Hibachi Xpress

1. Zippers sticking? Rub the edge with a bar of soap.

2. When washing clothes, add the detergent to the water. Pouring detergent directly on clothing can cause fabrics to fade.

3. Tired of storing cords and having them get all messed up? Use an empty toilet paper roll to put the cords in to keep neat and write on the roll what the cord belongs to.

4. I love candles, so to make them last longer I put in the freezer for at least 3 hours before burning to make them last longer. Hate getting out the melted wax when the candle is finished burning? Put the candle holder upside down in the freezer for a few hours and the remains will pop right out!

5. This will also work for pantyhose. Freeze your pantyhose before you wear them to make them last longer. Simply wet, wring out, place in a plastic bag and toss in freezer. Hang to thaw

6. Saving money can be easy! Cut in half your cotton balls in the bathroom, your SOS pads & sponges in the kitchen.

7. Got a boo-boo cut and the blood stained your clothes? Use a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and wipe the fabric till gone!

8. Scented candles are expensive. Try this instead. Spray just a touch of perfume on a light bulb to give your room a nice scent when the light is turned on.

9. Need to get wrinkles out fast? Wet a washcloth and toss in the dryer with the wrinkled item

10. Need to freshen up the scent of your clothes stored away? Put a fabric softener sheet in your drawers to make your clothes smell April Fresh!

11. Are you kids budding artists and write on the walls with crayons? Dip a damp cloth in baking soda to get the marks off walls. Rubbing alcohol on a paper towel will help get permanent markers off appliances and counter tops.

12. Don’t toss away those skillets that have burnt food on them. Put a few drops of dish soap with water to cover the bottom then bring to a boil to remove.

13. Hate those stains on your plastic ware? Spray with nonstick cooking spray before putting any red sauce.

14. Kids got a splinter? Don’t use a needle, try scotch tape! Put the tape over the splinter and pull off. It should remove the splinter with no pain.

15. I hate mosquito bites! Put rubbing alcohol or vinegar on the bite to help the itch go away. Vick’s Vaporub on your lets will ward of f ticks. Also try a combination of ½ pure vanilla and ½ water for a mosquito and tick repellant. Lavender also works, put some pure lavender oil on your pulse points when outside.

16. Tired of cooking and need a healthy meal fast? Go straight to Hibachi Xpress and feed an entire family within’ your budget.

Raleigh’s coldest month is January when the average temperature overnight is 29.6°F. Here are some frugal ways to stay warm this winter.

• Let in some light. Open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to let in the sun. Close them in the evening to add a bit more insulation. This provides just enough mid-day warmth that we don’t need the heater.
• Use rugs on bare floors. Do you have hardwood floors above a poorly-insulated basement? These floors are cold in the morning and the late afternoon. An area rug does a fine job of keeping feet warmer.
• Block drafts. This is best done with weather-stripping or other forms of insulation, but even a blanket in front of a door helps. If your house is old and nothing is level it can be difficult to install weather stripping. By laying a blanket in front of the door, you can mitigate some of the heat loss. Also add weather-strip along the lower horizontal edge of windows where they meets the sill
• Add polystyrene insulation to interior of garage overhead door if applicable
• Use space heaters. According to Michael Bluejay’s energy guide, this is the single best way to save money on electricity. A radiator-type oil heater uses a lot of power, but not nearly as much as a furnace. They take a while to get warm, but once they’re going, they can heat a small space cheaply.
• Bundle up. Cold-weather clothes: long underwear, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves. Some days just bundle up and turn down the heat. It’s cozy. And don’t forget: house slippers go a long way to keeping you warm!
• Install a programmable thermostat. They’re easy to install and an excellent way to cut your heating costs. You can set it for 54 at night and when we’re gone during the day.
• Use an electric blanket. There’s no need to heat the entire house when you’re asleep. There’s no need to even heat the bedroom. An electric blanket is cheaper and cozier. (A blanket with dual-controls is best.) Also try a down comforter and flannel bottom sheet to keep you cozy at night.
• Change the furnace filter. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder, decreasing its efficiency, increasing heating costs. Change the furnace filter at the start of the season, and once every month or two thereafter.
• Close unused rooms. Do not heat them. This winter, close off the guest room and shut the heater vent. That room is now separate from the rest of the house. It stays cold, but there’s no reason to keep it warm.
• Add insulation. By adding just a little more insulation to the attic and crawlspace subfloor could save far more money than what the insulation costs!
• Insulate your water heater. This is an easy and good way to save money
• Close your foundation vents and seal them with polystyrene foam
• Seal around the attic pull-down with weather-strip

These steps can reduce your heating costs immediately. In the long term, your best bet is to make sure your home is properly insulated. You should also check that your heat source is efficient, and that you’re not losing heat in unintended locations.