Tightwad Tips for Cyber Tightwad
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Kodak EasyShare Digital 16MB Zoom Camera $79.95 Kodak EasyShare C633 6.1MP 3xOpt/5x Digital 16MB Zoom Camera - $79.95 I have this one and I love it! It was a Xmas gift this past year - I think they paid waaaaaay more than this... lol
Geeks.com
Code:$20 off Kodak EasyShare C633 6.1MP 3x Optical / 5x Digital Zoom Camera - 633DEALExp. 5/10/07
The simple-to-use Kodak EasyShare C633 zoom digital camera provides remarkable features at a reasonable price. You'll bring details to life with 6.1 MP, the 3x optical zoom lens, and a large 2.4-inch color LCD. It's the perfect point-and-shoot camera for capturing those special moments.
1GB Video & MP3 Player w/ Full Color Disp $37 A/R
Truly Pic 'N Roll FC-606G 1GB Video and MP3 Player with Full Color DisplayBuy.com
List Price: $99.95Our Price: $57.99Price After Rebate(s): $37.99
LeapFrog Interactive Leapster TV System $39 (was $70!)
Leapfrog
LeapFrog Interactive Leapster TV System $39.82 (was $70!)Features:Educational game console that connects to your TV Includes 2-player, turn-taking game, Dora the Explorer Piñata Party Teaches letter recognition, phonics, and word building Compatible with entire library of separately sold Leapster games Powered by 4 C-size batteries (not included)
Blair DOD~Classic Split Skirt $11
Blair DOD~Classic Split Skirt
Classic Split Skirt
The relaxed fit you love in the same wrinkle-resistant fabric as the pants, above. Elastic waistband; slash pockets. Inseams: Petites 13"; Average & Women's 14". Woven polyester poplin; machine wash/dry. Imported.
was$19.99-22.99 NOW $11.99
Petites & Averages and Women's
Cute Polka-Dot Georgette Dress $4 Was $24
The Children's Place $4.99 Spring Sale + $10 off $30 Code!
ChildrensPlace.com
$5 Flat Rate Shipping on any orderNMFM37 - $10 off $30 Check out the $4.99 Spring Sale - Lots of items to choose from!
Polka-Dot Georgette Dress
Item# 358836
was $24.50sale $4.99
Niko 32" LCD HDTV Only $524.99+coupon was $1200
Niko 32" LCD HDTV Only $524.99!
This is a really hot price. We had these puppies smaller and going for almost twice this at the big orange at christmas...
Buy.com
Save $10 with Google Checkout for first time usersElectronic Stores - $15 off $200 (new customers) - Ongoing Niko 32" LCD HDTVSV3206 - 1000:1 Contrast Ratiolist
price $1,199.99
sale $624.99
price after rebate $524.99
FREE Shipping
FREE Dr Bragi Skincare Sample Pack www.drbragi.com/trial.htm
Pall Mall - 4 Free Packs w/4 UPCs From Any Other Brand
This offer was found in Marie Claire magazine
Call 1-866-756-9287 or visit www.pallmallusa.com/offerFillout form, print, send in 4 upcs from any brand of cigarettes and they will send you 4 packs of Pall Malls Filtered Box (some states can't get cigs in mail, so they will send you a coupon for free ones instead)
Limit 1 per person Expires 9/30/2007 You need an ID to enter the site (website accepts Camel or Kool ID)
Sentry LT202 AM/FM Radio Light $10
Walmart.com has the Sentry LT202 AM/FM Radio Light for $10 + shipping.Item
Description The Sentry AM/FM Radio Light with Clock has a powerful flashlight to help you find your way in the dark. Stay informed and safe with this multi-function radio.Key Features & Benefits: Powerful searchlight Provides light on camping trips and during power outages Emergency siren Signals that you need help and warns off trouble Built-in AM/FM radio Listen to your favorite news, talk and music stations 5-function clock Keeps you on your schedule Shoulder strap Makes the radio easy to carry in most conditions
opco Zingo 2-Quart Enamel On Steel Teakettle $6
Copco Zingo 2-Quart Enamel On Steel Teakettle $6
Amazon.com has the Copco Zingo 2-Quart Enamel on Steel Teakettle, Black for $6, with free shipping on $25.
Heat resistant phenolic handle, Lightweight aluminum (or steel) body.Product DescriptionCopco Zingo enamel on steel teakettle 2-Quart capacity in black. Lightweight aluminum construction in popular colors. Heat resistant phenolic handle. One -hand push button thumb mechanism lists whistle for safe and easy pouring.
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$10 starbucks card from Dell http://www.dell4slg.com/catcher_page.php?cpid=266&redirect_id=373463
Dear Business Professional:At Dell Inc., we strive to ensure our customers receive the most up-to-date information from Dell eNews and eDeals, and we thank you for being a loyal subscriber.We would like to ensure we have the most accurate contact information for your business or organization. With a quick confirmation from you, we can better align with your objectives and send you exclusive promotions from time to time on the products that matter most to you.Please click on the link below to confirm your first name, last name, company name and address.Upon confirming your company information, please enjoy your complimentary $10 Starbucks Card*. On behalf of Dell, we thank you for your time.Best regards,Dell
11 lbs of Gummy Bears, Worms or Trail Mix $22 bucks shipped Great deal on Worms and Trail Mixes. Buy 2 items and get free shipping and use code: HARMONY5 (all caps) and get it all for ~$22$10 Instant Savings on Harmony SnacksSave $10 today when you spend $29 or more on any combination of eligible Harmony snacks featured on this page. Use the following promotional code when you check out: HARMONY5. This offer applies only to products offered by Amazon.com and for purchases made between April 1 and April 30, 2007. (A full list of restrictions is listed at the bottom of this page.)
Pashima Silk Wrap Shawl Was $125 Now $15 Pashmina Shawl
Product DescriptionProduct DescriptionThis lightweight & finely woven Pashmina Shawl will keep you warm and looking strikingly stylish anytime, anywhere. The natural, soft sheen of the silk adds elegance & lightness to the Pashmina Shawl. Expertly woven from the finest Pashmina & Silk, this Pashmina Shawl can be used year-round, day and night, while traveling and at home, formal events and casual outings, as a shawl, wrap and scarf - simply, a must-have piece that will prove to be versatile, practical and incredibly easy to wear. It is the ideal & perfect wrap you can carry with you all the time. 50% Pashmina & 50% Silk. 80" length x 28 " width. Fringed ends. Imported. Dry clean.
