- TIGHTWAD TIPS #6 -

Christmas Wrap in a Zap
Christmas wrap can be a pain when you just need a small amount of wrapping paper. Here's a way to organize smaller amounts of paper.  Next time you finish a roll of aluminum foil, plastic wrap or waxed paper, save the container and use it for wrapping paper.  Size and cut a roll of wrapping paper to fit the old foil container and now you have a handy cutting dispenser for wrapping smaller gifts. Remember also, if you're hard-up for fancy wrapping paper, you can always use aluminum foil. It's expensive, but really good in an emergency.  Wait to purchase wrapping paper after Christmas on mark-down sales and buy generic paper that can be used for any seasonal occasion, such as birthdays, weddings, and baby showers. Tip courtesy: lovemybird@aol.com

Sock-It-To-You Savings Bank
Here's an easy project that teaches the value of spare change.   Grab an old sock that you've repaired for any holes.  Get a lid from a can of juice concentrate, a large paperclip and a nylon rope or old broken nylon shoelace. Using a permanent marker draw a 1+3/4 inch capitol "I" in the center of the lid and place a small inverted capitol "T" at the center top to the right of the "I". Next place the lid on an unopened Sunday paper resting on a sturdy work bench. Using a sharp utility knife, CAREFULLY cut into the "I" pattern using a scissor motion with the knife.  If you slip, you may cut yourself, so protect the area with thick paper and wear protective gloves.  Next punch-cut the marked small "T".  Using a pair of pliers, fold back the sharp metal tabs of the "I" to form a rectangular opening. Next take the large paperclip and cut it at one end so you can form a small ring when one of the ends is twisted together.  Insert the half-clip into the "T" cutout and twist the clip to form a ring. Next get an 8" length of nylon shoelace and melt the ends together. Do this by starting both ends on fire and putting them together.  Do this in a safe location and put both ends together on a cold smooth surface such as a metal vice, porcelain basin or a smooth cement floor.  Don't touch the burning nylon or you'll seriously burn your fingers.  When cool, the shoelace should be solidly connected into a circle. Now take the sock and feed about four inches through the lid's rectangle "mouth".  Now fold the sock over the outside of the lid and push the nice end of the paperclip ring through the sock material.  Loop the shoelace circle into the paperclip so as to form a rope holder for the whole sock to hang on a door or dresser knob. Lay out the whole sock and draw by making a small line of glue.  Spell out a name or title such as "Bob's Bank,"  Vacation Fund" or "Fast-food Fund" on the outside of the "sock bank."  Quickly sprinkle glitter over the glue and let the glue set.  Brush off the excess glitter and save it for later.  Now all you need to do is add some spare change!