Milk

Find out how much your milk costs at your gas stations. Some people find the best value at the quick mart than they do at supermarkets. Powdered milk is generally cheaper than fresh milk, too. Powdered milk doesn't taste as good and takes a while to adapt to. Drink it when it's icy cold for the best flavor. If you really can't stand the flavor of powdered milk, consider adding it to soups and other cooked foods. I buy a large batch of powdered milk during the cold season and use it in my bath water for a relaxing experience.

Leftover Soup

If you're flat broke, here's a meal idea. Set aside your leftovers and store in the freezer. At the end of the week, throw everything into a pot (bits of meat, veggies, rice, beans, pasta, etc.) with water or chicken stock. Season it with spices, fresh herbs, and cook until heated through. Just be sure to not use this method with fish, which can stink up and ruin the entire dish. Don't expect this meal to be scrumptious. It's just a choice when you're strapped for cash.

Cinnamon Toast

Love the cinnamon flavor of French toast but pressed for time? Simply toast your bread, butter it, and sprinkle it with a shake of cinnamon and sugar. Make your own cinnamon and sugar mixture, and store it in a shaker that you can buy at the 99 cents store.

Catch and Release Mice and Rat Traps

For an environmentally-conscious choice, buy a catch and release trap. The pest will enter the baited trap and the door will close behind it. The trapped pest and the trap box can be moved to a new location and release the pest unharmed.

Glue Traps: A Type of Mice and Rat Trap

Glue traps are on cardboard or wooden surfaces with a gooey coating. Simply place a piece of cheese or another type of food to attract the pest on the sticky residue. When the pest goes to eat the food, the trap will set and the glue will keep the pest in place. To discard it, use heavy gloves.

Preventive Measures to Keep Mice and Rats Away

Mice and rats go where the food is. So close all packages of pasta, cereal, cookies, chips, and other edible delights. It's best to store them in airtight containers.

Mice and Rat Infestations

Rat poisons aren't recommended for personal use because of the possibility of a pet consuming the poison or the poisoned pest. If you don't have pets or children, this may not be a concern. But there are safer alternatives that aren't toxic such as preventive measures, glue traps, and catch and release traps.

Hidden Containers in Bathrooms

Keep a small plastic container under your bathroom sink, so you can transfer items you don't want any unexpected guests to see such as mustache bleach.

The Right Temperature to Keep Guests Comfortable

Set the room temperature between 68 to 70 degrees in Fahrenheit, and show your guests where the thermostat is. So they can adjust the temperature to their liking.

Guest Accommodations: Welcoming Candles

Some people like to leave vanilla-scented candles to create a welcoming environment for house guests in their bedroom. I caution against this suggestion. What if your guest forgets to blow out the candle and a simple overnight stay results in a burnt down home?

Guest Accommodations: Duplicate House Keys

Leave a duplicate copy of your house keys on the dresser or in another clearly visible, designated area.

Guest Accommodations: Create an Amenities Basket

Create an amenities basket filled with Tylenol or another type of medication, sample sizes of toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo, lotion (unscented baby lotion is the gentlest and safest choice), bottled water, and maybe some chocolate or something else light to munch on. If your guests aren't familiar with your area, maybe include a local map, too.

Guest Accommodation: Location, Location, Location

Don't place the bed lengthwise against the wall. This will require couples to have to climb over each other to get in and out of bed. That wouldn't be a very convenient or comfortable stay. I like the idea of surrounding a bed with two nightstands. On it, place an alarm clock and night light. So your guests can see what time it is and see where they're going. A night light can also be used for some light nighttime reading.

How to Get Rid of Squeaky Bed Frames

Fix a squeaky metal bed frame by lubricating it with WD-40 on places where metal hits metal. For wooden frames, sprinkle baby powder into the joints and work it into cracks with a toothbrush.

Reshaping Knee High Boots

Reshape your knee high boots by rolling up an old magazine. Stick it inside lengthwise until it achieves the round shape you're looking for.

Shred Important Documents

To protect yourself from identity theft, invest in a diamond-cutting paper shredder. Diamond shreds are most difficult to piece back together. Shred all important documents before discarding.

Remove Yourself From Solicitation Calls

Remove yourself from solicitation calls by adding yourself to a do-not-call list by going to www.dmaconsumers.org and list your phone number.

Poultry's Shelf Life

Packaged poultry should be refrigerated and used within two days or stored in the freezer.

Latex or Plastic Gloves While Working with Raw Meat

If you work with a lot of raw meat and poultry with rubbing on marinades, consider using latex or plastic gloves, and remove them when it's time to wash your hands and dishes. This way you don't contaminate the sink handle(s) with the bacteria or raw meat and poultry every time you go to wash your hands. It may seem pricey at first to make unnecessary purchases, but it'll make cleaning easier. And isn't a healthy environment worth the extra cost? After all, do you really disinfect your sink every time you handle raw meat and poultry? If not, this is a measure worth taking.