John Frieda shampoo sample Walmart
http://walmart.triaddigital.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid12560.aspx
Girls Jean Skirt w/ Drawstring Tie $3 was $29+more
ClassicCloseouts.com - Everyday Low Prices + Coupon CodeShop today for the lowest prices on the highest quality children's clothing and accessories. By shopping in the clearance section you'll save up to 90% off retail prices. Take an additional $10 off orders of $50 or more when you use coupon code SPRMDS during checkout. Hurry, with savings this low merchandise will be flying off the selves.
Girls' Infants Cotton Onesie - $2.29, was $19.99 save 89%
Girls' Built ForSpeed Jean Skirt w/ Drawstring Tie - $3.99, was $29.99 save 87%
Toddlers' & Little Girls' Black Jeans w/ Cherry Embroidery - $5.49, was $29.99 save 82%
Infant's '31' Fleece Quarter-Zip Pullover - $2.99, was $21.99 save 86%
Little Girls Deer Layered Look Tee - $3.99, was $39.99 save 90%
Big Girls Famous Maker Ribbed Knit Sweater - $6.99, was $39.99 save 83%
Big Girls Tank Top Sweater - $5.99, was $29.99 save 80%
Big Girls' I.L.U. Stretch Belted Bermuda Shorts - $6.99, was $27.99 save 75%
George Cotton Blend Argyle Sweater - $3.99, was $39.99 save 90%
Boys 1/4 Zip Sweater - $6.99, was $39.99 save 83%
Cool Touch Griddle $19 Was $40+more+ Rare Coupon
Boscovs.com - RARE Coupon SavingsGet an additional 10% off regular and sale priced personal care appliances and small electrics with coupon code PR147 or 25% off select items when you use coupon code PR247 - for more details on exclusions be sure to click here. The Outlet already offers savings up to 80% so it's the best time to shop as coupons for Boscovs are extremely rare!!
Orchid Crushed Voile Scarf - 51x216 - $19.99, was $44.99 save 56%
Old Boston 45-PC Flatware Set - $20.00, was $80.00 save 75%
Ashley Cooper Spa Collection Bath Sheet - $9.99, was $35.99 save 72%
Ashley Cooper Classics Mattress Pad - King - $9.97, was $34.99 save 72%
Mod Twin Sized Striped Coverlet Set - $19.99, was $69.99 save 71%
Rival 5qt Round Programmable Crock Pot - $29.99, was $59.99 save 50%
Rival Cool Touch Griddle - $19.99, was $39.99 save 50%
Ashley Cooper Spa Collection Bath Towel 25x54 - $5.99, was $15.99 save 63% Ultrasonic Toothbrush - $9.99, was $29.99 save 67%
Dr. Scholl's Percussion Massager - $12.99, was $39.99 save 68%
Vidal Sassooon Cordless Body Trimmer & Shaver - $19.99, was $39.99 save 50%
3 Piece Chenille Throw Set - $14.99, was $34.99 save 57%
Girls (4-6x) Youngland Dress with Hearts - $10.00, was $20.00 save 50%
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MilesKimball.com - Warehouse Sale + Free Ship on $40
Miles Kimball.comSave on more than 400 items during the Warehouse Sale with savings up to 75% off. Plus get free shipping on orders of $40 or more when you shop through this coupon link. Ice Cream Cone Dishes Set of 4 - $3.25, was $12.99 save 75% Personalized Apple Bookmark - $3.00, was $5.99 save 50% Easy Open Jar Opener - $1.62, was $6.49 save 75% Sports Golf Balls, Set of 6 - $10.00, was $19.99 save 50% Carry Out Bags - $2.50, was $4.99 save 50% Floral Suncatcher - $4.75, was $18.99 save 75% Color & Wash Puppet - $7.50, was $14.99 save 50% Pencil Stool - $7.50, was $14.99 save 50%Mesh Wire Barbeque Basket - $4.50, was $17.99 save 75% Zip It Socks - $6.50, was $12.99 save 50% Oinking Piggy Bank - $4.50, was $8.99 save 50% Crayola® Rainbow Writer - $2.25, was $8.99 save 75% Dolphins Kinetic Motion - $6.00, was $11.99 save 50% Two-Way Shoe Stretcher - $4.75, was $18.99 save 75% Nurse and Teacher Visor Clip - $1.75, was $3.49 save 50% Candy Dispenser Small - $4.50, was $8.99 save 50% Diet Piggy - $3.50, was $6.99 save 50% Graduate Apple Boxes, Personalized - $3.99, was $9.99 save 60%
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Wednesday, November 12, 2003
1. Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hairspray and they will take a quick dive.
2. Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...)
3. Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
4. For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.
5. Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
6. Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
7. Whenever you purchase a box of S.O.S Pads take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. This would be much more economical. The box of S.O.S pads last longer.
8. Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc., with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and pull out the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops the lid!
Also when you can't get a jar to open, put a rubberband around the lid, and it works awesome!
9. Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!
10. Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
11. Spray a bit of perfume on the lightbulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.
12. Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
13. To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
14. To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop.
15. Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains. (Key Word:- Tupperware)
16. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. (or you can sprinkle sugar in the pan and get a "crunchier" crust with no white mess!
17. Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
18. When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
19. Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
20. Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
21. To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.
22. Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.
23. Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
24. When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
25. Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets,wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China.
26. Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
27. Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
28. Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.
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A simple homemade paint remover: Mix 2 parts ammonia to 1 part turpentine.
To remove grease spots, wipe down area with newspaper; follow with a raw corn meal scrubbing.
To prevent pancakes or waffles from sticking to your griddle, rub down with salt.
Warm salt water is an excellent cleaner for straw mats or rugs; let dry in the sun.
If you are a morning coffee drinker and love the taste of fresh coffee every time you brew, run some pure white vinegar and distilled water through your machine…repeat with distilled water and cleanse pot. Do this at least once a month. If you have kitchen appliances such as steamer rice-makers, pour white vinegar into cooking apparatus to remove sediments and prevent rust. Do this once a month or when needed.
