Random Tip #1

Use shampoo to clean the over spray of hairspray off doors and walls. Use vinegar to clean the water streaks (mineral deposits) off bathroom walls.

Other Blogs to Read

If you are looking for other frugal blogs checkout We Use Coupon's blog roll. Not only are they building an impressive list of other like minded blogs, but also be sure to checkout their coupon resources. I really enjoy finding new frugal information!

Cheap, Great Hair

I have always washed my dirty blond, starting to gray, sort of curly, but mostly frizzy hair everyday. Because it is fine and color treated, using a blow dryer and hot iron just killed it. As a result I just let it air dry, but the results were horrible. Because I washed it everyday, the color would fade out in a little more than a week.

Well, last September after I got my part time job at the school. I decided it was time for a change. When I was in the military I always wore my hair short, but cute. Remember the eightys?? I got the a-line wedge that is so popular right now, and I love it, I love it, I love it!! The best part is I only have to wash my hair every three to four days. I wash and condition it well, blow it out using a product to help keep the frizzies away, and then touch it up with a flat iron. The next day I use a shower cap when I shower and then just touch up my hair. My hair color now lasts me 4 -5 weeks! I know a lot of women have always done this, but I just never thought it would work on my hair. I'm so happy with the time and money I now save.

Creative Reusing

About two years ago I picked up my kitchen sponge and said, "YUCK!" for the last time. I asked myself how I could replace it with something I already had. I crochet dishcloths, and those are fine for washing and wiping, but I really needed something tough for scrubbing. With four kids, one thing I always had a surplus of was old t-shirts. That is how the Recycled T-shirt Scrubber was born. That year I gave them as Mother's Day gifts, along with soaps my youngest son and I made, to friends and family. They were such a hit I decided to sell them on Etsy. Well, two years and many, many t-shirts later, I have sold over 475 scrubbers! Of course, I'm not going to get rich off of them, but I have been able to pay a few bills and buy my kids some gifts with the money. I now see other people on line making and selling them. Is copying really the best form of flattery?? Anyway, back to the point. Take a look around your own home and see what changes you can make. Even if I hadn't started selling my scrubbers, I still would have saved about $30 a year from not buying the sponges I was using. Since each scrubber lasts years, I am also saving sponges and t-shirts from the landfill.

Prepare for the Zombie Attack

There are many people who just don't understand my NEED to stockpile. This isn't a new thing for me, I've just finally allowed my self to take it to the level I have always desired. Okay, so I'll never be completely satisfied, but I'm close! I could give many reasons why I find stockpiling necessary. Maybe it stems from having empty cupboards as a child, from fears and insecurities from my childhood. Whatever the reason is I really don't care. I like doing it. I like having it. It makes me feel prepared. Prepared for anything. Like Y2K, Avian Bird Flu, a collapse of the economy, or even the eminent and widely feared Zombie attack! If you don't buy into all that, how about loss of income? That did happen this past year and thankfully we were prepared. My family went without nothing. No missed birthdays, no decrease in Christmas. Everything was on schedule and according to plan because we are always ready and prepared for a Zombie Attack.

Pizza Cookie

Here's a great use for those clearance holiday M&Ms. I got cake mixes on sale last summer for .17 cents, and the M&M's for $1.39. You can use any flavor cake mix and chips you like. This is just our favorite.

1 yellow cake mix (the kind with pudding in the mix)
1/2 cup of oil
2 eggs
1 bag M&Ms or chips

Mix first three and then add M&Ms. Press into pizza pan. I use a dark pan so I cook at 325 degrees for 20-22 min, otherwise cook at 350 degrees until the edges are just barely starting to brown. Cut while still warm and enjoy!