I love opening my email inbox and receiving a message with my favorite tips. It may swell depending on the day. Other days not so much. But every day, your messages of support, love, and sometimes great tips recharge my energy and confirm how much we need each other. Enjoy these tips from fellow readers.
I make my own frozen coffee drinks that taste better than anything that costs money. It all starts with frozen coffee cubes that I make from flavored coffee of my choice and freeze in ice cube trays. That’s the secret. Most recipes involve adding something to cold coffee and then mixing it with ice. But ice can turn it into water. Starting with frozen coffee eliminates the need to use ice to cool your coffee. My favorite recipe is frozen coffee cubes, hazelnut or caramel syrup, chocolate milk or powder, light cream or milk, and a little sugar (I like sweet things). Blend until smooth. delicious! I keep a zip-type bag full of coffee cubes in my freezer. — Lori
fake gps address
We do not recommend registering your home address with GPS. I set my “home” address to the local police station because if my car was stolen, I would also be giving away my home. If thieves are stupid enough to think they can steal a car, I think they’re stupid enough to crash their car into a police station. If my car gets stolen, I’ll tell the police to watch the parking lot. I don’t know if it will actually work, but if it does, we’ll be talking. By the way, I know the way back from the police station. — Tim
more wine in the box
If you buy a box of wine, when you think it’s empty, you pull out the “bag” and find there’s at least one more glass of wine inside. — Margaret
anti-slip kitty sand
If I have to walk on icy or slippery surfaces, I carry a ziplock bag of cat litter and sprinkle it in front of me as I walk. I also keep a spare bag in my car. A 5-pound bag costs less than $2 at your local 100-yen store, which is pretty cheap considering it might save you a trip to the hospital. — Kay
Blanket that can be used on the go
My kids like to put their blankets in the car when they go to school in the morning. It’s hard to keep these clean as the kids snack and sweat on the afternoon ride home. I bought a cushion cover at a 100 yen shop. Now, after dropping the kids off in the morning, I immediately fold the blankets and stuff them into cushion covers. Instead of washing blankets every other day, I wash cushion covers every week. It can also serve as a pillow when the kids are tired and need a little nap. — Juni
On-call flower delivery
I haven’t received a response to the many job applications and resumes I’ve submitted for months. Last month, I decided to take matters into my own hands and secure employment. I called a few local florists and asked if they needed extra delivery support for Valentine’s Day. A flower shop offered me a job. Said it would be paid at the end of the day and would keep me on the roster of on-call drivers for Mother’s Day, Easter, etc. It’s not forever, but every dollar helps! — Donna
pizza rationing
I’m a single woman and live alone, so I’m always looking for ways to save money. I love to cook, but sometimes I choose frozen pizza. Instead of cooking pizza and eating leftovers, as soon as you get home from the grocery store, open the pizza box, cut it into quarters, wrap each piece in foil, put it back in the box, and put it in the freezer. On days when you’re tired and don’t feel like cooking, you can just take the slices out and put them in the oven. This way, I only eat about 1 slice of frozen pizza a month for her and it doesn’t go to waste, and I don’t eat multiple slices at a time. — Sheri
oven grill rack
I use a self-cleaning oven to clean the grates on my Weber grill. It is made from the same type of materials as most broiler pans. It has an ashy coating and can be washed off in the sink. — Randy
Do you have any money or time-saving tips you’d like to share with my huge (and growing) Everyday Cheapskate audience? Send them to DearMary@everydaycheapskate.com. Then keep your eyes open. You might even see yourself in a future column.
Mary recommends visiting EverydayCheapskate.com. This column is archived with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary accepts questions and comments at her URL: https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column answers general questions, but cannot answer individual questions. Mary Hunt is the founder of the frugal living blog EverydayCheapskate.com and author of the book Living in Debt.