When the outer skin of a tomato is heated it helps to remove the outer skin easily.
Rubbing carrots with a steel wool pad removes skin easily and quickly.
You may add concentrated lemon juice or freshly squeezed juice to your dishwashing liquid to help cut grease…it also adds a pleasant smell.
I have a friend that recycles all if her bottles by using them as flower holders. You may also use different and beautiful bottles as home décor…great conversation pieces. The same goes for plastic spray bottles or jars. Refill your plastic spray bottles and use your store bought jars of products to store beans, etc.…pretty jars may also be used for drinking as well as kitchen décor with your favorite pastas.
If you're having a tuff time deciding on how to reuse plastic shopping bags, simply by a smaller trash can and insert bags. This will also force you to empty your trash bags sooner and keep a fresher smelling kitchen. You may also use plastic bags to transport items, carry in diaper bags for soiled or extra clothing, use them in place of a lunch pale, or simply reuse them when shopping…they're also excellent on doggie-poop when out for a walk. My mother keeps fresh hung bags on her kitchen door, bathroom door and bedroom door for easy dispensing of dry clean paper trash. Plastic bread bags are also good to keep around if you bake your own breads.
Keep an opened box of baking soda in both your refrigerator and freezer to keep frig smelling fresh. It will also prevent foods from tasting funny. You can clean your refrigerator with baking soda and hot water. It will leave it smelling fresh and shiny.
Add baking soda and water onto your car battery for safe removal of smut and corrosion. Remember to rinse clean.
If a dish has turned out too sweet, squeeze a lemon or lime into it; if the dish contains milk or milk products, simply add salt. Alcohol will also soak up unwanted sweetness.
Cornstarch may be used as a smoother for sauces that have come out either too lumpy or not just smooth enough in texture.
Keep in mind Baking Soda cuts grease and can also be added to foods to reduce grease content.
Keep your salt and pepper shakers working by simply keeping them clean...and never store your shakers or spices near heat.
Liquid Brown Sugar can be purchased at any grocery store; won't harden like regular brown sugar.
If you have fruits and vegetables you wish to eat or cook with but some of it has browned…not to worry; simply cut out the rotted or brown part and commence! Rotting does not spread like most people seem to think. It won't hurt you and no need wasting half of anything.
The colder your onion, the less tears for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar makes an excellent natural meat tenderizer.
If you still find yourself having plants even after you've cleared your surroundings, remember to save your coffee grounds if you're a coffee drinker; it makes excellent food for your plants. Safe for all plants too!
Another thought on white vinegar…add some to your dishwashing to cut the grease!
Plastic ware can be kept odor free as well as disinfected by simply letting them soak in a solution of baking soda and hot water.
Rub a little rubbing alcohol on your stained garments then wash. Alcohol is an excellent heavy stain remover.
To refresh as well as de-stain your automatic dishwasher, run it through with white vinegar.
Wiping your home down with a fragranced baby wipe is a great refresher…because of its mild ingredients basically being that of baby shampoo and water, it should be safe enough to use on most furniture.
Keep gift bags and boxes to reuse for the following year or special occasion gift giving throughout the year.
Cleaned food glass jars can be recycled into drinking glasses, dry grain or pasta storage, decoration, item keepers for such things as mini tools, pencils and pens, or jewelry. Never recycle your jars for canning purposes! Make sure you have specific set of jars & lids for your home canning.
To prevent sugar ants or detour them, wipe down affected area with some white vinegar…not apple cider vinegar!
To detour ants and roaches place a saucer filled with Borax in affected areas.
Borax will also calm down food odors if left in an opened container in affected area.
You may also fill opened containers of White Vinegar to eliminate household odors. Change about once a month.
For any type of protein stains, soak item in cold water immediately for approximately one half day if possible, then proceed with regular washing…excellent for stained panties if soaked in some cold water with a bit of White vinegar…will soften your panties as well after washing…remember, never mix Vinegar and bleach together,they will create very strong FUMES!
BORAX is a wonderful alternative to Bleach!
The safest but not necessarily the quickest oven-cleaner I've found is a mixture of Baking Soda,warm water and White Vinegar applied all over oven and left overnight…then wipe clean the next day.It is not necessary to heat oven when performing this procedure.
Light a candle or a match to quickly eliminate strong odors…especially in the kitchen before guests arrive.
A delightful way to eliminate odors in your home is to brew some of your favorite fragrant Teas. I personally don't mind the smell of a fresh home cooked meal when I walk into a place…I find that very comforting.
A natural air freshener can be made by applying any nonalcoholic fragrance such as Oils on a cotton ball and distribute these throughout your home and or car…remember to refresh at least once a month.Commercial air fresheners affect your nasal passages in a very negative way. You can also wipe down surfaces with your favorite scent to refresh your home. Remember to keep these safely away from children.
The only commercial nontoxic oven cleaner I've found is Arm&Hammer Oven Cleaner. Use according to directions.
I remember my mother disinfecting her home surfaces with Isopropyl Alcohol;please remember to have area WELL VENTILATED!!! Also,wear gloves if you tend to have sensitive or dry skin…follow either way with a moisturizer. I only use this method when I'm out of my other alternatives. Hospitals long ago used this method on everything including bedsheets.
You may add White Vinegar to your wash along with equal parts Borax to replace bleach or use vinegar and borax separate for softening, whitening, and brightening…never mix Bleach with White Vinegar.
To remove black heel marks rub a mixture of Baking Soda and Olive Oil…or simply rub with a dry cloth if the stain is not very heavy.
To clean wood surfaces mix equal parts Olive Oil and White Vinegar.
To clean glass: A mixture of Rubbing Alcohol and Water in a spray bottle, followed up with a rub down of a Chalkboard Eraser to remove streaks.
Clean bathroom and kitchen fixtures shiny with Laundry Softener Sheets.
Boiled Water and Black Tea makes an excellent wood polish.
Here is a list of all of the ingredients you'll ever need for homemade remedies…
Baking Soda
Olive or Vegetable Oil
Borax, Salt, and Cornstarch (I add it to other products for scouring as well as scrubbing agent…can also be used as a facial scrub in some of your homemade creams and lotions.Do not use the borax as a scrubbing agent for skin.
