Save money with these clever tips

The winner: Along with a salt shaker on my kitchen table, I have a sugar shaker to use on cereal, fruit, etc. I distributes the sugar more evenly than a spoon and greatly cuts down on the amount used! Mary Tuner, Morganton
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Use mesh bags at farmers markets
Now that farmers markets are opening again, I save the mesh bags from buying lemons, etc. and use them when buying produce. They’re lightweight, breathable, and I don’t have to use the regular plastic bags. Jean Konitzer, Shelby.
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Clever trick for garden and amusing the neighbors
Grab your old hula hoop out of storage for a new use in the garden. The arc in the hoop makes a perfect edging guide for planting trees and installing flower beds. When you’re done, you may not be able to resist giving the hula hoop a shake or two with your hips! Debbie Isaacs, Cornelius
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Double doodie for Observer bags
The plastic sleeve that keeps the paper dry also makes a great bag for scooping while walking my dogs. This gives the bag a second purpose and saves on buying other bags. I feel that I’m doing a little more for the environment when I reuse the Observer bags.
Melissa Mason Cornelius,
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Share your ideas
Win a $10 credit on an Observer Deal Saver deal for your smart or frugal tip Send your tip, name, address and phone to clever@charlotteobserver.com or Home Section, Charlotte Observer, P.O Box 30308, Charlotte, NC 28230-0308.

Money-saving tips from Clever people in Charlotte

This week's winner:  The top of our kitchen cabinets, especially over the stove, obtain a layer of sticky grease over time that is next to impossible to remove. To avoid the build-up, I place a layer of waxed paper down on top of the cabinets with small stones on the corners to eliminate movement from air conditioning or heat vents. The waxed paper is easy to remove and replace. Marcia Brashear, Concord. 
Garbage bag dragging trick
When our 60-gallon bags get too heavy with wet leaves, it is difficult transporting them down our long concrete driveway. To avoid splitting the bottoms, we give them a “ride” on a flat garbage can cover. It’s more controllable than a dolly. A child’s sleighing disk would work as well. Judy Quattlander, Charlotte
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Clothes pins make nifty chip clips
At Wal-Mart, bag clips cost $4-$5 for a pack of 4. I went to the household aisle and grabbed a 99-cent bag of 40 clothespins. They are useful for everything! Brandi Sanchez, Charlotte
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Milk jug is great bag dispenser
I repurpose a plastic gallon milk jug into a receptacle for plastic grocery bags. Cut a circular hole in the side and stuff your bags inside. It holds a ton of them and you can just grab them one at a time. Great for used kitty litter.
Margaret Barnes, Lake Wylie
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Lampshade dusting trick
To dust lamp shades. I used a clothing lint roller, and all of the dust came off. This worked with my finest silk shades, and they look like new. Sue Huffman, Hickory.


Share your ideas
New Prize:Win a $10 credit on an Observer Deal Saver deal with your smart or frugal tip. Send your tip, name, address and phone to clever@charlotteobserver.com or Home Section, Charlotte Observer, P.O Box 30308, Charlotte, NC 28230-0308.