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One Carrier. Plenty of Uses.

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I’ve shown you guys this Cupcake Courier before. It’s been awhile, but I still love it and I wanted to show you a couple more ways you can enjoy it.

Christmas Cupcakes

First and foremost, it carries cupcakes.

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It can hold 36 cupcakes. Or 24 or 12 or any amount in between. Just remove the stackable trays to suit your need.

Perfect for larger batches of cupcakes or taking them to a holiday party or get together.

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And if you remove all three trays…

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Then you can use it for cakes. And pretty big ones, too.

But here is the best part. The real reason I have fallen deeper in love with this carrier. It allows me to do much more when it comes to carrying my baked goods.

Christmas Tree Cake Pops

I am talking specifically about cake pops here. Yep, because the courier is so tall, it triples as a handy dandy cake pop courier, too.

It serves multiple purposes. One… it simply allows you to store them upright without having to wrap them in treat bags.

And two… it allows you to carry them more easily to happy recipients. With or without treat bags.

Here … let me show you what I mean.

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Tah dah. Perfectly protected pops. Of course you’ll have to imagine them made for full effect. I just used sticks and styrofoam to illustrate the idea.

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If you use 6-inch paper lollipop sticks (8-inch sticks would be too tall) and some styrofoam, it will fit just fine in the base of the courier.

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Styrofoam blocks come in many sizes and one of the common sizes is 4 x 12 x 2 inches high. Grab two of them and place them side by side on the base and then make 12 holes in each block. You can then easily carry 24 cake pops. And if you can’t find the styrofoam in that size, then cut down a larger piece of styrofoam to 8 X 12.

Either way it’s a great way to get more out of an already handy product. You can find them on amazon.com.

Hope that helps all you guys that are cake popping and cupcake making… and of course, carrying.

And to celebrate finding ways to do more with less, here’s a fun giveaway.

  • This giveaway starts November 15 and goes until November 29, 2010. Time’s Up! Winner Announced below.
  • To be entered in the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post and describe something you’ve found to be more productive or some way you do more with less. That’s it.
  • One winner will be chosen at random using random.org and announced on this post at the end of the contest period following verification. See complete rules for details.
  • The prize is one (1) Windows Phone 7 (all features and details of the phone will be determined by the Sponsor.)

Okay, here’s the winner, chosen at random.

phone-winner

Congratulations Wendy! Have fun with your new phone.

And thank you everyone for so many great ideas to do more with less. You guys are really resourceful. I’m impressed.

phone

This giveaway is brought to you by the new Windows Phone 7. Less tech tired. More tech trendy: Learn about Windows Phone online and see it in person at local T-Mobile stores today.



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4,403 comments on “One Carrier. Plenty of Uses.”

  1. I am my most productive when I have good motivation!

  2. I recently was given a food processor for my birthday and I quickly realized that it can basically do anything! I make peanut butter, slice apples and bananas, puree tomatoes, and the list goes on! I love how one appliance can go so far.

  3. The first time i delivered cupcakes as gift, it went all over the tray! then i made a cardboard with holes in it to securely travel my cupcakes. Ingenuity of people makes life easier and more wonderful :) I want that cake tray! thank you for sharing :)

  4. In addition to using my cupcake carrier for more than just cupcakes… I also love to use scrapbooking containers to hold my sprinkles. I can use diffrent colors to make my own season sprinkles, dye white non-parleis to match my theme and even use them as pretty kitchen decorations. I just love my spinkle jars :)

  5. I use plastic bags from the store for my garbage instead of a regular kitchen size garbage bag…that way I’m not just throwing all the grocery bags away!

  6. Empty plastic baby wipes containers…use them for many things, especially school supplies. I also use one in my kitchen to hold baking items like sprinkles, food coloring, etc…all those little things that can roll around and get knocked over if not stored properly.

  7. I set a timer for when I’m on the internet. I give myself an hour to everything I need to do online. WOW does an hour go by fast!!! But I do what I need to do and then I’m done. I’ve managed to free up a lot of my personal time by doing this because I’m not aimlessly surfing for hours.

  8. I use baking soda to clean

  9. I use my Google calendar to text events to my phone. Helps me to remember.

  10. Well… i never seem to win any of these, so I have decided that my remarks might make some one’s day a little bit better. I am most productive when my kids are napping, when I know someone will be coming over soon, or I have a deadline to make me get in the groove. I would recommend a simple trick I learned in culinary school called Mise en Place…. meaning everything is in its place. when all the things are in their place, it makes cleaning and daily tasks easier because things a place to call their own.

