THURSDAY TIPS
* What’s on sale in November? Try for good deals on shoes, boys clothing, blankets and pre-Christmas sales. They start earlier and earlier each year. Also, look for deals on cooking and serving pieces just before and after Thanksgiving.
* Clean your coffee carafe regularly by scrubbing with soap and water. Run a descaler or a mix of vinegar and water through the brewer to clean out the reserve tank. Follow with a plain water rinse.
* Need an egg substitute in a pinch? Mix a teaspoon of vinegar with a teaspoon of cornstarch. Making a recipe with rise? You could also use baking soda in place of the cornstarch.
* Use aluminum foil on the back side of your radiator coils to reflect heat back into the room. One easy way to do this is to measure a piece of cardboard to fit the space behind the radiator. Then wrap the cardboard with aluminum foil and place behind the coils.
* “Great gravy is only a plastic bag away! This is my great tip for separating the fat from pan drippings to make gravy. I take a quart-size plastic bag and set it in a glass measuring cup. Pour the pan drippings through a strainer, right into the bag. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and the fat will separate to the top. Seal the bag, and snip a small hole in a bottom corner, drain the liquid into a saucepan to make gravy. It’s that easy.”
— T.C. in Idaho
* Give your loose tea a boost of flavor by adding a dried orange or lemon peel to the tea tin. It will impart a delightful citrus flavor the longer it’s in the tin.
* “When grandparents live out of town, set up a phone call between them and your kids a week or so before visiting. They can talk about what the kids might like to do. It gives the grandparents time to prepare, and it gives kids a chance to build excitement before the trip.”
— G.R. in Ohio
* If you have cloudy glassware, you can try to bring it back to clear with a vinegar soak. Warm vinegar in the microwave and fill the glass or soak in a tub.
* “Line the inside of a closet door with a fabricbacked memo board. They are great for tucking in pictures and notes. I use one in my office closet solely for storing business cards for contacts. It’s easy to see them and to grab one if I need it.”
— A.V. in Massachusetts
* Smelly dog bed? It’s baking soda to the rescue. Simply shake baking soda liberally on the surface of your pet’s pillows. Rub or brush into the fabric. Let it sit while you vacuum your carpets and tidy up, then use the wand attachment to vacuum it up.
* A nuisance paper cut can be sealed up with regular household glue. Just dab a bit on the cleaned and dried papercut, and let it dry.
Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.