Unusual Uses for Butter
De-Sticks
Butter can help you combat lots of sticky situations. For example:
- If you get glue on your hands while crafting, simply rub hands with butter before washing off with soap and water.
- Apply softened butter to hair that's got gum stuck in it. The gun should glide off painlessly.
- If tree sap drips on your car, use soft butter to rub the spot. Then wip away and wash with soap and water.
- Spread a knife thinly with butter before cutting sticky foods like pies, dates, toffee, and marshmallows.
Add Shine
Add shine to cast iron (or other metals) by applying a small dab of butter onto a cotton rag and buffing.You can also use butter to shine leather baseball gloves, jackets, belts, wallets, purses, etc.
Tough Pill to Swallow
Cover your difficult-to-swallow pills with a light layer of butter to help them go down a bit more easily.
Prolong Shelf Life
Keep cheeses fresh for longer by applying a coat of butter to them. This will help keep them free of mold. Just coat the cut edge with a little butter each time you use the cheese and rewrap it. This strategy also works for onions. Just rub butter on the cut surface and wrap leftover onion in foil before you put it in the fridge.
Teach Yourself to Knit
We Folk Art site has a knitting tutorial, she also sells yarns and has information on how to felt. It's a great site, check it out.
This site has a knitting tutorial that came highly recommended. Additionally, you can search You.tube.com for knitting tutorials.
And here are links to even more HOW TO Videos for teaching yourself to knit.
http://www.helloknitty.com/videoinstr.htm
Tips from the Great Depression
Maybe we should take a look at the people of that era and review some valuable lessons from those who went through one of the most difficult economic times in American history and apply it to today.
Do you need the Stuff? Do you really need the latest and greatest smart phone, a Kindle or an iPad?
During the Great Depression, people usually made do with what they had.
We tend to want the newest, latest, and greatest widget to feel better, impress the neighbors, or to have a new shiny toy.
Stop impulse buying = learn to make do, or if you really need something (need not want), buy it used or second hand.
Save, Save, Save
The people in the Depression era saved money as best they could and tried very hard to reduce spending as much as possible.
A good rule is for every dollar you spend, save a dollar. Put back as much as you put out. If you try to do this, you will see how much you really spend unnecessarily.
Did you know we throw away hundreds of dollars every day?
That’s right, by not using coupons, we throw away needless amount of money every day. By checking your junk mail or the latest Sunday newspaper, we could be saving a few dollars every day going grocery shopping. It is a must-do in today’s world.
Shop Locally if at all possible, they money you spend in your community is recircled 7 times.... and if you don't support what you have, you will be traveling further to get those items.
Look for Discounts BEFORE You Shop
As a rule, never shop online at a retailer without first looking for coupon codes or deals online for that particular retailer. Popular retailers always offer great discounts and you should first look for these offers prior to travel.
The library is a frugally minded person’s best friend - and often overlooked.
Repurpose Items
Saving isn’t just about money. We throw things away that we can use again for other purposes. For example, when you get home from the grocery store you unpack all the groceries from the plastic bags and throw them (the bags) away. Why not reuse them as trash can liners for small cans? Save money on trash bags and reduce some environmental concerns at the same time. Be creative by start looking at disposable items for alternative uses, you might be surprised what you come up with.
Save Special Items for Special Occasions
We tend to treat ourselves often. Just take a look at the ice cream and snack isles at your grocery store then next time you’re there. They are usually filled with people putting things in their carts. How often do you buy ‘special’ items? During the Great Depression, sweets and snacks were ‘special’ because they didn’t have them very often. We can learn a thing or two by copying this mentality. Only allow snacks or treats for special occasions. Of course, buy them when they are on sale or you have a coupon, but don’t buy them often. You’ll save money, be healthier, and have a greater appreciation for those ‘special’ items and events because they will actually be special.Barter
During the Great Depression, people were short on money but they weren’t short on brains. If a roofer knew a tailor needed a leaky roof repaired he might offer to fix the roof in exchange for some clothing or mending of existing clothes.We can do the same things today. Make a list of things you have and things you can do, and then talk with friends and family to see what they have or need. You might be surprised what you can get for a bit of work or through barter and trade.
