Back again we go to tips and tricks around the house and more. I hope these items help you in your daily living.

To remove crayon marks, spray with WD-40 and wipe off with a cloth. It can be used on clean walls, wood chairs, vinyl, hardwood and ceramic floors, table top, trash cans and refrigerator doors, according to www.ourfamilyporch.blogspot.com. Be sure to check a small spot first to make sure the paint won't be affected on the surface. The website notes that the tip is for regular crayons and not for the water-based crayons. "Also, I do not recommend this for material; but if you do use it for that, you can use dish soap to remove the grease spot from the cloth," said the site.

Beingfrugal.net encouraged readers to buy enough of a sale item to last for 12 weeks. "That's about how long sales take to cycle," said the site.

The same website also encouraged consumers to get creative with leftovers to save on their grocery bills. "Concoct new recipes so nothing is wasted," said the site.

When you're traveling, take a snacks and bottles of water with you. That way you won't be tempted to stop for fast food or drinks that can add up, especially if there are several traveling with you. On top of that, it is healthier too.

Beingfrugal.net also said that you should coast when you see a red light ahead instead of hitting the brakes, saving you money on gas, brake pads and accessories. Make sure the situation merits doing so safely. The site also encouraged turning your car off at red lights that were longer than most. You can end up saving on more gas. 

As the cooler temperatures set in, look for ways to keep your home warm without running out all your fuel or spending a bundle on electricity. One way is to turn down the thermostat or turn it off. Beingfrugal.net said to use candles in the room to raise the temperature. "A set of little tea candles goes a long way," said the site. 

If you have good cell phone service where you live, there is no need to have a cell phone and a land-line phone. So, look at the benefits of getting rid of your land-line and using your cell phone only. That can save you a considerable amount of money.

If you live in an apartment, talk to your neighbors about splitting the cost of a wireless connection. You should probably check with the service provider first to make sure it is legal.

Use nightlights that only come on when its dark. Also be sure to use nightlights in the bathroom so if you have to use the bathroom at night, you don't have to turn on the light.

Going back to beingfrugal.net, the site says to keep your freezer full. "If you have to, put milk jugs filled with water in the freezer," said the site. "It's less expensive to keep a full freezer cold than an empty one."

When you get home from work, you should change into your "around the house" clothes so that you can keep good clothes looking good. That way you won't have to replace your clothes as frequently.

Re-use jewelry when you can. If you have a pair of earrings and you lose one of them, then just put the other one on a chain and wear it as a necklace. This will work for some jewelry, but not all. 

Store batteries in the refrigerator to make them last longer. 

Reuse things. Plastic grocery bags can be used as lunch bags, shoe bags, laundry bags on vacation and even trash bags in smaller trash cans. They can also be used to get items you need out of the house quickly, such as bad food or kitty litter.

If you boil eggs or pasta, after the water cools down, instead of pouring it down the sink, use it to water your plants. This is an especially good idea for those who have to pay for their water, and it's a good idea anyway to conserve as much water as you can. Water from hard-boiled eggs adds calcium to your soil and is great for tomatoes. Water from boiled pasta is better for outdoor plants. 

As always, tell us how you save money and keep your budget intact. E-mail heather@mountaintimes.com or write to us at PO Box 327, West Jefferson, NC 28694. For more information, call us at (336) 246-6397.