Soda Water (Helps remove stains by soaking with cold water)
Hydrogen Peroxide(Remember if using this product orally…do not ingest)
Steel Wool
Lemon Juice
Liquid Soap (Preferably a naturally based soap such as castille…most of these liquid soaps can be purchased safely at your local health food shops; if not, some dish liquids can be used as soaps-my favorite commercial brand is Sun Light which is biodegradable as well as phosphate free! Keep in mind most automatic dish detergents contain phosphates which are harmful to the environment and some automatic dish washers will not wash away completely-which is why I only do my dishes by hand…I can choose the soap as well as have complete control of rinsing safely. It is not necessary to use hot water for your dishes all of the time…unless it was a terribly greasy meal…a fine washing of soap and water should be sufficient.
Washing Soda
White Vinegar (Apple Cider in an emergency,especially for glass.
Another way to get rid of ants is to rub a clove of garlic in affected area.
The black locust tree root planted along with lilies will help rid rodent visitors.
LEMON JUICE is one of nature's wonders. You should always have some around if at all possible…whether fresh or in a concentrated form. Always remember to dilute any concentrated product.
Uses:
1) Rub lemon halves on kitchen counter tops to brighten and remove odors.
2) To brighten pots and pans rub on lemon halves then wipe clean.
3) To brighten silver jewelry dilute equal parts lemon juice and hot water, let jewelry sit in solution approximately fifteen minutes then rinse and wipe clean.
4) As a rinse for oily scalp, massage in lemon juice then rinse.
5) Fresh lemon-juice may be put into your white or colored wash to brighten and deodorize.
6) Apply lemon-juice on wood surfaces with a touch of olive oil to keep your wood polished, glowing and protected.
WHITE VINEGAR is like a sister to lemons…you should always have a bottle or two handy. White Vinegar works excellent on odor problems.
Uses:
1) Equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle is excellent for glass surface cleaning…may be used full strength for tuff jobs.
2) To remove strong animal odors just spray area, let dry a few minutes then wipe clean…feel free to simply spray and let air dry; vinegar's odor will eventually disappear.
3) White vinegar may be sprayed on bed wetting areas. Let dry with fresh air.
4)White Vinegar and warm water may be used as a wash for feminine itch; if discomfort persists or is followed by odor, please consult a health care provider.
Fires are immediately extinguished by sprinkling baking soda on the fire.
Use cloth napkins instead of paper…you'll save money in the long run…better for the environment.
To refresh your dishwashing sponge, simply pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute and rinse; this will instantly remove odors as well as comes out disinfected and safe to use again. If your sponge is falling apart though; just get rid of it and buy more. The Dollar Stores carry quite an amount for $1.00!
Sprinkle salt in kitchen cabinets to keep ants and bugs under control.
Add salt in your flower vase to help them last longer; you may also add aspirin.
Salt kills weeds.
The non extra virgin olive oil makes the best base for homemade soaps. One good soap that is usually olive oil based with coconut oils and can be purchased at most grocery stores is Castor's Castile Soap…all natural and especially good for oilier skins. Drier skins follow with a face and or body moisturizer.
You can save energy buy simply reducing watt amount in your light-bulbs. Use your appliances such as dryers on off hours like in the middle of the night.
When your jars of pickles or olives are empty, save the juice for cooking sauces, salad dressings or marinades.
Rub skin so soft by Avon on door or window edges to prevent insects from entering.
Keep in mind that ants can't crawl through body powder.
For squeaky doors, simply rub a small amount of bar soap on problem area.
Murphy Oil Soap:
Murphy's Oil is a natural gentle soap which has many more uses than just that of cleaning wood. Here are some other known uses...
1) For cleaning inside of frig.
2) Cleaning baby's room safely.
3) Great for cleaning walls instead of painting.
4) Great as a laundry spot treater.
Added 10/23/00
From Jeremiah - Use plastic bags to wrap breakables during a move; they work just as well as paper wrap.
From Kitty- Add hydrogen peroxide to your wash to remove blood stains.
From Cari - Use common table salt to remove grease clogs from kitchen sinks; also, use vinegar and warm water to brighten linoleum floors.
From Monica and Mark - one part white vinegar to two parts water make a great carpet stain remover.
Fill a cup with water and your favorite splash cologne for a mild air freshener that lasts.
For ants in cupboards soak a sponge in honey and sugar; let ants collect all over sponge then dip sponge in boiling water and repeat as needed.
To prevent milk from sticking to pan while heating, first boil a little water in pan.
One way of making a room look bigger is to change hinges on doorways so they open out instead if in.
Purple Martins act as natural insect control.
Onions and radishes are also natural antibiotics.
Your candles will last longer and retain shape better if cooled in refrigerator first.
A touch of turpentine in boiled water will whiten and brighten your cotton clothes.
Egg whites will remove gum on clothing or hair. Simply apply egg whites, scrub then wash clean.
Simmer paint brushes or art brushes in Apple cider vinegar to soften bristles and make them look good as new; follow with a good washing of warm water and soap.
For a softer bread crust if baking homemade bread, simply put a small dish of water in oven.
A good treatment for fever blisters or skin blisters is to boil oak bark and apply liquid after its cooled.
Bag balm used for sore cow teats makes an excellent treatment for ruff, dry, or chapped hands. This product may be found in farm supply stores.
Layering your fragrance with body lotion first then followed by a little dusting powder will help your fragrance last longer. It works especially well if you've exfoliated.
How To Remove Red Wine Stains : As soon as spill occurs, prepare a paste of borax and warm water and rub gently. Follow with a good rinsing or wipe clean with warm water. ***Borax is a natural product and will not leave bleach stains.***
From Jack of San Francisco: "Cover the spot with salt...dampen it...works great too. I ought to know...I've spilled a lot of wine in my time."
TO PREVENT UNWANTED ANIMAL VISITS TO YOUR HOME: simply lay out some moth balls; works great on snakes and rabbits. It will not harm the wildlife, but the smell will discourage them from visiting again. Caution: small children do not have the instincts of wild animals and moth balls will hurt them, so use your best judgement.
