Cheaper pipe insulation

If you need insulation for your water pipes, check the difference in specially formed pipe insulation and regular sheet insulation. You can cut strips of sheet insulation and wrap around pipes, holding with duct tape and it works just as well.

Free ice melter

If you have a wood stove or fireplace or ashes left in an outdoor burner, save some of them to sprinkle on icy sidewalks. Ashes melt ice almost as quickly as salt - and they're free. AND they're better for the ground.

Merry Christmas!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a sign is given and the government shall be upon His shoulders and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Make the most of sales

If you find a sale on a nonperishable item that you normally buy, try to get enough to last about three months because that's the normal sales cycle. It will be on sale again by then and you'll never have to pay full price for it.

Dry out that soap

If the shelves in your shower stay too wet and make the soap 'melt', put it in a net produce bag and hang it over the shower head or faucet. It will dry out between showers and last longer.  

Think yourself warm

Did you know that psychology can help keep you warm? Warm colors, soft and/or fuzzy fabrics and low lighting will make a room - and you - feel warmer.

Fix those snaps!

If the snaps on your clothing or baby's won't stay snapped, you can sometimes flatten the 'ball' part slightly to fit more snugly into the other half. Just tap it gently with a hammer, but don't over do it!

How to use those soap slivers

Put those small soap slivers in a bath mitt or simply put them in the center of a washcloth and bring two opposite corners together and tie; do the same with the other two corners. When you're through, untie the washcloth and put the soap bits back for the next time.

Dry your shoes

If you get your shoes or boots wet inside, stuff them full of crumpled newspaper. Change the newspaper a few times to absorb it all. This is also good treatment for shoes in hot weather, to absorb perspiration and odors.

Quick, warm and easy bed socks

Wear socks to bed! There's nothing more snuggly than having warm feet on a cold winter's night. If you don't want to use your regular socks, make 'bed socks' by cutting a triangle of flannel or warm knit cloth big enough to fit over your foot with one point at the toe. Sew a seam along both edges, leaving a hole big enough to fit your foot through, turn down the edges and put elastic in it.

Free funnels

Need a funnel? Cut the top from any plastic bottle and turn it upside down. You can have a variety of sizes! In a pinch, put a sheet of wax paper over a newspaper and roll the whole thing up starting from one corner. Pull it snugly into a small end and use it for a funnel for almost anything.