Dollar Stretcher Friday: ATM Warning, Newly Released Books for Less, Dialing for Dollars
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Winter Basil
During the summer, we plant a lot of basil. When I pick the basil, I clean it and put it in the food processor with fresh garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. After blending a large amount, I spoon it into ice cube trays. When frozen, I put the “ice cubes” into a plastic bag to use all winter long. I drop a “cube” into soups, tomato sauce, pasta dishes, etc. There’s nothing like the taste of fresh basil and garlic all winter long!
Marlene M.
Don’t Toss That Lipstick
When I buy cosmetics, I usually buy when there is a bonus involved. However, sometimes, I get lipsticks with colors that I don’t particularly like on my lips. Instead of throwing them out, I use them as blush. I rub a little on my fingers to warm it up and then I blend it on the apple of my cheeks, and it looks natural. It looks so fantastic that I never want to go back to blush. A tube of lipstick lasts for a long time and is much more cost effective.
MB
Cutting Dryer Use
Dryers are hard on budgets and clothes. When doing laundry, hang up t-shirts directly out of the washer in doorways to air dry. This cuts the time that the dryer has to run, makes the t-shirts last longer, and you won’t have to fold them. Preserve expensive elasticized items like bras and panties similarly. This practice saves money and time. If you clean your lint halfway through the cycle, your drying time will be cut down as well.
Janet in California
All-Day Slow Cooker Recipes
I’ve used a slow cooker for 30 years. On the lowest setting, meals are rarely overcooked after eight to ten hours. I assemble ingredients the night before (so all the peeling and paring is done) and place them in a bowl in the fridge overnight. Because the ingredients are cold, they take an extra hour or two to cook, which gives me the extra time I need.
Carrie
ATM Warning
When you are at your bank’s ATM, always finish your transaction. I was behind a woman at my bank’s ATM one day. She drove off, and I drove up to get cash. I found that she had not finished her business. The screen still had the question, “Would you like another transaction?” If I had been a thief, I could have chosen “Yes” and cleaned her account out. I am not a thief, so I chose the “No” option. I waited until it got back to the beginning, did my withdrawal, and finished my transaction before driving off. Always make sure that you see that beginning screen after you have finished, or you might not have an honest person like me behind you.
Pamela M.
Easy Patio Door and Window Insulation
To reduce cold air from patio doors and windows, use bubble wrap. Just cut the bubble wrap to fit the size of your glass and then spray mists of water onto the glass (adheres the bubble wrap to the window). Apply the flat side of the bubble wrap to the glass with the bubble side facing the inside of the home. The bubbles keep the cold air out, but during the day, it will let in enough sun to still solar heat your home.
Jill L.
Newly Released Books for Less
I love to read current, newly published books, but I often find the prices at the bookstore too high. These books are also hard to find in the local library because they are new and popular.
So, I always check eBay first. I often find the books that I want, and I usually get them for 50-80% off the retail price. And when I’m done reading the book, if I don’t want to keep it, I can resell it again on eBay, often for the same price I paid! Using this method, I have saved hundreds of dollars on my book purchases.
A.
Seedling Starters
I put two rows of seeds, evenly spaced, in between two wet paper towels. Then I place the whole pack in a zipper freezer bag to hold in the moisture. I then place this on top of the refrigerator (near the back where the motor is). The heat from the fridge running and the moisture of the towels make the seeds germinate. Once they are showing roots and stems, I cut the paper towels apart (be careful not to cut the roots) and plant the tiny towel square with a seedling in it.
To plant, I use window boxes indoors, planting long lines of seedlings and culling as they get larger. It is important not to use old cloth towels instead of paper towels, because they will not decompose fast enough and will rot the seedlings. Also, do not pull the seedlings off and try to reuse the paper towels, or you will rip the stems and roots.
Michelle
Dialing for Dollars
A few weeks ago, my husband started doing our taxes. He noticed that our insurance bill seemed high. I called my independent insurance agent and asked if this insurance company had raised their rates. She checked and found out they did indeed. Of course, we have all our insurances with them. Our new insurance policies will be split up between three companies. As a result, we are saving almost $592. That’s a chunk of good change!
Then I received a repair bill from a heating company that installed our thermostat and furnace in the first place. I couldn’t believe that they would charge so much to correctly attach it. I asked them to waive this charge since we’ve done so much business with them over the years. It’s awful that I had to ask, but we saved $95.52.
Our 1998 VW needed a muffler and tailpipe. I remembered that I had some warranty papers in the glove compartment. I called the company to see if they would honor this old warranty from another company that they bought out. They agreed. The entire charge was for labor only, and we saved over $262.
Over a month’s time, I saved $949.52 just by calling and asking. I encourage everyone to do the same. It’s not that hard. Everything is so expensive today, so it’s worth it.
Sophia
Samantha Gregory
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