Plumbers and potato peelings

My former neighbor is a plumber.  One Thanksgiving I noticed that he would drive away, be gone for an hour or so, then return.  Shortly thereafter he would repeat the process.  When I talked to him about his frequent trips, he told me he was on call, and he was making service calls.  On Thanksgiving?  I couldn't believe it, so I asked the obvious question: Why were there so many calls on Thanksgiving Day?  His answer astounded me.  He said, "Potato peels."  It seems people preparing Thanksgiving dinner cook a lot of potatoes.  The peelings are put down the garbage disposal, and do an outstanding job of plugging the plumbing.  In his company there are at least two people, and sometimes three, who are available if the calls stack up as the potato peelings clog the drains.  HINT:  Save several of the plastic bags that you used to bring home fresh produce from the grocery to hold the garbage from that fresh produce--especially potato peelings.  (Composters know to just throw the peels and other veggie wastes into the compost pile.  That solves the problem, too.)

"Free" scouring powder/drain cleaner

Is there a box of baking soda in your refrigerator that is no longer absorbing the fridge odors--even after you stirred around in it?  After it has lost its usefulness there, re-purpose it as a scouring powder for delicate surfaces.  A toothbrush full of baking soda and a little water used to clean crevices of dusty/greasy items works like magic.  The yellow "coke stains" that collect on kitchen counters containers (or on walls) respond well to a little baking soda and water paste rubbed on the residue.  Rinse, dry and enjoy the clean.   As a quick drain cleaner, put a fourth to half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then pour vinegar on it.  HINT:  Be sure to let the kids watch the "erupting volcano" action as it hisses and foams to clean the drain.

Reuse paper towels? You bet!

Funny how some things just pop into your head, then you say, "Wish I had thought of that!"  So it was with paper towel waste.  I used one paper towel to clean up a spill.  Then I washed, and rinsed my hands, and grabbed another paper towel to dry them.  Into my head popped the thought that if I had used the paper towel on which I dried my hands to wipe up the spill , I would have used one less paper towel.  Why not?  Now when I use a paper towel for drying clean hands or to catch the moisture from something I am air drying, I let the paper towel dry, fold it, and put it in a container under the sink.  When I need to wipe up a spill, or a wipe out a greasy skillet, or use something to catch drips, I have a "gently used" paper towel for the job.  The landfill thanks me, and so does my budget.  HINT: The rod on which I hang my dish cloth works just fine for drying the damp paper towels.

End of summer/early fall staycation

Did you miss your regular vacation this year?  There's still time for an inexpensive day or weekend "staycation".  Choose a museum, zoo, or "tourist site" in your area.  If there are children in the family seek out a large park with children's playground equipment that the adults can enjoy, too.  (Play and laugh like the kids.)  Pack a picnic lunch you cooked ahead of time, or hit the deli of a supermarket, then head out.  Take time to walk, talk, laugh, look and share.  Enjoyment is the order of the day--not expense.  A slow family walk around your neighborhood, and a stop for ice cream cones makes inexpensive and wonderful memories.  Remember to take pictures.  HINT:  If you live in Colorado plan a day's drive to view miles and miles of golden aspen trees.  Pose the family in front in Colorado's growing gold--wonderful if you e-mail or send picture Christmas cards!  Wherever you live take a scenic drive, relax and breathe deeply.  Enjoy LIFE!

Gunky white-out

How many bottles of white-out have you thrown away because they were gooey and gunky?  Try adding just a bit of rubbing alcohol to the bottle.  Cap it and shake.  Still too thick?  Add just a bit more.  HINT:  If it gets a little too thin, leave the bottle uncapped for a few hours so the extra alcohol can evaporate.  You can always add more if needed.  The trick is to add just a wee bit at a time. : )

Welcome! Boxes and bags

Greetings!  Welcome to my blog on living life with fun and frugality.

You probably already know that empty tissue boxes are great (and frugal!) for storing plastic shopping bags for later use.  Use the bags for trash, and rarely will you need to buy expensive garbage bags.  HINT: Stash the money you save from not buying trash bags in an opaque storage container labeled "Figs" or whatever name will discourage your family from opening it.  Plan a surprise with the money saved.