Welcome to Mom Tips

Saving Electricity

TURN THE TV OFF! Did you know that leaving the television on is the number one electricity waster in the world? When everyone is finished watching television, especially before going to sleep, turn it off. Also turn off your computer when you aren´t going to be using it for an extended period of time (like while you´re at work). Even in "sleep" mode, computers and monitors will use up a lot of electricity.

Freezer packs

Reuse bottled water containers all summer long. Fill one quarter full with water and freeze for a major ice cube. Add fluids of choice when ready to go.

Turn Egg Cartons Into Palettes

An empty egg carton is a great artist´s palette -- just squirt a little paint into each egg cup. This makes for easy clean-up and less chances of spilling.

Make Your Own Baby Wipes

You can make your own baby wipes at a fraction of the cost! What you'll need: 1 roll of Bounty Rinse and Reuse cut in half, 2 1/2 cups hot water, 2-3 tablespoons of baby bath, and a resealable container big enough to hold half a paper towel roll. Mix water and baby bath in resealable container. Add in paper towels. Do not take out cardboard insert until the water has saturated the entire roll of paper towels. The insert will then easily peel out. Seal container.

Dishwasher Efficiency

Cutting off your dishwasher just after the rinse cycle is finished and open the door to let the dishes air-dry. Eliminating the drying cycle will save about half the expense of running the dishwasher.

Buying Gifts Early

If you happen to see something that you know would make a good Christmas gift (especially if it´s on sale), but the holidays are far off in the future, go ahead and buy it anyway. You´ll reduce the amount of money you spend in December, and you´ll have one less name on your list of gifts to buy.

What You Want vs. What You Need

A lot of times we get ourselves into debt by thinking that what we want is what we need. The only things in life we need is food, clothing, and shelter. Everything else is in the want category. After you evaluate your expenditures and you find that you are living above your means, see what wants you can eliminate. This doesn´t have to be painful, just smart.

Cheap Way to Cover Chips on Appliances

Use top-quality correction fluid to cover nicks, chips, and scratches on enameled ranges and refrigerators, porcelain tiles, and sinks. Works like a charm and it comes in a variety of colors.

Many Uses of Toothpaste

Why buy different cleaners when all you need is an ordinary tube of toothpaste? Miraculous uses for toothpaste that will save you money: polish silver and gold, remove crayon marks from walls, treat acne, remove ink spots from cloth, remove fruit punch "moustaches" from kids, deodorize smelly hands, remove scuffs from shoes, and fill holes in walls.

Use for Baby Wipe Containers

Use empty baby wipe containers to make snow bricks in the winter and build an igloo!

Dryer Lint

Finally! A use for dryer lint! The fluffy stuff makes great kindling for starting fires.

Renew your used Containers

Invest in a can of spray paint (exterior) to update or renew your personal container gardening baskets. Lay the basket on the grass and spray away. It does not matter how much paint decorates the grass since it will need cutting next week anyway. Repeat as necessary.

Don´t Let Stores Waste Your Money

If you buy something and it doesn´t meet with your approval, return it! A sweater that falls apart after one washing (even though you carefully followed the tag instuctions) can be returned for an exchange whether you have your receipt and tags or not. Food can also be returned if it is defective (moldy, stale, etc.) You are the consumer and you have the right to demand your money´s worth. Don´t shop in any store that won´t honor your request for a refund or exchange.

Save Gas = Save Money

Keep tires properly inflated to avoid premature wear and mileage loss. Under inflated tires can waste 5%-10% more fuel than needed.

Fix Toys, Don´t Replace Them

Fisher-Price publishes a "Bits & Pieces" catalog, filled with replacement parts for the toys they
manufacture. You can get a copy of the catalog for free by calling Fisher-Price Consumer Affairs at 1-800-432-5437.

Saving money

Buy kids clothes at yard sales.

Lipstick

Don´t throw out used-up lipsticks -- you would be surprised at how much is still in the tube when you think you´ve used it all up! Dig out the remainder of the tubes with a toothpick and put in a small cup. Melt (a little bit at a time) in the microwave until you can stir them together and re-fill one tube. NOTE: This doesn´t seem to work quite as well with the long wearing type of lipstick as it does with the normal wear lipstick.
A different option is to use a lipstick brush to apply what lipstick is left in the bottom of the tube. Retractable lip brushes are the best because you can carry them in your purse without making a mess.

Use for Old Lemons

If you´ve got a lemon that´s a little past its prime, cut it in quarters and run it through your sink disposal to freshen your drain.

Composting

Feed the composter with any leftover water that was used to boil vegetables.