Decrease driving: by grouping as many errands together as possible. You can donate one day to driving around instead of going out every day or two to run one simple errand. In addition, be sure to walk or bike for shorter distances.
Pay your bills without a postage stamp. Online bill paying has been around for quite awhile; or, if you’re trying to limit your online computer use, many companies will allow you to set up a system where they automatically take the money from your checking account. You may not think that saving a few stamps here and there is important, but every little bit helps.
Eat out less, cook at home more. A nice dinner at a restaurant is a good thing every now and then; it rewards you for your efforts and is a nice change of pace. However, fast food places are the worst! Fast food =Big money. Many fast food restaurants these days have dollar menus, and that’s great; if for no other reason cook your food at home because it’s healthier, you know what’s in it and how was prepared.
Not all airlines are equal. Check into discounted air fares like Southwest. Southwest, for instance, is one of the few airlines these days that do not charge for baggage
Utilizing grocery store circulars and cutting out coupons are great ways to save when you’re doing that health conscious shopping. Take advantage of sales, produce in season, free samples and double coupon days. It’s not necessary to buy generic, unless that’s what you like, when many grocery stores have good prices on name brands advertised in their fliers.
Consider dropping your movie channel. The library is a great place to “rent” movies for free. If your library is severely limited, ‘Red Box’ only charges $1.00 per night for movie rentals. A bowl of popcorn and a free or inexpensive movie is a great family night or date night.
Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. I mentioned making your own cleaning products earlier; you can apply that to your laundry as well. Using vinegar as a stain remover, making fabric softener and dryer sheets yourself or even concocting your own powdered detergent are all ways of saving
There are a lot of lessons we can learn from our elders. If you are lucky enough to have one in your life that lived through the Great Depression, even as a child, sit down and ask what they remember about life. Take some notes and see if anything can be used today. You might be surprised at what you can do to live more frugal tomorrow.
For Budget & Fashion Conscious Women
If you are one who admires the snakeskin handbags but don't want to part with the cold hard cash it takes to buy one, make your own.
This how-to is done with a faux snakeskin vinyl (or any of your choice)... and a staple gun and a few other inexpensive items. They also make great gifts so you can start making Christmas presents now.
Click here
Tips to Save Energy (AND MONEY!)
We all need to do our part to save ENERGY at home ... not only will we reduce out cost but you will help save our natural resources and fuel for the next generation.
Click here
3 Words of Advice
"If I only had three words of advice, they would be, Tell the
Truth. If I got three more words, I'd add, All the Time."
Truth. If I got three more words, I'd add, All the Time."
~Randy Pausch
Boomer, author and professor Randy Pausch lost his battle with pancreatic cancer 2 years ago.
If you have never seen this video, then
stop and take 10 minutes to watch it. You will be truly inspired. Even better, read his book, The Last Lecture.
Illustrated Frugal Lunch
It doesn't matter if you are a senior, boomer, new age or a kid, we all need quick and nutritious but frugal meals now and then... this is an idea you can make ahead and freezer, grabbing them on the go for your busy lifestyle.
( I wish I had thought of this when I still had kids at home!)
Click here
What NOT to Keep In Your Wallet
This is a great article to remind you what NOT to keep in your wallet.
http://www.learnvest.com/money-tuneup/credit-and-loans/what-not-to-keep-in-your-wallet/
Handfeeding Wild Backyard Birds
Imagine the thrill of winning the trust of your backyard birds so they will eat bird food out of your hands!
