Cheaper, Better, Faster (31 page)

Painting—scraping paint from windows

To quickly scrape the dried paint from windows, use a single-edged razor blade that you dip into a solution of liquid soap and water. The blade will glide along and the job will take little time and effort.

Painting—soften hard brushes

Soften hard paintbrushes in hot vinegar for a few minutes. Then wash them in soap and warm water and set out to dry.

Painting—stairs

If you need to paint the stairs while living in your house, do this: Paint every other step. Let those dry thoroughly, mark them with a piece of masking tape, and then paint the rest. Taking the steps two at a time during this renovation should give the family some great exercise.

Painting—storage

Store partially full cans of paint upside down. The paint will form an airtight seal, extending its useful life.

Painting—strain lumpy
or debris-filled paint

If paint appears lumpy or contains debris, stretch a pair of pantyhose over the top of a clean bucket and strain the paint by pouring it through the hose into the bucket.

Painting—window frame trick

Before you begin painting window frames, cut strips of newspaper, dip them in water, and press them onto the glass close to the frame. When the paint dries, moisten the newspaper with a damp sponge and peel it right off. Presto! No messy windowpanes to scrape clean after the painting is done, and no sticky tape to remove.

Pipes—
frozen

First open the faucet to release pressure from thawing water. Then apply heat with a hair dryer, heat gun, or heat lamp, starting at the faucet side of the frozen area.

Pipes—prevent freezing

If a particular pipe in your home freezes regularly, allow the corresponding faucet to drip ever so slightly when subfreezing weather is predicted.

Reassembling wisdom

Before you take something apart to fix it, take a picture so you can see how it fits back together. To help you remember how to reassemble it, place each part in the correct sequence onto the sticky side of a piece of duct tape.

Refurbishing wisdom

When you finish refurbishing a room in your home, write down this important information on a piece of paper and tape it to the back of the switch plate: the brand and color of the paint, how much it took to paint the room, how many rolls of wallpaper were required, and the circuit breaker number that serves this room. You'll be happy to find the information the next time.

Roof repair

If you have a loose or missing roof shingle, slip a piece of sheet metal or builder's felt (tar paper) over the damaged area and under the shingle above it. Hold it in place with dabs of roofing cement.

Rubber mallet—make your own

Cut an X in an old tennis ball and put it on the head of a hammer to make a rubber mallet.

Sanding—in tiny or hard-to-reach
spaces

Use an emery board to sand small or hard-to-reach areas like shutter slats or drawer runners.

Sandpaper—longer lasting

To make sandpaper or emery paper last longer, back it with masking tape. The tape helps keep the paper from tearing or creasing while you are working and doubles or triples its longevity.

Saw
blade storage

Store circular saw blades in old record album jackets.

Scissors—sharpen

Sharpen scissors by cutting several times into 220 grit sandpaper. Turn the scissors over and repeat to sharpen the bottom blade.

Screwdriver caddy

To make a great screwdriver caddy, tightly coil a roll of corrugated cardboard and stuff it into a 2-pound coffee can. Poke all your screwdrivers between the corrugations.

Screws—anchor in plaster wall

Here's how to anchor a screw in a plaster wall: First make the hole by driving a nail into the plaster. Plug the hole with fine steel wool. The screw will go in firmly—and stay.

Screws—holes in wood

If a screw hole in wood furniture becomes too large to hold the screw, try this: Remove the screw and pack the hole with toothpicks and wood glue. Wait for the glue to dry, then trim the toothpicks even with the surface. Re-drill the hole, and replace the screw.

Spray cans—keep nozzles clear

Hold a spray can of anything upside down to clear the nozzle between uses. While the can is completely inverted, spray a few times to clear the passage.

Squeaks—hinges

Lubricate the pin on a squeaky hinge with petroleum jelly instead of oil. You won't need to worry about drips on the floor.

Squeaks—stair steps and floors

Both squeaky stairs and floorboards can often be silenced temporarily with talcum powder. Work the powder into the cracks and wipe away the excess. Repeat as necessary.