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Friday, October 17, 2003
Frugality is not Deprivation
Since I do a lot of media interviews talking about frugality in general and frugal fun in particular, I get asked some off-the-wall questions. And one thing I've noticed: a number of reporters just don't "get it" that you can have a fabulous quality of life and it doesn't have to cost much.
They think frugality means sitting in a cold, dark house, cutting rubber bands in half to make more rubber bands and washing out filthy, greasy plastic bags.
I explain that while I see value in frugality, I'm much more interested in saving their listeners or readers $500 to $1000 on their next fabulous vacation than I am in saving them a tenth of a cent by doubling the size of their rubber band collection (hey--I seem to get all I need from buying broccoli anyway!)
What I say over and over again is that frugality is not deprivation. Not only don't I feel deprived, but my frugal lifestyle allows me to travel more, to see more live entertainment, to enjoy better quality food both in my own home and on the road, to enjoy the pleasures of elegant artwork and fine craft items; it's just that I've learned how to do all these things without spending much (or sometimes, any) money.
People who are frugal are often saving for some large goal: a house, a college education, a trip around the world. If they start resenting the savings, they'll stop saving. But if they learn not only to save for their goals, but to have a great deal of fun doing it, they're way ahead of the game.
And yes, the "pleasure of the hunt"--finding a real bargain--is part of the fun. But the other fun is the memories of the fabulous vacation, the exquisite sound of the concert where you got in free while others had to pay, the gourmet spread that cost you 1/5 of what the person at the next table paid (and was just as satisfying).
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Cater Your Own Party--For $1-$2 Per Person
From Frugal Fun Monthly Tips (Sign up below!)
By Shel Horowitz
Commercial catering is expensive. It would be unusual to get a meal for less than $10 per person, and not unheard of to pay $60. When I entertain, I cater it myself--cheaply and well. An example: the book release party for The Penny-Pinching Hedonist, held in a local library. I didn't know how many people to cook for, and no one ever goes away hungry from my events! So I made a ton of food: I fed 70 people at the party and had enough left over to have fed another 70. My family ate the leftovers for three weeks. Cost: about $100.
The secret is to think about foods that are filling, interesting, easy to prepare, and cheap. I also find that spicy foods often stretch farther. My menu included: a European-style pasta salad with vegetables, capers, a few sun-dried tomatoes, and just a little cheese; an Asian-style pasta salad with rice noodles, Japanese mushrooms, snow peas, ginger, and hot pepper; houmous made from scratch (starting by soaking dried chickpeas a few days ahead), cut up carrots and celery with several dips, bags of chips, soda and ice tea, and I forget what all else
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In-Home Gourmet Meals for Pennies
From Frugal Fun Monthly Tips (Sign up below!)
By Shel Horowitz
We've talked about great restaurant meals every now and then--and you can have a great meal at home, too--far more cheaply than even the cheapest restaurant, and often without very much labor.
Consider this fabulous dish I cooked for my family of 4 last week:
half a pound of Thai rice noodles (60 cents)
a handful of dried Shitakii mushrooms (~15 cents--I buy them for about $12 a pound from Asian grocery stores)
one pound of extra-firm tofu ($1.35)
a tablespoon of all-natural peanut butter (~20 cents)
a teaspoon of Thai curry paste (~10 cents)
juice from half a fresh lime (17 cents)
perhaps a cup of soymilk (~25 cents)
dash each of soy sauce and sesame oil (~10 cents combined)
Total cost of the ingredients was approximately $2.92, or 73 cents per person.
I soaked the dried mushrooms an hour ahead, boiled water and poured it over the noodles, cut the tofu in cubes, made a sauce from the peanut butter, curry paste, soymilk, lime juice, soy sauce, and oil, drained the noodles, and combined it all. With a raw vegetable salad, it was our entire dinner (ok, I confess: I left some unflavored tofu and noodles out for my 6 year old son, who had them straight with soy sauce).
Total labor time, other than pouring water over the mushrooms and walking away for a while, ten minutes. And everybody loved it! It was as good as many meals I've had in good Thai restaurants
Pastas, grains, tofu, dried beans, fresh vegetables in season, winter squash, potatoes... the choices for cheap, healthy and flavorful main ingredients is almost endless. Combine them with inexpensive flavor bases and small amounts of specialty ingredients, and you'll never get bored. I have dozens of great dishes I can make in half an hour or less!
Return to the Frugal Fun Tips Archives
Preview Shel Horowitz's Penny Pinching Hedonist: How to Live Like Royalty with a Peasant's Pocketbook
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Turn Your Picnic into a Work of art!
You can go a lot farther than hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad in your picnics this summer. It's easy to make or buy inexpensive special meals, serve them elegantly, and make them memorable - even outdoors.
First of all, think about * how * you'll serve. It's really not a lot of extra effort to pack a bag with simple but attractive reusable plates (made of unbreakable plastic), a couple of small candlesticks with some nice tapers to go in them, perhaps a frosty cold bottle of something wonderful., with glasses to match - and, of course, a tablecloth.
Next, the menu: It's easy to take a few cents worth of something a bit out of the ordinary and use it to make a mundane dish into something exotic and wonderful. A few easy possibilities:
* Broil or grill a handful of gourmet mushrooms, some garlic, and a chunk of sweet red pepper. Cut it all into thin strips and serve over pasta.
* Mix up a sauce with peanut butter, soy sauce, Chinese sesame oil, and fresh ginger. Marinate fresh vegetables and some extra-firm tofu overnight. Serve in flour tortillas for Oriental fajitas, or in pita sandwiches accompanied by store-bought stuffed grape leaves for a Greek twist.
* Buy a perfectly ripe avocado. Spread it over a hearty rye bread and top with gouda or brie cheese.
* Bring a jar of curry paste along. Mix it into a rice pilaf, or spread it on cold-cut sandwiches instead of mustard.
Just a word of warning: when your friends and neighbors find out how good your picnics are, you may get awfully popular!
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Thursday, October 16, 2003
Make your own hand cream
1/4 cup distilled(bottled) water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon borax powder (20 muleteam)
3 Tablespoons beeswax, grated (packed)
1/2 Cup of any oil (olive works fine)
20 drops essential oil of choice, vanilla
first: heat water, extract and borax until borax is dissolved. This can be done on the stove or in the microwave.
