Thrifty Tips 9/3/09

From time to time readers send me tips on how they save money.  I take the best of them and compile a few into one post.  Here is the latest group.

Use Oatmeal for Bug Bites

Kids and bugs don't always mix well. When we get bug bites, I put cooked oatmeal right on the bite marks. If the marks are really bad then I will put clear plastic wrap on top of the oatmeal, try to keep it there for 5 to 10 minutes. Then just rinse off with water, no soap. Works on just a rash too. And if the kid or baby eats some, it won't hurt.

--Melissa from Thunder Bay, Ont

Preventing Rust Rings

To stop rust rings from metal containers in bath or kitchen like hair spray, cleansers, etc., coat the bottom with old nail polish.

--Fred from Lincoln Park, MI

Clean Your Blow Dryer When It Stops Working

When your blow dryer suddenly stops working, clean the lint out of the vents on all sides with an old dry toothbrush. Lint that doesn't come out can be picked out with tweezers. Vacuum the vents with the hose part of your vacuum cleaner. Your blow dryer should start right back up and will last for several more months. Care and cleaning of the vents will make your blow dryer last a lot longer and you won't have to replace it as often saving you money and a trip to the store!

--Adrienne from Cleveland, OH

Reusing Blank CD Spools

Use the empty plastic spools from your blank recordable CD stacks to serve as an upright paper towel holder or a holder for extra toilet paper! Turn over the plastic top and use to to hold pens, markers, pencils and so on. There! You have recycled something totally.

--Pamphyila

Clean Your Area Rugs at The Car Wash

Take your area rugs to the car wash to get them super clean! I have done this numerous times with a helper and a truck, and know others who do the same. It's amazing to see the dirt run out off the rug! Then roll them up and load them onto the back of a truck. At home lay the rugs out to dry on the grass or on a sturdy fence.

--melody_yesterday from Sedalia, MO