  11. my mixer :)

  12. I use mason jars to organize everything!

  13. I recycle any plastic bags I get from stores. They become garbage bags, lunch bags or I return them to the store’s recycle container.

  14. I like that carrier. I will have to put it on my christmas list! I use white vinegar for cleaning, and it is safe for pets! Also, I use my screen porch in the winter to refridgerate cookies and baked goods. Of course I live in Chicago so the weather works in my favor.

  15. When I mash bananas I use my pastry mixer to do it. Works quick and easy.

  16. My husband is in the military and this means that we don’t always get to spend time with our families during the holidays. When doing all my baking this month and next, I will call my loved ones and do all my baking while using my bluetooth earbud. This way I can stay connected with our families while baking all my goodies!

  17. I try not to buy clothes/accessories that don’t coordinate with things I already have. I do end up with a more monochromatic wardrobe but I tend to dress more understated and classic anyway so it works out well.

  18. I unplug my internet cord–then I suddenly become much more productive! :-p

  19. I have found hockey sticks are the most amazing product ever. We use them for everything in my house…doing laundry, hanging christmas lights, dusting.

  20. I purge my entire house twice a year, let my extended family and friends have first dibs, and the rest goes to charity. I feel great with my house organized and minimalistic and I never miss the things I give away.

  21. I find that sharing/swapping books with my friends and family help us all to save money on buying books and gives us all a good reason to get together every now and again. :)

  22. organizing things is very productive — not only that, but the end results in making your life more productive! i believe that decluttering a house and putting in shelves/storage space are lifesavers!

  23. learning to make cake pops, make me give to more people, while spending less…. they just simply make people happy…

  24. I love to make your cake pops, wrap them in celephane with a name tage on it and use them as place cards for different sit down events I host.

  25. I love Google Reader for organizing all the crafts/baking I want to get to! Love the carrier, think I need to get one for my sister!

  26. I cook or bake a
    lot in a single morning or afternoon saving time and energy!

  27. Doing more with less, hm? When I turned 18 I moved out of my mom’s house and into a tiny one bedroom apartment with my sister. The closet was tiny, and we didn’t have room for dressers, so I kept all my clothes stored in canvas containers from wal-mart. They were cheap, and I’ve been using them for years to store random stuff, help move, and (most recently) as cat perches!

  28. I try an make gifts for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, etc. While it can take more time, you save a lot of money and always end up with something really nice. Last year I made lip balm and did the pretzel dip things. Really nice gifts. This year we went apple picking and I made Apple Pie Filling in a Jar. Now all they have to do is make or buy pie crust, dump, bake and enjoy. I just tried one of them out and it was amazingly delicious. And there was no way we would ever have eaten all of those apples.

  29. One way I feel more productive: Making good use of the time I have walking my son to school. We play red light/green light to practice his listening skills while he gets add’l exercise. Green means run! Yellow means walk. I also add in a hop, skip or jump to throw him off. We practice his sound spelling, adding, etc. I think he truly enjoys it! and he’s learning…

  30. I love using the shoe organizers that hang on the back of your closet door on vacation hang it up in the bathroom and put your makeup, hairspray, jewlery, cell phone charger, extra batteries anything in it. Works the great at home too :]

  31. My more with less is Magic Erasers. They are amazing and I love them! :D

  32. I have found using a Web site called e-mealz has simplified my grocery shopping and cooking. I love it!

  33. I find I enjoy making making my own fondant. It’s MESSY by so much cheaper than store-bought. Tastier, too.

  34. Tupperware! Originally bought by my Husband just for food storage (he cooks) but it has become my childs playland, plus it is handy to use as a kids bowl, paint holder for finger paints and more. I love love love it. Also, icecube trays, we use it for storing baby food, pesto and anything needed for bite size storage!

  35. When we bought a new tv we realised that our old cabenet was only able to fit the old box tv and not the new lat screen, so we cut the cabinet down and now it fits perfectly and has solved our problem :D

  36. I don’t watch the nightly news anymore. Keeps my attitude positive and for some reason, I have more time to do other things!

  37. cosmetic bags…so many uses! plus, they are usually easier to clean.

