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Hello,
We decided not to send out a newsletter yesterday. It was a great day for us to spend with family and friends. I hope everyone had a successful and happy holiday. The season isn't quite over with New Years right around the corner. We are working on our New Year's resolutions for ThriftyFun which we will share with you later in the week. If you have any ideas or tips for New Years resolutions or New Years celebrations, please send them in.
We apologize for any Christmas tips that didn't get published before the holiday. Forturnately, there are not too many that we missed and some were submitted on or after Christmas.
We have lots of tips today, I hope you enjoy them.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
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Today's Tips
Marking Dark Objects Or Fabric
Use a white-out pen to write on dark things that need a name, or number written on them.
By Linda
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Tips for organizing shopping receipts. Post your ideas.
Dealing with Shopping Receipts
I toss all my shopping receipts into 1 basket. If I need one, I know where to look.
By Linda
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Fire Starters
Don't throw away your dryer lint if you have a fireplace or go camping. Fill toilet paper or paper towel tubes with dryer lint and newspaper. Close the ends and you have a great fire starter!
By Melissa Z.
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Have an icy windshield but no ice scraper? Here are some other things you can use in a pinch. Post your ideas.
Emergency Ice Scraper: If your windshield is iced over and you don't have a scraper, a credit card will work to scrape the ice off.
By June S.
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If you want to play "musical chairs" at a kid's birthday party but don't have enough chairs or enough room, use cardboard squares for the children to stand on and play "musical squares."
By June S.
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Idea for Chalkboard Painting - Use It On Furniture
I loved the idea of using chalkboard paint in a child's room, but in our tiny apartment we just didn't have enough wall space. To give my son a place to draw I decided to paint the front drawers of his dresser and armoire instead (with chalkboard paint). It was really just wasted space and now he's got plenty of room to draw!
By Trix
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Instead of buying cooking spray all the time, invest in a oil-sprayer. It's basically the same thing as the spray cans, except you can refill it with whatever oil you prefer. Plus, there's no aerosol or chemical propellant (great if you're allergic to soy). You can even make flavored spray, which is usually expensive, for much less. You can find the sprayer with kitchen gadgets.
By Camilla
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Overseas Coupon Program - Sending Coupons to Troops Families
If you cut coupons, you probably have some you didn't end up using. Instead of pitching them, why not donate them? The Overseas Coupon Program http://ocpnet.org/ takes coupons up to six months past their expiration date to help families of active-duty military personnel overseas.
By Camilla
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Using A Worn George Forman Grill
For those that wrote about the worn Teflon on their GF Grills, when the grill is cold, try pressing aluminum foil sheet on the grill plate(s) then cook as usual on on that.
Should make clean up easy. Might be good even if you don't have a problem!
By Syd
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Saving Money on Shipping and Packing Material
Tips and ideas for saving money on shipping and packing material. Post your ideas.
Collecting FREE Packing Materials
When in stores be alert to things sitting around that they may be pitching out, like bubble wrap, sturdy small boxes, etc. Ask if you can have it.
By Syd
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Keep a Timer Handy for the Dryer
Clothes wrinkle quickly when the dryer stops. When you put in a load to be dried, set a timer that you can carry with you to a place where you will be able to hear it. No more forgotten and wrinkled clothes!
By Syd
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Weatherproofing Windows - Plastic for Storm Windows
My husband and I put up that plastic sheeting on our windows this year to help keep in the heat. There were 2 sizes of plastic, small and large. The small was too small for our windows but the large was way more expensive. For each window, we used two sheets of the small, and just heat shrank them together. The package says this doesn't work, but it has worked just great for us!
By Jennifer
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Make Your Own Party Food Trays
Some Dollar Stores carry the round party platters with covers. Check store ads for party platters and make your own with items that are on sale. It may be cheaper that way than buying ready made.
