Frugal Friday

Frugal Friday: Don’t Throw Those Things Away! Re-purpose Them!

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by Rebecca on April 6, 2012 · 1 comment

I don’t know where to start with all of these ideas I’ve been collecting, so I’ll share just a few with you today.  I thought I was good at re-purposing things that at exceeded their original use, that is until I actually started researching and browsing Pinterest.  From using the cuffs off of button down shirts, to re-purposing milk jugs or detergent bottles, to re-purposing an old cupboard door.

What a great idea to continue to use the cuffs off of button down shirts!!  Just cut off the cuff from an older shirt and use to keep cords wrapped up and under control.  If the button is a little to small you can easily ad a larger button with just a few minutes of hand sewing it on.

(photo courtesy of Hawaii Gardening)

Need some extra watering cans?  Or do your kids want to help you out too, really you want your kids to help out.  You can create your own watering can with an empty milk jug or laundry detergent bottle.  You’ll just need a small drill bit to drill multiple holes in the cap, and a utility knife to cut a hole at the top of the handle for air flow.  You could easily do this on just about any size bottle that has a lid and a place to cut an additional hole, so you could make smaller ones for in the house too.

(photo courtesy of Fingerprints On The Fridge)

This idea I love, and you can do such a variety of different things with the same concept.  All you need is an old cupboard door, chalkboard paint, and a paint color of your choice.  Paint the inside of the cupboard with the chalkboard paint and then paint the outside with any color to match your decor.  You can add a little tray to the bottom for chalk, or hooks to hand additional items to complete the look.

If you want a smaller version you could paint a thin piece of wood and place it in a picture frame.  Or if you want something a lot larger, you could re-purpose an old door and have a large chalkboard for the whole family to use.  With garage sale season starting soon I know I’ll be keeping an eye out for some “new” items for me to re-purpose with chalkboard paint.

What do you have around the house that you have re-purposed?

If you’re looking for other Frugal Ideas, check out the past Frugal Friday post.

 

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Free Pastel Paper Starting Sunday = Homemade Easter Grass

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by Tracie on March 22, 2012 · 1 comment

Starting this Sunday, March 25th, you can get FREE pastel paper at Staples (after easy Rebate).    This one is an actual cash rebate as opposed to store credit, which means that it really IS free!

Then, you can use that paper and your paper shredded and make your own grass for your Easter Baskets!!  Just empty your bin and then shred your colored paper.  Nothing beats a free holiday decoration!


image credit: Martha Stewart

 Thanks Passion for Savings!

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Frugal Friday: Organizing With Reused Items

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by Rebecca on March 9, 2012 · 2 comments

Image courtesy of Real Simple

I like to be organized (or try to at least!), however sometimes the items that are available to purchase to organize are just way to expensive.  So I headed to Pinterest to see what I could find out there, and of course I found some great ideas!   Below are just a few of my favorites.

When shopping I try to use my re-usable bags, however sometimes I make an unplanned trip, or forgot them in the car after I brought them to the store.  So I still end up with plastic bags.  I used to try to save them all and as a lot of you know they can end up all over the place.  One of the things I started doing was putting them in a used Kleenex box.  This allowed me to 1) easily access them and pull them out when I want to reuse them and 2) only keep so many at a time, once the box is full the rest get recycled so I don’t have them coming out of the woodwork.

If you don’t have an old tissue box there are a variety of other containers you can use too.  An old coffee can or Pringles container, just cut slits in the lid so you can easily pull them out.  If you want something that already is ready for dispensing you can use an empty Lysol wipes container or even a baby wipes container.  Anything that helps keeps the bags under control and easy to access is the key here.

Image courtesy of Apartment Therapy

For anyone with more than one electronic (and sometimes even just your TV or Computer) you have a lot of wires plugged into a power strip, outlets or into other electronic devices.  You can buy items to label them, but why not use something you already have around the house?  It’s as simple as saving your plastic clips from bread, oranges, potatoes, and other bagged items.  Use a sharpie to label what the electrical cord is for and you will save yourself some time tracing the cord back to the device (or outlet if you’re trying to unplug the right item)

Image courtesy of Doodlebug Design Inc

When we have larger parties I always use plastic utensils because it’s just easier with more people, but I don’t usually have a nice way to display them and have them sitting on the counter for guest.  I ran across this great idea using a couple of tin cans and scrapbook paper.  You could make this for any theme party, and would be perfect for outdoor gatherings as they’re a little heavier.  I plan on making  a few of these to place on the tables and include napkins in one also.

Image courtesy of JustSewSassy (website no longer active)

If anyone has been around a woman or a girl, they know that there is usually a lot of jewelry around!  I found this fun way to organize and display it and would be perfect in a little girls room.  All you need is an oven rack, spray paint, and cord or a strong ribbon to hang it.  Spray the oven rack in your desired color and then tie the cord and ribbon on it to hang.  Hand your jewelry on it and you’re ready to go!  The thing I like about this the most is that if you want to change the decor all you need is new paint and new ribbon to change the look, so no buying something new.