  38. When my husband deploys I am forced to be more productive, like right now, the shed didn’t get sorted before he left so to get the holiday decor out I have to delve into it and reorganize just to get to them..lol that and since there is no one to snuggle (sadly) I have plenty of time to do craft projects late into the night without disturbing the other person by climing into bed late..haha

  39. Freezer paper–you can use it for stenciling, or to make a pattern.

  40. Pumice stones make great toilet scrubbers (gotta keep the bowl super wet though). However…once you use it for that it’s not really a multiuse item anymore.

  41. I keep a large calendar centrally located so that we don’t miss appointments, etc. It is easy to glance at the whole month and do some planning.

  42. Recently bought one of those styling tools with multiple features so I can curl, straighten, ect my hair in less time than before. :)

  43. I have now started clipping coupons and looking at sales ads before going shopping! Also i make sure i go on a full stomach–so i’m less inclined to buy things i don’t need!

  44. I’ve become better about freezing things to use later. I cook a pound of ground beef and put it in a freezer bag. When I make a recipe that calls for cooked ground beef, I just thaw it in the microwave. If I have leftover chopped onion, I freeze it for the next time I need some onion. Same for leftover chicken broth, pasta sauce, even pepperoni!

  45. That thing is awesome! Do we get the cupcake courier, too!

  46. I pick up empty cigar boxes at the grocery store and use them to store items in and for decorative purposes as well. I use two in my master bath – one for skin products and one for my makeup – stacked in a decorative basket. My husband has six of all sizes stacked on his office desk. Each contains different items: receipts, photos, pens/pencils, momentos. Each is unique and add character to the room.

  47. I find using a toothbrush to clean jewelry with jewelry cleaner (instead of the little tiny brush included) makes the whole cleaning go faster and easier! =)

  48. I am most productive when I set my own expectations and don’t stress what others are thinking. Suddenly, I am super motivated and get more done!

  49. I love this cupcake courier! I have 4 of them and don’t know how I survived without them!

  50. My 4 year old son loves to help me bake. I use the time as “learning time”, I can incorporate math skills, we sing “spelling songs”, he likes to taste everything! So he knows flour is not sweet, like the sugar is. It’s great bonding time.

  51. I stay off the laptop and especially Facebook all day on every Sunday..then I can cook a great Sunday meal and bake delicious goodies for my family and my coworkers get some on Monday too!! I like making people smile!

  52. Please, JESUS and PLEASE bakerella… PICK ME!!!!! You’ve know I idea how much the hubby wants one of these! SOOO perfect for Christmas!!!
    And as for the best way for me to be productive.. get this phone for hubby, leaving him happy as a clam while I bake away for the holidays!! :)

  53. Living on a shoestring budget is not easy, but my kids never do wtihout. It just means they have to wait a little longer to get the things they really want. They understand what it means to save for extras and that immediate gratification is never the answer.

  54. Homemade cookies for a christmas gift, homemade jar and personalized card, a great gifts for all teachers at my kids school…

  55. using vinegar..i use it for cooking, baking, cleaning, laundry, descaling appliances, shiny hair, deodorizing, etc…great way to get a lot of use out of a cheap product
    great giveaway!!!

  56. i keep cereal boxes and open them up. They are perfect for sliding just baked cookies onto while they cool!

  57. Pinecones make great name tag holders!!

    I throw a christmas party last year and infront of everyones plate they had their name tag! They LOVED the idea.
    Just brush some white school glue (the one the dries clear) and sprinkle on some sparkles!!

  58. I’m the most productive when I use my planner. I live by my planner and physically hand writing and crossing things out is so exhilarating and I feel so good after!

  59. no cable and no internet at home… so on goes the stereo and it’s a wonder how the dishes, laundry and house cleaning gets done!!

  60. a weekly meal plan saves time agonizing about meals and eliminates costly extra trips to the store.

  61. With the correct e-mail address now!

    Being a night owl, I’m most productive when it is night time and also when there is a little bit of white noise, just not a clock ticking! :-)

  62. Being a night owl, I’m most productive when it is night time and also when there is a little bit of white noise, just not a clock ticking! :-)

  63. My aunt was throwing out some wooden stands that my grandfather made a long time ago to hold my Girl’s Day dolls. When i saw them i thought about using them as small side tables/night stands for my new apartment. it worked wonderfully!

  64. Vinyl!
    its perfect for everything! Especially rolling on fondant!

  65. we’ve become very frugal with $5 whole chickens from warehouse clubs. We usually get 3 meals plus at least a quart of stock, no more buying cans for us!

  66. Wax paper is a great canvas for a Royal Icing Creation. Let it dry for a day or two (according to size) and peel it right off!!!

