Money Saving

Cheap Source for Quality LED Lightbulbs and More Great Reader Tips

shieldMary Hunt calendar_todayFeb 12, 2022 updateUpdated Jun 15, 2026 schedule8 min read verifiedFact-checked
Cheap Source for Quality LED Lightbulbs and More Great Reader Tips

Not all companies are starving for business these days. In fact, some are setting records for growth. Any kind of repair business is doing great during these economically turbulent times.

energy-saving-led-light-bulbs

Makes sense. After all, it doesn’t require a Mensa membership to know that most often it is cheaper to repair than to replace. And how about those dollar stores! If you can separate the good stuff from junk, it’s likely you’ll discover lots of ways to spend less.

This leads me to today’s first in a fun collection of my readers’ great money-saving tips, tricks, and bright ideas!

LED light bulbs

Another dollar store item you can buy cheaper without sacrificing quality: LED light bulbs! I got this tip from a man who works at my town’s Home Energy Audit office. According to this expert, the quality is equal to those found at Home Depot and Lowe’s, but so much cheaper. I now keep a stash of bulbs from my local 99 Cents Only store. Other dollar stores stock them, too. Jan

Windshield repair

Call your insurance agent to report a small crack in your car’s windshield. Many insurance companies will fix cracks or “stars” for free, provided they’re smaller in size than a quarter, in order to prevent larger claims in the future. Some companies will even send a repair person to your home or work to make it convenient for you. Mark

DIY drinkable yogurt

I love drinkable yogurt, but it’s expensive, and in my opinion, too sweet. I discovered it’s easy to make your own. All you need is a blender.

Equal parts:

  • fruit-flavored yogurt (I use a single serving of Chobani peach and then use the container to measure everything else.)
  • plain Greek yogurt
  • milk (cow’s or nut, whatever kind you like)
  • frozen, fresh, or canned fruit (I use peaches I froze this summer)

Blend it all up and then store it in an appropriate container (I use an empty milk bottle) in the refrigerator. Shake well before use. This makes a healthy drinkable yogurt that is not nearly as sweet. For sweeter yogurt, add two containers of flavored yogurt instead of plain. Ceil

Sunglass readers

I bought some sunglasses from the fishing department at Walmart—magnifying glasses used for tying fishline. They are very similar to traditional over-the-counter “readers.” I love them and they work great while reading a book in the sun. Cecelia

Cord corral

To corral a group of cords under your desk or behind a TV, buy a plastic shower rod cover (dollar store, Walmart, Target, or online). Cut it to your desired length. Then spread it open and enclose the cords. You can even match it to your carpet color to make the cords less visible. Maggie

Fresh scent

Scented candle stubs from used candles will keep your car smelling fresh. Put the wax pieces in a can or a small container and leave them in your car, under a seat. On a warm day, the wax will melt and fill the car with a nice fragrance. Tricia

Fire station fun

Throw an affordable children’s birthday party at your local fire station. Some stations allow their facilities, including the kitchen, to be used for parties for only a small donation to a local charity. At our station, parties are supervised by firemen and may include a tour and a chance to sit in a fire truck. Rick

Drapery closer

Bring a large binder clip when traveling. Hotel drapes will never completely close without one, no matter what! (You’ve got a better chance of winning a carnival prize than you do of getting a set of hotel drapes to overlap enough to shut out the light.) A big hair clip, a chip clip or even a small clip can also do the job. Keep it with your other toiletries and essentials. Zzzzz’s will then be a breeze without that band of light stabbing you in the eye! And should you forget? Look in the hotel closet for a “pants hanger,” the kind with two clothespins attached. Don’t remove them, but use those clips with the hanger attached to clip the drapes closed! Name withheld

Reuse mousepads

If you have more mousepads than you know what to do with, use them for other things around the house.

  • They are great furniture protectors for indoor clay flower pots. Just cut the pad to fit the size of the pot
  • Cut a pad into 4-inch squares for drink coasters
  • Use it as a hot pad to protect your table from high-temperature scars.
  • Leave a clean mouse pad in the kitchen for opening stubborn bottles and jars

Silver cleaner

To clean tarnished silver flatware, line the bottom of a large dish with aluminum foil. Sprinkle a heaping tablespoon of baking soda on the foil and pour about an inch of boiling water into the dish. Place the silver pieces on the foil, under the water. The tarnish will disappear as long as each silver piece is touching the foil. Susan

Squeaky clean

Clean the inside of your dishwasher with two packets of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid. Pour the packets of Kool-Aid into each of the dishwasher’s detergent cups and run it empty on the longest and hottest cycle available. Lemon Kool-Aid is loaded with citric acid, just what you need to remove soap residue and hard water minerals that collect inside the dishwasher. Katie

Good to the last bit

When you get to the bottom of the cereal bag and there is still a significant amount of cereal but you don’t want all that cereal powder in your bowl, pour it all into a colander. Shake the powder out and pour the cereal into your bowl! Nothing wasted! Jane

Refill foam pump

I put 25 drops of liquid soap in the empty foaming hand soap container and slowly fill the remainder with cold water. Screw the pump back on and shake well. Perfect consistency. The best for refilling are Dial foam pump. I’ve tried all and these last the longest. Soaking the pump in white vinegar once a month will increase its lifespan. Kath

 

 Everyday Cheapskate participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

 

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More from Everyday Cheapskate

June prep to save time and money this summer beach ball in pool

What I Prep Once in June to Save Time and Money All Summer

The 10-Minute Nighttime Reset That Cools Down Your House

woman grocery shopping pushing cart with apples and cauliflower

How to Read a Grocery Store Sale Cycle (And Stop Overpaying)

Father's Day activities on a budget dad and daughter pointing up to clouds in the blue sky

What to Do on Father’s Day: 30 Ideas He’ll Love

keeping laundry white

How to Keep White Clothes Actually White (Yes, It’s Possible)

bowl of salad how to keep greens and lettuce from wilting and getting slimey

The Best Way to Store Salad Greens and Keep Them Fresh

bright contemporary kitchen how to fix a smelly kitchen sink drain

How to Get Rid of a Smelly Kitchen Sink Drain for Good

hurricane season prep warning sign with dark cloudy sky in background

Hurricane Prep on a Budget: What You Actually Need Before June 1

how to honor and remember memorial day flags in grass

Memorial Day Activities: How to Honor the Fallen



Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines



Caught yourself reading all the way 'til the end? Why not share with a friend.

Originally published at everydaycheapskate.com.

Share This Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
M
Written & reviewed by

Mary Hunt

Our editorial team researches and verifies every money-saving guide before publishing. Editorial policy · About us

Related Articles

More in Money Saving arrow_forward
Share Your Upside Referrals Here
Money Saving

Share Your Upside Referrals Here

Jun 15, 2026
Best Credit Cards For…
Money Saving

Best Credit Cards For…

Jun 15, 2026
Chase Freedom Review – 5% Cash Back On Rotating Categories
Money Saving

Chase Freedom Review – 5% Cash Back On Rotating Categories

Jun 15, 2026
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Allow". learn more Allow