Second: Melt oils and wax together in separate container. I suggest a small saucepan for this. Don't get it to hot. You can pull it off stove when it is almost melted and stir till it finishes melting.
Then mix the two containers together and whisk, whisk, whisk. Put into clean jar(s) or bottle(s) and enjoy.
This makes a lovely cream and is a good project for older children.
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Home made sport drink (Gatorade)
1 pkg any flavor UNSWEETENED Koolaid
8 tbsp sugar (or 10 packets of sweetener for sugar free drink)
3/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp salt substitute (that contains potassium chloride)
2 qts water
Sodium is 110 mg and potassium is 38 mg per 8 oz serving. Cost is about 30¢ per 2 qts - Compare to about $3 for 2 qts of Gatorade.
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Lavender Body Bars
1 ounce shea butter
1/2 ounce avocado oil
1/2 ounce jojoba oil
.07 ounce beeswax
10 drops lavender essential oil
# Clear enough space in your freezer to hold the mold you are using. Measure all ingredients except essential oil in the heat proof cup and a hot water bath to completely melt the beeswax into the oils.
# Remove the cup using a pot holder to prevent burning your hands. Stir the mixture with a pop sickle stick to make sure all of the wax is melted. The melted mixture will be very hot!
# Before adding the essential oil, allow the mixture to cool for about 5 minutes, and then add the essential oil. Stir to incorporate.
# Carefully pour the still hot mixture into small molds (I use 1/4 ounce heart shaped molds with roses in relief) and place immediately in the freezer to harden. After about 15 minutes, pop them out of the mold and wrap in wax paper or a small plastic baggie between uses. You can use one immediately by warming it between your palms to transfer the moisturizer to your palms, then apply to dry skin rubbing gently yet firmly. You can also cup the bar in your palm and apply directly to skin. The warmth from your body will slowly melt the bars to moisturize your skin. Yum!!
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Vinegar Kills Bacteria, Mold and Germs
Adapted from the "Care2 Ask Annie" newsletter.
Vinegar is a mainstay of the old folk recipes for cleaning, and with good reason. The vim of the vinegar is that it kills bacteria, mold, and germs.
Simple Solution:
Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar—such as you can buy in the supermarket—kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can't claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, it seems to be common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial. Even the CBS news show 48 Hours had a special last December with Heloise reporting on tests from The Good Housekeeping Institute that showed this.
Just like antibiotics, common disinfectants found in sponges and household sprays may contribute to drug resistant bacteria, according to researchers of drug resistance at Tufts New England Medical Center. Furthermore, research at the Government Accounting Office shows that many commercial disinfectants are ineffective to begin with, just like antibiotics.
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board, and in your bathroom, and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don't even rinse, but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.
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Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
HomeMade Vanilla Extract tastes much better than store-bought, and it is very easy to make at home.
I have heard that the imitation vanilla that is sold in our supermarkets is nothing more than a by-product from petroleum companies. Instead of being disposed of, it is sold to the food industry for consumption. I do not know if this is true, but it just gives me one more reason to make my own.
Making real vanilla is fun and easy. The only ingredients needed are vanilla beans and alcohol. I have several recipes for making vanilla, and each one calls for a different type of alcohol, and varying amounts of vanilla bean.
For a strong extract, use a high proof of alcohol and scrape the seeds from the bean. For a weaker extract, use a lesser proof of alcohol and soak beans intact.
Here are a three different methods for making your extract:
1. Place one vanilla bean into a pint of vodka. Shake daily for two weeks.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
2. Scrape the seeds from three vanilla beans and place them into a bottle of dark rum. Place the pods in the rum as well. Let sit for three weeks, shaking occasionally.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
3. Place 1/2 cup vodka or white tequila into small saucepan, and heat until it smokes but isn't boiling. Break 2 vanilla beans into pieces and place into bottle or jar. Pour the alcohol into the bottle and cover tightly. Let sit for a week, shaking frequently.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
*Use a very fine strainer, coffee filter, or paper towel to strain.
HINT:To save money, you can grow your own vanilla orchids and collect the seed pods, or reuse the vanilla bean(s) for another batch of extract.
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Hauntingly Frugal Tips!
Deviled eyeballs - Add green olives with pimentos in the center to deviled eggs.
Radioactive Juice - Mix equal parts Mountain Dew and blue Kool-Aid.
Toxic Juice - Add some green food coloring to lemonade for a spooky color.
Bloody eyeballs - Boil cherry tomatoes for 30 seconds. Allow them to cool; then peel skin.
Fake blood- Mix 2/3 cup white corn syrup, 1 tsp. red food coloring, 2-3 drops blue food coloring to darken and 1 squirt dish soap.
Brains -scramble eggs with green, yellow and blue food coloring.
Witches Brew - add dry ice to punch - it adds lots of steam
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Peppermint Lip Balm
Keep those lips soft and kissable!
1 T Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
1 tsp Parafin
several drops Peppermint Extract
Melt Vanilla & Parafin. (I use a tart burner) Then add extract and pour into balm pot. You can use any type of extract. And also add a couple of drops red food coloring if you want color. But it will stain your fingers red. Experiment & enjoy!
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Make your own SLIME!
• Two mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Glue
• Borax
• Green food coloring
• Water
Step 1:
Mix together 3/4 cup warm water, 1 cup glue and several drops of green food coloring in the first bowl.
Step 2:
In the second bowl, mix together 4 teaspoons borax and 1 1/3 cups warm water.
Step 3:
Pour the contents of the first bowl into the second, but don't stir. Let it sit for 1 minute, then lift the now-congealed slime out of the bowl.
Step 4:
Divide slime so that each child has a piece to play with. The glue in slime can make it stick to certain fabrics. To minimize accidents, give each little monster a zip-top bag to store it in.
SAFETY NOTE: Since borax is toxic in large doses, be sure to keep the slime away from kids younger than age three
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~Minty fresh Mouthwash~
Here's something to do with the vodka left over from making your own vanilla extract!
2 T. Fresh Parsley
1/4 c. Fresh Spearmint
1 c. water
1 T. vodka
Combine in a blender until well crushed. Strain and bottle. Swish a tablespoon or two and spit out. Don't swallow.
