Everyday Cheapskate - Mary Hunt's Everyday Cheapskate

More Amazing Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Around the House

Last week I heard from one of my readers who wrote about hydrogen peroxide—something I’ve written about in the past, but not so much in the context of this reader’s personal report.

I loved her story and outcome but needed to confirm that hydrogen peroxide is safe, reasonable and recommended to be used as a mouthwash.

In the process I ran into a whole lot more than I was looking for—multiple uses for hydrogen peroxide around the house, some new some not so new but perhaps forgotten.

Kitchen counters

Clean your counters, table tops with hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

Cutting boards

After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour hydrogen peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved hydrogen peroxide as a sanitizer.

Teeth whitening

Mix salt, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide to make a paste for brushing your teeth. Not only will this help to reverse the early stages of gingivitis, used regularly, it will also remove stains and whiten your teeth.

December 17, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Holidays and Special Occasions

9 Fabulous Last-Minute Gift Ideas

Need a last-minute gift for an office party, your trusty mail carrier, a beloved teacher, co-worker or anyone else on your Christmas gift list? Here are nine great ideas that won’t take much time, and certainly won’t break the bank.

Photo explosion box

Imagine a small photo album “box,” made from scrapbooking card stock, which folds out to reveal special photos when the lid is removed. What a perfect gift for parents, grandparents, children—anyone who loves photos. You can make this in just a few hours. In fact, while you’re at it make several. Find a complete tutorial HERE.

Holiday Hash

Combine in a very big bowl:

3 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Corn Chex
3 cups Cheerios
2 cups small pretzels
2 cups salted peanuts
1 bag (12 oz.) plain M&Ms
1 bag (12 oz.) peanut M&Ms

Melt 2 bags (12 oz.) white chocolate chips or melting wafers according to the package instructions*. Be careful to not overcook as these chips burn quickly. Pour the melted white chocolate over the mixture and with a strong long-handled wooden spoon toss well to coat.

Spread the hash out on waxed paper and let set until the chocolate hardens.

Store in an airtight container or pour into gift bags. If you get the red and green M&Ms you’ll have a very festive looking result. This makes a lot. You should be able to make 10 to 15 gifts depending on the size of your containers.

December 16, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Holidays and Special Occasions, Mary's Perspective

In the Midst of Joy, a Season of Doubt

Check the calendar and take a deep breath. We are entering a critical phase of holiday preparation. As shopping winds down and preparations come together, be prepared for something weird to happen.

You may begin to doubt yourself.

I only know this because I know myself. It happens every year, so I’ve learned to plan for it.

December 14, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Holidays and Special Occasions

Gifts That Don’t Cost a Dime

Long on Christmas lists but short on cash this year? What you need are tips, tricks, and Gift Guides to help you save money, right?

“Save money?!” you sneer. “What if we don’t have any money?”

That, my friend, is a reliable signal that it’s time to get creative. Often the most meaningful gifts and most difficult ones to give are those that cost no money at all.

A gift from the heart is a gift of time and talent. It’s going to require some (all?) of your free time over the next couple of weeks or so, but it sure beats going into debt to buy a bunch of gifts for others—or missing out altogether because you refuse to show up empty-handed.

No one was more creative than my mother-in-law one Christmas years ago. I’d always admired her beautiful crystal, a wedding gift from her parents in 1942. Imagine how stunned I was when she gave it—all of it—to me. My favorite pieces are the water pitcher and cordials. Her gift, which cost nothing in terms of money, was and continues to be priceless to me.

Are you getting the picture? Great. Ahead, 17 thoughtful ways to show someone you care that won’t require spending any cash at all.

December 13, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Gifts

When Christmas is Hard

It wasn’t that big of a deal, really. Still, I felt a twinge of sadness whenever I thought about it because it’s something I really liked a lot.

I made the small zippered pouch, all by hand—every last stitch. I wouldn’t call it a work of art, although I was quite proud of the clever piecing and homespun appearance.

I filled the little pouch with my most prized hand sewing supplies:

Tiny gold scissors in the shape of a stork that were so sharp they cut perfectly all the way to the end of the beak.
The only thimble I’ve ever found that fit perfectly.
A small magnetic needle holder filled with the finest German stainless steel sharps in a variety of sizes.
A tiny container of appliqué pins
And two spools of thread just the right size and shape to fill the remaining space in the sewing kit.

December 12, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Holidays and Special Occasions

Traditions: The Glue the Holds Families Together

Family traditions are the rituals and practices a family shares that strengthen that family’s bonds and create lasting memories.

Traditions, those things we do much the same way over and over again, provide a source of identity, comfort, and security. They reinforce family values. Kids love traditions!

Traditions can be elaborate and complex or simple but meaningful.

According to this study cited in this article from The Atlantic, the time we spend focusing on anticipation, experiences, and simply being together can have a profound impact on how much we enjoy life.

Traditions give families assurance that even in an uncertain and changing world, there are some things they can count on to always be the same.

