We’re savers. There’s not much we can let go of, yes, we’ve been known to hold on to a grudge or two, but that’s not the kind of saving we’re talking about . No, we’re thinking about holding on to things like plastic produce bags, cute little spice jars, and old cast iron skillets. We use the bags to clean up after our puppy, the newspapers to clean windows, the spice jars for odds and ends and the cast iron skillet as a meat pounder.
We haven’t run a contest in a long time and today seemed the perfect day to start one. We’ll go for one week and the lucky winner will win her very own copy of Bitches on a Budget and special mention on our Facebook page. Just think, you will get to have your idea named in your honor and used by countless thousands. Not exciting enough? Ok, we did tell you you get a free book, too.
Tell us how you re-purpose ordinary products to extraordinary effects? What ‘off-brand’ uses do you find for the stuff in your cabinets? What gadgets work well for multiple tasks? What magic cleaner have you invented with vinegar and lemon?
(While we’re all for creativity, please no active ingredient chemical/prescription thingy’s that may do more harm than good–you know, like birth control pills ground with mortar and pestle, mixed with shave cream, and used as an insect repellent.)
Click comments above to leave your reply. Don’t forget, the most creative, economical, savvy answer wins a book and the tip named in her honor and published for our 67,000 fans! Last day to post August 10.
(Oh! We’re experimenting with a new commenting system, so if there is a glitch when you try posting, don’t get nervous, just let us know and we’ll put the other one back to work.)
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I buy a large refill size bottle of gold anti-bacterial hand soap (dial wannabee) for my kitchen sink. Instead of dawn direct foam (which is anti-bacterial soap BTW). If I have a baking dish that has set too long and food is stuck, squirt soap and brush around with a touch of water and let sit a few. Wash out and than I rewash it in dish soap..works like a charm and I save about 80% from dawn!
As we wrote we are experimenting with a new commenting system. It doesn’t ask for e-mail addresses and that makes running a contest where we would like to notify a winner a little tricky–to say the least. So, please leave an address where we can reach you and if you want to keep it private just send your name with email to info@bitchesonabudget.com.
Many Thanks!!
I like to use everyday products in my daily regimen…
I use some (dry) sugar (preferably SUGAR IN THE RAW) & mix a bit with my ‘Cetaphil’ cleansing lotion (dry or oily version).
Rub gently into dry skin (I also rub some in my hands, they feel really soft afterward & avoid eyes), rinse well, & pat dry.
It beats some of the pricier brands…and has no preservatives that can cause skin irritation.
I started doing this (by accident) after finishing a theatrical production, and I had to get off some really tough makeup. One of my fellow actors had some sugar packets for their tea, and I used a couple. Worked great!
One of the things I’ve started up again is CROCHET….I was looking around, and doing some minor sprucing up, and found a bunch of clean, plastic, grocery bags. I had one of my “idea pops” in my head—-
I started tearing/cutting them into long strips. I then got a large crochet hook, tied them together as I went along, and have been making my own ‘unique’ grocery bags!
They’re very sturdy, & look really cool!
Pull together different colors…They are rather sturdy, & look really great!
They almost look bohemian in style—and better than in a landfill!
Keeping empty ketchup bottles works later for keeping batches of my friend’s mother’s delicious barbecue sauce during the winter months when cookout season has ended. We can still enjoy it until she makes more.
Baking soda!!! I use it for everything. It deodorizes laundry, mixed with distilled white vinegar it cleans the kitchen sink drains, add a little water to make a paste and it takes cooked off gunk off of my glass cooktop, it’s a great emergency back-up toothpaste, and SO much more. I buy it at Sam’s Club and get a 7 lb. bag of it for $5. Oh, and the best part? It’s non-toxic, so I don’t have to worry about using it around my kids.
DAWN Dishwashing soap is the best stain remover!!! squirt a little Dawn on the stain and throw them in the wash, Clothes that have even been washed and dried, squirt on some dawn, let them sit overnite, throw them in the wash and stains are gone! My Husband and son work on there off-road vehicles, grease on there shirts and pants Dawn gets it all out! The only stain remover needed in the laundry room!
you can use the bottom of a porcelain coffee cup to sharpen your knives. it works even better than a steel.
We’ll try this next time we have a grape or wine catastrophe! Thanks.
I make a paste out of vinegar and baking soda with a splash of fresh lemon juice for smell. This paste takes out the red juice stains the kids spelled on my new rug. I even use my hubby’s shaving cream if I don’t have the other ingredients.
Hi
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