About five years ago, I bought jumbo-sized coffee filters. It was only after opening the monster pack that I discovered them to be the size of no coffee maker basket to exist in the Western Hemisphere. Since then, I've been half-heartedly searching for ways to use up these odd-sized filters. I can only wash so many windows (better than paper towels). But now I think I've found a way to use up a few more. I think I'll double up just to be safe.

POTTING PLANTS. When I repot a plant, I put a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot before I dump in the dirt. It prevents dirt from spilling out through the holes but still lets water drain through it. The filter eventually breaks down. For larger pots, I dampen the filter to flatten it and put one over each big hole. -- Jacqui F., Florida

OATMEAL MIX-INS. My daughter and her family love pumpkin pie, so she developed a simple solution to spice up their oatmeal. Add one or two tablespoons of canned pumpkin per serving to the pan with the oatmeal and water, along with a little brown sugar and some pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon to taste. Cook or microwave as usual. -- Karen S., New Hampshire

CUTTING-BOARD TRICK. Placing a damp dishcloth or towel under your cutting board will keep it from slipping on the kitchen counter. It also will cut down on the chopping noise! -- Emily M., Louisiana

SNOW SHIELD.

Use the same sun shield that you use to keep your car cool in the summer to protect your windshield from snow in the winter. Put the sun shield on the outside of your windshield, and use your windshield wipers to hold it in place. Now you won't have to worry about brushing snow and ice off your front windshield on a snowy day! -- Jessica H., Colorado

CREATIVE CARDS. Instead of buying expensive greeting cards, I make my own. I make copies of photographs and paste them on card stock. They are much more personal, and everyone loves getting them. You can be as creative as you want. -- Cheryl M., Michigan

CRAYON BOX. My kids like to color to pass the time whenever we have an extended wait at restaurants or doctors' offices. To keep crayons from coming loose in my purse or diaper bag, I bought a hard plastic travel container for bars of soap for about a buck. The crayons fit perfectly. The container stays shut and is crushproof, and I can divide the crayons between the lid and the box, so each child has his own "set," minimizing squabbles. -- Melanie, Missouri

Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living" and "Tiptionary 2." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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