October 30, 2004

Rebates at StoresTake advantage of rebates at Rite Aid, Walgreens, Office Max, Auto Zone, CVS and the grocery store.

 

Make a Dog Bed With Old Fleece RobesDoggie beds can be made out of used fleece robes found at thrift stores. You can usually pick them up for very little and cut them apart to make a nice bed for your little pet.

 

Frizzy Hair RemedyGet the frizz in the winter? Look like Buckwheat by the time you get to work? Me too. Here's a quick, economical way to reuse your dryer sheets. Put one in your bag and a brush. Rub the brush with the used dryer sheet and viola!

 

Stretching Hotel CoffeeI go to conferences and schools yearly. The 4 cup coffee maker the hotel has will have a pre-packaged coffee and filter. I make the 4 cups of regular coffee. I take a covered pitcher or carafe with me and pour that coffee in the pitcher.

 

Car Rental TipsYou can usually get a much better price by renting well in advance of your trip, especially if you reserve in a low season and travel in a high season

 

Travel LIGHT!If you are flying somewhere and have to change planes on-route, you will probably have to walk a few miles. Don't take anything on-board that you don't want to lug for five miles. I use a comfortable padded back-pack for my laptop, and check in everything else.

 

Some Travel TipsPack all of your heavy items in the bottom of your suitcase. Determine the bottom by the position of the suitcase when it is locked & either wheeled or carried.

 

Repair Tears in Window ShadeRepair tears in window shades with colorless nail polish. This works wonders on small tears. By Peggy

 

15 Cent PedicureHello Frugal Friends. Tis the season to be happy, healthy and jolly. Tell that to my dry, cracked feet. Need a cheap way to acheive the results of a pedicure without the excessive price? Fill a bowl or tub with warm to hot water so that it will cover your tootsies. Then add a half cup of Epsom salts. You can pick up a giant container for REAL cheap. Soak for as long as you like or at least ten minutes. Then use a pumice stone (lava rock) to sloph off dead skin. Rub in lotion and you just got yourself a $25 dollar pedicure for about 15 cents. By Suzanne S.

 

ThriftyFun News October 30, 2004 - Holiday TravelOnline version of the ThriftyFun News. Holiday Travel. Volume Six, Number 42 October 30, 2004

 

Put Small Travel Items in Zip Lock BagsWhen traveling, putting small items such as brushes, toothpaste, and undergarments in large zip lock bags, makes room for the larger items that have to be taken with you. By Della Gray

 

Remedy for Kids Not Remembering What You Told ThemI decided I was tired of my kids always saying that they didn't remember me telling them something, like "clean your room". So what I did was tape off an area around the lightswitch and painted around it with melamine paint (the kind they use on dry erase boards). So now, I write something on there and anytime they turn on the light, voila! they see the note! By Lisa Trudeau

 

Cutting Chicken Strip TipWhen I want to make chicken strips from frozen boneless chicken breasts, I take them out of the freezer for approximately 30 minutes. It makes the cutting more uniform and a lot easier! By Michelle

 

Frugal Decorating With Old CalendarsNeed to decorate in a bad way but have almost no money to spare? If you want to perk up those bare walls with artwork here's what you do.

 

Polishing Carved FurnitureDip an old soft toothbrush into furniture polish and brush lightly. Then buff with a clean cloth. By Peggy

 

Free ButtonsCheck at garage sale free boxes for dresses and blouses that have pretty buttons. These buttons can be cut off and reused (or collected) and it didn't cost you a penny. Also, watch for sweaters and other crocheted or knitted items in the free boxes. You can ravel out the stitch work and re-use the yarn or give it to somebody you know that crochets or knits. By Kathie

 

Spraying ShampooI watch for shampoo at garage sales. Last garage sale, I got an almost full bottle of Herbal Essence shampoo for damaged hair for 10 cents. I then mix the shampoo and water together in a spray bottle, about 1/3 water and 2/3 shampoo or whatever works for you.

 

Neck Tie BeltWant to keep up with trends, but don't have the bucks to spare? Here's a real hot fashion trend that you can spend no money on! Grab one of your husband's ties or one of your own and use it in place of a belt.

 

Liquid for Burning Pine Cones?A long time ago I read about how you can soak pine cones in a liquid solution and when they dry you put them in a fireplace. The flames will turn colors. I would like to know what the liquid is that does this. I believe liquid solution had "alum" in the name. Thanks Pat from Texas

 

Shining Sterling Silver Candle Sticks?Does anyone know of a quick and easy way to shine sterling candle sticks? Beth

 

Traveling Toiletries?Is there a way to fly with your toiletries without them exploding all over the place?

 

How to Apply for Makeover Shows?I have seen all of these shows on TV where homes are getting redecorated for families, neighbors, etc. What about a place of business, more specifically a small night time bar?