Clever Readers Get Creative

Sometimes I wonder how Everyday Cheapskate readers discover their handy ideas. I mean, who would have thought something that cleans brake parts would also remove stains from clothes? Go figure! Thanks for sharing, Cam.

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NOTHING GOES TO WASTE. Our town has two thrift shops that accept worn-out clothes. They remove the buttons and sell those. Then they bag up the clothes and sell them to a “rag man,” who gives them 7 cents a pound. So really, nothing has to go to waste. Mary, Indiana 

CLEANS MORE THAN BRAKES. I have found that using my husband’s brake parts spray cleaner works really well on getting out grease stains. It doesn’t affect the color and works when other stain removers have failed, even if the item has already been washed and dried. Cam, email 

DOUBLE-DUTY SALADS. Mary’s tip about turning leftover salad into soup is genius. My Greek salad from a recent dinner did not end up in the disposal. Instead, it crossed the Mediterranean and changed nationalities—becoming Gazpacho the next night. I did what Mary suggested, tossing the leftovers in the blender and adding a little V8 juice. Betsy, Kansas 

(For more ideas on how to turn one night’s dinner into two, get my eBooklet, Double-Duty Dinners. Order the eBooklet for $5 or the printed booklet for $6 at DebtProofLiving.com. Or call 800-550-3502, or send your check or money order to Everyday Cheapskate, Attn: DDD, PO Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630.)

M.O.M ELIMINATES ODORS. I have always had very strong body odor. It didn’t matter what kind of deodorant or antiperspirant I used, it never worked. Then I heard that regular milk of magnesia worked as a daily deodorant.

I tried it, and I’ve been using it for over a decade. I pour a little bit of the store-brand milk of magnesia on a cotton square and then pat it on my armpit, then repeat with the other armpit. A little bit lasts all day. Milk of magnesia can dry out quickly in the bottle, so just add a little water and shake well. Lynda, California

PLASTIC CUTS PERFECTLY. When I bake brownies, I cut them with a plastic knife when they are still warm. The brownies don’t stick to the plastic knife or roll up when cut, but you have to cut them while they are warm. Sally, email

QUICK TICK REMOVER. When my little ones get a tick while playing outdoors, I easily and painlessly remove it with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. I place the cotton ball where the tick’s head appears, and the tick backs out. It’s fairly quick and definitely painless. Dena, email 

MUSIC’S SECOND LIFE. A friend of my husband passed away and left us many music CDs and DVDs. Some were in great condition; some not so great. Some popular (at one time, anyway); others not so much. I went through them all and was able to sell the majority of them on SecondSpin.com. They had the best offer prices, and I was not disappointed. Linda, email 

Do you have some more great tips to share? Let me know in the comments section here.