Readers' Tips
DIY Tub Refinishing
I've used the epoxy paint to refinish tubs many times. At one point, I owned a small cottage resort and we had limited income with regular expenses. When a tub got looking less than ideal, I would paint it. The results were very nice, provided the paint was put on evenly and without brush streaks. You also need to follow the directions exactly and make sure to put a watertight bag over the spout before starting, as a drip will ruin your new finish and destroy your work. Make sure you won't need the tub for awhile, so the paint has proper curing time. I believe, if I remember correctly, that I would wash the tub with TSP before painting it. Make sure it's well rinsed so no phosphate is left on the surface either.
Cindy
editor's note: You'll find more comments (including many who weren't successful doing it themselves) here or join the discussion in The Dollar Stretcher Community.
Easy Tomato Plants
I saw the ads on TV for the upside down planters for only $19.95 and I fell for it. I no sooner got mine in the mail than a friend gave me this hint and I'm going to have them hanging every place. Take a green two-liter plastic soda bottle, cut off the bottom inch or two. Then punch four holes in the sides and make a hanger with strong twine. Push the plant roots through the pour top and gently add planting soil. You now have a hanging basket for the cost of the bottle refund. I asked why green and she said the clear bottles would get too hot in the sun and kill the roots. She showed me photos of her husband's garden and it's truly amazing. Also, there is the advantage of no weeding, no bending, and no bugs. The best part is that they are reusable! Save the world and help your family eat locally homegrown veggies and fruit.
Fran McC.
Can't Afford Restaurants, But...
We love to eat out, but that gets pretty expensive. I decided to invest in some good quality dried herbs and spices from my local farmer's market (and I will be growing my own this year as well) and have begun experimenting with more exotic dishes at home. I can go online and find all sorts of recipes for free, and they are usually reviewed by people who have tried them, so I can get a better idea if we will like the dish before trying it. Some nights, I even get out the good china and fancy goblets. Not only have I discovered some great tastes we didn't know we would like, but also we have found that we don't have that urge to eat out as much as we used to. Not only are we saving money, but also we've lost weight and feel pampered, all in the comfort of our own home.
Dottie B. in Pennellville, NY
Affordable Vacation Lodging
Frugal vacation lodging? Visit/stay with family or friends who live in interesting areas! We have visited Washington, DC, New York, Boston, Cape Cod, and even Canada and Taiwan this way. We have enjoyed having visitors in our home, and they have taken day trips to Niagara Falls and Toronto while renewing family ties and friendships!
Wini in Buffalo, NY
Little Luxuries:
A Beautiful Walk
I like to walk for exercise, but who says you have to stay in your own neighborhood? I live within ten minutes (by car) of Puget Sound, a very large body of water in the state of Washington. We have some wonderful walkways along the water. On a sunny day, you can't imagine a more beautiful place. Even though it rains a lot here, I reserve those sunny days and times for some nice scenery. Sometimes I'll walk where there are tourists, and I feel like I'm on vacation.
Some summer evenings we have free concerts in the park. One of those parks is along the waterfront. I get there early with my camp chair, sandwich and drink, and it is a beautiful evening.
Mary
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.
The Sports Swap
Every year we have a swap for sports equipment. We make sure to have kids of all sizes and we swap cleats, ball pants, bats, balls, helmets, etc. All must be in good to excellent condition and everyone gets most of their equipment for nothing. This is especially nice now when this economy is so bad and a bat and cleats cost over $100. This is a huge savings for the parents and the kids love it because they get to spend a few hours with their friends. This would be easy to setup anywhere. Just have each family bring their ball equipment and a finger food and have a night of swapping.
Simonne J. in Tupelo MS
Keep the Sand Outside!
I used to use baby powder to remove damp sand from my kids' fingers and toes when they came in from playing in the sandbox. One day I realized I was out of powder and searched for an alternative. I tried using plain old cornstarch, and it works like a charm! Just dust a teaspoon or two on hands and feet and the sand will brush right off. I now keep an old spice shaker filled with cornstarch by the back door to clean them up quickly and keep sand outside.
Andi P.
RBK? (Remember Before Kids)
Remember the days before kids when you had time to browse the bookstore, read a book or magazine, and purchase it if you wanted to take it home to finish? Take advantage of the library's children's story time to browse and pick out something interesting for you to read and check it out if you want!
T.
Little Luxuries:
Special Birthday Cake
For my son's birthday, we went to our local grocery store and bought a huge butter pound cake, fully decorated. It was not cheap. It cost about $25, including the Thomas the Train icing and toy on top.
The real luxury? Not only did we have a delicious cake for 15 adults and a few kids, but also we cut the remainder into individual pieces, froze them, and every so often, we have delicious cake for dessert for our family of three with no extra work for this working mom and dad.
Patricia from Nova Scotia
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.
When Friends Are in the Hospital
I have friends going into the hospital for a "procedure" more often than I like. Frequently, they are in a part of the hospital where flowers and gifts are not allowed. Also, they are often out of town, adding more expense to send something.
I call the overnight security staff at the hospital, and ask
whoever answers where the best takeout food comes from.
Believe me, they know! If I don't get something interesting, I
go online and find someplace that does deliver to the
hospital. If possible, I use one that has collected some good
reviews. Sweets, especially cheesecake, are a good option.
Send other things that will not need to be eaten fresh. More
often than not, you can look at a menu online. Then I have it
sent to my friend's nurse's station. The patient may not be
able to enjoy it, but the nurses appreciate both the food and
recognition and know that my friend is loved.
Elaine D.
