The blog about saving money

In February 2010, the Features Department of the Charlotte got a letter from someone who used an ATM envelope as their own personal stationery. Whoa.

We figured there were a lot of super-frugal people out there who had money-saving tips and asked readers to send them in for a week-long series called "I'm So Cheap."

It was so popular, several people wrote to say we should keep going. We listened, and it became a regular feature in Saturday's Home section. We eventually changed the name to "I'm So Clever," because many of you objected to being called 'cheap.' Being thrifty, 'green' or just plain smart doesn't make you 'cheap,' several of you said. Fair enough.

No we've added an online conversation. Send your clever ideas for what we could do here and ways to expand conversation. For instance. I'm thinking readers looking for help with a problem could use this forum to get answers from others. I know there are better ideas out there. After all, you're the clever ones. To be eligible for the $10 Lowe's card, email tips to clever@charlotteobserver.com
And, of course, we'll continue publishing them in the paper, and running more tips right here.

Here's one from Ruth Hart in Mint Hill:
Baking season is here and you come accross several recipes for small amounts of vegatable oil. Save a dishwasher soap container/ clean very well / fill with vegatable oil and label. Since it has the small opening it is very easy to measure small quantities without handling a large bottle.



Roland Wilkerson