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This column was originally published in 2018.

Well, you’ve done it again! You clever readers have come up with another batch of fabulous ways that you save time and money every day!

AUTO CLEANER. Use plain old baking soda on a damp rag to remove bugs, tar and anything else from your vehicle. Works great, even on the grill and chrome work. Leaves no residue or odor and won’t harm the paint. I just make a paste with baking soda and water, clean away and just rinse off.

Works better than any commercial product I’ve tried. This method even cleans away the cloudy film on headlight covers.

CUSTOM FLOOR MATS. I wanted floor mats for our minivan, so I stopped by our local car dealership. Boy, was I floored (pardon the pun). I checked a discount department store and, while their mats were priced more reasonably, they didn’t fit well.

I found a perfect solution by buying clear plastic runner material that is available by the yard at the home improvement center. With a utility knife, I customized the fit around the seat hardware. This saved a lot of money and works beautifully.

FRIDGE DEODORIZER. Used coffee grinds can eliminate even the worst refrigerator odors. I store kimchee (Korean pickled cabbage with a distinct odor) in my refrigerator regularly, and I don’t smell it anymore! Simply take out the used coffee filter with the coffee grinds in it and place it in your refrigerator in an open container.

It works better than baking soda or any other commercial remedy. I’ve tried them all. Just replace the coffee grinds when they dry up.

CURB HUNGER FIRST. I am a grocery store checker, and trust me when I say never do your shopping when you are hungry! I can easily pick the hungry shoppers from the rest. Not only do they buy more stuff when they arrive hungry, their carts are full of junk food.

If you can’t eat before you get to the store, grab a roll or cookie from the bakery before you start your shopping.

HIDE THE SCRATCH. Here’s a great way to hide scratches on wood furniture. First, soak the scratch with a bit of water to open the wood. Select a crayon that is as close to the right color as possible. Apply the waxy substance to the scratch; rub it in well with a soft cloth and then buff.

CAMPUS HEALTH CARE. Part of most college student fees goes toward student health services. The service can include unlimited visits with doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses, routine lab work, x-rays, pharmacy, health education, orthopedics, HIV and STD testing.

Low-cost services include travel immunizations, flu shots, discounted prescriptions and CPR and First Aid classes. Have your college student check out their campus student health services.

SECRET SPICES. I keep a bag of frozen chopped spinach in the freezer. I add a handful to spaghetti sauce, ground beef, pizza sauce, fettuccine etc. I tell my kids it’s spices. They eat it up as long as I’m careful not to overdo it. They actually miss the “spices” when I forget.

Mary Hunt, founder of www.EverydayCheapskate.com, writes this column for Creators Syndicate. Submit comments, tips or questions on her website. She will answer topics of general interest via this column, but letters cannot be answered individually.

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