Stain—storage

Store leftover water-base stain in a thoroughly cleaned ketchup bottle with a flip-top lid. You'll be able to dispense exactly
the amount you want with no mess. Be sure to label the bottle with the exact contents.

Staining and refinishing—clean sanded surfaces

Dampen a rag with rubbing alcohol to clean sanded surfaces prior to applying stain or finish.

Stud location in walls

Studs are the vertical wooden supports behind your walls. They're handy for hanging pictures and such because a nail or screw is more likely to stay in place when it's been driven into a stud as opposed to just the drywall. To locate the studs in a wall, find a light switch or electrical outlet in the room and take the plate off. If you peek in there, you might be able to see a nail or screw from one side of the box going into a stud. Switches and outlets are almost always initially installed against a stud for stability. The stud is 2 inches wide, so visualize and mark the center of that stud. Sixteen-inches from that mark in either direction should be the center of its neighbor. And so on around the room. Note: Some new homes have studs 24 inches on center.

Toilet
replacement

Before forking out the big bucks to purchase a toilet or sink, check with a local plumbing contractor. Many times they have used items that are in perfect condition because they were removed from new homes when the homeowner wanted to upgrade or change the color.

Tool protection for
small tools

Staple a pocket protector to your workbench so you can keep track of those really small tools that have a way of disappearing.

Vacuum hose clog

To dislodge a vacuum hose clog, first turn the vacuum off and unplug it. Unwind a metal hanger and, leaving a slight hook on the end, slide the hanger into the hose, hook the blockage, and pull it out.

Vinyl floor tile
removal

To remove a vinyl floor tile, aim a hair dryer set on medium at the tile's corners and center. Heat will cause the adhesive on the underside of the tile to become moist and sticky. Slowly work a putty knife between the floor and the tile to pry it loose.

Wallpaper—bubbles

Remove bubbles and blisters in wallpaper by cutting an X into the wallpaper with a very sharp razor blade and regluing the paper.

Wallpaper—grease spots

Remove a grease spot from wallpaper by rubbing baby powder into it. This serves as an absorbent.

Wallpaper—moisten and
smooth prepasted paper

If you're working with prepasted paper, use a plant mister to moisten it. A handheld squeegee is a great tool for smoothing prepasted wallpaper quickly and evenly.

Wallpaper—papering around outlets

When wallpapering over outlets, first insert childproof electrical outlet plugs. When you cut through the paper, you won't get a shock.

Wallpaper—preparation

Two days before you plan to wallpaper, reroll the roll of paper the opposite way. The paper will be flat, and the job will go faster.

Wallpaper—removal

To remove wallpaper, start by cutting several crisscrosses in each panel of paper with a utility knife so the wallpaper remover or steam can seep into the cuts and help loosen the paper.

Wallpaper—squirt gun as tool

Keep a child's squirt gun handy when wallpapering. It's perfect for dampening corners
that have dried out or didn't get quite wet enough the first time around.

Wallpaper—vinyl

If vinyl wallpaper is too tightly curled, you can relax it with a hair dryer set on warm. Hold the dryer 6 to 8 inches away, and wave it back and forth over the paper.

Walls—hanging pictures on wallpaper

To hang pictures on wallpaper: Cut a notch in the paper, bend it back gently, then drive the nail into the wall. If you remove the nail later, you can simply glue the paper flap over the hole, and there won't be an ugly blemish on the paper.

Walls—removing clear tape

Remove clear tape from walls by warming it slightly with a hair dryer.

Washing machine maintenance

Take care of your washing machine, and you'll add years to its useful life: To unclog hoses and flush out all the minerals and all the gummy buildup, fill the machine with hot water (no clothes), pour in 1 gallon of distilled white vinegar, and allow to run through an entire cycle.

Water
heater maintenance

Perform water heater maintenance twice a year, and you'll get many more years of service from it. Turn off the power to the water heater at the circuit breaker and drain the sediment from the bottom of the tank. In areas with hard water, draining is best done every month.

White glue—soften in bottle

To soften white glue in a plastic bottle, place the bottle in boiling water for a few seconds until the glue softens. If it's in a glass bottle, run hot tap water over the bottle for a minute or two, then place the bottle in simmering water. Or simply add a bit of white vinegar to the amount of glue
you're going to use and stir with a toothpick.

