Since times are hard frugal tidbits....

 This is one thing I have started using a lot of for cleaning and it works great and you can add lavander or other fragrants to it to cover the vinegar smell.. works great on windows to!!!!

  O yea and clean a lot with lemons, you can put one in a small bowl of water (lemon cut in halves) and cut on the microwave for a couple of seconds and it wipes out clean and smell great and also throw small pc in garbage disposal and it smells good!!!

Cleaners don't have to be pricey or chemical-laden to be effective. In fact, they don't even have to be store-bought. Create your own all-purpose cleaner by filling a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. Then, shake up the mixture, and you're ready for your next cleaning spree.

Why This Works

The acetic acid in vinegar kills viruses, germs, bacteria and mold. It also dissolves tough mineral deposits and stains like those found in sinks, toilets and tubs.

Benefits of Cleaning with Vinegar

• inexpensive
• no harsh chemicals
• effective sanitizer
• effective stain remover
• safe for most surfaces

Warnings

1) Do not use on marble

2) Test on a small area before using on finished wood surfaces or tile

3) As with any cleaner, you should avoid all contact with the eyes and prolonged contact with the skin

1) I bought a lovely, inexpensive lunch pail at Target and pack a lunch from home to eat at work instead of eating out every day.  Even a basic sandwich will cost $7.00 + here in DC.  It also enables me to have better control over what and how much I eat.

3) I bought a batch of those green produce bags, which aren't cheap ($10.00 for 20), but they really do work!  I got tired of throwing out so much fruit and veg because it went bad so quickly.  My produce stays fresh long enough to actually enjoy it now.  And the bags are washable and reusable.

Thats a great idea Bob,,

Barbara I have also starting carrying my lunch thats why most days i can get on here ;-)) I am glad you said that about the green bags i wandered if they were worth it or not,,;-))))

Debbie,

You do realize I was being facetious.

Well, we serve more fruit platters...slices of oranges in half around the outside, red apple wedges in the center, goes further then does pieces of cake or pie.. some of the things I don't do is use paper towels...I go to paper napkins instead..and buy them when they are 250 sheets. 2/for what-ever on sale...around $3..maybe up to $5.00...gave all the kids their own sponge so I wouldn't have to launder washcloths. I'm always looking for different ideas.  I've seen some really goodies though on HGTV. for instance, 4 x 8 sheets of plywood cut in half and squared off, washed with an stain, and use like tiles for the floor...don't forget to turn every other one like real tile and then seal it heavy. They have all kinds of colored stains out these days. I watched them make lamps out of veggtable strainers, to hang over an bar, I've seen them use grouting for an counter top using various stains to give it that marbled look, then seal it also. I watched them take an old time stove, and take off the top of it and drop in an BBQ grill over it..drip pam below that removes for cleaning. , and repaint it with flames on the side and rollers on the bottom, in black enamel.. and they left the oven below for holding utensils to grill with and on the top element they lef tonly the clock..took the burner knobs off it. It was an huge quite "racy" looking BBQ..another thing they do is use placemats with velcro on one side of them and one side on the curtain rod..for an widow "valance"...do the palcmats lengthwise..place them snuggly side by side.  I also watched them cut half an  huge table in half, apart it becomes an eating bar, together with an tablecloth an formal eating area...I wouldn't mind trying to do that one.  Of course the big thing right now is taking painter's tape and making wall decor with it, and painting different bands of color and then taking off the tape...so it looks like clean cut stripsof color.  They make them in boxes and put smaller pictures in the center, They make then Z shaped across big walls...I've seen them in strips also...thin ones, wide ones. to set the modd in close quarters, staple up Christmas lights in an up and down figuration and over it all put sheer curtains in any color to match yoruwall..when you plug in the lights it gives off an soft glow, then all you need is candles or an row of flowers...it works really well for an elegant dinner party..or for holidays. Just all sorts of ideas out there.   .