I also cut old towels, tees and sheets and use as rags.
We also use butter containers as tupperware; not to mention sour cream, cottage cheese, etc.
I also buy cheap vinyl tablecloths at the $1 stores and use them for my kids to do crafts on. We also line the minivan with a couple when we go on road trips.
I make play dough for the kids and make homemade mac-n-cheese instead of buying.
If there's a way for me to stretch something I'll find it...all our juices are watered down. I buy store brand sodas, esp root beer.
We cut up the credit cards a couple of years ago and, if there's something we want, we save for it. If it's not worth saving for than we didn't need it.
One of my favorite quick budget meals is:
Saute in 2T evoo one foil packet of yellow (saffron) rice, the bigger packet. Saute until golden. Then add 1 can drained cooked chicken, 1 can either rotel tomatoes (if you're in the mood for Mexican) or Italian diced tomatoes (for Italian), and 1 1/2 cans water. Bring to boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Sometimes I sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top but it's not absolutely necessary. My kids LOVE it!
I also make a
chicken enchilada casserole where I toss in a bowl: 1 can drained chicken, cheddar soup, cream mushroom (or celery) soup, 2 small cans green chiles (very mild) or 1 can rotel tomatoes and a couple big handfuls of tortilla chips (yes chips). Pour in baking dish sprayed with Pam and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes on 325. Your family will love you.
The chips hold up better in the mixture than tortillas and don't end up as mushy when baked. Plus it's soooo easy!
I love to cook and -up until I met my mil - would have balked at using canned chicken but, in casseroles, it's actually great!
I read someone describing how they make tuna patties. We do this with canned salmon. I LOVE the big can of bread crumbs at Wal Mart. My goodness I use it in meat loafs, squash casserole bake, corn bake, patties, you get the idea. When my bananas start going brown I stick them in the freezer so they turn black quickly and make banana bread.
And I've found that dawn dish soap and baking soda make a great shampoo for when your toddler smears A&D diaper ointment in the hair.
Hydrogen peroxide also has many uses.
I also consign my children's clothes from the previous season each year at one of the big biannual sales in my area. I also volunteer to work it so I get in early at the presale, where I buy ALL my kids' clothes, costumes, shoes and just about everything else they need. In fact, our fall sale started yesterday and I was in the first presale group. I paid $200.80 for all 3 of my children's fall wardrobe including 12 outfits each, 3 coats, 2 lightweight jackets, 4 costumes, 3 tights, 6 toys, step stool, disney princess castle, tinkerbell castle with figures, and 4 pair of sports pants for soccer practice. And we're not talking cheap clothes. All the outfits I bought for my daughter were Kash Ten tie dye dresses (tags still on brand new retailed $54 each!), Oilily, Gymboree, Janie-N-Jack (one sundress I bought for $7 last spring I sold late summer on ebay for
$109 plus shipping!!!!!!, Rubbies, etc. You get the picture. Search for Just Between Friends or other big consignment sales in your area. They are worth it and so addictive! My volunteer time is 9-2 tomorrow. I picked that time because, since the 1/2 off sale starts at 9, those of us working it get to shop an hour early!
This tip is for the BUDGET stretching (and) WEIGHT minimizing crew 
So please give me some recommendations!
I love all sorts reds and whites though I tend to lean a little towards red and definitely don't like a lot of oak in mine. I'll check out the Target this weekend and get the Sprite Zero. How does the Sprite effect the red wine's taste? 
I've done a white wine spritzer thingie like this before but never tried it in my red wine.
~ not a problem here often 
I'm with you on the wine bottle issue. I have not problem finishing off a bottle before it turns. 
Depends on the cost of the clear stuff vs press n seal?
