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Paint the pipes to be eye-catching and spiffy. In my mind's eye, I'm seeing a fun pop color to accent whatever color scheme you have, or something beautiful to look at like flowers or playful stripes or whatever floats your boat.
Joyous
editor's note: Check out the discussion on Hiding Bathroom Pipes in The Dollar Stretcher Community.
We purchase our own auto air filters and cabin air filters at discount stores and replace them ourselves. If the auto dealership or repair shop replaces these items, you, the consumer, will pay cost plus a hefty markup and labor to do so. We purchase our filters at a chain discount store for about $6.44 each and save a lot of money replacing them ourselves.
Denise O. in Beemer, NE
Recently, I have been identifying brands of food that we use most often that I rarely find coupons for. Mostly these include organic or earth-friendly products that also don't often go on sale. I made a list, took it to the computer, looked up each company website, located their "contact us" link, and sent them all an e-mail complementing them on their product and asking if they would mail me a coupon. All of them responded to my e-mail and I have received several coupons in the mail as a result of my e-mails. One company even sent me a coupon for one free product from their brand. It was well worth my time and effort. Eve C.
When I treat myself to a movie and lunch, I find that "lunch" costs more than the movie. I have done various things to save money and also keep down my weight. The latest is that I go to a supermarket nearby and buy a boxed salad and a take-out coffee. All the cinemas have an eating area where I can sit and enjoy my frugal lunch before the film. It used to cost at least $10 by the time I paid tax and tip for the cheapest item on the menu, but now I enjoy a nice large salad and coffee for about $5. It sure helps me enjoy my outing more without breaking my budget.
Trudy
editor's note: If you have a method for making you or your family feel good without spending money, please send it to gary@stretcher.com.
I had a brokerage account and decided to transfer my shares back to the company to start a DRIP account, which would save on brokerage fees. After the transfer, there we some half shares that didn't transfer, and I was stuck with about $40 in half shares that would have cost me more in transaction fees to sell than the shares were worth. I went to a search engine, typed in the name of the company, and "promotion," and up came codes for free trades! I was able to submit four promotion codes, sell the half shares, and get the $40 without having to shell out more money!
Natalie B. in Phoenix, AZ
When you know you are going to run errands or that you will be passing the dry cleaners, always be certain to have your "To Do" list and the things in the car you need to take care of. If you need to put clothes in the dry cleaner, have the clothes in the backseat or trunk. Many people end up having to "run" back to the house when they are out doing errands just to get the laundry. Even when shopping for groceries, it's a good idea to make a list. You can save gas, time, and money just by making an errand list for your family!
J.
One of my favorite money-saving tips is to use a crochet hook to stick down sink drains to pull out hair. It works equally well on shower or bathtub drains. This is particularly effective if you have someone with long hair that is shampooing her hair several times a week. It works best to twist it and pull.
Mary Jane F.
I've tried for years to remove this stuff off of my plastic and glassware! I came on it by accident. I wrote over the top of what I had already written and I wiped it off immediately. It came right off. It works on glassware, too. Doesn't work on all plastic, but if you reuse plastic (cottage cheese containers, yogurt containers, etc.), this will help.
N.
When I was growing up, jars of applesauce, pickles, jams, sauces and dressings seemed to live forever in our fridge and go hideously bad. Not one of us could ever remember opening these jars. I decided this would never happen in my fridge, so every time I open a jar of something, I write on the label in permanent marker "Opened" with the date, including the year!. This way, when I look in the fridge, I can see when something has outstayed its welcome and there are no yucky surprises.
DeAnne T. in Wentzville, MO
I was very excited to get my front loading washing machine. I liked everything about it except that when I used bleach, some of my towels came out with white bleach spots. Since the machine uses so little water, I figured the bleach was not diluting enough before entering the tub. To solve the problem, I now dilute my bleach to a half bleach and half water solution. This makes my bleach last longer, and I no longer have white spots on my towels.
D. K.in Hudson, MA
One of the ways I allow myself "little luxuries" is to use a small amount of funds specifically for that purpose. I'll take $5 to $10 when available and spend it on little non-necessities. It goes further being spent at a dollar store or Big Lots. I buy small goods for my office, body wash, etc. This allows me to feel less restricted and gives me a boost.
Audrey A.
editor's note: If you have a method for making you or your family feel good without spending money, please send it to gary@stretcher.com.
