Live green, save green with 25+ ways to reuse and repurpose twist ties

April is Earth Month and here at the Penny Pincher Post, we're all about ways to reduce reuse and recycle. Here are 25 ways to repurpose and reuse recycled twist ties, reduce waste, live green and save green! 

1. Replace unsewn buttons with recycled twist ties. Feed one end of the twist tie through both button holes and then through the two original holes where the button attached to the garment. Twist, bend it back and snip off edges so it doesn't scratch. Reduce waste and save money big-time by salvaging garments with lost buttons! 
2. Use recycled twist ties for brads (aka paper fasteners) and paper clips. For brads, remove paper or plastic from twist ties, fold in half and twist the top several times to make a head. Push both ends through paper and fold the edges back. 
3. Bend recycled twist ties into DIY paper clips. Reduce waste, live green and save money on stationery supplies. 
4. Repurpose recycled twist ties to repair shoelaces on children's shoes. When plastic shoelace ends come off, poke a twist tie though the cloth part. Bring the ends together and twist. The child can feed the new end through eye-holes of the shoe. Reduce waste and save money by reviving old shoelaces. 
5. Suspend things from ceilings with recycled twist ties. For a drop ceiling, wedge twist ties under ceiling tiles. For a screwed-in ceiling, loosen screw, twist the tie around the screw and re-tighten screw. 
6. Pick locks with twist ties. Locked yourself out of the house? Twist ties make the perfect lock picking tools because they are small easy to use for tripping the lock spring or mechanism. Save money on locksmiths! 
7. Repurpose recycled twist ties in fun child-minding crafts. Give twist ties to restless children to make rings with. 
8. Make more creative rings by stringing beads. on recycled twist ties. 
9. Connect twist ties to make bracelets. Add charms or decorations by twisting the ties into loops.
10. Live green and save money by repairing broken household items with twist ties. 
11. Repair necklaces by twisting through both ends of the twist tie at the point where the loop is missing. 
12. Repair eyeglasses when frame screws fall out. Feed the twist tie through the bracket where the screw was lost. Make a loop and twist the ends together. Trim off excess or fold back. 
13. Repair or replace lost zipper pulls with twist ties. 
14. Fix your pet's collar or reattach the dog's license. 
15. Use recycled twist ties for a makeshift keyring. 
16. Reset buttons on electronics or watches which require reset of a tiny button with a pen nib. Use twist ties for less mess.
17. Loosen jammed drawers by using the twist tie to leverage and unstick the jammed part. 
18. Twist a tie around appliance, computer and telephone cords to keep the neat. Wind cords and tie them in tidy bundles. 
19. Make a temporary replacement for an appliance knob that has fallen off. Twist ties can only be used on appliance knobs attached through a metal hole or loop. 
20. Use recycled twist ties to remove small parts that are jammed or stuck. Pencil sharpeners, staplers, electric razors, and all sorts of other gadgets and small appliances get jammed by debris. Turn off and unplug appliance. Make a hook with the twist tie and dig out stuck bits. Twist the tie into a hook. Live green and save money replacing jammed appliances. 
21. Unclog a drain or garbage disposal with a twist tie. Make sure power is off and be sure not to drop the twist tie and cause a further blockage. 
22. Clean between blades of razors or in small crevices. 
23. Repurpose twist ties for first aid. Hold gauze in place by twisting around wounds. In an emergency, remove a splinter with a twist tie. Sanitize twist tie with alcohol or burn the end.
24. Repurpose twist ties to hang Christmas tree ornaments that have lost hooks. 
25. Make temporary window curtain or shower curtain hooks. Repurpose broken items and live green. Repair a wire mesh basket using recycled twist ties. 
26. Use twist ties to close open bags of food. Save money and reduce food waste. 

I saved 80% on facial products: money-saving tips on moisturizers, night cream, eye cream

Looking in the mirror while having my hair done, I realized that I'm getting old. To avoid the withered prune look, I'm upping my skin care regimen. Now I'm here to tell you, folks, that moisturizers are not cheap. In fact, one might call it a racket! I love the Lancome night cream for example. After using my sample size, I went looking at Sephora and found it  (are you sitting down?) for $60 for a little pot!!

So I went to my go-to TJ Maxx to find cost-saving alternatives and I wasn't disappointed. I stocked up on cellulite firming cream (another extortion game), retinol cream, collagen oil, day moisturizer and night cream. And the whole arsenal only cost me $30. And I got a huge thing of collagen cream, like professional size for only $7. I found collagen and retinol oil for $5 at Big Lots. So now, bring on the dry skin because this penny pinching mama is ready (and she didn't bust the bank to do it!)

25 tips to save money on college dorm room essentials

As fall approaches, students go back to school or college. And that means time for back to school shopping on college dorm room essentials. Books, tuition, student housing and extra fees are already expensive. Outfitting the dorm room can put parents over the top financially. Here's money-saving mom's budget dorm room shopping guide.

First, focus on dorm room essentials. Skip the funsy-cutsy non-essentials. Stores and colleges would have parents believe college kids need. all kids of junk they don't. Think "need" not want. Get best prices at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Best Buy, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General and TJ Maxx. Watch secondhand stores and other store sales. Use Walmart Savings Catcher to make sure your Walmart purchases were the lowest prices available.

Dorm room essentials: (check first to see what furniture dorms provide, typically bed, desk, shelves, closet)
-branched floor lamp (one light for reading in bed and one light for the desk): $10
-microwave oven: talk with roommates about chipping
in on a microwave. Pick one up for $40
-bed set: includes comforter, fitted sheet, 2 pillow cases. Some come with cushioned lap desk: $36. Send sheets and blankets, skip pillow shams and bed skirt.
-pillow: $5-$10 Choose a good comfortable pillow. This is essential for proper rest. Don't allow your college student to use the provided pillow.
-rug or bath mat: $4
-alarm clock: $5
-personal toiletries set in shower caddy or zippered bag. Student should stow supplies in container to prevent spread of germs in shared bathrooms, under $10.
-shower shoes, flip flops or pool shoes for use in shared bathroom
-portable dorm refrigerator: $59. Stock with beverages and food, to prevent temptation to spend big money at the college dining room or cafeteria.
-bath towel set: includes two bath towels, two hand towels, two washcloths: $10 at Wal-mart.
-dorm room appliances: toaster, coffee maker and electric hot pot for heating up soup and canned foods. $7 each at Walmart. Send a hand can opener.
-pop-up clothes hamper and hanging shelf organizer (holds ten pairs of shoes and has three larger shelves for sweaters, tee-shirt, jeans or towels. Hamper zips shut for ease of carrying to laundromat or home. $20 for the set at Walmart.
-back pillow for studying in bed, under $20
-6 plastic totes with lids (18 gallons each): $24 at Wal-mart. Plastic totes are an excellent way to transport and store dorm rooms supplies and clothing. Six should be the perfect amount for supplies.
-dorm chair: don't get a bean bag or orbit dish chair. These are quite uncomfortable for older teens and adults. Get a clearance lawn chair with arms or a plush club chair that folds