Thrifty Tips for October 17

DON'T THROW IT OUT - USE IT AGAIN

In an attempt to save money for the upcoming holidays, I am trying to find more uses for things especially things I might normally toss.  Here are a few things I discovered.

Pot of coffee -
Leftover morning coffee?.  Don't pour it out, instead use it up.
-Freeze in ice cube trays for a later date to make iced coffee that doesn't get watered down or blend cubes with cream and sweetener for your own homemade coffee frappes.
-Mix left over coffee with some balsamic vinegar and herbs and make a great coffee marinade for steaks.  Look around online for lots of variations.
-Shine up dark hair (note I am writing dark hair).  My sister-in-law uses a cold coffee rinse in her hair to give it extra shine after a shampoo.
Coffee grounds -
-Used coffee grounds make a great exfoliante for hands, face, legs and body.  They are also great for getting the onion smell off of your hands after chopping onions.
-Coffee grounds are great to mix in your compost.
-Scatter some used coffee grounds in the yard to deter some pests like snails and ants (as well as the occasional stray cat).
-Used coffee grounds in a small container (like an old yogurt cup) is a great way to deodorize the fridge.

Bananas -
-Whiten teeth by rubbing them with the inside (white side) of a banana peel.
-Relieve the itch from bites by rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the itchy areas.
-Hold onto this one when the roses come back up.  Hang a banana peel around your roses and other plants that aphids visit, apparently aphids are not crazy about banana peels.
-Polish shoes with the inside of a banana peel as well.
-Compost the peels as well.

Onion Skin -
-Don't toss onion skin.  Use it in soup.  It adds flavor and nutrients that you don't want to toss.
-Red onion skin can be used to dye eggs or even yarn.
-Make a tea out of onion skins (not sure if I could do this) and drink nightly to help reduce leg cramps.
-Of course compost.

Silica Packets -
-Place in tool box to keep tools and nails from oxidizing.  Also works great in jewelry boxes to inhibit tarnishing and fancy silver utensils.
-Put on your dashboard to keep windshield clear rather than foggy (we'll have to wait and see how this works).
-Put silica packets in photo boxes to keep moisture out so photos will not stick.
-Need to dry the packets back out.  Put in an oven that has been preheated to 200 degrees for about 3 minutes.  Reuse again.


FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

Get four free music downloads from FreeCCM today by following this link.  FreeCCM also has great contests and giveaways so it is a great place to keep connected to.

New Release Tuesday has five free music downloads for members as well as a free preview of Natalie Grant's new album "Hurricane."  Follow the link and enjoy!

FREE EBOOKS (These were free at the time of my posting.  Prices can change quickly so always check the price before downloading)

The Secret's in the Sauce by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson from Revell Publishing (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

Lion of Babylon (A Marc Royce Thriller) by Davis Bunn from Bethany House Publishers (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

Circle of Friends - 25 Pie, Crisp & Cobbler Recipes by Gooseberry Patch (AMAZON)

Beginners Soap Making:  Simple Homemade Recipes by Annie Needs and Mel Jeffries (AMAZON)

A Beginners Guide to Keeping Backyard Chickens by Mel Jeffries (AMAZON)

GROCERY DEALS (All store names will link to their websites for more details on sales)

ALBERTSONS

Family Packs of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts from the Meat counter 3 lbs or more $1.58 lb
Kelloggs Cereal 11-18.7 oz, Nutri-Grain Bars 7.4-10.4 oz, Pop Tarts 12 ct or Keebler cookies 6.6-15 oz Select Varieties $1.58 when you buy 6
Sanderson Farms Whole Frying Chicken 98 cents lb
Extra  Lean Ground Beef 85% Lean $2.88 lb
Russet Potatoes 10 lb Bag $1.78 each

SAFEWAY

Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Top Round London Broil $2.79 lb
Fresh All Natural Whole Pork Shoulder Bone-in Single Pack sold Whole in the Bag $1.49 lb
Scarlotta Red Seedless Grapes $1.99 lb
Ragu Pasta Sauce 16-24 oz Selected Varieties $1.29 each (must buy 4)
Campbell's Condensed Soup 10.5 to 11.5 oz Selected Varieties 10/$10

FRY'S 

USDA Choice Boneless Chuck or Cross Rib Roast $2.99 lb
Asparagus $1.77 lb
Bartlett, Bosc, Red, Comice or Concord Pears 99 cents lb
Gala, Granny Smith, Red or golden Delicious Apples 99 cents lb
Minute Maid Orange Juice 59-64 oz $1.99