Not-so-lazy Susan has many uses
I like the first tip, which shares a creative reuse for a Lazy Susan. They make great organizing solutions. Use an old Lazy Susan for your household cleaners, children's art supplies or when serving meals that have a lot of toppings such as tacos, salads, sundaes, condiments, appetizers or baked potatoes.
Easy organizing: I had one of those over-the-shower-nozzle-organizer things, but did not need it in the bathroom at my new place because that shower had built-in shelves. So instead, I hung it on the wall near my vanity with a hook, and I use it to hold stuff like hair spray, lotion, etc. It even has two little "hooks" at the bottom (presumably for a washcloth), but I use those to hang my scrunchies. It helps me to keep my bathroom counter clutter-free.
I also had a plastic Lazy Susan that I wasn't using in the kitchen, so I used it at my desk instead. I have several tins used as penholders - one for pens, one for highlighters, one for pencils and one for markers. This way I can "spin" the Lazy Susan for whatever I need at the moment.
Cheri T., North Carolina
Recycle: We used to donate our glass bottles to the local college, which had glassblowing classes.
Judi, New Hampshire
Salmon flavor: Salmon tastes delicious in a skillet with low-sodium soy sauce and pancake syrup.
Kim S., e-mail
Bring your own: Take your own containers to the grocery store for produce, butcher meat and deli items. I have done this for a long time at our food co-op here (it doesn't provide containers, so you have to bring your own), and I finally wondered what they would think if I did it in the regular supermarket. So over the winter, I started taking my own containers to the regular supermarket, and no one has batted an eye. The deli girl made a comment one day, about what a great idea it was.
Sarah, Illinois
Cheaper deli meat: To save a lot of money on deli ham, I wait for the holidays to roll around when ham is a staple (Christmas and Easter). I have a whole boneless ham shaved, and I freeze it in one-pound packages. We always have ham for sandwiches, omelets and other stuff. Deli meat is really expensive nowadays, and this cuts the cost well over half.
Cheryl, Michigan
Frugal closet: We live in a tiny ranch, and there just is not enough room for basic living things or storage things, let alone to stockpile stuff. I found a way to make our space work for us. In one room (a former dining room), I lined a wall with a bank of shelves and other storage stuff. It's a mishmash of storage stuff - a bookcase, a storage shelf, a plastic wardrobe - but it does not matter because I purchased a curtain cable from IKEA. It connects wall to wall. I then took long sheets and made a floor-to-ceiling curtain (same color as the walls) and hung it on curtain cable. Everything blends nicely. I did the same in one of the bedrooms - an instant closet!
Polly, Pennsylvania
• Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (frugalvillage.com). Send tips, comments or questions to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or sara@frugalvillage.com.