My Top Ten is by no means an exhaustive list; your own Top Ten will probably have items I've overlooked. And you may find yourself disagreeing with some of my choices, beginning with Number 10 on my list:
10. Pantyhose
Surprised?
Me, too. After years of feeling like a stuffed sausage, I'm amazed to find pantyhose on my Top Ten anything list: It's expensive to buy, easily ruined, and comes in one-size-fits-almost-nobody . . . I can't think of a more obvious attempt to pick women's pockets. But human beings, crafty and resourceful as we are, have discovered creative additional uses for pantyhose and its remnants, from stuffing pillows and staking tomatoes, to making emergency fan-belts for your car. The Frugal Life has collected some great ideas for pantyhose, sent in by readers.
9. Lemons
Pies and lemonade. And as if that weren't enough, the juice of lemons can be used as a cleaning agent, and even for highlighting blonde hair. Lemon Flower.com has even more suggestions.
8. Butter Knife
The trend toward casual dining is gradually turning this dining utensil into a dust catcher. Fortunately for the butter knife, however, it has lots of other uses as well -- letter opener, icing spreader, screw driver, prying tool. And if you're the crafty type, it's also handy for scoring paper or cardboard.
7. Aluminum Foil
Use it for wrapping and storing food, of course, as well as cooking and crafts. I've also seen it on people's windows, where I think it's used to keep heat out of your house -- not a big problem where I live. Washable and reusable with care, just make sure to keep it out of your microwave.
6. Cornstarch
When I worked in a hospital, we often used cornstarch instead of talcum powder to help patients feel more comfortable. It absorbs moisture just like baby powder, without any added perfume or scent. Cornstarch is also used in baking, and making ornaments.
5. Salt
Tasty seasoning, mild abrasive cleaning, stain absorbing, deodorizing and more.
4. Rubber Bands
These little dandies come in a variety of sizes, and you can often accumulate quite a few for free. Rubber bands are generally used for the sorting and grouping of similar objects, but they are also used as hair accessories, missile launchers, musical instruments and behavior modification tools. (Put a band on your wrist, and whenever you think about that bad habit you're trying to break, give yourself a good snap.)
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Donna Dunn's Thrifty Living topic, please visit the Discussions page.