A couple of years ago, when asked readers to share frugal tips with us, we got a wealth of great ideas. Some examples are these on easy composting, making soap last, finding lost items and an easy way to keep happy memories close at hand.
: There is an easy way to compost kitchen scraps. Every few days I dig a couple shovels full of dirt, dump in the scraps, cover with the dirt, chop it up with the shovel, then let the worms do their magic. I move a couple feet over each time. By the time I get back to the beginning, it has broken down. I have lots of pets as well as the raccoons and possums that travel through and no one has ever dug up anything AND no rat problems. A bonus is volunteer potatoes, squash, peppers, even tomatoes.
: I buy hand soap when there is a good sale, mark the date on the outside, and then store it away for a year or so. This ages the soap, and when you lather your hands the soap is hard and lasts many times longer than when it is new and soft.
: If you lose anything on the floor and cannot see it, use a flashlight down on the floor sideways. This causes the object to leave a shadow and you'll find it right away.
: Not sure if this comes under "frugal" or not, but it's one of my favorite tips! What to do with a fun birthday card or holiday photo card from a friend? Try using it as a bookmark for one of your favorite recipes. Next time you go to make that peach cobbler, won't it be fun to see your friend's funny birthday card again? Or to see how young the kids were in your cousin's holiday card from three years ago? I hate to throw those away but can't keep everything, so here's one way to see them again and again without taking up any extra space in a box, drawer or closet!
You can find more of those tips in
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Now we'd love to have you share favorite home or garden tips (frugal or otherwise) with us again.
If you have a great tip, send it to us and we'll pass it along with readers in future Friday posts! Send us your thoughts and photos either by email to gardens@oregonian.com with Reader Tip in the subject line, or mail to 1320 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201. Please include your name and town, along with contact information; phone number or email address. Contact information will not be published. And, as we have to say anytime we ask you for items: All material sent to us becomes the property of The Oregonian and won't be returned; it may be edited and may be published or otherwise used in any medium.
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