Is there anything that you reuse to stay organized around the house, at work, in the car, or elsewhere in your life?

If you’re looking for other Frugal Ideas, check out the past Frugal Friday post.

 

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*HOT* Amazon Deal: Creatopia Multi-Function Machine 60% Off

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by Ally on February 24, 2012

Have you become a crafter thanks to Pinterest? I always liked to think I was crafty, but thanks to my new addiction to Pinterest I am turning myself into a crafting machine, and my kids are LOVING it! Not only are we having a blast making all sorts of fun things as a family, I am being frugal and saving SO much money making gifts for others!!

Amazon is having a *hot* deal on a Xyron Creatopia 3501-05-00 Multi Function Crafting Machine with Permanent Adhesive Cartridge for ONLY $59.99.  That is a savings of over 60%.   You can rotary cut, die cut, emboss,  and laminate a million different projects with this machine.   If I was still teaching, this would’ve been a life saver!!! It also comes with 25 feet of permanent adhesive! This is one deal I couldn’t pass up sharing!

 

 

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Frugal Friday: Up-Cycling Newspapers

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by Rebecca on February 24, 2012

As couponers, the stacks of newspapers can get high pretty quickly.  A lot of people just recycle their papers, but what about some options for Up-Cycling?  How about some new uses for those left over newspapers?

Around the house you can reuse it to:

  • Clean the windows, instead of using paper towels
  • As  weed barrier in the garden.  Layer newspaper before you plant your flowers, just wet between each layer.
  • In the fridge, lay it in the bottom of your vegetable drawer.  It will keep the bottom from getting dirty, plus absorb moisture and smells.
  • Use it in place of baking soda in the fridge, or in those items you’re packing up for the season like coolers.
  • Ripen your fruit faster.  Wrap your under ripped fruit up in newspaper and it will ripen faster.

When I started looking for ways to up-cycle the newspaper I knew of a few things, like making Gift Bags.  However I  never knew there were so MANY uses for newspaper, some people are super crafty, and I’m glad they’re willing to share!  Below are just a few of the many ways to up-cycle newspapers that I found.

  • Yarn , yes yarn to knit with!  How cool is that!!
  • Paint Brushes .  Perfect this time of year for a new project with the kiddos
  • Planting Pots.  Great to get your new plants started as you can just put the whole “pot” int the ground when planting
  • Bows for Gifts
  • Playhouse for the kids.  I love this idea!  Can use it inside this time of year, but can make multiples and make a “tent” city in the yard when it gets warmer.

How do you up-cycle or reuse your newspapers?

If you’re looking for other Frugal Ideas, check out the past Frugal Friday post.

 

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Frugal Friday: Valentine’s Day

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by Rebecca on February 10, 2012

Valentine’s day can get expensive, but you don’t need to spend that much to show your loved ones how much you care for them.  Here are just a few ways to show you’re loved ones they’re extra special without breaking the bank.

Are you having a hard time deciding what to give as a gift?  Making your own coupon booklet to give is a great option.  You can personalize it for anyone!  Here are just a few ideas to put in your coupon book for someone in your lifem the possibilities are endless.
For your significant other: 1 hour massage, get our of dishes, or 1 hour bubble bath.
For the kids: Dessert before dinner 1 time, Pick a movie of their choice for movie night, or one for hugs and kisses anytime!
For the parents or grandparents: Dinner with the family, Mow their yard, or go grocery shopping for them

If you’re still looking for a personalized gifts from the kids to another family member.  Here is a super simple craft.  All you need is some red or pink paper, and a long strip of white paper.  Trace both hands on the colored paper and cut them out.  Take the long strip of white paper and write a message to your loved one on it.  Tape or glue it to the hands and then fold up the strip so both hands are laying on top of each other.  When your guest opens up the hands, they’ll have a personalized message from you (or the kids)!

For a super simple breakfast add some diced strawberries to the top of oatmeal in a heart shape.  Fill your bowl up with oatmeal, place a heart shape cookie cutter on top and fill in with the dice strawberries.  Take off the cookie cutter and you have a quick, super simple way to add some more hearts into your day.

If you have a little more time, you can do a fun variation on Toad in the Hole.  Make one or two pieces of toast and use a heart cookie cutter to cut the middle of the toast out.  Lay your toast in your pan or on a griddle and break an egg in the middle.  Cook the egg until cooked through.

What do you do to celebrate Valentine’s day without breaking the bank?

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$14 for $40 Fresh Cut Flowers

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by Ally on February 3, 2012

What a great price on fresh flowers! $14 for $40 Fresh Cut Flowers!! And just in time for Valentines Day! Make sure you share this deal with your friends – or better yet, send it to your hubby as a gentle -hint- reminder!! ;-) This deal is ONLY good through Sunday!

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