By Syd
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Keep a list of all rebates you mail with date, whom sent, address, product and manufacturer's 800#, and amount due. Check it off when received, however, if not received, contact the manufacturer on their 800# or send a post card inquiry.
Manufacturers always want to know if things are not going right with valued customers!
By Syd
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Here's an easy game for even small kids: You'll need 2 balloons, one round(ish) one and one long one. Use the long one for the bat and the round one for the ball. My 2-year-old loves it, and I can get a bag of balloons for less than $1!
By Camilla
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A pizza cutter makes quick work of cutting fudge or toffee. If the candy is sticky, spray it with a little cooking spray first.
By Camilla
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Chocolate is very toxic to dogs. A dog will smell it and chew right thru the wrappings of a box of candy under the tree. So, plan accordingly and keep candy in packages and stockings safely out of reach. (P.S. My dog will jump on a table to snatch a treat, so pick a safe place for candy treats!)
By Linda
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Well, it's not the whole closet, but recently my son decided he wanted fresh new white sheets and he did need a new comforter. Our sheets are old or hand-me-downs, so I thought it would be nice to give him some new items. He's also 17 and moving out soon and it's a good time to set him up.
We only use fitted bottom sheets along with comforters. We wash the comforter cover and the bottom sheet when we wash. I had read a great idea here where you put the sheets inside the pillowcases and have ready bedding changes but they kept getting lumpy and falling over in my closet.
When I bought the new sheets and two extra to make an inexpensive comforter cover in the color he wanted, they all came in those plastic zippered things. We only keep two fitted sheets per bed - one for using and one for changing when the other's being washed.
Voila! A total of 5 sheets purchased gave me storage for one queen fitted sheet and 4 pillowcases, one full fitted and 2 pillowcases, one twin fitted and 1 pillowcase, plus two extra for the extra top sheets we use now and then.
They are labeled and stacked in less than HALF the area they used to take up before.
I did the same thing with all the blankets we had - put them in large zippered bags we had gotten earlier with comforters (most were gifts).
Each of us has two bath towels in our own color which we keep in our bathrooms and we only have 4 guest towels in the linen closet. There's a pile of beach towels also, and the floor has all the sleeping bags and mats.
Now there's a whole shelf that's empty in there! I can't believe how those bags have made so much room!
By Rabbithorns
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Use A Coffee Filter When Repotting Plants
When repotting plants, use a coffee filter in the bottom to keep the soil from coming out the drainage holes.
By Linda
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Always try to beat cheesecake batter on low speed. Especially after you start to add the eggs. Try not to whip air into it. You don't want it to rise. Keeping it low on air volume will make it less likely to crack.
By Judi Shank
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Below are some uses for old toothbrushes. What are your ideas?
Using Old Toothbrushes
An old toothbrush is perfect for cleaning between the tines of forks when washing dishes.
By Camilla
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If your soup is too salty, quarter a raw potato and add it for a half hour or so. It will absorb a lot of the salt. Remove before serving. Use it in another recipe.
By Judi Shank
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After School Birthday Party Game - Follow Clues for Snacks
At the start of an after school birthday party, I have clues placed around the house or yard having one clue lead to another (about 8 in all) until the last clue led the kids to finding their after school snack. Great fun and with something you would give them anyway!
By June S.
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I keep a little notebook in my purse to jot down gift ideas for others especially if I am at their house and notice something they need or they mention something they want.
By June S.
Editor's Note: We are a little late publishing this tip for the Christmas holiday but it also works well for birthday present reminders.
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Disposable Cameras for Weddings
A great idea for getting a variety of photos at weddings for the bride and the groom to keep is to buy some disposable cameras to lay on the tables with a short note attached inviting people to take pictures of those they are with. Be sure to leave the cameras for the bride and groom to develop so they get the pictures.
By June S.
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If you're having a hard time thinking of a shower gift for the bride-to-be, a good present might be a gift wrapping center. Get one of those tall storage containers for the long roll wrap, add some bows, scissors, tape, etc.
