It's probably not fair that I get to select the winner of our Tip of the Month contest. But hey, someone has to do it, and no one loves time saving and money-saving tips more than I do. To understand my selection this month, you need to know that, for the first time, I'm growing onions. And not in my garden, but in a big pot on the patio right outside the kitchen. What fun! I have scallions like you wouldn't believe, and foolishly I pull the whole onion out when I need just a bit of the green part. I'm depleting my crop quickly. But now I have options. Read on, and you'll understand my excitement.

AUGUST TIP-OF-THE-MONTH WINNER. If you don't use the white ends of your green onions, plant just that part in dirt or a glass of water, and they will regrow the green ends -- fast. In my experience, it has been at least an inch a day! I always have them on hand, and at $1 a bunch, I also am saving money. -- Amanda R., Washington

ORGANIZED MED CABINET. I found a great way to organize my first-aid and medicine cabinet. I bought several small plastic boxes and labeled them with the contents (bandages, ointments, etc.). Then I took a permanent marker and listed the name and expiration date for each medicine in large numerals on the plastic container so I easily could see when one needed to be replaced. The boxes are tidy in my linen closet, and it's easy to find what is needed if someone has a cough or a cut. -- Rebecca H., e-mail

CLOSET FIX. If you have wooden rods in your closet and the hangers don't slide easily, put some paste wax on the rod, and rub it in. Let it dry, and the hangers will slide smoothly. -- Gail, Nevada

NEW USE FOR OLD POTHOLDER. I recently replaced a worn quilted mitt-type potholder with a new one. As I was throwing the old one in the trash, it dawned on me that it would be perfect for applying furniture polish on my tables. Who cares if it's a bit tattered and stained? -- Tena F., e-mail

EASY FRENCH TOAST. My French toast kept sticking to the frying pan and tore when I turned it over. Then my waffle iron caught my eye, so I plugged it in. When it was hot, I oiled both the top and bottom plates and put in the next piece of French toast. When it quit steaming, I was pleasantly surprised to find a puffy piece of French toast, ready for butter and topping. -- Sonya, e-mail

Want to enter next month's Tip of the Month contest? Send your tips to mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. If we choose you as the winner, you'll get a free one-year membership to Debt-Proof Living online.

Mary Hunt is the founder of 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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