decoration. Plus, it gives me a huge variety of
exotic fragrances to indulge my every mood (the most expensive
of which cost me a mere 39 cents!).
Mary-Ann in Victoria
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.
Our Second Set of Wheels
My husband I own a pick-up truck and a two-door hatchback that are paid for. We had been talking about replacing the truck with another fuel-efficient car. However, we couldn't justify spending several thousand dollars on a car (plus the insurance, which is mandatory and very expensive in my state) in order to save a few hundred dollars on gas, so we came up with a better idea. We decided on a bicycle!
For a few hundred dollars, we bought a good-quality mountain
bike, complete with a baby seat and helmets. I've started
doing all of my weekday errands within pedaling distance,
while my husband takes our car to work. For grocery shopping,
I either take the car one evening per week, or I take
advantage of our grocery store's delivery service (only a
$5.00 charge). We're saving a lot of money on gas, plus it's
great exercise and recreation for my toddler and me! You don't
have to spend a lot of money either; instead of buying new,
you could always tune-up an older bicycle. And if you have
more than one child at home during the day, instead of a baby
seat, you can get one of those bicycle trailers for around
$100 or so.
C.
Easy Watermelon for Kids
My family likes to eat watermelon during the summer months, but it can be messy to slice and not convenient for the younger ones who can not work with a knife. I've tried cutting the whole thing up, but the pieces in the bottom of the bowl can get kind of soggy and slimy. So to make it easier for everyone, I cut a slice off the end and than everyone helps themselves by digging the watermelon out of the rind with a slotted spoon.
The container is the watermelon itself, so every bite is good
to the very bottom. The younger members can help themselves
without fear of cutting themselves and it's more fun to eat
something if it's fun to get to! I just cover the opening with
plastic wrap, put it in the refrigerator and keep a slotted
spoon handy. We have an instant healthy treat without a mess!
And once the watermelon is scooped out, I have a nice bowl to
serve a fresh fruit salad in, or I fill it with other compost
and throw the bowl and everything on the compost pile and save
on cleanup.
Laurie in Farmington, MN
Instant Dining Table
We love to entertain, but in our small home, dining room
seating for guests can be quite a problem. Our solution was to
purchase a five-foot long (rectangular) folding table and
store it in the kitchen space between the wall and the
refrigerator. We can move it easily to the dining room or even
bring it out to the backyard without a problem. It gives us
seating for six, looks nice with a tablecloth, and is stored
out of the way. It was also inexpensive to buy. Another bonus
is when I am working in the kitchen, I can pull it out, unfold
it, and use it as an extra counter top!
Kayla B. in Milwaukee, WI
Little Luxuries:
Feeling Like a Winner!
You only have to turn your radio on and listen to a local
station and the announcer for a chance to win passes or
tickets to local sporting events, plays, music concerts, etc.
I won two free passes to sit in the grandstands of a ladies
golf tournament on Saturday. All I had to do was call in and
be the third caller! My husband loves golf, so naturally I let
him join me! This ladies tournament is one step away from the
LPGA. We were in the shade, got a free meal, drinks, and were
just yards away from the ladies as they finished up their game
on the last hole. It was peaceful, the birds were singing and
we were watching quality golf.
Theresa in Maroa, IL
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.
Need Moving Boxes?
When you are planning a move, check with the local moving
company for boxes. Often, they will give previously used boxes
to you free of charge. They have to dispose of them somehow
and often will give them to you.
LaVonne
Handy, Neat Ice Tricks
Rather than filling up an ice chest or cooler with ice and either emptying my freezer's ice tray, or having to buy bags of ice, I have some various sized plastic drink bottles that I fill with water (about 75-90% full) and freeze the night before. I use those to pack the cooler. Once I pack the remaining items, I sometimes use ice cubes just to fill in some holes. These larger ice "cubes" in the frozen bottles stay frozen longer than the little ones, and when they do thaw, you've got ice cold water to drink and no mess to worry about.
This trick is handy for amusement parks or other outings as
well; when traipsing around an amusement park or going on a
boat ride, we bring some ice bottles, either in a small cooler
or loose. It doesn't take long for the ice to thaw a little
bit, and once you drink what's melted, you can refill it with
water from a fountain and keep using that same large "ice
cube" all day for refreshing ice water. Odds are that the
bottle will have condensation on it as it thaws, so be aware
of that. If we're carrying the bottle in a pack, we rubber-
band a washcloth around it to absorb the condensation.
Tony C. in NC
Protect Your Package
I discovered the use of egg cartons for cushioning breakables
when mailing.