Windows—
cracked

If a window cracks in your house, protect yourself and the sash frame until you can replace the glass by taping the crack with packing tape or adhesive-backed weather stripping. But don't count on this temporary fix to hold for very long.

Windows—match storm windows and
screens

To match storm windows and screens to the correct windows, draw a diagram of the house and number each window frame. Use a permanent marker to write the same number on the corner of the appropriate storm window or screen. Attach the diagram to the garage or basement wall, and you'll never have to guess which window or screen goes where.

Windows—paint worn mini-blinds

Instead of replacing worn metal mini-blinds, paint them. Wash them with soap and water in the bathtub, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely. Carefully spray-paint them. Selecting the same or similar shade will make the job easier.

Windows—painted shut

Don't use a screwdriver to try to pry open a window that has been painted shut. Instead, move a pizza cutter back and forth in the stubborn groove.

Windows—screen
patch

To repair a small tear in a window screen, cut a square patch a little larger than the damaged area. You can buy screening at the hardware store. Unravel and remove a few strands of wire from all four sides. Bend the wire ends over till you can slip them through the screen. Then bend them farther to hold the patch in place.

Windows—spring-clean windowsills with paint

Instead of trying to scrub windowsills clean each spring, just
paint them. It's faster, and the results are much better.

Wood—refinishing

To identify the type of clear finish on wood so you can refinish it, touch the finish with a cotton ball dampened with nail polish remover. If the cotton ball sticks or the finish softens, it's varnish, lacquer, or shellac. If there's no effect, it's polyurethane. The best tool for removing old finish from carvings and other hard-to-reach areas is a natural bristle paintbrush with the edges trimmed to a stubby length.

Wood—staining

Softwoods like pine, poplar, and fir may absorb stain unevenly. To test for firmness, press your thumbnail into the wood. If it leaves an indentation, it's a softwood. Seal all softwoods before staining by coating with a wood conditioner.

Auctions

Stretch your dollars by buying things such as building materials or appliances—even gifts—at auctions. Learn how to be an impeccable inspector, because all sales are final.

Bartering

Whenever possible, trade goods or services instead of money: haircuts for typing, babysitting for landscaping, or housecleaning for electrical work.

Buy in bulk—protect savings

Buying in bulk may not always be a money-saving activity if your family unconsciously consumes more when they see large amounts of anything. Somehow that feeling of using just a little vanishes when the shampoo, for instance, is in a quart-size bottle. To counteract this problem, have small containers for laundry soap, shampoo, cereal, and so on. Fill them from the large bulk container, which is stored out of sight. Besides seeming that there isn't an unlimited
quantity of anything, the small containers are easier to handle, and the chances of slipping and pouring out too much are lessened.

Buy in bulk—with a partner

If you are single and want to take advantage of bulk buying, find a shopping partner—someone with your same situation—and pool your shopping needs. Two-for-one is a real waste if the second item goes stale before it can be used. But with a partner, each gets one for half price.

Buy used—consignment store, buying

High-quality, previously owned clothes are sold for as much as 70 to 85 percent below the price of a similar item that is new. Shop well, and you will find unbelievable bargains.

Buy
used—consignment store, buying and selling

Make money and save money at a consignment store. If you take in used clothing (men's, women's, and children's) that is in good to excellent condition, the owner will resell the items and send you a check for a percentage (usually 50 percent). These shops are also a great place to hunt for wonderful bargains. Find a consignment shop in an upscale neighborhood, and you've got it made.

Buy used
—garage sale map

Before checking out garage sales, make a special garage-sale map. Start with a map of your local community and cover it with clear contact paper. Using a grease pencil, mark the locations of the garage sales you want to visit this weekend. Now you can design a logical route to make the best use of your weekend time. Erase the marks after you attend each of the sales.

Buy used—thrift shops

Check out thrift shops, but never buy just because you've found a good bargain.

