Author: Bruce and Jeanne Lubin
Bruce and Jeanne Lubin
Bruce Lubin and Jeanne Bossolina-Lubin are the proud parents of three boys and more than a dozen books. After saving thousands per year using everyday tips and simple lifehacks, they started their own business in the hopes of sharing their knowledge with others. They have been known to go into their friends' refrigerators to turn their eggs upside down so that they last longer.
Hold Steady Feeling dizzy? Stop what you’re doing and hold still! Focus your attention on a single spot, anything from a crack in the wall to your own hand. In a few minutes, your inner ear will regain equilibrium and you’ll feel better. Ginger As any person who has suffered a bout of dizziness knows, nausea is often an unwanted side effect. Fortunately, there’s a natural solution: ginger! The next time you get that spinning sensation, chew on a fresh piece of ginger, a ginger candy, or drink a cup of ginger tea. It will focus your attention on the…
Wonders of Witch Hazel The astringency of witch hazel makes it a wonderful treatment for varicose or spider veins. As a vasoconstrictor, it shrinks and tightens veins; it also serves as an anti-inflammatory and a mild pain reliever. Store a bottle of witch hazel in the refrigerator to chill. When you’re ready, soak a small towel in the cold witch hazel and place on your leg as a compress. No witch hazel on hand? Try apple cider vinegar instead; it’s also an astringent that can constrict your swollen veins and ease soreness and discomfort in the legs. Be patient, though,…
Medicinal Mustard Believe it or not, the yellow mustard in your fridge can help relieve joint pain and even arthritis. Even better, mix up a mustard “plaster” using a quarter cup of flour, two tablespoons of dry (or ground) mustard, and enough water to form a paste. Don’t apply this mixture directly onto your skin, as the heat of the mustard will burn you. Instead, spread the paste onto a cloth, then fold the cloth in half so the mixture is completely concealed. Place the mustard “pack” over your sore knee, and layer another towel on top to add some…
What to Do If Your Candle is Too Big for Your Candlestick Most taper candles are too large to fit into standard candlesticks, so you’ll have to do a little work to ensure your candle fits securely. (Do not light the candle and melt wax into the base—this is messy and dangerous!) First, try placing the bottom of the candle under hot water; this softens the wax and allows it to mold to its new surroundings. If this doesn’t do the trick, whittle down the wax around the base of the candle with a paring knife, checking the fit as…
Quick Way to Make Pants Shorter You’ve bought a great pair of jeans, but they’re too long and you don’t have time to hem them before you need to wear them. Simply fold them up and tape with duct tape. The hem will last the whole night—and maybe even through a couple of washings. This is also a great tip if you’re not sure exactly where you want to hem your pants. Have a “trial run” using the duct tape, and then they’re all ready to sew. Easy Fix for Too-Tight Pants Need to make your pants’ waistline bigger, right…
Ginger for Burns If you sustain a minor burn in the kitchen, reach for some ginger. Cut off the end and press the exposed area against your burn. Many say ginger works even better than a piece of aloe plant at soothing burns. Burn An-Tea-Dote If you’ve burned yourself in the kitchen, help is close by. Researchers at UCLA found that the tannins found in tea can soothe burns in as little as five minutes. After rinsing and cleaning a minor burn, place a cool, wet teabag directly on the area for relief. How to Ease a Burned Mouth Ow!…
Brighten Faded Carpet Brighten faded carpet and rugs by rubbing them down with a rag that has been soaked in salt water, then wrung out. You can also submerge throw rugs and drapes in a solution of salt water, then wash as usual. See also: Home Repair Hacks: How to Fix 5 Impossible Household Problems Carpet Deep-Clean To make super-drity carpet clean again, try this trick in a well-ventilated area: Mix a cup of ammonia with a quart of water. Rub into your carpet (don’t let it get sopping wet) with a damp rag or mop, and let it dry. As…
Aloe to the Rescue Aloe is nature’s best moisturizer. If you have an aloe vera plant, you are in luck. Simply cut off a leaf and gently rub the gel inside the leaf onto those sore blisters. If you don’t have a plant, rummage through your beach bag for a sunburn-soothing aloe product and apply liberally to shingles sores. Baking Soda Itch Soother You know that box of baking soda in the pantry? It’s about to become your new best friend. With just the right amount of water, you can turn that baking soda into a cool paste that takes…
Oatmeal and Brown Sugar Foot Mask This foot mask is almost good enough to eat! In a food processor, pulse together a quarter cup of rolled oats and a quarter cup of brown sugar. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in a quarter cup of honey, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and one tablespoon of olive oil. Divide the mixture into two Ziploc bags, and place your feet in the bags. Massage the paste into the feet, and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Super-Moisturizing Foot Mask If you have extremely dry skin, try this ultra-hydrating overnight…
Mice Hate Mint Mice hate the smell of mint! To get rid of mice in your home, head to the healthfood store and grab some peppermint essential oil. Dab it on cotton balls and place wherever you see the mice. Or, add a few drops to a spray bottle of water and spray around your home each day to keep mice away. DIY Rodent Spray It won’t surprise you if you’ve ever smelled them, but mothballs repel rodents, too. To use them to get rid of mice or rats around your home, place five of them in a Ziploc bag…