Friday, February 27, 2009

If you just gotta eat out...

Authentic ethnic restaurants usually have good food cheaper than well known restaurants, even if they're local. Don't confuse "authentic" with "well marketed." The truly authentic may not be in the best part of town. It's usually well worth the effort of tracking down a real ethnic restaurant.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Save on scotch tape

Do you hate to waste scotch type tape by turning the end over to keep it from getting "lost" in those cheap dispensers? Use one of those plastic tabs used to close bread sacks or cut a small piece from a plastic lid to put under the end and you'll never have a problem again.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Free washcloths and hand towels

Make washcloths or hand towels from worn bath towels or other terrycloth. Cut them to size and hem. If you have a serger, use that, or zigzag with a close stitch, or hem them by hand. You don't have to be a seamstress, or even good at sewing to do that!

The cost of washcloths is ridiculous when you look at how much material they use.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Save your clothes from bleach

If you use bleach to clean anything, keep a spray bottle of vinegar around for those "oops" times. Vinegar neutralizes bleach on contact, even on clothing. Do NOT use it in the eyes - contact a medical specialist if you get bleach in your eyes.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Free hot water

Use free solar radiation to heat a gallon of water for washing up, doing dishes or whatever. Put the water in a glass jar and set it in the sun for a few hours. Don't set it on concrete or other hard surface and not in the snow. If you can put it where there is a dark surface behind it, it will heat better. You may be surprised at how warm it gets.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Radish tops

Do you throw away radish leaves when you clean a bunch? You're throwing away good food. Radish leaves can be eaten raw in the salad but they also make a very good green vegetable, like spinach. Like spinach, too, they cook down, so plop them in boiling water for 15 to 20 seconds, then freeze them. Keep adding to your stash until you have enough for a meal. "Free" food!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Freezer help

Freeze your own ground beef patties, or reportion steaks or chops? Cut sides from plastic milk or water jugs and place between them and they can be separated easily. You can wash and reuse them.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Cheapest bread and cereal

If you're where you can, buy wheat or other grains from a local feed store. (Be sure it's NOT seed grain because that's treated) Winnow it when there's a breeze by pouring it back and forth from one bowl to another. Mill into flour or cook for cereal, etc. Google Wheat berry recipes for some ideas.