Compulsive shopping—$100 bill trick

If you find yourself shopping compulsively—buying stuff on credit that you neither need, really want, nor can even afford—try this rather unconventional tactic: Tuck away a $100 bill in a very secret place known only to you. In the future, whenever you get the urge to purchase something or feel overcome by a case of the “I wants,” tell yourself,
OK
,
but
you
'
ll
have
to
go
home
and
get
that
$
100
bill
.
For some reason the urge will pass quickly. Knowing you can if you want, but you choose not to, has a wonderful preventive effect. Try it.

Compulsive shopping—
go on a diet

Break the compulsive shopping habit. Don't carry credit cards with you, put yourself on a cash diet, and throw away all junk mail, such as mail-order catalogs, without even opening it.

Contracts—avoid buyer'
s remorse

Think about a contract for 30 days before you sign. Any purchase that requires your signature probably requires payments. You just might have a change of heart, and even if you don't, you will be confident in your decision after 30 days and will hopefully avoid buyer's remorse.

Coupons—ask for help

When a great sale or coupon offer sends you to an unfamiliar store, don't spend a lot of time searching for the item. Remember, the store wants you to wander around so you'll just happen to pick up all kinds of other things. Instead, when you enter the store, ask an employee for the exact location, make your purchase, and get out of there as quickly as possible.

Coupons—doubling or tripling

Find a market that will double the coupon's value. This practice varies throughout the
country, but if you have good coupons, make sure you find a way to double them. Some stores even triple them on certain days.

Coupons—
in envelope with grocery list

Save business reply envelopes from your junk mail and use the back for grocery lists. Your coupons will fit nicely inside the envelope, and you won't have to worry about losing them.

Coupons—photo
album organization

Organize your coupons in a small photo album. You can organize the coupons by store or category and can easily flip through it to find the ones you want. The album will fit neatly into a purse or bag.

Coupons—smallest size purchase

If you have a qualified coupon, you'll usually save a higher percentage of the purchase price by buying the smallest size.

Coupons—speed up
checkout

If you're a couponer, make sure that before you get to the store you use a highlighting pen to mark the expiration date on each coupon you intend to redeem. Your checker will be happy and so will everyone waiting in line behind you.

Coupons—Sunday newspaper extras

Ask your newspaper delivery person if you can pick up any leftover sets of coupons that remain once the Sunday newspapers are stuffed and put together. Most will gladly comply because there's that much less for them to manage.

Coupons—use only if really saving money

Use coupons only for items you would buy even if you didn't have the coupon and
only if it is truly a savings. Check other brands that might be on sale or are already cheaper. Manufacturers often offer coupons as incentives on new products. But you're not saving anything if you buy something that was not on your list.

Damaged or
floor model goods—discount

Always ask for a reduction or discount if the item you desire is marked or scratched or is the floor model. You're not complaining, whining, or being obnoxious. You're negotiating, and that's smart.

Electronics—buy gently used at repair shops

Before buying a new television, stereo, or other piece of electronic equipment, check with a good repair shop. Many times, excellent-quality merchandise has been abandoned, and the shop will sell it to you for only the cost of the unpaid repair bill.

Factory direct—buy seconds and overruns

If you have factories in your area that manufacture things you regularly use, call to see if they have factory outlets where they sell seconds and overruns. Try the local newspaper for roll ends of newsprint. It makes great picnic table coverings, gift wrapping, and all kinds of crafts. Paper factories often have toilet paper and other paper goods available. Don't confuse factory outlets of this type with outlet malls that are more retail than discount.

Generic or store brands

It's amazing how many brand-name products have a generic counterpart—everything from grocery items to prescription and over-the-counter drugs. You'll be surprised how close they are to the expensive brands. Think this way when buying clothes as well. Take a little time, and before you make that whopping purchase at Nordstrom, sneak into
Walmart and see if they don't have a very good generic.

Groceries—avoid the
first day or two of the month

Avoid shopping on the first day or two of the month. Some stores have been known to raise their prices during the time that government aid and Social Security checks come out.

Groceries—
bag your own for easy unloading

Bag your own groceries so you can group items together to match the way your kitchen, pantry, refrigerator, and freezer are arranged. You'll save a lot of time putting things away.