  67. I thought the giveaway was going to be for the carrier (which is awesome!) but a phone…wowee Bakerella!

    I am not so original but my best friend and old college roommate is wise. She bought splatter screens (for cooking), hung them on her bedroom wall, and used them to hang up her earrings. Very visual, resourceful, and useful!

  68. Ziploc bags – they work for everything. Food storage, craft holder, garbage bags on the go….the list goes on and on

  69. i’m most productive (cleaning wise) when I have a paper or homework assignment that I don’t want to do coming up soon

  70. My sister works at a home improvement store that sells “dented” stuff for way cheap. Every year we scour the discount section and make most of our christmas presents that way. It’s great bonding time too!

  71. Tinfoil, helps keep things clean.

  72. My sister and I do all our baking together. So we save on supplies and have a blast spending time together!

  73. I use my old toothbrushes to clean toilets!

  74. Oh my goodness, I have been looking for something like this FOREVER!!! Just this week I did a google search for cupcake carrier, then went to Crate and Barrel, Michaels and Joann’s looking for one. And today you saved me more searching, yay:) I’d love to win this one, but either way, I’ll be getting my sister this for Christmas. Thanks for ending my search.

  75. I’m a list maker and have note pads on the fridge, in my purse, on my computer at work, etc.

    Lists help me!

  76. Technology helps a lot since I’m a student. I have a few spreadsheets to keep myself in check and lists on my laptop and phone!

  77. I am more productive when I have had sleep! ;)

  78. All through college and even now, I use cute little tackle boxes for make-up, crafts, and tools. Keeps them all organized.
    Also- those hardware containers for fishing lures is perfect for keeping all my jewelry organized.
    love me some organization =)

  79. Wow! I have been looking for one of these! My aunt has one.
    Hmmmm…. What can I say?
    Love my iphone! But dont like spending so much money on the cases. So I bought a clear case and now when I need a change I just cut a piece of scrapbook paper to the size of my phone. Then punch a hole out for the camera and place it on the inside of my case. And Wha laa! New case when ever I want.
    Crossing my fingers!

  80. I donate one piece of clothing to a non-profit shop for every new item that I buy – since I’m usually replacing something that I haven’t worn or doesn’t fit, my closet isn’t stuffed with items that others might use.

  81. I have found that naps help me be more productive. :) As a mom of two boys under two (18 months and 2 months) I find that to be most productive I must wait for nap time, or at nap time I must also nap then wait for my hubby to get home so I can be well rested and ready to work while he plays with the kiddos.

  82. I use my lipgloss as eyeshadow and blush when I am traveling or when It’s a hot summer day set with powder, finish with mascara and Voila…..you have instant beauty!!

  83. Audio books…i listen to a book and do my work at the same time :)

  84. I’m most productive when everyone gets out of the kitchen and leaves me alone! Ok…I’ll let them get something to eat once in a while! LOL!

  85. I use these craft carriers for my cake decorating stuff.. they snap together and I can have 4 snapped at once.. everything is labeled so I know right where it is and where to put it back.. love these.. I see them everywhere during xmas time..

  86. Pill bottles from the pharmacy are a good size for carrying quarters in your purse – handy if you go to places with parking meters or if you go to the laundromat a lot.

  87. To get more bang for my buck, I’ve started using an old email account to subscribe to email listserves to all my favorite stores. Anytime I’m in the mood to shop, I always know I’ll have a coupon handy!

  88. i use hydrogen peroxide to get out organic stains instead of wasting money on fancy name brand stuff!

  89. I’ve found a great way to be productive while making lunch — if I’m microwaving something, I race the timer to get the dishwasher unloaded, and then wipe down the counters and stove if it’s a longer timer!

  90. My topic is flowers :)

    After I make flowers with fondant, I place them in an egg carton so it can get that lovely round and deep shape.

    Oh and I once took an old satin blouse and made some pretty flowers to a plain write shirt.

  91. I work at Starbucks, so I often find myself with a few extra brown paper handle bags. I love them… you can bring your lunch in one, pack a present, send goodies home with a friend, gym clothes, crafts….

  92. When I have a cake order, I quadruple my icing recipe in my Kitchenaid mixer and that saves me SO much time!! I’m much more productive when I have all of my icing ready to go before I start decorating….that way I don’t have to stop mid-decorating and mix up more!

  93. I have found that the cupcake baking pan is very versatile and I can use it in many ways….I use it obviously for cupcakes and brownie sandwiches. I also use it for a simple table decoration – floating some candles in a couple holes, adding some colorful candies in other spots. Also works great to hold my sprinkles for my cake pops, then i can do many styles at once!

