Daily Thrifty Tips - July 29, 2008

We have the second article regarding saving electricity from Kelly today. There are some great ideas for reducing your utility bill. There are also a lot of requests. Take a moment to look through them and see if you can suggest any advice.

Picking winners this week was very tough so we are giving out 2 extra prizes this week, one extra for photos and another extra for recipes. Thanks to everyone who has submitted photos, tips and recipes. That is what makes ThriftyFun the wonderful site that it is, all the participation by you, the readers.

Photo Contest Winners

Craft: Tile Art - Painting Tilesl

By Christi from Paducah, KY

This craft is what ThriftyFun is all about. You take something free and turn it into a treasure. The tiles are beautiful, but they are also easily done by any of our readers.

Craft: Concert T-Shirt Pillows

By Julianna from Princeton, NJ

We loved this simple project to use souvenir T-shirts as a part of your decor. Much more useful than simply framing them.

Tip Contest Winners

Using Buckets Under Downspouts

By Anne L from Green Bay, WI

Many people have great intentions but never follow through. This tip is a good example of just making do until you can get it set up. Think of all the water that has been conserved just using these buckets.

Alternate Liquid for Colonoscopy

By Terri from NV

This tip was well received by our readers. It is good when people can share specifics about their own procedures, to help future readers.

Recipe Contest Winners

Tuna Cheddar Chowder

By Faith from Lynden, WA

This recipe sounded delicious, like all of Faith's entries. It is a hearty soup, great for the upcoming cooler weather.

"Toad in the Hole" French Toast

By redskin from Brockville, Ontario, Canada

This recipe is an interesting spin on a classic. We also liked that it was a family recipe that has been passed down through generations.

Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

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God's Paintbrush and Fragrance

This flower reminds me of God's creating Hands with the beauty of the Double Delight Tea Rose; the buds are so exquisite with the brilliant yellow splash of color and the subtle pinkish hue that peeks through the pale white color of the bud; when it begins to open, the colors are different on each rose and at full bloom, the color hues cannot be appreciated in a photograph. The fragrance of the Rose is so aromatic that no perfume, lotion or any man-made fragrance can compare it to it.

After a rain, the roses are filled with sparkling dew drops that glisten in the sun.

What a spectacular sight! By Jose from Tennessee

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Lass (Sheltie)

Lass is 6 years old and is a Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog.) We've had Lass from a puppy, she's part of our family.

I have to say barking is her favorite thing. She also keeps the teenagers in our family in line. She nips at their toes when they get to opinionated. She loves to play catch with the Frisbees, she's good.

She is so sweet and loyal. Her nick name is cat/dog. We have a doggie door to come and go as she likes. One day she brought me a present like a cat will sometimes do. A mouse! Hence the name cat/dog.When I call her that she gets happy and excited.

By Denise from New Port Richey, Fl.

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Best Garden Ever

Our BEST garden ever. Late start but doing really well. I've already done up green beans, zucchini and getting ready to do pickles. My husband "babies" our garden. My green peppers are perfect and my onions are great.

This picture is from June 26th. 3 times or more bigger now. I need to update pics.

By Penny from Ipava, IL

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Craft: Framed Door Chalkboard

I spray painted an old photo frame. Traced the inside on my kitchen door. Painted the space with black chalkboard paint and attached the frame with high quality glue.

By Jennifer from Riverview, Florida

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Craft Project: Paper Craft Gift Set

Design a card and gift tag by cutting flowers from your decorative paper. Create a coordinating basket to make it a wonderful gift.

By Maricel

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• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

These contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

• My Frugal Life
  Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Tide and Tinfoil for Polishing Metal

The easiest and most frugal way to shine silver,silver plate and brass is with Tide and tinfoil! Line the bottom of a plastic tub with tinfoil, shine side up, throw in some of the powder detergent and let the silver soak for about 25 minutes. The chemical reaction oxidizes the tarnish and you can wipe it clean! An antique store owner shared this tip with me; she recommended Tide, but it could be that any powder detergent could work as well. I cleaned every bit of brass and silver in my home in minutes!