Groceries—buy
ahead

This will cut down your trips to the grocery store and will often save 50 percent of the unit cost. Reorganize your kitchen and pantry. Find places outside the kitchen to store dry and canned goods. Repackage large amounts into small units.

Groceries—cooler in your trunk

Keep a cooler in the trunk of your car. You can stop for groceries without having to go straight home afterward.

Groceries—
discontinued products

Today's grocery stores carry only those items that move well to maintain their profit margins. Watch for product shelf labels with either a line drawn through the price code numbers or the letter “DC” or “Discontinued” written on them. By purchasing these “unadvertised” specials, you will often find savings of at least 20 percent or more on your register tape.

Groceries—don't shop when hungry

Never shop when hungry. You will be compelled to buy everything in sight, regardless of what's on your list.

Groceries—
ethnic foods

Purchasing certain items at ethnic markets can often result in remarkable savings. It's best to go into any new store with a good idea of what a comparable product would cost elsewhere. Just because the Asian market offers spices, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, and bamboo shoots, for example, doesn't necessarily mean they'll be sold at a bargain compared with the cost at your discount grocery.

Groceries—generic and store brands

Some store-brand grocery items are exactly the same as the more expensive brand-name version. By law, certain items, such as aspirin, baking soda, cornstarch, honey, molasses, peanuts, pecans, salt, sugar, unbleached flour, and walnuts, must be exactly the same content and composition, regardless of packaging or quantity gimmicks. Always buy the lower-cost generic brands when buying these items.

Groceries—haul in with
a trash can

If you find it difficult to carry all of your groceries at once and end up making numerous trips from the car to the house, buy a trash can with wheels and load your groceries into it. You can just wheel it right into the kitchen.

Groceries—
lists, arrange by store layout

Arrange your shopping list according to the general layout of your supermarket. You'll save steps and cut down exposure to impulse items.

Groceries—lists,
make them when you're hungry

Make your grocery-shopping list at home when you are hungry. You will be more creative and thorough.

Groceries—loss leaders, rain checks

When the supermarket sells out of the loss-leader items (those items the store has priced below their costs to get you into the store), always ask for a
rain check so you can still buy them at rock-bottom prices when supplies are replenished.

Groceries—loss leaders and sales, menu
planning

Take full advantage of the store's loss-leader products, and design your weekly menus around the weekly grocery store sale ads.

Groceries—meat for the freezer

When you purchase meat that you intend to freeze, slip it into one of the free plastic bags from the produce department before you put it into a resealable plastic freezer bag. This way you can reuse the expensive resealable storage bag again and again without having to wash it out or worry about bacteria. There is no need to label the bag because you'll be able to see the label through the plastic.

Groceries—meat near sell-by date

The marked-down price of meat that has a sell-by date that will expire soon can be dramatic. The meat is still good, but if you can't use it on or before the expiration date, freeze it immediately and use it within 3 months.

Groceries—meat pricing

When buying meat, bear in mind that an expensive lean cut may be more economical than one that requires you to throw away excessive bone, gristle, or fat.

Groceries—milk and produce
runs

When you need to make milk and produce runs between your regular major shopping trips, but you are tempted to turn the trip into an excuse to stock up on impulse items, make a precise list and engage the services of an errand runner, such as a responsible teen.

Groceries—perishables in no-spoil quantities

When shopping for perishable foods, buy only amounts that can be used while they are still
good. Buying in larger quantities just because you get a low price is no bargain if you end up throwing part of it away.

Groceries—price book

Keep a price book that lists the prices of regularly purchased items at a variety of grocery stores in your area. Refer to it when you see specials or ads to determine whether or not it's really a bargain.

Groceries—
price by volume

When you buy iced-tea, lemonade, or fruit-juice mix, figure cost not by weight but by the per-quart yield the whole container will make. Packaging on these types of items can be very deceiving.

Groceries—
produce by the bag

Buy produce in a bag for the best value. Watch out: Often the bruised and spoiled fruit will find its way into the bottom of a bag. Pick out the best bag and the heaviest one. Weigh a few before you decide.

Groceries—produce straight from
the farm