    Love it.

  94. I love using forks for basically any cooking task, mixing, whipping, frying, etc. super multi-utility tool!

  95. Baking cookies from scratch :) and making to-do lists! Helps remind me what I need to get done that day and the cookies are a lot cheaper to make then to buy at the store!

  96. When I was little I used to use sticky rice instead of glue when I ran out…:) One of the many ideas most asian families use:)

  97. My cookie scoop, how did I go 47 years without one, and since I’ve gotten mine, I tell everyone about it. I know of three other people who have bought one. The secret of perfectly round uniform cookies, so simple. I’m so dumb to have taken so long to figure it out.

  98. when i buy a new calendar for the next year……..i go through my old one and put in all birthdays straight away…….as sometimes there are new friends, new additions to families…….

  99. I use my muffin tin to make pizza rolls! A little pizza dough on the bottom, topped with cheese and all the delicious toppings your heart desires.
    I first tried this when I made homemade pizza for company that was over, and I had some extra dough but no pan. :)

  100. I’m more productive when I have a great motivator… like when I know I have about an hour to get supper cooked while my baby is napping :) because after she wakes up it’s all about her.

  101. I love to find new uses for old things that I have, but never use. Next up, making “plarn” out of plastic shopping bags to use in crochet projects.

  102. I use a large semi-clear storage container to keep my goldfish in over winter in my basement. I keep them with my house plants under grow lights. It’s not as large as the small pond they swim in all summer but it’s bigger than a fish bowl and gives them plenty of room. That’s not to say that they are not overjoyed when it’s warm enough to go back outside into their pond.

  103. i use the lids from those fancy frozen juice concentrate things for matching games for kids. it’s great! you just save up a few and put matching stickers on them, and you’ve got a great, durable game at no cost to you!

  104. I’m find it to be most productive when you have a set day to do certain things such as Mondays are cleaning days, etc. Also, you can never go wrong with a TO-DO list :)

  105. I use my Chefmate (DeLonghi) mixer more than I anticipated, which is saying something, since I knew I’d love it. It’s so powerful and can handle really heavy dough.

    A time and sanity-saving thing I’ve started doing is having my daughter earn the privilege of watching some of her TV shows. Our living room is generally not where she plays with her toys, so when she brings them in and litters the floor with small things that hurt when you step on them, I barter her Dora/Wonder Pets/Backyardigans show for her picking up her toys. It’s worked really well, as I don’t have to be the one stooping down to pick up the stuff, and it makes me not mind so much when the singy-songy shows are on.

  106. Paper towel on slightly cursted butter cream icing to smooth it out or put a small desing in it..

  107. Poor college student here. I’ve learned to cook and bake from scratch and trade in ingredients that are cheaper instead of what the recipe actually calls for. Instead of buying both flour and oatmeal I keep oatmeal and then put it in a food processor to make oat flour:) A lot healthier and keeps you fuller longer!

  108. I LOVE to find new uses for things…. I have a glass cake stand that I also use as a punch or salad bowl when entertaning. I just turn the cover upside down on top of the stand… And voilà a great party bowl!

  109. I have learned to turn the tv off at night. I get more chores accomplished and I am less stressed!

  110. This is cheesy but I buy ice cream in the big plastic buckets, when they are empty, I wash them and use them to store flour, sugar, rice and such. We live in the middle of nowhere, so I buy things in bulk and the plastic buckets are just the ticket for storage!

  111. I’m most oroductive when someone babysits for my 3 yr old triplets. Any volunteers?

  112. sleep, all can say is getting enough sleep!

  113. candles. the give me light, they smell fantastic and they ALWAYS make my day a little bit better. Especially Christmas candles… :)

  114. I have two cake pan carrier doo-dads, and I have never made a cake, and left it in the pan to use the top. However, the top I use all the time! I love rolling balls of dough, and keeping them in it upside down, and then throwing it in the fridge to chill while I wait for other cookies to finish. This way, they stay flat, and don’t squash each other like if you had rolled it and put it in a bowl.

  115. I bought a strong plastic cutting board that is 14 x 7, and use it for all sorts of things. I’m in college, and I use it for homework when i sit on my bed, and to prop my laptop on. I also like making fondant cakes in the summer, and I always build them on this board.
    Also, Julie on comment 96, that is a great idea with the muffin pan. I don’t have a cookie sheet, but I have a muffin pan, and I’m totally going to use that tip!

