Dollar Stretcher ideas on making draft dodgers, preparing for tax time, refinancing a home and more.

Spill?

For a child prone to spills, put a super absorbent towel like ShamWow under their placemat. This reduces the odds of having to wash the whole tablecloth (energy intensive) and cleaning the floor (labor intensive).
Tamara

A Post, Then Patience

I post a "want" on our local Freecycle website for an item I would like. Sometimes I get a response and sometimes I don't, but in the meantime, it gives me time to consider if it's an item that I really want or need. If I get it, I save money, and if I decide I don't need it, I save too!
Vicki

Instant Draft Dodgers

There are those of us that cannot sew. I created simple draft dodgers for the bottom of doors with the use of an old pillowcases that matched the rooms that I wanted them in. I put clothes that were slated for Goodwill into the pillowcases and used raffia (you could use yarn or string) to tie them every six inches. They work great! When dirty, I simply toss them into the washer and dryer. Recycle, reuse, and redirect the drafts!
Jacque

Making Tax Time Easier

Each January I start my new check register. Whenever I write a check for anything that is tax deductible, I circle the check number in the register. If I put a donation or contribution on a credit card, I note to whom the contribution was made and the amount of the contribution on the line with the credit card check and circle it. The circles are easy to spot, and I can easily add them at tax time.
Rose
                   

Using 'Reduced Price' Produce

In my effort to save money at the grocery store, I always check out the reduced carts for markdowns in every department. One way I really save money is to buy reduced produce. It may not look perfect, but it is still a good buy. I'm creative with how I use these items. Most of the time, the vegetables can be sauteed and put into a pasta sauce or chopped and used in healthy, homemade vegetable soup. Or chop up the vegetables and put them into a casserole dish with pasta or rice and crushed tomatoes. There's always marked down produce at my local grocery store. You really can save a lot of money if you're willing to be a little creative!
Laurie

Refinance Rules Changing

I used to hear that it didn't "pay" to refinance your mortgage unless the new rate was two points lower. As rates are very low right now, I looked into it. I learned that you do not have to go with the normal 30, 20, 25-year terms for your new loan. You can also (maybe depending on the bank) go with 22, 14, 12, etc. It paid for me to refinance with nothing out of pocket! The bank "rolled in" the closing costs and I stayed with my current term of what was left on my mortgage. My payment dropped $45 a month! Check out all your options, as there are more than I realized!
NY

Divide and Conquer

Some stores have promotions where if you buy, say, $30 worth of a certain manufacturer's products, they will give you a $10 off store coupon for your next visit. In order to get my savings immediately without worrying about keeping track of the coupon, I politely ask the checker to ring my required purchases up first and separately from the rest of the groceries. When it is totaled up and paid for, the coupon pops out. I then apply it towards the remaining groceries in the cart. Also, usually during those types of promotions, the brands are on sale! It's a good time to stock up.
Sheila  

Two to a Checkbook

When more than one family member is writing checks and using the same checking account, sometimes one writes a check when there are insufficient funds to cover it. Besides the embarrassment of having a check bounce, there is a fee for overcharges. Here is the solution.

When a deposit is made, split it between the checkbooks. He gets enough to buy gas, lunches, etc. While she uses hers for food and clothing purchases. The allotted amount is written in each check registry and checks are subtracted normally. If one needs to go over his/her allotment, the other one must be called to approve it.
Connie

Savings on Eyeglasses

Optical departments are very busy in December as people try to use up money in their HSAs or bunch up medical expenses for tax purposes before the end of the year. As a result, January can be a slow month for opticians and eye wear retailers, so there are a lot of very good deals being offered right now for anyone who might need a new pair of glasses or contacts. 

And if you haven't had an eye exam in at least three years (annually if you are over 60), you owe it to yourself to take advantage of these prices. Being frugal at the expense of our health is short-sighted (pun intended!), so now might be a good time to get your eyes checked too.
Helen 

HE Washer Gaskets

I just recently bought my first HE front loading washing machine. At the appliance store, the salesman tried to sell me a small package of chemical tablets for $6. He said that I needed to run the washer once a month with one of the tablets in it instead of clothes to keep the rubber gasket on the door smelling fresh. Thinking I might get these tablets cheaper elsewhere, I told him I'd wait. 

Well, when I read the owner's manual, there was no mention of these tablets. It recommended running an empty washer if the gasket smelled with a half cup of bleach. Bleach costs pennies for a half a cup compared to those tabs! I still didn't like the idea of wasting electricity and water on an empty load, so I have started leaving the washer door open for a couple of hours after I use it. The gasket dries completely and then I shut the door. So now I have triple savings! I use no chemicals, no water and no electricity unless I am really washing clothes!
Laura 

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