SLC
Super Fabric Softener Stretcher
I have come up with a formula for making my fabric softener last three times as long, and my clothes are softer than with the fabric softener alone. I buy a large bottle of softener. Then I pour two cups of softener, two cups of white vinegar, and two cups of water into a smaller container. I shake this mixture well and then use it just as I would the full strength softener.
My clothes are soft, and the towels are fluffier than with
full strength softener. My daughter is now using this formula
for her clothes too, and loves it for her kids' clothes.
Donna R. in Nokomis, FL
Little Luxuries:
Impromptu Adventure
As a young mother, one of our family's favorite games was an activity we called "Left, Right or Straight Ahead!" We'd pack into the car (or on foot or bike) on a Saturday morning. With or without a picnic lunch (depending upon the time we had available and the weather), we'd head out.
At every stop sign or intersection, a player takes a turn at giving the driver/leader directions. The choices being left, right or straight ahead. (If you are worried about knowing how to get back home, pack a map or GPS. But no fair getting it out until after the game is over!) You might let the youngest start you out by picking north, south, east or west.
Anyone who sees something of interest can call "Whoaa" at any time. We stopped at historical markers (my choice). We stopped at cemeteries to read a bit about who lived where (dad's choice). We stopped at small neighborhood parks (son's choice) and quirky shops (daughter's choice).
One long weekend became an extended camping tour of the corner where three states meet. Once when we found an arts and craft school in the mountains of North Carolina, we cancelled all our other plans and stayed a week! One hour trips are just as fun! One morning, we taste tested every ice cream and sorbet we could find before lunch time!
There is a saying in China about looking at flowers while
galloping by on horseback. Expensive tours, cruises and
planned vacations can be a bit like that. I read an article
this week about a man from New York who was on his way to
visit the Grand Canyon. He stopped at a gas station and asked
about a young man working there about the canyon. The young
man answered that he'd never been. "You live two hours away
and haven't seen it?" No was the reply. "But I've seen the
Statue of Liberty." It was one of the things this man had
intended to do but not yet managed. And it was in his own
backyard. Famous landmarks are worth seeing. And so is the man
who just peddled his bike up my hill with over 50 water
bottles stacked on the back! Why not let serendipity write the
itinerary? Go! Do! One step at a time. Left, right or straight
ahead?
Joy
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.
I'll Volunteer!
Go to theatres and offer to usher at stage productions in
exchange for being able to see the shows. I've seen marvelous
productions in my college city for free.
Nancy from Statesboro, GA
Easy Toiletry Organizer
We have a small bathroom. I bought a shoe holder (with
pockets) that hangs on the back of a door. I put it on the
wall behind the door. I have my makeup, brushes, toiletries,
toothpaste, extra soap, moisturizers, razors, etc. in one
place and out of sight. It is an awesome space saver.
Joanne
Better Than Banking
I save money on my banking by dealing only with credit unions.
Credit unions are member owned, and although you usually have
to be a member of some "group" to belong, the group may be as
broad as residing in a certain county. I belong to several
credit unions and never pay any fees for services of any kind.
The service is always exceptional, and I have never had a
problem or a dispute with the credit union or its credit card
carrier that took more than one phone call to resolve!
Linda
Weed Mats
To prevent weeds, I place cardboard, newspapers or any similar material (like catalogs, magazines or cereal boxes flattened) around the area we don't want weeds or grass to grow. To hold this in place and make it look better, I cover with grass clippings, hay, straw, leaves or mulch from my local free county mulching center. This mixture will decompose, while keeping weeds at bay and holding in moisture. It becomes nutrient rich soil and feeds the plants.
To find out if your county has a free mulching program, call
the general information number listed in your phone book for
your county. If you have a pickup truck, remember to take a
tarp to cover the load while driving.
Joyce
Little Luxuries:
The Art Exchange
I love art, but even reproductions are expensive. I have gotten together a loose group of about ten friends. Once a month, we bring two pieces of art, display it all, and each of us finds two art pieces to enjoy for the next month. One is a piece we haven't brought before, and the other is a returning piece. None of them are expensive, and it is important to have them labeled with your name and phone number in a way that cannot be erased or lost. Right now I have a new painting hanging opposite my bed to wake up to every morning. We have been doing this for a year, and having learned each other's taste, we often know who we are bringing a piece for! I have a beautiful glass jar full of ocean tumbled glass and shells in my bathroom that is already claimed for the next several months.
Now we are talking about trading kitchen gadgets, as we all
love to cook. We'll try it next month, and I'll loan out my
pasta maker for the month. There is a lot of potential for all
kinds of trades, and with a potluck, we get a nice meal and
visit as well!
Elaine
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 send your suggestion to Tips@ stretcher.com. 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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