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Make your own - doggy biscuits!
3/4 cup hot water
1/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
3 cups whole wheat flour
In large bowl pour hot water over the margarine. Stir in powdered milk, salt, and egg. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Knead for a few minutes to form stiff dough. Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into bone shapes. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool. They will dry out quite hard. Makes about 1 1/4 pounds of biscuits. Costs around 30 cents per pound.
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Halloween Special:
Childrens' Party Ideas
Thousands of parents share your heartburn! My suggestion is to ditch the take-home bag of sugar and plastic, for the very reasons you point out. How about replacing them with "make and take" arts and crafts sorts of things that provide hands-on real life experiences, encourage imagination and creativity and good memories of good times? Research shows that children today have *hundreds* more hours of watching people do interesting things on TV than actually doing interesting things themselves. Use this fact to make *your* parties stand out.
A basic trade-off in life is time or money. Elect to spend time on your parties and let the kids help! Don't make everything ahead. Instead, have materials and space ready and let the kids decorate, make refreshments and something to take home and create their own party. Think about what they can do best, have the most fun with and learn the most from doing. Divide into teams for multitasking.
Some examples, tips and techniques:
-Bake and decorate sugar cookies using holiday cookie cutters. If it's a very small group, just have the dough mixed and in the fridge. Let the kids take turns rolling the dough out. They put the cookies in the oven and watch the timer. You take them out. If it's a larger or younger group, bake the cookies ahead, and have them ready for decorating. Using royal icing, confectioners sugar and water or even store bought vanilla frosting, if the budget allows. Add candies, pieces of dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, etc. for features and details. Make enough to eat for refreshments and still have enough for each child to take one or two home to show off.
-Make a craft appropriate to the children's ages and the season. I include some Halloween ideas in an accompanying article on the Dollar Stretcher site. Send these home, too.
-Plan an outdoor activity- in any weather short of a gale or blizzard! Parties go much better when the kids get out, especially if the party is after school. If possible, consider a trip to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard, go skating, borrow enough wagons to allow coasting down a (small!) hill, go for a short hike, collect fall leaves. Arrange them between two sheets of wax paper and iron the wax paper "sandwich" with a medium hot iron to seal the leaves in. Play some playground games. (Check your library and teachers for ideas and rules. Take advantage of what your community offers.
-make your own decorations- let the kids crepe paper the house, tie spider webs with bight colored yarn, trace or stamp designs on paper tablecloths using seasonal or appropriate cookie cutters. (Newsprint ends from your local newspaper is perfect.) Turn the spider web into a game by assigning each child a color to untangle and wind up into a ball for recycling. Webs can be made inside or out.
-Let the kids help make and serve refreshments. They can mix punch, fill cups with pretzels, decorate the cake, scoop ice cream, etc. They'll feel like a valuable member of the group, have a great time helping and you'll be amazed at their skills and ideas- if someone will just let them use them!
-See if you can add an old-timey activity like a hay ride, apple dunking or playing pin the stem, or nose on a pumpkin or Jack O'Lantern.
-Have guests come in costume. Encourage them to make their own and keep it a secret. It's *not* just frugal, it encourages creativity, helps develop an eye for possibilities and builds anticipation of the great unveiling. A recipe for face paint is in my accompanying article on the DS site.
You won't use every idea, but try to incorporate at least one opportunity for the kids to do it themselves and you'll be glad you did!
PUMPKINS/JACK O'LANTERNS
-Choose a pumpkin that's firm and heavy for its size. Look for a rich, orange color and an attached dry stem. Heftier pumpkins will have more meat, less waste and a sweeter flavor than pumpkins of the same size but less weight.
-Make criss -cross cuts in the lid of the pumpkin and rub in a generous amount of cinnamon and nutmeg. As the candle burns it smells great!
-Cut your Jack O'Lantern into sections and scrape away the first layer deep enough to remove all candle wax and smoke damage. Place the sections on a Pam-ed baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about an hour and a half. Cool, scoop flesh out, leaving about 1/4" of flesh with the rind. Mash pulp in mixer or food processor. A 7 - 8 lb. pumpkin will yield about 4 cups of pulp similar to canned solid pack pumpkin (which is *not* the same as pumpkin pie mix.) Pumpkin is packed with fiber and antioxidants, so:
Add the pulp to plain mashed potatoes (1 cup pumpkin to 3 cups mashed potatoes.) Season as usual.
Add 1/4 cup to your oatmeal or other hot cereal.
Replace the milk in cornmeal muffins with mashed pumpkin.
Bake as usual.
Stir some into your vegetable soup pot. Makes a creamy bisque texture.
Add cinnamon and brown sugar to the pumpkin pulp and spread on biscuits, muffins or toast.
Check your favorite sites or cookbooks for pumpkin soup, muffin, bread and cookie recipes.
PUMPKIN SEEDS
You can buy them baked or raw in bulk from a health food type store, if your pumpkin doesn't yield enough to do all you want to do.
Roasted:
Generously Pam (I use butter flavored spray.) a cookie sheet and spread out your washed and dried pumpkin seeds. Pam the seeds themselves and bake at 300 degrees until they're browned and crisp; about 30 - 40 minutes. For lightly browned, less crispy seeds, bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Salt them after you take them from the oven.
Add spices as you see fit. 1 and 1/2 tsp. *each*, mixing as you choose: cumin, chili powder and or freshly ground black pepper.
Makes about 2 cups. Store in a covered jar.
Jewelry:
String washed and dried seeds together using a needle and thread to make bracelets, necklaces, etc. Leave natural color or dye the seeds with a small amount of alcohol and food coloring or powdered tempera. ***AN ADULT NEEDS TO DO THE DYING because of the use of alcohol. Recycled paper plates are perfect for this. Spread the seeds on newspaper or paper sacks to dry before stringing.
Mosaics:
Used dyed or natural seeds combined with other seeds (squash, melons, bird, fruit, etc.) to make designs or pictures. A perfect foundation, and frame, for the mosaics is a box lid or cardboard or Styrofoam tray. Draw design with a pencil. Spread white glue in one section at a time and press the seeds into the glue. Rice, unpopped corn, dried peas and beans can also be added for more variety.