This link gives you some information about how to go about it and says it is easier in winter when food is more scare.
http://www.birdwatching.com/stories/handfeeding.html
For more information, you might want to check out
Financial Incentives for Energy Efficiency
Most Americans are unaware of the financial incentives for saving energy that are available in their state.
To find out more information about your state's incentives, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy website.
When you find your state on the chart, be sure to click on one of the opportunities available in your state in order to view your individual state’s page.
When you get to your state’s page, narrow down your focus by choosing to review residential incentives only. (Unless, of course, you want to view incentives for businesses to go green, too.)
eLEGS - Promising Technology to Walk Away from WheelChair
Technology is advancing rapidly and, at long last, real hope is on the horizon for those who are
paralyzed or confined to a wheelchair most of the time, unable to walk much on their own.
Berkley Bionics is the FIRST COMPANY IN THE WORLD to develop an untethered exoskeleton that can go for hours!
This is SO EXCITING - and something that has been the dream of everyone confined to a wheelchair.. and has HUGE therapeutic benefits for those with recent spinal cord injuries who can benefit from being able to "walk" again with eLEGS while their muscles are still strong and firing.
Having an elderly dad confined to a wheelchair, I am painfully aware of the limitations and difficulties he encounters on a daily basis. Right now, this technology is working with the young... but as technology advances I'm sure the day will come when the elderly are also candidates for eLEGS, if only in therapy to help advance their rehab experience.
Hats off to Berkley Bionics for developing this technology and helping those with spinal cord injuries realize their dream of getting out of the chair and walking again!
For more information, please visit their web site -
http://berkeleybionics.com/exoskeletons-rehab-mobility/about-elegs/
DIY - Matching your extension cords to your decor
I really dislike extension cords showing.
If you are like me, you have also wished you could make your unsightly extension cords disappear!
Well, they may not disappear but at least, with the help of Rit dye, you can make them less noticeable by dying them to match your decor.It's not only quick, it's easy and inexpensive.
This tip comes from a Barbara Warholic, a designer, author and potter - check out her new book, Sewing Pottery by Machine.
http://www.ritdye.com/blogs/posts/dorm-room-decor-dyed-and-electrified
How to Make a Great Salad
There are so many wonderful salad ingredients in the grocery store these days! It's time to get out of the iceberg lettuce rut and make a salad that is truly delicious time to abandon the traditional iceberg lettuce with tomatoes and shredded carrots!
When creating a salad think of textures - from crunchy to creamy, it's this assortment and color variation that makes a salad great.
Change it up with the season... in the spring, add the produce that is peak, such as asparagus, artichoke hearts, peas, strawberries, etc.
Don't stop there... adding fruits can provide the necessary sweetness to balance the salad while adding more fiber and nutrients to it.
There are some canned items that are great additions to salads - Sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, garbanzo and kidney beans, and canned tuna or chicken.
When it comes to protein, think grilled chicken, thinly sliced steak, chunks of pork, and grilling cheese. Deli meats, like salami, ham, and turkey are great, too.
Add cheese and nuts and grains such as rice, couscous and barley or homemade croutons, baked pita bread or crushed tortilla chips.
And don't forget to add cheese!
Toss your salad with your favorite dressing in a blow that is large enough to accomodate all the fixin's!
Enjoy.
How to make a Lace Patterned Coffee Table
Unwanted coffee tables seem to be at a lot of garage sales... here is a how-to that shows you how to make a lace patterned coffee table for a girly-girl room.
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/09/how-to-make-a-lace-patterned-coffee-table-.html
Easy, One-Ingredient Ice Cream
http://www.instructables.com/id/1-ingredient-Ice-Cream/
Unusual Uses for a Blow Dryer
Apparently, hair dryers are not just for drying your hair... this link has some unusual (and interesting) uses for a hair dryer... my favorite one is using it to remove labels. Who knew?
Now you do!
http://www.instructables.com/id/13-Unusual-Uses-for-a-Hair-Dryer/?ALLSTEPS
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