E. Coli Culprits

Hamburger meat is more likely to have E. coli than steaks. So every time you're handling hamburger meat, use a thermometer on the thickest part of the patty. Cook until it reads 160 degrees F. For medium rare steaks, your thermometer should read 145 to 150 degrees F. For medium steaks, 155 to 160 degrees F. For medium-well, 165 degrees F. For well done, it should be 170 to 180 degrees F.

The Best Bowls

Plastic mixing bowls are easiest to lift and use. They're also inexpensive and breaks down easily. While stainless steel mixing bowls intensify emulsifying action, making it ideal for mixing ingredients, leftover foods shouldn't be stored in this material. The best large bowls are ceramic ones or oven-proof glassware that can double as serving dishes and mixing bowls.

Save on Dry Cleaning

Unless your clothes specifically is labeled DRY CLEAN ONLY, you can hand wash them if it instructs just DRY CLEAN by filling your sink or tub with cool water and a capful of Woolite. Let it soak and thoroughly rinse with warm water. Hang dry tops and lay sweaters on a meshed drying surface.

Extra Yolks

If a recipe only calls for egg whites, don't throw out the unused yolk. Put it in a bowl with a little water over it and cover it with plastic. Keep it in the refrigerator until you use it, which should be within three days.

Freezer Safe Plastic Zip-ups

Freezer safe plastic zip-ups can be initially pricier than the basic variety, but they freeze food better and are made of better quality. You can also re-use them several times with thorough washings. Just don't reuse the ziplocks that have stored poultry or meat.

An At-Home Buffet Concept

At buffets, food selections lack cohesiveness are offered at a bargain. You can re-create that concept at home by turning your accumulated leftovers earlier in the week into an at-home buffet meal.

Air-Popped Popcorn

Popcorn is a nutritious, light, and extraordinarily cheap snack choice. You can also customize it to your flavor preference. Try it with a sprinkle of paprika or lemon pepper, whatever you'd like.

Crudites

Crudites is the French term for an assortment of raw, cut-up vegetables that can be eaten with a dip. Create your own palette of crudites with fresh broccolis, carrots, celery, and radishes, all very affordable choices. Store them in water to keep them fresh and crispy. You can dip them in Ranch dressing, hummus, onion dip, or whatever you'd like.

Pudding or Gelatin

Make a large batch of pudding or gelatin that'll last a week, and store it in the refrigerator. You can eat it with cake or fresh fruit.

Cake or Brownies

Buy boxes of cake or brownie mixes when they're on sale. Make huge batches and store remaining amount in the freezer in single portions. Thaw only what you want to eat in the refrigerator. Thrown into a lunch box, it'll keep your food fresh and cool as it thaws. You can alter the flavor by adding ice cream or strawberry syrup. (You can make strawberry syrup with fresh fruit, water, and sugar, affordable ingredients).

An Assortment of Cheese and Fruits or Vegetables

An updated twist to eating already cut-up fruit is to combine it with a variety of cheeses. It's a great way to meet your dietary requirements of dairy and fiber, too. Brie cheese goes well with apples so does cream cheese. You can also try feta or goat cheese with tomatoes.

Make Your Own Ice Pack

The next time BevMo has a buy 1 bottle and get the second bottle for $1 special, take advantage of the deal...unless you're an alcoholic. I love to cook with white wine, so I stock up when I can. White wine can go bad easily in the fridge but will last much longer in the freezer. Once you open a bottle and you don't plan on using it right away, transfer the contents into ziploc baggies. Because of the alcoholic content, the wine won't completely freeze. It'll actually be slushy in texture, which means that this ice pack will conform to the located injury. Reserve a specific bag just for icing a wound. Do not, I repeat, do not use the wine you applied over a wound in a recipe. It's already been contaminated, which is why I recommend designating a specific bag for the sole purpose of icing a wound.

Cultural Themes

An educational and fun theme that's also kid-friendly is designating a cultural theme in a specific room or wall. When my friend bought a three-bedroom house, he selected an African, Hispanic, and Asian theme for every room. You can even create a menu based on a cultural theme. Maybe invite friends over once a month, and everyone brings a dish from the selected region. You can do this once a month or once a week according to your preference.

Diversify Your Pantry Items

Pantry items should be staples that can easily be incorporated into basic recipes. Buy pantry staples that come in cans and have to be frozen. This way if there's a blackout, you can access food from your cupboard, rather than your freezer. However, don't limit your pantry staples to canned products. Freezers work more efficiently when it's completely full, so you save money on your electric bill, too. Plus, if you over clutter your cupboards with canned products, it can create a safety hazard.

