I think skimmer socks are one of the truly great cheap innovations available to pool owners. I usually use one for about a month, rinsing it regularly, then it wears out and I use a new one. If I use 4 a summer, it's a lot, but they are AWESOME!

You backwash far less and your pool is much cleaner.

Caveat: When I go on vacation I REMOVE the sock and cover the pool. That way my father in law rarely has to clean the strainer. I get home, back-wash, and go back to the sock.

The other great cheap innovation is using a little DE powder in a sand filter to drastically improve the filtering. One ten lb box has lasted me years already. I think this is the third season and I'll get one or two more for my $8 for 10lbs. $2/season!!!!!!!

This is going to be a good time to stock up on Polyquat, 60%. It's been VERY pricey this year so I intend to get a lot when the EOS sales make it more reasonable.