  116. I’ve switched from using a half dozen different cleaning products to a simple solution of vinegar and water, saves me time and works amazing well at cleaning glass and wood floors alike! LOVE THAT PHONE!!!!!

  117. My husband uses the jigsaw, I use the bandsaw and together, we can knock out my projects in half the time. WOOHOO!!

  118. I use non-ziplock sandwich bags to protect the cake pops that I make as gifts. Its a little bit cheaper than buying lollipop bags in a baking supply store and they serve the same purpose!! no one knows the difference!!

  119. I have found that you can use clay molding products for fondant. Usually they are cheaper and accomplish a similar out come.
    I have never seen that cupcake carrier, I think it will go on my Christmas list!

  120. My most efficient product lately is a wire cooling rack. Besides cooling my baked goods, I also use it to bake homemade fish sticks, chicken strips, etc. It is a perfect way to raise food off of the cookie sheet.

  121. I use a baby bottle brush to clean out aluminum water bottles!

  122. I use more for less when i use the nice towels to dry the car….isnt that what theyre for? yeah, my wife gets mad too! but at least im productive!

  123. I use my extra large open roaster pan to make a huge lasagne…then I cut it into individual servings and freeze them. Twice the meals made at one time.

  124. I have noticed a tremendous amount work is done when the the computer is off…….I know…I’m a genius!

  125. This looks so neat! I always ruined my cake pops when I brought them to a party. :) I save all types of jars and use them for storage for all of my bulk foods.

  126. Just bought a steam mop and have turned the chore into a pleasure. It takes a much shorter time and the floors look a lot cleaner. Cake making is so fun but I always make such a mess!

  127. Less “stuff” all together is better. Makes you thankful for what you do have.

  128. Reusable shopping bags can be used for more than just shopping. I use them all the time carrying things back and forth from work. I use them for trips, like for packing food to bring along, toys for my son, odds and ends that don’t end up in luggage. I use them to carry my library books. We have them in every vehicle and use them all the time. I love me some reusable shopping bags.

  129. Being more productive means no internet or tv. How would I have found Bakerella without internet?

  130. Dawn dishwashing liquid…its cuts the grease immediately on everything and I don’t only use it on dishes. i use it to clean counter tops and other things around the house. A little goes a long way and I end up saving money in comparison to buy the cheap brand.

  131. I found that using an empty egg carton I can make the “perfect” gumpaste flower poses. Since I use eggs to bake in the cakes and I have plenty of left over cartons. I can make TONS of flowers at once and they look perfectly posed!
    I have been wanting on of the cupcake carriers for a while!

  132. Fewer toys for my kids!!! Less stress and less cleanup!

  133. My smart phone. Due to being able to sync multiple family calendars, have contacts, email, books, video, and the internet in one little organizer has been a huge help. I can pay bills online, do class research, entertain my 4-yr old, and more leaving time to paint and help with the school parent group…and blog!

  134. I make hand bags out of old clothes and such around the house :)

  135. I am trying to be more productive! Having a family of 5 and keeping the budget is tough at times but I always find ways. A little bit of music and tons of caffine makes me the most productive! Also decluttering my house, I have found tons of things the last few months that I do not use and can part with.

  136. I write my grocery list on the backs of the envelopes that come with bills. Then I can put all of the related coupons into the envelope and have them easily handy when it comes time to check out.

  137. I use clear nail polish to fix minor cracks or small holes in plastic, etc.

  138. I use cupcake wrappers as jewelry organizers! Sometimes I have just a couple of cute baking liners left and never end up using them so I line them up on my dresser to hold my rings and earrings for easy access to my faves!

  139. I’m most productive when I make a LIST! I don’t know where I’d be without my lists! They get me through the day! :)

  140. I use a headset or speakerphone on a portable phone all the time – allows me to multi-task without missing a conversation!

  141. I sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the bag each time I replace the bag in our kitchen garbage can. It keeps things from getting too smelly so I’m not constantly replacing bags and don’t have to buy the special odor-blocker bags.

  142. Productive when the kids are asleep

  143. Doing more with less…hmm…does leaving a stick of butter out of my chocolate chip cookies so they’re more cake like count? XD

    Recently I’ve been using my all sided brownie pan for muffins and cupcakes. I’m thinking about using it to make little square pies!

  144. I make “MUST DO” lists with a timeline. I have to give myself a set date other wise I put it off beacuse something else might come up.

