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.


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