Credit Cards Looking for a new card or wanting to transfer a balance to a better card? For tips on finding the right card, and to compare options, try CardRatings.com. |
More to Come... Check back often for more great tips! Need advice for your own situation? Email me with the details, and I'll answer ASAP! |
Gifts Gift baskets are wonderful to receive......but only if personalized! Most of us have had enough of the shrinkwrapped bath sets that are supposedly for everyone on our lists. Making a basket geared toward personal tastes & preferences mean much more. Add a personal note, as well, so the recipient knows some thought went into your choices! Trying to save time & money doesn't mean you can't put together a warm, thoughtful gift. Email me with a little info about your next gift recipient, & I'll happily give FREE suggestions for putting together a wonderful gift! |
Fix-It Lost - or never had - your appliance manual? Check the website for contact info. Great for used items and your own old ones, too! Great place to look for replament parts, too! Got a stain you can't remove? Don't throw out your item just yet! Email me for the best stain removal recommendation for your stain/surface! Always consider fixing an item before throwing it out and replacing it. BUT take into consideration the importance of appearance, safety, and usefulness. Can you fix it yourself or should a professional? Sometimes your best bargain may be a professional repair or full replacement. If safety isn't an issue, keep decent items for a yard sale to help with replacement costs. Search yard sales and library fundraisers for fix-it-yourself manuals. These can be priceless resources for homeowners! Check with your local vocational school to see if they do electronics and auto repairs. If so, they will charge much less than most shops, as supervised students perform the repairs as part of their course work. |
Cleaning Warm the grease and grime of your range hood with a hair dryer before wiping clean. It softens the mess for easier removal. Cut the time it takes to deodorize/fragrance your home by choosing lovely scented, complementary cleaning supplies. I love the new orange cleaners, as they leave a fresh scent that don't set off my allergies and smell wonderful in any room of the house! Used fabric softener sheets are great for dusting computer screens or TV's. Recycle, recycle, recycle! Spray acoustical ceilings with hydrogen peroxide to remove stains without repainting. Works on flat ceilings, too! Be careful not to get it in your eyes or on items below that could be damaged, like carpet. Tough stains? Email me with details of the damaged item and type of stain, and I'll recommend the best solution for the job! Many require simple household items you already have on hand! Take a tip from hotels, and use only dark colored wash cloths to remove makeup. Let your overnight guests know, also. That way, no stains on your good cleansing cloths! |
Tips to Save You Time & $$$ Click on the topics below for great tips. To share your best hints & tips with others, send them to mscheapskate@email.com |
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Tips to Save You Time & $$$ Click on the topics below for great tips. To share your best hints & tips with others, send them to mscheapskate@email.com |
This page was last updated on: October 5, 2004
Ms. Cheapskate |
Cooking Add browned ground beef or turkey to a prepackaged pasta or rice side dish for a quick, easy meal! Great for couples or small families! Use an inverted metal colander to prevent bacon grease splatters. When cooking in a crockpot, 1 hour on high equals 2 to 2 1/2 hours on low. And peeking slows cooking time. Recovering temp & steam takes 15 to 20 minutes! When measuring dry and wet ingredients, always measure dry first, so you don't have to stop and clean the cup in between ingredients. Always cook an extra chicken breast or small steak with your usual number of servings to slice and freeze for future fajitas or other meals in the future. Always store cartons of cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream, and similar products upside down to keep out air, which can cause the food to go bad or to get freezer burn. |
Cleaning Warm the grease and grime of your range hood with a hair dryer before wiping clean. It softens the mess for easier removal. Cut the time it takes to deodorize/fragrance your home by choosing lovely scented, complementary cleaning supplies. I love the new orange cleaners, as they leave a fresh scent that don't set off my allergies and smell wonderful in any room of the house! Used fabric softener sheets are great for dusting computer screens or TV's. Recycle, recycle, recycle! Spray acoustical ceilings with hydrogen peroxide to remove stains without repainting. Works on flat ceilings, too! Be careful not to get it in your eyes or on items below that could be damaged, like carpet. Tough stains? Email me with details of the damaged item and type of stain, and I'll recommend the best solution for the job! Many require simple household items you already have on hand! Take a tip from hotels, and use only dark colored wash cloths to remove makeup. Let your overnight guests know, also. That way, no stains on your good cleansing cloths! |