  145. This carrier is so cute and helpful. I would love to have it to transport my cake pops in :)

  146. Cupcakes! I prefer making cupcakes rather than a huge cake. Plus you get more frosting per cupcake. And who doesn’t love frosting.

  147. I just recently realized that I can roll out dough on heavy duty foil paper. Makes clean up really easy just fold up and toss. Saves alot of clean up time. I also find that I am much more productive after I put the kids to sleep! Less interruptions:) Love, love, love this carrier!

  148. I like to use Liter soda bottles cut in half to stabalize my threads while i embroider. Why waste the money buying that kind of stuff when you can just make it at home for free??!

  149. I am much more productive when i start out the day working out or taking a shower… if i dont get myself going in the morning i can sit down and watch TV ALL day and not get off the couch for anything…

  150. As a teacher you are only paid 1x a month. Planning out meals for the week or month helps by organizing and sharing theingredients needed. There are less items bought and less items that go bad while waiting to be used!

  151. I use cloth bags that I bought at the grocery store for everything, from putting stuff in them at the mall, or carrying all my stuff to fondant classes…they’re great and when they get dirty, I just throw them in the wash :)

  152. I used to buy a lot of different things to clean with. Shower sprays, cleansers, etc. I’ve found that I get just as good a cleaning with white vinegar, salt and baking soda and they are a lot cheaper!

  153. I’ve found that I am a very productive house cleaner when I drink a bottle of wine and turn on some music.

  154. I find one of the most productive uses of my time is when I try to multi-task. If I am headed in a certain direction I take stuff that needs to be returned to that location with me to be put away. I also consolidate my errands and map out the best travel route to make the most of my time and gas!

  155. CREAMCHEESE!! I use it for pretty much everything I eat! pasta sauce, bread, cup cakes…theres no end to the list!

  156. I put my computer away and focus on the most important things in my life… My husband and children. That gets me motivated to do more than just sit at my computer. :)

  157. Multitasking like crazy! Put stuff to slow-cook or bake while running laundry while writing papers, for example.

  158. Just started couponing and in the begining I was cutting out every coupon every week but I found that if I keep all insert intact all I have to do is flip through it instead of through a whole bunch of loose coupons

  159. I’m more productive when I make lists. If I can organize my day on paper, then I can find the most efficient way to get things done.

  160. I love using baskets to carry my cake pops. =)

  161. I do more with less scrapbooking supplies. My friends and I share, share and share some more. It makes creating that perfect page sooooo much easier.

  162. Being a mom of two little ones, I always have baby wipes on hand and use them for everything from the obvious to cleaning toothpaste off the mirror :)

  163. My friend and I both lost our jobs this year. We’ve had to cut back on buying things we don’t really need, like new clothes. Last week, we each went through our closet and picked out four shirts that we hadn’t worn that much and traded. We’re lucky because we have similar taste and wear the same size. It was like we each got some new clothes and didn’t spend a penny.

  164. I’m a fan of online shopping (especially Amazon Prime – totally pays for itself!)

  165. I read alot and I just now recently started using rubber bands as bookmarks. I don’t always like to dogear my book and sometimes the normal bookmarks fall out. With rubber bands, I never lose my place :) It’s quite helpful since I’m not re-reading Deathly Hollows before the movie comes out.

  166. Recently I heard that putting an empty toilet paper roll on each side of a hanger will keep sweaters from getting those horrible hanger shaped places. Trying it for the first time this week. Hope it works! :)

  167. So many great ideas! The only thing that comes to mind, is that when harvesting zucchini and pumpkin, I shred the zucchini and then store it in freezer bags in 1 and 2 c amounts. I do the same with pureed pumpkin. Makes it easy to just pull out the amount I need for baking.

  168. I’m much more productive when I just opened my diet Coke for the afternoon and the kids are at school and my house is clean… then I feel I can tackle some of the jobs that really need to get done! (like my nails) :)

  169. I save our crystal light packaging for the kids craft supplies. They are tall enough for colored pencils and work perfectly for extra pompoms too. And we are recycling!

  170. A productive idea i have had is to use the plastic trays that cartons of cream come in as cupcake holders! And best of all, most shops let you take the trays for free!

  171. I am a list maker – lists for everything. I was scrolling through some of the comments…great ideas in here.

  172. kind of a weird multitasker…. but you can use a dryer sheet to help with frizzy hair! A friend in highschool had stuck a sheet through the teeth of her hairbrush and she NEVER had flyaways! So crazy!
    Not nearly as exciting as this cupcake carrier though…I will have to pick one up!