By RaeMac from Arlington Texas

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Use Deferred Billing When Ordering Online

When online shopping, I use the "defer billing code". That gives me the time to receive the products and review the products-condition of, it's what I ordered etc.
If its clothing, time for trying on to make sure it fits right, what I ordered etc.
Then if I need to return an item, it can be returned before my credit card is charged. The online store you bought from will not charge you for that item if you return it before the date the deferred billing period ends.

Often the companies give you three months before charging your card. You will have to pay the cost of shipping and handling when returning items but, to me, that is a small price to pay compared to the cost of having it charged to my card. Instead of having, say, $20.00 charged to my card and then having to wait for it to be credited back into my account, I prefer to pay a few dollars for shipping it back, keeping the money in my account and avoiding a whole bunch of hassle.

Some companies even include a return label for you to use. The package is then mailed out by the post office and on receiving it the company will charge your card for only the shipping and handling.

By alexa/wildrose from DE USA

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Project Review: Magnassager

Excellent massager! If you're fed up with a massager that just vibrates and doesn't give you the massaging results that you are seeking, I found a REAL massager (NO vibrations) that compares to a bonafide Masseuse. This also incorporates the magnetism. I used this for my torn rotator cuff (I went cold turkey, no surgery). This has been 2.5 years ago and there's nothing like it. I DON'T lend it to anyone, just pass on the information about it.

I forgot to mention that it has a fully adjustable variable speed, and (3) Stainless Steel movable balls that can easily be removed to place in warm water for a 'warming' effect massage.

Source:

• http://www.magnassager.com/pages/overview.html

By Cajun from Collinsville

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Cleaning Burned On Food Off Teflon

If you need to clean some burnt food on a Teflon pot and can't scrape it because of the coating use this remedy:
take 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water into the pot and place the pot on the stove and let boil for about 10 minutes. When it has it cooled down then rinse.

It worked for me when I burnt some barbecue sauce in the pot.

Source: Green Solutions for the Home by Dr. Myles Bader

By Ema1203 from Cookstown, NJ

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Leave Vase Outside When Arranging Flowers

My husband is always complaining about finding little creatures walking on the table after I put out a vase of flowers. So now, what I do is, I let the vase sit outside for about 30 minutes before I bring it in. By then all the little bugs have gone elsewhere. Also, when I arrange my flowers I do it outside with newspaper underneath for the cuttings. That way I can roll it all up and throw it out without any mess in the house.

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Use Play Money To Reward Good Behavior At The Store

Grocery shopping with pre-schoolers can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you're shopping with more than one. I found a strategy that makes the experience easier for both the little ones and me. When we arrive at the store, I give each one several pieces of play money which they may spend when the shopping is done. The catch is this: each time they have to be reminded of any unacceptable behavior, they lose a piece of the money. Our first stop is at the bakery counter, where most stores have a "Cookie Club", a free cookie for the children. That move sets the mood for the shopping and keeps them busy with enjoying the cookie. Behavior improves as "money" is given back. With two or more children, you have bonus results because of their desire to have as much money left as the others.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

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Gift Giving from Things You Already Have

Go through drawers, closets and jewelry boxes, etc. Find things that are clean, in great condition and give them as gifts.

Decorate paper bags, boxes with homemade designs or get gift boxes at dollar store.

Have a party and exchange things. ONE persons trash is another's treasure.

By Anne A. from Fernley, Nv.

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Keeping Spice Holes from Plugging Up

I used to have a lot of problems with the spice holes plugging up. Then, I realized it was because of steam. So now, I season my pots and pans that have cool oil or water, then turn on the heat. It sure has made a difference!

Source: This was just my "duh" moment!

By Sandra A. from Salem OR

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Buy Family Sized Meat Packages

Being not so new at the grocery store shopping, I have found that instead of buying individual meats (for dinners), I buy the larger "family / super sized" meats and freeze them. I do this 1 time per month and usually end up saving like $25.00 to 30.00 per month that would have been wasted by purchasing individual serving sizes. Yes, I am shopping for 1 (me) and disability doesn't go far.