By June S.
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If you pick up Walmart layaways and they are wrapped in the brown craft paper just use holiday stencils to decorate. Of course, you'll want to peek to figure out just who's gift it is.
By Melanie
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Using it All - Condiments and Salad Dressing
Freezer Pops: When you have used all of the jelly out of the jar, fill almost full with water, close the lid and shake. This becomes a perfect mixture for making freezer pops!
By Melissa Z.
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Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
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Tip Contest
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New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on December 31st.
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
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New Requests:
Cabbage Patch Doll Clothes Patterns
I am trying to find patterns (easy) for crocheted Cabbage Patch Doll clothes - regular size, not preemies. My granddaughter got one for Christmas and we need some new outfits for her doll. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y'ALL. Vicky from N.C.
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Recipes and Freezing Instructions For Red Onions
I recently received about 10 pounds of red onions and am looking for ways to use them up or save them. My mom said they don't freeze well... anyone have any luck with this?
Thanks,
Shan
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Need Help with Christmas Presents
Can my children and I get help with Christmas presents this year? I just had surgery, and have not been able to work to get Christmas presents! I won't be able to find work until after the holidays. Could you please help? I live in Indianapolis, IN. - Sylvia
Editor's Note: We received this by email. We wrote back saying we don't give direct aid but that someone in her area might know of a place to get help.
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Can You Fix Sweaters That Have Shrunk?
Help I just washed several sweaters in cold water and now they look like they belong to a small child. Does anyone know how to get them back to their original size?
Michelle from PA
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Hi, does anyone have any ideas on how to organize spiral bound cookbooks, the kind that you can buy from churches, schools etc. I have dozens of these but it is very hard to look for a particular one that I need, plus just laying them on the shelf is not very attractive.
Thanks,
Sandi
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I have a different problem with my washer. I think a screw or a coin may be trapped in between my drum and outer shell as when the washing machine is on spin it is an incredible scraping sound when I spin the drum by hand it does the same. I had my brother look inside the top and he says everything looks attached. Help, what do I do? My warranty is over. I am from uk so if anyone can tell me how much this is gonna cost me please let me know or if anyone knows what else it could be its a Bosch wfb2004 make. PLEASE HELP I have washing up to the roof and I am frightened to use it in case I totally ruin it? love and hugs Lisa
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Today's Sponsor
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http://www.budgetstretcherpremium.com
More Reading:
Price Book 101
By Amy Allen Clark
Several months ago, I thought I knew it all on how to save money when grocery shopping. I have found, however, that there is always more to learn as months later I am beginning to address this topic again. I know I am not the only one who thinks that we are playing a game when we go to the grocery store. Educated consumers walk away with loads of goodies for minimal money and others of us fork over the big bucks for the same exact thing. What sets one shopper apart from another? How do you beat the grocery game? Is it really all about coupons and rebates?
View Article: Click Here
Greeting Card Organizer
By Rachel Paxton
While making my weekly rounds of yard sales with my mom and daughter, I ran across the neatest little album that was sold by Hallmark many years ago--it is an organizer for greeting cards!
View Article: Click Here
Kid Approved Dinners
By Brandie Valenzuela
Have no fear, kid approved dinners are here!
While there is no guarantee that every child will devour the following meals, it is safe to say that the majority will!
View Article: Click Here
Donating Money Without Spending A Cent
By Jeffrey Strain
Even if you don't have a penny to your name, it's still possible help your favorite causes. All that's required of you is a simple click of a mouse. By visiting "free click" donation sites, you can give money to a charity by clicking a special button and viewing advertisers. Best of all, your donation won't cost you a single cent.
View Article: Click Here
"Honeydew melons are rich in Vitamin C, potassium, calcium and iron. Cantaloupe is rich in Vitamins A and C. Leave cantaloupes at room temperature to soften and make juicier. Store ripe melons in the refrigerator, especially if cut."
View Article: Click Here
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