Organizing Organizing a desk or even a whole room is so much easier when you start one drawer, shelf, or area at a time. It's less overwhelming & progress is seen right away! A well-anchored bookshelf (no tipping!) is great for holding children's collections, stuffed animals, game boxes, & books. Higher shelves keep small hands off breakables while displaying items beautifully. Neatness helps SO MUCH in children's rooms! Empty tissue boxes can be recycled as storage boxes for plastic grocery bags or used fabric softener sheets (see Cleaning for uses.) Photo boxes are much better for those who can't seem to find time to arrange their favorite pictures into albums. Easier to stack and store, too! Cup hooks are easy-to-install belt and scarf hangers. Cheap, too! They run less than a $1 for 4 or more, depending on size. Get a vertical organizer for baking sheets. Reduces clutter, simplifies banging through those pans to find what you need! |
Saving Always seeing great clothing on sale, but it's too big, needs shortened, etc? Find a tailor in your area (ask your dry cleaner!) who is affordable but talented, and give in to some great deals on that clearance rack! Just don't forget to figure in the cost of the alterations! Or learn how to do it yourself! Throwing away those rebate forms? Don't have time? Think you won't get your money back anyway? You won't if you don't try! Send them! Trying a new item for free is the best way to see if you'll like it. Find yourself stocking up too often? Kids and spouse complaining about tripping over yet another of your bargains? Consider storage, shelf life of the product, and frequency of sales on the item. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing! Check your favorite discount store's policy on price matching. Many chains like Wal-Mart & K-Mart will match others' advertised prices. Take the ad with you when you shop - most stores require this. My local Wal-Mart even posts competitor's ads at the front entrance! This saves time, getting the best prices at one location, instead of running all over town for the week's biggest bargains! I combine coupons with these offers, & sometimes even find Wal-Mart has the best price, anyway! Always carry a coupon organizer - you can't use what you can't find! |
Decorating Bargain put-together furniture is great for a quick solution for dorms & home organization, but it's not the answer for permanent living. Nor is it good for bulky storage, such as a dresser, entertainment center, or computer desk. Good solid construction is your best investment here. Remember complementary colors? Great way to accent a room! Minimal is best for saving dusting time, but if you have several knick-knacks or collectibles to show off, try rotating with the season or as the mood strikes. Also consider buying a showcase to protect pricey collectibles from accidents and dust! My latest cup hook hint: Use for curtain or swag holders, and add a raffia ribbon or faux flower for a charming touch. The large brass hooks add an easy, classy touch especially for those who aren't handy with window treatments. Experiment with swags, and change the attached decoration as the mood strikes! Can your old overstuffed furniture use a makeover? Try reducing the bulky look by removing the bottom ruffle. Test on an inconspicuous area to make sure this won't damage the piece! |
Fix-It Lost - or never had - your appliance manual? Check the website for contact info. Great for used items and your own old ones, too! Great place to look for replament parts, too! Got a stain you can't remove? Don't throw out your item just yet! Email me for the best stain removal recommendation for your stain/surface! Always consider fixing an item before throwing it out and replacing it. BUT take into consideration the importance of appearance, safety, and usefulness. Can you fix it yourself or should a professional? Sometimes your best bargain may be a professional repair or full replacement. If safety isn't an issue, keep decent items for a yard sale to help with replacement costs. Search yard sales and library fundraisers for fix-it-yourself manuals. These can be priceless resources for homeowners! Check with your local vocational school to see if they do electronics and auto repairs. If so, they will charge much less than most shops, as supervised students perform the repairs as part of their course work. |
Gifts Gift baskets are wonderful to receive......but only if personalized! Most of us have had enough of the shrinkwrapped bath sets that are supposedly for everyone on our lists. Making a basket geared toward personal tastes & preferences mean much more. Add a personal note, as well, so the recipient knows some thought went into your choices! Trying to save time & money doesn't mean you can't put together a warm, thoughtful gift. Email me with a little info about your next gift recipient, & I'll happily give FREE suggestions for putting together a wonderful gift! |
More to Come... Check back often for more great tips! Need advice for your own situation? Email me with the details, and I'll answer ASAP! |
Credit Cards Looking for a new card or wanting to transfer a balance to a better card? For tips on finding the right card, and to compare options, try CardRatings.com. |
Holidays Instead of traditional candy, give trick or treaters a bowl of stickers or toys to choose from - I save kids' meal toys for this! |