Tag Archives: human rights

Celebrity Do-Gooders Turn Their Attention to Myanmar

Lending a hand to those in war-torn Darfur is so yesterday. These days Hollywood’s A-listers are turning their sights on another country that treats its people poorly—-Myanmar (also known as Burma). Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell, Jennifer Aniston and Ellen Page are among the stars supporting a new campaign aimed at bringing to light the atrocities committed by members of Myanmar’s military-run government. Carrey was the first celeb to film a public service announcement to raise awareness about the Southeast Asian country and human rights leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been confined by the government for 12 of the … Continue reading →

New Uses for Washcloths

Do you use wash cloths? If you have a bunch that are just sitting there, why not turn them into something useful? This morning, I decided to do a little spring cleaning of our linen closet. One thing that struck me was the amount of wash cloths that we have. There were probably 20 or more of them. Now, having a lot of washcloths could be a good thing if you use them, since it is recommended that you only use a washcloth once and then launder it. But, the fact remains that we seldom use wash cloths. I can … Continue reading →

More Uses for Cans 2

In reply to a reader request, here are more uses for cans. This is part two of a two-part series. Flatten soda cans and turn them into bats by painting the cans and adding cardboard wings. In fact, there are so many different animal crafts that you can make with crushed cans with a little bit of paint and a little bit of imagination. Make a beer can roof. This is a great idea for the truly frugal. Collect beer and soda cans from friends and neighbors. See the instructions for the roof right here: Beer Can Roof Punch drainage … Continue reading →

More Uses for Cans

Recently, I received an e-mail from a reader who asks about reusing aluminum and other food cans. She always gets a good deal on canned food, so she uses quite a bit of it. After emptying the cans, she washes them out and stacks them in her pantry. “The cans are taking over my kitchen,” she writes. “Is there something I can do with the cans, other than recycling them?” A while back, I did post an article on reusing tin cans. Since then, I’ve found some more ideas. Of course, you can always recycle the cans, but isn’t it … Continue reading →

Picking Our Own Trash

Some times sweating the small stuff can add up. It all depends on your circumstances and your level of frugality. Here is one of the things that we have done this past week that could be considered frugal. We keep a large, lined, garbage can down in the basement. In this can goes dryer lint, burnt out light bulbs, and various home improvement trash. Basically, anything that isn’t food gets thrown in this garbage can. Every once in a while, when the can is looking full, I’ll go and raid it while I am waiting for the washer to fill … Continue reading →

What to Do with Bread Tabs

A little bit ago, I shared some ideas for reusing odd things around the house that were featured in the Tightwad Gazette. One of those items was the humble little bread tag. You know what I mean? A bread tab is the rectangular piece of plastic that is used to secure commercial loaves of bread in their plastic bags. Bread tabs are plentiful and, of course, they are free with your bread purchase. We already know of two uses for the bread tab. The first is as a stitch counter when knitting or crocheting. The tab has that convenient little … Continue reading →

What to Do with a Dead Umbrella

A dead umbrella has no use, right? Of course you know that I am going to say that of course a dead umbrella has a reuse. You know this blog by now, and reusing items that might otherwise wind up in the landfill is a great frugal thing. Our umbrellas seem to be drying left and right on us. We have a virtual umbrella graveyard. Perhaps it is the blustery wind of spring. Perhaps it is the fact that all of our umbrellas are about the same age and have just reached the end of their natural life spans, Or … Continue reading →

Saving Bread Ends

With bread prices going through the roof (I spotted a small loaf of oatmeal bread in the store here for a whopping price of $3.69!) you might not have the luxury of tossing those bread ends–you know the ones with all of the crust? Personally, they don’t bother me, especially when they are homemade (I’m making a loaf of oatmeal bread as I type. It will cost mere pennies). But, I do know many people who toss these ends because no one in their family will eat them. If that is the case in your family, you might want to … Continue reading →

Cheap Scrapbooking Supplies From The Bathroom 2

Nobody could possibly believe that it is possible to find scrapbooking supplies in the bathroom? This is the second part of a two article series on discovering frugal supplies and embellishments in the bathroom of your own house. You more than likely already have these items, and it will be fun to discover how you can use them on your scrapbook layouts. Barrettes and Bobby Pins – These are fantastic accessories to use as embellishments on your scrapbooking layouts. They can be altered, inked, embossed, painted or otherwise to make them coordinate with your layouts. They act the same way … Continue reading →

Cheap Scrapbooking Supplies From The Bathroom 1

Who in the world ever thought you could find scrapbooking supplies in the bathroom? Most scrapbookers would think you were nuts to even suggest it, but its possible. My frugal nature causes me to look for fun and innovative supplies and embellishments in the strangest of places. The bathroom was never off limits. In fact, nothing is off limits for me. What can you possibly find in the bathroom? Cotton Balls and Swabs – These are the two most commonly found items in the bathroom that can be used either as applicators for inks, chalks, etc. Or you can be … Continue reading →