Seed Race:
Each player gets 5 - 10 pumpkin seeds (depending on age of children) in a paper cup, a small dish and a straw. At the "go" signal, players try to pick up a seed and transfer it from the cup to the bowl by sucking on the straw. The winner is the first to successfully transfer all their seeds. Let the winner go first in the next game. ***MAKE SURE YOU USE WHOLE SEEDS, so there's no way they can be sucked up into the straw and choke a child.
Guessing Game:
Fill a jar with pumpkin seeds. Let everyone guess how many seeds there are, then dump them out and have everyone help count them to see whose guess is closest to the total.
POPCORN BALLS
1. Pop corn:
To make 6 medium sized balls you need one quart of popped corn (1/2 cup unpopped kernels) Keep the popcorn warm in oven.
2. Cook syrup:
Combine in saucepan:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 tsp. vinegar
2and 1/2 T light corn syrup Bring ingredients to a boil while stirring with wooden spoon. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring slowly until syrup is thick. To test, drop a little cooked syrup into a small bowl of very cold water. When it forms a ball, it's ready. Watch syrup closely- it thickens quickly.
3. Make balls:
Remove syrup from heat. Pour slowly over warm popped corn, mixing with wooden spoon. (I spray my spoon with Pam so the mixture doesn't blob up on the spoon and clean-up is easy.) Let corn cool enough so you won't burn yourself. Then Pam or butter your hands and shape the corn into balls. You can make the balls into a pumpkins, snow people, animals, or whatever is appropriate for the occasion. You can add raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit pieces, etc. to the basic balls or:
4. Add faces
"Glue" on features using nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, candies, etc. Make "glue" by mixing powdered sugar with a small amount of water in a bowl.
FACE PAINT
2 T white shortening
5 T cornstarch
1 T white flour
3-4 drops of glycerin (see note below)
a few drops of food coloring
Use a rubber spatula to blend the first 3 ingredients on a plate to form a smooth paste. Add 3-4 drops of glycerin to make a creamy consistency. Divide mixture into batches to color as needed.
-For dark beards, moustaches, etc. add 2 and a « tsp. of coacoa to above mixture.
Heat is an enemy for this type of face paint as it will melt if child gets sweaty, but it *is* fast, easy and cheap. Remove with a little soap and water.
NOTE: Glycerin is available in pharmacy departments. It's in a small brown bottle, often located in the first aid section. It's quite inexpensive and can be used to make a very good homemade bubble solution.
***I checked with Poison Control about the " lickability " of the glycerin in this recipe and they say that though glycerin has a laxative effect in quantity, a few drops wouldn't hurt a child even if he/she ate the entire batch! It's smart, however, to avoid the area around eyes and mouth.
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Beauty On A Budget:
Saving Money On Make-up
One secret to saving money on make-up without going barefaced is to learn to be creative with it. You can get double-duty out of many products, and you can salvage many of those purchasing mistakes that have collected in that bottom drawer by learning to adjust products to your liking.
-If you already have mascara, you don't need to buy liquid eyeliner too. You can line your eyes using your mascara and a fine eyeliner brush. This works best with thin-formula mascaras. If you don't have a brush, recycle one from an old tube of eyeliner.
-Lipstick can double as cream blush. If you like to have at least several lipstick colors, you won't have to buy a blush to match each one, and you will always be color-coordinated
-You don't need to buy a special brush for your eyebrows or a product to hold them in place. Spray a bit of hairspray or use a dab of hairstyling gel on a recycled toothbrush.
-Mascara can also be used to color your eyebrows and keep them in place. Just wipe the wand off with a tissue first. You can also use eyeshadow and a brush to fill in your eyebrows or an eyeliner pencil can double for both eyes and brows.
-It is a money-waster to buy separate, special frosted products just for nighttime/special occasion use. Instead, you can get by with just one inexpensive light colored frosted eyeshadow and a highlighting powder, or use the light frosted half of one of those blush duos if you have one. Use this one frosted powder on your eyes as shadow or over a matte shadow to make it frosted, brush it over your blush, or pat a small amount with your fingertip over your lipstick on the center of your bottom lip. Cheapest and most sophisticated option: skip frosted make-up altogether and wear the same matte colors day and night.
-You don't need to buy a special eyeshadow primer. Your regular foundation or any liquid concealer will work great. If you have oily lids and your eyeshadow tends to crease, prime your eyelids instead with face powder, baby powder or a light colored eyeshadow.
-Consider buying an inexpensive brown blush instead of a brown eyeshadow. You get much more product for your money, and you may even be able to use it as blush too.
-Make your own inexpensive loose powder. In a plastic container with a screw -top lid, mash up the cheapest powder compact you can find (buy a color a little darker than your skin) and mix in approximately twice as much baby powder.
-Powder blush too dark? Mash it up in a plastic container, and mix in baby powder a little at a time until it is as light as you want it. You can turn it into a pretty, light wash of color, and the new mixture will last you a very long time.
-Powder blush too bright? Mash it up and mix in a little brown brush, matte brown eyeshadow, or matte powdered bronzer.
-Have a too-bright lipstick you'd like to salvage? Apply a medium-brown lipstick or lip liner pencil over it. If you don't already own a brown lipstick, I suggest you purchase one from Wet 'n' Wild (#549). It will set you back a whole dollar.
-Lipstick too dark? Apply a light beige or nude lipstick over it.
-Foundation too dark? Buy a cheap brand of ivory foundation (make sure it is the same type of formula) and mix in a little at a time until it matches your skin. Ideally, you should mix them in a separate bottle just a little bit at a time to minimize the risk of error.
-Is your oil-free foundation too drying for your skin in cool weather? Mix a quarter-size dollop of foundation in your palm with 1-3 drops of baby oil. Mix well with a finger and apply.
Of course, if you don't make a habit of purchasing the really low-cost drugstore brands you can defeat the money-saving power of these tips. Don't worry, a higher price tag rarely means better quality. When you get more advanced, you can also learn to custom-mix your own lipstick, blush and foundation shades from very inexpensive drugstore make-up so you are no longer tempted to splurge at the department store to get the exact shade you want.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2003
