More tips from Dollar Stretcher

Water for Your Garden

Water bills can get high when you have a garden. By using a rain barrel, you can collect the water from your roof. Not only are you giving your plants water without chlorine or fluoride, but also it's water at the ambient temperature, so it won't shock your plants the way cold water from the hose can. Also, since your sewer bill is measured by the amount of water that you use, it should reduce that as well.

Many water quality groups offer special discounts and incentives for rain barrels. Look for watershed groups in your area, or contact your local library for more information. You can also make your own rain barrel, using a food-grade barrel. You can pick these up from feed stores, or even used from food processing plants. They can range in price from free to 10 or 15 dollars. Depending on how sophisticated you want to get, you can make one that simply catches water that you must scoop out or one that has a spigot and overflow valve. Use the water for plants, washing the dog, the car and gardening tools, etc. In any case, you can feel good about the money you save, because you are also keeping the rain water from becoming urban run off, a growing concern. You are also returning the water slowly to the ground, where it can recharge the aquifer. Marina

editor's note: Some communities have restrictions on rain barrels. So please check and make sure you meet all local ordinances. Also, make sure that no child or pet could fall in and drown. Note from Lucy:My dad had a water barrel and he watered his gardens for years with rain water... He was an organic gardener he preferred rain water...I guess I need to look for a rain barrel.

Afternoon Coffee

Sometimes we don't drink more than one cup of coffee in the morning. To keep the coffee from sitting and growing stronger during the day, I take a clean Thermos and pour the leftover coffee in and put the lid back on. I can have a fresh cup of coffee in the afternoon without having to start another pot. We have had hot coffee even in the late evenings. This, of course, depends on how good your Thermos is. Wanda M. Note from Lucy:I'm not a coffee drinker but this sounds like it would work...

Natural Make-Up Sponges

If you use natural sponges to apply make-up, check for sponges at art or craft supply stores, such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby. These are the same natural sponges you get at the cosmetics counter or drug store, but they're cheaper. You could buy a bag of small sponges for usually under $5 at a craft store, where you'd pay about that much for one sponge at the drug store.

Also, instead of cotton squares for removing eye make-up, I use the soft microfiber cloths that come free with eyeglasses or sunglasses. I can use one for a few days and then toss it in the wash with the towels. These cloths are soft enough for the eye area and so far they are indestructible, as I've put them through the wash a few dozen times now. Annette

Bright Kids

I just read my first issue and enjoyed that it is short And sweet! I have piles of good magazines I haven't quite Had time to get to, but yours was just right -- a snack that I'll enjoy! --Wanda in AR

"Bright Kids" provides articles and tips for fun and easy learning activities, crafts, homework helps and general ideas for involving yourself in simple ways with your child's educational development.

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Creative Energy Savings

When you are using your oven to cook, turn the oven off five minutes before your food is to be done as the oven will retain the cooking temperature long enough to finishing cooking your food. So, you get five minutes of free energy and save money too. I also put a kettle of water over the burner that vents the hot air from the oven while cooking. At the end of my cooking, I have a kettle of hot water for free to use for tea, etc. April B. in Kentucky

Have a great week everyone!