  173. I am most productive when I stay away from fb!! :)

  174. I find myself most productive when everyone is asleep!!! I can get the house clean and it actually stays that way until morning :/

    great give-a-way
    thanks :)

  175. Oooh, this is a good one, I am all for re-purposing things so that it has many uses! This week, my favorite multipurpose kitchen item is my big stock pot with the colander insert. I have boiled a chicken for soup, the just pull the colander up and all the chicken parts come out leaving just the yummy broth. Then I used the huge pot to make the chicken noodle vegetable soup. Today I am boiling up 6 pounds of pasta for a meal exchange recipe that I am making for my MOMs group. I can just lift the cooked pasta out and then I can boil the next pound in the same boiling water – saves a ton of time!!

  176. When I buy a new sweater an extra button often comes in a littel plastic ziplock bag. Of course I save the buttons, but I also save the bags for sorting my beads.

  177. I would say it’s my pampered chef frosting gun.

  178. Instead of using paper towels to clean our kids at meal time, we have a basket full of wash cloths. i can have a clean one every time & don’t waste paper towels. :)

  179. When I bake I like to leave down a row of paper towels, that way when I’m done I just fold them up and throw it away. It’s so much easier when I’m cleaning up!

  180. I use coupons to do more with less money!

  181. My cell phone makes me more productive. Predictable, I know, but when you run your own business, it’s a must have! :)

  182. I set a timer for 15 minutes and do as much as I can in that amount of time. For some reason…it makes the project less daunting!

  183. As a full-time student/parent, I drink lots of coffee, which gives me energy to be more productive. Ha! I also clip coupons and try and plan a weekly menu around grocery store sales to and save money.

  184. I always find something productive to do while watching tv; homework, folding laundry, blogging or knitting.

  185. LOVE that courier, have to get a few!! And love your site! I find it is more productive to make doughs that need to be refrigerated first, then frosting, drop cookies, and then cupcakes which will cool quickly, and loop back around to the first doughs to roll out. It makes big orders go quicker and take less time and makes everything less hectic!!

  186. Doing more with less…coffee filters….to cover things being heated in the microwave…cheap and easy. Also cheap paper plates to roll out homemade biscuits for cutting…once you’re done, just toss the plate and there’s no cleanup.

  187. Every evening I plan out my next day. This helps extremely with doing homework, as I have it all laid out for how long and at what times I am going to do things. :)

  188. I use emptied jars to store just about everything! Pickle and jalepeno jars turn into hair ties, scrapbooking and jewelry organizers!

  189. I get tons of address labels from various organizations (usually asking me to donate money). I use them to reseal almost everything, cereal bags, coffee bags, chip bags. I also use binder clips on larger, bulkier items because the chip clips always break.

  190. I attended a cookie decorating class last night and the instructor used ketchup bottles to ice the cookies. I LOVE the idea.

  191. I have definitely tried to get by w/ less. I have 3 kids and homeschool so we attempt multitasking whenever possible.

  192. I pay all my bills online, but I keep all the return envelopes that come with the bills for my kids to use – they love to fold up drawings and pretend they are sending them to different people in the mail. Now I don’t have to worry about them using up all the “good” envelopes.

  193. Clothing and book swaps with friends! They make you feel like you have it all!

  194. Online shopping! Keeps me home for the holidays rather than out in the rat race with everyone else.

  195. When I am preparing dinner, I try to do a little extra for two meals to save time in the kitchen and more time with family. as it ends up, we end up not having so many leftovers that go in the trash!! I am excited; i have an old fashioned phone, about 4 years old, so i would be so pleased to have this one!

  196. I’ve finally started budgeting using mint.com…I love that site to see where the heck my money goes, and what I need to cut back on. It’s free!! Use it (and, no, I don’t work for them – haha). I’m just an ordinary housewife-y

  197. I think your cupcake holder is my new “favorite” thing. It certainly would make my life easier!

  198. Something that has really made my life easier has been my casserole dish carrier. From carrying cakes (in my covered Wilton cake pan) to carrying dinner dishes to friends houses, it makes life so much better! Slide it in & it’s ready to go!

  199. As a busy mom with 3 kids 3 and under I have had a challenge with organization. I have been using my iphone putting lists in my calendar and setting reminders of things that I am supposed to be doing and it has really helped me.

  200. I’m more productive when my kids are napping and the hubby is at work!

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