Rather than being charged for using Coinstar® to count your coins, check with your bank or credit union. My credit union has a coin machine in the lobby and there is no charge for using it as long as you have an account.
Phyllis C.
I have been reading about how to make laundry detergent, but quite frankly, it seems like it would be extremely messy and the texture of the end product sounds like it would be slimy. Also, there is the possibility of residue remaining on your clothes, etc. Therefore, I decided that this is not for me. I still wanted to do what I could do to lower my laundry soap costs. Therefore, I decided to try an experiment.
In laundry soap recipes, they generally include washing soda. After reading online about all of the great uses for washing soda, I decided to purchase some and I found a large box for just over $2. I purchased this and I mixed together equal amounts of my regular laundry detergent and the washing soda. I stirred them together until they were thoroughly mixed and I used a large plastic container to hold the mixture in.
My usual laundry soap costs about $6 for the 40-load box, which is kind of expensive. By extending it with the washing soda, I now have an 80-load tub of laundry soap that cost me about $8. Since we have a high efficiency washing machine, which requires only about one to two tablespoons of laundry detergent for each load, I actually have about a 160-load tub of soap that cost me $8. Anything I can do to lower the cost per load is helpful.
Dorothy S.
I just wanted to remind the Dollar Stretcher community of a great resource in their communities. Many may already know of this resource, but there may be some readers who don't.
The local Extension Service offers a lot of information on food preparation, including low cost meals, budgeting, and food preservation. Last night, our local office had a class on water bath canning, which is extremely easy to do once you know the basics. The pressure canning class is tomorrow night. Participants learn to can so that the food is safe to eat and taste is preserved.
As the summer winds down, canning jars, lids, and rings will be going on sale, and many farmers' markets will be lowering prices to get rid of surplus fruit and veggies.
Look in the government listings in your phone book to find your local office.
If you can't find "Extension Office" in the listings, contact the 4-H office and ask them for the number.
Constance B.
A week or so before expected company arrives, cook up a roast, cool and wrap it tightly in foil, and freeze. Freeze the juices separate. The eve before a sightseeing or visiting day, take the roast and juices out of the freezer and place them in the fridge. When you get home, make a gravy with the juices while veggies are warming and the roast is gently heating in the microwave or oven. Add a salad and you have a wonderful, easy meal for all!
Carol L. in Germfask, MI
This seems obvious, but return what you purchase and don't or won't use. I never bothered doing this in the past. Instead, I'd think I'd use the item eventually.
Often enough, this wouldn't happen, and I'd end up donating food items that were an impulse purchase (like canned asparagus), or storing the extra uncut lumber from a renovation project. It would get integrated into my lumber pile, and might never get used. Recently, I returned two pieces of uncut 1 X 6 and a box of nails that I didn't need for the project I was doing to the store. I walked away with $15 in my pocket, rather than $15 of inventory in my garage. I now always return unused surplus or items I change my mind about. It's money in my pocket.
Helen K.
When my kids were young, being a single mom meant trying to find fun things to do.
Often, the fire departments host open houses with pancake breakfasts. The kids loved being shown the fire station and trucks, but more importantly, I was grateful for some of the great safety programs offered. There are a lot of little communities with fire stations that host these, so keep your eyes peeled.
Stephanie C.
editor's note: If you have a method for making you or your family feel good without spending money, please send it to gary@stretcher.com.
Use outdated maps as wrapping paper. This is especially great for guys' presents.
Kerry H.
editor's note: For more creative gift wrapping ideas, please click here.
Relative to the My Story: Online University article, if you are pursuing your online degree in order to qualify for and continue into graduate school, be advised that many grad schools are wary of the for-profit online university graduates, including graduates of such well-known online schools as Kaplan and University of Phoenix. Do check out your desired program (your major and not just the general school's reputation) here and similar review websites before you commit your money and time.
My friend, who is faculty at Boston University, suggests that if you have a graduate program in mind (like at your local university), you should check their website and find the professor teaching the thing you would like most to do. Contact this person via email with a subject line of "Graduate program inquiry" and say something like, "I hope to eventually apply to enter your graduate program, but I will need to earn my undergraduate degree online, so I can continue to meet my current job and family commitments. Would you mind sharing with me which online schools in your experience provide the best undergraduate preparation for your program?" If you do not hear back from this person in 30 days or so (don't expect an answer much sooner), send the same message to the department chairperson.
Donna in Ohio
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