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Dollars & Sense columnist John Ewoldt searches the Twin Cities and beyond for bargains and strategies to spare you time, money and hassles.
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Clever, cheap ideas to make life easier
Posted by: John Ewoldt under Food and drink Updated: December 13, 2011 - 8:18 AM
Here are some great tips from my friend Ken, who saw this in the Daily Buzz. There are more tips at the Buzz, but here are some of the best. I still can't figure out how to fold a fitted sheet tho. Feel free to add your own.
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 Why didn’t I think of that?! We guarantee you’ll be uttering those words more than once at these ingenious little tips, tricks and ideas that solve everyday problems … some you never knew you had! (Above: hull strawberries easily using a straw).
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Rubbing a walnut over scratches in your furniture will disguise dings and scrapes.
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 Via: unplggd.comRemove crayon masterpieces from your TV or computer screen with WD40 (also works on walls).
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Stop cut apples browning in your child’s lunch box by securing with a rubber band.
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Overhaul your linen cupboard – store bedlinen sets inside one of their own pillowcases and there will be no more hunting through piles for a match.
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 Via: realsimple.comPump up the volume by placing your iPhone / iPod in a bowl – the concave shape amplifies the music.
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Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags.
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Add this item to your beach bag. Baby powder gets sand off your skin easily – who knew?!
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 Via: realsimple.comAttach a velcro strip to the wall to store soft toys.
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 Via: flickr.comLook up! Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor.
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Gotcha! Find tiny lost items like earrings by putting a stocking over the vacuum hose.
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 Via: realsimple.comMake an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box lid.
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 Via: stephmodo.comFor those who can’t stand the scrunching and bunching: how to perfectly fold a fitted sheet.
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Forever losing your bathroom essentials? Use magnetic strips to store bobby pins (and tweezers and clippers) behind a vanity door
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 Via: realsimple.comA tip for holiday packing. Store shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes. And you can find them in just about every hotel!
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 Via:familyfun.go.comA muffin pan becomes a craft caddy. Magnets hold the plastic cups down to make them tip-resistant.
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 Via: unplggd.comBread tags make the perfect-sized cord labels.
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 Via: kiboomu.comBake cupcakes directly in ice-cream cones – so much more fun and easier for kids to eat. Definitely doing this!
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 Via: squawkfox.comMicrowave your own popcorn in a plain brown paper bag. Much healthier and cheaper than the packet stuff.
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 Via:photobucket.comBrilliant space-saver: install a tension rod to hang your spray bottles. Genius!
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 Via: 9gag.comWin friends at breakfast with this heart-shaped egg tutorial. Aww shucks!
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 Via: wilton.comTurn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough over the top and voila – you have cookie bowls for fruit or ice-cream. Click here for recipe.
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 Via: realsimple.comFreeze Aloe Vera in ice-cube trays for soothing sunburn relief.
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Gutter garden: Create a window-box veggie patch using guttering.
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 Via: re-nest.comUse egg cartons to separate and store your Christmas decorations.
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