Helpful Tips to stretch your day and your dollar

An idea we have used successfully in our school is an end of the year class gift given by all the students in a class (Whether they contribute money or not, no child is left out). Our idea is a Surprise Money Box. It is a small box, like a jewelry box, covered in festive paper with a wide slit cut in the top or side of the box. The class contributes money in the amount of $5 or $10 per child. Then each child writes a personal note to the teacher on a dollar bill sized piece of paper. You take each bill and child\'s note and tape them end to end, alternating bill and then a note. Then you fan-fold the bills and notes and attach a pull tab on the very end. I usually attach a note to this last bill introducing the gift as \"To Ms. Jones from your first grade class, in appreciation for all you\'ve done for us this year.\" Then at the end of the note I write \"pull here.\" Then the entire thing is placed inside the box and only the tab labeled \"pull here\" sticks out through the hole in the box. Tape the box closed. The teacher pulls the tab and out comes a bill, then a note, which the teacher reads aloud to the class. The kids can also count the money as it comes out of the box. They love it! Our teachers have been overwhelmed with gratitude because they can use the money for something personal or for something for their classroom. Depending on the class size, this can amount to a sizeable amount of money. Also, I always point out in my letter to the parents that if they are unable to give for any reason, or can only give a small amount, it is appreciated and that every child will be represented in the gift. In my experience, some parents are able to contribute more than is asked and often sponsor someone who is unable to pay. It works out.
Terry U. in Willis, TX
Easy Scrub
Baking soda works great for cleaning pots and pans. Use dry like scouring powder with a damp cloth. Rinse well. I also use it on sinks, stoves and anywhere I need an abrasive cleaner that will not scratch.
Juanita
What Special Pads?
I recently purchased a Clorox Ready Mop after reading reviews, finding out how to make my own cleaning solutions, and getting it at the right price (free after the mail in rebate). The one thing I neglected to check out was the price of the cleaning pads that are needed for it. They are much too expensive for my frugal taste, especially since my house is mostly linoleum and it would take three pads every time that I mopped!
I finally hit on the perfect solution. I just attach one damp wash cloth and mop away. I can clean my entire house now with one wash cloth and I think it cleans better than the pads because of the texture, especially on those sticky spots underneath my three-year-old\'s chair at the kitchen table!
Jennifer
Stocking a Pantry
Anyone with a need to buy in bulk, yet has limited funds, should look at co-ops. Our local homeschool group buys in bulk from a co-op. It\'s a great way to get high quality items for less. In addition, because there are other families, we often split a \"bulk\" item. That way, we are able to buy what we need, split the order with another family, and get the savings without a lot of cash outlay.
Lucy
Attack Strategy
My mom, sister, and I have been able to save on groceries by planning ahead for the majority of our purchases. In my home area, there are several competing grocery stores to choose from so this process takes a little time but it\'s been worth it! Every Sunday, we look over the weekly circular ads at the three local supermarkets and identify items that we regularly use. We also go through the coupon section weekly and cut out coupons for items that we use on a regular basis.
When we go into the grocery, we only buy those items that are on sale (this practice works best if you know the regular price of the item as well as the best sale price the item retails for at the other stores) or for which we have coupons. By doing this, we keep items \"in stock,\" so to speak, and avoid having to pay regular price for items when we run out of them. It\'s also a great deterrent to splurge purchasing of items that aren\'t really necessary.
Dee Dee from D.C.
Protecting New Clothes
Whenever you get new clothes, to preserve the color, add a large quantity of salt to the water and soak it for at least an hour or more. Wash as usual.
Irene C.
Nursing Tops
Nursing clothes are expensive. I had two nursing shirts with my first two kids, and I wore them absolutely out. What I most liked about them is that they covered up my belly. So, I never had to lift up my shirt (or have baby lift it up!) and flash all that lovely extra flesh I accumulated during pregnancy.