Wear Light Clothes

Wear clothes that are light in weight and light in color. This way any sweat can easily evaporate and heat won't get trapped in dark colors.

Microfiber Cloths

Replace your disposable one-time use paper towels with microfiber cloths. They're made of superior quality and can hold five to seven times its weight in water. They're also re-usable and versatile. You can use it to clean the dishes, dry the dishes, clean the counter, windows, mirrors, etc.

Boost Your Eyelash Curler's Performance

Rather than spending money on a heated eyelash curler, simply heat your manual eyelash curler with your hair dryer. Then use as you ordinarily do. The heat will curl your lashes more effectively than by gently pressing at it. It works more like a curling iron.

Transform Your Lipstick into Lip Gloss

Transform your lipstick into a lip gloss by melting your lipstick and a little Vaseline into a tiny jar. Mix it together and enjoy.

Prevent Your Lipstick From Bleeding

Prevent your lipstick from bleeding by keeping them well-moisturized. Lipstick bleeds when your lips are dry. Slather on a coat of Vaseline before going to bed. At night is when your body rejuvenates itself. Your body will absorb the moisture best during this time. Apply a thick coat of Vaseline for five minutes before applying your lipstick. Gently remove the Vaseline beforehand. Alternatively if you shower in the morning, slather on a thick coat of Vaseline before you get in. The humidity from the water and heat will moisturize your lips a lot more effectively. Then, line your entire lips with a translucent lip liner. I like Paula's Choice. This acts as a lip fixative.

Soften a lipstick shade with Vaseline

Soften the intensity of a striking lipstick shade with Vaseline.

Christmas Tree Out of the Option

If, for whatever reason, a Christmas tree is out of the question, either because you can't afford one or you don't have the space for it, you can still create a Holiday atmosphere. You can get a wreath and/or hang Christmas lights around the wall. But if you can't afford one, try buying a box of Christmas ornaments from the 99 cents store and place them around your home. You can also buy stocking stuffers and a gingerbread house.

A week's worth of cut up fruit

The longer fruit has been cut up, the less nutritious it is. But if you don't have any fruits, that's even less nutritious. Make the most out of what you have, what you can do, or what you're willing to do. Cut up a week's worth of selected fruit and have it daily. It's already cleaned, cut, and ready to eat. You won't have to prepare another batch for a week.

A Filipino-style Breakfast

Filipinos have a bowl of rice with salted duck eggs and sliced tomatoes. It is an acquired taste. But if you can enjoy it, it's an inexpensive and filling treat. The duck eggs have a long shelf life, too.

An Instant Breakfast

If making oatmeal or cutting up fresh fruit doesn't appeal to you, but you want something more lively than ordinary cereal, consider having a bowl of granola with dried fruits and yogurt or milk. You can also add honey if it suits your taste.

More Than One Type of Belt

Belts don't have to be the standard leather kind. If securing your pants isn't an issue, you can lace your jeans with a black silk scarf and use that as a stylish and wispy belt. I love the look of a black top and blue jeans with a black scarf belt or a deep eggplant top with black pants and a purple scarf used as a belt.

Storing Frozen Produce More Efficiently

You can transfer corn or peas into plastic water bottles before storing them in the freezer. They take up less space than the frozen bags they come packed in, an ideal solution for freezer storage efficiency. It's also a great way to re-use your bottles.

Ziploc Baggies

While storing your items in ziplock baggies aren't the most visually-aesthetic, they're inexpensive, versatile, and work well. There are so many different sizes available. You can maneuver them into virtually any space you have available and the translucent color allows you to see what's inside.

Moving Tip: Get the Right Boxes

Use small boxes for heavier items and larger boxes for lighter items. Smaller boxes are sturdier and less likely to break than large boxes heavily weighed down. Large boxes can hold clothes, bedding collections, etc. Books should be in smaller boxes. Before buying new boxes from a moving store, try to get free boxes from nearby stores (Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Office Max, Office Depot, Ralph's, VONS'Safeway, etc.) Call the stores and find out when they get new shipments in. Ask if someone can set aside some boxes for you to pick up later. Boxes may be already broken down and will probably be the larger-sized ones. But that's okay because if you're only packing light items, they can afford to be a little worn down. It may still be inevitable. You may need to buy some boxes, but think of how much money you saved from getting free ones.

Moving Tip: Using Towels as Buffers

When you're packing breakable or rough-surfaced items such as dishes and cookware, wrap them in towels to protect them. It's cheaper than buying bubble wrap. Plus if the towels are clean and the dishes and cookware are, which they should be, you can skip the washing process as you unpack them.