Frugal Friday...

This week's Frugal Friday favorite is coffee filters.  They are usually about the right size to cover a dish in the microwave and stop the splatters.  Otherwise, I use a paper plate, but those are thicker, so I feel I can't toss them out every time.... oh my, that sounds ridiculous, but it's true!  I've used them to wash windows and mirrors.... no streaks!  I also like to use a crinkled up newspaper for this job too.  The real test of my favorite will come with spring window washing! 

You can also use them as a quick funnel... make the hole as big as you need, or use it as a strainer for liquids.  These are also great for kids snacks, popcorn, chips, etc., and they are great to hold a taco! 

I know there are lots of fun crafts you can make with coffee filters like snowflakes, flowers, etc.  I think this can be an endless frugal treasure!

What is your frugal favorite?

What I like....

One of these things is not like the others,

One of these things just doesn't belong,

Can you tell which thing is not like the others

By the time I finish my song?

My DH gave me the glass on the right since I chipped one of my favorite mugs.  It doesn't look like it would be great for hot beverages but it is wonderful!  It is called a Bodum Pavina double wall thermo glass.  It is handblown and has this little valve thing on the bottom.  It is so light it seems like plastic.  And, it is microwave and dishwasher safe.  I just zap it in the microwave and the outside doesn't get hot like my mugs sometimes do.  The very cool thing... or should I say "hot" thing is that my coffee or tea stay hot extra long!  It is amazing!  And, it is great for cold beverages too, keeping them cool longer without the sweat dripping down the sides. 

Now.... if it just came with a handle and fun artwork!

Monday Motivation...

Frugal Friday....

Today's Frugal Friday tip has a little creativity to it, but great use of a household staple for a cute decoration.  This was a placesetting decoration at my niece's baby shower.  It took me a minute to see this, but do you see how this styrofoam cup was transformed in to a "diaper."  Way cute for a baby shower, and of course held yummy goodies inside. 

And, one other frugal tip regarding those multitudes of plastic bags from the store.  Ours get used for hauling snowboots to and from school and toting things here and there, but someone told me once they make great beanbag filler without such a mess as those pellets.  I haven't tried this, but if you need a little more stuffing in your beanbag, you might want to consider this.

What is your frugal favorite?

Monday Motivation

TGIF!   My Frugal Friday tip today is using those wonderful cheese boxes.  I think people have been saving and using these for hundreds of years.  Anyone know when they first made these great wooden cheese boxes?  I use an old wooden one on my table for my salt and pepper, and other little treasures get dropped in there, marbles, beads, etc.  The cardboard ones aren't as fun to display, but they are great in drawers and cupboards.  I have one for pens and pencils, magnets for the frig, kids' markers, and they have helped keep my plastic container cupboard neat by holding the lids.  They just seem the perfect size and are still quite sturdy. 

What is your frugal favorite? 

Wow!  Where did the week go!  And, of course, when I tried to do this last night, I was in a spot with lousy connection. 

Okay, again, should add a picture, but just need to get this posted for now.  My Frugal Friday tip this week is using gift bags.  Of couse, who doesn't reuse them for gifts, but just to make my mudroom look somewhat organized and fun, I use a bag labeled for different trips, e.g. grandma's house, Norfolk, Wisner, Library, School.  This way when I make my run to Norfolk, I can grab that bag and hopefully return or do what needs to be done in that bag.  Obviously, large items won't fit, but I can add a note to remind me to grab it.  Books to go back to the library usually fit nicely as do little things back to grandma's house.  And, you can hang them neatly on hooks, easily accessible to dump in stuff and notes and are quick to grab.

What are your frugal favorites?

Monday Motivation