By ohdawn from Richmond, Va

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Bologna Snake

To add a touch of fun to the traditional bologna sandwich, I showed my boys how to make bologna snakes. A table knife is sharp enough for the task, yet safe for kids to use. Lay the slice of bologna on a cutting board. Starting in the center of the slice, cut a rounded "head," then continue cutting in concentric circles until you get to the edge.

Carefully pick up the "snake" and watch it uncoil. My boys liked for me to fry theirs after they had cut them. These "snakes" are good on a sandwich, but are even more fun to eat by holding them above your head and eating the "uncoiled snake."

*This food trick is for having fun and forgetting table manners for a little while.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

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Christmas Party Food Ideas

We are having 50 people over for Christmas including snacks and a meal. Each family takes turns hosting, we have had sloppy joe's one year and the next we had lasagna which both worked out great but I want to make something unique that can be kept warm or served cold as there are so many people we all kind of eat when we feel like it. It definitely won't be a sit down meal. Any ideas for the menu and decorating would be much appreciated.

Jenn from Wisconsin

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Puppy Peeing in Crate

How can I get my puppy to stop peeing in his crate at night?

Audrey from New Jersey

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Cleaning Inexpensive Jewelry

I am looking for a way to clean my dollar store bought jewelry. I know it is cheap stuff, but I would like it to look good. Any tips would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

shazza46

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Canadian Foster Parents

I would like to hear from older adults with grown up children, who are foster parents in Canada. If they could share their experiences with me.

Sheila from Ontario

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Steam Shark Reviews

Does anyone have a Steam Shark? If so, how do you like it?

Maryeileen from Brooklyn OH

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Removing Lice From Play Toys

I was babysitting a child a couple of days ago, and found out yesterday that her sister brought home a bad case of lice from her daycare. The little girl I was babysitting has them, too. I have been checked THOROUGHLY and don't have them. I vacuumed EVERYTHING and scrubbed and washed and threw stuff out, and put all the cloth stuff, including toys, into sealed plastic bags in the freezer... so all that is taken care of.

What I need to know is I have several play houses and climbers that you buy at Toys R Us. They are in my rec room as well as the play pen she was sleeping in. I have vacuumed them and washed them down with Clorox cloths. is this enough to kill the lice? I have 4 grandchildren and certainly don't want to pass them on to them! If this won't get rid of them, what should I be doing? I am REALLY paranoid about lice.

Thank you,
Catastrofy from Winnipeg, Canada

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Decluttering Tips

I need to start decluttering urgently. I have an excessive accumulation of craft supplies, books and magazines. Looking for help in getting started with online sales or other methods of decluttering. Need help. Thanks.

Sharon from Thomson, GA

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Earigate Reviews

Could someome give me a review of a product called "Earigate"? It's for removing earwax. Here's my concern: I've had ruptures in both eardrums, I don't know if I'm supposed to use this product. It comes with an information sheet but it is wrapped anound the cannister and sealed under plastic. You can't read it unless you buy it. I don't have money to spare for things I can't use. And, yes, I know I should have this done at the doctors but my insurance no long covers this procedure and I can't afford the $400.00+ price. I figure something sold over the counter must be safe if used properly. Thanks for any help.

Peanut from South Norfolk VA

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Buying Belt Elastic

Does anyone know where I can find 3" belt elastic? I like to make my own belts, to match each outfit.

Thanks you for any help.
Linda from Century, Fl.

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Flowering Verbenas Tips

I absolutely love flowering verbenas. The problem is that, without fail, they all end up dying on me. Does anyone have any idea what I might be doing wrong? It's driving me crazy and I hate wasting money on replacing them all the time.

Cathy from Townsville, QLD

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Blueberry Buckle Recipe

I am looking for a delicious "crockpot" blueberry buckle type recipe. I have one that uses plain yogurt, but I don't have any. Can I use something else in place? Like maybe regular 2 % milk?

Theresa from Mount Olive, NC

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Sump Pump Not Draining Well

I have a basement tub on a sump pump that does not drain well. I think it is not getting enough air. Question is, how do I get more air to it?