I\'m pregnant again, and this time, I have a new idea. I\'m going to buy a pack of cheap, tight, tank-top style undershirts and cut vertical slits into them (like the ones many nursing shirts have). That way, I can wear any kind of shirt over them, but when I go to nurse, there will still be a layer of fabric between me and the world. L.R.
Baby Gifts
I shop for baby gifts while taking my child\'s gently used items to the resale or consignment store for them to sell. I will frequently have a check to pick up, and rather than cashing it, I will use some or all of it to make a purchase of a baby or child gift. Many times, there will be precious outfits, sheets, pillowcases, toys, hats, socks, etc. that are brand new and may even be in the original wrapper or box. Robin
Healthier Cat Food
We have many cats so we \"went down a step\" to a (national) pet store\'s brand of cat food. After reading the label, I found it was more nutritious for my cats than the higher-priced brand we were feeding them, it costs quite a bit less, and my cats love it! TB
Which Aisle?
I usually buy my spices in the \"Mexican foods\" section. They come in small bags and are under $1. I don\'t need a lot of any particular spice, so this is perfect for me. I was surprised to see my normal spices like garlic, cinnamon and bay leaves. I store them in small jars that I saved in the past. Gretta in Oklahoma
Replanned Vacation
We had planned a vacation to the Florida Keys for nearly a year. Imagine our dismay to find that an emergency left us nearly broke. Unwilling to give up our vacation, we called the resort/campground we were staying in and explained our situation. They happily allowed us to use our deposit to stay in a campsite instead of a more expensive cabin.
We sat down together and figured out menus. With our list now ready, we scoured our kitchen for all the necessary ingredients minus perishables. These all went in boxes. When we arrived in Big Pine Key, we only needed to purchase a few items, such as milk, eggs, butter, etc. Our campground gave us free ice.
We cooked most of our meals on our camp stove. Some we cooked on the BBQ grills that were provided, using driftwood we gathered on the shore.
Our plans to visit the \"big attractions\" were put on hold in favor of walking through the historic section of Key Largo, Key West and a couple of other fascinating places. Our own Key had some fun places to go and the Key Deer were amazing. Friendly and inquisitive, they gave us ample opportunity to take loads of pictures. We snorkeled every day and had silly \"back tans\" to show for it.
This was our best and cheapest vacation ever and we still talk about it. Molly
For Our Guests
Something that my family has always done for guests is to put a basket of sample size items in the bathroom closest to their room for their use in case they forgot something. These items include toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, razors, Pepto Bismol, aspirin, Tylenol, soap, deodorant, Neosporin, Band-Aids, safety pins, etc. Usually these things are one-time use samples that I have gotten free in the mail. I just save them for company! Some people don\'t want to feel like a burden on their hosts and won\'t ask for any of these things when they need them. When I show them their room, bathroom and towels, I also point out the basket on the sink counter and let them know if they need anything out of it that it is for their use and no other reason. Erica M.
Cheap Plants
If there happens to be a university around your area, call and check if their biology department has a botany laboratory. Several times per year, the botany lab will need to clear up space for new projects. I have found that the local university in my area has a plant sale every so often. It contains many different varieties of plants, both hanging and potted! I can buy full size plants at about one-third to one-half the price of normal flower shops/plant nurseries! Plus, they can usually answer your questions about maintenance and such! It\'s a great way to bring a little nature into your home without stretching your wallet so thin! Jessica
Ready for Cooking
When I buy ground beef, I brown half of it (by boiling it) and put it into freezer bags. Squeeze the air out and freeze flat. Now it\'s ready to use for spaghetti, tacos, lasagna, etc. Then I make meatballs (or mini-meatloafs) with the other half of the package, using either oatmeal or leftover rice. I bake the meatballs/meatloaf, wrap and freeze it. It\'s ready to thaw and warm. Sometimes I pour some ketchup over the top before I bake it and sometimes I make a brown gravy or a salisbury sauce. My family loves it! Carol G. in Raleigh, NC
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