Really Useful Ideas

This reporter ran across the following ideas during the past few weeks and thought folks would find some of them useful as we try to solve small problems that life throws at us.

Everyone buys Chapstick, especially during the upcoming winter months. When this small canister becomes empty, use it for hiding emergency money, especially when on vacation. Not many thieves would think to look there for the extra cash that you have stored!

If you’re in a hotel/motel and run out of chargers, the TV usually has a USB plug. If you need a flathead screwdriver in a hurry, basic power plugs usually fit medium and large-sized screws. Check it out!

Does your trash bag try to cling to the trashcan when trying to pull the full bag out? Try drilling holes near the bottom of the trashcan. The air let in will help to release the bag with no suction issues.

Don’t burn yourself with those hard to reach jar candle wicks. Just light a stick of spaghetti and light the wick with that, but do it quickly!

When heating leftovers in a microwave, space the food out in a circle and it will heat more evenly. I tried this and it works.

Put a small amount of water in a glass and place in the microwave as you reheat your pizza. This keeps the crust from getting too chewy.

After popping microwave popcorn, separate the bag opening just enough for the unpopped kernels to fall out. Shake the bag upside down over a bowl to catch the kernels and then open the bag to enjoy the popped corn without dealing with those pesky kernels that refused to pop.

Use a bread tab to hold your spot on a roll of tape.

Use a magnet to find nails and studs in your wall.

A frozen, saturated sponge in a bag makes an icepack that won’t drip all over when it melts.

Fill your plastic water bottle ¼ full of water and lay it in your freezer on its side to freeze. After it is frozen, fill with water and you have ice cold water on the go!

Use a staple remover to save your fingernails when trying to add things to your key ring.

Turn an empty six-pack drink holder into an outdoor dining kit. It’s just the right size to hold forks, knives, spoons, mustard, ketchup, etc.

We’ve just returned from a trip and I noticed that this following tip is true. If a green exit/street sign is above a street on the left, you will exit to the left. If it’s on the right, your exit will be on the right. This tip helps one to get into the correct lane ahead of time.

Use a spring from an old ballpoint pen to keep your charger cord from bending and breaking.

If you have an old pool noodle and park your car in a garage, split the noodle and attach half of it to the wall to protect your car door from scraping the garage wall. Now, how’s that for being frugal?