Aree from Suwanee, GA

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Refinishing Mahogany Furniture

Can someone tell me how to refinish a large mahogany dining room table? The varnish is very badly marked. It has huge cloudy sections caused by warm food bowls, plates, and occasionally spilled liquids. I want to be able to use the table without a cloth over it. It is beautiful wood. Can I just remove the varnish, and simply sand and oil it, without using another varnish (that would just get ruined)? Any suggestions?

Missy

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Hard Water Stains In Toilet

Does anyone have a tip as to how to get really bad hard water deposits out of a toilet bowl?

Gwen Smith from Palatka, FL

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Keeping Pickled Cucumbers and Okra Crunchy

How do I keep okra or cucumbers crunchy when pickling them? Thanks to all!

Shonar from Ocoee, TN

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Burning Bush Losing Its Leaves

My burning bush losing leaves. Any advice?

Hardiness Zone: 5a

Les

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Cleaning the Outside of a Thermal Coffee Pot

My request is about a thermal coffee pot that I no longer use for coffee but would like to get it cleaned up for taking to the park when the children and doing there sports. The cover is coffee stained and I believe I was successful in getting the smell out but would like to get the stains off. Since it is thermal I am afraid I will ruin the part that keeps the contents either cold or hot whatever it is being used for.
Thanks
Orva

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Name for Interior Design, Buying Service

I am thinking of starting an interior design service that includes shopping locally for furniture, accessories, etc. in a thrifty manner. i.e., Home Goods, Pier 1 Imports, etc. I have been tossing around combinations such as "Design and Shop, Personal Shopper/Designer".

Thanks for your help.

Peggy from Fresno, CA

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Uses for Cassette Tape Covers

Does anyone have a use for old cassette tape covers?

Debbie

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Summer Schedule for Kids

What is a good schedule for a mother with 2 kids starting with the morning time. I feel so tired and clueless on what I have to do when I wake up and throughout the day. What can I do to keep my kids busy and entertained? What is a good schedule to keep busy? My son is 9 years old and my daughter is 7 weeks old.

Michelle from EL Paso, TX

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Repairing Toy Wind Up Mechanisms

I am looking for ways to repair toys, especially the wind up mechanisms, does anybody know how to release the mechanism and is there ways of getting into the toy (tin) to do it? Also, are there any books or websites that have information on how to repair different types of toys?

Marc from Los Angeles, CA

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Simple Recipe for Clam Chowder

I need a great simple recipe for Clam Chowder.

Martha C. from Baker City, OR

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Problems With Uppercase Living Site

I am trying to get on the website Uppercase living, it has decorating items, etc. You need to have an id and password and to get those, you have to have a demonstrator first to get you into the area where you would get a user id and password. I contacted the company and someone was suppose to get in touch with me but nobody did, can anyone out there help me.

Thanks for any help
Linda from Hartley, Iowa

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Keeping Soda from Going Flat

How do you keep Coke from going flat once it has been opened? I would like to be able to drink the whole bottle, instead of having to use the flat Coke as a toilet bowl cleaner (which is a great use for it!). Thanks guys!

Catastrofy from Winnipeg, Canada

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Pop Can Chicken

I am looking for Beer Can Chicken on the grill using a can of pop in place of the beer. Also, need to know how to do the entire process of prep and grilling.

Karen Sue from Jenison, MI

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Saving Money on Cereal

Tips for saving money on breakfast cereal. Post your ideas.

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Saving Money on Oil Changes

Getting regular oil changes are important to maintaining your automobiles engine. Do you have any tips for saving money on oil changes? Feel free to post them below.

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Nail Polish Stains on Clothing

I recently got red nail polish on white linen shorts. Panicking I used acetone nail polish remover, which didn't work along with (this was dad's suggestion) paint thinner, with no avail before crying for about 20 min over my favorite and nicest article of clothing. Is there any hope?

Nathalie from Goodrich, MI

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Crafting for Fun and Money!

If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish.

More Information:
Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml

Electrical Savings 102
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

Think you've mastered electrical savings? Take another look around your home and find even more places to pull the plug and keep the meter from spinning.

To see Kelly's article, "Electric Savings 101, click here

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