The way I see it, anything you do in the same way at the same time, year after year becomes a tradition. Whatever it is, if you’ve done it once but plan to do it again, it counts as a tradition.

Make a list of your family’s best traditions. Talk about them, treat them with a sense of respect and joy. Explore ideas for intentionally spending meaningful time together and then repeat often.

In time, your family traditions—especially those related to Christmas—will become trusted anchors in your children’s lives.

December 11, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Gifts, Holidays and Special Occasions

Best Creative and Inexpensive Homemade Gifts!

Whether it’s something from your kitchen, craft room, woodworking shop, or computer, there’s nothing like a homemade gift. A tree ornament, plate of cookies, box of fudge, note cards—these are just some of the homemade gifts with universal appeal.

I love homemade gifts both to give and receive. No wonder I have so many favorites!

Hand and Body Lotion

A jar of your own signature luxury hand and body lotion will definitely put you on the map. It’s that good. Not particularly crafty? No worries.

If you can assemble, empty, stir and mix well, you’ve got what it takes to make dozens of these gifts start to finish in a single evening.

And the best part? About $3.50 per gift, depending on where you buy the ingredients and containers.

I have created a photo tutorial at A Homemade Gift You’d Actually Love to Receive with all of the step-by-step instructions and specifics on the ingredients and where to get them.

Believe me when I say this is the gift your recipient(s) will rave about. It’s that awesome!

Shaving Cream

Seriously. Quite similar in process to the lotion above, you can make a big batch in one evening.

December 10, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Gift Guides

Holiday Gift Guide for Foodies Plus a GIVEAWAY!

Yes, another Holiday Gift Guide, and not so much because I love creating these guides for you (I do!) but due to popular request. And if it wouldn’t have appeared to be overly self-serving, for sure I would have titled this Guide something like my favorite Best Inexpensive really awesome kitchen things that foodies of all levels are sure to love as much as I do.

1. Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven

Finally, a pizza stone that is not so fragile I have to worry about it cracking under extreme conditions (I must be super hard on pizza stones because I have broken more than a couple)! First, it is extra thick at 3/4″. And heavy (thank you Amazon for Prime shipping). But here is the most amazing thing—guaranteed to withstand up to a whopping 1000 degrees F. Culinary Couture Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven will not crack! I leave mine on the bottom shelf of my oven at all times, which makes for easy storage, but also makes it convenient for baking bread as well as chicken, shrimp, and cookies, too. About $40.

2. Egg Rings

What a great idea, really. These Non-Stock Fried and Poached Egg Rings are perfect, too, for pancakes and anything else you want to come out round! Also comes in a heart-shaped option. About $8 for a set of four.

December 8, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Food & Recipes, Holidays and Special Occasions

Just in Time for the Holidays Gift-Worthy Caramel Corn

Sometime during the fall of 2010 (who am I kidding here, it was exactly Oct. 2, 2010, at 4:32 pm), I wandered into (actually I was sucked in against my will by the seductive aroma) Popcornopolis in South Deerfield, Mass., (curiously, located inside the Yankee Candle Village Store) and walked out with the most amazing gourmet caramel popcorn.

As an admitted lover of good caramel corn, I have to say a few things about this gourmet popcorn. These people know how to make caramel corn!

With its rich depth of flavor, Popcornopolis Caramel Corn is about as close to perfection as I have ever tasted. But as wonderful as it is, it is also very expensive.

December 7, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

Clothing and Accessories, Home & Family

From Closet Chaos to Organized in 5 Easy Steps

What’s behind your closet door? Orderly rows of shoes, stacks of folded t-shirts and hanging clothes arranged by color and season? Or do you have a situation that could be declared a national disaster?

If the latter, you might ask the President for federal disaster relief funds or you could just get organized.

Knowing you would feel guilty taking funds from earthquake, fire, and flood victims, here are simple steps to find calm in all that chaos. By the way, these same principles for organizing a clothes closet apply to linen or utility closets, too.

December 6, 2018/0 Comments/by Mary Hunt

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More Amazing Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Around the House

Kitchen counters

Cutting boards

Teeth whitening

9 Fabulous Last-Minute Gift Ideas

Photo explosion box

Holiday Hash

In the Midst of Joy, a Season of Doubt

Gifts That Don’t Cost a Dime

When Christmas is Hard

Traditions: The Glue the Holds Families Together

Best Creative and Inexpensive Homemade Gifts!

Hand and Body Lotion

Shaving Cream

Holiday Gift Guide for Foodies Plus a GIVEAWAY!

1. Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven

2. Egg Rings

Just in Time for the Holidays Gift-Worthy Caramel Corn

From Closet Chaos to Organized in 5 Easy Steps

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Kitchen counters

Cutting boards

Teeth whitening

Photo explosion box

Holiday Hash

Hand and Body Lotion

Shaving Cream

1. Pizza Stone for Grill and Oven

2. Egg Rings

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