Cheap Trick: Clean a Vinyl Shower Curtain Liner

I'm going to confess something. Before I was frugal, I used to toss my vinyl shower curtain liners when they got yucky with soap scum and mildew. Even if I spent top dollar on a mildew-resistant, PEVA, non-toxic shower curtain, I still tossed it when it got gross. I'm happy to say I've changed my ways and saved some cash! It turns out it's really easy to clean a vinyl shower curtain liner. Simply remove the shower curtain liner from the shower rod and take off the shower curtain … [Read more...]

Cheap Trick: Make Fresh Cut Flowers Last

By Justin Weinger 2 Comments

Make fresh cut flowers last longer by trying one of these inexpensive tricks: Use soda. A little bit of 7-Up or Sprite in the bottom of your vase will keep your flowers bright. Aspirin. Crush up an aspirin in the water in your vase to extend the beauty of your flowers. Homemade flower preservative. You can make your own homemade flower preservative by mixing 1 teaspoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of lemon lime juice and 1 teaspoon of bleach into your vase water. A fresh flower bouquet is … [Read more...]

Cheap Trick: New Life for Down Pillows

By Justin Weinger 3 Comments

Reader Amy M. has a great tip for giving new life to your old down pillows. Amy writes: "When my down pillows become flat, I take them to the dry cleaners and have the down cleaned and blown into new ticking. If you buy king pillows, just have the cleaner convert them to queen sized pillows. Have queen sized pillows? Go standard. Clean, fluffy pillows for a lot less than the cost of new." Very clever idea - and a great way to extend the life of your down pillows while stretching your … [Read more...]

Cheap Trick: Keep Avocados From Turning Brown

By Justin Weinger 6 Comments

Don't let brown avocados spoil your favorite game day dip! Here is a cheap trick to keep avocados from turning brown: Leave the avocado pit in the dip! It seems totally bizarre, but it works! Cut open the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh. Mix up your guacamole or whatever dip you're making with your avocado. Then toss the avocado pit back into the dip. The avocado pit tricks the avocado into thinking it hasn't been cut open, so it doesn't turn brown! Be prepared - … [Read more...]

Cheap Trick: Organizing Seed Packets

By Justin Weinger Leave a Comment

Reader Dave sent in this cheap trick after I had mentioned using trading card protector pages to organize coupons: He recommends using CD/DVD protector pages for organizing seed packets for gardening. He writes, "I categorize all seeds and use separate 3-ring binders to hold the plastic protector pages by category; salad in one binder, salsa in another, etc, and like plants or those that work together in their own 3-ring binder." This would be an excellent way for gardeners to organize … [Read more...]

Cheap Trick: Fix Scratched Wood

By Justin Weinger 5 Comments

Here's a cheap trick you'll love: Fix scratched wood with a stain marker. You can find wood finish stain markers in a variety of colors at your local home improvement store. Pick one that matches the finish of your scratched wood furniture. Shake up the stain marker, color in the scratch and rub it in with a dry paper towel or old rag. The scratch will disappear! Be sure to test a small area first to make sure it looks the way you want. I've found that this trick works best on … [Read more...]

Cheap Trick: Another Use for Toothpaste

By Justin Weinger Leave a Comment

Put down that tooth brush because I've got another use for toothpaste doesn't involve your teeth! If you've got a red, painful blemish (or, in other words, a zit), rub a tiny dot of toothpaste into it. The toothpaste dries up the pimple quickly and painlessly. I've done this numerous times and it works especially well when you do it before bed. I love that you only need a teensy bit of toothpaste and it's something everyone has around the house. Just watch out for the whitening … [Read more...]