Cleaning Ceiling Fans
The hassle of cleaning ceiling fans can be made easier by using an old, preferably king size, pillowcase. I spray a little Pledge inside the case and slip it over the fan blade. While the blade is inside the case, grip the back of the pillowcase and the blade and then slide the pillowcase toward the end of the blade. All the dust is removed from the top and bottom of the blade in one clean sweep. The best part is that all the dust is enclosed inside the pillowcase rather than falling in your face! You can do several fans with the same pillowcase.
When you are finished cleaning, take the pillowcase outside
and turn it inside-out and shake out the excess dust. When
it's washed and dried, store the pillowcase with your cleaning
supplies, so you will have it ready the next time it's time to
clean your ceiling fans. By the way, if you don't have an old
pillowcase, you can find old pillowcases at Goodwill or thrift
stores.
Janet H. in Sherwood, AR
My Quality of Life Is Important
Everyone is so busy looking at the "big picture" that many forget that this big picture they dream of is achieved one step, or one day, at a time. Keeping this in mind can save you time, money, and relieve your stress in times of job loss, family drama, etc. To achieve this, ask yourself daily, "What one thing can I do today to improve the quality of my/our life(s)?"
In any one day, there are a number of "jobs" you can
accomplish that will improve the overall quality of your life.
You can clean out closets, declutter shelves and drawers, and
sell your unwanted items online or at a garage sale. You can
get to all those small repairs you've been neglecting and
extend the life of whatever the item is. You can craft or
build something for your home or yard, or make something to
use as a gift for a friend or family member. Even the simple
act of cleaning something you continually overlook, such as a
small appliance, can extend the life of that object and save
you the money it would cost to replace it. Just finishing one
project a day, no matter how small, will make a difference.
Your life is worth the time.
Marie in West Dundee, IL
Cheaper Travel
If you find the cost of so-called "budget" motels to be on the
high side, and don't want the hassle of a full-blown camping
trip, check out "camper cabins" at state parks and recreation
areas. They're generally half the cost of a motel, and you can
save further by cooking for yourself. State parks and
recreation areas in many states have built these cabins with
lottery money, and many of them are downright deluxe! Most
have electricity, and many even include heat and air
conditioning. They generally have a grill or fire pit and
porch with a picnic table. You'll need to bring sleeping bags,
and the bathrooms are down the road a bit, but the savings are
significant, without the need to haul all of the equipment
that you'd need for a full-blown camping trip.
Judy B.
Little Luxuries:
An Elegant Table
My "little luxury" is using cloth napkins. They are much
sturdier than the paper ones, and will often last several
meals before needing washing. I pick them up at yard sales and
antique stores. They last for many years and they feel so good
on your hands and face. I haven't bought paper napkins in
years.
Peggy G. in Bel Air, MD
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.
Where's the Missing Sock?
I always seemed to be losing the mate to a sock pair until I found a way to keep them secured in the wash. I bought a couple of the "fine washable bags" that you can pick up in the laundry section at any discount store. I keep the bags next to the clothes hamper and all of the socks go into the bag at the end of the day. On wash day, I simply zip up the bag and wash and dry the socks with the rest of the laundry. I never have to go looking for a lost sock because they all stay in the bag.
I put dress socks and nylons into a separate bag since they shouldn't go into the dryer. When the washer is done, I just pull out the bag with the nylons and then hang them on a drying rack until they are dry. The fine mesh of the bag also prevents these items from getting snags or holes in them.
I've been doing this for over four years now and can't
remember the last time I lost a sock in the wash.
KR
Pricing Garage Sale Items
In pricing garage sale items, the first thing you need to decide is whether you are selling items to make money (thrift shop- or antique shop-style) or if you are hoping to get others to pay you something to cart off stuff you don't want anymore. If the former, you should do some window shopping to see what local thrift shops or antique shops are charging for similar items. This will give you an idea of the value of your used goods, but be prepared to put most of it back in the garage at the end of the day. Note that most shops don't sell out in a day.
If the latter, which is the purpose of my sales, I try to
price items at what I would want to pay for them if I were
considering purchasing them at a garage sale. Since I am an
avid bargain-hunter, this means that I will price an item at
considerably less than its market value. However, at the end
of the day, I will have some space in my basement and some
money in my pocket.
Patti
Cheaper Than Window Cleaner
To wash all the windows, mirrors, and TV screens in my house,
plus to wash the inside of my car windows, I use windshield
cleaner available at discount chain stores for $.99 to $1.09
per gallon. I then pour enough cleaner, using a funnel, to
fill an empty quart size spray bottle. This comes to $.25 per
quart of glass cleaner! Plus, I feel if the windshield cleaner
is strong enough to clean my car's windshield of bugs and
insects, it is certainly strong enough to clean the glass in
my house.
L. S. in Sheboygan, WI
Washing "Green Bags"
I use those "green bags" to keep my fruits and veggies longer. These can be used many times, but they must be washed and dried before they're re-used. I found a used bag dryer in a catalog for about $12 plus shipping. The design was simple, so I played around with things that I had on hand.
Use a deli type container you would get potato salad in. Fill
it with raw white rice, dried beans or new fish tank gravel.
Insert about four to six chopsticks or pencils into the rice.
Place a washed bag onto a chopstick to dry. Adjust the bag to
keep it open so it dries inside and out. Adjust the chopsticks
to achieve the desired angle.
Ellen D. in Dayton, OH
Little Luxuries:
For the Ladies
This is a tip for the girls. Treat yourself to an inexpensive but high-quality nail polish. Even if you haven't used it before, paint your toenails. With summer coming up, this is a great way to feel like you're ready to go barefoot, and if you get a fun color, it'll make you smile every time you exit the shower or check out your toes before bed. You can get nice polish for less than $5. Enjoy the shopping experience by taking your time picking out the shade. A
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.
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