Tip Tuesday: 50 Low-Cost Tasks To Do On Public Transportation

Buses and trains consume large chunks of my day, but I've learned to make commuting time pay by carrying out creative, practical and meditative tasks.

It's possible to get more mileage out of the day, by using commuting time to the fullest. I've studied other public transportation riders, and here are some activities I've witnessed:

1. Plan a daily or weekly agenda


2. Read a book


3. Read newspapers or magazines


4. Recycle newspapers, magazines and books (i.e. leave reading material on the seat for another rider.)


5. Sit and stare (My favorite form of meditation.)


6. Listen to music


7. Work on a laptop


8. Watch a movie or television show on a laptop or portable DVD player


9. Write in a journal


10. Write a short poem or fiction


11. Play music on a guitar or violin


12. Chew gum


13. Sleep


14. Work on crossword puzzles, word games or number challenges


15. Settle an argument, emote or cry (catharsis)


16. Check e-mail


17. Write an e-mail


18. Send a text message


19. Talk loudly on a cell phone


20. Talk quietly on a cell phone


21. Use sign language


22. Eat


23. Drink coffee


24. Play video games


25. Apply makeup


26. Study for an exam


27. Proofread work assignments


28. Do homework


29. Pray


30. People watch


31. Make new friends


32. Sight see


33. Provide travel advice for out-of-town visitors


34. Sell socks, jewelry, candy and other small items


35. Purchase socks, jewelry or candy


36. Prepare for a meeting


37. Check travel arrangements


38. Study fellow passengers


39. Exercise (One passenger used an overhead bar to do chin ups.)


40. Practise deep-breathing exercises


41. Take a guided-mental meditation trip


42. Read advertisements, public service announcements and other posted material


43. Study the real estate market


44. Take children on a frugal tour of the city or region


45. Learn a language


46. Practise a speech or presentation


47. Network with other professionals


48. Campaign for a cause, charity or political issue


49. Give charity


50. Plan meals for the week

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How to Organize Your Desk Cheaply

It's frugal to be organized because disorganization can cost time and money. But complex (and often expensive) organizational systems don't really work for me. The maze of color-coded files, in-out boxes and other structures overwhelm my brain. But these desk-top fixes from Better Home and Garden's Storage magazine don't seem complicated or expensive.



Here are a few cheap fixes for the desk:


1) Buy a pre-fab shoe house. Those little cardboard or wooden cubbies made for holding shoes in your closet are great for segregating and organizing office supplies, desk appliances (small clock, stapler, etc) and other office tools.


2) Use a Lazy Susan. The spinning serving dish -- designed for the dining room table -- also provides a frugal and easy-to-use organizational system for your desk. Each rotating section is ideal for holding pens, markers, paperclips, rulers or other supplies. I plan to look for a wooden Lazy Susan at a thrift store and use that unit for paper clips, pens and other frequently used items.


3. Old lunch boxes: Flea markets are filled with old metal lunch boxes. Storage magazine recommends recycling and labeling old lunch boxes as storage space for supplies and office gadgets.


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Petroleum Jelly: Odd Household Uses

From shining shoes to rust-proofing car batteries, petroleum jelly has some unusual uses. Here are tips that I've tried or plan to try.

• Shoe Sign: Leather and patent leather shoes clean up nicely with a sheen of petroleum jelly. I've tried this frugal polish step several times. "Skip the skin-staining polish and apply a quarter-size dab of petroleum jelly to the surface instead."--First for Women (FFW) magazine
• Instant makeup: A small dab of petroleum jelly on eyelashes works like a cheap and clear application of mascara. Use an eyelash curler for an extra lift. Likewise, a dab of jelly is a cheap substitute for lip gloss. I've tried these tips with success.
• De-squeaking the shower curtain: A thin coat of jelly on a curtain rod will remove that squeaky sound that comes when the shower curtain opens and closes. --FFW
• Boosting perfume power. Slap on a little bit of jelly onto your wrists before spraying perfume. "The odorless oils in the jelly give cologne something to bond to, so the fragrance lingers..." --source FFW (I will try and report on the success).
• Pumping up the toilet plunger: Give the toilet plunger more punch by applying petroleum jelly (about 2 tablespoons) around the plunger's outer rim. This step creates a tighter seal and enhances the de-clogging performance of the plunger. --source FFW
• Car battery winter treatment: Remove and clean the caps from batteries. Also clean the posts by removing rust and gunk. "Smear 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly over each clean terminal. The oil-based gel forms a waterproof layer that keeps the metal components safe from salt and snow, which can cause corrosion and rust." --FFW
• Tear-free baths for babies and kids: Apply a bit petroleum jelly to the eyebrows of young children before bath time. This step establishes a "water-resistant barrier" against soap bubbles, especially if you are out of tear-free shampoo formulas.
• Banish wood watermarks: White water rings will disappear if you rub one teaspoon of petroleum jelly into every watermark. Let it sit overnight and then use a dry cloth to buff the surface.
• Anti-stick solutions for light bulbs: Whenever you change a light bulb, apply a small dab of petroleum jelly to the metal threads of the replacement bulb. This move prevents rust and prevents bulbs from sticking in sockets.
• Remove lipstick stains from cloth dinner napkins: 1) Apply a half-teaspoon of petroleum jelly to the stain; 2) let the jelly sit for five minutes or more; 3) apply a dollop of liquid dish soap to the stain, and 4) toss the napkins into the regular laundry cycle.

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The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store

Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
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