When it comes to containers, it's hip to be square

Organizing your storage containers can be a pain. If you don't have a system for the lids, mealtime can become one additional frustration of the day. You can invest in storage containers with interlocking lids or simply designate a shoebox or drawer to hold them all. Nesting helps if you have round containers. But the first reader tip is ideal for optimizing cabinet and refrigerator space.

Plastic storage containers: I only have square or rectangular containers and put the smaller ones inside the bigger ones. I have eliminated all around containers because they take up more space in the cabinet and the refrigerator. Lids (all stacked together) are right next to the containers. At one point a couple years ago, I got rid of all my mismatched containers at a yard sale and bought sturdy square or rectangular containers of three different sizes from Ikea. They all stack compactly. It was the BEST thing I ever did.

Heather, Massachusetts

Use soft melons: When cantaloupe gets soft and mushy, put it in a blender. Add juice or milk and ice cream, and enjoy your shake.

Patty C., Michigan

Repurpose: When school supplies were on clearance last year, I picked up some hard-sided pencil boxes for little things like Kool-Aid and gravy packets. I always found that I was buying too much because I couldn't see stuff on the top shelf.

Kathryn, forums

Kitchen organization: Aside from grouping like items together, a good rule of thumb for the kitchen is to make sure that you store items near where they will be used. For example, your pots and pans shouldn't be stored in a cabinet across the kitchen from the stove or oven. They should be placed in the cabinet closest to the stove or oven. Dishes should be stored either closest to the dishwasher for easy clean up or near your serving area for easy serving. It depends on how you run your kitchen.

Also, I store things that are kid-friendly at a kid-friendly level. My kids help set the table, so plastic plates, etc., are put in a place where they can reach them; this way, they can be self-directed when they are helping. Same with kid snacks. So they can be self-sufficient, I put these items where the kids can get at them and they won't be tempted to climb on a chair to get stuff.

Amy B., New Jersey

Old milk-paint recipe: For those who love to redo wood stuff like I do, here is a great milk-paint recipe. It calls for tempera color powder. I use Rit Dye to dye fabric. You just keep adding the powder until your desired color is achieved. I decorate in the primitive style, so I have used this many times.

Measure out ½

cup of powdered milk into a container with a lid. Add 1/2 cup of water into the powdered milk, and stir until the milk is dissolved. This mixture is your "medium." Put some of the medium onto a palette pan. Add a little tempera pigment. With a paintbrush, stir the medium and the tempera gently on the palette pan until smooth. Add a little more medium to lighten the color or a little more tempera for a darker shade. Use water to make the paint more transparent or lighter.

Tina S., Illinois

• Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (frugalvillage.com). To send tips, comments or questions, write to sara@frugalvillage.com.