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Simple Hand Warmers

Cold weather camping? Here's a simple trick for making simple hand warmers. Stick your hands in a pair of light socks and mark where your fingertips are. Take a scissors and cut holes out there. You can now wear them on your hands as cheap hand warmers. Next time you need to tie your shoes in the snow, simply remove your pair of gloves with these on and you don't have to completely expose your hands to get the dexterity you need.

Make Halloween Costumes, Don't Buy

Pre-made Halloween costumes are an expense you can do without. Look around in your closets and be creative with your own existing supplies. I made a costume with a black pillowcase (cut two eye holes), an old graduation gown, and a cardboard axe that actually won a costume contest.

Of course, if you're in a hurry, you can grab an old white sheet, cut you two eyeholes and go as a ghost!

Back to Cloth Diapers

Remember, disposable diapers are expensive. One of the things a lot of our frugal friends are doing is returning to cloth diapers. These save you money in the long run but require a bit of daily washing to keep them clean.

Get a small diaper pail with a lid, fill it half way with a solution of water, bleach, and Dreft detergent. After each diaper change add the cloth diaper into the solution. That way, the diapers are sanitized until you can wash them next time (it cuts down on odors as well). That's a tip from the wife.


For other baby care tips, check here.

Recycle Buttons

Buttons for sewing projects can be expensive. Don't believe me, check some of the prices out there. If you're serious about sewing and are going to throw away old clothing from your closets, collect all the buttons off the clothing you are throwing out. If you are looking for alternate sources, visit a thrift store and buy the cheap clothing with the buttons you love. This is a good, cheap way to scavenge instead of purchasing brand new.

Alternative Sources of Fabric

Fabric for sewing clothing is expensive when bought. Your best bets for finding sources of fabric to make clothing is to check thrift stores (they sometimes have rolls) or even to use old sheets for sources of cloth. Remember, keep an eye open and you'll be surprised at the bargains you can pick up.

For other ideas for the budding seamstress, check here.

Cheap Clothing

What can I say? The best way to find the cheapest clothing is to frequent your neighborhood Goodwill or other thrift stores. Shopping around you can find very decent clothing (and other items) at these stores. A common misconception is that these clothes are stained or substandard. They're not. Have a check yourself if you don't believe me, you might be surprised at what you can find.